Phoenix Police Department(PHOENIX) -- Police in Phoenix have sent out an Amber Alert for two young missing brothers, and have issued an arrest warrant for their father in connection to the killing of their pregnant mother.



An Amber Alert was issued for Jonathan and Victor Coronado Nunez, ages 5 and 8, on Saturday. Their father, Dimas Coronado, 47, is a person of interest in the disappearance of the children, according to Sergeant Armando Carbajal of the Phoenix Police Department.



Coronado might be armed and dangerous, according to warnings from police.



At around 4 a.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a call and arrived to find the children's 24-year-old mother, Oralia Nunez, and a 34-year-old housemate, Omar Gonzalez, suffering from gunshot wounds. Nunez was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, and Gonzalez was found dead in the home. Phoenix police have developed probable cause to arrest Coronado for three counts of homicide, including Nunez, Gonzalez, and Nunez's unborn child.



Nunez's cousin, who found the crime scene when she came home from work, also lived at the home with Nunez, Gonzalez and the two boys.



Coronado and Nunez, who were married for nine years, had been estranged for the past few months, and had a history of domestic abuse incidents that had recently escalated, Carbajal said. During their estrangement, Coronado had been living down the street from the boys and their mother.



"Given the violence at the scene and given that he is wanted for the homicide of the boys' mother, as well as the roommate, we believe the boys to be in danger," Carbajal said. "And we believe he's armed, so we're asking anyone with information to please call the police department."



Police believe Coronado, who is Mexican, may have fled across the Southwestern border to Mexico, where he has family. The Phoenix police don't yet have confirmation on the legal status of Coronado, Nunez or the boys, according to Carbajal, and don't know if Coronado is in Mexico, but are working with Mexican law enforcement partners.



Nunez's cousin told officers the two brothers were at home with their mother the night before she was killed.



Police were initially looking for Coronado's white Chevrolet pick-up truck, but found it near the house Saturday with no sign of the boys or their father. In an updated Amber Alert, police said they believed Coronado is driving an aqua-green Ford pickup truck with a Mexican license plate.



Coronado is described in the Amber Alert as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and 190 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. Jonathan, 5, is around 3 feet tall, and Victor, 8, is around 4 feet tall. Both boys have black hair with brown eyes.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those...
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi witnessed on Sunday in Beijing the signing of a number of contracts with Chinese companies to implement development projects in Egypt with an investment worth of $18.3 billion.

"The contracts signed include the construction of the world's biggest power plants in Al-Hamrawein region on Egypt's Red Sea coast, which will be powered by clean coal technology, and with a production capacity of 6000 Megawatts," Egypt's Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady said.

The contracts include stage two of central operations in the new Administrative Capital, the construction of a petrochemical refinery plant in the Suez canal zone, and a pumping and storage plant in Ataqa mountain.

They also include the construction of Shaodong Roi textile complex, and a Tai Chan plant for gypsum panels.

President El-Sisi is on a three-day official visit to China, heading a top level official delegation to attend The Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation FOCAC 2018, which will be held in Beijing on Monday.



Earlier on Sunday, the Egyptian President held a meeting with the CEO's of major Chinese companies working in Egypt.

Also on Sunday, the Egyptian President told students at the Chinese Communist Party Academy that Egypt highly commends China for its success in construction and development, calling for the use of China's expertise to achieve desired development in Egypt.

President Sisi was officially received by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Great People's Hall in Beijing on Saturday.
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iciHaiti - PNH-South : Positive result of the operation Okipe Beton





As part of the operation "Okipe Beton" started last August 16, which consists of reinforcing the police presence in the streets and the proliferation of patrols, Commissioner Mario Aubergiste, Departmental Director of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) South presented this week at the police station of Les Cayes, the results of the first 12 days.



As part of several separate operations in conjunction with the justice, conducted in areas at risk, 22 individuals were arrested, 9 kilos of narcotic and a large quantity of marijuana-related substances were seized and handed over to the Narcotics Trafficking Brigade (BLTS) for the necessary follow-up. 6 firearms were also seized



Moreover, the Commissioner Aubergiste lamented that police officers had been arrested, accused of involvement in inter alia robberies and various illicit trafficking.



TB/ iciHaiti


















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An Indian American student at the University of South Florida, Nandini Agarwal, has gone from a fresh face on campus to one of the brightest students in all of USFs Muma College of Business. (LinkedIn photo)
Home Search ICH How Obamas Foreign Policy Options Were Continually Limited By Netanyahu And The Lobby By Philip Weiss September 01, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Ben Rhodess memoir of serving as a top foreign policy aide to President Obama, titled The World As It Is, came out in June to highly favorable reviews. I got the book to scratch my itch on Israel/Palestine and was surprised by how candid Rhodes is about the power of the Israel lobby in a Democratic administration down to the fact that chief of staff Rahm Emanuel nicknamed Rhodes Hamas for speaking up for Palestinian human rights. The memoir documents that at almost every turn, Barack Obama was painted into a corner by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the engaged support of the organized Jewish community. In doing so, it echoes a book Rhodes never dares to cite, but surely read, The Israel Lobby, by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, and backs up their most serious charge, that the lobby helped get us into the war in Iraq in 2003. The book is hardly flattering to the former president. Obama emerges as a magnetic/enigmatic personality, but not very strong when it comes to international and intellectual challenges. Hed rather play cards than read a book. And he prefers the company of a cold young cipher/sycophant like the author to a mature thinker. Rhodes shows that Israels American friends had access to the Obama administration at all times. As Obama prepared his famous speech to the Muslim world, delivered in Cairo in 2009, the lobbying was intense, Rhodes says. AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and other organizations friendly to Netanyahu had established themselves as the adjudicators of what was pro-Israel, and they had zero tolerance for any pressure on the Israeli government. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In the days before the speech, I was asked to sit down with Lee Rosenberg the Chicago recording executive who had cultivated Obama for years and was freshly minted as AIPACs president. Rosenberg wanted to make sure we werent breaking new ground in our support for the Palestinians, or worse, suggesting that Israel/Palestine was a root cause of all problems in the Middle East. Rosenberg also urged Obama to call on the Muslim world to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The author has misgivings about how much he had to listen to Rosenberg. The Israelis were by far the stronger party in the conflict, but we were acting as if it was the reverse. Some pressure came from within. When Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel got tired of hearing Rhodes argue for empathy to the Palestinians, he started calling me Hamas. Hamas over here, hed say, is going to make it impossible for my kid to have his fucking bar mitzvah in Israel. Later Rhodes himself relayed the pressure to the president while going over edits in the speech. Theres a lot of discomfort with using the word occupation, he said. Obama pushed back. What else are we supposed to call it?  If we cant criticize settlements, then we might as well go home. That speech early on in the administration contained Obamas sharpest criticism of Israel. The president slammed the humiliations of the occupation, hit the settlements in no uncertain terms (The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements It is time for these settlements to stop), and didnt refer to the Jewish state as such. (And Rahm Emanuel did celebrate a sons bar mitzvah and a daughters bat mitzvah in Israel.) But Obama spent years climbing down. In February 2011, Obama did Netanyahu and the lobby a giant favor by vetoing the UN Security Council resolution against settlements. Soon after that, the president gave a speech calling for peace negotiations based on the 1967 lines, bringing about the signature moment of his relationship with Netanyahu, when the prime minister lectured the president in the Oval Office the next day on why Israel could not accept such lines. Obama was humiliated, but the organized Jewish community took Netanyahus side. The lecture, Rhodes says, was the perfect way to mobilize opposition to Obama among the leadership of the American Jewish community, which had internalized the vision of Israel constantly under attack. That community used financial pressure on Obama: donors to his reelection campaign. Netanyahus smack at Obama came just as the 2012 presidential campaign cycle was cranking up, and it succeeded in igniting a firestorm of criticism, Rhodes relates. A number of congressional Democrats distanced themselves from the speech. I was given a list of leading Jewish donors to call to reassure them of Obamas pro-Israel bona fides. It was far too painful to wade into these waters with no prospect of success. Netanyahu had mastered a kind of leverage: using political pressure within the United States to demoralize any meaningful push for peace just as he used settlements as a means of demoralizing the Palestinians A leading White House policy aide is calling Jewish donors, and surely telling them that he has a Jewish mother, grew up with Israel as a secular religion, and was once a member of AIPAC. But he feels he has no prospect of success up against the Israeli PM. Obama then had to speak to AIPAC, and rebut Netanyahu by demonstrating his support for Israel. This is as annoyed as Ive been as president, Obama vents to Rhodes. Dealing with Bibi is like dealing with the Republicans. And the president cited his own bona fides as an Israel supporter. I came out of the Jewish community in Chicago Im basically a liberal Jew. (Obama once joked that his early liberal Zionist backers in Chicago made up the cabal that enabled him to become president.) At AIPAC, Obama warned about coming threats: Israels growing diplomatic isolation, and the growing tension between having a Jewish state and having a democracy if the occupation endured. That was in 2011. And nothing changed for five years. This is where wed find ourselves throughout the administration: unable to nudge Israel in the direction of peace, and left holding up a mirror that showed the necessity of doing so. The biggest foreign policy story of the administration was the late, lamented Iran deal of 2015. As Rhodes comments mordantly, the Obama administration was involved in multiple wars in which thousands were killed, and yet nothing in our foreign policy was as fiercely contested as the nuclear deal with Iran. Again, the lobby played a large part, as Israels agent in the US capital. In Washington, where support for Israel is an imperative for members of Congress, there was a natural deference to the views of the Israeli government on issues related to Iran, and Netanyahu was unfailingly confrontational, casting himself as an Israeli Churchill. AIPAC and other organizations exist to make sure that the views of the Israeli government are effectively disseminated and opposing views discredited in Washington, and this dynamic was a permanent part of the landscape of the Obama presidency. Rhodes says pressure to attack Iran came from experts who had been wrong on Iraq, but were still influential. You have to bomb something, one unnamed expert tells him. What? Rhodes ask. It doesnt matter. You have to use military force somewhere to show that you will bomb something. Again, money plays a part: Rhodes describes a well financed and relentless effort to undermine the deal. AIPAC and other opposition groups committed up to $40 million. They sent out long anti-Iran deal documents that would shape the arguments wed hear made back at us from deal opponents on the Hill or in the media. The critics used Netanyahus talking points Irans non-nuclear behaviorits support for terrorism, its belligerence in the Middle East  just as Trump has done in tearing that deal up. And the organized Jewish community was key to that pressure. I was meeting regularly with Democratic members of Congress to try to convince them that we were pursuing a good deal, one that would roll back the Iranian nuclear program and avert a war, Rhodes relates. This included a standing meeting with the Jewish Democrats in the House. These were occasionally raucous meetings. [T]he Israeli government and AIPAC were focused on lawmakers who dreaded taking a position against them. Rhodes told his wife, Ive never been this stressed before. And he told Obamas Jewish liaison officer, Matt Nosanchuk, I want you to talk to every Jewish person in America. The Obama administration tried to fight back by echoing the assertion by Walt and Mearsheimer, that the Israel lobby had helped get us into Iraq. [W]e pointed out that the same people who got us into Iraq wanted to take us to war in Iran. Wrong then, wrong now became our mantra, Rhodes says. For instance, after Scooter Libby penned an op-ed attacking the deal, Obama held a conference call with antiwar activists, and noted that the same people who supported the Iraq War were now opposing the Iran deal. Thats when things began to take an ugly turn, Rhodes writes. These were anodyne and accurate statements. Yet the other side charged that Obama and his team were anti-Semites, conjuring up stereotypes of moneyed Jewish interests propelling us into war. Rhodes bristles at the dishonesty of that smear campaign. Even to acknowledge the fact that AIPAC was spending tens of millions to defeat the Iran deal was anti-Semitic. To observe that the same people who supported the war in Iraq also opposed the Iran deal was similarly off limits. It was an offensive way for people to avoid accountability for their own positions. (Ben, can you do a piece for Mondoweiss?) Obama also became angered. Come on This is aggravating This isnt about anti-Semitism Theyre trying to take away our best argument, that its this or war. On August 5, 2015, Obama pushed back against the lobby in his speech at American University. It would be an abrogation of my constitutional duty to side with Netanyahu and Israel, he said, and again cited the Iraq war errors. I know its easy to play on peoples fears, to magnify threats, to compare any attempt at diplomacy to Munich. But none of these arguments hold up. They didnt back in 2002 and 2003; they shouldnt now. The same mindset, in many cases offered by the same people who seem to have no compunction with being repeatedly wrong, led to a war that did more to strengthen Iran, more to isolate the United States than anything we have done in the decades before or since. Rhodes relates, The reaction was fierce. Tablet lamented Obamas anti-Jewish incitement as a sickening new development in American political discourse. Rhodes read it cringing. Support for Israel had been central to my own sense of identity as I was coming of age Now that kind of attachment was being cynically manipulated to discredit a profoundly unbiased president, destroy a diplomatic agreement, and once again avoid any reckoning with the actual legacy of Iraq. Thats a lot of power. The Obama team sought to shoot down the opposition by appealing to Jewish leaders. The team marshaled the views of Israeli generals and former ambassadors to Israel, cited Jewish public opinion (highly supportive of the deal) and worked on Jewish pols. We also wanted to secure a healthy majority of Jewish Democrats in the House so the deal would be less polarizing, Rhodes says. He places particular emphasis on winning then-DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. When Debbie finally called me we both ended up in tears. Rhodes notes that the day they secured the deal, Dick Cheney gave a speech against it at the American Enterprise Institute, the heart of neoconservatism. Later Rhodes made a decision he regretted, to crow to New York Times writer David Samuels in a long profile about having created an echo chamber in the media in favor of the deal. By doing so, Rhodes admits that he managed to pick fights with some of the most powerful interests in Washington: the media, the foreign policy establishment, the organized Jewish community, opponents of Iran. He ended up writing lengthy apologies to several groups who had helped him cement the deal, including the Jewish Democrats in the House. In sum, Rhodes has documented the power of the lobby over presidential decision-making as no former aide has done before. Dennis Ross once said that the lobby has power only over Congress, but this book makes clear that Obama was stressed by leading Jewish organizations in ways that damaged his legacy. Not that Obama is about to reverse course. When Robert Gibbs asked who all the Arab leaders were who called the president to rally support for Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, Rhodes responded tartly: I dont know, I said to Obama, but theyre not going to be paying for your presidential library. That exchange is a poor reflection on both author and hero. It echoes the worst scene in the story, when Rhodes and the president meet Palestinian students in Ramallah and one rises to describe the imprisonment of friends and denial of freedom of movement before concluding: Mr. President, we are treated the same way the black people were treated in your country. Here, in this century. Funded by your government, Mr. President. Obama and Rhodes are both stunned by the statement. That last kid got his courage up, Rhodes reflects. Yes, it took a lot of guts for him to do that, the president agrees. Then they go on their way. Philip Weiss is Founder and Co-Editor of Mondoweiss.net. This article was originally published by "Mondoweiss " - 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.
Aziza Sami writes on the culinary discoveries to be made in a mediaeval Egyptian cookbook

For culinary enthusiasts as well as for those fascinated by Egypts heritage, the very first English-language translation of a mediaeval Egyptian cookbook entitled Treasure Trove of Benefits and Variety at the Table.A Fourteenth Century Egyptian Cookbook will come as a thrilling revelation.

The original Arabic manuscript of this cookbook of 832 recipes is entitled Kanz Al-Fawaaid Tanwei Al-Mawaaid, and it was penned by an anonymous author during Egypts Mameluke era.

With its versatile and comprehensive array of recipes, it contains the full range of the Egyptian culinary heritage as it stood at the time.

Many of the dishes mentioned remain part of Egypts modern kitchen, such as an ibrahimiya meat dish in which mastic is used.

The book remained unknown to the general public until the Arabic manuscript was edited and published in 1993 by Manuela Marin and David Waines.

In November 2017, the English language translation was issued by Brill, its title being a literal rendering of the Arabic.

The translation, accompanied by an extensive introduction, was undertaken by Iraqi scholar Nawal Nasrallah, who is also a food blogger and an avid cook.

Nasrallah taught English at the universities of Mosul and Baghdad in Iraq before moving to the United States in 1990. She was often asked by her American friends about Iraqi recipes, and the lack of resources on the topic in the US led her to write on and research Arabic culinary culture.

Kanz Al-Fawaaid was written at a time when Egypt was an important centre in the Arab- Islamic world, Nasrallah told Al-Ahram Weekly.

It was in fact the last Egyptian cookbook we know of before the advent of the Ottoman Empire in Egypt in 1516. After that all attention was directed to the Istanbuli kitchen that then evolved, favouring simpler blends of spices. The Ottomans also started to look to Europe for inspiration.

However, before then the Kanz Al-Fawaaid presents the modern reader with a culinary itinerary that is arresting in its versatility and comprehensiveness.

It includes meat and vegetable dishes, sweets and savouries, and fermented foods and drinks. Detailed instructions are given on how to make distilled drinks, compotes, sauces, incense, perfumed oils, medicinal and herb preparations, and hand-washing compounds.

Most notably, the book includes the oldest known recipe for hummus, offering 11 variations on the dish.

It also includes the oldest known existing recipe for okra, a staple of the Egyptian kitchen. Nasrallah also gives her take on recipes that she has personally tried from the book.

The subya (a traditional Egyptian beverage) was quite refreshing, the laymun malih (salt-cured lemons) appetising and reasonably salty, the hummus kassa, or mashed cooked chickpeas with tahini, was a revelation to me, as I found in it the prototype of todays hummus, she says.

There are fish dishes, one with tahini sauce and the other with sumac. There is fuliya (fava bean stew with meatballs and eggs sunny side up), and the scrumptious almond cookies nuhud al-adhara (or virgins breasts).

Nasrallahs translation includes 22 modernised versions of some of the books original recipes. For culinary historians, she says, the book is an essential source, filling a huge gap in our knowledge regarding gastronomy and foodways during the period. It is also an indispensable source for researchers in the field of mediaeval material history and culture.

It certainly holds fascinating insights for all lovers of cooking and culinary culture. These include guidelines for the use of materials in cooking utensils, favouring soapstone (biram) and earthenware (fakhar) and only when required pots of tinned copper.

Such recommendations may resonate with our modern-day awareness regarding the benefits of cooking in earth-derived utensils.

Nasrallah aptly dedicates her English translation of the book to Sarah Al-Sayed and Bassem Khalifa, two pioneers of the Slow Food Movement in Egypt, for their commendable efforts to promote Egyptian food heritage through their organizational and documentary projects.

Her translation presents us with a veritable treasure trove of delights, and it is an intellectual no less than a culinary achievement that is impressive in its scope as well as its depth.

Books like Kanz are treasures from the past that we need to discover and enjoy as our elders did, Nasrallah says. We talk about the importance of discovering ones heritage as a way to self-discovery. Here is a delicious and fun way to do so.

Here are two recipes from the Kanz Al-Fawaaid specially recommended by Nasrallah:

Hummus Kassa

A green condiment of mashed chickpeas, this is the precursor of todays condiment of hummus bi-tahina that is made in a much simpler way today.

Ingredients

One cup boiled chickpeas

Two tablespoons of tahini, stirred with water and wine vinegar, two tablespoons of each

Quarter of a cup of finely ground walnuts, stirred with two tablespoons of lemon juice, and one teaspoon of wine vinegar

Half a cup of chopped parsley

Quarter of a cup of chopped mint

Three tablespoons of olive oil

Quarter of a teaspoon each of caraway, coriander, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon, all crushed

Half a teaspoon of salt

A quarter of a lemon preserved in salt (laymun malih), cut into small pieces

For garnish: olive oil, chopped pistachios, chopped parsley, cinnamon, and rose petals

(optional)

Method

Put all the ingredients, except the salted lemon, in a food processor, and pulse the mix until it looks smooth. It should look green.

Add more of the herbs if needed. The consistency of the mix should be thick enough to pick up with a piece of bread.

Add a bit more lemon juice if needed. Fold in the chopped salted lemon.

To serve as a dish, spread the condiment on a plate, drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over it, garnish it with chopped parsley, and give it a light sprinkle of cinnamon and crushed rose petals if you like.

Samak Mahshi

Fried fish in tahini sauce. This is a flavourful fish dish that offers a delicious way to use tahini, other than in the familiar hummus condiment.

Ingredients

Half a pound of firm white fish, such as cod, cut into two pieces

For the fish, rub together two tablespoons of wine vinegar, one crushed garlic clove, one teaspoon of crushed coriander, and half a teaspoon of salt

Flour for dusting the fish pieces

Oil for frying the fish (half-inch deep)

For the tahini sauce

One medium onion, finely chopped

One tablespoon of oil

Quarter of a teaspoon each of black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, rose petals, allground

Quarter of a teaspoon of salt, or as needed

Quarter of a cup of tahini, wine vinegar, and water

Quarter of a teaspoon of saffron or turmeric

Method

Combine the ingredients and smear the pieces of fish with them. Put the fish in a colander set above a bowl and set it aside for about an hour.

When ready to fry, dust the fish pieces with flour and fry them in the hot oil.

Brown them on both sides and keep them in a colander to get rid of any extra fat. Fry the onion in one tablespoon of oil until nicely browned. In a small bowl, combine the spices and salt.

In another bowl, whip together the tahini, vinegar, water, and saffron or turmeric.

Add the contents of both bowls to the fried onion and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring. Place the fried fish pieces on a platter and pour the prepared tahini sauce over them and serve.

Nawal Nasrallah (trans), Treasure Trove of Benefits and Variety at the Table: A Fourteenth-Century Egyptian Cookbook, Leiden: Brill, 2017, pp.724

* A version of this article appears in print in the 30 August 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Treasures of mediaeval cooking

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September 02, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Now its out in the open: America has declared war on the Palestinians. With his son-in-law Jared Kushner, an expert on humanitarian organizations and Palestinian refugees, the great bully Donald Trump decided to end aid to the UN agency that aids Palestinian refugees. The official explanation: The business model and fiscal practices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency made it an irredeemably flawed operation.

Trump and his son-in-law, the keepers of the seal of good government, found that the agency isnt properly run. The annual U.S. contribution of $360 million will end. Even in Israel, which rejoices at every Palestinian calamity and is positive that everything is a zero-sum game, people think the states greatest friend of all time went a little overboard.

The new America treats small slights and major crimes equally. Allocations to U.S. aid organizations operating in the territories, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, have been cut by $200 million.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter

Washington decided to hit the Palestinians in the wallet. Of all the huge sums going to aid corrupt regimes, of all the trillions spent on pointless wars and mass killing, its the aid to the Jabalya refugee camp thats mismanaged and has to stop. The Palestinians, blackmailing sons of blackmailers, no longer deserve it because of the business model. It would be funny if it werent so sad; the price of the joke will be paid from Chatila to Rafah.

In the next decade, the United States is set to pour $38 billion into Israel, among the most developed countries on the planet with one of the best-equipped armies in the world  which of course follow the right business model. Not a single dollar can be cut. Humanitarian aid to a needy country that doesnt waste a single cent.

Israel deserves this terrifying aid; it complies with every resolution passed by international institutions, a model of morality that obeys every U.S. recommendation that it withdraw from the territories and end the occupation. Its worthwhile for America to pay for all its whims and wars. It greatly adds to its global prestige.

This year, America will spend $46 billion in Afghanistan, on a war it cant get enough of. It will pour $13 billion into Iraq, long after one of the most foolish wars ever ended.

Wars? The one in Afghanistan cost America $753 billion, the one in Iraq $770 billion, according to the Pentagon. According to Brown Universitys Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the actual cost was $1.7 trillion. Two unnecessary wars that caused the needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, but the money spent on them conformed with a proper business model. The same for the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Only the UN relief agency for the Palestinians is improperly run. The leader of the free world, the greatest warmonger since World War II, cuts flour for Yarmouk and cooking oil for Bureij, because the Palestinians overestimate refugee numbers.

Behind all this, of course, is a much broader truth. UNRWA could hire Eliad Shraga, head of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, and comply with Scandinavian management standards, but nothing would make a difference. Israel long ago declared war on the agency, America followed it as usual, all with the aim of removing the refugee issue from the agenda.

Anyone familiar with the conditions in the refugee camps knows just how dependent their inhabitants are on the UN agency. There might be some waste, certainly there are freeloaders, reform is absolutely necessary, but UNRWA provides basic humanitarian assistance. Without it there are no schools, clinics and food in the camps. America owes an indirect debt to the people there; it funds and supports the Israeli occupation, and it has never lifted a finger to reach a genuine solution to their suffering.

But the new America has lost its shame, too; it no longer even wants to pretend to be the honest broker, or take care of the worlds needy, as its position obliges it to do. Let us say, then, shame on you, America.

This article was originally published by " Haaretz " -

==See Also==

Israeli occupation forces shoot hundreds of Palestinian protesters in Gaza

U.S. announces immediate end to UNRWA funding : The Palestinian Authority said that the US was "reneging on its international commitments" by cutting its aid.

Israel welcomes end of US funding for UN Palestinian refugee agency

Palestinians brand US aid cut to UN group 'a flagrant assault'

Open letter from UNRWA Commissioner-General to Palestine Refugees: I say again to all Palestine refugees: we will not fail you. Our partnership with you is stronger than ever. Your Dignity is Priceless

Jeremy Corbyn : Shameful for the US to end its funding for UNRWA, a vital UN refugee agency. The UK must help to fill the gap by boosting its contributions.

Apartheid Israel's "settlements": 50 years of land theft explained

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.

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Home Search ICH 5 Must-read Clinton-Yeltsin Exchanges Released By RT September 02, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Election influence, NATO expansion and Vladimir Putin were just some of the hot button topics discussed twenty years ago by US President Bill Clinton and Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, newly released transcripts reveal. Nearly 600 pages of memos and transcripts, documenting dozens of personal exchanges and telephone conversations between Clinton and Yeltsin, were made public by the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas last month. Although dating from January 1993 to December 1999, many of the documents touch upon issues that now dominate the news cycle, providing often overlooked historical perspective and context to the current state of US-Russia relations. Clinton sends 'his people' to get Yeltsin elected Amid unceasing allegations of nefarious Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election, the Clinton-Yeltsin exchanges reveal how the US government threw its full weight behind Boris  in Russian parliamentary elections as well as for the 1996 reelection campaign, which he approached with 1-digit ratings. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter For example, a transcript from 1993 details how Clinton offered to help Yeltsin in upcoming parliamentary elections by selectively using US foreign aid to shore up support for the Russian leader's political allies. "What is the prevailing attitude among the regional leaders? Can we do something through our aid package to send support out to the regions?" a concerned Clinton asked. Here's Bill Clinton in 1993 offering to help Boris Yeltsin in upcoming parliamentary elections by earmarking some foreign aid for opposition-leaning regions. pic.twitter.com/yWYcNBOJDe  Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) August 30, 2018 Yeltsin liked the idea, replying that "this kind of regional support would be very useful." Clinton then promised to have "his people" follow up on the plan. In another exchange, Yeltsin asks his US counterpart for a bit of financial help ahead of the 1996 presidential election: "Bill, for my election campaign, I urgently need for Russia a loan of $2.5 billion," he said. Yeltsin added that he needed the money in order to pay pensions and government wages  obligations which, if left unfulfilled, would have likely led to his political ruin. Yeltsin also asks Clinton if he could "use his influence" to increase the size of an IMF loan to assist him during his re-election campaign. To think that, while I was getting ready to graduate kindergarten, Yeltsin was asking Clinton for a 2.5 billion loan for his election. pic.twitter.com/djketYQVsN  Emily Tamkin (@emilyctamkin) August 30, 2018 Here's Boris Yeltsin in February 1996 asking Bill Clinton to use his influence to add a few billion dollars to an IMF loan to help Yeltsin during his reelection campaign. pic.twitter.com/Hnp8uZbkCH  Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) August 30, 2018 Yeltsin questions NATO expansion The future of NATO was still an open question in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and conversations between Clinton and Yeltsin provide an illuminating backdrop to the current state of the curiously offensive 'defensive alliance' (spoiler alert: it expanded right up to Russia's border). In 1995, Yeltsin told Clinton that NATO expansion would lead to "humiliation" for Russia, noting that many Russians were fearful of the possibility that the alliance could encircle their country. "It's a new form of encirclement if the one surviving Cold War bloc expands right up to the borders of Russia. Many Russians have a sense of fear. What do you want to achieve with this if Russia is your partner? They ask. I ask it too: Why do you want to do this?" Yeltsin asked Clinton.



this is a noteworthy tidbit from the "Boris-and-Bill" memos that were released last month (getting attention today). In 1995, Yeltsin explicitly tells Clinton about Russian "humiliation" of NATO continues to expand eastward @andrewsweisspic.twitter.com/Me0xtP4YIY  Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) August 30, 2018 As the documents show, Yeltsin insisted that Russia had "no claims on other countries," adding that it was "unacceptable" that the US was conducting naval drills near Crimea. "It is as if we were training people in Cuba. How would you feel?" Yeltsin asked. The Russian leader then proposed a "gentleman's agreement" that no former Soviet republics would join NATO. Clinton refused the offer, saying: "I can't make the specific commitment you are asking for. It would violate the whole spirit of NATO. I've always tried to build you up and never undermine you." NATO bombing of Yugoslavia turns Russia against the West Although Clinton and Yeltsin enjoyed friendly relations, NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia tempered Moscow's enthusiastic partnership with the West. "Our people will certainly from now have a bad attitude with regard to America and with NATO," the Russian president told Clinton in March 1999. "I remember how difficult it was for me to try and turn the heads of our people, the heads of the politicians towards the West, towards the United States, but I succeeded in doing that, and now to lose all that." Yeltsin urged Clinton to renounce the strikes, for the sake of "our relationship" and "peace in Europe." The declassified White House Yeltsin files reveal the drama at the turning point in US-Russia relations, when Yeltsin pleaded, threatened and despaired trying to make Clinton call off the bombing of Yugoslavia. The road to where we are starts right there. Dug out by @vassgatovpic.twitter.com/lpFbu1mw5c  Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) August 31, 2018 "It is not known who will come after us and it is not known what will be the road of future developments in strategic nuclear weapons," Yeltsin reminded his US counterpart. But Clinton wouldn't cede ground. Clinton to Yeltsin on Milosevic: "It will be your decision if you decide to let this bully destroy the relationship we worked hard for over six and a half years to build up... Im sorry he is a Serb. I wish he were Irish or something else, but he is not.https://t.co/xMIP4BXJTA  Julian Borger (@julianborger) August 30, 2018 "Milosevic is still a communist dictator and he would like to destroy the alliance that Russia has built up with the US and Europe and essentially destroy the whole movement of your region toward democracy and go back to ethnic alliances. We cannot allow him to dictate our future," Clinton told Yeltsin. Yeltsin asks US to 'give Europe to Russia' One exchange that has been making the rounds on Twitter appears to show Yeltsin requesting that Europe be "given" to Russia during a meeting in Istanbul in 1999. However, it's not quite what it seems. "I ask you one thing," Yeltsin says, addressing Clinton. "Just give Europe to Russia. The US is not in Europe. Europe should be in the business of Europeans." Yeltsin to Clinton I ask you one thing. Just give Europe to Russia. pic.twitter.com/dN3likFXMF  Oscar Jonsson (@OAJonsson) August 30, 2018 However, the request is slightly less sinister than it sounds when put into context: The two leaders were discussing missile defense, and Yeltsin was arguing that Russia  not the US  would be a more suitable guarantor of Europe's security. "We have the power in Russia to protect all of Europe, including those with missiles," Yeltsin told Clinton. Clinton on Putin: 'He's very smart' Perhaps one of the most interesting exchanges takes place when Yeltsin announces to Clinton his successor, Vladimir Putin. In a conversation with Clinton from September 1999, Yeltsin describes Putin as "a solid man," adding: "I am sure you will find him to be a highly qualified partner."



Here's how Boris Yeltsin introduced Bill Clinton to Vladimir Putin, back in 1999: "(Putin) is thorough and strong, very sociable. And he can easily have good relations and contact with people who are his partners. I'm sure you will find him to be a highly qualified partner." https://t.co/dyjFU80QW9  Bryan MacDonald (@27khv) August 30, 2018 A month later, Clinton asks Yeltsin who will win the Russian presidential election. "Putin, of course. He will be the successor to Boris Yeltsin. He's a democrat, and he knows the West." "He's very smart," Clinton remarks. This article was originally published by " RT " - ==See Also== 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.
Wife of Five star boss, Juliet Okonkwo has showed off her Gucci side in new stunning photos she shared on social media.

Juliet who is a mother of 3 and the wife of Nigerian moneybag, Emeka Okonkwo aka E-money took the photos after returning from vacation in Dubai.

Her flawless skin and expensive gown left her fans drooling.
Rumours of Governor Akinwumi Ambode from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) made headlines on some news channels last week.

The Lagos State governor, was reported to have been in a closed door meeting with his political aides and executive council members to take a crucial decision as to whether to remain in the APC or forge ahead with another party, as the primaries draw nearer.

It was reported also that Ambode may want to leave the party because Bola Tinubu, the partys national leader and a former governor of Lagos may have withdrawn his support from Ambodes re-election bid. The reports claim that Ambode might move to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or Action Democratic Congress(ADC), both of which are part of the Coalition of Political Parties(CUPP).

However, Bashir Ahmad, President Muhammadu Buharis aide on new media has said the Lagos State governor has debunked such claims.

According to Ahmad, when he told Ambode that rumours of his defection were rift on social media, the governor said Im here in Beijing in president Buharis entourage. 

Ahmad this known via his twitter handle yesterday. He wrote :

I told Gov. @AkinwunmiAmbode of Lagos State that @LeadersNG and some other media platforms have been spreading fake news that hes planning to leave the APC, he smiled and said Bashir if they dont know tell them I am here in Beijing in President @MBuharis entourage.  Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 2, 2018

Ahmad, who is also in China with the president and other tops civil servants as Buhari participates Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa cooperation.
Dorcas Shola-Fapson speaks on her career, relocation and relationship.

Background

I was born in North London, England, in the 90s. I was raised there mainly by my father, as my mother passed away when I was 14 years old. After my degree at the University of Bedfordshire, I decided to pursue my passion which was acting and that led to me being given a full scholarship at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York.

Career

I love my job as an actress, so its fun. I get loads of perks like getting lots of free stuff, loads of paid sponsorships from clothes to hair to food. Its great, really.

A major challenge for me, as an actress, is the viewers being unable to differentiate between myself and whatever character I play. They tend to think Im like that in real life; I guess its a compliment as it means Im doing my job well.

Relocation

I always say I fell into Nigeria and it must have been all part of Gods plan because I had no plans of moving to Nigeria or even working here.

I had moved to New York from London, where I lived and still shuttle between, to pursue acting, and my agent at the time in London told me about an audition for a new television series. It was for an international audition; so, I did a self-tape to show my talent. A few days later, I got a call from the director, Biyi Bandele, who told me that he loved my audition and they wanted to fly me out to Nigeria to film. The series is called Shuga and the rest is history.

Experience

To be honest, Ive had a great time being here. Its amazing to have met and worked with a bunch of incredible people and I have to say I have an amazing fan base in Nigeria. But of course, I have to say that a few things have made me have bad experiences in Nigeria as well. Theres the issue of security, light, health. I mean, its a rather long list but lets stay with these.

Parents reaction

When I told my dad I was moving to Nigeria to get into the movie industry, he wasnt happy at all, but Im a risk-taker and he knows that. So he had to come to terms with it and now, interestingly, hes my biggest cheerleader.

Mother

Honestly, I dont really like to talk about my mum as it is a real soft spot for me. However, Ill say she was an amazing woman. She had several businesses and built a school before she passed on, which I now run. Funnily enough, I really dont know what her reaction would have been if Id told her that I wanted to become a full-time actress. Thinking about it, I really have no clue. Though its unfortunate she didnt get to see me perform, Im sure shes very proud.

Roles

I cant really say Ive had any challenging movie role because, funnily enough, Ive only been in two movies and Banana Island Ghost was my first. I wouldnt say it was challenging, but it was out of my comfort zone which I loved. I have BB Sasore to thank for that. Talking about my breakthrough role, again, Id have to say it was Banana Island Ghost which came out this year. It was produced by Bamnesia Productions, which is a joint collaboration with the amazing Biola Alabi Media and Nemsia Productions  such a fun production team to work with.

AMVCA

For the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2018, I was nominated for my role in Banana Island Ghost. Even though I played a small role in the production, which was directed by BB Sasore and produced by Biola Alabi, it was mighty enough to earn me a nomination, which Im extremely happy about.

Acting/Criminology

I was born and raised in an area in north London called Tottenham. I did all my compulsory education and then decided to go to the university to study criminology because I wanted to represent the minority as a black criminal lawyer. I also wanted to be a face of positive change. You could ask why I chose acting over criminology for now but Ill just have to say that the passion drove me to be an actress. I love my job as an actress. Though Im currently acting, I definitely, in the long run, would like to have a rehabilitation centre or organisation for young offenders from inner city neighbourhoods, to help them channel their crafts in the right way via arts or sports.

Relationship

It depends on whos asking if Im single. Dont mind me, Im only joking. Im single at the moment. The kind of man Ill call ideal is someone who is God-fearing, ambitious, confident, funny and smart. This is a seller any day.
Vanguard



Naturally, I encourage harmonious co-existence and would stop at nothing to promote peace.

The Nation



There is tension in Adamawa State following sudden interest of Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, a brother to First Lady Aisha Buhari, in the governorship race.Mahmoud, popularly called Modi, wants to unseat Governor Jibrilla Bindow, who is from Adamawa North Senatorial District.But stakeholders are said to be opposed to Mahmoud who is relying on powerful forces in Abuja to clinch the ticket.It was unclear last night whether the First Lady had given her blessing to Mahmoud whose intimidating electronic bill b

ThisDay



Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has dismissed insinuation that he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Uduaghan, a two-term governor on the PDP platform, has disclosed that everything concerning his administration state had been investigated over

Guardian



Enugu appears to be one state, which opposition parties may find difficult to poach. Apart from the fact that Peoples Democratic Party has remained the dominant party in the state since 1999, the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration has by its people-oriented policies diminished

The Sun



Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that he will seek re-election

Daily Times



The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says the party is in the advantageous position to retain Osun governorship seatThe post

Daily Trust



7000 Nigerian youths are said to be contributing N1000 each to buy the nomination form for the former governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu

Leadership



Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his readiness to return to the classroom if offered such opportunity, especially at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt. Jonathan disclosed this yesterday while speaking at the 35th and 36th combined convocation ceremony of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt where he was conferred with

Tribune



The governor of Sokoto State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Aminu Tambuwal, has expressed confidence that he to emerge as the partys presidential candidate in the 2019 election. The governor stated this at
South Africas Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, has banned the use of doggy style during intimate s^x among s^xual partners or couples.

Motsoaledi, according to a South African newspaper believes that doggy style is the leading cause of cancer and stroke in both women and men.

The most energy consuming and stressful s^xual position for men is doggy; Look, Im only giving you guys a snippet but we will be posting the results of the full research on the ministry website. He said.

And Motsoaledi said occasional doggy style s^x especially on Christmas and on Valentines day may not be harmful, but each night maybe suicidal.

But women in Zambia have said such a useless law can never be entertained.

S^xual Reproductive expert, Sylvester Chongo said Zambian women are lazy in bed and would always prefer doggy style for a man to do all the pushing, because they lack the skill to delightfully move it on top or underneath.

Chongo said this laziness is the reason Zambian women can never allow such a law.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Udeolisa of Awo Idemili has so much reasons to rejoice after the bride gave birth on her wedding day in Anambra State, last weekend.

According to Orientdailynews, the bride, Mrs. Chinaza Udeolisa delivered a bouncing baby boy on August 25th, which was her wedding day and still made it to St Geralds Catholic Church, Oba where she eventually exchanged marital vows with her husband.

According the bride, the delivery on her wedding day was a huge surprise as her expected day of delivery (EDD) was mid-September, with the baby arriving almost three weeks earlier than scan results predicted.

I was surprised when I started feeling dizzy and sign of labour three days to our wedding but I dismissed it as part of the pre-wedding planning stress because the doctors gave me up to September middle to expect the baby.

I was still dismissing the signs up till the morning of our wedding, but as the makeup artiste was still fixing my nails, it reached the stage that I could no longer bear the pains, she added.

The husband who upon receiving the good news rushed to the church to plead with the officiating priest Rev. Fr Dennis Ekene Chukwudindu to grant them some extra time to enable the wife get cleaned up and prepare for the wedding.

I am very happy at least the joy of a new baby and that of wedding is now complete, Mrs. Udeolisa declared, noting her gratitude to God for such quick delivery.

According to her, its God that made everything possible because it is not easy that I arrived the hospital and, without wasting time, delivered safely.

I had planned on how to embrace the reception with my dance moves but I can no longer do that because this bundle of joy has already done all that for me, she added
Public Sector Organization Gujranwala Cantt Jobs 2018

Latest Public Sector Organization Admin Clerical Posts Gujranwala 2021 Public Sector Organization Gujranwala Cantt, Pakistan required applications from experienced and committed candidates to fill the posts of LDC, LTV Driver and Mechanic.

How to Apply on Public Sector Organization Job Advertisement

Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online.



Official Website: www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk

Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted.
MASON CITY, Iowa  A man accused of assaulting a woman until she feared for her life is pleading not guilty.

Eric English, 47 of Mason City, is charged with domestic abuse assault  impeding breathing or circulation of blood causing injury. He was arrested after what authorities say were attacks on a woman from July 20 to July 24.

Court documents state the victim suffered bruising all over her body, had bite marks on her, and had been strangled to the point where she believed she was going to die.

Englishs trial is set to begin on October 16. He is facing up to five years in prison if found guilty.
BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP)  The father of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts in an opinion piece spoke out against using his daughter's death in support of "views she believed were profoundly racist," a call that comes after President Donald Trump and others seized on the suspected killer's immigration status to argue for changes in U.S. immigration laws.

Authorities have said the University of Iowa student was abducted while she was out for an evening run in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18. The man charged in her death, 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera, is also suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Trump and other politicians quickly noted that element of the case and called for changes to immigration law .

Rob Tibbetts wrote in the opinion piece published online by The Des Moines Register on Saturday that while he supports debate on immigration, some politicians and pundits went too far in using his daughter's death to promote political agendas. He said his stepdaughter is Latina and argued that the suspected killer "is no more a reflection of the Hispanic community as white supremacists are of all white people."

"Do not appropriate Mollie's soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist," he wrote. "The act grievously extends the crime that stole Mollie from our family and is, to quote Donald Trump Jr., 'heartless' and 'despicable.'"

The quote comes from a Friday opinion piece by Trump Jr . that criticized the media and Democrats for not playing up the suspect's immigration status.

"Despite what some Democrats may wish in the depths of their hearts, Mollie was murdered by an illegal alien and her murder would never have happened if we policed our southern border properly," the president's son wrote.

Recorded phone calls citing Mollie Tibbetts' death in a push for white supremacist views began Tuesday, just days after her funeral. The robocalls cited comments Rob Tibbetts made in defense of Latinos during her funeral .

The calls question whether his daughter would feel the same if she were still alive and describe Rivera as "an invader from Mexico."

"She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will," her father wrote in the opinion piece. "Please leave us out of your debate. Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollie's memory, I'm imploring you to stop."
WORTH COUNTY, Iowa  One man is facing charges after a rollover accident Saturday evening.

Christopher James Wilmoth, 23 of LeRoy, Minnesota, was charged with failure to have a valid license and failure to maintain control after the Worth County Sheriffs Office responded to a rollover near the intersection of Dogwood Avenue and 475th Street around 7:07 pm.

The Sheriffs Office says Wilmoth swerved to avoid a deer, lost control, and went into the ditch. There were two passengers in the vehicle but no injuries were reported.

Lake Mills Ambulance assisted at the scene.
PPS helps companies overcome procurement barriers



By Yoon Ja-young



The global procurement market with an estimated value of $6 trillion can open up new opportunities for exporters. Korea has many competitive companies as an industrial powerhouse, but they often have trouble advancing into overseas procurement markets due to barriers.



Public Procurement Service (PPS) Administrator Park Chun-sup said that the overseas procurement market will help the country overcome its unemployment problem.



"Job creation is the biggest priority of the current administration. We have been introducing diverse ideas for job creation, such as giving extra points in bidding for government procurement to businesses that create more jobs, especially for young people," he said in an interview with The Korea Times in Daejeon, Aug. 28.



After serving in key posts at the finance ministry, including deputy minister in charge of the budget office, he was inaugurated as the PPS administrator in July last year.



While pondering how his organization could contribute to job creation, he concluded that it should turn to overseas procurement markets.



The PPS thus set up a taskforce to help local companies, which had their competitive edge proven in the domestic procurement market, in their advancement overseas.



Park Chun-sup, Public Procurement Service Administrator
Analysts say 'jobless growth becomes more evident'



By Yoon Ja-young



The imbalance in the Korean economy is deepening as record-high exports are failing to sustain faltering domestic investment and consumption.

This indicates that booming exports in a few industries, such as semiconductors, have not led to growth in corporate investment, consumer spending and employment.



According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the country's exports totaled $51.2 billion in August, up 8.7 percent from a year ago. Exports so far this year have increased 6.6 percent to $399.8 billion, the highest ever.



This is in stark contrast to the fact that economic indices in jobs, investment and domestic demand are deteriorating.

Statistics Korea said Friday that facility investment dropped 0.6 percent in July for the fifth month in row, the longest losing streak since the 1997-1998 financial crisis.



Job indices are also in dismal condition. The number of newly added jobs contracted to 5,000 in July, the worst in eight-and-a-half years. The number of the unemployed, meanwhile, has been hovering above 1 million for seven consecutive months.



Both consumer and corporate sentiment are cooling rapidly. According to Bank of Korea, its business survey index marked 74 in August, the lowest since February last year. The composite consumer sentiment index also dropped to 99.2, the lowest since March last year.



Experts point out that only industries without much trickledown effect on the domestic economy are leading the boom in exports.



Semiconductors, for instance, make up 22.4 percent of the country's total exports, but don't contribute to job or domestic consumption as much. Exports of semiconductors jumped 31.5 percent to a record high $11.5 billion, surpassing the $10 billion mark for the fourth consecutive month.



Petrochemicals also saw a 17 percent increase in exports, marking a record-high $4.3 billion. They have been hovering above $4 billion for nine months in row.



However, these industries are not labor dependent.



"Technology is being developed to decrease jobs, with machines substituting for human labor. As businesses expand their facilities overseas, jobless growth is becoming more evident," said Park Jin, a professor at the Korea Development Institute (KDI) School of Public Policy and Management.



According to a report by the Bank of Korea, 1 billion won in exports led to mere 7.7 jobs in 2014, which is half of 15 jobs created in 2000.



Automobiles, home electronics, and shipbuilders, which contribute relatively more to jobs, meanwhile, are sluggish. Exports of automobiles inched up 0.5 percent, while exports of home electronics dropped 25.2 percent and shipbuilders plunged 71.8 percent.



The government expects exports to continue the upward trend thanks to favorable external conditions, such as booming manufacturing in major economies including the United States and the EU, as well as rising export prices following a global oil price hike.



"Exports are expected to continue 5 percent growth on average in the latter half of the year. It is thus likely to surpass $600 billion for the first time in 2018," said Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Paik Un-gyu.



However, the country's overdependence on the semiconductor industry means the economy could collapse if it heads down after hitting a peak.



The country marked 3.1 percent economic growth last year, and semiconductors are estimated to have contributed 0.4 percentage points to the figure. It contributed to 20 percent of Korea's exports and facility investment, as well as 25 percent of corporate earnings last year.



Kim Soo-hyung, a researcher at the Hyundai Research Institute, said Korea should diversify both export markets and products.



"Even if certain exports or products begin to struggle, the negative impact should not expand to the whole economy."



He added that there should be efforts to open up new markets.


By Yoon Ja-young



South and North Korea should use a single currency to form an economic union in the mid to long term, the Korea Institute of Finance (KIF)noted in a report Sunday.



"When investment increases in North Korea along with inter-Korean trade of goods and services, the flow of capital will naturally follow. It will lead to problems such as settlements and which currencies should be used," said Lee Yoon-sok, a senior research fellow at the KIF.



To deal with such problems, the two governments may allow residents to exchange their money with other currency when traveling North or South.



They may also allow the currencies of the two countries to be freely used in both countries. The researcher added that some North Koreans are known to be holding South Korean currency, expecting economic integration.



In the long run, however, the two countries should consider unifying the two currencies.



"Just as the European Union (EU) introduced the euro in its final stages while heading toward economic union, North and South Korea will be able to complete their economic community by introducing a unified currency," he said.



Currencies of both the South and North are called "won" but they are totally different from each other.



He expects a financial infrastructure will be set up in North Korea.



"South Korea has experience in setting up a financial infrastructure in developing countries, and North Korea is also seeing expanding financial transactions, including mobile payments. It won't be difficult to set up a financial infrastructure in North Korea."



He expected sanctions on North Korea to be eased gradually while economic cooperation between South and North will soon gain momentum.



"U.S. President Donald Trump needs an important external accomplishment ahead of the interim elections in the U.S., while the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un needs sanctions eased for economic development."



Lee said that economic reconstruction of North Korea as well as development projects that will lead to economic growth in Northeast Asia will become a new growth momentum for the South Korean economy which has entered a phase of slow growth.



"It is time to see the fruit of inter-Korean economic cooperation, the ultimate goal of which will be setting up an economic union," he said.


By Jhoo Dong-chan



Equity funds investing in emerging markets, such as Vietnam, China and Russia are suffering ballooning losses, with investors losing their risk appetite amid fears of a global currency crisis.



The slump came as the dramatic crash of the Turkish lira and Argentine peso finally overtook the emerging markets. Investors are returning to safe havens amid fears that the two countries' currency crises could spread to the global market.



According to online-based market researcher FnGuide, Friday, 739 overseas equity funds in Korea saw a 1.85 percent loss last month. They also posted a 3.63 percent loss over the past three months and a 7.46 percent loss over the past six months.



Of them, Vietnam funds sustained an 11.98 percent loss over the last six months while China funds suffered a 16.11 percent loss during the period. Hit hard by the dramatic slide of the Argentine peso, Brazil funds saw a 28.13 percent decline while MERCOSUR funds posted a 20.5 percent loss during the period.



Despite their recent poor returns, Korean investors still poured money into Vietnamese funds based on their belief that the country is one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world and will eventually recover the recent losses.



FnGuide said the six Vietnam funds managed to attract 269.5 billion won over the past six months despite the disappointing earnings.



Market analysts say the ongoing currency crises in Turkey and Argentina could influence other emerging economies but are unlikely to develop into a global crisis.



"Foreign investors' selling spree has passed the worst," said Shinhan Investment researcher Roh Dong-gil.



"Indices indicate that the capital departure from emerging markets will soon be settled. I believe emerging stock markets will gain momentum once again as the strong U.S. dollar is passing its peak."



Daishin Securities analyst Moon Nam-joong agreed.



"The U.S. and Canada are narrowing their differences in talks to revise the North America free trade agreement (NAFTA)," he said. "The looming uncertainties following the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China could loosen up if they conclude a deal."



Futures Trader Lee Sang-hoon said it's unlikely that the ongoing currency crises in Turkey and Argentina could influence Korea's overseas equities in the long term.



"I think almost every possible negative factor has already come to the surface," he said.



"Investor confidence is still there. Vietnam funds will regain momentum soon."


By Yi Whan-woo



A joint liaison office will open "early this month" in Gaeseong, North Korea, as agreed upon by the two Koreas, according to National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong.



The planned establishment of the liaison office is in line with a joint declaration jointly by President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their first summit at Panmunjeom, April 27.



The establishment was confirmed when Chung mentioned it during a three-way meeting among presidential officials, Cabinet members and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmakers at Cheong Wa Dae, Saturday.



The liaison office is expected to open Wednesday, when Moon's special envoys will visit Pyongyang to discuss a third summit scheduled for later this month following the second one, May 26.



The move, however, is unlikely to be welcomed by the U.S., as Washington apparently wants inter-Korean relations to be in tandem with Pyongyang's denuclearization, talks on which remain deadlocked.



"The inter-Korean liaison office is scheduled to open early this month," Chung was quoted as saying by DPK chief spokesman Hong Ik-pyo after the Saturday meeting presided over by President Moon.



Chung claimed the Korean Peninsula is "in a very grave situation" for denuclearization and peace and that "utmost efforts should be made to ensure the Panmunjeom Declaration and the June 12 announcement will be implemented without failure."






Five delegates will use direct route for one-day visit



By Yi Whan-woo





Chung Eui-yong Suh Hoon

President Moon Jae-in named National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong as a special envoy to North Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae, Sunday.



It said the five-member delegation led by Chung on a visit to Pyongyang will be made up of National Intelligence Service (NIS) director Suh Hoon, Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung, NIS deputy director Kim Sang-gyun, and senior Cheong Wa Dae official Yun Kun-young. They will travel to the North Korean capital, Wednesday.



The five previously visited Pyongyang together in March to arrange the first summit between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the truce village of Panmunjeom, April 27.



This time, they will cross the border in preparation for the third Moon-Kim summit scheduled later this month in Pyongyang. Moon did not send envoys for the May 26 second summit.



"The government considered the continuity in inter-Korean dialogue and effective achievement of the trip's objective in its decision to send the same officials," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told the press. Chung spearheaded the delegation in March.



The Seoul delegation will fly to Pyongyang, using a direct route across the Demilitarized Zone. They will return home the same day.






Korea's OB/GYN doctors Tuesday declared they will boycott abortion procedures in protest against the government's regulatory change that subjects doctors to one-month suspension of license for conducting the procedures. Yonhap



By Oh Young-jin



OB/GYN doctors Tuesday threatened to stop performing abortions.



Their threat came in response to the Aug. 18 regulatory change that suspends a doctor's license for a month if he or she performs an abortion.



"We refuse to perform abortions at the risk of being branded as immoral medical practitioners and getting our license suspended for a month," the association of OB/GYN doctors said at a news conference.






Women hold up abortion pill boxes in front of Bosingak, a pavillion at Jongno, downtown Seoul on Aug. 26. 125 women  roughly the number of women who get an abortion every hour in South Korea  gathered to give a Mifegyne-swallowing performance using vitamin pills. / Yonhap



By Lee Suh-yoon



Women's health is being placed at greater risk in the recent row between the government and OB-GYN doctors over a new regulation that suspends medical licenses for performing abortions  explicitly branding the procedure as "immoral."



On Aug. 17, some 2,500 OB-GYN doctors in the country announced they would boycott all abortions, signaling a new low point in the growing discontent at the nation's 65-year-old abortion ban.



Abortion is banned in Korea by criminal law. Unlike neighboring Japan, where the abortion ban can be overruled for socioeconomic reasons, abortions are only allowed here in cases of rape, high chances of birth defects, or significant health risks for the woman.



Despite the illegality, abortions are widely carried out  a recent survey by the Korean Women's Development Institute showed one in five Korean women have had an abortion. The latest official figure from the Ministry of Health and Welfare says over 169,000 abortions, of which 94 percent were illegal, were carried out in 2010. But doctors' groups estimate some 3,000 abortions are performed every day.



The doctors' boycott is a direct rebuttal to the ministry's decision to categorize abortion under "immoral medical acts," thus opening an official channel for authorities to suspend an abortion-performing doctor's medical license for one month.



Suspending doctor's licenses for performing abortions is not new and has been imposed on 25 doctors in the past five years. But doctors fear the new regulation will make such punishment more commonplace.



Though abortions are common, their illegality makes it difficult for OB-GYN doctors to get hands-on training before entering the field as they can only experience a small number of "legal" abortions before graduation.



Coupled with the lack of official oversight due to the need for secrecy, women are exposed to the danger of botched and unprofessional operations. This was well illustrated by the death of a high school student who died on the operating table while getting an abortion in 2012.



Women, left with even worse options from the recent boycott, are furious.



"Calling abortions immoral medical acts? Are women not included when the ministry talks about public health?" Mina Kim, 26, a member of the local feminist group Femidangdang, told The Korea Times.



Femidangdang was formed to push for an end to the country's abortion ban, just as the abortion debate heated up in 2016 when the ministry first revealed the plan to suspend doctors' licenses.





Constitutional Court to rule on anti-abortion law (ruling from 2 p.m.) Korean doctors threaten to boycott abortions Voices growing against abortion ban Kim says she is also angry at the Korean College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the group that led the boycott, for "holding women's bodies hostage."



"I'm not sure if they made this abortion boycott decision with women's health in mind," Kim said. "Designating abortions as immoral acts or declaring an abortion boycott will not stop abortions; it will just increase the number of dangerous operations that threaten women's health."



Women's groups say the boycott will increase the secrecy of abortion and thus raise the prices even higher.



"When a pro-life doctors' group threatened to report abortion-performing OB-GYN doctors to health authorities in 2010, the price of abortion operations skyrocketed and it became more difficult for women to find doctors willing to perform them," Hong Yeon-ji at Womenlink said.



"This previous crisis lasted until 2013, after which the price of abortions stayed high at around 800,000 to 1 million won. We fear the same kind of situation could make abortions even less accessible," she said. "According to our interviews with women, the price of an abortion was around 400,000 won before 2010, but in 2010 it even jumped to over 1.4 million won."



Doctors, however, say they have no choice. Though the ministry says it will only passively enforce the regulation for cases convicted at court, doctors say the ministry's move is still crushing their livelihood.



"A one-month suspension of a medical license is like a death sentence to an OB-GYN clinic," Kim Dong-suk, head of the Korean College of OB-GYN, said in a phone interview with The Korea Times.



"You can't just open the clinic again when word gets around in the whole neighborhood that you're running an immoral clinic," Kim said referring to how the recent government regulation regards abortion in the same category as reusing injection needles or sexual harassing patients.



The biggest irony, however, is that the government's move for tighter control has come when calls for legalizing abortion are on the rise.



In September last year, more than 230,000 signed an online petition calling for the legalization of abortion and for the abortion pill, Mifegyne, forcing the government to issue an official response promising "a new balance" on abortion through a thorough research into the actual situation of abortion in the country.



And in May this year, the Constitutional Court held a high-profile debate on the constitutionality of the abortion ban before making its decision on the issue.



However, the ruling was delayed indefinitely, the Constitutional Court confirmed with The Korea Times, Thursday. And the promised government research has not been started for the past two months.



Women can be subjected to one year in jail or fined 2 million won for having an abortion, and two years in jail for the doctor. But the punishment has rarely been imposed, except for cases in which a handful of spiteful male partners report them to the authorities.



A stronger enforcement of the abortion ban is likely to be more crushing for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, public health insiders say.



"Women who are economically better off will probably be able to go to China or Japan to get an abortion but those without money or a social network will suffer more," said Koh Kyung-sim, a retired obstetrician and a member the Physicians' Association for Humanism who testified in favor of overturning the abortion ban at the Constitutional Court in May. "If OB-GYN doctors refuse to perform the operation, many women will miss the ideal time period for a safe operation."



As the controversy deepened, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo announced last Tuesday that the regulation won't be enforced until the Constitutional Court's decision on the abortion ban.



However, OB-GYN doctors are maintaining their position to boycott abortions, demanding a more "fundamental solution."






By Kim Jae-heun



Parents and teachers are against the government's plan to extend elementary school hours until 3 p.m. for lower-grade students as part of countermeasures against the low birthrate.



The Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy revealed its plan Monday to cope with the problem that young students of dual-income families are left unattended when they finish school at 1 p.m.



Currently, most first and second graders at elementary schools finish at 1 p.m. while third and fourth graders, finish at 2 p.m. Only fifth and sixth graders are in school until 3 p.m.



Many parents have been struggling to find someone who can take care of their children after school until they return from work, especially for younger students who cannot take care of themselves alone at home. Schools operate after-school daycare programs for such children but there are not enough programs to cater for the vast amount of students.



As a result, sending children straight to private institutions after school has become the most preferred alternative for married couples. Around 8,000 women quit their jobs every year when their children enter elementary school.



The presidential committee said parents will spend less money on private education if they adopt a policy to extend school hours. It said that during the additional time, students will have more play-focused programs than academic ones.



However, many parents do not agree with the government's idea.



Yoo Sun-hyang, mother of a first-grade student, said, "There is no big difference between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. _ even if my son finishes at 3 p.m., there is a still four- to five-hour gap until I come home from work, and he has to spend time at the academy anyway."



Kim Hae-jung, mother of an eight-year-old daughter, said the committee's idea won't discourage parents from sending their children to private institutes.



"Parents are sending their kids to private institutes so the children can learn the subjects in advance and won't fall behind at school," Kim said, adding the school hours do not matter.



Education circles are against the government's plan, too, with teachers saying they will face a bigger workload.



The Seoul Teachers Union issued an official statement immediately, saying school is not a daycare facility but a place where students are educated.



"The Ministry of Education, which has the authority to design curriculum, should not leave this issue in the hands of the committee," the union said in its statement. "Forcing young children to stay at school until 3 p.m. is not a solution to the low birthrate, and it could cause other complications. The key to fighting the low birthrate lies in setting a legal and social system in which parents can have days off and childcare leave freely."



The Ministry of Education said it cannot talk about its stance at the moment and the government's plan needs to be reviewed.



Still, the presidential committee plans to put the initiative into practice by 2024.



"It is already a global trend that all grades at elementary school finish at 3 p.m. altogether," said Jung Jae-hoon, a social science professor at Seoul Women's University. "It is a trend in modern society that elementary schools provide both education and daycare functions."






Nam Young-sin, head of the Defense Security Support Command, salutes while participating in the launch ceremony of the new military intelligence unit at its headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. / Yonhap
By Lee Kyung-min







Residents in Geumcheon, southwestern Seoul, remained anxious, Sunday, after some 200 people were evacuated from their homes following a sinkhole forming near their apartment complex, early Friday.







Some of them returned home, but a larger number of the remaining residents are staying in hotels or community centers nearby after fire authorities said Saturday that a further land collapses are feared in the area.







According to Geumcheon District Office, inspections are ongoing to determine how tilted apartment buildings in the complex are and whether it is safe for residents to return home. A full inspection of the 18 buildings in the complex will take up to two months, it added.







One of the buildings was tilted at five degrees; while no major safety issues were detected at two other buildings near the sinkhole. The recent heavy downpour saturated the ground, contributing to the land collapse, the authorities said.







In Korea, over 4,500 sinkholes have been reported over the past five years, with Seoul accounting for over 78 percent of them.







According to data submitted by the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport to Rep. Min Kyung-wook of the Liberty Korea Party, 960 sinkholes were reported last year; 828 in 2016; 1,036 in 2015; 858 in 2014; and 898 in 2013.




















Thousands of protesters hold a rally at the Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, Saturday demanding the Constitutional Court find unconstitutional a law criminally punishing abortion. Yonhap

By Lee Kyung-min, Lee Suh-yoon



Thousands of protesters held a rally against the abortion ban over the weekend amid heated public discourse inching towards greater rights protection for women's autonomy.



Around 3,000 protesters _ 1,500 according to police _ varying in age, sexual orientation, marriage status and nationality gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, demanding that the Constitutional Court find a law criminally punishing abortion, unconstitutional.






U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. REUTERS-Yonhap



Days after canceling a planned visit to North Korea by his top diplomat citing insufficient progress in denuclearization talks, U.S. President Donald Trump hailed his personal relationship North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday and said there was currently no reason to resume war games with South Korea.



Trump's statement came a day after his defense secretary hinted that the drills, which North Korea denounces as rehearsals for invasion, could resume.



Trump tweeted a White House statement in which he once against questioned China's role in helping to resolve the crisis over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons that threaten the United States.



The statement said Trump believed North Korea was under "tremendous pressure" from China, but Beijing was also supplying Pyongyang with "considerable aid," including fuel, fertilizer and commodities.



"This is not helpful!" the statement said.



"Nonetheless, the President believes that his relationship with Kim Jong Un is a very good and warm one, and there is no reason at this time to be spending large amounts of money on joint U.S.-South Korea war games," it added.



"Besides, the President can instantly start the joint exercises again with South Korea, and Japan, if he so chooses. If he does, they will be far bigger than ever before."



The statement also said that the U.S. trade dispute with China and other differences "will be resolved in time by President Trump and China's great President Xi Jinping. Their relationship and bond remain very strong."



Trump caught many American military planners off guard when he announced after an unprecedented summit with Kim on June 12 that the United States was suspending this summer's joint military drills with South Korea.











South Korean soldiers run as U.S. Army's Aviation Brigade HU-1 Huey takes off during the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise in Mungyeong, south of Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Korea Times file
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday named his top security adviser as a special envoy to North Korea.

Chung Eui-yong, head of the presidential National Security Office, will head a five-member delegation to the communist state that is set to leave for Pyongyang on Wednesday.



The delegation includes Suh Hoon, chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS); Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung; Yun Kun-young, presidential secretary for state affairs; and Kim Sang-gyun, a senior NIS official.



It will be Chung's second trip to North Korea in less than six months as he headed the same five-member delegation to Pyongyang in early March.



"The reason the delegation consists of the same officials from the first delegation is because the government considered the importance of continuity in dialogue with North Korea in achieving the objective of the North Korea trip," Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, told a press briefing.



The South Korean delegation will fly to the North Korean capital, using a direct route across the inter-Korean border. They will return home on the same day, the spokesman added.













The trip in March helped arrange the first-ever summit between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which was held in the border village of Panmunjom on April 27.



The upcoming trip by the South Korean delegates is again aimed at arranging what would be a third Moon-Kim summit, already scheduled to be held in Pyongyang this month. The leaders of the two Koreas held their second bilateral summit on May 26, followed by Kim's historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12.



Still, the visit by the South Korean officials also comes amid an apparent stalemate in denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea.



Trump earlier called off a scheduled North Korea trip by his top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, citing what he called a lack of progress in the denuclearization process.



North Korea is said to have demanded a timely quid pro quo for its denuclearization efforts while the U.S. has repeatedly vowed to maintain maximum sanctions on the impoverished North until it completely denuclearizes.



Cheong Wa Dae officials have highlighted the importance of Moon's scheduled trip to North Korea and his meeting with the North Korean leader in kick-starting the denuclearization process. (Yonhap)




North Korea's ruling family has long dreamed of a state-of-the-art rail system linking its major cities with each other and the wider world. Kim Jong Un wants to make it a reality.



A month before his death in 1994, North Korea's founding leader spoke of a dream. Kim Il Sung wanted a railway connecting the two Koreas, China and Russia. A vision which he said could rake in 1.5 billion dollars a year for his regime.



Decades later, his grandson Kim Jong Un wants to make it a reality.



Talks with the U.S. have been on the rocks this week, but as a whole, this year foreign pressure on the regime has eased off. And so Kim's looking to fast-track plans for a high-speed rail network, rivaling those in Europe and neighboring South Korea.



Sources tell Reuters Kim has ordered his officials to seek tie-ups with countries like South Korea and France. Top French rail networks have sent in swift rejections, but Seoul is interested. At his summit with President Moon Jae-in earlier this year, Kim admitted he was impressed with South Korea's rail network.



He said the South's KTX bullet train left a big impression on his sister, when she rode it during the Olympics.



Journeys in the North are much slower. In May, foreign journalists in the North were stuck on a train for twelve hours on their way to witness a nuclear test site demolition. It was only a 250 mile stretch.



A KTX train would have been there in two and a half hours. But building a system like that in the North could take at least half a decade and cost up to $20 billion dollars.



Seoul might be willing to help bankroll it and reap benefits too. Linking the Koreas to China and Russia could mean a bump in trade and tourism. It's set aside $450 billion dollars next year to modernize the North, including new roads and railways. (Reuters)












By Eugene Lee





The past week had all the signs of what one would call a perfect storm. A "perfect storm" is a phenomenon when several crises come together and multiply their destructive effects. And it may have looked like it, when an environmental one, typhoon Soulik, was paired with another one going on in the political sphere of the country, the unemployment shock.







Seemingly unrelated, these two events reflect our life in the future  we will have to deal with cataclysmic events on a massive scale with the given tools of governance. The previous month was one episode of that, as the current government with the desire to improve the conditions of the low-income members of society raised the minimum wage, but when it was paired with a scorching heat wave  the highest temperatures in 111 years  for a month, the effects on the market were really bad. The situation in the agricultural sector, where employers couldn't afford to pay temporary workers the minimum hourly wage, and workers who wouldn't want to work in unbearable heat, sent prices of produce sky-rocketing.







The answer to such challenges is sustainable development. Many governments around the world view and treat current issues with this new mindset. For example, in Central Asia it is Kazakhstan that leads regional efforts to save the disappearing Aral Sea.







Every government puts development as its primary objective, but in this region, the idea of "development" is being carefully reworked. The manmade ecological disaster of Soviet-Union times has already impacted the lives of more than 5 million people, for some fatally. On Aug. 24, the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan met to recharge their efforts to drastically review and harmonize plans in terms of water supply and sharing, to ultimately save Aral Sea.







Working through the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, this summit was a sign of a change in understanding of the ecological repercussions for governments in the region, which also has its own complexity, especially in dealing with a sensitive resource such as water.









Eugene Lee (

) is an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul.


By Chang Se-moon





One of the important, and somewhat puzzling, questions in many advanced countries, including Korea, is why marriage rates of young adults have been declining.



Policymakers are concerned, because declining marriage rates are likely to reduce the labor supply in the future and could have a negative impact on the economy.



I have no doubt that there are many reasons for the declining rates, likely beyond my comprehension. There is one good article that explores the relationship between economic security and marriage rates of young adults: "Millennial Marriage: How Much Does Economic Security Matter to Marriage Rates for Young Adults?" by Benjamin Gurrentz.



Dr. Gurrentz works at the Fertility and Family Statistics Branch of the U.S. Census Bureau, and the article was prepared for the 2018 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. Although the article is based on U.S. data, I expect the findings apply equally to most advanced countries, including Korea.



According to Dr. Gurrentz, "Young adults today are marrying at lower rates than previous generations," and "a lack of economic security plays a role in the decline." In 1980, 48 percent of young adults aged 18 to 32 were married in the United States. The percentage declined to 36 percent in 1997 and 26 percent in 2013.



Declining marriage rates of young adults in recent years are just as striking. The rates for young adults aged 18 to 24 were 36.4 per 1,000 eligible adults in 2008 but declined to 29.6 in 2012; while marriage rates of young adults aged 25-34 were 84.6 in 2008 but declined to 75 in 2012.



Why are the marriage rates among young adults declining? "Although most people claim to marry for love and not economic reasons, research nonetheless shows that economic security is considered a prerequisite for marriage in modern times."



Dr. Gurrentzthen lists low earnings, poverty, debt, housing costs and unemployment as having a negative impact on "entry into marriage and marital living arrangements".



Question arises as to why these economic factors are negatively influencing the marriage rates. According to Dr. Gurrentz, "the process of marrying is itself expensive, as engagement rings and increasingly lavish weddings introduce barriers to those lacking economic resources."



Further, "cultural expectations surrounding marriage also entail other important, but expensive, life events, such as purchasing a home and raising children."



In addition, "financial strains and disagreements are strong predictors of both relationship quality and divorce," suggesting that economic security is a "pre-emptive attempt to prevent future marital problems."



Many young adults of today are more educated than their preceding generations, but burdened with a larger amount of student loan debt. Many millennials also entered the job market during and after the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009.



Many young adults in Korea today, on the other hand, are suffering from the anti-business policies of the Moon Jae-in administration.



Support for excessively strong labor unions, a dramatic increase in the legal minimum wage, the requirement of a maximum number of working hours per week, and the futile prosecution of large business leaders for shady decisions, which are more tradition-based than outright illegal, all led to a dramatic decrease in the number of jobs available for young adults.



It is silly for government officials of Korea to worry about low birthrates, while their own economic policies are largely responsible for the disappearing economic opportunities for young adults.



Stating that it is not just one economic factor, but a combination of several economic factors that may hinder marriage, Dr. Gurrentz presents the following findings.



Employment, especially full-time employment, is "an important factor for marriage, as it ensures financial security through regularly scheduled wage payments and access to other forms of economic security, like health insurance and retirement benefits." Wages also play "a very important role in understanding transitions into marriage."



The costs of housing affect marital choices of young adults. Living with a spouse was "more prevalent in metropolitan areas where housing is low-cost," while "expensive housing was linked with living with a roommate, parent, cohabiting partner, or in a subfamily."



According to Dr. Gurrentz, "High housing costs may offset the otherwise beneficial role of higher wages in providing economic security prior to marriage."



Dr. Gurrentz summarizes that the "percentage of young adults employed, median number of hours worked, median annual wages, and homeownership are associated with higher marriage rates," while "the percentage of young adults unemployed, higher levels of poverty, higher housing costs, and higher proportions of young adults living in their parents' homes are associated with lower marriage rates."



It appears that the best way of encouraging marriage rates for young adults, and thus reversing the declining trend in population growth, is to pursue policies that will improve economic opportunities for young adults.





Chang Se-moon (changsemoon@yahoo.com) is the director of the Gulf Coast Center for Impact Studies.


A fintech startup's office in Jakarta, Indonesia. / Courtesy of Bang Jung-hwan



By Bang Jung-hwan



A startup boom is sweeping Southeast Asia. It is not confined to the IT sector  virtually the whole gamut of industries across the region is jockeying for position in the boom attracting massive investment from around the globe.



Then "stars" have come  in a case in point, leaders of Malaysia's tech company Grab became a target of nationwide acclamation after acquiring Uber's Southeast Asian business unit, which led to a dramatic change to the conventional industrial map in the region.



According to Tech in Asia, a Singapore-based online technology media outlet, startups in Southeast Asia attracted $7.9 billion in investment in 2017, nearly a three-fold leap from $2.5 billion in 2016. It was breathtaking given that the 2013 investment in Southeast Asian startups was a mere $1 billion.



The exponential increase has served as a catalyst for unicorn startups, which refers to private startups valued at more than $1 billion, to come on to the business radar. Major beneficiaries include Lazada, an e-commerce platform in Singapore, and Gojek, an Indonesian app-based ride-hailing service provider.



The startup frenzy is driven mainly by street-smart young Southeast Asians with an academic background in Western countries.



As the market evolves with passionate entrepreneurs with different interests and visions, business models become diverse and varied.



Major attention is focusing on attempts to introduce mobile technology to region-specific circumstances. And it is being extended to startups aimed at improving agricultural productivity, offering eco-friendly products or customized solutions for Southeast Asia's primary industry.



Indigenous family-controlled conglomerates have fueled the phenomenon by setting up venture capital operations and exploring business opportunities. It has inspired Korean venture capital providers to join the race.





A co-working space in Ho Ch Minh City, Vietnam.




Seoul seeks breakthrough in stalled denuclearization talks



President Moon Jae-in's special envoy will be in Pyongyang this week to discuss a range of issues, including another inter-Korean summit planned for this month. During a press briefing Friday, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Pyongyang had accepted a proposal from President Moon to send an envoy to the North. The delegation is expected to travel to Pyongyang, Wednesday, and return on the same day.



The last time Moon sent an envoy to Pyongyang was March 5, soon after the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games ended. The delegation led by Chung Eui-yong, Moon's national security adviser, had agreed to hold an inter-Korean summit at the end of April, which became the impetus for the June 12 U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore.



Chung will be leading a five-member delegation again, according to Cheong Wa Dae Sunday. This time, the most important task of the presidential envoy to North Korea is to settle details of the third summit between Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The two Koreas agreed during high-level talks on Aug. 13 to hold another summit to build on the previous two summits in April and May. The envoy will also discuss other issues related to improving inter-Korean ties and making progress toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.



The envoy's visit to Pyongyang comes amid a deadlock in U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks. The U.S. recently cancelled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's planned visit to Pyongyang after a hostile message from his counterpart Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party Central Committee.



Following the cancellation of what would have been Pompeo's fourth visit to Pyongyang, a White House statement said President Trump could "instantly start the joint exercises again with South Korea, and Japan, if he so chooses. If he does, they will be far bigger than ever before."



Concerns are mounting that the U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks are on the brink of falling apart and that bilateral relations could return to the way they were before the June 12 summit in Singapore. During the summit, the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea agreed to work toward North Korea's complete denuclearization. But since then, not much headway has been made with regard to the North's disarmament and the two sides have maintained their focus on different priorities. Under these circumstances, hopes are growing that Moon will be an effective mediator between Washington and Pyongyang.



During the next summit, Moon should encourage Kim to uphold his commitment to denuclearization and make more concrete steps to end the North's missile and nuclear development.


People-watching on a small street in Busan, 1903.



By Robert Neff



In the spring of 1891, an American missionary stationed in Japan traveled to Pusan (now part of Busan) on a two-week holiday of adventure. Like many foreigners, he roamed about the port and the immediate surrounding region alone  wanting to get a feel for the real Korea.



On his second day, he traveled along the coast for about three or four miles. He was somewhat impressed with the Korean farmers and felt empathy for the plight of the common people  all living in fear of the upper class taking the fruits of their labor through unfair taxes and charges. But it was not just the upper class that the common people feared.



"The cattle were much afraid of me. I met a cow laden with a pack saddle upon a narrow path winding around a steep hill. She plunged off the track and came very near rolling to the bottom. With difficulty she recovered her footing, but her driver did not seem to take it very hard. The children feared me, too. I came over a bank and surprised a young girl of perhaps 18 washing some clothes. She fled precipitately on seeing me. It is strange to find oneself regarded as an object of terror."







The next day he went out again, but this time in a different direction. Easily distracted, he soon became quite lost and by 5:30 that evening was thoroughly worried and began approaching Koreans and asking for directions (obviously in English) but they could not understand him and "would wave their hands to all points of the compass, and say, 'Mo-ah' [Korean for 'I don't know']."



The missionary became completely rattled and in desperation just started walking in the general direction where he believed the port was located. In his diary he wrote:




By Jun Ji-hye



BERLIN  LG Electronics will continue to concentrate on expanding its robot business portfolio by actively pushing for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with companies in possession of appropriate technologies to secure a future growth engine, the head of the company said Friday.





LG Electronics CEO and Vice Chairman Jo Seong-jin speaks during a news conference with Korean journalists on the sidelines of the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) Berlin, Friday. / Courtesy of LG Electronics
LG Uplus will likely to use Huawei equipment



By Baek Byung-yeul



Korea's top mobile carriers -- SK Telecom (SKT), KT and LG Uplus -- will announce their fifth-generation (5G) network equipment suppliers this month.



Each carrier is expected to choose two to four manufacturers to set up the 5G network infrastructure, but one of the issues is whether they will choose equipment from Chinese maker Huawei.



The mobile carriers secured their frequency bandwidth for 5G networks at the national frequency auction in June and are preparing to launch the world's first commercial 5G services next March.



To open the next-generation network era, choosing equipment companies to build infrastructure is a prerequisite.



As the three mobile carriers are in the last phase of testing 5G network equipment from manufacturers, it is likely that they will soon announce their network equipment supplier possibly among Samsung Electronics, Nokia, Ericsson or Huawei.



Among them, Huawei is known to have industry-leading technology in the 5G frequency band of 3.5 gigahertz as it released the first 5G chipset this February. Its prices are also 20 percent to 30 percent less expensive than its competitors.



The 3.5 gigahertz band is adjacent to the 2 gigahertz LTE frequency range. The proximity enables mobile carriers to more easily build a nationwide network.



The world's largest telecommunication equipment manufacturer can also produce 5G equipment at a competitive price, which is about 30 percent lower than those of its competitors.



However, many countries have been raising questions about Huawei's security issues as China may force the company to spy on other countries.



While the U.S. has already barred Huawei and another Chinese maker ZTE from taking part in public sector IT business, Australia also banned the company from joining 5G network infrastructure business last month because of national security concerns.



Japan could be the next country to ban Huawei as media outlets there recently reported that the ban is under consideration at the highest levels of government due to security concerns.



Among the local mobile carriers, LG Uplus, the smallest player, is likely to use Huawei's equipment.



"During the Mobile World Congress Shanghai in June, Kwon Youung-soo, chief operating officer of LG Corp, told reporters that LG Uplus would work with Huawei in building 5G network infrastructure," an LG Uplus spokesman said, Sunday.



As vice chairman of LG Uplus at that time, Kwon said Huawei's equipment "has the fastest and the best functions."



Kwon reiterated his opinion about adapting Huawei's equipment saying he hasn't heard anything about changing plans to work with Huawei during last week's shareholder meeting in Seoul.



While LG Uplus is expected to adopt equipment from Huawei, SKT and KT said nothing has been decided with them yet.



When building infrastructure for long-term evolution (LTE) networks, SKT and KT used equipment from Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia while LG Uplus used equipment from four suppliers including those three suppliers and Huawei.


By Park Jae-hyuk



Hanwha Chemical and OCI, the nation's leading manufacturers of polysilicon used for making solar panels, are facing increasingly unfavorable business conditions in Europe, in addition to lingering difficulties in the U.S. and Chinese markets, industry officials said Sunday.



According to a recent report from Reuters, the European Union is considering scrapping import controls on solar panels and cells from China next month, as a majority of its members support the move.



"The European Commission, which coordinates EU trade policy, proposed dismissing the request for an expiry review and received backing from a majority of the EU's 28 countries," Reuters reported last week, citing EU sources familiar with the discussions.



Industry officials here expect the deregulation will deal a severe blow to Korean companies which have tried to expand their presences in the European market.



"The influx of low-priced Chinese products will heat up the price competition between Chinese and Korean companies," an industry official said.



In 2013, EU began imposing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures against Chinese solar products, and extended the measures in March 2017 by 18 months. During the period, Chinese manufacturers have been able to sell their solar products in Europe at or above a minimum price that has progressively declined. They have been supposed to face duties up to 64.9 percent, if they sell the products at below the price.



Considering the EU will likely lift the regulation this time, Chinese firms will be able to offer lower prices, weighing on Korean manufacturers that have already struggled to cope with unfavorable factors in the U.S. and China.



In February, the U.S. government decided to impose safeguard duties of up to 30 percent on imports of solar cells and modules. China announced regulatory measures in May, saying it will control construction of new solar power facilities and cut subsidies to solar power generation.



The decisions of the two countries led to a slowdown in the Korean polysilicon industry, as the U.S. accounts for 52 percent of the global solar product market, and China takes up 12 percent.



Hanwha Chemical suffered a 4.2 billion won ($3.8 million) operating loss in the second quarter, and OCI has faced a continuous decline in the operating profit of its solar power business over the past few months.



Brokerages are casting negative outlooks to their future as well.



"As the Chinese government cut subsidies to solar power generation, the market has become sluggish," HMC Investment Securities analyst Kang Dong-jin said. "The declining polysilicon price will have a negative impact on the business outlook of Hanwha Chemical."



Against this backdrop, the domestic polysilicon makers' plans to improve their profitability with the expansion in the European market will likely face a setback. Europe accounts for 9 percent of the global solar product market.



Although the Korean firms may slightly benefit from the Moon Jae-in administration's policy supporting renewable energy, the size of the domestic market seems too small to offset the negative impact, according to industry officials. Korea accounts for about 1 percent of the global solar product market.


PharmaResearch Products CEO Jung Sang-soo, left, and Huons CEO Um Key-an



By Park Jae-hyuk



PharmaResearch and Huons are using a botulinum toxin (BTX) strain found near a local pig farm to develop anti-wrinkle cosmetics products, company officials said Thursday, denying allegations that they stole the strain from Medytox or other larger rivals.



But the two companies declined to disclose the location of the pig farm.



A PharmaResearch Products employee in charge of investors relations told The Korea Times, "I am aware of that Biotopia handed over the strain to our subsidiary, PharmaResearch BIO," reiterating a PharmaResearch BIO official's remarks made in a business presentation at the Korea Exchange in Seoul, June 26.



"The BTX strain was taken over from Biotopia. Biotopia discovered the strain in soil near a pig farm," the PharmaResearch BIO official was quoted as saying. "Our strain differs from those of Medytox and Daewoong."



Botulinum toxin is a biopharmaceutical substance used to remove facial wrinkles by paralyzing muscles. The demand for BTX has been growing rapidly in Korea and elsewhere as more people undergo the treatment to look younger.



PharmaResearch BIO, which was formerly Bio CND, has specialized in developing BTX, since its parent company acquired it in January.



It aims to get an approval for the sales of its BTX by 2021. The company plans to export the product as well, taking advantage of its parent company's sales networks abroad.



In addition, Huons, which took over Biotopia in 2016, also claims the strain of its own BTX named Hutox came from the same pig farm, saying the strain differs from those of Medytox and Daewoong.



"Our strain is categorized as ATCC 3502, which differs from the controversial strain categorized as Hall A," a Huons spokeswoman said. "We have therefore not faced any complaints from our rivals."



In addition to PharmaResearch and Huons, domestic BTX makers have presented their own sources.



Medytox, the nation's largest BTX maker, said it received its strain from Professor Yang Kyu-hwan, who brought it strain to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in late 1970s.



The company said Yang gave the strain to its CEO Jung Hyun-ho, who was a student of the professor.



Daewoong once said it discovered its strain from piles of garbage after five years of exploration, but the drugmaker now claims its BTX was commercialized after being extracted from soil near a stable it owned in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.



Hugel, which had claimed it discovered its BTX strain from rotten canned foods, now claims it discovered the strain, after letting food waste rot.



However, Medytox has cast doubts about the sources of Hugel and Daewoong's BTX products.



Medytox even filed a lawsuit against Daewoong, alleging it stole the strain and manufacturing know-how in developing Nabota, Daewoong's BTX which is under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's examination for approval of sales in the country.



Medytox cited the difficulty of discovering the strain from domestic soil as a reason for the lawsuit.



According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, 24 companies reported they own BTX strains and 14 reported they have BTX, as of last January.



Given that the sources of their products are uncertain, however, the government has been criticized for poor management of the potentially fatal toxin  one gram of which can kill over a million people.


Customers buy products in a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Agu. 28. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro promotes since a couple of weeks ago the 'Economic Recovery', which has meant a 95,8 percent devaluation of the national currency in the forex market, increasing of the minimum wage by 35 times and the control in prices of some products of the consumer basket. EPA



Brazilian President Michel Temer announced Tuesday that he'll deploy the military to restore order in a state at the heart of the Venezuelan migrant crisis, as new data showed a surge in killings that meant the state now has the highest homicide rate in the country.

Between January and June, there were 27.7 homicides for every 100,000 people in Roraima, a poor state in northern Brazil on the border with Venezuela, data from the Violence Monitor showed. Rio Grande do Norte, with 27.1 killings per 100,000, had the second-highest rate, followed by Ceara and Acre, both with 26.

In the past three years, Roraima, like many Brazilian states, has been the scene of an intense battle between criminal organizations for territory and influence. During the same period, it has also been the major entry point into Brazil for Venezuelans fleeing political and economic turmoil in their homeland. Both have put pressure on the state's institutions and contributed to a feeling of instability.

''What we see is that there is a clear feeling of the fragility of local institutions to deal with the fear of people, who are starting to think the state has no rule of law,'' said Bruno Paes Manso, a researcher with the Center for Violence Studies at the University of Sao Paulo. The center participated in putting together the Violence Monitor.

''This leads people to defend themselves ... you have this perception: people are arriving from every corner, crime dominates, and homicides multiply in these contexts,'' he said.

Despite the well-known pressure on Roraima, Manso said the spike was surprising. The rate for all of last year was 25.1 per 100,000 _ and Roraima wasn't in the top 10. In 2016, it had the third-lowest homicide rate in the country.

In a brief televised address Tuesday night, Temer announced that he signed a decree to send in the armed forces to restore order and security in the state. The federal government had already decided to deploy members of an elite military-style police force after residents of a border town attacked Venezuelans and burned their belongings earlier this month.

The decree authorizes the deployment starting Wednesday and lasting until Sept. 12. It could be extended. Temer did not say how many troops he would send.

The monitor registered more than 26,100 killings in Brazil in the first six months _ an indication that the number of homicides could fall this year after a particularly bloody 2017. But this year's data does not include complete figures from three states.

The data was compiled and analyzed by the G1 news portal, the Brazilian Forum on Public Security and the Center for Violence Studies, and includes murders, deaths during robberies, and assaults that resulted in deaths.

Poor and isolated, Roraima has struggled to deal with the influx from Venezuela, where the collapse of institutions and an economic crisis worse than the Great Depression has driven 2.3 million people to flee, according to U.N. estimates. Tens of thousands have come to Brazil, largely to Roraima. Many are living on the streets of the state's cities and towns, and the influx has been linked to a measles outbreak in Brazil, with 300 cases in Roraima.

''Brazil is not confronting a migratory crisis. Roraima is confronting a migratory crisis,'' the state's governor, Suely Campos, wrote in an op-ed in the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper this past weekend.

The federal government in ''Brasilia's disregard for the largest humanitarian crisis in the Americas, in coordination with its allies in the state, is criminal,'' she wrote.

Contacted by The Associated Press, the office the chief of staff of the president didn't not respond directly to Campos' criticisms, but said that the federal government has provided Roraima with nearly $100 million since the beginning of the crisis. Campos, in her op-ed, accused the government of announcing resources in the press that the state never received.

The federal government has also relocated about 1,000 migrants. (AP)
Kendallville, IN (46755)

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Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 46F. Winds light and variable..

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The message is clear in the opening moments of the Mayans M.C. pilot episode as Ezekiel EZ Reyes and his low-rider Harley flatten a crow  the symbol of rival motorcycle club Sons of Anarchy  on a dusty road along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sons of Anarchy, the hit FX series about a white, Northern California biker gang that ended four years ago, is roadkill in the rear-view mirror of this biker saga. This year belongs to their adversaries, the Mayans, the formidable Latino bike club that played a peripheral but deadly role during Anarchys seven-season run.

The brown bike club, which like all gangs of color in Sons was referred to in race-related pejoratives by the white bikers (and vice versa when it came to those other gangs addressing the Sons), now have their own show, which says as much about the changing demographics of scripted television as it does about the social climate that drove the Sons off the road to make way for the Mayans.

Sons of Anarchy debuted in 2008, the same year as Breaking Bad, the recession and the election of the nations first black president. Both shows dramatized the frustrations of a sidelined white working class in characters like Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) and Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Both were family men who felt the pressure to provide by any means necessary, be it meth or mayhem, chemistry or brute force. They successfully found a way around the system, tasted power but wound up destroying their own empires and families.

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A decade later, the crumbling class infrastructure that gave rise to such antiheroes has contributed to ugly extremes in the real world, from a rise in white nationalism to politicians regularly stoking fears of immigrants and brown folks for votes. Last week, Floridas Ron DeSantis warned voters not to monkey this up by electing his black opponent in the governors race while the murder of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbits by an undocumented worker has become such an anti-immigrant rallying cry that her father has had to repeatedly ask that Mollies death not be used in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist.

Mayans M.C.s co-creator Kurt Sutter, the mastermind behind Sons, says his new series is not a reaction to todays political and cultural firestorm. Its meant to entertain. But what better underdog to take on this decades war on the underclass than guys with names like Miguel, Che and Angel, i.e. the targets of such hate, and all within the safe confines of scripted TV? And like the Sons, theyre hardly choirboys.

In the series, which premieres Tuesday, a Virgin of Guadalupe statue thats draped in a bullet belt presides over the charters clubhouse. Los Asesinos de Dios (Gods Assassins) is the motto carved into the clubs meeting table. Contraband is smuggled across international borders and state lines tucked inside the ruffled skirts of quinceanera gowns.

I dont write political shows, nor is this a political show, said Sutter of Mayans M.C., which he co-created with indie filmmaker Elgin James. But its an authentic show, so it deals with the current climate. Theres attention on Mayans because its at the border and the border wall, but who could have predicted the political moment that were in right now? You cant plan on any pop culture or political climate being on the table when you finally arrive. Things happen when they happen, so like literally every day when [we were making the show], something else would happen. It was like Wow, this is  weird.

The majority of characters in Mayans M.C, are new to the biker saga, but Sons fans will recognize Marcus Alvarez (Emilio Rivera), whos now referred to as the godfather in the 10-episode series. He founded the Oakland Mayans, which spawned new chapters like the one here that represents the fictional U.S.-Mexico border town of Santo Padre.

EZ (JD Pardo) is a prospect, or probationary member in training, for those who arent up on their bike-club vernacular, brought into the Mayans fresh out of prison by his brother, Angel (Clayton Cardenas). Their father, Felipe (Edward James Olmos), warns against their alliance with the outlaw bike gang. The Mayans, among other things, work for a Mexican drug cartel. Though presidente Obispo Bishop Losa (Michael Irby) tries to run a seamless criminal operation, U.S. law enforcement, Mexican rebel factions and family obligation makes the charters job more complicated  and brutal. Theres no easing into their world: expect guns, blood, gore and more gore.

Protagonist EZ, unlike Anarchys prince of bikers Jax, starts from the lowest ranks of the club and must work his way up. Pardo admits its not easy following Sons of Anarchy, a series that set a high bar, garnered loyal fans and featured the swoon-inducing good looks of Hunnam.

There is pressure, Pardo says. But this isnt Sons. Its a different story. Still, when I booked it I cant tell you how many times people sent me those little videos of Charlie Hunnams butt, and Jax having sex on the show. Theyre like, Prepare yourself! I was like, Oh my God, what did I get myself in to?

Clayton Cardenas as Angel Reyes in Mayans M.C. (Prashant Gupta / FX)

REVIEW: Mayans M.C. is a familiar antihero tale set on the border 

The cast of Mayans M.C. is almost exclusively Latino and Hispanic, with only a handful of return characters and cameos from Sons. Executive producer Noberto Barba directs here, and Sutter teamed up withJames  ex-gang member and former convict  to ensure authenticity.

Growing up, I was surrounded by violence, first as a victim and then as an aggressor, says James. I never really wanted to tell stories about violence because I dont want to glorify it in any way. I was trying to push that down, but it was like, wow, these are the stories we actually need to tell to put a human face on that cycle of violence and incarceration. The real cause of violence and the cause of why youd join a street gang or an outlaw motorcycle club.

Mayans M.C. moves between Southern California and Mexico through dark underground tunnels and border crossings jammed with traffic.

The culture clash between the two regions is at the root of some of the hour-long episodes most compelling  and humorous  moments.

When Mayan member Creeper (Joseph Raymond Lucero) is shot during a heist on the Cali side of the border, hes whisked underground to a doctor in Tijuana, who speaks to him in Spanish.

Whats he saying? says a confused and panicked Creeper. Tell him Im an L.A. Mexican!

The clubs other bilingual members translate for the doctor. He says he wants a sex change, they joke.

FX like many networks, cable and streaming platforms, has pushed toward a more diverse lineup of shows and performers. This years Emmy contenders  Atlanta, Handmaids Tale, This Is Us, Insecure  are proof that the industrys efforts are making the small screen a more dynamic, entertaining and interesting place. But theres a long way to go, and series such as Mayans M.C. are still outliers.

A 2016 Annenberg report found Latinos are among the least represented groups with speaking roles in TV and film though they comprise nearly 18% of the countrys population. Only 5.8% of the more than 11,000 speaking characters surveyed in the study were Hispanic or Latino.

That doesnt mean the macho, sexist and racist world of these border bikers is all of a sudden a font of obligatory PC messaging. Its not. Like its predecessor, Mayans M.C. has something offensive for everyone. Its just this time around, its delivered from a different perspective  and often in Spanglish.

Mayans M.C.

Where: FX

When: 10 p.m. Tuesday

Rating: TV-MA-LV (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17 with advisories for coarse language and violence)

lorraine.ali@latimes.com

@lorraineali
A night on the Colorado River turned tragic when two boats crashed and sank, casting 16 passengers into the rushing water. Four people  three women and one man  were still missing, officials said.

The collision occurred about 8 p.m. Saturday between Pirates Cove and the Topock Marina near Moabi Regional Park on the California-Arizona border, authorities said. Search-and-rescue divers were in the water searching for bodies.

I dont want to give the interpretation that there isnt a real possibility that they made it to shore, Mohave County Sheriff Doug Schuster said at an afternoon news briefing. We are actively treating this as a potential drowning.

The river was packed with holiday visitors at the time of the incident. Those aboard the boats were friends and family, some visiting from outside the area. None of them were wearing life jackets, officials said.

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It is not mandated that they do, though we encourage it, Schuster said.

It was not clear yet whether alcohol or speeding played a role in the crash, authorities said. The accident occurred just after sunset and low light conditions probably played a role.

The Hallett boat carrying 10 people was headed northbound when it collided head-on with a southbound Sleekcraft boat carrying six people, authorities said. Four passengers from the Hallett boat were missing.

Two people in critical condition were flown to a hospital in Las Vegas, authorities said. Nine others were taken to hospitals by ambulance.

Authorities said no children were on board.

The two boats hit head on at about 50 mph, knocking more than a dozen people into the water, according to an emergency dispatcher whose report was broadcast on local TV stations. Both boats sank and several people were pulled from the water by passing boaters.

Eric Sherwin, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire District, told 3TV/CBS-5 that the river moves fast and can reach depths of up to 30 feet.

We had victims of this collision that were located three to five miles downstream from the original point of impact, Sherwin said.

Saturday night, helicopters from Care Flight, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department were deployed to the river. The search was called off about 10 p.m. before resuming again early Sunday.

Schuster said officials would keep searching the water each day until dark.

We will continue to search until all those who are missing and unaccounted for have been located, he said.

A stretch of the river may be closed intermittently during the recovery effort.

Investigators at the scene Sunday of a boating accident the night before on the Colorado River north of Lake Havasu. (Mohave County Sheriffs Office)

Four people are still missing after two boats collided on the Colorado River on Saturday. (Los Angeles Times)

esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com

@LATBermudez

UPDATES:

5:50 p.m.: This article was updated with more information from the Mohave County Sheriffs Department.

4:35 p.m.: This article was updated with new information from the Mohave County Sheriffs Department.

This article was originally posted at 12:30 p.m.
Two recreational boats collided head-on Saturday in a stretch of the Colorado River near the California border with Arizona that was crowded with people enjoying the Labor Day weekend, sinking one boat and leaving 13 people injured, authorities said. Another two people were missing and presumed submerged.

The crash happened in Moabi Regional Park, a popular water recreation area along the border about 290 miles east of Los Angeles.

Eric Sherwin, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire District, said one person sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Six others were transported to local hospitals with less serious injuries. Another six had minor injuries and only one of them requested to go to a hospital.

Sherwin said the river can range from shallow to 30 feet deep. Rescuers at nightfall suspended the search for the missing until Sunday morning because it was too dangerous to put divers in the flowing water after dark. Some of those aboard the boats apparently were thrown into the water by the force of the collision or jumped, and were swept down the river.

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We had victims of this collision that were located three to five miles downstream from the original point of impact, Sherwin said.

Sonar of the submerged boat did not appear to show either of the missing persons on board, he said. The other boat was badly damaged by the impact but remained afloat.

Other recreational boats converged on the scene and downstream to help rescue victims, Sherwin said.
Santa Barbara County has seen so many fires in recent years that when a new one broke out Saturday afternoon, it didnt have much room to grow.

But that didnt stop disaster-weary fire officials from hitting the Ogilvy fire with full force. The brush fire started around 4 p.m. Saturday near Ogilvy Ranch in the Los Padres National Forest.

Several local, state and federal fire agencies responded to the blaze, including the Santa Barbara city and county fire departments, the Montecito Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. By 7 p.m. Saturday, the fire had burned about 100 acres.

Theres always concern when were anywhere near the urban-wildland interface, said Andrew Madsen, a spokesman for the Los Padres National Forest. This area has been through a lot and the sooner we can get the appropriate resources in place, the smaller we can keep it and the smaller the impact to residents.

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The pace of destruction in the region has been relentless. Late last year, the Thomas fire burned more than 281,000 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and destroyed more than 1,000 structures in Montecito, Carpinteria and other nearby cities. The fire scars and heavy rain triggered mudslides in January that devastated the area, killing 21 people and razing more than 100 homes. In July, another small fire destroyed homes and forced evacuations in Goleta.

Madsen said the fire started at about 50 acres just after 4:30 p.m. Saturday and three hours later had doubled in size. The burn area is hemmed in by scars from several other fires: the 2007 Zaca fire to the north, the Rey fire to the south and to the east, last years Thomas fire, which engulfed more than 280,000 acres  at the time, the largest in state history.

Whats left, Madsen said, is mostly quick-burning grass and small patches of vegetation  making the potential size of the Ogilvy fire much smaller.

But fire officials arent taking any chances.

More than 120 firefighters are estimated to be battling the small blaze, including air tankers, bulldozers and several hand crews being shuttled into the remote area by helicopter.

View from top of Gibraltor rd pic.twitter.com/OlF9GjtkMR  justin christensen (@christensen_jmc) September 1, 2018

Justin Christensen, a Carpinteria resident, was glad to hear it.

He was out for a drive along Gibraltar Road in near Santa Barbara on Saturday afternoon when he glimpsed a column of smoke from the fire.

All the areas surrounding the smoke were blackened, he said  except the area closest to him.

I just kind of thought, Here we go again, Christensen said. When he heard the sound of fire engines, he decided to flee down the mountain on the narrow road.

You kind of feel like, if they cant stop this one, then there just isnt much left to burn, Christensen said. You wonder when itll stop and if we can get six months through the year without something else happening.

Coverage of California politics 

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc.
As a schoolboy in Saigon, Quoc Anh Hoang had never heard of what he called the legend of John McCain.

Many years later, after he fled his homeland, Hoang decided to study more about a war that he had always heard narrated by one side.

In class, they didnt focus on the two sides fighting each other. They just focused on the winning side, Hoang said. So I had to depend on the internet.

Now resettled in Westminster, the 35-year-old hotel housekeeper said he pores over countless stories he finds on the Arizona senator, whose death Aug. 25 inspired an outpouring of grief in Vietnamese communities, including in Orange County  the capital for Vietnamese Americans.

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Mr. McCain is a central character for my education, Hoang said. This is the man jailed by the Communists for five years, the most famous POW. He endured so much, sacrificed so much, yet he never changed his strong spirit. He ended up doing so much not just for Americans  but for the Vietnamese too.

In the week since his death, flags all over Orange Countys Little Saigon have flown at half-mast for the two-time presidential candidate. They celebrated McCain for fighting alongside the South Vietnamese and for championing political detainees.

Some residents took out ads in Vietnamese-language newspapers to express their condolences. On Facebook, they shared their thoughts on McCain. About 200 even traveled in two chartered buses to Phoenix, the Arizona capital, to catch a glimpse of his casket lying in state.

They stood in the blistering sun for an hour and a half for a chance to view and salute the flag-draped coffin that McCains wife, Cindy, earlier had tearfully pressed her face against.

The Vietnamese immigrants wore yellow T-shirts with three red stripes, honoring the South Vietnamese flag, and splashed with the words, We salute our hero Senator John McCain. Among them, Dat Quang Le, of Santa Ana, said it didnt matter the length of the line. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to this generous man who has never forgotten our people.

He cited how McCain, in the early 2000s, lobbied for an amendment that became law, allowing unmarried, adult children of political detainees to come to the U.S.

So many families that might have been separated were able to stay together because of Mr. McCain, said Le, 82, a South Vietnamese army veteran imprisoned for 11 years at the end of the war in 1975. Very few people understand the Vietnamese experience the way he did and very few showed courage like him.

Most other legislators dont know as much about  the character of the Vietnamese people the way Mr. McCain did, said Khuong The Dang, a leader of the Vietnamese community in Arizona. The pharmacist recalled how he and others found great comfort in always knowing we could depend on him for help when the Vietnamese regime tried to show their power to oppress the people, violating their human rights and basic freedom. Now, who will we call when that happens? Who will be our voice in Washington?

Dang, 40, who opened his home to host a fundraiser for McCain during his 2016 Senate reelection campaign, remembered how easily McCain mixed with the crowd.

Those like me ... and those older than me, we know his legacy, he said. The young generation does not but they should. He is a person of moral strength. He is more than someone who ran for president.

For some young immigrants, the name McCain is still associated with a presidential hopeful who refused to apologize for his use of the term gook  his oft-repeated name for his North Vietnamese captors during his more than five years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.

When my friends and I Googled John McCain, this is partly what came up  slurs, said Emily Ho, a graphics artist from Los Angeles. Its one episode, but it can be hard to move past it.

Still, Ho, 26, said her parents attended Mass in Fountain Valley to request prayers for the family that McCain, a Naval aviator and father of seven, left behind. They even rescheduled summer plans and stayed home so they could follow on TV every leg of McCains final journey from Arizona to Washington, where he will be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery on Sunday.

His desire to dedicate himself to service  that has always stood out in my mind. He is a patriot, somebody that embodied service to all mankind, not just someone from his culture or his country, said Kim Ha Ly, a retired social worker from suburban Virginia.

On Friday, wearing black and the traditional ao dai dress, she and her husband drove to the U.S. Capitol to pay their respects in front of McCains casket.

When you think of a person and his love for his nation, few people come close to Mr. McCain. His life is truly a lesson in living, said Ly, 69.

Son Nguyen, 35, math instructor at Coastline Community College, at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park Vietnam War Monument in Westminster, Calif. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

At the Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, a sprinkling of veterans gathered in silence last week in tribute to one of their own, the scion of a military dynasty. Activist Thanh Kim Bui, 60, said even if McCain angered her by pushing to restore diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam during the Clinton presidency, we cannot deny his influence and the lasting impacts he created through his work with former political prisoners in Vietnam. He truly cared for their well-being, she said.

Near her, math instructor Son Nguyen, 35, filed past the gleaming bronze statues of an American serviceman and his Vietnamese counterpart.

I avoid engaging with older Vietnamese about politics since it can be challenging. We dont think alike, Nguyen said. They may be Republicans while I see things differently. But when it comes to John McCain, many people can agree that he is heroic.

To me, his passing marks one thing: His party is dead, added Nguyen, who teaches in Westminster. Now its a party belonging to the president  to Trump. I hear a lot of people say they dont know when they will see someone like McCain again.

anh.do@latimes.com

Twitter: @newsterrier
With talk of boosting water deliveries to Central Valley agriculture, the Trump administration is telling growers exactly what they want to hear.

But given Californias complex water system and a web of federal and state environmental regulations, such promises could prove more political than practical.

An Aug. 17 memo from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, which directed agencies to give him a plan within 25 days to send more water to Central Valley agriculture, was met with cheers from angry farmers who have for years complained that endangered species protections are cutting their irrigation deliveries and wasting water supplies.

This gives  water users hope that there will be a more balanced approach to water supply adequacy and reliability that is sorely needed on our farms and in our rural communities, Frances Mizuno, interim executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, said in a statement.

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But experts say there is little the Interior can do on its own to reverse the delivery decline.

This is more show than anything else, said Holly Doremus, a UC Berkeley law school professor of environmental regulation. This administration either doesnt know what the law is or doesnt always care. They will try to do things that they dont have the authority to do.

Californias massive federal irrigation system, the Central Valley Project, must comply with U.S. Endangered Species Act requirements and adhere to state environmental regulations and water rights permits.

You just dont go, Were going to change the requirement for protecting imperiled fish, said Jerry Meral, a former deputy secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency.

The Interior Departments attempt to do that under President George W. Bushs administration was thwarted by the courts.

Federal and state export operations are also intertwined in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta  the center of Californias sprawling water supply system  to a degree that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for Interior to strike out on its own.

Water watchers see a political element in the administrations push for more farm water, which comes ahead of midterm elections and at a time when Trumps policies on immigration and tariffs are hurting the agricultural sector.

I would say theyre showing theyre doing the best they can for growers dependent on Central Valley Project supplies, Meral said.

Zinke ordered the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the Central Valley Project, and other Interior agencies to develop an initial plan of action that would  among other things  maximize water deliveries, streamline federal environmental reviews of project operations and prepare legislative and litigation measures to increase deliveries.

The office of Deputy Interior Secretary David Bernhardt will make final recommendations on the agencys steps in early September.

Before his appointment to the departments No. 2 post, Bernhardt was a partner in one of the nations top-grossing lobbying law firms, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. There, he represented the politically influential Westlands Water District, which would be among the chief beneficiaries of improved deliveries to south-of-delta Central Valley Project customers.

Bernhardt promised to recuse himself from matters involving former clients for one year  a period that ended Aug. 2.

The Deputy Secretary is no longer recused from participating in particular matters involving specific parties where Westlands Water District is a party, deputy Interior press secretary Faith Vander Voort said in an email.

Asked if that meant Bernhardt is involved in preparing the California water plan, she replied, He is clearly designated in the letter as the lead on executing the plan.

The same day Zinke sent his memo, the reclamation bureau made a potentially more substantive move.

Regional reclamation director David Murillo gave notice that his agency wanted to formally start negotiations to revise a longstanding agreement that coordinates state and federal water operations in the delta and the Central Valley.

A review of the 1986 pact has been underway for several years. But federal and state agencies have yet to settle on changes to the agreement, which in some ways favors state operations in the delta.

Because the federal system has significantly more upstream reservoir capacity than the State Water Project, the Central Valley Project under certain conditions must release more fresh water to prevent delta salinity levels from climbing.

Revise the terms so the state assumes more of the water quality burden, and the Central Valley Project could send more water south to Westlands and other irrigation districts.

The reclamation bureaus demand to start negotiations is a real attempt to gain leverage over the state, said attorney Kate Poole of the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group.

But state water contractors, including Southern California agencies, are bound to fight any revisions that hurt their delta deliveries. And the process could drag on for years.

As water exports from the delta increased in recent decades, populations of migrating salmon and the delta smelt  a finger-sized fish found only in the delta  plummeted. That has triggered endangered species protections under state and federal law that periodically limit the intake of the government pumping plants that divert supplies to San Joaquin Valley fields and Southland cities.

State water quality standards also mandate that a certain level of fresh water flow through the delta to keep salt water from the San Francisco Bay away from the delta pumps.

In tweets this summer, President Trump echoed farmers protests that water flowing to the sea is wasted. In one tweet that was quickly condemned by state officials, Trump incorrectly claimed water diverted into the Pacific Ocean was hampering efforts to fight Northern California wildfires.

Any attempts by the Trump administration to skirt state environmental regulations could run afoul of a 1978 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case that pitted California against the Central Valley Project.

The high court found that under the 1902 Reclamation Act, federal irrigation projects in the West must conform to state laws.

Undermining that is a huge third rail which will cause a lot of western states to rise up, Poole said.

The Trump administration seems to be sending us to more chaos and litigation, she added.

bettina.boxall@latimes.com

Twitter: @boxall
A judge held off on deciding whether he will jail Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke for giving the Chicago Tribune an interview just days before the start of his murder trial.

Judge Vincent Gaughan, holding a rare Saturday hearing that on occasion turned contentious, could rule Thursday on the request by Kane County States Atty. Joseph McMahon, who was appointed special prosecutor in the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald.

Van Dykes trial begins Wednesday on charges of murder for shooting McDonald 16 times in October 2014. The court-ordered release in November 2015 of video showing Van Dyke opening fire within seconds of exiting his squad car as the 17-year-old McDonald walked down the street holding a knife sparked months of protests and political upheaval.

At his interview with the Tribune on Tuesday, Van Dyke brought copies of his commendations, suggested he was a political scapegoat and decried the bandwagon of hatred on social media. He acknowledged a pressing desire to challenge the image many paint of him as a racist, trigger-happy cop who was indifferent to taking the life of a 17-year-old.

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I pray every day for McDonalds family, said Van Dyke, who is Roman Catholic. I offer up a rosary every day.

Prosecutors had sought to have Van Dyke held in contempt of court and jailed, saying the officers comments violated the judges long-standing decorum order forbidding those involved in the case from speaking out publicly.

But Saturday, prosecutors said it would be more appropriate to delay the contempt hearing until after trial, raising questions about why they then called for the unusual weekend court session.

Gaughan agreed but then heard arguments on whether he should revoke or raise Van Dykes $150,000 bail. Either action could result in his jailing.

Joseph Cullen, a member of the special prosecution team, urged Gaughan to revoke or raise Van Dykes bail, citing the officers media blitz just days from jury selection in his trial.

The defendant has violated [the judges] order by providing an interview to the Chicago Tribune reporters, and then after we actually typed up and were ready to file the motion to increase bond, the defendant doubled down on that by giving a television interview, Cullen said in reference to Van Dykes Wednesday interview with the Chicago-area Fox affiliate.

Van Dykes lead attorney, Daniel Herbert, accused prosecutors of engaging in their own media blitz and argued that the 1st Amendment protected Van Dykes right to speak out.

There has been thousands and thousands and thousands of stories written about Jason Van Dyke, and all negative, he said. The playing field has been unlevel against Jason Van Dyke at every stage in this case.

Besides, Herbert said, Van Dyke simply spoke about his feelings at an extraordinarily stressful time for him.

Hes living it every single day. Hes scared to death, he said. He might not make it to trial. The threats out there are real. He is scared for his safety.

Coming from the suburbs, the team of special prosecutors may not fully appreciate the threat to Van Dyke, Herbert said  a remark that prompted Cullen to roll his eyes before objecting.

Gaughan sustained the objection and warned of unintended consequences.

What youre saying is I should take your client into custody because hes in danger for his life, the judge said.

The hearing started acrimoniously as Gaughan castigated Herbert for failing to file his written response to the special prosecutors contempt request with the circuit clerks office. The defense didnt have the response ready to file until Saturday when the clerks office was closed.

Gaughan also threatened Saturday to hold Herbert in contempt for suggesting that the judge had been communicating with prosecutors in secret about scheduling the weekend hearing.

The judge called the accusation disgusting and insulting and ordered Herbert to sit down at that point.

On Thursday, McMahon announced his provocative decision asking the court to hold Van Dyke in contempt and revoke or increase his bail. In the court filings, he singled out a dozen comments made by Van Dyke in his interview Tuesday with a Tribune reporter.

Gaughan has been unusually strict in controlling the dissemination of information about the case. He has regularly held lengthy discussions with lawyers behind closed doors and emptied his courtroom of spectators and reporters for several recent hearings.

Van Dyke has been free on bond since late November 2015 when his family posted the necessary $150,000 to win his release after he spent six nights in custody.

Crepeau and Meisner write for the Chicago Tribune.
A grand jury must be convened to investigate whether Republican gubernatorial candidate and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach intentionally failed to register voters in 2016, the Kansas Supreme Court has ruled.

The courts one-page opinion offered no explanation behind the ruling, which addressed Kobachs appeal of a lower courts order to summon the grand jury, the Lawrence Journal-World reported.

The high courts ruling, released Friday, stemmed from a petition first filed in 2016 by Steven Davis, a Lawrence resident who accused Kobach of intentionally choosing not to process online voter registrations and preventing qualified residents from voting in the 2016 election. The Douglas County District Court twice rejected Davis petition, saying there wasnt enough evidence to support the allegations against Kobach.

But the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled that the lower court was incorrect when it said Davis needed to provide specific allegations of a crime. State law requires only general allegations. The court ordered Douglas County to summon the grand jury.

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Kansas is one of six states that allow citizens to request grand juries through petitions. Citizens must gather 100 voters plus 2% of the number of people who voted in the countys last gubernatorial election. In Douglas County, that is 860 signatures. Davis collected 910.

Davis, 29, is currently a Democratic candidate for Kansas 45th state House District.

Kobach is nationally known for promoting tough immigration and voter identification laws. In April, a federal judge found Kobach in contempt in a lawsuit challenging a Kansas law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Kobach won the Republican nomination for governor after narrowly defeating incumbent Gov. Jeff Colyer during the primary. His Democratic challenger, state Sen. Laura Kelly, and independent candidate Greg Orman are trying to woo Republican voters alienated by Kobachs in-your-face conservatism and advocacy of tough immigration policies.
Whenever a Supreme Court seat must be filled, were confronted with a fundamental battle over the meaning of the Constitution: Is it a living document, or can it only be plumbed for the founders original intent? The so-called originalists have loudly praised President Trumps nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Their cheers, of course, signal a nominee they expect to tip the court in favor of their ideology.

Its instructive before the confirmation hearings begin to hear from one of the most effective and articulate warriors on the other side: Justice Thurgood Marshall, legendary civil rights attorney and the first black justice on the high court.

In Marshalls opinion, the Founding Fathers werent all that astute, and neither was the Constitution they penned in 1787. Marshall delivered that opinion, controversial in its time, during the nations bicentennial celebration of the historic document at a conference of attorneys on Maui, in Hawaii, in May 1987. His less than laudatory words stood in contrast to the praise for the Constitution offered earlier that year by President Reagan and retired Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.

Two hundred years after its writing, Marshall saw Americas founding document as obsolete.

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Reagan had used his State of the Union speech to laud the Constitution as the impassioned and inspired vehicle by which we travel through history, and Burger, chair of the constitutional bicentennial commission, had described the document as the best thing of its kind that was ever put together.

Marshalls words were also at odds with those expressed by conservative jurists such as Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, for whom original intent was sacrosanct.

I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever fixed at the Philadelphia Convention, Marshall told the lawyers in Hawaii. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the Framers particularly profound.

Marshall was critical of the men who wrote the Constitution because he saw their original intent as favoring a government that advanced slavery and prevented blacks and women from exercising the right to vote. The Constitution was thus defective from the start, he said, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today.

Two hundred years after its writing, Marshall saw Americas founding document as obsolete. While the Union survived the Civil War, the Constitution did not, he said. In its place arose a new, more promising basis for justice, the 14th Amendment, ensuring protection of the life, liberty and property of all persons against deprivations without due process, and guaranteeing equal protection of the laws.

The 14th Amendment gave rise to a form of justice that the Founding Fathers had never envisioned, never intended. The framers could not have imagined, nor would they have accepted, that the document they were drafting would one day be construed by a Supreme Court to which had been appointed a woman and the descendant of an African slave.

Marshall left no doubt about his belief that originalists were wrongheaded in their insistence on a purely textual interpretation of the Constitution and strict adherence to the motives at play in the late 18th century.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Calling for a sensitive understanding of the Constitutions inherent defects, Marshall invited his audience on Maui to see that the true miracle was not the birth of the Constitution, but its life, a life nurtured through two turbulent centuries of our own making, and a life embodying much good fortune that was not.

Marshall was targeting anyone who would make gods of the Founding Fathers. That group has proliferated in the years since he delivered his bicentennial address, and they are celebrating Kavanaughs nomination.

If Kavanaugh is confirmed, as expected, those who consider originalism an extreme view will have a battle on their hands to ensure that the Constitution lives and evolves in a way that advances rights never imagined by its framers. Lets call it honoring Marshalls original intent.

Michael Long is editor of Marshalling Justice: The Early Civil Right Letters of Thurgood Marshall.

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If Albert Einstein applied for a professorship at UCLA today, would he be hired? The answer is not clear. Starting this fall, all faculty applicants to UCLA must document their contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion. (Next year, existing UCLA faculty will also have to submit an equity, diversity and inclusion statement in order to be considered for promotion, following the lead of five other UC campuses.) The mandatory statements will be credited in the same manner as the rest of an applicants portfolio, according to UCLAs equity, diversity and inclusion office.

A contemporary Einstein may not meet the suggested evaluation criteria. Would his job talk  a presentation of ones scholarly accomplishments  reflect his contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion? Unlikely. Would his research show, in the words of the evaluation template, the potential to understand the barriers facing women and racial/ethnic minorities? Also unlikely. Would he have participated in service that applies up-to-date knowledge to problems, issues and concerns of groups historically underrepresented in higher education? Sadly, he may have been focusing on the theory of general relativity instead. What about utilizing pedagogies addressing different learning styles or demonstrating the ability to effectively teach and attract students from underrepresented communities? Again, not at all guaranteed.

As the new mandate suggests, UCLA and the rest of the University of California have been engulfed by the diversity obsession. The campuses are infatuated with group identity and difference. Science and the empirical method, however, transcend just those trivialities of identity that UC now deems so crucial: race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status, to quote from the universitys Diversity Statement. The results of that transcendence speak for themselves: an astounding conquest of disease and an ever-increasing understanding of the physical environment. Unlocking the secrets of nature is challenge enough; scientists (and other faculty) should not also be tasked with a social justice mission.

It does not do UCLAs students any favors to teach them to see bias where there is none.

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But such a confusion of realms currently pervades American universities, and UC in particular. UCLAs Intergroup Relations Office offers credit courses and co-curricular dialogues that encourage students to, you guessed it, explore their own social identities (i.e. gender, race, nationality, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, social class, etc.) and associated positions within the campus community. Even if exploring your social identity were the purpose of a college education (which it is not), it would be more fruitful to define that identity around accomplishments and intellectual passions  budding mathematician, say, or history fanatic  rather than gender and race.

Intergroup Relations is just the tip of the bureaucratic diversity iceberg. In 2015, UCLA created a vice chancellorship for equity, diversity and inclusion, funded at $4.3 million, according to figures published by the Millennial Review in 2017. (The EDI vice chancellors office did not have its current budget at the ready, a UCLA spokesman said, nor did Intergroup Relations.) Over the last two years, according to the Sacramento Bees state salary database, the diversity vice chancellors total pay, including benefits, has averaged $414,000, more than four times many faculty salaries. Besides his own staff, the vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion presides over the Discrimination Prevention Office; BruinX, the research and development arm of EDI; faculty equity advisors; UCLAs Title IX office; and a student advisory board. Various schools at UCLA, including medicine and dentistry, have their own diversity deans, whose job includes making sure that the faculty avoid implicit bias in the hiring process, in the words of the engineering schools diversity dean.

These bureaucratic sinecures are premised on the idea that UCLA is rife with discrimination, from which an ever-growing number of victim groups need protection. The Intergroup Relations Office scours the horizon for emerging social-identity-based intergroup conflicts, according to its website. It has been hiring undergraduates and graduate students to raise their peers self-awareness of their experiences with privilege and oppression. These diversity peer educators, whose internship salaries come out of mandatory student fees, will host workshops on toxic masculinity and intersectional identities this fall. If UCLA is putting a comparable effort into organizing campus-wide workshops on the evolution of constitutional government or the significance of Renaissance humanism, it is keeping the effort out of sight.

Reality check: UCLA and the University of California are among the most tolerant, welcoming environments in human history for all races, ethnicities and genders. Every classroom, library and scientific laboratory is open to all qualified students on an equal basis. Far from discriminating against underrepresented minorities in admissions, UCLA and UC have sought tirelessly to devise surrogates for the explicit racial preferences banned in 1996 by Proposition 209. UCLAs proportion of black undergraduates  5% in 2016  is less than one percentage point below the black share of Californias public high school graduates.

In 2016, 4% of UCLAs faculty were black, 6.6% were Latino, 66% were white, and 18.6% were Asian. This distribution reflects the hiring pipeline, not hiring bias.

Blacks made up 4.7% of all doctorate recipients nationwide in 2006, 4.9% in 2010, and 5.2% in 2016, according to the National Science Foundation. But black PhDs have historically been concentrated in education; in the sciences, which make up a large proportion of the UCLA faculty, less so. In 2016, for example, 1% of all PhDs in computer science went to blacks, or 17 out of 1,659 doctorates, according to the Computing Research Assn. Many fields  nuclear physics, geophysics and seismology and neuropsychology, for instance  had no black PhDs at all.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Given such numbers, it is unrealistic to assume that every academic department at UCLA will perfectly mirror the states demographic makeup, absent discrimination. And yet the equity, diversity and inclusion office puts every member of a faculty search committee through time-consuming implicit bias training.

The ultimate solution to any absence of proportional representation in higher education is to close the academic skills gap. In 2015, only 14% of black eighth graders in California and 13% of Latino eighth graders scored as proficient or above on the National Assessment of Educational Progress math test, compared with 57% of Asians and 43% of whites. In reading, 16% of black eighth graders and 18% of Latino eighth graders were proficient or above, compared with 50% of Asians and 44% of whites. Such gaps have been constant over many decades.

It does not do UCLAs students any favors to teach them to see bias where there is none. UCs diversity bureaucracy is a costly diversion from the true mission of higher education: passing on to students, with joy and gratitude, the treasures of our cultural inheritance and expanding the boundaries of knowledge.

Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Her latest book, The Diversity Delusion, goes on sale Tuesday.

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To the editor: If only Rabbi Sharon Brous had truly shown her daughter the other side of Israel, something she claims to have done on a recent trip there.

If only she had exposed her to the Palestinian leaders who teach their schoolchildren to hate and kill; who preach that the entire land of Israel belongs to them; who divert humanitarian aid to building terror tunnels meant for smuggling weapons; who use their own people as human shields; who choose the path of violence over the promise of peace.

Why does that small Jewish community in the West Bank city of Hebron need protection anyway? If the demographics were reversed, there would be no need for protection  because, as Brous failed to show her daughter, the Jewish people and government of Israel always seek peace.

Lynn Rohatiner, Los Angeles

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..

To the editor: Brous experience with her daughter was certainly dramatic. She spoke to an extremist settler who praised the murder of Arabs by Baruch Goldstein 24 years ago.

But almost all Israelis rejected Goldsteins act, which was condemned by all parties, right and left, in Israeli politics, and is completely unrepresentative of any normative position across the Israeli political divide.

Perhaps Brous daughter would have learned a more practical lesson by speaking to members of the official moderate Palestinian governing body, the Palestinian Authority, which has named town squares after terrorists and pays stipends to the families of martyrs.

Jeff Kandel, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: While I applaud Brous nuanced commentary on the deleterious consequences of Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian territory, Im not satisfied that her expressions of concern regarding Israels dubious conduct go far enough in condemning the apartheid practices of the current government.

Certainly it is important to acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinians under the right-wing Israeli government and the extremist settlers movement that continues, in violation of international law, to expropriate Palestinian land. But that is only a first step.

Whats missing from Brous commentary is a full-throated commitment to actually oppose this unrelenting and, regrettably, escalating oppression of the Palestinian people.

Indeed, a statement unequivocally condemning the occupation and calling for its immediate end would have been a welcome addition to the rabbis otherwise thoughtful remarks.

Andrew Spathis, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: Brous desire for her daughter to see the other side should also include a full understanding of the circumstances that have led to the situation in Hebron.

First and foremost, Hebron is the most holy city in Judaism with the exception of Jerusalem. The rabbi briefly mentions the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah and Rebecca, the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Jewish people, are buried.

Unfortunately, Jewish access to this site is restricted. So, in spite of its significance to Judasim, Jewish prayer rights are limited.

In addition, the rabbi glances over the 1929 massacre of at least 67 Jews that occurred in Hebron by Arabs, who also destroyed Jewish places of worship and property. Ultimately, all of the Jewish residents of Hebron were forced to leave, thus providing an early example of ethnic cleansing by the Arabs.

It was only with the liberation of Hebron in 1967 by Israeli forces that Jews were once again able to live there.

Lewis Polin, Laguna Woods

..

To the editor: Thanks to the Los Angeles Times for running this piece. I truly believe that honesty about Palestinian suffering will do much more for Israels prosperity than hiding it.

Lyla Fadali, Los Angeles

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To the editor: The late Sen. John McCain was brutally beaten as a prisoner of war, and he courageously refused to be released ahead of any of his fellow captives who had been prisoners for longer than he had. McCain was a genuine war hero.

But what about the Vietnam War?

We blithely speak of those who defended our country. How was anything that was happening in Vietnams civil war threatening our country? More than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in that war, and hundreds of thousands more were wounded in both body and spirit. Why?

This was was a question thousands of Americans were asking at the time, and I was one of them.

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If anything positive can be said about President Trump, and its difficult to say anything, at least he has kept us out of wars we dont belong in, just as he promised he would do. Every day brings a new lesson in the difference between real patriotism and blind nationalism. I hope were learning these lessons now, but if we dont, the future of our republic is uncertain.

Larry Arnstein, Santa Monica

..

To the editor: Even though McCains choice of running mate in 2008 proved to be ill advised, the race between him and Barack Obama was always civilized. There was a grace to that competition, a truly polite rivalry always humming quietly below the surface.

I voted for Obama, but I didnt not like McCain. Yes, he was a Republican, but in another universe (and assuming a wiser option for vice president), I could have easily, comfortably and without misgivings voted for McCain.

I think he would have proved to be a president of which we all would have been proud.

Debra Trelut, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

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South Pasadena officials are asking the public to be patient as authorities complete their investigation into the fatal police shooting of ER actress Vanessa Marquez at her home Thursday.

In a statement released Saturday, city officials said they welcome two separate investigations that have been launched by county investigators but caution against preliminary judgments about the incident.

We believe our officers acted appropriately under a tragic set of circumstances, said South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe. We are asking the public to respect the investigative process and allow the Sheriffs Department and D.A.s office to gather and release the facts.

Police were performing a wellness check on Marquez, 49, at the request of her landlord. When they arrived at her apartment Thursday afternon, sheriffs officials said, she was having a seizure.

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According to the Sheriffs Department, officers and a county mental health clinician spoke to Marquez for more than 90 minutes but she was uncooperative when they tried to persuade her to accept medical attention.

Then, officials said, Marquez grabbed what they believed was a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it toward them. Two officers fired, striking her at least once in the torso, sheriffs officials said.

Afterward, the officers determined the weapon Marquez had brandished was a BB gun made to look like a handgun.

Marquez, who was best known for her turn as nurse Wendy Goldman on the medical drama ER, also starred in the 1988 film Stand and Deliver about East Los Angeles math teacher Jaime Escalante.

DeWolfe, the city manager, offered condolences to Marquezs family but said city officials believe the investigations will show that the officers and mental health professional made every attempt to resolve the situation peacefully before using deadly force.

Times staff writers Hannah Fry and Laura Newberry contributed to this report.

Coverage of California politics 

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc.
The referendum, which voters can use to rescind a law passed by their elected officials, is a rarely used item in Californias direct democracy toolbox. But if more businesses do what the states bail bonds industry is now attempting, the referendum could grow into a powerful pushback on Democrats who have firm control over the levers of power in Sacramento.

Last week, a consortium of bail bonds companies filed paperwork with the state attorney generals office to put Senate Bill 10 up to a vote of the electorate. The bill, signed just one day earlier by Gov. Jerry Brown, would end Californias cash bail system for criminal defendants in the early fall of 2019.

Supporters and opponents agree: The new law is an existential threat to bail companies, a plan to put them out of business. And so the referendum was a no-brainer.

Bail companies need 365,880 valid voter signatures to earn a place on the ballot, a historically low bar thats led to long lists of ballot propositions in 2016 and 2018. The hardest part of a referendum is that signatures must be submitted within 90 days of the governors signing of the law in question.

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A quiet and important fight is brewing over how much must be spent on Californias schools 

Ballot measure strategists expect bail companies would need to spend around $3 million to make this happen. But compare that to estimates from bail company advocates of a California industry that generates perhaps 30 times that amount every year, and the referendum is a pretty good bargain.

Its an even better use of their money when you consider the other aspect of how a referendum works: It suspends the enactment of the law in question. While its possible the SB 10 referendum could appear on this Novembers ballot, the most likely scenario is that a successful effort goes to voters in 2020. That would mean the earliest the law could take effect, assuming voters sided with the Legislature and Brown, would be two years from this December.

The delay would give bail companies time to pursue legal action against SB 10, as some have suggested it may run afoul of the U.S. Constitution. At minimum, it would ensure bail companies remain in business for another two years.

The strategy is similar to one used by the plastic bag industry in 2014. When Brown signed the law banning single-use bags in most California stores, the industry spent $2.8 million to place the issue on the 2016 ballot as a referendum, Proposition 67. Voters refused to reject the law, but the delayed implementation gave plastic bag manufacturers a softer landing than they would have otherwise had.

And theres always a chance the bail industry wins on election day. The message of their campaign, which would undoubtedly seek to portray the pre-trial release of some criminal defendants as dangerous, could align closely with a different criminal justice measure thats already earned a spot on the fall 2020 ballot  one seeking to roll back some of the parole eligibility created by Browns Proposition 57 in 2016.

Government reformers have long argued the referendum could be the most valuable form of direct democracy because it serves as a check on the power wielded by the Legislature and governor. But its an opportunity that, given the cost of collecting signatures and running campaigns, is largely available only to influential interest groups.

As such, the referendum seems best suited to big industries that can account for qualifying a ballot measure and thus lengthening the law-making process as little more than the cost of doing business in the Golden State. And that alone could usher in a fascinating new era for Californias tendency to govern at the ballot box.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast
The renovated Louis Armstrong Stadium has become a house of horrors for top-seeded players at the U.S. Open.

No. 4 Alexander Zverev was upset there on Saturday by unseeded Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, and No. 4 womens seed Angelique Kerber  the reigning Wimbledon champion and 2016 U.S. Open champion  was upset by No. 29 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. In a night match, No. 5 Petra Kvitova was outplayed by summer sensation Aryna Sabalenka, 7-5, 6-1. Sabalenka is seeded No. 26. Its beautiful court. Its cute, Kvitova said, adding that she couldnt explain the surprises that have happened there.

Also at Louis Armstrong, No. 13 Kiki Bertens progress was halted by Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (1). The court previously was the scene of a first-round upset of No. 1 seed and French Open champion Simona Halep, a second-round upset of No. 2 and Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, and a second-round dismissal of No. 12 Garbine Muguruza.

The stadium reopened this year after alterations that included adding a retractable roof. The lower level is noisy and theres a lot of movement because the concourse-level concession stands are close to the court, but noise and energy are elements that make the U.S. Open unique. Players have said the surface plays a bit slow. The upset victims didnt believe in a stadium jinx. The court is great and its a great new court and with the roof, Kerber said. Actually, I was excited to play on that court.

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Bertens had kind words too, after her loss to 19-year-old Vondrousova. I didnt find a really big difference from the other courts, said Bertens, who was thought to have a good chance here after she won a pre-Open tournament at Cincinnati. I loved the court. It was a great atmosphere out there.

In other upsets, No. 6 Caroline Garcia of France was ousted by No. 30 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (4), and No. 10 Jelena Ostapenko was sent home by No. 22 Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 6-2. Sharapova extended her night match winning streak at the U.S. Open to 23 and earned a fourth-round matchup against Suarez-Navarro. Of the top 10 womens seeds, only Sloane Stephens (3), Elina Svitolina (7), and Karolina Pliskova (8) remain.

Double bagel for Osaka

No. 20 seed Naomi Osaka, who represents Japan but trains in Florida, pulled off the third double-bagel of the womens tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus. Monica Puig and Daria Gavrilova did it in the first round against Stefanie Voegele and Sara Sorribes Tormo, respectively. Osaka, who won the BNP Paribas title at Indian Wells in March, said she wasnt concerned with the score Saturday.

I used to have this really bad  like if I would go up 3-0 then I would create this drama where I relax a lot, and then I let the person come back into the match, said Osaka, who will next face Sabalenka. So I think for me, now that Im able to beat people at easier scores like this, I think I have improved a lot.

Madison Keys, the 2017 U.S. Open runner-up, had a tougher time but came back to defeat Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and create a round-of-16 match against Cibulkova. Keys said she had to adjust after she let Krunic dictate the points early in their match. I want to be the one thats dictating points and the one thats not running as much, Keys said.

Form holds

No. 6 mens seed Novak Djokovic dismissed No. 26 Richard Gasquet, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic, a two-time U.S. Open champ, will face Joao Sousa, who upset No. 17 Lucas Pouille 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). It was real night match at the U.S Open. I loved the energy, Djokovic said.

helene.elliott@latimes.com

Follow Helene Elliott on Twitter @helenenothelen
No plans next weekend? No problem. You can eat lobster, play with fairies or bowl for a cause.

Long Beach

The Long Beach Original Lobster Festival at Rainbow Lagoon Park returns for its 22nd year of crustacean celebrations. Eat treats made with Maine lobster, take photos wearing lobster garb or embrace your musical side; theres a karaoke lounge on Sept. 7 and 8; youll also get to see a Michael Jackson tribute performer on Sept. 8.

When: 5 p.m. Sept. 7, noon Sept. 8 and 9

Cost, info: Tickets $5-$40. All ages. No dogs. (562) 495-5959

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Los Angeles

The California State Parks Foundations Park Champions hosts a two-hour work event to remove invasive plants at Rio de Los Angeles State Park. Park Champions supplies the tools and teaches about habitat restoration; just bring drinking water and wear work-friendly clothing. Later, explore the rest of the park, ride bikes along the nearby L.A. River or grab brunch. Preregistration required.

When: 8:30 a.m. Sept. 8

Cost, info: Free. Children 8 and older welcome with a legal guardian. No dogs. (415) 262-4400

Morro Bay

Theres more than avocado toast at the Morro Bay Avocado and Margarita Street Festival, though toast is definitely involved. Sample seafood-stuffed avocados and prickly pear margaritas between visits to the main stage for live music and dancing. Youll also find karate, face painting and a petting zoo at the kid-friendly Grom Zone.

When: 10 a.m. Sept. 8

Cost, info: $6 to $7 (online); free for kids younger than 10. All ages. No dogs. (805) 772-4467

Ventura

Watch 45 chalk artists create waterfront sidewalk art at the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival at Ventura Harbor Village. There will be jewelry, mosaics and other crafts for sale. For a $10 donation, children will receive a box of chalk to decorate their own sidewalk square. Part of the donations goes to Food Share of Ventura County and Ventura-based Kids Arts.

When: 10 a.m. Sept. 8 and 9

Cost, info: Free. All ages. Dogs on leashes OK. (805) 650-9858

Santa Monica

Go bowling to raise money for homeless and foster youths birthday parties at Bowling for Birthdays, the seventh fundraising event organized by Culver City-based nonprofit Cause for Celebration. Fee includes shoes and an hour of bowling at Bowlmor Lanes. Preregistration preferred. Same-day spots limited.

When: 10 a.m. Sept. 9

Cost, info: Tickets $10-$20. All ages. No dogs. (323) 455-4235

Brentwood

A Faery Hunts Adventure at Crestwood Hills Park is an hourlong interactive musical performance. Participants search the forest for the Faery Queens missing enchanted necklace. Reservations suggested.

When: 10:30 a.m. Sept. 9

Cost, info: $15. All ages. Well-behaved dogs on leashes OK. (818) 324-6802

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
Thank you for the article on Chicago blues [Chasing Those Chicago Blues, by Christopher Reynolds, Aug. 26].

I am a huge blues fan. I went to Chicago for the only business trip Ive ever taken. When I got permission to go, I didnt think, How nice I will get to go to that conference. I thought, I can go to Chess Records!

I took a couple of vacation days after the conference and did a whirlwind trip of Chicago. I went to Chess and to Buddy Guys Legends, which is like a museum. I looked at every last thing on the walls.

I am hoping to be able to go back again soon. I will keep this article!

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Thanks for keeping the blues alive.

Nancy Patterson

Orange

Fed up with Vegas fees

The news that MGM and its other properties will soon add a $20 gratuity for a massage makes my blood boil [More MGM Resorts to Add Spa and Salon Fee, Need to Know, by Jay Jones, Aug. 19]. Will they give me $10 back if the massage is lousy?

MGM knows how to support all the correct liberal causes such as banning plastic straws, but doesnt seem to know how to support hard-working Americans who visit their properties. Hopefully, more people will wake up and stay at family-friendly non-MGM hotels just off the Strip.

David Tulanian

Las Vegas

Buffet goes to the dogs

Re: Air, Cruise Lines Restrict Pet Riders, Need to Know, by Mary Forgione, Aug. 19: A couple of years ago my wife and I took a cruise through the Panama Canal. A couple had a small dog with them, which did not bother us until we saw them with the dog going through the buffet line as the dog wiggled about two feet from the food.

I complained to the dining room captain, but he said his hands were tied because by law the couple were entitled to take the dog anywhere on the ship.

When I questioned him about the hygiene of taking a dog through the buffet line where food was served to guests, he said there was nothing they could do because of regulations.

I approached the dog owners and asked whether one of them could keep the dog at their table while the other got the food and vice versa. They got angry and told me to mind my own business. They said they could do whatever they wanted, they had every right to have the dog go wherever they wanted, and nobody could do anything about it.

My wife and I started eating at different locations on the ship.

It was ironic because there were hand sanitizer units as you entered the dining room and all over the ship to prevent illness.

Henk Friezer

Eagle Rock

Montecito faces new Miramar

Yet another article touting the high-end, over-priced hotels that encourage the celebrities and wealthy travelers to come to Santa Barbara [Posh Playground, by Rosemary McClure, Aug. 12]. These tourists bring nothing to the local economy, price out regular folks and add to traffic congestion.

The Miramar was a family-friendly, inexpensive hotel for many years  it was heartbreaking to see it disappear. I and many of my neighbors, however, enjoyed the quiet open space of Miramar beach for the many years it languished. Miramar beach has never been closed to the public, and if the Miramar folks think they own the beach they have another thing coming.

The Miramar is now an over-built testament to greed. It looks like a giant condo complex in a neighborhood of both large and modest homes. It has impacted traffic and stretched our already thin water supplies. What will happen when it opens to the public? Traffic congestion in Montecito is horrible after the impact of the Thomas fire and the January debris flow. But these posh people dont care about that  they just want another playground.

I appreciated the article in the same section about the bargain destination of Cayucos [Spend Some Time With a Quiet Type, by Deborah Gibson]..

Nina Warner

Montecito

Global Entrys Cuba question

I have been to Cuba on an approved program through Saddleback Community College. When I applied for Global Entry, I listed it on the places Id traveled during the last five years. During my interview, I was told that although I was a participant in an approved people-to-people program, my Global Entry application would be delayed.

I was asked to provide the following information: what group I went with, my day-to-day itinerary and a list of my fellow travelers. After submitting this information, I received my Global Entry. I thought it was intrusive to submit a list of my fellow travelers, but I did so.

As Catharine Hamm [Is Cuba Worth This Price? Aug. 19] surmised, Global Entry was probably denied to the couple in the column because they were not honest on their applications.

By the way, our groups visit coincided with Barack Obamas trip, which made talking to Cubans especially interesting.

Susan Wexler

hed here

I just read an article by Mary Forgione about how U.S. travelers make themselves annoying to other travelers [lat.ms/annoyingbehaviors].

On a recent trip I saw behaviors in an airline club at JFK that were unbelievable. It was full of people acting as though they were never going to eat or drink again. I was in the departure area for overseas flights, and the fact this crowd had club status suggests they are going to have access to sustenance again. Their poor manners were embarrassing.

If you decide to bring your entire crew into a club room (your family, grandma and grandpa, your kids friends, your in-laws, etc.), maybe you could be a bit more aware of the huge tribe following you and contain them together, rather them letting them sprawl all over the place, Maybe everyone should calm down as they grab food from the buffet or stand in line at the bar for free drinks and walk away with five or six? Free is always a good thing, but youre probably not going to starve to death before you reach your destination.

The lounge personnel were scrambling to keep everyone happy while the lounge visitors were demanding and rude. Families were spread out everywhere so there were numerous bags to trip over and teenagers stuck on their phones or iPads that had to be dodged.

Also, being kind to the airline staff in the club room would be nice rather than demanding they find you and your wife a seat when there are no seats available and people are sitting on the floor, etc. When did common decency get lost in all of this?

On the trip I was on, I was the only one of 22 of us not on my phone one evening. Everyone was texting photos home, posting photos on Facebook, sending photos to each other, etc. I was amazed how much time people spent reporting their adventures back to others.

Jan Clifford

South Pasadena

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
In the dim light of a century-old mill, dozens of men work in silence, their sweat-darkened undershirts clinging to taut, weary backs.

Hulking metal machinery clatters and thrums, coughing up fibrous dust that clings to the steel girders and catches in the laborers throats. The sounds rumble deep into the night as long strands of fuzzy golden thread are pulled, combed, spun and woven into sheets, rolling off the line like coarse, flat noodles.

If it seems like a scene from the Industrial Revolution, thats because Indias jute industry has changed little in 100 years. Many of the looms have been running since right after World War I, when British colonialists opened this sprawling cinder-block mill on a river bend north of Kolkata.

Now India is betting that jute  an ancient textile whose harvesting and production have scarcely been touched by modern technology  could be a fabric of the future.

Amid a global push to reduce the use of plastic for environmental reasons, India is promoting jute  better known in the United States as the fiber used in burlap  as a material for reusable shopping bags, home furnishings, clothing, even diapers and womens sanitary pads.

Indian officials tout the humble fibers eco-friendly qualities. Extracted from the bark of a tall, reedy plant, jute requires less water than cotton and almost no pesticides, absorbs more carbon dioxide for its size than most trees, and is totally biodegradable.

The Indian jute industry sees a potentially huge market in places like California  the first U.S. state to ban disposable plastic shopping bags at most stores  and more than 80 countries where governments have introduced regulations against plastic bags and foam products, according to the United Nations Environment Program.

We are hoping it will explode  that the world will wake up to all the benefits of jute, said Lata Bajoria, owner of the Hukumchand jute mill, the worlds largest, on the banks of the Hooghly River.

Nearly all of the worlds jute is grown and milled in the humid, swampy lowlands surrounding Kolkata  formerly known as Calcutta  and in neighboring Bangladesh, where the climate is right and labor is cheap.

Jute laborers stake jute sacks. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times) India has a keen interest in propping up the industry, which employs 400,000 mill workers and supports an estimated 4 million families. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times) Laborers stake jute sacks. India has a keen interest in propping up the industry, which employs 400,000 mill workers and supports an estimated 4 million families. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times)

The fibers roots here go back more than 2,000 years. Mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts, it was spun on peasants hand looms into twine and simple clothing.

In the 19th century, British colonialists developed the rough, sturdy textile as a packaging cloth for bulk foodstuffs. They built mills on the banks of the Hooghly to churn out coarse sacks used to carry coffee, cocoa and grains around the world.

In recent decades, as manufacturers worldwide found that plastic and synthetic fibers made for cheaper and softer packaging, business suffered and dozens of the mills closed. About three-quarters of Indias jute now remains in the country, bought by the government to package state-supplied food grains at a cost of nearly $900 million a year.

India has a keen interest in propping up the industry, which employs 400,000 mill workers and supports an estimated 4 million families. Still, in the 12 months ending in March, Indias jute production fell by nearly 8% from the year before, to 1.68 million tons, according to government statistics.

Many farmers have switched to crops that yield greater returns, such as rice. Jute remains among the most labor-intensive products in the modern world, starting with the backbreaking summer harvest.

Amid a global push to reduce the use of plastic, India is promoting jute as an eco-friendly alternative for shopping bags, home furnishings, clothing, even diapers and women's sanitary pads.

For several weeks every July and August, jute plants are cut down and immersed in ponds, covered in mud and leaves, for up to two weeks to soften and then rot. On a sticky morning recently, beside a narrow road lined with banana trees outside Kolkata, a dozen men stood waist-deep in a green-brown pond, whacking the stalks with wooden mallets until they fell apart.

They pulled the fibers out in thick wet bundles, like flaxen hair twisting down a womans back, and hung them out to dry under the sun before they would be trucked off to the mills.

An experienced man can prepare six to seven pounds of dry fiber per hour; mechanical methods have not been devised which can compete with cheap labor, a World Bank researcher wrote in 1949, in a paper assessing the prospects of marketing Indian jute in the U.S.

Little has changed in nearly 70 years.

This is the hardest work in the farm sector, said Mohammad Rafiul Islam, a slender man in his 30s, emerging from the pond with sodden trousers and a bundle of damp fiber twirled around his hand. He had started at 4 a.m. and would work until noon, earning about $4 for the day.

At the mills, the shrinking market has left owners little capital to invest in modern production techniques. Some of Hukumchands early 20th century looms  whose clacking, fast-moving wooden shuttles are blamed for hearing loss and occasionally spark fires  have been replaced with quieter, Chinese-made models.

But 10,000 workers still sift through bales of raw jute to sort the choicest fibers, load them into machines to be softened and rolled, and cart the unfinished threads through clouds of dust across the mill floor  all by hand.

Sunlight shines through an old mill in Kolkata as a laborer pulls a bail of jute to be processed. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times) Nearly all the world's jute is grown and milled in the humid, swampy lowlands surrounding Kolkata. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times) Few women work in the mills due to the harsh conditions, low pay, and long hours. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times) Top: Sunlight shines through an old mill in Kolkata as a laborer pulls a bail of jute to be processed. Left: A worker carries a large roll of jute. Right: Few women work in the mills due to the harsh conditions, low pay and long hours. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times)

The jute sector being so small and concentrated, and this not being a very global industry, the research and development on technology has been very limited, said Raghavendra Gupta, chief executive of the Hooghly Group, which owns Hukumchand and several other mills.

Hooghly and other companies are already supplying jute for use as geotextiles  a net-like material used by civil engineers to stabilize loose soil for road construction. Industry leaders hope that growing interest in jute as a consumer product in India and abroad will help stimulate innovation.

Starting in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government included the jute industry in a push to boost struggling domestic manufacturing. Operating with a modest $1-million annual budget, government scientists with the Indian Jute Industries Research Assn., working out of a lab in Kolkata, have developed food-safe bags made entirely from jute, with the aim of selling them in Western countries.

Scientists have been experimenting with bacteria to quicken the extraction of jute and improve the quality of the fibers to yield softer fabrics. A special digital printing technique developed in the lab could allow jute to replace plastic in banners and advertisements, the researchers say.

This year, the association introduced a low-cost sanitary pad made entirely from the fluffy, highly absorbent cellulose of jute plants. Officials said they have begun talks with the Indian arm of Johnson & Johnson to bring the pad to the mass market.

Maybe one day jute will be used in sanitary napkins and diapers worldwide, said U.S. Sarma, the associations director. All of these are the products of the future.

The jute mills are unionized and the workers do split shifts. Some of the workers sleep on the premises until their next shift starts. (Barbara Davidson / For The Times)

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Shashank Bengali is South Asia correspondent for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @SBengali
Rodrigo Duterte, accused of serious human rights violations as part of his deadly crackdown on drugs at home and having stirred controversy in the past with comments about the Holocaust, received a warm welcome in Israel when he arrived Sunday for a four-day visit.

Ahead of his departure, Duerte said he looks forward to broader cooperation on a broad range of mutually important areas  defense and security, law enforcement, economic development, trade [and] investments and labor.

Sales of Israeli weapons to his government are high on the agenda, according to Israeli media. Filipino officials have said the Philippines has recently acquired Israeli-made arms such as Galil assault rifles and pistols for its 120,000-strong police force, which is at the frontline of Dutertes battle against illegal drugs and other crimes.

Duterte was to kick off his four-day visit by attending an event of the Filipino community in Israel Sunday evening. An estimated 28,000 Filipinos live in Israel, mostly as health aides.

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A Filipino living in Israel, Lisa Levi, told Channel 10 TV that she is excited and proud he is visiting.

Speaking in Hebrew, she said I wish I could hug him and thank him for everything he does.

She said her home country is safer now and that accusations of rights abuses are untrue.

Members of the Filipino community in Jerusalem wave Philippine and Israeli flags as they await the arrival of their president, Rodrigo Duterte. (Menahem Kahana / AFP/Getty Images)

Duterte, who has stirred controversy with his foul-mouthed attacks on Barack Obama and even God, will receive a warm welcome in the Holy Land, meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.

Duterte drew outrage in 2016 when he compared his anti-drug campaign to the Nazi genocide of Jews in World War II and said he would be happy to slaughter 3 million addicts. He later apologized.

He is scheduled to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem on Monday and later a monument commemorating the Philippines rescue of Jews during the Holocaust.

In contrast to the warm official welcome, Israeli human rights activists plan to protest the visit and have encouraged President Reuven Rivlin not to meet him over accusations of rights abuses at home.

Official Philippine police tallies place the number of suspects killed in police-led anti-drug raids at more than 4,500 since Duterte took office in June 2016.

International human rights watchdogs have cited far higher death tolls.

Duterte, a 73-year-old former government prosecutor, denies condoning extrajudicial killings but has openly threatened drug dealers with death.

Relatives of several people slain in the presidents anti-drug campaign last week asked the International Criminal Court to prosecute him for alleged crimes against humanity, the second such request for a ruling on thousands of deaths that have occurred during the crackdown.

Dutertes visit this week marks the first ever by a Philippine president to Israel since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1957.
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Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Indo-Bangla Relations and Sheikh Mujibs Assassination

The father of the Bangladesh nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated with his entire family (except his two daughters who were not in the Bangladesh capital at that time) in Dacca on August 15, 1975. The following article is being published in that connection.

When the Bangladesh War ended on December 16, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder President of the Awami League party of Pakistan, was in Pakistan where he was detained since the military crackdown in Dacca in March that year. With the new nation of Bangladesh coming into being now a reality, Mujib left for London enroute Dhaka. On the way he stopped over in Delhi to confer with Mrs Indira Gandhi and her colleagues. As was to be expected, he received a rousing welcome from both the government and people of India. First of all, he thanked Mrs Gandhi very warmly for the enormous support she and her government, as well as our military in particular, had rendered. He then discussed with Indiraji the people he had in mind for his first Cabinet. P. N. Haksar and R.N. Kao had given her such detailed accounts of the main political persona-lities in the Awami League party that Indiraji was able to give her useful advice. Kao gave Mujib a detailed picture of the political and security situation in Bangladesh/East Pakistan as also the economic situation. Kao also gave Mujib a list of persons whom his organisation (RAW) (which had 50 agents in Bangladesh) had identified and kept under surveillance as persons working for the Pakistani intelligence, the Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI, and/or working for Western governments (such as the CIA of the USA and MI 6 of the UK).

Mrs Gandhi then emphasised to Mujib the paramount importance for himself and his entire (large) family to be protected 365x24 hrs as there was a major plan being worked out by all these three intelligence agencies to assassinate them. Kao had put together a team of half-a-dozen officers and 100 men drawn from his superb commando force, the Special Frontier Force (SFF), to guard him and his family on a 365x24 hrs basis. She urged Mujib to accept such a protection force and cooperate with them in all respects. For such protection neither Mujib nor his government needed to pay anything to the Government of India. Mrs Gandhi then informed Mujib that Kaos organisation (RAW) would soon be setting up a Hotline with maximum security features between her house and Office on the one hand and Mujibs Office and home likewise in Dacca. This Hotline would enable the two them to be in constant touch. Indiraji urged Mujib to feel free to use the line at any time he wanted.

Mrs Gandhis final point was to advise Mujib to take up, as one of his priority tasks, the making of an assessment of the quantum of funds his government would need to undertake the huge relief, rehabilitation and abode re-construction of the people of Bangladesh and send it to her (Indiraji) at the earliest, so that India could send men and material at its (Indias) cost to help Bangladesh in that effort. Mujib, on his part, thanked Indiraji profusely (he called her my real sister) and then left for Dacca on January 5, 1972.

The first thing Mujib did on reaching Dacca was to address a huge gathering of his fellow countrymen and women. He spoke about the acute pain with which, sitting in Pakistan, he had watched the brutalities inflicted on his people by the Pakistani Army. He told his people that the first thing his government would do was to file a comprehensive chargesheet against the Pakistani forces for their crime against humanity in the erstwhile East Pakistan before the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva and get stringent punishment meted out to them. The huge crowed roared in approval. Mujib then went on to say that concurrently he and his Cabinet would draw up in 30 days a comprehensive programme of relief activities to be undertaken and, if needed, resettlement of those of his people who had been affected by the War. He also informed the huge gathering that the credit for liberating East Pakistan and creating Bangladesh against stiff opposition from all the Western countries, and particularly the USA, should go to Mrs Indira Gandhi. Mujib went on to say that he had discussed the matter of relief and rehabilitation with Mrs Gandhi during his brief stop-over in Delhi and was overwhelmed with gratitude when Indiraji had committed to provide as much money as India could afford for such relief and rehabilitation. The entire gathering stood up and clapped for nearly five minutes.

Three days later, Mujib and his first Cabinet was sworn in. Predictably there were in it many stalwarts who had fought the Pakistani invaders. But there were also some noted Bangladeshi scholars.

One of them prepared a national Bailout Plan for consideration by the Government of India and the International Money Fund (IMF). The plan envisaged the provision by India of INR 15,000 crores and a standby loan of US $ 1.25 billion as far as the IMF was concerned. After consideration by the Cabinet, chaired by Mujib, two decisions were taken for concurrent action:

(i) Mujib should send the Indian Aid component directly to PM Indira Gandhi for immediate action;

And (ii) the IMF component should be sent to the Managing Director of the IMF for similar urgent action.

When she received Mujibs letter and the enclosed Bailout Plan proposal, Indiraji immediately called a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to consider the plan and see what maximum help India could provide. The Cabinet Committee considered a paper jointly prepared by the Finance Ministry and Planning Commission. After detailed analysis the paper recommended immediate provision by the GOI to the Bangladesh Government of only Rs 6000 crores. Therefore Indiraji exploded: Can you, financial experts and technicians, only think about cold numbers? Have you, in making your so-called recommendation, considered the brutal fact that there has been and continues to be a human tragedy of gargantuan dimensions, according to major UN agencies like the UNICEF, FAO, WHO and High Commissioner for Refugees. I put to my colleagues that we, the government of the largest nation in South Asia with the highest GDP, approve the request of our close but totally war-ravaged neighbour for emergency assis-tance of Rs 16,000 crores of which amount 50 per cent must be a grant while the remaining 50 per cent is provided as a very low interest (two per cent) loan carrying a 10-year moratorium and a 50-year payback period. The entire grant component should be released immediately against a Soverign Guarrantee. The Finance Minister, then C. Subramanian, and the Finance Secretary, S. Venkataraman, scoured like rabbits to release that amount immediately. When her short letter to Mujib of the decisions taken by the CCEA on his request was read out to the Bangladesh leader a day later, Mujib was so overjoyed that he immediately rang up Indiraji and conveyed his profound thanks. As for the IMF component, the Governor on the Board of Governors of the Fund dealing with India was also the Governor for Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. So he, who had been sent a copy of the request proposal from Bangladesh, took up the matter of US $ 1.25 billion standby credit directly with the IMF head, that is, the Managing Director, for immediate approval noting that Bangladesh was a Least Developed Country like Nepal and Bhutan and that the country was in dire economic straits and so their request should be immediately acceded to. Nepal and Bhutan sent similar letters. Under all this pressure, the Managing Director called an immediate meeting of the Funds Board of Directors and approved Bangladeshs request.

With these large inflows of money in the form of local resources from India and free Foreign Exchange from the IMF and wise and corruption-free use of these finances, Bangladesh limped back to normalcy slowly by the end of 1973. In two years the economy of Bangladesh had improved tremendously on all fronts. Most notable was the establishment and growth in the Private Sector strongly supported by the stake in the Handloom and Garment industries with a strong export orientation and combining both high profitability and maximum job creation. We from India set up hydro- and thermal power plants in Bangladesh along with very soft loans. A large team of Public Health administrators from India was sent to the Bangladesh Government to draw up and implement, first of all, a massive India-supplied Vaccine Mission to tackle the long prevalent attacks of Typhoid, Cholera, Malaria and Tuberculosis. This Indian initiative was supple-mented and complemented by a large WHO programme. All in all by mid-1974, things were looking up in a large number of sectors of the economy and society.

Tragically, disaster struck on the political and security fronts in mid-1975. Mujib came to Delhi alone. He met Indiraji and complained bitterly about the tight security which he had to follow. He said his family, in particular, was deeply resentful ofindeed annoyed atthe fact that they could not freely meet their friends and relatives, go to movies and concerts un-escorted (they were escorted by people who were clearly Guards) etc. So, Mujib wanted a substantial relaxation of the security policies and practices which Kao had put in place. Kao, who was of course present at the meeting of the two leaders, reiterated that the threat to the very lives of Mujib and his family continued to be as real and as serious as when Mujib started as the PM in 1972, Indiraji, however, could understand and appreciate Mujibs situation. So some relaxation was agreed upon. Meanwhile the Bangladeshi SFF had been recruited, trained and inducted in fair numbers by the RAW.

Kao, however, as one of the greatest security specialists on the planet, was deeply worried. His worries, unfortunately, came to be true when on August 15, 1975, there was a massive raid on Mujibs residence by 30 heavily armed menlater identified as an Annihilation Squad of the Pakistani ISI. Despite retaliation and protection measures taken by both Kaos and the Bangladeshi SFF, Mujib and his entire 12-member family were killed. Two of his daughters, Hasina and Rehana, manged to survive because they were not in Bangladesh at that time. The investigation into how the attack was planned and mounted clearly established that if the relaxation in protection measures and procedures had not been made, Mujib and his family would not have been killed.

Prof Ashok Parthasarathi is a former Science and Technology Adviser to late PM Indira Gandhi.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Vajpayee and Karunanidhi: India loses its great

TRIBUTE

by Mahendra Ved

In a span of 10 days, on August 7 and 16, India lost two of its titans, Muthuvel Karunanidhi and Atal Behari Vajpayee, whose contributions reflected its unity and diversity.

Their exit, albeit after age and ailment had long rendered them ineffective, marks the end of the post-independence era. If their respective legacies will endure remains to be seen.

Some obvious comparisons and contrasts: Three-time Premier Vajpayee was from Indias North and five-time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi was from the South.

If Vajpayee exuded the charm of an erudite upper-caste Northerner, an Aryan if just for arguments sake, Karunanidhi spearheaded the Dravidian socio-cultural ethos that he and his party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), turned to political advantage with a movement that remains unique to Tamil Nadu.

That it has some takers among the States in the rest of the South, seeking Dravidanadu underscores its appeal and political and economic potential.

Both were outstanding speakers, poets and writers who used their respective languages to great effect. If Karunanidhi erected and manned the Southern bulwark with Tamil, Vajpayees literary flourish and oratory skills remain unmatched to this day.

Critics derided Vajpayees poetry as lacking in high literary merit. But, even they would concede that he wrote from his heart, full of verve and resolve that was tempered by utmost modesty. He never wanted to rise so high as to lose touch with the ground and the people out there.

Vajpayee made Hindi language popular with the urban middle classes. But, the rashtra-bhasha (national language) in effect remains raj bhasha (State language) because of geographical limitations. Yet, it is Indias link-language spoken by the single-largest group. But, Vajpayee was not a Hindi zealot like some in Parliament who wanted, rhetorically though, the government to deploy the Army to impose Hindi on the South. Karunanidhi opposed any such coercion. Protests against Hindi sparked an agitation in 1965. Two years later, the DMK won elections and soon abolished the three language formula Tamil and English would suffice.

A global leader of Tamils, Karunanidhi delivered the special addresses at the Third World Tamil Conference in Paris in 1970 and at the Sixth Conference in Kuala Lumpur in 1987. He penned the song Semmozhiyaana Tamizh Mozhiyaam, the official theme song for the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010 that was set to tune by A.R. Rahman.

Both were strong democrats. Vajpayee was in the first batch of Opposition leaders imprisoned and Karunanidhi, a strident proponent of federalism, was the first Chief Minister to oppose the Emergency (June 1975-March 1977) imposed by then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Karunanidhi earned New Delhis wrath in the shape of dismissal of his governments in 1976 and 1991.

Both were patriots when abroad. They never attacked the leadership of the day, whether or not they supported it back home. Karunanidhis relations with the Congress party, that he repeatedly vanquished, remained cordial, whatever their political differences.

Brought to Parliament to counter Jawaharlal Nehrus charisma, Vajpayee evolved as a moderate Right-winger with Nehruvian impulses of carrying others along.

But they differed on some issues. Karunanidhi refused to receive the Indian Army contingent that returned from Sri Lanka after a disastrous peace-keeping operation. Vajpayee and his party decried it.

Unlike Karunanidhi, Vajpayee supported Lord Rams temple in Ayodhya city. But, he decried the demolition of the 15th century Babri mosque on that disputed site in 1992.

Towards the end of the last century, their political fortunes fluctuated together. The Congress withdrew support to the I.K. Gujral Government after it refused to drop the DMK that was linked by an investigation panel to a Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group blamed for the assassination of former Premier, Rajiv Gandhi.

Although Vajpayee regained his premiership, his government collapsed again when Karuna-nidhis principal rival in Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna DMK withdrew support. Vajpayee lost by a single vote, but bounced back to power in the next election with DMK support.

Their oratory and love for literature did not obscure their governance and, in particular, economic reforms. Karunanidhi extended the Public Distribution System. His increasing food subsidies were coupled with efforts at gene-rating employment and encouraging industrial investment. His rivals could only continue with them.

Vajpayee deftly managed a rainbow coalition and carried out the second wave of the economic reforms. Indeed, he provided continuity to the reforms introduced by Manmohan Singh as the Finance Minister and the latter built upon them as the Prime Minister (2004-14).

The Vajpayee Government (1998-2004) focused on connectivity. The Golden Quadri-lateral project built the super-fast expressways. Sweeping telecom reforms ignited the cell-phone revolution, changing the common mans life forever.

Vajpayee also opened the insurance sector to private players. The media sector was partially opened to foreign capital under him. He initiated the biggest indirect tax reform built on the concept of one nation, one tax, eventually paving the way for a goods and service tax (GST) regime last year.

Lastly, Vajpayee and Karunanidhi were both family personswith a difference, though. The Tamil patriarch had married thrice and leaves behind a vast family. Vajpayee never married, but ignoring the conservatives in his party, lived with a family for half-a-century. That he retained his political position despite this is a rarity in India. Vajpayee had no male successor, in politics or otherwise. That his foster daughter lit the funeral pyre is something that would have surely made Karunanidhi, a strong advocate of womens rights, happy.

(Courtesy: New Strait Times, Malaysia)

The author, a columnist for the New Strait Times, Malaysia, is a senior journalist who is currently the President of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA).
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > The Prime Minister as Gentleman

IMPRESSIONS

My Lord, Never let me climb so high that Im unable to embrace a stranger.

The humanism in Atal Behari Vajpayee made him taller than a Prime Minister. In the vastness of his mind the ephemerality of political glory counted for what it was. He once said: You might become an ex-Prime Minister one day, but you will never become an ex-poet. He was a universalist, his literate self dwelling above his political persona.

Vajpayee was reared in the RSS school, attending officers training courses from 1940 and qualifying as a full-time pracharak the year India became independent. But he was seldom seen as an activist pracharak preaching the prescribed gospel. He looked more like a dreamer, reaching out to people in ways that went beyond his training. Although he is on record as saying The Sangh is my soul, sensibilities of a larger mission seemed to be working within him. Above the pracharak and the politician was the poet. His spirit roamed free.

This drew wider attention as Vajpayee entered Parliament. It is part of legend that the young MPs flowing oratory turned Jawaharlal Nehru into an admirer. The oft-repeated story is that Nehru would rush to the House when Vajpayee rose to speak, and that he once told the BJP leader: One day you will be Prime Minister. Nehru sent him to the UN General Assembly one year to help him get international exposure and some useful training in diplomacy.

Such non-partisan functioning in the larger interests of the country is difficult to imagine nowadays. Nehrus very name has become taboo in patriotic circles and young leaders of Opposition parties are ridiculed as childish. One reason Vajpayee rose to greatness was that he lived in an age that valued political courtesies and did not allow petty-mindedness to cast shadows upon it. That age is behind us. What the poet in Vajpayee described as darkness in the middle of the day has come.

It started sending early signals in the middle of Vajpayees term in office. His stature had grown as he progressed from frustrated short terms to a full term as Prime Minister beginning 1998. The Pokhran atomic explosion that year and the Kargil War the following year put garlands of glamour round his neck. He asserted his personal supremacy over his party hardliners when he took a bus to Lahore in 1999. His initiatives for peace provoked a Vishwa Hindu Parishad secretary to call him a pseudo-Hindu.

The ultra Hindus got their chance to punish him in 2002. When Gujarat exploded into communal violence that year, Prime Minister Vajpayee was outraged. Within a month of the atrocities he visited the State and said at a press conference that the kings duty to uphold rajdharma had not been carried out. He decided to seek the resignation of the States Chief Minister when the National Executive of the BJP met in Goa a few days later. The flight to Goa turned out to be one of the most historic in Indias aviation history. L.K. Advani and Arun Jaitley strongly opposed any action against the Gujarat Chief Minister. Vajpayee was further rattled when slogans were raised at the meeting in favour of the Chief Minister. Vajpayee had to forget his concept of rajdharma and watch his critics celebrating their triumph.

The post-Goa Vajpayee was a politically enfeebled Vajpayee. Advani now became Deputy Prime Minister. The RSS demanded a meeting with the Prime Minister and got it, establishing the restoration of its political influence, which Vajpayee had kept at near-zero level all along.

It is now 14 years since Vajpayee retired as Prime Minister. It can be seen that Vajpayees India was different from todays India. Vajpayees BJP was different from todays BJP. Democracy itself was different, allowing space for opponents of the government, dissent playing its essential role in public life, the spirit of freedom never suppressed overtly or covertly.

For these extraneous reasons as well as for the vibrancy of his mind, Vajpayees place in history will be above that of all others in his party. He represented the ethos of the nationspiritualism without zealotry, tolerance, liberalism. Such was the roundedness of Vajpayees make-up that we could stand up and say to all the world: This was a gentleman. And sing with him: Its dark in the middle of the day / The sun is defeated by its shadow / Squeeze the oil from your soul and feed the wick / Come lets light the lamp again.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > The Death of a Statesman: Vajpayees belief in insaaniyat set him apart and (...)

by H.K. Dua

In the passing away of Atal Behari Vajpayee, the country has lost not only the BJPs first Prime Minister, but also a national leader who, over the decades, had emerged as a statesman with a national appeal.

Whatever his political affiliation, Vajpayee came to believe that a national consensus had to be evolved, surpassing the traditional faultlines of Indias diverse society such as caste, religion, region and language. He believed in democracy, freedom of the press, right to dissent and respect for constitutional institutions and tolerance.

He began his amazing parliamentary tenure in the early years of the Republic, lost elections often and came back again to make scintillating speeches that stunned even Jawaharlal Nehru who told Vajpayee once that he could become the Prime Minister one day. His opponents liked him because he aimed high for India and its future and worked for his ideals, always rising above the petty pursuits of politicians.

Even Muslims, who were generally distrustful of the BJP and its earlier avatar, the Jana Sangh, began believing in him and his sincerity. This was not a mean achievement for a leader who had grown up with the Sangh Parivars ingrained distrust of the minority community.

As a Prime Minister he wanted India to be counted, but his focus was to improve relations with Pakistan, China and the United States. Despite odds, he went to Lahore by bus to seek peace with Pakistan. He even visited Nishan-e-Pakistan to declare that India believed in the identity of Pakistan, differing sharply from the partys traditional stand for Akhand Bharat. The BJP and the RSS swallowed this as they realised that the party could not remain in power without Vajpayee at the helm.

His statesmanship earned him world recogni-tion when, despite the bitter memories of the Kargil war, he chose to pursue talks with General Pervez Musharraf. He sought peace with Pakistan but did not give into Musharrafs extravagant demands. His desire for peace with our western neighbour was genuine. He said he would travel the extra mile to seek it.

In a personal conversation, I once asked Vajpayee why he was making serious efforts to seek peace with Pakistan when his party had other views. I am doing this because no one in my party would be able to seek peace with Pakistan after me, he said.

In the same spirit, he was keen for talks with the people of Kashmir to end the continuing violence and bloodshed in the Valley.

Farooq Abdullah had organised a press conference after the Prime Ministers visit to Pahalgam, where killings had taken place a day earlier. What question will be asked from me?the Prime Minister asked me before the press conference. All questions would be simple, but a tricky query is likely to be, Will the talks with the Hurriyat and other sections you have promised be within the framework of the Constitution or outside it? I said.

We went over a few formulations on how to parry the question but none was fully satisfactory. Inevitably the question came up at the press conference I was anchoring. Mr Prime Minister, will the talks you had promised be within the framework of the Constitution or outside? asked a newsman.

Talks insaaniyat ke daire mein hongi, the Prime Minister remarked promptly.

The answer came straight from his heart and with no contribution from me, his media adviser. He is still remembered in the Valley for his answer.

Essentially, Vajpayee was a liberal in his beliefs and grew up in the Jana Sangh, which later he turned into the BJP. His own constituency and popularity turned out to be larger than that of the BJP or the Jana Sangh.

To create the right atmosphere for talks and to stop killings, Vajpayee chose to unilaterally declare ceasefire in Kashmir on the eve of Ramzan. He did not consult many people in his own government and the RSS. They were surprised at the move Vajpayee had made with the hope that peace will be needed to stop the senseless violence in the Valley and create the right atmosphere. He only consulted his powerful Principal Secretary, Brajesh Mishra. Together, they asked me to issue a bland ceasefire statement which had immediate impact in the Valley. The ceasefire lasted for several months beyond Ramzan.

In foreign relations, there was tremendous progress in the Indo-US relations during Vajpayees time, when President Bill Clinton was in power. Clinton flew down to New Delhi and had talks with Vajpayee at Hyderabad House to discuss a gamut of issues for the improvement of relations in the political, economic and defence areas. Vajpayee made a return visit to the US to have talks with Clinton at the White House.

Vajpayees worst moment during his tenure as the Prime Minister was when an Indian Airlines plane IC-814 was hijacked to Kabul via Pakistan and Dubai, soon after he returned to power in 1999. It was a humiliating moment for India to succumb to the hijackers when Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh was sent to Kandahar to exchange a terrorist leader for Indias 160 passengers on board. Vajpayee, essentially a humane ruler at heart, did not want to risk the lives of 160 Indians trapped in the aircraft at Kandahar.

On two other occasions he found himself helpless. His heart and mind were not in the Ayodhya movement. He was looking for a compromise on Ayodhya through different channels. One was through Chandra Shekhar, the former Prime Minister, who had good relations with Vajpayee, and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Rajasthans outstanding Chief Minister whom Vajpayee later made the Vice-President of India. Vajpayee did not ride the rath yatra, unlike his friend Lal Krishna Advani, which ultimately led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Much before he became the Prime Minister I asked him: You were not with the Ayodhya movement, but why did you not do much to stop the Parivar from demolishing it (the mosque)?

I could not do so, he admitted candidly. Somehow over the years, some of us have become the victims of anushasan (discipline). Apparently, he knew the RSS would overrule him.

Much later, he found himself powerless to make Narendra Modi resign from Chief Ministership for his failure to stop the riots which led to large-scale killings in Gujarat. Advani and other members of the party and the RSS en bloc sided with Narendra Modi and overruled Vajpayee at the Goa meeting of the BJPs National Executive.

I later asked him why he did not force the issue of Gujarat riots when he did not approve of it. He simply said: Party nahin maani (party did not agree with me).

On the economic front, he really gave full freedom to his Cabinet colleagues to go ahead with the reforms initiated by Dr Manmohan Singh under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. During Vajpayees time, the GDP growth rate was over nine per cent, an amazing achievement in the world which was to see a global recession in a few years.

There was a dominant feeling in the party leadership that the country should hold early elections in 2004. Pramod Mahajan, the BJPs campaign manager, coined the slogan India is Shining. Vajpayee was reluctant but agreed to cut short his term by a few months in deference to his partys wish. Despite the economic reforms, it was found India was still far away from shining. Vajpayee lost the elections, partly because of the misleading slogan, and partly because of the collateral damage done by the Gujarat riots.

For several years Vajpayee was distancing himself from the RSS and trying to chalk out his own policies and place in Indian politics. While he got along with Rajju Bhaiyya, he could not develop a workable equation with the new RSS chief, Sudarshan. For months he would not meet the RSS chief. Once a mediator organised a dinner between Prime Minister Vajpayee and Sudarshan at the Prime Ministers residence at 7, Race Course Road. They had a meal together but Vajpayee found the RSS chief was on fast that day!

(Courtesy: The Tribune)

Veteran journalist H.K. Dua was the Media Adviser to A.B. Vajpayee as the Prime Minister.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Vajpayeeji: A Liberal in a Hardline Party

by Vijay Kumar

The predictable, and yet extremely sad, news of the death of Vajpayeeji is an irretrievable loss for the country.

Atalji was a born leader, gifted statesman, quintessential liberal and classic democrat. No wonder, the epithet right man in the wrong party was gaining currency throughout the 1990s, when the period marked the resurgence of the BJP in the national political arena. He was dubbed the right man because he was temperamentally a liberal in a party, known for its sectarianism, obscurantism and incapable of conceiving anything beyond the Hindu-Muslim binary. The three legacies left by Vajpayeeji would always stand out.

First, it was his consensus-building quality that resulted in institutionalisation of a stable coalition government in India. He provided stable governments, at times with the support of 22 parties. The earlier experiments of coalition government during the prime ministership of Morarji Desai and Charan Singh in 1977-79, during V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhars time in 1989-90 and Dev Gowda and Gujral in 1996-98 proved to be unmitigated disasters. This was because the ability to carry others associated with Vajpayeeji eluded his predecessors, and the spirit of accommodation, which is so essential to carry the coalition government, was lacking. Thus, the credit for establishing the first stable non-Congress coalition government goes to Vajpayeeji. It was he, who institutionalised it, and even the Congress successfully replicated the experiment in the form of UPA I and II by providing a stable coalition government for full two terms from 2004 to 2014.

Second, Vajpayeeji was a statesman par excellence. Like Pandit Nehru, he epitomised the famous saying by an English statesman that the politician looks for the next election, while the statesman the next generation by envisioning the future rather than being fixated on the next election. Since Vajpayeeji was a born statesman, he was much taller than the leader of political party; in his case the erstwhile Jana Sangh and its later avtar, the BJP. Vajpayeeji was so great, tall, indeed a colossus, that his greatness could not be confined to the BJP, and for this reason alone, he should not be allowed to be appropriated by the leader of the current ruling party, particularly when the contradictions between the persona of Vajpayeeji and the present Prime Minister and their styles of functioning are radically pronounced. The present leadership of the BJP has been trying to appropriate Vajpayeeji, but the cynical attempt will backfire, as a comparison would be drawn and that would reflect poorly on the present leadership.

The third great legacy left by Vajpayee was his leadership quality. He gave full freedom and space to his Cabinet colleagues. In complete contrast to the style of functioning of the present Prime Minister, Vajpayeeji never had any trust deficit with his Cabinet colleagues. He reposed full confidence in his Ministers because he was confident, again like Nehru, that he was taller than any of them. Sadly, that trust is completely conspicuous by its absence on the part of the present Prime Minster resulting in his ministerial colleagues being reduced to glorified clerks, paradoxically at a time when there is no challenge to his leadership at the present juncture. Vajpayeeji succeeded in managing the contradiction which was so glaring in respect of his own individual image and the hardline image of his party and the RSS. He has been the only BJP leader who has succeeded in maintaining his own liberal image while going along with the Sangh Parivar. Advani praised Jinnah and the RSS finished him. Similarly, Jaswant Singh, the most liberal and articulate face of the BJP, was finished by the RSS when he emulated Advani in his praise of Jinnah. Therefore, Vajpayeeji was the only BJP leader who struck a delicate balance between his own individuality and the extra-legal dictate of the RSS, and survived despite being at odds with the RSS on some issues. Atalji, throughout his life, was above partisan politics, and three instances instinctively crop up in ones mind. First, after the 1971 war resulting in Bangladesh becoming separate from Pakistan, Vajpayeeji lost no time in congratulating the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, by showering on her lavish encomiums and comparing her to Goddess Durga. Second, when an organised pogrom took place in Gujarat in 2002, Atalji, as the Prime Minister of the whole nation, representing entire citizens (not a section of them), gave vent to his sense of anguish by making a famous public statement that Raj Dharma was not followed in Gujarat, a damning indictment of the then Chief Minister. Third, when the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna was conferred on him, it was endorsed by the entire political spectrum.

When Barack Obama demitted his presidency after completing two full terms, I had the occasion to write an article in Mainstream (28.01.2017) whose title was Civility in Public Discourse: The Lasting Legacy of Obama. The title is apt also in the case of Vajpayeeji. The same civility in public utterance and decency in political conduct were the hallmarks of the life of Vajpayeeji, and it is this civility in political speech and decorum in political behaviour that need to be emulated by his own partymen and adversaries alike.

Vajpayeeji has departed at a time when the liberal space has shrunk alarmingly since 2014 and a miasma of fear and sense of insecurity in the wake of regular lynchings have gripped the nation. Vajpayeeji had been in an almost vegetative state for a long time, and had he been conscious, he would have condemned the menacing rise of intolerance resulting in lynchings taking place with frightening regularity.

Vajpayeeji has passed away, but his legacy ought to endure, and to begin with, needs to be imbibed by the present leader of his party.

The author is a Supreme Court Advocate.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > The Doyen is Dead, Long Live the Reporter

Of course we will miss Kuldip Nayar. He was already a journalist perhaps a few months into the profession when I was born, and an editor when I became a reporter.

In the fifty or so years I knew him and received the warmth of his friendship, I never worked with him in the profession. Indeed, I never worked in the newspapers and agencies he went to head as editor.

But I did not have to, to recognise the subtle way he would mentor the reporters, or correspondents if you so wish to describe them. He did so by precept, by example, by never being caught out on facts, or making do with the approximations and guesses that go so often for lazy journalism.

He was no G.K. Reddy, the chief of bureau of The Hindu, of whom it was said he knew the government policy before the Joint Secretary concerned had finished finalising the Cabinet note. Nor indeed was he like his contemporary Surinder Nihal Singh with a turn of phrase and a taste for the finer things in life and literature.

Perhaps he was more akin to the man he most respected, Nikhil Chakravartty, poles apart perhaps in their ideological worldviews, but similarly penetrating deep into the national political churning without ever forgetting their first loyalty to the reader.

If Nikhil did not seek political office, Kuldip did. John, you left journalism too soon, the older man often told me. Kuldip, youve been in government too often, Id retort. Kuldip was Information Advisor to Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri, had a term in the Rajya Sabha, was High Commissioner to the Court of St James, in London. Could have been more if he desired.

But Kuldip Nayar was our connect with Partition, forgiveness, and the unrelenting pursuit of peace. He, Janardhan Thakur, the father of editor Sankarshan Thakur, Ajoy Bose and I were the clutch of journalists who wrote books on the Emergency. Sometimes we would discuss that period and its long shadow on Indian politics, which legitimised the RSS, made Atal Vajpayee Foreign Minister and L.K. Advani Information Minister. Advani fathered the saffron media, whose spawn we see today, fomenting hate, triggering murder.

The seniors are now gone, with memories remaining not of famous exclusive news-breaking stories, or books they wrote, the institutions they founded or worked with, but of their love of their profession, and of their country.

In the Editors Guild, now a pale shadow of itself though it never was a roaring tiger, they did try to formulate a Code of Ethics for themselves and for their employers, and they fought hard to retain the very vulnerable freedom of the press they had seen so easily crushed by Indira Gandhis henchmen V.C. Shukla and his IAS-IPS lackeys in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

They failed in making the Editors Guild and its Code into a strong shield that could defend journalism from the multi-pronged onslaught it now faces, where the media is to sell a packet of soap or Ayurveda, or to protect the businessman-employer. It was the collective fault of all of us in the Guild, which had many more concerned for the businessman boss than the profession.

But despite recent revelations by sacked TV anchors, there will perhaps never again be the sort of censorship seen in the Emergency, or tried by Rajiv Gandhi in his Press Bill, or insidiously attempted by incompetent Chief Ministers. They did make sure of this.

But do not make an obituary of Kuldip Nayar into a Requiem for the Reporter.

The Doyen is Dead, Long Live the Reporter, I say.

For journalism, media by any other name, lives in the foot soldier, the small-time reporter in a mofussil town ferreting news of marginalisation and corruption in circumstances where he can be as dead as any war correspondent on the battle-fronts of Syria. It lives in the district correspondents who cover the session courts and the antics of the Minister in charge, resisting rebuke-send temptation. I know reporters who have been reduced from regular staff to stringers, but are treading the pavements as they always did, their nose to the ground, smelling the bad odour of corruption and high-handedness.

Their hard work makes the people in State capitals and the national Capital seem like glorified clerks, for the most, covering the sayings of famous people, and passing off handouts as exclusivesten channels and six newspapers have the identical scanned copy of the note, for instance.

And taking selfies on board VIP planes, or with Ministers at their birthday parties. No one has a selfie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi other than when he makes an appearance at his party HQ on some auspicious day. One reason, perhaps, is that Mr Modi does not hold press conferences.

These ill-paid, overworked, neglected and un-mentored Reporters, now many women among them, are the ones who insure Indian medias integrity, and will ensure its longevity.

And these are the ones who will, I dare say, perpetuate Kuldip Nayars memory. For, essentially he was a Reporter at heart as reflected in his writings.

The author is a senior journalist, human rights activist and member of the National Integration Council.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Tribute to Kuldip Nayar

On August 23, Kuldip Nayar, the tallest surviving pillar of our Fourth Estate, breathed his last in the Capital. Just sixteen days earlier he and his wife met me at a function at New Delhis India Internation Centre. As usual he warmly told me: I thought of contacting you. I was thinking of Nikhil. Then he reminisced of their joint struggle against the Emergency, their staunch support to the MKSS Right to Information movement and their visit to the India-Pakistan border at Wagah at the midnight of August 14-15, 1996 to spread the message of peace, friendship and amity with the people of Pakistan.

Then he turned to me and said: Do you know, people still throng to the Wagah border on those two days! And he added that their was wide interest among the young generation in ensuring close relations at the mass level with Pakistan. I was instantly reminded how he had led the Indian delegation to the founding conference of the South-Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) at Islamabad in mid-2000.

An indefatigable champion of human rights and freedom of press, Kuldipji will be sorely missed today when the democratic polity of ours is engaged in a life and death battle for saving the Republic from the fascist forces currently entrenched in power.

While remembering him we are publishing the following last article that he sent to our weekly on August 15 for publication. It is really terrible to even think that his pieces would henceforth not appear in Mainstream. S.C.

Immigrants or Vote-Banks?

by Kuldip Nayar

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is well entrenched in six of the seven North-Eastern States, something not imaginable when partition was discussed. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, then a top Congress leader, once admitted that for the sake of votes, the Muslims from neighbouring countries like East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, were brought to Assam. He said that the Congress did it purposely because we wanted to retain Assam.

This created a serious problem for the people of the State. Since then the issue of infiltration has loomed large in the North-East, especially in Assam. But then the process to check illegal migration in the North-East, which began during the British Empire, remains unfinished despite various efforts made at the national and State levels.

Consequently, a large-scale migration impacted the social, economic, political and environmental scenario which led the people of the North-East voicing concerns. When the Immigrant (Expulsion from Assam) Act 1950 was passed in Parliament, allowing only those people who were displaced because of civil disturbances in East Pakistan into the region, the deportation of people caused much antipathy in West Pakistan. Subsequently, an agreement was signed between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan, which allowed the return of those people to India deported in 1950.

During the India-China war in 1962, there were reports that some infiltrators with Pakistani flags were seen on the borders, resulting in the Assam Plan which New Delhi adopted to prevent infiltration from Pakistan in 1964. But the continuing atrocities in East Pakistan in the early 1970s led to an unchecked entry of refugees into India on a large scale. The Indira Gandhi-Mujib-ur Rahman Agreement in 1972 redefined the status of illegal immigrants in India as it declared that all those who had come before 1971 were declared non-Bangladeshis.

The Assamese resented the agreement and launched an agitation, leading to the Illegal Migrant (Determination by Tribunal) Act coming into force in 1983. The Act was meant to detect and deport illegal migrants through tribunals. But it could not resolve the perennial immigrant problem in the North-East. Soon after, when the Assam Accord of 1985 was accepted, it fixed the cut-off date to determine illegal migrants in Assam as March 25, 1971, the day Bangladesh was born.

The accord mentioned that all those migrants who had come and settled in the State on or before this date shall be regarded as citizens and those illegal migrants who are found to have arrived in the State after this date are to be expelled in accordance with the law. The rebel groups, coming under the umbrella of AASU, launched a militant struggle against the Centre seeking to revoke the accord and instead enact a law that deported all illegal immigrants irrespective of their time of immigration.

However, there was no respite for the locals as the immigrants were clandestinely provided with ration cards and their names were included in the voters list. The growing clout of the Bangladeshi immigrants made the situation in Assam worse. In fact, the overall Muslim population in the region has grown to over 40 per cent now, according to an estimate. Ultimately, the Supreme Court had to intervene to set aside the Act in 2005. In its judgment, the Apex Court declared that the Act has created the biggest hurdle and is the main impediment or barrier in the identification and deportation of illegal migrants.

However, the infiltration from Bangladesh remains unchecked and illegal immigration continues to be a sensitive issue, exploited by vested political interests. A decade of agitation by the North-East rebel groups, both peaceful and violent, over the illegal foreign national issue, has not brought concrete success.

Unfortunately, the BJP Government at the Centre is bent on bringing an amendment to the Citizenship Act of 1955 which will enable the religiously persecuted migrants to obtain citizen-ship thus distinguishing them on communal lines. The majority of the people of Assam are against the proposed amendment since it goes against the spirit of the Assam accord which states that all illegal migrants from Bangladesh after March 25, 1971 would be deported.

The Centre should, instead, initiate measures to address some of the pending inter-State issues, especially the boundary dispute of Assam with Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh as well as Meghalaya. All these States, except Arunachal Pradesh, were carved out of Assam at some stage. Similarly, Manipur also has boundary problems with Mizoram and Nagaland but these are not as prominent as that of Assam.

Yet, the region is united on many important issues like harassment of people from the North-East, particularly the student community, in some parts of the country, including in the national Capital. The feeling is of neglect by the Centre and the lack of sincerity which is telling upon the States. They want more involvement of the government in the development of the region. No doubt, the BJP Government has introduced several measures for the development, trying to connect with the people of the region emotionally.

But then the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been a sore point. The Centre has gradually lifted the Act from many parts of the region but it can do much more, taking into consideration the ground situation which has improved considerably. Illegal migration will remain a security challenge for India if no adequate measures are taken, including checking and deporting illegal migrants.

The ruling BJP must always remember that the North-East is a plural society devoid of much communal violence unlike the Hindi heartland. Hence, it is paramount that the Centre should concentrate more on the development and good governance rather than trying to impose its Hindutva philosophy.

With the general elections due next year, the BJP cannot afford to ignore the problems the North-East is facing. Of the 25 Lok Sabha seats from the region, Assam has the highest number of seats with 14 members. With the BJP faring badly in the recent by-elections and many regional parties looking to go it alone in the coming elections, winning every seat will be important for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After all, he and his party know well that the political loyalty in the North-East can change very fast.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Looming Shadow of Fascism

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK

The time has come to call a spade a spade. The Modi Government can no longer be called just an anti-democratic or authoritarian government. It is fast becoming a fascist government. Suppression of all dissenting voices, arm-twisting of the media to fall in line with the official propaganda and make them join the round-the-clock singing of the praise of the Messiah who has come to take the 120 million people of this country to the portals of the Promised Land, arbitrary arrest of the vocal critics of this governmentthese are the everyday features of the daily life today.

The latest attack on critics of the government came last Tuesday (August 28) when five eminent human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and intellectuals were arrested by the Pune Police in an across-the-country raid for plottinghold your breaththe assassination of the Prime Minister of the country, no less. There were also early morning knocks on the doors of several others like the 83-year old Father Stan Swamy of Ranchi, And wonder of wonders, the investigation into so serious a plot as the assassination of the Prime Minister is being conducted single-handed by the Pune Police. The National Investigation Agency, whose job it is to conduct probe into such conspiracies, has not been involved nor, for that matter, the Intelligence Bureau, CBI or R&AW.

Modi and his minions got the first jolt when the Supreme Court, hearing a public interest litigation suit filed by historian Romila Thapar, economist Prabhat Patnaik and others, cancelled the Pune Polices application seeking transit remand of some of the accused and ordered that they be kept under house arrest till September 6. The Apex Court will hold the next hearing on September 7. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, one of the three judges constituting the Division Bench, warned the government in no uncertain terms: Dissent is the safety valve of democracy. If dissent is not allowed, then the pressure cooker may burst. Obvious truth. But obvious truths do not enter into the heads of people intoxicated by Powerthe headiest of wines. They realise the truth only when they fall from the high pedestal of power.

The judiciary, especially the higher judiciary, is now the last bastion of democracy and democratic rights and institutions of the country. If 2019 returns Modi and his cohorts to power again, the first assault will undoubtedly be made on the higher judiciary. Systematic efforts will be made to subvert the judiciary and pack it with men who support the ideology of the ruling party.

In the present age, when technology is advancing by leaps and bounds (like fraudsters inventing scheming machines for cloning bank debit and credit cards), there is not an iota of doubt that techniques will be perfected soon enough to hack ones DNA profile also which, the government claims with a straight face, will be secure and cannot be stolen. In George Orwells nightmarish novel Nineteen Eightyfour there is a telescreen in every household for watching every movement of every member of the family round the clock. And there is the ubiquitous warning: The Big Brother is Watching You. Advance of science and technology is fast turning the world into a vast prison house in which a select and fortunate few exercise complete dominance over the people. Unless the fascist forces are defeated, India may soon become a totalitarian state. Freedom is, indeed, in peril. We have to defend it with all our might.

August 30 B.D.G.
Riyadh: In a crucial move, the Kingdom of Saudi will be moving forward with a plan to dig canal that would turn the neighbouring Qatar Peninsula into an island, a Saudi official hinted.

"I am impatiently waiting for details on the implementation of the Salwa Island project, a great, historic project that will change the geography of the region," Saud al-Qahtani, a senior adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said on Twitter.

The plan which would physically separate the Qatari Peninsula from the Saudi mainland has become the latest stress point in the 14-month long dispute between the two states. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and being too close to Riyadh's arch-rival, Iran -- charges Doha denies.
Lalitpur: The Lalitpur district administration has directed the journalist to register their whatsapp groups with the district information department or face legal action under the IT Act.

In an order issued on August 25 by the District Magistrate Lalitpur Manvendra Singh, the SP, OP Singh directed all journalists to furnish details of their whatsapp groups to the district information office with details.

According to the reports, the admins of such groups are asked to submit their Aadhaar cards and photographs with a list of members of the groups. The police officials claimed that the order was issued in public interest to monitor social media groups spreading fake news causing unnecessary tension in the district.
All major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Sunday have given priority to a host of political, diplomatic, sociocultural and economic issues. The umbrella organisation of Nepali medical doctors, Nepal Medical Association, has announced a protest programme including imposing a shut down at hospitals and health facilities; and many newspapers have given the top priority to the issue today. As the fourth summit of BIMSTEC concluded in Kathmandu on Friday, follow-up stories relating to what Nepal will get from the regional body have been highlighted on the front pages.

Meanwhile, some contemporary political issues including the formation of lower level committees of Nepal Communist Party and interparty conflicts in some places have also got significant coverage.

Important

Doctors to shut down services

The Kathmandu Post reports in a three column lead story that the Nepal Medical Association has announced to shut down all the medical services except emergency care on Sunday as part of its phase-wise protests over some provisions of the newly enforced criminal code.

The new law has provisions of stringent actions against doctors if their negligence results in the death of patients. The doctors have been claiming that doctors negligence cannot be rightly measured; hence the provisions can be misused.

Meanwhile, the organisation will also demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu and in front of district administration offices in other districts.

The doctors have also warned of returning their professional licences to the Nepal Medical Council during the protest, according to Rajdhani. The Council has issued licence to 22,000 doctors so far.

On the other hand, Nagarik claims in its lead story that the criminal code was drafted under the funding of international agencies and it is sure to serve their interests.

Kathmandu airport closed as Yeti Airlines plane overshoots runway

The runway of Tribhuvan International Airport remained shut for some hours after a Yeti Airlines aircraft overshot the runway while landing at around 8:30 pm yesterday, according to newspaper reports.

Five persons have sustained minor injuries in the accident, according to a snippet in Kantipur. The Himalayan Times informs that there were 21 passengers in the plane with call sign 9NAHW that came to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj.

The planes landing gear was damaged in the crash, according to The Kathmandu Post.

Ignored

Leaders love for foreign trips affects NCP unification process

Some key leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party are currently abroad, and it is affecting the formation of the partys lower committees, according to Annapurna Post.

Of nine members of the partys secretariat, Madhav Kumar Nepal is in the United States whereas Ishwar Pokharel has left for Poland and Lebanon. On the other hand, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Narayan Kaji Shrestha are preparing to leave for India and China.

Govt bars regulatory bodies from distributing bonus

The government has amended a regulation of distributing bonus to staff, according to which regulatory bodies are barred from distributing bonus, Karobar reports in a four column story.

The amendment comes at a time when staff of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal were lobbying for the bonus. The Authority had already sent a proposal of distributing Rs 590,000 for the purpose. Now, the process has been halted, according to the report.

Dharan hospital overcrowded with parturition cases

The lead story of Kantipur says the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan is compelled to keep three patients in labour in a single bed as it has been overcrowded.

Currently, the hospital is admitting 60 to 80 patients for child birth every day. On the other hand, the hospital has begun construction of a new building for the parturition service. But, it is in limbo for past two years, according to the report.

TRC complains of lack of budget

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, one of twin transitional justice bodies, has complained of lack of budget to carry out its assignment, Nepal Samacharpatra reports in a brief story.

The report quotes TRC member Madhavi Bhatta to say that the government allocated Rs 120 million to the Commission for this year, but it is yet to receive a single penny though one and half months have already passed since the commencement of new fiscal year.

Dang woman kills mother-in-law on witchcraft charge

Republica reports in a two column story that a woman in Dang district of Province 5 allegedly killed her 69-year-old mother-in-law accusing her of practising witchcraft.

Tanki Rawat of Dangisharan Rural Municipality-3 has already confessed to the crime, but said she did so as per the instruction of a shaman, according to the report.

Though the incident took place around two weeks ago, police arrested her only yesterday.

Interesting

Govt to offer subsidised loan to youth

The government is preparing to execute the provision it announced in the annual budged that youth will be given a subsidised loan upto Rs 700,000 against their academic certificates as collatgeral, The Himalayan Times reports.

To implement the provision, the Ministry of Finance has submitted the related guideline to the Cabinet for approval. After the approval, Nepal Rastra Bank will instruct banks and financial institutions in the country to issue loans, according to the report.
MadridIn June, Spain welcomed the Aquarius migrant rescue ship with open arms. Then in August, Madrid sent back to Morocco more than 100 men who had forced their way into its overseas territory of Ceuta. The apparent U-turn has led to questions over the migration policy of the new Socialist government of Spain, which has overtaken Italy to become the preferred destination of people wanting to get to Europe. Criticized by the conservative opposition when it insisted on opening its doors, the recent expulsion has drawn stinging reproof from activists and sarcastic glee from the likes of Italys far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini. When Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez came to power on June 1 after ousting his conservative rival Mariano Rajoy, he scored a coup in Europe by opening up the eastern port of Valencia to the Aquarius. The charity ship had made headlines after being refused entry in Italy and Malta despite having 630 migrants on board whom it had saved off the coast of Libya. At the time, Sanchezs government had also announced it intended to facilitate health care access to illegal immigrants. It also planned to remove barbed wire from the fences sealing off Ceuta and Melilla, another overseas Spanish territory in Morocco, which regularly tears through the hands and legs of migrants trying to scramble over. But this had been strongly criticized by the conservative opposition who accused the Socialists of creating a pull factor for illegal immigration and encouraging human traffickers. So far this year more than 32,000 migrants have arrived in Spain by sea and land, according to the International Organization for Migrationmore than double arrivals for the same period in 2017. After the Aquarius, another charity ship belonging to the NGO Open Arms was allowed to dock in Spanish ports three times. But in mid-August, the Madrid decided to negotiate with other European states to divvy up migrants saved by the Aquarius, which was allowed to dock in Malta rather than Spain. That was an early sign of change. Then last week, Spain sent back to Morocco more than 100 migrants who had forced their way over the high double-fence of Ceuta in a mass expulsion condemned by human rights activists. On Wednesday, two migrants suspected of being the ringleaders of another violent storming of the fence at the end of July were detained. We wont allow violent migration that attacks our country and our security forces, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said Wednesday. The apparent about-turn has drawn contempt from critics. The government is only right when it backs down, Pablo Casado, head of the conservative Popular Party, said after the mass expulsion.Activists, meanwhile, are fuming. Helena Maleno, famed for her defense of migrants, slammed the measure on Monday as a racist and colonialist policy. Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo denied there had been any change, saying Spains immigration policy followed two principles-the respect of human rights and border security. Gemma Pinyol, a migration expert at consultancy Instrategies, said she believed the government wanted to make an example and show they are taking decisions, so that people dont say its a paradise of free entry. Even Europes far-right movement waded in. Spain is showing us how to deal with illegal immigrants, Alice Weidel of Germanys Alternative for Germany party, tweeted ironically. Salvini also responded with glee. If Spain does it, its ok, but if I suggest it, Im racist, fascist and inhuman, he said on Twitter. Politics expert Cristina Monge said this had discredited Sanchez. He had shown signs of having a more coherent policy, more ambitious, and this contradicts him so much that its making him lose credibility, she told AFP. Pinyol believes people were too quick in thinking things would change radically from Mariano Rajoys previous conservative government, which didnt honor its commitments where migration was concerned. The Supreme Court even ordered the state in July to take in more refugees after ruling it had only welcomed less than 13 percent of the asylum seekers Rajoy had promised to accept in 2015. The change is in asking Europe to take on more responsibility, said Pinyol. But if Spain says that and no one follows, it wont be of any use. She thinks Spain hasnt prepared well enough to take in migrants. The reception system should have been updated. The centers in Ceuta and Melilla are always saturated, she said.
When Congress reopened regular sessions last week, the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Rep. Karlo Nograles (Davao City) approved the budget-related provisions of an important bill that has been gaining the empathy and support of each legislator touched by its advocates. The pending Cancer Control Act is a landmark legislation that aims to institutionalize a national, integrated, holistic approach to address a disease that is now the third leading cause of death in the country. While the Universal Health Care Bill rightly got emphasis from President Duterte during his State of the Nation Address in July, cancer is a long over-looked complex and specialized phenomenon that demands legislative priority. The key provisions recently integrated in the latest House version of the proposed law include the establishment of a Cancer Assistance Fund, to be managed by the Department of Health, which will then report regularly to the Office of the President and Congress. The Department of Health may also solicit and receive tax-exempt donations that can be part of the fund. The governments cancer programs are also due to receive appropriations from the national budget. Thankfully the bill had found champions in both houses of congress throughout its journey. In the House of Representatives, the first version was filed by Rep. Alfred Vargas (Quezon City), with more than 200 members as co-authors, and was prioritized by the Chairperson of the House Committee on Health, Rep. Helen Tan (Quezon). In the upper house, both Senator Sonny Angara and Senate Committee on Health Chairman JV Ejercito filed their own counterpart versions. Aside from the two, 14 other senators are counted as co-authors: Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Frank Drilon, Migz Zubiri, Ralph Recto, Francis Pangilinan, Richard Gordon, Grace Poe, Sonny Trillanes, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Cynthia Villar, Joel Villanueva, and Panfilo Lacson. This is already a majority in the Senate and more will hopefully throw in their support when Senator JV Ejercito officially delivers his much-anticipated sponsorship speech. Chairman JV Ejercito conducted long hours of stakeholder consultations that has produced a consolidated Senate committee version that addresses the various gaps in the cancer care continuum and integrated solutions for every single step: from prevention, detection, correct diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, pain management and survivorship or end of life. The vision is a patient centric support system that is caring, supportive, within a progressive and enabling environment so that Filipinos affected with cancer can live with dignity, enjoying long, productive, and meaningful lives, said Senator JV Ejercito. We need to develop a system in which all people with cancer have access to high-quality and affordable cancer treatment, said Senator Angara, adding that medical advances in cancer treatment like chemotherapy remain prohibitive and beyond the reach of the poor. Civil society, the academe, and other stakeholders have also mobilized to support the long-overdue bill, led by the broad and multi-sectoral Cancer Coalition of the Philippines. Considering the 100,000 new cancer cases every year, multiplied by their immediate families and circles of support, the head count of stakeholders who stand to benefit from the bill can easily be in the millions. And indeed, if the coalitions chief advocacy is making cancer treatment more affordable, if not free, how can it incite anything but support? As cancer is a catastrophic disease which pushes families deeper into poverty, the financial burden can be overwhelming given that financial risk protection mechanisms are limited, and patients often need to shell out money from their own pockets to pay for treatment and other costs, such as medical supplies, food, and even transportation, the group said.Its an important, emotionally invested demographic that has been struggling with a growing national health threat, but even with 60,000 deaths a year, there has only been decades of lackluster response from policy makers. Hopefully this changes with this Congress. Thus, certifying the Cancer Control Bill as a priority legislation will surely resonate across all classes, rich and poor, throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It is the pervasive character of cancer that if the President signs the bill into law this year, millions will be grateful, all of whom are so deeply attached to this cause. To end, lets hear from someone who had personally experienced the harrowing, life-changing ordeal that comes with cancer diagnosis. Jojo Flores, 52 years old, has been a Stage IV tongue cancer survivor for more than nine years now. In an open letter addressed to President Duterte, he stressed the importance of the law to ordinary Filipinos like him and the legacy that it could leave this administration. He wrote: I write this letter to you on behalf of all Filipino cancer survivors (newly diagnosed, ongoing treatment, and post treatment), their affected family members and loved ones, and all cancer patient advocates. Our collective prayer and desirespearheaded by the efforts of the Cancer Coalition of the Philippinesis for the speedy passage of the Cancer Control Act. When you sign the Cancer Control Act into law, this will become a landmark health legislation, supported by millions of cancer stakeholders and co-authored by a great majority of legislators from both Houses of Congress. A legislation that has broken the political lines and will benefit the poorest Filipinos. By your simple endorsement, you will achieve what many administrations have sadly neglected. With your help, we can win the war against cancer. With your help tens of thousands of Filipino lives will be saved to become productive citizens of our country. Pass the Cancer Control Act! https://www.facebook.com/CancerCoalitionPH/
The Marijuana Investing Game is Just Starting

I recently traveled to Toronto, Canada. My wife and I took a bicycle tour and traveled to the waterfront, the old Distillery District, over to the CN Tower, up to Chinatown, and then through Kensington.



You notice things as you ride around. The people are nice, almost to a fault. The streets arent as clean as I expected. The population is very diverse, and they speak many languages.





And theres a lot of pot.



The Canadians voted to make recreational pot legal this year. It was supposed to happen in July, but was pushed back to October 17 because the provinces werent ready.



But that hasnt stopped the people in Toronto from lighting up.



As a child of the 70s, I recognize the smell of pot. On the first day, when wed pass people on the street that smelled like a head shop Id quickly turn to see whod been toking up.



By the third day, I didnt care. It was so common that it didnt matter.



Keep in mind, this is before pot is legal.



After the bike tour my wife and I returned to Kensington, which is an eclectic shopping district.



At one point I noticed a small tent between two townhouses.



A group was trailing under the tent toward the back yard. I followed (of course), and we found ourselves in a marijuana bazaar, with everything from the smokable buds to the edibles, oils, and topical creams.



A lot of Canadians are ready for legalization. They expect the industry to be worth several billion dollars.



Thats nice. But its small potatoes. The real prize is here in the U.S., and were only starting to scratch the surface.



Marijuana is legal for adult use in nine states, and for medical use in 30 states. But those numbers are terribly misleading.



Yes, marijuana is legal for adult use in California, but the laws governing licensing, inspection, and compliance are onerous, as are the taxes. And then theres the little matter of how you run your business.



Because marijuana is still a Schedule 1 drug per the federal government, no business with a national charter or regulator, like banks, will touch the industry.



The pot industry runs on cash, using greenbacks to pay for everything from inventory to employees to taxes. This has created a cottage industry for security guards!



And when you file your business taxes, you cant write off the cost of inventory as an expense. The IRS wont allow you to deduct the price of illicit drugs.



Its no wonder that, even though pot is legal in some states, it hasnt destroyed the black market.



As for medical marijuana, it exists in name only in many places. I wrote about this last year in Boom & Bust.



In Texas, you can get a prescription for medical marijuana, but only if you have epilepsy. And youve tried at least two other drug regimens without success. And your doctor, who must spend at least 70% of his time on such diseases, prescribes the drug. And then you get a second opinion.



Right. Thats not access. Thats denial.



But we know something. The market is coming, because 9% of Americans over 18 years old say they have used marijuana in the last month, and 14% say they have used it in the last year.



The number of adults using marijuana regularly has grown dramatically since 2009, from 15 million to more than 22 million. And there are currently more than 2 million Americans registered to receive medical marijuana.



Both of these markets will grow (pun intended) dramatically over the next decade.



Attorney General Jeff Sessions threw cold water on the industry earlier this year when he rescinded the Cole Memo. That memorandum instructed the Justice Department to follow state law with regard to prosecuting marijuana crimes, which meant ignoring it in states where it is legal.



Sessions instructed his prosecutors to follow the law. So far, there hasnt been an uptick in pot prosecutions in states where it is legal.



The market will grow, whether Jeff Sessions likes it or not.



And it wont be because a bunch of Millennials  or Boomers for that matter  want to get high.



Instead, it will be aging Boomers, those with creaky knees, rheumatoid arthritis, and painful hips and shoulders who demand the change.



This group will want access to a pain reliever that wont kill their kidneys like ibuprofen, and wont destroy their lives like opioids. And is cheap.



Medical marijuana, and even over the counter pot, will fit the bill.



This industry is coming. It will be massive. And its just getting started.



Ill talk more at our Irrational Economic Summit in Austin next month about the pot industry, how its developing, and the opportunities we have as investors to get in on the ground floor.



I hope to see you there! Were holding a special Labor Day weekend sale on tickets, so keep an eye out for the details.

Rodney

Follow me on Twitter ;@RJHSDent

By Rodney Johnson, Senior Editor of Economy & Markets

http://economyandmarkets.com

Copyright  2018 Rodney Johnson - 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.

Rodney Johnson Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




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Home  Just In  Kathmandu City launches free wifi service at heritage sites, parks

Kathmandu, September 2

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Sunday launched the free wifi service at various six places including cultural heritage sites and public parks.

The service was launched at Hanumandhoka Durba Square, Pashupatinath area, Swayambhunath Stupa, Bauddhanath Stupa, Balaju and Shankhapark.

Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya inaugurated the project launched in partnership with WorldLink, one of the leading ISPs of Nepal.

On the occasion, Mayor Shakya said the local government was planning to make the entire city free-wifi zone.

He, however, warned, The internet can be an addition sometimes. We need to be cautious on how to work on it by considering potential risks as well.

A person can get the free 10 mbps internet connection for 30 minutes a day for free at these places.

There will be 11 access points at Pashupati, four at Bauddha, two at Shankhapark, seven at Balaju Baisdhara Park, five at Swayambhu and nine at Basantapur.

The City in April had signed an agreement with WorldLink to launch the service.
The trailer of Meri Mamu is a combination of unconnected shots with some violence and this may deter you from watching it. However, the movie is a strong presentation of an intriguing plot; and stands a bit higher than the average production in terms of its story as well as cinematic art.

The film is a series of unimaginable coincidences into which the characters fall one after another. The movie is a typical tragedy. Despite some weaknesses acting and technique, the movie creates a cathartic experience.

A model tragedy

Scriptwriter and director Yam Thapas craftsmanship reflects well in the way the plot is revealed. Best friends Mamata and Manisha (Kusum Gurung and Aslesha Thakuri), fall in love with the same person, Dr Aakash (Saruk Tamrakar). But Manisha is diagnosed with cancer.

The coincidences that follow complicate the plot: Mamata prevents Manisha from tying the knot with Aayush saying that her cancer will kill her soon. Manishas grandfather, meanwhile, tells Aayush about his granddaughters ailment; Aayush makes it an issue with Mamata on their wedding anniversary; Mamata decides to force Aayush to marry Manisha after he confesses that she was his first love; Mamata dies in a car crash.

Now, the couples son, Prem (played by Ayub Sen) thinks that Manisha killed his mom Mamata. On the other hand, Aakash ties the knot with her, also to take care of Prem, who makes childish efforts to kill her step-mom.

A kind-hearted Manisha, however, makes desperate efforts to establish herself as a caring mother for Prem. The tension between these two constitutes the conflict in the story.

Manishas encountering of the situations and finding the ultimate escape in the ultimate tragedyher own deathmake her position as vulnerable as that of the hero of Oedipus Rex, popularly considered the most powerful western tragedy archetype. Mamatas life also constitutes a similar tragedyfate leads her to the situations that she wants to avoid and ultimately towards death.

If we are to consider Manisha (and, Mamata and Aakash), not Prem, as the hero of the movie, another key requirement of tragedy as defined by Aristotlethat intrinsic flaws of the characters lead to their downfallis also perfectly applicable in the movie. Manisha is more benevolent and sacrificing than necessary; she believes in idealism more than in reality. Mamata is overthinking and emotional. Aakash is so kind and gentle that he lets himself enter a catastrophe that he could have easily avoided (by rejecting both the women after knowing that they were in competition to get him). Their own weaknesses are responsible for their tragic fall.

Positives

The strongest aspect of the movie is its plot. It holds the audiences attention from beginning to the end. The beginning is interesting as Prems statement, My mom will never return, makes the audience imagine what really had happened to his mom. The end is powerful; the central message is effectively delivered with an emotional appeal. The concluding song, Malai maaph garideu, aama, fits the scene.

Sens acting in Prems character is so realistic that members of the audience temporarily feel he is a real victim of fate. The stitch on his forehead, his long hair and emotionally charged face give him the look of a disturbed child. The director has trained him quite well; and he holds a promising growth potential in the industry. Tamrakar has also made genuine efforts to establish himself as a gentleman.

A couple of scenes set in Prems school establish the movie as a realistic story. In addition, they add fun to the film.

Though the movie is an apparent tragedy, it is a learning journey, a movement from ignorance to knowledge, to the child. The audience now expects him to understand how much love and care Manisha provided to him. Therefore, this is also a story of hope.

The cinematography is excellent. Camerapersons and editors also have done a commendable job as they have pictured different times of a day, different seasons and placesvarious crossroads of Kathmandu, Tharu village and jungle roadsrealistically.

Negatives

The story is told from Manishas perspective, but her narrative is artificial and dull. Thakuri has problems in both forms of speeches, storytelling and dialogue delivery. Her sentences are long. Some of them are quite formal which people do not use in day-to-day conversation. Acting and dialogue delivery of teachers at Prems school also look artificial.

Two best friends falling in love with the same person is a cliched triangular love story. The scriptwriter could have chosen a different pattern to deliver his message in the movie.

The film connects positive human qualities with some baseless superstitions. For example, Prem, trained by Mamata, believes that a cat crossing the way is a bad omen to people seeing it. When Manisha and Prem are on their way to Devghat, a cat crosses the road in front of them. The writer and the director make Manisha die on the same day, proving the false beliefs power. This could have been avoided as well.

Of two songs used in the play, the first song does not contribute anything to the movie in essence. So is the role of a neighbourhood womanshe is cynical and believes in conspiracy theories. Members of the audience laugh at her foolish dialogues though.

Verdict

Why people love tragedies though they want to avoid them in real life is a philosophical question. Literary theorists believe that such works give the audience a chance for catharsis, the process through which they express their emotions in the form of sympathy to fictional characters; and it is healthy to their emotional well-being.

Meri Mamu is also a tragic family drama with a cathartic potential. You wont regret watching it.

Meri Mamu

Run time: 110 minutes

Genre: Tragedy, family drama

Director: Yam Thapa

Cast: Ayub Sen, Ashesha Thakuri, Kusum Gurung, Saruk Tamrakar

4/5
Home  Just In  Nepali gangster Dawa Lama arrested in India over banknote forgery charge

Kathmandu, September 2

Police in New Delhi of India have arrested Nepali gangster Dawa Lama, who was on Nepal Police most wanted list, on the charge of banknote forgery.

Acting on a tipoff, a team deployed arrested him in the Indian capital when he was landing there from Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri of West Bengal.

Lama is the chairperson of Kavre district committee of youth wing of main opposition party Nepali Congress.

He has been arrested on the basis of someone elses report, the youth wings acting central chairperson Uttam Chapagain says, But, he has rejected the charge. If he has been arrested without any valid reason, he should be freed at the earliest.

An official of Nepal Police, on the condition of anonymity, also confirmed the report. He added that police in Kolkata, West Bengals capital city, was carrying out further investigation into the case.
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Welcome to Seven in Seven, where each week we typically take a look at shows coming to the region over the next week. And while venue doors are slowly opening again, due to the current pandemic they arent quite there...
Letter to editor: Congress can get this right
September 02, 2018 Syria Sitrep - U.S. To Stay To "Create Quagmires" Last week we looked at the upcoming campaign to liberate Idleb. The attack will commence only after the September 7 summit of the presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran in Tehran. Meanwhile the U.S. detailed its future role in the war on Syria. The new U.S. aim in Syria is to hinder all potential progress in the reestablishing of government control as well as to obstruct any repair of the damage its war on Syria caused. The semi-permanent U.S. occupation of north-east Syria will be used in a new (and futile) attempt to achieve the long held U.S. aim of regime change. Secretary of Defense Mattis declared as much in a recent press conference. Asked about Iran in Syria he said: What are they doing in Syria in the first place, other than propping up someone who has committed mayhem and murder on his own people? They have no business there. And our goal is to move the Syria civil war into the Geneva process so the Syrian people can establish a new government that is not led by Assad and give them a chance for a future that Assad has denied them, with -- with overt Russian and Iranian support. If Iran, a treaty ally invited by the legitimate Syrian government, has 'no business' in Syria what business does the uninvited U.S. invasion force have? Asked about the prospect of U.S. troops in Syria Mattis said: [L]et me give three points here. One, we have to destroy ISIS. The president's been very clear that -- that ISIS is to be taken out, so that's got to happen. We also have to have trained local troops who can take over. We're doing that training as we speak. As we uncover ground, the chairman's got people assigned there specifically to train the locals. And third, we need the Geneva process, the U.N.-recognized process to start making traction towards solving this war. Now, if the locals are able to keep the security, obviously during this time we might be reducing our troops commensurate with their ability to meet -- deny ISIS a return, but it really comes down to finding a way to solve this problem of Assad's making. The claim that the U.S. is there to fight ISIS is a lie. ISIS is still active in two places in Syria. Both are under U.S. control. On the east side of the Euphrates, near Al-Bukamal, ISIS holds several villages and the city of Hajin with originally some 40,000 inhabitants. The U.S. and its Kurdish controlled proxy force SDF stopped attacking those ISIS position in November 2017.

bigger On June 6 Mattis announced that the attack on ISIS in Hajin had re-commenced but there was zero news of any fighting. Instead ISIS forces from Hajin crossed the Euphrates and attacked Syrian government positions. Further imminent attacks on ISIS in Hajin were announced by the U.S. proxy forces on July 13 and on August 14. None happened. The U.S. claims that the SDF has 50,000 fighters. What are they doing? Refugees from Hajin ask the same question and protest against the delays: [H]undreds of displaced people in Bahra village, Gharanij town, and other areas east of Deir Ezzor went out in demonstrations demanding the SDF to start a military operation and control Hajin town and expel the Islamic State organization from it and the from entire east of Euphrates River, in order to return to their homes. For ten month now ISIS sits unmolested in Hajin and the nearby areas. According to (pdf) the UN Sanctions Monitoring Team it is again extracting and selling oil and "earning millions of dollars per month". ISIS attacks from Hajin on Syrian government forces west of the Euphrates continue. The other ISIS concentration in Syria is around the al-Tanf border crossing between Syria and Iraq which is also under illegal U.S. control. The nearby Rukban refugee camp, with allegedly 50,000 inhabitants, is housing many ISIS families. Last week the Syrian army prevented an attack from the U.S. controlled area towards Palmyra: "The militants objective was to conduct a series of terrorist attacks in the vicinity of the city of Palmyra and to ensure the passage of the main forces of about 300 militants to capture the city within the next week," the [the Russian Reconciliation Center]s report said. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the militants, captured by Syrian government forces, claimed that they had been trained and armed by American instructors in a camp near the US military base in al-Tanf. The U.S. is not fighting ISIS in Syria. It is building semi-permanent bases, trains a large proxy force, and controls Syria's oilfields. Its aim is still regime change, the same aim it had when it launched the war on Syria seven and a half years ago. To achieve that it will continue to sow as much chaos as possible. As CIA and Pentagon mouthpiece David Ignatius wrote this week: [T]he administration has stopped the dithering and indecision of the past 18 months and signaled that the United States has enduring interests in Syria, beyond killing Islamic State terrorists  and that it isnt planning to withdraw its Special Operations forces from northeastern Syria anytime soon. Right now, our job is to help create quagmires [for Russia and the Syrian regime] until we get what we want, says one administration official, explaining the effort to resist an Idlib onslaught. This approach involves reassuring the three key U.S. allies on Syrias border  Israel, Turkey and Jordan  of continued American involvement. ... It is quote doubtful that Turkey or Jordan are happy to see continued U.S. meddling in Syria. ... U.S. goals in Syria have been sketched publicly by Pompeo and Mattis: withdrawal of all Iranian-commanded forces from the country, rather than just from a 50-mile buffer zone along the Israel border, as in the deal Russia arranged; and a political transition that can prevent Syria from becoming a terrorist base again and stabilize it enough that refugees can return to their homes. Pompeo and Mattis want more U.S. involvement in the Geneva deliberations on a political transition, too. The U.S. is massively expanding its positions in north-east Syria. More than 1,600 trucks with new equipment arrived over the last month. The U.S. now has 18 bases in north-east Syria, 6 of which have their own landing strips. The media continue to claim the the U.S. has 2,000 soldiers in the north-east. The real number is more than double or triple of that. It is quite obvious that the U.S. is settling in with the intent to split the north-east from the rest of Syria, similar to what it did with the creation of a Kurdish entity in northern Iraq. Much of the U.S. position in north-east Syria depends on the outcome of the current government formation in Iraq. Pro- and anti-U.S. factions are in fierce competition. Without a friendly Iraqi government the U.S. contingent in Syria is isolated and cut off from land supplies. The U.S. is warning that any attack on Idleb "will escalate the crisis in Syria and the region". The former British ambassador to Syria Peter Ford fears that France, the UK and the U.S. (FUKUS) will repeat a Suez crisis. They will use the pretext of a "chemical attack", staged by the White Helmets propaganda group, to launch a large bombing attack against Syria. But like the attack on the Suez Canal 62 years ago such an operation would be in vane: Suez was a fiasco. While militarily it was a mitigated success, politically it achieved the opposite of what was planned. Nasser emerged stronger than ever. Will history repeat itself? Assad has only to survive physically a few days barrage (if he is wise, he will repair to the Russian base near Latakia for the duration) to emerge just as Nasser emerged from Suez, bloodied but unbowed. Edens career was over when he resigned two months after the armistice in Egypt. (Peter Ford was recently interviewed (vid) by Syria Girl.) Russia is well aware of the U.S. intent to create chaos: A senior Kremlin official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that American officials want to play spoiler big time. They are disgusted that weve gotten an upper hand in dealing with this crisis and now they want to put spokes in every wheel we are trying to make roll.

...

The Kremlin source added, Conversations with Turks arent going easy but we are optimistic in that both parties are genuinely inclined to find a mutually acceptable solution. Another outside military escalation in Syria now will be seen as a clear intent to hamper this process. Frankly, its irritating and exhausting that every time theres a need for a needle to fix certain fine things there comes a guy with an ax saying hes going to fix it altogether. The U.S. is not only spoiling the military operations against the terrorists in Syria. It is trying to hamper any reconstruction and the return of refugees. Reconstruction is made more difficult by the devious sanction regime of the U.S. and EU. But like other problems these will be overcome. It is the U.S. and the EU that will lose the business opportunities while Russian, Chinese and other countries companies will thrive on them. 'Western' media continue to support their governments' line. AFP Beirut office, notorious for pro-Jihadist reporting by its freelancers within al-Qaeda territory, is providing another example. The UN's Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) recently held a conference about reconstruction in Syrian and provided an estimate of the economic war a damage. The AFP headline is: Cost Of Syria War Destruction At $388 Billion, Says UN ESCWA said the "volume of destruction in physical capital and its sectoral distribution" had been estimated at more than $388 billion. It said the figure did not include "human losses resulting from deaths or the loss of human competences and skilled labour due to displacement, which were considered the most important enablers of the Syrian economy." As that figure seems way too high, a look at that passage in the original ESCWA press release is advisable: Discussions focused on estimations related to the volume of destruction in physical capital and its sectoral distribution, which according to ESCWA experts reached over $388 billion US dollars, while the actual physical cost of destruction was close to 120 billion dollars. These figures do not include human losses resulting from deaths or the loss of human competences and skilled labor due to displacement, which were considered the most important enablers of the Syrian economy. AFP left out the half sentence which describes the actual physical damage, $120 billion. The other $268 billion ESCWA cites are an estimate of lost opportunities and not realized profits. They simply never happened. When the AFP leaves out that half sentence it is exaggerating the damage and advances the 'western' claim that Syria needs 'western' money to rehabilitate itself. One news item on the upcoming Idleb campaign is encouraging. Turkey gave up on convincing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which rules most of Idleb province, to dissolve. It finally admitted so on Friday when it blacklisted HTS as an al-Qaeda affiliated terror group. With this move Turkey is giving a green light for the Syrian/Russian operation in Idleb. Like the U.S. Turkey is eager to hold onto as much of Syria as it can. But Syria does not welcome occupiers. In Azaz city, near the Turkish-Syrian border, people held a sit-in against the Turkish controlled local administration. The protests were dissolved by a bomb exploding next to them. In Afrin district, taken by the Turkish forces a few month ago, daily guerrilla attacks against the occupiers continue. In Qamishli city in the U.S./SDF held Hasakah province Syrian Arab Christians protested after the Kurds shut down two Christian schools. Local IED attacks against Kurdish SDF forces around Raqqa occur every other day. The U.S. wants to create a quagmire in Syria. By doing so it will likely find itself in one. That is what happened to Turkey: Seven years into the war in Syria, as Turkey struggles to shield itself from the destabilizing spillover of regional turmoil, Erdogans bet on the Arab world looks increasingly like a losing one. A Syria at war has become the graveyard for any dreams of the neo-Ottoman grandeur he may have nurtured. The U.S. is allegedly drawing up a target list for a large scale strike on Syria after a staged chemical incident. But has anyone thought about the U.S. forces in al-Tanf or in north-eastern Syria? If the U.S. strikes at the Syrian government in Damascus and elsewhere, all gloves will come off. Can the relatively few U.S. soldiers strewn over many small bases survive an all out attack by the Syrian missile and air forces? How would the U.S. react when a few hundred of its soldiers get killed? Could the then following escalation be limited to Syria? Can Israel survive a Hizbullah missile strike on its industrial centers? The wish to "create quagmires" can easily get out of hand and the U.S. may very soon find itself in a pretty deep one. Do Trump, Mattis or Pompeo really want to carry that burden? Posted by b on September 2, 2018 at 16:24 UTC | Permalink Comments
The Patan Krishna Mandir, built in 1637 by Siddhi Narsing Malla, has a lot of cultural significance. Built-in the Shikhara style and constructed using carved stone, instead of the usual brick and timber, this temple is one of the oldest stone temples in Nepal.

While many pagoda style temples were reduced to rubble, in the past, the Krishna Mandir had not been damaged until the quake in 2015. The temple incurred a lot of structural damageespecially the top two floors that housed Shiva and Buddha. It was closed for visitors.

The floor above the Krishna shrine was the worst hit by the earthquake, explains Dr Rohit Ranjitkar, who is the Program Director of Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT), an organisation working on cultural preservation in Patan. The pillars were damaged significantly along with the cornerstones which were supporting the floors above.

To make sure the whole structure doesnt crumble, KVPT, after studying the temple, decided to support the building by propping it. Many approached us telling us to demolish the building and build it again. But doing that would make this 17th-century temple new. So we decided to restore the traditional way, he adds.

During the examination of the temple, KVPT officials realised that they had to tread carefully because the soft cornerstones had given up during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The one on the north-west corner was in such a bad state it didnt even exist.

Their first measure was to assemble the pieces which had to be extracted carefully. The blocks were quite bigsome of them more than 2 feet long. Removing them was quite hard, he explains.

After removing the cornerstones, engineers at KVPT decided to place one cornerstone on the building at a time. It was an excellent advice because as the stones were bearing the load of the building, we needed to give lime mortar time to settle, which would guarantee its longevity.

Each cornerstone took two-three weeks to settle. The cornerstones were weakened due to the 1934 earthquake. The people then didnt do enough after that earthquake. This is the reason why the temple suffered structural damage and to avoid a repeat of such incidents, we were ready to be patient, he adds.

While many conservation works are done by contractors, KVPT doesnt believe in working with themmainly because they want to do things their own way. We have our own team of engineers who assess the building and then come up with solutions to rebuild them.

Giving it to the lowest bidder will compromise the integrity of work done. This is the reason we work with local artisans of Patan and Bhaktapur who know what we are trying to achieve, he shares.

One artisan is Surya Bahadur Ranjitkar who has been working as a sculptor with KVPT for the past nine years. I feel glad to have been given the chance to work in this building, he adds. Its special because even my father who taught me this worked here as a mason before.

His role in the restoration: carve stones and give inputs to the engineers to make sure the building doesnt fall off. The Sikhara style buildings have stone clips on the corners. It is similar to the locks in the wooden temples in the area and that clip had to be of a particular shape that is where I gave my inputs, he shares.

After the cornerstones were settled Surya Bahadur then started his work of giving patterns to the stones. The stone carvings along the beam above the first and second-floor pillar are most notable as they narrate the events of the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

The old patterns were very complex but having worked as a sculptor for as long as I didnt have a hard time. I took my time and feel have done a good job, he shares.

Working on a pagoda building is different from working on a sikhara building. Rock work is not easy, it takes time and we have to be extra careful if we are to repair it properly, they say.

After 18 months, the temple is finally restored thanks to KVPT who spent Rs. 5.7 million on the project. This year, the temple welcomed pilgrims for the first time in three years. We had to take our time. This is an important building here in Patan and we dont want to risk human lives, shares Dr Ranjitkar who adds that the funding for the temple came from the Gerda Henkel Foundation and the Japanese Embassy.

The foreign aid we received was quite helpful. It helped rebuild this Durbar Square in a way it was before the earthquake. Yes, most of the temples will be new, but at least the people will relate to it, he shares.
New research from Nepal and the Bay of Bengal reveals that a little-understood phenomenon in the Himalayan region  atmospheric rivers  may be key to understanding and managing floods and water use

June 17, 2013 was an eventful day in South Asia  an unprecedented calamity gripped the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where more than 5,000 people died in the floods triggered by continuous rain. In western Nepal, a swollen Mahakali displaced over 2,500 people as the river burst its banks in Darchula and inundated large swathes of land in the district headquarters Khalanga.

Four months before the disaster struck, South Asia grappled with yet another eventful day. On February 6, 2013, torrential rain killed 34 people in Pakistan, most of them living near the countrys north-western border. In Nepal, a heavy downpour fell along with hailstorms in the western hills and the mountainous districts along with a few areas in the central region. In Humla and other hilly districts, incessant snowfall crippled general life. But the eastern part of the country, which had not received rain for a long time, remained dry.

While both the events have been linked with the Westerly Disturbance that brings rainfall to the higher latitude of South Asia usually during winter, findings from a new study suggest that a previously unexplored phenomenon, called atmospheric rivers (ARs) or rivers in the sky, could have also contributed.

According to the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, atmospheric rivers are long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that look like rivers in the sky. They transport water vapour outside the tropics as they move with the weather. When the atmospheric rivers make landfall or hit mountains, they often release this water vapour in the form of heavy rain or snow.

This definition intrigued Kritika Thapa, currently a consulting environmental engineer in Syracuse, New York. Thapas graduate school adviser at the State University of New York, Theodore Endreny, where Thapa was pursuing her research in 2013, mentioned atmospheric rivers while Thapa was trying to come up with a topic for her masters thesis in water resources engineering.

Ted (Endreny) and I were discussing using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data for creating Intensity Duration Frequency (IDF) curves for Nepal as I had wanted to focus on extreme events using remote sensing data. Then he mentioned the possibility of analysing the TRMM data for trends in the formation of atmospheric rivers. That was the first time I heard about ARs and was fascinated, said Thapa, the primary author of a paper on atmospheric rivers in the Himalayan region published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres.

Thapa, who is originally from Nepal, learned that ARs had been mostly studied in Britain as well as the West Coast and the Central United States and that they have the potential to influence regional precipitation and flooding. For example, in the state of California anywhere between 30-60% of the rainfall is caused by ARs, managing the reservoirs to account for this deluge is essential both to stop flooding and retain water for domestic needs. Thapa wanted to find out if such events existed in Nepal and the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.

Nepal has the high Himalayas with some extratropical cyclone influences in the form of western disturbances and its not that far from the coast, said Thapa. I wrote to a prominent scientist who had been working in the field of ARs for a long time and asked if ARs could be active over the Himalayas. The scientist did not have a definitive answer and given the low presence of extratropical cyclones (that ARs are typically associated with), was not inclined to suspect that ARs would be active in the region.

Thapa decided to pursue it anyway, given the potential benefits if ARs were detected in the region.

The research was designed to advance humanitarian engineering by focusing novel computational algorithms on global environmental data to benefit high vulnerability communities, said Endreny, one of the co-authors of the paper, and chair of the environmental engineering department at SUNY ESF. Endreny, along with Craig Ferguson, a researcher and faculty at Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (SUNY-Albany), helped with the design of the study.

Thapa then ran the integrated water vapour transport (IVT) based algorithm, which has been proven to be robust for AR representation, using ERA-Interim, a global atmospheric reanalysis created by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. We do not have precipitation records for all areas we wanted to cover, that is why we use the ERA-Interim data for precipitation as well, Thapa said.

The trio decided not to look at data from the monsoon because monsoon precipitation was well studied. The October to May period brings catastrophic precipitation in certain parts of the region and warranted a focused study to improve forecasting and reduce risk and harm, said Endreny.

Thapa completed her masters thesis in 2015 and submitted her manuscript to JGR-Atmospheres for review with some additional precipitation analyses in August 2017. Meanwhile, another group of scientists were also studying the nature of ARs in South Asia, especially in the Bay of Bengal Area using a similar IVT algorithm. They were giving finishing touches to the project in July 2017.

ARs are real and they are affecting South Asia

Both the papers report that ARs do have a bearing on the weather in Nepal and its neighbouring areas. Thapa detected the presence of 433 ARs over 35 years, or approximately 12 ARs yearly, around western Nepal. They found out that ARs can explain 78% of daily precipitation that exceeds 33 mm in the non-monsoon season from October to May.

The other paper, meanwhile, detected a total of 149 ARs in the Bay of Bengal area from 1979 to 2011. It detected more AR events in the area in May and October than during any other time of the year. In addition to that, the researchers found that 24% of ARs occur during tropical cyclones. This implies a possible connection between them [ARs and tropical cyclones], in addition to the similar intra-annual distribution, the paper stated.

The researchers also found a close correlation between AR and extreme rainfall (ER) events. A large proportion of ARs would lead to ERs, while a small fraction of ERs occur after ARs, they noted.

Atmospheric rivers are new to the meteorological discourse in this part of the world, said Madan Sigdel, Assistant Professor at the Central Department of Meteorology and Hydrology at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. He said that Nepals forecasters are not aware of ARs.

Along comes climate change

A NASA-led study recently showed that climate change is likely to intensify atmospheric rivers across the world by the end of this century. While the study suggests that their number will be slightly reduced, they will be significantly longer and wider. According to the study, the frequency of the most intense atmospheric river storms is projected to nearly double.

Ferguson, Thapas thesis co-adviser and co-author of the paper, said, Effective water resource management and disaster preparedness is founded on a firm understanding of the primary drivers of regional precipitation means and extremes.

We showed for the first time that a surprisingly large number of annual precipitation extremes in Nepal were linked to atmospheric river events occurring outside of the summer monsoon season. This finding is remarkable because, until now, water resource management has mainly focused on the monsoon.

He believes that added accounting for atmospheric rivers would substantially improve regional management capabilities. In a warming world, glacial meltwaters will compose an increasingly smaller fraction of regional stream flow. Conversely, atmospheric rivers are expected to intensify in magnitude and frequency. Thus, the role of atmospheric rivers in Nepalese water budget stands to grow.

Thapa believes that accounting for ARs can potentially be used to make forecasts more accurate, better manage water resources in places like California, and make Himalayan communities more resilient to climate change. Our study only scratches the surface of AR activity in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region and I hope that there will be follow up studies in the future, she said.

This story was first published on thethirdpole.net.
MERIDEN  Police Chief Jeffry Cossette and city councilors are blaming each other over the planned elimination of three school resource officers and the departments neighborhood initiative unit as residents and city officials continue to raise concerns about the impact of the changes.

Cossette said $423,000 in cuts recently made to his budget by the City Council and the mayor will force him to eliminate the NI program and three SRO positions and move those officers back to patrol as a way to reduce the departments $1.5 million overtime account.

Councilors, who cut $250,000 from police last month in an effort to lower taxes following a referendum, said they gave Cossette the choice of how to alter his budget. It was Cossettes choice to cut the positions, councilors contended.

The City Council did not remove neighborhood initiative officers, not one. We eliminated $250,000 from the police chiefs budget, Democratic Councilor Brian Daniels, who chairs the councils finance committee, said during a meeting last month. ...To be absolutely clear, were talking about $250,000 in a $13.5 million budget. What the chief decides his priorities are are his and his alone.

Cossette said its ridiculous for the council to think he could have absorbed the cuts anywhere but the NI unit and SROs.

Councilors will make comments that it wasnt them that cut positions, but the funding has to be there for the positions to exist, Cossette said. Theres going to be a lot of finger-pointing. The council will be pointing fingers at me, but its all about funding, its all about the money. You give me the money and Ill give you the services I deem the best ...To say theyre not cutting the positions with half a million dollars is ridiculous ...Thats kind of like not paying your electric bill and then blaming Eversource when they come to shut off your electricity.

In addition to the councils $250,000 cut, Mayor Kevin Scarpati also cut $173,000 last week in anticipation of Cossette and Deputy Chief Tim Topulos retirements, but Cossette and Topulos said this week they have no plans to retire soon.

Cossette said he looked at cutting other areas of his budget but said most line items are pretty much at bare bones and have minor if any increases. The $423,000 in cuts, Cossette said, is compounded by the fact the council only funded the department for 113 officers this year, even though the department currently has 118, which creates an additional shortfall of $100,000.

I dont have a choice, Cossette said. If I dont cut anything, and at the end of the year Im over $500,000 in the red, its my neck thats on the line.

Council Minority Leader Dan Brunet said he thinks Cossettes cuts to the NI unit and SROs are unnecessary and contended there are other places to cut in the budget.

He has done absolutely nothing to bring ideas to the table except one swooping cut, Brunet said.

Brunet has accused Cossette of using his cuts as scare tactics  a claim Cossette denied.

They're not scare tactics, what they're called is facts, basic accounting facts, Cossette said.

Cossette recently notified the NI and school resource officers that they will be moved back to patrol and said changes will take effect Sept. 15.

Cossette created the neighborhood initiative unit in 2004 after the previous chief had eliminated community policing. Officers in the NI unit are assigned to specific areas and neighborhoods to work with residents to proactively resolve any safety or quality of life issues. Cossette said the NI unit, which has nine officers, a sergeant, and a lieutenant, has helped reduce crime in the city by about 20 percent since 2005.

It definitely helps the city, said Deputy Mayor Michael Cardona, who chairs the councils public safety committee. I don't think anybody thinks its a waste of money I didnt hear that argument once.

Cossette said while the city will be safe going forward, its the additional community policing benefits that will not be present.

Several residents raised concerns about cuts to the NI unit and SROs during a meeting Thursday night with Cossette and other city officials. Cossette said the meeting got heated at times when residents expressed they wanted cuts restored.

This is complete devastation to our neighborhoods, Holly Wills, president of the Meriden Council of Neighborhoods, said this week.

Im really concerned that its going to cause a lot more crime, a lot more robberies, said Elizabeth Day, who represents the area of Lewis Avenue on the Council of Neighborhoods. ...Im scared. Im scared for the quality of life for Meriden at this point.

Wills said the neighborhood associations have partnered closely with the NI unit over the years to address crime and other issues.

Everything weve done for the last 20 years is now ruined, she said.

Cossette said officers will still try to stay involved by attending neighborhood association meetings when possible.

Were not abandoning our neighborhoods by any means, its just that theyre not going to be able to get the attention that theyre used to right now, he said.

Its possible Cossette would bring back NI unit and school resource officers later on in the fiscal year if funding becomes available, but he said that couldnt happen until January because a contract with the police union only allows him to reassign positions in September, January, and May. Officers have to be notified for reassignment and then they bid for shifts based on seniority, he said.

The three school resource officer positions being cut include two officers assigned to the citys two middle schools and another officer assigned to all elementary schools. The two remaining school resource officers will remain at Platt and Maloney High Schools.

Meriden first put officers in schools in 1998 and Cossette said the program has been very successful.

Board of Education President Mark Hughes said the elimination of three resource officers is completely unacceptable and does not recognize the time in which we are currently living in a letter this week to the City Council, mayor, city manager, and Cossette.

At a time when school violence is causing all communities to prioritize safety and security measures, we implore each of you, in your respective positions, to work together to find resolve and do whatever is necessary to keep our students safety at the forefront by continuing our SRO program at the elementary and middle school levels, Hughes letter stated.

Hughes said the board has allocated over $1.2 million for school security measures over the last six years, but in order for any of us to be successful in our collaborative efforts to maintain optimal safety we need to ensure prioritization of SROs.

An SRO assigned to elementary schools was the first officer to respond to a report of a pressure cooker found outside Israel Putnam Elementary School on Thursday morning, according to Cossette.

Scarpati said the SROs response demonstrates the position's importance, while Brunet said he thought the situation was blown out of proportion and doesnt see how it is connected to SROs.

Personally, I would have just picked it up and put it in the trash, Brunet said about the pressure cooker.

Cossette said the call went to the SRO, and not patrol, due to the pressure cookers proximity to the school and the fact that the officers shift had already started. Going forward without SROs, Cossette said that sort of call would be assigned to a patrol officer, who would be able to respond just as quick, if not quicker.

mzabierek@record-journal.com

203-317-2279

Twitter: @MatthewZabierek
Regional

Flood situation worsens in NE as China releases water into Siang river

By Nagaland Post | Publish Date: 9/2/2018 1:01:35 PM IST

GUWAHATI, SEP 2 (AGENCIES/PTI): The heart-balming situation is that Kerala recovers from the overwhelming damage of flood but miserably the Centre has again raised an alarm over the grim flood situation in the North Eastern states. Now North Eastern states like Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, and are caught up in the similar flood like situation in Kerala.

On Sunday, another wave of flood hit Assam inundating four districts affecting over 12,000 people while the Brahmaputra and its tributaries are flowing above the danger level.

Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report said that a total of 676 hectares of farm land in Dhemaji, Biswanath, Golaghat and Sivasagar districts was also submerged in the third wave of flood this season,.

The deluge affected 12,428 people in 48 villages of these four districts.

China had earlier sent an alert to India of heavy rainfall in the region as it would soon release water into the Tsangpo River.

A flood alert was issued in low-lying areas bordering the Siang (Brahmaputra) river in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam after China warned India about the rising water level at Tsangpo river across the border.

According to report the Brahmaputra in Assam and Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh are flowing along the danger mark as there is every a possibility of flooding the North Eastern states.

Tsangpo, the Chinese portion of the Brahmaputra, has never witnessed such heavy rainfall in the last 50 years. China released water into Siang, the Indian portion of the Brahmaputra and the water level has been swelling ever since.

As of now, the various gauge and discharge stations at Tsangpo has recorded a release of 9,020 cumecs (cubic metres per second) of water.

Taking note of this, Meghalaya government also issued a warning on Friday evening, asking deputy commissioners of West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and North Garo Hills to be on high alert.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed teams across vulnerable points in the North Eastern states.

Around 1,000 families have been affected who lived along the Siang River at Mebo area in East Siang. Red alerts have been issued to residents of Borguli, Seram, Namsing, Mer and Sigar villages. These villages are on the left bank of the Siang and water volume in the river is rising due to large-scale siltation.

Apart from Arunachal Pradesh, other states like Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya have also been alerted. Round the clock surveillance is being done and disaster management was on standby.

According to a Central Water Commission (CWC) report on Sunday, the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level at Nimatighat in Jorhat, Dhansiri at Numaligarh in Golaghat

and Jia Bharali at N T Road Crossing in Sonitpur district.

Nagaland has confronted abnormal rainfall in the last few weeks leading to a flood-like situation in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Saturday assured all possible support to the flood-affected state involving the rescue and relief operations.

The Nagaland government said it requires immediate funds of estimated Rs 800 crore, for the restoration work. Twelve people have been killed, over 5,000 houses damaged in the recent floods of Nagaland.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Homegrown denim brand Spykar is eyeing a growth of 25-30 per cent this fiscal to clock a revenue of Rs 700 crore, a top company official has said.

The brand clocked retail sales of over 550 crore in 2017-18.

"We see a remarkable change in consumer sentiments which encourages us to stick our neck out to go for such aggressive growth. This fiscal year we are aiming to close at Rs 700 crore, a growth of around 25-30 per cent," Spykar Lifestyle chief executive officer Sanjay Vakharia told PTI.

The revenues of Spykar have doubled and the profits grew by 4x in the last 3 years, he indicated.

The company is also expecting a better growth in the festive season this year at 15-18 per cent and plans to expand its retail presence to 350 stores soon.

It currently operates 220 stores in 140 cities, which are franchisee outlets.

"We plan to spread in 200 towns soon. And increase store count to 350 stores," he said, adding that lack of real estate space is a serious issue as the supply is not conducive for aggressive growth in retail.

The company which gets around 40 per cent of its business from tier II, tier III and tier IV cities, has forayed into the athleisure category and expects the segment to contribute significantly in future.

"We are getting into the athleisure side of the business and we will make sure that it will start contributing to the business in a major way," Vakharia said.

In terms of revenue contribution, men account for 90 per cent of sales but the company expects womens share to increase to 25 per cent in future.

Accessories account for 4 per cent of revenues currently which it expects to double to 8 per cent by the financial year end.

With e-commerce being a preferred mode of shopping these days, currently online space contributes 7 per cent to the business and the company expects to close it at 10 per cent for this fiscal year.
Gurbir Singh By

Express News Service

The acquisition of Indias largest e-retailer Flipkart by Walmart, the worlds largest company by revenue, continues to make waves. Paying up $16 billion for a 77 per cent stake in Flipkart, it is possibly the largest e-commerce deal internationally. Expectedly, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on August 9 blessed the deal, brushing aside arguments that the merger would create an unequal playing field and legitimise deep discounting practices by the Flipkart-Walmart combine.

With their very existence under threat, lakhs of small traders and mom-and-pop kirana outlets have taken to the streets in protest. Their concerns have largely been buried by the mainline press. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and the All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) held a 10-lakh strong retailers protest all over the country on July 2 with a variety of trade unions and even the BJP-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) supporting the effort.

Now with its submissions rejected by the CCI, the trader's body CAIT has in recent days moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in an appeal; and considering the stakes involved, this case will ultimately wind its way to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, another international e-tailing Goliath is consolidating its position in India through acquisitions. Fed up with their losses, many brick-and-mortar retailers like Aditya Birla Groups More chain and Spencers Retail are throwing in the towel; and Amazon is moving in quickly to pick up a stake.

Even cash-strapped Future Retail may go in for an alliance with Amazon. This will give the $178 billion online giant new heft to take on Walmart-Flipkart. But then, we are moving to a two-way monopoly, a situation which may spell the end of Indias large informal retail industry, and the loss of businesses and jobs for millions.

The case against Walmart

In its petition, CAIT had argued that Flipkart, in alliance with the muscle power of Walmart, will not allow a free and neutral marketplace for small operators. Walmart as 77 per cent owner of Flipkart is bound to give preference to its own inventory and overall, there will be a denial of market access to non-preferred sellers. Offline retailers and wholesalers too will be under pressure to sell on Flipkart, and end up facing discriminatory terms and conditions, CAIT contended.

The CCI wriggled out of taking a stand on the issues raised by the traders observing that as of now, no new entity has been created which generates a monopoly-like position. However, it conceded that Flipkarts discounting practices would have to be dealt with the e-commerce policy which is on the anvil; and passed on the buck of ensuring a neutral marketplace by saying issues concerning the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) policy would need to be addressed in that policy space to ensure that online market platforms remain a true marketplace providing access to all retailers.

Hidden Agenda

The traders groups believe Walmart has a hidden agenda in the Flipkart acquisition. They believe that after a decade of failure in India, Walmart has acquired Flipkart not so much to enter online e-tailing as much as to acquire the data and supply chains available to Flipkart  data on consumer preferences, manufacturing capabilities of different suppliers, etc  to grow its offline business.

Walmart, on the other hand, has been vocal in pointing out that it believes in empowering small kiranas and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by making them part of its business. Promising modernisation of kiranas through better procurement and store management practices, Walmart also says the best price of efficient supply chains will, in fact, benefit consumers in the long run.

It is strange that the Union government before it allowed such a large FDI deal, did not do an impact assessment study on businesses and jobs under pressure because of the ganging up of Walmart and Flipkart. This was admitted in a written reply by Minister of State for Commerce C R Chowdhury in the Lok Sabha on July 20. Even the local government of New York has not allowed Walmart to open its stores within city limits for fear of small shops being put out of business. Indias retail ecosystem has over 14 million mom-and-pop stores employing over 40 million people. Thats a lot of jobs and businesses at stake! If deals such as the one Walmart has cut are allowed free rein, it will only add to the simmering discontent in the country.
Samuel Merigala By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: As the skies turned grey over S Kolathur on Sunday, a sense of gloom filled residents. For them, even a short spell of rains like the one they witnessed in the afternoon is a reminder of flooding during the monsoon. With remedial measures promised yet to materialise, residents fear this years monsoon is going to be no different.

The Narayanapuram canal, which passes through the area after cutting across the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road at the Keelkattalai signal, is the primary outlet for water which stagnates in the low-lying area. However, the 70-foot canal remains highly encroached upon, impeding the flow of excess water from the Nanmangalam lake to the Pallikaranai marshland.

Following the 2015 December floods, the Public Works Department had religiously marked encroachments for demolition along the entire stretch of the canal. But three years later, these residential buildings continue to dot the canal.

At one particular point, a religious encroachment in Krishna Nagar narrows the canal down to 15 feet and water is forced to find an alternative route along the streets of Raja Nagar, TNPL colony and Kagithapuram.

Further down, residential encroachments have forced the canal to take an abrupt right turn. This also forces water to inundate the streets. Around 1,200 families reside in this part of S Kolathur and Kagithapuram. They are affected by the overflow of water from the canal and have to venture out during the monsoon by hailing tractors, said Zahid Hussain Parveez, a resident.

The PWD in November, 2017 brought down commercial encroachments on the canal near the Keelkattalai signal and residential encroachments along the Medavakkam Koot Road, but failed to continue demolishing encroachments on the canal as it proceeds toward the Pallikaranai marshland. When Express contacted the PWD regarding the issue, they claimed that there were legal hurdles. Some of the encroachers have gone got stay order and so, our hands are tied, said a PWD official.

Meanwhile, residents approached their MLA Aravind Ramesh with a plea to build a bridge over the canal to help people in the low-lying areas evacuate in case of an emergency. The bridge is nearing completion. The government has to address the root cause of all our problems  encroachments, said GV Ramesh, treasurer, BKR Residents Welfare Association.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The flood had deposited around four tonnes of plastic waste on the walkway on the banks of the Muvattupuzha River. The entire waste would have made its way back into the river if the students of Govt Vocational Higher Secondary School, East Maradi, hadnt come forward and taken up the task of disposing of the trash.

The task was taken up by the members of the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of the school in association with Green People. The walkway built near the river was restored to its former glory after a concerted effort by the students and the volunteers of the green organisation.

Over four tonnes of wastes like diapers, hospital waste, clothes, waste from the shops and decaying vegetation had got entangled on the handrails of the walkway after the river breached its banks. According to the residents, the residents associations and various clubs had promised to clean the walkway. But all of them got frightened by the size of the waste pile, said a resident. It was at this juncture the students came to the rescue.

ALSO READ | Leptospirosis and related mortality rates on the rise after floods

The District Collector has issued a strict directive against disposal of waste in the water bodies in the flood-hit areas. After cleaning the walkway, the students also staged a protest march against the disposal of waste into the river.

Snehaksharam scheme

Besides, waste management, a drive to collect and distribute books, pencils and other stationery items has been undertaken by the NSS unit under the Snehaksharam scheme. Around 3,000 books have been collected under the project. The books thus collected have been distributed among the students of the school. Books were also given to other schools located along the banks of the river, said Sameer Siddiqui, programme officer, NSS unit, Govt VHSS, East Maradi.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: In a major faux pas in dissemination of information before verification on the part of Kolkata Police and city administration, medical waste of gauge, cotton and diapers wrapped in 14 plastic packets found at a construction site in south Kolkata on Sunday were mistaken to be human fetuses, causing massive hue and cry across the nation.

The 14 plastic-wrapped packets were found dumped at the centre of an empty land at 214, Raja Rammohan Roy Road at Haridevpur locality in southern Kolkata when being cleaned by labourers for a real estate project on Sunday. The labourers informed Haridevpur police station about the packets who prima facie concluded that they were 14 human fetuses.

Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and police commissioner Rajiv Kumar visited the area and initiated a probe. The Mayor first revealed the recovery of 'fetuses' to the media. The plastic-wrapped 'fetuses' were taken to M R Bangur super-specialty hospital in Tollygunge for post-mortem.

However, upon opening the packets and testing them medically, doctors did not find any human tissues in the packets and concluded that they were medical waste of gauge and cotton.

"No human tissues have been found in the packets when it was opened by doctors. Some dry ice was found. Prima facie it seems to be medical waste of gauge and cotton. An examination is on for exact nature of the material. We can be 100 per cent sure only after forensic tests on the objects in the packets," said deputy commissioner (southwest) Nilanjan Biswas in a statement around 7.30 pm on Sunday.

Around an hour before his 'correctional' statement, Biswas had held a press conference at Haridevpur police station where he said: "Prima facie it seems pre-matured fetuses were thrown from outside into the compound. However, the condition of the fetuses can be known only after unwrapping them from plastic during post-mortem. We cannot tell now whether they were decomposed or not."

However, the doctors did not find any human tissue in the packets as a result of which post mortem would not be conducted on the 14 packets and no case would be initiated.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Mrunal Thakur plays the lead in Tabrez Noorani's "Love Sonia" and the actor says working on the sensitive subject took a toll on her and she had "nervous breakdowns" on the set of the film.

The film, produced by David Womar, focuses on a young girl's journey to rescue her sister from the dangerous world of international sex trafficking.

"Making this film was not easy. I had nervous breakdowns on set. Tabrez Noorani, David Womark, Virginia Holmes and Lucas Bielan (cinematographer) all stood next to me as a great support system and as a pillar of support.

"I dedicate this film to all the girls out there who have been fighting and struggling and have been a victim.

You'll see the bond between Sonia and Preeti (played by Riya Sisodiya) who are two sisters," Mrunal told PTI.

Mrunal says working with such an illustrious cast was an enriching

experience for her. (Photo | Instagram)

As a part of her preparation, the actor visited the red light area in Kolkata and was pained by the condition of women over there.

Mrunal says she feels proud that through this film she was able to bring to light the plight of these women.

"This film is close to my heart. Tabrez has given 10 years of his life to this project. When I met him for the first time, he was so confident about what he was doing that it drove me to give my best.

It was not easy of course, we visited the red light area in Kolkata to know about the women out there.

"My heart sank to know what these women go through. I feel immensely proud to be in 'Love Sonia'. Not all Bollywood actors get to perform such a role and I am glad Tabrez cast me in it. It was a big risk for him too, he could have cast someone known but he believed in someone raw and I'm thankful for that," she says.

The film boasts an international cast, with Hollywood stars like Demi Moore, Mark Duplass and Freida Pinto and Indian actors Anupam Kher, Rajkummar Rao and Sunny Pawar playing pivotal role in it.

Mrunal says working with such an illustrious cast was an enriching experience for her.

Watch the trailer of 'Love Sonia' here:

"I'm glad I got a chance to work with Demi Moore and Mark Duplass. They're so humble and down to earth and it is overwhelming to share screen space with such mind boggling actors."

The actor, who became a household name courtesy her performance in TV soap "Kumkum Bhagya", had to wait for two years to make her big-screen debut, but she says working on "Love Sonia" made her patient.

"There was a gap of around two years. This project has taught me a lot of patience. The trailer is out and has received so much appreciation from the audience including Bollywood fraternity.

Yes, it's wait the worth and while waiting I got 'Super 30'.

By the time 'Love Sonia' is out I would already finish filming "Super 30"."

"Love Sonia" is scheduled to be released on September 14.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Abhishek Bachchan reveals filmmaker Aditya Chopra thought of making a sequel to the hit "Bunty Aur Babli" back in 2005 but he dropped the idea as there was no script at that time.

Recently there were reports that the sequel was in the works but Abhishek said no one has approached him for it.

Calling "Bunty Aur Babli" a special film, the actor told PTI, "Soon after the release of the film in 2005, Aditya Chopra, the producer of the film, was very keen that we do a sequel but he did not have a story at that point of a time."Would he want to make a sequel? At that point of time, he did. If Adi finds a story that is worthy and he wants us to do it, he will let us know. As of now I can't say anything."

The film directed by Shaad Ali was about two small-town misfits, played by Abhishek and Rani Mukherji, who run away from their homes to make their mark in the world and end up as fraudsters.

Poster of 'Bunty aur Babli' (2005) featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. (Photo: Facebook)

There have also been rumours about Abhishek will be part of "Dhoom 4" that will reportedly have Shah Rukh Khan as the antagonist this time.

The action franchise has seen different villains - John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and most recently, Aamir Khan - in every instalment.

"Till Adi doesn't tell me I would not believe any of the rumours," Abhishek added.

The 42-year-old actor is excited to reunite with actor wife Aishwarya Rai after a gap of 10 years for "Gulab Jamun".

"'Gulab Jamun' is a script that both Aishwarya and I agreed to do. We are looking forward to it. But we are still figuring out when to do it," he said.
By Online Desk

Urging the people of Telangana not to get enslaved by Delhi leadership, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao appealed to them to emulate Tamil Nadu for their self-respect.

Amid promises of taking Telangana forward on the path of development, he sought continued support of the people at the Telangana Rashtriya Samithi's Pragathi Nivedana Sabha held at Kongara Kalan in Ranga Reddy district.

"You have to decide whether decisions relating to Telangana should be taken by us here or should we become slaves of Delhi parties," he said referring to Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.

KCR, however, made no announcement about dissolution of the Assembly to go for early polls

The state government earlier in the day announced hiking the salaries of 9,000 employees of health department, and also that of the contract doctors from Rs 36,000 to Rs 40,000 per month. The honorarium for Aasha workers is also increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500, among other sops.

According to IANS, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari said they briefed the media on the decisions taken as per the agenda of the meeting. "There will be another cabinet meeting soon to take more decisions."

Said to be the mother of all meetings by TRS MP K Kavitha, the ruling party has claimed that nearly 25 lakh people will attend the event. Industries Minister KT Rama Rao has called Pragathi Nivedana meeting to be one of its kind in the countrys political history.
Manish Tewari By

Fali S Narimans book God Save the Honble Supreme Court is yet another masterpiece from a doyen among lawyers. Unfortunately, men of his ilk are slowly becoming a rarity in this world. Not only is he a skillful practioner of the court craft but also most importantly had the conviction of courage to resign from the position of Additional Solicitor General of the Government of India in protest against the imposition of Emergency.

His autobiography Before Memory Fades brings out the staunch secularist in him. The following quote from that book says it all: There was something living and dynamic about this heritage, which showed itself in ways of living and a philosophical attitude to life and its problems. Ancient India, like ancient China, was a world in itself, a culture and a civilisation which gave shape to all things. Foreign influences poured in and often influenced that culture and were absorbed. Disruptive tendencies gave rise immediately to an attempt to find a synthesis. Some kind of a dream of unity has occupied the mind of India since the dawn of civilisation. That unity was not conceived as something imposed from outside, standardisation of externals or even of beliefs. It was something deeper and, within its fold, the widest tolerance of beliefs and customs was practiced and every variety acknowledged and even encouraged.

Born in 1929 in Rangoon, now Yangon, he was 18 years old when India attained its independence and was also partioned. In an illustrious career spanning over seven decades, he has seen the highs and lows of the Republic of Indias legal and constitutional evolution.His latest book begins with perhaps the most appropriate quote: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness... it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair....He begins the first chapter by describing the nine landmark judgments delivered by the Supreme Court between January 2017 and May 2018.

They include a nine-judge bench judgement in Jindal Stainless Steel that reinterpreted the commerce clauses of the Indian Constitution, a seven-judge bench judgement in Abhiram Singh v/s CD Commachen that held that an appeal to any religion, race, caste, community or languageby any candidate would result in the election of the candidate making such an appeal being set aside by the Court as a corrupt practice, the Triple Talaq case, the Justice KS Puttaswamy case in which a bench of nine judges held that the right to privacy was a part of the freedom guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution and was protected by an intrinsic part of the right to life, and personal liberty under Article 21, and the decision of a five-judge bench in Common Cause that distinguished between active and passive euthanasia to name but a few.

However, then the tone changes when Jurist Nariman laments some of the decisions of and happenings in the Supreme Court. He opens the worst of times on Page 31 of the book by delineating the handling of Justice Karnans case by a bench of seven judges. He then goes on at some length to describe the events leading up to and subsequent to the unprecedented January 12 press conference by the first four puisne judges of the Supreme Court. He ends the first chapter by bemoaning the lack of collegiality among the judges, especially the five senior-most, including the Chief Justice of India. The remaining 10 chapters are an education in subjects as varied as the Freedom of Expression to describing the qualities of VR Krishna Iyer, whom he describes as a Super Judge.

However, my favourite anecdote is on Pages 110-111 of the book where the author elucidates how he gave up his lucrative practice of law to focus on Parliament where he served as a nominated MPan example that our lawyer MPs should emulate.
Manoj Viswanathan By

At the hour of crisis, the common man stood up against adversity and extended a helping hand. Politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats and private employees came forward to donate one months salary for rebuilding Kerala. Governor P Sathasivam, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, former minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Kochi Metro Rail managing director APM Mohammed Hanish and many others accepted the Chief Ministers call and donated a months salary.

But the sense of harmony soon vanished as narrow political gains gained momentum. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) meeting held on August 22 slammed the government for the delay in opening the dams and the failure in relief work. The BJP state leadership also launched an offensive against the Pinarayi Vijayan government alleging that the flood was more a manmade disaster. The Opposition Congress and the BJP pointed fingers at Power Minister MM Mani for delaying the release of water to generate more electricity.

Pushed to the defensive, the ruling CPI(M) launched an all-out attack on the Union Government alleging that the Centre had rejected a `700-crore offer from the UAE Government for flood relief. This triggered a political debate shifting the focus from the relief work to political mudslinging. The BJP questioned the claim. According to the BJP, the UAE Government did not mention any amount. But the CPI(M) leaders alleged that the Union Government had turned down the UAE offer. UAE ambassador Ahmed Albannam, without mentioning financial aid, said his government only set up a national emergency committee to provide relief assistance to people affected by flash floods in Kerala.

Members of the DYFI, Youth Congress and Seva Bharathi, who stood abreast to help the flood victims, started asserting themselves. There were clashes as some party workers tried to kick relief workers out and gain control of relief camps. Though politics has overtaken compassion, the common man has opened his heart and chequebook for the displaced.



mudslinging mess

 The KPCC slammed the government for delay in opening the dams

 The BJP alleged that the flood was a manmade disaster

 CPI (M) alleged that the Centre rejected a `700-crore offer from the UAE Government
Pushpesh Pant By

Trust RaGa to make a gaffe and spoil the party when everything seemed to be on a roll for him. Addressing a handpicked sympathetic audience he has come out with the gem that Congress had nothing to do with the 1984 anti-Sikh Riots. This brick dropped by him is definitely going to bruise more than his toe. The statement may have been made in faraway London but this revisionist bit of history is going to reverberate as the Lok Sabha Elections draw nearer.

P Chidambaram tried damage control by pointing out that Rahul had just entered his teens at the time of the riots and cant be held responsible for what happened; but surely he is accountable for his statements now in his advanced forties and at the helm of the major party in the Opposition.

Many in the Congress think that 1984 is forgettable fudgy pre-history and 2002 an indelible contemporary calamity. Unfortunately, both are terrible blots on the face of India and cant be wished away. There are other acts of brutality and states inability to punish the guilty. These will continue to suppurate like ugly, potentially life-threatening sores till a closure is arrived at.

As if this werent enough, Rahul explained his partys defeat to a Clash of Generations. His recent reshuffling of the party machinery hasnt exactly addressed this issue. Octogenarians and septuagenarians continue to occupy berths that logically and legitimately should be reserved for party workers much youngeryounger even than RaGa himself. To any neutral observer it is clear that what ails the Indian National Congress (INC) isnt a generational conflict. It is truly a clash of civilisations: Dynastic Democracy v/s Meritocratic, Free and Fair Election-based governance within and without the party.

Trusted loyalists, family friends and retainers always manage to trump those who have proved themselves more than once in electoral battles and in administration. Like in all royal households with a weak and incapable inheritor on the throne, there are feuding factions and intrigues aplenty jostling for a position of power. All this, we are told, shouldnt concern any outsiderits the internal matter of the Grand Old Party. Let that pass for the moment.

Unfortunately for Indian democracy what has allowed this performance to continue so long is the inability of the NDA in power to control the lynch mobs, uber nationalist marauding vigilantes flouting the rule of law and intimidating innocent citizen. Those spewing venom, indulging in unbridled hate speech or propagating blind superstitions continue to occupy ministerial chairs in the Centre and states where the BJP is in power. Acquittals are easy when the accused enjoys protection. Withdrawal of cases and remissions and pardons are, quite legal. But the stink they leave behind is unbearable.

This climate of fear and increasing intolerance has definitely alienated a large segment of population from the present regime in the Centre, many of whom had voted for Narendra Modi and the BJP with great enthusiasm. Many saffron flag-waving leaders have been tainted with accusations of heinous crimes. Not in all cases can political vendetta be argued in defence. It is this creeping, lurking disenchantment that has revived and rejuvenated the INC. Little does RaGa realise that he is chasing a mirage. The hopes of forging a Mahagathbandhan have dissipated repeatedly.

Its also difficult to understand what purpose is served by proving to foreign audiences that Rahul Gandhi has finally come of age, has mellowed and matured like good wine. People at home know very well that its the bottles and the labels that keep getting replaced; the stuff inside is the same wine that reminds one more of vinegar.

But Rahul is not the only one living in a world of make-belief surrounded by well-meaning mentors and handlers. Capt Amarinder Singh in Punjab, too, has quite recklessly started playing with fire. His proposed amendments to the Blasphemy Law are against the letter and spirit of our Constitution and deserve to be consigned to the dustbin without wasting more time. Or, is this part of a devious conspiracy? A new take on the Good Cop Bad Cop skit?

Rahul absolves the Guilty Congressmen of 1984 and to restore the balance Kaptan Saab becomes the protector of not only the Panth but all other faiths of the minority. Is the Congress battle cry in 2019 now going to be: Fundamentalist fanatics of all minorities unite! You have nothing to lose but secularism!

Religion is, and should remain, strictly a private affair. It cant be allowed to spill over in public domain and poison the life of the community. Polarisation may tempt vote seekersthose in powerwho lack both charisma and pragmatic managerial competence. Does anyone have time to ponder how disastrous the repercussions can be if different sects among the majority community catch this contagion?

pushpeshpant@gmail.com
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Amid the Congress partys nationwide blitzkrieg on the Rafale deal, the BJP on Saturday asked the Opposition outfit why it had not answered 15 questions put to it by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The BJP claimed that a policy paralysis in the UPA government had not allowed the previous government to complete the Rafale deal, at the cost of the preparedness of the defence forces. The BJP unleashed a campaign on various social media platforms, questioning the silence of the Congress on 15 questions asked by Jaitley.

With Congress leaders fanning out to various state capitals to raise the issue of the Rafale deal and allegations of a businessman being favoured by the government, the BJP countered its attempts to build a campaign around the issue in the run-up to the Assembly elections in four states. The BJP is apparently trying to remind people of the alleged policy paralysis during the UPA reign.
Anuraag Singh By

Express News Service

BHOPAL: Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh might be just around three months away, but the state president of opposition Congress Kamal Nath is yet to make his mind on whether to contest the assembly polls or not.

Being tipped in party circles as a front-runner for the Chief Minister's post along with state party's campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia, the former union minister said on Saturday that he is yet to decide whether to contest the assembly polls or not.

Just a few days back, Nath had said the party would release its first list of candidates for its 80 weakest seats (those have not been won by the party for a long time) by September 12.

Key sources within the party confided to The New Indian Express that the seats from where Nath and Scindia might contest the assembly polls is likely to figure in the last list of candidates.

Talking to journalists in Bhopal on Saturday, the nine-time Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara constituency said, "I've not decided as yet about contesting the assembly poll. I'm a Lok Sabha member and only a period three to four months could separate the assembly and general polls. Also, there is a possibility of LS and assembly polls being held together, let the things become clear, the decision will be made accordingly."

Nath further said BJP national president Amit Shah has written to the Law Commission and a delegation of senior leaders of BJP has met with the Election Commission of India (ECI) top brass for holding state assembly and general polls together.

Meeting of senior BJP leaders with ECI top brass and Shah writing letter in this regard to Law Commission are important developments, owing to which we need to wait and watch before taking a final call.

While Nath's statements on Saturday reignited the possibility of MP Assembly and Lok Sabha polls being held together, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat during his visit to Bhopal earlier this week had made it clear that MP assembly polls will be held in time and there was no possibility of One Nation One Poll.

When queried about former MP CM and veteran BJP leader Babulal Gaur praising on Friday his (Nath's) role in the development of MP, the MPCC chief said, "Gaur is a truthful person, for whom I've deep respect. I've recently sought details from present union minister of state for urban development and housing Hardeep Singh Puri about the funds sanctioned to MP during my tenure as union urban development and housing minister. Puri's written response details that during my tenure as the union urban development minister, MP received a total of Rs 4510 crore for urban development."

"Also me as the union urban development minister approved the MP government proposal for 600 buses in cities, Rs 215 crore and Rs 126 crore were sanctioned for Bhopal for different projects. Never in the history has so much money being given for MP's urban development as sanctioned by me as union minister, nor will similar quantum of sum be sanctioned again in future. In last four years of Narendra Modi government, not even small percentage of what I sanctioned as union minister for MP's urban development has been cleared," maintained Nath.

When questioned whether he would welcome Babulal Gaur into the Congress after his praise for him (Nath) at a program in Bhopal on Friday, the MPCC chief said in a lighter vein "why him (Gaur), I invite and welcome even Shivraj Singh Chouhan into the Congress."
Anuraag Singh By

Express News Service

BHOPAL: In a significant political development in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, a progressive organization of tribal youngsters announced on Saturday to contest 80 tribal-dominated assembly constituencies in the year-end polls.

The Jai Adivasi Yuva Sangathan (JAYS) announced to field candidates on 80 tribal dominated seats in the state for forming a government of tribals in the state after the year-end assembly polls.

Out of the total 230 assembly seats which are slated to go to polls by the end of this year, 47 seats are reserved for scheduled tribes, which constitute around 21% of the central Indian state's population.The state has never had a tribal as Chief Minister, but two deputy CM's, Shivbhanu Solanki and Jamuna Devi, have formed part of erstwhile Congress governments in the state.

"We have given the slogan Abki Baar -Adivasi Sarkar and would form the next government by fielding candidates on 80 seats," convener of Jai Adivasi Yuva Sangthan (JAYS) Dr Hiralal Alawa told journalists in Bhopal on Saturday.

When queried that for forming the next government in MP, minimum 116 MLAs are needed, the JAYS convener Alawa said they would seek support of like-minded parties, excepting the ruling BJP, which has not done anything in tribal-dominated areas of the state, particularly on issues like malnutrition, joblessness, education, basic health care facilities and electricity supply over the last 15 years.

He added that for the first time in the history, an Adivasi Adhikar Maharally with the slogan of Abki Bar Adivasi Sarkar had travelled 20 tribal dominated districts of the state. It will culminate with a massive rally in Kukshi area of Dhar district of West MP on Sunday.

Political watchers feel the announcement by the JAYS (an organization of tribals founded in 2012) too field its candidates in the 80 tribal dominated seats would upset the calculations of both the major parties, BJP and Congress, particularly the principal opposition party, which has traditionally been the most favoured party among the tribals.

The organization which is gaining popularity in tribal MP, particularly in West MP districts, including Jhabua, Dhar, Barwani, Alirajpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Burhanpur and Dewas had fielded candidates through its students wing in 2017 students union polls in the state and managed to win significant number of posts, particularly at the cost of RSS-BJP's ABVP in places where the Congress' NSUI didn't field its candidates.

Founded in 2012, it boasts of over 10 lakh members in MP, Odisha, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. It first made headlines in 2013 by holding the country's first ever Facebook panchayat in Alirajpur district., followed by a similar event in Barwani next year and at other places afterwards.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The ongoing fight between the militants and the police have reached a psychological level for gaining the upper hand in strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir. Last week, Hizbul Mujahideen militants abducted the family members of policemen in south Kashmirs Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts. After keeping them in captivity for a day or two, they released all the family members.

This was for the first time in over two decades of Kashmir militancy that families of the police were abducted. This was revenge tactics by the militants to respond to the detention of their family members, including the father of Hizbuls Kashmir chief Riyaz Naikoo, and damage of their houses. The abductions have set alarm bells ringing as the police are the face of anti-militancy operations and they lead counter-militancy operations.

According to a senior police officer, over 20,000 policemen hail from south Kashmir. Sources said these policemen are worried over the new tactic. They said families of some policemen have already shifted to safer places after threats. Just like DGP SP Vaid who praises his men after every militant death, Naikoo also glorified the militants for targeting police families. They know that the police are an important component of anti-militancy operations. So, they want to demoralise the force by targeting families, a police officer said. He rejected militants claim that their families were being victimised by the police in revenge attacks.

The officer said the police force is planning measures to counter this psychological fight. Security analysts are worried that this psychological war may turn the situation murkier in Kashmir in coming days.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe, spanning over eight days.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the President is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several officials.

On the first leg of his journey, President Kovind will be visiting Cyprus, where he will hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral ties.

Furthermore, President Kovind will meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris. He will address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus and address members of the Indian Diaspora there.

Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of over USD 9.2 billion. There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in the past couple of years, and President Kovind's visit is expected to further strengthen the economic ties.

From Cyprus, President Kovind will proceed to Bulgaria on September 4, where he is scheduled to meet Bulgarian President Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

He will also address a business forum in Bulgaria and deliver a lecture at the Sofia University. At present, India-Bulgaria annual trade stands at USD 315 million.

On the last leg of the journey, President Kovind will visit the Czech Republic from September 6 to 9, where he will hold discussion on issues of mutual concern with Czech President Milos Zeman.

President Kovind will also address business representatives from the two countries and interact with students at the Charles University.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee has hailed the Chief Justice of India's office's decision to propose the name of Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the next head of the judiciary of the country.

The CJI's office recommended Justice Gogoi's name on Saturday.

"He is the senior most judge after Justice Dipak Misra. So, he should take charge. I don't see any problem in that. There is nothing that will disqualify him from being the next Chief Justice. He is a very far-sighted judge. He keeps an open mind. He is a very fair judge. He is not at all bothered about what the government would feel. He is independent and that's what we want - independent, intelligent and courageous. That's what we want the Chief Justice of India to be and that's what Ranjan Gogoi is," Sorabjee told ANI.

Senior advocate K.T.S Tulsi also called it "great news."

"Firstly, it strengthens the judiciary. The convention is being followed. If it had not happened, it would have been a serious problem for not only the judiciary, but the state. I am glad that it is being done. Also, Justice Gogoi is one of the most outstanding Judges that you could come across. He is an intuitive judge. He makes up his mind in a matter of seconds. But, he is always open to changing his view if you are able to convince him. He is a brilliant judge in all fields," Tulsi told ANI.

If appointed, Justice Gogoi, who is the second senior-most judge in the court, will be the 46th Chief Justice of India and will replace the incumbent Dipak Misra, who will retire on October 2 this year.

As per protocol, the sitting CJI has to name his successor, after which clearance has to be sought from the Centre and then the President of the country.

It may be noted that Justice Gogoi, along with the other Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, revolted against CJI Misra, following which the apex court was thrown into its biggest ever crisis.

Born in 1954, Justice Gogoi was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Guwahati High Court on February 28, 2001, and was elevated as a Supreme Court Judge on April 23, 2012.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Ruling out the chances of a suspected foul play in the death of a key witness in the Unnao rape and murder case, the Forensic Science Lab (FSL) report did not find poison in viscera. Yunus Khan, who had died on August 18, was a key witness in the case of custodial death of the father of the Unnao rape survivor. BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is in jail as the main accused since April 13.

No poison has been detected in the viscera, which was sent for chemical analysis. This should end all speculation and settle the cause of his (Yunus) death beyond doubt, said ADG, Law & Order, Anand Kumar told the media on Sunday.

As an autopsy could not ascertain the cause of death, the viscera had been sent for chemical analysis at a forensic science laboratory. While the family of Yunus and the Unnao police had claimed that he died of liver ailment which he was suffering from quite some years, the uncle and other relatives of the rape survivor had suspected foul play by Sengar. Yunus family had buried his body on the day of his death without informing the CBI and the Unnao police.

The rape survivors uncle had demanded the district administration to exhume the body for autopsy. The body was exhumed amidst heavy security and stiff resistance from the family members, who had staged a strong protest and tried self-immolation near the CM house in Lucknow on August 25. The body was re-buried on early morning of August 26.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, will embark on a three-day visit to Myanmar and Malaysia from September 3 to 8.

The visit will be beneficial for enhancing the strong camaraderie and partnership that the nations and their Air Forces share. Presently, the areas of cooperation include exchanges in the military training course, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises.

During the visit, Dhanoa is scheduled to visit various operational establishments and interact with senior functionaries of the Myanmar and Malaysian Air Forces. The main focus of the visit would be to share ideas, enhance mutual engagement and promote understanding.

The visit of the Indian Air Force Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the Air Forces and pave the way for greater interaction in future.
T J S George By

The attorney general is the first law officer of the Government of India and acts as the top advocate for the Union government. When such an officer criticises governments in power, it points to an extraordinary situation. When the attorney general happens to be KK Venugopal and the governments happen to be run by the BJP, it is as good as a crisis situation because Venugopal has often been on the BJPs side, from the Babri Masjid case to BS Yeddyurappas farcical bid to form a government in Karnataka earlier this year.

Venugopals judicial sensibilities must have been rattled for him to use the strong words he did in the Supreme Court recently.

There is an incident of major rioting every week even by educated groups, he said. He criticised the BJP governments in Maharashtra and Rajasthan for not taking measures against perpetrators of violence. He criticised the Delhi police for not acting against the frenzied Kanwariyas who are supposed to be devotees on pilgrimage but who take easily to assault as they proceed. He pointed to those who threatened to cut off Deepika Padukones nose for her portrayal of Padmavati.

No civilised country will tolerate this kind of behaviour, but what has been done to the person who made that threat? the eminent lawyer asked.What is to be done? asked Chief Justice Dipak Misra. Venugopals ready response was: Fix responsibility on someone. Once responsibility is fixed on the SP of each district, the court can haul him up, ask him how many FIRs have been filed.

That was a lawyer putting too much faith in law. In todays India things do not happen like that. Which SP will dare ignore the wishes of his political overlords? This does not depend on which party is in power. The BJP may be doing things a bit more brazenly, but all parties have contributed to the situation where the civil service and the police act as supporting agents of those in power. Almost every day incidents occur to drive this point home. In a UP town the other day a truck collided with a vehicle carrying Kanwariyas. The angry pilgrims set the truck on fire, blocked the highway and beat up the driver. The police arrested the driver. Elsewhere in UP, videos showed young devotees hitting a car on the highway with long lathis, hitting it again and again from different angles. Policemen calmly stood around trying to keep spectators out of harms way.

To what extent can we blame the police for not acting as they ought to? The prevailing political atmosphere allows one type of mobs to think that the law will not touch them. There are enough ministers and MLAs making statements that encourage such elements. The latest was Gyan Ahuja, a Rajasthan MLA belonging to the BJP, who said point-blank: If one engages in cow smuggling or slaughters a cow, he will be killed.

This is where the jurisdiction of law ends and the overweening power of hatred takes over. Those who have a constitutional duty to check threats and violence prefer to look the other way. The Union home minister has taken the position that hate crimes are a state subject and the Centre cannot interfere. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha used the same rhetoric to disallow a private members bill against lynching. This is a cop out that will convince nobody.

The bulk of lynchings have occurred in BJP-ruled states. It is also a fact that lynchings have ruined Indias image in the world. Certainly the Union Government has a responsibility to be concerned about the countrys image? So it should be easy for karyavahaks in the Centre to sit down with karyavahaks in the states and save the countrys reputation from anti-nationalists propaganda. Why dont they do it? The answer is floating quite visibly in the wind.

KTS Tulsi, legal luminary and co-sponsor of the private members bill on lynching, hit the right note when he said a special law was needed to deal with lynching because lynching is a crime without motive. The victims are unknown. The objective of the crimes is to strike terror in society.Obviously there are some who want to strike terror in society. Just as obviously there are some others who want to let them do so. Hence the two-third rise in mob killings since the Dadri horror of September 2015. KK Venugopal would know that the solution he suggests may at best cut off the branches. Who will cut off the roots?
Prabhu Chawla By

Express News Service

In the desi Harry Potter universe of Indian politics, Congress boss Rahul Gandhi is betting on the JPC curse to bring down Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 with demands for a joint parliamentary inquiry into the Rafael fighter aircraft deal. The Modi government has no intention to play political Quidditch in such an aerial skirmish with the Congress, which is treating the French plane as the golden snitch to get past the poll goalpost.

The Rafale controversy threatens to blitz democratic debate and discussions involving sensitive national issues over the security and defence of the nation. This is not the first time a defence deal has become a weapon of mass political destruction. Previously, a veneer of civility was observed in the bombardment of personalities and policies. Now the gloves are off. With the flak of personal abuse crowding the skies, leaders have descended from the clouds of consequence to savage street fights. Hallelujah! Its raining bombs on and off the TV screens, but none of the combatants have questioned the quality of the aircraft. They also recognize the reality that the Indian Air Force is in urgent need of several hundred cutting-edge fighter planes to defend the country from future wars. Instead, the dogfights are over the cost and configuration.

Sharing is caring, in politics or life. `500 crore or `1,500 crore, the ruling party is not willing to share the price of each of the 36 aircraft negotiated with the French governmentwhich is anyway a matter of official discord with the Opposition. The government has taken shelter under the secrecy clause. The recalcitrance of feuding stakeholders to yield any ground is only crippling the fighting capacity of the armed forces. This dire situation is reminiscent of the Bofors ammunition crisis, when the supplier was blacklisted. It takes the armed forces over 12 years to finalise a deal, but it takes politicians with vested interests just a few meetings with suppliers and middlemen to scuttle it.

Unfortunately, even genuine arms deals have become ordnance in election battles. Its no coincidence that defence scandals pop up barely a year before elections and Opposition parties demand Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) to uncover the truth; which rarely happens. Instead the JPC becomes an arena to settle political scores, since historically the party in power loses the election following a JPC being set up.

Hence it is not surprising that the Congress party and Opposition leaders are asking for a JPC to dissect the complicated over `55,000 crore Rafale deal. The JPCs are part of the legerdemain of politics to negotiate a ceasefire or to sweep scandals under the carpet without a fruitful outcome. In such power games, coincidence acquires the mystic power of superstition. From 1989 onwards, the Opposition has successfully forced the ruling party of the time to constitute six JPCs to probe allegations of financial irregularities. The BJP scored four out of six.

In 1989, it forced Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to constitute a JPC to look into an alleged Bofors payoff. Headed by former health minister Shankaranand, it dispatched numerous officials from investigative agencies on a global hunt to chase the money trail, but came a cropper. Subsequently, the Congress lost the elections and Rajiv became the first Gandhi Parivar member who failed to get a second consecutive term.

While the Bofors saga still haunts Indian politics, no member of the Gandhi Parivar has been convicted. In 1992, the entire Opposition including the BJP, prevailed over Prime Minister Narasimha Rao to constitute a JPC to investigate frauds perpetrated by Harshad Mehta, a leading stock market operator of the time, and bank officials for manipulating stock markets and swindling bank money. Even after 26 years, the nation is yet to know the names of the culprits and their methods. However, the Congress lost the subsequent election yet again.

When the NDA came to power in 1999, it was the turn of the Congress to turn the tables on the BJP. If the BJP had held the Congress hostage over the Harshad Mehta scam, the Congress targeted it over stockbroker Ketan Parekhs illegitimate financial gains by manipulating the markets. Atal Bihari Vajpayee conceded its demand for a JPC and the matter died with the defeat of the NDA and the report was confined to the North Block archives. The Congress again went for the jugular and asked for another JPC in 2003 to look into pesticides in soft drinks, accusing the ruling BJP of pampering MNCs. The committee found the soft drink companies guilty of hawking polluted drinks; yet the report was never forwarded for concrete action against the offenders. Coincidentally, neither Vajpayees charisma nor the BJPs Shining India slogan cut much ice with voters as the NDA was routed in 2004.

Strangely enough, many accusations were hurled at Manmohan Singhs government during 2004 to 2009, including the vote-for-cash scandal that involved mustering support in defence of the nuclear deal. The Opposition didnt press for a JPC. The Congress returned with a bigger mandate, winning over 200 seats after two decades. However, UPA-II was not so fortunate. The BJP once again joined the rest of the Opposition in 2011 in demanding a JPC to probe the 2G scam, which led to the resignation and arrest of a Union minister and the incarceration of senior government officials and corporate executives.

Thereon, the report exonerated the political leadership. Seven years later, the court acquitted the accused, including the former telecom minister, the DMKs Andimuthu Raja, and Rajya Sabha MP M Kanimozhi. Again in 2013, the entire non-UPA opposition succeeded in forcing the government to establish another JPC to inquire into alleged irregularities in the purchase of helicopters for VVIPs. Was it due to the impact of the JPC dominating the news narrative for months that the Congress suffered a historic trashing with only 44 Lok Sabha seats in its kitty?

It is evident that the Congress sees a JPC on the Rafale deal as the best magical flying broomstick to land on the battlements of power. Today the BJP has a golden opportunity to deflate the Rafale backwash by taking into confidence top Congress leaders such as ex-PM Manmohan Singh and former Defence Minister AK Antony on the process of procurement. After all, they had access to all confidential files when they were in power, which they could access again in case they return to power. In America, the Senate has the authority to scrutinize judges and members of the Presidents Cabinet. As Indian democracy matures, its stakeholders should engage in dialogue and disclosures on the basis of mutual trust. An electoral Armageddon for temporary gains will inevitably leave behind scars on the body politicgrim fairy tales notwithstanding.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Ministerial aspirants in the Congress party are said to have started hectic lobbying after the party high command recently gave the green signal for the much-anticipated expansion of the cabinet. The Congress is likely to fill four or five out of six vacant berths of its share in the third week of September.

Expansion of the ministry is expected to help the party placate some of the senior leaders who were miffed with the leadership and have not been actively involving themselves in party work after the formation of the coalition government in the state.

Many senior leaders in the party, including former ministers Ramalinga Reddy, H K Patil, M B Patil, Roshan Baig, Satish Jarkiholi and S R Patil were miffed. Initially, M B Patil had even led a group of party MLAs and threatened to raise a banner of revolt. But the issue was quickly resolved after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy met M B Patil, who was subsequently summoned to New Delhi by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

Sources said among the seniors, the party is likely to consider Ramalinga Reddy and S R Patil while also accommodating legislators from the districts that have no representation in the cabinet. Reddys induction is likely to help Congress in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Bengaluru, sources added. Currently, all three Lok Sabha seats in the state capital are represented by BJP, but the Congress did well in the city in the recent polls.

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah is likely to bat for S R Patil as his induction will give representation to Bagalkot district. Patil, a Lingayat leader, from North Karnataka, had played a key role in ensuring Siddaramaiahs victory from Badami assembly constituency.The party is likely to consider Bhadravati MLA B K Sangamesh, the only Congress MLA from Shivamogga, and Challakere MLA Raghu Murthy. Though the number of ministerial aspirants is high, the party hopes to placate some of them by appointing them as heads of boards and corporations, which comes with minister of state rank. Expansion of the ministry and appointments to boards and corporations are likely to be done at the same time.
Suraksha P By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ayushman Bharat, the National Health Protection Scheme, is hopeful that the central government will sign a MoU with Karnataka in a week so that the state comes on board the project. According to Indu Bhushan, the CEO, the state has been given the flexibility by Ayushman Bharat to match the package rates under Arogya Karnataka wherever it is lesser. We are hoping to sign an MoU with the Karnataka government on September 6 or 7 for implementing Ayushman Bharat in the state. The state government, if it wishes to, can choose to match the package rates with those offered under the state health scheme, Arogya Karnataka, wherever our rates are less.

He added that the Centre will be offering the state around Rs 390 crore. The state is spending Rs 765 crore for Arogya Karnataka to cover 1.43 crore families in the state. However, when asked to confirm the development, state Health Secretary Jawaid Akhtar said he could not comment on the rates. The file has been put up. The negotiations are going on as they offer 1,354 packages and we cover 1,516 procedures. The important thing is that we have agreed to integrate the schemes and work together.

For diagnostic tests like CT/MRI, ECHO, ECG, TMT, Angiogram and simple blood tests that are not covered under Ayushman Bharat, hospitals will incur significant charges over a period of time that will make it difficult for them to sustain, said Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.

He was speaking along the sidelines of a panel discussion here on Ayushman Bharat: How to make it viable? at the National School of Journalism on Saturday. However, health department sources said user charges are given as part of package rate in Ayushman Bharat and offerring coverage for them separately will encourage unnecessary diagnostic tests in empanelled hospitals.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for the US from here on Sunday for medical treatment.

He is being accompanied by his wife, Kamala Vijayan.

Pinarayi, who will undergo a two-week treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is expected to be back by the third week of this month.

His US visit, initially scheduled for August 19 for a period of 17 days, was postponed following the devastating floods. Ahead of the visit, Pinarayi called on Governor P Sathasivam on Saturday and briefed him about his travel abroad for treatment. He also updated the Governor about the steps initiated by the state government for rebuilding the state and for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.

Though the Chief Minister would be away for about two weeks, the charge has not been officially handed over to anyone. No order has been issued on handing over the charge to any minister, said the CMO while confirming about the Chief Ministers visit on Monday. Meanwhile, sources said recently-inducted minister E P Jayarajan, Pinarayis Man Friday, would be chairing the cabinet meeting, in his absence.

The exact nature of Pinarayis illness has not been revealed. The Chief Minister has been consulting doctors at Apollo Hospital in Chennai and had undergone treatment there in March. He is visiting the US for treatment based on a collective decision taken by doctors treating him. As of now, it is expected that he would be away for three weeks, said a source.

The Chief Ministers treatment cost in the US would be borne by the state government.

(With inputs from online desk)
Anuja Susan Varghese By

Express News Service

KOCHI: With the motto #Rebuild Kerala, a 40-member team from Punjab has come for helping the flood-ravaged state. Skilled workers, including electricians, plumbers and civil engineers, are here to help people rebuild their houses and walls damaged in the recent floods.

It is through social media they got to know about the havoc of floods in the state, said team leader Amirk Singh Maan.

The friends from Punjab arrived from Akal Academy Baru Sahib, run by Kalgidhar Trust, which envisages in establishing permanent peace in the world through value-based education and spiritual rejuvenation, creating good global citizens.

ALSO READ | Kurinjimala of Eravikulam National Park opened to tourists amid safety worries

Maan said it was on Thursday they arrived in Kochi, and from Saturday onwards they have started their construction work. So far, we have rectified 30 complaints from the people in the areas of Kochangadi, Paravur and Chedamangalam. We are receiving complaints from different parts of the state and we will be soon dividing the team to cater to the needs of the people in those areas, he said.

We have been to North Paravur, Kuttanad and other parts of Alappuzha and Nedumbassery. Whether it was the earthquake in Gujarat or floods in Nepal, we were there to support the affected, he added.

Credit goes to Facebook, through which they have come to know about the floods. It is out of sheer humanity that people from across India have joined to help Kerala recover from the havoc.

ALSO READ | Corporate house supports Kerala flood victims

All assistance for the Sikh team has been provided. They have been provided accommodation at SNVSS auditorium at Paravur. They do all kinds of electrical and plumbing works required at houses. These young men have taken up several projects and have been working hard to rebuild those houses, said MLA V D Satheesan.

The Kalgidhar Society

The Kalgidhar Society-Baru Sahib headquartered at Himachal Pradesh is a non-profit charity focused on providing quality education and also stresses on healthcare, womens empowerment and social welfare. It has been instrumental in the socio-economic uplift of the poor in the far-flung rural areas across India. It has several branches across the country.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said the isolated policies of the US is responsible for the abnormal rise in fuel prices in international market. He said the Centre is concerned about the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel and taking all measures to check them. Due to isolated policies of America, the value of currencies across the world has fallen in comparison to US dollar. Indias currency has also been affected and the price of fuel has increased abnormally, he told mediapersons here.

Both rise in fuel prices and devaluation of rupee, which are affecting the countrys economy, are external reasons, he added. On the day, petrol and diesel prices hit an all-time high in four metros across the country, crossing the previous peak reached on May 29. The prices ranged from Rs 78.52 to Rs 85.93 for petrol and Rs 70.21 to Rs 74.54 for diesel. In another development, the Union Minister criticised the State Government for not cooperating with the Centre for implementation of Central schemes in Odisha.

The State Government is not implementing Central schemes out of fear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may take credit for this, Pradhan said while addressing the Maha Adhibhesan of BJP Mahila Morcha here. Speaking on the occasion, president of National Mahila Morcha Bijaya Rahatkar said the Modi Government is working to ensure security of women and make them self dependent. The State Mahila Morcha will work to raise awareness at the grassroots level about the schemes launched by the Centre, she said.
By PTI

BALASORE: A man was awarded life imprisonment by a court in Odisha's Balasore district for raping his minor niece about four months ago.

Additional district judge Ajanta Sadangi while awarding the life sentence yesterday also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on Banthu Marandi (30) of Srikona Adivasi colony in Chandipur area for raping his niece on May 8 and May 9 this year.

In case of default in the payment of a penalty, the convict would have to undergo an additional jail term for four months, the court ruled. The incident took place in the tribal village under the jurisdiction of Chandipur police station.

According to the prosecution, Marandi had adopted his six-year-old niece after the death of her mother and sexually abused the minor when there was nobody in the house.

The neighbours informed the police after they came to know about the incident.

Taken up as a red flag case, it was disposed of in 111 days, said public prosecutor Pranab Kumar Panda.
By Express News Service

TALCHER: In major crackdown, Talcher Town police raided different places and seized huge quantity of smuggled coal.

During the raids, which started on Friday night, police seized more than 200 tonnes of coal illegally stocked at old Jubbraj High School, Chauliakata, Kadalibandha and Talabeda Sahar Sahi besides other places outside the coal mine. The coal was smuggled from the mines and stocked before being lifted to various destinations in the State.

Inspector in-charge of Talcher Town police station, Souvagya Swain, said the seized coal was to be smuggled to various destinations. However, no case has been registered so far as investigation is on. The seized coal was handed over to mining authorities.

Tonnes of coal extracted from the mines are kept in the open leaving enough scope for theft by smugglers, allegedly in connivance with some insiders. The huge seizure from a small area is an indication that theft from mines at Talcher continues unabated. Unorganised smuggling from Talcher has become a regular affair with an estimated hundred illegal truck loads going out of Talcher everyday.

The recent seizure of a coal stock yard at Dhenkanal, where most of the pilfered coal from Talcher were being unloaded, is an indication of unorganised smuggling.

Police also seized four trucks of smuggled coal and arrested four persons in this connection.

With the theft assuming alarming proportions and situation turning worse, CMD of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited Anil Kumar Jha met the Home Secretary three months ago and urged him to take measures to stop the theft which affect the revenue of the State as well as the nation.

Angul SP Brijesh Ray said he had directed all police stations to conduct such raids to put a curb on coal theft.
Thinakaran Rajamani By

Express News Service

RAMANATHAPURAM/TIRUNELVELI: Youre a 1990s kid, if you remember these things, go some popular listicles on social media. Well if you were a 90s kid from the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, especially Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram, along with Chandrakanta and audio casettes you may also remember your parents rushing to pick you up from school amid caste tension, heavy deployment of police or even mobs setting buses on fire.

The 1990s saw frequent outbreaks of caste violence in these districts, with hate-filled misinformation and rumours often spreading through villages by word-of-mouth, causing more tension. Inter-caste marriages, vandalisation of caste leaders statues, assaults on members of a particular caste by members of another caste, all would result in classes breaking out.

In the 2000s, southern districts where people of Nadar, Mukkulathor, Devendra Kula Vellalar, Yadava and other communities reside started witnessing a decline in caste clashes due to various reasons, including education and migration of youth to cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and Tirupur and even abroad. However, the actions of the children of the 2000s, who grew up in this relative calm, are now indicating that while overt caste violence may have somewhat subsided, tensions and hatred have continued to simmer and now are being amplified by the Internet and social media, the preferred platforms of millennials.

Last week, Paramakudi police arrested 23-year-old A Rajadurai, under Section 67 (publishing of information which is obscene in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act for allegedly abusing former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kamaraj and posting morphed images of him on social media based on a complaint filed by a member of the Congress Information Technology wing.

Youngsters have started taking to social media to glorify and deify members of their community involved with caste-based violence, including murder. They have also taken to using memes and selfie videos to spread messages of hate against other communities. Members of those communities too retaliate in a similar fashion on social media, mainly WhatsApp and Facebook. Even freedom fighters and leaders, respected across the board like Kamaraj, are targeted.

Right now in Tirunelveli district, a WhatsApp war between two caste groups is underway. The hate-mongering, boldly through selfie videos, even extend to spreading rumours that someone of their caste has been attacked members of another caste. In an audio clip that went viral in May, a man even threatened to kill P Ve Arunshakthikumar, Tirunelveli, Superintendent of Police, for police action against a particular caste group. The man was arrested. In Tirunelveli district while members of different intermediate communities target one another, in Ramanathapuram district members of intermediate castes target Dalit communities. A very small number of persons from Dalit communities have started responding in the same fashion on social media.

Abusive posts

Alarmingly, many of those creating such abusive videos, memes and spreading rumors are the school and college students. Some have appeared in selfie videos while wearing school uniforms. Some show weapons like sickles, knives and swords in their videos, praise their own caste and threatens violence against members of other castes. Curiously, they even provide detailed address, purportedly their own, complete with door number, street, village name and taluk in videos as a challenge to police and their counterparts in other communities.

Speaking to Express, Chelladurai (name changed), a native of Alanagulam, Tirunelveli district, who makes such videos said he had spread a recorded video against Kalakadu-based youths of particular community who he claimed had abused his community leaders. We did not start this game. My friends and I just responded to those who abuse our caste leaders, he said. Chelladurai is 19 years old and has completed his schooling.

A Kathir, Executive Director of Evidence, an NGO, said that apart from education and employment, severe punishment would help reduce caste-related crimes online. The caste war on social media is an extension of banner culture. Those who are proud of their caste used to show it off by installing banners and flex-boards before. Now they have shifted to social media, he opined.

In the 80s, caste associations were talking about the development of their community through activities like building schools. But that has changed now. Their activities encourage the youths to get involved in clashes. Political parties are fuelling the fire for vote bank politics. Youths should understand that being casteist is equal to being proud of being a rapist, said Kathir.

It is not just families and village elders, even schools have a responsibility. Schools are not only to teach children reading, writing and arithmetic. That anybody can do. The purpose of children coming to school is socialisation. Schools should teach them how to live unitedly in a multicultural society with diversity. This understanding should be part of the curriculum, said educationist Prince Gajendra Babu.

Action against Administrators

Meanwhile, the police are acting by creating a cybercrime wing to crack down on such caste-related abusive behaviour and provocative messages on social media. This wing will act once it notices these kind of messages and will trace the senders.

We are also planning to probe WhatsApp group Admins regarding false messages and rumours which are spread on their groups and take action against them as per laws, K P Shanmuga Rajeswaran, Inspector General of Police (south zone) told Express. We have taken action against some persons who were spreading abusive communal messages in Tirunelveli district. Since most of them are teenagers, schools, colleges and parents should follow their activities and take suitable action against them. They should teach them how technologies can be used in a good way, he added
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The grounds for the arrests of activists in the country in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence were baseless and the raids carried out simply to stifle voices of dissent against the government, said members of the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)s Chennai metropolitan unit.

Condemning the arrest of the five human rights activists, including PUCL national secretary Sudha Bharadwaj, the PUCL members organised a press meet here on Sunday, addressed by retired High Court judge D. Hariparanthaman.

The Maharashtra police arrived at Sudhas house in Badrapur, Haryana on the morning of August 28 and served her a warrant in Marathi, a language she does not speak, according to a statement from the PUCL.

She was later shown a copy of FIR filed in Pune with regard to a cultural programme held in December 31, 2017. The FIR does not contain her name. The searching officers seem to have added the sections of 13 and 14 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their convenience, a PUCL statement said.

Human rights activists Gautam Navlakha from Delhi, Arun Ferreira from Thane, Vernon Gonsalves from Mumbai, Anand Teltumbede, a writer based in Goa and poet P Varavara Rao from Hyderabad have also been taken into custody in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

Demanding their release, PUCL members said the arrests were part of coordinated efforts to silence the voices raised for the most marginalised, exploited and deprived sections of the society.

The PUCL units in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry unequivocally condemn the high-handed action of the Maharashtra police in threatening and foisting cases on the activists and behaving in contradiction to the very law that they serve to protect the people, the statement added.

Silencing voices

Demanding their release, PUCL members said the arrests were part of coordinated efforts to silence the voices raised for the most marginalised, exploited and deprived sections of the society
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: On the eve of Pragathi Nivedana Sabha  what is expected to be a crucial cabinet meeting on Sunday and is expected to put an end to talks of early polls to State assembly  Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao sprung up a surprise by announcing a pay revision of 35 per cent to the power utilities staff. This is about five per cent more than what they got earlier.

The CM was addressing a huge gathering of power utilities staff at Pragathi Bhavan on Saturday evening when he made the announcement. Several power utilities employees met the CM at his camp office along with top officials. Addressing them, Rao said that the committee had recommended a 25 per cent hike in pay. When employees unions did not accept this, TS Transco and Genco chairman D Prabhakar Rao suggested a 27 per cent hike. But, last time the hike was 30 per cent. It is not fair to give less than that. I am announcing a 35 per cent pay revision to the power employees, the CM said. According to official sources, the pay hike would cost power utilities `900 crore more every year. The revenues of power utilities are good. Compared to other government institutions, expenditure on employees in power utilities is less, he said.

He recalled that within six months after State formation, the government lifted power cuts to all consumers. He added that a better health insurance scheme would be implemented for power sector employees.The staff working at new sub-stations on temporary basis would be regularised, KCR said. He also announced that bill collectors, who were collecting bills on behalf of a private contract agency, would be taken care of by the department.

Raghuma Reddys term extended

The State government on Saturday issued orders extending the term of G Raghuma Reddy as chairman and managing director of TSSPDCL up to May 31, 2019. Government also issued orders appointing N Janaiah as vice-chairman and MD of TSREDCO in place of A Sudakhar Rao, till May, 2019
Preparations in full swing at Kongarakalan, in Hyderabad on Saturday for the TRS partys Pragathi Nivedana Sabha to be held on Sunday | Sathya Keerthi / Express

By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Informing motorists that no vehicles would be allowed on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) on Sunday in view of Pragathi Nivedana public meeting to be held at Kongara Kalan, the Additional DGP Law and Order Jitender and Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat said that they have made arrangements for parking vehicles providing vast land at the public meeting place to prevent traffic snarls. At least 20,000 police forces would be deployed for smooth conduct of TRS partys public meeting.

The total bandobust is divided into 26 sectors which cover VVIP, VIPs movement at the public meeting and public approach ways, including parking areas. The officials said that the Hyderabad Additional Police Commissioner Anil Kumar would monitor bandobust arrangements in traffic regulation assisted by SP 4, Addl. SP 6, ACP 20, Inspectors 61, SIs 250, HCs/PCs/ HGs 1,600.

The area is divided 24 sectors. Signage boards in the enroute with sufficient illumination is arranged for free flow of traffic in to the meeting place and in return routes. Traffic control is working round the clock and traffic flow is monitored through CCTV Cameras. Total 22 parking places and 15 new ramps are created for entry and exits for free flow of traffic. Total 54 cranes are arranged for lifting of breakdown vehicles in the enroute. Motor Cycles 100 for route patrolling, police officials said.

The Commandant rank officer is monitoring the security arrangements. Additional DCP -- 2, ACPs 5, RIs 8, SIs 5, HCs/ PCs are deployed for security arrangements. The Special Branch officers and field staff including State CI-Cell numbering 180 spotters identified and deployed for keeping surveillance in the VVIP, VIP galleries, Press Gallery and Women Gallery, Public galleries, all entry and exits routes of ORR along with Service roads, Parking places, etc, round the clock.The entire public meeting area, enroutes, parking places, Helipad, VVIPs, VIPs routes are covered under surveillance CCTV Cameras round the clock by the command control IT Staff and watch on the social media.
VV Balakrishna By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Fifteen years after the Jaitra Yatra meeting of 2003 in Warangal, the TRS is all set to beat its own record on Sunday by organising yet another mammoth public meeting - Pragathi Nivedana - with 25 lakh people. Since its inception, the TRS has had a tradition of organising huge meetings.

But, on Sunday, TRS is not only organising the meeting to show its strength, but also to create a record of sorts in the country.

While Industries Minister KT Rama Rao has called Pragathi Nivedana meeting to be one of its kind in the countrys political history, TRS MP K Kavitha has called it as mother of all meetings. The biggest non-political congregation recorded by Guinness book was Kumbhamela with 30 lakh people. TRS is using 2,000 acres for the public meeting, of which 500 acres would be the meeting venue. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will kick-start election campaign at Sundays meeting. But, will Rao announce early polls on Sunday or not?

Opposition parties and the public have to bear the suspense over early polls till Sunday evening. The clarity on whether the TRS is inclined to go to early polls or not will emerge after the State Cabinet meeting which will precede the Pragathi Nivedana on Sunday. Top ministers in Chandrasekhar Raos Cabinet like KT Rama Rao, T Harish Rao and Thummala Nageswara Rao on Saturday dropped hints on early polls.



Assembly elections will be held in 2018 itself, Roads and Buildings Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao said. Legislative Affairs Minister T Harish Rao said: You will get clarity in the next few hours on what key decisions the Chief Minister will announce from the meeting dais. IT Minister Rama Rao made a similar statement generating much excitement over what would happen on Sunday. Let us wait, what the State Cabinet will decide on Sunday, Rao said.

Continuing the tempo of early election talk, Rao on Saturday announced sops to power employees and appointed Mohammed Raheemuddin Ansari as the chairman of Telangana State Urdu Academy. As per the schedule, the State Cabinet will meet at 1 pm on Sunday. The public meeting is scheduled at 4 pm. The Cabinet will not have much time to discuss several items in the Cabinet. Rao may announce some more sops or populist schemes in the Cabinet. Speculations continued on Saturday too about the dissolution of the Assembly for early polls.

Considered the mother of all political meetings, the Pragathi Nivedana meeting is expected draw about 25 lakh people. The TRS had 46 lakh registered workers. If half of them attended the meeting, the turnout would be 23 lakh. TRS sources said that this would be only big rally being organised by TRS before 2019 polls.

Will todays meet clear the suspense?

Three ministers kept the people guessing on early polls 35%

KCR announces pay revision to power sector employees

Appoints chairman for Urdu Academy to woo MIM

Pragathi Nivedana to take the state into election mode

Cabinets brief meeting is expected to take some bold decisions

Entire state painted pink

TRS MEGA MEETINGS

17-5-2001: Simhagarjana, Karimnagar

6-1-2003: Telangana Garjana, Secunderabad

27-4-2003: Jaitra Yatra, Warangal (Deve Gowda and Ajit Singh attended)(biggest meeting till date)

5-9-2011: Jana Garjana, Karimnagar

25-11-2012: Telangana Samara Bheri, Suryapet

More sops likely

According to sources, the Cabinet may announce interim relief to government employees, enhancement of pension for single women, dole to unemployed youths and others.
Siddhanta Mishra By

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party which won the Delhi Assembly election in 2015 with a landslide victory on a platform of clean, merit-based leadership is today fighting allegations of caste politics.

A series of resignations by party stalwarts has reinforced the notion that the party is a one-man show. But the recent revelations by former party functionary Ashutosh on how the party has started factoring caste into its electoral arithmetic has put the party on the backfoot.

Caste is a factor which cannot be ignored in Indian elections. And AAPs lineup of candidates for the general elections next year shows that they have taken it into account. The party, which lost all the seven seats to BJP and Congress in 2014, recently announced in-charges for five of the seats. Atishi, from East Delhi, Pankaj Gupta from Chandini Chowk, Raghav Chadha for South Delhi, Dilip Pandey for North East Delhi and Ghuggan Singh for the reserved SC seat. Though the party is to formally name them as candidates, they have already started campaigning.

Pankaj Gupta, a member of AAPs Political Affairs Committee (PAC), will contest Chandni Chowk, which has a large chunk of voters from the Baniya caste. Similarly, Raghav Chaddha, a Punjabi, has been given charge of South Delhi where Punjabi voters are influential, while Dilip Pandey from Bihar will contest North East Delhi, which has a sizeable number of Poorvanchali voters. The party is yet to decide on the two remaining seats of New Delhi and West Delhi. Ashish Khetan, who recently distanced himself from the party, had fought elections from the New Delhi seat.

The opposition has been quick to launch an attack. The two episodes of Atishi Marlena and Ashutosh have exposed the AAP. I mean there is nothing wrong if someone is a Christian and he is fighting elections if that is the excuse AAP is giving. It would do well to the people if they keep this in mind, said BJP leader Vijendra Gupta.
Pushkar V By

MADIKERI: After rains, floods and landslides, Kodagu is now staring at a pest outbreak. This could threaten a few crops still remaining if immediate measures are not taken up, say experts. While the government is yet to address the growing demand of assistance from the regions estate owners, who grow crops like paddy, pepper and coffee, farmers might have to struggle alone to save their standing crops.

Immediate actions like spraying pesticides and clearing the wet leaves are the need of the hour. The fungal infection can be caused by rotting of leaves and coffee berries. This disease can spread across the plantations and lead to severe crop damage, said Dr J Venkatesh, a retired agricultural scientist. Once the imminent threat has been dealt with and the land destroyed by the landslides becomes accessible, the task of cultivating the soil must also start.

The land has to be surveyed to direct the water flow and naturally created streams. Plants native to the region should be planted and foremost importance has to be given to pioneering species which grow naturally on any soil. These species need limited water and nutrients to survive, said environmentalist AN Yellappa Reddy.

The government departments must work intensively for at least next 6-7 months, said Reddy. By scientific approach, the lost land due to landslides can be slowly recouped. This may take as long as 2-3 years, said retired GKVK professor Balakrishna Gowda. Affected farmers may not get the same yield as they used to, but with time, they will be able to restart their cultivation from scratch. Experts suggest a committee be formed consisting of revenue, horticulture and agriculture departments to survey the land loss and crop loss. This has to be done at the earliest for the welfare of farmers.

Spice market hit

The flood havoc in Kerala, Kodagu and other Malnad districts in Karnataka has started to impact the spices market. The scarcity of spices like green cardamom, black pepper, clove, nutmeg and others have escalated. The prices of spices are skyrocketing due to a shortage of supply and increase in demand.
Ramananda Sengupta By

Billed as the most important dialogue between India and the US, the 2+2 Dialogue is expected to ramp up strategic alignment between the two nations. A lot will depend on the flexibility they while discussing their concerns and the willingness to agree to disagree over certain issues. Ramananda Sengupta takes a look at what the dialogue is all about.

What is 2+2 Dialogue?

India is going to host the inaugural 2+2 Dialogue with the United States on September 6-7 in New Delhi. The dialogue, which has been postponed twice earlier, will see External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holding extensive talks with US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James Mattis, respectively.

Why postponed?

The inaugural dialogue was scheduled to be held in July, but was postponed by US citing unavoidable reasons. Earlier, the dialogue was scheduled to be held in April, but was postponed as US Secretary of State-designate, Mike Pompeo, was still awaiting his confirmation by the Senate. India at that time declined the US offer for talks between Sitharaman and Mattis in lieu of the 2+2 Dialogue.

The background

The dialogue, similar to India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue between foreign and defence secretaries of the two countries, was agreed upon during Prime Minister Narendra Modis discussions with US President Donald Trump at the White House in June 2017. It aims to elevate and insulate the India-US strategic relationship from trade and commercial disputes between the two nations and replaces the India-US Strategic

and Commercial Dialogue.

ALSO READ: From Pavilion to PMO: The political journey of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

Afghanistan: India is averse to putting boots on the ground in Afghanistan, and wants to focus on developmental assistance instead. It also has issues with peace talks with Pakistan-backed Taliban, which the US has initiated.

Pakistan:

India is likely to seek US help to put more pressure on Pakistan over terrorism, while Washington is likely to press Delhi to initiate talks with the new government there.

Sanctions: The US sanctions on Russia and Iran and their impact on India are likely to be discussed. A defiant New Delhi has said it will decide on oil and gas purchases from Iran based on national interests, and go ahead with its purchase of the S400 Triumf anti-missile system from Russia.

Iran was 3rd largest supplier of oil to India in 2017-18. The US, while willing to listen to Indian concerns over sanctions, which will also impact Chabahar port, says its too early to decide the impact.

As for Russia, a senior State Department official said its not a country you (India) really want to have a strategic partnership well into the future; we (US) are a more reliable, better partner.

Areas of discussion

The two sides are expected to discuss not just ways to ramp up bilateral strategic and military cooperation, but also a range of regional issues, including the Indo-Pacific region where China has been making aggressive moves.

China: China will be high on the agenda during the discussions, with the US planning ways and means to check Beijings aggressive military pursuits in the South China Sea and its coercive economic policies in the region. Discussions will revolve around alternatives to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and ways to enforce the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South Pacific.

Military might: The two nations are expected to sign a host of enabling agreements that will grant India access to high-end US military hardware and technology and operationalise Indias status as a major defence partner. The alphabet soup of enabling agreements includes the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which has been bogged down over Indian reservations about sharing critical military information.
Kumar Vikram By

NEW DELHI: Finding itself under relentless Opposition attack on the issue of job creation, the government has planned a comprehensive study to assess the impact of its ambitious Mudra scheme.

Officials said the study will assess the impact of the Prime Minister Mudra Yojna (PMMY) on the outreach and access for the micro entrepreneurs  whether the scheme has made loan access easy for them. The study will cover about 1,00,000 PMMY borrowers and will assess economic, social as well as the political impact of the Mudra scheme.

Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA), will hire an expert agency to conduct the study.

The study will assess whether the scheme has led to any changes in the income growth of the beneficiaries. It will also note any change in the business in terms of increase in turnover of the enterprise, income, employment etc.; any improvement in the assets of the beneficiaries; recovery of assets hypothecated or mortgaged among others.

Under social impact, the study will see if the scheme has brought about improvement in terms of education and health related expenditures. It will also look into the ratio of enterprises headed by women and their performance, involvement of women entrepreneurs in new or non-traditional activities, confidence and assertiveness by the micro-entrepreneurs in particular, the role of women entrepreneur in household and community decision-making.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often talked about PMYY as one of the governments most successful projects generating employment. In this Independence Day speech also, he said more than 13 crore people were given loans under PMMY, of which 4 crore were first-time borrowers.

The Congress, however, claims that the Mudra scheme has hardly created employment opportunities in the country.

PMMY, a scheme to finance small business enterprises, was launched on April 8, 2015. Under the scheme, all banks are required to finance micro-entrepreneurs with loan requirement up to `10 lakh. Loans are granted under three categories without any collateral  loans up to `50,000 come under Shishu, between `50,001 and `5 lakh under Kishore and between `5,00,001 and `10 lakh under the Tarun category.

Earlier, the loan was meant for micro-enterprises engaged in manufacturing, trading and services sectors.

To expand the scope of beneficiaries, micro-enterprises engaged in activities allied to agriculture, too, were brought within the ambit of PMMY loans from fiscal 2016-17.

Boost to enterprises

Micro enterprises are an important sector of the economy, providing jobs to millions of people and taking care of their income generation as well. It is estimated that there are more than 60 million micro units which support over 100 million people for their jobs and livelihood. MUDRA and MUDRA Yojana are meant to support these enterprises and provide the required funding support to these units in the country.
Amit Agnihotri By

NEW DELHI: The Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in Karnataka has completed 100 days in power, but the stability of the coalition would depend a lot on the commitment of the top leadership of the two parties and the camaraderie among the field commanders.

Sources said the JD-S leader has been personally assured of full support by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. For the Congress managers, the coalition is a test case for the larger Opposition alliance that Rahul wants to build for the high-stake 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The coalition is a must in the new political environment. The message is that the Congress and the JD-S are the only options against the BJP in Karnataka, a senior AICC functionary told The Sunday Standard.

However, its the rivalry among the field commanders that seems to be testing the nerves of both sides. The reasons are many: sharing power with a party they contested against in the Assembly polls and trying to prioritise welfare schemes in consonance with the respective party manifestos, among others.

The Congress-JD-S coalition, which came into existence on May 23 with Kumaraswamy taking oath, took two weeks to decide on cabinet expansion as state Congress leaders jostled for ministerial berths.

There were initial troubles with government formation...you cant satisfy everybody...but there is no threat to the government ...the issues will be sorted out gradually...the leaders are doing everything to keep their flock happy, said a Congress strategist.

Seven cabinet berths have been kept vacant, perhaps to deal with dissent within both the parties. Now, the two allies are trying hard to work out a common minimum programme at the meetings of the coordination committee formed to supervise the coalition government. We are working on the CMP depending upon the two manifestos. We will try to cover maximum points, said a senior Karnataka Congress leader.

State party chief Dinesh Gundurao has been added to the coordination panel, headed by former CM Siddaramaiah, to ensure its smooth functioning, given the political rivalries between the former CM and the JD-S leadership.

Despite the sticking points in the coalition, the broader message was to work together. We fought against each other in the Assembly polls but the need of the hour is to stay together and work out the differences, said another AICC leader.
Ayesha Singh By

They were once alive before they turned into fossils. That alone makes them an ancient repository of geological systems that are important insights for modern scientific explorations. They tell us about the earths history, the very force that nurtures life and promotes livelihood. These petrified impressions remain mysteries that researchers and scientists have been trying to explain, however, even after thousands of decades, many have remained conundrums for civilizations to follow.

What meets the eye when we look at some of these preserves in state of the art museums, carefully preserved in glass cases, is just the tip of the iceberg. Artist Manish Pushkale, who is showcasing his new line of works inspired by foliation, fossils and lost languages in Lamina, brings abstractions that unearth their forgotten enigmas.

Manish Pushkale

He immersed himself in the study of these remnants from lost geological periods, never once considering them mere specimens. They are a consolidated body of frozen memories. Symbol of gradually compressed augustness. Sometimes they look like sculptures where the organic materials have been converted into inorganic states. It is a cast of a lost life in detained state as a stupendous structure, says Pushkale.

Lamina is a Latin word which means thin layers of stratas in geological terms. The term has also been given to address the layers of colours, a prominent aspect of his paintings, that are composed of multiple transparent layers. These layers are thin, derived from the word think. The process of application of these layers is a process of thinking. I try to create the strata of multiple transparent layers which sometimes go up to the thickness of 50 layers. The resonance of transparencies create a unique visual. This process is symbolically close the process of foliation, says Pushkale, who is celebrating his silver jubilee as an artist this year.

As a painter, he says, his struggle all these years has been about reaching a right visual vocabulary and to discover an appropriate medium to provide precise visual identity and individuality to his belief system. He dislikes the term style. It is the biggest cliche churning badly between notions of traditionality and modernity, he believes. Art is a continuous process of learning and understanding by creating their relevant antipods, says the artist.

He has been living in Delhi for 25 years, before which he was in Bhopal where he was born. His father migrated from a small village in Bundelkhand to Bhopal in the 50s. His was a migration from rural to urban, whereas for the artist, it was from urban to metropolitan, but what is common between the two is the idea of movement, which is both geographical and cultural.

When they shifted, they also imbibed in Delhis intrinsic eccentricities and learnt to live and flourish within it. Delhi is a beautiful ancient city which is receptive and reflective. Snowfall in Himachal or Kashmir freezes us, floods in Uttarakhand sinks us, burning of paddy in Punjab challenges our respiration. This is a city of bazars and bizarre, says the artist.

Just like he has seen Delhis personality change, he has simultaneously watched his own art practise evolve. In the early 90s, when he was associated with the multi-arts centre Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal, Pushkales work was very different from what it is now. It was a time of several influences. Later, they changed into personalized expressions.

The environs of Bharat Bhavan allowed me to believe in ineffability, this creating a different aesthetic. Since then my sensory faculties have been active in mounting my consciousness by the many influences that followed, he says. Each one has been a building block to an ever evolving vocabulary that Pushkale is defining and redefined. Till September 14: Akar Prakar, Defence Colony, 11 am to 7 pm.
By Associated Press

ISLAMABAD: Bottles of alcohol were found in the hospital room of an incarcerated former Pakistan Peoples Party minister in Karachi on Saturday.

The bottles were found during a surprise visit by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar to the Dr Ziauddin Hospital.

Nisar said while inspecting the hospital, he went to Sharjeel Inam Memon's room and found the alcohol bottles.

Former Sindh information minister Memon, being probed for alleged corruption, was shifted from a jail in Karachi to the hospital for treatment for a heart ailment.

"When Sharjeel Memon was asked (about the liquor), he said they (bottles) were not his," Justice Nisar said later at the Supreme Court's Karachi registry.

Following the findings, police and jail officials rushed to the hospital and shifted Memon to the jail and sealed his room.

Superintendent Police Umar Shahid told reporters that police have taken custody of the material seized from the room.

The seized items have been sent to a laboratory for forensic tests, the officer said.

"Nobody will be spared and those responsible will be dealt with according to the law," he said.

Police have also arrested Memon's driver and one of his servants.

The driver told reporters that as far as he knew, the bottles found in Memon's room contained oil and honey.

Justice Nisar, who reportedly photographed the alcohol bottles, also warned of consequences to those who broke the law.

Memon is accused of embezzling around Rs 6 billion while heading the Sindh Information Ministry.

Nisar also visited the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) where Hussain Lawai and Anwar Majeed, accused in the money laundering case, are admitted.

He examined various items in their rooms and also confiscated some records from Majeed's room.

Both Lawai and Majeed are considered close to former president Asif Ali Zardari, who is also being probed in the same case.

Alcohol is banned in Pakistan but it is believed that certain sections have access to liquor.
By PTI

DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Dhaka could extend its cooperation to Pakistan's new government under Premier Imran Khan's leadership for their mutual welfare.

"Imran Khan came to power after making massive struggle. We will extend cooperation to him if he seeks it from us," she said.

Hasina added, "We will do it considering the welfare of the people of Pakistan, not the conspirators (there). We've no objection to share experiences with them for the welfare of the common people".

She said Khan "hit many sixes" on the field but now "it is the time to see whether he could hit those sixes by remaining in power. We'll be happy if he can do it".

Hasina, however, said there were still some "Pakistan lovers" in Bangladesh who are still conspiring against their own country, in an oblique reference to fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami and its crucial ally BNP of now-imprisoned ex-premier Khaleda Zia.

Dhaka-Islamabad relations plunged to their lowest ebb since Bangladesh initiated the war crimes trial in 2010 exposing Bengali war criminals who carried out atrocities while siding with Pakistani troops in the 1971 war.

To a question on the Myanmar military's use of "fake pictures" as part of their anti-Rohingya propaganda, Hasina blasted the regime there accusing them of spreading disinformation over their minority Rohingya population.

"This is a magic trick. What they are doing is disgusting," she said as foreign media investigations found that the Myanmarese army used fake photos in their bid to show so-called Rohingya atrocities on Burmese Buddhists decades ago.

Hasina said Myanmar committed a heinous act attacking and driving out tens of thousands of Rohingyas of their homeland but "the biggest matter is that they tarnished their own image".

The premier said Myanmar pledged to take back their displaced people from Bangladesh, but the reality is that they did not act accordingly.

"Myanmar is Bangladesh's next-door neigbour, so we never wanted any conflicting position (with them). The international community gave support to Bangladesh on the issue and I extend my thanks to them for it," she said.

The prime minister said Bangladesh has given shelter to 1.1 million Rohingyas and made all kinds of arrangements for them while Dhaka was continuing talks with Myanmar for their repatriation and signed an agreement to this end.

"When talks are held with Myanmar they don't make any objection on the repatriation of the Rohingyas. But the reality is different," she said.
By UNI

JERUSALEM: Palestinian officials have condemned the US decision to end all funding to the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, according to a BBC News report.

The US has been the largest donor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) - but now says the organisation is "irredeemably flawed".

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman has called the move a "flagrant assault against the Palestinian people".

However, an Israeli official told: "Israel supports the US move".

Unrwa says it currently supports more than five million Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, including providing health care, education and social services.

The US has been the largest single donor to Unrwa, providing $368m (A284m) in 2016 and funding almost 30 per cent of its operations in the region.

But in January, the administration of President Donald Trump withheld more than half of its planned funding to Unrwa, saying it would keep back $65m unless the body carried out "reforms".

On Friday, the US state department said in a statement that "the US will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation".

The state department said the US had shouldered a "very disproportionate share of the burden of Unrwa's costs", and that the international community should contribute more.

It has also said it is unhappy that Unrwa has kept expanding the number of people eligible for assistance, and says its business model is "simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years".

This links to a wider disagreement over which Palestinians are refugees with a right to return to the homes they fled following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

The UN says there are about five million Palestinian refugees, including the descendants of people who fled the 1948 war.

However, the US and Israel disagree with how this number is calculated, and say the number of Palestinian refugees should be much smaller.

President Trump also appears unhappy with how US aid to the region has been received.

He has previously tweeted that the US has not received "appreciation or respect" for the aid it has provided, and that the Palestinians are unwilling to negotiate with Israel.

US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said earlier this week: "There's an endless number of refugees that continue to get assistance, but more importantly, the Palestinians continue to bash America."

The state department says it remains "deeply concerned regarding the impact upon innocent Palestinians, especially school children, of the failure of Unrwa".

The organisation's chief spokesperson, Chris Gunness, told the BBC the impact of the US move would be devastating.

"It's likely to be widespread, profound, dramatic and unpredictable because, let's make no mistake, some of the most marginalised and fragile and vulnerable communities in the Middle East are going to likely suffer because of this."

Mr Gunness says 526,000 schoolchildren receive a Unrwa education every day, while it also assists "1.7 million food insecure people".

"We do assistance to disabled refugees, to women, to vulnerable children. The list goes on and, as I say, the impact on them is likely to be utterly devastating."

Germany's foreign ministry has said it will increase contributions to Unrwa to try to maintain stability.

Palestinian officials have condemned the US move.

A spokesman for President Abbas told Reuters the decision was in "defiance of UN resolutions", and would not change the fact that the US "no longer has a role in the region" and "is not a part of the solution".

The Palestinian Liberation Organisation said a statement that the cut was "a cruel and irresponsible move targeting the most vulnerable segment of Palestinian society".

The Palestinian militant group Hamas told Reuters that the move was a "grave escalation against the Palestinian people".

Palestinian officials have already accused the US of pro-Israel bias, especially after Mr Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and opened a US embassy in Jerusalem, despite the city being claimed by both sides.

The move overturned decades of US neutrality on the issue and attracted international criticism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously called for Unrwa's funding to be cut gradually and its responsibilities transferred to the UN's global refugee agency, the UNHCR, arguing that it "perpetuates the Palestinian problem".

On Saturday, an official in Mr Netanyahu's office told AFP that "Israel supports the US move", adding: "Consolidating the refugee status of Palestinians is one of the problems that perpetuates the conflict."

However, some Israelis have previously raised concerns that weakening Unrwa could cause regional instability and create more extremism in the region.
By AFP

BEIRUT: At least two pro-government forces were killed overnight in a string of explosions at a military airport near the Syrian capital, a monitoring group said on Sunday.

Syrian state media also reported the blasts at the Mazzeh airbase, on the western outskirts of Damascus, but did not mention any casualties.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Mazzeh was hit by a "possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions".

"It left two pro-regime fighters dead and wounded another 11, some of them in critical condition," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

He could not specify their nationalities or whether they belonged to militias or government forces.

An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on Sunday.

AFP's correspondents in Damascus heard multiple blasts overnight, one of which lit up the sky in a deep red hue, but reported calm on Sunday morning.

A Syrian military source said the Mazzeh airbase "was not the target of Israeli aggression", according to the official SANA news agency.

"The explosions heard were due to an explosion at a munitions deposit close to the airport which was due to an electrical short circuit," the source said, without mentioning any casualties.

The Mazzeh airbase houses Syrian Air Force intelligence, and in early 2017 the Syrian government accused its neighbour Israel of bombing the base.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.

Earlier this week, Israel reiterated its threat to hit Iranian military targets in Syria.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran's attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In July, Syria accused Israel of bombing a military post in the northern province of Aleppo, where at least nine pro-regime fighters were killed according to the Observatory.

More than seven years since Syria's conflict began, regime forces have managed to retake entire regions from rebels and jihadists and now control nearly two-thirds of the country.

Syrian troops are supported military by their Russian and Iranian allies, Tehran-backed Hezbollah fighters as well as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan militiamen.




By AFP

BISHKEK: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan during a trip to the country that it risks instability if it fails to root out followers of his US-based nemesis Fethullah Gulen.

Speaking during an appearance with Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai Jeenbekov on Saturday, Erdogan referred to the status of Gulen's network in Kyrgyzstan as an "outstanding question" in otherwise warm ties between Ankara and the Central Asian country.

Supporters of Gulen -- a cleric and educator Erdogan once regarded as an ally -- "infiltrate the army, police and other state structures and carry out coups" Erdogan said during the appearance in quotes that were translated into Russian.

"We would not want (Kyrgyzstan) to have the same problems we faced," Erdogan said, referring to the 2016 attempted coup that Ankara has blamed on Gulen allies.

Gulen, based in the US state of Pennsylvania, has always denied the accusations.

After the coup bid, Turkish authorities launched an unprecedented purge against coup-plotters and individuals linked to Gulen, but also against pro-Kurdish officials and critical journalists.

Since July 2016, over 55,000 people have been arrested over coup links while more than 140,000 public sector employees have been sacked or suspended.

The government has led in parallel a diplomatic offensive to shut down educational institutions affiliated to Gulen in countries around the world.

Jeenbekov indicated when appearing with Erdogan in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek that the Central Asian country had already taken steps to bring schools once affiliated to Gulen under government control.

To date, Turkey has given no indication that it has been satisfied by Kyrgyzstan's attempts to restructure a chain of schools that are regarded as among the best in the country.

The United States' refusal to meet Turkey's demand to extradite Gulen is one of many sore points in a once-strong relationship.

Ties between the two NATO members hit a new low last month as US President Donald Trump announced steep new tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminium in response to the detention of an American pastor in Turkey.
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Columnist

Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).
Councillors are just not happy at the interference of the party leadership. The councillors are pushing that they vote for their own preferred candidate. The battle, however, is more for the deputy mayor position where Clr Kambarami is squaring off with Clr Ncube. So as it stands, we have some councillors pushing that we rebel on the party decision on Clr Ncube. For the mayoral position, however, a majority have already endorsed Clr Mguni but there is a small figure which is now throwing in the name of Clr Norman Hlabani, said the source.
while the Constitution provides a set of commitments to ensure womens active and equal participation in electoral processes, women continue to be marginalised in politics. This is also despite the country having adopted an engendered Constitution and ratified several international and regional frameworks which promote the equal participation of women in political and decisionmaking processes such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development, Zimbabwe Gender Commission chairperson Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, said then.
(Newser)  Ever since Mollie Tibbetts was found dead, her father Rob has been asking people to stop using her murderof which an immigrant is accusedto push political agendas. This weekend in the Des Moines Register, he made that request again, because many have been ignoring it. "They have instead chosen to callously distort and corrupt Mollies tragic death to advance a cause she vehemently opposed," he writes. "I encourage the debate on immigration; there is great merit in its reasonable outcome. But do not appropriate Mollies soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist."

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Rob Tibbetts, who adds that his stepdaughter is Latina, says he keeps asking himself, at every turn, what his daughter would do. And in this case, he knows Mollie would stand up and take action, he writes. "The person who is accused of taking Mollies life is no more a reflection of the Hispanic community as white supremacists are of all white people. To suggest otherwise is a lie. Justice in my America is blind." He offers an apology to the Hispanic communityand notes that his family loves their contribution to the "American tapestry," including their food. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that Mollie's entire hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, is struggling with the divisiveness her murder has brought to its typically harmonious existence. (Read more Mollie Tibbetts stories.)
(Newser)  Ron DeSantis swears he meant nothing racist by his "monkey this up" comment, but a new robocall in the Florida gubernatorial race definitely did: Set to the background of jungle music and screeching monkeys, the New York Times reports that the minute-long audio clip begins with a man saying, "I is Andrew Gillum. We Negroes . . . done made mud huts while white folk waste a bunch of time making their home out of wood an stone." The call, which went out to an unknown number of recipients, is apparently the work of an Idaho-based white supremacist, anti-Semitic group called the Road to Power. The group is also behind an effort in Iowa to drive anti-immigration policy in response to the killing of Mollie Tibbetts.

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A rep for DeSantis called the ad "appalling and disgusting. Hopefully, whoever is behind this has to answer for this despicable action." The Gillum camp called it "reprehensible," while asking the Washington Post to "Please don't give it undeserved attention." Current Gov. Rick Scott joined the men seeking to replace him in denouncing the ad in a tweet: "There is no room for any racial politics here in Florida  none. Florida is a melting pot of people from all over the globe, and we are proud of it. No attempts to divide people by race or ethnicity will be tolerated, from anyone. THIS. STOPS. NOW." (Read more Andrew Gillum stories.)
(Newser)  The former nuncio who says Pope Francis was aware of alleged sexual abuse by former DC archbishop Theodore McCarrick since 2013 and yet covered for him is now lobbing more accusations at the pontiff. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, former Vatican ambassador to the US, sent a statement to the conservative website LifeSiteNews that was published Friday, the New York Times reports. In it, he recounts what he says happened prior to the pope's controversial 2015 meeting with Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who wouldn't issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The statement was spurred by a Times article in which Chilean abuse survivor Juan Carlos Cruz claimed Pope Francis told him Vigano sneaked Davis in for the meeting without the pope being aware of why she was controversial.

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"One of them is lying: either Cruz or the pope? What is certain is that the pope knew very well who Davis was, and he and his close collaborators had approved the private audience," Vigano writes in the letter. Vigano's accusations highlight an ideological divide in the Catholic Church, and that divide is mirrored in US bishops, the Wall Street Journal reports. The more liberal bishops, who back the pope's focus on immigration, climate change, and other such issues, are criticizing Vigano while conservative bishops, who disagree with the pontiff's attitudes about such issues as homosexuality, are on Vigano's side. The Atlantic calls the accusations against the pope a "power play" by Vigano, who, the site notes, has had a tense relationship with Pope Francis. The pope has not responded to the allegations. (Read more Catholic Church sex scandals stories.)
(Newser)  Thousands of far-right protesters gathered Saturday in Chemnitz, Germany, to denounce migration after a German was killed in the city, allegedly by two migrants from Iraq and Syria. After the march, as well as a counter-protest from leftists in support of migration, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas didn't mince words: "We have to get off the couch and open the mouth," he told Bild am Sonntag, per the AP. "Our generation was given freedom, rule of law and democracy as a present. We didn't have to fight for it; (now) we're taking it too much for granted."

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He added, per Politico, "If the Hitler salute is shown on our streets today once again, it will be a disgrace to our country." Tension has been building in Chemnitz for a week, ever since the fatal stabbing; the first protests were last Sunday, the day of the killing. Eighteen people, including three police officers, were hurt during Saturday's protests, and clashes between small groups have been reported. One lawmaker with the Social Democrats party says he and his group "were attacked by Nazis" who destroyed their party flags and physically attacked them. (Read more Germany stories.)
(Newser)  John McCain was laid to rest Sunday at the cemetery at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., a choice the AP called "as deliberate as the other details of his procession." Instead of spending eternity in Arlington Cemetery where his admiral father and grandfather are buried, the war hero and political maverick chose a plot beside his former classmate and dear friend Admiral Chuck Larson. In his memoir, McCain wrote that he wanted it to end near where it began. Per Reuters, the private service near where McCain and Larson graduated in the class of 1958 was slated to include classmates, McCain's sons Jack and Don, retired Army General David Petraeus, and McCain's longtime political ally Senator Lindsey Graham. (Read more John McCain stories.)
(Newser)  An actor known best for his role on The Cosby Show who was snapped by a Trader Joe's customer when he was spotted working as a cashier is being defended against the ensuing ridicule by fans and famous folks alike across social media. Geoffrey Owens, who played the role of Elvin Tibideaux from 1985 to 1992, was photographed at a New Jersey location of the grocery store and the photos subsequently fell into the hands of Fox News, the Daily Mail and other outlets that put the 57-year-old on blast for his cashier job, KRON reports. Photos of Owens in the chain's familiar tropics-inspired uniform went viral and that hasn't been sitting well with his fellow thespians and even some Hollywood elites.

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Judd Apatow, for instance, was among those rallying behind Owens, who the director called a "fantastic, hilarious actor" in a tweet Saturday. Owens' fellow 80s sitcom star Justine Bateman took a less lofty approach, tweeting: "26 years after one TV job, this guy looks differently (shock) and is earning an honest living at a Trader Joes. The people taking his picture and passing judgment are trash." Other actors, like Hogwart's alum Chris Rankin, revealed their own jobs outside the limelight. "I worked in a Wetherspoons kitchen after being in Harry Potter. I needed a job, no shame in that," Ranking tweeted. Since his Cosby days, Owens has appeared on series including Always Sunny in Philadelphia, That's So Raven, and in a 2017 episode of the show Lucifer. (Read more Geoffrey Owens stories.)
(Newser)  On CNN's State of the Union, Sen. Lindsey Graham praised Meghan McCain as "her father's daughter" following her headline-grabbing eulogy to her dad that many said appeared to bash President Trump. Former Secretary of State John Kerry appeared on Face The Nation and bashed the country's current leadership while contrasting it to the late Sen. John McCain on the day of the frequently bipartisan Republican's burial. "Right now we have a culture divide that has been accentuated by political so-called leaders, Kerry said, per the Hill. They're operating in a fact-less world." Ohio Gov. John Kasich also appeared on Face The Nation and said that, should he choose to run for president in 2020, it would be as a Republican. Over on This Week, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged Dems to hold off on impeachment, per Politico. (Read more John McCain stories.)
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New Delhi:

The Pune Sessions Court on Sunday granted a 90-day extension to the police for filling a charge sheet against five activists, who were arrested in June over their alleged role in Bhima Koregaon violence. Those arrested were - Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson.

Pune Sessions Court has granted a 90-day extension to Pune Police to file charge sheet in a case registered against five accused Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson, the news agency ANI reported.

Pune Sessions Court has granted a 90 day extension to Pune Police to file chargesheet in a case registered against five accused Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson. #BhimaKoregaon  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

The order came a day after Pune police moved the court seeking extension for filing charge sheet against the five detained activists, citing fresh arrests in the case.

Read | Bhima Koregaon violence: Left parties to stage protest at Jantar Mantar against activists' arrest

"The period of their judicial custody of 90 days is coming to an end on September 3 and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the period can be extended up to 180 days in case the investigation is not completed," said Shivaji Pawar, the assistant commissioner of police, who is investigating the case.

Besides that, the court will hear the bail applications of accused Surendra Gadling and Shoma Sen on September 6 in connection to the matter. With Yerwada Jail authority moved an application mentioning overcrowding and security issues in the prison, the court has also listed the matter for hearing on September 6.

On August 28, the Pune police in another coordinated raid across India arrested five right activists Sudha Bhardwaj, P Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves. All of the detained activists are currently kept under in-house arrest following a Supreme Court order on August 29.

Read | Bhima Koregaon Violence: Raids at homes of prominent activists across India; several held

The police team also searched the residence of Father Stan Swamy in Ranchi but could not arrest him due to lack of evidence.

The latest raids, which were carried out in Mumbai, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Faridabad, Delhi and Thane also discovered a shocking letter that describes a chilling plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the lines of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. This was the second such operation in the last three months.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

At least 16 people were killed and 12 others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh, prompting authorities to call Indian Air Force to rescue marooned villagers on Sunday.

The IAF personnel rescued 14 people who were stranded in Lalitpur and Jhansi districts due to heavy rainfall. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the IAF personnel for helping in rescue operations.

Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, "All six people were successfully rescued in Lalitpur district. The IAF team did a fantastic job.

Kerala Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund gets Rs 1,027.78 crore till date

"The district magistrate of Jhansi has confirmed that all eight fishermen have been successfully rescued by an IAF team," he said.

Shahjahanpur was the worst hit where six people died after being struck by lightning and seven others were injured on Saturday.

"Six people lost their lives in Shahjahanpur, while three died in Sitapur district and two people each in Auraiyya and Amethi," the office of the UP Relief Commissioner said in a statement.

Also Read | New twist in activists' arrest, Maharashtra police claims Kashmiri separatist link

One person each died in Lakhimpur Kheri, Rae Bareli and Unnao, it said, adding, all deaths took place on Saturday.

Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rains in eastern and western parts of the state over the next two days.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi:

Trouble is likely to mount for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over the alleged Rafale scam as the Congress party is planning to take the matter before the court. Senior Congress leader and a renowned lawyer Kapil Sibal on Sunday revealed that his party was waiting for some necessary documents before moving to the court.

We wont move the court until we get necessary documents in the case, PTI quoted Sibal as saying.

The Congress has been attacking the BJP-led government over its deal with Frances Dassault Aviation to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets, claiming the ruling regime inked the deal on a price three-time higher than what was finalised during the previous UPA government.

Sibal said that the Modi government didnt have any answers in the Rafale fighter aircraft deal and claimed that External Affairs and Defence ministries were not taken into consideration before finalising the deal with France.

Also Read | Pragathi Nivedana Sabha: We will not surrender to Delhi's leadership, says CM K Chandrashekhar Rao

The Rafale deal is a big scam to which the Modi government does not have any answer. This deal was struck overlooking the provisions of the Aircraft Procurement Policy. The External Affairs and Defence ministries were not taken into consideration before inking the deal, he said.

The former union minister said that the Congress-led UPA government had struck the Rafale deal in 2012. As per the deal, the cost per aircraft was about Rs 560 crore. However, Sibal alleged that the Modi government junked the deal and signed a new one in 2016. As per their deal, he said that each aircraft will cost Rs 1,600 crore.

We are not seeking information on the technology used to manufacture the aircraft. We just want to know on what basis the NDA government inked the deal to buy the aircraft at three times its 2012 cost, Sibal said.

Reiterating Congress president Rahul Gandhis demand, Sibal sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into Rafale deal.

Also Read | Ashiwini Kumar Choubey calls Rahul Gandhi 'naali ka keeda'; triggers political agitation

On being asked about the BJP raking Bofors deal of the 1980s in response to Congress Rafale scam accusations, Sibal said that the court had acquitted the people but BJP wont come out clean on the Rafale deal.

Has anything happened in Bofors deal yet? The court has acquitted the people. But we will see how these people come out clean of the Rafale deal accusations after 2019, he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi:

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Krishna is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Shravan. This year Janmashtami falls between September 2 to September 3. The festival is also known as the Dahi Handi festival in Maharashtra.

Janmashtami 2018 celebration:

Meanwhile, with the festive atmosphere buzzing around, the Ghats and monuments have been lit-up in Mathura and Vrindavan, while social media has been flooded with colourful celebration pictures from across the country.

Read | Janmashtami 2018: Fill your platter with top traditional food recipes

History and Significance:

As per the Indian mythology, Lord Krishna, son of Devaki and King Vasudeva lived over 5000 years ago in Mathura. Unfortunately, Devaki's brother Kansa, who was the then ruler of Mathura, wanted to kill Krishna as he was believed to be the reason for his fall. In the meantime, Vasudeva in a bid to protect Krishna from Kansa's evil forces took him to Gokul where he was raised by his foster parents Nanda and Yashoda.

From dodging several assassinations attempts by uncle Kansa to growing up as a charming cow herder in Gokul, every minute details of Krishna's much-celebrated life can be found in Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated to worship Lord Krishna so that he eliminates the evil forces and good may always triumph. To seek his blessings, Krishna Abhishek (bathing Krishnas idol) is performed, where milk, ghee and water are offered to the deity. Lakhs of Hindu followers also throng temples to offer prayers to him. His devotees also observe fast for the entire day.

Read | Janmashtami 2018 celebrations: Whatsapp messages, Wishes and Quotes

Date and Muhrat:

Krishna Janmashtami 2018: Date (Puja Tithi) and Time

Ashtami tithi starts: 8:47 pm on September 2, 2018

Ashtami tithi ends: 7:20 pm on September 3, 2018

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New Delhi:

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei unveiled the world's first 5G solution-ready commercial 7nm (nanometre) chipset Kirin 980 which is believed to be the most powerful smartphone SoC, equipped with Artificial Intelligence capabilities. "It looks smaller than my nail, but it is the most powerful and intelligent SoC chipset for smartphones introduced so far," Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu said while unveiling the chipset.



ALSO READ | Oppo Realme 2 at Rs 8,240; Know how to avail the offer



The powerful Kirin 980 chipset will be launched in Huwaei's Mate 20 series which is expected to be launched next month.



"The Kirin 980 will be used in smartphones and tablets," Benjamin Wang, Deputy General Manager, Wireless Chipset Business Unit, Huawei Consumer Business Group, told reporters.



In an octa-core configuration, the CPU in Kirin 980 is comprised of two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores; two high-efficiency Cortex-A76 cores; and two extreme efficiency Cortex-A55 cores, the company said.



Huawei Mate 20 expected Key Specs:



1. Waterdrop notch

2. Triple rear cameras

3. Kirin 980 chipset

4. 4200mAh battery

5. 6.3" AMOLED screen

6. 2244 x 1080 display

7. Wireless charging



ALSO READ | JioPhone 2 third flash sale starts on September 6; Know how to buy



8. Android Pie (EMUI 9) operating system

9. 3.5mm headphone jack on top

10. USB Type-C charging port














New Delhi:

In what could be another big blow to the deteriorating ties between the United States and Pakistan, the US military has made a final decision to freeze the financial aid worth 300 million USD to the Imran Khan government owing to Islamabads perceived failure to take decisive action against militants.

Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining USD 300 million (actually USD 323.6 million to include non-Pakistan funds) was reprogrammed by DoD in the June/July 2018 time frame for other urgent priorities before the funds expire on September 30, 2018," Pentagon Spokesperson Kon Faulkner told PTI.

There are also reports that US President Donald Trump's administration has accused Pakistan of providing a safe haven to the insurgents, who are responsible for "a 17-year-old war in neighbouring Afghanistan". Pakistan, however, has denied such allegation.

With this, the Department of Defence (DoD) has reprogrammed USD 800 million CSF destined for Pakistan.

Read | Two presidentsnot Trumppay tribute to McCain at Washington funeral

This is because US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has refused to give the necessary certification to the Congress that Pakistan has taken strong steps against terrorist groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"This is not a new decision or a new announcement. In 2018, the DoD Appropriations Act, published on March 23, 2018, you can find the verbiage detailing USD 500 million was rescinded by Congress upon the 2018 DoD. Appropriations Act's passage (page 161), which is all public?" Faulkner added.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and LET in the region?" he stated.

The decision came days ahead of the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Pakistan on September 5. According to reports, combating militants will be a "primary part of the discussion" between the two countries.

Read | Myanmar releases 75 more child soldiers: UNICEF

Earlier in August, Congress slashed the security-oriented financial aid to Pakistan that came after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2019 increased the military expenditure and opted to not bring any changes in policy.

The US Department of Defence is currently awaiting a congressional determination on whether this reprogramming request will be approved or denied. Pentagon will have a congressional response before September 30, to allow it to implement the reprogramming actions.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A tribute was paid to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for promoting the democratic process in the Kingdom. Bahrains national democratic process takes into account the nature of our society, without seeking to emulate any other types, said Information Affairs Minister, Head of Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) board of trustees chairman Ali Al Romaihi yesterday.

In a statement to Bahrain TV News Centre, he paid tribute to HM the King for embarking on a pioneering project which paved the way for the establishment of key institutions over the past two decades.

He cited particularly the bicameral system  Shura Council and Council of Representatives  the National Audit Court, the Public Prosecution and the Supreme Council for Women (SCW). He described the establishment of the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) as one of the successful fruits of the pioneering reform project, being the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The think tank has served, since its inception in 2005, more than 30,000 citizens  10,000 of whom attended periodic training programmes, he said, adding that awareness programmes targeted 20,000 people, including school and university students, parliamentary candidates and voters.
Six people have been killed by floodwaters in Taiwan, officials said, after days of heavy rain forced thousands to evacuate their homes.

A tropical depression has been dumping torrential rain in central and southern Taiwan since Thursday, with some districts receiving close to 1,000 millimetres (39 inches) of rainfall. Six have died in the storm so far, according to government figures, including three who were killed by a falling scaffold in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Almost 100 more were injured.

More than 6,000 people were evacuated with more than 1,100 still in shelters yesterday morning, officials said.
On foot, by bus, on the backs of juddering trucks, like tens of thousands of others they slogged for days along the Pan-American highway through Colombia and Ecuador. Grubby and sleepless, their goal was to reach Peru, a sanctuary of sorts for a desperate Venezuelan family.

Exhausted and swept by the endless wash of traffic noise on the highways shoulder, the Mendoza Landinez family had the additional pressure of a deadline: to enter Peru before new rules required them to produce a passport. It pushed Joel Mendoza, his companion Edicth Landinez and her two children Nacari and Sebastian, into a desperate race against the clock. Also in tow are Edicths niece Eliana with her baby, Tiago.

Thursday August 23 In Pasto, southern Colombia, near the Ecuadoran border, they hitch a ride on a truck. On board are 11 Venezuelans, including seven on the open flatbed behind, three of them children. The cold is numbing. Huddled against the wind, Joel throws an arm around Edicth. They left Guanare in western Venezuela together on August 15. A tough decision but their combined wages as a truck driver and domestic worker could buy nothing -- just a kilo of soap.

Crossing mountainous Colombia, already home to more than a million Venezuelan migrants, they found cold but some comfort from strangers who gave them food. Leaving ones country takes its toll, said Joel, 51. Abandoning what took so much effort is hard, says Edicth. At 34, her tired eyes and weathered skin make her look older. They have only the clothes they are wearing, with some blankets in a suitcase. The trucker who drove them for over 40 hours from the Venezuelan border buys them breakfast. And a Venezuelan woman, who made the same trip herself in July and works in a restaurant, offers them lunch.

The day began at 6:00 am. Eight hours later, they board another truck, which leaves them a few kilometers outside Ipiales, near the Ecuadoran border. They have crossed Colombia. Nervous, they hike for 90 minutes to the border. Edicth is the only one with a passport, which Ecuador now requires instead of ID cards in a bid to control a seemingly endless wave of migrants.

Other Venezuelans coming in the opposite direction tell them they should turn around. I have faith that they will let us in, insists Edicth. Joel nervously pulls on a cigarette. The sun goes down. The temperature drops. Sixteen year old Nacari and Sebastian, six, rest on their bags. They make no complaint. Eliana 19, cradles fivemonth-old Tiago.

Fraught, she barely utters a word. At 6:40 pm rumors are circulating that Ecuador is letting migrants cross without passports and will also lay on a bus to take them to Peru. Joel can scarcely believe it. God be praised! he says. The family prays together, hug each other. Edicth beams a wide smile. It will not last.
Barely few days after the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, declared his intention to contest for President in the 201...

Timi Frank

Barely few days after the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, declared his intention to contest for President in the 2019 General Elections, the presidency has ordered the police and a foremost anti-graft agency to arraign him in court this week over spurious charges, it was learnt on Sunday.Frank in a statement in Abuja said the aim of ASO ROCK and the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC is to embarrass Saraki and frustrate his chances of being nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to run against Buhari during the partys upcoming presidential primary election. Frank said: Events of the last three years has shown that the raison detre for President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration ferocious attacks against Saraki is based on their phobia that the President of the Senate may contest for President and defeat Buhari in 2019.Now that their worst fears have been confirmed by the formal declaration of Saraki to contest the 2019 presidential election last week, they are once again frantically foraging for criminal charges to hang on his neck. I have it on good authority that the fresh plot to arraign Saraki this week is the first out of the series of strategies being perfected by Buhari and his cronies at their ongoing business trip in China.Recall that in a statement on Friday, I had alerted the nation and the international community that Buharis APC Governors, Senators and heads of security agencies studded entourage is not in China to boost trade between both countries but to plot the removal of Saraki and how to rig the 2019 elections in favour of the APC.Come to think of it, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister, Theresa May and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, all came to Nigeria with a retinue of captains of industries and highly reputed Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of thriving business organizations to prospect for trade and investment opportunities in Nigeria, but Buhari is in China with his wife, an armada of APC politicians and heads of security agencies to plot judicial and extra-judicial measures against the leaders of opposition political parties in the country and how to compromise the 2019 general elections, Frank declared.He added: Recall that I have continued to cry out against the unmitigated intimidation, harassment, persecution, intolerance, vilification, arrests and kangaroo trial being unleashed against those opposed to Buharis re-election bid  to the exclusion of his key allies with corruption allegations against them.I had been vindicated me when news reports chronicled at least eight politicians  there are much more  working for the re-election Buhari in the February 2019 election that have pending corruption cases worth N232billion.Unfortunately, some of the names listed are with Mr. President in China as I write, he declared. The former APC chieftain however called on Nigerians and members of the international community not to be deceived by the fresh charges being concocted by the Presidency against Saraki. He insisted that the bogus charges being drafted by the assigned security agencies are simply to frustrate Sarakis presidential ambition the same way they have tried unsuccessfully in the last three years to emasculate his leadership of the Senate and to remove him from office as President of the Senate.It is a proven axiom that no democracy can survive without a vibrant and virile opposition, therefore any attempt to gag opposition political parties in the country and decimate their presidential aspirants for the 2019 elections amounts to another coup against democracy and I call on Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to remain vigilant and continue to speak-up to safeguard the nations hard earned democracy.Above all, I dont want Nigerians to forget that Adams Oshiomhole has vowed to get Saraki out of office by hook or crook. He also threatened to end Sarakis dominance of Kwara politics in 2019. Now that Saraki has thrown his hat into the ring for the presidential election, the party in connivance with the presidency is out to sully his name and stop him from participating in the up coming election.
Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers this afternoon. High 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low near 55F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
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ABC News Australia noted back in a 2017 report that in-part a statement from Melbourne's City Council stated that they were thrilled that Apple had chosen Melbourne and Federation Square for their new Global Flagship Store. We look forward to welcoming them as we continue to grow Federation Square as an innovative and exciting place for our community.

It now appears that the City Council being thrilled was short lived and turned on a dime when a massive backlash to the design and Apple's presence in Federation Square by a vocal part of Australia's citizenry. The protests forced Apple to submit a new store design to appease the very same city council that was "thrilled" intially at Apple's first proposal.

The matter soured again this week when Australia's news site The Age posted a report titled "Apple Fed Square upgrade fails to impress planners at city council." The new Apple Store design is presented in our cover graphic and a few images further below.

After Apple's original plans  dubbed a "pizza hut pagoda" by some  angered many Melburnians both for their design and the lack of consultation, the state government and Apple redrew their proposal.





The Age reported that "The new designs were released last month. Now, a Melbourne City Council officer's report raises a number of concerns about them.

They include issues that officers note as 'significant,' including that the new, updated design causes a 'loss of definition to the square.'

The report also raises concern over the new store being entirely dedicated to Apple, with 'no supporting food and beverage offer to enliven adjacent spaces around the edge of the square.'

There is also issue taken with the impact of the new Apple store on the neighboring Deakin Edge building, and the way in which the technology company's sales hub badly affects 'residual public spaces around the building with limited utility.'

The city council's chair of planning, Nicholas Reece, said the new designs for the Apple building were a significant improvement on the 'eyesore' released last year.

He said he would have preferred that Apple instead remodel the existing Yarra building rather than knock it down.

Although he said the new building design in some ways improved Federation Square's spaces, "particularly on the river side."

Councillors will vote next week on whether to support the new Apple plan, which will ultimately be decided on by Planning Minister Richard Wynne." You could read more about this story here.

Apple's Second Store Design

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO ENLARGE





Melbourne's Public Backlash Against the Apple Store

There are a lot of protesters and purists that don't want Apple in Federation Square regardless of the design. On the "OurCityOurSquare" twitter site you could see the anger from protesters with one participant (Tim Richards) stating: "Apple should piss off from Fed Square. Find somewhere else."

A more formal protest is being conducted by the National Trust's Victoria Branch who nominated Federation Square for Heritage protection after Apple's proposed store was announced. A court order was granted in late August to stop any construction on the site including an Apple Store.

Tweet #1 Video: Court Order to Stop Apple Store Construction

Federation Square has been granted temporary heritage protection a decision that will prevent an Apple store being built in the precinct. #7News pic.twitter.com/qmJFpx1DcH  7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) August 23, 2018

Tweet #2 Video: Stop Apple Protest + Melbourne's Tourist Minister says they'll vote for the new Apple Store

Posters have begun popping-up around Melbourne protesting the flagship Apple store planned for Federation Square. @AllanRaskall #9News pic.twitter.com/4eNgOXGZB1  Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) April 30, 2018

Melbourne's Tourist Minister John Eren is hopeful that City Council will vote for the new Apple Store knowing that a negative vote would be a big win for Sydney.

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.
I remember one time when I was fourteen or fifteen years old, riding on the back of a pick-up truck in the Peruvian Amazon. I had spent the day with my dad around the small town of Cunumbuque visiting dairy farmers. Up until the year before, the town had been controlled by one of Perus main terrorist organizations, now that the army had liberated it, its people were free to do business with outsiders. Thats why we were there.

As we drove away from the small town on a badly kept, dirt road, I looked up at the night sky, and I was stunned. Never had I seen this, and never I have seen it again.

I saw millions of lights spread across the night sky like spilled milk. It was an illuminated highway of sorts right over me, cutting through the night. The lights were of different colors and intensities: white, blue and even some red. It was so beautiful I could not stop looking up. I didnt even want to blink, I didnt want to miss a thing!

Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.

These words from the letter of Saint James remind me of that night on the desolate road looking up above at our galaxy, the Milky Way. I did nothing to deserve such a beautiful view. I just happened to be there. It was a perfect gift from above; sent down my way so that my mind and heart could both be lifted up in wonder and awe.

For millennia humans have looked up at the sky and wondered about what lies beyond. The stars have kept us humble, reminding us of our littleness. The night sky speaks of something greater than us, something transcendent, mysterious and enormous. For millennia, the night sky has spoken to us of gods and scary creatures, given us direction, and pointed us to a creator.

I have often wondered if Saint James had a stunning night sky in mind when he described God as the Father of lights who sends us every perfect gift from above.

The Father of Lights is the maker of those magnificent night lights. Saint James tells us that the same God who has created the stars is the giver of every perfect gift. If the Father of lights freely gives us a magnificent sky to see, how many other bigger and better gifts will he freely give!

There is a duality often discussed and debated in Christian theology: the role of faith and works when it comes to our salvation. Many believe that somehow we can earn our salvation. The more we do, the more God will like us, and the more likely He will welcome us into heaven. Others think that regardless of what you do, good or bad, the only things necessary to be saved is to believe in Jesus.

Asking which one comes first is like asking: what is more important, the birth, death or resurrection of Jesus? You cannot say, all of them have a role in the plan of salvation.

Saint James writes that faith without works is dead, yet at the same time, we know that salvation comes from God alone and that it is freely given. It cannot be earned or merited.

I cannot save myself. God must save me.

Rather than speaking of faith alone or works alone, we should probably speak of grace alone. It is by Gods grace that we are saved. It is through Gods action within you that you are granted salvation.

Salvation is the greatest gift the Father of Lights gives us. And he gives it freely  even to those who are not looking for it like Saint Paul.

The laws and statutes of the Old Testament given to Moses, and the many traditions of men cannot save. Though these bring order, and are good, they cannot save.

God gives us a gift and we respond to it. In the Gospel passage Jesus lists ways through which we chose to separate ourselves from God, ways through which we reject the gift freely given: evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, etc. Despite our sinfulness and rejection, the Father of Lights continues to offer his gift of salvation.

As Jesus freely comes among us in this Eucharist and freely offers himself to strengthen us and fill us with his presence, we approach the altar aware that our presence here is itself a gift of the Father of Lights. It is all grace.

The Father of Lights continues to give us perfect gifts; amazing gifts much more amazing than the beauty of the Milky Way. What perfect gifts has He given you already today?

Being here, now, at Mass, is a good place to start.

Picture is not mine, used with permission. Click here.

Homily for the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
Iranian Musician Kayhan Kalhor Wins Isaac Stern Human Spirit Award

09/01/18

Source: Tehran Times

Four-time Iranian Grammy Award nominee Kayhan Kalhor was one of the two winners of the Isaac Stern Human Spirit Award at the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition, the organizers announced last Tuesday.



Kayhan Kalhor (biography)



The Xiaoshuijing Miao Farmers Choir from Yunnan Province in southern China was the other recipient of the award, which is annually presented in Shanghai, China.



Kalhor is a founding member of the Silk Road Ensemble, a multinational collective of renowned performers and composers from more than 20 countries.



"I consider myself a cultural ambassador for my country," Kalhor told Violinist.com over the phone after the official announcement of the award.



"I will continue my mission to present Persian music to the world," he added



This year's jury was comprised members of the Stern family, conductor Long Yu and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who has collaborated with Kalhor in several international musical projects.



The $10,000 award, which is split by the two recipients, was established in conjunction with the first Shanghai Isaac Stern competition in 2016 to recognize an individual or group that is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the understanding of humanity through the medium of music.
The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has challenged stakeholders in the tourism industry to do more to increase the contribution of the sector to national development.



Tourism is the main income earner for a number of countries, who are leveraging on natural resources such as beaches, wildlife and naturally occurring landforms, as well as man-made attractions such as festivals and handicrafts. It is also a source of jobs, providing employment for a relatively large section of the population, particularly the youth.



However, despite an abundance of resources, the tourism sectors contribution to Ghanas Gross National Product has been relatively minimal, with direct and indirect contributions accounting for between three and seven percent in 2016. In terms of employment, travel and tourism supported about 288,000 direct jobs and 405,000 indirect jobs in 2016.



Vice President Bawumia challenged players in the tourism industry to do more when he addressed the chiefs and people of Cape Coast at this years Fetu Afahye on Saturday 1st September, 2018.



Citing figures from other countries to support his call for greater action, Vice President Bawumia said although growth in the sector has been remarkable so far, there is a lot of room for major improvement.



Tourism is the fourth highest income earner in this country. However, in terms of contribution to national output Ghana ranks 101 in 2016 among a group of 185 countries. In terms of contribution to employment Ghana ranked 49th. But Ghana ranked 113th (out of 185) in terms of our ability to attract tourism investment, compared to Kenya which ranked 73rd, the Vice President disclosed.



That means, Dr Bawumia explained, travel and tourism are not contributing to growth as much as we could. We are operating below our potential. In terms of contribution to GDP growth in 2017, Ghana ranked 67th compared to Kenyas 46th and Senegals 14th on a global scale.



The message is clear, there is more headroom to add to our travel and tourism industry, but we have to work harder if we are to create jobs, drive cultural exports, and generate local prosperity through our heritage values and environmental tourism.



Zeroing in on Cape Coast and its environs, which is arguably one of Ghanas main tourism hubs, with its beaches, slave castles and other monuments, Vice President Bawumia reiterated that residents of these towns would only reap the full benefits of the tourist attractions when conscious are made to improve sanitation, security, and the quality and standard of service offered in hotels and restaurants.



The Hospitality Industry must live above reproach to deliver satisfactory services to our tourists. Hotel services must be improved to meet international standards. Our bars and restaurant attendants must be given the needed soft skills training to make them competitive in the delivery of their services.



Reflecting on the theme for this years Fetu Afahye, Restoration of Our Heritage, a Key to Tourism and Development, Vice President Bawumia urged organisers of the festival, as well as leaders of all traditional areas in the country, to take advantage of such occasions to plan for the future development of their communities.



Let us remind ourselves that festivals themselves are like any resource which can be used to develop our communities, as tools of job creation and export promotion, as means to promote tourism, and to attract investments into our cultural industry. In many parts of the world festivals are at the forefront of wealth and employment creation, as well as the promotion of the artistic talents of the culture.



Let us commit to do even better next year everything we are doing well in this years festival. Let us challenge the creativity and artistic talents of the youth to enhance the heritage value of the festival.









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.

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The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has postponed the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) to October 15, 2018.



Consequently, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) suspended its planned protest against the implementation of the CTN



GUTA's decision followed an assurance given to it by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to resolve all issues related to the system before October 15, 2018.



The President of GUTA, Dr Joseph Obeng, disclosed this at an event which was meant to announce the closure of shops in protest against the CTN.



A GRA notice announcing the postponement said: Following consultations between government and key stakeholders, the Commissioner-General wishes to inform the trading public, importers, freight forwarders, shipping lines and other stakeholders that the effective date for the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes has been rescheduled to 15th October, 2018.



Reasons for postponement



According to GRA, the postponement of the implementation date is to allow for more consultation and sensitisation of all stakeholders with the view to build and deepen understanding and consensus.



Address all concerns



This, it said, was to address all concerns raised by the trading community before the new date of the implementation of the CTN.



Govt absorbs cost of CTN permanently



The Commissioner-General of GRA, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, also announced that there would be no fees or charges applicable to importers or shippers in Ghana or elsewhere associated with the implementation of the CTN now or in the future.



GRA to refund CTN fees charged already



According to him, any fees charged to any importer so far in association with the implementation of the CTN would be reimbursed by GRA.



GRA withdraws No CTN No Load policy



He stated that GRA would inform all shippers abroad that the No CTN No Load policy is rescheduled until October 15.



"The Commissioner-General takes this opportunity to express his gratitude to all stakeholders for their co-operation," the notice added.

Source: The Finder









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
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.
An officer with the Aurora (CO) Police Department was shot during a gunfight with a subject on Friday afternoon. The rounds that struck the officer reportedly were stopped by his ballistic vest, according to the Denver Post.

Multiple people who were shot by the suspect, including a juvenile, were taken to a hospital, said Ken Forrest, a police spokesman.

The suspect was also shot.
Two Sterling, MA, Police officers and one Massachusetts State Police trooper were treated for opioid exposure after responding to a fatal overdose on Friday, according to MassLive.com.

While investigating, two Sterling Police officers and one state trooper began showing signs of possible fentanyl exposure.

"The officers and trooper all described feeling dizzy and nauseous with a tingling sensation," the Sterling Fire Department said in a statement.

All three were transported to a nearby hospital and treated and released.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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The firm, which traces its origin back to 1862 in a humble Kolkata bakery and its subsequent listing on the bourses in 1918, says that it now wants to grow substantially and not just rest on its laurels.





Britannia biscuits first mechanised its operations with the advent of electricity in 1910. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters.

In its hundredth year, the Wadia group company is working on ways to keep its brand evergreen.

With 50 launches planned this fiscal year and a new logo, the company says it is ready to cater to the evolving tastes of young Indians who are increasingly seeking health and nutrition in the brands they snack on. And with the frenetic pace that it has set itself, the company seems to be keen to dispel the notion that it is too old to learn new tricks, say experts.

In 1979 the company changed its name from Britannia Biscuit Company Ltd to Britannia Industries Ltd. Photograph: Courtesy britannia.co.in.

The rejuvenation and revival process began a few years ago. Driven by a new market reality where food and dairy brands were increasingly being put to a health test and a new managing director, Varun Berry took over in April 2014, the company decided it was time for a review.



In a presentation made to investors on its centenary year, Britannia says that it went about increasing the pace of product innovations and launches and repackaged many of its old favourites.

Britannia was started up by the Gupta Brothers, one of whom was an attorney, in Kolkata. When they made a Kolkata-based Englishman CH Holmes a partner, the company got its name. During World War II 95 per cent of its capacity was diverted to the war effort. This enamel-porcelain vintage sign of the company is selling for $ 999 on ebay. Photograph: Courtesy ebay.com.

It also focused on expanding the distribution network in rural areas and the Hindi-speaking states.

The result is that five years later, with 33 per cent share of the organised market, the company has outpaced rival Parle, in terms of value although the latter continues to rule the market in terms of sales volume. In 2013, Britannia lagged behind Parle by six per cent in terms of market share by value but in 2017-18 Parle trails by three per cent, the company says, quoting data from research agency AC Nielsen.





Biscuits on a conveyor belt after being baked at the Britannia factory in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters.

Keeping the momentum is priority and Berry says that he has planned a slew of innovations to help the brand penetrate new categories.

One such product, Deuce under the Pure Magic brand umbrella, has hit the stores already and another new launch, Croissant, in a joint venture with Greek food brand Chipita, is expected soon.



The firm, which traces its origin back to 1862 in a humble Kolkata bakery and its subsequent listing on the bourses in 1918, says that it now wants to grow substantially and not just rest on its laurels.





In 1924 Britannia set up its second biscuit factory in Mumbai. Photograph: Courtesy britannia.co.in.

Consolidation and growth



After losing substantial market share both from the organised as well as unorganised competition, Britannia staged a comeback under Vinita Bali, who took over as the managing director in 2005. By the time Bali moved on in 2013, Britannias market cap had more than trebled.



Berry, who joined Britannia as chief operating officer in February 2013, then took over from Bali in April 2014.

In 1955 Britannia launched Bourbon biscuits in India. Now over 60 years later the company hopes to create as big a stir with its chocolate-coated Deuce. Photograph: Courtesy britannia.co.in.

From the time he took charge as managing director till the first quarter of the current fiscal year, Britannias market cap has grown by 55.9 per cent at ~743.88 billion while its topline increased by 9.4 per cent CAGR, making Britannia Industries the largest biscuit maker in terms of value.

According to the company, a combination of measures has helped. Direct distribution outlets have gone up from 730,000 in March 2014 to 1.84 million in March 2018. Its net sales value has increased substantially from the Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the brand has made its way deeper into the heartland.



Also playing a big part in the brand rejuvenation is the relaunch of its flagship Good Day brand. In 2015, the company came out with new packaging and pack sizes to take on rival Parle G and that has helped immensely. Berry believes it will take another two years for Good Day to outrun Parle G.





In 1983 the companies sales crossed 100 crores. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters.

Communicating the new



The company said that it intends to transform itself into a holistic foods company. It does not want to walk away from its legacy, but does want to present itself as a contemporary entity in a modern marketplace.



Chairman Nusli Wadia had said while unveiling the logo, It is not completely different from our old logo, and added that the aim was to reflect modernisation and stay relevant to the modern days. Thus, while the company has discarded the outer curved rectangular part, it has retained the inner red portion to convey boldness and the green that it says stands for goodness. A splash of yellow has been added to the mix.





In 1986 Good Day biscuits were launched and the company believes they will be as popular eventually as Parle G. Photograph: Courtesy britannia.co.in.

Britannia Industries vice president of marketing, Ali Harris Shere explains that the curved yellow stripe at the bottom of the logo communicates excitement. The idea he says is to convey exciting goodness.



According to Sandeep Goyal, founder of Mogae Media the new communication is targeted towards a more youthful audience and is a departure from its earlier communication. Previously, the primary focus was on the mother and they talked about health and nutrition but now, their targeted consumers are the young and thus a communication which connects better to this consumer segment was needed, Goyal said.





Britannia was established in a bakery in central Kolkata in 1862 on an investment of Rs 295. This billboard is from 1945. Photograph: Courtesy ebay.com.

Ramesh Thomas, president at brand value management firm, Equitor, says that the new identity implies that Britannia wants to be associated with an active lifestyle. The previous catch-line was about health and intellectual pursuits. The new corporate identity is in line with a new energetic India, he said. The brands tagline now reads Exciting goodness in addition to the old one that states Eat healthy, think better.



For brands any change is welcome, say brand gurus. If nothing else, it will keep the spotlight on Britannia as it gets ready to launch its new labels.
The ultimate was surely Yudhishthira's immortal "Aswathama hatha...", followed by a whispered "iti narova kunjarova..."," says Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Fake news, now so much in the news thanks to Donald J Trump, once threatened to place me in dire peril. Ironically, it also saved me. This is how it happened.

It was a surprise when P A Sangma, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, invited me home to tea in his sprawling New Delhi bungalow. We had met once before in General Jake Jacob's house in Calcutta, but hardly hit it off.

Since Sangma was then chief minister of Meghalaya, I mentioned my old friend, Nari Rustomji, who spent almost his entire ICS career in the north east which he loved dearly and knowledgeably. Sangma didn't respond.

Much later in the evening, he murmured, "So you have met my chief secretary", stressing the possessive pronoun. That was the sum total of our conversation.

In Delhi, he was charm itself. He wanted me to write his biography.

"We have something in common," he said, pulling out several sheets of Google print-outs. He read out that although a Hindu, I was married in Sydney to a Roman Catholic.

I told him the first two points were correct. But not the third. My wife is also Hindu. Thank heaven for that.

Sangma's immediate disinterest in the project spared me from having to make excuses.

That wasn't my first brush with fake news.

The army PRO would regularly ask me during the Bangladesh war whether my questions were on behalf of The Statesman or one of the newspapers abroad for which I also wrote. He was quite candid about his reply depending on my answer.

Which was fake and which the true version?

Fake news was even more blatantly manufactured during the Sikkim takeover a few years later. I was telexed a draft news report purporting to be an eye-witness account of anti-Chogyal demonstrations in Gangtok.

It came from the ministry of external affairs, and we were expected to publish it as our own authentic report. I responded diplomatically (as I thought) that we didn't have a correspondent in Gangtok. Our nearest reporter was in Darjeeling.

Back came an amended telex with a Darjeeling dateline starting 'Reports reaching here from Gangtok show...'

We must turn to the epics for fake news on an epic scale.

The ultimate in such propagation was surely Yudhishthira's immortal 'Aswathama hatha... (Aswathama is dead)', followed by a whispered 'iti narova kunjarova... (whether man or elephant I don't know)' in the Mahabharata.

It convinced the great Dronacharya, commander of the Kaurava forces, that his beloved son Aswathama had indeed been killed.

Many believe such episodes both reflect and mould a people's character.

The personalities are semi-divine, the stories enjoy religious sanction, and they are handed down from father to son through the ages as part of the nation's collective memory.

Like the theft of the nectar of immortal life from the ocean's churning, they may even set precedents for contemporary diplomacy.

Of course, the Mahabharata and nectar theft tales might themselves be fake news. They may never have happened. Legend isn't history.

The tale of General Charles Napier sending the shortest telegram ever -- just one word, 'Peccavi', meaning 'I have sinned' in Latin -- when he conquered Sind for the British East India Company in 1842 comes to mind.

The Peccavi tale appeared in Punch two years later, thought to be the handiwork of a witty teenaged girl, Catherine Winkworth, who grew up to become a translator and campaigner for women's rights.

The magazine swallowed her joke hook, line and sinker. It may have seemed a lark then, but repeating today that 'Peccavi' is the shortest telegram in history makes it fake news.

For Trump, however, fake news often seems to be anything he doesn't want to hear. No wonder he flips and flops and contradicts himself.

One day he insists that reports of his son ever meeting any Russian officials is fake news. The next day he admits that Junior had indeed sought the low-down on Hillary Clinton from the Russians.

This indicates a more serious inconsistency that might gravely affect Trump's credibility. If the Russians did intervene in the 2016 US presidential election, as he froths and foams, it can only be because Vladimir Putin can't abide Mrs Clinton. Therefore, they helped Trump.

It's a piquant situation. The present 'Leader of the Free World', as Western governments style the US president, may owe his elevation to someone who heads what a predecessor called the 'Evil Empire'.

Or is that, too, fake news?
The two leaders had some firm convictions in defence matters and are idolised by their respective people because they salved the scarred collective psyches of their societies, says Shreekant Sambrani.

When they started their political journeys, they were rank outsiders. The odds of their becoming leaders of their national governments were astronomical. Yet that is what they became. And they were among the most popular ones in modern times at that.

The tenth prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the fortieth president of the United States of America, Ronald Wilson Reagan, were two of a kind. They both lived to the ripe old age of 93 and spent their last years lost to the world, in the labyrinths of their own consciousness, their sonorous voices forever muted.

Vajpayee entered Parliament in 1957 and drew attention as a good and conscientious member. Despite being opposed to the Congress, he paid a most moving tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru on his death in 1964.

His party, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, was a fringe component of the small and splintered opposition then. It remained so for most of the next two decades, until 1977, when it played a key role in the post-Emergency victory of the Janata grouping. Vajpayee became the external affairs minister in the Morarji Desai cabinet.

Many firsts such as a visit to China notwithstanding, this phase of his career was not particularly remarkable. The zenith of his career was his prime ministership as the head of the first National Democratic Alliance from 1998 to 2004.

Reagan nursed political ambitions after his Hollywood career (never an A-list star) since the 1950s. He was a great admirer of Franklin Roosevelt but became a Republican in the 1960s. He served as governor of California between 1967 and 1975 with a lacklustre record.

His bids for the Republican nomination for president were unsuccessful first against Richard Nixon in 1968 and then against President Gerald Ford in 1976. He went on to unseat Jimmy Carter in a landslide win in 1980 not so much because of his own appeal but more because America was reeling under the ineffectiveness of Carter in resolving the long-running Iran hostage crisis.

Both men had to cohabit in power with their immediate competitors in their own parties. Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani may have formed a long partnership, but it was not smooth sailing always. Reagan had to accept George H W Bush as his vice-president. The two had fought a bitter primary battle for the nomination in 1980, with Bush repeatedly pouncing on Reagans supposed naivete. He called Reagans economic agenda voodoo economics.

Power seems to have made the fabled communication abilities of Vajpayee and Reagan bloom. Their good looks and powerful speech were the gifts ideally suited for the electronic media and they exploited these talents fully. They had some firm convictions in the defence matters.

Vajpayee famously conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests and Reagan pursued his strategic defence initiative, dubbed star wars, even as he prepared for the strategic arms limitations treaty with the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Vajpayee enjoyed his moments of supreme glory with the Kargil campaign of 1999, while the apogee of Reagan coincided with what he called the collapse of the evil empire (East Europe Soviet bloc) towards the end of his term.

Although not known for their economic expertise, they both achieved some success in this area as well. After initial hiccups, the reform process gathered steam in India and by 2004, the economy was trotting along with an eight-plus per cent annual growth. Reagans supply-side economics began to show results in the late 1980s. They had failures too, but none stuck to them, earning them the epithet of Teflon leaders.

The British historian M J Heale summed up Reagans contribution thus: He rehabilitated conservatism, turned the nation to the right, practised a considerably pragmatic conservatism that balanced ideology and the constraints of politics, revived faith in the presidency and in American exceptionalism.

The consensus of the many analyses of Vajpayee in the last few days appears to be pretty much the same.

The ultimate similarity between the two patriarchs is a twist of irony. They were idolised by their respective people because they salved the scarred collective psyches of their societies.

Their own parties govern their respective nations now, but their successors are widely seen as further polarising their countries.

Perhaps it was just as well that in their final days, these avuncular leaders were beyond the pale of cognition of these widening chasms.

Shreekant Sambrani is an economist.
'The US appears to think that Pakistan is highly vulnerable today due to its economic crisis and one more turn of the screw may bring about desired results,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

The surprise element in the Pentagon disclosure that a final decision has been taken on their July move to suspend $300 million military aid to Pakistan is that it came when there is just a couple of days left for US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's arrival in Islamabad.

If nothing else, courtesy demands that the disclosure was kept pending till the upcoming talks got over.

The diplomatic snub comes within days of the fracas over the transcript of a phone conversation recently between Pompeo and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Call it 'psywar'; or, call it forewarning of shape of things to come; or, call it a cool assessment in Washington that a strategy of 'maximum pressure' might still work to push Pakistan to change its policy on the Afghan war.

At any rate, this does not exactly make a good curtain raiser for the conversation in Islamabad on Tuesday when Imran receives Pompeo or when the latter accompanied by the chairman, US joint chiefs of staff General Joseph Dunford, calls on Pakistani army chief General Qamar Bajwa.

The bottom line is that the US appears to think that Pakistan is highly vulnerable today due to its economic crisis and one more turn of the screw may bring about desired results.

On the other hand, Pakistan too thinks that the US is at its most vulnerable point in the 17-year old Afghan war -- indeed, more and more Pakistani analysts are drawing the analogy of the Vietnam War.

All this puts a damper on the facile assumption of Pakistani commentators that this is a time of hope and Pompeo's visit may pave the way for a smooth approval of a multi-billion dollar IMF bailout for Pakistani economy, which is of the highest importance for the Imran Khan government.

Clearly, continuing tensions in the relations with the US could greatly complicate the terms of any IMF bailout package.

Will China loosen its purse strings and assume responsibility for redressing Pakistan's acute balance of payments situation?

It is a tantalising possibility, but then Pakistan is a much bigger country than Sri Lanka. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Islamabad this week no sooner than Pompeo departs.

Of course, the CPEC can be 'tweaked' to dovetail with Imran's development agenda. This is one way China can help.

In the given situation, though, Pakistan would expect China to give generous financial support, too.

To be sure, the importance of Pakistan's stability has never been so high as today in the Chinese regional and global strategies.

Which means that Pakistan may still have some wriggle room left and Washington may be underestimating Islamabad's tenacity to withstand American pressure.

Having said that, Pakistan's own preference will still be to approach the IMF for a bailout, since it will also open the door to Western investments and capital.

Thus, the outcome of Pompeo's visit isn't necessarily a foregone conclusion.

Therefore, the scheduling of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's visit just before Pompeo's visit and the resounding support Pakistan has expressed for Tehran in its faceoff with the Trump administration over the 2015 nuclear deal wasn't probably a smart thing to have done -- by provoking the Trump administration at a sensitive juncture when it barely coping with its Iran strategy.

(This might even have triggered the knee-jerk reaction in Washington on the cancellation of the US$300 million military aid.)

On its part, Tehran has been pinning high hopes on a fundamental shift in the Pakistani calculus under Imran's leadership, who is seen as different from the country's traditional ruling elite.

But so far the 'feel-good' has been confined to nice words and atmospheric.

A sure sign would have been Pakistan's willingness to move forward on the Iran gas pipeline project. But that didn't happen.

All that was agreed was an understanding to hold the next rounds of bilateral political consultations and the joint economic commission at early dates. It remains unclear whether Imran will attend the 3rd Asian Cooperation Dialogue summit in Tehran in October.

Nonetheless, Zarif appears to have had a good meeting with Imran. Warm words were exchanged. However, there are serious limits to economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan at this point in time.

Both countries are facing a serious cash crunch. And it is improbable that the Pakistani elite will risk US sanctions.

From the Indian perspective, How does it all add up? Simply put, the tempo of US-Pakistani tensions should not affect our forthcoming contacts with the Imran government.

Nor is there is any reason why US-Pakistan tensions should cast shadow on the 'few ongoing efforts' -- to borrow the expression of the Pakistani spokesman -- under way currently, presumably below the parapet, to improve India-Pakistan relations.
'Vajpayee was predictable in his ways.'

'Modi is a schemer, possessed of a shrewdness that can be rewarding in the chaotic world of politics.'

'His political journey gives reason to believe that 2019 will be another milestone in his private project,' notes Vikram Johri.

Reactions to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death reconfirmed the huge popularity the leader enjoyed not just among the Bharatiya Janata Party cadre but a vast swathe of the political leadership.

His funeral procession through Delhi was reminiscent of the sort of public grief usually associated with the passing of South Indian thespians. Tears flowed freely at the subsequent shraddhanjali sabha organised by the government.

Opeds written in the aftermath of Vajpayee's death have focused on his political and economic legacy, the first characterised by his large-heartedness, most notably on Kashmir, and the second by his determination to take forward the reforms unleashed by P V Narasimha Rao nearly a decade before Vajpayee's term as prime minister.

From telecom to IT, highways to electricity, it was repeatedly pointed out that we are reaping the fruits of the seeds sown by him.

The dichotomy of his immense popularity and good governance on the one hand and the BJP's drubbing in the 2004 polls cannot be overstressed.

'India Shining', the ad campaign his government unleashed in the run-up to the 2004 polls, has since become the advertising equivalent of 'the road to hell...'

Even Vajpayee's fiercest critics must have been dumbstruck by that loss, given the long, hard road he and L K Advani, his deputy in the party and government, took to bring the BJP to the fore.

That loss will not easily be forgotten in the BJP, which is quick to point out that the subsequent United Progressive Alliance dispensation diluted -- and worse -- the promise of the National Democratic Alliance years.

The prospect of defeat, in spite of an acknowledged track record in government, must particularly roil Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and BJP President Amit Anilchandra Shah as they look to avoid that outcome next year.

Modi is arguably as popular as Vajpayee, but his popularity is of a decidedly different hue.

Vajpayee was known and celebrated for his expansiveness. Both Mamata Banerjee and Mehbooba Mufti, who are unlikely to say kind things about Modi, heaped praise on Vajpayee after his death.

Vajpayee the poet was indistinguishable from Vajpayee the politician, a factor that may have contributed to the inertia that led to the 2004 outcome.

Modi's popularity has a more deliberate sheen.

Unlike Vajpayee, he gives the impression of carving out a mandate in his favour. One example of this is his willingness to go after others in the political class.

In popular perception, the cases against Lalu Prasad and P Chidambaram's son could not have proceeded without his go-ahead.

Another instance of this doggedness is the army's renewed push in Kashmir to smoke out Pakistan-funded terrorists.

Modi is also careful not to give the impression that his government is only working for the rich, an unfortunate correlation for any leader who seeks to reform economic policies.

The rural push undertaken by his government, including Jan Dhan, housing and the provision of LPG, is one part of that story.

The government's going after the likes of Vijay Mallya and the exercise of demonetisation feed into a larger narrative of an administration keen to reform a plutocratic system.

The most crucial point of difference between the two leaders, however, may lie in their worldviews.

Modi is willing to raise questions -- such as the need to reform Muslim law -- that Vajpayee avoided.

Aware of his reputation and that of his party, he is cautiously tackling issues around minority rights that have long vexed the Indian polity.

The flip side is that to this day, he has not expressed regret for his inability to prevent riots in Gujarat under his watch.

Such silence would be unthinkable from Vajpayee.

Finally, Modi and Shah run an electoral machine unrivalled in the history of Indian politics.

While Modi's popularity has some role to play in the string of victories the BJP has enjoyed since 2014, Shah's micro-management must share the credit.

Obsessed with numbers, the duo has been making inroads into traditionally BJP-averse areas like Bengal and Kerala to make up for any seats the party may lose in the Hindi heartland.

Vajpayee was too retiring a man to lose sleep over panna pramukhs.

It is for these reasons that Modi is likelier to return to power next year than Vajpayee was in 2004.

Vajpayee was a multidimensional man who was nevertheless predictable in his ways. Modi is a schemer, possessed of a shrewdness that can be rewarding in the chaotic world of politics.

His political journey thus far gives reason to believe that 2019 will be another milestone in his private project.
'India will benefit hugely if the representation of women in Parliament is increased to a just level,' says Kumar Rajesh.

IMAGE: Clockwise from left: Harsimrat Kaur Badal (Akali Dal), Meenakshi Lekhi (BJP), Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal), Kothapalli Geetha (YSR Congress), V Sathyabama (AIADMK), Supriya Sule (NCP) and Sushmita Dev (Congress).

Modern societies increasingly demand gender equality, which is also a precondition for genuine democracy. Yet women are still under-represented in most parliaments in the world.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2016 published a self-assessment toolkit for parliaments around the world to assess their gender sensitivity.

The toolkit consists of seven broad assessment guidelines among which the most significant one is to check whether there is a just representation and participation of women and men across all the bodies and internal structures of the parliament.

According to a 2017 United Nations and IPU report, India ranked 148th globally in terms of representation of women in Parliament.

Currently, in the 16th Lok Sabha, a mere 12.2 per cent of the MPs are women, and in the Rajya Sabha female MPs constitutes just 11.5 per cent of the total members.

Until the 14th Lok Sabha, the representation of women in the lower house of Parliament was less than 10 per cent.

The IPU assessment guideline also suggests checking the representation of men and women in parliamentary committees.

Department-related parliamentary committees play a crucial role in scrutinising the decisions, legislation and working of the government in India.

Therefore, participation of female MPs in these committees is of vital importance to ensure that the legislation and policies formulated by Parliament are gender-inclusive.

The IPU guideline poses questions such as: In which committees are women mostly represented? In which committees are women under-represented or absent?

While there is no written rule that makes it mandatory for an MP to be part of parliamentary standing committees, it is a norm followed by a majority of lawmakers.

An analysis of the committee membership data of 84 non-minister female MPs (60 from the Lok Sabha and 24 from the Rajya Sabha) shows that 13 per cent of female MPs are not members of any department-related standing committee.

In fact, the department-related standing committee on finance, which has a membership of 31 MPs, has no female member at all.

A major proportion of female MPs are members of standing committees on social justice and empowerment (9.5 per cent), followed by human resource development (8.3 per cent) and chemical and fertilisers (7.1 per cent).

Out of a total of 24 department-related standing committees in both houses of Parliament, not a single committee is headed by a female MP.

The concentration of female MPs in a particular group of committees reveals that the stereotypes of women's interests are reinforced by committee membership.

Along with representation, the participation of female MPs in parliamentary business is an important indicator of the gender-inclusiveness of parliament.

There are three major interventions through which an MP participates in parliamentary business -- by asking questions, participating in debates and motions, and introducing private member bills (PMBs).

According to data collected by PRS Legislative Research for the 16th Lok Sabha (June 1, 2014 to July 31, 2018), female MPs on average asked 234 questions in the Lok Sabha, compared to 236 questions by male MPs.

Similarly, female MPs on average participated in 56 debates while male MPs participated in 55 debates.

In the same time period, female and male MPs both introduced 1.6 PMBs on average in the Lok Sabha.

Thus one can conclude first, that female MPs are equally capable of fulfilling their parliamentary duties as their male counterparts; and second, that though India's Parliament is insensitive towards women in terms of representation, it provides an equal opportunity to female MPs to participate in the business of the house.

IMAGE: BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat and Congress leader Prabha Thakur outside Parliament. IMAGE: BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat and Congress leader Prabha Thakur outside Parliament.

A recent study by the United Nations University found that women legislators in India raise economic performance in their constituencies by about 1.8 percentage points per year more than male legislators.

The report also noted that women legislators are more effective at completing road projects and hence creating infrastructure for growth. It also challenged the presumption that men are more effective at delivering growth-producing infrastructure.

It is evident that India will benefit hugely if the representation of women in Parliament is increased to a just level.

Given the patriarchal structure of Indian society, to mainstream Indian women in politics, affirmative action is needed.

The Constitution 108th Amendment Bill, commonly known as the Women's Reservation Bill, was a concrete step in this direction.

It sought to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on March 9, 2010, but the Lok Sabha didn't give its assent, and eventually it lapsed.

While it is very convenient to celebrate the symbolic value of electing the world's first woman prime minister or electing a woman as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, it is more crucial to address the gross under-representation of women in Parliament and within its different bodies and structures.

The current government should deliver on its manifesto promise of providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and in state assemblies.

Kumar Rajesh is a social policy researcher.
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Begusarai constituency in Bihar as a Communist Party of India candidate.

He is likely to have the support of grand alliance partners Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awami Morcha.

If the party (CPI) decides to nominate me as its candidate from Begusarai and other grand alliance partners also extend their support, then I dont have any objection to it, Kumar said.

He, however, said no formal talks have taken place either at party or alliance partners level with regard to sharing of seats.

A resident of Barauni block in Begusarai district, Kumars mother is an anganwadi worker and his father is a farmer.

Asked if he will still contest the election if CPI decides to go alone in 2019 general elections, Kumar said, Alliance is a certainty and party will not go it alone in elections. CPIs party congress has passed a resolution under which it would work and coordinate in forming a grand alliance of which CPI will certainly be a part, he said.

Sources said Kumar, 31, will be CPI nominee from Begusarai and all other partners of grand alliance such as RJD, Congress, NCP, HAM-S and Left parties would extend support to him.

CPI officials said RJD chief Lalu Prasad has given his consent in this regard.

Left parties, including the CPI want him to contest the Lok Sabha election from Begusarai in 2019 and other parties such as Congress and RJD also want him to contest the election, CPI state secretary Satya Narayan Singh said.

Stating that Prasad has given his consent for leaving a seat for Kumar, Singh said, During our talks held on earlier occasions, Prasad had agreed to leave a seat for him.

Singh also said his party has decided to contest six Lok Sabha seats in Bihar but a final decision would be taken after talks over seat-sharing with all like-minded parties.

The six seats on which the party intends to field its candidates are Begusarai, Madhubani, Motihari, Khagaria, Gaya and Banka.

The CPI leader said Kumar has agreed to contest election from Begusarai.

Begusarai, once considered a Left bastion, is currently represented by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bhola Singh, who defeated RJDs Tanveer Hassan in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

CPI candidate Rajendra Prasad Singh, who was also CPI state secretary then, contested from Begusarai in 2014 in alliance with Janata Dal-United and secured third position.

An RJD leader, preferring anonymity, said there is a broad consensus among grand alliance partners and Left parties that there should be a joint candidate to defeat BJP and its allies in 2019 polls, but discussions have not started on seat sharing so far.

Parties will name their candidates once seats are allocated to them but that has not taken place so far, he said.
On Saturday in Washington, DC -- where for more than 30 years he represented the state of Arizona and earned a reputation in Congress as a maverick -- late United States Senator John McCain was honoured by friends, loved ones, and even onetime political rivals.

Former US presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush, both of whom McCain had challenged in their races to win the nations highest office, delivered eulogies during the service at Washington National Cathedral.

In doing so, they underscored the respect McCain commanded throughout his life for his service and bravery, from his years as a Vietnam War prisoner of war to his last days battling brain cancer.

Here, touching photos from the service, part of a five-day series of memorial events before McCains body is laid to rest on Sunday at the US Naval Academy Cemetery.

The casket of Senator John McCain is carried down the steps of the US Capitol by a military honour guard in Washington, DC. Photograph: Marvin Joseph/Pool/Getty Images

Cindy McCain, wife of John McCain, accompanied by US President Donald Trumps Chief of Staff John Kelly, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the US Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images

The ribbon on the wreath laid by Cindy McCain said "In Honor Of All Who Served" in gold letters. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images

Bridget McCain and Meghan McCain, daughters of John McCain watch as Cindy McCain, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images

People stand in silence during a wreath laying ceremony to honour the late Senator at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A joint service military casket team prepares to unload the casket of the late Senator John McCain at the Washington National Cathedral for the funeral service for McCain in Washington, DC. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Meghan McCain and her mother Cindy McCain embrace as the casket of the late Senator John McCain arrives at the Washington National Cathedral for the funeral service. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Former US Vice President Joe Biden talks to Roberta McCain, mother of the late US Senator, at the Washington National Cathedral. Earlier during a memorial service, Biden paid a touching tribute to his friend -- John McCain. The former US president said, "My name is Joe Biden. I'm a Democrat. And I loved John McCain". Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

As the ceremony begins, Former US President George W Bush, Laura Bush, former US President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and Lynne Cheney look on. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

While eulogising her father, Meghan McCain condemned US President Donald Trump. She said, "We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness, the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who live lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served, she said, speaking forcefully and, at times, through tears. Taking aim at Trumps campaign slogan, Make America Great Again, she said McCains America was always great. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Former US President George W Bush speaks during the funeral service. He ran against McCain for presidency. In his speech, Bush said, He loved freedom with a passion of a man who knew its absence. He respected the dignity inherent in every life, a dignity that does not stop at borders and cannot be erased by dictators. Perhaps above all, John detested the abuse of power. He could not abide bigots and swaggering despots". Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Obama, who beat McCain in the 2008 US presidential election, hailed the one-time prisoner of war for his commitment to truth and core democratic values. So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult, and phony controversies, and manufactured outrage, Obama said. Its a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but in fact is born in fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that. Obama also noted McCains support for a free press. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The casket is led out following the funeral service for McCain at the National Cathedral. McCain will be buried at his final resting place at the US Naval Academy. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Stalin gets a new title...

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Tamil Nadu politics today welcomed its Thalapathy, the Commander.

DMK leader M K Stalin's new moniker, in keeping with his elevated status as the party's new president, signals the advent of another star in the state's political firmament.

There's baptism by fire, of course, that most Tamil Nadu politicians and heroes have to undergo.

And then there's the actual baptism when they ascend to the top.

So if Stalin was hailed as Thalapathy after he was unanimously elected party president, his father, the late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, was Kalaignar, the scholar of the arts.

Kalaignar, Thalapathy, Puratchi Thalaivar, Thalaivar or simply Captain, people in Tamil Nadu make sure to give titles to their most idolised stars, whether in politics or cinema.

Karunanidhi's title was derived from his contribution to Tamil films,

The former chief minister, who also donned the hat of a script writer during his early political career, was known for his powerful dialogues.

Kalaignar, who passed away last month at the age of 94, wrote his last script when he was 90. It was for a television serial based on the life of 11th century reformer-saint Ramanuja, a crusader for an egalitarian society.

Then there was the late M G Ramachandran, the actor-politician who was revered as Puratchi Thalaivar (revolutionary leader) and Makkal Thilagam (people's king).

His protegee J Jayalalithaa, who also entered politics through films and was chief minister multiple times, took on the title Puratchi Thalaivi.

There are many others.

Former leading actor Vijay Kant, the founder of DMDK, is known as Captain and a few years ago launched a television channel by that name.

Superstar Rajnikanth is Thalaivaa (leader) for his legions of fans.

And his rival Kamal Hassan, who early this year launched his political party Makkal Needhi Maiam, has been christened Ulga Naikan (universal hero) by his fans and supporters.

Coming to names with a difference, there's Viduthalai Virumbi (lover of freedom), a former DMK leader in the Rajya Sabha, and Tamilkudimagan (Tamil citizen), a former DMK minister.

The new DMK chief got his name as he was born on a day in March 1953 when his father Karunanidhi was attending a condolence meeting for Russian Communist party leader Josef Stalin.

Alagiri, Stalin's elder brother, is also called Anja Nenjan, which translates to brave heart.
R&B star John Legend expressed his desire to expand his family from four to five in a recent interview.

"I think so, we'd like to. We can do three," he said when asked if another baby is in the stars for the Legend family.

Married to wife, Chrissy Teigen back in 2013, he is already father to Luna, 2 and Miles, who was born only three months ago in May.

In the same interview, he addressed his relationship with his wife, saying "She's funny, she's fearless, she's effervescent, and she's beautiful, of course."

Meanwhile, in the Venice Film Festival which was held earlier this week, John Legend's Crow, a new VR project from the director of the "Madagascar" films was shown.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Entertainment News
Reigning International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) KiteFoil World Champion, France's Nico Parlier, edged his way up the order at the KiteFoil World Series being fought out off Weifang Binhai's Joy Sea Beach in eastern China.

The multiple world champion notched up a win and a third place in the only two races of the day after the early, shifty offshore breezes died completely. The finishes helped move Parlier up to third spot overall at the end of the second of five days of racing.But Britain's Connor Bainbridge, the overnight leader thanks to a dominant first day on the Yellow Sea's windward-leeward track, retained his lead at the top of the standings after he grabbed a win and a less auspicious seventh spot.The Briton had a slice of luck in the day's first race when he was forced to tuck into the pack at the start as he had forgotten to wear his timing watch. But his superior pace and strategy on the two-and-a-half laps of the course were enough to secure a comfortable win.The KiteFoil World Series season-opening event-with its total prize money of 60,000-is the first of four scheduled tour stops set to reach a climax in Muscat, Oman, in December, when the overall best athlete will be crowned 2018 World Champion.For the first time China is hosting back-to-back tour stops, with the racers heading south to Fujian province's windy Pingtan island next week for the second act of the unfolding drama that has drawn all the world's fastest kitefoil athletes.The field packed with talent in Weifang has seen the head of the fleet jockeying for position, with Bainbridge the surprise package as he burst into the competition and held the lead for the second consecutive day.But in his day's second race, as the breeze dropped to barely 6kts on parts of the course, Bainbridge struggled to make sufficient ground upwind to lay the top mark, and he was forced to tack back as Parlier rounded ahead, setting up his win.Parlier had spotted the wind shift just before the off and chose to begin near the start boat giving him and fellow countryman Axel Mazella a healthy lead on the track that they maintained all the way round, landing them first and second spots.By contrast Monaco's Maxime Nocher suffered the same fate as Bainbridge and finished slightly down the order, but it was enough from him to retain his second spot on the leaderboard ahead of Parlier.Britain's Guy Bridge, recently crowned Formula Kite European Champion, did his best to shrug off an ill-starred opening day, notching up second and third places that moved him up to ninth spot overall.But he acknowledged he needs many more races in the hope that he will be able to maintain his consistency and discard two further poor early scores, one of which was the result of a retirement when he tangled with brother Olly Bridge."In that second race of the day I was at the 'pin' end and I managed to get up a little bit," said Bridge. "It's quite a long race, so you can work your way back up. I'm pleased that I've managed quite a few consistent races now."France's Theo de Ramecourt slipped one spot to fourth overall, unable to quite match an excellent first day, but nonetheless buoyed by his performances that keep him very much in the hunt for a podium finish."The first day was better than today," said de Ramecourt. "But at least today I had some good options because I could read the windshifts. In the end I like this format, compared to the shorter Formula Kite races, because you have to have a strategy and that's more interesting. It's tiring by the finish, though."In the women's group, racing with the men, the US's triple Formula Kite World Champion, Daniela Moroz, again retained her lead over Russia's Elena Kalinina.1 Connor Bainbridge (GBR) 16.0pts2 Maxime Nocher (MON) 24.0pts3 Nico Parlier (FRA) 30.0pts1 Daniela Moroz (USA) 93.0pts2 Elena Kalinina (RUS) 129.0pts3 Kirstyn O'Brien (USA) 181.0pts
Every time Prime Minister, Dr Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, accuses someone of being an idiot and a fool, my mind winces and refuses to think.

The reason, I suppose, is that over the years all that the insults had done was made the mind wonder whether Samoa was the right place to be.

And that was how it felt when I picked up the paper Saturday morning, and saw the headline across the front page, saying: Theyre utterly stupid - PM.

At the top of the first paragraph was the blurb, saying: So any leader of any country who believes that there is no climate change, I think he ought to be taken to mental confinement.

He is utterly stupid, P.M. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi added. And I say the same thing for any leader here.

We all know the problem, he went on. We all know the solutions, and all that is left would be some political courage, some political guts, to tell people of your countries there is a certainty of disaster.

Tuilaepas address on climate change was delivered at the Lowy Institute in Sydney recently, in his role as the Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum.

He apparently stressed the point that climate change posed a challenge to low lying islands in the Pacific, which is why developed countries needed to reduce pollution in order to curb rising temperatures and sea levels.

According to ABC, Tuilaepas intervention came as some Coalition MPs have pressed Australias new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to abandon Australias promise to cut carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement.

It is reported that Australias new Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, is expected to face questions about his countrys climate change policies at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, in Nauru next week.

Indeed, it has been reported that a security agreement known as Biketawa Plus, which declares that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific, is likely to be signed soon.

It is understood though that Fijis Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, and the Marshall Islands President, Hilda Heine, among others, have called on Australia to do more to cut emissions.

As for Prime Minister, Tuilaepa, its understood hes made it clear that greater ambition was needed to stop the destructive impact of climate change.

He said: While climate change may be considered a slow onset threat by some in the region, its adverse impacts are already being felt by Island communities.

The report said: Tuilaepa also took a thinly veiled swipe at Australian anxiety about Chinas rise in the Pacific, warning that brewing competition was creating enormous uncertainty for small nations in the region.

It added: Chinas increasing presence in the Pacific has unnerved foreign policy officials in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and all three countries have been scrambling to reassert their influence.

However, such is the growing friction being encountered among Pacific Island nations and their bigger partners, Australia and New Zealand, that Prime Minister, Tuilaepa, had apparently warned against manipulation of Pacific Island nations by any major power.

He explained: The concept of power and domination has engulfed the world, its tendrils extending to the most isolated atoll communities.

The big powers are doggedly pursuing strategies to widen and extend their reach, inculcating a far reaching sense of insecurity.

As for China being accused of building roads in the Pacific and burdening small nations with heavy debts, Prime Minister, Tuilaepa, has made one point clear.

He said: Our partners have fallen short of acknowledging Pacific leadership.

Some might say there is a patronizing nuance, believing Pacific nations did not know what they were doing, or were incapable of reaping benefits of close relationships with countries that will be in the region for some time to come.

One has the tendency to be bemused by the fact that the reaction is an attempt to hide what we see as strategic neglect.

Now thats fine.

What wed like to know is why is Prime Minister Tuilaepa so infatuated with the word stupid.

Heres our guess.

* On the front page of the Samoa Observer on Tuesday, 13 March 2018, the headline said: Stupid, P.M. slams Samoa Airways report.

So whats gone wrong with Tuilaepas baby, Samoa Airways?

Indeed, why is he calling everyone stupid at a time when he should be celebrating, now that hes got Samoa Airways to replace his other baby, defunct Polynesian Airlines, that had gone bankrupt way back in 1999?

Stupid, P.M. slams Samoa Airways critics.

On the front page of the Samoa Observer on 12 March 2018, the front page story titled Samoa Airways $2m teething problems, was published.

In response, Prime Minister, Tuilaepa, attacked the papers editor, calling him stupid.

Tuilaepa went on to say: In the real world, a loss made in the first two months may be offset in months three; four and five.

It can be a loss again in months six, seven and eight and that can be money earned in nine, ten, eleven and twelve, which will offset the negative results in the earlier months of a business.

Now is that so?

Indeed, is this why his government is so keen to tax church ministers for the first time since Samoa became politically independent, fifty-six years ago?

And then, there was the Chinese visitor, named Kim Quang-I1-Jin Jipei.

When the story about Kim was published, Tuilaepa attacked the editor in Parliament where he announced: Such things should have never been made public.

Why?

He did not say.

What he said was: The problem is that the Samoa Observer is being run by idiots and fools.

In response, the Member of Parliament, Tuala Falenaoti Malietoa, stood up in the House, and told the Speaker: But what is happening is that the Samoa Observer has been publishing the truth.

Indeed the truth, nothing but the truth!

Have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless.
A Chinese national was found dead in the early hours of yesterday morning on the seawall at the back of the Government Building in Apia.

The man had injuries to his head and face and has been identified as Charles Chao, who is a volunteer at the Anglican School at Leififi.

His wife Shine Meli was shocked and is still trying to come to terms with the sudden death of her husband, when she spoke to the Sunday Samoan.

He went to Island Restaurant at around 9pm because he was having dinner with some of his friends there. After that he rang me that he was going for a walk on the seawall so I told him that I will meet him there.

Later on at about 11.00 pm (Friday night) he rang me again to tell me where he was, but when he rang I could hear people at the back and I heard him telling someone to go away, she added.

But Mrs. Melis mobile phone went off when the battery got flat, compelling her to ask a stranger sitting on the seawall at Sogi to use his phone.

I kept calling but no answer I then texted him twice no reply.

My sister and one of my relatives went around that whole area at that time but we couldnt find him.

This was around 12 midnight so we then came to the Fugalei market because my mother has a stall here, we came and asked one of the people here at the market if I could borrow their mobile phone.

I called my husbands phone five times it kept ringing but nobody answered. However, on my last attempt to his phone someone answered, but I could hear the person breathing but nobody was talking to me when I kept asking about my husband.

The person on the other side hung up and I kept calling again and again the person switched off my husbands phone, she added.

Mrs. Meli said she then went to their home at Faatoia but he was not there so she picked up her mother from the market and returned to Sogi, before driving around Mulinuu.

We came and stopped at Sogi and ask a security guard at one of the bars there if he had seen anyone. But the security guard said no and then told her that he could see ambulance lights flashing at the back of Government Building.

When we got there a lot of people were there and police officers as well as fire service vehicles were there as well I told them that I was looking for my husband and if I could see if that was him.

Ms. Meli said the injuries on her late husbands face and head were horrible.

He had some very severe injuries on his head and his face. I dont know how someone could do something like this to him because he was a very humble person. They also took his phone, money and all his belongings.

Attempt by the Samoa Observer yesterday to get comments from the Ministry of Police were unsuccessful.

Mrs. Meli has appealed to the public to assist the police in their investigations.

I miss him so much and I am also asking the public that if you have seen anything on that night please come forward and let the police know, she said.

The grieving wife and the Chinese national have a six-month old baby boy.
Customs and police have allegedly discovered the drug methamphetamine on a yacht which is now docked at the Marina Bay.

The discovery was made during a joint operation last Thursday involving over 20 officials from various government agencies. The vessel has been cordoned off at the wharf with the police restricting access by putting up barricade tapes.

Customs Commissioner, Avalisa Viali-Fautua'alii, confirmed the joint operation when contacted by Sunday Samoan.

The raid occurred on Thursday and it was collaborated efforts by Customs, Ministry of Police, the Samoa Port Authority and the Transnational Crime Unit.

The National Border Control was also involved. We had 10 officers from Customs involved in the raid and to date I have yet to see the full report on the results of the raid, she said.

She refused to comment further on whether there were any arrests or to confirm the quantity of the drugs discovered.

Ministry of Police spokesperson, Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Keti, did not respond to questions sent to her on email. However, during a brief telephone interview with Sunday Samoan yesterday she refused to give details on the seized yacht and its contraband cargo.
A famous Samoa eatery has warned local businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeit notes.

The Edge and Marina View Restaurant in Apia posted pictures of counterfeit Samoan $50 Tala notes on their official Facebook page and warned that they have passed on information to the police for action.

And the video coverage of the fake $50 has been given to the Police for action, the restaurant stated in a post.

The Central Bank of Samoa has since 2016 run a campaign against the use and circulation of counterfeit money, which has reportedly led to a drop in the circulation of counterfeit notes. The campaign was a collaboration between the Bank and the Ministry of Police and comprised awareness on radio, television and newspapers.

The maximum penalty in Samoa for the offence of circulating counterfeit money is 14 years imprisonment.
The nine contestants in the 2018 Miss Samoa Pageant visited the Samoa Observer head office on Friday.

They were welcomed by the Samoa Observers Editor, Mataafa Keni Lesa who invited them to introduce themselves and give little snippets of their stories.

We are really happy and pleased to help out with the Miss Samoa pageant. In the little bit of involvement that we had had with past Miss Samoa pageants  we know how hard it is for you all  especially if youve never been in the public eye before and it is certainly not easy to be in your shoes, he said.

During the meet and greet with newspaper staff, the Miss Samoa contestants asked questions about the newspaper and the challenges that a newspaper editor has to face on a daily basis.

To run a daily paper in Samoa is not easy, especially for a newspaper like Samoa Observer who are sort of a watchdog of government. Its a small country, quite often youre going to have to write a story about your uncle or aunty who wont be too happy about that. If you get one letter of a name spelt wrong, they will make sure that you apologise the next day  so thats just one of the many challenges.

Miss Samoa wanted to know what Mataafa would recommend to people who were aspiring to be journalists.

Finding qualified and skilled journalists in Samoa can be a challenge but journalism is a skill that can be learnt with enough time on the field. I think for anyone that wants to get into journalism, having a good command of English and knowing how to write is essential. In this day and age with growing social media platforms misinformation and disinformation is prevalent - it is even more important now to have journalists who are good writers, he said.

The contestants did a tour of the press room as well as the printing press before leaving the newspapers headquarters. Earlier in the day they paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa as well as several Cabinet Ministers from Savaii. This included the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, who is the M.P for the district on Savaii that is hosting the pageant.
The five winners of the Devondale Milk and Ah Liki Fathers Day promotion received $1000 pocket money and return tickets from Apia to Auckland, New Zealand.

There are ten winners and the other five received $100 shopping vouchers to spend at any Farmer Joe supermarkets.

Head of Sales at Ah Liki, Losa Maiai Wallwork said Devondale has been in partnership with Ah Liki Wholesale for over 20 years.

Devondale sponsored many promotional activities including the Fathers Family Day Out targeting Fathers Day Holiday in 2017 and Farmer Joes Family Festival in 2015 and 2017, she told the Sunday Samoan.

However, this is our first partnership with Samoa Airways. Ah Liki Wholesale is 100 percent Samoan and strongly supports our national local airline, Samoa Airways.

We firmly believe in advancing Samoan-owned business and look forward to partner up again with Samoa Airways for more exciting promotional activities in the near future.

Ms. Wallwork added the promotion was to honour and reward all the fathers in Samoa with consolation prizes of $100 shopping vouchers and five return tickets from Apia to Auckland and back plus $1,000 spending cash.

The Return Tickets are valid for 12 months from date of departure and travel is subject to blackout periods - Apia/Auckland 04-14OCT18; Auckland/Apia 23SEP-07OCT18, she said.

According to a release, Devondale Milk has been the strength behind Samoan families wellbeing for over 25 years.

Each year we have seen Devondale Milk give back to our community through sponsorship and promotions such as Fathers Day Promotion, the statement said.

These initiatives have benefited many families in Samoa and are also Devondales way of saying a big thank you to their customers for their continuous support.

This is an annual event by Devondale Milk and Ah Liki Wholesale.
Samoan band Punialavaa paid a visit to Avele College as part of the Samoan culture day celebrated by the school.

Founder of Punialavaa, Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru is an old pupil and former teacher of the school and the eldest of his four children, Nanai Viellani Lale Peteru and his younger brother, Leluaipouomalo Punialavaa Lale Peteru, represented their group on their fathers behalf.

It is really an honour for us to be part of this special day that highlights the significance of the Samoan culture, Nanai said.

Its amazing to see the young generation participate in promoting and upholding their culture through various aspects like traditional dancing.

We were invited to be here but not only that, we were honoured to be here, where our father attended school and later taught at this very school, Leluaipouomalo said.

School principal, Matafeo Seinafolava Matafeo said it is a golden opportunity for them to have Punialavaa representatives with them.

The theme for this years culture day is O le Aganuu O Lau Oloa Taua (Culture is your most prized possession).

I believe that our culture plays a key role in shaping the lives of the young generations, due to our cultural aspects such as respect serves as a good example set for students to uphold and live with peacefully with other schools, Matafeo said.

The reason this theme was chosen was because our school intends to reclaim its glory days and be a new better version. We would like to set the record straight that this is a new Avele, no more fighting, or any sorts of social problems.

For this year, only Years 9-11 are competing in four categories which are: Mauluulu (traditional dance), Faataupati (slap dance), contemporary dances, and lastly traditional plays.

Matafeo said they were divided into four different colors, which include blue named after Vaea, while the red is Toaula, in the green was Laumaalili and yellow is Puataunofo.

He added Years 12 and 13 did not participate in this years event because of their obligations towards the Samoa Nei Galo festival, which is a competition between schools based on various Samoan cultural aspects.
About 30 journalists from the Pacific, including Samoa, attended the opening ceremony of the Pacific media workshop yesterday.

The Pacific media was welcomed by Naurus President, H.E. Baron Divavesi Waqa who officially opened the workshop leading up to the 49th Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting in Nauru next week.

The two-day workshop is jointly coordinated by the Pacific Island News Association and the Pacific Island Forum to prepare and brief the media on issues that will be discussed by Pacific leaders next week.

H.E. Waqa, in his address, said he hopes that this workshop will offer added value to the medias knowledge and insight of the issues and events of the region and this forum meeting and to guide media work.

Known as the fourth estate, the media plays a vital role in shaping a society and keep Governments accountable to their people and the policies they draft and enshrine in law.

Whether you are a small organisation in a small country like Nauru, your job as gatekeepers in journalism is of extreme importance in todays media environment.

As gatekeepers, you ultimately mould and conduct what is being published to the masses, ultimately shaping their views and opinions of the world whether fact or gossip.

The President said that with the fast developing world of social media and wanna-be journalists, the lines that distinguish real journalism and baseless or fake news become blurred.

He also reminded the media that they need to be the source of reliable and factual news for the people.

You have been selected by your respective Governments and organisations to be that reliable source of news and information at this forum to inform and educate our people about what the Pacific forum is about, what the issues are, and what your leaders are doing and discussing to make things better for our islands and our Blue Pacific.

The workshop agenda will include presentations by speakers in specialised fields on issues including fisheries, regional security, Pacific regionalism, climate change and disaster risk management.

The Minister for Health, Education, Home Affairs & Lands Management for Nauru, Hon. Charmaine Scotty also spoke about Naurus 50th Independence-celebrating Governments achievements.

She said Nauru is a tiny place barely known on the world map however it is a proud independent republic and a fully recognised member of the international community.

In regards to media work, Ms Scotty said its important that we all understand the work of the media.

She said Radio Nauru which is 50 years old was the main medium of communication for the country until the television was introduced about 20 years ago.

She said what Nauru people hear on the radio, is the absolute truth, and nothing but the truth.

So this is the perception that you people need to understand.

So being small and isolated the challenges we face to enable our people to have a better standard of living and understanding of our outside world was enormous.

These journalists are expected to provide media coverage of the P.I.F. meeting.
Sevia Sevia of Tufulele believes being a farmer and a fisherman is the best way to earn a living.

The Village Voice team met Mr. Sevia at Malua when he was heading out to the sea with his uncle Faaiu Sevia.

A farmer and a fisherman earn a lot more than someone who works in an office, Mr. Sevia said.

This is what we do.

We would come out here to get some fish for our daily living and most especially on Saturdays because its for our family toonai.

You see people like us, who are not rich, its either we turn to the plantation or we come here.

Mr. Sevia said this is part of their life because at the end of the day, they have to provide for their family.

For an office person they have to wait until the end of the week to get paid or two weeks if they work for the Government.

But for a farmer or a fisherman, we get money every day and thats the beauty of it.

Mr. Sevia said he has two children and it is through fishing and working at his plantation that enables him to put his children through school.

Life is hard and thats how it has always been, he said.

We can never escape from that fact but I believe its how we deal with the hardship that we face nowadays.

Most people they complain and sit around and thats why they endure all the hardship because they dont work. Blessings dont just fall from the sky we have to work hard for it.

Money doesnt come looking for us, we have to find ways to earn it and as a father, we must always be constantly thinking of ways to provide for our family.

We are the leaders of our families and most especially we are the breadwinners and therefore we have to work hard.

Mr. Sevia said from his plantation he earns about $200 a day and when he goes fishing he earns more.

It is clear in the Bible that if we dont work we must not eat and thats how its supposed to be, he said.

Life is and always will be hard, its how we deal with those hardships that matters the most.

At the end of the day we have to take care of our families and children and we do that by working hard.
The majestic voices of different choir groups reverberated through out the E.K.F.S. Hall in Sogi yesterday to mark the official opening of the 28th Teuila Festival in Samoa.

The service was led by C.C.C.S. Reverend Elder Palemia Tauiliili of Samalaeulu who began with a Bible verse and then prayed, before Acting Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa officially opened the festival.

The Acting Prime Minister urged Samoans to celebrate with thanksgiving through song, dance and art.

It is a time that our country celebrates with thanksgiving in expressive art of song, dance and arts and our Christian faith, our cultural and natural heritage and the mana of our people; which transforms our minds and strengthens our will and resilience to implement the responsibilities that are required of us in our own calling to perform with specific standards and efforts.

It is also during this period that we pause to reflect discuss and refocus our priorities on strategic actions that yield improved results from sustainable tourism.

It is as the U.N.W.T.O. defines it is tourism that takes account of its current and future economic, social and environment impacts, addressing the need of the visitors, the industry, the environment and of course our host communities, she said.

The Acting P.M. said Samoas vision is consistent with the development and monitoring of tourism sustainable indicators since 1998, as an early pioneer in the development of the sustainable tourism management concept.

Samoa attracts 150,000 visitors annually and its tourism sector continues to experience growth, through the reestablishment of the national carrier Samoa Airways and the mobilizing of the waterfront development project and natural and historical sites  in partnership with development partners.

The products and services offered in Samoa throughout this years festival is significant, of the kind of activities are seeking for wondering memories and experiences that they be at a holidays destination that is safe clean, fulfilled with various events of specific purpose whet it is for corporate functions or sports, visitors are seeking unique experiences.

We encourage our people to developer tourism and hospitality products and services with which you are talented, added Fiame.

One of the highlights of this years festival is the appearance of the Punialavaa Band, which has entertained Samoa for over 30 years. Tupai Bruno and the Circus of Samoa will also be on show during the festival. The 2018 Miss Samoa Pageant, which will culminate with the crowning this Friday, will bring the 28th Teuila Festival to a close.
Samoa Events Incorporated - Win or lose Miss Samoa New South Wales, Christie Retalila Temareti, will still find closure and be at peace with herself.

She said she will be content, "with the fact that the result will be Gods will and whoever wins is Gods chosen one to bring our nation back to his word.

The 18-year-old daughter of Reti Temareti and Fay Fevaeai Temareti believes that the 2018 Miss Samoa Pageant provides the platform to return to the constitution of Samoa, which emphasises that the nation and its people are founded on God.

"My aim has and will always be to bring God back to the centre of Samoa. I pray that a platform is given for me to purely and humbly share the truth and Word of my God for our nation.

"I believe that God is the only way our nation can overcome any challenges that are thrown at us and this is the perfect platform to present that message. However, personally the crown/sash and title is not as important as the lives that need to be saved by God, says the former head Girl at the Samaritan Catholic School in Sydney.

She confessed that she had never given her participation in the pageant a lot of thought, though when she was crowned Miss New South Wales, she saw new doors of opportunity opening for her.

"I have so much faith that all things work together for the good of those who have never lost faith in the Almighty and I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide me to seeing and living out Gods will for my life and especially for Samoa.

Christie currently attends the University of Wollongong and hopes to graduate with a bachelors degree in social work and psychology, in order to work in areas of domestic violence, violence against women and child protection. Currently she currently works as a primary school after school care educator with the Glenfield Public in Sydney, Australia.

The 2018 Miss Samoa Pageant has enabled her to interact with her peers and embrace the opportunity.

"Already I have learnt so much from my journey in the Miss Samoa Pageant and I am excited to gain life lessons that I will be able to carry with me daily.

"The Miss Samoa Pageant will also assist me to find creative ideas or projects for my community I serve in New South Wales," she added.
The Commission of Inquiry into the deaths of two babies following their vaccination has released its terms of reference and details of which organisations will make submissions.

The Inquiry will be chaired Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade and assisted by commission members Leoo Dr. John Adams and Lealaiauloto Liai Iosefa-Siitia. The counsels assisting are Tafailagi Peniamina and Violina Leilua from the Office of the Attorney General.

Details of the appointment of the Inquiry members, its terms of reference and the authorities and organisations that will make submissions were published as a public notice in yesterdays edition of the Sunday Samoan.

The Inquirys terms of reference is to investigate the causes of the deaths of two (2) babies following their MMR vaccinations.

The investigation and the circumstance behind the issues that will be highlighted during the course of the Inquirys proceedings should enable the assessment of the following: (1) the standards and procedures within the Ministry of Health and/or the District Hospital (where the babies were vaccinated) for the administration of MMR vaccinations; (2) the procedures specifically relating to the administration and injection of the MMR vaccination to the second baby who died notwithstanding the absence of parental consent to the same; and (3) whether there were any discrepancies in the administration of the MMR vaccinations to the two babies in question in line with the current health and medical procedures in place.

The Inquirys hearings are open to the public and it will hear submissions from the following authorities and organisations: the Ministry of Health, National Health Services, Samoa Registered Nurses Association, Samoa School of Nursing (National University of Samoa), and Samoa Medical Association.

Members of the public and organisations  who have an interest in the subject of the Inquiry  have also been invited to make submissions and should contact the counsels assisting.

The hearing of the Inquiry will start 9.00 am Monday September 10 to Wednesday September 12 and will be held at the TATTE Convention Centre, Ground Floor Room.
Two vehicle accidents took place over the weekend in different parts of Apia.

A white Toyota Hilux Surf crashed into a power pole opposite Naydith Events Hirage on Salato Street at Vaitele last Friday afternoon.

The vehicle bonnet and engine were smashed on impact, which led to the authorities cutting off electricity to the area that afternoon. The police and Electric Power Corporation staff were on the scene when Samoa Observer arrived.

Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that the driver was lucky to be alive as he was saved by the vehicles airbags. They said they were also shocked to see the power pole break in half and it was a relief no lives were lost.

The second vehicle crash occurred early yesterday morning when a green Daihatsu Terios flipping over to the right side, just in front of the four corner traffic lights at Lepea.

Motorists were forced to stop as the vehicle  which laid on its side  was in the middle of the road.
A family home was burnt to the ground in Moataa yesterday afternoon.

The residence was occupied by an elderly couple, their daughter and grandchildren who were evacuated to their neighbors house as firefighters battled to contain the fire.

None of the family members were at the scene when the Samoa Observer arrived. But an eye witness, who lives next door, said the fire started from the childrens room.

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia told the Samoa Observer everyone was asleep while the children were playing in their room.

The fire started from room the kids were playing in and luckily, the woman was able to remove her children and mother from the house before the fire spread.

Autagavaia said he was asleep when he heard the old lady calling for help, prompting him to run out, only to see their house on fire.

I immediately called 911 to be informed the fire truck was on its way, not long after the first fire truck arrived and it ran out of water yet the fire was still spreading inside the house.

Eventually more fire trucks arrived but it was too late, the fire has already ripped through the house, said Autagavaia.

An eye witness said neighbors ran to assist the family but there was nothing they could do as the fire had spread.
The Super Hero Dash fundraiser was held at the Samoa Tourism Culture Village on Saturday.

The participants came dressed in their favorite superhero characters in the presence of the 2018 Miss Samoa contestants.

The event started with a Zumba session before the fun run from the Samoa Tourism Culture Village towards the Mulinuu area and back.

Miss Samoa, Papalii Alexandra Iakopo, said the idea came from former Miss Samoa Ariana Phillipa Taufao, who had the first color run.

For this years concept, I chose a superhero theme in which people who will be participating will be dressed as their favorite super hero character. It is important for everyone to come together, enjoy and have fun.

The aim is to raise money for a good cause, with that being said participants will pay to register. Three charities have been chosen for all proceeds to go towards and that is to Mapuifagalele home for the aged, Samoa Blind Persons Association, and Moamoa Theological College.

I chose Mapuifagalele to highlight the importance of our elderlies, which is basically where we have our respect imbedded. It is a feeling of respect for our elders that we still care for them, Papalii said.

She said with choosing the Samoa Blind Persons Association, it was a way to acknowledge the disability side of things in Samoa.

It is also important for everyone to be aware that we do have people in our communities who also have disabilities and play a part in our development as well.

The Moamoa Theological College is more of a tribute to my late father, it is a place treasured in my heart, thats where my parents offered their lives to the Lord for his work.

Papalii added with the fundraising work done, hopefully the next Miss Samoa will continue the fundraising initiative. There were different categories for registrations: kids five and under $3, children aged 6-12 $5, children 13-20 years of age $10, and anyone above 21 paid $20.
To mark the 40th Anniversary of the Samoa Observer, a series of selected articles printed over the last 40 years will be re-published in the next two weeks, to show our readers the issues covered by this newspaper over the years and the personalities that made the headlines.





First Published: 15 January 1993

Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana has in no denounced the Yazaki Employees Association strike as an outside phenomenon that has left many people in countries like New Zealand poor and without jobs.

He addressed the YEA marchers outside Parliament on Wednesday morning and urged them to return to work.

I am saddened by this action you have taken, said the Prime Minister.

He told the strikers that this was not the way to solve their grievances.

If you have any grievances, take them to the Labour department, they handle all those kinds of problems, he said.

He told the workers that they were bringing in things from outside refering to the strike action.

If you are Samoans and you love your country, return to work, he urged.

In a clear refrence to the PSA support for the YEA, the Prime Minister said that the people behind the push for the strike had no love. For your own good, go back to work, he said.

He told the strikers that Parliament could not help their plight. He said that he had been to Yazaki at Vaitele before Christmas and spoke to the workers.

Why didnt you bring this up with me then? he asked.

Earlier the Police had moved the marchers off Parliament grounds but the Prime Minister ordered them back so he could speak to the marchers. At the end of his speech the Prime Minister told the strikers that if there was anyone amongst them related to him or from his village then what you are doing is wrong.

The marchers then went back to PSA house.

Yesterday Yazaki management delivered several letters to the Samoa Observer, one of which is published in full in this issue. (See page four)

One of those letters is a letter to Yazaki Samoa employees Association committee.

In that letter YSEA dissociates itself from the claims made by YEA published in last Wednesdays Samoa Observer issue.

This committee believes that it was democratically elected by the whole of the workforce to represent the workforce and has done so responsibly, said the letter.

The letter goes on to say that YSEA will not allow itself to be replaced by the YEA based upon the resolutions of a gathering of only a small proportion of the total workforce.

YSEA also gives a pledge to work enthusiastically with management, in the interests of the workforce and in the furthering of the industrial aims of Samoa.

YEA for its part will not accept some of the claims made by Yazaki management of some of the benefits in force for the Yazaki workers.

In a written statement YEA president Eseta Togo says that many of the claims by management are false.

*No free meals are on offer as some of their wages (overtime) are being taken off for the meals.

*We do not travel free on the buses, money is being taken from our overtime for this.

*Our insurance comes out of our pays.

*We only get panadols from the doctor.

The statement goes on to give some of the practices they are not in agreement with at work.

They cannot talk to anyone during working hours and workers are given only 3 minutes to go to the toilet.

Employers, they claim, can only go to the toilets three times a day.

Peter Ray told the Samoa Observer yesterday that workers out on strike if they come back will still get a chance to have their jobs back.

We will have to look at the time they have spent away from work of course, he said.

Late yesterday afternoon former YEA president Saafia Leota said that their numbers were dwindling and that many have gone back to work.

She claimed about 700 had been there on the Wednesday but by yesterday afternoon, we have about three hundred, if that.
Dear Liz: My husband retired last year at 74. He had originally signed up for Medicare Part A and Part B. But during his employment, he cancelled Part B because of the companys private health insurance. When he retired, we used COBRA to continue that insurance coverage for our family. (Im not Medicare eligible, and we have a son.) Our COBRA coverage ends in a few weeks.

My husband was told he has to wait until January 2019 to enroll in Part B and will not have coverage until July 2019. He is ineligible for VA benefits and has costly medical expenses. I was able to get an Obamacare plan because coming off COBRA triggers a special enrollment period for me, but he cannot get coverage because he is Medicare eligible.

What a dilemma. No one told us when he retired that he should get back on Part B right away and not take the COBRA offered. Now, when he does get Part B, he will also pay a 20% premium penalty each month for life. We are shocked that the system works like this. Any ideas how to get out of this mess?

Answer: Your husband isnt alone in misunderstanding the importance of signing up for Part B after retirement. Unfortunately, theres probably no remedy.

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For those who dont know, Medicare Part A is the hospital coverage thats provided to people 65 and older. They dont pay premiums for this coverage. People do, however, pay premiums for Medicare Part B, which covers doctors visits and other medical costs. Those who are still working and covered by an employers plan often forgo Medicare Part B. Once their employment ends, though, theyre expected to sign up for Part B within 8 months or they pay a 10% premium for every 12 months they failed to sign up. They also have to wait for the regular Medicare enrollment window to roll around, which can leave them exposed to some hefty medical bills in the meantime.

This is the biggest mistake people make and seriously this rule needs to be changed, says Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner in Jacksonville, Fla.

There is a process known as equitable relief that allows people to request immediate enrollment and the waiving of the penalty, but you have to prove that the failure to enroll was the result of error, misrepresentation or inaction by a federal employee or anyone authorized by the federal government to act on its behalf, according to the Social Security Administration. So its not enough to inadvertently make a mistake. You have to prove you were misled. You can read more here: https://www.medicarerights.org/PartB-Enrollment-Toolkit/Equitable-Relief.pdf

Waiting your way to better retirement benefits

Dear Liz: You recently wrote, When you apply for Social Security now, youre deemed (considered by the Social Security Administration) to be applying for both your own benefit and any available spousal benefit. If a spousal benefit is larger, youll get that, and you cant switch back to your own later.

I turn 62 in August and recently visited the Social Security Administration to apply for benefits. I worked for 20 years and earned a benefit of $1,400 a month if I waited to apply at 66. Since I was applying at the earlier age of 62, my benefit is lowered to about $1,000 a month. Half of my husbands benefit is $1,300 a month but I was told my only choices are to take $1,000 at the earlier age of 62 or wait another four years and take my full benefit at $1,400.

What makes me incensed is that had I not worked at all, I would be eligible to take the higher amount of $1,300 spousal benefit at 62. This makes no sense!

Answer: No, it doesnt, and it may be because youre misunderstanding what you were told.

Your spousal benefit is half of your husbands benefit only if you wait until your own full retirement age, 66, to take it. Social Security benefits are reduced if you start early.

If his benefit is currently $2,600, your spousal benefit now would be about 35% of that, or $904. Since your own benefit reduced for an early start is $1,000, you would get the larger of the two checks, or $1,000. If you wait until your full retirement age, youll get a substantially larger check  and it will still be bigger than your spousal benefit.

Liz Weston, certified financial planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the Contact form at asklizweston.com. Distributed by No More Red Inc.

Liz Weston, certified financial planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the Contact form at asklizweston.com. Distributed by No More Red Inc.
In Sundays Back Story, staff writers Mike Freeman and Lori Weisberg discuss what inspired them to report on older workers and how they pursued the story.

Q: What made you decide to explore the challenges older workers face in todays labor market?

A: The initial idea stemmed from a notion that a greater percentage of older workers were being let go from companies, particularly tech firms, than younger millennial workers. However, that turned out to be hard to prove because there is little data available. In 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stopped collecting information on the percentage of older workers who lost their jobs in mass layoffs compared with other age groups.

Interest in the topic revived after Lori returned earlier this year from a journalism fellowship program organized by the National Press Foundation, which focused on the question of why Americans are working longer.

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RELATED: More 55-plus workers delaying retirement, but how hard is it to get a job?

Q: Isnt todays job market very tight, so shouldnt getting a job  no matter what your age  be easy to get?

A: It would seem so, and there have been recent articles talking about how older workers are more in demand and how some are even coming out of retirement to respond to the need for more workers. Yet even with such a low unemployment rate, certain positions remain competitive, and many workers in their 50s and older told us they are having to take lower paid jobs or gig work like driving for Uber or Lyft to make ends meet.

Q: What evidence did you find of age discrimination?

A: Therein lies the problem, not only for journalists taking a deep dive into the issue but also for researchers and attorneys who specialize in this field of law. Although there continues to be age discrimination lawsuits filed against tech and other companies, it is difficult to determine if there has been an uptick in illegal activity. Especially hard to prove is age discrimination in the hiring process. One woman in her 60s told us about a job interview by phone where she was asked a question that made it clear the interviewer knew her age when she had never disclosed it on her application.

Q: How did you find workers?

A: A query we posted on Facebook elicited no responses at all. RetirementJobs.com emailed a request to users of its website, which generated a handful of good leads. But the bulk of the people we interviewed came from a solicitation published in the newspaper.

Q: Are these workers able to find jobs  just not the jobs they had before? (So they earn less?)

A: Its a mixed bag. Some workers eventually found jobs, although several told us they took sizable cuts in pay, in part, because they found employment outside their field in a lower-paying position.

Q: What was the most difficult part about reporting this story?

A: Finding clear data, especially income data, that would provide evidence that older workers are having a tougher time staying employed or finding employment.

The data that is available clearly points to older workers becoming an increasingly important part of the nations workforce. However, there is only spotty San Diego data on this trend, and while statewide statistics are better, they are not complete. So the Union-Tribune relied on national numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and others for this story. Statistics showing longer periods of unemployment for older workers were probably the most telling among the numbers we looked at.

.

Q: What surprised you most in your reporting?

A: One of the more surprising things was the response we received when the Union-Tribune published blurbs seeking older workers to share their stories. For the most part, these were not people who wrote to us to simply complain or vent. Instead, we received thoughtful, credible responses from older individuals unsure if their age/experience was hindering their job search, though they suspected it was to some extent.

What they did share was considerable angst about the process of looking for work these days  particularly after applying for a multitude jobs listed online and getting very few responses.

Business

mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973
With a masters degree in computer science and 30 years experience working for technology companies, Tom Middleton had little doubt he would soon find new employment after losing his job a decade ago as a software engineering manager at San Diegos Kyocera.

How wrong he was.

After two years of submitting more than 300 applications for tech jobs, with only an occasional face-to-face interview, the then 59-year-old Middleton became convinced his age was a hindrance. He would hear feedback like Youre overqualified and We cant pay you what youre used to.

As money grew tighter, house payments were missed and 401(k) savings were exhausted, he took minimum wage jobs at Target and Walmart and tried his hand at income tax preparation. On a whim, he applied for a job as a bus driver  and was hired, now earning less than half his once six-figure salary.

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I had some days where I just wanted to crawl in a hole, Middleton, 66, said of his job search. I thought Id be a bargain to someone but they didnt see it that way. I understand now how the world works and its not to the benefit of older people.

As a steadily growing share of baby boomers are opting to work well into their retirement years compared to past generations, the challenges of remaining employed or re-entering the workforce at an older age, even in todays tight labor market, havent necessarily eased.

Whether provable or not, perceptions of ageism in hiring persist, as evidenced by recent surveys in which a sizable share of workers report having experienced or witnessed age discrimination.

And even as Labor Department data show more individuals 55 and older are employed than ever before and have a lower jobless rate  3.1 percent compared with 3.9 percent for all workers  they remain out of work longer than their younger peers when they lose a job. Their hourly pay also starts to decline as they enter their 60s, regardless of how much education they have.

We are living longer. We are living healthier. We want to work, said Susan Weinstock, vice president of financial resiliency for the AARP. We have this labor shortage, and we hear about the skills shortage. Older workers can fill those needs if employers will open themselves up to the idea that an older worker could be exactly what they need. Dont think only about the stereotypes but about the individual people.

RELATED: Why we wrote about older workers and jobs

Tim Driver, CEO of the 12-year-old job search site, RetirementJobs.com, said he was motivated to start the company, in part, after his father, then in his 60s, lost his bank job and was subsequently replaced by someone 10 years younger.

I thought this wasnt right and wanted to take it on not just as a business but to pursue a passion around ageism in the workplace, said Driver, formerly of AOL and salary.com.

Since starting the site, Driver says he is buoyed by the high renewal rate among the 7,200 employers who have posted job openings on the site  more than 160,000, which are refreshed daily. The company also has certified about 100 larger employers, from Home Depot and Marriott International to Scripps Health, as age-friendly, Driver says.

The listings are evidence theres interest in older workers and particularly in the labor cycle were in where theres more demand than ever, said Driver. But that doesnt mean there isnt a problem in America where employers believe older workers are slow, long in the tooth, not up to date on technology, and more expensive.

Why work longer?

Changing demographics and compensation for older Americans have been upending the retirement landscape since the mid- to late 1990s.

In a reversal of a decades-long trend toward earlier retirement, 55-plus workers made up 22.4 percent of the U.S. workforce in 2016, up from just 12 percent 20 years earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2026, when baby boomers will have reached ages 62 to 80, that share is expected to rise to 25 percent.

Workforce participation also has risen sharply, with about 40 percent of people ages 55 or older either working or actively looking for work today, compared with 30 percent in 1996. A survey last year by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that more than half of those queried said they plan to work past age 65 or do not plan to retire.

Economists offer multiple theories about what is driving people to work longer, including improving health, higher education and a shift toward less physically demanding jobs.

The gradual phaseout of traditional employer pensions and a corresponding rise in more volatile 401(k) plans have also discouraged earlier retirements. At the same time, an increase in the Social Security full retirement age (now 66 and rising) has induced more people to stay in the workforce longer by rewarding them with higher monthly payments.

There is a whole set of people who have never really recovered from the Great Recession, said Weinstock of AARP. If your retirement accounts took a hit at that time, it has only been 10 years, and it takes a lifetime to build up those retirement accounts.

Workers 55 and older have been the fastest growing segment of the U.S. labor force since 1996, and that trend is expected to continue through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the same time, the growth rates for younger age groups arent projected to increase much over the next decade.

As much as the need for financial stability is pushing the retirement age higher, there are some people who simply like their jobs and arent ready to stop working, says Gary Burtless, a senior fellow in economic studies with the Brookings Institution.

Just look at the kind of people who, even in their 80s, delayed their retirement. They have PhDs, graduate degrees, theres just a bigger bunch of baby boomers who have those credentials than previous generations, he said.

Yes, some of this (working longer) is because of financial privation, but for a lot of people, they like to work and understand the financial payoffs for doing so.

Longer stretches of unemployment

Susan Arth, 63, has worked as a career counselor for more than 15 years, including most recently working part time for online outplacement website Careerminds and at Palomar College. She also operates her own consulting business.

In need of full-time work, she recently applied for a staff development position at a local startup after her hours were cut at Palomar. During a phone interview, she was asked how she could relate to the startups millennial workforce because of her age.

Arth had never disclosed how old she was, but she believes the human resources representative figured it out from her LinkedIn profile.

Staff development is about the individual, not me, said Arth, who has been searching for work since June. But the progress of this position stopped at that point.

She applied for one other career counseling job where she believes her age blocked her from getting an interview. As weeks turn into months, Arth has a sinking feeling that I will not be able to have the career I am capable of and still want.

As Arth quickly learned, finding work at an older age can be a frustratingly long process. On average, older workers stay unemployed longer than younger workers  about 37 weeks for people 55-plus compared with 25 weeks for workers ages 35 to 44, according to 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Wage data assembled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta also shows average hourly pay for full-time workers starting to decline after age 60 across all education groups. Those statistics, though, are only for full-time employees and therefore dont reflect the part-time work many older workers typically take, either by choice or necessity.

Dave Sapper (Don Boomer)

After 35 years in the construction industry, Dave Sapper, now 64, said it felt like a punch in the gut when he lost his highly paid management job as part of a downsizing move seven years ago.

Recognizing he would have to settle for pay well below his previous six-figure salary, he spent nearly a year looking for work before taking a job he never could have envisioned for himself.

For the last six years, Sapper has been a caravan driver for San Diego Zoo Safari Park, escorting visitors on two-hour tours that include close-up views of giraffes, rhinos and antelopes. Since joining the park, he has worked his way up to nearly 40 hours a week, earning $45,000 to $50,000 a year, he said.

Sapper acknowledges that his wifes job as a school administrator allowed him to take a significant cut in pay, but he also says working at Safari Park has meant much less stress in his life.

There was a time where I had said Dave you might have to get that job at Target or something like that, Sapper recalls of his job search. But with this job, I can now finally sleep at night and go to work happy and not be walking through the door dreading how am I going to make up for a half-million dollar overrun on a construction job.

Ellyn Terry, economic policy specialist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, surmises that one reason for the decrease in pay that some workers like Sapper see as they age may have to do with reduced productivity.

Theres economic theory that says prime productivity declines close to the end of our careers, she said. And productivity is generally associated with wages; that is, the more you can produce the more you will get paid. Lower wages among older individuals may also reflect people switching to less intensive jobs.

She is less convinced, though, that the data suggests age discrimination.

An economist would argue that age discrimination should not exist, that when an employer wants the best person at the best price theyre not going to willy-nilly use age unless its related to something else correlated with worker productivity and they have nothing else to go on, Terry said. Its probably not them being ageist.

Proving age discrimination is tough

Greg Locke, 60, says he saw signs of bias while looking for work recently. After 21 years in the Marines, Locke earned a masters degree in business management from San Diego State University and started a second career working for the County of San Diego in the early 2000s.

In June of last year, he retired as real estate telecommunications development project manager, took a few months off and then began looking for work again.

During a few of the six interviews he had, Locke said he was asked how he would interact with younger workers.

I thought it was odd, and I have to wonder if younger workers were also asked how they would interact with older workers, he said.

Locke eventually landed a job with a company that didnt ask that question. He was hired as project manager for a private-sector firm that handles the government permitting process for small cellular broadcasting devices throughout San Diego.

When I got out of the Marine Corps and got my masters, I took some human resources graduate classes  so what you ask and do not ask in interviews, he said. I guess the observation I have, without crying a sea of tears, is theres subtle discrimination for older folks going back into the workforce.

Proving it, though, is difficult, especially so in instances where someone does not get hired for a job and age bias is the suspected reason.

Often cited as evidence that age discrimination does indeed exist is research conducted by a trio of economists who in 2015 sent out some 40,000 applications with fictitious resumes for about 13,000 largely low-skilled positions, such as retail sales clerks, janitors and administrative assistants. The resumes were nearly identical except for age and gender.

It turned out that callback rates were higher among younger applicants than their older counterparts, providing compelling evidence that older workers experience age discrimination in hiring in the lower-skilled types of jobs the experiment covers, the authors said.

Instances of age discrimination were most noticeable among older women, said co-author David Neumark, economics professor at UC Irvine.

Still, Neumark acknowledges that proof of discrimination remains elusive, probably more so during a healthy economy.

My point is simply, its complicated, Neumark said. Its better to be an older worker now than it was in 2010, and its better to be a black worker and an ex-felon because employers have fewer workers to choose from to hire. But its about the employment cycle, so right now its a little easier for these workers finding work but were at the end of a very long recovery.

Nonetheless, there remains a strong perception among the graying workforce that their age is working against them.

A 2017 survey commissioned by AARP found that three in five workers over age 45  or 61 percent  have either experienced or seen age discrimination in the workplace. In a similar poll by RetirementJobs.com, 94 percent of job seekers said that age bias in the job search is a fact of life in the workplace.

Laurie McCann, senior attorney with the AARP Foundation, says employers these days are savvy enough to not leave the smoking gun around that would clearly show age discrimination, but that doesnt mean there arent more subtle instances of ageism in the hiring process.

Some indications are asking that people be recent graduates. Were also seeing some jobs where people have to be a digital native, which is someone who grew up using the Internet, McCann said.

A 61-year-old San Diego man who lost his job last November after 14 years, said he saw subtle indications of ageism in the post-layoff counseling he received from an employment services agency. He requested anonymity because of concerns surrounding his employment search in San Diego.

He was advised to edit his work experience on his resume, restricting it to the most recent jobs, and was told to eliminate dates on his resume  even the year he graduated from college.

That is not so easy to do, though, when applying online for a job, says McCann.

We also see online job applications where you cant submit it unless you put on a date of graduation or date of birth, McCann said. AARP is fighting to change those practices. We also have our own case were litigating on behalf of a person who applied for a position that said it required 5 to 7 years of experience  and no more than 7 years experience.

Age discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, totaled more than 18,000 last year, although the number has been trending downward since the recession when they peaked at more than 24,000. It is not atypical for such complaints to ebb and flow with the economic cycle.

Victoria Lipnic, acting chairwoman of the EEOC, acknowledged as much in a June report marking the 50th anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment act, which covers individuals 40 and over.

Today, jobs are plentiful and conditions are much more favorable for finding new jobs compared to 10 years ago, she stated. But, there is one constant for todays 54-year-old and the one from 10 years ago -- age discrimination.

Potential bias against older workers could derail policies aimed at encouraging baby boomers to work longer  one of the best options for keeping the nations labor force vibrant.

Thats important because labor force participation among younger workers  ages 16 to 24  has been declining since the 1990s. Moreover, prime age employment for workers ages 25 to 54 has been stagnant for most of the past decade. It was not until this year that jobs in this age group finally returned to pre-recession levels.

Meanwhile, the leading edge of the baby boom generation  some 76 million people born between 1946 and 1964  is now 72 years old.

Ten thousand baby boomers are retiring every day, said Weinstock of AARP. Thats a companys institutional knowledge walking out the door. Companies need to think about that. How are they going to transfer that knowledge to somebody else?

The changing job search process

For some older workers  particularly those who worked for one company for many years  suddenly trying to find work again is daunting. The job search process has moved online, with job boards such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter making it easy to find and apply for all sorts of jobs.

But often these efforts prove fruitless, with no feedback whatsoever to applicants, according to several older workers who spoke to the Union-Tribune.

Kim Selznick (Don Boomer)

Kim Selznick, 64, worked as an accountant/administrator for an alternative investment firm for the past 21 years. As the firms assets under management declined, she knew her job was in jeopardy.

In April, she was laid off. While she is still doing some consulting work for the firm, she has started her job search, and it has been frustrating.

I am applying online for all sorts of things and actually have signed up with three recruiting agencies, too, said Selznick of Vista. Im not getting much from them. I dont know for sure what is happening, if its just an age thing.

Selznick sees a lot of the same jobs over and over again posted online, including ones where shes applied without hearing back.

It was suggested that I get on LinkedIn, find people to connect with, then find people that they are connected with, she said. That is where I have a hard time, asking people for help and making those connections, promoting myself after being at a job for a long time.

Yet thats what it takes to get an employers attention in an era of online applications, says Kyle Houston, San Diego branch manger for Robert Half Technology, a staffing and consulting firm.

My first bit of advice is to stop applying through job boards, he said. That whole adage, its not what you know but who you know, still rings true. You have to have someone selling you and your experience or you have to have the ability to sell yourself to someone, but not through an online job ad.

Mike Barlow at his Poway home. (Bill Wechter)

Mike Barlow is doing just that.

Barlow, who turns 57 this month, took a buyout package from Nokia in June 2017 after leading a software account management team covering North and South America.

He has been working to create a network at bigger companies in the defense and biotech fields. He also has tapped into the regions startup community, joining the San Diego Venture Group and volunteering as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Connect, a non-profit that helps startups.

Even though Barlow appears to be making the right moves in his job search, it has been a slow process.

Defense companies often want workers with very specific experience and an active security clearance. Biotech firms also seek a specific skill set.

And Barlow has gotten a little bit of a sense that his experience is working against him  at least on paper.

Theyre concerned about fit, he said. Is this guy going to want support staff? Look at his maturity. He is not going to want to dig in and do the things we need him to do. He is going to want to be at a different level, a different job.

But Barlow  and many older workers who held high level jobs  are not necessarily married to finding a position equivalent to the one they left. Barlow believes working for an Internet of Things startup would be a wonderful opportunity.

If you look at somebody like me, my kids are out, he said. The demand for cash flow is a lot bigger when youre 35 and have two young kids. But for somebody like me, I have flexibility. I can take a chance on something.

Tom Middleton, the former software engineering manager-turned bus driver, said he understood at the time he was looking for a job that interpersonal networking was important but concedes he isnt especially good at it.

Hes also come to realize that another technology-related job is not likely in his future, especially given the gap in his resume, but there are times when he still holds out hope.

I do look at the internal employment boards and think maybe something would come up that I could sell them on, Middleton said.

Middleton was fortunate to find an employer that sees the value of a more mature workforce.

Among the more than 500 bus drivers the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System employs directly, roughly half are over 50.

Generally employees in this age group have more stability in their lives, said Paul Jablonski, CEO of MTS. In all jobs, but in particular for a bus operator, which involves a lot of customer interaction, having a wealth of work/life experiences is also a valuable asset to have in your workforce.

Scripps Health in San Diego has been recognized by both AARP and RetirementJobs.com for employing older workers. One-third of its 15,000-employee workforce is 50 years or older. Eighty-three percent of these employees work full-time. And among its 2,500 new hires last year, 12 percent were 50-plus.

Scripps seeks to hire people with the best skill set for the job regardless of age, said Eric Cole, corporate vice president of human resources. For some positions, that means looking for someone with deep experience in narrow fields, which typically attracts older applicants.

We have found, since a majority of our jobs are clinical, there is a sweet spot that this age group fits into, said Cole.

Business

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
CITY COUNCILS

DEL MAR

The Del Mar City Council will meet in special closed session at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers, 1050 Camino del Mar, to discuss litigation and property negotiations. In regular session at 4:30 p.m., the council will give final approval to an amended ordinance allowing dogs on the beach, and will discuss how to inform the public of the new dog regulations, and how best to enforce them. At a public hearing, the council will hold its biannual review and update of the Conflict of Interest Code. The council will also discuss whether to sign on to an online letter requesting that Gov. Brown phase out the production of fossil fuels and commit the state to 100 percent renewable energy.

The Del Mar City Council is considering whether to adopt the package of Local Coastal Program Amendments and technical documents relating to the citys Coastal Resiliency/Sea Level Rise Planning program. Draft documents are available for review at www.delmar.ca.us/498/Sea-Level-Rise-Local-Coastal-Program-Ame. Public meetings are being held in the Town Hall at 1050 Camino del Mar, at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Sept. 17. Contact Principal Planner Amanda Lee at alee@delmar.ca.us or (858) 755-9313, ext. 1167.

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OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside City Council will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Council Chambers, 300 N. Coast Highway. In regular session at 5 p.m., the council will give final approval to its medical cannabis ordinance, allowing delivery establishments within the General Industrial and Light Industrial districts.

VISTA

A Meet the Candidates forum will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Vista Civic Center, sponsored by the Vista Chamber of Commerce. BYO lunch. With Vistas leadership transitioning from city-wide elections to districts, and multiple candidates trying to fill two council positions, this is an opportunity to get to know the candidates. The mayoral race is also still a citywide election, so all Vistans will be able to vote on at least one city race this November. The Civic Center is at 200 Civic Center Drive. Call (760) 726-1340.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
On Sept. 10, a powerful regulatory agency will begin the process of deciding an issue that has split the community of Julian  whether to disband its 34-year-old volunteer fire department in favor of the County Fire Authority assuming control and staffing.

The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which has countywide jurisdiction but is independent of county government, will hear the pros and cons during what promises to be a lengthy hearing.

LAFCO is responsible for overseeing changes to local governmental boundaries, including the formation, consolidation, merger and dissolution of special districts.

The commissions staff is recommending the dissolution of the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District, the last volunteer department in the county. All the other volunteer departments in the backcountry have been absorbed by the county in the past decade.

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But the decision will be up to the agencys eight commissioners -- two county supervisors, a San Diego City Council member, two city council members from the other incorporated cities, two directors of special districts, and one member of the general public.

Should they vote to move forward, that would trigger an Oct. 16 protest hearing at which voters and property owners in the Julian fire district can submit their opposition to the dissolution in writing.

Recent history suggests its not a sure bet the commission will even get to the protest hearing stage. A few years ago, when another unusually controversial issue came before LAFCO commissioners, the board decided to end everything right then and there.

Hundreds of angry Rainbow residents had packed the LAFCO chambers in 2015 to protest the Fallbrook Public Utility Districts attempt to merge with the Rainbow Municipal Water District. Opponents called it a hostile takeover.

After listening to hours of public protests, the board decided to nix the whole thing, despite the fact its own staff had recommended the action and had spent countless hours on the proposal.

Should LAFCO commissioners vote to move forward with the county takeover, those who live or have property in the 81-square-mile fire district will still be able to stop the process.

The legislative intent of the protest hearing is to create a check on the commissions ability to enact change, LAFCO Executive Officer Keene Simonds said.

If more than 50 percent of property owners or voters fill out the appropriate paperwork, the matter will simply be dismissed. Should 25 percent to 50 percent of voters or property owners express opposition, that would trigger a mail-ballot vote of all concerned, Simonds said. Only if less than 25 percent of both groups say they oppose the county takeover would the move become final.

Exactly how the people of Julian and Cuyamaca stand on the issue is difficult to judge. Many favor the countys position, which guarantees 24/7 staffing of the station with professional firefighters.

Justification to proceed with the reorganization now is marked by the immediate ability of County Fire Authority to provide consistent and increased service levels within the affected territory by assigning full-time firefighters at all times to Station 56, the LAFCO report in favor of consolidation concludes.

This contrasts with Julian-Cuyamaca FPD and its dependency on a dedicated but  nonetheless  increasingly limited pool of available volunteers, which results in inconsistent and  at times  deficit service levels.

To read the whole 158-page LAFCO report, including letters of opposition, click here.

But opponents represent a concerted and vocal group that wants to retain the volunteers for several reasons, including they dont trust the county to provide the level of service they say the volunteers currently offer.

For many years, the volunteer department has struggled financially and in February its board of directors voted 3-2 to ask the county to take over. The year before, the board had made the opposite decision, which led to the county withdrawing a paramedic fire engine and other benefits it had been providing the volunteer department in exchange for it agreeing to consider dissolution.

For years, the Julian directors had resisted overtures from the county to join the authority, which was formed to unify fire protection in the backcountry following the 2003 and 2007 firestorms.

They tried to place on the November ballot an initiative that would overturn the volunteer boards vote, but it was thrown out in court. What will appear on the ballot is a measure that would increase a $50 tax assessment to $200 to better fund the department. If the dissolution has already happened by then, the vote would become moot.

Julian residents actually pay $100 a year to support the department. The other $50 is to pay off the debt on a new fire station which opened in 2017 along state Route 79.

Should the county take over, that $50 tax would go away as the county would pay off the remaining $1.598 million fire station debt and retire the assessment.

When the supervisors in May voted unanimously to proceed with the LAFCO process, Ron Lane, the countys deputy chief administrative offer for public safety, told the supervisors they were on the brink of fulfilling its vision of bringing together a disparate group of fire agencies spread across a vast area into a single fire and EMS system.

Perhaps more than anyone in the county, Supervisor Dianne Jacob has been the driving force behind the Fire Authority and she is one of the supervisors who sits on the LAFCO board.

But whether she will attend the Sept. 10 hearing is unknown. She has been recovering from unspecified surgery and has not attended a supervisors meeting since June. Her chief of staff, Jeff Collins, said he expects Jacob will attend.

Its an important decision by LAFCO and she wants to be a part of it, he said.

Supervisor Greg Cox would fill in for Jacob if she cant attend. Bill Horn is the other supervisor who sits on LAFCO.

Opponents of the dissolution of the volunteer department list many reasons they feel the community is better served by volunteers.

For one, the department has long been a source of pride in the area, supported both in spirit and financially by hundreds, perhaps thousands of residents.

They dont trust the county to do what it says it will do and they worry that professional county firefighters (the authority contacts with Cal Fire for staffing) wont be familiar with the area enough to sometimes find homes on a back road where a medical emergency or structure fire is happening.

They dispute statistics submitted by the county about deficient service and response times by volunteers and they say the district is not in the midst of a financial emergency and point out that if the ballot measure passes, enough money will be available to support the volunteers.

A group known as the Julian Fire Plugs, a support organization for the volunteer firefighters, asked LAFCO to suspend its decision until after the election.

If the initiative passes, this should be notice to LAFCO that this community wants to remain independent and is willing to pay to do so, Fire Plugs President Jan Payne and six others wrote.

Fire Authority and Cal Fire Chief Tony Mecham on Friday made his position clear, adding it will eventually be up to the vote of the populace.

I believe the days of the small, independent fire districts are over, Mecham said. Julian, even if in November gets their 300 percent tax increase, will not be able to provide the same level of service that the county is proposing.

I believe a consolidation with the county is better for the tax payers and the residents of both Julian and Cuyamaca.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
CITY COUNCILS

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad City Council met Tuesday to hear a report on the Special Events Ordinance as it applies to demonstrations. The council received the report and directed staff to bring back an ordinance to address the separation of different types of gatherings. A resolution was amended and approved updating the citys legislative platform to oppose offshore oil and gas leasing, drilling and exploration in state and federal waters in the Pacific Ocean. A resolution authorizing staff to negotiate a lease with the Bob Baker Auto Group for the Hawthorne property at 2065 Camino Vida Roble was also approved.

SAN MARCOS

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The San Marcos City Council canceled its meeting set for Tuesday.

VISTA

The Vista City Council met in closed session Tuesday to discuss labor negotiations. In regular session, the council discussed a report on its Climate Action Plan, and heard from about two dozen speakers. The council discussed plans for the park at Pala Vista Drive, including fencing, undergrounding utilities, and whether to have earthen berms or keep the land flat.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

DEL MAR

The Del Mar Union School District board met in closed session Wednesday to discuss litigation and the superintendents evaluation. In regular session, the board approved Superintendent Holly McClurgs employment agreement, and those of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Jason Romero, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Catherine Birks, and Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Shelley Petersen. The board also discussed its School Safety Resolution, passed in April, and heard a presentation on the districts summer 2018 projects.

ENCINITAS

The Encinitas Union School District board met Tuesday and approved Julie Burton as the coordinator of Innovation and Farm Lab Development. A closed session followed to discuss the superintendents review.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside Unified School District board met in closed session Tuesday to discuss litigation and labor negotiation. In regular session, the board agreed to apply for the California Energy Commission School Bus Replacement Grant to buy electric school buses.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
South Korea's new coronavirus cases spiked to over 2,600 on Wednesday, two days after the country began its "living with COVID-19" scheme as part of a broader plan to gradually lif...
Youre hungry, but the blackjack table beckons.

Do you brave the line at the casino buffet, try to snag a table at the steakhouse or make a bee-line for the 24-hour cafe?

While all delicious options, maybe the answer is none of the above.

As San Diego-area casinos continue to elevate their dining game with innovative, seasonal sit-down restaurants and Instagram-worthy buffet dishes, theyve also made getting a quick bite a delicious sure bet.

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Cafes serve gourmet wraps, snack bars offer crisp Caesar salads to-go and specialty carts have everything from tasty banh mi sandwiches to genuine street tacos, homemade albondigas soup and juicy ballpark-style franks.

Gone are the days when the only thing you could find to eat fast was a bag of chips. At most casinos grab-and-go counters today, youre also likely to find fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, smoothies, made-to-order pizza and hand-crafted sandwiches.

So whether youre looking to get a quick snack before a concert or want something to-go so you can play the day away at your favorite machine, here is an overview of what local casinos are offering.

Baronas new ice cream parlor The Creamery offers malt shop favorites. (Courtesy photo)

Quick eats: The recently expanded Barona Coffee Company, now located in the new, non-smoking Welcome Home area, brews up much more than coffee. But you dont have to take our word for it  just follow your nose. Baronas cinnamon and gooey maple pecan buns are made fresh all day and that fresh-baked scent is whats really welcoming. Theres also a wide array of sandwiches, healthy snacks and a full range of baked goods. Next door is the new Homemade Soup stand, serving six rotating varieties, including albondigas, lobster bisque, chicken tortilla and pho, that can also purchased in larger containers to take home. A banh mi cart offers different versions of the popular Vietnamese baguette sandwich, while the new Creamery puts a deliciously nostalgic twist on ice cream shop classics, like soft serve and sundaes. Rounding out the quick options are the Ho Wan Noodle Shop, a hot dog cart, Feisty Kates Burgers & Malts, Three Amigos for street tacos and The Pizza Place.

Quick tip: Barona likes to say its biggest restaurant is the casino floor and players can enjoy 24-hour gameside dining on everything from steak dinners to eggs and bacon without ever leaving their seats. Diamond, Platinum and Gold Club members can also order off the free Fun Bites menu (chicken tenders, grilled cheese and more).

Quick eats: Everythings to-go at this trucker-friendly casinos vast Travel Center. Along with rows of automotive necessities, souvenirs, camping gear and sundries, the 3,000-square-foot, 24/7 quick mart sells cookies, chips, candy, healthy snacks, cereal, sandwiches, dairy items, fruit, frozen treats and refrigerated beverages  including juices, protein shakes and energy drinks. Inside the casino, the Del Oro Deli counter has fresh pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches and more.

Quick tip: Golden Acorn is rightly famous for its signature $7.77 prime rib at The Golden Grill sit-down restaurant. But if youre with a group primed to hit the slots  or just super hungry  order the six-pound Glory Burger to go. It wont fit in one, normal-sized food container, so ask them to divide it up for you.

Sweet treats at Jamul Casinos Coffee Shop. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union Tribune)

Quick eats: In need of a sugar rush? The Coffee Shop has tempting homemade doughnuts. muffins, brownies, blondies, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, Danish pastries, coffee cake, bear claws, fritters, cheesecake, croissants, cookies, chips, candy bars and more. On the more substantial front, there are also ready-to-go chicken Caesar salads and turkey, ham or roast beef sandwiches, Starbucks coffee drinks and fresh fruit. You can also get a quick bite or take-out from the nearby food court, which features such local favorites as Pizza Port (for slices and pies, wings, mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese bites), Rubys Dinette (burgers, fries, grilled sandwiches, hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, shakes, soft serve, 24/7) and Tres Taqueria (burritos, bowls, street tacos, nachos, quesadillas and TJ Dogs).

Quick tip: Emerald Chinese Cuisine is a top-notch sit-down restaurant, but all of its dishes can be ordered to go. Chinese specialties span Szechuan, Mandarin and Cantonese cuisines, and Pan-Asian choices include Vietnamese pho, pad Thai, and Filipino pancit and lumpia. The menu also features several vegetarian selections.

It doesnt get much quicker or casual than the taco truck at Harrahs Resort SoCal. (Courtesy photo)

Quick eats: Multiple major national chains come to the rescue of the hungry gambler-on-the-go at Harrahs Resort SoCal. A full Starbucks store has an extensive array of grab-and-go items, from protein snack packs to ready-made sandwiches and yogurt parfaits. The Earl of Sandwich  named for the British seafaring statesman and noted gambler  offers 12 varieties of easy-to-eat-with-one-hand hot sandwiches, including The Original 1762 (roast beef, cheddar and horseradish sauce), chipotle chicken avocado and caprese. The menu also has wraps, stuffed baked potatoes, salads and sweet treats. Smashburger features its signature burgers along with the exclusive Harrahs Resort SoCal Funner burger, with peanut butter, banana and bacon. There are also grilled chicken sandwiches, fresh salads and rosemary and garlic fries, sweet potato fries, tots and boozy shakes. The juice, smoothie and veggie drink stand Robeks offers healthy, liquid options.

Quick tip: Ritas Cantina operates an actual taco truck right off the Harrahs Resort SoCal hotel lobby. Among the street tacos is a flavorful Baja shrimp taco, with tequila-marinated shrimp. The menu includes burritos, breakfast burritos, nachos, chips, candy bars, fruit cups, yogurt and churros.

Cafe Amore at Pala Casino Spa & Resort is open 24/7 for snacks or treats. (Ian Vaughan Productions)

Quick eats: There are a lot of reasons to love Palas Coffee Amore  how about more than 30 kinds of cakes, pastries, cookies, tarts, muffins and more? Or 14 types of sandwiches, eight flavors of ice cream, five breakfast options, three salads, fountain drinks, and about two dozen hot and cold coffee concoctions? Open 24/7, Coffee Amore is strategically located at the crossroads of the hotel lobby, the casino and the entryway to the pool and spa area, making it convenient to wherever youre headed. And as the primary eatery aimed at the customer in-a-hurry, the menu has several grab-and-go choices, including roast turkey on house-made focaccia bread, chicken salad on a croissant and veggie wraps. Hot-off-the-grill panini sandwiches come with french fries, onion rings, coleslaw or fresh fruit.

Quick tip: The newly expanded Noodles Asian restaurant now has a takeout counter and more wok stations for faster service. Featuring Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean and Japanese dishes, Noodles is open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday and until 4 a.m Saturdays.

Casino Pauma is so known for its pizza, non-gamblers are said to come in for it. (Courtesy photo)

Quick eats: At Casino Paumas Deli & Pizzeria, you can order a salad, wings, nachos, a sandwich or a hot dog. But savvy customers know that at this casual 24/7 spot right on the casino floor, its all about the pizza. Hand-made, hot-from-the-oven and served personal-sized, the pizzas come in a dozen varieties  cheese, pepperoni, deluxe, sausage, double sausage, vegetarian, barbecue chicken, Hawaiian, spicy Sriracha, garlic chicken and the Jackpot pizza (pepperoni, sausage, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and black olives). The pizzas are so popular, in fact, non-players have been known to stop in just for that.

Quick tip: Were a sucker for a chewy, salty, homemade pretzel, and we were excited to see them at the Deli & Pizzeria. Get one to-go with mustard or break all the rules and order it nacho style (with jalapenos and cheese) or as a unique dessert (with sweet cream cheese).

Guests line up every day for chef Marlene Moores soulful comfort food at Pechanga Fried Chicken. (Courtesy photo)

Quick eats: The largest casino resort on the West Coast also has a hefty-sized selection of quick bites. Start off at the Temptations Food Court, which has nine different food concepts. In addition to freshly baked pastries and fruit smoothies, the 24/7 Caffe Cocoa serves a variety of homemade sorbets. Crowd favorite Pechanga Fried Chicken offers Southern comfort in the form of crispy, seasoned fried chicken, creamy mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. For those who handle a hand full, Pronto Italiano sells giant, cheesy 24-inch pizza pies for carryout, as well as by the slice, along with spaghetti, meatballs, calzones and other specialties. Agave is the place for Mexican fare, including spicy fajitas, burritos and chips and homemade salsa. Find burgers, hot dogs, fries, cobb salads and other American classics at  where else?  American Classics. Finally, Temptations has Chinese cuisine at Little Wok, a mini-doughnut station, a Vietnamese banh mi cart, and a Dippin Dots location. If youre not tempted by anything at the food court  maybe youre being too picky?  a wide grab-and-go selection can be found at the coffee shop Blends; pastries, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, fresh fruit, salads, sandwiches and soups are all on the menu. And in the Pechanga poker and bingo rooms, players can choose from a full menu and bar right there, without ever leaving the area.

Quick tip: Bamboo, one of Pechangas three Asian restaurants, has a walk-up window where you can order your Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean or Japanese dish to go. And you wont have to wait there until its ready  theyll give you a pick-up time.

Quick eats: When it comes to eating on the run, Sycuan seems pretty in sync to players needs. Come for a fast and satisfying meal without wasting your precious gaming time, the casinos website description of the Sunset Deli and Double Down Grill reads. Surrounded by slots, the Sunset Deli has 12 different sandwiches, like roast beef and cheddar on ciabatta and a California chicken hoagie, plus wraps, personal pizzas, hot dogs, soup, chili, doughnuts, cheesecakes and pastries. The 24/7 Double Down Grill, located near the bingo room, has a varied menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts, candy, chips and finger-friendly foods (chicken tenders, rolled tacos, jalapeno poppers).

Quick tip: Gamblers can be creatures of habit, playing at the same machine or sitting at the same seat at the card table. But that doesnt mean they want to get stuck in a food rut. For them, theres the monthly featured menu at Double Down, with ever-changing specials like the recent Baja fish tacos and gyro sandwich.

Valley View Casino & Resorts Snax serves everything from nachos to brownies. (Courtesy photo)

Quick eats: The name says it all  Snax. Valley Views 24-hour snack bar serves everything from breakfast croissant sandwiches and fruit and yogurt parfaits to chili dogs, hand-tossed pizza, nachos, salads, tacos, soup, chicken tenders, classic hoagie-style sandwiches (meatball parm, chicken parm, Philly cheese steak, Italian sub, prime rib cheddar dip), as well as brownies, cookies and fresh pretzels. At the fast-casual Stix Asian noodle bar, the menu includes sushi, soup, ramen and rice bowls, pho, black pepper Asian beef with stir-fried Chinese vegetables, seafood noodles and green papaya chicken salad.

Quick tip: Sweets is a gourmet coffee bar that offers such grab-and-go items as sandwiches and salads. But its the sweets that are the real draw. Valley Views in-house bakers  the people behind The Buffets delectable, 100-foot-long dessert bar  also whip up the pastries, cakes, cookies and more sold here.

Viejas Daily Roast Coffee House sells sandwiches, salads, sweets and more. (Michele Parente photo)

Quick eats: The stylish, new Daily Roast Coffee House, located off the casino floor near the walkway to the Willows Hotel & Spa, is an upscale option for grab-and-go sustenance. Sandwiches include a turkey and Swiss croissant with cranberry aioli and an Italian grinder. Prepared salads, protein packs (hard-boiled eggs, humus), cheese and fruit plates, veggies, and Caesars are made in-house, as are the pastries in the display case  fruit tarts, muffins, pound cakes, croissants and more. The Lobby Coffee Bar serves a variety of quick bites to go and the hot dog cart, near the entrance to the parking garage, is a popular stop.

Quick tip: One of the more innovative and convenient ways to get a quick meal is to buy a Buffet-to-go box. For $18 during the week (until 3 p.m. only on Wednesdays, not available for dinner on Lobster Wednesday) and $25 Fridays through Sundays, you can choose from hundreds of options, including the meat carving, seafood, dessert and specialty stations.
Sen. John McCains final journey ended Sunday on a grassy hill at the U.S. Naval Academy alongside a lifelong friend within view of the Severn River and earshot of midshipmen present and future.

A horse-drawn caisson carrying the senators casket led a procession of mourners from the academys chapel to its cemetery after a private service. The senators widow, Cindy, and his children were among those who walked behind the caisson. Joining them were family and friends as well as members of McCains academy Class of 1958, military leaders and academy midshipmen.

About 4 p.m. a flyover of military aircraft honored the Navy pilot who was shot down over Vietnam and held for more than five years as a prisoner of war. The burial was private as per the wishes of McCain, the Arizona Republican and 2008 presidential nominee who died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. Vehicles that had carried mourners began leaving the area between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

One scheduled speaker at the service, fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said beforehand that he would tell the audience that nobody loved a soldier more than John McCain, that I bear witness to his commitment to have their back, travel where they go, never let them be forgotten. Also expected to pay tribute were David H. Petraeus, a retired Army general and former CIA director, and McCains son Jack.

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As the hearse carrying McCain passed through a gate and onto the academy grounds, there was loud applause from the several hundred people lining the street on the hot and muggy summer day. Many held their hands over their hearts and waved American flags. Some shouted, God bless you.

People in the crowd held signs that read Senator John McCain Thanks For Serving! Godspeed and Rest In Peace Maverick.

For his final resting place, McCain picked the historic site overlooking the Severn River, not Arlington National Cemetery, where his father and grandfather, both admirals, were buried.

People pay tribute as the hearse carrying Sen. John McCains casket arrives at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on Sunday. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press)

Years ago Chuck Larson, an admiral himself and an ally throughout McCains life, reserved four plots at the cemetery  two for McCain and himself, and two for their wives. Larson died in 2014, and McCain wrote in a recent memoir that he wanted to be buried next to his friend, near where it began.

Among the pallbearers on a list provided by McCains office were Frank Gamboa, his academy roommate; Defense Secretary James N. Mattis; and two men who were POWs with McCain in Vietnam, John Fer and Everett Alvarez Jr.

Tributes to McCain began Wednesday in Arizona and continued through the weekend. On Saturday, eulogies by his daughter Meghan and two former presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  remembered McCain as a patriot who could bridge painful rivalries. While their remarks made clear their admiration for him, they also represented a repudiation of President Trumps brand of tough-talking, divisive politics. Trump and McCain were at odds during the 2016 campaign and after Trumps election.

Theres a lesson to be learned this week about John McCain, Graham said.

No. 1, Americans appreciate military service.... If you work hard and do your homework and know what youre talking about, people will listen to you. That if you pick big causes bigger than yourself, youll be remembered, he told Fox News Sunday.

He tried to drain the swamp before it was cool, that you can fight hard and still be respected. If you forgive, people appreciate it, and if you admit to mistakes, you look good as a stronger man. Thats the formula, John McCain. This was a civics lesson for anybody who wanted to listen. Why do we remember this man? Because of the way he conducted his public life.

UPDATES:

2:50 p.m.: This article was updated after Sen. John McCains burial.

This article was originally published at 11:15 a.m.
Holding signs proclaiming messages such as Meat is murder and chanting in support of veganism, about 400 people took to the streets of downtown San Diego on Saturday afternoon for the citys first Official Animal Rights March.

Were making history right now, said march co-organizer Brianna Martelozzo as participants gathered around noon at Pantoja Park on G and India streets. From this day on, we are raising the expectation of San Diegos participation in the animal rights movement.

The Official Animal Rights March was created by the activist organization Surge and first held in the U.K. in 2016. Last years march in London reportedly attracted about 5,000 people, and the event is being repeated in cities around the world.

Los Angeles and several other cities held a march Aug. 25, while Saturday saw marches in New York; Denmark; Columbus, Ohio; Portland, Ore.; and other places as well as San Diego.

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Martelozzo noted that there are more than 7,000 members in the San Diego Vegans Facebook group, and she said she expected the movement to grow.

The groups message against killing animals for food or clothing was not easy to swallow for some observers of the march. One Gaslamp Quarter business owner on Fifth and J streets yelled at the marchers for disrupting the street on Labor Day weekend.

Others who watched from the sidewalks cheered them on.

We support the movement 100 percent, said Katie Ekema, hospitality manager of Union Kitchen and Tap on Fifth Avenue. We have vegan options on the menu.

Ekema is a meat-eater herself, but said she believes the farming industry should be more compassionate in how animals are treated.

Participants in the Official Animal Rights March do a die-in in the middle of the intersection of Market Street and Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Charlie Neuman)

Andrew and Jessica Sanchez, having drinks on the patio of Barley Mash, watched the marchers stage a die-in by lying down at the intersection of 5th and Market streets.

Jessica Sanchez said they arent vegetarians but try to be responsible in what they buy by supporting organic farms.

Veganism isnt for everybody, but theres something that can be learned from their message, she said.

A speaker who goes by Vegan Danielle, also the name of her podcast, reminded people at Pantoja Park that most vegans grew up in conventional meat-eating households themselves before making a decision to change.

Hate is not effective, she said, cautioning people about how they advocate for animal rights. Hate is not our message.

The die-in briefly stalled traffic, but drivers waited out the demonstration without honking. Marchers didnt confront people dining on meaty lunches at restaurant patios, and many diners seemed more bemused than annoyed at the chants they heard.

March co-organizer Rachell DeRose-Hosler had advised participants before the march to avoid confrontations with anyone they passed.

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gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
Theyre here and then theyre gone, just like their art.

The annual U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge being held on the Broadway Pier this weekend is an invitation-only event: 12 master carvers brought in from around the globe, all expenses paid, to wield the tools of their trade in front of thousands of gawking, camera-toting visitors.

And it is a trade. These are people who make a living turning large piles of sand and water into jaw-dropping depictions of people, animals, cars, angels, trees, wine bottles and on and on  even, in an occasional nod to tradition, castles.

Weve come a long way from the days when you did this for a six-pack of beer, said Bruce Phillips, a San Diego sculptor who decided which artists to invite this year.

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Some, like Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova, spend half of the year traveling from one place to another with their trowels and brushes. Shes from Latvia, and it took her 24 hours to get to San Diego for the competition.

In a few days shell go home before heading off to a sculpting festival in Poland.

Said Leonardo Ugolini, a competitor from Italy: Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I dont know what city Im in.

Saturday he was in San Diego, putting the finishing touches on his creation. The sculpting started Wednesday, a day after some 300 tons of sand  coarser than whats found on local beaches  was trucked in from a quarry in East County and dumped on the floor of a roofed, open-sided building on the pier.

The sand was shoveled into square, wooden forms and sprayed with water, which eventually yielded compact cubes ready for carving. The competitors then had four days to work their magic, finishing up Saturday afternoon. The judges came in shortly after with their scorecards.

Winners will be announced Sunday. Top prize is $5,000.

At the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge at Broadway Pier, Brian Turnbough, of Chicago, works on his piece titled Eulogy as visitors watch. (Charlie Neuman)

This years theme is Celebration, and the artists took that in all kinds of directions. Ugolini made a giant brain and called it Cerebration, explaining, You need a mind to celebrate.

Rudzite-Kirillova titled hers Who Are You? It features a woman with a cats head, looking down at a real cat. The idea is to celebrate the real you, she said. Be yourself.

Dan Belcher, from St. Louis, carved a large raven breaking free from a cage. He shrugged off questions about his intent. It depends on what people want to see in it, he said.

Like several of the other artists, he traced his roots to his sandbox-days as a child. In college in Kansas, he studied landscape architecture, but it was a sculpture he saw in Florida by one of the pioneers of sand carving, Solana Beachs Gerry Kirk, that ignited his passion.

That was close to 30 years ago, and now hes been all over the world for contests or paid commissions.

Saturday, Belcher had with him his usual tool kit, which includes items from the worlds of masonry (margin trowels and knee pads), cake baking (icing spatulas), horse grooming (spiral spring comb), and painting (brushes). In his hands, they brought out the feathery detail in the ravens wings and the sharp edges of the bars in the cage the bird was escaping.

All that effort and skill, all those hours spent  and come Tuesday it will be piles of sand again, headed back to the quarry.

You cant get into sand sculpture if youre into permanence, Belcher said. Everything we make, we get to let go of.

Maybe thats why he called his piece Liberation.

Public viewing of the sculptures continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ticket prices and other information about the event, which includes food trucks, music, art booths and a kids zone, is available at ussandsculpting.com.

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com
September 2, 1983 The San Diego Union

The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year.

Friday, September 2, 1983

In 1983, in one of the most infamous incidents in the Cold War, a Soviet fighter plane shot down civilian Korean Air Lines Flight 007 after the jetliner strayed into Soviet airspace. All 269 people aboard, including 61 Americans, were killed.

The 747, which was en route from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seoul, South Korea, was far off course when it was shot down.

Soviet authorities at first denied that the airliner had been shot down, then charged that it had been on a spying mission for U.S. intelligence.

Here are the first few paragraphs of the story:

U.S. accuses Soviets of barbarity in shooting down Korean jet; 265 dead

Gromykos account called inadequate

From News Services

The United States said yesterday that a missile fired by a Soviet fighter pilot destroyed a South Korean 747 jumbo jet and doomed its estimated 265 passengers and crew to a 32,800-foot plunge into waters off the Kremlins island outposts near Japan. Thirty Americans, included Rep. Larry McDonald, D-Ga., were counted among the victims.

President Reagan, in California, declared his disgust that the entire world feels at the barbarity of the Soviet government in shooting down an unarmed plane. He added: Words can scarcely express our revulsion at this horrifying act of violence.

Secretary of State George P. Schultz said there is no excuse whatever for this appalling act and aides described an account forwarded by Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko as totally inadequate  because it neither acknowledged that the plane had been shot down Wednesday nor accepted any responsibility.

Shultzs startling announcement yesterday came after an erroneous statement by Korean Air Lines officials late Wednesday night that the airliner had landed safely on Russian-held Sakhalin Island.

Department spokesman John Hughes said the Gromyko message claimed the Korean plane was flying without lights and did not respond to signals of Soviet interceptors and their attempt to direct it to a landing site. The message did report that signs of a possible crash have been found in the area of Moronen Island, near Sakhalin, and in the Sea of Japan inside Soviet territorial waters.

But it made no mention that the plane had been shot down, Hughes said. And the Soviet Embassy has been informed that the U.S. government finds this replay totally inadequate.

Hughes said late yesterday that there were 30 plus Americans on Korean Air Lines Flight 007, including McDonald, and there were no survivors. He said the United States and South Korea would demand an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council today to air what is a heinous action on the part of the Soviet Union.

Those who boarded the flight in New York, according to the airline numbered 238 adults, two unidentified infants, and a crew of 29. But a National Transportation Safety Board official, Jim Michelangelo, said four passengers got off in Anchorage, Alaska, leaving 265 on the final leg to Seoul

The jumbo jet was in Soviet airspace above Sakhalin, an island whose southernmost tip is within 100 miles of Japan, U.S. officials said.

A heat-seeking missile, called an Anad, was fired from an SU-15, a 1960s-vintage interceptor and one of eight fighters which tracked the airliner, according to Pentagon intelligence sources who asked that they not be identified. The Soviets have a fighter base on Sakhalin, a mountainous island 20 miles from the Soviet Unions east coast.

The Soviet pilot was close enough to see the airliner, and the Soviets had tracked it for 2  hours  ample opportunity to know it was a civilian flight, officials said. At first, defense officials said the plane which fired the missile was a MiG-23  one of the Soviet Unions best and fastest fighters. Later, however, they said it appeared to have been an SU-15 code-named Flagon.

Intelligence sources said the Soviets have about 35 SU-15s and 30 MiG-23s based at Sakhalin.

Late in the day, the Pentagon said a sophisticated AWACS radar warning plane had been sent from Okinawa to northern Japan, with five F-15s for fighter escort, to help in search efforts.

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.
The people fighting to fix the decades-long scourge of border sewage pollution know better than to get their hopes up that a solution is in the offing.

But given recent developments, grant them at least some cautious optimism.

A federal judge last week allowed a lawsuit to move forward that seeks to hold the federal government responsible for not doing enough to deal with pollution on U.S. territory  even if the source of the flow comes from Mexico.

A privately financed project also advancing would take some Tijuana wastewater, clean it to high standards and ship it to irrigate the vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley wine region.

The North American Development Bank, which deals with border infrastructure, is conducting a study to examine the existing sewage treatment and collection system and look at ways to increase capacity to handle the cross-border flows  and what it would cost. The study is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Local municipal officeholders, agency officials, state lawmakers, members of Congress and business groups are coordinating efforts and working with Mexican officials to find a solution.

The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego sued the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission, claiming it has violated the Clean Water Act by allowing the pollution to flow into the Tijuana River Valley north of the border and, frequently, out into the ocean. The operator of the South Bay sewage plant that treats Mexican sewage also is named in the lawsuit.

Federal Judge Jeffrey Miller on Wednesday rejected the IBWCs full motion to dismiss the suit, though he did grant dismissal of part of it, noting those suing could amend that part of the complaint and refile. Its complicated, but the bottom line is the lawsuit is very much alive.

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There was a period in the 1990s when U.S. local, federal and state officials and their Mexican counterparts came together to vastly improve the situation with the funding and construction of the plant just outside San Ysidro and related infrastructure to divert the flows.

That stemmed the problem, but Tijuana has since vastly outgrown its sewage infrastructure, some of which was rickety to begin with. The spills continued. Trying to get Mexico to fix its own problem sounds good, but that has never worked. Meanwhile, San Diego Countys South Bay suffers public safety and economic consequences  few things turn off potential visitors like beaches closed because of sewage spills.

The IBWC says this isnt their problem, but the South Bay cities and port believe otherwise. In a unique move, Miller on Tuesday went to the border area to examine the sewage infrastructure firsthand. The next day, he refused to dismiss the lawsuit.

Its not clear how the transfer of treated water from Tijuana to the Guadalupe Valley would affect the border situation, given that project would divert only about 30 percent of 82 million gallons of wastewater produced daily by Tijuana. But it will make a dent in the problem and, if successful, possibly could be expanded or replicated, sending needed water elsewhere.

Israeli and Mexican investors have been lined up, and the treatment plant would use an advanced process pioneered in Israel. The use of revitalized water is now common and has been used in Napa Valley vineyards for two decades.

I think what is happening in Baja, in theory, is a big deal, said Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, the most outspoken critic of the lack of action on sewage pollution.

Since the improvements in the 1990s, there were cross-border spills, particularly during substantial rains, though they werent as pervasive as before. But in February 2017, a huge sewage flow across the border during a stormy stretch gained widespread local and national media coverage, triggering a greater political response and leading to the eventual lawsuit.

Earlier this summer, Dedina held a news conference in Tijuana blasting the Mexican government over the sewage situation. While he encountered some blowback, intense media coverage south of the border put pressure on the Mexican government.

The North American Development Bank study should put meat on the bones of discussions about what it would take to solve, or at least vastly reduce the problem. The analysis is expected to take a diagnostic look at the border sewage infrastructure as it stands and what options there may be to improve and expand it.

So while theres momentum, its way too early to get excited that the border sewage nightmare is coming to an end. If the courts dont rule the federal government has responsibility here, that means its up to the politicians and agencies to find a solution and the money for it. That wont be easy.

The unified front of officeholders, cross-border business groups and local governments is certainly helping. But even if a proposed solution advances, there is no guarantee of consensus.

In 2000, the private-public venture called Bajagua gained traction but became embroiled in controversy and faced strong opposition, including from Dedina. The federal government eventually killed the project in 2008.

It has been a long time since a major border sewage fix has been on the table.

Tweet of the Week

Goes to Eric Syverson, (@IBStewards), commenting on a Sacramento Bee story about how alcohol often fuels business  and some bad behavior  in Sacramento.

So who do I have to buy drinks for to get some infrastructure down in Tijuana River Valley?
With a flourish of a pen this week, Gov. Jerry Brown dealt one heck of a big blow to the criminal justice status quo in California.

On Tuesday, he signed into law Senate Bill 10, making California the first state in the nation to not only revamp the bail system, but eliminate it altogether.

It was a move lauded by many, including the bills authors, who said it would establish a new system that would focus on the risk to public safety that an individual poses  not that persons ability to pay  when determining whether he or she should be released from jail before a trial.

This is a transformative day for our justice system. Our old system of money bail was outdated, unsafe and unfair, said California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, alluding to the fact that people with the means to pay bail could get out of jail relatively quickly, while the poor would often stay behind bars until their cases were resolved.

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And it was a move decried by the bail bond industry, which resists the idea that its the cause of a broken system. It also argues that SB 10 will come with a high price to taxpayers. (Bail industry groups launched a referendum drive against Senate Bill 10 the day after it was signed.)

Criminal justice reform advocates, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have long said they were behind eliminating the cash bail system. But the ACLU of California, Human Rights Watch and others took a sharp turn just before SB 10 landed on the governors desk, reversing their support for the bill.

Pointing to recent changes they said give judges too much discretion in determining who gets detained before trial without any possibility of release, ACLU representatives said the bill in its current form was not the big step forward it was purported to be.

It was, they said, a dangerous slide backward.

We knew that compromise would be required, Margaret Dooley-Sammuli of the ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice said last week, acknowledging that bills undergo multiple amendments as they work their way through the Legislature.

But this, she said, went too far, and could lead to incarceration rates that are actually higher than they are now (although at this point, theres no data to prove that).

The reality is that the way this bill is now written  it does not include the kinds of protections that are necessary and its too big a risk to take, she said.

The new law will go into effect Oct. 1, 2019.

One of the last major criminal justice changes Brown had a hand in came in 2011, with the passage of Californias public safety realignment law  also known as Assembly Bill 109  which shifted responsibility for incarcerating some lower-level offenders from the state to the counties.

There are echoes of that change in SB 10, which essentially eliminates the current bail system  where bail amounts for criminal offenses were set by the state Legislature  and requires the counties to set up their own pretrial services agencies that would use risk assessment tools to make recommendations to the courts about what safety risk a person is to the community and what non-monetary conditions should be imposed upon release.

People charged with certain non-violent, low-level crimes will be eligible to be released from jail automatically within 12 hours of booking.

Judges would be allowed to order preventive detention of any defendant before trial if the judge determines the person is too dangerous to be released.

And thats what the ACLU, and some others who are wary of the new law, see as problematic.

We are disappointed to see Senate Bill 10 signed into law, read a statement issued last week from leaders of three ACLU affiliates, including Norma Chavez Peterson, executive director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial counties. It cannot guarantee a substantial reduction in the number of Californians detained while awaiting trial, nor does it sufficiently address racial bias in pretrial decision making.

Indeed, key provisions of the new law create significant new risks and problems, the statement reads.

So what do they plan to do?

The statement calls for a commitment from lawmakers to provide due process, reduce incarceration and promote racial justice under the new pretrial system.

We will be focused on monitoring, implementation and looking to address these protections that we want to see in the system, Dooley-Sammuli said in a phone interview, adding that the organization plans to work with legislators, the incoming governor and the Judicial Council over the next several years to make bail reform work.

And she said the organization will work to dissuade other states from following California.

The reality that Im concerned about is that other states may look at SB 10 and misinterpret its limitations, and think thats the model to copy, she said. We would not advise other states to make this particular deal.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
A status hearing for a Ghanaian man accused of crossing the border illegally was abruptly cut short when the phone connection between the courtroom and Ashanti Twi interpreter on the line went dead. The defendant, who does not speak English, would have to come back to court the next day to try again.

At another hearing, a young Mexican woman also being prosecuted for illegal entry didnt understand what was happening around her as she was seated in court. She needed a Mixteco interpreter, but the one on hand spoke a different dialect. Still, they pressed on, slowly attempting to explain the charges against her, with confusion and tears etched on her face.

Similar scenarios of communication breakdown have become commonplace in San Diego federal court as the Trump administration has vowed to treat every illegal border crossing as a crime under a zero tolerance policy.

Since the policys implementation in May, the demand for foreign language interpreters has spiked, but filling the need has not been easy.

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The increased caseload has led to logistical problems in court, frustrations as defense attorneys struggle to communicate basic legal concepts to their clients, and concern among the defense bar that due process is being skirted.

Several prosecutions have been dismissed this summer due to language issues.

Growing diversity

The greatest shift in demand has been for languages other than Spanish. In May there was need for 11 such languages; in July it rose to 28, according to the U.S. District Court of Southern California, which covers San Diego and Imperial counties.

During the months of June and July our District has experienced an influx of cases requiring interpreters of languages of India and Nepal: Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Guajarati, Bengali, and Nepali, court officials said in a statement. We have also had cases requiring interpreters of languages that have not been heard in our District before, such as Ashanti Twi from Ghana.

And while there are two local interpreters of the indigenous Mixteco language of Mexico  Mixteco Bajo and Mixteco de Guerrero  the court has seen a rise in other dialects that need interpreting: Mixteco Alto, Mixteco de la Costa, Mixteco de Etla. Other indigenous languages from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras include Mam, Maya Kiche, Zaptoeco and Amuzgo.

Before zero tolerance, many of these migrants would not be criminally charged in federal court, but would instead go directly to immigration proceedings.

It is the lawyers responsibility to find interpretation services outside of court, and the courts duty to offer such services during hearings.

That has typically not been a problem when it comes to Spanish speakers. Many attorneys who dont speak Spanish have staff who do. And for hearings, the court employs 11 full-time Spanish interpreters in San Diego, officials said. Additional needs are covered by several certified Spanish interpreters who live in the county.

Contract interpreters for other languages who live in the area are also called on as needed, although they represent only a handful of languages, such as Chinese and Arabic.

As a result of zero tolerance, the criminal court docket has grown much more diverse.

In July, Federal Defenders of San Diego, the local public defender agency, put out a call to San Diegos ethnic community-based organizations and refugee groups that it is urgently seeking contract interpreters. The email notes these clients are in custody and unable to communicate with their attorneys.

Baldave Singh, one of the closest Punjabi interpreters to San Diego, lives in Redlands. The rise in migrants fleeing the Punjab region in Northern India due to political and religious persecution is keeping him busy. Many are crossing the border illegally, then claiming asylum.

I have been 100 percent busier at this present time as compared to 2017, Singh said in a recent email. He said that from July 23 to Aug. 17, he has driven approximately 4,000 miles traveling between San Diego and his home in San Bernardino County.

While Singh is able  and willing  to make the long drive, many other interpreters in demand live as far away as the East Coast, or in other countries, and must do their interpreting over the telephone.

A mad rush

To deal with the logistics of handling a sudden influx in misdemeanor illegal entry cases, the Southern District court recently set up a dedicated court that closely resembles Operation Streamline courts set up under previous administrations along other parts of the Southwest border.

Defendants typically appear the day after arrest and are given the opportunity to plead guilty immediately and be sentenced, usually to time served. From there, they go into immigration proceedings  a completely different legal system.

To prepare for the afternoon hearings, defense attorneys meet with their clients in the converted garage of the federal building in the morning. Each attorney typically is assigned two to four clients that day.

In very little time, the attorneys must explain the charges, how the U.S. legal system works, what the governments plea deal is, and ascertain whether the client should accept the deal or request a trial. Information on the clients criminal history, ties to the U.S., potential asylum claims and financial situation must also be communicated in order to argue for bond.

When an attorney is notified 20 minutes beforehand that a client doesnt speak English or Spanish, the mad rush to secure an interpreter begins.

That effort often cuts severely into time the attorney could be meeting with other clients, many have said.

Once an interpreter is located, there is only one telephone in the U.S. Marshals Service basement on which the attorney, interpreter and client can converse.

The first few weeks of the special courts rollout were especially trying.

I can tell you, having a conversation over the phone with an interpreter is completely impractical, said defense attorney Anthony Colombo. Theres no speaker option on the phone, no simultaneous translation. You are essentially playing hot potato with the receiver. I think that the quality of the interpreter or accuracy of the interpretation is affected tremendously.

Since then, a second receiver has been added to the phone, allowing for all three to listen at the same time.

Attorneys said last week that the marshals have indicated they might allow attorneys to use personal cellphones in the basement for interpreter calls if necessary.

Colombo advised his Punjabi-speaking client not to accept the standard plea deal offered to unauthorized immigrants and instead counseled him to go to trial due to his request for asylum.

A few days later, when Colombo tried to visit his client at the Western Region Detention Facility, known as GEO, to talk about the case going forward, he was told by the facility that there was no way for an interpreter to call into the meeting.

Since then, the facility has added a speaker phone for such meetings. Colombo sent advance notice of his next meeting to the facility the following week, but when he showed up the phone was being used by another lawyer needing interpretation.

Courtroom communication

The frustrations have spilled into the courtroom.

Sometimes, the court staff have had their own difficulties lining up interpreters for hearings. Phone connections have been poor. Attempts to ring interpreters living across the country go to voicemail.

When it comes to indigenous languages from Mexico and Central America, judges and attorneys also have to frequently determine whether the defendants Spanish is adequate, or if an interpreter is needed for greater understanding.

Usually with these interpretations Im a little nervous, Magistrate Judge Robert Block said in court Wednesday while making such a consideration.

The plea in question was ultimately taken with help from a Spanish interpreter. It went smoothly, taking 12 minutes.

The next case took much longer.

The man  who had been arrested about six miles north of the border fence east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry more than a week earlier  wanted to plead guilty and be sentenced. A Nahuatl interpreter in Mexico was on the phone to assist, but since he doesnt speak English, a Spanish to English interpreter was also needed.

The process was painstakingly slow, with double interpretations and the defendant frequently answering questions meant for the attorneys.

About 25 minutes into the proceedings  and only about halfway through  the judge halted the whole thing and declared that he wasnt comfortable that the defendant was understanding the legal ramifications of the guilty plea.

The defendant remained adamant that he wanted to plead guilty. Culpable, he stated  guilty in Spanish  adding he wanted to get out and go home.

Im listening and being attentive, he said.

But the judge wasnt sure. Then the judge turned to attorneys for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who have been prosecuting the day-to-day illegal entry cases, and asked if they would consider dismissing the case.

Hes already spent nine days, 10 days in custody, Block said. While he said he wouldnt use his authority to dismiss the case, its something he said the prosecutors should try. It seems a miscarriage of justice to let this case go forward, he said.

The government dismissed the case.

Its unclear exactly how many illegal entry prosecutions have been dismissed over the past few months due to language issues, although defense attorneys say they are aware of several. Many are because of difficulty finding an interpreter, they said.

The U.S. Attorneys Office and CBP declined to comment for this story. CBP cited possible/pending litigation as the reason.

For some migrants, particularly other-than-Spanish speakers, this is their first interaction with the U.S. justice system. Things need to be explained, such as the role of the judge and the difference between prosecutors and defense attorneys and what happens in a court proceeding.

Some of the concepts of the U.S. criminal system cant be directly translated, said public defender Kimberly Trimble.

All of that takes time, much of which has already been eaten up searching for an interpreter. Its why many other-than-Spanish defendants dont proceed with plea agreements that same day, she said.

It isnt usually a problem for Spanish speakers, who can be processed through quicker.

Last week, a 27-year-old Mexican man could not speak with his attorney all day because of difficulty finding a Tzotzil interpreter. One was finally found for his court appearance that began after 5 p.m.

Through two interpreters, from Tzotzil to Spanish to English, Judge Block advised the defendant of his rights and the charge against him, then set bond at $1,000, without argument.

His attorney, Marc Levinson, asked for the case to be dismissed because he hadnt been able to discuss a plea deal with his client, information that might have helped the lawyer argue for lower bond.

But the judge didnt appreciate the interjection, saying oral arguments to dismiss went against his protocol.

Youre done, Counsel, Block said.

So Your Honor is not going to conduct any inquiry as to the availability of this interpreter  being on the East Coast  and my ability to represent this defendant? Levinson asked.

Next case, Block said.

Levinson later filed, in writing, an emergency motion to dismiss and an emergency writ for habeas corpus.

The denial of an interpreter, who can interpret defense counsels advice, questions and information to the accused is essential to the vindication of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel, Levinson wrote. Without the ability to communicate, the physical presence of an appointed attorney is nothing more than window dressing.

The government dismissed the case during a follow-up hearing in front of a different judge.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
People are more likely to be ticketed for relieving themselves in public from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., according to San Diego city data.

Especially in Pacific Beach.

Nearly 650 citations for urinating or defecating in public were issued in San Diego from January 2017 to June of this year, and more than half occurred during the late and early hours of Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

According to San Diegos Municipal Code, its illegal to go to the bathroom in public or in a space exposed to public view. Those areas include a street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach, public building or publicly-maintained facility.

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Unlike state laws, which didnt recognize the act as a public nuisance until 2006, San Diego has banned it since at least 1952.

Data show San Diego Police Department officers issued 354 tickets in Pacific Beach, 55 percent of the total offenses documented citywide. It the highest number among all San Diego neighborhoods, mirroring a trend seen in 2011 when The San Diego Union-Tribune did a similar analysis.

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Two citations were not able to be mapped due to incomplete address information. The map does not include all incidents of public urination or defecation, since police data only tracks when someone is caught in the act or immediately after.

Donna Cleary, a spokeswoman for San Diego Councilwoman Lorie Zapf who represents that area, said the numbers do not come as a surprise, given the number of bars in that area and an increase in police presence when those places close for the night.

Its where people go to bars, and where people are more likely to do something stupid, Cleary said. Theres a lot of tickets because theres a lot of enforcement.

Nearly all of the tickets were written around Garnet and Grand avenues, from Ingraham Street to the beach. According to Yelp, a search and review platform for local restaurants and businesses, there are at least 44 bar-related establishments that are open after 10 p.m. on Fridays in that zone.

Data show an average of four tickets were issued in Pacific Beach almost every week in 2017. No citations were written the week following New Years Eve or the week of Christmas.

According to Cleary, Councilwoman Zapf has requested over the past four years more police presence in that area, especially when bars close or break around 2 a.m.

She added that the problem doesnt appear to stem from San Diegos homeless population, which is the fourth largest in the state, since there were no tickets issued in the areas of Pacific Beach where homeless people tend to congregate.

This is not a homeless problem, Cleary said. This is more of a bar break problem.

San Diego is still reeling from an outbreak of hepatitis A first identified in March of last year that has killed 20 people and sickened 590, according to the countys website. The majority of people who contracted the liver disease were homeless or illicit drug users.

Most hepatitis A outbreaks are caused by contaminated food, but San Diegos health crisis was spread from person to person through contaminated fecal matter, a channel rarely seen outside of developing countries.

Officials attributed the outbreak to a lack of public restroom facilities and basic sanitation among the areas homeless population.

Data show downtown San Diego had the second largest number of urinating and defecation citations, about 120, accounting for more than 18 percent all tickets issued in the city. The most concentrated area, with 51 citations, was between Ash and Market Street between State Street and 9th Avenue.

According to the January 2018 homeless count, that same area has the second largest homeless population in San Diego County with some 200 individuals.

Another section of downtown, south of Market Street and north of San Diego Bay between Petco Park and Interstate 5, had 29 public urination or defecation citations. The count identified more than 430 homeless people in that area, the largest population in the county.

The entire downtown area contained more than 10 percent of the countys total homeless population, data show.

In October 2017, San Diego County officials released data on where hepatitis A patients were located. The ZIP code 92101, which includes all of 81 cases, had the largest concentration in the county.

Downtown San Diego had the second highest number of public urination and defecation tickets in 2011 as well, according to the newspapers previous analysis.

A spokesman for Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who was a councilman representing that area at the time, said it was important to address the quality of life crimes immediately and head on in both the Pacific Beach and downtown communities.

Greg Block, a spokesman for Faulconer, said the police departments new neighborhood policing division, launched earlier this year, targets quality-of-life issues such as public urination and other illegal activity that hurts neighborhoods. The city has also increased cleanup efforts on the streets, Block said.

The Clean SD initiative has sanitized nearly 1,300 city blocks since September 2017 and those sanitation efforts are ongoing, Block said in an email. The city also sanitizes three times a week and every other Wednesday at the beaches, which includes Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and Mission Beach.

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In 2016, the San Diego County school board replaced its superintendent, Randy Ward, after a taxpayer lawsuit claimed that he and his chief financial officer, Lora Duzyk, had given themselves illegal raises.

Two years later, that lawsuit is being wrapped up quietly. The group that sued Ward, the California Taxpayers Action Network, told the San Diego Superior Court last month that the case would be dismissed, two days before a civil jury trial was scheduled to take place.

On Monday, the San Diego County Office of Education settled the case with the taxpayers group and agreed to pay the group $62,500 to dismiss all claims against the county office, Ward and Duzyk. The county education office said it was required by state law to represent Ward and Duzyk in the case.

Ward and Duzyk deny all responsibility for the claims in the lawsuit, according to a copy of the settlement obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

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To Ward, the settlement seems to confirm that the claims that helped remove him from office were meritless from the beginning.

Dr. Ward never did anything wrong and the fact that this case was settled for less than nuisance value two years later confirms this, Barrett Green, Wards personal attorney, said in a statement.

The lawsuit was just one piece of a political scuffle that heated up two years ago between Ward and the San Diego County Office of Education. In July 2016, the county school board placed Ward on leave, though he had plans to retire the following year. The next month, the board replaced Ward with Edward Velasquez, who was the interim superintendent for the San Ysidro School District. In the years leading up to that move, the San Ysidro School District had a contentious relationship with the county office, which had overseen the districts finances as it was close to bankruptcy.

The lawsuit alleged that Ward gave himself raises unauthorized by the board that totaled between $70,000 and $100,000 in extra income over the course of eight years. The lawsuit claimed he did so through a me too clause, meaning administrators such as himself also got raises whenever teachers negotiated raises. Because Ward had a role in negotiating teacher contracts, that could have been considered self-dealing and a conflict of interest, the lawsuit claimed.

In 2016, Ward earned more than $300,000. He retired later that year, and in 2017, he earned a pension of $181,000, according to the open government database Transparent California.

Two years ago, the county school board also launched an audit to investigate claims that Ward had given himself illegal raises. Last year, the county schools office said that no formal audit was completed and that it would not release a draft report, even though it had cost the county office $70,000.

The county schools office declined to comment for this article.

Green pointed to the audit and the lawsuit, saying neither produced any conclusion that Ward gave himself illegal raises.

There was never any audit report or other finding reflecting that Dr. Ward did anything wrong, Green said in a statement. Politics was the only reason there was an investigation to begin with. Dr. Ward had already planned to retire in June 2017, but the new board wanted to select its own person sooner.

Along with the settlement that was finalized Monday, Ward signed a letter promising that if the California Taxpayers Action Network dismissed the lawsuit, Ward would not turn around and sue the group for malicious prosecution. Malicious prosecution is suing somebody without probable cause.

Ward also promised in a separate letter to the county schools office that he would not sue it, either. Ward signed the letters under the belief that the taxpayers group and the county office were concerned that Ward would sue them.

The California Taxpayers Action Network is a nonprofit organization based in Chula Vista that says it promotes fiscal responsibility in state and local government, according to its website.

In 2016, the organization reported having $10,788 and said it spent zero dollars, according to the groups federal tax filings. The organization listed no employees or officers on that form. The groups sole contribution came from the law firm of Cory Briggs, the attorney who represented the California Taxpayers Action Network in this case, according to the form.

Briggs declined to comment for this article.

The county now has a new superintendent, Paul Gothold, who took over in June of last year.

The county schools office provides support services to San Diego Countys school districts, charter schools and community colleges. The office also runs schools for foster youth, students in juvenile hall, homeless students and students with severe disabilities.

Kristen Taketa

Email: kristen.taketa@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @Kristen_Taketa
The father of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts spoke out in an opinion piece against those using his daughters death to support views she believed were profoundly racist, a call that comes after President Trump and others seized on the suspected killers immigration status to argue for changes in U.S. immigration laws.

Authorities have said the University of Iowa student was abducted while she was out for an evening run in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18. The man charged in her death, 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a Mexican farmworker who is suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.

Trump and other politicians quickly noted that element of the case and called for changes to immigration law.

Rob Tibbetts wrote in the opinion piece published by the Des Moines Register on Saturday that while he supports debate on immigration, some politicians and pundits went too far in using his daughters death to promote political agendas. He said his stepdaughter is Latina and argued that the suspected killer is no more a reflection of the Hispanic community as white supremacists are of all white people.

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Do not appropriate Mollies soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist, he wrote. The act grievously extends the crime that stole Mollie from our family and is, to quote Donald Trump Jr., heartless and despicable.

The quote was taken from, and meant to rebut, a Friday opinion piece by Donald Trump Jr. that criticized the media and Democrats for not emphasizing the suspects immigration status.

Despite what some Democrats may wish in the depths of their hearts, Mollie was murdered by an illegal alien and her murder would never have happened if we policed our southern border properly, the presidents son wrote.

Iowans began receiving recorded phone calls citing Mollie Tibbetts death to push white supremacist views on Tuesday, just days after her funeral. The robocalls cited comments Rob Tibbetts made in defense of Latinos during her funeral.

The calls question whether his daughter would feel the same if she were still alive and describe Rivera as an invader from Mexico.

Rob Tibbetts wrote in his opinion piece that his daughter was nobodys victim. Nor is she a pawn in others debate.

She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will, he went on to say.

Please leave us out of your debate. Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollies memory, Im imploring you to stop.
A memorial featuring the bronze likeness of Bando, the only San Diego police canine to die in the line of duty, was dedicated last week outside the departments K9 Unit training grounds.

The large granite memorial topped with the bronze German shepherd sculpture was built from donated materials and funded by donations from the San Diego Police Foundation, which officials said had purchased all 92 canines acquired by the San Diego Police Department since 2002.

Police dogs are purchased from European breeders, and each costs about $14,000, according to Sara Napoli, president and CEO of the San Diego Police Foundation.

A large plaque in the center of the memorial honors the 15 dogs and handlers of the departments original K9 Unit, which was founded in 1984. Its surrounded by smaller plaques featuring the names and years of service of all 92 police canines purchased by the foundation since 2002.

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The Police Departments dogs have saved countless lives, Executive Assistant Chief Todd Jarvis said at Wednesdays dedication ceremony.

Deescalation is a buzzword in current conversations about policing, Jarvis said, but is not a new concept to the K9 Unit.

Not a day goes by where police and their canine partners dont deescalate volatile situations, Jarvis said. Theyve saved countless lives of officers and citizens alike.

Nearly all of San Diegos top government and law enforcement officials attended Wednesdays ceremony, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Sheriff Bill Gore and District Attorney Summer Stephan.But it was Patsy Samson, a San Diego Police Foundation donor, who had the honor of cutting the ribbon.

San Diego Police Foundation donor Patsy Samson cuts a ceremonial ribbon Wednesday, Aug. 29. Shes flanked by Mayor Kevin Faulconer, left; Police Foundation President and CEO Sara Napoli, right; SDPD Assistant Chief Todd Jarvis, center; and K9 Lt. Tony Lessa, second from right. (Courtesy SDPD/Officer Joshua Hodge)

Patsy drove this project, dedicating untold hours, and assembled the volunteers, donations and resources necessary to get it done, Napoli said.

Samson, a dog lover, made her first donation to the Police Foundations canine-purchasing efforts in 2015, Napoli said. In 2016, Samson made a large donation to the Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Diego County, allowing the department to purchase a black German shepherd  a rarity  named Magic.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com
If he has a hobby, its helping others. Johnny Roberts, a U.S. Navy veteran, the founder and director of Manzanita Ranch, a nonprofit in the Anza Valley, and a member of Temecula Sunrise Rotary, was recently named 2018 Rotarian of the Year by that local clubs members.

It was easy to pick Johnny as our 2018 Rotarian of the Year, said Mark Sitar, who served as president of Temecula Sunrise Rotary from 2017-2018.

Theres not just one thing he has done for Rotary this past year, but for his involvement and commitment in all the projects and programs serving our community. His dedication and passion for our club, our district and Rotary International is unsurpassed.

Roberts first joined Rotary International  the nonprofit service organization formed in 1905 and today numbering more than 1.2 million members in 35,000 clubs around the globe  in 1989, and eventually stepped into leadership roles.

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While president of the Temecula Sunrise Rotary club, Roberts encouraged the group to assume responsibility for the annual Community Christmas Dinner which serves around 1,700 people on Christmas Day.

When asked why he has prioritized membership in Rotary, and service leadership in general, Roberts said, Giving service to others is the rent we pay for our time in this life. Ive found much personal reward in Rotary, which has afforded me the opportunity to work on projects that help others. Some I will meet, many I wont.

Outside of Rotary, Roberts has served on boards of directors for Susan G. Komen, Boys and Girls Club and United Way, and for twelve years acted as a discussion leader for youth leadership camps.

And theres Manzanita Ranch.

The nonprofits mission is to serve veterans, first responders and others suffering from PTSD, those with physical disabilities, patients and survivors of cancer or other life-threatening disease and at-risk youth.

Now, the man who has worked to improve the lives of others through Rotary International and nonprofit service is the focus of an ambitious fundraising campaign.

Roberts is fighting Stage 3 Laryngeal cancer. In 2006, he successfully battled Stage 4 cancer and has been in remission ever since. In July 2018, the cancer returned.

Shortly after the diagnosis, Roberts and his wife, local fine artist Jill Kemerer-Roberts, agreed aggressive treatment was in order. Roberts has since volunteered to be part of an immunotherapy clinical trial through Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego (UCSD) Health. The trial entails 52 treatments at UCSD, administered once per week over the next twelve months.

Like many who struggle with serious illness, the Roberts are facing challenges on multiple fronts.

Theres the physical side, of course. The once-strapping cowboy has lost 50 pounds and currently requires a feeding tube for nutrition.

Theres the financial side, including missed work and weekly travel costs. And, then, a bombshell: Roberts primary insurance has denied coverage because his cancer treatment is classified as experimental.

Kemerer-Roberts has been working with a Veterans Affairs (VA) advocate with hope that the VA will authorize financial assistance. I wouldnt want Johnny to have to quit his treatments because we cant get it paid for, she said.

Then there are the emotional challenges.

Roberts knows firsthand the devastating impact health crises and PTSD can have on the heart and mind. Its the reason he founded Manzanita Ranch.

The ranchs motto, where the horse are the therapy, speaks to the benefits clients have come to realize through one-on-one time spent with the ranchs service horses.

One of Manzanita Ranchs programs is the Ride of a Lifetime, which brings together two trail bosses and a handful of veterans for a three-day horse ride. Its a long ride, maybe even a tough one but, among other benefits, it enables the small group of travelers to be truly in the moment and untethered to everyday worries.

These programs are on hiatus while Roberts seeks treatment.

Earlier this summer Roberts friends and family launched a Go Fund Me campaign in hopes of raising $200,000 to help pay direct medical expenses and related costs.

Johnny Roberts may be facing his longest ride yet, but those who support him will be doing their best to ensure this is the ride of Johnny Roberts lifetime.

Go Fund Me

https://www.gofundme.com/johnny-roberts-fight-against-cancer

Or mail checks or gift cards to Jill Roberts at P.O. Box 390960, Anza, California 92562

temecula@sduniontribune.com
A 20-year-old Instagram model who spent the summer working aboard a billionaires yacht died Friday in Greece.

Sinead McNamara, an Australian model with more than 16,000 Instagram followers, was found unconscious and twisted in rope aboard the Mayan Queen IV on Friday near the island of Kefalonia, according to The Australian.

Attempts to resuscitate the model failed, and she reportedly died on a helicopter while headed to a hospital in Athens.

The six-story yacht is owned by 87-year-old Mexican billionaire Alberto Baillere. The Australian reports he was vacationing on the boat and was set to head back to Mexico on Tuesday, but was not onboard at the time of McNamaras death.

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The death is reportedly under investigation, and no cause has been determined.

McNamara hailed from the beach town of Port Macquarie, but lived in Sydney, a little more than 200 miles away.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports shed been in Greece since mid-June, and also counted Bali, Alaska, and the Australian Whitsunday Islands among her travels.

Her Instagram was rife with scenic shots of Grecian beaches and open water, and shed recently shared dozens of photos on Facebook from Santorini and Rhodes.

Nice is life, she wrote Aug. 25.
A New Jersey couple was ordered to turn over the remaining funds they raised for a homeless Pennsylvania man, who used his last $20 to help a driver stranded on the side of the road last year.

Johnny Bobbitt first met 28-year-old Katelyn McClure on the shoulder of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia last October. Her car had run out of gas and 35-year-old veteran used the last of his money to help her get her car started.

Touched by Bobbitts kindness, McClures 39-year-old boyfriend, Mark DAmico, set up a GoFundMe page dedicated to helping Bobbitt get back on his feet. The internet was similarly moved by his generosity and the story immediately went viral, spawning national headlines and television appearances on shows including Good Morning America.

In the end, nearly 14,000 people donated a total of $402,706, which amounted to about $360,000 after GoFundMes fees. Despite the campaign, Bobbitt revealed he was still living on the streets and fighting to claim the money raised for him.

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Bobbitt estimated he only received around $75,000 worth of the donated money, prompting him to take legal action against the couple.

He sued, accusing DAmico and McClure of mismanaging the donations and fraud for keeping the fundraising money for themselves.In an interview with WPVI, Bobbitt said they used it for shopping sprees, gambling and extravagant trips.

A Burlington County judge on Thursday ordered the remaining funds be moved from McClure and DAmicos personal accounts within 24 hours and that they fully account for all of the money raised by September 10.

I wish it didnt come to this. I hate that it came to this, Bobbitt told the news station. I always felt like I was in a weird situation. I didnt want to be pressuring to get a lawyer or do anything because I didnt want to seem ungrateful.

The couple has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing, alternatively claiming that Bobbitt spent $25,000 on drugs in less than two weeks, in addition to paying overdue legal bills and sending money to his family.

They also purchased Bobbitt a camper with the money and parked it on property owned by McClures family, but DAmico in June told him to leave the property.
President Trump had four simple words in response to Meghan McCains pointed dig at his famous slogan.

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Trump tweeted Saturday night, hours after McCain told mourners at her father John McCains funeral that there was no need to make America great again, as it has always been.

He later retweeted his own tweet.

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2018

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McCain, 33, took the swipe at Trump Saturday as she addressed the crowd at the Washington National Cathedral, where her fathers memorial took place one week after he died of brain cancer at age 81.

The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great, The View host said.

Trump was not invited to the service, which also featured eulogies by former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Trumps daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner were in attendance, while Vice President Mike Pence honored McCain with a speech Friday  a speech during which Meghan appeared to glare at him intently.

Meanwhile, Meghans fiery speech Saturday also appeared to contain another thinly veiled dig at the commander-in-chief, who infamously claimed her father was not a war hero because he was captured.

He was a great man. We gather here to mourn the passing of America greatness. The real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, McCain said. Nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who live lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.

The former Arizona senator was a prisoner of war in Vietnam from 1967 to 1973.
Re Pope apologizes for crimes by church (Aug.27): A group of us practicing Catholics have met to talk about the scandal in the church. What we want to see is a sweep across the entire hierarchy to rid us of these criminals, even at the risk of not having enough priests to celebrate mass.

Its okay if were left without priests until the mess is cleaned up; we can meet without benefit of clergy. Better to be without clergy than to bury our heads in the sand; otherwise, we the faithful are just as complicit in perpetrating this heinous abomination.

Angela Campanella

Clairemont

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Calling on churches to help campaign is wrong

Re Trump calls on pastors to help GOP win in Nov. Aug 29): Donald Trump is dangling the Johnson Amendment-carrot in front of evangelical ministers Two people we should never trust: a religious leader who tells us how to vote and a politician who tells us how to pray.

Serena Contreras

San Diego

Continued church revelations concerning

Re Pope: No effort must be spared to fight abuses (Aug. 21): Outrage and reaction against the seemingly endless revelations of the sexual abuse of young people by Catholic priests is warranted, but does it address the causes of the problem, which many believe to be rooted in church dogma and regulation?

Weeding out criminal priests, identifying them postmortem, apologizing to victims and families are proper responses, but they are not solutions. One solution may be, with the stroke of a pen, abolishing the bizarre and unnatural thousand-year-old insistence on the celibacy of priests. There is nothing in church dogma requiring that priests be unmarried, but celibacy became a rule during the Second Lateran Council in 1139.

Why has it persisted all these years? Are the clergy of all other religions who allow normal relations between men and women somehow tainted and unable to perform their sacred duties? The pope can rule on this historic error.

Dennis Greene

Bankers Hill

We drift away from religion at our peril

I was shocked to read that 49.5 percent of freshmen consider themselves to be none, atheist or agnostic in religious affiliation in the 2017 survey at UC San Diego. In his 1999 book, Americas Real War, Rabbi Daniel Lapin wrote extensively about how secularists were taking over many aspects of American Life, especially education.

Christian religious leaders have had their heads in the sand over the past 60 years regarding the shocking shrinking of the number of Americans who consider themselves Christian. We have seen very little public push-back by them in terms of the secularists attempts to take under God out of the Pledge of Allegiance, take God out of our coinage, take God and the Ten Commandments out of our Public places.

Paul Sims

Solana Beach

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The New Zealand dollar traded near a two-week low as US President Donald Trump reverted to his hard-line stance on trade as North American Free Trade Agreement talks and a review into Chinese tariffs come to a close.

The kiwi traded at 66.15 US cents as at 8am in Wellington from 66.18 cents on Friday in New York, down from 66.47 cents in Asia last week. The trade-weighted index was at 71.78 from 71.80.

The US dollar index gained 0.4 percent as Trump stuck to an aggressive line on trade, accusing the European Union of being "almost as bad as China, just smaller" in an interview with Bloomberg. Separately, he said Canada doesn't have to be in the Nafta deal and has signalled plans to proceed with a bilateral agreement with Mexico. Meantime, Trump is reportedly keen to press ahead with US$200 billion of tariffs on Chinese imports as early as this week.

"The near-term threat (to the kiwi) remains a break of the mid-August low of US$0.6545," Bank of New Zealand senior markets strategist Jason Wong said in a note. "Trumps decision on whether to impose further tariffs on another US$200 billion of Chinese imports could come as soon as later this week. Doing so and threatening to propose tariffs on the full US$500 billion-plus of Chinese imports would probably be enough to see that level broken."

Wong said if Trump backtracks on that stance it could spur a rally in the kiwi.

Local data today include June quarter terms of trade, which ANZ Bank New Zealand economists predict will rise about 1 percent in the three month period from a 1.9 percent fall in March. Australian data on retail sales, manufacturing, housing, inventories and company profits, and Chinese manufacturing figures will also be watched. The US is closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

The kiwi fell to 91.86 Australian cents from 92.08 cents on Friday in New York and declined to 4.5174 Chinese yuan from 4.5290 yuan. It decreased to 73.46 yen from 73.65 yen last week and traded at 51.07 British pence from 51.11 pence. The kiwi slipped to 56.99 euro cents from 57.18 cents last week.

(BusinessDesk)

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Pentagon moves to scrap $300 million in aid to Pakistan



Washington, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2018



The US military is seeking to reallocate $300 million in assistance to Pakistan due to Islamabad's lack of "decisive actions" in support of regional American strategy, the Pentagon said Saturday.

The US has been pushing Pakistan to crack down on militant safe havens in the country, and had suspended hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance to Islamabad at the beginning of the year.

"Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy... $300M (actually $323.6M to include non-Pakistan funds) was reprogrammed by (the Defense Department) in the June/July 2018 time frame for other urgent priorities," Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said in an email to AFP.

The Defense Department "is awaiting congressional determination on whether this reprogramming request will be approved or denied," Faulkner said.

Pakistan has fought fierce campaigns against some militant Islamist groups that threatened its own security.

But US officials accuse Pakistani officials of ignoring or even collaborating with groups that launch operations into Afghanistan from safe havens along the countries' border.

These groups threaten the US-backed Afghan government and have attacked and killed many of the American troops that were sent there after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups," Faulkner said.
Explosions at a Syrian military airport close to Damascus



Beirut, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2018



Explosions rocked a Syrian military airport near the capital Damascus late Saturday, with an NGO saying it was a "possible Israeli missile" but state media blaming a technical issue at a munitions depot.

The military airport of Mazze, in the west suburbs of Damascus, was hit by a "possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions," the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdel Rahmane told AFP.

The airport houses Syrian Air Force intelligence, and in early 2017 the Syrian regime accused neighbouring Israel of bombing the base.

A Syrian military source said that "the Mazze airport was not the target of Israeli aggression," according to a Saturday report by the official Sana news agency.

"The explosions heard were due to an explosion at a munitions deposit close to the airport which was due to an electrical short circuit," the source said.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.

Earlier this week, Israel reiterated its threat to hit Iranian military targets in Syria.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran's attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In July, Syria accused Israel of bombing a military post in the northern province of Aleppo, where the Observatory reported at least nine pro-regime fighters died.

More than seven years since the conflict began, regime forces have managed to retake entire regions from rebels and jihadists and now control nearly two-thirds of the country.

Syrian troops are supported military by their Russian and Iranian allies, as well as by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan militiamen.
Blasts at Syrian airbase near Damascus kill two: monitor



Beirut, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2018



At least two pro-government forces were killed overnight in a string of explosions at a military airport near the Syrian capital, a monitoring group said on Sunday.

Syrian state media also reported the blasts at the Mazzeh airbase, on the western outskirts of Damascus, but did not mention any casualties.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Mazzeh was hit by a "possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions".

"It left two pro-regime fighters dead and wounded another 11, some of them in critical condition," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

He could not specify their nationalities or whether they belonged to militias or government forces.

An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on Sunday.

AFP's correspondents in Damascus heard multiple blasts overnight, one of which lit up the sky in a deep red hue, but reported calm on Sunday morning.

A Syrian military source said the Mazzeh airbase "was not the target of Israeli aggression", according to the official SANA news agency.

"The explosions heard were due to an explosion at a munitions deposit close to the airport which was due to an electrical short circuit," the source said, without mentioning any casualties.

The Mazzeh airbase houses Syrian Air Force intelligence, and in early 2017 the Syrian government accused its neighbour Israel of bombing the base.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.

Earlier this week, Israel reiterated its threat to hit Iranian military targets in Syria.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran's attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In July, Syria accused Israel of bombing a military post in the northern province of Aleppo, where at least nine pro-regime fighters were killed according to the Observatory.

More than seven years since Syria's conflict began, regime forces have managed to retake entire regions from rebels and jihadists and now control nearly two-thirds of the country.

Syrian troops are supported military by their Russian and Iranian allies, Tehran-backed Hezbollah fighters as well as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan militiamen.
US commando takes helm of forces in Afghanistan



Kabul, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2018



General Scott Miller took command of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday, as worsening violence erodes hopes for peace in the war-torn country.

Miller, who has commanded special operations units in Afghanistan since 2013, succeeds General John Nicholson, who is rotating out of the post after more than two years.

The handover comes at a sensitive time in the 17-year war that has seen little progress by Afghan or US forces against the Taliban, Afghanistan's largest militant group.

Afghan and international players have been ratcheting up efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban, which was toppled from power by US-led forces in 2001.

An unprecedented ceasefire in June followed by talks between US officials and Taliban representatives in Qatar in July fuelled hopes for negotiations to end the war.

But a recent spate of attacks by Taliban and the smaller but potent Islamic State group that left hundreds of security forces and civilians dead has almost extinguished that optimism.

"This is a tough fight," Miller acknowledged during an outdoor change of command ceremony in Kabul attended by top Afghan officials and foreign diplomats.

"There's no room for status quo, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must be aware of bias and easy conclusions -- they don't exist here."

For the past two years Miller has headed up the secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and has lengthy experience working with some of America's most elite fighters.

Nicholson, who will return to the Pentagon, is the longest-serving US commander of NATO and American Forces in Afghanistan.

There had been concerns that militants would shower Kabul with mortar or rocket fire to spoil Sunday's handover, as they did during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's speech on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday last month.

But the ceremony passed off uninterrupted.

Miller takes up his new role more than a year after US President Donald 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.

But there are fears that Trump is growing frustrated with the pace of progress in the country.

The Taliban have long insisted on direct talks with Washington and refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, which they see as illegitimate.

There is speculation that another meeting between US and Taliban representatives could be held this month.

"We known the military component is only one part of this conditions-based strategy," Miller said.

He added that it was necessary to "create space for the political process" to end the war.

Currently there are about 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, providing the main component of the NATO mission there to support and train local forces.
UK welcomes Saudi-led coalition probe into Yemen strike



London, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2018



Britain on Sunday welcomed results of an investigation by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen into an air strike last month that killed 40 children, but urged clarifications on other deadly operations.

The Saudi-led coalition on Saturday said "mistakes" had been made in the August 9 strike on a crowded marketplace in a part of northern Yemen held by Huthi rebels that the Red Cross said had killed 51 people.

The incident sparked a wave of international anger and calls by the United Nations Security Council for a "credible and transparent" investigation.

"We welcome the speed of the investigation into the incident of 9 August, and the coalition's announcement of regret and action to address the recommendations of that investigation," said the British Foreign Office.

"We are reviewing the investigation's conclusions," it added.

The coalition had claimed to have targeted a bus carrying rebels.

Separately on Sunday, the US State Department called the Saudi-led coalition's investigation into the August 9 attack "an important first step toward full transparency and accountability".

Britain, however, asked the coalition to provide information on two other deadly incidents.

It welcomed the opening of a separate investigation into air strikes on August 23 south of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida that killed 26 children and four women.

"(We) encourage the publication of the outcomes of this investigation as soon as possible," it said.

It also urged "clarification of the circumstances around the incident of 2 August", when explosions in the rebel-held port city of Hodeida killed at least 55 people.

Britain had "serious concern at the tragic loss of life in Yemen over the last month," violence it said killed 400 Yemenis in the first two weeks of August alone.

UN investigators said Tuesday that all sides in Yemen's conflict may have committed war crimes, highlighting deadly air strikes, rampant sexual violence and the recruitment of young children as soldiers.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Huthis ousted President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government from the capital Sanaa and seized swathes of the country.

The devastating conflict has since left nearly 10,000 people dead and sparked what the UN has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
Madrid (Spain), September 2, 2018 (SPS) - Dozens of children on Sunday left Barajas International Airport in Madrid, Spain, towards the refugee camps and liberated territories of Western Sahara.



The children left on two direct flights to Tindouf, where they were paid farewell representative of the Frente POLISARIO in Madrid, along with representatives of the associations of friendship and solidarity with the Sahrawi people.



During the summer holidays, they were given a great welcome by parliaments and local governments, which was an occasion to renew political and humanitarian support for the Saharawi people and to remind the Spanish Government of its historic and legal responsibilities towards the Saharawi people.



The children also benefited from medical examinations as well as educational and recreational programs. (SPS)



062/SPS/TRA
02 September 2018

Namibia Deposits Instrument of Ratification for Convention on Cluster Munitions As Eighth Meeting of States Parties Opens in Geneva

Namibia has become the 104th member state to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, following deposit of the instrument of ratification with the United Nations (UN), on Friday 31 August.

"Namibia's accession to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, just two days before the opening of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties in Geneva, is yet another indication of the strength of this treaty and the global norm banning these horrific weapons," said Cluster Munition Director, Hector Guerra.

The Republic of Namibia was an early supporter of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signing in 2008 and participating in every Meeting of States Parties since then. The country voted in favor of a key United Nations resolution on the convention in December 2017.

Namibia states that it has never used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions and has condemned new use of cluster munitions.

The Convention will enter into force for Namibia on 1 February 2019.

"it is great to see universalization of the Convention moving forward in Africa," Guerra said. Namibia's ratification means that 42 of Africa's 54 countries are now on board the treaty.
There are important lessons to be learned from the "Global War on Terror" that has been going on since the 1990s. For one thing economic and social changes during 20th century made it possible for anyone to be a terrorist. Worse, defeating the "leadership" will not necessarily end the conflict. In fact, because of new technology and more money, there doesn't have to be a "leadership" at all. Anyone with an alleged-grievance or a "vision" can undertake their own "war." This sort of one man movement has happened even before Islamic fanatics made this sort of misbehavior into a massive and sustained problem. In the past terrorism had many colorful individuals. New York City had "Mad Bomber" George Metesky in the '40s and '50s. The "American Republican Army" undertook two bombings in 1961. The "Unabomber", Theodore J. Kaczynski, was active from the 1970s to the '90s. These were actions of "super-empowered individuals," people with grievances, access to explosives and enough skill to plant bombs without getting caught. Fortunately, such crazed but capable people are rare. Terrorist movements attract a lot of the less-educated, less-skilled and less-successful (and more easily caught), but they are well funded, have mass appeal in the Islamic world and are the continuation of a cycle of Islamic terrorism that goes back over a thousand years.

Modern terrorism is largely organized and nearly 90 percent of the victims and perpetrators are Moslems. In other words, the enormous increase in terrorist activity and deaths began in the 1970s and peaked in 2014 was, and is, all about newly wealthy Moslems at war with each other. Although efforts were made to go after non-Moslems, over 85 percent of those killed or displaced were other Moslems. Over a trillion dollars in oil income has gone to Moslem nations in the Middle East, particularly Arabia, since World War II and a lot of it was in turn donated to charities. In the Moslem world, anyone who defends Islam by force is worthy of charity.

During this peak in terrorist activity, five nations (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Syria, in that order) accounted for 80 percent of all terrorism related deaths in 2013 and even more in 2014. Four Islamic terrorist organizations; ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), al Qaeda, Boko Haram and the Taliban accounted for nearly 70 percent of all terrorist deaths. Many of the lesser terror groups are also Islamic. In fact, of the top ten nations by terrorist activity (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Syria, India, Somalia, Yemen, Philippines and Thailand) only India and the Philippines had a significant minority of terrorist deaths that were not carried out by Moslems. In those two countries, the minority terrorists were leftist rebels who had not noticed the collapse of radical socialism in 1989. Meanwhile, the rapid growth in Islamic terrorism violence caused the total number of terrorist acts to increase 44 percent in 2013 over 2012.

Mainstream Islamic scholars long opposed the theological misdeeds of the terrorists but were either shouted down, terrorized into silence or ignored (especially by key media in the Islamic world) or murdered. As more Moslems were killed as "collateral damage" to Islamic terrorism, the more pressure there was on Islamic scholars to openly condemn the sins of the killers. Even before September 11, 2001, Pentagon and State Department officials were making this point, without much success.

The theological errors of the current crop of Islamic terrorists have been around since the end of World War II and have never been a secret. Moreover, the goals of the terrorist groups (Moslem Brotherhood, Salafists, al Qaeda, ISIL and so on), were initially the removal of the tyrants running, and misruling, Moslem nations. For that reason, these Islamic terror movements were widely popular, until they started killing a lot of the people there were supposedly fighting for, not against. Moslem theologians knew they were vulnerable to a very physical backlash if they openly criticized these "heroes," so they kept quiet, as did a lot of Moslems living in majority Moslem communities.

The current outbreak in Islamic terrorism is largely self-inflicted and is kept going by the ease with which young Moslem men will get involved. This is not unusual. For example, there is a similarity in ages of the Iraqi terrorists, and common criminals back in the United States. In both cases, 80 percent of the suspects were between 18 and 25. This is the prime age for criminal and anti-social behavior and has been for a long time. In the United States, it was also the case that young criminals tended to be poorly educated, and often illiterate. What was different with Islamic terrorism is that there was a lot of money available for dedicated (willing to die) soldiers of Islam. That money did not always come via Moslem charities (which were some hijacked, by force, by Islamic terror groups). After World War II it became increasingly popular in the booming Western economics to spend more on charitable works. Unlike in the past, if there was a disaster anywhere on the planet government and private groups were ready to go in with free food, medical care and much else to prevent mass deaths from starvation, disease and privation. Eventually, it was noticed that local outlaws (including Islamic terrorists) could get this aid, often by force or via extortion. It was years before this reality was generally recognized and there is still no solution for these malignant side effects.

This pattern accounts for the popularity of Islamic terrorism in the Moslem world. The poor economic, political and scientific performance of the Moslem, especially the Arab, world when compared to the West leaves young Moslems with few options. There are practical reasons for this lack of progress. For example, the Arab world didn't adopt printing until two centuries after it became common in the West. This was partly due to the complexities of written Arabic. There are thousands of rules governing how Arabic letters are joined, and it was difficult for typographers to make it work. A further complication was resistance from the Islamic religious establishment. Printed Arabic had to be very much like written Arabic, otherwise one was defaming the language of the Koran, which is God's word. This is one of the (many) reasons the Arab world publishes books at a tenth the rate of the rest of the world. The lack of books leads to knowledge being transmitted more slowly.

That brings up another obstacle. For a thousand years, there has been a struggle between a large segment of the Islamic clergy, and Moslem scientists and engineers. In a pattern that persists to the present, Islamic conservatives condemned many things that are "new" as "un-Islamic." Thus the al Qaeda enthusiasm for this attitude is nothing new. The price paid for this attitude has been enormous. Moslem countries contain a disproportionate number of the illiterates compared to the rest of the world. Arab college students are much less likely to study science and engineering than are non-Moslem students. The West produces more than a hundred times as many Nobel prizes in science, per million people, than does the Islamic world.

The education shortage results in less wealth. GDP of all Islamic countries is a fifth of the European Union and the United States (which contain half as many people.) Unemployment rates are much higher in Islamic countries, and most are ruled by dictators or monarchs. Without science, education and democracy, you find that science and economic progress cannot flourish.

It's only recently become fashionable among Moslems to attribute their problems to internal conditions. The Saudi financed Arab Reform Movement tries, with limited success, to overcome this "blame the outsider" attitude. Even the Saudi royal family believes in the goals of the Arab Reform Movement, and the need for the Islamic world to invest more in education and economic freedom. But thousand year old habits are difficult to erase quickly. This is why Westerners can speak with educated Moslems and come away thinking that friendly relations between the Western and Islamic world are more likely than not. But among the vast majority of poorly educated, and often illiterate, Moslems, the West is feared and hated. Moslems with some education are envious of the West and until recently comprised most of the migrants to the West. Moslem tyrants play on this, as they have for centuries, to blame the misery the tyrants have created on infidel (non-Moslem) foreigners. This easily translates to accusations of a Western war on Islam.

The poor economic performance, and tendency not to allow women to be educated, leads to many young, ignorant, unemployed men. These are prime prospects for Islamic radical groups. The pitch is that it is all fault of someone else and that if we kill enough of the right people (local tyrants, and their foreign allies) then all will be right again. It won't, it hasn't, but it works great for recruiting of the young, clueless and desperate.

In the past, most, but not all, major wars had a religious component but the most destructive one in history (by percentage of existing human population killed) was the Mongol wars of expansion (1206-1405). This was a multi-generational effort that was neither religious nor ethnic. The Mongols simply had a superior military system, practical and innovative leadership and an urge to conquer and were quick to incorporate other groups (especially the Turkish peoples) and anyone with useful skills. While many Mongols adopted Islam by the end of the effort, Buddhism was also very popular and any religion was tolerated if the practitioner obeyed the laws. During these two centuries of conquest, the global population (most of it in Eurasia) was about 380 million. The Mongol conquests killed (directly) about 47 million (12 percent). If you count their key roles in spreading the Bubonic Plague during that period, you could double their death toll to nearly 100 million (a quarter of the world population during their conquest).

Nothing since has come close, in large part because global population growth exploded after 1400, reaching a billion in the early 19th century, two billion by the 1930s, three billion by 1960, four billion in the 1970s, five billion in the 1980s and six billion by the end of the 2oth century. Thus while the wars caused by radical socialism (nationalists and internationalists, Nazis and communists) killed nearly 200 million in the 20th century (1920-1980), it was a much smaller percentage (seven percent) of the global population than what the Mongols inflicted. Islamic terrorism, as deadly as it is, does not attract the talent or innovation that made the Mongols and radical socialists so deadly. But Islamic terrorists do excel at terrorizing even if their ability to follow up is not nearly as impressive.
China has admitted that production of its first stealth fighter, the J20 is stalled and the manufacturer confirmed the reasons why. The details were explained on state run television, in part to help recruit the skilled workers needed to produce the J20. These is a shortage of labor in China, largely because of the decades of low birth rates mandated by the one child policy. The Chinese aircraft manufacturing industry, for both military and commercial aircraft, is booming and workers able to fabricate and assemble components are in short supply. Building the J20 requires a disproportionate number of skilled workers. Parts of the fuselage are made of alloys that are particularly time-consuming to mold and then fabricate into complex structures. Many of the components come from Chinese suppliers who are still developing and perfecting their production capabilities. The J20 requires a lot of exotic components and supplies are tight. China also revealed that development of the J20 has, so far cost $4.4 billion and that the construction cost doe each aircraft is $110 million. In addition to the manufacturing difficulties, there are performance problems with the prototypes and six production models already turned over to the Chinese Air Force.

China declared that its J20 stealth fighter had officially entered service in September 2017 but even then it was obvious (via aerial photos of the factory and air bases) that production of the J20 was stalled. The manufacturer had planned to build three a month initially but since mid-2017 production turned out to have been zero. There are apparently a dozen in more in various stages of completion. In early 2018 it was already known that there were several potential problems with the J20 production but the main ones had to do with stealth (the delicate materials on the airframe that make radar detection less effective) and engines. The most obvious problem was the engines. The WS-10s currently installed are a stopgap and not efficient enough to support supercruise (go supersonic without using the afterburner). China has had persistent problems developing high-performance jet engines. China has been developing the more powerful (and supercruise ready) WS-15 engine since the 1990s for a larger aircraft like the J20 but has not been able to get the engine to work reliably enough for service (rather than a prototype) aircraft. Officials also confirmed rumors that a WS-15 exploded during a 2015 static (on the ground) test. That failure had been a secret but when an engine this big fails by blowing up the incident is difficult to hide. It turned out that the WS-15 problems were less difficult to fix than those encountered with other components and the skilled labor shortage.

No date was given as to when the WS-15 would be available for use or whether it would have the same vectoring (ability to move the hot jet exhaust in different directions in order to make the fighter more maneuverable) the F-22 uses. At first, a more powerful and reliable version of the WS-15 for J20 was believed possible by 2020 but changes in the shape and weight of the WS-15 would require modifications to the shape of the J20 and that would require a lot of testing to ensure that stealth was not compromised. The factory would have to install new or modified manufacturing equipment and suppliers would have to do the same to produce the new airframe components. Meanwhile, the WS-15 reliability problems are still not completely resolved. Currently, final production models of the WS-15 are supposed to be available in 2019. This is a reasonable assumption because the WS-15 has been in development for about fifteen years and the first working version appeared in 2008. Based on past engine development experience the JS-15 should be ready for mass production by 2020, although the skilled labor shortage may be a problem there as well.

Another potential J20 problem is its ability to operate effectively in a wide variety of climates. For example, development and pre-production J20s were flown frequently in a wide variety of climates during 2017 and that may have revealed unanticipated problems requiring fixes that are still in the works.

In early 2017 Chinese officials announced that at least a dozen J20s (including prototypes) had been delivered to the Chinese air force as part of a new fighter squadron. This information was exaggerated and apparently released to help with export sales because at the time Chinese media was reporting that Pakistan had agreed to buy J20s. Numbers were not announced and there are still questions about how effective the J20 actually is. Pakistani interest in the J20 may have more to do with the fact that China is the only major-power ally they have, their main supplier of weapons and, best of all, a neighbor. Pakistan cannot afford many $110 million aircraft and China is not known to be generous with credit or discounts when it comes to high tech gear like this.

While China began offering its 18 ton J31 fighter to export customers in 2014 (as the FC-31), it was not until 2017 that efforts were made to export the more advanced J20. The manufacturer of the J20 (CAC. Chengdu Aircraft Company) also produces the JF-17 and J-10. The JF-17 is a joint effort with Pakistan and Pakistan is the main customer. J31s are not yet being produced in large numbers, in part because it has some of the same production problems as the J20 and China is deliberately putting more emphasis on getting the J20 into mass production.

The J20 made its first flight in 2011, and many more since then. Before scheduled mass production could begin in late 2015 eight prototypes were built. There were at least two original J20 prototypes, and in 2013 a new prototype appeared that had several modifications and is estimated to have a max weight of 36 tons. Since then several more prototypes have been built along with at least six production models (and over a dozen stalled on the assembly line). All of these were built with the understanding that some major (and time-consuming) refurbishing might be needed once the WS-15 was ready for service.

Work on the J20 began in the late 1990s, and the Chinese went forward on the assumption that it could be 25 years or more before they had a competitive stealth fighter-bomber in service. The twin engine J20 first appeared to be about the same weight class as the non-stealthy 30 ton F-15C but the production model was closer in weight to the F22. By comparison, the U.S. F-35A stealth fighter-bomber is a 31 ton, single engine fighter, while the twin-engine F-22 is slightly larger at 38 tons. The Russian Su-57 weighed in at 37 tons and its production is also stalled over technical issues. The Russians can make more powerful (and reliable) engines than the Chinese but are still having problems with their other techs (stealth coatings and electronics). Russia has officially put production of its Su-57 stealth fighter on hold and are suffering from some of the same production problems as the Chinese.

While the J20 looks like the American F-22 when viewed head-on, it's overall shape, weight, and engine power is closer to the older, non-stealthy American F-15C. In other words, the J20 is 20.4 meters (67 feet) long, with a wing span of 13.5 meters (44 feet). The J20 has about the same wing area as the F-15C, which is about 25 percent less than the F-22 (which is a few percent larger than the F-15 in terms of length and wingspan). Worse for the J20, is the fact that its engine power is about the same as the F-15C, while the F-22 has 65 percent more power. With the afterburner turned on, the J20 has more power than the F-15C and nearly as much as the F-22. But because the afterburner consumes so much fuel you can't use more than a few minutes at a time. The afterburner also generates a lot more heat which makes an aircraft more visible to heat sensors. The new J20 model appears to be able to supercruise with a powerful enough engine, joining the F-22, Eurofighter, and the Gripen as aircraft that can supercruise. The J20 appears capable of doing lots of engine dependent things during tests or in theory that has not been able to sustain in regular service.

The J20 has some stealthiness when it's coming at you head on. But from any other aspect, the J20 will light up the radar screen unless it has effective radar absorbing material on the exterior. For this reason, the J20 appeared to be a developmental aircraft, not the prototype of a new model headed for mass production. China soon made it clear that the J20 was the basis for a new fighter and would go through as many design and shape changes needed to become combat ready. Based on recent Chinese warplane development projects (J-11 in particular) it was believed that the J20 had a long development road ahead of it. There were some obvious changes between the first and the later prototypes, but nothing all that drastic. Thus it was surprising when the J20 was declared ready for service in 2017 but not so surprising when production was quietly halted because of unspecified problems. Yet the Chinese have been competent and relentless in developing complex technologies and there is no reason to believe they wont get the J20 working.

The J20 is only the fifth stealth warplane to fly, the others being the American F-22 and F-35, plus the Russian Su-57. The older U.S. F-117 was actually a light bomber and the B-2 was obviously a heavy bomber. While the shape of the J20 confers a degree of stealthiness (invisibility to radar), even more electronic invisibility comes from special materials covering the aircraft. It's not known how far along the Chinese are in creating, or stealing data on, these materials or the needed engines. China would most likely use the J20 singly, or in small groups, to seek out and attack American carriers. For the J20 to be a superior fighter capable of that it would need electronics (including radars and defense systems) on a par with the F-35 and F-22 as well as powerful and reliable engines and effective radar absorbing materials.

So far, the Chinese have not caught up with stuff used by current American fighters. But the gap is being closed, faster than it was during the Cold War when the Russians were creating or stealing, their way to military tech equivalence with the West. The Russians never made it but the Chinese believe they can succeed. It may be that the J20 is not meant to be a fighter but a stealthy strike aircraft, like the first American stealth fighter the F-117. This innovative aircraft was actually a stealthy light bomber that first flew in 1981 and entered service a few years later. It was very successful as a strike (bomb delivering) fighter and the Chinese may have noted that such an aircraft would also make an excellent interceptor. That would also explain Pakistani interest as they still use fighters armed with nuclear weapons and the main foe here is India, a country that has been improving its air defense systems a lot lately.

China is also developing other support technologies, like the AESA radar, highly efficient cockpit, stealth, and software to tie everything together. Developing, or even copying, this tech is not easy. But the Chinese already know that, having decades of experience adapting stolen technology to their needs. Thus, it appears that China was planning on having the J20, in some form, ready for service by the end of the decade. The key factor is their ability to develop or steal the needed technology by then. The J20 appears to be a fighter-bomber, as this kind of aircraft would be most useful for dealing with the U.S. Navy and key targets in Taiwan or Japan. In any event, the J20 is an attempt to develop some kind of 5th generation aircraft, complete with stealth.

The J31 and J20 are further evidence that China is determined to develop its own high tech military gear. While China is eager to develop advanced military technology locally, it recognizes that this takes time and more effort than nations new to this aspect. Thus, China is trying to avoid the mistakes Russia made in this area. That means having competing designs and developing necessary supporting industries as part of that. All this takes a lot of time and involves lots of little (and some major) failures. The Chinese are doing it right and are willing to wait until they get the military tech that is truly world class.
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 ...
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Over the past two months, dozens of dead dolphins have washed ashore in Florida and hundreds of diseased seals have died in the northeastern United States, officials said Friday.

The unusual wave of deaths has prompted officials to declare two separate, special investigations to find out why, and how to stop it.

From July 1 to August 30, a total of 48 dolphins have been found dead in southwest Florida, as a harmful algae bloom known as red tide killed hundreds of tons of fish from Naples to Tampa, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Only one dolphin has been stranded alive since early July. It is currently being treated in rehabilitation.

Typical dolphin strandings in the region usually number three to four per month.

All 10 of the bottlenose dolphin autopsies -- known as necropsies -- done so far have tested positive for the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, a potent neurotoxin.

This indicates their deaths are "likely related to red tide bloom in southwest Florida," said Teri Rowles, marine mammal health and stranding program coordinator at the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources.

- Infectious seals -

Further north, along the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, an infectious disease outbreak has affected both harbor seals and gray seals.

Since July, there have been 599 confirmed cases "and probably in the hundreds of unconfirmed cases" of stranded seals, Rowles told reporters on a conference call.

Tests have shown some seals were sickened with either avian influenza or phocine distemper virus -- which is related to canine distemper virus -- and in some cases, both.

Between July 1 and August 29 marine mammal stranding teams have found 137 live stranded seals and 462 that had already died.

It is still too soon to attribute an official cause for the seal deaths, and experts are not sure why they are getting sick in such high numbers, Rowles said.

To press on with the dual investigations, NOAA has declared two separate "unusual mortality events," or UMEs, defined as "a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response."

Declaring an UME allows contingency funds and additional research partners to join in the probe.

NOAA made the announcement as Americans prepared for a long holiday weekend -- and many families were heading to the beach to mark the unofficial end of summer.

Officials urged people visiting the shores to stay at least 100 yards (meters) away from any seals, noting that their illnesses are infectious and could jump to people or their pets.

"In marine mammals, it has been found before," said Michele Walsh, a state veterinarian with the Maine Department of Agriculture, referring to influenza A.

Even though the flu subtype is not yet known "we assume that all influenzas have that potential (to jump from animals to people) until we prove otherwise," she said.
The opening of the Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow exhibition at Museum Macan in Jakarta in mid-May feels like it was only yesterday, but the highly anticipated art showcase will come to an end on Sunday, Sept. 9.

The museum has yet to reveal the total number of visitors that have come to admire the polka dot-obsessed exhibition, but its head of communications Nina Hidayat told The Jakarta Post that on the busiest days, Museum Macan welcomed 3,000 visitors. In addition, almost 50,000 students and children have visited the exhibition.

Read also: Yayoi Kusama: A history of art and mental illness

As the end of the major exhibition nears, Museum Macan has prepared a line-up of programs to celebrate the final weekend of Yayoi Kusamas showcase.

The final weekend programs will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9.

Saturdays programs include storytelling for children aged 2-5 years, where the childrens book Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity will be read. Visitors will also be able reserve places for rainbow origami, self-portrait drawing, ikebana and soft sculpture workshops.

Meanwhile, Sundays programs will kick off with a live performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, followed by pumpkin playdough and seed mosaic-making activities.

Read also: Museum Macan to mark first anniversary with conceptual performances, interactive exhibitions

A post shared by Museum MACAN (@museummacan) on Aug 28, 2018 at 6:24pm PDT

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday for the final weekend of the Kusama exhibition.

For your last chance to see Yayoi Kusamas unique and wonderful artworks you can book your ticket here. (mut)
The 2018 Pekan Raya Indonesia (Indonesian Fair) is slated to run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD, Tangerang.

Kompas.com reported that this year, the organizer will team up with Clothfest, a bimonthly exhibition and bazaar that promotes the local creative industry, to showcase around 80 local brands, featuring merchandise, distribution outlets and more.

PT Indonesia International Expo president director Ryan Adrian said the collaboration aimed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) understand consumer interests and prepare them for business challenges.

Read also: Indonesia's fashion startups tap into Singapore market

In addition to the partnership with Clothfest, the 2018 fair will also feature MAPClub Big Bazaar by lifestyle retailer Mitra Adi Perkasa.

The bazaar is set to feature 60 international brands.

MAPClub COO Marcella Dewi said visitors could enter the bazaar area by showing their MAPClub digital card, Mandiri debit or credit card.

In terms of brands, it will be the most complete [MAP bazaar], said Marcella, adding that they would also offer discounts of up to 90 percent.

The fair will also feature the Sriwijaya Travel Fair, which offers music performances by Barasuara, Sore and Danilla, among others.

Head to its official website for more information. (jes/wng)
Nearing the end of the Asian Games, Indonesia exceeded its target of 20 gold medals. One of those came from Jonatan Jojo Christie in the mne's badminton singles final.

Jojo became a media darling not only because of his talent, but also because of his good looks and how he celebrated his victory. After securing a ticket to the final, Jojo took off his sweat-soaked shirt and tossed it to the audience. Afterwards, he received many compliments -- mostly from women -- praising his good looks and body.

The internet went crazy. Many people commented via Twitter and Instagram, some going as far as saying that their ovaries are exploding. This raised the question over whether these comments were a form of sexual objectification and that Jojo was a victim of sexism.

What happened to Jojo is not a form of sexism. Heres why.

First of all, sexism is the belief that men are superior to women, which then justifies acts of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination. Such belief can be born out of ignorance or malice, conscious or unconscious, intentional or unintentional -- but it does not make it any less sexist.

Sexism is both born out of and functions to maintain patriarchy, which literally means rule of fathers. Patriarchy is where males have more social, political, material and ideological power than females. This oppression towards women, then, can happen at individual, collective and institutional level.

Now, the question is: Can a man be victim of gender-based discrimination and prejudice?

Yes, they can. Still, it is not a reverse sexism or sexism in general.

An important but often overlooked part of sexism is the power relation between genders.

Jojo is a star athlete with more power over his female fans and commenters. His conscious decision to celebrate his victory by going shirtless during his semifinal and again after the final proved that he did not feel bad doing it.

At a post-match conference, as quoted by The Jakarta Post, Jojo admitted that he did not know why he did it. However, he understood that he was praised for it. I dont know why, but since it made people happy, I just did it. It was spontaneous, he said.

This reflects the unequal power relation between men and women. Most of the time, when men get praised for their bodies, they would be flattered. Meanwhile, when women get praised for their bodies, most of them feel uncomfortable because unwanted compliments are not merely scary, it is oftentimes threatening.

Read also: Sexism in the city: Business women take on old-boy London clubs

A male teacher pulling a female students bra strap as a form of so-called punishment, a male manager standing behind a female staff member and patting her on the shoulder longer than necessary, a husband forcing his wife to have sex when she does not want to, a father assaulting his own daughter, a male stranger catcalling, breast-grabbing and bottom-pinching a woman walking down a public road -- these are just some of the common, everyday illustrations.

Women have become the ones who are more harshly judged by the misogynistic moral police based on their behavior and appearance. Sexism can be found everywhere and it is something women experience on a daily basis. In this case, Jojo has full authority over his body and the way it is presented, while unfortunately women do not.

I do not deny that power dynamics do shift around. But ultimately the scale remains tipped in favor of men in general. Men can be affected by prejudice, but because they have privilege in the form of power, they do not experience it the same way women do.

My point is, power is one of the most important parts of the equation here. This is not to say that men cannot be prejudiced, stereotyped or discriminated against, because many of them actually are. But without power, they do not actually work within the systemic framework of advantage created by the majority to privilege themselves. Thus, it is only sexism if the perpetrator is capable of using that framework. Otherwise, it is prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination.

First disclaimer. I am not saying that sexual harassment depends on whether the victim feels harassed. What I am saying is that how a victim feels and reacts toward a certain phenomenon relates deeply with what relations she or he has with the other party. Sexual harassment is offensive, uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature conducted by a person in authority towards a subordinate -- and definitely not the other way around.

Second disclaimer. When I say that women cannot be sexist towards men, I do not mean to say that it is morally right for women to be prejudiced against men, nor do I think that it should be accepted. Prejudice is generally bad, and we should treat people the way we want to be treated. What should be highlighted is that there is a huge distinction between sexism and gender-based prejudice.

Mens appropriation of the term sexism is frustrating, as oppression toward women has happened too long, supported by structural and systemic inequalities. This is not a double standard, as the experiences of men and women are not equal.

Women and their bodies have been commodified for centuries -- seen as mere property and second-class citizens. The condition may have improved over the years, but it is undeniable that the commodification of women still widely exists. We live in a culture that nurtures patriarchy -- it is deeply rooted and manifested to the point that women are mistreated at the individual as well as institutional level.

In Jojos case, I think it would be a lot wiser if we -- especially women -- turn our admiration to respect and support. We should praise our athletes in regards to their talent, hard work and achievements, and not merely for their looks and bodies. (wng)

***

Vita Kartika Cahyarani is a Bachelor of Communication graduate who is currently exploring her career in said field. Surabaya born and raised, she believes in life-long education and the power of process. She writes, contemplates and criticizes issues on semanticsatiation.blogspot.com. Say hi, shes @vitdgaf on each and every social media platform.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, September 2, 2018 08:51 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770e2636 1 City crime,domestic-violence,Kalibata-City-apartment Free

South Jakarta Police have detained an Egyptian national identified only as KM, 33, for alleged domestic violence against his Indonesian wife, N, 48, in their apartment in Kalibata City, South Jakarta.

His friends told him that Indonesians tended to have love affairs. He was haunted by that idea so that he became continuously suspicious of his wife, Sr. Comr. Indra Jafar, the South Jakarta Police chief, said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com.

However there is no evidence that his wife cheated on him, Indra went on, adding that Ns phone had been checked to find any evidence of adultery.

Indra said urine tests had shown that KM was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the violence, leading to the conclusion that he frequently abused his wife.

The police crimes division head, Adj. Sr. Comr. Stefanus Michael Tamutuan, said that on Monday KM had allegedly beaten N using a broomstick. When the broomstick broke, he continued with a mop handle and finally with an iron bar he kept in the apartments cupboard. When KM took a knife from the kitchen, N pleaded with him not to stab her.

The next day N reported the incident to the women and childrens division of the South Jakarta Police. KM was arrested on Wednesday.

KM, who has an official stay permit to live in Indonesia, is now facing charges under Law No. 23/2004 on the eradication of domestic violence. (gis)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sat, September 1 2018

Neighborly chat: Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and President Joko Jokowi Widodo inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at Bogor Palace in West Java on Friday. (AFP/Mast Irham/pool)

Jakarta and Canberra have concluded talks on the long-overdue comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, which will upgrade the two countries economic ties and that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says will bring benefits for Indonesian citizens.

In his first overseas trip since being inaugurated last week, Morrison met with President Joko Jokowi Widodo at Bogor Palace on Friday afternoon, where they welcomed the conclusion of negotiations over the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economy Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), which is set to be signed in November.
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Linkedin Amy Teibel (Bloomberg) Jerusalem  Sun, September 2, 2018 16:25 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770ef431 2 World Israel,refugee,Palestine,foreign-aid Free

Israel applauded the cutoff of US aid to the United Nations agency that supports millions of Palestinian refugees, saying the organization is one of the central problems perpetuating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians condemned the move.

It would be wise to channel the money to other sources that will use it appropriately for the benefit of the people and not to perpetuate the conflict, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office.

On Friday, the Trump administration said it will not make additional contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, calling it an irredeemably flawed operation.

After making a $60 million contribution to the agency in January, the US said it was no longer willing to shoulder the very disproportionate share of the burden, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The US provided more than $364 million in funding to UNRWA in 2017. Whether the organization offers critical relief or hinders the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a question of dueling narratives.

The organization administers to 5.4 million Palestinians in the Middle East, mainly in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, and allows unlimited generations of descendants to be classified as refugees in perpetuity.

Thats a broader definition of refugee than offered to other displaced populations by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Israel says UNRWA fuels the conflict with the Palestinians by transferring refugee status from generation to generation and giving cover to Palestinian intransigence.

Critics have warned that the cutoff of assistance that goes for food, education and health care could deepen hardship while stoking unrest and strengthening radical Palestinian forces in the West Bank. The militant Hamas group said the decision makes Trump the enemy of our people.

Riad Malki, the foreign minister of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, said in statement that the decision will lead to a strong reaction from many countries that will not accept the policies of American bullying toward the Palestinian refugee file and UNRWA.

We will move to protect the issues from Trumps attacks.UNRWA, in a statement, expressed deep regret and disappointment at the US announcement and rejected in the strongest possible terms the criticism that UNRWAs schools, health centers, and emergency assistance programs are irredeemably flawed.

Separately, Washington cut $200 million in bilateral aid to the Palestinians a week ago.
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Linkedin Simone Iglesias and Vinicius Andrade (Bloomberg) Sao Paulo, Brazil  Sun, September 2, 2018 20:15 1157 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770f751e 2 World Brazil,presidential-election,Lula-da-Silva,candidate Free

Brazils imprisoned Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been banned from running for president in October after months of commotion that had tainted what is already the most unpredictable election in decades.

In a 6-1 ruling, the countrys top electoral court decided that Lulas candidacy cannot stand, given his 12-year sentence for corruption and money-laundering by an appeals court earlier this year. Brazils currency and equity markets gained in anticipation of the decision as investors wary of a possible Lula comeback gained hope.

In a note published after the ruling, the Workers Party said it would appeal."I declare the candidate ineligible and I deny his application to run for the presidency," said Luis Roberto Barroso, the lead judge reading out a summary of the ruling at the court. "I veto electoral propaganda until the candidates name is replaced on the ballot."

Since his indictment over two years ago, the still popular Lula has denounced a conspiracy to prevent his return to power, with his supporters blasting the message on streets, to courts and in media at home and abroad.

Now, barring an extraordinary upset through appeal, it looks all but certain that the iconic former metalworker wont run on Oct. 7 and will be replaced by his running mate, former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad.

In a press conference in Pernambuco state on Saturday, Haddad said the next steps will depend on a meeting with Lula on Monday. "Well study the legal possibilities over the weekend and show them to the president, discussing collectively what to do," Haddad said.

"Well make a decision on Monday," he said. The question now is how much of his huge support Lula can transfer to Haddad from his prison cell. Opinion polls suggest it could be enough to push his protege, a 55 year-old academic, into a runoff with the front-runner, former Army Captain Jair Bolsonaro.

Even if the Workers Party -- known as PT -- chooses Haddad to replace Lula in the race, it can continue to appeal the electoral courts decision, XP Investimentos political analyst Richard Back said in an interview.

"The PTs next move is a great unknown," he said. Campaign ads that circulated on social media in recent days showed images of Lula before he was jailed, and of Haddad, both promising better days for Brazil.

Free radio and TV air time allotted to presidential candidates begins on Saturday. A few hours after the electoral courts ruling, which prohibited the Workers Party from making "acts of campaign" for Lulas candidacy, there were radio ads mentioning the jailed leader as PTs pick for the presidential election, local media reported.

Yet investors are concerned about the possible return of the same left wing party that oversaw the worst recession on record, and whose president Dilma Rousseff was impeached in 2016.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, September 2, 2018 17:42 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770f1cec 1 City #GangMember,motorcycle-gang,#Jakarta,South-Jakarta Free

A 16-year-old was allegedly killed by a motorcycle gang in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, on Saturday morning. The motive behind the assault remains unknown.

The victim, AH, died of stab wounds after he was reportedly attacked by at least 10 members of an unidentified motorcycle gang on Jl. Soepeno at 4:40 a.m., tribunnews.com reported.

AH was riding his motorbike with a friend, identified as RS, at the time of the incident. They were traveling from Blok M in South Jakarta to Kebon Jeruk in West Jakarta when they were allegedly ambushed, said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono.

They had just crossed the Permata Hijau overpass [in South Jakarta], when the gang attacked them, Argo said on Sunday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Both AH and RS fell off their bike and the gang members began to stab AH, according to Argo.

RS survived the incident as he had fled the scene. RS went back to check on AH after the gang had left.

AH was immediately rushed to Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, where he subsequently died from his injuries.

The Kebayoran Lama Police are still investigating the motive behind the attack, Argo said. (vla/ipa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, September 2, 2018 18:09 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770f27bf 4 City Tangerang,Bekasi,water-scarcity,water-shortage Free

Drought has caused a scarcity of clean water in Tangerang, Banten, prompting local tap water company PDAM Tirta Beteng to send water trucks to some residential areas in the municipality.

Theres been no clean water here since two days ago, Fitoni, a resident of Sangiang subdistrict in Priuk district, said on Sunday, as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

He and hundreds of other residents were lining up near the water trucks for clean water for their daily needs.

Another resident, Dewi, said she was the one who called and asked for help from PDAM Tirta Beteng. I called PDAM this morning, the aid came in the afternoon, she said.

Drought also occurred in the regency of Bekasi in West Java. PDAM Tirta Bhagasasi suggested people report to their respective district should they need clean water supplies from the local administration.

The officials from the district or subdistrict will send a letter to the local disaster mitigation agency (BPBD). The agency will then distribute the water, PDAM Tirta Bhagasasi spokesman Ahmad Fauzi recently told kompas.com.

At least 13 villages in four districts are suffering from clean water scarcity. (vla/evi)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, September 2, 2018 09:20 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770e33c5 1 Business pertamina,telkom,digital-application,gas-station Free

State-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina and state-owned telecommunication company Telkom signed on Friday an agreement to apply digital technology to monitor 5,518 gas stations nationwide.

With the digital technology, Pertamina will be able to monitor fuel stocks in all tanks at gas stations, the amount of fuel distributed and the revenue from sales of the fuels. It is expected to start operation in December, the first quarter of 2019.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said the application of the digital technology aimed to improve transparency in fuel distribution so that Pertamina could have accurate data on the amount of fuel that should be distributed to each gas station.

The objective is to improve Pertaminas service to customers. We can also check the revenue in each gas station quickly and accurately. It will also guarantee no cheating in the distribution, she said in a press statement.

The agreement was signed by Pertamina retail marketing director Masud Khalid and Telkom enterprise and business service director Dian Rachmawan, witnessed by Rini, Pertamina president director Nicke Widyawati and Telkom president director Alex J. Sinaga.

Masud said the digital technology application would strengthen the supervision of each gas station and improve the efficiency of fuel distribution.

Under the agreement, Telkom will develop digital infrastructure and a data center that would be connected to 5,518 or 75,000 nozzles. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, September 2, 2018 16:32 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770eff05 4 National setya-novanto,Idrus-Marham,Eni-Maulani-Saragih,KPK,PLTU-Riau-1,graft Free

Former House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto reportedly knew about bribes received in the development of a coal-fired power plant (PLTU) in Riau, according to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The antigraft body has questioned Setya twice as a witness in the PLTU Riau-1 case, which involves top Golkar Party member Eni Maulani Saragih, former Social Affairs Minister Idrus Marham, who is also a former Golkar politician, and businessman Johannes Budisutrisno Kotjo.

The KPK arrested Eni and Johannes after a raid in July, during which it also seized Rp 500 million (US$33,944) in cash that was allegedly used as kickbacks to ensure the development of the mine mouth power plant to be built by coal miner BlackGold Natural Resources Limited.

At the time, Johannes was listed as a shareholder of the publicly listed Singapore-based company.

A month later, Idrus stepped down from his post as minister as well as from his party because of his involvement in the case. Later, the KPK announced him as a suspect in the graft case.

SN [Setya] knows the details of this project, including the fee, bribe and other relevant information, KPK deputy chairman Laode M. Syarif said on Saturday as quoted by tempo.co.

The KPK has also questioned Setyas son, Rheza Herwindo, who served as a commissioner for PT Skydweller Indonesia Mandiri.

Laode said Rheza's company history showed that he had once cooperated with Johannes. (ris)
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Linkedin Ayee Macaraig (Agence France-Presse) Manila  Sun, September 2, 2018 16:50 1158 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308770f0aa0 2 SE Asia duterte,arms-deal,Philippines,Israel,BenjaminNetanyahu,Rodrigo-Duterte Free

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday left for a visit to Israel and Jordan, pursuing a pivot away from his nation's long-time reliance on American military hardware and support.

The four-day visit to Israel will be the first by a Philippine leader in more than 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, even though the links between their people go back to Manila's sheltering of Jews during the Holocaust.

Duterte's visit has generated much attention, powered both by his penchant for foul-mouthed statements -- including likening himself to Hitler -- and his internationally condemned drug crackdown that has killed thousands.

Duterte, accompanied by an entourage including soldiers and police, will sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hold an event with some of the thousands of Filipino migrant workers in Israel.

"We assign great importance to this visit, which symbolises the strong, warm ties between our two peoples," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Duterte has pivoted the Philippines away from its former colonial master the United States and towards warmer diplomatic and business ties with China and Russia.

The US and Canada have both seen military hardware deals fall apart with the Philippines due to concerns over Duterte's drug war. But so far sales with Israel have gone smoothly.

"(The visit) is for President Duterte to look for an alternative market for... weapons for our armed forces as well as for the police," Henelito Sevilla, an international relations expert at the University of the Philippines, told AFP.

Israel is among the world's top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defence exports going to the Asia-Pacific region, according to Israeli defence ministry data.

Two-state solution

The Philippines emerged as a significant new customer in 2017 for Israel, with sales of radar and anti-tank equipment worth $21 million.

Manila says the trip is expected to yield agreements on defence as well as labour, which is one of the Philippines' top exports.

Some 10 million Filipinos work abroad and send home money that is a lifeline for the economy. Manila is keen to sign agreements on protections for the workers.

Although the Philippines has a special bond with Israelis for giving refuge to some 1,300 Jews fleeing the Holocaust, Duterte drew global condemnation for comparing himself to Hitler in 2016.

"Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. Most mainstream historians say six million Jews died in the Holocaust.

Duterte later apologised for his remarks, which he said were aimed at critics who had likened him to the Nazi leader.

Just over a year later the Philippines abstained from a UN vote rebuking the United States for moving its embassy to Jerusalem. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state.

Duterte on Sunday expressed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"We shall be guided by our constitution and laws as well as our international commitments in support of efforts and initiatives including the two-state solution," he told reporters.

Netanyahu says he wants the Palestinians to govern themselves, but has recently declined to specify whether that would mean an independent Palestinian state or some diluted form of autonomy, which many right-wing Israelis advocate.

Duterte heads to Jordan on September 5, where he is expected to meet King Abdullah II.
Brighton born and raised, The Kooks are an indie heritage band. We respect and listen to their words and anthems, reminiscing about the times when we were drinking Red Stripe at a festival swaying to 'She Moves In Her Own Way'. They are key players in the formation of the British indie-rock genre that as a nation, we are hailed for and continuously inspire new bands to join. Their last albumdisappointed us. These guitar legends promised new music that would bring back the nostalgia ofbut it just didnt hit the mark we all needed after the incredible masterpiece of. We needed to see the lads mature, bring back their hooks but with a new flair, and thankfully in 2018, we got it.Album opener 'All The Time' is atmospheric, vivacious and refreshing. Luke Pritchards voice seeps into the record with his surly vocals, telling us I want you to be here / All the time mixed with classic Kooks catchy drum beat and a high pitch hook. Straight into 'Believe' - the rock inspiration mysteriously creeps into the opening bars of the track with a 4 chord intro for a more professional pop song than perhaps their previous records. They havent lost touch with their acoustic roots, proving their eternal affiliation on 'Honey Bee'; a cute little 2-minute melody with 2-3 acoustic guitars chiming in and Pritchard's romantic affection. Similarly, in 'Fractured and Dazed' love is a key undercurrent to the romanticised view of the afternoon:

their

Pritchard has love in his eyes and its transferred to his heart and soul. The melody in this track makes it a favourite of the album, combining electric guitar to the soul of the acoustic and a couple of high note piano chimes to finish off the vocals. The brief pause at the end opens to a 40 second instrumental of piano, drums, guitar and electric to show us that the Kooks are in no way finished with their musical exploration of the diversity of guitars in at their disposal. 'Pamela' sits in the record as their soft rock tune, but without any of the experimental lyricism of previous tracks. This is perhaps a lesser acclaimed track from the new album, but a sign of their progression away from whatyounger, more pop-orientated audience want so desperately to hear. Much to our delight, the final song of the record is a classic Kooks anthem:, inviting each and every one of us to release any pent-up frustrations and tension in a feelgood singalong. The final track shows us that The Kooks themselves have had enough of the mounting pressure from fans to recreate their original tracks, and are telling us they want to have a good time and simply do things they enjoy. Thats a motto Ill happily live by.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Cloudy. High near 55F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 41F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The holiday season is drawing to a close, but for returning travellers now is the time to recoup their losses if travel troubles struck while they were away.

The Mail on Sunday explains your rights if transport lets you down.

Thousands of Ryanair passengers suffered infuriating cancellations and delays this summer while the airline was locked in wrangles with unions Europe-wide. Those whose flights were cancelled were offered refunds or another flight.

Although all passengers flying into and out of European Union countries are also entitled to compensation for long waits or cancelled flights under the so-called EU261 rule, there are exceptions.

Let down: Passengers were hit by Ryanair strikes

Ryanair has apparently been rejecting claims as it says staff strikes are one of the extraordinary circumstances that entitle airlines not to pay out. Other exemptions include dangerous weather conditions, air traffic control delays or aircraft sabotage.

But airline regulator the Civil Aviation Authority says passengers whose flights were cancelled with less than 14 days notice should be eligible for compensation.

A Ryanair spokesman says: Under EU261 legislation, no compensation is payable to customers when the (strike) delay/cancellation is beyond the airlines control. If these strikes, by a tiny minority of pilots, were within Ryanairs control, there would have been no strikes.

The Irish airline defends its stance by pointing to similar incidents, such as strikes by BA cabin crew last year, when the carrier took no action in relation to EU261.

WHEN TO CLAIM

Flocks of travellers will have faced disruption of all kinds whatever their chosen airline.

Under the rules each traveller is entitled to compensation of up to 600 (540), depending on the length of delay and the flight distance. It does not matter if the original ticket was a fraction of that sum. If a hold-up is the airlines fault, perhaps because of staff shortages or even a technical fault with the plane, there should be some cash on offer.

The compensation clock starts ticking after a three-hour delay arriving at the destination

The compensation rules apply to those flying from a European airport on any airline  and those arriving at an EU airport on an EU airline. This also applies to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

The compensation clock starts ticking after a three-hour delay arriving at the destination. Passengers on a short flight of less than 1,500 km  say London to Paris  are entitled to 250 each.

For a flight between a European and non-European airport of between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres  say London to Marrakech  it is 400. Those on a long-haul flight out of Europe who face a four-hour plus delay receive 600.

If any stopover on an EU airline is delayed by more than three hours a claim is valid, even if it occurs outside the EU.

Although a claim can technically be made up to six years after the problem it is sensible to instigate it quickly. Brexit could throw a spanner in the works.

Someone flying with a non-EU airline, say United Airlines from Florida to London, does not have the same right to compensation under European rules.

But check the airlines terms and conditions as it may have its own compensation arrangements.

HOW TO CLAIM

To start the process passengers usually apply via the airlines website  though some request the paperwork by post. Alternatively use a free complaints tool such as that offered by website Resolver  but be aware easyJet will not accept claims this way.

Do not be tempted to use claims managers. Such firms grab up to 40 per cent of the compensation as their fee. These claims vultures are all over the internet and even place agents at airport arrival halls in popular holiday destinations to catch out weary travellers, as The Mail on Sunday revealed in July.

Martyn James, of Resolver, says: These firms make no difference to the outcome of your claim but take a huge chunk of compensation for effectively doing nothing.

If a claim is rebuffed, consider taking the case to an airline or airport dispute resolution service. For example, Aviation ADR mediates between Ryanair and its passengers. You can find details of such schemes via the Civil Aviation Authoritys website at caa.co.uk.

Trains

More than ten million people take the Eurostar under the Channel each year. Disruption is inevitable on such a busy service. But there is compensation available for delays of more than an hour.

If you apply within 60 days you can get a partial cash refund. This is worth 25 per cent of the price for a hold-up of between one and two hours and 50 per cent for any delay over two hours. The money should be received within 14 days.

You can still claim 60 days after the disruption (but not later than a year). In this case you will be awarded Eurostar e-vouchers for future travel. These are worth 25 per cent of the ticket price for a delay of one to two hours, 50 per cent for between two and three hours and 75 per cent for more than

three hours. These are valid for 12 months. Passengers whose train is cancelled can get a full refund or swap their ticket for one to use within six months.

For train delays in the UK contact the train operator. Most will pay something for an hours delay or more, while some will offer compensation for delays of 15 or 30 minutes.

Many train companies are signed up to a delay repay scheme. Greater Anglia, for example, gives back 50 per cent on a single fare (25 per cent on a return) if passengers are delayed between 30 minutes and an hour. For delays of one to two hours they get the full price of a single or half the return. Two hours or more and the full price is returned whether single or return.

Pick up a delay repay form from a station and post it with the ticket as proof. Some firms accept online applications with a scanned copy of the ticket.

The usual time limit for claiming is 28 days. If a complaint is unresolved contact watchdog Transport Focus at transportfocus.org.uk.

Ferries

Millions of us take ferries to the Continent and islands off the UK mainland each year. If a crossing is held up for a significant period compensation should be available  unless the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances such as dangerous weather conditions.

The amount paid is equal to 25 per cent of the ticket price for delays of one hour on a journey of up to four hours, two hours on a trip of four to eight hours, three hours on a voyage between eight and 24 hours and six hours for a journey of more than 24 hours.

If the disruption lasts more than double these times compensation rises to 50 per cent of the ticket price.

If a ferry is cancelled  or departure is delayed for more than 90 minutes  the company must offer an alternative sailing at no extra cost and a refund as detailed above.

For unresolved complaints, contact the Association of British Travel Agents at abta.com.
A leading economist has warned the UK is on course for another crash, a decade on from the financial crisis.

Professor Robert Skidelsky is highly critical of economists for not predicting the 2008 global collapse and believes not enough has been done to reign in banks and the City of London over the last decade.

Speaking ahead of the publication of his new book, billed as a challenge to mainstream economics, Lord Skidelsky expressed concern about the current state of the economy, drawing comparisons with events that presaged the last crisis.

High critical: It was mishandled in the sense that it wasnt anticipated.'

He told The Mail on Sunday: When you have a financial system that hasnt been fully reformed, there are other factors which caused the crisis that havent been properly addressed, and a lot of political [uncertainty] going on  huge amounts  you are really set for another financial crash.

I think its only a matter of time... The economy is obviously not in a particularly healthy state at the moment.

The economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first half of this year, according to the Office for National Statistics. It said the UKs overall economic picture is one of slowing growth. Meanwhile, Brexit jitters have been blamed for delays to investment and the FTSE 100 has flatlined in recent months, falling 3 per cent in August.

Lord Skidelsky, 79, a cross-bench peer who has been a member of both the Conservative and Labour parties, is considered an authority on the influential economist John Maynard Keynes. Reflecting on the 2008 crisis, which blew up in earnest ten years ago on September 15 when Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed, Lord Skidelsky said economists should shoulder a large part of the blame.

It was mishandled in the sense that it wasnt anticipated, so it did catch everyone by surprise, he said. The models which economists used  and also business forecasting models  didnt anticipate anything on this scale could occur.

Warwick University professor Lord Skidelsky had stepped back from teaching economics day-to-day by 2008. He believes others should have seen it coming. I do blame economists who were teaching it every day in their classrooms, he said.

Confusion: Lord Skidelsky recalls the crash that stunned City brokers in 2008, left

The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in 2008 rocked global financial markets, sparking a global economic recession. In the UK, the Government was forced to rescue Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group.

The crisis has led to a series of banking reforms, with more than 80 pieces of legislation passed, according to the British Bankers Association. For instance, lenders now need to hold more capital to better prepare themselves for financial troubles.

But Lord Skidelsky believes the system has not been cleaned up enough, bemoaning the fact any radical reforms to break up the banking system have not come to pass.

I think some of the fundamentals havent been addressed. I think there is a general feeling that weve done enough to clean up the financial sector so that its not going to collapse in the way that it did.

But the financial sector hasnt been tamed and it hasnt been sufficiently contained.

If a new global crisis does come to pass, Lord Skidelsky believes the UK will be hit worse than many other countries because of the dominance of the City of London.

Lord Skidelskys book, Money And Government: A Challenge To Mainstream Economics, is published on Thursday.

The feelgood summer is over as bosses fear a slowdown

Bosses fear a slowdown in business growth this autumn following a boost from the summer heatwave.

Retailers are at risk from falling household incomes in the coming months, according to a report due to be released today by the Confederation of British Industry. Manufacturers, meanwhile, are riding high on the back of rising global demand and a weaker pound.

But the threat of escalating trade tensions and uncertainty around Brexit hang over them, according to economists at the leading employers organisation.

The CBIs Growth Indicator, which is based on a survey of 700 bosses in manufacturing and services, show that private sector growth picked up in June, July and August.

But this is expected to slow in the next three months, and the survey predicts tepid growth ahead.

Rain Newton-Smith, the CBIs chief economist, said: As the boost from the hot summer fades, we expect to see a return to more subdued growth for retailers as consumer incomes struggle. In this climate of uncertainty, we need action to get the UK economy on the front foot. The UKs congested transport network needs unclogging to help unlock growth across the regions.

Increasing the funding for practical local infrastructure projects and reducing funding fragmentation could help lift productivity and prosperity.
In 2012, the Government announced that property companies would no longer need planning permission to convert office blocks into flats. The move was designed to alleviate the housing crisis, but it has had a dramatic impact on the office world, particularly outside London.

In Birmingham, for example, office availability has shrunk nearly 60 per cent in the past six years, while Milton Keynes has seen a fall of more than 35 per cent.

The trend plays neatly into the hands of Circle Property, a small but ambitious firm run by some of the most experienced developers in the property sector. The shares are 202p and should rise considerably, as the company expands.

City location: Circle Property bought the offices above Moorgate tube station

Circle is chaired by Ian Henderson, former head of the UKs largest commercial property group, Land Securities. His chief executive is John Arnold, who started in property in the late 1970s and has been in the industry ever since.

The board also boasts the Duke of Roxburghe and Jamie Hambro, patrician chairman of top wealth management firm James Hambro & Partners. Between them, directors own close to 30 per cent of Circle shares so they are well motivated to make the business work.

Performance to date is encouraging. Circle was founded in 2002, when Hambro got together with a few friends and family, raised some cash and asked Arnold to seek out interesting situations in the property sector and make the money work.

The strategy worked well, the business grew and listed on Aim in February 2016, with a focus on under-valued office space in the regions.

Arnold looks for office buildings that are too small for major property companies, too big for private investors and too tricky for either.

Veteran boss: Circle chief executive John Arnold, who started in property in the late 1970s and has been in the industry ever since

Some of the blocks have several vacancies, so they do not appeal to firms looking for easy income. Some are let out at below market rates because the buildings have been neglected. Some have only short leases, which need to be renegotiated.

And some are well priced because Arnold and his colleagues are frequently shown buildings before they officially go on the market.

In almost every case however, the properties need work, including refurbishment, new tenants and discussions over rents and leases.

The work can be time-consuming but yields results. Circle bought one office block in Birmingham in 2016 for 7.75 million. It upgraded the building, introduced new tenants and the property was recently valued at 14.5 million. At the same time, its annual rental income rose from 765,000 to more than 1.2 million.

This approach has been repeated across Circles business. The group has 17 properties in cities such as Northampton, Bristol, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.

Results for the year to March revealed that the total portfolio rose in value by almost 23 per cent year-on-year, to 114 million, while rental income rose 21 per cent to 6.8 million. The dividend rose 8 per cent to 5.2p and net asset value per share  a key measure in the property sector  rose 25 per cent to 230p.

Looking ahead, further strong growth is expected. Some buildings have just been upgraded, so rents are likely to increase this year. Some properties still need refurbishment, so increases in value and income should follow.

The company is actively looking for new sites too, with a pipeline of opportunities in store for the coming months.

Financing future deals may involve issuing new shares, but Arnold and his team will only pursue this route if they are confident that new transactions will deliver robust returns for shareholders.

Existing investors are likely to give Arnold the benefit of the doubt. The regional office market is suffering a lack of space and demand for new sites remains strong. Many of Circles tenants are small firms, such as lawyers and accountants, who seem less concerned by the vagaries of Brexit than some larger, export-focused groups.

Midas verdict: Circle Property is a specialist company run by a know- ledgeable team, who are determined to expand the business and make money for shareholders. At 202p, the stock is a buy.
Premier Inn could become a bid target after its sister chain Costa Coffee was sold to US drinks giant Coca-Cola, according to City sources.

Investors were counting their cash this weekend after the surprise 3.9billion knockout deal that is also likely to see executives receive a bonus windfall.

The swoop is part of a 100billion targeting of UK businesses over the past two years following a slump in sterling that has made acquisitions cheaper for overseas predators.

Rita Ora, celebrating 100 years of the Coca-Cola contour bottle

The sale on Friday of 2,422-outlet Costa will leave Premier Inn as the only business left in the Whitbread group which, sources said, make a takeover simpler and more likely.

One City investor said: Friday was phase one of the Whitbread story. Our thesis for this business has always been that Premier is one of the best hotel businesses in the world currently being valued as if it was one of the worst.

With the board now talking about focusing more on maximising the value of the hotel chain, some people are already starting to talk about Premier Inn being a bid target in itself.

The Costa acquisition is the latest mega sale of a UK firm. Others have included the controversial sale of technology giant Arm Holdings for 24 billion to Japanese firm Softbank which took place within weeks of the Brexit vote in 2016. That was followed by a 46 billion pursuit of pharmaceutical group Shire by Japanese-based Takeda.

There is an ongoing 26 billion swoop on Sky by two of Americas biggest media giants. And there was the hostile 115 billion bid for Unilever by US-based Kraft, which failed at the beginning of last year.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable told The Mail on Sunday that there had been a devaluation of the pound since the Brexit vote in 2016, making British businesses cheaper to foreign buyers.

He added: The attempt on Unilever was a classic case in point  almost entirely exchange rate related.

This is one of the most worrying aspects of a devaluation of the pound for businesses.

The fall in sterling makes company assets much cheaper and large numbers of British companies have found themselves vulnerable, not because of underperformance, but because of devaluation.

Premier Inn: Costa Coffee's sister chain was sold to US drinks giant Coca-Cola, prompting analysts to warn that the hotel chain could become the next bid target

Sir Vince said Britains tax revenues were also hit by the way in which international companies return their accounts and pay their taxes in the UK. It is a potential loss when the ownership of companies goes offshore in this way, he added.

Whitbread shares rose 14 per cent on the news of the Costa deal, valuing the company at 8.4 billion. Former brewer Whitbread bought Costa for 19 million in 1995 from founders Sergio and Bruno Costa. At the time, it had just 39 outlets.

As well as its 2,422 coffee shops in the UK, it has 1,400 outlets in 31 overseas markets and 8,237 vending machines worldwide operating as Costa Express.

City investors welcomed the deal. One described it as a knockout bid that was ambitious and exciting and would benefit Premier, Costa and Coca-Cola. It follows political action on sugary drinks and energy drinks. Joshua Mahony, market analyst at IG Group, said: The sale to Coca-Cola could prove a shrewd move at a time where we are seeing the Government cracking down on high caffeine products.

There is little reason to believe that we will see a crackdown on coffee, yet there is a feeling the public is becoming aware of the negative effects of high caffeine intake.

But the coffee chain is set to benefit under its new owners with access to the fizzy drinks giants vast global network.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail at Kantar Worldpanel, said the out-of-home coffee market is worth 6.3 billion a year in Britain and growing by 4.3 per cent annually.

He added: Whitbread looks to have secured a valuable deal for its shareholders. But it is not the only winner. Coca-Cola doesnt currently have any coffee outlets and this is an opportunity to plug that gap and tap into this growing market.

By acquiring a favourite out-of-home coffee brand, Coca-Cola is leapfrogging its way to having a substantial hot drinks offer and bolting on the UKs favourite coffee brand.

It also offers intriguing possibilities for the Costa name to appear in new formats, such as chilled variants, and reach a wider audience through Coca-Colas well-established distribution network.

Whitbread chief Alison Brittain could double her 2.3 million salary this year in bonuses linked to the deal.

Whitbread chief Alison Brittain could double her 2.3 million salary this year in bonuses linked to the deal

Earlier this year she suggested Whitbread might demerge Costa  listing the coffee chain separately on the stock exchange. This idea came after pressure from activist investors seeking better returns.

After the Costa sale, one of those activists, US giant Elliott Advisors, said on Friday it congratulates the board of Whitbread on this proposed transaction and looks forward to continuing to engage with them to maximise the value of the remaining businesses.

Gavin Oldham, chairman of The Share Centre, said it was a shame that private investors could not invest in Costa as a separate company.

He tweeted: Costa would have been a great opportunity for a retail flotation to its customers, and may well have achieved a similar valuation. Im disappointed to see yet another sell-out to the buy-out giants: it continually erodes democratic capitalism.
David Cornell is Ocean Dials chief investment officer

Ocean Dial Asset Management is an unusual manager of money. Unlike a majority of rivals that manage investments across the globe, it has nailed its colours firmly to one mast  the mast of India and its equity markets.

It is a focused strategy that seems to be working for the investment house.

Since spinning out of Caledonia Investments five years ago, Ocean has steadily grown its assets invested in Indian equities to more than 430 million.

Although it has offices in London, its stock pickers are all based in Indias Mumbai, the countrys financial capital.

The asset manager runs four funds focused on India.

But its flagship is India Capital Growth, an investment vehicle launched more than 20 years ago under the wing of Caledonia and now managed from Mumbai by Gaurav Narain.

While the short-term investment numbers are unexciting, its returns over the past five years have been exceptional. Not one Indian fund has a superior investment record over this period.

David Cornell is Ocean Dials chief investment officer. Now based in London, he worked in India for eight years before returning to the UK in 2014. He is not only convinced by the case for Indian equities, but believes his companys on-the-ground presence in Mumbai makes a difference.

Cornell says: India is becoming more economically relevant. It has a young population with more than 50 per cent under the age of 25. Incomes are rising in real terms while India is making its mark across swathes of industry  health, automobiles and offshoring.

With some 5,500 Indian equities to choose from, Ocean Dial is spoilt for choice. Yet Cornell says the focus of India Capital Growth is on some 300 small to medium- sized companies  businesses off the radar of most other fund managers looking to get exposure to Indian stock markets.

Trading trends: With some 5,500 Indian equities to choose from, Ocean Dial is spoilt for choice

The fund currently holds 38 stocks with an emphasis on consumer and financial companies looking to benefit from the populations rising wealth  annual economic growth is running at some seven per cent.

Key holdings include consumer goods manufacturer Jyothy and finance company Dewan  positions held for some eight and six years respectively.

Cornell says: Jyothy has some strong consumer brands including whitening agent Ujala, cleaning product Exo and soap Margo. Ujala makes your shirts look clean and fresh and works well for low and middle-class Indian families because it means their clothes last much longer.

Dewan provides mortgage finance for people who live outside Indias major metropolitan areas. Demand for mortgage credit is insatiable, says Cornell. For years, we have seen four generations of family live under one roof. But increasingly youngsters want to own their own homes.

Cornell goes out to India six or seven times a year. Although he loves the country, he is sufficiently independent of mind to realise that Indian stock markets face headwinds in the form of a strong US dollar, rising oil prices, contagion from woes in other emerging markets, and the threat of trade wars sparked by President Trump.

Set against this, he is reassured by the strong recovery in corporate earnings growth which should exceed 20 per cent next year.

Nick Greenwood, manager of investment trust Miton Global Opportunities, is an admirer of India Capital Growth. His trust holds a stake, believing it to be a great way to get exposure to India.
Oil giants could be mulling surprise bids for Tesla after chief executive Elon Musk ditched a controversial plan to take the electric car company private, it has been claimed.

Analysts at investment bank Jefferies said the billionaire entrepreneurs tweets about going private had probably made it a takeover target.

Debacle: Elon Musk

Analyst Philippe Houchois said the debacle, which has caught the eye of regulators, could lead to talks with other investors. He said oil and tech firms are more likely to be eyeing Tesla than carmakers.

With its long-term mission intact but short-term growth shaky, now may be the time for third parties to get involved, be it from technology or even oil, Houchois wrote in a note last week.

Investors have been sceptical of Musks claims he intended to take the company private and that he had secured funding to do so. Some claimed it was a move by Musk to wipe out Teslas short-sellers.
Sky has unveiled plans to open a new office in Berlin as the pay-TV giant seeks to tune in to digital start-ups in Germanys high-tech capital.

The company, which is currently at the centre of a 26 billion transatlantic bidding battle, said the new base would allow it to tap into Berlins ever growing start-up ecosystem.

Big move: Sky is opening an office in Berlin, a city seeking to rival London's tech city

Berlin is challenging London as Europes capital of budding technology businesses and has seen Brexit as an opportunity to encourage British firms to set up shop over there.

Sky, which already has a large German TV business, has invested in 20 companies in the UK, US and France since it started backing start-ups in 2012. Its investments include Roku, the film and TV streaming company, and Drone Racing League, which airs on Sky TV.

It opened an office in San Francisco in 2014, but now plans to tap the market for start-up companies in central and northern Europe.

Sky is also investing 3 million in Remagine Ventures, a venture capital fund in Israel, which is another hotbed for internet and digital start-ups.
Sir,



Since the circus called elections started gaining momentum, there had been surprises and more are yet to come for the whole country to witness. First it was the ex- MPs who are so greedy that they would die or kill to be re-elected.

They are the Swati Mugabes, who by hook or crook will go to any extent of even hating their immediate families if it happens that they lose elections. I still stand by my previous stance that ex-MPs must give the country a break, period!



Deserved salary raises

They had their time and messed up, so why must they be voted back? I can only recall how two of them were honest enough to ask why they deserved salary raises because they have done nothing for the country? That was MP Mkhululi Dlamini from Hhukwini and one MP Petros Mavimbela who questioned the budget allocation for the army.

These two former MPs deserve a second chance because they showed the steel they are made of. This is what we need, not these sick cows who continuously nod their heads in agreement to everything passed therein. We need MPs who will formulate statutes that will protect the country from people like the outgoing inept Cabinet and government. We know it for a fact that Parliament is no more about policy making, but is about money. That is my reason for todays topic.



Somewhere in the Lubombo Region, a proper clown is campaigning for the MP position, and chances are that he will make it to Parliament. That just goes to show how clueless we are as a country to vote for such. I am not jealous but I am asking myself if we are really serious in seeing this country move forward when we still vote for someone who has hardly done his Form V?



Ladies and gentlemen, are we really serious? Its true that intelligence is not measured by qualifications one has because there are some idiots who hold Doctorates but are very poor in managing anything on this planet. My concern is that for a Form V pupil to interpret some legislation cant be a walk in the park.



high position

I am yet to see how this young guy shall perform in his O level. This being Eswatini, it does not matter that much how educated you are to be considered for a high position which demands that you must have a certain qualification. Here in Eswatini, its all about whom you rub shoulders with.



I clearly recall how one ex-minister who had only Form III was once appointed and that just meant education is not a priority at all in the country. You ask yourself why we need to go to school if one can be appointed into a senior position without any consideration of his qualifications.



This is a true mockery of the educated emaSwati graduates, who are stranded at home. But again, this is Eswatini where you get promoted because being corrupt its a prerequisite for a position. If you are not corrupt, then forget about being promoted or appointed to a senior position.



That is why I cant work for such and do not wish to be appointed into such positions. I would rather die poor than get recognition for wrong reasons. The country is where it is today because of a corrupt government.



bankrupt of ideas



The biggest loophole with our Constitution is the number of years a person must reach to qualify to be elected into Parliament. That is the reason why there are people who now take Parliament as their place of employment and do not wants to leave and give others a chance. This is totally wrong.

There must be a clause in the Constitution that stipulates that a person must not exceed more two terms in Parliament. In the absence of such a clause, it seems there are people who are hell-bent on being lifetime MPs.



This is totally offside.



Once you stay in one position you become useless and bankrupt of ideas; therefore its very fair that one must give others a chance.

Again, there must be a set minimum requirement for a person aspiring to be an MP. The least a person can have must be a Diploma not this circus we have. That is the reason we will never take Parliament seriously. That is the reason why the global village is mocking us day in and day out.



Lastly but not least, I stand by my opinion that ex- MPs never helped the country. This minute they roll out a motion of no confidence, the next minute they withdraw it. Shame on them! Who can ever take them serious? We can only wait to see what the future holds for this country. But as for the calibre who is campaigning to become MPs, I reserve my comments.



Lets wait and see what will happen; and if we shall reach the dreamt about vision 2022. I might be wrong after all about the minimum requirement because Sir Winston Churchill led his country with very minimum education.



By: khokhumncadvo dlamini

Ka  zondwako (ebutsini)
State-run Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the UAE and Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU), have signed an agreement on advancing nuclear safety research.



The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the UAE and Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU), have signed an agreement on advancing nuclear safety research and educating the UAEs next generation of peaceful nuclear energy professionals.



The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at FANRs headquarters by Christer Viktorsson, director general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, and Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, executive vice president of Khalifa University.



According to the new agreement, FANR and KU will continue their joint work on the Advanced Thermal-hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation Project Phase 2 (ATLAS-2), an international project jointly organized by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).



The ATLAS-2 Project focuses on addressing thermal-hydraulic safety and accident management issues relevant for APR1400 reactor types. APR 1400 is a Generation III pressurised water type developed by the South Koreans.



A variant of the APR1400 reactor is employed at the UAEs Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant and this collaborative agreement is designed to familiarize UAE students and researchers with the reactor and build local human capacities in nuclear safety through intensive research activities.



Christer Viktorsson said: Since FANRs establishment in 2009 we have prioritized human capacity development in nuclear safety. Through this research agreement, Emirati students and researchers will learn about the critical safety features of nuclear systems utilizing various coding systems, including how to generate and modify plant inputs and study test results. Likewise, the training material produced by our work on the ATLAS-2 Project will serve as a valuable resource to post-graduate students and researchers for years to come.



Dr Al Hammadi said: The sponsored research and collaboration agreement with FANR will enable us to undertake research into thermal hydraulic studies as part of the ATLAS-2 project. This collaboration is in line with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which emphasizes the importance of sustainability of energy and water. It also concurs with Khalifa Universitys mandate which includes education, research and advancement of knowledge.



Through this agreement, we believe, we will be contributing effectively to fostering local expertise on nuclear safety in the UAE and to produce comprehensive training material for future safety analysis.



Following the signing ceremony, FANR and Khalifa University will prepare to present their collective research findings on one of the relevant tests at the upcoming ATLAS-2 Project Review Meeting in October, which will take place in South Korea.



The ATLAS-2 project is supported by the safety organizations and industry in Korea, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE and the US.



The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), setup in 2009, is the regulatory body for the nuclear sector in the United Arab Emirates. FANR regulates all nuclear activities and licenses the use of radioactive sources in the UAE.



The Khalifa University of Science and Technology merges the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research and the Petroleum Institute into one world-class, research-intensive institution, producing world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering.  TradeArabia News Service
Ithraa, Omans inward investment and export development agency, today (September 2) welcomed a senior Japanese trade delegation and discussed ways to increase trade and investment links particularly in tourism, logistics, aviation, energy, oil and gas sectors.



The delegation was headed by Kentaro Sonoura, special advisor to Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, said a statement from the company.



Talks also covered opportunities open to Omani businesses looking to improve commercial ties with Japan and further penetrate the growing and lucrative East Asian market, it said.



Taleb Al Makhmari, Ithraas director general for marketing and media, said: The Oman-Japan trade and investment relationship has deep historic roots and the meetings gave us as well as management from eight public sector organisations an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with the worlds third largest economy.



In addition to Ithraa, the meetings included representatives from the Ministry of Tourism; the Ministry of Transport & Communications; ASAAS; the Public Authority for Electricity & Water; the Authority for Electricity Regulation; Sohar Freezone; the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates; and Oman Power & Water Procurement Company, it added.



Al Makhmari continued: Promoting Omans attractiveness as a potential investment destination is key to what we do. And on Sunday, in partnership with public sector colleagues, we showcased leading local economic developments, talent and innovation in order to encourage partnership and investment from key Japanese players.



A recent report from PwC revealed that more than half (54 per cent) of CEOs in Asia Pacific are planning new strategic alliances or joint ventures to drive growth and profitability in 2018.



PwCs annual CEO Survey also reported that a further 42 per cent are seeking new mergers or acquisitions, presenting significant opportunities for Omani businesses looking to grow through collaboration with Asia Pacific firms.



The Japanese economy continues to be healthy after two years of expansion. Economists forecast growth of 1.3 per cent, down from 1.7 per cent in 2017 and a rebound to 1.5 per cent in 2019. Growth will be supported by stronger production and exports, as well as faster wage gains.



Al Makhmari said: From an inward investment perspective, Oman remains a market that is and will remain uniquely friendly to business, including foreign investors.



Indeed, it is a market where investors can easily access the skills, talent, finance and business services they need to support their activities, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Ebrahim K Kanoo, the sole distributor of Lexus vehicles in Bahrain, has announced the arrival of the all-new 2019 Lexus ES.



The highly anticipated ES models, ES 350, ES 300h and the first ever F Sport were launched at the Lexus showroom by senior delegates from Lexus international and Ebrahim K Kanoo, to Lexus enthusiasts and media representatives.



Chief engineer Yasuhiro Sakakibara said: With every new generation of the ES, the team works towards exceeding our customers needs and expectations. The all-new 2019 Lexus ES embodies our vision of developing a model that blends key elements of design and performance in a way that would deliver a higher level of enjoyment for its drivers and passengers.



Ebrahim K Kanoo senior manager for Lexus Marketing Ayman Shehadeh said: Lexus ES is a well-established model that has been admired in the Kingdom for the last few decades, and we are very excited to launch the newest model that combines both aesthetic design and great performance potential. The all-new 2019 Lexus ES features a host of cutting-edge technologies that provide both the driver and passengers with rewarding and confidence-inspiring experience.



This was achieved with the help of the all-new Global Architecture  K (GA-K) platform, giving Lexus the opportunity to explore the limits of mid-size luxury sedan design. The car is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor. The longer wheelbase allows the wheels to be pushed closer to the cars corners, with wider front and rear treads. Its stance and proportions reflect its new-found performance capabilities and give the ES the kind of eye-catching appeal that will make owners and admirers take a second look.



One of two major additions to the all-new Lexus ES line-up includes the ES 300h, an electrified hybrid model, which combines two power sources consisting of a petrol engine and two electric motors.



The second addition is the all-new 2019 Lexus ES F Sport model that features numerous sporty upgrades such as a retuned suspension, 19-inch wheels and tyres, and unique aluminium interior trim that gives the machine a more dynamic look and feel.



The introduction of the all-new 2019 Lexus ES continues the expression of the brands design direction and commitment towards crafting vehicles with heightened excitement, emotion, and passion. The provocative elegance of the design starts up front with the latest iteration of the brands signature grille, but adds individual cues that are unique to the ES such as the vertical grille pattern and satin-plated trim, adding slim headlamps with distinctive L-shaped marker lights.



In profile, the ES has a dynamic yet fluid shape that starts with the low hood line that feeds into the sleek roofline. The rear of the all-new Lexus ES is clean and sharply chiselled, with distinctive three-dimensional, L-shaped LED tail lamps.



Complementing the all-new Lexus ES emotional design is a thrilling drive personality imbued by 2 powertrain options. The ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is designed to deliver commanding acceleration along with an invigorating sound. With an update to the D4-S fuel injection system, the impressively smooth engine now produces 300 hp and 36.4 kg-m of torque.



In addition, an electrified hybrid powertrain was developed for the all-new ES. This 2 powertrain options combine two power sources consisting of a petrol engine and two electric motors, producing a combined system output of 215 hp. This powertrain is also mated to a new hybrid transaxle that provides the lowest fuel consumption value of 24.4km/L, and highest driving performance of this class.



The class-leading hybrid electric model ES 300h can be driven entirely by either electrical power with zero-fuel consumption and carbon emissions, or with a combination of a petrol engine and two electric motors, depending on the vehicles speed and customers driving behaviour. The batteries in the hybrid electric drivetrain are automatically charged by either the petrol engine or when braking and decelerating, eliminating the need to plug in a power cord.



Completing the all-new Lexus ES distinct personality is its exquisite interior that invites the driver and passengers to enjoy a range of advanced features offering a refined cabin experience. These include an enhanced in-vehicle 12.3-inch multimedia display, a 10.2-inch coloured and adjustable head-up display (HUD), a 7-inch colour multi-information display (MID), a wireless charging system for smartphones, an LED ambient illumination, the Lexus Climate Concierge with a 3-zone independent temperature control system, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, multi-adjustable power and ventilated front seats, power reclining rear seats, a rear armrest with multi-operation panel, and a hands-free power trunk lid.



Available in 12 distinctive exterior colours, the all-new Lexus ES allows customers to express their individuality with two exclusive colours for the F Sport version. Two newly-developed exterior colours, Ice Ecru Mica Metallic and Sunlight Green Mica Metallic, further evoke the luxurious and glamorous atmosphere.



On the other hand, the interior comes in a total of five colour schemes, with two new schemes called Rich Cream and Chateau, and an exclusive scheme for the F Sport. There are five available ornamentations depending on the grade, with three new designs, including Bamboo, Shimamoku Black, and a Dynamic pattern called 3D Film, along with one exclusive design for the F Sport.  TradeArabia News Service
IKEA Bahrain, set to be the Swedish furniture giant's largest store in the region, will open to the public on September 5, it has been revealed.

The store will be open from 9 am to 10 pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from Thursday to Saturday, it will be open from 9 am to 1 am, according to a social media posting by the store. The restaurant at the store will be open from Sunday to Wednesday from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm and from Thursday to Saturday from 8.30 am to 12.30 am, it said.

The store in Bahrain's Salmabad area will have an official opening ceremony on September 4.

IKEA Bahrain is set up on an area of 37,000 sq m and it will boast a 6,200-sq-m showroom, a 6,000-sq-m market hall for accessories, a 5,000 sq-m self-serve area and a 4,000-sq-m full-serve area. The bistro and Swedish food market will take up about 500 sq m of the total area.

The prominent free-of-charge play facility called Smaland will come up on a 220-sq-m area, while the indoor 1,000 parking spaces will be spread over two levels. In addition, there will be 200 outdoor spaces.

The giant complex will also house a 650-seat restaurant, the biggest in the kingdom.

The store will have products to match the needs of the local market, said store manager Fatima Gustafson in an interview with TradeArabia last week.

As people move through our Inspiration rooms they will be able to touch and feel products that were created keeping them in mind. Weve truly focused on creating a better everyday life for the many people that will be part of the IKEA family, she said.

Also at our restaurant, we will cater to local tastes and sensibilities by introducing halal beef meatballs and other options like chicken and vegetarian meatballs, added Gustafson.

"The store's USP will be sustainability at low prices. We want as many people as possible to afford our products. Moving closer to the East simple implementation is impossible, instead, we have to adapt," he said.

Keeping in line with the brands sustainability mission, the design of the Bahrain store features transparent roof hatches, minimised glazed areas, skylights and solvent-free paints. In addition, condensate recovery technologies will optimise water flow in lavatories to save 50 per cent of water consumed and an intelligent lighting control system will automatically control lighting levels to suit the outdoor environment.

Last week, the store played host to more than 1,500 guests at the Family Day event ahead of the opening.

The event, which served as an operational test for the store, saw IKEA employees family members and those from contracting company and media, get a sneak peek into the store.

It was the first time all departments were running their full range of operations in a live, controlled environment, said the statement from IKEA Bahrain.

To date, all IKEA employees have undergone rigorous training to ensure they perform well.

Adding to the customers experience, each area in the showroom will have a sales desk where specialists can answer questions or offer home furnishing advice.

"Customers will find that everything in the store has price tags that also contain important information about size, colour, craftsmanship, measurements, features and care. Tags on large items will also tell customers where to pick them up in the self-serve furniture area," observed Gustafson.

The IKEA Bahrain store will also include a market hall, where customers can find everything from rugs to linens, picture frames to clocks, kitchen accessories to home lighting and even unique gifts. - TradeArabia News Service
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott Internationals distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels, has announced the opening of Sofa Hotel Istanbul, a chic retreat situated in the historical heart of Turkey.



Boasting contemporary interiors and a private collection of thoughtfully curated artwork, the 82-room hotel evokes its enviable location in the heart of Istanbuls chic shopping district, Nisantas. The boutique property joins Autograph Collection Hotels unique portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels around the world that share the brands values of vision, design and craft.



As Autograph Collection Hotels first property in Turkey, Sofa Hotel Istanbul proudly exemplifies our commitment to providing guests with exactly like nothing else experiences. As the official sponsor of Istanbuls Contemporary Art Fair, Sofa Hotel celebrates the citys art scene, showcasing the works of local and international artists throughout the building for guests to enjoy, said John Licence, vice president Premium & Select Brands Europe at Marriott International.



Designed by renowned Turkish architect, Hakan Kiran, the hotels interiors are tranquil and relaxing, offering a contrast to the citys bustling streets. Sleek lines, custom-designed furniture, bespoke artwork and modern light fittings complete the 82 guestrooms, which are decorated in grey tones with splashes of deep red, mustard and copper throughout. Five suites and a selection of terrace rooms with private balconies offer more space as well as stunning city views. Each guest room offers a large marble bathroom with standing shower and luxurious separate bathtub.



Located on the first floor, Sofie Restaurant is open 24/7 providing gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Highly acclaimed Frankie Istanbul, one of Istanbuls hottest rooftop destinations, offers an elegant and energetic ambience alongside a unique fusion menu of innovative Mediterranean dishes and local cuisine. Guests can also soak up spectacular views of the city at the stylish bar and lounge area, while enjoying the impressive wine list on offer.



For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, the Green Spa is an oasis of wellbeing and tranquillity utilizing the latest Asian and European wellness therapies. Spa-goers can choose from an array of body and beauty care, from Indian healing massages to hot stone therapy and traditional Turkish Hammams. The signature treatment  the Sultans Special  is a traditional Turkish scrub that originates from the Ottoman era. As well as enjoying personalized treatments, guests can explore the relaxation pool, Jacuzzi and luxurious Turkish bath.



Meetings and events are expertly catered to in the hotels five meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology. A flexible area for bespoke events, up to 250 people can be accommodated in the largest space.



Sofa Hotel is the ultimate destination for travellers looking to explore the citys heritage and culture. Guests can take a 10-minute stroll or hop on one of the vintage trams along Istiklal Caddesi, the main pedestrian boulevard, until they reach the citys renowned shopping quarter and eclectic dining scene.



Rates at Sofa Hotel Istanbul start from 140 ($162.3) per night. - TradeArabia News Service
The number of UAE visitors to Ireland have been increasing significantly, up 17 per cent over the last eight months, following the announcement of visa-free travel for UAE citizens to the Emerald Isle in January this year.



Enda Corneille, Ireland country manager with Emirates, confirmed the jump in visitor numbers, saying: Nothing else has changed, so I can only put it down to the visa exemption. Business class alone has increased by 28 per cent over the last eight months. This is very encouraging and possibly illustrates the economic benefit of the new visa regime."



The removal of visa requirements was a historic step to further facilitate Irelands growing trade, tourism and business relationships with the UAE. Ireland is an attractive and highly accessible destination for Emirati travellers and their families, as the two countries share many common values.

The GCC region is also the fastest growing market for the island of Ireland, witnessing a remarkable growth year-on-year.



Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said: The introduction of visa-free travel for UAE nationals to Ireland was a milestone for both the UAE and the Irish governments. This further strengthened the already positive relationship between the two nations and provided a welcome opportunity for UAE nationals to discover the culture, landscape and history of Ireland. We are delighted to see the increase in the number of travellers from the UAE to Ireland since January, when visa-free travel was introduced. We are confident that this figure will continue to grow and we look forward to welcoming many more UAE nationals to our country." - TradeArabia News Service
In his first 100 days as the Wells city administrator, CJ Holl made a report to the Wells City Council at the end of their meeting that blew them away.

Holls report highlighted the aspects of the city he has delved into, the projects he and the City Hall staff are currently working on, as well as showing the level of connection he has already made with the community. Holls presentation also informed the council on the workings within the City Hall staff including engaging the staff, building better connection, and fostering good communication between him and the staff.

Overall, it has been an incredibly welcoming experience so far, says?Holl. Ive been working diligently on creating and maintaining connections in the community. Creating change in a community is like moving a glacier; it takes some time, but it can be done.

Already,?Holl has had the citys Welcome to Wells signs painted by himself and his daughter Lily, has had South Broadway Streets streetlights retrofitted with new lighting, helped invigorate the attendance at the Wells Flame Theatre, along with many other minor projects alongside the citys larger projects.

The councils response to the presentation was just as positive. I really appreciate the effort you not only put into this presentation, but what youve already done in the community, said councilwoman Crystal?Dulas. Thank you very much.

Im blown away, said councilwoman Whitney Harig. And the amount of enthusiasm and encouragement you have for this community is amazing. Thank you.

During the meeting, regarding more detailed business matters, the Wells City Council heard from Scott Redig, of Nordaas American Homes, who made a formal request for right of way street access. His current project involves a side-load garage near Sixth Street SW, a location well-known to the council.

Redig requested the access in order to build the garage, and added he had spoken with property owner, Mike Weber, about the possibility of building more houses on the property.

Were really good at building houses, and we may be looking at doing more work in the future, but we do not want to get involved in a constant issue with the city regarding (water and electricity) access to it. We are all ears as to what we have to do, said Redig to the council.

As far as anything beyond the building of the garage Nordaas American Homes plans to build, the council suggested city administrator Holl work with city attorney David Frundt to go through the legalities of the development agreement between Weber and the city.

Questions arose as to whether or not the agreement would still be in place if Weber were to sell portions of the property, to which the entire council was hesitant to entertain.

I have been working with this issue since I started on the council, said councilman John Herman. Weve been working on those lots for forever.

And it was Herman who made the formal motion to have Redig work closely with Holl and Frundt regarding any further plans for the parcels of land.

In other topics, three representatives from NuStar Realty paid a visit to the council with regards to the Paragon Bank property. Kim Hipper, Summer DeMars and Sarah?Yates, two of which are United South Central graduates, were all present at the City Council meeting and expressed interest in trying to help the city sell the property. According to the councils agenda, they were prepared to sign an agreement with Heggen Realty, but chose to postpone the agreement in order for NuStar Realty to have a say in the property. The council asked NuStar to write up a proposal for the next council meeting slated for Sept. 10.

City engineer Travis Winter was also present at the council meeting where he requested an extension for the Sixth Street project. According to the change order, removal of pavement, sanitary sewer pipe, aggregate surfacing, as well as a number of other products were listed, adding $34,532.08 to the original $1,957,640.01 project, in order to extend services to the Weber property.

We may need indication of the location, but these extensions meet the requirements and the plan is to go right to the property line, Holl said to the council.

However, because there was discussion from Redig earlier in the meeting, the council chose to table the change order discussion to further discuss the legalities of it with both the city attorney and city engineer.

The Wells City Council also:

Approved an agreement with Bevcomm for an annual service contract. No changes were made to the contract, with council stating they were very satisfied with Bevcomms service.

Tabled a request from the Faribault County Firefighters Association for funds for a new trailer. Councilwoman Dulas was concerned as to where the current city budget was and asked that the request be tabled in order to look further into the citys budget to see if such an item was affordable for the city to do.

Made and approved a motion to increase the citys part-time wage from $9.65 up to $10.25 per hour. Holl expressed difficulty receiving part-time help at places like the swimming pool and theater at the starting wage where other locations in town offered a minimum start of $10.

We just want to be able to compete with other people hiring in town for those part time positions, said Holl. And at the start of the year, wages in Minnesota will go up to $9.86, we may as well be progressive.

Dulas made the motion of approving an increase to $10.25 for part time help at the beginning of 2019.

With much appreciation, accepted donations to the Parks and Rec Department in the amount of $1,600 from the Wells Greater United Fund, and a donation from Wendy Elasky on behalf of the Officers Support Network in Prior Lake, in the amount of $4,000 to the Wells Police Department.
Day of Knowledge and Students was widely celebrated in Turkmenistan on September 1.

Festive ceremonies marking the beginning of the new academic year were held in all secondary schools of Turkmenistan. The youngest schoolchildren  six-year-old first-graders  were the focus of celebrations. They were presented with laptops on behalf of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

This year, personal computers were donated to 146.873 thousand first-graders. The secondary schools of Turkmenistan held the first classes under the motto Turkmenistan is the Heart of the Great Silk Road.

In the evening, a concert was held at the Ashgabat Music and Song Center in celebration of Day of Knowledge and Students.

 TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021
Whenever Kokob began to lose hope during her long and dangerous journey to safety, it was the music that saw her through.

In some hangars in Libya they would let us sing, in whispers, the 16-year-old recalls. In others, everything was forbidden. Thanks to the music, I kept my hopes up along my terrible journey.

Kokob was just 13 when she left Eritrea and her family behind. She then spent two years in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, where she made the decision to travel on to Europe. It was to be a journey fraught with danger.

A new report from UNHCR shows that more than 1,600 people have died or gone missing while attempting to reach Europe so far this year.

"I kept my eyes shut for the fear."

The report shows that while the total number of people arriving in Europe has fallen, the rate of deaths has risen sharply, particularly for those crossing via the Mediterranean Sea from Libya, often after a harrowing overland journey.

New arrivals to Italy frequently report being sold by one armed group to another, being tortured as part of demands for ransom, being forced to pay sums of several thousand dollars, sometimes on multiple occasions, to secure their release. Children like Kokob run the same risks as adults.

The notebook in which Kokob transcribed some of her favourite songs.  UNHCR/Marco Rotunno

In the middle of the desert between Sudan and Libya the trafficker told me I need to pay additional US$2,200. Later, he took the money and sold me to other traffickers," she says. "After that they requested another US$2,500 and I was moved from one hangar to another, seven in total. Finally, I paid the final US$1,500 for the sea crossing. I spent more than one year in Libya.

Kokob was lucky. She explains that her grandmother and other family members sold property in order to find the money she needed to pay the traffickers ransom and secure her freedom.

The report shows that the total number of people arriving in Europe has fallen.  UNHCR

They were too afraid of what happens to people in Libya, she says. They wouldnt let me die in the hands of the traffickers.

Before Kokob embarked on her perilous journey, she bought one item  a memory card filled with music  which would help her through the darkest hours that lay ahead. She transcribed the songs into a notebook so that she could sing along, and added others from the companions she met along the way.

I learned some melodies from the others. We used to sing together whenever we needed to comfort each other. Sometimes people asked me to lend them the songbook, so they could sing and pray by themselves.

"People started singing to celebrate.

The night Kokob crossed the Mediterranean was the first time she had ever seen the sea. Before they arrived at the rickety wooden boat, she covered her precious songbook with plastic and hid it behind her back, so traffickers would not take it away from her. Then she climbed aboard with other 450 people.

The waves were so terrifying that not only was I unable to sing, I couldnt even look at the water. I kept my eyes shut for the fear. Only when we saw the rescue vessel, could I finally open my eyes. People started singing to celebrate.

This little songbook helped its young and brave owner survive the horrors of Libya and the Mediterranean crossing. She's now safe in Italy, where she keeps on singing after her #DesperateJourney pic.twitter.com/QVQUMOPtwy  UNHCR Italia (@UNHCRItalia) September 3, 2018

One week after the rescue vessel arrived in Pozzallo, a UNHCR team met Kokob, in a reception centre for unaccompanied girls. She smiled and said she wanted to study. At last, she was looking forward to the future.

Then, she sang the song that came to her in the middle of the Mediterranean, as she was being rescued.

Its called The Boat, and it says: You are my boat, you protected me from the waves, taking me to safe shore. Now I am not afraid of the waves."

Read a news release on the report here.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the Viet Nam Business Summit 2017. - Photo vmcg.vn

The summit is a part of the World Economic Forum ASEAN 2018 (WEF ASEAN 2018) in Ha Noi, being held between September 11 and 13, and is the years biggest trade promotion conference.

It will be held on the last day of the forum and give local companies the opportunity to learn from new business models and discuss their detailed plans with potential partners, Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Chairman Vu Tien Loc said at a press conference on Thursday.

The summit has also selected General Director of CitiBank, Natasha Ansell, and General Director of the budget carrier Vietjet Air, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, to deliver their presentations, Loc said.

Themed Viet Nam  Reliable business partner: Connection and Creativity, the summit will focus on Viet Nams position and opportunities in the regional and global supply chains and participants can share their experiences and practices in the fields of finance and infrastructure development, and learn from successful companies in the world.

Participants will have the latest report of Viet Nams economic conditions in the context of ASEAN being transformed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

They will also be updated about investment and business opportunities and conditions in the fields of finance, infrastructure development and private-public partnership.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and WEF Chairman Borge Brende will open the summit with talks to the business community.
A group of tenants near Paris whose apartments are to be destroyed to build the tallest skyscrapers in western Europe are refusing to leave after fighting for years to save their homes AFP/Thomas SAMSON

The Hermitage towers, two 320m buildings proposed by a Russian property developer, are due to be completed by 2024 in the La Defense business district to coincide with the city's hosting of the Olympic games.

Designed by British architect Norman Foster, the towers will stand just four metres shorter than the Eiffel Tower (324m from base to tip) on a location currently occupied by a social housing block which was built in 1974.

But twelve of the 250 apartments in the Damiers block are still occupied, according to the landlord, holding up construction in a battle pitting them against developer Emin Iskenderov and his 2.8 billion euros (US$3.3 billion) project.

"I was a political refugee," one defiant resident, anaesthetist Tatiana Dinulescu, told AFP as she recalled how she fled the former dictatorship in Romania. "It took time for us to build a new home, and now they're doing this. It's unacceptable."

She has lived in the Damiers flats for more than 20 years.

The struggle over the Hermitage towers comes amid a push to expand office space and residential sites in the Defense area, a centre of the French financial industry.

France is eager to attract banking jobs from London after Britain leaves the European Union, with lobby group Paris Europlace forecasting an estimated 3,500 finance and banking positions could cross the Channel to the French capital.

The Defense area west of the capital is the main high-rise zone of the French capital which has tight restrictions on tall buildings and a chronic shortage of space in its historic centre.

Future projects in the business district include "The Link", a new 244m high head office for French oil giant Total, as well as the 165m high Saint-Gobain tower to house the eponymous French construction business.

Other construction projects, including six high-rise blocks in the capital's 12th arrondissement, have been announced to house the Paris region's growing population which is expected to hit 13.5 million by 2050, according to the French national institute for statistics Insee.

"TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS"

Tenants on the site of the future Hermitage towers have been fighting the current owner of the social housing block, Logis Transports, since 2007, but they are now under increasing pressure.

Four families had to leave their homes immediately and with no alternative accommodation when police and bailiffs came knocking on their doors at 6.30am on Aug 1.

"They treated us like criminals," explains an evicted tenant who wanted to remain anonymous.

Having refused offers of alternative accommodation, she said she was forced to leave her home immediately with her 19-year-old son after fighting for ten years to save her home. "I couldn?t move a muscle without a cop on my back!" she said.

But the head of Logis Transports, Sylvie Vandenberghe, defended the actions of the company, saying that "the tenants have been offered numerous solutions."

She explained that selling the Damiers flats will allow "the funding of 1,000 social housing residences, with 500 in the local area."

Developer Iskenderov hopes to be able to set a start date for construction soon.

"We still aim to deliver the project by the start of 2024," he said in a recent statement.

The Hermitage towers will sit on the edge of the river Seine next to four smaller new buildings.
US investors are looking to join the expansion project of Dung Quat Refinery

On August 28, the joint venture and Tin Thanh joined a working session with Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (BSR), the investor of Dung Quat Refinery, to look for an investment opportunity in the expansion of the refinery. The parties discussed plans for the input and output of the plant as well as technology to be applied.

The expansion is expected to be completed in 2020 and upon completion, the expanded refinerys capacity will increase by 30 per cent or two million tonnes a year, to 8.5 million tonnes. It will be able to meet half of Vietnams fuel demand.

The expansion is expected to be completed in 2020, upon completion, the expanded refinerys capacity will increase by 30 per cent or two million tonnes a year, to 8.5 million tonnes.

It is not the first time that Tin Thanh expressed interest in joining Dung Quat Refinery. In November 2017, the group publicly announced its ambition to spend VND40 trillion ($1.76 billion) on buying a 55 per cent stake to become BSRs strategic investor, while the company only had a charter capital of VND200 billion ($8.8 million).

According to information published on BSRs website, Tin Thanh Group planned to buy a 5 per cent stake in BSR in 2017. The deal would cost around VND3.6 trillion ($158.5 million). Then, Tin Thanh and BSR will propose the prime minister to allow the firm to increase its holdings to 55 per cent in BSR. However, to date, no more information has been published.

Masters Depot and Wagan specialise in manufacturing auto applications, solar products, and power supplies.

GHN Group operates in building and maintenance in the petrochemical, petrol, and power sectors.

On January 17, BSR reported a successful initial public offering (IPO) with a complete take-up of the offered shares and a record selling price of VND14.8 million ($651.69) per share.

The average selling price was VND23,043 ($1.01), 57.8 per cent higher than the initial price. The lowest selling price was VND20,800 ($0.92). Of particular note, an individual investor succeeded in buying 10,000 shares at the record price of VND14.8 million ($651.69) apiece.

BSR earned VND5.57 trillion ($245.26 million) in proceeds, 1.5 times higher than its expectations.
Working session between delegation of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Faculty of International Relations under the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Source: VNA)

The delegation had working sessions with representatives from the Matias Romero Institute, the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP), and the Faculty of International Relations under the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

The two sides agreed to intensify cooperation and organise joint seminars on international issues of mutual concern as well as strategic research and policy making.

The Vietnamese side recommended the Matias Romero Institute and the Faculty of International Relations consider providing scholarships for young lecturers of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

Thao and the INAP President also agreed to soon sign a memorandum of understanding on training cooperation in the field of public administration.

While in Mexico, the delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy and paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in the historic centre of Mexico City.
Google Maps enthusiasts have discovered many unique and fascinating geographical structures from around the world. This time, the discovery of a big structure from China has sparked online debate as to the nature of the structure. Internet users have even named the region Chinas Area 51.

Chinas Area 51

Area 51 is the code name given to the secretive military base of the U.S. armed forces. While the U.S. denied the existence of such a base for decades, it formally acknowledged Area 51 in 2013.

Given that China is one of the biggest military powers in the world, people started speculating about the existence of a Chinese version of Area 51. And thanks to Google Maps, a few enthusiasts discovered a curious structure that resembles a high-tech military base right in the Gobi desert.

When the images popped up on the Internet, people started labeling the structure as having an extraterrestrial origin. The hype was fuelled by YouTube channels like the Thirdphaseofmoon, which focuses on UFO and alien conspiracy theories. Some people also started calling it Chinas Stonehenge.

However, it soon became clear that the structure, no matter how weird it looked, certainly was manmade. Stop with the hype, its a test rang[e] for reconnaissance aircraft, their cameras, and targeting equipment. Every country that puts satellites up, has ballistic missiles, or a fleet of ISR aircraft has a range like this, Fox News quotes a commenter.

The satellite image reveals a series of circular structures with a few aircraft, possibly military jets. A runway for these aircraft can also be made out from the image. People started digging up older satellite images of the region and found that the structure has had at least four aircraft on site for the past 13 years.

Other structures

This is not the first large-scale weird structure in China that has popped up on Google Maps. A few years earlier, people had noticed huge networked structures in the countrys desert.

One of them was located in Gansu, north of the Shule River. The structures intricate network of metallic strips is estimated to extend to 3,000 feet. The tracks of the structure seem to have been built with the express intention of being seen from orbit.

Again, it is still unclear what the place is actually supposed to be. Interesting speculations have pinned the structure to be some sort of a calibrating grid for the spy satellites of the Chinese. Some even say that it might be a QR code for aliens. Two more similar grids were also discovered and speculated to be targeting grids.

It is some kind of military target for airstrike or gunnery practice. Another 4 x 4 piece grid some 200 meters across has some pieces clearly blown to smithereens, again supporting the target practice theory, and a dummy runway in garish bluish-white is probably not for style-conscious aliens, but air-to-ground strafing practice, ZDNet quotes Paul Marks, tech correspondent from New Scientist.

He also brought up the possibility that Google Maps might have been hacked and the structures we see might only be overlays intended to fool people. While media outlets have approached the Chinese authorities for a formal clarification about the curious structures, the tight-lipped communist government has given no reply.

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Amid a worsening in U.S.-Russian relations that renowned scholar and left-wing journalist Stephen Cohen has recently characterized as being worse that during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a veritable onslaught of intense and unrelenting anti-Russian sentiment has been unleashed in the U.S.

The supposed rationale for this initiative is hostility toward President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, though its surely possible to discover other grounds for the firsts opponents to criticize him, and the anti-Russian venom is by no means limited to the nations government.

Unlike its prototype that began shortly after World War II, however, this time its not being spearheaded by an array of rock-ribbed conservatives, leaders of traditional religious groups, immigrants from Eastern Europe and the broader military-industrial complex but by coalition of media personalities (a disproportionate amount of whom are comedians and late-night television hosts), Hollywood celebrities, prominent Democrat elected officials, former intelligence agents and directors, webzine journalists and what during the years of the George W. Bush presidency were known as neoconservatives. As a whole this somewhat ragtag assembly consists of people who describe themselves as liberals, progressives and leftists.

The initial rallying cry for this xenophobic crusade was signaled by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election campaign when, among other illiberal and unsubstantiated claims, she denounced her then-opponent Donald Trump as someone Russian President Vladimir Putin would "have as a puppet" [1] and routinely slandered Julian Assange and Wikileaks as being under Russian control [2]. In her exact words, "theres no difference."

The drumbeat of Russophobia intensified in the final days of the campaign and rather than dissipating, only increased after the election, soon taking center stage in American political discourse, with the "Russian hacking" of state voting systems having been decided upon as a strategy for invalidating the election result. The topic has been resurrected in recent days, notably by former Clinton Administration Labor Secretary Robert Reich, in calling for annulling the election of Donald Trump, though the earlier accusation of tampering with voting machines and systems, now largely refuted, is no longer alluded to.

As all such politically-motivated initiatives aimed at the lower emotions and in this case at a several-decade-long history of deeply (perhaps ineradicably) ingrained anti-Russian fear and animus, this one has swept caution, healthy scepticism, moderation and decency aside.

Immediately after the election filmmaker Michael Moore (whos made a lucrative career out of straddling the divide between liberals and progressives) made inflammatory statements appealing to "patriotic generals" and praising the role of the Central Intelligence Agency, both in clear reference to saving the republic from President Trump.

Hollywood veteran Rob Reiner and the newly-created Committee to Investigate Russia produced a video in which actor Morgan Freeman menacingly intones: "We have been attacked. We are at war." [3]

In recent days late-night TV host and comedian Bill Maher fawned over ex-CIA director John Brennan in a manner more befitting an aspiring poet flattering a Roman emperor on his HBO show. Maher, who has used the word before, coaxed a by no means reluctant Brennan into acknowledging the charge of treason against Trump for having met with Russian President Putin in Helsinki in July. [4]

As writer Michael McCaffrey put it, only in a highly-charged politically environment like that obtaining in the U.S. currently could "a former CIA director who has committed crimes and war crimes such as implementing and covering up Bushs rendition and torture regime, spying on the US Senate, and masterminding Obamas deadly drone program, get a delirious ovation from those on the left."

With the death of Senator John McCain on August 25, the quintessential imperialist who spent a disproportionate amount of the days in each year traveling the world inciting insurrections and wars - more than any other American official, and politician of any nationality, in history that I can think of - became the new icon of the American liberal-left self-styled resistance. He has been lionized, nearly beatified as a sterling example of what an American political leader should be, an Ahura Mazda to Trumps Ahriman in the Zoroastrian scheme.

The current liberal-progressive (its own nomenclature) dispensation has traveled a long way from denouncing Joseph McCarthys red hunt - a sign at a recent anti-Trump march read "Joe McCarthy, where are you when we need you?" - and organizing to prevent the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to clamoring for the 21st-century equivalents of both.
On 2 September 2018, at around 0h35, the Damascus anti-air defence sprung into action. However, an enemy missile succeeded in striking the military air base at Al Mazzeh (Damascus), triggering a short-circuit which caused an ammunitions warehouse to burst into flames. For several seconds, an enormous flame could be seen.

For almost an hour you could hear more than a thousand explosions, resulting in the complete destruction of the warehouse and around 70 fatalities.

During the war against Syria, Israel has intervened on countless occasions in support of the jihadists. Generally speaking, Israeli planes fire on Syrian government targets from Lebanese air space, without invading Syrian air space.

Last week Iran and Syria signed a treaty making provision for Iranian engineers to play a role in reconstructing the Syrian military industry.

The Syrian Arab Republic is preparing to chase out the jihadists from the governorate of Idleb (in the North-West of the country) where they have now gathered.
Asia Argento. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

BuzzFeed News has confirmed that episodes of Anthony Bourdains Parts Unknown featuring Asia Argento have been pulled from CNN Go, the companys streaming service. Argento was accused of sexually assaulting a young former co-star, and CNN confirmed the decision to remove the episodes was a result of the allegations. In light of the recent news reports about Asia Argento, CNN will discontinue airing past episodes of Parts Unknown that included her, until further notice, a spokesperson told BuzzFeed. Argento and Bourdain had been dating at the time of his death from suicide this summer, and she appeared in only two episodes of the show: the Rome episode in season eight, where they first met, and the Hong Kong episode two seasons later which she directed. BuzzFeed also reports that the Buenos Aires episode of the show, which does not feature Argento but does depict Bourdain speaking to a therapist about his depression, has also been removed. CNN has not yet offered an explanation as to why that episode was no longer available.
A fake identity, a pre-paid cell phone and secret notes describing a kiss.

Those are the elements of a forbidden prison romance that has prompted authorities to recommend more security improvements at a New York facility that was center stage in a bizarre prison break three years ago.

In a report released Friday, the New York state inspector general revealed that changes made at the Clinton Correctional Facility in the wake of a remarkable escape in 2015 did not put an end to illicit relationships between inmates and employees.

In that escape, David Sweat and Richard Matt cut through steel walls and made their way through a maze of tunnels before escaping the Dannemora, New York prison. Joyce Mitchell, a prison tailor who had personal relationships with the men, had smuggled hacksaw blades for them and had also planned to be the pair's getaway driver, though she didn't show up.

Thousands of agents took on a nationwide manhunt for weeks until Matt was killed and Sweat was captured near the Canada border. Mitchell confessed to helping the inmates and was sentenced to up to seven years in state prison for promoting prison contraband.

In the new report, which examines the current security at the facility, authorities describe another relationship between a prisoner and a worker in the same prison's tailor shop.

The worker, Denise Prell, 39, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to 25 misdemeanor counts, including official misconduct, promoting prison contraband and sexual abuse, authorities said. She was released and will be sentenced November 13.

CNN has reached out to Prell's attorney for comment, but did not receive an immediate response Sunday.

Prior to her arrest, Prell had been chosen to be an assistant to actress Patricia Arquette, who was filming a Showtime series about the 2015 prison escape, the report says.

Related: Here's how inmates used helicopters, yoga and fruit to escape prison

Using a fake name

Prell was hired three months after the first-ever escape in the facility's 170-year history. She was found to have "engaged in an improper five-month relationship with an inmate" in 2017, the report says.

The inmate, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for a 2008 killing in Brooklyn, worked in the prison's tailor shop and trained other inmates. The pair met at the same tailor shop where Mitchell met the prisoners she helped escape.

What began as just personal conversations and notes hidden under a work clipboard turned into nearly a dozen phone calls over the months.

She bought a pre-paid cell phone to receive calls from the prison and used the name "Gwendolyn Freeman" to avoid being discovered.

Her new alias was a combination of her middle name "and the status -- a free man -- the inmate hoped to attain one day," the report says.

Authorities said they discovered more than 25 cards or letters addressed to the inmate from Prell's alias.

Sharing snacks and money transfers

Prell was also found to have made several money and contraband transactions with the inmate.

"Prell introduced contraband into the prison by giving the inmate $100 cash, and the two engaged in an unlawful romantic relationship, which included kissing and fondling on at least three occasions," the report says.

Authorities said the inmate ultimately used the money to purchase a radio from another inmate.

She also gave the inmate candy and beef jerky, which the inmate didn't like and ended up giving away to a fellow prisoner.

Prell also made regular deposits to the inmate's prison account and even paid $180 for a debt the inmate had with a relative.

Preventing illicit behavior

State officials said they have implemented numerous reforms to the Clinton Correctional Facility in the wake of the 2015 escape but more work needs to be done.

"The fact that another similarly situated employee engaged in much of the same sorts of conduct seems unfathomable and reminds us of the need for continued diligence in implementing the new security measures," said Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott in a statement.

Because Prell's violations are so similar to Mitchell's case, the state made more security recommendations part of the report.

The report recommends additional employee training focusing on inmate manipulation, more guards at the tailor shops and installation of more security cameras and monitors.
They've been described as "sonic attacks" -- bizarre, unexplained head injuries that spurred the United States to bring home diplomatic staff from China and Cuba. Now scientists are saying the ailments could have been caused by microwave weapons.

Though a March report based on the examinations of 21 diplomats who served in Cuba didn't link the attacks to microwaves, the study's lead author, Douglas Smith, director of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Brain Injury and Repair, told The New York Times that the diplomats likely suffered brain injuries and that microwaves are considered the culprit.

Brain injuries Caribbean Continents and regions Cuba Diseases and disorders Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government departments and authorities Head injuries Health and medical International relations International relations and national security Latin America Neurological disorders and injuries North America State departments and diplomatic services The Americas United States Wounds and injuries Asia China East Asia Science Investigations Concussions

"Everybody was relatively skeptical at first," he told the newspaper, "and everyone now agrees there's something there."

In a Sunday interview with CNN, Smith said microwaves are "a main suspect" in causing the diplomats' injuries, but ultrasound and infrasound were being studied as potential causes as well.

"It's almost like a concussion, but without a concussion -- meaning that they look like individuals who have persistent concussion symptoms but have no history of head impact," Smith said, describing the injuries and explaining that learning the cause is vital to determining the best means of preventing it.

"Just like we have ways to prevent people from having a concussion, you could think of maybe protecting your brain from these energy sources," he said.

What we know about the attacks

Most of the attacks came in 2016 and 2017, though there have been a handful of reported incidents this year as well.

A senior administration official told CNN that investigators have torn apart buildings where diplomatic employees encountered the sounds but found no acoustic devices, leading law enforcement to believe that the injuries were the result of microwaves beamed from a nearby location and that the "sounds" were merely a means of masking the microwave attacks.

This is only a theory, the official said, and there is no concrete evidence to back it. However, brain scans on the injured personnel showed changes that indicate damage, the official said.

'Everything fits'

Beatrice Golomb, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, concurred with Smith in a paper slated for publication later this month.

"Reported facts appear consistent with pulsed (radio frequency/microwave radiation) as the source of injury in Cuba diplomats. Non-diplomats citing symptoms from RF/MW ... report compatible health conditions," she concluded in her report.

"Everything fits," Golomb said in a university news release. "The specifics of the varied sounds that the diplomats reported hearing during the apparent inciting episodes, such as chirping, ringing and buzzing, cohere in detail with known properties of so-called 'microwave hearing,' also known as the Frey effect."

According to The New York Times, analysts are increasingly citing the Frey effect, named for scientist Allan Frey, who found microwaves can dupe the brain into hearing what it perceives to be normal sounds. This may account for the loud ringing, buzzing and grinding experienced by the injured diplomats.

The weapon could be portable

Microwaves are common. Radios, satellite television, radars, GPS, Bluetooth, cell phones and, of course, microwave ovens employ them, and they're deemed harmless in most applications, though the newspaper points out that governments, including the United States and Russia, have for decades studied ways to weaponize them.

The weapon itself would be portable, according to The New York Times, capable of being held in one's hand or mounted on a vehicle, and while most would work over the span of only a few blocks, high-powered versions could fire microwave beams up to several miles.

In a statement, the US State Department on Sunday neither confirmed nor denied the possibility that microwaves were behind the diplomatic injuries.

"The health and well-being of our personnel remains our top priority," the statement said. "The investigation into the origin of these symptoms continues. The inter-agency community is working diligently to determine the cause of the symptoms, as well as to develop mitigation strategies."

The Cuban government has yet to respond. Previously, it not only denied involvement in the attacks but cast doubt on whether they actually occurred. In June, Cuba's Foreign Ministry said "political motivations" drove the United States to withdraw its embassy personnel.

"There is no credible hypothesis or conclusions adhered to science that justify the actions taken by the government of the United States against Cuba to the detriment of the bilateral relationship," the statement said.

Less than two weeks later, the US State Department announced yet another diplomatic employee suffered "health effects" consistent with those experienced by other embassy personnel, and a second employee was being evaluated.

At that time, 25 Americans in Havana had been affected by the attacks, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

China, too

In June, the State Department expanded a health alert for China after a series of supposed acoustic incidents that left diplomatic personnel suffering injuries similar to their counterparts in Cuba. The original health alert 16 days earlier was issued solely for Guangzhou, where an American was diagnosed with a mild brain injury after complaining of mysterious sonic phenomena.

In the expanded alert, the State Department said it had sent an unspecified number of employees stationed in China back to the United States for medical testing.

The reason the incidents have been characterized in the past as sonic or acoustic attacks is because they coincided with high-pitched sounds. Diplomats to Cuba in particular experienced a variety of symptoms, including sharp ear pain, headaches, ringing in one ear, vertigo, disorientation, attention issues and signs consistent with mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier this year he was establishing a Health Incidents Response Task Force, led by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and including representatives from the departments of Justice as well as Health and Human Services.

The task force will serve as the "coordinating body for department and interagency activities, including identification and treatment of affected personnel and family members, investigation and risk mitigation, messaging, and diplomatic outreach," Pompeo said in a statement.

The sophistication of the attack has led US officials to suspect a third country is involved, perhaps as retribution against the United States or Canada -- whose diplomats have also been targeted -- or to drive a wedge between those countries and Cuba.

In August 2017, officials included Russia among a list of countries that have an adversarial relationship with the United States and that American investigators suspected might be involved. Russia is one of the few countries that have used microwave technology before, and a theory among investigators is that some rogue Cuban intelligence officials worked with Russia because they were not happy with the detente between United States and Cuba, the senior administration official said.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 02, 2018 | 03:35 PM | PADUCAH

Nashville recording artist and Paducah native Duane Sikes released his newest single last week, In Paducah, which evokes many of the citys distinctions that past and current residents will recognize and remember fondly.

Last year, when I realized I was truly leaving Paducah to live three hours away, I grabbed my guitar and wrote a song in 15 minutes about my hometown, says Sikes. It was a bittersweet feeling knowing I was leaving the only place I had ever lived.

The songs musical style is eclectic and inclusive, with reflections of rock n roll, blues and folk along with some country sound. Sikes turned to multi-Grammy award winning Joe Palmaccio to master the song, along with prominent studio engineer and saxophonist Jim Frazier and acclaimed drummer Steve Brewster, who has toured with Peter Cetera and recorded with Faith Hill, Chicago, Bob Seger and others.

Obvious references include Bobs Drive-In, where Sikes started working in 1982 when he was 15. I lied and told them I was 16 so I could get a job there, he admits. Also, Reds Donuts, which was originally a Southside business near where he grew up. The 1518 mentioned in the first verse is the historic train engine that has moved around the city over the years and can be found now at the riverfront.

More subtle is the nod in the instrumental solo to Paducah native Boots Randolph, professional saxophonist and major part of the Nashville Sound, best known for his hit Yakety Sax. Listeners familiar with the town may find other references too, as they listen. Sikes recorded a version with an alternate ending, just for fun.

The song will be available soon on iTunes, Apple Music, CD Baby, Spotify and anywhere else music is streamed.

Sikes and his wife Zelma live on a farm northwest of St. Louis, Missouri. Much of his family still lives in Paducah.
By Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools Sep. 01, 2018 | 11:06 PM | GRAVES COUNTY

"The idea behind the training is that things happen in all of our lives every day that have an adverse effect on us," said Marcie Leonard. "That sometimes carries over and becomes negative behavior in the classroom." The Graves County High School guidance counselor spoke about TICE (Trauma Informed Care for Educators) module training she and other counselors and administrators in the Graves County Schools recently completed, via the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative. "The TICE module training helps us understand that process and provides tools for teachers and counselors to understand, provide support, and become champions for these children in a tough world."

Leonard continued, "Negative behavior normally is not meant as anything personal toward the teacher or the class. It might be something so simple as a student not getting enough rest the night before because maybe a parent is an addict or because the student went to bed hungry. I think the reason to learn about this is that when an event occurs in a classroom, we  as counselors  have the time to sit and talk with them more than a teacher does because the teacher still has 30 more students to lead. We counselors utilize it, but I think it's a great resource for teachers as well."

"I thought the training was very eye-opening, an excellent opportunity, and something we want our teachers to have as a resource as well," said Graves County Central Elementary School assistant principal Alecia Ladd. "So, we are setting up times when the presenters can come into our school to meet with our teachers. I think this is important, because the teachers are the ones who face these situations on a daily basis. That's where the rubber meets the road."

Wes Johnson serves as in-school detention coordinator at Graves County Middle School. He said, "We discussed some factors that can influence how students' thoughts and feelings can influence their behavior. Factors could be, for example, a student's parents are getting divorced, drug use, certain levels of poverty, or even emotional or sexual abuse.

"There were several video segments they showed us in the training," he said. "For example, here's this girl who comes to school with her head down and we might just want to say, 'Stop being lazy. Why are you sleeping in class?' Little do we know, when this girl got home from school yesterday, she had to help her sibling with their homework. Then, she stayed up all night because her parents were fighting or she was afraid something was going to happen. She's not getting the care she needs outside school and that is why she's not performing as well in school."

Johnson concluded, "The additional resource of services through the Mountain Comprehensive Care counselors our district has arranged has been huge for a lot of our students. Now, more than ever, that's a great area of improvement for us. A lot of times, the old way of thinking was I'll suck it up and move on or when you walk through these doors you need to leave your problems behind, but that's an unrealistic expectation. We all bring parts of our lives outside school into school, including the adults. It's just learning to deal with those issues in healthy ways and recognizing them. As for this training, I wish more of our teachers, bus drivers, and everybody involved with the students could learn to pick up on some of the ideas from this training. I think being able to see some of these reasons for behavior going into a situation would be a very important benefit for the teachers to use."
pic.twitter.com/79gW84TpkG What a day! Our hearts are full of gratitude for the courageous Indigenous nations leading this legal battle, as well as our environmental allies + countless community members who have stood up to protect lands and waters from the #TransMountain pipeline + tanker project. #StopKM August 30, 2018

Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has rejected Justin Trudeau govt's approval to build the Trans Mountain expansion project. This is an huge victory for Indigenous groups & people across Canada who have stood against this pipeline.The Federal Court of Appeals decision to quash Ottawas approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is likely to delay the project for years, legal and political observers say.The ruling means the National Energy Board must consider the impacts of increased tanker traffic on the marine environment and the federal government must consult more meaningfully with First Nations.The energy board should first conduct its new review, which will involve receiving written submissions, consulting with Indigenous groups and holding hearings, said Chris Tollefson, a law professor at the University of Victoria.The boards first review took two years, and while the new assessment will be focused specifically on tanker traffic, Tollefson said the board must seriously consider the effects on endangered southern resident killer whales.The reality is that this proposal as currently planned would impact orcas unless it is changed, said Tollefson, who represented BC Nature and Nature Canada during the first energy board review.There are only 75 southern resident orcas left and few have reproductive potential. The project would have a serious impact unless design changes were made, such as altering shipping routes, reducing tanker speeds or the number of vessels, Tollefson said.In light of what the court had to say, I dont think that should be hurried. I think it needs to be done right. Its a central feature of this project.Once the board issues a new recommendation to cabinet, the federal government will have to redo its final phase of consultation with all the affected First Nations along the pipeline route.Eugene Kung, a lawyer who has worked for project opponent the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, warned that if Ottawa tries to rush consultation, the project could just wind up back before the court.The federal government continues to take direction from the courts and interpret it through a lens of, What is the least we can do? ... In the age of reconciliation, but also if the federal government is looking to avoid future appeals, they need to start aiming for something higher than the floor, said Kung.The court ruled that Canada must not only listen to First Nations during consultation, but also seriously consider their specific and real concerns and provide a response, including accommodations where necessary.For example, the Coldwater Indian Band in British Columbias southern Interior raised concerns about the pipeline route passing through an aquifer that is the sole supply of drinking water for the First Nations main reserve, but the government did not reroute the pipeline or provide a new water source.They were undertaking the (final) consultations with First Nations in a rushed manner and not taking the time to listen, to try to accommodate and to have a genuinely two-way conversation, which takes longer than listening, taking notes and relaying them to decision-makers, said Kathryn Harrison, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia.Its highly improbable Trudeaus government will be able to get the board review and Indigenous consultations done before the next election in the fall of 2019, said Harrison, who added that its difficult to say how the ruling will affect the Liberal governments chances.How does Justin Trudeau respond to (Alberta Premier) Rachel Notleys directives to him and withdrawal from the climate plan? she asked. What steps can he take to reassure the oil industry that Canada knows what its doing in reviewing major projects?To what degree does the government convince Canadians that buying this pipeline and committing to build a new one was a good investment of taxpayers dollars?It really depends on what the Trudeau government does.Notley announced Thursday she was pulling Alberta out of the federal climate plan until Ottawa gets the pipeline expansion back on track. She demanded that Trudeau appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court and hold an emergency session of Parliament.Trudeau said Friday he is committed to getting the project done the right way. He suggested he will follow the Appeal Courts guidance on how to proceed.We are taking the time now to understand the court ruling, which addresses two things that are very important to this government  getting the science and the environmental protections right, and making sure we are walking forward in a true path of reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous Peoples, Trudeau said after an event in Oshawa, Ont.Were going to continue to move forward to get this pipeline built in the right way by acknowledging what the court has said.Even if the federal government did seek leave to appeal and the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, that would take 18 months to two years, experts said.The expansion project would triple the bitumen-carrying capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline between near Edmonton and Metro Vancouver and increase tanker traffic in the Burrard Inlet sevenfold.Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd. first announced the proposal in 2012 and shareholders voted Thursday to sell the pipeline to Canada for $4.5 billion.
FEMA DENIES AID TO WNC AFTER THIS SPRING'S FLOODING AND MUDSLIDES; NO WORD ON WHETHER GOVERNOR COOPER HAS APPEALED THAT DENIAL

FIVE PEOPLE DIED, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE

As of Friday August 31, there had been no word from the governor's office about whether he had moved forward with that appeal. WHKP News tried several times last week, both by phone calls directly to the governor's press office and by e-mail, to get a confirmation on whether or not that appeal had actually been made. We left voice mail messages and we sent e-mails to the posted contacts...and got no response.

It now looks like no help is coming from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for Western North Carolina residents, businesses, and local governments hard hit by mudslides and floods that killed five people and destroyed homes and businesses back in May. There has been some assistance from USDA and some other federal and sources, but the agency charged with helping local governments and citizens recover after disasters exactly like last spring's floods and mudslides, FEMA, won't be helping and returning any tax dollars to Western North Carolina...unless an appeal from Governor Roy Cooper turns things around..

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. But as of Friday August 31, there had been no word from the governor's office about whether he had moved forward with that appeal. WHKP News tried several times last week, both by phone calls directly to the governor's press office and by e-mail, to get a confirmation on whether or not that appeal had actually been made. We left voice mail messages and we sent e-mails to the posted contacts...and got no response.

The governor said earlier that 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.

At the time of the floods and mudsiides, Cooper requested the declaration in a letter to President Donald Trump, and U.S. Senators. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis also put their weight behind the request with a letter to FEMA.

Five 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.

Governor Cooper personally visited the site of the massive landslide that closed N.C. Highway 9 near Bat Cave.

Polk County reaction

Officials 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.

Pittman told WHKP News he is grateful to Congressman Patrick McHenry, who represents Polk County in the U.S. House, for much help the congressman has been to Polk County since the disaster.

By Larry freeman from WHKP News and Goupstate.com Reports
UTICA- Utica Police are currently looking for people involved in a robbery that happened in Utica and ended in New Hartford.

Officials with the Utica Police Department told NEWSChannel 2, there was a robbery on Friday morning involving weapons. Suspects got into a vehicle and lead them on a chase to New Hartford involving several police units. The car crashed into a tree on Paris Road.

Police arrested a suspect at the scene but believe there are other people involved.

This is an isolated incident, and it's still under investigation.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Lafayette Mayor's Youth Council unveiled its latest project at the annual Labors Family Day Picnic.

The council designed new banners to represent each branch of the military that will go up on Veterans Memorial Parkway. There were also banners designed for Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.

They will replace the original banners first put up in 2010.

The council is made up of high school students from various schools across the city.

There were many steps necessary to getting this project off the ground. Including getting permission from each branch to use each crest.

The council collaborated with local veterans to make sure they banners properly reflected each branch.

Army veteran Joe Bumbleburg assisted them on the project. He reminisced to when the Vietnam veterans came home, and were not received well.

When I see these banners going up I see this as our community saying not just to those people but everyone, thank you for your service, he said.

Laura Gustafson is one of the council members. She said its exciting to know the banners will be seen by all in the community.

Talking to the veterans about the designing of it, it really meant a lot hearing them talk about their service and how much they contributed to the country and what they wanted represented, she said

The banners will go up on Veterans Memorial Parkway in the near future.




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FOI reveals extent of extreme pressures faced by North Wales hospitals

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Sep 2nd, 2018

North Wales hospitals have been under the most severe level of pressure more than 2,000 times since 2015, according to frightening new figures.

Statistics released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd have been at level four, described as extreme pressure, on 2,185 occasions up to August this year.

Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan faced the biggest strain, accounting for almost half (1,032) of instances, compared to 505 at the Maelor and 563 at Bangors hospital.

The situation has grown significantly worse since 2015 when hospitals only reached the top level 120 times, in contrast to 977 in 2017.

Last year Glan Clwyd hit level four more than once a day (469), but while its situation has improved in 2018, the Maelor has already arrived at the trigger point more times as of August (182) than in the whole of 2017 (174).

North Wales Assembly Member Llyr Gruffydd said the data showed the three district general hospitals are operating at almost permanent crisis levels.

He said: The dramatic rise from 120 incidents in 2015 to almost 1,000 by 2017 demonstrates that staff are being pushed to breaking point.

While 2018 has seen a decrease overall its hugely worrying to see that Wrexham hospital has levels of Level 4 escalation that are already higher this year than last year, and were only in August.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board has been under direct Welsh Government control over the last three years and weve seen this happen.

What will it take for this Labour Government to accept its part in the mismanagement of our NHS?

The four levels demonstrate how much pressure emergency departments in Wales are under and how hospitals should response.

According to an official document, level four is met when admissions are significantly above the expected number and available capacity, and patients are left waiting more than four hours to be seen.

Triggers include if emergency departments are unable to cope with demand and ambulance patients have waited more than an hour to be handed over to hospital staff.

It can also occur when there is a lack of capacity in the coronary and intensive care units.

The document states that the situation should be brought to the attention of the health boards chief executive and Welsh Government.

In response to the figures, Betsi Cadwaladr said escalation levels can change throughout the day.

Executive director for nursing and midwifery Gill Harris said: We have been open about the challenges we face in improving flow, which are the same as those experienced in most hospitals across the UK.

Escalation levels are not a performance measure. They are an internal management tool to aid the management of patients through the hospital system and the levels change throughout the day.

We remain extremely grateful to our staff for their professionalism and dedication to caring for our patients.

Earlier this month, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething announced a cash injection of almost 7 million for the beleaguered health board, which has been in special measures since June 2015 in the wake of the Tawel Fan mental health ward scandal.

He said the funding would be used to strengthen planned and unscheduled care services and deliver further improvements to mental health and learning disability services.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: Progress has been made in a number of areas under special measures but we have told the board we expect to see immediate improvements in other areas, in particular waiting times.

We have, and continue to, place more intensive support to deliver transformational change and improvements needed in planned and unscheduled care and a new chair has been appointed to drive this forward.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).
A woman in Alaska charged with murdering her two children almost two years apart searched the internet for ways to kill -- and get away with it -- before calling for medical help for her baby daughter, police in Fairbanks said.

Stephany Lafountain called Fairbanks emergency services in November 2017, saying her 13-month-old child was not breathing. An hour earlier, police say, her internet searches had included "ways to suffocate," "ways to kill human with no proof," and "How to: Commit the Perfect Murder."

Alaska Children Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Crimes against persons Criminal law Criminal offenses Demographic groups Families and children Family members and relatives Homicide Law and legal system Murder North America Northwestern United States Population and demographics Society The Americas United States Infants and toddlers

The child was rushed to a hospital but died four days later.

While investigating, police found that in September 2015, Lafountain also had called for help when her then 4-month-old child, also a girl, was not breathing. The death of that baby wasn't investigated as a homicide at the time, but the similarities in the two cases caused investigators to broaden their probe, the police said in a press release.

"This is just an unimaginable tragedy," Fairbanks Police Chief Eric Jewkes said at a press conference. "We have two infants, we have two babies, that were killed by their mother. How do we even imagine that?"

Lafountain, 23, was arrested Thursday and is charged with first- and second-degree murder of both children, identified by police only as C.P. and J.L. An unidentified public defender was appointed Friday to represent her, according to a case status posted online.

CNN has been unable to reach Lafountain's attorney.

J.L died in 2017 from lack of oxygen to the brain, and C.P., whose father was from a previous relationship, had symptoms consistent with suffocation, police said. Autopsies showed that both children were "entirely healthy, with no genetic abnormalities, no diseases, and no injuries."

In the course of their nine-month investigation, police found that an hour before calling for help in the latest incident, Lafountain's internet searches also included "Best ways to suffocate," Can drowning show in an autopsy report," "16 steps to kill someone and not get caught," Drowning and Forensics," and "Suffocating and Smothering."

J.L.'s father was in the military and deployed when Lafountain called emergency services at 6:24 p.m. on November 20, 2017. She also called the father's family, who tried to resuscitate the child.

Jewkes thanked the family for keeping silent over the nine months it took to investigate the case and arrest Lafountain.

The family "suffered in obscurity, in silence," Jewkes said. "They shouldered the grieving process alone, and we're going to bring this out to light and hopefully provide some kind of closure to them."
CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - The sunny conditions made it easy to take flight on Saturday.

The Brazil Clay County Airport hosted a fly-in.

Local aviation lovers and pilots met up to show off their aircrafts and hang out for the day.

People who brought their planes either fly for a living or used to.

This is the first time in years the airport has held an event like this.

"If one person comes out of this thing and learns something they didn't know before or maybe takes a step toward aviation, the aviation career, we've won," said Board Member Kip Clark.

Clark said the free event was a way to give back to the community.
CLINTON, Ind. (WTHI)- This is the 53rd year for the Little Italy Festival in Clinton. That makes it now one of the oldest running festivals in Indiana. Its festival that has been supporting non-profit organizations since the beginning.

One of these long benefiting organizations the Clinton Lion's Club tent. For over fifty years they have been here with their salami and cheese roulette game.

Dean Strohm of the Lions Club says it's a fundraiser that makes up a third of their yearly fundraising for their community programs.

"Plus our motto is we serve and this is a way that we can live up to that motto and serving our community," said Strohm.

The Lions Club isnt alone though. There are nearly ten other non-profits at the festival itself or around town for the occasion.

LIFT President Lynell McCracken says It's been one of the main goals of the festival to promote these local organizations since the beginning.

"Well, actually the festival was started by a group of nonprofits. The lions club kind of had the idea and went with it and so through that its kind of grown and spread," said McCracken.

What the festival is excited about is seeing the younger generations getting involved. Especially with some of the schools raising funds for their efforts.

Festival organizers just hope these kids will inspire more to attend the weekend-long event.

"Its great to have the older people with the tradition but the younger people have new ideas to get it going and get out there on social media and things like that and kind of meet people where they are so I think that's important and I think that's just going to help the festival grow," said McCracken.

Labor Day is the last day to visit the Little Italy Festival. Their hours on Monday will be from eleven in the morning to nine thirty at night. If you would like to learn more about the festival, check out their website here.
The head of the Mississippi Department of Corrections is now asking the FBI to help investigate the deaths of 15 inmates who died in August.

Pelicia E. Hall, MDOC commissioner, said in a statement Friday that she has been in contact with the FBI and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety regarding the deaths.

Continents and regions Corrections system Crime, law enforcement and corrections Deaths and fatalities Federal Bureau of Investigation Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - US Mississippi North America Prisons and jails Society Southeastern United States The Americas United States US Department of Justice US federal departments and agencies US federal government

Earlier this week, information was released saying 12 prisoners had died while in custody. Two more inmates were added to that list Thursday and one more was added Friday, bringing the total to 15 deaths.

"While we believe that most of the reported deaths during the month of August are from illnesses or natural causes, such as cancer and heart disease, based on available information, we are seeking assistance from others outside the department in the interest of transparency," Hall said in her statement.

Hall said Tuesday "the number of deaths the department is reporting is not out of line with the number of deaths in previous months." The latest DOC figures showed 47 inmates died in 2015, 53 died in 2014 and 71 in 2013.

Hall said in a Tuesday statement that the state's inmate population -- 19,425 as of Tuesday -- comprises "people from all walks of life and with all types of pre-existing conditions."

Reports from CNN affiliates suggest that at least one inmate did not die from natural causes.

According to The Clarion-Ledger and DOC, five of the dead prisoners were from Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, three were from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, five were from South Mississippi Correctional Institution and one was from Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. It is unknown where one of the inmates was being held.

Of the 15 inmates, one died in prison and nine died at a hospital. It is unknown where five of the prisoners died.

The cause of death for each of the 15 inmates is pending the results of an autopsy.
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - Lowndes County investigators are working to determine what caused a man to crash his motorcycle into a light pole.

It happened around noon on Hughes Road.

Chief Deputy Marc Miley says they don't know what caused the driver to lose control of the bike and run off the road.

The man was transported to the hospital.

Miley says his injuries were not serious.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A 20-year-old woman is facing a felony charge for using someone else's ID to get into a 21 and over bar in Tallahassee.

Amber Waples, 20, has been charged with use of another person's ID without consent.

According to court documents, officers were in the area of "The Strip" on West Tennessee Street Wednesday night monitoring the ongoing issue of underage drinking and fake ID use.

Around 10:25 p.m, officers saw a woman, later identified as Waples, present an ID to a security guard at the entrance of a bar. After a brief conversation, documents say the guard handed the ID back to Waples and banded her as "over 21."

An officer stopped Waples as she passed the entrance gate and asked her if he could see her ID. Documents say, "Waples willingly presented an ID that was clearly not her."

The officer informed Waples that the ID wasn't her and she replied, "Yes it is, that's me." The officer then asked Waples for any other item on her person that had the same name on the ID and asked to see her Facebook.

"She appeared to fumble around with her cell phone," investigators wrote, "and she began to shake nervously. After approximately 15 seconds she looked up at me and stated 'I'm sorry, it's not me.'"

The officer detained and escorted Waples to his patrol car. After being read her Miranda rights, Waples stated that she didn't know who the person was in the ID she presented.

As a result, Waples was arrested and charged with use of another person's ID without consent. She was booked on a $5,000 bond but has since bonded out.
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- There are still two areas of interest within the Atlantic Basin that we are watching. One is still a disturbance, while the other is a tropical storm.

There is an area of disturbed weather sitting near Turks and Caicos causing rain and cloudiness over the southeastern Bahamas. This disturbance is forecast to move into the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico, where environmental conditions will be more conducive for development. At this time, it is too early to determine where this disturbance will go, or how organized it may become. Right now, however, the Big Bend and parts of south Georgia have a good chance of seeing increased rain chances by mid-week. There is a 40% chance of development in the next 5 days.

Our second area of interest is now Tropical Storm Florence. This storm sits about 300 miles west of the southern most Cape Verde Islands and has sustained winds of 45 mph.

Over the next several days, Tropical Storm Florence is expected to move in a west northwest direction, remaining over water. At this time, this storm is not forecast to be a threat to land.
Chinese and Egyptian workers attend the launching ceremony of a 100-day construction competition in Sokhna Port of SuezGovernorate, Egypt, Aug. 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Meng Tao)

by Mahmoud Fouly

AIN SOKHNA, Egypt, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese investment in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) has been a success story of the productive China-Egypt economic partnership, Mahfouz Taha, SCZone vice chairman, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Taha hailed the investment attracted by Chinese industrial developer TEDA to the economic zone, including China's fiberglass giant manufacturer Jushi, which has helped Egypt become one of the largest fiberglass producers and exporters in the world.

"We consider a developer like TEDA and a tenant like Jushi our partners in development. TEDA is the largest industrial developer in the SCZone, which is another success story," the Egyptian official said.

Located in TEDA's industrial zone in the Ain Sokhna district of Suez province east of the capital Cairo, Jushi Egypt has recently celebrated the completion of a 200,000-ton fiberglass production base in its factory.

Jushi is currently the largest Chinese manufacturing project in Egypt with an investment of more than 600 million U.S. dollars. It has an annual production of more than 220 million dollars and an annual export of about 200 million dollars.

Taha said that Jushi has not only provided more than 2,000 job opportunities for Egyptians, but also paid the Egyptian treasury more than 300 million Egyptian pounds (about 16.8 million dollars) in taxes and over 600 million Egyptian pounds in customs over the past four years.

"Our relationship with the Chinese group of investors here in Egypt is based on partnership and we regularly meet together and resolve any problems facing them. Jushi's achievement is one of the results of this cooperation," Taha said.

TEDA is currently developing a total area of 7.23 square km in the Suez Canal economic region.

"TEDA completed the first phase of development of about 1.25 square km in two years, and it is currently working on the second phase that targets the development of 6 square km," Taha explained.

He added that the rise in Chinese investment in Egypt has turned the strategies and policies of the China-Egypt partnership into a reality.

"We wholeheartedly welcome Chinese investments in Egypt and they have the full support of the Egyptian leadership and government," he added.

In recent years, the Sino-Egyptian ties have been elevated to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, thanks to the strong support from the leaderships in both countries.

Accompanied by a high-profile delegation of ministers and officials, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi is scheduled to visit Beijing to attend the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) slated for Sept. 3-4.

Taha revealed that four contracts on new Chinese investment in the Egyptian economic zone are expected to be signed during Sisi's visit in Beijing.

"One of them is about the establishment of a factory for China's textile giant Shandong Ruyi Technology Group with huge investments and thousands of job opportunities," Taha pointed out.

He noted that the other contracts are about another textile factory, a factory for gypsum board production and a factory for producing modern construction materials.

The SCZone senior official also commended the work of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) that has recently started the main phase of the construction of a new terminal basin for Emirati corporation DP World, the main investor and container operator in Sokhna Port in south of the Suez Canal.

Taha said that Egypt offers many incentives to attract foreign investors, including a new investment law, an investment-friendly environment, security, cheap utilities and skilled workers.

"Egypt is the best choice for the Chinese investments in Africa, the Middle East and the Arab world," he said.

He stressed that his country eyes further cooperation with China in the economic zone in the light of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) .

Proposed in 2013, the initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

"We are stretching our hands to our Chinese friends and we are encouraging all aspects of the BRI," said the Egyptian official, stressing that Egypt can be a main hub for the initiative rather than a transit point.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 00:18:02|Editor: yan

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ministers have concluded two additional chapters at the negotiations, according to a Singaporean government press release issued here Saturday.

One chapter is on Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, and the other is about Government Procurement, according to the press release of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, which assumes the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) this year.

The conclusion of the two chapters have brought the total concluded chapters to four.

The 6th RCEP Ministerial Meeting was held here from Aug. 30 to Aug. 31 on the sidelines of the 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings.

The RCEP ministers acknowledged that negotiations have reached a critical and most challenging phase and that considerable work remains to be done. Officials will continue to intensify negotiations towards substantial conclusion, said the press release.

Singaporean Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, as chairperson of the ASEAN Economic Ministers in 2018, said that amidst immense challenges brought by rapid technological changes and stresses to the global trading system, "we have chosen to remain unified because we recognize that as an integrated region, we offer so much more to our trading partners than any member state acting alone."

Expanding ASEAN's economic partnerships will open up new growth frontiers in the global economy for the businesses and people in ASEAN, bringing about prosperity for all, the minister added.

Chan has urged relevant parties to strive to reach a final agreement on RCEP by the end of this year.

The RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement between the 10 ASEAN members and their six FTA partners - China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Launched in 2012, the RCEP targeted to cover trade in goods and services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property rights, competition policy, and dispute settlement, among others.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 00:23:03|Editor: ZX

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ZAGREB, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic opened on Saturday the 13th annual international conference "Dubrovnik Forum" in southern city Dubrovnik with a note that the Croatia supports cooperation with China and continuous European integration process.

This year's conference is organized under the title "Strengthening Resilience--Mediterranean, Europe, and the Western Balkans". According to the Croatian Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs, the forum will focus on challenges posed by migration, terrorism, climate change and an array of asymmetric threats that are increasingly testing Europe and the wider Mediterranean area on political, security, economic, social and cultural level.

In his speech, the prime minister noted the importance of the next year's "16+1" summit that will be held in Croatia. "Croatia is especially preparing for the meeting of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries because the initiative opens up great opportunities both for European countries and for China. We will do everything to prepare for this important meeting", Plenkovic said.

He stressed that the migration crisis in 2015 has had the biggest impact on the European political landscape and it changed political relations not only in Europe but in some members too.

"The consequences are an increase of populism and populist parties in all EU countries, and these consequences will be felt even next year when elections will be held in Europe", Plenkovic said.

Conference participants also discussed the dangers of the new refugee inflow, while Croatian hosts said that they will not set up barb wires at the borders. "We haven't done that as some states did, but we've employed 6,500 people to watch the borders and we think that's enough," said Plenkovic.

"Who could have imagined that everything that has been carefully built in the Schengen system for the last 30 years would be completely questionable and that fundamental values such as physical freedom of movement of people would become something that is not guaranteed," Plenkovic questioned. He supports further EU enlargement as one of the main challenges in this part of Europe.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 02:28:24|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit denounced Saturday the U.S. decision to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The AL chief said in a statement that the U.S. decision lacks sense of responsibility and humanitarian values.

Aboul-Gheit held Washington accountable for the harm expected to affect about 5 million Palestinian refugees who depend on the services offered by the UNRWA, which were provided mainly in healthcare, education and employment sector.

The U.S. Department of State said in an official statement earlier Friday that "the United States is ending all funding for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency."

It described UNRWA, which offers humanitarian services to over five million Palestinian refugees in the region, as "irredeemably flawed."

The decision will further aggravate the UNRWA's problems and crises that have been observed with deep concern over the past year, Gheit said.

He pointed out that the negative repercussions of the U.S. decision will not be limited to the refugees but also will affect the host countries, especially Jordan and Lebanon that are already hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees.

He asserted that the decision will complicate problems in the Middle East and will never contribute to the region's stability.

UNRWA, initiated by the UN resolution 70 years ago, provides services to registered Palestinian refugees in its five regions, namely Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, offering education, healthcare, relief, social services, infrastructure, camp improvement and microcredit.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 02:33:25|Editor: Yurou

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LUWEERO, Uganda, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- At a middle school called Everest College in Luweero town of the Luweero district in central Uganda, Smith Mugisha said that he already has learned the Chinese language for nearly one year.

Customs in the Chinese culture must be followed in Chinese language learning, just like chopsticks have to be used when eating food, Mugisha said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Mugisha is among the 500 students at this middle school who have enrolled to learn the Chinese language.

Culture is key in learning the language, echoed Vanessa Kawiwambe, another student at the school.

She said Ugandans need to position themselves to reap the benefits from the increasing trade and economic ties with China.

Kawiwambe hopes to become a lawyer in the future and one day she will be able to provide legal services to those Chinese companies setting foot in Uganda.

At home, Kawiwambe also teaches her mother basic Chinese. She hopes that they both will be fluent in speaking Chinese some day.

Angela Nyiriek, Kawiwambe's schoolmate, told Xinhua that she desired to be an engineer in the future. She said she hoped to be able to work for Chinese construction companies when she returned to her home country South Sudan in the future.

Namisi Moses Apollo is their Chinese language teacher. He takes them through the intonations, while they repeat after him to perfect their skills.

Apollo is the only Chinese language teacher at the school and there are lots of lessons scheduled for him.

Acknowledging the challenges in teaching the Chinese, like lack of learning aid materials, and a specific classroom block for the Chinese language students, he perseveres in his efforts to widen the future prospects for the students.

"Understanding the Chinese culture is going to help our people know how to deal with the Chinese people," he said.

Apollo himself studied Chinese when he got a scholarship to pursue his bachelor's degree in international trade in China. He spent about one year at Nanjing Normal University for the Chinese language preparatory classes before proceeding to Liaoning University in Shenyang for his degree.

In 2013, Apollo went to Dalian University of Foreign Languages where he obtained his Master's degree in Chinese language teaching. He dreams of chasing his doctorate degree in Beijing.

Apollo is among the few Ugandans qualified to teach the Chinese language in the country, although the Ugandan government hopes that there will be more Chinese language teachers in the country as it is deepening its economic and trade ties with China.

China remains one of the main sources of foreign direct investment in Uganda. In the last five years, Uganda government figures show that Chinese investment grew to 3 billion U.S. dollars with a potential of creating 45,000 jobs, and bilateral trade value in 2017 hit over 800 million dollars.

SCALE UP

Currently, over 100 secondary school language teachers in Uganda are taking Chinese language classes, and 35 of them are likely to acquire the skills for teaching the Chinese language.

The teachers will be the basic staff as the government prepares to introduce the Chinese language learning into school curriculum.

Yet, some private schools like Everest College, Luyanzi College and British School of Kampala are already teaching Chinese on their own.

Teaching the Chinese language at Everest College is a pilot project of the Confucius Institute of Makerere University, Uganda's top university.

The institute has 80 university students studying Chinese as one of their subjects for a bachelor's degree and over 2,000 people taking short-term courses in Chinese.

The institute management said they planned to increase the number of Chinese language teachers to cater for the rising demand for the Chinese language learning.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 02:38:27|Editor: yan

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BAGHDAD, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr Saturday confirmed that his Sairoon Coalition will not return to square one.

On his Twitter account, Sadr said "no return to square one, as no return to quota system, sectarianism, ethnicity and corruption."

Sadr said that he will resort to political opposition in the parliament if the next government would be formed on bases of former principles of quota system that harmed Iraq in the previous stages of the political process.

"The government must be formed on condition of serving Iraqis," Sadr said. "It must be a government with Iraqi decision that serves the people through ministries led by independent technocrats."

Sadr's comment came as the Iraqi political blocs are in negotiations to form the largest alliance before the first session of the new parliament.

The negotiations have intensified since the Federal Supreme Court ratified the final results of May 12 parliamentary elections on Aug. 19, marking the first step toward forming the new Iraqi government.

The court approval confirmed the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections which showed the Sairoon Coalition, backed by Sadr, won 54 seats in the 329-seat parliament as the front runner.

The ratification widely opened the door for Iraqi politicians to form the next government and would give a push for the tough negotiations by the political blocs to form the largest alliance before the first session of the new parliament.

According to the Iraqi constitution, the ratification of the results entails the outgoing President Masoum to call on the new parliament to hold its first session under the chairmanship of the eldest parliament member within 15 days from the court's ratification, to elect a president of parliament and then the president of the country, who will ask the largest alliance to form a government within 30 days.

On May 12, millions of Iraqis went to 8,959 polling centers across the country to vote for their parliamentary representatives in the first general election since Iraq's historic victory over the Islamic State militant group in December 2017.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 04:38:56|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Policymakers and experts from Ethiopia and Djibouti on Saturday underscored need to tackle the different cross-border security related challenges and threats in the Horn of Africa region.

High-level policymakers and experts drawn from the two Horn of Africa countries, under the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD), evaluated over the past few days the bilateral as well as regional security threats towards realizing sustainable peace and development in the region by fostering regional economic integration, IGAD said on Saturday.

One of the areas along the border of Ethiopia and Djibouti that was discussed among multi-sector participants was the Dewele-Tog Wajaale corridor, a common rail and road crossings between the two countries. The corridor also stretches all the way between Ethiopia and Somaliland to the Gulf of Eden.

According to IGAD, the corridor is faced with multiple cross-border criminal activities including migrant smuggling, illegal cash flows, contraband and smuggling of prohibited goods and counterfeiting.

As Ethiopian and Djiboutian policymakers and experts urged the need to tackle cross-border security threats in the region, the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) had also recently reiterated their support to create stability in the region.

Noting the challenges attributed to the fragile regional peace and security conditions across the region, UN and AU in February this year jointly underlined the need to "engage actors of the broader Horn of Africa region in order to find a holistic approach to the management of conflicts."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 05:14:03|Editor: Liangyu

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Erik Solheim, the executive director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) speaks during an interview at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 31, 2018. The upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will provide an ideal platform to boost China-Africa partnership on ecological matters, said Erik Solheim, the executive director of UNEP. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

by Jin Zheng, Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will provide an ideal platform to boost China-Africa partnership on ecological matters, said Erik Solheim, the executive director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"I hope the meeting will develop win-win solutions where Africa can learn from Chinese experience on fast development and also how China is turning around to be an environment-friendly country," Solheim told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The UNEP chief will be attending the FOCAC summit, to be held in the Chinese capital of Beijing on Sept. 3-4, whose theme is "China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation."

He noted that China's proposed Belt and Road Initiative that will feature prominently at the FOCAC summit could pave way for green development in Africa.

He said investment in environmentally friendly infrastructure projects like road and rail proposed under the Belt and Road Initiative will ensure that Africa becomes a green and prosperous continent.

The UN environment body will be hosting a China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center that was proposed during the previous FOCAC summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa in December 2015.

An interim secretariat that oversees running of this center serving as a hub for robust China-Africa cooperation to advance the green agenda was launched in August this year.

Solheim said operationalization of the center will facilitate transfer of skills, technology and expertise required to tackle threats to ecological sustainability in the world's second largest continent.

"The idea is to establish a platform for transfer of Chinese technology into Africa and also technologies from other parts of the world," said Solheim.

"So if China can help Africa move rapidly into solar, that would be a great opportunity. If China can help Africa manage its waste that is a good opportunity," he added.

The UNEP chief said African countries can tap into electric mobility that has a strong foothold in China to address pollution in their rapidly growing cities.

Solheim noted that the FOCAC summit will provide a platform for African countries to learn from China's concept of ecological civilization and possibly replicate it at home as they embark on their quest to promote environment-friendly economic growth.

"There is a lot China can offer to Africa, to drive green development of this continent. The ecological civilization that started in China can also be embraced by the rest of the world and Africa to lead us into a future where environment and development can co-exist," said Solheim.

He said China's success in protection of pandas and waste management offers valuable lessons to African countries in their bid to strengthen conservation of endangered species and tackle pollution in burgeoning cities.

The UNEP chief stressed that China's global environmental stewardship will be key to sustaining the fight against climate change and protection of vital ecosystems in Africa.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 05:24:04|Editor: yan

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AHENS, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhang Mingzhou was elected new president of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), it was announced here Saturday during the celebratory closing ceremony of the 36th IBBY international congress.

Zhang is the first Chinese elected to the top post of the non-profit organization which promotes reading among children worldwide since its establishment in 1953 in Switzerland.

As a non-governmental organization with an official status in UNESCO and UNICEF, IBBY has a policy-making role as an advocate of children's books.

"East meets West around children's books and fairy tales" was the main theme of the three-day congress hosted in Athens, UNESCO World Book Capital for 2018.

Addressing the congress after the introduction of the new members of IBBY's Executive Committee, Zhang expressed confidence that by working together across the globe, the more than 70 IBBY national sections will further help promote understanding and peace through children's books.

Zhang starts his term after helping launch cooperation between IBBY and iRead Foundation, a China-based welfare foundation, which over the past decade has helped promote reading across China.

During congress, IBBY and iRead Foundation signed an agreement for the establishment of the iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award.

Under the deal, iRead Foundation will be for 20 years the sponsor of an award which will be given to two winners every two years.

The candidates for the award, to be launched early next year, will be nominated by IBBY national sections and selected by a jury, Zhang explained.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 06:54:32|Editor: ZD

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DAMASCUS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army denied reports that an Israeli missile attack targeted a Syrian airbase west of Damascus midnight Sunday, saying a short circuit caused an explosion in an arms depot near the airbase, according to the state TV.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 07:09:34|Editor: Xiang Bo

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Los Angeles man, called by media as the "dine-and-dash dater," faced 10 felony counts for allegedly going on dates with numerous women across the U.S. state of California before skipping out on the bill.

Local ABC news Channel Saturday reported that 45-year-old Paul Guadalupe Gonzales is accused of defrauding nearly 1,000 U.S. dollars from a string of women he met mostly through dating apps and online from May 2016 through April.

A dine-and-dash is regarded as a form of theft by fraud in the United States, in which a patron orders and consumes food and beverages from a restaurant or similar establishment with the intent not to pay.

In Gonzales' case, the report cited document of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reporting that he purportedly went to dinner with ten ladies he dated at restaurants in Los Angeles and nearby cities, where he ordered food and drinks then left before the waiter brought the check.

Eight victims wound up footing the entire bill themselves, while the restaurants picked up the check for two other women.

Gonzales is accused of seven counts of extortion, two counts of attempted extortion and one count of grand theft, which are all felonies, as well as two misdemeanour counts each of defrauding an innkeeper and petty theft.

His bail was set at 315,000 U.S. dollars, the report said, if convicted of all charges, he could spend up to 13 years behind bars in state prison.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 09:24:52|Editor: Yurou

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BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department of Thailand said over 78,000 people were still affected by the floods caused by tropical storm Bebinca and southwest monsoon.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said on late Saturday that 162,711 people from 55,353 families in 2,318 villages from 18 provinces have been affected by the flooding since Aug. 17.

Director-General of the department Chayapol Thitisak said floodwaters have subsided in 10 of the 18 provinces hit by the floods, leaving 78,334 people from 30,773 families in eight provinces still affected by floods.

However, Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) warned that 17 provinces will need to prepare themselves to embrace for more torrential rain from Saturday to Wednesday.

Samroeng Saengphuwong, deputy secretary-general of ONWR, said provinces that are likely to experience heavy rainfall include Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Samroeng, who also acts as director of the government's temporary center for crisis management, warned provinces of over-flowing water coming from Pasak River in Phetchabun and Prachin Buri River in Prachin Buri.

At the same time, two large dams in Kanchanaburi province are draining more water, causing flooding in low-lying areas surrounding the dams.

Vajiralongkorn Dam in Thong Pha Phum district will discharge 5 million cubic meters more water per day, while Srinakarin Dam in Si Sawat district will increase the rate of water releasing by 6 million cubic meters per day.

The Thai military is delivering relief by boats to the flood victims.
A Maldivian couple attend a mass wedding ceremony on the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge in Male, the Maldives on Aug. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)

MALE, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- While the 2-km China-Maldives Friendship Bridge inaugurated on Thursday gave the friendship between the two countries a "concrete form," the five weddings held on the bridge on Friday added to it an additional dimension.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, the friendship bridge looked majestic and colorful with Chinese and Maldivian flags fluttering in the light breeze, as tender music gave the atmosphere a hint of romance.

Indeed, romance was in the offing. The newly-inaugurated bridge was picked as the wedding venue for five couples, who tied the knot in full scale wedding ceremonies.

The shy but smiling couples walked slowly across the bridge to accept the blessings of friends and family as scores of cell phone cameras clicked and videographers took shots from various angles.

The ceremonies were held in different parts on the bridge with each wedding party allotted an exclusive place complete with all facilities including a dining area to have the wedding feast.

Ceremonies over, the couple and guests were served a sumptuous meal on tables laid out on the bridge.

One of the grooms told Xinhua that he was very "honored" to be selected to be wed on the "grand China-Maldives Friendship Bridge."

"Marriage is a major event in life. The bridge will bring a new life to Maldivians. I hope the bridge will bring us good luck," he said.

Maldivian couples attend a mass wedding ceremony on the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge in Male, the Maldives on Aug. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)

According to local media reports, when the Maldivian Ministry of Housing and Construction released news about the "Bridge Wedding" in early August, it received overwhelming responses from Maldivian society.

It is said that more than 250 couples had applied for registration, from which the ministry selected five couples.

Interestingly, it is reported that all couples were required to be unmarried earlier.

One of the couples appeared to have sensed the logic in the insistence on having only first timers going through the ceremony on the bridge.

"The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is the first bridge in the history of the Maldives. This is the first time the Maldives has held a wedding on the bridge. We are the first to marry. So choosing to hold a wedding on the bridge is very meaningful for us," the groom said.

Connecting capital Male and neighboring Hulhule island where the Maldives' main international airport is located, the bridge makes it possible for locals and tourists to transfer between the two islands within five minutes.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 09:44:57|Editor: Yurou

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BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed the appointment of new commanders of the armed forces in the latest military reshuffle, local media said.

The reshuffle, which involved 935 senior officers with ranks equivalent to colonel and upward, was published in the Royal Gazette on Saturday and will take effect on Oct. 1.

Gen. Apirat Kongsompong will take the lead as the new army chief and will retain his positions as secretary to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and commander of its peace-keeping forces.

Gen. Apirat was previously the deputy army chief, handling logistics, ordnance and procurement under the Ministry of Defense.

Gen. Pornpipat Benyasri, chief of staff at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, becomes its commander.

At the Royal Thai Navy, deputy commander Adm Luechai Ruddit will become its commander.

At the Royal Thai Air Force, assistant commander ACM Chaiyapruk Ditsayasarin was promoted to commander.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha said the new commanders of the armed forces will take oath after Oct. 1.

These commanders will work under the command of the NCPO, supposedly the last group of members before the general election expected to take place between Feb. 24 and May 5 next year.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 10:15:00|Editor: Xiang Bo

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YANGON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Some 15 islands in Myeik and Kawthoung, Myanmar's southern coastal Tanintharyi region where pearl farms are located, will be open to visitors in October, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Sunday.

The 15 islands accommodate a state-owned and 11 private pearl farms.

Tourist vessels are not allowed to enter into the pearl farming area. However, tourist vessels are to anchor outside the restricted area and relevant farms will pick up the tourists using their small fiber boats, an official of the Myanmar Pearl Enterprise was quoted as saying.

U Myo Lwin, the enterprise's general manager, said if the time of visit coincides with inserting of pearl nucleus into the oyster and extracting of the pearl from the oyster, tourists can observe the operation from a designated area.

"Once the pearl farms are opened for visitors, it will provide additional benefit to the tourism industry," said Thein Swe Myint, chairman of the Myeik Tourism Entrepreneurs' Association.

Myanmar pearls, produced from the Myeik region, are penetrating the international market by holding auction annually for thrice, once in local currency and the other in foreign currency at home, while the third was done abroad.

Myanmar sold more than 200,000 pearls annually over the last five years.

Myanmar was renowned for its South Sea pearls in the 1800s when "sea gypsies" dived for natural pearls around 800 islands of the Myeik Archipelago in the far south of the country.
President of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore Tan Siah Kwee (first from the left) and Chen Hongwu (third from the left), Secretary General of the International Calligraphers Federation and the Party Secretary of China Calligraphers Association, demonstrated the calligrapher work of Singaporean President Halimah Yacob (second from the left). (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

SINGAPORE, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 13rd International Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition kicked off here Saturday with a total 386 exhibits from over 20 countries and regions.

Singaporean President Halimah Yacob officiated the opening of the exhibition.

The show was initiated by the International Calligraphers' Federation and organized by the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore. It attracted calligraphers from Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America and South America to hand in their works, which are displayed in three venues, namely the Singapore Calligraphy Center, the Singapore China Culture Center and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center.

Over 200 calligraphers also attended the exhibition, which is part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore.

Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Hong Xiaoyong(third from the left), and Singaporean President Halimah Yacob (fourth from the left ) and President of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore Tan Siah Kwee (fifth from the left) cut the 50th birthday cake of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

In her congratulatory message, Halimah Yacob said the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore has made significant contributions to Singapore's arts and culture landscape. Through calligraphy classes and the National Huichun Calligraphy Convention, they have helped deepen cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.

She also expressed the belief that the exhibition would lead to new cultural exchanges and the strengthening of ties and friendships among different countries and regions.

The president also demonstrated at the opening ceremony her calligraphy by brush writing a Chinese word "Ji," which means luckiness.

The show will run until Sept. 30.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 11:05:06|Editor: Xiang Bo

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YANGON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Local businesses will submit a proposal to the regional government in Myanmar's central Magway to establish an industrial zone there, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Sunday.

The industrial zone was proposed to be located far from the residential area as the noise, odor and air pollution from existing industries and factories are affecting the nearby residents.

There are many small scale industries clustering in urban areas of Magway with over 100 groundnut mills, 50 edible oil mills, noodle, fried bean and roasted sesame mills, as well as iron and steel businesses.

Close to Magway is an ongoing Myotha Industrial Park in Mandalay region being jointly implemented by the Mandalay region government and Mandalay Myotha Industrial Development (MMID) Public Company, with more than 100 plants to be constructed on a 1,000-plus-acre plot within three years.

At present, five plants, including animal feed plants, saw mill, concrete plant and a snow cookie plant with investments from Indonesia, Denmark, Thailand, China, are operational.

So far, investment of about 3.2 billion U.S. dollars from 56 foreign enterprises and local investment of 3.75 trillion kyats (2.8 billion U.S. dollars) were approved by the Myanmar Investment Commission in Mandalay region as of December last year.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 11:05:06|Editor: Xiang Bo

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by Peter Mertz

DENVER, the United States, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The so-called U.S. Friday deadline for Canada to agree to trade terms elapsed with little fanfare, as both countries agreed to wait until next week to resume talks. Experts and scholars see the two sides are keeping "alert" about any bad deal or no deal for them.

"It is unclear what the ultimate shape of any deal with Canada would look like," said Vincent Smith, an economics professor of Montana State University (MSU).

"Whatever the deal, American consumers are likely to be losers because of what is called trade diversion," he told Xinhua Friday.

"Two and three party trade deals between countries often disadvantage other countries who can offer the same or very similar products at lower prices," said Smith, who is also an expert in the agro-economics field and a visiting fellow at the think tank, The Enterprise Institute.

"U.S.-Mexico deal falls into that category of bilateral trade agreements and will be costly for every U.S. household," Smith said.

Colorado State University political science professor Peter Harris said: "This is all very theatrical and it allows (U.S. President Donald) Trump to occupy center stage and portray himself to domestic audiences as an entrepreneurial deal-maker -- someone who is not afraid to pick fights even with America's neighbors."

"But the reality is that, as a result of Trump's approach, the U.S. is achieving far less on the world stage that it otherwise could have," Harris told Xinhua.

He believed the NAFTA negotiations were a distraction from the bigger picture.

On Wednesday, Trump tweeted he had "home-field advantage" against the Canadian negotiating team after Tuesday's agreement with Mexico.

But Canadian negotiators warned Thursday that they were bound to no deadline and "no deal was better than a bad deal."

The U.S.-Mexico deal means "Canada has been confronted with the potential loss of the major market for exports of Ford, other autos, and auto parts made in Canada," Smith said Friday.

Only 15 percent of U.S. exports go to Canada and punitive tariffs on Canada's auto sector could cost 100,000 jobs in the Ontario area alone, and have been called "catastrophic" by the Canadian media.

Provisions for automobile trade in the proposed U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, as well as some potential loss of markets for agricultural and other exports, like wheat, sent Canadian negotiators scrambling earlier this week to Washington, said Smith.

With 75 percent of Canadian exports, or the equivalent of one-fifth of its GDP, traded to the United States, Canada cannot afford to be shut out from the new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian media reported Friday.

The United States and Canada failed to meet a Friday deadline imposed by the Trump administration to revamp the NAFTA trade agreement as major differences remain in bilateral talks.

Trump on Saturday tweeted that there is "no political necessity" to keep Canada in the new NAFTA.

"If we don't make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out," Trump said, threatening to terminate the 24-year-old trilateral trade deal.

The United States and Mexico struck a trade deal on Monday, which might pave the way for replacing NAFTA.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 11:15:08|Editor: Xiang Bo

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TAIPEI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- In front of dozens of curious tourists in the Alishan House in the scenic area in Taiwan, He Ping vividly talks about the planets with Powerpoint slides and a paper planisphere.

"If you hold the planisphere with your purlicue, you will find your thumb right on the Lyra constellation, whose brightest star is Vega," he says.

He is an astronomy teacher at the hotel in Alishan, a mountain resort and nature reserve in Chiayi County, southwest of Taiwan. He has been recruited by the hotel to draw more tourists there as the island struggles to retain visitors from the mainland amid a tourism lull in Taiwan.

The current lull followed the election of Taiwan's new leader Tsai Ing-wen, who assumed office in 2016. Tsai has refused to adhere to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, angering people on both sides of the Strait.

According to local authorities, the number of tourists from the mainland to Taiwan was more than 4.18 million in 2015. But after Tsai was elected, the number dropped significantly to less than 2.73 million last year, down more than 30 percent.

Alishan suffered one of the biggest losses. According to the latest figures, the nature reserve saw 698,000 visitors from January to May this year, compared to less than 1.2 million tourists from the same period in 2016.

Under such circumstances, it is no wonder that those in the business are trying unique ways to attract more visitors, including using astronomy.

He, 60, teaches astronomical knowledge to those staying at the hotel in Alishan, and takes them outside at night to see the stars and the moon after class in Alishan, a place he says is perfect for star gazing.

"The class has been effective as far as I can see," he says. "The lodgers are quite interested in astronomy, and our class size has been gradually increasing."

He's teaching career started more than a decade ago, when he taught astronomical lessons at the Taipei Astronomical Museum.

"At the time, my classes were well received," he says. The students and their parents then spread the word about the quality of his class, and some local hotels began to take notice.

"A local hotel in Hualien caught wind of my class and thought about recruiting me at their hotel to help boost reservations four years ago," he says.

In the beginning, the hotel had an occupancy rate of less than 30 percent. After He was recruited, the number jumped to more than 90 percent.

"The hotel staff felt it was quite effective, and my business soared," he says. Currently, several hotels have hired He and his peers to teach astronomy.

In the iconic scenic spot of Alishan, He's lessons also upped the number of guests at Alishan House, he says. He also introduced his peers to the hotel to teach classes. In recent years, the number of guests attending the astronomical classes has been on the rise.

"At first, we only taught during the summer holidays, but as more people came, we extended the classes throughout the year," he says.

For the first few classes, there were only a few people, but He did not take them for granted and worked very hard to prepare for the classes.

"I wanted my class to be fun and interesting, so I would watch TV and listen to the radio, and incorporate the latest events into astronomy," he says. "I don't want my class to be dull."

In class, He usually introduces the basic astronomical knowledge to the students -- usually parents with their children. Then he hands out a paper planisphere to each person and explains the constellations on it. After the one-hour class, he takes the students to the top floor of the hotel or outside to observe the stars.

"I use a laser pointer to show them the constellations, and ask them some questions to get them involved," he says.

He says he has noticed a decrease of tourists from the mainland in recent years and hopes such classes can help attract more people to Taiwan.

While teaching astronomy on the island, He is also promoting such classes on the mainland. He is currently in negotiations with a hotel in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, to open an "astro-classroom" there.

"We are thinking about building a giant screen in the hotel classroom," he says. "The screen can display a simulated night sky."

He says that while in class, students can watch the sky display to learn about the stars. After class, the screen can be opened to show the real night sky, so that students will be able to put to use what they learn in class.

"I hope I can contribute to the astronomy education on the mainland and help cultivate talent," he says.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 11:40:13|Editor: ZD

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BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The wife of a Thai fighter jet pilot was reported to commit suicide by jumping off the high building of a Bangkok hotel on Saturday, police said.

The 46-year-old woman, identified as Chandrawan Thammawichai, the spouse of Thai Air Force's Capt. Chakkrit Thammawichai, was found dead on the ground after she jumped off the ninth-story parking lot of the hotel on Ratchadaphisek road in the Thai capital, according to the police.

On the corridor of the hotel's parking lot from where the woman jumped off lay a "farewell" letter hand-written by the deceased, the police said.

The police are to investigate a possible motive which may have prompted the fighter pilot's spouse to commit suicide.

The pilot is considerably well-known among the rank and file of the Thai Air Force and used to fly a JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet based in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 13:35:29|Editor: Xiang Bo

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Indian police have probed the brother-in-law of the country's main opposition Congress party chief Rahul Gandhi in a land scam in northern Indian state of Haryana's Gurgaon city.

"A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, a businessman, and former Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda, for their role in irregularities in land deals in Gurgaon," a police official said Sunday.

The FIR, which was lodged Saturday on the basis of a complaint filed by a local farmer, accused Vadra's company of purchasing land in various parts of Gurgaon at low cost from a real estate developer in 2013 and selling it back at a higher cost after a change in classification.

"Real estate developer DLF has also been named in the case for selling and buying the land back from Vadra, while Hooda, who was then chief minister of Haryana, has been booked for facilitating the land classification," the official said.

Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, has denied the charges.

"It's an attempt to distract people from real issues. It's election season and there is an increase in oil prices, so let's divert the real issues of people," he told media.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 15:05:47|Editor: Li Xia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Namibian President Hage Geingob at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Namibian President Hage Geingob on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said China and Namibia jointly announced an upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership during President Geingob's visit to China in March, and an overall planning of cooperation between the two sides has therefore been made.

Xi said he is glad that all the consensuses reached by the two sides are being implemented in an orderly manner.

China is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, and the two sides should understand and support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

Both sides should better align development strategies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, Xi said, adding the two countries should promote infrastructure construction and production capacity cooperation within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the FOCAC.

China supports Namibia in further developing itself and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, Xi said.

Geingob said the two sides have been working together for a long time and the upgrade of Namibia-China relations has benefited both countries.

Namibia firmly upholds the one-China policy, and thinks positively of the Belt and Road Initiative, believing the initiative is beneficial to connectivity among Asian, African and European countries, and industrialization in Africa, Geingob said.

The president also thanked China for its wildlife protection efforts in Namibia.

The FOCAC is an important mechanism for enhancing Africa-China cooperation and promoting African development, said Geingob, adding that Namibia is committed to deepening Africa-China mutually beneficial cooperation, and looks forward to the full success of the Beijing summit.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 15:30:53|Editor: Li Xia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi highly appreciated Al-Bashir's deep friendship with China and his important contributions to advancing China-Sudan relations.

Calling Sudan an influential country in Africa and the Arab world, Xi said China firmly supports Sudan's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, security and stability and opposes foreign interference in Sudan's internal affairs.

Pragmatic cooperation between China and Sudan has played an important part in promoting the economic development of both countries and stands as a fine example of South-South cooperation, Xi said.

China welcomes Sudan's participation in the Belt and Road construction and would like to take the opportunity to boost energy cooperation between the two countries and create a new mode of agricultural cooperation covering the entire industrial chain, Xi said.

China commends Al-Bashir's active engagement in pushing the signing of a comprehensive peace deal by all parties in South Sudan and is willing to work with Sudan to make an active contribution to peace and stability in South Sudan, the Chinese president added.

Hailing the solid mutual political trust and deep traditional friendship between the two countries, Al-Bashir spoke highly of China's great achievements in development and its important role on the international stage.

Al-Bashir expressed his gratitude for China's firm support for Sudan's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, independence, and stability, as well as for Africa's course of peace and development.

Sudan supports the Belt and Road Initiative and the proposal for building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future, Al-Bashir said.

The Sudanese president also expressed the willingness to enhance pragmatic bilateral cooperation between the two countries and their coordination in global and regional affairs.

After the meeting, the two presidents witnessed the signing of agreements on bilateral cooperation.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 16:01:00|Editor: Li Xia

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HOHHOT, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- As Mellat Dilnar, a student from Kazakhstan who has been pursuing her studies in Beijing for three years, lets breeze gently move her hair in front of the ancient ruins of Ulanqab, she feels like she is back in the boundless steppe of her home country.

"The idea of the Silk Road has been with me since I was a child," said Dilnar, who is starting her thesis on the Silk Road for her doctorate study. "Caravans used to travel from here to my hometown of Almaty and beyond."

Literally meaning "red mountain ridges" in Mongolian, the city of Ulanqab in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region lies at the pass of Mount Yinshan.

It remained a key station of the Silk Road on the grasslands, a divergent branch to China's traditional land route to the West, until the city was destroyed amid rebellions in the mid-14th century.

"We always say that China is the ocean and port of Kazakhstan," said Dilnar. "The old route now has a new orientation."

The ancient trade depot sees an opportunity to relive the past grandeur since the Belt and Road Initiative -- the proposal for building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road -- was put forward by China five years ago.

OLD ROUTE, NEW STYLE

"Among China Railway Express's 17 hubs on the way to Europe, Ulanqab is the only non-provincial capital," said Wang Xinyu, vice mayor of Ulanqab.

Since the first China-Europe freight train from Chongqing to Duisburg of Germany was launched in 2011, there have been more than 10,000 trips and the trains continue to serve as a crucial network of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Last year alone, there were 111 China-Europe freight trains sent from Ulanqab, accounting for 80 percent of the region's total.

"Opening-up and boosting trade are our top priorities," said Vice Mayor Wang. "The China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor is an opportunity for us."

The upgraded transport link with China's northern neighbors has opened international markets for Ulanqab's traditional businesses such as its leather industry. Leather making companies from Beijing and Shanghai have moved here to better serve Russian and European customers.

"Not only does local cargo converge in Ulanqab, but cargo from north China or even across the country also comes here for redistribution," Wang said.

The old trade center now has a new ambition. A logistical channel that connects Ulanqab with Mongolia's Ulan Bator and Russia's Ulan Ude is being planned. It will be 1,160 km shorter than the current China-Russia trade route.

INNER MONGOLIA AND ITS WORLD VISION

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is now more than ever involved in global connectivity.

The region's Erenhot and Manzhouli to the north of Ulanqab are the mainstays of border connections with Mongolia and Russia. Last year, 569 China-Europe freight trains passed through Erenhot, and more than 1,300 through Manzhouli.

In the first seven months of 2018, the trade volume between Inner Mongolia and countries participating in the Belt and Roald Initiative reached 5.73 billion U.S. dollars, up 6.4 percent year on year, or accounting for 67.8 percent of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region's foreign trade volume.

"Inner Mongolia has become a logistics hub for sending Chinese goods to Europe," said Xu Jun, senior vice president of Prologis, a logistics real estate company. "We expect to fit our role in the region's development with the company's business in Europe."

The complementarity between China and the rest of the world in the past centuries is taking a new form in the trade through Inner Mongolia.

Agricultural and mechanical commodities, steel, automobiles and hi-tech products are among the exports. Products such as coal, wood and copper, iron and lead ores are among the major imports.

In August 2018, China and Mongolia agreed that the bilateral trade should reach 10 billion U.S. dollars by 2020. Inner Mongolia's role as a passageway will be further underlined.

"We will be back in Inner Mongolia for further research later this year to seek opportunities to provide high-quality logistics infrastructure for the region," Xu said.




[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

EDMONTON, CANADA September 1, 2018. Video game developer Beamdog announced that Waffle Crew cast members of the D&D Livestream Dice, Camera, Action! are recording voice-over packs for the Beamdog Enhanced Edition Family of games. Waffle Crew portrait and voice-over packs will be available as DLC in the following games on Steam, Beamdog, GOG, Google Play, and App Store: Baldurs Gate: Enhanced Edition

Baldurs Gate II: Enhanced Edition

Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition

Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition Cast members Holly Conrad, Jared Knabenbauer, Anna Prosser Robinson, and Nathan Sharp began recording in Seattle this week. Its so exciting that the characters weve created will come to life in these iconic games, said Holly Conrad. We worked with the Beamdog writers to develop dialogue that remains true to the Waffle Crew, while still maintaining the classic style of Baldurs Gate and Neverwinter Nights. Beamdog CEO, Trent Oster, hopes the voice-over and portrait packs will attract new audiences to Beamdogs Dungeons & Dragons Enhanced Editions, and provide a fun option for existing players. Dice, Camera, Action! is successful because of the lovable personalities on the show. Hollys been a huge supporter of titles weve released and we love her work, especially her epic Lady of Pain cosplay. Were honored the Waffle Crew has agreed to lend their talent to Beamdogs Enhanced Edition titles, and we think fans will enjoy the end result. The DLC voice and portrait pack will be released later this year on Steam, Beamdog, Google Play, GOG and App Store. About Beamdog We are Beamdog, a team of artists, designers, writers, and developers gathered in Edmonton, Canada to bring tabletop and roleplaying games we love to modern audiences. Since 2009, weve brought enhanced versions of classic Dungeons & Dragons games and exciting original content to fans new and old. Were best known for bringing beloved isometric roleplaying games like Baldurs Gate and Planescape: Torment back to life on desktop and tablets as Enhanced Editions. We love immersive games where players can choose their own journey, and the communities that spring up around them. If youre excited about Dungeons & Dragons, and classic RPGs, stick around! You havent seen anything yet. Visit our website www.beamdog.com for more details About Dice, Camera, Action! and the Waffle Crew Dice, Camera, Action! is the longest-running Dungeons & Dragons liveplay show on twitch.tv/dnd. Chris Perkins is the Dungeon Master for the amazing group of adventurers known as the Waffle Crew. The cast includes: Holly Conrad as Strix, a tiefling sorceror

Anna Prosser Robinson as Evelyn Marthain, a human paladin

Jared Knabinbauer as Diath Woodrow, a human rogue

Nathan Sharp as Paultin Seppa, a human bard The campaign began as a play-through of the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons campaign, The Curse of Strahd. Dice, Camera, Action! airs Tuesdays at 4 p.m. PDT. Episodes are also available as podcasts. About Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), is the leader in entertaining the lifestyle gamer. Wizards players and fans are members of a global community bound together by their love of both digital gaming and in-person play. The company brings to market a range of gaming experiences under powerful brand names such as MAGIC: THE GATHERING and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. For more information about our world renowned brands, visit the Wizards of the Coast web site at www.wizards.com
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 16:11:02|Editor: Li Xia

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BANGUI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Central African Republic (CAR) stands ready to join the Belt and Road Initiative and wants its central location in Africa to be an advantage, President Faustin-Archange Touadera said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

In the run-up to the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Touadera said the Belt and Road Initiative is "the important subject of connectivity."

The CAR is "a continental country that does not have an outlet to the sea, and this hampers its development," said the president. However, with the Belt and Road Initiative, his country is now able to "turn this handicap into an advantage, because the CAR is at the heart of Africa."

"If we want to build roads, necessarily the roads go across the CAR. If we are developing air transport, I think that the CAR is a central point from north to south, from east to west," he said.

The CAR is thus ready to join the Belt and Road Initiative with other African countries and the Chinese government and the Chinese people, he added.

Ahead of his trip to China to attend the Beijing summit, Touadera spoke highly of bilateral cooperation which is "in the mutual interests of both countries."

"The CAR and China have very good relations of cooperation and friendship, it is an opportunity for me to thank the Chinese government and the Chinese people for this cooperation," he said.

According to the president, there is important potential for bilateral cooperation that is already fruitful. Infrastructure, transport, energy, mining, agriculture and health are among the priority areas for cooperation.

"Our desire is to be able to see this cooperation intensify and develop," he said. "There is no obstacle to the development of this cooperation ... We have men who are committed on both sides and governments that want to go in that direction."

"We are working on recovery issues. We have partners like China who support us in this context," he said, taking the Chinese medical team as an example.

The day after the interview with Xinhua, Touadera visited the Hospital of Friendship in the capital Bangui where the Chinese medical team is based, and witnessed a donation of medicines and medical equipment.

At the end of the interview, Touadera recalled his stay in China in 2005 when he was rector of the University of Bangui. "It was a good experience," said the president.

"The Beijing summit is very, very important for Africa and also for China ... These exchanges will be very important for the development of Africa in general in all areas, and there is an experience that we should know and share," he said.

"The first thing we are looking for is to benefit from the Chinese experience," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 16:16:03|Editor: Lu Hui

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said the China-Equatorial Guinea friendship has become increasingly solid with the passage of time, calling it "a fine example of South-South cooperation" and describing the two countries as reliable partners and brothers who have jointly injected new vitality into their comprehensive cooperative partnership.

The president called on both sides to continue to deepen exchanges of experience in governance and ruling party building, and to support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

China welcomes Equatorial Guinea's participation in the Belt and Road development and supports Chinese enterprises in actively engaging in infrastructure construction in Equatorial Guinea, Xi said.

China will strengthen communication and cooperation with Equatorial Guinea in human resources development, education, healthcare, tourism and other areas, help the country realize its 2020 development plan, and enhance strategic communication and collaboration at multilateral agencies including the United Nations, the president said.

Noting that this is his 10th visit to China, Obiang called China "an important positive force" on the international arena. He said his country highly values developing the relations with China and firmly pursues the one-China policy.

Obiang thanked China for its long-time help, saying Equatorial Guinea is willing to learn from China's development experience, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continue to strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs.

Equatorial Guinea is full of expectations for the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC and believes the summit will bring even more welfare to the African and Chinese people, Obiang said.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 16:41:07|Editor: Li Xia

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BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4, is expected to set a new path for a higher level of China-Africa cooperation.

Since 2000 when the FOCAC was formally founded, especially since the 2006 Beijing summit and the 2015 Johannesburg summit of FOCAC, China and Africa have seen closer ties in various respects, producing win-win results toward the goal of building an even stronger community with a shared future.

Here are key facts and figures worth knowing to better understand the China-Africa cooperation:

COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC AND COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at the Johannesburg summit that he and African leaders had reached a unanimous consensus on lifting China-Africa relations to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.

Earlier in 2013, during his first visit to Africa since taking office as Chinese president, Xi expounded on China's Africa policy, noting that China adheres to the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and upholds the values of friendship, justice and shared interests.

TRADE & INVESTMENT

China's trade with Africa has registered fast growth. From 2000 to 2017, the total trade volume between China and Africa increased by 17 times.

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. In 2017, China's trade with Africa surged 14 percent year on year to 170 billion U.S. dollars. The fast growth continued into the first half of 2018 when the trade volume jumped 16 percent to nearly 100 billion dollars.

China's investments into Africa surged by more than 100 times from 2000 to 2017.

In the past three years, annual Chinese direct investment into Africa was about 3 billion dollars on average. By the end of 2017, China's investments of all kinds into Africa totaled 100 billion dollars, covering almost every country on the continent.

TEN COOPERATION PLANS

In 2015, China announced 10 cooperation plans for the next three years to boost its cooperation with Africa and offered 60 billion U.S. dollars of funding support to ensure the implementation of the initiatives.

The big package covers areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, infrastructure, financial services, green development, trade and investment facilitation, poverty reduction and public welfare, public health, people-to-people exchanges and peace and security.

According to preliminary estimates, Chinese projects completed and underway under these cooperation plans are expected to bring the continent 30,000 km of highways, 85 million tonnes per year of harbor capacity, over 9 million tonnes per day of water-cleaning capacity and about 20,000-megawatt power generating capacity while creating some 900,000 local jobs.

MAJOR PROJECTS

Infrastructure construction has been one of the priorities in China-Africa cooperation. Last year, a 480 km China-funded railway opened to connect Nairobi and Mombasa, reducing traveling time between Kenya's two biggest cities by half and creating 46,000 jobs.

China also helped construct Africa's first transnational electrified rail, which provides landlocked Ethiopia quicker access to seaport in Djibouti.

In July, the China-built International Free Trade Zone in Djibouti was inaugurated, which is estimated to handle over 7 billion dollars worth of trade in the next two years.

FRIENDLY RELATIONS

China has established diplomatic relations with 53 African countries.

Xi has attached great importance to China-Africa relations. After he was elected Chinese president in 2013 and in 2018, he both chose Africa as the destination of his first foreign visit.

Since the 2015 Johannesburg summit, Xi has visited Africa three times. Nearly 30 heads of state or government from Africa have visited or attended meetings in China.

PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES

The past few years have witnessed an increase in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. There are more than 130 pairs of sister cities between China and Africa. Africa receives over 1 million Chinese travelers every year.

At the end of 2017, there were 54 Confucius Institutes in 39 African countries.

By the end of 2018, China is expected to train over 200,000 African professionals in various fields via programs in Africa and is expected to train over 40,000 African officials and technicians in China.

THREE SUMMITS

Themed "China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation," the upcoming Beijing summit is the third FOCAC summit. Various African leaders and the chairperson of the African Union Commission will attend the summit, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General as the special guest and 27 international and African regional organizations as observers.

This summit will be a significant diplomatic event hosted by China this year, attended by the largest number of foreign leaders, according to State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The FOCAC summit in Johannesburg was themed "Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development." The first summit of FOCAC took place in Beijing in 2006, with the theme of "Friendship, Peace, Cooperation and Development."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 17:56:26|Editor: Li Xia

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Suraya Raiszadah, an Afghan female journalist of The Kabul Times, a daily government-run newspaper works at her office in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2018. Despite mounting challenges, Afghan women journalists still persist in going to work every day, said several female reporters during an interview with Xinhua recently. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

KABUL, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Despite mounting challenges, Afghan women journalists still persist in going to work every day, said several female reporters during an interview with Xinhua recently.

After the fall of Taliban, Afghanistan now has more than one hundred radio stations, nearly 80 TV networks and hundreds of publications. However, Afghan women, in the still insecure country, have little to celebrate as their representation in media is still not been followed suit.

During the Xinhua interview, some female reporters for the only state-run English newspaper "The Kabul Times" blamed the numerous types of threats, including vicious social traditions, to challenge their work and life.

Massouda Qarizada, a female journalist with 10 years of work experience in different media including The Kabul Times, said cultural barriers, discriminatory contracts, hazardous working environment, unsound rivalries among co-workers and the like, are still threatening female journalists in Afghanistan. But she is committed to never bowing to any threats deterring her from her work in media.

"I have full support of my family and am not working for making money, as I have no economic problem. I work to realize my value of education, and I want to work to serve my people," she said.

For some girls and women, like Shukria Kohistan, another female reporter at the newspaper for more than 10 years, journalism serves as a desire and a tool to help promote women's rights, as she had done much for women, particularly interviewing some Afghan widows and raising their voices and grievance.

Enjoying complete support of her family for her work in media, Kohistan said various threats and intimidations against women journalists still exist in the Afghan society.

"When going out to cover an event, people would say why a woman should be a journalist, why they don't stay at home."

Having experienced death threats and serious intimidations from unknown armed men for many times, Karima Malikzada, the daily's photo reporter has no other way but to carry on as her parents were killed in civil conflicts and she is the only bread earner for her long ailing sister.

Hamidullah Arefi, chief editor of "The Kabul Times", said all his female reporters are very much committed to their work, "despite facing social obstacles while reporting from the area."

They also receive training from the newspaper, so that they can improve their abilities and report news of the country in a responsible and neutral manner, Arefi said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 18:26:31|Editor: Li Xia

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BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Madagascan ambassador to China Victor Sikonina praised the momentum of the cooperation between African countries and China, saying the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is a successful mechanism.

Sikonina, who is also the dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in China, told Xinhua in an interview that the Africa-China cooperation has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, under which all issues are discussed, and intense exchanges in various fields have multiplied.

"The FOCAC is a great idea and continues to be an example of win-win cooperation in the world," said the African diplomat, adding that it is "based on trust and brotherhood" between Africa and China.

The climate of mutual trust allows the leaders of both China and African countries to carry forward the cause and forge ahead into the future, he said.

Sikonina spoke highly of China's opening-up policy, the defense of multilateralism, and the Belt and Road Initiative, which invites all interested countries to participate in.

He expressed his confidence in the sound bilateral relations between China and Madagascar, which he said is playing a role of bridge between Africa and China.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 19:01:37|Editor: zh

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi said that during his successful visit to Mauritius about a month ago, he deeply felt that China-Mauritius friendship enjoys popular support and broad prospects.

The two sides should give full play to the political guiding role of high-level exchanges, increase communication, continue to understand and support each other on issues of core interests and major concerns, further enhance political mutual trust, and actively conduct win-win cooperation, Xi said.

China will continue supporting Mauritius in playing an active role in international and regional affairs, and support small island nations in implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said.

Jugnauth said President Xi's visit to Mauritius has provided a new and strong driving force to the development of Mauritius-China relations.

Noting that his country is undergoing an economic transition, Jugnauth said Mauritius hopes to learn from China's development experience and enhance cooperation with China.

Mauritius firmly supports multilateralism and would like to strengthen cooperation with China on international and regional issues, he said.

Jugnauth expressed thanks to China for taking into full consideration the reasonable concerns of small island nations like Mauritius in preparing the summit. Mauritius supports President Xi's initiative of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and is ready to jointly build an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 19:11:40|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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JERUSALEM, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel has developed a new drone which can be used to rescue drowning people in the sea, a local newspaper reported Sunday.

The new drone, developed by the private company Blueskimmer, carries three floats that swell rapidly with water, and is designed to expand the range of lifeguards at the beach, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Once the lifeguard identifies a person in distress 200 meters away in water, the drone can release the floats in just 15 seconds.

It is also equipped with a public-address system, through which the lifeguard can instruct the person in water.

The drone is made of carbon fiber and can operate within a radius of up to 2 km from the lifeguard's shelter, thus dramatically shortening the initial response time in drowning cases.

Tel Aviv-Yafo, one of the largest cities in Israel, has 13 beaches with a total length of 13.5 km, attracting thousands home and abroad during the summer.

The number of deaths by drowning has reached 51 on the beaches of Israel since the start of 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 19:11:41|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Saturday condemned the continued escalation of violence in and around Libya's capital Tripoli, urging all parties to abide by a UN-brokered cease-fire agreement.

In a statement issued by Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, the secretary-general particularly condemned "the use by armed groups of indiscriminate shelling leading to the death and injury of civilians, including children."

The indiscriminate use of force is a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, the secretary-general said, adding that all parties should grant humanitarian relief for those in need and immediately cease hostilities.

The Interior Ministry announced a cease-fire in Tripoli on Friday under the auspices of the United Nations. However, witnesses confirmed that heavy gunfire and explosions could still be heard in parts of the city.

Rockets pummeled the Al-Waddan hotel near the government headquarters in central Tripoli on Saturday morning, injuring three people and damaging nearby buildings, the Tripoli Security Directorate said.

The capital has witnessed violent clashes since Monday between government forces and armed militias, which have so far killed 41 people and injured over 120 others.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 20:41:56|Editor: Li Xia

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio who is on a state visit to China and will attend the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Li said China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone on trade, investment, education, health and other areas. He also called on the Sierra Leonean side to provide more favorable policies to attract investment from Chinese companies.

Bio thanked China for the sincere assistance during Sierra Leone's fight against Ebola, and expressed willingness to learn from China's governance experience, expand cooperation in trade, investment and financial sectors, and further deepen bilateral relations.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 21:02:00|Editor: Li Xia

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by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan

BEIJNG, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers and doctors have built an artificial intelligence (AI) model with medical imaging to help determine whether patients with severe brain damage might regain consciousness.

Severe brain injury can lead to disorders of consciousness (DOC). Some patients can recover from an acute brain injury, but others fall into chronic DOC, also known as a vegetative state. They cannot communicate or act consciously.

China has more than 500,000 patients with chronic DOC caused by brain trauma, stroke, and other brain diseases, with 70,000 to 100,000 new cases each year. Most patients remain bedridden, and require laborious care, bringing great stress and heavy costs to their families.

Most doctors assess the chances of recovery according to three main indicators: the patient's age, the cause and the duration of the disorder. Studies have shown that patients with traumatic brain injury have a higher likelihood of recovery than those with non-traumatic brain injury, and young patients are more likely to have a favorable outcome than older ones.

Doctors also observe patients' actions, with tests such as clapping hands or tracking eyes, to find any evidence of awareness.

However, behavioral assessments are subjective and vulnerable to personal interpretation. For doctors, a lack of experience, poor training or ignorance of a patient's other health problems can give rise to misjudgments, said Song Ming, lead researcher of the study.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with doctors from PLA Army General Hospital and General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, over five years developed an AI model, which can make an assessment based on images of brain functional networks.

"When a brain functions, multiple brain regions are involved, and they form a network, working together. Like two mobile phones, though no actual wire links them, they have a functional connection when people make a phone call," said Song.

To study the brain functions of DOC patients, resting state functional MRI (fMRI), a medical imaging technique, has been widely used in recent years. Through MRI scanning, Song and his research team have found typical features seen in the brain functional networks of DOC patients, which can be biomarkers to trace the level of consciousness and predict the possibility of recovery.

To train the AI, developers fed it tens of thousands of brain images of 63 DOC patients at least one month after their brain injury.

The model diagnosed patients who would recover consciousness and those who would not with an accuracy of 88 percent in 100 cases.

The research was recently published in the international journal eLife.

Reviewers of the journal were impressed by the sample size used in the paper, but Song thought more data was still needed to confirm the validity and reliability of the model.

"We believe the model can make an accurate assessment and might help families of DOC patients understand the outcomes in advance and make an informed decision," said Song.

It is not the first AI technology to help doctors. In June, a Beijing hospital made headlines after unveiling an AI system that can diagnose brain tumors and forecast hematoma expansion faster and more accurately than doctors.

Song thought most research and applications focused on diseases that can be observed by doctors through medical images.

In this study, doctors cannot see directly the brain functional network and its relevance to DOC.

"Thus, the model also provides a new clue to understand the disease," said Song.
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Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 21:07:01|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TRIPOLI, Sep. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the ongoing deadly violence in and around Libya's capital Tripoli, the UN Support Mission in Libya said Sunday.

The condemnation of the UN chief targets "in particular the indiscriminate shelling by armed groups, which has led to the casualties of civilians, including children," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said in a statement published by the UN Mission in Libya.

"The indiscriminate use of force is a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law," said Dujarric on behalf of Guterres.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and abide by the cease-fire agreement brokered by the United Nations and the Reconciliation Committees," the statement added.

Southern Tripoli has been witnessing violent clashes between government forces and armed militias in the past week, killing at least 41 and injuring 123 others.

The Libyan interior ministry on Friday announced a cease-fire in Tripoli under the auspices of the United Nations. However, witnesses said heavy gun firing and explosions could still be heard in some parts of the capital city.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 21:12:02|Editor: Li Xia

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BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- It has been only 20 months since China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic relations, but the agrarian country in the Gulf of Guinea has already seen significant changes.

Thanks to the newly introduced cultivation technology from China, the output of maize there went up nearly 70 percent per hectare. New strains of Chinese cabbage, cucumber and tomato are growing larger than previous strains, and there are fewer parasites on goats that underwent the Chinese sterilization process.

These are just a few of the achievements Chinese agricultural technology has yielded in the country.

China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the 47 least developed countries listed by the United Nations.

According to Yang Yang, an official in charge of the project with China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, nearly 20 Chinese agricultural specialists have been involved in the project, which continues to progress smoothly.

In the rural areas of the country, Chinese experts are seen from farmhouses to pastures and fields, working tirelessly on improving local agricultural conditions. By devoting themselves to the project, they won the trust and praise of local people.

Helder Menezes, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Sao Tome and Principe, wrote a letter applauding the fine work of the Chinese experts.

A local farm owner asked for a Chinese national flag to hang on his farm with that of Sao Tome and Principe to demonstrate the friendship between the two countries.

Other Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa are experiencing the same benefits of the Chinese helping hand.

Valdemar Morais, an official in charge of food safety with the Angolan Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, participated in a training session on agricultural technology in China's Shaanxi Province in July.

African countries are seeking development, and technical assistance from China is a golden opportunity, said Morais.

Agricultural experts from Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe also received training sessions on agricultural technologies in Guizhou and Hunan provinces.

In keeping with the China-Africa cooperation principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, China proposed in 2015 that cooperation in 10 areas including agriculture would be carried out in the following three years.

As the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation draws near, China-Africa relations will soon embark on a new journey. "We will step up efforts in promoting China-Africa cooperation in agricultural modernization so as to benefit more African countries," said Yang.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 21:22:05|Editor: Li Xia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

China-Mauritania relations are a fine example of China's relations with African and developing countries, Xi stressed.

China regards Mauritania as a sincere and reliable friend and partner, and appreciates the firm support that Mauritania always gives on issues involving China's core interests and major concerns, Xi said, adding that China will continue to support Mauritania's efforts in safeguarding stability and seeking development.

The two sides should regard the Belt and Road cooperation as a new starting point for innovating cooperation models, pushing collaboration in key areas including infrastructure, and strengthening the ability for Mauritania to achieve self-reliant development, Xi said.

China appreciates the active role that President Aziz plays in the regional efforts to fight terrorism and maintain stability, and is willing to cooperate with member countries of the G5 Sahel in peace and security via various ways.

Aziz said Mauritania speaks highly of China's firm support for multilateralism and its contribution to world peace and security, and highly appreciates the proposal by President Xi of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Mauritania firmly upholds the one-China policy, Aziz said, adding that Mauritania believes that the Belt and Road Initiative will promote Africa-China joint development while the FOCAC Beijing Summit will promote Africa-China cooperation and the building of an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 21:37:10|Editor: Li Xia

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ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Matches may have been a daily necessity in the last century, but a match factory in central China's Henan Province has recaptured attention by selling its innovative new products internationally.

Fangzhou Matches Factory in the city of Anyang, saw its matches exported to more than 20 countries and regions including Germany, France, Poland, and Italy, earning more than 700,000 U.S. dollars last year.

However, the factory went through a difficult period as the whole match industry was in decline in the 1990s, said Zhao Changxin, founder and general manager of the factory.

The match industry boomed in China in the 1980s.

"At that time, matches produced in Anyang sold well in both domestic and international markets," said Sun Zengsheng, a plant manager of state-owned Anyang Match Factory, noting that many retailers chose to be based in the neighboring areas in order to snap up matches produced in the city.

However, shocked by a flood of disposable lighters on the market, the industry began to wane after 1990, and Zhao was laid off from Anyang Match Factory in 1998.

"What I thought about most at that time was how to help match factory survive," Zhao said. Two years later, he set up his own business.

In 2003, an idea of making innovative gift matches occurred to him when he picked up a matchbook during a visit to Shanghai. The matchbook had the Chinese characters known as "double xi," which signifies good luck and is often used at weddings.

Soon afterward, customized matchbooks with various themes like weddings, birthdays, tourism and advertisements started to roll off the production line.

Recently, a new kind of product also attracted new customers. If you strike a 28-cm-long scented matchstick on the surface of a matchbook, a rose scent wafts in the air.

"We have added Indian spices into the match heads," he said, noting that the matches had already been ordered by a luxury firm from the United Kingdom.

New products offer ways to counter the waning trend in the match industry. Now sales are even climbing at Fangzhou Matches Factory and its scale is also expanding.

In 2016, the factory's combined value of orders from international customers stood at 650,000 U.S. dollars, surging from 20,000 U.S. dollars from 2010 when it received its first foreign order.

"Success in the new matches market depends on innovation, and businesses will attain better development once they advance with market demands," said Huang Guanghua, secretary general of Anyang Association of Entrepreneurs.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 21:57:16|Editor: Liangyu

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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks during an interview in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sept. 1, 2018. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) offers great opportunities for Zimbabwe, which looks forward to receiving more Chinese investment under the framework of the bloc, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Saturday, ahead of the FOCAC Summit. TO GO WITH Interview: Zimbabwe sees BRI as link to global economy, markets: President Mnangagwa(Xinhua/Chen Yaqin)

HARARE, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) offers great opportunities for Zimbabwe, which looks forward to receiving more Chinese investment under the framework of the bloc, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Saturday, ahead of the FOCAC Summit. Following the elevation of Zimbabwe-China ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in April, the southern African nation has witnessed accelerated implementation of Chinese-funded national projects in energy, transport and telecommunications in the last four months, Mnangagwa said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Zimbabwe hopes to accelerate infrastructure construction and modernization on the basis of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation, the president said. "We have several projects (that) we have put forward and this time around, we hope we will be able to put bankable projects which meet the criteria for assessment by China."

During the Beijing summit, the attending countries will also discuss cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

"We in Zimbabwe are committed to the BRI and we do not want Zimbabwe to be left behind because we want to get linked to global markets and the global economy," Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe is seeking to learn from China's reform and opening-up policy and see "what characteristics are suitable for our own situation," the president said.

"There is no need to reinvent the wheel when other countries have passed through the same road," he said.

Mnangagwa welcomed Chinese investors and tourists to Zimbabwe, saying his country is blessed with a pleasant climate, abundant mineral resources, high-quality labor and rich tourism resources.

Besides linking China and Africa, Mnangagwa said the FOCAC also provides an opportunity for African leaders to interact and discuss economic cooperation and other issues of mutual concern. Also, it provides opportunities for Africa to accelerate the development of its economies through investment support from China, the president said.

Themed "China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation," the Beijing summit will be held on Sept. 3-4.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 22:12:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Wang Yang (R), chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, meets with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Sunday met with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Wang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, said that China-Mauritania practical cooperation has entered a new phase of development in the past few years. The signing of cooperation documents on the Belt and Road construction will inject new impetus to bilateral cooperation in fields including investments and infrastructure.

Aziz said that China has become Mauritania's most important partner for development and Mauritania welcomes Chinese entrepreneurs to invest and do business in the country.




Shops and local companies remained closed across Aden as citizens and traders held a general strike to pressure the internationally-backed government. (Xinhua/Murad Abdu)

by Murad Abdu

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Traders in the southern port city of Aden held a general strike in protest against the collapse of the Yemeni riyal and the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities.

Early on Sunday morning, shops and local companies remained closed across Aden as citizens and traders held a general strike to pressure the internationally-backed government.

People in a number of other provincial capitals controlled by the government also organized anti-government demonstrations, demanding economic solutions for the sharp depreciation of the country's national currency.

Angry protesters blocked the main streets in Aden with burning tyres and rocks, forcing government institutions to stop working.

Many stores and wholesalers in Aden city confirmed to Xinhua that they opted to shut their doors rather than selling imported products at loss.

Owners of exchanges companies and commercial banks in Aden also joined the strike and closed their doors in protest against the currency crisis that reached the critical point.

Following about four years of deadly military conflict, the depreciation of Yemeni riyal continued in recent days. In the street markets in Aden, where the Saudi-backed government is officially based, 1 U.S. dollar was traded for 623 riyals, up from 215 riyals compared with the rate before the war.

With the sharp devaluation of the local currency against major foreign currencies, prices of basic commodities witnessed hikes, worsening the economic woes and leaving many citizens in destitute in the war-ravaged Arab country.

Due to difficult living conditions and surging food prices, millions of people, observers said, will suffer more in the next few months.

Humanitarian organizations say over 80 percent of people in Yemen need humanitarian aid and over 7 million people are suffering from famine.

Political activists in Aden urged Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf countries to support the Yemeni economy and save citizens from starvation.

"Our neighbors have the ability to rescue our country and they should move immediately. Saudi Arabia must do something to help Yemenis economically," said Ahmed Fuad, an activist in Aden.

"The currency crisis will create more complicated problems in Yemen that will definitely affect the neighboring Gulf countries," Fuad said, adding Yemen needs economic support instead of military and "it's time to end this ugly war because more catastrophes are looming."

The impoverished Arab country has been locked into a civil war since the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces including the capital Sanaa in 2014.

The internal military conflict between the Iranian-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government recently entered its fourth year, aggravating the suffering of Yemenis and deepening the world's worst humanitarian crisis in the country.

Last year, the Yemeni government floated the national currency, a move economic observers and analysts said was not well-studied a year after the relocation of the Central Bank to Aden.

The Yemeni economy is continuing to suffer after all exports were halted following a blockade on the country which was part of a Saudi-led military intervention in March 2015. The blockade has also largely restricted imports.

All investments, including oil and gas projects, whose revenues used to contribute more than 70 percent of the state budget, were shut down.

Flow of foreign cash has stopped almost completely and widespread corruption within the government institutions is among the many problems that deepen the economic misery.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 22:32:30|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said he paid a very successful state visit to Senegal in July and felt the profound friendship that the Senegalese people hold toward the Chinese people.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of the first cooperative document between China and a West African country on jointly building the Belt and Road and agreed on further cooperation on infrastructure and industrial parks.

Xi said the two sides should continue close communication and push for greater development in China-Senegal relations.

To build a stronger China-Africa community with a shared future is significant to achieving common development, strengthening solidarity and cooperation of developing countries, and building a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

China supports the self-reliant and sustainable development of Africa, and is ready to work with African countries including Senegal to maintain and develop the FOCAC mechanism, Xi said, eyeing greater contribution to the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between China and Africa.

Sall said Xi's historic visit was warmly welcomed by Senegalese people and Senegal admires China's development achievements and its important role in international affairs.

China firmly pursues the development path suited to its own national conditions, which African countries can use for reference, Sall said.

African countries have suffered in history, and it was China that firmly stood by the side of African people when they struggled for independence and liberation, Sall said, adding that China always understands, respects and supports Africa.

In the new era, Africa needs investment and development, Sall said.

Sall said African countries will stay unaffected by noises against Africa-China cooperation and work with China to consistently support and help each other, jointly build the Belt and Road, and strive for a stronger Africa-China community with a shared future.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 22:42:33|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi said Ethiopia is an important partner of China in Africa, and the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.

China supports Ethiopia in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions, appreciates its active participation in the building of the Belt and Road, and is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and safeguard common interests of both sides as well as other developing countries.

Abiy said China is a reliable friend in the course of Ethiopia's development, and China's precious assistance has always been crucial to his country's economic restructuring and achievements. He thanked China for its massive support.

Ethiopia cherishes the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and hopes to learn from China's experience in governance, deepen the bilateral relations, actively participate in the building of the Belt and Road, broaden bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen coordination in international affairs, Abiy said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 22:47:35|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Noting that China and Angola have jointly explored a unique path of common development since the two countries established a strategic partnership eight years ago, Xi called for efforts to advance this partnership to a higher level as this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Angola.

Xi said China stands ready to strengthen ruling party exchanges and governance experience sharing with Angola, deepen cooperation in all areas, and enhance communication and coordination on major international issues.

China is willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Angola's economic diversification strategy and continues to provide assistance, without political conditions attached, to major projects suitable for Angola's national development strategy, Xi said.

Lourenco said Angola-China relations are strong and firm. He thanked China for its contributions to Angola's reconstruction and social economic development, and said Angola firmly upholds the one-China policy.

China has always given its precious help when Africa faced difficulties and has been playing a very important role in Africa's peace and development, Lourenco said, adding that African countries highly value their friendship with China and expect to take an active part in the FOCAC development.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.


Vanguard Warns of Worsening Odds for the Economy and Markets



By Jeff Sommer





CreditMinh Uong/The New York Times





The chances of a recession by the end of 2020 are mounting. And the prospects for the American stock market in the next decade have worsened appreciably.



Those are prognoses, not facts. But theyre not just offhand projections, either. They are the sober assessments of Vanguard, the $5 trillion asset management firm. And they suggest that the current good times may amount to a reprieve: an opportunity to make sure that you are prepared for a storm.



Vanguard, known for its caution, emphasizes that this is a general forecast. We dont make any actual predictions about where things are going next month or, in the markets, next year, Greg Davis, the companys chief investment officer, told me. The stock market could rise a lot, short-term. We dont know.



The United States economy could well turn in another series of strong quarters, with the annualized growth rate of gross domestic product above 4 percent, and the unemployment rate below it. Those are statistics for the second quarter, and just may be surpassed over the next year.



But in the Vanguard view, the odds have increased sharply that more challenging times are coming. It is likely, Vanguard says, that the long stretches of sizzling stock markets since 2009  bouts that have made investing a winners game for those lucky enough to afford a seat at the table  will become much rarer.



Vanguard tracks data to predict the likelihood of a recession at certain points in the future. In recent years, the company has put the probability of a recession six months out at close to 10 percent. Now, Vanguard says the chances of one by late 2020 are between 30 and 40 percent. Thats Vanguards highest-ever estimate for that time frame, Mr. Davis said. (A six-month forecast reported a greater than 40 percent probability before the recession that started in December 2007.)



The recession projection is based largely on interest rate expectations using two criteria, according to Freddy Martino, a Vanguard spokesman. One is what economists refer to as a flattening yield curve, with the Federal Reserve expected to raise shorter-term rates faster than longer-term ones. The other is rising credit risk for below-investment-grade bonds.



If the facts change  with, say, the Federal Reserve delaying anticipated interest-rate hikes in response to a weaker economy  the recession forecast will change, too, Mr. Davis said. To be clear, Vanguard isnt predicting a recession; it is merely saying that the odds of one have risen.



You could also say the chance of a recession not occurring by the end of 2020 are 60 to 70 percent, said Fran Kinniry, a principal in Vanguards investment strategy group. You want to be prepared for a downturn, he said, without becoming so risk-averse that you fail to benefit if investments rise.



The forecast suggests opportunities, not just problems, Mr. Davis said. The 10-year outlook, for example, includes lower projected annualized returns, but still positive ones, for these two stock categories:



 United States stocks, an expected 10-year return of 3.9 percent, annualized, down from a projection of an 8 percent annualized return, made in March 2013;



 Stocks from markets outside the United States, 6.5 percent, annualized, down from 8.7 percent in 2013.



Non-United States stocks are more attractive for equity investors, on a relative basis, than they were five years ago. (That is partly a reflection of the out-performance of domestic stocks, making them far pricier than they were before.) Whats more, Vanguard projects improved 10-year annualized returns for these asset classes:



 A diversified portfolio of United States bonds, 3.3 percent, annualized, up from 1.7 percent in March 2013;



 Bonds from outside the United States, 2.9 percent, up from 1.8 percent;



 Commodities, 5.9 percent, up from 4.2 percent;



 United States Treasury bonds, 3 percent, up from 1.3 percent;



 And cash, held in United States money market funds, savings accounts or other instruments, 2.9 percent, up from 1.5 percent. Short-term cash is becoming more attractive  with greater liquidity and, often, lower risk  compared with holding bonds.



Experienced investors who are sophisticated enough to focus on these numbers and act on them themselves can benefit by making their own adjustments, Mr. Davis said. Tried-and true investments like balanced funds and target date funds (which become more conservative as a given date nears) can make basic adjustments for you. Advisers can do this as well.



Tweaking investments can make it easier to live with them  and not panic  if markets fall, Mr. Kinniry said. At the moment, though, many Americans appear to be setting themselves up for trouble.



By the start of this year, the stock portion of investment portfolios swelled to 63 percent, the highest level in decades, according to a Vanguard analysis. That reflects the rising value of stocks after one of the greatest bull markets in history.



American portfolios had the same high proportion of stocks in September 2007. People bailed out as the market crashed a decade ago  taking huge losses after prices had already fallen  and reducing the equity proportion of their portfolios to only 38 percent in January 2009.



Yet in March 2009, stocks began rising. It would have been better to have held more stocks in early 2009, and to have reduced them when stock prices were high, as they are now. You dont want to panic and sell after the market falls, Mr. Kinniry said, but thats what a lot of people did.



Dividing a portfolio between stocks and bonds is a personal decision. If you can afford to ride out a major stock market decline, and truly dont need to touch your money for a decade or two, you might be fine with a broadly diversified portfolio that holds only stocks, Mr. Kinniry said.



After all, he said, it took only 3 years for such a portfolio to recover all of its losses after the roughly 50 percent stock market decline of the last crash. But withstanding losses like those without selling any holdings took extreme fortitude. Thats why it was easier to live with a broadly diversified portfolio, with 50 percent stocks and 50 percent bonds. Such a portfolio recovered all of its losses in just one year, not three, according to data provided by Mr. Kinniry.



Doing a serious gut check and realistically assessing how you will behave if a major downturn occurs can prevent a lot of pain later. You dont want to find out that you dont have enough car insurance or home insurance until after an accident happens, Mr. Kinniry said. Youre better off if you do the inventory now.



And if the markets do turn out to provide lower returns in the next decade than in the last one, it may be possible to compensate by taking measures that you can at least partly control, perhaps by working more, increasing savings or reducing spending.



The odds have worsened. Surely its better to be prepared.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 23:02:38|Editor: Liangyu

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by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The trade wars launched by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump against other world economies under the slogan of "America First" are going to harm the U.S. economy itself, Egyptian economic experts said.

Gamal Bayoumi, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Arab Investors Union and Egypt's former assistant foreign minister, said Trump's unilateral tariffs on imports are against the rules of world trade. With countermeasures from the parties concerned, the United States will lose more.

"Trump does this under the pretext of nationalism and protecting local industries, but nationalism is based on mutual interests, not waging trade wars," Bayoumi said. "If he raises the motto of 'America First,' he has to know what really is in favor of America."

On the ground, port officials of various U.S. states have already reported a tariff-related drop in shipments and fear this could have a ripple effect on truckers and other jobs dependent on trade.

Yomn El-hamaky, professor of economics at the Cairo-based Ain Shams University, said Trump is attempting to redistribute the gains of global trade in favor of the United States and local manufacturers at the expense of other economies and a further slowdown in the global economy as one of the repercussions.

"This approach has many perils. In the medium and long run, the United States will suffer losses due to the current economic policies despite its temporary gains because the policies go against the rules of competitiveness and free global trade," she said. "Trump doesn't see the complete picture. I believe his policy will not (be) successful as he raises trade disputes (for) shortsighted interests."

The professor said Trump's trade wars are also propaganda to cover up his political problems rather than show his patriotism.

She pointed out that the trade wars were resulting in the other countries forming new trade alliances to keep trade going. Japan and the European Union, for example, signed a free trade deal recently. China has also strengthened economic partnerships with some other countries.

"Trump's 'America First' slogan requires sustainability rather than shortsightedness," she added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 23:27:45|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi stressed that China supports Djibouti in pursuing a development path in line with its national conditions, and is ready to expand exchanges between governments, legislative bodies, political parties and local regions of the two countries.

Xi also called on the two countries to increase exchanges and mutual learning about governance and development experience, and step up people-to-people exchanges to solidify the popular and social foundation of the China-Djibouti friendship.

"We believe that the signing of cooperation documents on jointly building the Belt and Road will inject new impetus into the cooperation of the two countries," said Xi.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Djibouti on international and regional issues such as climate change, so as to better safeguard the common interests of the two sides as well as other developing countries, Xi said.

Guelleh said Djibouti is a trustworthy friend of China and the Djiboutian people have friendly feelings towards the Chinese people.

Noting the rapid development and fruitful outcomes of Djibouti-China ties, Guelleh expressed sincere gratitude for China's precious support and strong confidence in the vigorous Djibouti-China partnership.

While promoting economic diversification, Djibouti is willing to actively participate in the building of the Belt and Road so as to usher in a new era of Djibouti-China cooperation, said Guelleh.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 23:27:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CAIRO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit urged on Sunday for an immediate halt of armed clashes between a number of militias in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

In a statement, Aboul-Gheit expressed "resentment" of the dangerous escalation of the security situation in Tripoli as armed clashes, which started in the city on Monday between some armed militias, are still ongoing.

Aboul-Gheit said the parties should abide by the cease-fire procedures taken by the Presidential Council for Libyan National Reconciliation.

The AL chief reiterated his call for the need to reach a comprehensive and final solution to the threats of armed militias that affect the state security and the country's national entity.

Southern Tripoli has witnessed violent clashes since Monday between government forces and armed militias, which have so far killed 41 people and injured 123 others.

The reasons for the clashes remain unknown, with growing tensions and military mobilization over the past few days between armed groups from outside and inside the city.

The Libyan Interior Ministry on Friday announced a cease-fire in Tripoli under the auspices of the United Nations. However, witnesses said heavy gun firing and explosions could still be heard in some parts of the capital city.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 23:32:48|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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Photo taken on September 2, 2018 shows Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (R) arrives at Brunei international airport and shakes hands with an official in Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad touched down in Brunei on Sunday afternoon for a two-day official visit to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation with the sultanate.(Xinhua)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad touched down in Brunei on Sunday afternoon for a two-day official visit to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation with the sultanate.

Mahathir was welcomed by Brunei's Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah as well as other high-ranking government officials.

During his two-day official visit, the Malaysian Prime Minister will hold talks with Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, on relations between the two countries and ways to bolster them in various fields.

Talks between the two leaders will also focus on latest regional and international developments, as well as issues of common interest.

Last year, the total trade between Brunei and Malaysia stood at 1.14 billion U.S dollars, an increase of 70 percent from the previous year.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greet each other during a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on Jan. 5, 2018. (AFP File photo)

ANKARA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- As the Turkish-U.S. ties remain deeply strained, Ankara's relationship with Europe is steadily warming, where cooperation seems to have taken the upper hand over confrontation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to pay a state visit to Germany in late September, the first of its kind in four years.

Meanwhile, the Turkish leader is also likely to host a summit between France, Germany and Russia, in the absence of the United States, to discuss the Syria issue.

In August, the Netherlands restored full diplomatic relations with Turkey, after over a year of a bitter political spat between the two countries.

Relations between Turkey and Europe have been in the deep freeze for more than two years.

Erdogan frequently engaged in rhetoric aimed at infuriating European leaders in the wake of a failed military coup designed to topple his government in June 2016.

In response, European leaders targeted Turkey's political system, which has been changed gradually by popular vote toward an executive presidency with less checks and balances.

However, Brussels and Ankara have recently found themselves on the same page against U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist policies, signalling a common stance in the face of a bullying trade partner.

Turkey and the EU have also found common ground in opposing the U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Turkish companies, like their European counterparts, are facing American sanctions for trading with Iran.

Neverthelss, analysts say the hope for Turkey to return to the path of a full membership to the European bloc remains misplaced, and a realistic approach should still be given priority.

"Until there is a common ground on that (Turkey's full membership of the EU), we should concentrate on areas such as trade, common foreign and security policy and energy cooperation," Bahadir Kaleagisi, an EU expert from the Turkish Industry and Business Association, told Xinhua.

Kaleagisi pointed to the choice of differentiated integration, a close relation between core members and candidate countries, for Turkey's decades-long attempts to join the EU.

The Turkish expert suggested "the upgrade of the 1995 Turkey-EU customs union," saying it is "a good opportunity to revive bilateral relations."

In Turkish streets, there are also calls for better relations with Europe, especially in trade, even as the domestic economy shows signs of weakness amid the current volatility of Turkish currency lira, which has lost more than 40 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar since the start of this year.

"We have to find a way where we could cooperate more on trade and economy in these difficult times when the lira is so weak and makes us all suffer because Turkey is very dependent on foreign purchases," Veysi Sargin, a shop owner on the busy Tunali Hilmi Avenue in downtown Ankara.

Economic factors remain a vital driving force behind Turkey's rapprochement with Europe.

On the Turkish side, Erdogan remains committed to mega-construction projects, including one of the world's largest airports and a major canal running through Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and economic heartland.

For the EU, economic troubles in Turkey would also be undesirable, as the bloc largely depends on Turkey to keep mass Syrian refugees away from EU borders.

"Despite many problems between Turkey and the EU, they are deeply interdependent and share many historical, economic and political bonds," Sabah daily cited Muhittin Ataman, a professor of international relations at the Yildirim Beyazit University as saying.

"Under these new circumstances, Turkey and the EU will redefine their bilateral relations according to a realist approach and develop a strategic partnership," he noted.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-02 23:52:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BAGHDAD, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Foreign Ministry on Sunday said it was "astonished" by a report that Iran had moved ballistic missiles to armed groups in Iraq.

"The ministry confirms that all Iraqi state institutions are committed to Article 7 of the Constitution, which states that Iraqi territory should not be used as a base or passage for any operation targeting the security of any other state," the ministry said in a statement.

Western media reported earlier that Iran had given ballistic missiles to allied Shiite militias in Iraq and was developing the capacity to build more there.

The statement also came a day after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Hadier al-Abadi.

According to a brief statement by Abadi's office, Pompeo renewed his country's support for a strong, stable and prosperous Iraq in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement which was signed (in 2008) by the two countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 00:23:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MADRID, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Ben King of Dimension Data produced a stunning solo ride to win the ninth stage of the three-week long Vuelta de Espana of (Tour of Spain) cycle race on Sunday.

King was able to escape off the front of a breakaway and then held on up the first mountain top finish of the race to win his second stage of the race.

The stage was defined by the breakaway including King, Thomas de Gendt of Lotto Soudal and Bauke Mollema of Trek Sagafedo, which opened a gap of over 10 minutes before the main peloton began to react.

King attacked his companions in the breakaway approaching the start of the 11 kilometer final climb, with Mollema taking off in pursuit as King began to suffer on ramps of up to 12 percent gradient.

Meanwhile the overnight race leader Rudy Mollard began to struggle on the climb and lost contact with the peloton.

Mollema slowly but surely ate into King's lead, recuing it to 17 seconds, but as the gradient levelled out in the last 3 kilometers King was able to recover to eventually finish 49 seconds ahead of an exhausted Mollema.

Down the field Alejandro Valverde of Movistar, who had begun the stage in second place, lost time in the closing meters to riders such as Nairo Quintana of Movistar, Simon Yates of Michelton-Scott, Ion Izaguirre of Bahrain-Merida, Rigoberto Uran of Education First and Wilco Kelderman of Sunweb.

The results mean Yates did just enough to take the overall leader's red jersey with a one-second advantage over Valverde ahead of Monday's well-deserved rest day.

The race returns to action on Tuesday with a relatively flat stage starting in Salamanca.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 00:23:05|Editor: Liangyu

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Rwandan President Paul Kagame receives an interview in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. Paul Kagame is here to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. (Xinhua/Yin Gang)

by Xinhua writers Wang Haiqing, Deng Yushan and Guo Peiran

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Rwandan President Paul Kagame said here Sunday that the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) comes at the right time as globalization faces headwind.

FOCAC is a cooperation mechanism that has, since its establishment in 2000, achieved great results in health care, education, infrastructure and industrialization in Africa, Kagame said.

China and Africa share a common aspiration for development and stability, he said. With a solid foundation in place for China-Africa cooperation, Kagame said he expects the summit, set for Sept. 3-4, to further expand the scope of cooperation and do "better and more of what we are doing well now."

He described the summit as timely since there is "need for cooperation more than ever" as some countries make clear their intentions to serve themselves first over other countries, Kagame said.

FOCAC emphasizes a form where countries come together for cooperation, carrying a positive message for the whole world, he added.

The Rwandan leader also made comments about the so-called China "debt trap" for Africa, calling the fabricated concept an attempt to discourage relations between China and Africa.

They say China has lent too much to Africa, but "another perspective of the issue is that those criticizing China on debt give too little," and Africa needs the funding to build capacity for development, he said.

The Rwandan leader also recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to his country in July, saying it "offered us a great opportunity to discuss and strengthen our friendship and cooperation" at the bilateral level and beyond. The visit was the first to the African country by a Chinese head of state.

When asked to describe the Rwanda-China relationship, he called it a "productive partnership" of mutual benefit, noting that it has brought great benefits to the Rwandan people.

Kagame, whose country holds the rotating chair of the African Union (AU), also elaborated on his goal for institutional reform of the continental bloc.

The long-called-for reform aims to strengthen unity among member states, enhance capacity for self-driven development and improve efficiency within the bloc, said Kagame.

There is a lot of strength in unity, and AU member states need to work closely for a better future of the continent, he said. "We should be able to take care of ourselves."

The ongoing reform of the AU "fits very well with our cooperation with China," said the Rwandan president.

"China has been a supportive friend for Africa for a long time," he said. "The reform should build our capacities and make the partnership more meaningful. We are looking to China to strengthen us in this quest for unity, independence and efficiency."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 00:33:07|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), agreeing to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership of the two countries to a new level.

Xi noted that China and South Africa have valued sincerity, friendship and mutual trust. He also welcomed Ramaphosa's visit and co-chairing the FOCAC Beijing Summit, believing this will inject new impetus into the development of China's relations with South Africa and the continent.

Xi stressed that the significance of the relationship between China and South Africa has far exceeded the bilateral scope and is of global and strategic influence.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, the two countries have been committed to mutual respect, trust and benefit, and have always understood and relied on each other, said Xi.

Xi said the two countries should advance toward the major direction and target that have been established, actively implement important consensuses they have reached, make strategic plans for the bilateral cooperation in the next 10 years, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, promote practical cooperation and enhance inter-party and people-to-people exchanges.

Xi also called for concerted efforts to make the China-Africa cooperation flourishing, make the BRICS cooperation stronger and better, closely communicate and coordinate within multilateral frameworks, protect the legitimate rights of developing countries, promote democracy of international relations, propel the international system and international order to develop in a more equitable and reasonable direction.

Ramaphosa said the relationship between South Africa and China has been set up on the basis of equality, mutual respect and benefit, adding that it is unfading and strategic.

"I am very happy to visit China for the first time as the president of South Africa and continue our strategic communication," said Ramaphosa, noting that keeping high-level exchanges between the two sides is very important to deepen mutual trust.

South Africa is willing to learn from China's valuable experience in areas including ruling party building and corporate management, and will actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation, said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa called for concerted efforts in upholding multilateralism and international trading regime, and safeguarding the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 00:43:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday ruled out the possibility of military attacks on Iran by the country's enemies.

Khamenei downplayed the likelihood of a military conflict between Iran and its "enemies" given the current regional and global political situation, official IRNA news agency reported.

However, the Iranian armed forces should remain vigilant and boost their capabilities on the daily basis, Khamenei said in a meeting with commanders and officials of Iranian army's air defense commanders in the capital Tehran on Sunday.

"The armed forces should enhance human and hardware capabilities ... and upgrade efficient management," Khamenei was quoted as saying.

He also highlighted the "very sensitive" role of air defense section of the army in protecting the country, and said that the air defense is on the front line of countering enemies.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 00:53:14|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4.

Calling the UN "the flag of multilateralism," Xi said the world has been more in need than ever of multilateralism and a stronger UN as the rising unilateralism and protectionism is dealing a blow to the international order and the system of global governance.

The most fundamental principle of multilateralism is to address international issues through consultation in accordance with the collectively agreed rules, with each country's interests and concerns taken into consideration, Xi said.

Noting that China has always firmly supported multilateralism and safeguarded the UN's authority and function, Xi said China expects the UN to play its leading role in upholding fairness and justice, safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, especially in deepening global cooperation and in tackling challenges facing the world.

China's resolve in comprehensively deepening reform is unchanged. The country is ready to take concrete actions to unite with all parties to uphold liberalization and facilitation of trade and build an open world economy, Xi said.

Noting China's long-time friendship and shared destiny with Africa, Xi said China does not attach any political strings, nor does it seek any privilege or special interest in China-Africa cooperation.

"We will make unremitting efforts and do a good job as long as we believe it benefits African countries and people," Xi said.

The FOCAC is a model of South-South cooperation and the Beijing summit will focus on unity, cooperation and common development, which are highly consistent with the UN's goals and purposes, he said.

He called on the UN to take Africa as a priority in its work and support African countries in solving their problems in African ways so as to achieve long-term peace and stability on the continent.

The UN should help African countries speed up development, support their unity, self-improvement and integration, and make their voice and influence greater in international affairs, Xi said.

China is willing to strengthen communication and discussion with the UN on how to better support Africa, Xi said.

Guterres said African affairs have always been a priority on the UN agenda and his attendance to the Beijing summit is evidence of the UN's support of Africa and China-Africa cooperation.

As a model of South-South cooperation, the FOCAC will make important contributions to world peace and development with demonstrative significance, he said, wishing a complete success of the summit.

He praised China for its commitment to supporting multilateralism, actively safeguarding the multilateral order and improving global governance when multilateralism is facing severe challenges.

China's development, a trend that cannot be halted, is of great significance to the cause of world peace and development, he said.

The UN is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China to build a rule-based multi-polar world and encourage other countries to participate in the Belt and Road construction, he said.

Guterres also expressed his gratitude for China's great efforts in tackling global challenges including climate change despite difficulties.

The UN expects more support from China on global governance and regional hotspot issues, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 02:03:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian companies will participate in Rebuild Syria Exhibition in October, an official of Iran's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) said on Sunday.

TPO is ready for facilitating participation of Iranian companies in Rebuild Syria project that includes reconstruction of economic and industrial infrastructure of the war-stricken country, Farzad Piltan, the director general of TPO was quoted as saying by Tehran Times.

"Iranian companies' presence in the exhibition is a chance for showing Iran's capabilities in various sectors such as industry as well as technical and engineering services," Piltan added.

The exhibition is set to be held from Oct. 2 to 6 in Syria's capital Damascus.

Iran's exports to Syria have increased during recent years, Piltan said, including chemicals, pharmaceutical supplements as well as construction and industrial materials.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 03:18:42|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SANAA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels said they launched missile and drone attacks on military targets inside the Saudi border city of Jizan on Sunday, Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported.

The rebels did not specify the targets or provide further details.

Meanwhile, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile over Jizan.

On Saturday, the rebels said they targeted a Saudi warship off the kingdom's Red Sea port city of Jizan.

Saudi Arabia has warned of the ongoing threats of the Houthi militias against the freedom of navigation and global trade in the Red Sea.

The Saudi government has been accusing Iran of supporting the Houthi rebels through the supply of weapons and missiles. Both Houthis and Iran denied the accusations.

The militias frequently respond to airstrikes by the coalition with missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, mainly its border cities. Most of them are intercepted by the air forces.

Yemen has been locked in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi rebels overran much of the country and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in the Yemeni war in 2015 to support the Yemeni elected government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The war has so far killed more than 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, and displaced about 3 million others.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 03:18:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan manufacturers on Sunday decried a move by the government to impose a 16 percent value added tax (VAT) on price of fuel, saying it will increase the cost of living and slow growth of business in the country.

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) said the new fuel levy on all petroleum products -- petrol, diesel and kerosene -- will not only negatively affect the industry but also overburden Kenyans.

"With these unfavorable fiscal trends, coupled with shrinking economic performance, the future is rather bleak as world oil prices are on increase to the current average of 68.8 U.S. dollars per barrel from 50 dollars three years ago," KAM said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

The government has instructed oil dealers to start charging VAT on all petroleum products at a rate of 16 percent on all transactions, starting from Sept. 1.

This was despite a vote by lawmakers on Thursday urging a delay in the introduction of 16 percent tax on petroleum products to 2020, saying it might have a major impact on the economy.

The legislators said the amendment was meant to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living as prices of basic commodities including transport fares were to rise.

The tax was first introduced on petrol, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel in the VAT Act of 2013, with a three-year grace period.

By charging the 16 percent VAT, the industrialists said, manufacturers are subject to an increase in the cost of transportation of raw materials and finished products, and the increase in the cost of power, among other overhead costs.

They said the business environment in Kenya is increasingly becoming cost-disadvantaged and a great disincentive for foreign direct investment.

"To stay afloat, business will have to make very hard and drastic decisions of whether to shoulder the extra cost or pass over the tax burden to already overburdened consumers in order to meet their overhead costs," KAM said.

The energy regulator has released new fuel prices that reflect the 16 percent VAT as ordered by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.

Under the new rates, Nairobi motorists will now pay 1.23 U.S. dollars while those in Mombasa will pay 1.25 dollars according to a statement from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) released on Saturday.

The ERC directive will now see diesel retail at 1.15 dollars while a liter of kerosene will cost 0.97 dollars in Nairobi.

The Association of Matatu Operators, an association of public passenger vehicle operators, has already resolved to increase fares starting Monday.

The association's chairperson, Jimal Ibrahim Hassan, said the move was prompted by the new fuel levy announced by the ERC.

Matatu fares will now increase by between 0.10 dollars to 0.30 dollars depending on the routes, said Hassan.

Deputy President William Ruto said the government will work with Parliament to resolve the rising fuel cost in the country.

Ruto said a balance would be created so as not to burden Kenyans but also not put a brake to the government's development plans, noting that amicable solution will be found to cushion the public against any price increases.

"The executive will be meeting parliament so as to address the concerns raised by Kenyans. As a matter of fact, a solution would be reached," he said on Sunday during a prayer service in Nairobi.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 03:38:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said on Sunday it has set aside 4.5 million U.S. dollars to support innovative ideas aimed at ending hunger, malnutrition and improving food security in Tanzania.

Michael Dunford, WFP country representative for Tanzania, said the financial support followed an analysis by the global food agency that there are huge opportunities for innovation among Tanzanian entrepreneurs that, if well designed and supported, can help in ending malnutrition and hunger.

"We believe that we can do better if we get the best ideas and find a way to make them work at a large scale at the same time having the best innovators to work with," Dunford said.

The WFP announced earlier this year that it was working with authorities to integrate Tanzania into the universal methodology for measuring food security so as to ease international response whenever there is food shortage.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 05:49:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Indiscriminate shelling on Sunday hit a camp of the internally displaced people of Tawergha in Libya's capital Tripoli, killing two people and injuring five others.

"Al-Falah camp, also known as camp No. 2, inhabited for seven years by families of Tawergha city, was hit directly by a rocket-propelled grenade on Sunday night," Imad al-Tawerghi, member of the information office of Tawergha displaced people's union, told Xinhua.

Al-Tawerghi said that the rocket shell caused by the armed fighting in Tripoli claimed the lives of two brothers and injured five women, some of them very seriously wounded.

Southern Tripoli has been witnessing violent clashes since Monday between government forces and armed militias, which have so far killed 41 people and injured 123 others.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the continued escalation of violence in and around Tripoli, warning that "indiscriminate use of force is a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law."

Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political division.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 06:04:13|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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LONDON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at the art deco Littlewoods Pools building in Liverpool Sunday night, BBC reported.

Nine fire crews are at the scene of the blaze, with an area measuring 200m by 100m on fire from the first floor of the building upwards, Merseyside Fire Service said.

There are no reports of any injuries.

The five-storey building, on Edge Lane, was built in 1938 and was part of the Sir John Moores' Littlewoods empire but has stood empty since 2003.

The building had recently been sold with a plan to redevelop the site to become a major film and television studio hub, creating 350 jobs.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson tweeted: "Absolutely heartbreaking news that the iconic Littlewoods Building is ablaze, looks pretty bad at this stage, let's hope and pray it's salvageable."

A police cordon is in place and the blaze is ongoing.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-03 06:29:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Eleven-year-old Carlos Gonzalez on Sunday prepared for the start of the new school year on Monday.

Like hundreds of thousands of other children and college students across Cuba, he arranged the notebooks, books, pencils and backpack that he will need to go to school.

"I am very excited because I want to see my friends and learn new things in this new school year," said Carlos, who starts sixth grade at Cesareo Fernandez Elementary School in the western Havana district of Miramar.

Officials have also been preparing for Sept. 3, inspecting his school and the other 10,716 learning centers around the country, and putting together a curriculum that addresses contemporary issues.

"We are prepared to face a school year superior to the last, and with several challenges," including a shortage of teachers, Education Minister Ena Elsa Velazquez recently told local media.

"Providing a comprehensive education with high quality standards are the main guidelines," added Velazquez.

In the midst of great transformations, and new social and technological challenges, 1.7 million students will start elementary, middle and high school education, while at least 250,000 young pupils will study at national universities.

More than 156,000 teachers will teach preschools, primary and high schools, said the minister, adding that guaranteeing a teacher for each classroom continues to be a major concern.

"About 93 percent of teachers per classroom are guaranteed, while for the remaining 7 percent, there are alternatives such as retired teachers, specialists in production and services, and university students," Velazquez said.

Irene Rivera, deputy minister of education, said educators this year are set to tackle several sensitive subjects, including drug use.

"We are making an extraordinary effort with students to reject illegal conduct and socially disruptive behavior, with the stress on the illicit use of drugs," said Rivera.

This year, the Ministry of Education's goal is to turn schools into the cultural and social epicenters of each community, with the help and participation of parents, she said.

To update educational processes, the ministry's audiovisual services company CINESOFT has developed software to supplement traditional teaching methods with new technologies, such as mobile applications, according to Ivan Barreto, director of CINESOFT.

College enrollment could exceed a quarter of a million students, the minister of higher education, Jose Ramon Saborido, told the press this week.

"There is an increase of 14,000 students who passed their entrance exams to study five- and four-year careers," he said.

His agency wants to introduce a short-cycle higher education program for high school graduates who did not go on to earn a college degree.

"This initiative, which awaits the approval of its legal norms, was analyzed by the educational centers and authorities of each province and is in keeping with the economic and social development needs of each territory," the minister said.

So far, 25 specialties have been proposed for the short-cycle program, including administrator of computer networks.

"At the 22 Cuban universities, everything is ready to start the school period to contribute to graduating trained professional that work for the economic and social development of the country," Saborido said.

Cuba's government, in particular President Miguel Diaz-Canel, pays great attention to the educational sector and earmarks considerable material resources to ensure a quality education despite the economic hardships the Caribbean nation is facing, said Saborido.

Guaranteeing free, quality education is one of the main goals of Cuba's government, which each year allocates more than 20 percent of the island's gross domestic product (GDP) to the sector.
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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...
Q: I read your column every week religiously. This week the filler door comments prevailed, but one reader also mentioned "automatic door unlocking" when transmission placed in park. I also feel this is a grave personal safety issue. We have a 2017 Audi and a 2018 Audi and the feature cannot be turned off by the owner. Audi dealer refuses to assist even though they can correct this through OMB II. Perhaps you can address overcoming this safety issue as carjacking is a more relevant problem each day. Your doors should not unlock unless you want them to unlock.

 D.M., Northbrook, Ill.

A: Bless you for reading the column religiously. Maybe that's why it appears in so many Sunday papers. Whenever you place the gear selector in park, the doors unlock. But you can relock them by pressing the lock button. Then, you can exit through the driver's door without disturbing the other doors. If you are overly concerned, you could take the key fob with you as you exit and then lock all of the doors. By the way, we think you may be referring the OBD II (onboard diagnostic system, second generation).

Q: I have a 2010 Honda Odyssey LX with 100,000 miles. I have been trying to find general suggested intervals for transmission fluid changes and engine coolant changes. Many online owner club sites mention 30-40,000 miles for transmission fluid changes, but some say 60,000 or even 120,000 miles. Engine coolant suggestions vary even more. I've written to Honda, and Honda says just follow the maintenance minder in the car's onboard computer. However, I'd like a general idea of what intervals are expected just to plan out maintenance costs. These intervals are not mentioned in the owner's manual. In addition, our local dealer seems to have its own interval recommendations. Who am I to believe? Is there a document that spells out these and other recommended intervals that I can use as a starting point?  E.B., Glenside, Pa.

A: Unfortunately, Honda does not spell out the maintenance schedules in the owner's manual. You are simply instructed to follow the alerts provided on your car's display. Take with a grain of salt what you see from online forums. There is plenty of misinformation that gets repeated from others' posts. Your Honda dealer should be the trusted source of information, but as you have discovered, some suggest services that Honda does not require. Trust the maintenance minder. You may also find the Car Care Council website (http://www.carcare.org/car-care-service-schedules/general-service-schedule/) helpful.

Q: I read the letter by D.V., Chicago, in your column and am wondering if she doesn't own the same car I do. In April I bought a 2015 Accord Sport. I was made uneasy by automatic door unlocking as well. But a brief consultation with the owner's manual informed me that this was just one of several door lock configurations I could choose from. In addition to being able to choose when the doors unlocked (if at all), I could also choose at what point the doors locked (if at all). I hope this is of some help.  R.M., McHenry, Ill.

A: Owner's manuals are worth consulting. Unless you need maintenance schedules.

Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years. Weber's work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. His writing also appears in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide, and Consumers Digest.

Send questions along with name and town to Motormouth, Rides, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Fourth Floor, Chicago, Ill. 60611 or motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.
W. Samuel Patten leaves the federal court in Washington, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Patten entered a guilty plea in federal court in Washington, shortly after prosecutors released a four-page charging document that accused him of performing lobbying and consulting work in the United States and Ukraine but failing to register as a foreign agent as required by the Justice Department. Read more

If you're a certain kind of political junkie  the kind, say, who religiously watches MSNBC's Rachel Maddow every night at 9 and then tweets the highlights with your "Not My President" avatar  you were probably reloading Twitter or your favorite news website every few minutes on Friday afternoon, as the Labor Day weekend traffic mounted outside.

Why? For weeks, it's seemed like the 15-month-old criminal probe by special counsel Robert Mueller of the so-called Trump-Russia matter was rising to some kind of crescendo, or at least the Season 1 finale. The rumors swirled  that a Mueller report would dot the i's and cross the t's on White House obstruction, or that associates of President Trump like political hit man Roger Stone would be charged for their Russian contacts, or that key figures like Donald Trump Jr. may have lied to Congress or investigators.

But there's also this: A longtime Justice Department guideline to not lodge charges and try to make news that might influence an election, like the 2018 midterms. With Labor Day traditionally viewed as the start of the fall campaign season, Friday was perceived by many political observers as, instead, a kind of Groundhog Day: If Mueller didn't see his shadow, there would be six  actually eight  more weeks of uncertainty for America.

And so the Trump-Russia obsessives kept reloading  for the bombshell that seemingly never came. But here's the thing: Bob Mueller doesn't really do bombshells. His specialty is the precision strike that claims its intended target with pinpoint accuracy, and leaves just a tiny crater. And so you can't always get what you want, but those who believe the Trump-Russia scandal is a big deal with sweeping implications for the 45th president and American democracy may have got what they needed with news Friday afternoon of a guilty plea by a GOP political consultant named W. Samuel Patten.

Who is Sam Patten? That's what a lot of people were asking on Friday afternoon. Seems there's a lot to unpack here.

Sam Patten traveled in the same pro-Russian Ukranian circles as another longtime Republican insider  Paul Manafort, President Trump's campaign manager during the key summer months of 2016, convicted last month of eight felony counts related to money laundering. In the mid-2010s, Patten  like Manafort  worked closely with the network of allies of ousted pro-Vladimir-Putin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, helping to reelect an ally as mayor of Kiev. Sam Patten had a close business and working relationship with a man that Mueller's probe has identified as an active member of Putin's intelligence network  a Russian spy. That man is Konstantin Kilimnik, also a close associate of Manafort and Manafort's ex-partner Rick Gates, who also has pleaded guilty to felony charges and was a witness in Manafort's recent trial. In 2015, as the American presidential campaign was starting to heat up, Patten and Kilimnik incorporated a business called Begemot Ventures International that promised to do political messaging at home and abroad. Sam Patten  and this is where it gets more interesting  took a detour in 2014 and worked in the Oregon office of Cambridge Analytica, the controversial firm that Trump's campaign would later pay millions of dollars to use data it had mined, without authorization, from Facebook to conduct a stealthy social media campaign aimed at stirring up voter sentiment and tipping the election. Sam Patten  and this is where it gets even more interesting  also admitted during his guilty plea on Friday that he illegally steered $50,000 from a Ukrainian businessman closely tied to Yanukovych to allow him and two other Ukrainians to attend Trump's inaugural festivities in January 2017. Foreigners are barred from donating to the inauguration. Patten's admission opens a window into an event that raised over $100 million  far more than any prior inauguration  with major questions about how those dollars were spent. Sam Patten also acknowledged in court on Friday that he misled the Senate Intelligence Committee when he testified before the panel earlier this year  a potentially huge legal can of worms for Team Trump, given the web of often contradictory testimony that's been presented to lawmakers and investigators so far.

Critically, Patten has promised to tell Mueller's team and other prosecutors everything he knows. Despite the list of potential crimes, he pleaded guilty to just one felony count  failing to register as a foreign lobbyist while working on behalf of a Ukrainian political party  that carries a maximum of five years in prison. He definitely won't serve that long, especially if he can help answer one of the biggest unanswered questions of 2016: Did Russia's internet trolls get help from Americans in targeting U.S. voters.

Before his legal woes, Patten had boasted that his time with Cambridge Analytica had given him remarkable insights from the 2014 midterms into how to "micro-target" voters and influence them on social media. The firm that he launched on the eve of the 2016 election held out the promise of using those same techniques  except now he was working with a Russian intelligence agent.

Cambridge Analytica was launched by hedge fund billionaires who supported Trump in the 2016 campaign  Robert and Rebekah Mercer  and employed the man who who would become Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon. As I noted in a column 13 months ago about following the data to see how Russia illegally swayed our election, Cambridge Analytica's mission during that fateful fall was largely to discourage Democrats from voting on Nov. 8 or to prompt them to cast a ballot for a third-party candidate like Jill Stein instead of for Hillary Clinton.

The suspicious thing is that a Russian troll farm in St. Petersburg, where Mueller's probe later indicted a dozen people, was working on the exact same dark project, targeting those states where Trump carried the Electoral College by less than 100,000 votes. How did these Russians know which voters to target with which messages in which states? Now, we have a straight line  through Patten  from Cambridge Analytica and the dark arts it developed to an alleged Russian intelligence agent.

In other words, maybe Friday afternoon brought a kind of a bombshell after all  a missing link between key Trump players and Russia in the form of a consultant that few had even heard of before now.

Don't be surprised to see more of these prosecutorial drone strikes between now and the general election on Nov. 6. For one thing, for all the hype about the Justice Department not interfering in the fall contest, Trump isn't on the 2018 ballot and it's not clear whether any rules would even apply to him or his corrupt inner and outer circles.

What's more, the Mueller probe isn't really about bombshell revelations (not to rule out that one or two may still exist) at this point. The case against President Trump  that Russia helped his campaign (through hacked emails and internet trolls), that Team Trump supported this (at the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting, making pro-Russian changes in the GOP platform and promising to drop sanctions) and that as POTUS, Trump aimed to cover all of this up (by firing FBI chief Jim Comey and dictating a false statement about the Trump Tower meeting)  has been hiding in plain sight for months.

The question that looms much larger than what happened is what the heck are we going to do about it? The currently expiring Congress has shown a stunning lack of will when it comes to challenging a corrupt executive branch. The dates that matter are not Sept. 7  a phony deadline for quick action in the Mueller probe  but the Nov. 6 election and then Jan. 3, 2019, when the 116th Congress convenes. Like a game of "Wheel of Fortune" in which almost all of the letters have been unveiled, it's going take some new players to solve the not-so-hard puzzle of Trump and Russia.
The child sex-abuse crisis engulfing the Catholic Church has prompted the archbishop of Philadelphia to ask Pope Francis to cancel a bishops' conference focusing on youth in the church scheduled to begin in a month.

Archbishop Charles Chaput made the request by letter, a spokesman for the archdiocese confirmed Saturday, though he would not comment further. The Youth Synod, which would include bishops from around the world, has been in the works for two years and is focused on the theme "young people, the faith, and vocational discernment," according to the event's website. An international panel of youths are expected to join the council of bishops for the event.

>>READ MORE: Pa. Catholic Church sex abuse report names hundreds of priests, accuses leaders of cover-up: 'They hid it all.'

"I have written the Holy Father and called on him to cancel the forthcoming synod on young people," Chaput said at a conference Thursday at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, according to LifeSite News, a conservative Catholic website. "Right now, the bishops would have absolutely no credibility in addressing this topic."

Instead, Chaput asked that the synod be refocused on the life of bishops.

>>READ MORE: Pa. grand jurors: Make full clergy sex abuse report public

Allegations of widespread child sexual abuse committed by priests, and efforts by their superiors to protect the offenders, have become a worldwide scandal, in part due to a grand jury report issued last month by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. More than 1,000 children were abused over seven decades, the report found, in a review that implicated more than 300 priests and their superiors in the Pittsburgh, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Allentown, and Scranton Dioceses.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who had been the archbishop of Washington, D.C., resigned in July in the wake of allegations that he sexually abused a boy and groped or harassed young seminarians and a priest. Subsequently, a former Vatican ambassador to the United States claimed that both popes Francis and Benedict XVI were aware of McCarrick's misconduct years earlier. Days later, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the Vatican was aware of the cover-up of sex crimes committed by clergy, though he did not say Pope Francis personally knew.

The synod is scheduled to run from Oct. 3 to 28. A description of the event's purpose begins: "Taking care of young people is not an optional task for the Church, but an integral part of her vocation and mission in history."
Only the walls remain standing after a raging three-alarm fire burned through the classroom wing of Our Lady of Angels School in Morton, Delaware County. Read more

The fire that raged through a Catholic elementary school in Morton, Delaware County, did more than damage a building, from the perspective of Mike Modge.

"It's like all your childhood memories burning down," said Modge, 27, who attended the school from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Modge, who now lives in South Philadelphia, said that when he learned on social media Thursday morning about the fire that burned through Our Lady of Angels Regional Catholic Elementary School, "I was just blown away."

The school, known as Our Lady of Perpetual Help School until 2012, has been a fixture in the community for 70 years, and "It's just really sad to see how much is gone," he said.

The blaze ripped through the roof of the classroom wing, and by the time it was extinguished early Thursday, only the walls remained standing.

Sister Deborah Krist, principal from 2006 to 2016, said the fire left her "truly devastated," but said she was "thanking God no one was hurt."

Despite the fire, classes will resume on schedule in September, said Ken Gavin, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, with the school's 400 pupils and their teachers using space at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield Township.

The elementary school opened in 1949, according to a parish history. A firewall prevented the blaze from spreading to a newer section of the school housing offices and the gym, officials said.

"We thank the Lord no one got hurt," Msgr. John Savinski, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish, said. "The responders were fantastic."

The fire was reported around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, and firefighters battled the blaze for more than 90 minutes before bringing it under control.

Some homes surrounding the school were evacuated for a time while the fire raged. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire comes just weeks after Sue Lowe took over as principal. She could not be reached for comment.

Our Lady of Angels was formed in 2012 from a merger of Our Lady of Perpetual Help school and Our Lady of Fatima School in Secane.

The archdiocese said the fire was a "moment of deep sadness" for the school community as well as for Catholics around the region.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help teachers at the school buy new supplies.

Preston Tyrrell, a former Catholic elementary school teacher, said he launched the GoFundMe campaign after learning of the fire. "The first thought that went through my mind was that the teachers pay for school supplies," said Tyrrell, now a high school teacher in the Ridley School District.

"In an elementary school classroom, those are the things that make it a classroom," he said, adding, "Knowing the community, I'm sure the school will bounce back."

"I really believe that this is an opportunity for the whole community to come together and rebuild," said Krist. "I no longer work there, but my heart is there."

Editor's Note: This story was revised to correct Sister Deborah Krist's last name.
With a cardboard cutout of Pope Frances, looking on, Peggy Mack, a volunteer mom, helps sort through the children's books that were donated to the students of Our Lady of Angels Schools in a classroom at Cardinal O'Hara High School. OLA was destroyed by fire in July, and a contingent of parents and community members are helping the elementary school's students prepare for the school year inside the high school. Read more

In the last six weeks, Donna Vivone and her colleagues have learned how difficult it can be to rebuild a second home, as they continually add to inventories of items lost forever.

Lesson plans, exams, decorations, keepsakes from students long graduated and now raising students of their own. All gone, consumed in an early-morning fire July 18 at Our Lady of Angels Regional Catholic School in Morton, Delaware County.

"It's like starting over as a brand-new teacher," said Vivone, who has taught fifth grade at the school for six years. "You go to look for something or refer to a file, and you remember that it's gone."

But she isn't despairing. She and the other faculty members at the 70-year-old school are more hopeful than ever as they look to the first day of classes Wednesday.

This year, Our Lady of Angels' 320 students will report to Cardinal O'Hara High School in nearby Springfield. As summer has waned, staff from both schools have worked long hours to make the transition as smooth as possible, ironing out the logistics of having 14 grades cohabit under one roof.

The elementary school students will occupy classrooms on O'Hara's first floor, with the high schoolers shifted to the floors above. It's far from a tight fit  O'Hara was built to handle 4,000 students, a far cry from its current body of 870.

As O'Hara's faculty and staff prepare for the influx of students, they've been propped up by parents and community members from Our Lady of Angels who have organized into an ad hoc corps of volunteers.

"OLA isn't just a building. It's a family," Stephanie Cathers said last week as she helped set up classrooms inside O'Hara, from which she graduated in 2004. "And as a regional school, we rely on each other." Next week, her daughters Lindsay and Jessica will enter the fourth and first grades, respectively.

There already was a culture of parents pitching in at Our Lady of Angels, Cathers said. She and Angela Merkle have spent countless days the last few years assisting in the school's lunchroom.

"We're a family, all of us," said Merkle, whose son, Luca, is about to start fifth grade. "It's about leading by example, and that's important for kids to see that. You help if you have ability to, simple as that."

That help has translated to organizing fund-raisers at the Briarcliffe Swim Club, slinging custom-made "OLA Strong" T-shirts and wristbands.

More recently, parents have helped organize the donated items that have poured in to O'Hara's waiting classrooms: books, school supplies, even old lesson plans, courtesy of retired teachers who saw breathless news reports about the fire.

That was how Cathers learned of the devastation  at 3 a.m., while awake to care for her infant son, Matthew. Texts and voicemails filled the screen of her phone. She found a video on Facebook broadcasting the fire in real time. She made a tearful call to Merkle, at the Shore on vacation.

Firefighters fought the blaze, which reportedly started on the upper floor, for 90 minutes before containing it. Its cause remains under investigation, and officials from Ridley Township, the municipality handling the probe, did not respond to requests for comment.

It gutted the school's classroom wing, leaving little behind. A firewall separating that section from a new portion helped protect academic and medical records, which were salvaged, according to school officials.

"We all gave ourselves 24 hours to be sad," Cathers said, "and then we got to work."

Sure enough, she and dozens of other parents showed up to the school the next morning. It was a welcome sight to Susan Lowe, at that point literally a week into her tenure as Our Lady of Angels' principal.

"I took this job to be challenged, to get out of my comfort zone," Lowe said last week, remembering the shock she felt at the scene of the fire on July 18, watching seven decades of history smolder. "And, well, I certainly have been."

But the challenge has been tempered by the support shown by her faculty and the parents whose children they teach. People, at that point, she barely knew.

"To see them step up and see them so comforting to the kids and the school reminds me why I chose this profession," Lowe said. True to her faith, she said the support has been "heaven sent."

The biggest miracle in the ordeal, she added, was how quickly her displaced students found a new home. Eileen Vice, O'Hara's principal, said the plan to house Our Lady of Angels was made before the fire was even quenched.

"As soon as I saw the news reports, a flurry of texts went out," Vice said. "And I said to everyone, 'Let's go get them.' By the next morning, the monsignor was here, walking the halls."

Vice said her staff embraced the idea: Teachers could naturally empathize with the idea of losing a career's worth of materials in a single night.

"We're keeping the community together," she said. "And I think we're all better off for it."

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Susan Lowe's surname.
Karen N. Chizeck, 59, a Republican fund-raising executive and political activist who nevertheless thrived in heavily Democratic Philadelphia, died Aug. 31, of early-onset Alzheimer's disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life in North Wales, Montgomery County, where she was in hospice care.

Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Mount Lebanon, Pa., Ms. Chizeck graduated from American University in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in international relations. She began her dual career in political and nonprofit fund-raising, working for U.S. Sen. John Heinz, WHYY-TV 12, and Fox Chase Cancer Center before unsuccessfully running for the state House of Representatives in the 182nd district in 1988.

As head of her own political consulting firm, Ms. Chizeck represented numerous political causes and national, state, and local candidates, including U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, state Sens. Joe Rocks and Bruce Marks, Philadelphia mayoral candidate Sam Katz, and Republicans for Choice.

Ms. Chizeck, who lived in Philadelphia's Pennsport section with her husband, Jeffrey Arkin, also served as a Philadelphia Republican ward leader and raised funds for numerous nonprofits, including the Pennsylvania Ballet, Temple Health Systems, and Friends of Old Pine Street.

"Karen was a great reader of other people and knew how to interpret their wants and needs. That made her insights extremely valuable to those she advised in politics and business," said Sam Katz, a three-time candidate for Philadelphia mayor, who used Ms. Chizeck's services over the years. "She was devoted to her beliefs, unwavering in her principles, and just plain smart. Karen had a sharp sense of humor that helped everyone through stressful situations."

Marks, a lawyer who grew up near Ms. Chizeck and had been a close friend since they met in 1967, remembered her as "extremely energetic, brutally honest and [she] had a tremendously quirky sense of humor, which was a necessity, being a Republican political activist in Philadelphia. She was unique and had a different angle on things that was usually right."

Ms. Chizeck, a lover of travel who possessed a life-of-the-party personality, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2015 and with cancer this past March after she fell down the stairs at her home and broke several bones, said Arkin. The couple met on a blind date and married in 2003. Their marriage was Ms. Chizeck's second and Arkin's third.

The day they met, he recalled, it was nearly 100 degrees and he was sweating profusely from the heat  and his nerves  as he knocked on her front door. "When I walked in and looked at her face I said, 'She's the one.' I fell in love right there," he said through tears. "I miss her smile. I miss her curly hair."

Arkin, who is retired from the Air Force, said he was pleasantly surprised that his future wife took him on outings to meet her relatives and friends to see what they thought of him before she agreed to marry him.

"I think she liked the fact that  I was a plain guy. I wasn't in her [professional] world," he said. "I fell in love with her because of how kind she was, her pretty smile, how she touched a lot of people. I found my true love," said Arkin, 61, who has an adult daughter from his first marriage and an adult son and daughter from his second marriage.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, with friends gathering at 9 a.m. and services starting at 9:55 a.m. sharp at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, Pa.

In addition to her husband and three stepchildren, Ms. Chizeck is survived by a sister, a brother, an uncle and several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Phila., Pa. 19106.
NEW DELHI: Kerala faced its worst floods in nearly a century and was the focus of the country for it. But Nagaland faced rising waters too, and received little attention. However, the Northeastern state still managed to find it in itself to make a donation to the relief fund to help Kerala recover. And now, Nagaland has called for all our help.



Nagaland has faced unprecedented rainfall in the last few weeks leading to a flood-like situation in the state. Still, it contributed Rs 1 crore to help Kerala in its hour of need.



Arguably ignored like most of the other North eastern states, Nagaland needs your help now.



At least 12 people have been killed and over 5000 have been displaced in one month. The landslides in the state have destabilised connectivity leading to broken roads across through most parts of the state. Major roads, including NH-29, have been cut off. The state is also witnessing a power failure because of the rising water level at the Doyang hydro-electric project.

Gesture by a state which itself is facing natures fury. Remember Nagaland is at d other corner of India n struggling with rains. What connects is d bond of Indianness n a heart that goes out for d suffering. Amount may be small but d gesture is big. Kudos to Rio n Nagaland Govt. https://t.co/nyLfa96buZ  Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) August 19, 2018

State government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has sought an advance amount of Rs 100 crore from the Centre to restore connectivity in the region.



To take stock of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Nagaland Chief Minister on Saturday and assured him of all possible assistance. "Spoke to Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and took stock of the situation in wake of floods in parts of the state. Assured all possible support to the state in rescue and relief operations. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nagaland and pray for everyone`s well being," he tweeted.

I thank Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for his call and words of support. It means a lot for the people of Nagaland. I am confident that with the support of Government of India, we will overcome the challenging situation caused due to heavy rains and landslides. https://t.co/raGZ6MEn8N  Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) September 1, 2018



Home Minister Rajnath Singh also earlier in the week spoke to Rio about the rain-battered state. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the state for rescue and relief operations.



While the state is awaiting monetary help from the Centre, the CM also took to Twitter to seek funds for the development work. He shared bank details of the CM Relief Fund on Twitter. Several people have since helped Nagaland and are even appealing to the others to do so.



Not just Nagaland, a flood alert has also been sounded in Garo Hills in Meghalaya after the swelling of the Brahmaputra in Assam. China has also warned India of a possible flood-like situation in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It has said that it would release huge amount of water from the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) on its side as it has faced a record downpour. The Tsangpo has broken a 150-year-old record with rising water levels.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has hit out at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state over the leak of Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC) examination paper.

Taking to microblogging site Twitter, the former chief minister called the Yogi Adityanath government insensitive, saying that repeated leaks of question papers of different examinations badly impact those who are unemployed.

       .     UPSSSC    . -            ,       .        -     .  Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 2, 2018

The Samajwadi Party leader further alleged that the latest incident of UPSSSC examination paper leak is a proof of growing corruption in the state and nexus between those in government and criminals.

Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, Theres yet another case of paper leak and cancellation of examination. This time it has happened in UPSSSC examination. What effect repeated paper leaks have on unemployed youth, this insensitive government cannot understand. This is a proof of growing corruption and nexus between those holding power and the criminals in the state.

The UPSSSC examination for selection of tube well operators was initially scheduled for September 1, but postponed because of the paper leak. The Uttar Pradesh Police launched a probe and has made 11 arrests in the case so far.

The special task force of the Uttar Pradesh Police also recovered mobile phones, documents and Rs 15 lakh in cash during the investigation.

The Lucknow District Magistrate spoked to mediapersons about the investigation into the case. He said that government authorities had taken note of the incident, adding that fresh dates for the examination would be declared soon.
Mumbai: Terming the Bhagwad Gita a "non-religious" text and "a way of life", Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde said on Saturday there is nothing communal in distributing the text in educational institutes.

Tawde also said the copies of holy books of other religions can also be given to colleges, provided they are made available for free.

Nowadays, even if anyone thinks of distributing the Gita in educational institutions, the move is seen as BJP's attempts of saffronising the education system, he alleged, blaming the media for "projecting it that way".

"Today, distribution of the Bhagwad Gita means one is communal. When will we come out of this mentality? Even a Class 1 child can be taught several aspects of life through the Gita," Tawde said at the launch of Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha Research Centre at Girgaum in south Mumbai.

"The Gita, Vedas and Upanishads are not religious texts, but philosophical and scientific in nature and these texts should not just be confined to temples, but be made available to common man as they are a way of life," he said.

"If copies of the Quran and the Bible are provided free of cost, they will also be distributed in colleges," the minister said.

In July this year, the office of the Joint Director, Higher Education for Mumbai region had issued a letter asking NAAC 'A' and 'A+' ranked colleges in the city to collect the copies of the Gita from its office. The letter, however, did not mention which group or organisation gave the copies for distribution.

The move had kicked up a row with the opposition Congress calling it an effort to "saffronise" the education system.

"If anyone thinks of distributing Bhagwad Gita (in educational institutions), it is termed as BJP's attempts of saffronising the education system by newspapers and television channels," Tawde said.

He said when Bhaktivedanta Trust of Bhiwandi in adjoining Thane district wanted to distribute the copies of the Gita in colleges, he informed them that the government itself cannot do so, but it could give a list of colleges to which the copies of the Gita could be provided.

"I asked the officials to help them (the Trust). But, the Gita bhakts (people of the Trust) themselves went to the colleges and distributed the copies," he said.

Tawde said the key question concerning the education system today is whether students were being imparted knowledge or just information was being passed on to them.

The minister said that between 2020 and 2045, India will be the youngest country in the world and the aim should not just be to supply human resource to the world, but also to give the country's immense knowledge on Vedas to transform the world.
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Liladhar Vaghela was attacked by a stray cow following which he was admitted to the ICU with broken ribs.

The incident took place outside Vaghela's residence in Sector 21, Gandhinagar when he had gone out for a walk. Vaghela is a Lok Sabha MP from Gujarat's Patan.

He was immediately rushed to Apollo hospital and admitted to the ICU following the preliminary examination.

Doctors said that the 83-year-old MP sustained injuries on his ribs and head.

Vaghela was a cabinet minister in Gujarat before being elected to the Lok Sabha.

Reports suggest that Vaghela sustained two fractures and clotting in the head, which was later taken care of.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he did not have an operational bank account before he became an MLA as he never had enough money. Reminiscing about his school days, Modi recounted how Dena Bank used to offer a scheme under which students were given a piggy bank and an account was opened for them.

"They gave one to me, but mine was always empty. Later, I left the village. The bank account continued and bank officials had to carry forward that account every year. The bank officials were looking for me to close the account," Modi said.

He recounted how the officials located him after 32 years and approached him for closing the account. "After 32 years, they got to know I was at a particular place so the bank officials came there and said please sign, we need to close your account," he said adding that after he became MLA in Gujarat and started drawing a salary, he had to open an account.

"...Before that, there was no (operational) account," he said during his speech at the launch of India Post Payments Bank.

The Prime Minister on Saturday launched the payments bank of Indian postal department that will take banking to doorstep of every citizen through an unmatched network of post offices and almost 3 lakh postmen and 'Grameen Dak Sewaks'.

Taking note of the emotional connect of 'daakiyas' with the local communities, Modi said the faith of people on government may wobble, but certainly not in case of the postman.

"Decades ago, when a postman went from one village to another...Dacoits and robbers would never attack the postman because they knew that he was probably carrying money sent via money order by a son (who worked in the city) for his mother in the village," he added.
Chandigarh: The case registered against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for alleged irregularities in land deals will be thoroughly investigated, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Sunday.

Ruling out vendetta behind the case, Khattar said the BJP government has been fully committed to uproot corruption since the day it came to power.

"The FIR registered on Saturday (against Vadra and Hooda) will be thoroughly examined and investigated," Khattar told reporters in Gurgaon.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Gurugram city bus service which will be operated by the Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited.

The FIR against Vadra, Hooda and two companies -- DLF and Onkareshwar Properties -- has been registered at Kherki Daula police station in Gurgaon, Manesar Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Kumar had said.

It was lodged after a complaint was received from one Surinder Sharma, a resident of Nuh.

The FIR said Vadra's Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd purchased 3.5 acre of land in Gurgaon's Sector 83 from Onkareshwar Properties at a price of Rs 7.50 crore in 2008, when Hooda was the chief minister and also held the portfolio of Town and County Planning Department.

Later, Skylight Hospitality sold this land to realty major DLF for Rs 58 crore, after procuring commercial licence for the development of the colony with the influence of Hooda, Sharma alleged.

Responding to a question about the report of Justice S N Dhingra Commission, Khattar said it will be made public once the court allows it.

The one-man commission was set up by the Khattar-led BJP government in May 2015 to probe the grant of licences, including those to Vadra, for developing commercial colonies by the Department of Town and Country Planning in Gurgaon's Sector 83.
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students union president Kanhaiya Kumar is reportedly preparing to contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections. According to a report in Prabhat Khabar, Kanhaiya Kumar is expected to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Begusarai in Bihar as a candidate of the Mahagathbandhan, comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Left and some other smaller parties.

While Kanhaiya Kumar is officially expected to contest the elections on a CPM ticket, he will be fielded under the banner of Mahagathbandhan, as a joint candidate.

Notably, Kanhaiya Kumar is facing a sedition case. The JNU administration had also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him over the 2016 event in the campus where alleged anti-India slogans were raised and Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was lauded.

The fine on the former JNUSU president was imposed by a high-level JNU panel after a thorough investigation in this regard.

However, the Delhi High Court in July set aside the move by the university administration, terming it as illegal, irrational and irregular. The High Court had asked the university to wait on the matter until a proper decision was taken by the court. It had directed JNU to not take any action against Kumar in connection with the sedition case registered against him.

The high-level JNU probe panel found student-activist Umar Khalid, Kanhaiya Kumar and Anirban Bhattacharya guilty in the February 2016 incident wherein a group of students allegedly raised anti-national slogans.

The panel then recommended rustication of Khalid and imposition of financial penalty on 13 other students for violation of disciplinary norms on the campus.

Kumar, a member of the Communist Party of India's student's wing, was then president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union.

The three student-activists were accused - though none has been charge-sheeted by the police as yet - of raising slogans against national integrity during a poetry-reading gathering of students at the Sabarmati Dhaba on the campus on February 9, 2016.

The Delhi Police arrested Kumar on the campus a few days later and slapped sedition charges as Khalid and Bhattacharya along with three other students went into hiding.
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt been appointed as the brand ambassador of Uttarakhands anti-drug campaign. Dutt, who has admitted to having taken drugs in the past, told Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat that he suffered a lot in his life because of his addiction.

Confirming the same on Saturday, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister said, In a telephonic conversation, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has agreed to become brand ambassador of Uttarakhand's anti-drug campaign. He said he himself suffered much due to drug addiction in his life and would like to campaign against it.

During a visit to Mumbai recently in connection with the upcoming Uttarakhand state summit, Rawat had met Sanjay Dutt. According to reports, Dutt had volunteered to be the brand ambassador for the states anti-drug campaign.

Sanjay Dutts battle with drug addiction was recently shown in his biopic, Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor. The Kapoor scion had played Sanjay Dutt in the film directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

The film showed how Sanjay Dutt destroyed his personal and professional life due to drug addiction, even as her mother, yesteryear actress Nargis, battled with cancer. He got out of the addiction during his stay at a rehab abroad.

Six northern states - Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, and also the Union Territory of Chandigarh have worked out a joint strategy to fight the drug menace.

A massive campaign to create awareness among youngsters about the ill-effects of drug abuse is a part of the strategy.

The chief ministers of four states, including Rawat and the representatives of two others, met in Chandigarh in August to discuss the strategy, where it was decided that they would meet every six months to monitor the progress of the campaign.
HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has been depicted as Lord Rama in a poster by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) ahead of the party's mega public meeting. Massive preparations are underway for the party's Pragathi Nivedhana Sabha.

The meeting comes amid speculations that the ruling TRS may call for early elections in the state. The TRS has exuded confidence that the meeting will be a huge success. "The turnout in this rally is going to be something that people will remember for a long time, it is going to be the biggest political rally ever held in India," Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao said.

The turnout in this rally is going to be something that people will remember for a long time, it is going to be the biggest political rally ever held in India: Telangana Minister K. T. Rama Rao on TRS's Pragathi Nivedhana Sabha in Ranga Reddy district later today pic.twitter.com/ErzZxJXD6D  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

TRS's 'Pragati Nivedana Sabha' (meeting to report progress) is being held at the Kongara Kalan village in Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of the city. During the meeting, the CM will address the people on the progress that the state has made in various sectors in the last four years.

Nearly 25 lakh people are expected to take part in the public meeting. Roads leading up to the venue have been decked up with TRS flags. Sound systems, floodlights and LED screens have also been arranged, along with 30 ambulances.

However, the government is facing flak from opposition parties who have accused the TRS of wasting public money.

While the Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana are scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year, there are chances of the CM calling for an early poll on presumption that there is a positive mood among people on the government.
SHOPIAN: An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Laddi in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation after a brief exchange of fire. The security forces had received inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

Security forces were in the process of laying cordon in Imamsahib area of Shopian following the information about the presence of terrorists when the ultras opened fire at them. The security forces retaliated to the attack, leading to a brief exchange of fire.

"Search operations have been launched and the cordon strengthened in the are but there has been no fresh firing reported so far," an official said.

The encounter comes a day after three militants were killed on Saturday in cross-firing with security forces in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. "Three terrorists were killed in an operation in Danna in Bandipora district of north Kashmir," Srinagar-based defence spokesman, Col Rajesh Kalia, said.

Srinagar: Army pays tribute to Rifleman Shive Kumar, who lost his life in an encounter with terrorists in #JammuAndKashmir's Bandipora, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/pFm80VGebS  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

Weapons and other war-like stores were recovered from the operation site.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left on Sunday for the US for medical treatment, sources said. He left for treatment at Mayo Clinic and was expected to be back after three weeks, they said. He was supposed to have left for the US on September 3.

During his absence, Industries Minister EP Jayarajan would receive donations towards the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) at the Chief Minister's office, a release said.

Vijayan, 73, had Saturday called on Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam and briefed him about his trip abroad for treatment. The chief minister had also updated the governor about the steps initiated by the government for rebuilding Kerala and for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.

Vijayan was originally scheduled to go for treatment on August 19 and return by the middle of this month. He postponed the trip due to the unexpected floods that ravaged the state and claimed more than 400 lives.

The chief minister had undergone a routine annual medical check up at Apollo Hospitals at Chennai on March 3.
HYDERABAD: The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is all set to hold a mega rally in Hyderabad on Sunday. The public meeting comes amid speculation about a possibility of early polls to the Telangana Legislative Assembly.

While there is no official word on the elections, there are chances that KCR will call for early polls. All eyes are on the meeting on Sunday to see whether the TRS chief makes any announcement on the same.

Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana are scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year. However, it is being speculated that the TRS government may opt for early polls on the presumption that there is a positive mood among people on the government.

TRS's 'Pragati Nivedana Sabha' (meeting to report progress) is being held at the Kongara Kalan village in Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of the city. During the meeting, the CM will address the people on the progress that the state has made in various sectors in the last four years.

State IT and Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao had on Friday said that there have been discussions in the party on the advancement of the assembly polls, but no decision has yet been taken.

The speculation of KCR government calling for an early election has gained ground with transfers of officials, including IAS officers, during the last several days. Though he shied to admit on whether there are chances of an early election, Rao had recently said the Election Commission has the discretion to conduct it within six months of the original schedule.

He also stated that various surveys by the party indicated that TRS would win about 100 seats (out of 119) in the assembly polls.

Nearly 25 lakh people are expected to be a part of the public meeting.

Roads leading up to the venue have been decked up with TRS flags. Sound systems, floodlights and LED screens have also been arranged, along with 30 ambulances.

The massive arrangements for the meeting has received flak from opposition parties who have accused the TRS of wasting public money.

Congress hit out at the TRS government claiming that they are using public property for the meeting which is resulting is huge inconvenience to the people. "State corporation buses are being used to ferry party workers for the TRS public meeting leaving commuters with no option of travelling to their destinations. Abuse of official machinery by @trspartyonline for their personal use ," Congress tweeted with the hashtag #KCRFailedTelangana.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also claimed that the government has not fulfilled its promises but is now using public money for its campaign. "They haven't provided 1 lakh 25 thousand jobs to the people of Telangana as they promised during the election. They didn't give 2BHK houses to the underprivileged people of the state, or 3 acres land to the Dalits. They are instead using public money for their own party campaigns, I'm sure this is taking place with a purpose to take an opportunity to declare early elections in the state," BJP MLC N Ramchander Rao told news agency ANI.
Alaknanda, a 5-star luxury tourist cruise, embarked on its maiden trip in Varanasi on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 'water pilgrimage' on Ganga which is likely to be a big tourist attraction in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency.

On board the cruise, tourists in Varanasi can watch 'Ganga aarti' at Dashshamedh ghat and 'Subha-e-Banaras' at Assi ghat. A tour on the cruise is being termed as a form of 'water pilgrimage.'

The luxury cruise reached Varanasi from Kolkata in August after completing around 755 nautical miles. The cruise belonging to Nordic cruise line company i sfitted with latest technology equipment.

With a seating space of nearly 125 people, with 60 air conditioned seats, tourists will be able to take a full view of the ghats. Along with a view of the aarti on the Ganga ghats, people on board the cruise will also be told about the history of the ancient city. It is equipped to sail in all weather conditions.

During the first phase, the cruise will run between Assi ghat and Panchganga ghat near Dashashmeth ghat. Passengers can avail the five-star service at a cost of Rs 750 (plus GST) for around 12 kilometers in two hours. The cruise will also sail up the Chunar in later phases.
Assistance to Islamabad was aimed to conduct counter-terrorist operations in the country, but the funds were frozen after the promulgation of Donald Trump's new strategy

Associated Press

The US will not provide $ 300 million to Pakistan. These funds will now go to other purposes. This was reported by the official representative of the US Department of Defense, reports Reuters.



Assistance to Islamabad was aimed to conduct counter-terrorist operations in the country, but the funds were frozen after the promulgation of Donald Trump's new strategy.



"Due to Pakistan's insufficiently resolute actions in support of the strategy in Southeast Asia, the remaining $ 300 million was redistributed," official representative said.



According to him, this money will be allowed for other "extraordinary priority tasks", if Congress approves this.



We recall, in early January 2018, the US State Department announced a decision to suspend the provision of assistance to Pakistan in the security sector, until the country's authorities take decisive action against extremist groups.

Earlier AFP referring to a senior US State Department official reported that the White House will not provide financial assistance to the Palestinians for projects in the Gaza and the West Bank.



According to the informant, financial assistance of more than $ 200 million "will now be directed to priority projects elsewhere." The source noted that the decision was made "on the instructions of the president."

Ukraine-Israel controversies over the status of Israeli settlements including Jerusalem are over. Ukraines permanent envoy in the UN Volodymyr Yelchenko said that in his interview with Yevropeiska Pravda.

Related: Farewell to Iosif Kobzon passes in Moscow
Presidential Administration press office

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker. This is stated on the official website of the head of state.



"The interlocutors discussed the security situation in the East of Ukraine and coordinated further steps for de-occupation of Donbas," the report said.



In addition, Petro Poroshenko and Kurt Volker talked about sanctions against the Russian Federation and the strengthening of the defense capacity of the Ukrainian army.



"The sides discussed issues of strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the United States to prevent Russia from interfering in the Ukrainian elections," the press service said.



US is ready to increase arms supplies in Ukraine to strengthen the Navy and Air Defense. This was reported by the US special representative for Donbas Kurt Volker, reports The Guardian.



They are losing soldiers every week defending their own country, said Volker, a former US ambassador to Nato. And so in that context its natural for Ukraine to build up its military, engage in self-defense, and its natural to seek assistance and is natural that other countries should help them. And of course they need lethal assistance because theyre being shot at.



Kurt Volker added that to this day between the United States and Russia there is a "gap" in the issue of the UN peacekeeping mission for the cessation of hostilities. He also predicted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would expect presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine before reconsidering his negotiating position.

He added: We can have a conversation with Ukraine like we would with any other country about what do they need. I think that theres going to be some discussion about naval capability because as you know their navy was basically taken by Russia. And so they need to rebuild a navy and they have very limited air capability as well. I think well have to look at air defence.



We recall that on December 12, US President Donald Trump signed a defense budget for the 2018 financial year. The document provides for granting Ukraine $ 350 million in defense assistance, including authorizing the possibility of transferring lethal weapons.

Related: Military helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, killing two Ukrainians and ten Afghans
The reasons for the arrest are not stated

Open source

The Russian vessel was arrested near the Cape Skagen, Denmark. The press office of the Russian seafarers' union reports.

'Novaya Zemlya vessel, which belongs to Murmansk shipping company was arrested by Danish authorities near the Cape Skagen. Serhii Fishov, coordinator of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) claimed this with a reference to the ITF inspector in Denmark Morten Bach,' the union reports.

Related: Russian Coast Guard detains Ukrainian vessel in the Sea of Azov

It is specified that 19 Russian citizens are aboard.

The union notes that Novaya Zemlya is not the only vessel manufactured in Murmansk arrested abroad. Earlier, Polyusa motor vessel and Severnaya Zemlya vessel were detained is Spain and Pomorye vessel in New Orleans, the USA. Totally, 80 Russians are stuck on the vessels.
Trump will go to France in November where he takes part in the celebration of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the ceasefire that ended the First World War

Open source

American President Donald Trump will not participate in meetings at a high level with the Asian leaders in Singapore and Papua New Guinea in November. Vice-President Mike Pence will go instead of him. VOA reports this with a reference to the claim of the White House.

The American President has been invited to a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the summit of the heads of the state of East Asia in Singapore, and also to the forum of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Papua New Guinea. According to the outlet, the President was present at this event last year.

Related: Trump and Putin might meet three more times this year, - Putin's Spokesperson

'"The US sees the Indo-Pacific region as free and open, based on respect for sovereignty, the rule of law and the principles of free, fair and reciprocal trade,' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders claimed.

According to mass media, Trump will go to France in November where he takes part in the celebration of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the ceasefire that ended the First World War.
112 Agency

Thousands of people protested against the government's policy on refugees in the German city of Chemnitz on Saturday. According to the police, more than 8 thousand people took part in the protest action, Ukrinform reports.



There were members and supporters of the populist "Alternative for Germany" party, opposing the reception of migrants from Muslim countries.



"A little less people gathered under the flags for peace and against xenophobia, they opposed the manifestations of Nazism. At one point, this group managed to stop the advance of the rightists who marched in a silent march, blocking the road, "the report said.



In the evening there were clashes between protesters - not less than 11 people were injured. The police detained about 300 people, they are suspected of violating public order.



Let's remind, protest actions in Chemnitz took place on Thursday, August 30, when about 5 thousand people gathered. The next protests are announced on Tuesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has concluded agreements with 14 countries to speed up the procedure for the return of migrants trying to enter Germany. This is reported by dpa.international.



Merkel revealed details of the agreement in a letter to the leaders of the two parties - the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Christian Social Union (CSU).



"Asylum seekers arriving in Germany who have already registered in other EU countries must be taken to larger 'anchor centers' for registration," the report said.



These are countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden.



The head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said that after the night talks, the EU countries agreed on a unified policy on refugees. According to the source, the camps for refugees rescued after crossing the sea will be created in the member countries of the European Union, which will agree to this.

Earlier German Chancellor Angela Merkel wanted to hold an emergency summit on the migration crisis in Europe.

Earlier media reported that the government of Merkel split due to the disagreements between the Chancellor of Germany and her coalition allies from the Christian-Social Union (CSU) on the migration policy of Germany.



As noted, further escalation may lead to the resignation of Merkel.

Related: FBI tried to recruit Russian oligarch Deripaska, - NYT
The car of the deputy of the local City Council was burning in Rivne at night. Anton Kruk, Speaker of Rivne region Police claimed this in the commentary to 112 Ukraine.

'We have received a message at about 1 a.m. that Mercedes burns on Chornovola Street in Rivne. The investigational group determined at the scene that the car belongs to the 30-year-old resident of Rivne, the Deputy of the City Council. The rescue teams promptly put out the fire and prevented the explosion of the car by cutting off the gas tank and removing the accumulator terminal. As a consequence of the fire, the engine room, the windscreen and the front side of the car are damaged,' Kruk noted.

Related: Car accident in Luhansk region: Four injure, one dies

Sviatoslav Stelmashchuk

Sviatoslav Stelmashchuk, Deputy of the Rivne City Council claimed on Facebook that perpetrators set fire to his car. The Deputy associates the incident with his political activity.

'Today, at about 1 a.m., unknown set fire to my car. Thanks to the rescuers for their operational work - no one got hurt, however, the car is beyond repair. All details, later on, preliminary connecting the arson with my political and professional activities,' Stelmashchuk claimed.

Sviatoslav Stelmashchuk
Viktor Kossakovsky expressed his belief that the Kremlin will release Sentsov for humanitarian reasons

Russian documentarian Viktor Kossakovsky expressed support for detained in Russia Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov at the Venice Film Festival. Radio Svoboda reports.

A press conference was held for the first night of Kossakovsky's film titled Aquarella where the filmmaker came in a shirt with 111 numbers on it. It means the number of days of Sentsov's hunger strike.

Related: Prague residents hold rally to support Sentsov

'It is not a political gesture, just a desire to remind the fate of the colleague,' the filmmaker noted.

He expressed a belief that the Russian Government would release Sentsov for humanitarian reasons.

Reportedly, Oleg Sentsov was detained by Russian intelligence agencies in Crimea on May 2014. Later he was sentenced to 20 years of the colony under the accusation of terrorist activity on the territory of Crimea. Oleg does not admit his guilt. Sentsov declared a hunger strike with a requirement to release all Ukrainian political prisoners in the Russian Federation.

At the end of June, Ludmyla Denisova claimed that a priest wasnt allowed to visit Sentsov.

Related: Sentsov's play 'Numbers' to be showed in Kyiv

Reportedly, Kolchenko declared a hunger strike on May 31, requiring the release of Oleg Sentsov. He had to suspend the strike, as he got very weak.

Kolchenko and Sentsov were detained by Russian intelligence services in Crimea in May 2014. They were accused of the organization of a terrorist act on the peninsula. Kolchenko was sentenced to 10 years of the colony, Sentsov to 20 years. Both are denying their guilt.
112 Agency

The Slovak girl, Anna Kolesarova, killed by a Soviet soldier in 1944, was declared saint in the city of Kosice in Slovakia. This is reported by Radio Liberty.



"About 30 thousand Catholic believers on September 1 took part in the ceremony of beatification of Anna Kolesarova - a Slovak girl killed during the Second World War by a Soviet soldier for refusing to enter into an intimate relationship with him," the report said.



The representative of the Vatican Giovanni Angelo Beccia called Kolesarova "a martyr who gave her life to Christ in order to preserve purity."



16-year-old Anna Kolesarova was killed in the city of Vysoka-nad-Ugom in eastern Slovakia in November 1944. A soldier of the Red Army, whose name remained unknown, is said to have shot a girl before her family's eyes. Story of Kolesarova gained fame in her native land, and her grave became a place of pilgrimage for Catholic youth.



Speaking at the ceremony of beatification, church representatives noted that the story of Anna Kolesarova makes us think about the humiliations that young women often experience in the modern world. At the same time, in connection with the beatification of Kolesarova against the Catholic Church, criticism also arises: it is accused of improper treatment of the victims of rape, in the production of the wrong moral choice between saving life and chastity, as critics say.

Related: FBI tried to recruit Russian oligarch Deripaska, - NYT
It is expected that the capacity of the point will be increased after the renovations

The checkpoint at the boundary line in Stanytsia Luhanska is closed until September 7 for repairs. The press office of the Luhansk Regional State Administration reported.

The relevant agreement was achieved at the session of TCG in Minsk on August 22.

Related: Red regime prolonged at Novotroitske checkpoint

'The closure of the checkpoint is associated with the installation of temporary structures by connecting them to the networks of electricity, water supply, and water disposal. We are asking the residents to be sympathetic to the temporary inconvenience, because after the renovations of the EECP will become more comfortable for the crossing,' reads the message.

The Administration predicts that the number of jobs will be increased by 40 after the renovations.

Related: Maiorske checkpoint resumes operation

It should be mentioned that Stanytsia Luhanska is a pedestrian crossing point of the boundary line and the sole in Luhansk region. Zolote EECP can't be opened for a long time due to the denial of the militants of so-called "LNR".
The fire of forest floor in the Kharkiv region is localized. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported.

'The fire is localized. As of 7 a.m. on September 2, the smoldering of the separate patches on the square of about 12 hectares is being observed,' reads the message.

Totally, 166 people, 33 equipment units, and fire train were involved in the putting out of the fire seat. The aviation of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine undertook 27 releases of water from the beginning of the operation.

As it was reported, earlier Novotroitske checkpoint in Donbas was closed due to the fire. Dried grass continued burning and ammunition was near Berezove-1 and Berezove-2 checkpoints. Moreover, under the order of the Joint Forces Commander, the Red regime was prolonged.

It should be noted that the Red regime provides a temporary ban of stay of people. The admittance of people is performed in the presence of the pass set by the Joint Forces Commander. The movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the streets and roads is restricted. The vehicles and civilians are not allowed to enter particular areas.
The helicopter carried out a mission under a contract with the UN

RF Ministry of Defense

Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Afghanistan on Sunday, September 2, killing 12 people. This is reported by Interfax.



According to preliminary information, the helicopter belonged to the Moldovan company Valan International Cargo. It collapsed from a height of 15 meters shortly after take-off from the military base of the 209 Corps of the Afghan Army located in Mazar-i-Sharif.



The helicopter carried out a mission under a contract with the UN. On its board were three crew members (citizens of Ukraine) and 11 Afghan soldiers. It is known that two Ukrainians and 10 Afghans died.

Earlier Ukroboronprom, the countrys leading defense enterprise, successfully tested the upgraded Mi-8MSB helicopter, the companys press service reported December 16.

The helicopters flight range and loading capacity have been increased, and the fuel consumption rate was cut down, reads the message by the Ukroboronproms press service.

The company said that new turbo-shaft engines were set up in the helicopter, which makes it reliable and capable of working in various climate conditions. The Mi-8MSBs construction involves a number of designers ideas that meet the requirements of fifth-generation helicopters.

Mi-8MSB can complete tasks of any complexity and may be used for various purposes, such as emergency control, cargo transportation, irrigation et cetera.

Previously, Ukroboronprom designed and developed Verba, the multiple missile launch system based on the Soviet analogue, widely known as Grad.

Related: Trump not to go to summit in Singapore and Papua New Guinea
The shut down was carried out in terms of preparation to the major maintenance of the power unit

Open source

The second power unit of the Khmelnitskiy NPP was shut down on Sunday, September 2. The press office of the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company (NNEGC) reports.

It is reported that the shut down took place at 1:25 a.m. in terms of the preparation for major preventive maintenance.

Related: Russia says its sea-based nuclear power plant is safe. Critics call it a Floating Chernobyl

It is stated that the reconstruction and the modernization of the power unit will be undertaken, and the number of components and aggregates will be replaced. It is expected that the maintenance will last 80 days.

'The violence of the conditions and limits of safe operation during the transitional processes of the power unit shut down was not reported. Radiation situation on the industrial site and in the adjacent regions did not change, is at the level corresponding to the normal operation of the power units, and does not exceed the natural background values,' the representatives of the NPP claim.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Today, September 2, 2018, marks the 27th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Artsakh, formerly known as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

On this day in 1991, a joint sitting of lawmakers from the Nagorno Karabakh provincial council and the Shahumyan regional council proclaimed the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) within the borders of the former NKAO and Shahumyan region. The move was in line with the then-active legislation, particularly the April 3, 1990 law which entitled national autonomies to determine their status on their own.

On December 10, 1991, a few days before the official collapse of the Soviet Union, Nagorno Karabakh held a referendum, where the overwhelming majority, 99,89%, of the population voted in favor of complete independence from Azerbaijan. After this, Azerbaijan totally blockaded NKR and launched military aggressions.

The Artsakh Liberation War began when for the first time in September of 1991 Azerbaijan bombarded Stepanakert with Alazan rockets from Shushi. In 1994, at the request of Azerbaijan a trilateral (Azerbaijan, NKR, Armenia) ceasefire agreement was signed on May 12.

15 years after independence, in 2006, the people of Artsakh adopted the countrys Constitution through a referendum, again on September 2.

Celebrations are held annually on this day in Artsakh.

This year, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has departed for Artsakh to attend the events.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has congratulated Artsakhs 27th anniversary of Independence, Sarkissians office said.

Dear countrymen,

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed with the historic document adopted in 1991. The past more than quarter century was a period full of trials, victories and state-building. During this entire period the will power to live free, struggle and triumph has always kept and inspired you, which turned the Pan-Armenian dream into reality.

The declaration of independence laid the foundation for Artsakhs state-building. In todays festive atmosphere, we once again remember those who developed it, those who forged the statehood, those who sacrificed their lives and health for it.

By thinking about them, paying homage to them, honoring them, we feel the message from within time to todays citizens of Artsakh, todays soldiers, to our entire people: to defend and empower the country, the state, to be a united Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora.

The best proof of this unity is the present-day independent republic of Artsakh, which is confidently advancing on the path of freedom and democracy by having continuous successes in the process of state-building.

By extending congratulations on the Pan-Armenian holiday, the 27th anniversary of Artsakhs declaration of independence, I am wishing you peace, welfare and resolute faith for the future, Sarkissian said in the address, in part.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan


YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Three people were killed and three more were injured as a result of a military helicopter crash in in the Balkh province in Afghanistan, TASS reported citing local reports.

"Mohammad Hamid Rezayee, a spokesman for 209 Shaheen Military Corps, has confirmed one pilot and two soldiers were killed in today's helicopter crash at the base in Mazar-e-Sharif. Three others injured," the TOLOnewsTV channels Twitter account said.

Earlier, the TOLOnews channel reported that a military helicopter caught fire at the Shaheen military corps in northern Balkh. The crash took place at 7:55 am local time (6:55 Moscow time). All injured persons are now in hospital.

The Khaama Press news agency reported that crash might have happened due to a technical fault.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian visited the Stepanakert Memorial with his Artsakh counterpart Bako Sahakyan today as part of the Independence Day events.

The presidents paid tribute to the memory of fallen soldiers of the Artsakh Liberation War, the Great Patriotic War, and the memory of Arthur Mkrtchyan, the first President of Artsakhs Supreme Council.

Not only is this the day of Independence, but also a day of confidence in victory and the future. This is the day when our entire Armenian people returned pride, the sweet sensation of victory, confidence for its strength and future, Sarkissian told reporters.

In a sense this is a day of mission and national identity for our entire people. My soul is filled with pride, joy, however being present here at this memorial at this time, I cant not think with what price the victory, pride and confidence for the future was acquired: with the best human lives. Our [men] did not give their lives in vain: they gave it in order for this country to become stronger, in order for Armenians worldwide, our entire people in Armenia, in the Diaspora and in Artsakh to be able to build its proud, strong and powerful homeland, he said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he will soon visit Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Armenian-Russian relations are talked about a lot lately, but I find the current situation to be a working [situation], which is proceeding normally. We continue contacts in different levels. My visit to Moscow is planned soon, where I will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin: this will be out third meeting, Pashinyan said on Facebook.

He said that he and Putin will discuss numerous issues in the agenda of the bilateral relations in detail and numerous issues will be solved. I certainly dont want to insist that we will solve all possible issues, however I am convinced that our relations are continuing normally and will continue normally, Pashinyan said.

The PM did not specify the date of the upcoming visit.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Pacific leaders meet in Nauru to discuss regional challenges this week, with the host nation keen to deflect attention from its Canberra-funded migration detention camp dubbed "Australia's Guantanamo" by critics. Official talks at the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) will centre on the threat climate change poses to island states and China's rising influence in the region. But the presence of the detention centre looms large as the four-day meeting opens Monday, amid calls from rights groups such as Amnesty International to close a facility it calls "a stain on the region". "Pacific island leaders cannot ignore this issue any longer and need to ensure that it is at the very top of the forum's agenda," Amnesty said after releasing an open letter co-signed with 80 other non-governmental organisations. The camp houses around 220 asylum-seekers, including more than a dozen children, who have tried to reach Australia by boat. Under Canberra's hardline immigration policies, such people are processed in remote facilities on Nauru and Papua New Guinea to prevent them setting foot on the Australian mainland. The UN Human Rights Commission says they face indefinite detention, labelling their treatment "harsh and cruel". However, Australia says offshore processing is needed to stop the deaths that occur when people-smugglers cram asylum-seekers into rickety boats for the treacherous sea voyage. The camp is an economic lifeline for Nauru, which has a population of 11,000 and scant natural resources. - Climate change 'greatest threat' - In unprecedented restrictions, the government has warned visiting journalists covering the PIF it will revoke their visas if they report on the asylum-seeker issue. "You are only authorised to report on, or take photos or videos of the PIF. Any other subjects must be approved by the RON (Republic of Nauru)," it said. Such heavy handed tactics have only taken the spotlight off other concerns raised by PIF members in the lead-up to the summit -- chief among them climate change. "Climate change represents the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of our people," PIF Secretary General Meg Taylor said. Some of the PIF's small island nations fear they will sink beneath rising seas, while others are regularly battered by devastating storms fuelled by the changing climate. A major aim of this year's summit is establishing a $1.5 billion fund to help the region respond to climate change, as well as disasters such as earthquakes. Known as Biketawa Plus, it would be used to strengthen essential infrastructure such as hospitals, power stations and ports that are vulnerable in disasters. It will also cement existing security arrangements involving the PIF's largest members, Australia and New Zealand. Reports in Australia said the move was seen as a way to counter China's influence in the region, which has grown dramatically in recent years as its foreign aid programme has expanded. Canberra and Wellington have boosted their Pacific aid contributions in response and will be working frantically on the sidelines of the summit to ensure they maintain support in a region they regard as their backyard. Other issues on the table include fighting obesity in the world's fattest region and managing economically important tuna stocks. - 'Damaging' Aussie snub - Yet in a country with an area of just 21 square kilometres (eight square miles) -- the world's smallest island nation -- it will be difficult for delegates to ignore the asylum-seeker camp. One visitor who has taken a keen interest in the refugees is New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whose offer to accept 150 of them has been rejected by Australia and Nauru. Ardern has not ruled out visiting the camp while she is in Nauru. "I have a hope, an expectation at least, that I will at least be given an opportunity to be exposed to some of the issues around refugees on the island," she told reporters. "What form that takes is not yet clear." Ardern's newly installed Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, has decided against attending the summit after taking power in the wake of a bitter internal revolt that ended Malcolm Turnbull's tenure as leader. Lowy Institute foreign policy specialist Euan Graham said Morrison's absence risked undermining Australia's bid to revive its diplomatic ties in the Pacific. "Downgraded representation at the PIF would be especially damaging, given that the point of Canberra's 'step up' in the Pacific is all about demonstrating momentum behind Australia's renewed commitment to the region," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Australia says offshore processing is needed to stop the deaths that occur when people-smugglers cram asylum seekers into rickety boats for the treacherous sea voyage Official talks at the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) will centre on the threat climate change poses to island states and China's rising influence in the region Some of the PIF's small island nations fear they will sink beneath rising seas, while others are regularly battered by devastating storms fuelled by the changing climate New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's offer to offer to accept 150 refugees has been rejected by Australia and Nauru
It is considered the jewel in the crown, the rarest Coles Little Shop collectable of them all, and now the best spots to get the elusive miniature have been revealed.

There are only days until the Little Shop promotion ends and that is how long people have to find a Coles red hand miniature, which comes with a $100 gift voucher.

Only 1000 of them were made but about 400 are yet to be collected.

Its a rare mini and its something that people can really be excited about, Coless Martine Alpins said.

It can be revealed where to find the rarest Coles Little Shop collectable of all  the red hand. Source: 7 News/ Coles

But Seven News can reveal a number of hot spots collectors might be able to find the red hand collectable.

In Queensland, shoppers can try Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast.

Over the border to NSW, collectors should hit up Casula in Sydneys southwest.

Victorians are recommended to look in Hoppers Crossing in Melbournes southwest.

Anyone after the little red hand in Adelaide can check out Reynella, while Perth collectors should head to Ocean Keys shopping centre in Clarkson, north of the CBD.

The Coles Little Shop promotion has been described as a juggernaut. Source: 7 News

Coles stores have been the busiest in two years.

Simon Downes, from financial comparison website Canstar, described the promotion as an absolute juggernaut.

I dont think weve seen anything like this before and I think its going to be really hard to repeat again, Mr Downes said.

The promotion will end with a bang too.

Coles has just launched an online photo contest for the countrys most colourful collector who will receive a years worth of groceries for nothing.

The Coles Little Shop red hand collectable comes with a $100 gift voucher. Source: 7 News

While the supermarket has received criticism for introducing the miniatures amid the decision to ban single-use plastic bags, some people have found a use for them beyond being collectables.

A Victorian organisation that specialises in helping people with disabilities has been overwhelmed by the response they got after asking for unwanted Coles Little Shop Collectables.

As it turns out, the miniature items are not just the obsession of small children and the nightmare of pestered parents  they can also help people who have trouble communicating.

Story continues

Sunbury-based disability service provider Distinctive Options in Melbourne has started using the miniature products as visual cues for disabled people when they go shopping, or to a cafe or if they need reminders to carry out everyday tasks.

But the collectables have also outraged a number of parents.

An angry dad took to Facebook last month to vent his fury over having to collect Coles Little Shop miniatures for his little girl.

Father-of-two Greg Hughes, who blogs on the page Dad Minus One, has labelled the Coles marketing team as a cunning group of evil geniuses and said he has been left in the depths of despair.
Iran's parliament called off a planned vote to impeach the education minister on Sunday, Iranian media reported, offering some respite for the embattled government of President Hassan Rouhani. Twenty-nine lawmakers signed a motion last Wednesday to impeach the minister, Mohammad Bathaei, but all of them withdrew their signatures. "Given the imminent opening of schools (on September 23), those requesting the impeachment have withdrawn their request," said Ahmad Amirabadi, a member of parliament's presiding board, according to the semi-official news agency ISNA. Rouhani has faced mounting pressure from lawmakers over his handling of an economic crisis, partly triggered by the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition of sanctions. Parliament sacked his labour and economy ministers last month, and Industries Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari has also been targeted for impeachment, though it is not clear if that will still go ahead. Rouhani himself was summoned to parliament to answer questions from lawmakers last Tuesday, a first in his five years in power, and only the second time for a sitting president. Economic grievances played a role in Bathaei's planned impeachment, with lawmakers criticising the reduced budget for education and school renovation, though senior officials pointed out that the minister has no power over budgets. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week welcomed the pressure on Rouhani's cabinet, saying it was a sign of the strength of Iran's democracy. But he also warned that differences between officials should not be overly emphasised "because the people would become worried". Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at parliament in Tehran on August 28, 2018
When people used to ask Ken Allen about his life, his story was simple: retired teacher, amateur beekeeper, father of four.

Or so he thought.

This 59-year-old has recently found life isnt quite so simple. He discovered hes a dad to eleven other kids he never knew existed  four of whom have so far been discovered.

Ken and Sue have been married for 36 years. They have three children of their own, and one adopted daughter.

The journey from four children to fifteen began in the late 70s when Ken was studying to be a midwife in Melbourne.

He witnessed a lot of families who struggled to conceive. There was a lot of parents that were unable to have children, and they had a real anguish, Ken tells Sunday Nights Steve Pennells. You knew what it was like to become a parent, and the joy that that brought.

Ken asked Sue if he should become a donor.

I didnt hesitate, explains Sue. I was working at the same hospital, so I had a lot of interaction with these sorts of families as well.

Over two months, Ken made multiple visits to a clinic, making anonymous donations he hoped would bring new life to young couples trying to conceive.

The information a potential couple would receive on Ken was extremely limited. Theres a two-page sheet which had my occupation, my eye colour, hair colour, my height, Ken explains.

Theres also a section asking donors for their philosophy on life, which was an important change for Ken to get his message across. Man cannot discover oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore, he recites. I knew that there was a possibility that my donor offspring may in the future get a hold of this, and I really wanted it to encourage them to pursue their dreams, and also to perhaps pursue me.

Ken never expected contact. The law in those days meant everything was anonymous. Donors would never know if any pregnancies eventuated, and any children conceived wouldnt know who the donor was.

Then in late 2014, on his lunch break, Ken received a bombshell phone call from the IVF clinic where hed donated all those years earlier.

Story continues

She said, You have eleven donor children, and two of them are girls and nine of them are boys. She said, How does that make you feel? I said, Im not a drinking man, but I could probably do with something right now.

She said, Im sorry that you werent aware of this, but would you mind me putting you in contact with this young lady whos looking for you?

The young lady who was searching for Ken was 25-year-old Chloe Allworthy.

Unbeknown to Ken, Chloe had spent seven years searching for her biological father.

When I turned 18 I thought, this is the time, I can now look for this man who has given me the gift of life, Chloe explains. I wanted to meet him to understand more about my identity.

Their meeting was a nerve-racking one for Chloe. I flew to Adelaide, and that flight was so anxiety-provoking. I was just thinking the whole time, Im about to meet this man that Ive dreamt about, hes at the airport and Im going to see him and Im going to hug him for the first time.

I spotted him instantly. I could spot him from a distance and I knew that that was my donor. He turned and instantly our eyes made connections, and we both knew that that was the person we were looking for. I could feel the warmth coming from him and the kindness in his eyes, and that that was half of me and he was right there.

While looking for her biological father, Chloe found Robert, whose parents had also used Ken as a donor, making Robert Chloes half-brother.

Chloe remembers how it came about. Id gone on this search looking for my biological father but Id found so much more than that. At that point I thought, this isnt even the beginning. I want to find all my siblings as well.

The first time that he and Chloe met is a fond memory for Robert. We met on the Geelong foreshore, got an ice cream, it was brilliant. She was a lot shorter than I imagined but she was very friendly, [a] really nice girl. I saw a lot of similarities between us.

Robert is now 27. Like Chloe, all he knew about his donor dad came from that two-page summary.

He wrote something which I presume at the time meant a lot to him, which was a quote which said, Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. For a long time, that was all I had in relation to the donor. It stuck with me a lot, so I got that tattooed onto my body after a lot of thought.

When Robert and Ken first met, it was a great surprise. Physically, I could see the similarities between us immediately. I was a little bit shell-shocked to know this is my biological father. This is a big moment for me in my life, something that almost no one would experience. It was incredible. He just gave me a big hug and he didnt let me go for about a minute. It felt good. It was a really good experience.

Ken was keen to find the rest of his eleven newly-discovered children.

In March last year, that process became a whole lot easier. Victoria brought in a new law  a world first  that meant donors could now be tracked down and contacted by their biological children.

Controversially, children can also be contacted, even if they have no idea they were conceived with the use of a donor.

For all her life, Melissa Millars dad, Wayne, was the centre of her world. Then three years ago, he died of a heart attack.

Eleven months later, she received a letter with news her dad wasnt her biological father. It was a stranger named Ken Allen. And that stranger wanted to contact her.

It was a shock to Melissa. At that point I just cried. I didnt know how to feel. I was just like numb inside.

The thing going back in my mind was, am I disrespecting my dad? That was one big thing, because my dad didnt want me to know.

Despite this, Mel agreed to meet Ken.

I think just the curiosity of myself and wanting to know who this man was, Melissa explains why she agreed to do it. Who was the man that helped my dad have me.

After meeting Ken, Melissa came to the realisation he wasnt replacing the father shed lost. Hes my biological father, but hes not my dad. No one can replace my dad.

In Victoria, the work of finding and contacting donor children rests with a government agency. While three of Kens kids have met him, a fourth, 25-year-old Nathan Coff, has just learned hes another of Kens offspring.

Nathan and the rest of this unexpectedly extended family agree to meet. Like those before him, when he first encounters Ken, Nathan receives a huge hug.

This family is quickly finding out they have more and more in common. They all share a strong musical talent, and enjoy sharing time together in the great outdoors.

Yet out there somewhere are more members of this growing family.

I suppose Id really love to meet with them, Ken tells us. I dont want to feel as though theyre being forced, but Id really love to make some form of contact so they know who I am. I also would like to let them know about my health as well, and where that sits.

The last four years, Ive been diagnosed with symptoms of Parkinsons. There are a number of other medical issues that have a strong hereditary basis, and theyre starting to show up in some of our children now, so for them to be in their 20s and 30s, they need to be aware of those medical issues so that they can actually take good care of themselves and seek the appropriated treatments.

For now, Kens focus is on whats going well  and thats spending time with his new modern family.

Its been pretty overwhelming, but just Ive felt nothing but joy and happiness and love from these guys, Ken explains. Theyve just accepted me straight into everything. Its awesome. I just love getting to know everyone.

Reporter: Steve Pennells

Producer: Paul Waterhouse
US President Donald Trump's cut to funds for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has sparked fears in Jordan's largest refugee camp, where tens of thousands depend on its aid for survival. "Our country is gone and now they're coming after our livelihoods," said Zeinab al-Ardaba, a resident of Jordan's Baqaa camp. She is one of the nearly 119,000 Palestinian refugees living in the sprawling camp just north of the capital Amman, where snaking narrow alleyways are strewn with rubbish and wastewater. Her face lined with age and wrapped in a blue headscarf, the 78-year-old grandmother of five has lived in the camp since it was built after the Six Day War in 1967. "How will Trump face God on judgement day?" she asked. "Where should we go? They're even coming after our livelihoods in our camps... How are we supposed to pay for schools if we can't even make ends meet?" Washington, which until last year was by far the biggest contributor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said Friday it would no longer fund the "irredeemably flawed operation". The US has backed Israel in accusing UNRWA of perpetuating the Middle East conflict by maintaining the idea that millions of Palestinians are refugees with a right to return to homes in what is now Israel. For Palestinians, the right of return for the hundreds of thousands displaced in 1948 and 1967 -- and their descendants -- is central to their cause. While most of the Baqaa's residents were displaced in 1967, when Israel took over the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, some are refugees twice over, having first lost their homes in the violence surrounding Israel's creation in 1948. "Only God knows the difficult conditions we face in this camp... how we eat and live," said Zeinab. "It's hard to find work and many people are unemployed and have no money... live is difficult, very difficult." - 'We will remain' - Palestinians and their supporters say UNRWA provides crucial services for the poor and that it must continue operating until a just solution is reached for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Created in 1949, the agency supplies aid to more than three million of the five million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories. Jordan hosts nearly 2.2 million Palestinian refugees, according to the UN, who make up nearly half of the kingdom's total population. Washington's "unfair and irresponsible decision will have a huge affect on the lives of Palestinians," said 80-year-old Hussein Abu Shanaan, who lives in the camp with his four children and nearly 20 grandchildren. "But whatever they do to us, we Palestinians will remain," he added, his voice frail. Set up as a temporary shelter with 5,000 tents after the 1967 war, Baqaa now looks more like a city, with 16 schools and two health centres. "If the Americans don't want to help us, they can return our country, land and property," said 70-year-old widow Najiya Faraj. "Our families once owned large houses, farms and animals -- today, we're begging for aid." Faraj and her 13 children live on just $150 (130 euros) a month. "More than half a century after they displaced us from our homes, they're coming for our lives and our livelihoods. What do they want from us?" Leaving a shop after buying bread for his family, 33-year-old father of two Hani al-Jebarat looked distressed. "God help these people. They can barely find bread to feed their children... what will happen to these children?" he asked, shaking his head as he walked away. Young Palestinian refugees wait outside an UNRWA school in Jordan's Baqaa camp, north of Amman, on 2 september 2018 Palestinian refugee studetns walk home on 2 September, 2018 after taking classes at an UNRWA school in Jordan's Baqaa refugee camp
Mexico's Federal Electoral Tribunal on Saturday revoked a $10 million fine imposed on the political party of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for the allegedly fraudulent use of a trust fund raised for earthquake victims. The National Electoral Institute had ruled in July that Lopez Obrador's Morena party broke the law by raising 78.8 million pesos ($4.1 million) for victims of the September 19, 2017 earthquake that devastated central Mexico, killing 360 people. Political parties in Mexico are not allowed to give money to the public. It remains unclear how much of the money actually went to earthquake victims. Much of it was withdrawn from the account via checks made out mainly to party leaders. The tribunal said Saturday that it could not be clearly established that the party or its leaders had benefited personally from the funds, and it revoked the original fine. The magistrates ruled that the National Electoral Institute's findings lacked "internal consistency." The earthquake fund was announced by Lopez Obrador himself in 2017, during his campaign, as a way to help victims. Lopez Obrador, who easily won the July 1 presidential election campaigning on an anti-system platform and vowing to fight widespread corruption, has rejected the National Electoral Institute's findings as an "act of vengeance." In two earlier failed runs for the presidency, in 2006 and 2012, Lopez Obrador had denounced what he said was fraud by the National Electoral Institute. The National Electoral Institute had ruled that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's Morena party broke the law by raising 78.8 million pesos ($4.1 million) for victims of Mexico's September 19, 2017 earthquake
Doctors and scientists increasingly suspect attacks with unconventional microwave weapons as the cause of the mysterious ailments that have stricken more than three dozen American diplomats and their families in Cuba and China, The New York Times reported Sunday. The victims reported hearing intense high-pitched sounds in their hotel rooms or homes followed by symptoms that included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems and hearing loss. A medical team that examined 21 of those affected in Cuba did not mention microwave weapons as a cause in a study published in March in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But its lead author, Douglas Smith, the director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Times that microwave weapons are now considered a main suspect and that the team is increasingly sure the diplomats suffered brain injury. "Everybody was relatively skeptical at first," he was quoted as saying, "and everyone now agrees there's something there." Neither the State Department nor the FBI has publicly pointed to microwave weapons as the culprit, and the Times said there were many unanswered questions as to who might have carried out the attacks and why. After holding Cuba responsible for either carrying out the attacks or failing to protect American officials, the US in September 2017 recalled more than half of its staff from the embassy and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from Washington. Cuba has firmly denied any role in, or knowledge of, the incidents. In June 2018, the State Department announced it had sent home US government personnel from China after they reported eerily similar incidents. - Microwave research - According to the Times, an American scientist, Allan Frey, first discovered in 1960 that the brain can perceive microwaves as sound. His discovery opened a new field of research that ultimately led both the United States and the Soviet Union to explore microwaves' potential use in unconventional weapons. The Russians dubbed the class of envisioned weapons as psychophysical or psychotronic, according to the Times. It said the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned in 1976 that Soviet research on microwaves showed potential for "disrupting the behavior patterns of military or diplomatic personnel." A National Security Agency statement obtained by Washington lawyer Mark Zaid on behalf of a client described how a foreign power built a weapon "designed to bathe a target's living quarters in microwaves, causing numerous physical effects, including a damaged nervous system," the Times said. The US military also researched weapons applications of microwaves, with the air force winning a patent on an invention shown to beam comprehensible speech into an adversary's head, according to the Times. Navy researchers explored the use of the Frey effect to induce sounds powerful enough to cause painful discomfort, and even immobilize the subject, it said. The Times said it is not known if Washington deploys such weapons. Picture of the US embassy in Havana, taken on September 29, 2017 after the United States announced it was withdrawing more than half its personnel in response to mysterious health attacks targeting its diplomatic staff
Eighteen people were injured as the anti-migrant far-right and counter-protesters held opposing rallies in the German city of Chemnitz, which was hit by xenophobic demonstrations last week. Chemnitz has been in the spotlight after violent protests erupted over the fatal stabbing of a German man, allegedly by a Syrian and an Iraqi last Sunday. On Saturday, thousands of people answered a joint call by far-right party AfD and Islamophobic PEGIDA street movement to descend once again on the streets of the former communist city which was in the erstwhile East Germany. But an equally large contingent of counter protesters, including Green party and Social Democratic Party MPs, also converged to take a stand against racism. According to police estimates, more than 11,000 demonstrators turned up for the separate protests. Local police, backed up by officers from across Germany, were out in force to keep both sides from clashing. But as the rallies cleared, scuffles took place among small groups. SPD MP Soeren Bartol said on Twitter that his group from Marburg were "attacked by Nazis" while they were heading for the bus. "All SPD flags destroyed and some were also physically attacked," he wrote, adding that police had arrived swiftly to halt the assault. In all, 18 people were injured, including three police officers, said in a statement Sunday, doubling their earlier injury estimate. Police are also examining at least 37 possible offences, including bodily harm, property damage and resistance against law enforcement officers. Away from Chemnitz city centre, a 20-year-old Afghan man suffered light injuries after he was assaulted by four masked men. Police said they were investigating if the perpetrators counted among demonstrators. - 'Get up from our sofas' - Two smaller demonstrations are planned for Sunday. One is titled "Chemnitz residents sending a democratic signal against violence and xenophobia" while the second is organised by the Protestant church. Another major event is expected on Monday, when German punk band Die Toten Hosen leads a free concert against racism. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called on Germans to take a stand against xenophobia. "We have to get up from our sofas and open our mouths," he told Bild am Sonntag, stressing that "all of us have to show the world that we democrats are the majority and the racists are the minority." "The silent majority must get louder," he said. The tensions in Chemnitz have underlined the divisions in Germany over Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision three years ago to keep Germany's borders open to asylum seekers, many fleeing war in Syria and Iraq. Misgivings run particularly high in Saxony state, where Chemnitz is located, over the arrival of more than a million asylum seekers since 2015. The far-right AfD party has won strong support in the region through its campaign against migrant arrivals, and surveys suggest that it is poised to become Saxony's second biggest party in next year's regional elections. Thousands answered a joint call by far-right party AfD and Islamophobic PEGIDA street movement to descend once again on the streets Local police, backed up by officers from across Germany, were out in force to keep both sides from clashing during the demonstrations Counter protesters also converged in former communist city to take a stand against racism
The US military plans to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan due to Islamabad's lack of "decisive actions" in support of American strategy in the region, the Pentagon said Saturday. The US has been pushing Pakistan to crack down on militant safe havens in the country, and announced a freeze on aid at the beginning of the year that an official said could be worth almost $2 billion. The Defense Department has sought to cut aid by $300 million "due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy," Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said in an email to AFP. "We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups," Faulkner said, adding that the latest aid cut request was pending Congressional approval. The announcement came days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit Islamabad to meet new Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan has fought fierce campaigns against homegrown militant groups, and says it has lost thousands of lives and spent billions of dollars in its long war on extremism. But US officials accuse Islamabad of ignoring or even collaborating with groups, which attack Afghanistan from safe havens along the border between the two countries. The White House believes that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency and other military bodies have long helped fund and arm the Taliban for ideological reasons, but also to counter rising Indian influence in Afghanistan. It also believes that a Pakistani crackdown could be pivotal in deciding the outcome of the long-running war in Afghanistan. - ' No more!' - US frustration has boiled over before: President Donald Trump's predecessor Barack Obama authorized drone strikes on Pakistani safe havens and sent US commandos to kill jihadist kingpin Osama bin Laden in his Abbottabad hideout. But Trump's aggressive language has especially angered Pakistani officials. "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools," Trump wrote on Twitter at the beginning of the year. "They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Pakistani leaders disputed the $33 billion figure, insisting that around half of the money relates to reimbursements, and the prime minister's office accused Trump of ignoring the great sacrifices the country has made to fight extremism. In March, a senior US official said that Pakistan has "done the bare minimum to appear responsive to our requests," and concerns over a lack of action by Islamabad against militant groups still persist. - Loss of US influence - The announcement came weeks after Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan took office amid concerns he would remain tolerant of terror groups including the Taliban and the notorious Haqqani network. Khan has repeatedly blamed Pakistan's participation in the US-led anti-terror campaign for the surge in terrorism on home soil over the last decade and has vowed to rebalance Islamabad's relationship with Washington. He has also shown a willingness to hold talks with militant groups and sought support from religious hardliners in the run-up to elections last July -- moves that prompted critics to christen him "Taliban Khan". Some analysts warn there may be no real way to pressure Islamabad and say a suspension in aid could see the US lose crucial influence over Pakistan which will instead look to other countries for support, particularly its longtime ally China. Despite the provocations, the US does not want to completely rupture its relationship with Pakistan, where anti-American sentiment already runs high. Washington's footprint in Afghanistan is much smaller than it was at the height of the war, but it needs access to Pakistan's supply lines and airspace. Pakistan is still believed to have the strongest influence over the Taliban, making its cooperation necessary for peace talks. The US announced a freeze on aid to Islamabad at the beginning of the year, sparking protests in Pakistan US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected in Pakistan this week to meet new Prime Minister Imran Khan
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte landed in Israel on Sunday as part of a regional tour including Jordan, as he pursues a pivot away from his nation's long-time reliance on American military hardware and support. The four-day visit to Israel will be the first by a Philippine leader in more than 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, even though their links go back to Manila's sheltering of Jews during the Holocaust. Duterte, accompanied by an entourage including soldiers and police, was welcomed at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv by Israeli Communications Minister Ayoob Kara. He then headed to Jerusalem, where he will hold an event with some of the thousands of Filipino migrant workers in Israel. On Monday, Duterte will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and sign agreements before heading to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. He will meet with President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday and on Wednesday inaugurate a memorial near Tel Aviv commemorating the Philippines' acceptance of 1,300 Jews fleeing the Holocaust. "We assign great importance to this visit, which symbolises the strong, warm ties between our ?two peoples," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement. Duterte has pivoted the Philippines away from its former colonial master the United States and towards warmer diplomatic and business ties with China and Russia. The US and Canada have both seen military hardware deals fall apart with the Philippines due to concerns over Duterte's drug war. But so far deals with Israel have gone smoothly. "(The visit) is for President Duterte to look for an alternative market for... weapons for our armed forces as well as for the police," Henelito Sevilla, an international relations expert at the University of the Philippines, told AFP. Israel is among the world's top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defence exports going to the Asia-Pacific region, according to Israeli defence ministry data. - Two-state solution - The Philippines emerged as a significant new customer in 2017, with sales of radar and anti-tank equipment worth $21 million. Manila says the trip is expected to yield agreements on defence as well as labour, which is one of the Philippines' top exports. Some 10 million Filipinos work abroad and send home money that is a lifeline for the economy. Manila is keen to sign agreements on protections for the workers. Duterte's visit has generated much attention, over his penchant for foul-mouthed statements, his internationally condemned drug crackdown that has killed thousands, and comments in 2016 likening himself to Adolf Hitler. "Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. Most mainstream historians say six million Jews died in the Holocaust. Duterte later apologised for his remarks, which he said were aimed at critics who had likened him to the Nazi leader. Just over a year later, the Philippines abstained in a United Nations vote rebuking the United States for its deeply controversial recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. Duterte on Sunday expressed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "We shall be guided by our constitution and laws as well as our international commitments in support of efforts and initiatives including the two-state solution," he told reporters. Netanyahu says he wants the Palestinians to govern themselves, but has recently declined to specify whether that would mean an independent Palestinian state or some diluted form of autonomy as advocated by many right-wing Israelis. Duterte heads to Jordan on September 5, where he is expected to meet King Abdullah II. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is eyeing Israeli military hardware Members of the Filipino community in Israel wave the flags of both countries as they await the arrival of President Duterte in Israel on September 2, 2018
Pope Francis on Sunday warned of a "human catastrophe" in the Syria's Idlib province, the last major rebel bastion which is being shelled by government forces. President Bashar al-Assad's forces have been amassing along Idlib's borders for weeks and shelling rebel-held territory on a daily basis, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The pontiff said there were still "winds of war" and "unsettling news about the risk of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the province of Idlib." Speaking during Angelus prayers, the pope urged the international community and other actors "to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations, in compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians." Idlib is adjacent to Latakia province, the coastal heartland of Assad's Alawite minority and home to the Russian military airport of Hmeimim. In recent days, Damascus and Moscow have stepped up warnings of an imminent assault on the province, which shares a border with Turkey and is dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by the former branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria. Pope Francis delivers his blessing to the faithful during the Angelus prayer at Saint Peter's square in the Vatican
Business

Mahira Khan, Ahad Raza named Pakistan Pavilion's official Ambassadors at Expo 2020 Dubai

Mahira said, I feel so proud to be the official Pavilion Ambassador. Its been such a pleasure going around the Pavilion from the landscapes to the rich history and the diversity you see, you will be amazed at what all Pakistan has to offer. It really is a Hidden Treasure.
A 41-year-old father is in a race to raise $1.1 million in just a week to pay for his life-saving cancer treatment.

Kurt Brunton, from New Zealand, is husband and father to baby Sage, who is almost one. This year, Fathers day was especially emotional.

He just opened his fathers day gifts and we were all just crying because part of us is scared and the other part of us is just extremely hopeful, his wife Janelle Brunton-Rennie told the NZ Herald.

She described her husband as the kindest and most beautiful man you could ever meet.

Kurt Brunton, wife Janelle Brunton-Rennie and daughter Sage (pictured). Source: GiveALittle/SaveKurt

On the day of his third wedding anniversary, he found a hard lump on his abdomen and soon received a heart-breaking diagnosis of aggressive Stage 4 Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. At the time, Sage was only four-months-old.

Initially, his prognosis for the blood cancer was good and specialists gave him a 90 per cent chance of beating the disease.

However, 6 weeks ago, the family discovered that Mr Bruntons body was rejecting salvage chemotherapy and that a stem cell transplant would not work.

He has no further treatment options available to him in New Zealand, family friend Emma Mildon wrote on a GiveALittle page to raise money for Mr Bruntons treatment.

New Zealand father Kurt Brunton (pictured with daughter Sage) is raising funds for cancer treatment. Source: GiveALittle/Save Kurt

He needs to make it to the USA for a ground-breaking CAR-T (immuno) therapy trial.

His final option is to get the therapy in the USA, which achieves a remission rate of about 40 to 60 per cent in similar cases.

CAR-T therapy involves harvesting a cancer patients immune cells, known as T-cells, and genetically engineering them into killer cells.

These killer cells are later re-injected into the patients body to target the cancer. This therapy is not yet available in New Zealand.

Janelle and Kurt are willing to sell their home, cars and everything they own if they have to, so they can get Kurt the treatment he needs to beat this thing once and for all, Ms Mildon wrote.

The Brunton family are raising funds for Mr Bruntons cancer treatment. Source: GiveALittle/Save Kurt

Sage is a daddys girl, and deserves to grow up with her Dad.

Story continues

Mr Brunton has an appointment for next week, but up front payment is required. The treatment is expected to cost $1.1 million [AUD] with additional expenses for other medical bills, flights and accommodation.

Mr Brunton will travel to Boston with his mother while his wife looks after baby Sage.

Given we get the green light from the consultation, I will join him for two weeks of the treatment while my mum looks after Sage here, Ms Brunton-Rennie said.

The family have started a Give A Little page to try and urgently raise the funds.
When she set out on a boat for the USSR with her family some 70 years ago, Yanina Stashko had no idea she would never see her native France again. Like millions of others, mainly from continental Europe but also Britain and the United States, Stashko's family was tempted "home" to the Soviet Union by a post-war propaganda drive. But when they got there they lost their previous nationality, found themselves impoverished at best and victims of political repression at worst. "Of course I could have done much more in France than I did here. But obviously it is too late to go back," the 88-year-old told AFP at the farm where she lives in the west of Belarus. In the 1920s, Stashko's father had moved from what is now western Belarus to France along with his wife. There he worked in the mines in the north of the country which at the time were crippled by strikes. "In France we lived well. We had a house that my father was given from the mine," said Stashko, who was born shortly after her parents' arrival in the country. - Millions like us - But after World War II, her father lost his job. The region from where in Belarus his family originated had become a part of the USSR -- at home, they would read Soviet newspapers, which were full of propaganda, and talk about what life would be like on the other side of the Iron Curtain. At the time, the Soviet Union was on a major repatriation drive with immigrants, exiles, "White Russians" who had opposed the Bolsheviks in the Civil War, as well as other refugees from the conflict encouraged to come back. Soviet statistics from 1952 say as many as 4.3 million people returned from around the world. "In the end, my father said that he wanted to go 'home'. But nobody asked my opinion," said Stashko, who was a teenager and working as a seamstress in France. In 1948, the family set out from the French port of Marseille to Odessa, southern Ukraine, with around 2,800 others, according to only child Stashko. "We travelled as workers, in third class. The people in first and second class took cars with them, their belongings, some of them were leaving behind their businesses in France. "There were doctors, engineers, teachers," the now widowed mother-of-two remembers. But when they arrived, the passengers in the top two classes were immediately confronted with the realities of Joseph Stalin's regime. "They were arrested and their belongings were confiscated," Stashko said. Her own family saw their French passports confiscated and they were transported in cattle wagons to Belarus. There, her father began work in a Kolkhoz, or collective farm, but he was sentenced to a year in prison for "subversion" after an argument with the leader of the collective. "During that time, we tried just to keep our heads down. I used to send letters to France but then I stopped because we were scared." - One last journey home - Thanks to a sewing machine brought with them from France, which they were miraculously able to keep, the family earned enough to survive on meagre post-war rations. Up until the 1970s, Stashko would make dresses in the French 1940s style. In 1973, the French state tracked down her father and gave him a comfortable pension for his work in the mines, which then passed to his wife when he died. But after the Soviet Union broke up in the early 1990s, the link to France was lost again. In January this year, the Belarussian press picked up the family's story, and in the summer, Stashko was invited to the French Embassy in Minsk with a dozen other "children of France" and their descendents. The ambassador promised the former seamstress one last journey to the village where she was born in the north of the country. But, at almost 90, there is no guarantee Stashko will be able to make the trip. "I would love to go back to the country and find our house again. And maybe see Paris -- I've never seen Paris," she told AFP. Yanina Stashko, 88, says she had no idea she would never return to France when she and her family left for the USSR 70 years ago Stashko's family was tempted "home" to the Soviet Union by a post-war propaganda drive, like millions of others Up until the 1970s, Stashko, who had been a seamstress in France, made dresses in the French 1940s style after going to live in Belarus The Soviet Union launched a major repatriation drive with immigrants, exiles, "White Russians" who had opposed the Bolsheviks in the Civil War, as well as other refugees from the conflict, encouraged to come back In 1948, Stashko's family left the French port of Marseille for Odessa, southern Ukraine, with 2,800 others, but on arrival, people's belongings were confiscated, including the Stashko's French passports
Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Ukraine's rebel stronghold of Donetsk on Sunday to pay their final respects to separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko, while an aide to the Russian president praised him as a "brother" and a "hero". Throngs of admirers -- many clutching flowers and in tears -- formed a line to view the flag-draped casket of the 42-year-old chief of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, whose body was lying in state in a theatre. Zakharchenko was killed in a bombing at a Donetsk cafe on Friday, becoming the four-year conflict's most prominent victim from the Moscow-backed side. His bodyguard also died and 12 more people were injured. In a statement carried by the Donetsk republic's official news agency, Russian President Putin's aide Vladislav Surkov called the separatist a "brother". "You are a cool guy, a true hero and it's a huge honour to be your friend," said Surkov, calling Zakharchenko Sasha, a diminutive form of his first name. A representative of the local authorities estimated the turnout at around 100,000 people, while an AFP correspondent said more than 30,000 turned up. Armed men in fatigues cordoned off the city centre and public transport was temporarily suspended. Huge billboards erected in the city centre were plastered with pictures of Zakharchenko and his quotes. "All of us have one Motherland -- Russia", read one. The leader of Georgia's breakaway statelet, South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, and Alexander Borodai, a Russian journalist and former prime minister of the Donetsk republic, were in attendance. Many mourners blamed Ukraine for the bombing. "We will never forget this tragedy, we will never forgive," said Sergei Kapustin, 35. Moscow and rebel authorities have said Kiev was behind the assassination, while Ukraine links the bombing to internal feuding and Russia's desire to control the territory. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have said the high-profile murder was a provocation and would derail the long-stalled, Western-brokered peace process. More than 10,000 people have been killed since the rebel insurgency broke out in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border. Moscow has denied the claims despite evidence to the contrary. Mourners attend the funeral ceremony of Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine on September 2, 2018 Ukrainian rebel separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in a bombing at a Donetsk cafe, becoming the four-year conflict's most prominent victim from the Moscow-backed side
US President Donald Trump's swingeing cuts to aid for Palestinians will advance Israel's interests but risk compromising a US-led peace push and raise tensions in the Middle East, analysts and diplomats said Saturday. The US administration announced Friday it would no longer provide any funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), a week after cutting over $200 million (170 million euros) in separate aid to Palestinians. They were the latest in a series of controversial moves by the Trump administration that have thrilled Israel's government but caused shock and dismay among international powers and Palestinians, making their dream of an independent state more distant than ever. The cuts come as the international community seeks to reach an agreement to deliver significant humanitarian aid to the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip, where most residents rely on external handouts. The US has long been the largest single donor to UNRWA, providing more than $350 million a year. The agency provides support to Palestinians who fled their homes in the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel, as well as their descendants. Israel and the US object to the fact that Palestinians can pass refugee status to their children, and want the number of refugees covered by UNRWA to be sharply reduced. The Palestinians accuse the US of blatant bias and of seeking to strip them of their rights. A week earlier, the US government ended Palestinian funding by USAID, which amounted to more than $200 million a year. In December, the US recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking decades of international consensus that the status of the disputed city should be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians. The May opening of the US embassy in the city triggered Palestinian protests that saw dozens of demonstrators in Gaza shot dead by Israeli forces. A European diplomat said Saturday the US moves, taken in conjunction with an American pledge to veto any motions criticising Israel at the UN Security Council, were emboldening Israel's government, considered the most right-wing in the country's history. Israel is increasingly convinced it has a free hand to accelerate settlement growth and even advocate for annexing parts of the West Bank, the diplomat said. Alan Baker, a former Israeli diplomat-turned-analyst, said the government would be thrilled by the aid cuts. "The UNRWA thing is very logical as it has become an anachronistic organisation -- maintaining the refugee status rather than trying to solve it." - No leverage with Palestinians - Baker said the aim of the cuts was also to force the Palestinians back to the negotiating table, though others said that was unlikely. Trump's team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, has been pushing for what the US leader has called the "ultimate deal", but the Palestinians have boycotted his administration since its Jerusalem announcement. The cuts mean the US is providing very little aid to Palestinians, and another European diplomat said the move weakened Trump's hand. "When you have no money left to threaten them with, you have reduced your leverage," he said. Palestinian economist Nasser Abdel Kareem told AFP the cuts would hurt Palestinians but have little impact on the government. Unlike some European states, the US does not provide direct budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority. The only part of US funding that goes directly to the PA -? for security coordination with Israel -? was not cut. The cut "will not harm the treasury of the Palestinian Authority," Kareem told AFP. Nadia Hijab, president of the Palestinian think tank Al-Shabaka, said returning to negotiations would be extremely unpopular among Palestinians. But she fears that with full US support, Israel will have free reign to increase settlement growth. "If the PA goes back and talks to the Americans it is giving them a green light to do whatever they want to do, and if they don't go back, they are going to do what they want to do," she said. "At the moment it is a lose-lose situation." Hugh Lovatt, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, agreed. "If anything, the Palestinians will now double down on their current approach, which is to boycott the US administration and attack the yet-to-be unveiled US peace plan," he said. - Regional fears - Hijab and many Palestinians do not believe the US is seeking to get the Palestinian leadership back to the table. Instead, she said, they believe the US is trying to help Israel "end the conflict on its terms and legalise its occupation". That would mean stripping refugees across the region of their rights, specifically the idea they could one day return to historic Palestine. In both Jordan and Lebanon, Palestinian refugees have fewer rights than citizens and rely on UNRWA services for education, healthcare and other basic services. In Gaza, run by the Islamist movement Hamas, the majority of the two million residents are refugees, meaning the UNRWA cuts will hit particularly hard. Job losses for a few hundred of the agency's staff have already sparked major protests. The Gaza Strip suffers from desperate poverty and is largely sealed off by both Israel and its other land neighbour, Egypt. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008. Some in the Israeli security services quietly express concern that immediate cuts to UNRWA could increase tensions with Israel in Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinian refugee children play in a street of the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on September 1, 2018 Palestinian refugees chat at the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018 Palestinian school girls pose near a UN Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) tractor in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, on September 1, 2018 Palestinian refugees sit near computers at the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018


A meteorologist at a West Virginia TV station is accused of shoving a news anchor and fracturing her skull.

Chelsea Ambriz, 26, is charged with misdemeanor battery, The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported.

A criminal complaint says Ambriz, who works as an on-air forecaster for WSAZ-TV, shoved station anchor Erica Bivens in a bar in West Virginia on Sunday last week.

They both work on the same news shift covering the stations 4pm bulletin.

The complaint claims Bivens suffered a ruptured eardrum and skull fracture in the fight. It does not say what caused the dispute or where it happened.

Weather presenter Chelsea Ambriz (right) allegedly shoved station anchor Erica Bivens (right) at a bar causing her to fracture her skull. The pair both work together at WSAZ-TV. Source: Twitter/ Chelsea Ambriz

But according to a police report obtained by FTV Live, Bivens was on a girls night out when she ran into her co-worker at a bar where a fight ensued after Bivens confronted Ambriz about flirting with her husband.

Bivens alleges during the confrontation her co-worker then became irate, shoving her and forcing them both to the ground.

The pair cover the stations 4pm bulletin. Source: Twitter/ Chelsea Ambriz

Ambriz is set to appear in court on September 21.

It is unclear if she has a lawyer that can be contacted for comment.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail says a WSAZ station manager was not immediately available for comment.

With Associated Press
Until last year, the International Joint Commission was a relatively obscure bi-national organization.

The six-member panel consisting of representatives from the United States and Canada formed more than a century ago to settle issues involving shared waterways. The commission's responsibilities, as detailed on its website, include regulating shared water uses, improving water quality, improving air quality and investigating transboundary issues.

In 2017, the IJC received attention when flooding along Lake Ontario was blamed on Plan 2014, a water management plan adopted by the commission in late 2016. Elected officials, including U.S. Rep. John Katko, and some residents believed it was Plan 2014 that contributed to higher-than-normal water levels and caused flooding that affected shoreline communities.

Members of the IJC and the scientific community noted that record rainfall in the basin was what contributed to the flooding.

Despite statistics and other evidence to back up the IJC, there were calls for new representatives on the commission. Last year, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins urged President Donald Trump to nominate new commissioners to fill the U.S. seats on the panel.

Last week, Trump did just that. He nominated three people, including a New Yorker, to represent the United States as members of the IJC. The nominations were sent to the U.S. Senate Tuesday.

Katko, who has been one of the leading critics of Plan 2014 and the IJC, praised the president's nominations.

"I now urge the Senate to move forward in swiftly considering these nominees, and believe that anyone confirmed to this position must look closely at Plan 2014 and work to address the significant problems it has caused for Lake Ontario shoreline communities," Katko, R-Camillus, said in a statement.

Jane Corwin

Corwin, a former New York state assemblywoman, would replace Lana Pollack as the U.S. section chair. Pollack was appointed to the commission by President Barack Obama.

As an ex-Republican lawmaker whose district included a handful of western New York towns along the Lake Ontario shoreline, Corwin is already familiar with the commission. Having a New York on the panel, she explained in an interview with The Citizen, may have been an important factor in the president's decision to nominate her to the commission.

"I think it's important to have someone from this area," she said.

Corwin said she had conversations with the White House leading up to the nomination, but she was quick to point out that the commission's mission is to be independent and make recommendations to the United States and Canadian governments.

She also stressed the importance of science-based decisions and making policy recommendations based on experts' advice.

While the flooding along Lake Ontario occurred after Corwin left office, she was a member of the state Assembly when Plan 2014 was adopted. She opposed Plan 2014 as an elected official, according to news reports and public statements.

She conceded it would be a "big lift" to withdraw from Plan 2014, mainly because it would require the support of the Canadian commissioners. But what she wants to aim for is a reevaluation of water management plan.

"I think it's important to keep in mind with Plan 2014 that in the methodology leading to the recommendation, leading to the final product, they did take into consideration worst-case scenarios as far as weather events," she said. "The problem is it didn't take into consideration an extreme enough event which is what we ended up experiencing."

Corwin added, "What I would like to bring to the table is an emphasis on the science, making sure that we take into consideration the extreme weather that we're experiencing and making sure that the scientific community has the opportunity to weigh in on those extreme scenarios. Because if you go by how the weather has been in recent years we deal with extreme events and we want to make sure that we have that incorporated into any policy recommendations."

As chair, Corwin said she would seek to boost the commission's public outreach efforts. She wants to improve communications between the commission and the public, especially with residents living along the shorelines.

Jim Howe, director of the Nature Conservancy's central and western New York chapter, is a proponent of Plan 2014. But he also believes the state benefits from having representation on the commission.

"I think we should all be pleased about that here in New York," he said of Corwin's nomination.

Rob Sisson

Sisson has worn many hats in his career. He is a former commercial banker and was mayor of Sturgis, Michigan. He also served as the Sturgis city commissioner.

He is now president of ConservAmerica, a group that formed for Republicans who support environmental protection and conservation. It is now a nonpartisan organization, according to its website.

Sisson has family in upstate New York. His sister-in-law lives in the Syracuse area and he has ties to the Tug Hill region east of Lake Ontario.

"Listening to stakeholders is a key part of the IJC's mission, and I look forward to getting to one of my favorite places in America  upstate New York  to learn from them," he wrote in an email to The Citizen.

As a Michigander, Sisson brings a different perspective to the commission. Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, which fall under the IJC's jurisdiction. He has visited areas in the western U.S., including Montana, and is aware of the shared boundary waters there.

The shared border waters, he explained, provide hydroelectric energy, irrigates crops and support transportation.

"For example, to ranchers and communities along Montana's sparsely populated Hi-Line, the IJC's work on water apportionment issues is critical to maintaining their livelihoods and way of life," he said.

In his email, Sisson said he is "acutely aware" of Plan 2014 and concerns about the water management strategy.

"If confirmed, a priority will be to immerse myself in the current status of findings and recommendations from the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence committee, the Adaptive Management Committee, stakeholders and IJC's professional staff," he said.

Lance Yohe

Yohe, a Fargo resident, has spent most of his adult life working on boundary water issues.

Perhaps his most important role was as executive director of the Red River Basin Commission. The commission is comprised of representatives from Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The goal of that panel, much like the IJC, is to build consensus. Because the Red River Basin Commission is a nonprofit organization and a registered charity in Canada, it lacked the authority to "tell anybody what they had to do," Yohe said in a phone interview. They had to work with federal, state and local representatives to address water management issues.

"That kind of experience is what I hope to bring to the IJC, and what I think the IJC is partially set up to help us do between the two countries," Yohe said.

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Yohe said his first job will be to learn more about the issues. He plans to study Plan 2014 and learn more about the water management plan, along with other issues affecting shared U.S.-Canada waterways.

As for his vision, he wants to find ways for both countries to cooperate.

"Find answers that work for both sides," he said. "That's what I really want to try and do."

What's next?

Corwin said the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the nominees. There is no timetable for when a hearing will be held. If the nominees clear the committee, the full Senate will vote on whether to confirm them.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Auburn United Methodist Church welcomed a new pastor in July, the Rev. Beth Malone.

Malone earned her bachelor's degree at Roberts Wesleyan College and her Master of Divinity at Colgate Theological School in Rochester. Her mother is a retired United Methodist Church pastor, and her father is a retired Kodak security guard. She has a husband, Darren, as well as a son, Corey, and daughter, Jamie.

In a news release, Malone said: "I want us to be a relevant mission church helpful and hospitable to the community of Auburn. To be a vibrant Christian resource for this locale, I hope to make Auburn's United Methodist Christians make the words of the Gospel come alive for the people of Cayuga County."

For more information, visit the church, 99 South St., Auburn, or call (315) 253-6295.

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Need help? We all know in an emergency to dial 911. There is also another number that can help you with information, and that is 211. Every day, thousands of individuals across North American turn to 211 for information and support about a variety of issues, including housing, transportation, health and more.

And while many Cayuga County residents are not yet familiar with the service, it is available here.

The 211 service is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website designed to connect people to necessary health and human services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Anna B. recently came to Cayuga County to live with her sister. She had been living with her boyfriend and the father of her two children. Over time, their relationship deteriorated, and Anna wanted a better environment for her family. As she was originally from the county and had both family and friends here, she decided to relocate. She came with no job, little money and virtually no household goods. Upon arriving, her aunt suggested she call 211 for some help.

Anna said that the woman she spoke with was very helpful. First, she listened to Anna and her needs. Second, she was able to give Anna a list of available resources that could help her and her children restart their life. She noted that she feels there are many valuable resources available to those in the county, and 211 helped her learn about them. Ill always be grateful that there was someone on the other end that listened to me and was willing to help, Anna said.

Last year in New York, 211 resource specialists handled just under 2 million calls and 842 text-based contacts. These individuals are all highly trained, and contacts with the service are confidential and private. Multilingual capabilities are available, too. For those individuals wishing to search on their own, they can do so using the various websites serving their region of the state.

The 211 databases are some of the largest state resources on nonprofit and human services, with nearly 69,000 programs and more than 29,000 organizations listed. Individuals can find information on things such as emergency shelter and housing options, veterans services, health care, support groups, employment opportunities, addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs. Dialing 211 can be the start to a safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic abuse situations.

In 1999, the Federal Communications Commission set aside 211 as the national number to use for health and human services information and referral. United Way and the Alliance of Information and Referral System are charged with the management of 211 nationally. Subsequently, New Yorks Public Service Commission assigned the number to 211 New York to develop on a statewide basis. In January 2015, 211 was available to 100 percent of New York residents.

While initially developed with access to day-to-day human services in mind, 211 has proven to be an asset in disaster response and long-term recovery. The number relieves 911 and other government agencies of calls for non-emergency assistance during and after a disaster. Past examples in New York state include snow and ice storms, flooding and Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. Last year, localized summer floods in upstate New York generated more than 450 calls to 211 in just a matter of days. In response to Sandy, the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services formally activated 211 to support the work of local and state government in disaster response and recovery. The number handled about 180,000 calls in the weeks following the storm.

The 211 service is committed to be the first, most essential resource to anyone who needs help. From help in navigating the wide array of health and human services available to (helping) individuals address lifes challenges to targeted assistance, like during a disaster, 211 provides a personal, confidential and individual response, said Mary Shaheen, vice president for United Way of New York State and president of 211 New York. Any hour of the day or night, any day of the year, 211 is there and for everyone, because you never know when life might throw you a curveball.

Cayuga County is served by 211lifeline.org. Once at the site, individuals can search there or find other useful information. Agencies and organizations can join 211 or update their information any time from this page. The United Way of Cayuga County can help area organizations with this as well (unitedwayofcayugacounty.org).

Karen A. Macier, of Auburn, has spent 20 years working and volunteering in the not-for-profit sector.

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Sept. 2, 1993

An elected executive or an appointed administrator  how should Cayuga County be governed? About 40 people showed up at a forum last night at Cayuga Community College to find an answer to that question.

The forum was prompted by an issue on this fall's ballot. Cayuga County voters will choose in November whether they want to be governed by an elected county executive.

For years, community and government leaders have discussed how Cayuga County should be governed. Voters have rejected three county manager proposals, most recently in 1989.

County lawmakers decided earlier this month to put the proposal on the ballot. If voters approve the ballot issue, the county executive would be elected in November 1994 and take office in January 1995.

Last night's discussion included issues such as salary, qualifications and whether the county can legally establish an executive branch without a charter in place.

But one question that piqued considerable attention is a provision that empowers the county attorney with a veto review.

 Compiled by David Wilcox

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This November, lawsuits permitting, North Carolinians will vote in referendums on six constitutional amendments . The issues they will address are crime victims' rights, a right to hunt and fish, the method for filling vacancies on the states' courts, the establishment of a bipartisan elections commission, a cap on the income tax rate, and voter identification. Republicans argue they constitute meaningful and much needed changes. Democrats counter the proposed amendments are political stunts, constructed to increase Republican turnout in a midterm year with an unpopular GOP president. The party is afraid it might lose its supermajorities in the General Assembly, perhaps even control of one or both chambers.Democrats build much of their claim around popular analyses of the 2004 presidential election. Many believe same-sex marriage referendums in 11 states ginned up the Republican vote enough to secure George W. Bush's narrow victory. A ban passed in all of them, and in most turnout increased markedly from 2000. If referendums on certain issues can get Republicans to the polls in a presidential year, they should be particularly useful for the North Carolina GOP in 2018 - particularly since the state has no gubernatorial or U.S. Senate contest, either.I'm not so sure. The evidence referendums increase turnout is hardly compelling. North Carolina had its own referendum on same-sex marriage in May 2012. Titled "Amendment One," it was placed on the primary ballot, launched with ballyhoo, and subject to an intense campaign. Ultimately, 35 percent of voters showed up, about par for recent presidential primaries and below midterm general elections. The authors' goal was clearly passage, and they relied on a competitive Republican presidential primary to get people to the polls.Are these the best issues to motive the Republican base and help Republican legislative candidates in an otherwise sleepy election? Even contentious matters with presumed asymmetric partisan effects on turnout, like same-sex marriage in 2004, sometimes have unpredictable results. Compared to his national performance, Bush's proportion of the vote in two key battlegrounds of Michigan and Ohio that held referendums dropped from 2000.Although politicians and activists are agitated over the issues of the election commission and judicial vacancies, voters are not and surely never will be. The victims' rights question seems better suited to a period of increased crime. The income-tax cap and voter identification look promising. Polling by the Civitas Institute shows North Carolinians support both propositions by healthy margins. But referendums on these questions elsewhere don't suggest Republicans will necessarily benefit. Coloradans passed the Taxpayers Bill of Rights amendment in 1992, but turnout didn't increase more than the national rate, and George H.W. Bush lost the state having won it four years previously. Minnesota rejected voter ID in November 2012. Polls taken only weeks earlier had it passing handsomely, but Democrats and other opponents campaigned energetically to ensure its defeat.Voter ID and the tax cap are therefore perhaps as likely to motivate North Carolinians to get to the polls and vote Democrat as Republican. Voter ID, particularly, has become a "red meat" issue for many on the left, cast as it is in racial terms. The court cases and Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes might help Democrats more than expected. These spats over procedure have fostered indignation and could bring to the polls angry voters accusing Republicans of manipulating the democratic process.What's more, people need to know about the referendums. Will there be enough money to advertise effectively? The parties will concentrate on the General Assembly and Congress. With many close races, including two increasingly competitive U.S. House contests in our state, outside groups will feel pressured to invest in candidates, not ballot questions. Money will be set aside only for referendums where the outcome is uncertain, suggesting a proposal is of interest to potential Democrat and Republican voters alike.And the six referendums will compete with another, North Carolinians' verdict on President Trump at the halfway point of his term. Midterm elections are inevitably assessments of presidential performance, even at the level of state legislature, and given the polarized views of the current occupant of the White House, 2018 will be no exception. Providing Trump a vote of confidence is likely to motivate many Republicans - particularly blue-collar whites who do not customarily vote in the off year - more than any state constitutional amendment will.The hunting and fishing measure might be the most effective at pushing Republican turnout. It should appeal disproportionately to conservative rural voters. But they live in districts where incumbent GOP legislators enjoy electoral security. I think the Democrats are wrong about Republican motives. Perhaps Republicans have the wrong motives. Either way, these proposals look like some of the last items on a GOP wish list to me. The party is anticipating a period of greater competition when it will be playing a little more defense.
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".
Ron DeSantis in his Navy Dress Whites: Above.

DeSantis stated:Gillum, of course, is black. The phrase "monkey this up" immediately generated accusations of "dog whistling" from DeSantis - the implication that DeSantis was engaging in a subtle form of racism, telling Floridians not to vote for the black candidate. Yes, in the midst of praising Gillum as a highly competent and articulate candidate, DeSantis supposedly just decided to remind closet racists that Gillum is black by using a phrase everyone understands to mean "mess things up."This is wildly dishonest stuff. Take, for example, this headline from The Hill:No, DeSantis didn't say that Floridians shouldn'tHe said Floridians shouldn'tNonetheless, this is apparently, according to the media, a nefarious dog whistle.This requires us to ask a question. What was DeSantis' racist strategy? To use a word that, when used as a verb, as DeSantis did here, is defined by the dictionary as "to play or trifle idly; fool"? A word that is commonly used in a variety of political contexts (see, for example, Gillum himself using the term "monkey on the commission's back" here)? Was DeSantis so clever about his wording that he knew that a common phrase, applied to a socialist candidate who happens to be black, would activate his evil white supremacist voters? If so, why wasn't he clever enough to realize that the world would come crashing down on him? After all, that was pretty predictable, wasn't it?That's the way our politics operate. Mitt Romney was slandered as a racist for using the term "tar baby" to describe the Big Dig in Boston in 2006; George Allen may have lost a Virginia senate race after he suggested an Indian reporter's name was "Macaca," which, as it turns out, is a Portuguese slur for black people (Allen was, presumably, an expert in Portuguese racial slurs); in 1999, an aide to the mayor of Washington D.C. lost his job for using the word "niggardly" to describe a budget (the word has no connection with the racial slur). Everyone in politics is quite aware of the blowback that invariably occurs after even the slightest suggestion of using a racial slur. So the theory is that DeSantis decided to risk his gubernatorial run to use the phrase "monkey it up," thereby signaling the latent KKK membership? That's the suggestion?Or perhaps the suggestion is that DeSantis suffers from an unconscious racism and thus peppers his speech with racist faux pas. If so, some record of his repeated use of such language would be in order. In fact, there's no record of any racism from DeSantis.Or perhaps we might consider the simplest explanation: that DeSantis said the phrase without any racial intent, that he didn't make any reference to Gillum's race, and that the media have an interest in suggesting that DeSantis is a racist in order to damage him in his gubernatorial race. Which of these explanations seems most likely to you?It turns out that most dog whistles aren't whistles - they're calls. You don't have to go far to identify white political dog whistles from President Trump, for example (see Charlottesville). But the Left's constant assertion that every misspeak by a Republican is evidence of a new Southern strategy does lead Republicans to start tuning out the Left on racial issues, to their own detriment. You can't cry racial wolf - or racial "dog whistle" - this often without undermining the veracity of the label itself. And that does lead to more tolerance of actual dog whistles.
With President Trump's consistent focus on "fake news," it's easy to forget that the term was originally popularized by members of the mainstream media attempting to explain away Hillary Clinton's loss by blaming the dissemination of false stories. But if that was the media's concern, they could have begun by looking in-house - it turns out that the media have been responsible for a bevy of fake stories targeting the right for decades on end (see Rather, Dan). The latest example: CNN absolutely botched a story claiming that President Trump knew in advance about the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between members of the Trump campaign and a Russian-backed lawyer supposedly offering dirt on Hillary Clinton.It turns out that a CNN story from July 26, 2018 claiming just that was supplied by Lanny Davis, the Clinton-associated lawyer for Michael Cohen, Trump's personal fixer - a man who just flipped on Trump to the FBI, implicating Trump in campaign finance violations. CNN says it stands by the story. Davis, however, told The Washington Post this week, "I should have been more clear - including with you - that I could not independently confirm what happened. I regret my error." Davis then told Anderson Cooper,CNN's original story rocketed around the media, with "confirming" stories following from NBC News and The Washington Post, among others. According to BuzzFeed News, Davis was the confirming source for all of that.These admissions follow another from Davis regarding a claim that Trump knew beforehand about the hacking of Democratic emails by the Russians.Davis now says.All of which should call into serious question Davis' credibility. And CNN's, if they don't have any additional information. According to BuzzFeed News:The network, in effect, doesn't appear to believe it made a mistake - the story was, some inside CNN argue, carefully worded to hedge against those in the Cohen camp changing their tune. In other words, the story reports claims that Cohen had said he was willing to make, not the underlying truth of those claims.The decision from CNN to continue to stand by the story suggests that it believes the strength of its other sources outweighs any waffling from Davis - or that the network believes Davis was telling the truth then, and not now. But Davis's new statement that he was a source for a story he now refutes raises questions about what action, if any, the network might take.one CNN staffer told BuzzFeed News.As someone who has personally made this mistake, it's important to note that caveating information doesn't inure you to blowback. While CNN's story may still be technically true, those aren't the rules of the game anymore: rumors mustn't be reported, even if the reporting of the rumors is accurate. So if Davis was trafficking in rumors and CNN printed them, that's their fault. And by the media's own standards, that means CNN is pushing fake news.
Men constructing the Cedar Falls Hydro-Electrical Plant in 1921: Above.

The origins of Labor Day are rather dubious, born from congressional guilt of Americans shot down by the Army and U.S. Marshalls, while exercising their first amendment right to congregate and protest during the Pullman Strike, in Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4, 1894, was signed into law during the Grover Cleveland Administration, with the first holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September, 1894. As dubious as the origin of the holiday, was the origin of who killed whom during this Haymarket Massacre, where a bomb explosion and the resultant gunfire killed 4 protesters and 7 officers of the law during this protest to advocate for the eight hour day.The Pullman Strike occurred at the height of the origins of the labor Movement in America, where the oft referred to "Robber Barons" of the "Gilded Age" of American wealth creation, as America's wealthiest men and some of the richest in the world, competed with one another to see who could amass more wealth. These wealthiest Americans: J. P. Morgan (finance, industrial consolidation), Andrew Carnegie (steel), John D. Rockefeller (oil), Cornelius Vanderbilt (transportation, especially railroads), considered each other's wealth as an adversarial component to their ever-encompassing competition to best the other's financial position by building astounding sums of wealth, often at the expense of their workers, skilled and otherwise.These were fertile times, not only for the creation of staggering wealth, but for the origination of labor unions, which began for a reasonable purpose then, but have, for all practical purposes, outlived any purposeful existence now. These Robber Barons, and especially Cornelius Vanderbilt in this case, who sowed these strong seeds of extreme discontent with his ill-conceived greed in cutting the pay of his rank and file Pullman servants (Pullman Strike), to better compete with these upper echelon masters of wealth: Carnegie, Morgan and Rockefeller, may have been solely responsible for congress's rush to provide the American population with this new found holiday in that summer of 1894 - our labor Day.While these Robber barons were basically smart and hardworking, they were men that were competitive to a fault, who made great sport of amassing wealth. They were remarkably just as competitive with each other in their dispensation of that wealth to charitable trusts that still honor their names to this day. While many will appreciate the good deeds of their various charitable trusts, there will be even more Americans, who appreciate their (Robber Barons') unintended day off that their actions did most adequately facilitate.Now you know Stan's version of how we wound up with the American holiday of Labor Day.
- The state capture investigation has already brought major revelations to light

- Mcebisi Jonas, Vytjie Mentor and Themba Maseko revealed some startling insights

- We look at 10 things learned so far

PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

Mcebisi Jonas, Vytjie Mentor and Themba Maseko have come out with some frightening revelations in the State Capture report. We take a look at 10 explosive points that have already been brought to light.

According to a report in BusinessDay:

Former government spokesperson Themba Maseko disclosed that former president Jacob Zuma had personally called him and told him to give the Guptas what they wanted. He said: "My brother, there are these Gupta guys who need to meet you and who need your help. Please help them." The Guptas had the power to get you fired. Maseko was fired after he refused to give the entire government advertising budget to the Guptas. "A cabinet meeting took place the following Wednesday. During the course of the cabinet meeting, I was informed that eTV news channel was running with the news story that I was fired. [Minister Collins] Chabane consulted with the president during the break and an impromptu announcement had to be made to the cabinet that I had been terminated as GCIS CEO and government spokesperson," he said.

Ajay Gupta dealt with ministers who did not listen to them. He stated he would personally summons them and deal with them if they refused to listen. Vytjie Mentor stated in her testimony that in early 2010 the Guptas were already running things. She cited an example where they had wanted her appointed at minister of Pubic Enterprises so she could stop the SAA route to Mumbai because they wanted the route for another airline. Mcebisi Jonas testified also testified about a meeting he had with Ajay Gupta where Ajay admitted they had been gathering intelligence on him and those closest to him that they could use against him if they ever needed to. The Guptas boasted about the extent of their power stating they had control of the investigative and prosecutorial parts of the criminal justice system.

Jonas testified that Ajay Gupta had bragged about how much money they made from the state. He said that at the moment we  and I understood him to mean the Gupta family  earn about R6bn from the fiscus through various entities, including Eskom, Transnet and government departments. He said they wanted to increase this amount to R8bn and that they thought I could be helpful in this regard. Jonas added that Ajay Gupta had threatened to kill him after a meeting he had with them. He stated that Ajay said they would kill him if he ever suggested the meeting had taken place. Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor told the commission that she had informed parliaments joint standing committee on intelligence, then chaired by Siyabonga Cwele, and the ANC secretariat that Ajay Gupta had offered her a ministerial job in 2010, which means the ANC knew about the state capture plan as early as 2010. Jonas testified that he was offered R600 million immediately if he became finance minister and that the Guptas then pointed to Duduzane Zuma as an example saying they had made him a millionaire and bought him a house in Dubai.

Briefly.co.za reported recently that it had come to light that the South African treasury were unable to track R800 billion spent on goods and services yearly.

South Africans expected to hear about the failure of the government but this went beyond expectations.

R800 billion is a large amount of money to lose track off.

Chief Procurement Officer of National Treasury Willie Mathebula testified on Tuesday as the first witness before the commission of inquiry.

His testimony brought to light the Treasury's inability to stay updated on the government's expenditure.

According to Mathebula, the vastness of the projects the government is involved in made it difficult to know if the funds went where it was supposed to. He said there were different processes involved in tender bidding, adding to the complexity.

When asked whether there were policies that hold people that abuse public funds accountable, Mathebula replied that it's a difficult question.

The South African reports Mathebula admitted that Treasury's job has been difficult since 2013. He claims Treasury is fighting a war to ensure the system isn't abused. Most of the investigations were surrounding Denel, Transnet and Telkom.

Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story.

MTV Video Music Award What does it mean for you? For us, it means that thousands of people will be able to create new jokes about shocking looks of Jennifer Lopez! Do you remember the previous Jennifer Lopezs dresses? If your answer is "No" (but how dare you!), you must see this video! So, lets imagine that J Lo comes to fashion designer to pick a new dress for MTV Video Music Award ceremony. How will it go? What unusual demands will she make? And what dress will Jennifer Lopez finally choose? Click Play and watch our new video to get the answers!

To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today.

Source: Briefly.co.za
News / Africa

by Staff Reporter

Financial Gazette Newswire: https://www.FinancialGazette.co.zw/zim-businessmans-death-exposes-sas-murky-world-of-pensions-funds/

HARARE - The death of South African based Zimbabwean businessman Abraham Ndoro has opened a can of worms, shedding light on the murky pension industry in the Southern Africa powerful economy.Exactly 16 years after his questionable death in 2008, a dossier has been, for the first time made available by whistleblowers who say the death of "AB" Ndoro, as he was affectionately known, had more to it than what has been previously revealed.Ndoro's growing business, Southern Africa Quantum Consultants (SA Quantum) was set by Ndoro as a major shareholder, is a majority black-owned and managed professional consultancy firm.SA Quantum provides a comprehensive range of products and services to pension funds and other financial institutions, including life offices institutions across the board.Ndoro, a former Actuary at South Africa's NBC, had a "very strong relationship with Impala Workers Provident Fund through then Principal officer Alfred Boikanyo as well as the Fund Chairman Mr Johan De Waal, which he used to provide them with employee benefit services under his company" the dossier reads.According to the whistleblowers, Ndoro died under mysterious circumstances.Different theories ranging from "him falling from a Balcony at an apartment in Sandton while heavily drunk" to being "stabbed and then thrown over" but whistleblowers are adamant that his death wasn't an accident.Officially to this day the circumstances leading to Ndoro's death or the actual cause of his death remain a mystery as the South African Police Service has failed to complete the inquest into his death.At the time of his death, there was an internal battle for the control of the SAQ business. The fight involved the following people, MD of SA Quantum, Josiah Moshatane, Baldwin Kock (who is now the CEO and shareholder in the business), Collen Maarohanye  also a shareholder in the business and Veon Bock  then Executive Director, Bok would be later be caught red-handed by an E-tv News journalist trying to execute a bribe in 2010 according to the dossier was aggressively claiming ownership of the business prior to Ndoro's unexplained death.The four South Africans didn't answer calls when H-Metro sought comment from them about the serious allegations.The dossiers say at the same time the company MD Moshatane was also claiming shareholding and trying to force a "monthly retainer" for having "introduced Ndoro to Boikanyo at Impala".Following AB Ndoro's death, his wife, a Chartered Accountant, and one of the partners of a leading black accounting firm took over the business. She would, later on, sell it to an MBO (Management Buyout) made up of Kock, Maarohanye and others.One of the services given by SA Quantum was the Administration of Minor beneficiaries.With Ndoro dead SA Quantum lost Funds in the Fidentia scandal, which made international news, the new bosses decided to use what they called "The Retained Benefit" on death cases, reads the dossier.This was money allocated to minor (under 21) beneficiaries of Deceased members of the Fund. SA Quantum was given full access to the "Retained Benefit account" with one of their senior staff, Ismail Bhoola being the man in charge.Another service given to SA Quantum by Impala was the Members Home Loan administration. The funding for the Home loan service had to be sourced from Banks. Investigations reveal that a plan was hatched by SA Quantum in collusion with Boikanyo and Johan De Waal to use the "Retained Benefit" as a source to "fund this credit line".The dossier shows that palms were "greased" in the process to influence the board to approve this. SA Quantum also agreed to fund De Waal's son's (Hendrick De Waal) struggling business in Rustenburg as part of the "horse Trade".At that point, Boikanyo had been promoted at Impala Mines to an ER Manager while retaining his seat at the board. A certain "Ora" Tshabalala had taken over as the Principal Officer with Mr Boikanyo having been instrumental in his appointment in a bid to retain control of the fund."Ora" proved a very loyal servant of SAQ, continuing the relationship. Even after Alfred and Ndoro had a fallout in the later years, Mr Tshabalala made sure there was "no way out of SAQ".To date, no recoveries of this "home loan arrangement" have been made to reimburse the beneficiaries. Following the introduction of the Beneficiary Fund in 2009, the "Retained Benefit" had to be transferred to the newly established Impala Workers Beneficiary Fund.An application known as a section 14 Application was approved in 2014 by the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA), however, to this day the Retained benefit is yet to be transferred due to the massive shortfall.In the ensuing Beneficiary Fund meetings as well as FSCA compliance visits, the Fund Secretary, Mandla Mbukwane (Mufaro Consultants), allegedly has always kept the issue out of the agenda, in a bid to protect SA Quantum. The dossiers say this clearly demonstrates that there are a lot of unanswered questions around the Fund in question."It is very clear that the R 58 million (if not more) never funded the Credit line as people were meant to believe. The so-called "Home Loan" issue was just a smoke screen used by SAQ (in conjunction with Mr Alfred Boikanyo and Johan De Waal) to syphon money from the Fund. This is money meant to benefit orphans. Sadly this may never be recovered," reads the dossier.The company, SA Quantum, has been at pains trying for over the years to say this money "will be transferred" and today it hasn't happened.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE African Apostolic Church led by Paul Mwazha hosted a massive three-day Annual Holy Communion gathering at Irisvale Farm in Umzingwane District which drew an estimated 10 000 congregants from Matabeleland South Province.The church's popularity in the ministry of healing has become the chief contributor to its growth and now has membership in the United Kingdom, Dubai, Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and DRC.In an interview yesterday, the church's publicity and information secretary, Reverend Wilson Rutsate said the church was in the process of establishing branches in East Africa."The healing ministry, as you heard people's testimonies, has driven the church's growth with people of all elms coming to join. We are in the process of establishing branches in East Africa," he said.The gathering was also attended by church chairman Bishop Enock Mhambare who ministered to the multitude of followers.Each province meets annually to receive communion, where thousands of members of the church gather to receive Biblical teachings, share testimonies and receive prophecies. The conference started on Friday and ends today. Rev Rutsate said the church values education and health."We value the education of our children. I know that many when they hear that you are an apostle they imagine those Vapostori who are pot peddlers. Paul Mwazha was educated so we all embraced his teaching about education. We also consider health meaning that when one of our members gets ill we advise them to go to hospital," said Rev Rutsate.He said many people attended the gathering because this year they are celebrating the 100th birthday of church founder Paul Mwazha."Today we are celebrating the 100th birthday of our founder who was born on 25 October 1918," said Rev Rutsate.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Zapu spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa has said the recently appointed commission of inquiry into shooting on 1 August 2018 is nothing but an act of hypocrisy that lacks genuine intent.He said the appointments smacks of maneuvers by a desperate man who seeks approval from the international community in a classic case of legitimacy hunting."The composition of the commission, to begin with is pregnant with attention seeking tactics by Mnangagwa following his empty Zimbabwe is open for business mantra. He seeks, through dubious appointments, recognition and approval from the international world while overlooking the people who matter the most, the Zimbabweans," he said."The names, which obviously did not come from Mnangagwa except two, are a clear indication outsiders are deeply involved in Zimbabwe's internal affairs. The bulk are from outside Zimbabwe. They obviously are not versed with many things Zimbabwean such as the political culture and the environment that houses our politics. How they are supposed to unravel the killings quagmire of 1 August is a mystery."He said the three Zimbabwean appointed to this commission are Mnangagwa's relatives and known ZANU PF activists."How this commission is to be independent remains another mystery considering how strong the three are on ZANU PF activism. Lovemore Madhuku, compromised by virtue of him having been a candidate, having at one time made disparaging comments about the other candidate in the same race cannot be a fit commissioner in this matter. His bias is undoubtably pro Mnangagwa and ZANU PF," he said."ZAPU is surprised at the composition considering the abundance of equally competent minds who could have done this job locally. We have in this country the best legal minds, ex police, ex army, teachers and even pathologists who can give us the primary evidence that indeed six people died from shooting. Mnanagwa however, conveniently has sidelined these in order for him to impress his foreign friends who have assumed the role of master on him."He said Mnangagwa is displaying his desperation for foreign direct investment at the expense of the country's constitution, laws and general safety and welfare of Zimbabweans."This is synonymous with the post November administration in Zimbabwe, that has ignored rights of people and their choices of association. Protesting is fully allowed by the constitution and the heavy handedness on that fateful day is clear demonstration the military government is not prepared to protect and promote citizens rights as espoused and provided for in the constitution. It's clear demonstration they do not respect the supreme law of the land," he said."The people of Zimbabwe must not be hoodwinked by this and other ZANU PF commissions. It has become custom and policy to kill innocent people only to grandstand through creation of commissions. Soon after the November coup, Mnangagwa told the whole world in Davos that he had created a commission on Gukurahundi. By this he was referring to the NPRC, which he had just signed into law. The same world is still waiting for the implementation of this and the commissions results."He said at White City stadium in Bulawayo, two people violently died after a bomb explosion at the ZANU PF rally."Up to now the nation and the world is completely unaware of what transpired and caused the deaths. If ever there was any commission of inquiry, it remains a secret at the army barracks or command centre, while it's results may not be publicized for the world to know. This is a blatant display of inconsistency by a man whose government desperately seeks to portray a different picture from that of Mugabe era," he said."The ZANU PF government is only consistent in the negative and as such, it will not be surprising if this particular commission's results are not published just like they did with the previous ones. Today the people of Matebeleland are painfully waiting for the release of results of Dumbutshena and Chihambakwe commissions which the regime sat on up to this very day. The two commissions were set by Mugabe to inquire on deaths of tens of thousands who, just like the six in Harare did not deserve to die at the hands of government."He said People in Matebeleland and parts of Midlands were systematically dragged from their homes and butchered in broad day light."Pastors were pulled from the pulpit to be butchered in front of their congregations. Teachers were pulled from classrooms and butchered in front of pupils. Nurses and doctors were pulled out of hospital wards to be murdered in front of their patients. School children were killed on their way to and from school and some in classrooms. Women were killed on their way to maternity hospital, while the curfew induced hunger wiped out the elderly and children. Only one man knows the results of these two commissions despite the gravity of this matter," he said."They also await the full operationalization of the much hyped NPRC so that the matter is resolved. Capacitation of this commission has taken ages while Mnangagwa is busy commissioning others whose purpose is the same as that of NPRC. We remind the people of Zimbabwe not to expect anything from this commission. It is nothing but political grandstanding filled with arrogant hypocrisy meant to impress the neo colonialist British administration of Theresa May. This he does at the expense of home grown solutions to internal problems. ZAPU grieves with the families who lost their loved ones in the 1 August barbarian attacks on citizens and calls on the perpetrators to account and face justice."
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Secretary general Japhet Moyo have described most of the Zanu-PF promises in the run up to the elections as fake."Towards the elections we were told of mega deals and pledges of $16 billion including fifteen thousand jobs in one company. Now that the election is over everyone is anxious to see these promises materialising. This is not time for political gatherings for those declared winners but to fulfil the pre-election promises," he said."The tendency of blaming others or looking for scapegoat for not delivering on the promises would not be accepted this time. Our neighbours or those with their monies should not be our focus, especially when we are endowed with a good weather, fertile land and abundant minerals. Handei pakachena please."
News / National

by Staff reporter

Controversial Sungura musician-cum-politician Hosea Chipanga has urged MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to heed President Emmerson Mnangagwa's call for unity.He told the Daily News on Sunday that unity of purpose between them would be beneficial to the whole country, adding that only the "devil and evil forces" would stand to lose from an end to the bickering."From a spiritual point of view, the best solution and wisest idea Chamisa and the opposition at large can do for the country and Zimbabweans is to take heed of the call by President Mnangagwa to unite, live and work together as a family for the benefit of both the dead and living."On this move, the only loser and the biggest loser shall be no one else other than the devil himself and evil forces. By the same move, God and Zimbabweans are the winners," Chipanga said.Chamisa has refused to accept defeat saying the poll result was rigged in favour of his nemesis.On August 10, he took his case to the Constitutional Court (Con-Court) where the full bench unanimously ruled against him.Chamisa is escalating the contest by taking his electoral challenge to the African Commission for Human Rights, which, however, has no power to overturn the Con-Court judgment.
News / National

by Staff reporter

VICE President Constantine Chiwenga's wife Marry says she hugs people close to her out of love.The former model, chairperson of Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe and patron of Miss Zimbabwe Trust opened up to H-Metro on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of the two Vice Presidents at State House yesterday.Photo-journalists jostled to take pictures of her upon her arrival as she walked alongside her husband Vice President Chiwenga on the red carpet leading into the State House ahead of the signing ceremony.She took her time to speak on the photographs of her hugging men circulating on social media saying she was not moved about it since the men are either her relatives or people close to her."I do not give hugs to anyone as what people posting my photographs on social media want the nation to believe," said Mary."For example the man captured recently hugging me is Vice President Chiwenga's nephew. It's the same with other men posted on social media."Some are relatives from my mother and father as well as my in-laws. There is no one I hug who is not close to me and if you watch me carefully you will discover that there are some I just shake hands with while bending my knees."Among you journalists are my relatives as well including those from independent media so I saw it fit to take this opportunity to clarify this before it is taken as a 'hug festival'," said Marry.The second lady was accompanied by her parents and relatives that took time to have 'kodak' moments with her at the State House entrance.They were also given an opportunity to pose for photographs with President Mngangagwa soon after the swearing in ceremony.Vice Presidents Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi took oath before Chief Justice Luke Malaba at the colourful ceremony at State House yesterday.
Opinion / Columnist

Conclusion

Don Chigumba is a mixed methods research specialist, can be found on twitter @Donchigumba

Nelson Chamisa is among the heroes of faiths and honest, I have no doubt that he has joined the league of Simon Peter, Stephen, Paul, Aristarchus, Silas and other biblical heroes of faiths. I was expecting ZANU PF, Herald and CIOs to create fake stories about Chamisa's 'side chicks' like what they did to Morgan Tsvangirai. I am now convinced that Nelson Chamisa is not weak below the belt, the only weapon left for ZANU PF and its detractors is to create Chamisa-Mwonzora conflict to undermine the strength of Nelson Chamisa.ZANU PF went on to trap Archbishop Pius Ncube in his bedroom, they tracked the movements of Rev. Canaan Banana but they failed to implicate Nelson Chamisa on 'women' and his personality. I respect Chamisa for controlling his 'snake' below his belt, that has thrown ZANU PF and CIO into quandary. The only strategy left for ZANU PF is to manipulate MDC-T Secretary Douglas Mwonzora to their evil advantage.Who is Nick Mangwana? He published via his twitter account on 01/09/2018 a letter purported to have been written by Nelson Chamisa and national council dismissing their secretary general Douglas Mwonzora. It was latter discovered that Mangwana and ZANU PF stage managed the event with the aim of destroying MDC team. We should all say shame to Mangwana and his evil team. How can a ZANU PF leader masquerade as a spokesperson of MDC alliance? He should come to his senses.I am also convinced that, there may be bad blood between Chamisa and Mwonzora but their differences are minor and can be swallowed by democracy. Disagreement in the party is always healthy for our modern democracy. ZANU PF and war vets are on R.G Mugabe's neck because they felt that he supported and voted for Chamisa in 2018 presidential election. According to ZANU PF, an enemy is an opposition member or vice versa. What it means is that, if you oppose the government, you becomes a second class citizen.I am therefore urging Nelson Chamisa (though without primary evidence) to accept Mr. Mwonzora within the realm of modern democracy. In other words, there is no need for Nelson Chamisa to agree with Mwonzora but what they only need to do is only to reach a consensus. A good example is that of Donald Trump and John McCain, he declared the late McCain a national hero because Trump managed to set aside their political differences and consensus dictated.A bad example is that of Emerson Mnangagwa and Morgan Tsvangirai, ED shaded crocodile tears when Tsvangirai died. He declared that Tsvangirai was the father of the modern democracy in Zimbabwe, he was accorded a State funded funeral but the late Tsvangirai was not buried at the national heroes shrine. What it means is that the late Tsvangirai is less important to Hunzvi, Boda and other crooks resting there. I want you to join me in condemning ED's 'strategic selfish act'. I want Nelson Chamisa to get lessons from this, even if Douglas Mwonzora, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube etc die today, they should be buried at MDC national heroes shrine.When Tsvangirai lost 2013 elections, what followed was disintegration. We saw MDC Mangoma, MDC Biti and MDC Sipepa but following the ZEC/ZANU PF rigging of 2018 elections MDC under Nelson Chamisa remained united. I hail the transformation of MDC alliance into a party. The coming of Biti and Ncube will definitely build a stronger MDC. I am confident that ZANU PF is not happy with such a move, therefore MDC alliance should be ready for any eventuality.I know that Biti and Ncube are joining the MDC team but Douglas Mwonzora should not be left out. I suggest that, Chamisa, Biti, Ncube, Mwonzora, and Lovemore Moyo should meet and agree on executive positions ahead of the congress. Failure to do that will give ZANU PF some evil space to interfere.Because Biti and Ncube are coming home, all the MDC-T rebels like (Mjoma, Maridadi and others) should be forgiven and allowed to join the team of the original MDC of 1999. I am therefore urging Nelson Chamisa to invite the rebels (without conditions) to join him during the next congress. I am also warming up to the fact that Khupe and team may be also invited to the congress. They are not different from Biti and Ncube because rebels are rebels. If one or two rebels are forgiven, the rest should be forgiven too. However, there should be some kind of extra care in vetting Khupe team.
Opinion / Columnist

All though we take it for granted, sanitation is a physical measure that has probably done more to increase human life span than any kind of drug or surgery (Deepak Chopra). The word sanitation also refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal.Zimbabwe has become engulfed in filth. Almost every street and gutter in our communities is choked with solid and liquid waste. There is so much negligence and no show of concern when people are disposing off refuse generated at homes and workplaces. Rubbish and waste materials are haphazardly dumped anywhere in the environment, spreading deadly diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and malaria.Several measures by successive legislators to curb this national menace have not yielded the desired results.clean up campaigns and environmental awareness programs have been put up by government and various private sector companies and NGOs to make Zimbabwe a clean and safe environmentally friendly country.However, most Zimbabweans seem not to recognize the importance of sanitation in the country as they show no interest in the clean-up exercises and are, therefore, reluctant to participate. This apathetic attitude, is hampering the government's intend of making zimbabwe the cleanest country in Africa.Zimbabweans must show commitment when it comes to sanitation since cleaning our communities will help reduce conditions that breed diseases such as cholera.Natural disasters such as flood may also be prevented when drains and gutters are cleared for running water to pass freely.The horrors of Gweru and Chitungwiza are enough to remind us on the dangers of living in dirty surroundings. Environmental cleanliness begins with each individual's desire to be cleaned. If we desire to be close to God, we should desire to dwell in clean soul with a clean body in a clean environment.We must know that sanitation is individual responsibility and not necessarily the duty of the government, even though there is the need to fight it together.Individuals must avoid dumping refuse and defecating at open places. But for individuals to avoid dumping refuse and defecating at open places, government must also implement sanitation policies and ensure enforcement of sanitation regulations.
355 Albertans died from accidental opioid overdoses in the first half of 2018

Alberta could be on track to break  or at least tie  a rather alarming record, with an average of two people in the province dying each day from opioids.

In the first six months of 2018, 355 people died from apparent accidental opioid overdoses, according to Alberta Health.

Last year, 687 people died from opioid overdoses, an all-time high for the province.

However, the number of overdoses in the first and second quarters of 2018 dropped slightly from the previous year.

Can't see the chart below? Click here to view it.

Public health and addictions specialist Dr. Hakique Virani said the province is still struggling to deal with the crisis.

"The pace at which we address the opioid crisis needs to be proportional to the magnitude of the crisis," he said.

Safe consumption sites help, according to Virani, but the province needs more, as well as more evidence-based treatments like therapies which suppress withdrawal symptoms.

He also thinks Canada's drug laws need to change.

"A drug policy that looks more like Portugal's and other European countries where people are not prosecuted for possessing substances, but if they are found to have a substance abuse problem they are provided help  so looking at this through a public health lens instead of a criminal lens," he said.

Alberta Health said among all drug and alcohol poisoning death, opioids were directly involved in 78 per cent, and the majority of deaths  86 per cent  occurred in cities.

At a rally in downtown Calgary for Opioid Awareness Day on Friday, Kelly Blaine described how her life has been impacted by the opioid crisis. She lost one of her identical twin sons.

Jamie and Jordan shared the same friends and interests, but the one difference between them was that only Jamie struggled with addiction, Blaine said. He was only 25 when he died of fentanyl poisoning in May.

"Due to a broken scaphoid as a child, he also had to endure four bone grafts, for which he was given IV fentanyl," she said.

Story continues

"Jamie's death was not caused by a lack of willpower, morals, values or willingness, and it was preventable."

Blaine and others at the event called for an end to stigma and shame around addiction.

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With files from Elissa Carpenter
Sathiyaseela (Sheela) Ramesh and her family looked for years for a way to leave India and immigrate to Canada  and they finally found it through a strategic recruitment program run by a small community in south-central Manitoba.

"It's not so easy to come to Canada without a connection like a friend or relative or a job offer," Ramesh said during a break from inspecting jackets at Deasil Custom Sewing in Morden.

"Once we came here on exploratory visit, I got a job offer ... and then Manitoba nominated me to get permanent residence status in Canada."

At a time when Canada's refugee and immigration policy is being hotly debated, the small community of Morden has seen its population nearly double in the last decade. Much of that can be attributed to foreign workers recruited to Manitoba under the provincial nominee program.

"I believe that it's changed the community for the better," said Shelly Voth, immigration co-ordinator for the City of Morden.

"You look in the school system and my friends and my sons have friends from different cultures. It's a great way to integrate those families. I think our community is friendly and open and has been enjoying the diversity."

In 2015, Morden had a population of 8,668, an increase of 11 per cent from the 2011 census. The most recent estimates put the population of the city southwest of Winnipeg at about 9,000 people.

"Probably in the last 10 years, it's close to have doubled," Voth said. "A lot of that would be attributed to immigration."

That diversity is obvious at Deasil Custom Sewing, where workers are making coats and vests for a well-known international clothing brand.

More than 90 per cent of Ron Funk's employees are newcomers and most of them came through Manitoba's provincial nominee program.

"We don't have any trouble finding work, we have trouble finding enough people," said Funk.

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"Having the immigrants coming to our facility and taking the training and having them help us is essentially determining our growth."

Sewing machine operator Gurpreet Munday, her husband and two children came from their home in India to visit Morden two years ago. They fell in love with the city.

"It's good for kids to grow here. Zero crime. They love the school," she said during a break from her hemming.

"We like having good jobs so we are having a good place to live here. We love the place," she said. "Everybody dreams of coming here to Canada, so we had a good fortune that we are here."



One station over, Ramesh is inspecting the clothes before they're packed for shipping. She said her family has not regretted their decision to move to Morden from their home in eastern India.

"I came from [the] city of Chennai. It's our most modern city with 20 million people. This is a small city but I like here. There is no traffic. People are so good and kind and helpful. There are so [many] opportunities also to improve our career and for kids there are many things to do here," she said.

"When I came here I saw on the cars 'Friendly Manitoba' and it is very true."

Program turns 20

It all began 20 years ago with Manitoba's provincial nominee program, one of the very first experiments in Canada matching foreign workers with specific job openings.

It's a fast-track option, allowing provinces and territories to nominate people who want to immigrate to Canada, are interested in settling in a particular province or territory and have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy.

Each province and territory has its own criteria and "streams"  programs targeted to specific groups such as students, business people, skilled workers or semi-skilled workers.

The more points they have, based on their work qualifications, experience and language ability, the faster they move up the queue in the immigration process. A definitive job offer by an employer is a significant benefit.

After being nominated, applicants still have to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence status.

Manitoba's program remains one of the most successful. It boasts high recruitment and retention rates and accounts for a significant percentage of the province's population growth.

"We see a program that has specific objectives. It's met them and it's one that we can measure as a successful government program," Winnipeg immigration lawyer Ken Zaifman said last month during a celebration of its 20th anniversary.

*Population growth estimates from Statistics Canada

**Source: Province of British Columbia

According to provincial statistics, of the 130,000 immigrants who have settled in Manitoba through the nominee program since 1998, 85 per cent were working within three months and 76 per cent were homeowners within three to five years of their arrival.

In 2012, Morden began a community-driven immigration initiative under the provincial program to attract even more people. Since then, it's brought 50 families a year to the rural community.

"It's a win-win situation for us because we get to choose people that our employers want. I believe it's a win for [the program] because our retention is really good because of the support we give," Voth said.

With an unemployment rate of just three per cent and a small local labour pool to draw from, Voth said some businesses might be hesitant to invest in the community "but because of our steady flow of people coming in and the fact that we can target skill sets to what they're looking for, it is a really great incentive for setting up in Morden."

The city program has been so successful that other communities across the country come to get advice on how to set up their own strategic initiatives inside their provincial nominee programs, Voth said.

The national and international rhetoric around foreign workers taking jobs from Canadians crops up now and then in Morden. Voth and others say they sometimes get asked why they're recruiting immigrants when there are local people without jobs.

Their answer? Some of these are jobs Canadians don't want to do while others require skills and experience that can't be found  or recruited  in the area.

And, Voth said, very few of those who apply are chosen.

"It's not just an open the doors and anybody comes in. We go through a tough application. We're picking about five per cent of our applications," she said.

"We're picking really good people and I think the success stories of the people that have been coming in speaks a lot for the program and also helps the community to be more comfortable with the program."

'It's the work ethic'

Jim Duff, vice-president of manufacturing for ON2 Solutions, is working with Voth to find up to 200 workers in the next three years. He needs electricians and plumbers to help grow his business of manufacturing oxygen concentrators for hospitals and emergency shelters for mining companies.

Duff has tried to hire local people, but says he can't find what he needs.

"It's more than just the skill set. It's the work ethic. It's the contribution to the team, the desire to be part of the team. That's a hard thing to find," he says.

"Our last interview process, we interviewed a couple of born and raised Canadians and the attitude was shocking, really, when it came down to it. I don't know how to put that in words but it was a significant difference."

Duff has talked to the school division and local educational programs to try to train workers, but said he has run into the same problem.

Meanwhile, he's thrilled with the workers he's hired through the provincial nominee program and Morden's strategic initiative.

"I would very honestly say that if we didn't have these five people, we wouldn't be where we are now. I don't even know that we would necessarily be in business. I would say [the foreign workers are] that crucial," he says.

'Everything a family needs'

Two of the people working for Duff are the husband and wife team of Victor and Ibi Kovtan. He's an electronics engineer. She's in charge of inventory control, purchasing and shipping and receiving.

They and their four children moved to Morden in 2015, leaving Ukraine because they didn't feel it was safe anymore.

"When we came for the visit, we had a conversation with two companies and one of them said, 'If you would come today we would hire both of you right away.' So that was a big plus," Ibi said.

"Yeah, you know, I never sent a resume here in Canada," Victor said. "From one thing, it's bad because I don't have the experience of how to send a resume but from [the] other way it's good for me that [a] job found me."

The family has visited Vancouver and Toronto. They've even gone back to Ukraine to visit family and sell their house. But Morden is home.

"We fell in love with Morden, its clean streets, rich nature, kind people," Ibi says. "We have everything a family needs. We have friends as close as family members. We have great jobs for five minutes' drive from our home, our children are happy with school, amenities and environment. We feel the support of our new country and our community and we are so thankful for all we have.

"We are not planning to move."
Archeologists are getting a glimpse of Alberta's ranching history as they excavate the floor of a slaughterhouse at a national historic site.

"We had a complete sheep's skull, which was a bit surprising because of its size," said Parks Canada archeologist Jessica Hill, who is working on the federally funded project to restore the Bar U Ranch slaughterhouse.

"The area we're excavating was the active killing floor, so we wouldn't expect to find really large things."

The slaughterhouse on the historic site, located south of Calgary on Highway 22, is a small, rectangular building with batten walls. It was built at a time most ranches practiced slaughtering out-of-doors, with improvised equipment, according to Canada's national register of historic places.

The ranch was founded in the 1880s and over the course of its history was owned at different times by two men who helped found the Calgary Stampede  cattle baron Patrick Burns, who took the ranch over from fellow Big Four member George Lane.

"We found cartridge cases, from the firearms used to dispatch the animals. Also things like tobacco tins that the cowboys who were here would have discarded. They were using chew tobacco usually," said Hill.

"I think it's really neat to find the personal items like the tobacco tins, and drinking glass bottles, those kind of things that talk to the individuals who were here."

The artifacts are being sent to a lab for analysis, before they're catalogued and sent to one of Parks Canada's long-term storage facilities.

Archeologist Miriam Fry said she looks at different diagnostic features to determine what animal, and what part of the animal, remains came from.

"That's sort of the waste material from the slaughtering process so we're getting a lot of the lower limb bones and the foot bones especially," she said.

Hill said she loves the opportunity to reach back and touch the past.

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"Touching the same thing that no one else has touched for maybe 100 years or 200 years or longer, I find that really neat to connect with an individual who I have never met, will never meet," she said.

Once the building is restored, it will be used to help demonstrate what life was like on the ranch.

Hill is encouraging people to come visit and participate in activities relating to the excavation. The dig runs until Sept. 3.

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With files from Anis Heydari
BEIRUT (Reuters) - A blast killed at least one person in a region of north Syria controlled by Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups, a witness and a war monitor said on Saturday. The explosion in Azaz was caused by a car bomb, said the war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and hit a sit-in to demand new elections to the local council, the witness said. The Observatory said one person was killed and others injured. The witness said two were killed and 25 injured. Turkey has staged two incursions into northern Syria since 2016 in support of rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, leading to its control over a zone along the border. It took that territory after offensives against the two mutually hostile groups that previously controlled it: Islamic State and the Kurdish YPG militia. Ankara has brought together some of the rebel groups it backs there into a unified armed force, which it trains and pays. It also pays for some services inside the area it controls. Northern Syria has become a haven for large numbers of displaced people who have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere in the country, or who do not want to live under Assad. Damascus has mobilized forces for an expected offensive on the adjacent rebel-held area in and around Idlib province, which humanitarian agencies have warned could spark a new flood of displacement toward the border region. (Reporting By Angus McDowall; Editing by Toby Chopra)
By Julie Zhu and Fiona Lau SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters/IFR) - China's Meituan Dianping, an online food delivery-to-ticketing services platform, has set an indicative price range of HK$60 to HK$72 ($7.64-$9.17) per share for its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, valuing itself at up to $55 billion, four people with direct knowledge of the matter said. Meituan, already one of China's most valuable internet firms, could raise as much as $4 billion before the exercise of a "greenshoe" or over-allotment option, whereby additional shares are sold depending on demand. The company is discussing a valuation of $46 billion to $55 billion and is planning to secure a total of $1.5 billion from five cornerstone investors, including its main backer gaming and social media company Tencent Holdings Ltd, and global asset manager OppenheimerFunds, the people said. Oppenheimer will commit $500 million and Tencent $400 million, they said. Other cornerstone investors include UK-based hedge fund Lansdowne Partners ($300 million), U.S. hedge fund Darsana Master Fund LP ($200 million) and Chinese state-owned conglomerate China Chengtong Holdings Group ($100 million). Tencent declined to comment. The other cornerstone investors did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Calls to Darsana went unanswered. Meituan declined to comment when reached by Reuters. The Beijing-based firm filed plans for the city's second multibillion-dollar tech float this year after smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp's blockbuster IPO of $5.4 billion after the full exercise of the greenshoe option. It plans to use the process to upgrade its technology, develop new services and products and pursue acquisitions among other things, according to its IPO filing. Meituan is also - after Xiaomi - the latest company with a dual-class share structure to file for a Hong Kong listing, under the city's new rules designed to attract tech companies. However, in late July Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), the operator of Hong Kong exchange, said it would delay changes that would allow companies to hold shares with more voting rights, as more time was needed for investors to become accustomed to recent rule changes. Meituan was valued at around $30 billion in a fundraising round late last year. Xiaomi started trading in July after a closely watched but disappointing initial public offering that valued it at almost half the $100 billion that industry analysts had initially estimated. Meituan has been likened to U.S. discounting platform Groupon Inc. Founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Wang Xing, it completed a $15 billion merger with Dianping in 2015, akin to U.S. online review firm Yelp Inc. It offers a broad range of services including movie ticketing, food delivery, hotel and travel booking as well as ride-hailing. Competitors include food-delivery platform Ele.me, backed by e-commerce firm Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, and leading ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing, backed by Japan's SoftBank Group Corp 9984.T. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley are sponsors of Meituan's IPO. China Renaissance is the financial adviser. ($1 = 7.8487 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Julie Zhu in SINGAPORE, and FIONA LAU of IFR in HONG KONG; Writing by Anshuman Daga and Kane Wu; Editing by Susan Fenton, Adrian Croft and Kim Coghill)
Multiple witnesses to phone call at centre of police probe into councillor, sources say

The OPP's anti-rackets branch is investigating Coun. Tim Tierney after a complaint was made against him by his political opponent in the upcoming municipal election.

Tierney is stepping back from his position on the Ottawa Police Services Board while the investigation unfolds.

Late Friday, the provincial police force's spokesperson Staff Sgt. Carolle Dionne confirmed the investigation, which was first reported by the Ottawa Citizen.

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"Members of our anti-rackets branch are currently investigating the matter involving the municipal elections. As this investigation is still in the preliminary stages, we can't speak to the specifics at this time," she said in an email to CBC.

CBC reached out to Tierney several times on Friday evening, but did not receive a response before publication.

Before a library board meeting on Monday, Tierney said he would not be commenting on the issue.

"There is a process that is in place, and again at the advice of my lawyer, we will let that play out at this time."

Opponent complaint

Tierney is running for re-election in the Beacon Hill-Cyrville ward and initially it appeared he would be unchallenged. However, Michael Schurter signed up to run moments before candidate registration closed on July 27 at 2 p.m.

Schurter said Tierney spoke to him by phone just before the withdrawal deadline

"Based on Tim's conduct during that call I filed a report to the authorities," he said. "Since this matter is currently being investigated by the OPP, I have no further comments at this time."

Chief Charles Bordeleau said Ottawa police received a complaint and referred it to the OPP.

"As a result of a potential conflict of interest, we requested that the OPP take the file and it has assigned an investigator."

Bordeleau said police consulted board chair Coun. Eli El-Chantiry on the issue who agreed it should be handled by the OPP.

Story continues

Councillor recused himself from board

The Ottawa police had a potential conflict investigating Tierney because the councillor sits on the board that oversees the police. Tierney has been a member of the police services board since his re-election in 2014.

On Friday afternoon, Tierney recused himself from the board, El-Chantiry confirmed. He said that Tierney gave no reason why he was stepping away from his role.

However, other city hall sources told CBC the Beacon Hill-Cyrville incumbent is the subject of the OPP investigation and that OPP officers had begun to make inquiries of city officials.

Election day is Oct. 22.
BISHKEK (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged Kyrgyzstan on Saturday to crack down on groups linked to the Fethullah Gulen movement which Ankara blames for a failed 2016 coup, something Bishkek has so far refused to do. A network of schools and colleges sponsored by the U.S.-based cleric and his supporters has existed for decades across ex-Soviet Central Asia. After the 2016 coup attempt, Ankara asked governments in the region to shut down the network but some were reluctant. Almazbek Atambayev, Kyrgyz president at the time, flatly refused to close the schools and simply had the educational network renamed. Erdogan, on a visit to the mostly Muslim nation of six million, raised the matter again at a meeting with the new president, Sooranbai Zheenbekov, saying the Gulen network presented a security threat. "We don't want our brotherly people to encounter such problems," Erdogan said at a joint briefing with Zheenbekov. "They (Gulen supporters) may infiltrate the interior ministry, military structures, such a coup may happen in Kyrgyzstan as well." Zheenbekov, who came to power last year, stopped short of promising to comply, saying the school network was now under the government's control. Kyrgyzstan's neighbor, Kazakhstan, has also refused to shut down Gulen-sponsored schools, and has also had them renamed. (Reporting by Olga Dzyubenko; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Andrew Roche)
Residents displaced by a fire at 650 Parliament Street criticized the property manager's handling of the situation after many faced the prospect of leaving the comfort of hotel beds for cots in community shelters.

Dozens of tenants and members of ACORN, a tenant advocacy group, rallied outside the building and moved down the street to the office of the property manager, Wellesley Parliament Square, expressing their displeasure.

The rally-goers wanted to present the company with a list of demands to the property manager that included meeting face-to-face with ACORN members on behalf of the tenants, arranging "safe and stable" housing for displaced tenants and providing transit passes and food vouchers.

Despite the public show of force, no one from the property manager came outside to meet the protesters.

Forced out on Friday

According to the city of Toronto, 700 residents displaced by the six-alarm fire at 650 Parliament Street last week have been staying in hotels across the city. But in a letter from the city and the Canadian Red Cross, residents were told they will need to check out between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4, because the hotels are largely booked for the Labour Day long weekend.

For people who don't have the option to stay with friends or family, they may need to stay on a cot in a make-shift shelter being set up at the Regent Park Community Centre.

Farshad Masoomi had been staying at Town Inn and Suites on Church Street for the last few days. He told CBC Toronto he was forced to leave the hotel on Friday morning

"It's one dislocation after another dislocation," he said. "It's very inconvenient to be moving from one place to another place and carrying all your stuff."

He criticized the lack of communication and support from the landlord.

"The management is basically a shadow in the shadows. We don't see him, we cannot talk to him, he's hiding somewhere I guess and relaying his message through other people," Masoomi said of the property manager.

Story continues

Property manager speaks to reporters

In the afternoon, Doug Sartell, a representative for the property manager, held a press conference with reporters inside the property manager's office.

Sartell tried to reassure residents the company is doing its best to get residents back into their homes, and to support them in finding accommodation in the interim.

"Don't think management or ownership has abandoned you or will abandon you," said Sartell. "We're giving everything we got to get you home."

He said the company has set up a website and a telephone hotline and has been trying to put the word out to secure short-term accommodations for tenants.

"We've reached out to other landlords, other landlord associations, the Greater Toronto Apartment Association  We're working with community organizations that do such a good job in this community," he said.

But he also encourage residents to "leave no stone unturned" to help themselves find accommodation.

Sartell said residents who already paid rent will be given cheques repaying them for the period from Aug. 21 to Aug. 31 and said anyone who wants to cancel their lease can do so immediately.

Sartell also provided an update on the state of the building and the expected timeline for getting residents back into their homes.

He said the building is made up of a north tower and a south tower joined together by a central elevator lobby on each floor. He said the damage was mostly confined to the south tower.

"We believe we have a target available to repopulate the north tower of that building, we're setting a soft target date of Thanksgiving," Sartell said. "The south tower is going to take a lot more work."

It will be many more months until residents can return to the south tower, Sartell said.

With files from Ali Chiasson and Hailey Salvian
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Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre was locked down after gunfire rang out at the popular north-end mall Thursday afternoon.

Police received "a number of 911 calls" shortly before 3 p.m. ET Thursday reporting a shooting, Supt. Rob Johnson told reporters at the scene Thursday evening.

Investigators have determined that an altercation broke out between two groups of men in the southeast corner of the mall, he said. At one point, one of the men pulled out a gun and fired at least two shots.

The men fled the scene, he said. Earlier, police tweeted that they were seeking two men in their 20s, one of whom may be carrying a handgun.

Mall closed for the day

"We are in the process of interviewing witnesses and looking for evidence," Johnson said.

No one was injured as a result of the gunfire, he said. However, two people were treated for minor injuries trying to flee, he said.

Earlier, paramedics said they transported one person to hospital for a medical issue unrelated to gunfire.

The mall tweeted that it would be closed until Friday morning.

"Yorkdale is secure and we are co-operating with police to safely evacuate the centre," the mall said. "We expect to open as scheduled tomorrow morning at 10 a.m."

Johnson said officers helped employees get back into the mall to retrieve their belongings, and help managers lock up their stores for the night.

CBC News videographer Mary Webster was in the mall when she heard a loud bang, followed by a second. Patrons huddled in the back of the Roots store while someone set off an emergency alarm.

"People were crying," Webster reported from the scene.

Mall staff asked patrons to file into a hallway and then escorted them out through an underground parking lot, she said. Some patrons left all of their belongings behind.

'Was just a lot of chaos'

Alexis Uiga and her daughter Samantha were having coffee together in the mall when they heard the shots.

Story continues

"We thought it was a balloon or something popping, it just didn't register what it was," Uiga told CBC News.

Once they heard another shot they realized what was happening and hid under a ledge, she said.

"I had a little girl who got separated from who she was here with and she was just clenched on to me and another woman and her son were falling over me," Alexis said about the scramble to take cover.

"It was just a lot of chaos then everything just went quiet and that was it."

Alexis said all that was going through her mind was to protect her daughter and the strangers around her.

"I can't describe it. I never thought I'd have been in the middle of a shooting," she said, adding all you can really do is "take cover, be quiet and just hope that you can get through it and get back home to your loved ones."

Another mall patron, Connie Chen, said she was "really terrified" when she heard two shots.

"It was like a firecracker," she told CBC Toronto. "We saw people running and we started to run. The first sound was really loud."

Natasha Narine, an employee at the MAC cosmetic store, said the mall was "very crowded" because it's the last week before school "and everybody is back to school shopping."

In a statement, Mayor John Tory said "people should not have to worry about gun violence," no matter where they are in the city.

"There are too many guns available to criminals in the city and I am determined to end that with the help of our police and our government partners," he said. "I am relieved that there are no reports of injuries from gunfire and I hope that remains true."
As the Aug. 31 deadline for Saudi students to leave Canada passes, at least 20 students are filing asylum claims in an attempt to stay in the country.

Omar Abdulaziz, a prominent Montreal-based activist from Saudi Arabia, said he's working with the students, whose lives were disrupted in August after a diplomatic feud erupted between Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Saudi Arabia asked all its students to leave Canada, after Canada expressed concern over arrests of civil society and women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi.

"They want to keep studying here in Canada. They don't want to lose all their credits and the time that they've been here studying and working, so they're at least looking for a solution," he said.

Abdulaziz, 27, successfully filed for asylum in 2013 after he said he was threatened by the Saudi government because of his political activism.

"They don't want to go back. Some of them are scared of what happened to me, and they think that if they go back they'll be arrested."

Lives disrupted

More than 8,000 Saudi students in Canada had their lives upended in early August when they were told to pack their bags by the end of summer.

The Saudi government accused Canada of meddling in its internal affairs after Global Affairs Canada called for the "immediate release" of detained Saudi women's rights activists in a tweet on Aug. 3.

The Saudi government has now said that around 1,000 medical trainees can stay until "an alternative assignment can be arranged."

But that leaves little respite for many other students, some of whom have been living and studying in Canada for close to 10 years.

"They had plans, they had dreams and suddenly you're telling them to just go back home," said Abdulaziz.

"They don't know what to do, they seem lost, it was like a shock."

Making the case for asylum

Individuals can file asylum claims in Canada if they can prove that in their home country they'll face persecution on the basis of race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group.

Story continues

Immigration lawyer Peter Edelmann said it's unclear whether defying the Saudi instructions to return would, on its own, constitute sufficient grounds for filing a claim, because the consequences that students will face are unknown.

"If the consequence is that you're not going to get scholarship in the future, that would not rise to the level of persecution for a claim," he said.

"If the consequence is that you're going to be thrown into a jail for years or be sent to a re-education camp, then that would constitute persecution."

Other options open

Edelmann said there are other ways that students may be able to remain in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) did not immediately respond to CBC's request for comment.

But according to IRCC rules, because student visas are issued by Canada, students can stay, despite what the Saudi government may be telling them.

Students remain eligible to study in Canada as long as their student permits are still valid.

When full-time students graduate, they are typically eligible for work permits through a post-graduation program, and can then begin the process of applying for permanent residency through the government's Express Entry system.

Though Abdulaziz filed for asylum after he said the Saudi government ordered him to return to Riyadh, he's encouraging students to try to stay in Canada through other means, unless they fear for their personal safety.

Abdulaziz does not believe he'll ever be able to return to Saudi Arabia, and says his family has faced threats as a result of his decision to speak out against the government.

"I said guys, just keep studying, keep working. Because it's really difficult for someone to live like that, to live away from their country," he said.

"It's really sad to see people when they're scared of their country. They don't want to go back even though it hurts them."

Read more from CBC British Columbia
Regulating Airbnb and other short-term rentals is becoming an increasingly complex process across B.C., and the municipality of Powell River is the latest to take a stab at regulation.

Many homeowners rely on the income short-term rentals provide, but regulations differ from city to city. In Vancouver, for example, operators require a business licence.

Powell River recently drafted bylaws it hopes will address some of the issues around short-term rentals.

There are dozens of short-term rental listings in the city on websites such as Airbnb and VRBO, but none have business licenses or pay business taxes to the municipality.

Powell River Mayor David Formosa says rental apartments are sparse in his city, and he's concerned short-term rentals are contributing to the problem.

"Our rental market is very, very, very tight," said Formosa.

"We're very concerned Airbnb will take away housing stock, either apartments and/or whole houses."

New Rules

Formosa said the regulations are still a work in progress, but the public consultation process has been completed. He anticipates the finalized regulations will go before city council within the next two months.

Though the specifics of the new rules are still being decided on, Formosa said they will most likely include short-term rental operators requiring a licence to continue their business. The licence will be purchased from the city for a fee, he said.

Also, Formosa anticipates there will be a cap on the number of short-term rentals allowed to operate in the city. Parking accommodation and consent from neighbours are also factors the city will consider when issuing the new licences, he added.

Ocean Point

Formosa said the issue of Airbnb in his city first came to his attention when Marie and Marv Coe, owners of Ocean Point Bed and Breakfast, approached him in early August.

They told him theirs has been the only licensed bed and breakfast in the city for the last few years. All others, they said, have turned to the unlicensed Airbnb option.

Story continues

Formosa said the plight of the Coes is one he takes seriously, and he's eager for the regulations to go into effect. He said any short-term rental operators who ignore the new regulations will face penalties.

"We would send our bylaw officers there and start fining them," said Formosa. "If they continue  we'll get more heavy handed, but we don't like to do that."

With files from On the Island

Read more from CBC British Columbia
DUBAI (Reuters) - A British junior minister held talks in Iran on Saturday as Tehran said European states should take action if they wanted to save Iran's nuclear deal following Washington's withdrawal from the accord, Iranian state media reported. "It is time for the Europeans to act in addition to voicing their political commitment," the state news agency IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as telling reporters. "These measures may be costly, but if countries want to reap benefits and if they believe the nuclear accord is an international achievement, they should be ready to keep these achievements," he was quoted as saying. Britain and other European signatories are trying to keep the nuclear deal alive, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's reimposition of sanctions on Tehran. UK's Junior Foreign Minister Alistair Burt, on the first visit by a British minister since Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal, earlier met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iran's state television reported. Zarif said the talks with Burt had involved "access to banking resources and the sale of oil." Iran has been seeking commitment from European signatories of the nuclear deal that it will be able to access the Western banking system and continue to sell oil despite U.S. sanctions. In a statement before his visit, Burt said: "As long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal, we remain committed to it as we believe it is the best way to ensure a safe, secure future for the region." Zarif later spoke by telephone with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, state media reported, saying they discussed bilateral ties, the nuclear deal and regional developments. A day earlier, Iran dismissed a call by Le Drian for negotiations on Tehran's future nuclear plans, its ballistic missile arsenal and its role in wars in Syria and Yemen. Britain's Burt was also expected to discuss the cases of dual nationals detained in Iran. Britain is seeking the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation who was arrested in April 2016 at a Tehran airport as she headed back to Britain with her daughter, now aged four, after a family visit. She was convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran's clerical establishment, a charge denied by her family and the Foundation, a charity organization that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News. Accompanying Burt in Tehran, London's special envoy to Syria Martin Longden later met senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official Hosein Jaberi Ansari, IRNA reported. IRNA said Longden had expressed concern about the future of Idlib and the possibility of the use of chemical weapons there. The Syrian province of Idlib and surrounding areas are the last major enclave held by rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close Iranian ally. A source has told Reuters Assad is preparing a phased offensive to regain the province. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Andrew Roche and Helen Popper)
Virginia Drywater-Whitekiller knows first hand some of the challenges of sticking with post-secondary education and is bringing that background to her new position as visiting chair in Aboriginal Studies at Vancouver Island University.

Drywater-Whitekiller, a member of the Cherokee Nation in the United States, began pursuing post-secondary education as a single mother to build a better life for her child and herself. She became the first university graduate in her immediate family.

"I'm always fascinated at the ability that higher education has to change people who go through the doors and come back out," she said.

"I've seen myself how it has the potential to uplift individuals and communities and tribes."

She won the 2018 Fulbright Canada Jarislowsky Foundation visiting chair position and will be at VIU until December.

History of retention

After getting a doctoral degree in higher education administration, Drywater-Whitekiller began working as a professor at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, which has the highest retention rate in the United States for Aboriginal students.

Drywater-Whitekiller said she thinks that's in large part due to the school's history  it was originally founded to support Indigenous learners and 25 per cent of students at NSU now are Indigenous.

New research

Drywater-Whitekiller will be at VIU for the fall semester, researching how to support First Nations students in higher education for better college retention.

The research focuses on the cultural factors that help students enter and complete college, she explained.

"Her approach to research and her focus fits well with VIU's commitment to supporting Indigenous students and communities," Dr. Carol Stuart, VIU Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic, said in a press release.

"Dr. Drywater-Whitekiller's research will help us understand success from a student perspective."

With files from On The Island.

Read more from CBC British Columbia
Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Middle East Quarterly..Fall 2018 Volume 25: Number 4..01 September '18..Precisely two decades after the failure by the Golda Meir government to identify a willing Arab peace partner triggered the devastating 1973 Yom Kippur war, another Labor government wrought a far worse catastrophe by substituting an unreconstructed terror organization committed to Israels destruction for a willing peace partner. Instead of ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Oslo peace process between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) created an ineradicable terror entity on Israels doorstep that has murdered some 1,600 Israelis, rained thousands of rockets and missiles on the countrys population centers, and toiled tirelessly to delegitimize the right of the Jewish state to exist.How did this come to pass? Why did two of Israels foremost security and foreign policy veteransPrime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Pereslead Israel into what a prominent PLO official candidly described as a Trojan horse designed to promote the organizations strategic goal: Palestine from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] seathat is, a Palestine in place of the state of Israel.
Christian medical charity Mercy Ships has signed an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen surgical care in Africa.

The agreement signed in Dakar, Senegal, aims to increase access to surgical care and build the capacity of health workers to strengthen surgical care delivery systems.

From left to right: Dr Pierre M'Pele, Dr Peter Linz and Dr Matshidiso Moeti sign the collaborative agreement. (Mercy Ships)

Mercy Ships operates the largest charity-run hospital ship in the world, delivering free, safe medical care to some of the world's least-developed countries. The 'floating hospital' is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, who give their expertise for free to help treat dental and eye problems, cleft lips and palates, tumours, club feet, childbirth injuries, burns and various other conditions.

A report published in The Lancet earlier this year found that there is a severe lack of surgical provision in African countries: the number of operations provided annually was 20 times lower than the crucial surgical volume required to meet a country's essential surgical needs each year. Furthermore, when African surgical patients can get the surgery they need, they are twice as likely to die after their planned surgery than the global average.

Mercy Ships' international chief medical officer Dr Peter Linz said: 'The solution to this daunting and complex problem will require hard work and collaboration from all stakeholders. We are hopeful that our formal collaboration with WHO will be one of those pillars in strengthening access to surgical care across Africa.'

WHO regional director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti said: 'I hope our partnership will do what you [at Mercy Ships] do so well: provide vitally needed services for those who need it desperately, as well as building up capacity in countries.'

Since 1978, Mercy Ships has visited 55 countries, providing services worth more than 1 billion that have directly helped more than 2.5 million people. The organisation has also trained 40,000 local professionals in their areas of expertise to leave a legacy that lasts.

This article was originally published in Christian Today and is re-published here with permission.
The bass notes from Jay Z's 99 Problems linger in the air as the lights dramatically fade at the stadium. A roar from the crowd erupts, as we spontaneously feel that our anticipation is about to be replaced with joy. Suddenly, the synth and chimes of Mylo Xyloto build to a climax and the atmosphere explodes into a mind-boggling display of lights, lasers and confetti cannons.

Coldplay have arrived and perform a lengthy concert that engages all of our senses for the next two hours, finally finishing with a dramatic flourish that leaves us all both satisfied yet outrageously wishing that this show could continue. We drive home from the concert, talking about our highlights of the evening and feeling that this show had been specially created just for us.

Twelve hours later, and I'm sitting in our church building for our usual Sunday service. We sing the same songs, with the same level of reserved gusto - a far cry from the anthemic choruses I was reveling in the night before. The musicians leave the stage and there is an awkward transition as the next speaker is not quite prepared to deliver the weekly notices. He stands there with his notes in hand, sharing the updates with us.

The preacher gets up to preach and does not seem to have enough engaging illustrations this week. He lingers on a point for a few minutes too long. My mind begins to wander back to the night before, a far cry from what I am experiencing in this weekly service. Last night, I was electrically present and engaged. This morning, I am disinterested and - dare I say it - bored.

Licensed to Bore

Boredom is a feeling that all of us have experienced yet is difficult to explain. Margaret George describes boredom as "unmanning", a process that transforms us into "a great nothing who does nothing". James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, writes of 007 that, "boredom, and particularly the incredible circumstance of waking up bored, was the only vice that Bond utterly condemned". Hard liquor, dangerous women, fast cars and death-defying missions - Bond was up for all of these. But boredom, the feeling of missing out on life and an ever-pervading sense of grayness, was too much for Britain's greatest spy.

It seems as though the Western population will do anything to escape boredom. Research from mental health expert McWelling Todman speculates that teenage boredom leads to greater alcohol and substance abuse, gambling and poor relationships. Even amongst those whose lives appear to "have it all together", boredom is often the motivator behind changing relationships, career or heading on an OE. None of these experiences is bad in of themselves, but it is an interesting and unique period of history we live in when boredom is seen as the cause of these shifts.

Contemporary Christian culture can also see boredom as a great evil and something to be avoided at all costs. Missions trips can be promoted as a Christian Indian-Jones escapade, worship must be high energy and engaging at all times, sermons must be the perfect balance of humor, illustration and application to ensure the congregation's mind doesn't wander for a second.

As an ex-Youth Pastor, I know I was guilty at times of feeling that I had to make Jesus and the gospel evermore exciting, to compete with the engaging youth culture. Without realising it, I was communicating a message that I unconsciously believed in - if I was bored, something was fundamentally wrong with life.

The Luxury of the Mundane

In my experience, there are two types of boredom. One is the boredom of having nothing to do and can usually be fairly easily fixed by getting up and doing something! The other type of boredom, however, is much more pervasive and is a general feeling that my life is not measuring up to the lives I see around I me.

Cultural critic Mark Sayers' describes this boredom by saying, "We end up trading our reality for a simulation of reality in which happiness and fulfillment are always just out of reach. We become detached from our actual lives, reaching always for simulations, mirages of real life that can never be reached." This fake-life that we yearn for always seems better than our current real existence, and leads to shopping sprees, religious highs, overseas adventures and conference-chasing Christianity - often in an effort to escape the boredom.

In our boredom-induced blindness, we forget that this feeling is a luxury good that is amplified by our wealth and abundance of options. Much of the world does not have the option to travel to South-East Asia to add variety to their lives. The idea of changing a career because you are bored in it would not make rational sense to the four billion people living on less than $2 a day. Yet in our culture of plenty, this pervasive boredom appears to exist because of our wealth and opportunities, paralysing us from enjoying what we have by drawing our attention to what we don't.

Lessons from the Gray-Lands

A few years ago, I went through a bad run of health that rendered me fairly useless for a few months. During this period, I couldn't stomach any food apart from bread and water, couldn't concentrate to watch a movie or even read a book, couldn't muster the energy to walk further than a few blocks and didn't have the social buzz to connect with friends. My days were long and empty and were definitely coloured with a strong hue of gray. I was bored - yet in that boredom, I slowly learnt a valuable lesson.

Life is not about me and my self-actualisation, my happiness and health. As good as those things are, they do not fulfill. Ultimately, life is about God and His purposes, and my life is a response to that, slowly walking, day-by-day in the path of discipleship.

Although that sounds like a pithy fridge-magnet saying, my boredom helped to cement in my heart that our calling as Christ-followers is to seek first His Kingdom, not our excitement. My boredom taught me that life is not always a series of ever-increasing fireworks and adventure, but the routine and mundane are a necessary part of life.

It reminded me that Jesus spent the first thirty years of his life in a fairly repetitious role, in a fairly boring town - and that was a key part of Jesus learning obedience. My boredom reminded me that Paul's life was a mixture of jaw-dropping adventure and mind-numbing imprisonment and journey.

Be Content

More than this, my experiences taught me that the opposite of boredom is not adventure and excitement, but contentment. It is not my circumstances or environment that needed to be changed, but my heart. When we re-orientate ourselves around God (instead of trying to force God to orbit us), we discover the secret of contentment and begin to notice the beauty and grace that is present in God's glory-soaked earth.

This lesson is one that I must be re-taught and is one that cannot be absorbed in a life devoted to the immediate and casual. Instead, I must continually remind myself that following Jesus is (to quote Eugene Peterson's Nietzschean book title) "a long obedience in the same direction," and is a pilgrimage that will involve soaring mountain top moments, crushing dark valleys - but also long, steady walks on the plains of the everyday.

Jeremy Suisted is from Cambridge NZ a Creative Consultant and was once voted in the Top Six Waikatos Hottest Muffin Bakers.
The 4th BIMSTEC Summit concluded in Kathmandu with signing and adoption of Kathmandu Declaration by all the seven members (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand). After conclusion of summit, current chair of BIMSTEC, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli also handed over Chairmanship of next (fifth) BIMSTEC Summit to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. During this summit, foreign ministers of BIMSTEC member countries had signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishment of BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection.

Kathmandu Declaration

18-point Kathmandu Declaration aims to enhance effectiveness of BIMSTEC Secretariat by engaging it in various technical and economic activities in the region. It acknowledges importance of trade and investment as one of major contributing factors for fostering economic and social development in the region. It also deplored terrorist attacks in all parts of the world, including in BIMSTEC countries, and strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms.

It also reiterated strong commitment of BIMSTEC countries to combat terrorism and called upon all countries to devise comprehensive approach in this regard. Member countries also agreed to expedite conclusion of BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and called upon member states for its early ratification. It also expressed satisfaction that many member states have ratified BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

BIMSTEC countries also agreed to establish seamless multi-modal transportation linkages and smooth, synchronised and simplified transit facilities through the development, expansion and modernisation of highways, railways, waterways, sea routes and airways in the region. They also decided to speed up efforts to conclude BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement and BIMSTEC Motor Vehicle Agreement as early as possible taking into account special circumstances and needs of the member states.

BIMSTEC countries also decided for early conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations, and directed the BIMSTEC Trade and Economic Ministerial Meeting and its subsidiary bodies, including Trade Negotiating Committee, to expedite finalisation of all related agreements of FTA as early as possible.

BIMSTEC countries also called for exploring possibility of establishing BIMSTEC Development Fund with voluntary contributions from member states. The fund will be utilised for research and planning of BIMSTEC and financing of projects, and other activities of regional organisation.
China-Maldives Friendship Bridge was recently opened for traffic. It is first cross-sea bridge to be built in Maldives. It was Chinas flagship infrastructure project in Maldives. It is considered as iconic project of China and Maldives cooperation towards building 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

China-Maldives Friendship Bridge

It is 2.2 km long bridge and has four vehicle lanes and two pedestrian lanes. It connects Maldives capital city Male and neighbouring Hulhule island where island countrys main international airport is located. It will allow locals and tourists to transfer between the two islands on land within five minutes. The bridge was built with Chinese grant of $116 million. Apart from the grant, China also had provided $72 million as loan for 1.4 km section bridge as top up to the grant.v
Kerala Government has decided to appoint KPMG as project consultant partner for rebuilding state ravaged by recent massive floods. This decision was taken at state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Beisdes, Tata Project Ltd was entrusted with task of reconstructing roads, buildings and bridges destroyed in rain fury at Pamba, the foothills of famous Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala.

Key Facts

The services of KPMG rendered for projects related to revamping to Kerala will be free of cost. KPMG is one of the largest professional service companies in the world and one of Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

State Government also has decided to raise funds from foreign countries where Kerala expatriates live in large numbers. It will deploy minister and necessary officials for mobilising funds from countries such as UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, USA and Canada. It was decided to conduct fund-raising drives in key towns in India in cooperation with local association of Keralites.

Background

Severe flooding in month of August 2018 had severely affected Kerala due to unusual high rainfall during the monsoon season. It was the worst flooding in Kerala in nearly century after great flood of 99 that happened in 1924. It had directly affected one-sixth of total population of Kerala. All 14 districts of the state were placed on red alert. Central Government had declared it calamity of a severe nature or Level 3 Calamity. Due to excessive rainfall, 35 out of total 54 dams within state were opened for the first time in history. All five overflow gates of the Idukki Dam were opened at the same time, for the first time in 26 years. Heavy rains also had triggered severe landslides in Wayanad and Idukki districts and had left the hilly districts isolated. It is estimated that loss and damage due to massive flood, , is much more than 2018-19 annual plan outlay of state which stood at Rs 37,247.99 crore.
Iran Human Rights (August 30, 2018): Two prisoners were executed at Rajai Shahr Prison on murder charges.





One of the prisoners was an Afghan citizen.





According to a close source, on the morning of Wednesday, August 29, at least two prisoners were executed at Rajai Shahr Prison.





The prisoners, sentenced to death on murder charges, were transferred to the solitary confinement on Monday, August 27.





One of the prisoners was named Mojtaba Asadi, who was transferred to the solitary confinement from ward 10 of Rajai Shahr Prison.





The other prisoner was an Afghan citizen who was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison from the Alien Section of Ghezel Hesar prison.





The prisoner has not been identified so far.





A close source told IHR, He had been in prison for murder for 22 years. He was transferred to the solitary confinement while he was on hunger strike and had sewn his lips.





Another prisoner named Shamsali Abdollahi was also transferred to the solitary confinement who returned to his cell by asking for time from the plaintiffs.





The execution of these prisoners has not been announced by the state-run media so far.





According to Iran Human Rights annual report on the death penalty, 240 of the 517 execution sentences in 2017 were implemented due to murder charges.





There is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in issuing a death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and intent.

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
Robert Boyd Rhoades kidnapped eight-year-old Michael Lyons while he was walking home from school in 1996, stabbed him up to 80 times with a fishing knife and kept him alive for nearly 10 agonizing hours before dumping his body in the Feather River, just up the street from the childs home.





The Grim Sleeper killed nine women and a teenage girl over the course of 22 years, targeting drug addicts and hookers and tossing their naked bodies along roads or in the trash.





And the Trailside Killer preyed on hikers along trails in state parks near San Francisco, telling cops that he reveled in making his victims beg in vain for their lives, before shooting them in the head, execution-style.





These are just some of the 744 inmates currently on Californias Death Row.





But as Jerry Browns tenure as governor of California draws to a close in January, capital punishment supporters have raised the specter that he could commute many, if not all, of the sentences.





On March 28, Californias Supreme Court issued an administrative order making it possible for Brown to commute the sentences or grant clemency.





Michele Hanisee, president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys in Los Angeles County, told the Orange County Register earlier this week that this removes any impediment Brown may have faced. Before that, a governor had to get the approval of the majority of the state Supreme Court in the case of an inmate with two or more felony convictions.





They basically have green-lighted the governor to grant clemency to anyoneand said they wont interfere, she said.





California has the largest death row population in the country, but only 13 have been executed since capital punishment was reintroduced to the state in 1978, with the last one occurring in 2006. Appeals that drag out for many years are common. Last year, there were 400 death penalty appeals pending.





Despite its liberal reputation, more than half of Californias residents have expressed support for the death penalty, striking down referenda calling for it to end.





Brown, a former Jesuit seminarian who as a young man demonstrated against capital punishment, made his opposition to it clear during his political campaigns, but also said hed respect the law regarding it while serving as attorney general and governor.





Asked if the governor was considering commuting death sentences, a spokesperson for Brown told Fox News: A request for commutation is a serious matter, and every applicant is carefully and diligently vetted. The Governor issued commutations earlier this month California inmates can petition to have their sentence reduced or eliminated by applying for a commutation of sentence.





To be clear, no individuals on death row have received commutations.





Many families of victims of Californias death row inmates have been outspoken about capital punishment, with some supporting it and others opposing.





Beth Webb, whose sister and some friends died in a 2011 shooting at a hair salon, said at a 2016 press conference: Neither me nor my mom will find closure in the death of another human being.





Michael Lyons' mother, Sandra Friend, told the Los Angeles Times in 2016: From the first inflicted wound to Michael, it was 10 hours to the last one.





For a grown man to inflict that kind of painful torture on a child  he got the right sentence. He got the only sentence that would bring any justice.





Kent Scheidegger, an attorney who argued for Proposition 66  a measure to speed up executions  said that anything is possible as far as Brown and California politics, but he believed the governor would not commute death sentences.





Despite his personal opinion, he said hed enforce the death penalty, said Scheidegger, who is legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in California.





Scheidegger expressed concern about the state high courts order appearing to give Brown more sway over commuting death sentences, telling Fox News: Thats worrisome.





Since executions rarely have been carried out in California and elsewhere, some have called the death penalty symbolic, and pointless.





Scheidegger said he disagrees.





Its important because there are some crimes for which anything less is simply not justice.

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
On August 28, police arrested five more Left-wing activists in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence. (Photo: File)

Pune: A Pune court on Sunday granted an extension of the 90-day period for filing charge sheet against five persons arrested in June for alleged Maoist links.

The court of special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) judge KD Vadhane granted the extension sought by Pune Police, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaji Pawar, the investigating officer in the case.

"We approached the court, saying the investigation in the case is in progress and sought an extension of 90 days for filing the charge sheet," the officer said.

The Pune Police had moved the court on Saturday for extension of the 90-day period for filing charge sheet against the five persons, citing fresh arrests in the case.

Police had arrested Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut in June while probing the alleged Maoist connection to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31 last year.

Inflammatory speeches at the event led to violence at Koregaon Bhima near Pune next day, police had alleged. "The period of their judicial custody of 90 days is coming to an end on September 3. With the fresh five arrests in the case, probe is still going on," Pawar said.

On August 28, police arrested five more Left-wing activists: Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navalakha from different places in the country.

The Supreme Court had ordered that the five be kept under house arrest till September 6.

In ordinary cases, police have to file charge sheet within 90 days of arrest, otherwise the accused can get bail. Under UAPA, which is invoked in the case, if the investigation is not completed within 90 days, the period for filing charge sheets can be extended up to 180 days, Pawar said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Yerawada Central Jail, where all the five activists arrested in June are lodged, had moved an application before the court in mid-July, seeking permission to shift all the accused to another prison citing "security reasons".

The court is likely to give its judgement on the application on September 6.
'In Tamil Nadu, people rule their own state with their leaders. Similarly, we shall retain power and not surrender to Delhi leadership,' KCR said. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Hyderabad: Addressing a mega rally at Ranga Reddy district, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said that the state will not surrender to the Centre and will retain power.

In Tamil Nadu, people rule their own state with their leaders. Similarly, we shall retain power and not surrender to Delhi leadership, KCR said.

The Telangana chief minister also said that no decision has been taken on early Assembly polls in the state, which are scheduled to take place in April next year. However, he added that he will disclose the decision whenever he will take it.

Some media channels are saying KCR will dissolve the government. All TRS members have given me an opportunity to take a decision on the future of Telangana. I will tell you when I take a decision, the chief minister said.

The blockbuster public meet titled 'Pragati Nivedana came amid speculations about the possibility of early polls to the state legislative assembly. It also commemorates the 4th anniversary of Telangana's formation.

A cabinet meeting was also held before the public meet and no decision was reportedly taken on the dissolution of the Telangana assembly.

"Shortly, another Cabinet meeting will be held where more decision are to be taken," was the cryptic reply by Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari when reporters asked him whether early dissolution of the assembly came up for discussion.

Showcasing the achievements of his government in the last four years, KCR said, I promised that if I don't give drinking water to every household through Mission Bhagiratha before next elections, I won't contest elections. No other chief minister in the country would dare to say something like this.

In the run-up to the mega meeting, massive arrangements were made. All roads leading to the venue were decked up with TRS flags, with the city police notifying the routes open for public.

From different parts of the state, 19 roads were cleared for people to attend the meeting. At the venue, basic amenities like drinking water and toilets were also arranged for the public.

The government even built sheds for the people who reached the meeting venue a day before. Sound systems, floodlights and LED screens were also been arranged, along with 30 ambulances.
An engineer has been fined for spreading panic by saying a dam breach could flood a central Vietnam town.

The Peoples Committee of Nghe An Provinces Ky Son District said Saturday that the man, an employee of a hydroelectric power plant in the province, has been fined VND12 million ($513) for a Facebook post saying the local Muong Moc Dam was out to break, flooding nearby Muong Xen Town at night.

The July 22 post by Luong Ngoc Tuan, 38, a Nghe An local, was widely shared on social media, causing panic among the public. Some families even moved their belongings in fear of the impending floods.

Tuan admitted to spreading the fake news when he was summoned by the police last Friday, saying he did it just for fun, police said.

Half of Vietnams population are choosing to get their news on social media, a survey by the Pew Research Center has found.

Facebook is the country's most popular social network, with around 64 million active accounts, accounting for 3 percent of global Facebookers, according to a report released in July last year by social media marketing agency We Are Social.
BAGHDAD, Sept 2 (Reuters)

Iraq's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday it was "astonished" at a Reuters report that Iran had moved missiles to Iraq and that the article was "without evidence", but stopped short of denying its contents.

"Iraq is not obliged to respond to media reports that lack tangible evidence backing up their claims and allegations," the ministry said in a statement. "All state institutions in Iraq uphold Article 7 of the constitution, which prohibits the use of Iraqi land as a base or passage to be used in operations targeting the security of other states."

Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources told Reuters that Iran had given ballistic missiles to Shi'ite proxies in Iraq and was developing the capacity to build more there.

The Iraqi government and military declined to comment at the time. In Sunday's statement, the Foreign Ministry said it was "astonished at the allegations" contained in the report.

Iran on Saturday rejected the report, which it said aimed to hurt Iran's ties with neighbours. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Twitter he was "deeply concerned" by news that Iran was transferring ballistic missiles into Iraq. He urged Iraqi leaders to form a new government quickly after a May 12 parliamentary election.

Any sign Iran is preparing a more aggressive missile policy in Iraq will exacerbate tensions between Tehran and Washington, already heightened by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

It would also embarrass France, Germany and Britain, the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, as they have been trying to salvage the agreement despite new U.S. sanctions against Tehran.

According to three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources, Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the last few months.

Five of the officials said it was helping those groups to start making their own.

(Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Dale Hudson)
In a letter written under house arrest in Iran, one of the Green Movement opposition leaders, Mehdi Karroubi has called upon the influential Assembly of Experts (AE) to stop showering the Islamic Republics Supreme Leader with praise and eulogy and make him accountable for three decades of policies that have pushed the country into its current situation.

The letter, published on Sunday, September 2, by Saham News close to Karroubi, has lambasted AE members for bowing to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and showering him with praise.

The constitutional role of AE is to supervise the Supreme Leader.

In the absence of effective supervision of AE over the Leader and institutions directly controlled by him, including the Guardian Council, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Baseej militia, judiciary, state radio and TV, as wells numerous foundations and economic entities across Iran, the country and its people have been irrevocably damaged during past three decades.

Karroubi, a former speaker of parliament, has also insisted, I explicitly say that under such management, the country has been pushed back to the pre-Constitution Qajar dynasty era.

Urging AE members to abide by their legal and religious duties, Karroubi has called upon them to use their rights to supervise and question the Leader and end the countrys regretful current situation.

AE members are dutybound to make the Leader accountable, Karroubi has reiterated, adding, Ali Khamenei has to explain Irans policies in the past three decades and say why the country has reached its current situation.

Karroubis letter is published at a time when Iran is struggling with economic hardship, the national currency (rial) has significantly lost its value against the U.S. dollar and prices are skyrocketing.

Meanwhile, Washingtons withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers and re-imposition of US sanctions, as well as the Islamic Republics regional policies have deepened concerns over Irans economy in coming months.

Referring to AE members Karrubi says, If the experts are experts indeed, they should question the Leaders strategic policies during past three decades...and table a comprehensive report on their supervision over the leaders performance and the institutions under his direct command.

Why dont you demand the leader to explain the reasons behind the involvement of IRGC, Baseej militia and Police in banking, selling oil and Karroubi has asked AE members.

Meanwhile, Karroubi has urged the AE to investigate the role of Friday Prayer Leaders and military and economic entities under Khameneis direct supervision in pushing the country into the current regretful situation.

Why dont you raise questions about the interference of IRGC commanders in political and economic affairs of the country? Karroubi has insisted, adding, Why have you kept mum against the interference of a number of Friday Prayer Leaders in the countrys executive affairs?

In the meantime, Karroubi has urged AE members to investigate the cases of an opposition leaders wife, Zahra Rahnavard who is under house arrest, prominent detained lawyers and human rights activists, Nargess Mohammadi, Abdolfattah Soltani, Qassem Sholeh Sadi, as well as the case of imprisoned Gonabadi dervishes, students, workers, teachers and women.

Lambasting the Islamic Republics judiciary, Karroubi has lamented, Irans justice department is in ruins and people are witnessing justice slaughtered on a daily basis.

Referring to the need to amend the Islamic Republics Constitution, Karroubi has argued, 29 years after being amended, the constitution definitely needs another amendment in favor of putting the ruling establishment under the nations supervision and forever end the era of power being monopolized by a single individual, Karroubi has noted, reminding, People should practically, not verbally, become the master of their destiny.

Karroubi and former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi were Mahmoud Ahmadinejads main challengers in the 2009 presidential election. Ahmadinejad was officially declared the winner, but the challengers protested the outcome calling it an engineered result.

Their protest led to more than five months of demonstrations that left dozens killed and hundreds imprisoned.

Later in 2011, Mehdi Karroubi, Mousavi and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard were extrajudicially confined to their houses after they called for street demonstrations in solidarity with the Arab Spring.

In another letter published in January, Mehdi Karroubi had directly criticized Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying that he should be blamed for the countrys chaotic political, economic, cultural and social conditions.

Several analysts at the time suggested that the letter was the death blow to all hopes for lifting the house arrest.

Later, Karroubi said that the saga of house arrests would never end until the death of one of the two sides involved in it [Karroubi or Khamenei].
Tehran, Sept 2, 2018 (AFP)

Iran's parliament called off a planned vote to impeach the education minister on Sunday, Iranian media reported, offering some respite for the embattled government of President Hassan Rouhani.

Twenty-nine lawmakers signed a motion last Wednesday to impeach the minister, Mohammad Bathaei, but all of them withdrew their signatures.

"Given the imminent opening of schools (on September 23), those requesting the impeachment have withdrawn their request," said Ahmad Amirabadi, a member of parliament's presiding board, according to the semi-official news agency ISNA.

Rouhani has faced mounting pressure from lawmakers over his handling of an economic crisis, partly triggered by the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition of sanctions.

Parliament sacked his labour and economy ministers last month, and Industries Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari has also been targeted for impeachment, though it is not clear if that will still go ahead.

Rouhani himself was summoned to parliament to answer questions from lawmakers last Tuesday, a first in his five years in power, and only the second time for a sitting president.

Economic grievances played a role in Bathaei's planned impeachment, with lawmakers criticising the reduced budget for education and school renovation, though senior officials pointed out that the minister has no power over budgets.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week welcomed the pressure on Rouhani's cabinet, saying it was a sign of the strength of Iran's democracy.

But he also warned that differences between officials should not be overly emphasised "because the people would become worried".
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 94 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Sept. 2.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy 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, Sept. 2

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Slovak counterpart Andrej Kiska.

"On my behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and your people on the national holiday of the Slovak Republic, the Day of Constitution," President Aliyev said.

"I believe that Azerbaijani-Slovak relations will continue to develop on the basis of friendship and cooperation in accordance with the interests of our peoples," he added.

"On this remarkable day, I convey my best regards to you, and wish the friendly people of Slovakia everlasting tranquillity and prosperity," the president said.

President Aliyev also congratulated President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and through you to all the people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Independence Day," President Aliyev said.

"Confidently moving forward on the path of independence, brotherly Uzbekistan is making great strides in strengthening of statehood and socio-economic development. Uzbekistan's reputation on the international arena is continuously enhancing," he added.

"The relations between our countries stem from the will of our two peoples, which are bound together by common national, moral and cultural values," the president said. "It gives me immense pleasure to emphasize that having developed on such solid foundations, our interstate relations reached the level of strategic partnership."

"I believe that the expansion and deepening of the scope of our cooperation, which is of mutual interest, will continue to benefit our countries and peoples," he said.

"On this remarkable day, I wish you the best of health, success in your endeavours, and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan everlasting peace and prosperity," the president added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

By Samir Ali  Trend:

The Azerbaijan-Russia friendship and cooperation model is becoming a more reliable guarantee for regional peace, editor-in-chief of Baki xeber newspaper Aydin Guliyev told Trend Sept. 2.



Guliyev stressed that the recent visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Russia,

various documents signed during the visit are noteworthy from the point of view of enriching cooperation between the two countries.

"The strategic partnership of our countries has been already rich and exemplary in the context of bilateral strategic partnership in our region, he added. However, numerous agreements of President Aliyev with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sochi will further give the ground for talking about even more multilateral cooperation."

Guliyev added that the recently signed agreements, covering economic, social, trade, transport, infrastructure, banking, engineering and other spheres, testify to big prospects of activity.

"It is enough to list these documents to see the forthcoming huge work of two countries, he added. The implementation of these agreements will raise the cooperation of the two countries to a level that has no analog in the CIS area and in some cases even exceeding the relations of strategic allies.

Indeed, a map of the effective cooperation for several decades was outlined, he said. The reached agreements are significant from another point of view. Thus, a new level of growing

relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia will be another example for demonstrating that the model of personal relations in the CIS area is above any problems.

The editor-in-chief added that the Azerbaijan-Russia friendship and cooperation model is becoming a more reliable guarantee for the regional peace.

"Presently, the Azerbaijan-Russia tandem with even stronger basis is becoming one of the main vectors of security in the Caucasus and the entire CIS area," Guliyev said.

During the recent visit of President Aliyev to Russia, 15 documents on the cooperation in various fields were signed between the two countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sep. 2

By Matanat Nasibova - Trend:

Azerbaijan is interested in the establishment of joint ventures with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the fields of industry, logistics and transport, trade representative of Azerbaijan in Dubai Elnur Aliyev told Trend.

"At the same time, we are interested in attracting a big number of Arab companies to the country, because Azerbaijan is an ideal market for foreign investors because it has access to key markets of neighboring countries in the region," he said.

To date, more than 250 companies from the UAE work in Azerbaijan. Baku-Dubai-Baku, Baku-Sharjah-Baku flights operate between the countries.

"In general, Azerbaijan and the UAE have great potential for cooperation and may successfully develop cooperation in the spheres of industry, transport, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and high technologies," he added.

"Currently, the work is being carried out to accelerate the dynamics of trade turnover between the countries," Aliyev said. "The main share of export of Azerbaijani products to the UAE accounts for Dubai, to which mainly agricultural products are supplied."

"Vegetables and fruits in big volumes, while meat in small volumes, are exported to Dubai," he said. "We intend to maximally increase meat supplies in the future, taking into account the needs of the Dubai market and the growing opportunities for production of this kind of products in Azerbaijan."

"Azerbaijan mainly imports high-tech products, electronics, industrial goods and building materials from the UAE," he said. "Taking into account that the UAE is one of the biggest importers of agricultural products, we expect that our high-quality products will have a niche in this promising market."

"As the UAE has a big potential for re-export, the supply of Azerbaijani goods to the UAE market, may contribute to the supply of our domestic products to the markets of other countries of the Persian Gulf in the future," he added.

"Besides agricultural products, Azerbaijan intends to increase supplies of various types of industrial goods, namely, aluminum plates, pipes, etc. to the UAE," Aliyev said.

According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to $28.457 million in January-July 2018, which is 67 percent more than in the same period of 2017.

At the same time, exports from Azerbaijan to the UAE amounted to $12.317 million (an increase of 58.8 percent), while imports - $16.139 million (by 73.8 percent).
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The development of compulsory medical insurance in the country may positively affect voluntary medical insurance, chairman of board of A-Group Insurance company Anar Bayramov told Trend.

"This influence will be observed only after a few years," he added.

"Over the next few years, compulsory health insurance will not affect voluntary insurance," Bayramov said. "These programs may exist in parallel without interfering with each other. Of course, when compulsory health insurance will fully work, it will be interesting for people to buy additional insurance coverage."

"The additional insurance coverage is very popular in European countries, where medical insurance is widely developed," he added.

"Statistics shows that in European countries where the level of development of compulsory health insurance is very high, about 10 percent of the population actively use voluntary medical insurance," Bayramov added. "In our country, voluntary health insurance covers only about two percent of the population. We hope that compulsory medical insurance will also positively affect voluntary medical insurance, but this requires time. Now it is too early to talk about that. It will be in a few years after effective use of the compulsory medical insurance system."

"The process of full implementation of compulsory medical insurance in Azerbaijan will be completed within five years," Director of the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance under the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan Zaur Aliyev said earlier.

"In five years we would like any citizen of Azerbaijan, regardless of financial condition, to be able to apply to medical institutions and get the necessary services," he said. "Much work is required, which will be done in stages."

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

By Ilkin Shafiyev, Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Germanys SAP software developer is ready to help the banking sectors of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan accelerate the process of digitalization.

PASHA Bank became the first bank in Azerbaijan which applied SAP SuccessFactors for HR, SAP told Trend. "This is a unified system that includes information about employees, which allows automating all operations, including financial ones. After its implementation, PASHA Bank managers received an effective digital tool for managing personnel work."

For almost 10 years, DemirBank was the SAP customer in Azerbaijan, which used SAP solutions for mobile banking, the source said.

"Another successful example is AzerGold CJSC, which introduced SAP Business One, business management software designed for small and medium-sized enterprises, which allowed organizing all processes more efficiently," SAP said.

SAP also stressed the success achieved as a result of cooperation with Uzbek banks, in particular with InfinBank, which plans to continue cooperation with the German software developer.

"InfinBank implemented SAP solutions to accelerate the process of digitalization, the source said. With the help of SAP product  a "credit conveyor", operating on the basis of technologies developed by our partner Pegasystems, the bank achieved fivefold acceleration of the approval process for the loan."

Another Uzbek bank Ipak Yuli achieved great success, implementing new technologies of our development that helped make the bank products more accessible, the source said.

SAP offers solutions for digital transformation for all sectors. The clients of the German company are representatives of the banking, oil and gas, retail sectors, telecommunication companies, shipping companies and other organizations. In general, SAP renders more than 400 services and solutions.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Irans Persian Gulf Star Oil Company (PGSOC) is going to sell part of its products through running a public international tender.

Therefore all interested individuals and legal entities are invited to refer to PGSOCs legal and contracts department to obtain the documents against submission of a letter (to be signed by managing director of the entity) containing the intention to participate in the tender and introduction of the representative for collection of such document.

Deadline for obtaining the documents: Sept. 8, 2018.

Address: Bandar Khamir, 13th kilometer of Bandar Abbas high way, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Postal code: 7931181183

Phone Number: +98 7631310000
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

A new strategy for the development of health tourism in Azerbaijan may be adopted till the end of 2018, chairman of the Association for Support of Medical and Thermal Tourism of Azerbaijan, president of the World Health Tourism Organization Ruslan Guliyev told Trend.

"The strategy is almost ready and must be submitted to the Azerbaijani parliament in the near future," Guliyev said.

The "Action Plan for the Development of Health Tourism", designed for 2018-2020, was planned to be adopted in early 2018 but this process is delayed due to reforms in the ministry and the establishment of new State Tourism Agency.

"In general, the creation of the Action Plan remains a priority, most likely, it will be approved after the development strategy is adopted," Guliyev said.

Azerbaijan took over a chairmanship in the World Health Tourism Organization from the UAE in 2018.

"Azerbaijans chairmanship in the World Health Tourism Organization will further develop tourism in the country," he added.

Azerbaijan has been a member of this international organization since 2014, in which 60 countries are represented, including Russia, UK, Germany, Turkey and India.

--

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

While delivering speech at the parliamentary session, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev urged the MPs to improve legislation in the agro-industrial sphere, the Kazakh media reported.

"The legislation in the sphere of the agro-industrial complex should be developed, the president said. This is the biggest sector of our economy. It has a great future. We should work. This concerns insurance issues and improvement of control system in veterinary medicine."

Moreover, Nazarbayev instructed the government and the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan to pay much attention to the development of agrarian science.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

The Anyrakay-2018 tactical and special exercises with the participation of more than 300 servicemen of the special forces of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan were held in the territory of the Otar military base in the Republic of Kazakhstan on August 23-29, Kyrgyzstans Kabar national news agency reported citing the press-service of the country's Land Forces.

Besides the army and military transport aviation, the Kazakh unmanned aviation vehicles and artillery brigades were also used.

The exercises were held to develop international military cooperation and strengthen military brotherhood between the armed forces of the two countries, develop methodology for joint planning of special operations in crisis situations, improve coherence of management bodies, as well as activity of special forces at night during raids and ambushes.

Commander of the Land Troops of Kyrgyzstan Colonel Nurlan Kiresheev attended the final stage of training exercises.

At the end of the training exercises, the servicemen who excelled during training were awarded with medals and certificates.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Uzbekistan and China are implementing a project to create unique railway infrastructure in Tashkent, as well as in Samarkand and Tashkent regions, Podrobno.uz correspondent reported.

The Uzbek State Committee for Tourism Development has signed a cooperation agreement with Beijing Jiufang Grang Move Transportation Equipment Co. Ltd and the German-Chinese Cultural Exchange Association for Art and Design following the International Investment Forum in Uzbekistans Jizzakh region.

"As part of the signed document, low-floor suspended monorail trains produced by Beijing Jiufang Grang Move Transportation Equipment Co. Ltd are planned to be used in Uzbekistan," the Uzbek State Committee for Investments said.

Moreover, a new educational institution or a joint faculty is planned to be created at the Uzbek university to train engineering and management personnel.

Another interesting area of cooperation is the use of small sightseeing trains in the tourist areas of the Tashkent and Samarkand regions and the construction of hotels along these areas.
Tehran, Iran, Sept. 2

Trend:

Iran and Germany plan to set up a working group to better manage the implementation of their joint energy projects, an official with Irans Directorate for Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Presidential Office said.

Tehran and Berlin are mulling plans to establish a joint working group to be able to implement their mutual energy agreements following the re-imposition of new US sanctions against Iran, Kambiz Mehdizadeh said, Shana news agency reported on September 2.

A German firm has been tasked with pursuing the joint projects until their full implementation, he added.

He made the remarks after a meeting with members of a German delegation on a visit to Tehran.

The delegation also explored business opportunities in the Islamic Republic in the sector of renewable energies.

On August 7, the German economy minister said Berlin would continue to offer export and investment guarantees for companies doing business with Iran, adding his country is still holding a dialogue with the US on exemptions for German companies from Iran sanctions.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Trade balance between Iran and China increased to $3.95 billion in favor of Iran during the first seven months of the current year.

China's exports to Iran in the 7-month period amounted to $9.604 billion, registering 7.5 percent fall year-on-year, according to the latest data released by the Chinese Customs Administration.

The country also imported $13.55 billion worth of goods from Iran in January-July 2018, 30.2 percent more compared to the same months of 2017.

Irans exports to China in July 2018 witnessed a significant rise by 87 percent to $2.285 billion compared to July 2017.

The value also registered a 45 percent growth compared to June 2018, when Iran exported $1.57 billion worth of goods to the Asian country.

In the same month, China exported $1.2 billion worth of various commodities to the Islamic Republic, which was 23.6 percent less compared to July 2017.

Trade turnover between Iran and China amounted to $37.18 billion in 2017, indicating a 19 percent rise year-on-year.

China's exports to Iran in the 12-month period amounted to $18.599 billion, 13.3 percent more year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the countrys imports from Iran increased by 25.3 percent in the 12-month period to $18.579 billion.

Trade turnover between the two countries was $51 billion in 2014, 31 percent more compared to the preceding year.



The figure stood at $34 billion in 2015, indicating a 34 percent plunge.

In 2016, trade turnover between Iran and China stood at $31.2 billion, down 7.7 percent from 2015.
Tehran, Iran, Sept. 2

Trend:

Iran exported over 12 million tons of tiles to other countries in the first four months of the current Iranian fiscal year (started March 21), according to figures by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.

More than 12 million tons of tiles worth $149 million were exported over four months, registering a 5.2 percent and 31 percent rise in value and weight, respectively, the figured indicated, Shata news agency reported.

Iraq and Pakistan were among the main markets for Iranian-made tile products during the period.

Irans exports of tiles to Pakistan and Iraq respectively witnessed a 41 percent and 9 percent growth over four months.

Irans tile industry enjoys cheap and abundant energy and raw materials combined with indigenous expertise rooted in history. However, due to the market recession caused by an ongoing stagnation in the construction sector as well as the tile and ceramic industrys overproduction due to the unrestrained issuance of factory licenses during the 1990s, production and exports have followed a downtrend over the past few years and growth in domestic demand has been weak.

According to Irans industry ministry data, the output of Irans tile and ceramic industry increased by 16.9 percent during the last fiscal year, ended March 20.

The country produced 372.2 million square meters of tile and ceramic in the 12-month period.

Iran produced 31 million square meters of tiles and ceramics in the 12 calendar month, 8.8 percent less compared to the preceding month.

The countrys tiles and ceramics output amounted to 292.5 million square meters during the preceding fiscal year (ended March 20, 2017), 4.4 percent less year-on-year.

Iranian officials have earlier announced that the countrys tile and ceramic industrys nominal production capacity stands at 700 million square meters per year.

The officials have also said that 133 manufacturing units are active in tile and ceramic production nationwide.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in a telephone conversation late Saturday discussed bilateral relations, JCPOA and latest regional developments, IRNA reported.

This is the second telephone talk between the two foreign ministers on regional developments, especially the JCPOA and interaction between Iran and Europe.

Earlier, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi dismissed the French foreign ministers anti-Iran claims, saying that Iran has repeatedly declared its stance on some countries' 'unfounded' concerns and misconceptions.

Jean-Yves Le Drian had earlier said that Iran cant avoid talks on ballistic missiles and its role in the Middle East.

Elsewhere, he had said that Europe is seeking to find ways to maintain trade ties with Iran, but Iran should respect the foundations of the JCPOA.

Qasemi further noted that The nuclear talks that led to a solid international agreement attests to Iran's goodwill and commitment to the principle of dialogue and its efforts in exploiting rational and peaceful ways.

There is no reason, however, to talk, particularly on non-negotiable issues, after all the efforts made by Iran and other major world powers are violated by France's allies easily and tyrannically, he said referring to the US unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal.

The spokesman also criticized Europeans for their inaction on the violation and for just declaring and repeating their political positions.

They have failed to give the required guarantees for protecting the most important achievement of diplomacy in the contemporary era, Qasemi said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Iranian lawmakers have withdrawn the impeachment request against Minister of Education Seyyed Mohammad Bat'haei, the Iranian media outlets reported Sept. 2.

A group of MPs have submitted a letter to the parliament presidium and have called for ruling out the impeachment of the minister from the agenda due to the approaching outset of the new educational year.

Bat'haei was secluded to go to the parliament Sept. 4 to answer the questions of a number of lawmakers complaining about his ministry's poor performance.

Ahmad Amirabadi, a member of the parliament presidium said that the parliament will not hold the impeachment session on Tuesday.

On Aug. 29, at least 20 lawmakers submitted a petition to the parliament presidium to impeach the minister, Irans media outlets reported.

Those seeking to impeach the education minister were focused on a series of issues linked to school budgets, the curriculum and alleged mismanagement as well as neglecting the mother languages and creating ground for differences in the country rather than national consensus.

Under the Constitution, lawmakers can impeach ministers when they deem it necessary. An impeachment motion can be submitted when it has at least ten signatures.

According to the law, the minister would have 10 days to appear before the lawmakers to answer their questions.
Tehran, Iran, Sept. 2

Trend:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled out the possibility of a military war with Iran, urging the countrys armed forces to build up their military might.

In terms of political calculations, there is no chance of a military war; however, the armed forces must accelerate their human and equipment capabilities day by day, through vigilance, efficient and agile management, Khamenei told commanders of Irans air defence forces on September 2, his official website reported.

He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defence Force is on the frontline of defending the country in the face of enemies.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Iran's Customs Administration said that it has revealed and prevented two human trafficking cases at customs checkpoint on the border with Turkey.

Customs officers, while investigating a truck, revealed five people, who were hidden inside the cargo, the Customs Administration said Sept. 2.

The arrested people, who are citizens of a neighbouring country, were trying to go to Turkey illegally inside the truck, which was carrying paper roll cargo.

In another operation the custom officers detained an Iranian citizen, who was trying to leave the country illegally inside a truck.

In total, 145 people, including Iranian and foreign citizens, trying to illegally enter Turkey were arrested in the current fiscal year, started March 20.

Last fiscal year, 550 cases of human trafficking in consignments were revealed by Iran's customs officers.

In general, people are transported in cargo of cotton, yarn, sesame and petrochemical products.

For a number of neighbouring countries, Iran is a transit route to Europe.
Tehran, Iran, Sept. 2

Trend:

At least one people was killed and four others injured due to gas explosion inside a house in the Iranian capital city of Tehran.

The incident happened at Tehranpars district on Sunday when a massive gas blast reduced a house in Tehran to rubble and wrecked several others, Tasnim news agency reported on Sept. 2.

Six cars were also damaged following the blast.

Rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene to help search for people trapped under rubble in there.
Chinas Exim bank will lend Nigeria $328 million toward improving the west African countrys telecoms infrastructure, Nigerias presidency said on Saturday, at the start of a six-day visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to the country, Reuters reported.

Poor telecoms are a major challenge for businesses operating in Nigeria, which is Africas largest oil producer, most populous country and has one of the continents largest economies.

The agreement, the latest in a number of Chinese loan facilities to Nigeria since Buhari took office in 2015, comes as Beijing seeks to deepen its ties in Africa.

Nigerias presidency, in an emailed statement, described the loan as between Nigerias Galaxy Backbone and Chinas Huawei Technologies .

It said the agreement was part of the current administrations commitment to incorporating the development of information and communications technology into national strategic planning.

Buharis administration has said it wants to improve the countrys technology infrastructure to boost growth and create jobs as it seeks to reduce reliance on oil sales, which make up around two thirds of government revenues.
An explosion occurred on Sunday in the Somali capital city of Mogadishu, Sputnik reported citing local media.

The blast was caused by a car loaded with explosives, Radio Kulmiye reported.

"A suicide car bomb (rammed) into the district office of Hawlwadag in Mogadishu. It is too early to know casualties," major Abdullahi Hussein, a police officer stated.

According to information posted on Twitter, the incident took place in Howlwadag district.

Law enforcement officers and ambulances have arrived at the scene. At least five children were killed in the explosion, others remain under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Later in the day, a radio station confirmed that the blast had targeted the district's administration center. A school was destroyed in the incident.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

On July 7, at least 10 people died and 20 more were injured as a result of an attack on the Interior Ministry building in the Somali capital.

In June, one American soldier was killed and four others were injured in an attack reportedly carried out by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
A bomb blast killed one person and injured 15 in an internet cafe in the southern Philippines on Sunday, in the second such attack in days blamed by the military on pro-Islamic State militants. Isulan, a mostly Christian city on southern Mindanao island, was placed on lockdown to hunt down those behind the attack, Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, an army division commander, told reporters, Reuters reported.

No group claimed responsibility. Most likely its still the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the commander said.

There is no other group who would dare to carry out the bombing and there is no other group with an interest to bomb without any reason.

The BIFF were also blamed for a blast on Tuesday about 500 meters away which killed three people and wounded more than 30.

Mindanao has a large Muslim minority. The BIFF is a breakaway faction of a Muslim separatist group which signed a 2014 peace deal with the government to end 50 years of conflict that had killed 120,000 people and displaced 2 million in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2

Trend:

Four people were killed, 22 were injured as a result of a collision between a minibus and a truck in Turkeys Gaziantep city, the Turkish media reported.

Reportedly, the injured were taken to the nearest hospitals. The condition of six of 22 injured is critical.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2018 - 17:52 | World, All

South Korean President Moon Jae In on Sunday appointed his top security adviser to lead a five-member delegation to North Korea on Sept. 5 to discuss details for the next inter-Korean summit as well as denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Chung Eui Yong will lead the delegation that will include Suh Hoon, chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae Sung, Yun Kun Young, presidential secretary for state affairs, and Kim Sang Gyun, a senior official from NIS.

Those five members met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in March when they traveled to Pyongyang to plan the historic summit in April between Moon and Kim at the border village of Panmunjeom.

The South Korean delegation will discuss such topics as a concrete schedule for the next summit, ways to improve inter-Korean relations, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the two Koreas' goal of reaching a peace settlement, presidential office spokesman Kim Eui Kyum previously told reporters.

The two Koreas agreed in high-level talks on Aug. 13 to hold another inter-Korean summit sometime in September in Pyongyang, but specifics had yet to be discussed.

If held, the meeting will be the third summit between Moon and Kim following ones on April 27 and May 26.

The South Korean delegation will fly directly to North Korea on Sept. 5 over the Yellow Sea and return to Seoul the same day.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2018 - 11:46 | All, Japan, Urgent

Official campaigning started Sunday for the Nago city assembly election in Okinawa Prefecture, with the planned construction there of a new U.S. military base -- to facilitate the closure of an existing airfield elsewhere in the prefecture -- high on the agenda.

The results of the Sept. 9 vote could affect Okinawa's gubernatorial election on Sept. 30, in which a candidate opposing the base relocation plan is expected to compete against a candidate backed by the central government pushing for the transfer.

(Construction site for a new U.S. base in Henoko)

In the Nago assembly election, there will be 32 candidates for 26 seats on the body. At stake is whether assembly members opposed to the relocation can continue to hold a majority following Nago's mayoral election in February that was won by a rookie who effectively tolerates the controversial plan.

Under the plan agreed by Tokyo and Washington, U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma will be moved from a crowded residential area in Ginowan to the less-populated coastal district of Henoko in Nago.

Candidates backing Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi are highlighting boosting the local economy as the main issue in the election, while those against him are voicing their opposition to the construction of the new base.

The central government considers the relocation plan as the "sole solution" to remove the dangers posed by the Futenma base while maintaining the perceived deterrence of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

But many local residents of the southern island prefecture, where the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan are located, hope the base will be moved outside Okinawa due to accidents and crimes involving U.S. military personnel.

(Protesters rally in Naha)

Mayor Toguchi, who beat the incumbent mayor opposed to the relocation plan in the election with support from the central government, has decided to offer school lunches and childcare services free of charge using a "U.S. base realignment subsidy" from the central government.

The central government provides the subsidy to municipalities hosting U.S. bases. It stopped its payment to the city of Nago after anti-base candidate Susumu Inamine was elected mayor in 2010, but the payment was resumed after Toguchi defeated Inamine in the election this year.

On Friday, the Okinawa prefectural government retracted its approval of landfill work in Nago for the relocation, as instructed by the late Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga, citing illegality in the procedure. Tokyo is highly likely to take the matter to court in an attempt to confirm the validity of the prefecture's earlier approval.

(Late Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga, right, and PM Shinzo Abe)

Japan and the United States reached an agreement in 1996 on the return of the land used for the Futenma base. In 1999, the Japanese government decided to relocate the base to the Henoko area.
If the wedding is conducted in a closed hall, the guests are to be limited to 100.
Complaining that the noise keeps them awake at night, residents of the Lori Province town of Tumanyan are demanding that a nearby hydro-power plant and natural gas automobile filling station be closed.

The irate residents have lately gathered near the River Marts-2 plant owned by Argishti-1 LLC, of which former Vanadzor mayor Samvel Darbinyan is the sole shareholder, to voice their anger.

Tumanyan residents I spoke to had other complaints beside the noise issue.

Levon Ghalayan wasnt happy with the services provided by the Alaverdi Medical Center.

Im supposed to get free medicine. But Dr. Styopa Varosyan doesnt give me the medicine, saying hes never supplied with it to give to me, said a gruffy Ghalayan.

Sona Rasoyan, of Yezidi extraction, complains that government officials never keep their promises about improving living conditions in Tumanyan.

Rasoyan and eleven family members live in one room in a building that once served as a dormitory for workers at a factory manufacturing fireproof bricks in Tumanyan. She claims that during his visit to the town last year, then Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan promised to transfer state money to the mayor in order to purchase a house for the family. Rasoyan says Mayor Levon Zavaryan has yet to buy any house for them.

Rasoyan also complains that Seyran Shahverdyan, who drives a minivan on the Vanadzor-Alaverdi route, never stops to pick her up. He says our neighborhood is too far away, and that its his vehicle. Go complain to whomever you want, he says, Rasoyan exclaims.

Hayk Hovhannisyan, a resident of Building 16 in the towns 3# district, says the sewer system in his building hasnt been cleaned in years and that the stench is unbearable.

Thats the responsibility of the utility, Veolia Jur. I cant do anything about it, says Mayor Zavaryan.

On August 23 residents presented a list of their complaints to the mayor. In response, hydro plant director Seyran Darbinyan told them he would install a noise filter to muffle the noise.

Zavaryan told residents that if the plant was closed, which they are demanding, twelve Tumanyan residents and four from the nearby village of Marts would be jobless.

The mayor said he would speak with Shahverdyan, the minivan driver, and have him start his route in Rasoyans neighborhood.

Sometimes, when I go there, there arent any passengers. I have to needlessly use gasoline. Everyone has my phone number. I tell them to call me ahead of time. They dont, says Shahverdyan.

Levon Ghalayan, who has Parkinsons, told the mayor that the only medicine that helps him is Mardopar, but that hes given another drug, for free, that doesnt help.

Stepan Movsisyan, director of the Alaverdi Medical Center, called the mayor and told him that the center treats five patients with Parkinsons and they all need Mardopar.

At the beginning of the year, the cost of the free medicine was 670,000 drams and has now dropped to 500,000. One pack of Mardopar, that can last a patient for one month, costs 35,000 drams. With our resources, I cant provide Mardopar to each patient every month. Now, we are giving them Pronoral instead, says Movsisyan.

Vruyr Stepanyan, the chief neurologist in Lori Province, believes patients should be give Mardopar for free since its more effective than Pronoral.

Yesterday, Mayor Zavaryan told Hetq that rain gutters have been installed on Building 16 and that Veolia Jur trucks would be sent there to clean the sewers.

Today, Veolia Jur Tumanyan branch manager Artur Koloyan said the sewage clogs had been removed.

Residents have also demanded that the municipality repair the town roads.

Thats an expensive luxury which our budget cant handle, says Mayor Zavaryan
TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened against its U.S. counterpart on Friday as doubts emerged that a deal to revamp the NAFTA trade pact would be reached by the end of the day. Canada and the United States will make a final push to iron out differences on a pact to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by a Friday deadline set by President Donald Trump, but the atmosphere soured late on Thursday according to a media report. Canadian officials expressed concern that a final NAFTA deal would not be concluded on Friday, the Globe and Mail reported, citing a source familiar with situation. Canada sends about 75 percent of its exports to the United States, so its economy could be hurt if a deal is not reached. On Thursday, data showed that the Canadian economy expanded in the second quarter at the fastest pace in one year as exports climbed, but the improved growth was not expected to trigger an interest hike next week from the Bank of Canada. Canadian producer prices declined by 0.2 percent in July from June on lower prices for primary non-ferrous metal products, Statistics Canada said on Friday. At 9:10 a.m. (1310 GMT), the Canadian dollar was trading 0.6 percent lower at C$1.3062 to the greenback, or 76.56 U.S. cents. The currency's strongest level of the session was C$1.2978, while it touched its weakest since Monday at C$1.3064. The decline for the loonie came as stocks were pressured by U.S. President Donald Trump's latest salvo in Washington's trade war with China. Canada runs a current account deficit and exports many commodities so its economy could also be hurt if the global flow of trade or capital slows. The price of oil, one of Canada's major exports, fell as concerns over the impact of a trade war depressed sentiment. U.S. crude prices were down 0.50 percent at $69.90 a barrel. Canadian government bond prices were higher across a flatter yield curve, with the two-year up 6.5 Canadian cents to yield 2.07 percent and the 10-year rising 42 Canadian cents to yield 2.224 percent. The 10-year yield hit its lowest intraday since July 25 at 2.219 percent. (Reporting by Fergal Smith; Editing by David Gregorio)
Savants Join Moon X

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2018 / Jeffrey Wernick is known for his investments in start-ups that he believed quite prophetically would change the face of the world. His investment predictions came to be true. He was an angel investor in UBER and Airbnb when they were merely start-ups and he was also an early investor in Bitcoin. These were Wernick's signature investments made against the grain and against conventional wisdom and continue to grow today. Notably these three plays were decentralized or semi-decentralized.

MoonX also has on board Craig Peterson, one of the creators of the world's first supercomputer and Co-Founder and CEO of Intel Microcomputers. Two leaders from different backgrounds have joined hands in order to create something extraordinary. Peterson created three new businesses inside Intel and his startup was the most successful for Intel Capital at the time and sold for a record $180mn.

MoonX, a technology startup, has announced that two of the most sought-after future thinkers of our time are joining its Board of Mentors, Jeffrey Wernick and Craig Peterson. MoonX is introducing technology that promises to nearly eradicate response time issues at financial exchanges and brings an alternate vision to make the world decentralized.

The arrival of these visionaries is important because of their ability to see possibilities in technologies and people where most would see nothing of value. Their eye for long term value and growth has always baffled the world. They have faced diverse opinions about new technologies in every era but are able to melt away the chaff and get to the core of the development. Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency are two developments that are creating turbulence in the financial and technology sectors today. People are still getting to grips with the concepts involved.

Even as financial markets, governments and regulators deal with the issues thrown up by cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, these two global savants in the fields of finance and technology have spotted the next big thing, MoonX, a start-up with totally new ideas on how to run a financial exchange.

Story continues

Why MoonX? - The leaders answer

Peter Du another MoonX Mentor, famously known as 'Dakongyi' in crypto circles, spoke on his expectations: ''MoonX is providing the world with the first truly decentralized ownership exchangeecosystem. This will help bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, eliminating the factors responsible for the growing wealth inequality in the world. As an investor in budding ideas that have a promising future and their capacity to change the world, I am confident in their idea and I believe this has the potential to change the way we transact.''

Craig Peterson, further elaborated on his coming aboard: "I always look forward to be associated with promising technology changes. A good use of the resources in the tech world always catches my eye and I have high regard for individuals who deliver extraordinary results and MoonX is one such organization. Their creation of Ultra Low Latency Solutions and The Basket of Bonds and The Basket of Coins could not have been imagined earlier and this excites me the most. I am looking forward to being a part of this venture.''

PR Contact

Brian Soans

brian@moon.family

SOURCE: MoonX Technologies Ltd.
OFX Daily Market News

Posted by OFX

Australian Dollar

The AUD launched into last week cautiously, given the recent turmoil on the Australian Leadership front. The AUD had seen a drastic plunge following a frantic week of internal wrangling within the ruling Liberal-National coalition, in an attempt to avert a conservative-led move against then Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. Despite narrowly clinging to power after an initial leadership vote, ultimately Turnbull he was ousted from office in a bitter party-room contest that ushered in the countrys sixth leader in the last decade, Scott Morrison. Mr. Morrison has pledged to heal our party after the party infighting and on the back of these statements and with the dust settling, the AUD saw a modest recovery to begin the week above 0.7319 versus the USD.

On the data front, the economic calendar was relatively quiet to close out the month of August, however, some key releases put pressure on the AUD. Starting at home, Private Capital Expenditures posted a nasty decline of 2.5% against an expected increase of 0.6%, implying slowing business investment in Australia. Further declines in building approvals with a reading of -5.2% against an expected decline of -2.2% also added fuel to the fire. Earlier in the week, Westpac also reported their mortgage rate increase which didnt help concerns over the Australian economy either. The market rapidly unwound from its highs of 0.7362 earlier in the week and the AUD closed out the week below the 0.72 mark.

New Zealand Dollar

The New Zealand dollar maintained a largely tight trading handle throughout last weeks opening sessions, fluctuating between intraday lows at 0.6669 and session highs at 0.6703. In the absence of headline data sets the NZD took advantage of broader USD weakness and an upturn in demand for risk. News the US and Mexico had agreed a new bilateral trade agreement, coupled with increased intervention from the PBOC helped fuel further dollar downside and a correction from 12-month highs touched just 2 weeks ago.

Story continues

The New Zealand Dollar fell sharply through trade on Thursday, loosing almost 100 points and closing as the days worst performer. ANZs business confidence report showed corporate assuredness had collapsed to levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis, which in turn fostered a decline in investment and employment intentions casting a cloud over near-term growth expectations. The poor print comes on the back of Dovish RBNZ currency prompting markets to increase expectations the monetary policy committee will cut the OCR within the next 12 months.

Plunging through 0.67 and 0.6650 losses were compounded by a broader market-wide, risk-off tone. Weakness across emerging markets, led by Argentinas request to bring forward the release of specialised bailout funding, prompting a further run on other emerging market assets and wider flight to safety. The NZD/USD closed the week at 0.6621.

British Pound

Following on from the long weekend the theme for sterling is much like the previous weeks; no data so instead the pound was driven by reports and stories around Brexit. One reprieve for many sterling buyers who are worried that Brexit will weigh on the currencys performance is the report that the Brexit deadline, originally penciled in for the 18th-19th October could be extended by four weeks. The dialogue between Barnier and new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab was positive and whilst the extension is good news, the original deadline was in place to allow the EU Summit time to vote on the Brexit deal.

All that said, Politicians sometimes have a knack of unwinding all of hard work they have done in one short interview and later in the week it was the turn of Michel Barnier appearing after his very consolatory comments, but this time the tone was much more considered.

Barnier stated that the EU would be prepared for all options with the UK and that a no deal Brexit is part of this planning. The pound wobbled but in general, it has managed to hold onto its gains made earlier in the week. August was meant to be a quiet month for the currency markets and the pound was bereft of any data for the last couple of weeks. GBP/USD and GBP/EUR have swung over 3.3% and 2.1% respectively over the last four weeks however with September just around the corner, the return of liquidity (following Labor Day) and the return of concrete data for investors to dig their teeth into volatility could increase.

United States Dollar

The highlight of last weeks opening sessions for the USD was the news that the US and Mexico have reached an understanding on trade and taken the first step to a new free-trade agreement to replace NAFTA. Canada, the other original party, is also set to join negotiations, although Trump was somewhat dismissive of this, saying well see to the suggestion. Overall, equity markets rallied across the US after the announcement although the Greenback conversely suffered. The impetus for the fall may be the increasing rhetoric from Trump on his primary trade war target. The new understanding with Mexico and moratorium on the EU tariffs have led speculators to believe Trump is shoring up relationships and focusing all his attention on the worlds second-biggest economy, China. Tellingly, Trump commented in a speech in West Virginia that China was on the way to be bigger than us in a short period of time. Thats not going to happen anymore. The declines are likely also impacted from the unwinding of aggregate long positions taken by speculators, with many forces conspiring to precipitate the falls, such as the dovish Fed statement and Chinas active steps to stabilize the CNY.

Last week also saw a slew of economic data out for the US, continuing jobless claims posted a 1708k better than last weeks 1728K. Core PCE Price index YoY and MoM both printed a notch higher at 2.3% and 0.1% respectively. Personal income hit consensus of 0.3% while personal spending MoM was just above consensus of 0.35 and printed a 0.4%. Initial jobless claim rose slightly to 213K for last weeks print of 210K.

Euro

The euro has surged the last number of weeks, particularly against the USD, long forgetting the 13-month lows that we endured. However, at the moment the euro is seemingly stuck between strong fundamentals and Italian uncertainty. Whilst it has bounced back due to USD weakness and a little support from German data, there is a sense of deja vu for the Eurozone with regards to the latest news of political risk. The Eurozone seems unable to escape these sort of events and once again the risk has come from Italy. Following on from the elections earlier in the year, which ironically passed by without a lot of reaction or concern from the market, the fresh Italian coalition is causing headaches for the market with the expectation that its first budget could blow through the EUs rules limiting public deficits to 3% of GDP. So far the selloff has only been in Italian debt and not the euro itself with Italian 10 year yields hitting 4 year highs.

However the big risk to the EUR at the moment came in the form of a denied report from the Italian deputy Prime Minister, that Italy had asked the ECB to help with its bond sales. The constant worry about the upcoming Italian budget is the risk that it could cripple Italy. This is because in order to fund the budget, Italy may have to unwind previous reforms which could hamper future Italian growth prospects (Italian growth is already dwindling). This growth needs all the help it can get because Italy contributes 12% of the EUs total GDP (as well as 12% of its population  punching) which in turn creates concerns about the EUs future growth prospects. The ECB recently said that the main risk to its plans is trade tensions but we believe that Italy is more of a worry. This also isnt an event that is going to go away anytime soon, after all, we are talking about the 2019 budget.

Canadian Dollar

Last weeks opening sessions saw the loonie reacted positively, on news that there was a bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico. The trade agreement has long been a key driver of CAD fortunes and while we are still some way off a reformed accord this weeks progress goes a long way in easing fears talks will break down completely. The Canadian Dollar moved immediately higher following Mondays announcement to reach two-month highs and up 0.6% as the USD/CAD saw 1.2955 the 100-day moving average.

However, despite upbeat trade expectations the CAD moved sharply lower after the month on month GDP growth stalled mid-week, printing below expectations and reducing the likelihood the Bank of Canada will raise rates again before years end.

For now, Loonie direction will remain tied to ongoing trade discussions and with significant challenges still to be resolved. Plus, there is still a strong possibility an agreement will not be reached before year end.

Posted by OFX
Ive been keeping an eye on Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) because Im attracted to its fundamentals. Looking at the company as a whole, as a potential stock investment, I believe CVX has a lot to offer. Basically, it is a notable dividend payer that has been able to sustain great financial health over the past. In the following section, I expand a bit more on these key aspects. For those interested in digger a bit deeper into my commentary, read the full report on Chevron here.

6 star dividend payer with adequate balance sheet

CVXs ability to maintain an adequate level of cash to meet upcoming liabilities is a good sign for its financial health. This indicates that CVX has sufficient cash flows and proper cash management in place, which is a crucial insight into the health of the company. CVXs has produced operating cash levels of 0.61x total debt over the past year, which implies that CVXs management has put its borrowings into good use by generating enough cash to cover a sufficient portion of borrowings.

NYSE:CVX Historical Debt September 2nd 18

CVXs reputation for being one of the best dividend payers in the market is supported by the fact that it has been steadily growing its dividend payments over the past ten years and currently is one of the top yielding companies on the markets, at 3.8%.

NYSE:CVX Historical Dividend Yield September 2nd 18

Next Steps:

For Chevron, Ive compiled three essential aspects you should further research:

Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for CVXs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for CVXs outlook. Historical Performance: What has CVXs returns been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity. Other Attractive Alternatives : Are there other well-rounded stocks you could be holding instead of CVX? Explore our interactive list of stocks with large potential to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

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.
Armenian Prime Minister today congratulated the Armenian people to mark the 27th anniversary of the independence of Artsakh.

It was on this day in 1991, that the region, through a referendum, declared its independence from the Soviet Union.

In his congratulatory message, Pashinyan noted that despite the war and ensuing destruction, the Republic of Artsakh took hold and has been able to achieve a number of successes.

 Shoulder to shoulder with Armenia and the diaspora, Artsakh today continues to live and develop. The Velvet Revolution in Armenia proves yet again the spirit of the freedom-loving Armenians and their unbreakable will. Today, Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora are stronger because they are more united and freer, the prime ministers message reads.

Pashinyan underlined that his government daily focuses on the issue of Artsakhs security, and that the countrys destiny is an object of special devotion of all Armenians.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Gazprom said on Friday it was taking a pause from using some of its debt tools but the Russian gas giant said it had not suspended its loans programme and it still had access to private loans.

Gazprom suspended its external borrowing programme this year because of a deepening legal dispute with Ukraine's Naftogaz over gas supplies, banking sources said this month. A London court in June froze the firm's assets in Britain at the request of Naftogaz.

A British court holds hearings on Sept. 4-5 regarding moves by Naftogaz to arrest Gazprom's assets, a Gazprom representative told reporters on a conference calls on Friday.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Olesya Astakhova; Writing by Tom Balmforth)
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Futurist said: It would be utter lunacy for Hitler to go to war against the Soviets if France hasn't already fallen, though.







Yes, I was thinking of an internal anti-Nazi coup occurring in Germany due to the fear that a prolongation of Hitler's rule is going to result in Germany squandering all of its gains (and then some).







Yes, that's probably correct. Specifically, Britain and France don't appear to have had the appetite for fighting to the bitter end in 1939-1940 considering that they lacked a powerful ally (either the U.S. or the Soviet Union) to help them out in the fight against Germany. Click to expand...

1)In 1941 it would be. At some point though it would have happened. The war with France wouldn't have dragged out several years, conquering Germany was a pipe dream and if invading France failed there probably would have been a settlement. What is the status of the Low Countries in this scenario?2)Certainly possible. That being said while the invasion of France was certainly the capstone military achievement of Hitler's reign it must be remembered that prior to that Hitler had done nothing but acquire new territory acquiring the largest centrally controlled German Empire(phrasing is to account for the HRE) by 1939. Would the failure of the invasion have been enough to turn public support against Hitler given what at that point was four years of success(Saar, Rhineland, Austria, Subetenland, Bohemia and West Poland)? Not saying for sure you're wrong just that I'm skeptical. Look how many failed invasions and PR disasters Mussolini survived. Key factor here again is what happened to the Low Countries. In late 1943,1944 around the time of the July 20th plot, it should have seemed clear or very likely to any objective military observer that without regime change Germany was going to be eventually subjugated to UC by the Allies and this reality would make it far easier to gain support than after a failed 1940 attack on France.3)Agreed. If not for the invasion of France(which clearly made war impossible to ignore or do in a limited capacity), honestly don't know if the war in the West would have ever escalated. France the UK and maybe Germany might have been satisfied fighting nearby proxy wars for the indefinite future in the West if there wasn't a settlement outright.
At the Church of the Wild, congregants wander silent and barefoot through nature
City Editor

Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has covered statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids.
Joe Barrera, Ph.D., is the former director of the Ethnic Studies Program at UCCS, and a combat veteran of the Vietnam War.
English Lithuanian

The Board of public limited liability company NOVATURAS, legal entity code 135567698, registered at A. Mickeviciaus St. 27, Kaunas, the Republic of Lithuania (the Company), decided to cancel the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held on 5 September 2018 at 9.30 and to convene a new extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on 28 September 2018 at 9.30 (the Meeting).

The venue of the Meeting is hotel Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, Conference Centre (Konstitucijos Ave. 20, Vilnius), the Meeting commences at 9.30 a.m. (registration of shareholders starts at 8.30 a.m. and ends at 9.15 a.m.).

The date of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders has been postponed taking into account the recommendation of the Supervisory Council of the Company as well as approval to postpone the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and the new request of the Companys shareholder Central European Tour Operator S.a.r.l, on whose initiative the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company was convened on 5 September 2018. The Company will not manage to finish annual negotiations and sign the agreement, which is concluded each year with bank for granting of a short-term loan, which is intended to partially finance the Companys working capital in 2019, before the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on 5 September 2018. Therefore, the Supervisory Council recommended to the Board of the Company, upon obtaining an approval of the shareholder of the Company, who initiated the convocation of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on 5 September 2018 regarding payment of dividend for a period shorter than a financial year to postpone the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company convened on 5 September 2018 to a later date after the date of signing the planned agreement for the short-term loan.

The specified purpose of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company is to propose to allocate dividends for shareholders of the Company for a period shorter than a financial year.

The record date of the Meeting is 21 September 2018. The persons who are shareholders of the Company at the end of the record date of the general meeting of shareholders of the Company or persons authorized by them, or the persons with whom shareholders concluded agreements on the transfer of voting right, will have the right to attend and vote at the Meeting.

The Meeting is initiated and convened by the Board of the Company, which on 29 August 2018 approved the same following agenda of the Meeting as that of the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders to be convened on 5 September 2018:

Announcement of the Interim Report of public limited liability company Novaturas for the period of six months ended on 30 June 2018.

Draft decision proposed:

The Interim Report of public limited liability company Novaturas for the period of six months ended on 30 June 2018 has been announced for the shareholders of the Company. No decision is to be adopted on this matter of the agenda.

Approval of the set of audited interim financial statements of the Company for a period shorter than a financial year ended on 30 June 2018.

Draft decision proposed:

To approve the set of interim financial statements of public limited liability company Novaturas for the period of six months ended on 30 June 2018 audited by UAB DELOITTE LIETUVA, the Companys auditor.

The allocation of dividends for shareholders of public limited liability company Novaturas for a period shorter than a financial year ended on 30 June 2018.

Draft decision proposed:

Considering the fact that all conditions for the allocation of dividends for a period shorter than a financial year set out in paragraph 5 of Article 601 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania are fulfilled, to allocate dividends for shareholders of public limited liability company Novaturas in the amount of EUR 0.77 per share of public limited liability company Novaturas for the period of six months ended on 30 June 2018.

Election of the auditor for the performance of the audit of the set of annual financial statements of the Company group and determination of the conditions of audit services for the period of 20182019.

Draft decision proposed:

To elect audit firm UAB DELOITTE LIETUVA for the performance of audit of annual financial statements of the Company group for 2018 and 2019 and to determine that the payment for the performance of the services of the Companys audit will be no more than EUR 85,000, the VAT excl., for 2018 and no more than EUR 95,000, the VAT excl., for 2019.

Public limited liability company Novaturas notes that the right to receive dividends lies only with those persons who are shareholders of the Company at the end of the record date of the shareholders rights, i.e. at the end of 12 October 2018, and dividend will be paid to such persons in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 60 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, i.e. within 1 (one) month from the day of the adoption of the decision on the allocation of dividends.

The total number of the Companys shares with the par value of EUR 0.03 each and the number of shares granting voting rights during the general meeting of shareholders is the same and amounts to 7,807,000.

ISIN code of the Companys shares is LT0000131872.

The Company will not provide a possibility to participate and vote in the Meeting by means of electronic communication.

Draft decisions on the Meeting agenda matters, documents to be submitted to the Meeting and information related to the exercise of the shareholders rights are available on the website of the Company www.novaturasgroup.com on the menu item For investors. This information will also be available to shareholders at the registered office of the Company (A. Mickeviciaus St. 27, Kaunas, the Republic of Lithuania) on business days from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m.

The shareholders holding shares that grant at least 1/20 of all votes have the right of proposing to supplement the agenda of the Meeting by providing a draft decision of the general meeting of shareholders on each additionally proposed matter or in case no decision is required  a relevant explanation. The proposals to supplement the agenda must be submitted in writing or by e-mail. The proposals must be presented in writing to the Company on business days or must be sent by registered mail at the Companys address A. Mickeviciaus St. 27, LT-44245 Kaunas, the Republic of Lithuania. The proposals submitted by e-mail must be sent to tomas.staskunas@novaturas.lt . The proposals to supplement the agenda with additional matters must be received in the Company by 14 September 2018, 4 p.m. In case the agenda of the Meeting is supplemented, the Company will notify shareholders about it no later than 10 days before the Meeting in the same manner as when notifying on convocation of the Meeting.

Each shareholder holding shares that grant at least 1/20 of all votes, at any time before the general meeting of shareholders or during the general meeting of shareholders, has the right of proposing new draft decisions on the matters already included or to be included in the agenda of the general meeting of shareholders. The proposed draft decisions must be presented in writing delivering them against signature to the Company or sending them by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notification.

The shareholders have the right to present questions related to the matters on the agenda of the Meeting to the Company in advance in writing. Questions can be presented to the Company in writing at A. Mickeviciaus St. 27, LT-44245 Kaunas, the Republic of Lithuania, or by e-mail to tomas.staskunas@novaturas.lt no later than 3 business days before the Meeting. The Company will answer the submitted questions by e-mail before the Meeting, except for the questions related to the Companys commercial (industrial) secret, confidential information, as well as if the questions are received in the Company later than 3 business days before the Meeting.

Answers of general character will be posted on the Companys website www.novaturasgroup.com . The Company will not respond to a shareholder, who has asked a question, personally if the respective information is posted on the Companys website.

Each shareholder has a right, in the manner established by the laws, to authorise another (natural or legal) person to attend and vote at the general meeting of shareholders on his/her behalf. At the general meeting of shareholders an authorised person (proxy) will have the same rights as would be held by the shareholder represented by him/her, unless the proxys rights are limited by the power of attorney issued to him/her or by laws. The proxy must provide a power of attorney certified in the manner established by laws. A power of attorney issued in a foreign state must be translated into Lithuanian and legalised in the manner established by laws.

A shareholder also has the right to authorize, through electronic communication means, another natural or legal person to participate and vote in the Meeting on the shareholders behalf. Such authorization does not need to be notarised. The power of attorney issued through electronic communication means must be confirmed by the shareholder with his/her electronic signature created by the secure signature formation software and certified by a qualified certificate effective in the Republic of Lithuania. The shareholder must inform the Company of the power of attorney issued through electronic communication means by e-mail tomas.staskunas@novaturas.lt no later than by 4:00 p.m. on the last business day before the Meeting. The power of attorney and the notification must be in writing. It is the power of attorney and the notification to the Company that must be signed with the electronic signature, but not a letter sent by e-mail. By submitting a notification to the Company, the shareholder must indicate the Internet address from which it is possible to download free of charge software to verify the electronic signature of the shareholder. The Company has not approved a special form of the power of attorney for the general meeting of shareholders.

Each shareholder or proxy thereof has the right to cast his/her vote in advance in writing by filling out a general ballot paper. The form of the general ballot paper is provided on the Companys website www.novaturasgroup.com on the menu item For investors. Upon a written shareholders request, the Company no later than 10 days before the Meeting will send a general ballot paper by registered mail or deliver it in person against signature. The filled general ballot paper must be signed by the shareholder or his/her proxy. In case the general ballot paper is signed by the shareholders proxy, it must be presented along with the document confirming the right to vote. The filled general ballot paper with enclosed documents (if required) must be submitted to the Company by registered mail at A. Mickeviciaus St. 27, LT-44245 Kaunas, the Republic of Lithuania, or delivering it to the Company in person. Dully filled ballot papers, received in the Company before the Meeting, will be considered valid.

Enclosed:

General ballot paper; Set of audited interim financial statements with the Interim Report.

Attachments
English Lithuanian

The net profit of Invalda INVL and consolidated net profit for 6 months of 2018 amounted to EUR 14 thousand. In the same period of 2017 the net profit of the company and consolidated net profit was EUR 7.74 million.



Companys and consolidated equity capital for the 6 months of 2017 amounted to EUR 65.45 million, in the same period of 2017 it was EUR 60.39 million.



Additional information:

Invalda INVL, one of the Baltic regions leading asset management groups, had equity of EUR 65.5 million at the end of the first half of 2018, which is 2.27% more than at the end of 2017. Equity per share increased 2.35% in the six-month period to EUR 5.66. The companys net profit in the first half of the year was EUR 14 000, or 99.8% less than in the same period last year.

Invalda INVLs results are attributable to asset management and investment operations. In the main area of asset management, were continuing expansion and so dont expect a profit from these activities this year. The results of investment activities, meanwhile, depend on the change in value of our investments  in the first half of this year there were no significant events and markets were volatile, so profits here were not big. We hope the work were now doing will positively impact results over the coming six to twelve months, said Darius Sulnis, the president of Invalda INVL.



Asset management business



The Invalda INVL groups total client assets under management at the end of June were EUR 659.6 million and increased 7.9% from the start of the year. The number of clients that group companies have, meanwhile, rose 2.2% this year through the end of June to 194 700.

Even though some of our products were the best or among the best in the market, some investors experienced losses, and the total amount earned for clients was insignificant. The main reason was that the first half of the year was volatile in many markets and negative in some, Darius Sulnis said.

We continue work on the planned projects in the asset management area, and the related costs are the reason for the negative results for these activities. We hope the projects will generate a significant return already next year, Darius Sulnis said. Group revenue from the asset management business grew 7.8% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, to EUR 3.5 million, with a loss of EUR 190 000 from these operations.

In late June, INVL Asset Management launched the INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund, a new closed-end mutual fund intended for professional investors which will seek to invest in medium-size companies with an attractive risk-return ratio, providing them with capital for further growth. The funds target size after the distribution of its investment units is EUR 200 million and the maximum size is EUR 300 million.

Also at the end of June it was announced that a preliminary agreement had been reached with the Moldovan Agency for Public Property regarding the participation of a consortium in an auction to acquire a stake of 41.09% in Moldova-Agroindbank (MAIB), the largest bank in Moldova. The agreement was signed by a consortium comprising the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Invalda INVL and Ukrainian private equity manager Horizon Capital. The international consortium, operating through HEIM Partners, a company established in the United Kingdom, committed to make an offer to acquire the shares of MAIB.

Investments in controlled companies and funds

INVL Baltic Real Estate



The value of Invalda INVLs 32.27% equity stake in the real estate investment company INVL Baltic Real Estate was EUR 9.8 million at the end of June, with a gain from the start of the year of EUR 233 000, including dividends.

Were pleased with INVL Baltic Real Estates successful operations and believe in its prospects. For our part, we continue resolutely carrying out our declared intention of publicly offering some of the shares that Invalda INVL owns. That gives other persons a chance to invest in commercial real estate and at the same time increases the attractiveness and liquidity of INVL Baltic Real Estates shares, Invalda INVL President Darius Sulnis said.

He said Invalda INVL abides by a policy of investing in the groups products together with clients and thus intends to retain a 10% stake in INVL Baltic Real Estate. The public offering of INVL Baltic Real Estate shares is taking place in three stages. By the end date of 13 December, a total of up to 22% or 2.893 million of the companys shares currently owned by Invalda INVL will be offered to investors.



INVL Technology



The gain from Invalda INVLs 14.1% stake in INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, was EUR 152 000 during the first half of 2018 and the value of investment was EUR 2.7 million at the end of June. We expect that the organic growth in new markets of the businesses owned by this company and the new contracts they have signed should have a positive impact on the portfolio companies performance, Darius Sulnis said.

INVL Baltic Forests Fund I



The value of the INVL Baltic Forests Fund I increased 8.2% in the first half of the year. A second offering of the fund which ended in May raised an additional EUR 10 million. Following INVL Asset Managements EUR 0.5 million investment commitment in the second offering, that companys total investment in the fund will reach EUR 1 million. Were developing the funds activities as planned and rationally investing the money thats been successfully raised, so the value of the investment is growing, Darius Sulnis said.

INVL Emerging Europe Bond Subfund



The value of investments in the INVL Emerging Europe Bond Subfund (through Cedus Invest) decreased 2.7% in the first half of this year to EUR 8.27 million. The change was due to negative developments in the funds investment markets which continued in the second quarter. This investment is short-term and will be reduced as Invalda INVL has a need for funds for other projects, said Darius Sulnis.

Other investments

The value of the investment in Siauliu Bankas (a 6.79% stake) rose during the first half of the year to EUR 18.6 million and the gain from the investment, including dividends, was EUR 0.64 million. Siauliu Bankass results are very good and we believe they should be reflected in the share price, Darius Sulnis said.

The value of Invalda INVLs investment in Litagra at the end of June was EUR 10.2 million, and the gain from this investment in the first half of the year was EUR 0.2 million. Now focused on primary crop production, the company continues investing, thereby increasing its production capacity, efficiency and potential.

The value of the Inservis group, meanwhile, was EUR 2.25 million at the end of June and the loss on this investment, including dividends, in the first half of the year was EUR 0.8 million. Were not happy with this companys performance and hope that changes in its management will positively impact the companys operations and growth, Darius Sulnis said.

The investment in the shares of Zemaitijos Pienas was sold during the second quarter of this year. The gain from it in the first half of the year, including dividends, was EUR 0.5 million.

In our investment activity, we look for undervalued shares of top companies in a variety of areas. We think properly chosen companies and responsible investment oversight can bring investors a significant return, Darius Sulnis said.





The person authorised to provide additional information:

Darius Sulnis

President of Invalda INVL

E-mail darius.sulnis@invl.com

Attachments
Bunuel wrote:

Genevieve: Increasing costs have led commercial airlines to cut back on airplane maintenance. Also, reductions in public spending have led to air traffic control centers being underfunded and understaffed. For these and other reasons it is becoming quite unsafe to fly, and so one should avoid doing it.



Harold: Your reasoning may be sound, but I can hardly accept your conclusion when you yourself have recently been flying on commercial airlines even more than before.



Which one of the following relies on a questionable technique most similar to that used in Harolds reply to Genevieve?





(A) David says that the new film is not very good, but he has not seen it himself, so I dont accept his opinion.



(B) A long time ago Maria showed me a great way to cook lamb, but for medical reasons she no longer eats red meat, so Ill cook something else for dinner tonight.



(C) Susan has been trying to persuade me to go rock climbing with her, claiming that its quite safe, but last week she fell and broke her collarbone, so I dont believe her.



(D) Pat has shown me research that proves that eating raw green vegetables is very beneficial and that one should eat them daily, but I dont believe it, since she hardly ever eats raw green vegetables.



(E) Gabriel has all the qualifications we have specified for the job and has much relevant work experience, but I dont believe we should hire him, because when he worked in a similar position before his performance was mediocre.

Official Explanation

(D) Yes.

(A) No. Harold is objecting to the fact that Genevieve apparently does not practice what she preaches. She says one should avoid flying, yet she is flying more than ever before. In this argument, David is not offering advice.(B) No. Harold is objecting to the fact that Genevieve apparently does not practice what she preaches. She says one should avoid flying, yet she is flying more than ever before. The person in this argument is not offering advice.(C) No. Harold is objecting to the fact that Genevieve apparently does not practice what she preaches. She says one should avoid flying, yet she is flying more than ever before. In this argument, Susan does practice what she preachesthat rock climbing is safe.Harold is objecting to the fact that Genevieve apparently does not practice what she preaches. She says one should avoid flying, yet she is flying more than ever before. Similarly, the person in this answer-choice is objecting to the fact that Pat apparently does not practice what she preaches. Pat says raw green vegetables should be eaten daily, yet she hardly ever eats them.(E) No. Harold is objecting to the fact that Genevieve apparently does not practice what she preaches. She says one should avoid flying, yet she is flying more than ever before. In this argument, Gabriel is not offering advice._________________
orange

due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

due to their being

a close relative

that limits

due to its being

a close relative

that limit

because it is

a close relative

that limits

because they are

close relatives

that limit

because of being

a close relative

that limits

1. due to their being / due to its being / because it is / because they are / because of being

2. a close relative / close relatives

3. that limit / that limits

We'll start with #3 on our list (limit/limits) because it's an issue of subject-verb agreement, which should be pretty easy to handle quickly.

struggles

limits

struggles

limit

struggles

limits

struggles

limit

struggles

limits

We can eliminate options A, C, and E because they use the singular "limits" with a plural subject "struggles."

all of

brothers

each of

a friend

all its fellows

a close relative

INCORRECT

all their fellows

close relatives

CORRECT

There you have it - option D is the correct choice!

Hello Everyone!Let's take a closer look at this question to figure out the best course of action! First, here is the original question with the major differences between the options highlighted inIn California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely;the spread of this species in its native Argentina.(A)so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to beand thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles(B)so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to beand thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles(C)so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to beand thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles(D)so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to beand thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles(E)so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to beand thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony strugglesAfter a quick glance over the options, a few key differences jump out:Since all of the options for #1 are different, it will be hard to eliminate more than one at a time. With options 2 & 3, we can eliminate several at once, so let's start with one of these.To determine which verb we need, we must first figure out what this verb is referring to. What is causing the spread of the species to be limited? The intercolony struggles. Since "struggles" is a plural word, we now know that we need a plural verb to go with it. Let's see how each option breaks down:(A) due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolonythat(B) due to its being so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolonythat(C) because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolonythat(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolonythat(E) because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolonythatSee - that was quick! Now we're only left with 2 options, so let's move on to #2 on our list: a close relative / close relatives. The key here is to look for the words "all of" or "each of" to figure out which one we need here:considerX to be Y = plural noun for Y (I consider all of my friends to be.)considerX to be Y = singular noun for Y (I consider each of my sisters to be.)(B) due to its being so genetically similar the ant considersto beand thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limitThis isbecause the idiom structure doesn't agree in number. Whenever we refer to "all of" something, we need to use a plural to match. In this case, it uses the singular "a close relative," which is singular.(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants considerto beand thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limitThis is! It uses the proper subject-verb agreement with "limit," and the use of the plural "relatives" agrees with the plural "all their fellows."If you were to tackle #1 on our list first, it would have taken much longer to narrow down your options. Finding the "either this or that" problems will help you eliminate 2-3 options at once, which is much faster!Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it._________________
P: Wearing-off of hip ---> Discomfort (WOH ---> DC) [ X --> Y ]

S: No, Post-operative Inflammation ---> Discomfort (POI ---> DC) [ No, Z --> Y ]



We have to strengthen the P's claim that WOH ---> DC

A) The patient has not followed the post-operative instructions she was given regarding how much time she should spend engaged in vigorous activities.

- Not following the PO instuctions --->Wearing-off of Hip ---> Discomfort [P ---> X ---> Y]

It is in-line with our reasoning hence correct.

B) The inflammation that is common to people who have had replacement hip replacement surgery often needs to be treated with more potent drugs than the ones being recommended by the surgeon - Strengthen Surgeon claim.

C) The patient has an artificial hip that is made of a material that can begin to wear out after a few weeks when exposed to temperatures higher than 200 degrees - No mention of effects of high temperature.

D) The patient read about the possibility of artificial hips wearing out in a respected medical journal - Authenticity of source of patient's reading is not in question. The actual reason of discomfort after reading article is the issue.

E) The surgeon has only been performing hip-replacement surgery for less than a year - OFS.

Hard-work, Perseverance and Commitment..... Signature Read More

Patient: I have read that particles of my artificial hip can wear off and be absorbed by surrounding tissues. I believe that this is responsible for the discomfort that I am now experiencing.Surgeon: Your surgery was so recent that with normal use it is almost impossible for the artificial hip to have already begun to wear away. The reason for your current discomfort is due to routine post-operative inflammation which can be treated with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the patients position regarding her discomfort?Kudos please....._________________
A comeback in the third set helped propel Texas State to a four-set win over UTSA volleyball (17-25, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25), on Thursday night at Strahan Arena at the University Events Center.UTSA (3-1) saw its winning streak to open the year snapped at three, its best since 2015. The Roadrunners fell in the first set before responded to take the second and earn a lead in the third. Texas State responded with wins in the final two sets to outlast the Roadrunners., the Conference USA Co-Freshman of the Week, had 14 kills to pace the UTSA offense. Sophomorehad 11 kills, withowning 11 kills. Seniorled the club with 22 digs and seniorhad 48 assists.Freshmanreturned to the lineup after missing the last two matches in West Point, N.Y., on opening weekend. Lopez, who had 13 kills in her collegiate debut, UTSA's season-opening, four-set win over San Francisco, finished with 12 kills.Texas State (1-3) opened the year facing three top-35 opponents in Waco, Texas, before kicking off its home schedule with the Roadrunners.After Texas State opened with the first two points, UTSA answered with its first points of the set. McCulloch's first swing brought the Roadrunners to within one. Smith cut the lead to four with her first swing, a monster kill that lodged into the face of a back row defender. The Bobcats then earned the next two points to force UTSA to take its first timeout of the set. Teal's second kill of the match allowed the Runners to cut the lead to 10-5 out of the break. Williams kept the Roadrunners within five with her first ace of the set, a right-handed jump serve that was painted inside the back line. Consecutive kills from Smith cut the TXST lead to 17-13 and Lopez kept the lead at four with her second kill. TXST then used three straight points to build a seven-point lead and hold on for a 25-17 win. UTSA hit .182 in the set with eight digs, 11 assists and a pair of blocks.The Bobcats notched the first three points of the second set before McCulloch got the Roadrunners on the board with her third kill. Back-to-back kills from Smith and Froeschl, and an attack error after a service from Teal, saw UTSA even the set at 6-6. Froeschl then gave UTSA its first lead with her third kill. A block from Froeschl gave UTSA a 9-7 lead and after a kill from Lopez, Texas State used its first timeout. Lopez and McCulloch each extended the lead with a kill out of the break and a tandem block from McCulloch and Froeschl saw UTSA take a 13-8 lead on a 6-0 run. Texas State stopped the run with a kill from Tyeranee Scott but the Runners responded behind McCulloch to take a 14-8 lead. Teal gave UTSA a 16-10 lead with her third kill of the match. The Bobcats fought through a pair of blocks to cut the lead to 16-13 out of a UTSA timeout. UTSA was the first team to 20, taking a 20-16 lead after an attack error. Froeschl's fifth and sixth kills answered Bobcat points and gave UTSA a 23-19 lead. Smith and Teal teamed up on a block to give UTSA set point at 24-19. After a point from the Bobcats, Smith finished off the set win at 25-20 with her eighth kill.In the third set, UTSA answered an opening TXST point with a run to take a 5-3 lead, including a kill from McCulloch. UTSA took a 7-6 lead after McCulloch's seventh kill of the match and stretched its lead to 11-7. UTSA used the ninth kill of the match from Lopez to take a 13-9 lead and force a TXST timeout. McCulloch gave UTSA a 17-12 lead after her eighth kill but two straight points forced a UTSA timeout. Teal stopped the run with her fourth kill, keeping UTSA up 19-16 and an attack error lifted the Roadrunners to a 20-16 advantage. A 5-0 run gave TXST the lead but a kill from Froeschl evened the set at 21-21. The Bobcats notched four straight to close out the set with a 25-21 win.Lopez gave UTSA an early lead in the fourth set with her 10th kill and UTSA took a 3-0 lead before the Bobcats got on the board. A 3-0 run lifted the Bobcats to a 6-5 lead and forced the first timeout of the set from the Roadrunners. UTSA snapped the run with a kill from McCulloch. There was not quit in the Roadrunners, who fought back to even it at 10-10. After a UTSA lead, Texas State notched three straight to take a 13-11 lead before the Runners used a 3-0 run for a 14-13 lead. Even at 17-17, TXST spurted out on a 2-0 run to take a lead before Smith answered with her 12th termination and evened it up at 20-20 on a block from Teal. The Bobcats took three of the next two points before taking a timeout just shy of set point.UTSA will return to action with a Friday doubleheader in San Marcos, facing Abilene Christian at 12 p.m. CT before wrapping up the Creeds and Crests Classic vs. UIW at 4:30 p.m. The Roadrunners and Bobcats will meet again on Sept. 11 in UTSA's home opener at the Convocation Center, with coverage available live on GoUTSA.com.




IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them.





They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country.





However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia.





"Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination.





Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia.





They should be lovingly helped.





Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948.





To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts:





While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 :

Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell.

The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites.



A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught.



The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers.



Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites."



Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers.









There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks.





This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work.





It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter.





In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam.













In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir.





" The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life."





An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir .





In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance).





Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed).





Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance).









Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam.





It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way.





A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah.





Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs).









Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life".





Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology.





Islam is a supremacist ideology.





Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism.





Islam is a civilization.

Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization.





Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life.

It has a say about every conceivable human act .





Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam.

























The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic.





Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111).





A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44)





Muhammad himself said:

I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30)









Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad.




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
A group of KKK members rallied in southern Indiana Saturday, but the event drew more people to counter the hate groups message.

Fewer than 20 people showed up for the KKKs rally in Madison, and on the other side of a metal fence surrounding the area, hundreds of protestors gathered. Protesters came from across the region, and several held signs with phrases such as Love Trumps Hate.

Some protestors, including the American Indian Movements Albert Runningwolf, came from Kentucky and brought others along. Runningwolf says his group alone brought more than 100 people.

Were here to show them in their face that were not afraid of them, he says. Were out here protesting these guys who are screaming and yelling hatred, and this racism has got to stop.

Runningwolf says the American Indian Movement actively watches hate group activity in order to work against those messages.

Several different organized groups showed up to protest the KKK event, as well as locals who live nearby. Many said they found out about the event online, and used social media to organize the protests.

One organizing group, American Atheists, works nationally to address equality. National Field Organizer Jim Helton says despite the different groups backgrounds, the message remains united.

You have multiple organizations here for all different reasons but all coming together to protest inequality and the discrimination that the KKK does, he says.

Police significantly outnumbered KKK members at the event as well. Law enforcement maintained a fenced perimeter around the area, and stationed officers at barricades entering the park next to signs saying no bags or weapons were allowed. KKK members were escorted to and from their gatherings location in order to prevent clashes with protestors.

People familiar with the area say KKK members have hosted this kind of event in Madison annually for the past few years.
A number of UKip MEPs have voiced their outrage over the announcement of the first 18million (16million) installment of a 50million package for Iran, while Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being detained for being a spy  a crime she has always vehemently denied. When she was temporarily released from jail last week, it was believed that she would be spared from returning to jail. Those hopes were dashed when authorities failed do issue a reprieve. She must continue to serve her five-year prison sentence away from her husband and daughter.

Margot Parker, UK Independence Party MEP for the East Midlands, said, I dont know how they justify it. This is a regime that is quite brutal  it is brutal  and we see that with the most awful treatment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. This particular woman has been a pawn in the most vile and abusive way. She added, So, Im sorry, but I dont think the EU should be doing anything of the kind; I think they can spend EU taxpayers money in a better way.

The EU is attempting to support Iran after the Trump administrations withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Trump exited the deal, which agreed to the easing of sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation in return for curbing its nuclear energy program.

Also angry at the EUs decision to give aid to the Middle Eastern country, UK Independence Party MEP Jonathan Bullock concurred with his colleague, We shouldnt be considering giving Iran 50 pence never mind 50million Euros. He added, At a time when a British national is imprisoned unjustly in terrible circumstances, the EU sees it fit to offer a multimillion pound gift to the regime which is responsible.

This is a prime example of why the bureaucrats in Brussels shouldnt be making our decisions for us. They have woefully misjudged the situation and now we are no closer to getting Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe back home to her family.

On Friday, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt arrived in Iran for talks with Tehran regarding the incarceration of Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, as well as the Iran nuclear deal.

Part of Mr Burts agenda will be to assess the state of the British-Iranian charity workers health after she suffered an intense panic attack. She was, in fact, rushed to a prison hospital following her re-imprisonment.

Questions have been raised about the aid, according to Conservative MEP Syed Kamall, who said, The treatment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is sadly part of a pattern of abuse, violence and persecution. He added that Irans human rights record has deteriorated markedly with appalling treatment of Iranians who take part in protests and demonstrations.

I know there will be many of my colleagues in the European Parliament who will question why the EU is even considering sending such a grant. Kamall concluded, We have no quarrel with the Iranian people. Therefore the continuing engagement with the Iran regime is necessary to address a broad range of issues, from the preservation of the nuclear deal to the detention of British dual nationals, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Formerly a member of the UK Independence Party, Independent MEP Jonathan Arnott stated, We shouldnt be sending foreign aid to oppressive regimes and it is even worse when it is coming from a European Commission which is highly unaccountable to the British people.
The drying out of Zayanderud due to years of mismanagement

The deputy chief of the chamber of commerce in Isfahan continues: The economic situation in the country is alarming and the private sector needs to take a stand against incorrect and unreasonable decisions more actively than before.

He added: Isfahan province, as the center of industry and the center of steel in the country, faces hard times in manufacturing and procuring raw materials and in addition is ordered to sell its products with a 42,000 rial currency on the stock exchange.

About the unscientific decisions of the government, Esmalian said: The dry out of Zahanderud is one of the results of such decisions. Unfortunately, the decision-making process is continuing on this path and soon we will witness a tsunami of manufacturing units going bankrupt and the following unemployment.

Big manufacturing units hardly keep going Eslamian continued: Big manufacturing units hardly keep going. When the government faces a dead-end it consults the private sector. This is not right to come to us only when the decision-making body faces a fundamental problem. Unfortunately, the decision makers are deaf, and they wont listen to the private sector.

He said: Unfortunately, the decision-making process of the government unintentionally increases the impact of the sanctions. While Trump spends time on how to sanction Iran, our authorities obstruct the cycle of trade and manufacturing with overnight-decisions.

Turmoil is the result of a lack of coordination between the economic team Pedram Soltani, deputy chief of the Chamber of Commerce of Iran also said: The structure of planning in the country faces fundamental challenges and there are numerous unresolved issues on the table.

Under these circumstances, we need to move towards a fundamental reform of the structure. The problem of the private sector is that they cant act beyond a certain limit and opinions and decisions dont go beyond ideas and theories. Turmoil in the countrys economy is the result of a lack of coordination between the economic team and the president.

Creating economic rents under the pretext of supporting consumers

Bahram Sobhani, Chief Executive Officer of Isfahans Mobarakeh Steel Company, also criticized recent economic policies of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and said: The price difference of a kilogram of sheet from the factory gates to the stock exchange is 22,000 rials and this pricing is under the pretext of supporting consumers but for some it creates economic rents.

September 1, 2018  Three decades have passed from the horrible summer of 1988 when Iranian regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini ordered the massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners, most of whom being members and supporters of the Iranian opposition Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

Today, more voices are calling on the international community to take action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity.

The mullahs have continued with impunity to violate human rights in Iran, crack down on public protests, launch terrorist operations, and wage catastrophic wars in the Middle East and other countries, said Iranian opposition President Maryam Rajavi during a global conference held on August 25th in 20 cities around the world. Now, the time has come to end this silence.

Urging the United Nations Security Council to pave the path for the prosecution of Iranian regime leaders, Mrs. Rajavi followed her speech with these remarks.

The clerical regimes reaction to dissent, even inside prisons under their own control, is mass execution.

Any legitimate protest or demonstration is repressed by detention and torture of participants.

In the uprisings last December and January, what was the protesters demand and what did they do wrong to be tortured to death?

The bodies of a number of them were handed over to their families, telling them that they had committed suicide while in detention.

The regime commits the crime and yet blames the victims of torture and massacre as culprits and criminals.

Rajavi is also emphasizing the regimes spies should be expelled from western countries, especially considering the recent arrest of two such Iranian regime operatives in the United States. The mullahs embassies should be closed and relations terminated with a regime that uses diplomatic resources to promote state-sponsored terrorism, she added.

The PMOI/MEK is playing an increasingly important role in the organization of protests and resistance against the regime, Mrs. Rajavi continued.

The time has come for the world community to stand by the people of Iran in their uprising against the religious fascist regime ruling Iran and recognize their determination for regime change.

The resistance units in Iran follow the footsteps of those men and women who said no to the regime and were massacred in 1988.

The clerical regime is beleaguered by the eight-month-long uprisings, by the growing role of the PMOI and resistance units in organizing and leading the revolts, and by the consequences of a plummeting and drowning economy.

American Democrat Patrick Kennedy, also attending the event, added the following.

This is not an Iranian issue this is a human rights issue because if it can happen in Iran in a modern era it can happen anywhere in the world where people do not stand up for human rights and for those who suffer.

Source: Mojahedin.org
1. Ms. Lindsey Hilsum, the Foreign Editor of the UK Channel 4 News, informed the PMOI/MEK in a letter that was sent on August 31, 2018, at 17:30, that Channel 4 News intends to broadcast a report on the PMOI/MEK on Monday, September 3. Judging by the letter, the subsequent report will be replete with allegations against the PMOI/MEK and members of the PMOI/MEK who are refugees in Albania. Ms. Hilsum suggested in the letter that if the PMOI/MEK has a reply to these slanders, it should submit them to Channel 4. Ms. Hilsum utterly failed a simple test of honesty formulated in the following question: When did Channel 4 decide to produce the piece and why did it decide to inform the PMOI/MEK at the 11th hour?

2. The Iranian refugees found out about the production of the program on August 10, when a crew of Channel 4 was secretly recording the residence of the refugees from the nearby heights. Meanwhile, the PMOI/MEK members in Albania have been targets of the Iranian regimes terrorism, and as such signs indicating that photography and videotaping of the residence are banned have been posted in the surrounding areas of the residence. Subsequently, in letters to the Channel 4 editor-in-chief on August 10 and August 13, the PMOI/MEKs Spokesman, and additionally, this NCRI committees statement released on August 16, elaborated on the suspicious conduct of the Channel 4 crew and their relations with an infamous agent of the MOIS, Massoud Khodabandeh. They warned about the clerical regimes efforts to exploit such a program in the pursuit of its terrorist objectives. But Channel 4 News did not reply to the above letters or statements.

3. No logical person with common sense would expect the Iranian Resistance to partake in or to provide commentary in relation to a program, which all signs indicate has been coordinated with the MOIS from the onset, including the entirety of the narrative, the individuals interviewed and other elements. Two of the Iranian regimes major planned terrorist plots against the Resistance, i.e. the plot to bomb the Nowrouz (Persian New Year) celebration of the refugees who are PMOI/MEK members in Albania in March and the bombing of the grand gathering of Iranians in Paris on June 30, were foiled in the final stages of the operations. The aftermath created major scandals for the clerical regime. In such circumstances, the MOIS desperately needs libelous programs like the one Channel 4 has been producing in order to create a justification for its previous foiled terror plots and also to set the stage for future attacks. In the course of investigations around the foiled Paris plot, four individuals were arrested. One of them, an Iranian diplomat who was stationed in Austria, personally delivered the bomb to the terror team in Luxemburg and was later arrested in Germany on his return.

4. Demonizing the Iranian regimes main opposition concurrent with the visit of the UK Foreign Offices Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, to Iran is another objective of Ms. Hilsums upcoming report. Burts visit to Iran is the first by a European minister subsequent to the foiled Paris terrorist plot. But experience has shown that offering concessions to the main state sponsor of terrorism in the world that has made hostage taking into its most lucrative trade for the past four decades, would only encourage it to continue its despicable policies. Proffering concessions to the clerical regime by jeopardizing the safety and security of 2,500 refugees, members of the PMOI/MEK, is tantamount to the promotion of terrorism and hostage-taking.

5. Everyone knows that the production of such a report and allocating budget for it would require a decision week in advance. Informing the PMOI/MEK at the 11th hour is simply a dirty trick, exploiting the principles of journalism, in order to depict the program as being impartial. It marks a frivolous ploy to prevent the PMOI/MEK from launching judicial action against slanders and accusations that could be challenged through legal channels. Had there been the least degree of good will and sincerity, the journalist should have apologized for the fact that the MOIS was provided the photos that were taken from residences of refugees without their permission.

6. In the spirit of fairness and accuracy, the chronology of the known developments regarding the program is as follows:

1) On Friday, August 10, 2018, Ms. Hilsum secretly filmed and photographed the residences of the PMOI/MEK in Albania. Albanian security authorities on location discovered these actions and asked the parties to stop filming and to hand over the recordings. But members of the crew, who identified themselves as British nationals, failed to comply and continued their work. Subsequently, Albanian police authorities appeared on the scene and transferred the crew to the police station. At the police station, it became clear that two members of the crew turned out to be Albanians. The two had previously collaborated with several mercenaries of the Iranian regime to prepare a different television program against the PMOI/MEK. One of them, Vincent Triest, who is also a Dutch citizen, frequently travels to Iran. The crew had the contact details, including emails and phone numbers, of the representatives of the PMOI/MEK and the National Council of Resistance of Iran in the UK and the representatives of the PMOI/MEK in Albania, but did not contact any of them.

2) Immediately on the same day, August 10, a PMOI/MEK spokesperson wrote an urgent letter to the editors of Independent Television News (ITN) and Channel 4 News, stating historical facts and current threats facing PMOI/MEK members in Albania. On this basis, he reiterated that We are very worried that the filmed videos end up in the hands of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence. However, this concern failed to elicit any response.

3) On August 11, the news of the visit of Channel 4 News to the PMOI/MEK site and photographs taken from the site appeared on the Facebook page of Massoud Khodabandeh, a notorious agent of MOIS, and on the Iran-Interlink website run by the MOIS. But when the MOIS realized that the publication of the news and photos gave away its plot against the PMOI/MEK, they ordered them to be removed on August 12.

4) On August 13, the PMOI/MEKs spokesperson sent another letter to the chief editors about the publication of the photographs, describing the record of MOIS agent Khodabandeh and attaching two reports by a UK Parliamentary group and the US Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress about the fact that he is an MOIS agent. The PMOI/MEK spokesman sought an explanation once again. This letter has also remained unanswered.

5) Subsequent investigations revealed that another individual, Darius Bazargan, who at various points introduces himself as an NBC correspondent or an ITN correspondent, or sometimes as an independent producer, was among those involved in the project. A look at his tweets over the past six months exposes his hysterical hostility toward the PMOI/MEK. He even described the planned terrorist plot against the Iranian grand gathering in Paris on June 30, as a murky story, and internal matter related to the PMOI/MEK.

6) On August 16, the NCRI Security and Counter-terrorism Committee issued a statement addressed to Channel 4 News and its editors. It raised five questions and requests and sought immediate answers. These were:

 What is the mission of the dubious filming crew; which party chose its members; and what were the considerations for their selection?

 Why the videos were recorded covertly covering the inside of the premises without the knowledge of the residents and their representatives who were easily accessible?

 Why did this team provide its photos and videos to Iran-Interlink and Khodabandeh?

 Who else were the photos and videos shared with?

 Finally, all the recordings and photographs should be returned to the representatives of the residents as soon as possible and they should not be provided to any other party.

None of the questions and requests received a reply.

7. Subsequent to the Committees August 16th statement, three major developments unfolded, further underscoring the scope of the activities of the mullahs terror machine. They made the objectives of the Channel 4 News program more suspicious.

1) On August 20, the US Justice Department announced that two agents of the MOIS who were engaged in spying and planning terror acts against members of the Iranian Resistance in that country were indicted.

2) On August 21, Facebook shut down 652 accounts that were run by the Iranian regime and were engaged in disinformation campaigns. Subsequently, Google and YouTube also closed dozens of accounts that disseminated the Iranian regimes lies. The Iranian Resistance has been one of the primary targets of the mullahs demonization campaigns on the Internet and social media, particularly in recent years. Reuters reported on August 29 that the scope of the clerical regimes disinformation campaign on social media and the Internet is significantly larger than previously thought.

3) The French Foreign Ministry in a directive issued on August 20 underscored the regimes plot to bomb the annual gathering of the Mojahedin in Paris and urged its diplomats to refrain from traveling to Iran.

Is it a coincidence that Channel 4 News has not covered the terror plot against the Paris meeting and other terrorist schemes by the regime mentioned above, instead focusing its mission solely on enmity towards the Iranian Resistance and providing assistance to the Iranian regime?

8. What Channel 4 intends to broadcast on September 3 is nothing but the verbatim rehashing of MOIS allegations against the PMOI/MEK. The sources of these allegations are infamous and well known agents of the Iranian regime, including:

 Mostafa Mohammadi, who received a visa from the Iraqi embassy in Tehran in 2008, went to Camp Ashraf (residence of PMOI/MEK members in Iraq at the time) to psychologically torture PMOI/MEK refugees there along with a number of other regime agents using 320 loudspeakers set up in the camps parameter. (A picture of his passport, visa, and video clips of Mohammadis actions are all available).

 The material that Ms. Hilsum intends to reveal as a threat assessment by Albanian Police is a four-page long paper that bares no letterhead or official signature. It has previously been published by websites and news outfits affiliated with the clerical regime. Channel 4 News is simply the latest of these outfits. Albanian authorities have underscored that the Police has not issued such a report.

 The Albanian lawyer who is interviewed by Channel 4 News is an agent of the MOIS who has already been exposed by the Iranian Resistance.

 Contrary to the claims of Ms. Hilsum, the Iranian refugees in Albania over the past five years have always welcomed friends, dignitaries and journalists from Albania and other countries, both in their current and previous residences. But they are vigilant and experienced enough not to welcome the Iranian regimes agents.

The Channel 4 News biased report, which tramples upon all the standards of journalism, is about to be broadcast at a time when the clerical regime is engulfed by all sorts of crises that have challenged its entirety. It is also being broadcast at a time when nationwide protests have pushed the clerical regime to the brink of being overthrown. The production of this piece by an individual who has visited Iran on a number of occasions in recent years, from where she has extensively reported, might be a necessary prerequisite and price for obtaining additional visas. It is noteworthy that in August, the Iranian regime issued visas for a six-person crew of Channel 4 to enter Iran.

National Council of Resistance of Iran

Security and Counter-terrorism Committee

September 2, 2018
- ABS-CBN actress Ritz Azul revealed the recent development on her "No Boyfriend Since Birth" status

- Ritz said that she is now dating with a non-showbiz guy

- The actress also shared that she is still waiting for the right time before she gives her sweet yes

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Kapamilya actress Ritz Azul proudly revealed that there is something that has improved now on her No Boyfriend Since Birth or NBSB status.

KAMI learned that the Ang Probinsyano cast is currently on a dating status with a non-showbiz guy.

Ritz shared that the lucky guy was just her friend before but their relationship has developed into something deeper.

Ngayon may ini-entertain na ako, dating and hes not from showbiz, she explained.

Nag-start lang sa barkada. Hindi ko binibilang yung romantic date. Ako kasi, cowboy kasi ako, eh. Mostly nga kasama naman yung friends, eh, she added.

The Kapamilya celebrity, however, does not want to take things too quickly and believes she will remain in an NBSB status until she thinks it is the right time.

Well, lets see. Hindi naman po ako nagmamadali, she shared.

Because of being too focused on her career, Ritz admitted that she forgot to think of the personal things.

Kasi for the past few years, focus ako sa career. Mas inisip ko kasi yung ibang bagay kesa sa personal kong buhay, the promising actress further remarked.

Ako kasi, masyado akong futuristic mag-isip kaya medyo naiwan ko yung side na yon sa kabataan ko, she added.

Ritz also proudly exposed that the guy who is currently dating her is someone who supports her showbiz career.

Saka nung time na yon naghihintay ako ng guy na hindi makakaabala sa ginagawa ko. Kumbaga, susuporta pa rin, so far, yung guy na ito, sumusuporta siya, she concluded.

In a previous article by , the Kapamilya star explained why she preferred more to be in an NBSB status.

Born on January 11, 1994, Ritz is a Filipino actress and television host who became a talent of TV5. In 2016, she decided to transfer to the Kapamilya network and she was immediately given exposures in teleseryes such as The Promise of Forever and Ang Probinsyano.

Now, she is the leading lady of Pepe Herrera in the upcoming movie, The Hopeless Romantic which will be shown on September 12.

Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data!

Imagine that youre walking down streets of the Philippines, thinking of your work, friends, and family. Suddenly a man walking in front of you drops his wallet. He continues walking, without realizing that he has just lost all his money. What would you do in this situation? Social Experiment: How Honest Are People Around You?  on HumanMeter!

Source: Kami.com.ph
PM Oli lauds success of summit

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali lauded the success of the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu that concluded on Friday.
A group of artists and filmmakers plans to recreate Germanys historic Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Wall was built by communist East Germany. It divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989.

Organizers say they will build a model of the Berlin Wall inside a small, closed-off area in the center of the German capital. The design will aim to create a feeling that visitors are inside a city within a city.

The project is called DAU: Freiheit, or Freedom. Event organizer Berliner Festpiele recently announced the project. It is set to open on October 12 in Berlins Under den Linden area. The project still needs final approval from city officials.

The closing is planned for November 9. Event organizers say the wall and exhibits will be taken down that day. The date is meaningful; the real Berlin Wall began to come down on November 9, 1989.

Organizers have called the project a social and artistic experiment. Visitors will have to buy visas, the Associated Press reported. The visas will cost about $17.50.

Once inside, visitors will be asked to hand over their phones. They will then be be given another device to carry. This device will guide each person through different exhibits, including film presentations, music and performance art.

The aim of the experience is to begin a political and social debate about freedom and totalitarianism, surveillance, co-existence and national identity, organizers told the Agence France-Presse news agency, or AFP.

Germany's minister of culture, Monika Gruetters, said she hopes the project will turn into a successful world event."

But some critics expressed concern that recreating the Berlin Wall could be hurtful to some people who lived in communist East Germany.

"Out of respect for the victims who really experienced such situations, we should step away from this," Berlin politician Sabina Bangert told Germanys Tagesspiegel newspaper.

The event will be used to launch the first showing of a film project by Russian filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky. The DAU film project has been in development for the past 10 years.

DAU involved hundreds of actors living full-time from 2009-2011 in an environment modeled after a former nuclear research facility in the Soviet Union, the AFP reported. The actors who lived in the facility  which was built in Ukraine  were asked to dress, speak and act as if they were actually living under a communist Soviet government.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and other sources. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

exhibit  n. collection of objects placed in one place for people to see or inspect

totalitarianism  n. political system in which the people in power have complete control and do not allow any opposition

surveillance  n. the careful watching of something or someone, especially by police or the government

respect  n. feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way

facility  n. place where a particular activity happens
British media say government officials have been turning to Japan for help in avoiding American sanctions on Iran.

Britain is asking the United States for permission to be exempted from some of the measures. British officials are said to be especially interested in having strong banking ties with Iran and imports of Iranian oil.

A few weeks ago, the U.S. government re-established restrictions on trade with Iran. Those sanctions had been suspended under a 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. But the government is now enforcing them after President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement.

Media reports say British officials have been asking Japanese officials how they were able to avoid parts of earlier sanctions against Iran. In the past, Japan was able to continue signing oil deals with Iran, as well as other business agreements, without honoring U.S. sanctions.

The latest U.S. sanctions punish any foreign company that deals with Iran. They bar those companies from doing business in America. That threat has already persuaded more than 50 Western businesses to suspend their operations in Iran. The companies include French automakers Renault and Peugeot, the French oil company Total, Germanys Deutsche Bahn railway business and Deutsche Telekom.

British ministers have said they hope to secure exemptions from sanctions for oil imports, banking and insurance policies for oil transport ships. British officials have expressed concern, however, about the position of a gas field about 386 kilometers from Aberdeen. It is owned together by BP and an agency of Irans state-controlled oil company.

Britains Foreign Office has released a statement on the reported talks with Japanese officials. It says diplomats are working with European and other partners to guarantee that Iran continues to benefit from an easing of sanctions. The statement adds that Iran must keep meeting its promises under the nuclear deal.

Not afraid of America

On Tuesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was questioned in parliament by the countrys lawmakers. They asked him about the effect of the U.S. sanctions on Irans weakening economy.

Rouhani said that Iran would succeed against the anti-Iranian officials in the White House. He added: We are not afraid of America or the economic problems.

His answers failed to ease the concerns of lawmakers, who voted to reject most of them. A few weeks ago, parliament impeached Irans economy and labor ministers because of the growing anger about the economy.

Keeping links

To keep open financial links with Iran, the European Union has taken steps to fight the U.S. sanctions, including barring EU citizens and businesses from obeying them.

The European Commission added to a blocking requirement on August 7. The measure bans companies from following the sanctions unless permitted to do so by the EU leadership in Brussels. This would enable EU businesses to recover damages resulting from the sanctions. But many companies say they fear losing current or future business in the United States.

Under these conditions it is very difficult, noted Louisa Santos, the Director for International Relations at BusinessEurope. She says even small and medium-sized businesses that do not trade with the U.S. will face problems because they will need financing from Western banks.

The first in a series of U.S. sanctions on Iran officially took effect earlier this month. They block any business deals with Iran involving dollars, gold, precious metals, aluminum, steel, commercial passenger aircraft, shipping and Iranian seaports. Even stronger sanctions will take effect on November 4 as the U.S. government seeks to damage the Iranian economy.

In early August, Woody Johnson, the U.S. Ambassador to Britain, warned of effects on trade with Britain, which he described as the closest U.S. ally. He urged Britain to break with the EU and follow the re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

Im Lucija Millonig.

Jaime Dettmer reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

benefit - n. a good or helpful result or effect

exempt - adj. not required to do something that others are required to do

mpeach - v. to charge (a public official) with a crime done while in office

insurance - n. an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company and the company promises to pay money if the person is injured or dies, or to pay money equal to the value of something (such as a house or car) if it is damaged, lost, or stolen

re-impose - v. impose (something, especially a law or regulation) again after a lapse.

sanction - v. 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
A new study suggests that ancient periods of cold and dry climate helped our species take the place of Neanderthals in Europe.

Researchers found that such cold periods happened at the same time Neanderthals seemed to disappear in different parts of the continent. Their disappearance was followed by the appearance of our species: Homo sapiens.

Neanderthals are a species of early humans that once lived in Europe and Asia. The species died out about 40,000 years ago. Homo sapiens arrived in Europe a few thousand years later.

Scientists have long debated what happened. Some have blamed the change in climate. Others have proposed explanations including the sudden spread of diseases and the idea that newcomers competed with the Neanderthals for resources.

Michael Staubwasser is a scientist with the University of Cologne in Germany. He and his research team reported their findings in late August in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers examined existing climate, archaeological and ecological data and added new measurements of ancient climate. Those measurements came from two caves in Romania.

Their study centered around two cold and dry periods. One began about 44,000 years ago and lasted about 1,000 years. The other began about 40,800 years ago and lasted about 600 years. The timing of those events matches the periods in which objects made by Neanderthals disappear.

Whether they moved or died out, we cant tell, Staubwasser told the Associated Press.

During the two events, signs of Homo sapiens appear in sites within the Danube River Valley in central and Eastern Europe and in France, the team noted.

The changes in climate would have turned forests into grassland filled with small plants. Homo sapiens may have been better adapted to that new environment than the Neanderthals were. So they may been able to move in after Neanderthals disappeared, the researchers wrote.

Katerina Harvati is a Neanderthal expert at the University of Tuebingen in Germany. She was not involved in the study. She said it is helpful to have the new climate data from southeastern Europe. That is an area that many researchers think Homo sapiens used to spread through the continent.

But Harvati said it is unclear whether Neanderthals disappeared and Homo sapiens appeared at the times the researchers claim. She said that is because the studies they base their findings on depend on limited evidence and are sometimes disputed.

Chris Stringer is with the Natural History Museum in London. He said he thought the paper made a good case for the effect changes in climate had on Neanderthals. Yet he believes other things also led to their disappearance.

Rick Potts of the Smithsonian Institution called the study a refreshing new look at how one species took the others place.

As has been said before, our species didnt outsmart the Neanderthals, Potts wrote. We simply out-survived them.

Im Pete Musto.

Malcolm Ritter reported this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. How important do you think climate change is for both the past and future of our species? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Quiz - Cooling, Drying Climate May Have Led to Neanderthal Disappearance Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

species  n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

archaeological  adj. related to the science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones and tools of ancient people

ecological  adj. related to the science that deals with the relationships between groups of living things and their environments

cave(s)  n. a large hole that was formed by natural processes in the side of a cliff or hill or under the ground

adapt(ed)  v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

refreshing  adj. pleasantly new, different, or interesting

outsmart  v. to defeat or trick someone by being more intelligent or clever

out-survive(d)  v. to remain alive or in existence for longer or more effectively than others
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS



Michigan State improved to 4-1 on the year with a three-set sweep of UNC-Greensboro (25-18, 25-19, 25-17) in the second game of the Carolina Classic.



MSU got double-digit kill performances from Alyssa Chronowski (her fifth straight) and freshman Molly Johnson . Chronowski had 12 kills, while Johnson had 10, hitting .500 (10-1-18) and adding five blocks. Classmate Naya Gros tied Johnson for the match high with five stuffs and added eight kills.



The Green & White hit .323 in the match, the second straight game hitting .300 or better. Elena Shklyar got the start at setter and had 33 kills, seven digs, and had four kills without an error.



UNCG was led by 10 kills from Holly Behrends, who added six digs in the match. Greensboro hit .107 and was out-blocked by a 10-4 margin on the day.



Michigan State returns to the floor to tangle with the host UNC Tar Heels at 6:30 pm.





TOP PERFORMERS

 Molly Johnson had 10 kills and hit .500 (10-1-18), and added five blocks.

 Naya Gros had five blocks and eight kills, hitting .429.

 Elena Shklyar had 33 assists, seven digs, and was a perfect 4-0-4 on hitting percentage.







STATS AND STORYLINES

 MSU tallied double-digit blocks for the third time in five games this season, finishing with 10.

 Alyssa Chronowski had her fifth consecutive double-digit kill performance, putting up 12 kills.

 The Green & White hit .323 in the match, the second-best hitting percentage this season

 Samantha McLean had 13 digs in the match, a career best. Jamye Cox had a match-high 14.

 Rebecka Poljan had four blocks to establish a new career high and also had four kills.







GAME REPLAY

 SET ONE: MSU hit an impressive .376 in the opening frame, and out-blocked UNCG by a 3-0 margin. Greensboro jumped out with a 3-0 lead, but that was short-lived as MSU tied it at 5-5 and went on to pull ahead 18-9, an 18-6 run overall that established MSU's baseline. MSU had 15 kills against just one error in that first frame, creating its own leads and consistently pulling away. After MSU had built its lead to a set-high nine points, UNCG did battle back to trim it to five at 20-15; Michigan State closed it out on a 5-3 run, helped by a pair of kills from Johnson. Chronowski was MSU's workhorse in the first set, recording five kills; Naya Gros jumped out with three blocks (one solo).



 SET TWO: A point-for-point battle started off the action in set two, with MSU going up 8-7. Greensboro went on a 5-0 run to pull ahead 12-8, its largest lead of the match, and MSU called a time out. The Green and White came out of the break to barrel back and takes a 15-12 advantage, a 7-0 run out of the time out capped by another block for Gros. It was UNCG's turn for a time out, and out of that break pulled back within one at 16-15. Shklyar responded with a block and an ace to re-establish a three-point edge, and the teams once again pulled into a point-for-point tussle. Johnson turned up the heat for MSU and had two of her five kills and four blocks in the frame down the stretch, and helped MSU to a 25-19 win to take a 2-0 match lead. Samantha McLean had five digs for the second straight set, and Rebecka Poljan posted three blocks.



 SET THREE: Johnson continued to be a force that UNCG struggled to contain early in the third set, and she helped MSU to a 11-7 edge MSU's largest lead came at 21-14, after a pair of stellar defensive plays by junior Samantha McLane helped MSU build that lead. The Spartans got to match point on a blistering shot by Chronowski, but UNCG fended it off three times to pull within seven, 24-17. Gros finished it off on the right pin for a 25-17 win and MSU's second 3-0 victory of the weekend. Chronowski had five kills and a block in the final set.


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Nigerias central bank recently demanded that MTN return up to $8.1 billion in dividends which it moved out of the country.

The central bank has also fined a number of banks including Standard Bank, Stanbic, Citigroup, and Diamond Bank for their role in facilitating the movement of these funds out of the country.

According to a report in the Sunday Times, industry analysts have labelled the demands a shakedown of the banks which will have a negative effect on Nigerias unstable banking sector.

Stanbic has stated that it is not a beneficiary of any remittance made on behalf of clients and denied that it acted illegally in facilitating MTNs movement of dividends out of Nigeria.

A source close to the bank told the Sunday Times that the central banks demands are concerning as it did not ask for the money to be returned to the company which it originated from.

The odd thing in all of this is that the [central bank] wrote to the banks and to MTN, but they dont say the money must be refunded to the company that paid it, they say it must be refunded to the central bank, said the source.

Share price drop

Deloitte MD of emerging markets and Africa Martyn Davies reportedly stated that while the Nigerian administration was initially regarded as friendly, it has turned out to be hostile towards business.

Its not just the fine, but the exorbitant nature of these fines, Davies said.

$8.1 billion is bigger than a large number of African country GDPs.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, an MTN source said the operator would not consider leaving the Nigerian market, however.

MTNs share price dropped substantially after Nigeria issued the order to return the $8.1 billion, which it said was illegally expatriated.

The companys share price plunged a total of 17% over the past week following the news of the Nigerian central banks demands.

Nigeria is MTNs biggest market and is home to more than 54 million customers out of the companys 221 million customers worldwide.
A smoke dome has hung over the Napa Valley for much of this summer.

Its been high enough that I havent been able to smell it or taste it, but the optics were terrible. Weeks of gray skies cant be good for anyone or anything.

The murk cleared up a bit last week  actual blue skies!  but that only reinforced how bad conditions had been.

Back when the Cold War was a thing, scientists warned that nuclear war would throw so much smoke and dust into the atmosphere that the planet would darken and cool, creating a nuclear winter.

Our vast Northern California wildfires have achieved something similar  a wildfire winter in summer.

Put another way, our skies have been what youd expect if you lived in New Jersey, only New Jersey skies dont drop ash on your car.

We all have wildfire jitters these days. When a tractor tilling a field kicks up dust plumes, the 911 center is swamped with anxious calls reporting fire. Stories about burning vegetation draw big audiences to the Registers website.

No one can rest easy this dry season. Little fires can become monster fires in a heartbeat. We know that now. Before last October, maybe not so much.

Ive lived on the west side of town for 45 years and never had a wildfire concern ... until last fall.

Im protected by the Napa Fire Department. I have a hydrant across the street from my house. I dont live in forest or chaparral. Whats to worry about?

Coffey Park is whats to worry about.

That Santa Rosa subdivision got wiped out by last years Tubbs Fire. The flames jumped Highway 101 and took out more than 1,200 homes  homes nestled together inside city limits just like mine.

Weve all seen the aerial photos. Its like a bomb went off. A nuclear bomb.

I live on what they call the rural-urban interface. I look out into rural Napa County from my city front porch.

My view isnt as lovely as it was before last October. The rolling hills on the western horizon used to be scenic. Now theyre where deadly fires potentially incubate and gather intensity before riding the winds into town.

The Partrick fire lit up the night sky last October. Cheryl watched trees explode in flames from our porch as bulldozers worked to build fire breaks.

We were thankful the fire was stopped before it could make urban inroads.

Perversely, I have wondered if wed be a little safer this year if the fire had burned a little more last year. Thats a sick thought, but what can I do  my mind is forever seeking safer ground.

Putting aside images of Coffey Park, Cheryl says she wont abandon our house if another wildfire were to rear up in Napas western hills. Shell turn on sprinklers, flood the gutters with water and stand her ground. You read stories about homeowners who did exactly this and things worked out, she said.

Im not encouraging her. Im mindful that theres no telling what she or anyone else will do when the full enormity of a disaster presents itself.

Sadly, Cheryls plan calls for her to defend our house on her own. If the situation is dire, she knows I wont be there. Ill have abandoned her and gone to work.

I left her to deal alone with a topsy-turvy house and lack of power after the 2014 earthquake. I did the same when last years firestorms threatened. I threw on clothes and was gone.

When I think about it, could anything be more heartless? Who abandons their spouse in situations like these? Public safety personnel, certainly, but journalists?

Yes, journalists.

Kevin can be reached at 707-256-2217 or Napa Valley Register, 1615 Soscol Ave., Napa, 94559, or kcourtney@napanews.com.

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Chris Burditt looks back on his long career teaching mathematics at Napa Valley College as helping career-minded students to become more confident with data and algorithms.

I believe that if you had a problem with math, its probably a problem with the teaching you had years ago, rather than your real ability, said Burditt, who started teaching at NVC 50 years ago this fall.

Burditt was recently honored during a Napa Valley College Foundation luncheon for his decades of teaching at the college and his contributions to the Foundation.

Retiring from full-time teaching in 2003, he continues to support the Napa Valley College Foundation and recently provided the first half of a $50,000 unrestricted matching grant to support Foundation activities. He also supports District Auxiliary Services at NVC.

In the past, I learned to save. Now I have something to share. I want to give students recognition for accomplishing something special, beyond what a letter grade provides. The Napa Valley College Foundation is my favorite charity. I give through my Schwab Charitable account and QCDs (direct IRA distributions to charity).

Throughout the years, I learned that gratitude is really the most important reaction to life. Being grateful for what I have is what inspires me to give back, through the Foundation. Former students of mine are now supporting the Foundation. There is no greater feeling than making a difference in the lives of others.

There is nothing were doing in math that you cant do, says Burditt, who uses M&Ms to teach statistics. If you start experiencing success in math, it snowballs. I try to create early successes and a supportive place to learn.

Burditt grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, during its heyday when 150,000 residents enjoyed economic prosperity and excellent public schools, thanks largely to the auto industry. Then he watched the town shrink to 70,000 as union jobs moved out of state and jobs became more automated.

He credits his seventh-grade math teacher, Ruby Gibbs, for inspiring him to choose a career in mathematics, his 12th-grade teacher, Donald McPhee, for teaching him trigonometry and pre-calculus, and his Arthur Hill High School journalism teacher, Mattie Crump, for teaching him how to write.

Although he did well in high school, he wasnt well-informed about scholarships and applying to college.

My mother and I were struggling financially. She made $30 a week and paid $10 a week in rent.

She knew about hard work  she had assembled machine guns during World War II. She emphasized how important attending college was for her son.

Then Mattie Crump recruited him to work on the school newspaper, and sent him to a one-week workshop for journalism students at the University of Michigan before his senior year.

Since he had that experience living at the University of Michigan, he applied there. He accepted $50 from his older brother Byron to pay the application fee. He repaid his brother when he won the door prize at his high schools senior party  a $50 bill. In the spring, he applied for a four-year tuition scholarship to Michigan and got it.

When I got good grades in the fall of my freshman year, Michigan gave me more financial support beyond the tuition fees, he recalls. Michigan showed a belief in my ability to succeed. Ive never forgotten that.

After graduating in 1967 and doing student teaching, he refocused his teaching interest to community colleges. That required a Masters degree. Following studies at Michigan, he began searching for community college work in California in 1969.

Nobody wanted to hire me, he said.

So I joined a program at Cal for new community college teachers. Luckily Napa Valley College wanted me for the one-year internship. I interviewed with President George Clark at his residence, the Ink House.

Chris also earned his doctorate in 1973 from Cal and later taught mathematics for the U.S. State Departments Fulbright Program in England and Mexico. He won the NVC Foundations McPherson Distinguished Teaching award in 1989.

My favorite courses are statistics and general math, he said. Students never ask, What is this good for? 

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The owners of a Napa restaurant are fuming about what they described as an attempt to steal their restaurant name and use it for a business that sells and delivers cannabis to people in Napa Valley.

Sheri DeBow and Terry Letson are two of the four owners of Fume Bistro in north Napa. Their restaurant has been known as Fume for the past 17 years, they noted.

After reading a story on Aug. 21 in the Napa Valley Register, they were surprised to hear of a new Fume in town.

Called Napa Valley Fume, this business operates a licensed dispensary in Lake County and acquires marijuana products from distributors.

Napa Valley Fume teamed up with Eaze, an online platform that lets people order marijuana products and have them delivered within minutes. As of Aug. 7, deliveries could be made everywhere in Napa County except Yountville and American Canyon.

The four restaurant owners, who also include Marissa and Andy Amador, are not happy about the name overlap.

The whole thing is such an incredible burn, said Sheri DeBow. Its a bummer.

Letson said he understands that the word Fume is a common wine name. The problem is the confusion, he said. The Register article did not mention Fume Bistro or that the two companies are not related.

Now a significant part of the population thinks we're selling marijuana, which hasnt gone over well, Letson said.

While cannabis sales may be legal in California, it remains illegal under federal law, he noted. Its a controversial product thats not mainstream.

Hes worked hard to make a good name for Fume Bistro. To have such controversy over our name is really detrimental, he said.

Napa Valley Fume CEO Eric Sklar said he had not heard of the controversy over the Fume name.

He defended the companys choice. Fume is a name that has been used in Napa Valley forever. Its a very common term.

The two companies are very different enterprises, he said, adding, There are no overlaps between the businesses.

Were sorry if there is a little confusion. We dont think it will last long, he said.

Skalr said they chose the name Fume because it means smoke.

DeBow said Letson chose the name Fume for the same reason.

The word Fume is perfect for cannabis, said Sklar. In addition, We hadnt seen any other businesses using it in our field. We were very excited to use a name that seemed appropriate for us.

Letson said hes not sure if the name has caused him to lose any business. According to Letson, about 25 percent of those who have shared feedback are under the mistaken impression that Fume Bistro is now selling cannabis. Of that group, There is a percentage who said were not going back to Fume if they are going to sell marijuana.

Obviously Id rather not be affiliated with a dispensary and a business thats selling products I dont agree with, said Letson.

The restaurant owners have approached an attorney. As of last week, I dont know exactly what options are there.

In a perfect world, Napa Valley Fume would change its name, he said. Most of all, Letson said he wants to make it clear that we're not affiliated.

Its such a drag, said DeBow of the Fume name duplication.

Were not looking to dis anyones business or put down how someone wants to make money, she said. However, So many people still look down on (cannabis use), she said.

Its not part of my life, she said. I dont want to be affiliated with it.

Im not looking to squelch anyones entrepreneurial spirit but if you are going to start a new business your name should be the thing that makes you unique.

DeBow believes that because their name isnt trademarked, they cant sue the other Fume.

Her plan is to just keep on keeping on. We are just going to keep saying we are the original Fume.

When asked if he planned to accommodate the restaurant owners concerns, Sklar demurred.

We have a right to use the name. Its a good name and we intend to use it.

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Sculptor Gino Miles three decades ago thought his then-new Grape Crusher statue would become a landmark of sorts, if for no other reason than its size.

After all, the bronze statue is about 12 feet tall and sits on a hill overlooking world-famous Napa Valley. People passing by on Highway 29 cant miss this giant depiction of a worker wearing a wide-brim hat straining to operate a grape crusher, beefy hands on the handle and one foot braced against the basket.

The Grape Crusher at age 30 is the attention-getter Miles foresaw and something more. Fans describe the statue as a Napa Valley entry feature conveying the hard work that helped create wine country glamour.

I didnt know it was going to become quite so popular, said Miles, who ever since the 1980s has lived and created art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Joe and Kristine Truax visited Napa Valley from Rhode Island on Saturday and stopped by the Grape Crusher. Kristine Truax likes to take photos and learned about the statue after doing some online research.

Its beautiful, Kristine Truax said. I think it represents Napa Valley perfectly.

Wayne Hwang and Daria Tertova of Orange County walked to the statue from the nearby Vino Bello Resort. Tertova praised the statue for having a sense of motion as opposed to depicting a static scene and said it speaks to her.

It says so much about the hard labor it takes to make the wine, Tertova said.

Michael Hewitt and Ciara Conlon-Hewitt visited from San Francisco and took photos at the statue. Conlon-Hewitt said that, in a high-tech world, the statue depicts something being done the old-fashioned way. She and some friends for fun once made wine using a hand-operated crusher.

I imagine its a symbol for labor in the area, Michael Hewitt added. I think its really important to recognize.

For those heading to Napa Valley wineries, the statue sets the tone for whats to come.

I think for visitors it shows kind of an iconic thing around wine making, that being the crushing of the grapes, Visit Napa Valley CEO Clay Gregory said.

But in 1987, some people were skeptical about letting the then-proposed statue become a reality. The reason  they thought it might be an advertisement for the nearby Napa Valley Corporate Park, now called Napa Valley Commons.

The developers of the new business park, Peter Bedford and Bedford Properties, wanted to create the statue for $150,000 and place it on state property along the highway. The design resembled the business park logo.

Its too close to the corporate logo to accept as art in the general sense, a county planning commissioner said at the time.

Caltrans disagreed. It accepted the statue as part of its Art in Public Places program.

In a Friday telephone interview, Miles said he made the model for the statue out of clay. A photograph from the era shows him doing just that, standing on a platform to reach the Grape Crushers hat. The statue was cast in a now-closed Santa Fe foundry and transported to Napa by semi-truck.

In May 1988, the statue was unveiled at its permanent home as part of Napa Countys sesquicentennial celebration. It was billed in a newspaper as being the largest bronze sculpture in the western United States.

Miles attended the ceremony. He told a reporter at the time that he had taught and studied art in Italy.

I often saw people working old wine presses, he said.

Despite its iconic status, tourists dont flock to the Grape Crusher as much as they do to the Welcome to Napa Valley signs near Oakville and Calistoga. Spend a few hours at these sites and its obvious that the Welcome signs rule when it comes to spur-of-the-moment selfies.

The reason might be that people merely have to pull off the road to reach the Welcome signs. In contrast, they might see the Grape Crusher about 300 feet from Highway 29, but not know about the looping, half-mile route that leads to it.

But the Grape Crusher statue is a candidate for the most-seen piece of art in Napa County. Caltrans estimates more than 50,000 vehicles pass by daily. Depending on traffic conditions, some motorists view the Grape Crusher at speeds of 55 mph or greater.

And the Grape Crusher is no slouch in the photo department, as a look at the Internet shows. Visit Napa Valley included the statue in its most photographed places in Napa Valley feature.

I think the Grape Crusher is fun for people to see and we sure had a great time taking pictures around it for our holiday card, Gregory said.

Those who stop at Vista Point see more than the Grape Crusher up-close. The northern view looks up the Napa Valley past the city of Napa and Yountville to the mountains in the distance. The southern view looks toward American Canyon and the marshes and wetlands that peter out onto San Pablo Bay.

For those not in the know, the way to reach the Grape Crusher is to exit Highway 29 onto Soscol Ferry Road, remain on it as it curves beneath an elevated Highway 29 and turn right on Vista Point Drive.

Blue signs along both northbound and southbound Highway 29 inform drivers they can exit to reach Vista Point, but dont mention the statue. Hwang recommended that Caltrans include a silhouette of the Grape Crusher on the signs.

Heres some Grape Crusher triviathe statue has writing on it that only the eagle-eyed can read. The writing is on the jeans patch near the waistline far above the viewers head. Some of the words are Grapecrusher, Napa Valley and Made in the USA.

Miles said he hasnt seen the statue he created in a few years. When he does view it, different things come to his mind.

Obviously, its been part of my life for 30 years, he said. I always realize I was very young when I made it. When I look back at it now, I think if I had more experience (then), I would have done a better job. I see things I would change now.

He also sees the statue as being part of his family history. His parents saw him making it. His brothers helped him make it. His son was born during its creation and a few years ago was married at the statue.

Its part of my history, Miles said. Its like part of my life force.

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Editors note: I wanted to write something about the recent death of Sen. John McCain, who I had covered on Capitol Hill in the 1990s. But looking back at what I wrote back in 2017 when he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, it seemed I had already said what was on my mind and my heart. So heres that column from July of 2017:

One of the more interesting detours in my career was the chance to cover the presidential campaign in 2000.

I was assigned initially to cover John McCains insurgent campaign in New Hampshire. I was the most junior reporter on the Washington Times national desk and I think the more senior reporters wanted to be on the campaign trail with Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who our editors had been backing as the Republican nominee for at least two years. They, like most Inside-the-Beltway observers, assumed Bush was a lock for the nomination.

I knew McCain reasonably well. I had been covering Capitol Hill for several years and McCain was a favorite of the press corps for his availability and willingness to drop a memorable quote on request. I also had some slight personal knowledge of him because he and my father were high school classmates and had some mutual friends and acquaintances in the Navy, though they never served together.

I have to admit I wasnt as enamored of McCain as my press corps colleagues. Although I found him entertaining, his reputation as a Maverick seemed a little thin. It rested on a small handful of issues where he was willing to diverge from his party, particularly campaign finance. If you examined his record beyond those two or three issues, which I did for a story at one point, he was as conservative and reliable a Republican vote as anyone in either chamber of Congress.

But when I got to New Hampshire and started comparing his rallies with the events by Bush and the many other lesser Republican candidates that year, McCain really began to stand out from the rest.

He dashed around the state in his Straight Talk Express giving loose, semi-improvised stump speeches. He seemed to relish, even encourage friendly heckling and banter with the audience. It was more like a small-town social event than a campaign rally by a veteran U.S. Senator running for president. He was particularly effective and touching when veterans would attend. He would depart from his remarks, step down from the stage and address them with great tenderness and affection.

And, more than any other candidate I have ever seen, he seemed to be having fun. He would bound around the stage, make up goofy new slogans and display an almost child-like glee at the energy of the crowd.

The night of his smashing, 18-point drubbing of Bush in New Hampshire, McCain stepped into the hotel party looking at once stunned and giddy, as if he could hardly believe his own luck.

It was clear that the campaign was utterly unprepared for victory. There was hardly any campaign organization in any other state. The whole operation had a weirdly improvised feel after New Hampshire. They rented a deplorably rickety old aircraft from TWA, then teetering on its last legs. The pilots approach to landings appeared to be to descend like a dive bomber and hit the tarmac with as much force as the plane could stand. It was terrifying and, for some reason, McCain took to referring to him as The Bavarian Fighter Pilot.

Through all the emotional ups and downs that followed, McCains anarchic sense of fun remained. Unlike other candidates, McCain sat in the main cabin of the airplane with the reporters and staff. We were free to approach him and talk any time we wanted, provided he wasnt napping or speaking with his wife Cindy, who was by his side through most of the campaign (though I always sensed she wasnt having as much fun as he was). His staff would set up bars at each end of the aircraft at the end of the day, and the whole operation took on an air of a flying political fraternity party.

The crowds at rallies grew and McCain continued to display his gleeful astonishment at every rally. Sometimes excitement would overwhelm him and he would attempt to pump his arms in victory, causing him to wince in pain, as if he had temporarily forgotten that the damage wrought by his captivity in North Vietnam had sharply limited his range of motion.

At one rally in Michigan, McCain got so excited that he improvised a line comparing himself to Luke Skywalker trying to escape the Death Star in Star Wars. It was a goofy remark that had even himself laughing, but thereafter he would enter rallies to the sounds of the Star Wars main theme. The crowds got the reference and ate it up.

I never asked McCain about it to confirm, but I got the sense that he ran in that 2000 race as something of a lark, the capstone of a long political and military career, one more thing to add to his stock of stories. It didnt seem like he expected to win, or make much of a difference even in New Hampshire. Throughout the campaign, he and his aides continually acted as if they were flummoxed by the whole McCain phenomenon.

I didnt cover the 2008 campaign, but watching it from afar, it didnt seem like the same John McCain. He was scripted and surrounded by seasoned party consultants, the types who had been working for his rival George W. Bush eight years earlier. The thing that struck me most was that McCain no longer looked like he was having the slightest bit of fun. Even he didnt seem surprised that he lost.

The news this week that McCain had been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer made me sad. McCain is a flawed and difficult man in some ways, but he is also engaging, enjoyable and more authentic than most people in his position. He seems to take his responsibility to the country and to the institution of Congress seriously.

I hope in his final years, he can come back to the central message of his 2000 campaign, the line that he included in every speech: That there is nothing more noble than to sacrifice for a cause greater than yourself.

The country could use a few more politicians like John McCain right now.

You can reach Sean Scully at 256-2246 or sscully@napanews.com.

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Napa Valley College will not be asking the voters to approve a bond measure this fall, and we think that is the right move.

This is not to say that the college does not need money for remodeling and new construction, but rather it is because the time is simply not right.

As college President Ron Kraft pointed out in a recent meeting with the editorial board and in a commentary in the Register this week, there will be a lot of other issues and priorities on the ballot this November, so getting the attention of voters would be difficult. And with the emotions surrounding national politics, it is difficult to predict the mood of voters.

The news cycle is now measured in hours not days, economic uncertainty can shake voters confidence, especially here in our region, for those who have been though the emotional ups and downs of wildfires, preserving oak trees, curtailing helicopters, seeking affordable housing and sorting out national, state and local politics and politicians, Kraft wrote.

We think this decision is a sign of Krafts growing confidence as a leader and of maturity by the college in general.

Back in 2014, when Kraft was new in the job and the college was just coming out of a period of instability and turmoil, the trustees unwisely rushed a bond measure to the ballot. The college was unable to answer key questions about how the money would be used and the political campaign to sell the idea to voters was amateurish at best.

That mishandled campaign led to a narrow defeat and gave the college a black eye it could ill afford. Although Kraft and the trustees are wiser and better organized now, the risk of another defeat this year was too great.

It is perfectly possible that the college will come back to the voters in 2020 or 2022, giving time to make the case to the public and to build trust that the money would be wisely spent.

In the meantime, however, there have been several interesting developments that might make it possible for the trustees to significantly scale down the amount of money they need to borrow under a bond measure.

First, the colleges foundation has embarked on an ambitious fundraising project to revamp and modernize its viticulture program, which by enrollment is the largest in the nation. That way, private benefactors and the wine industry that profits from the education the college provides can bear the cost of new classrooms and upgraded production facilities.

Second, the college is in preliminary discussions with the Napa Valley Wine Train to move its maintenance yard onto or adjacent to the campus, turning it into a real-life training facility for the colleges industrial programs, such as welding. That also raises the tantalizing possibility of establishing some kind of railroad operations program at NVC.

Third, the college continues to consider building some housing units on the vacant land at the north end of the campus, at the corner of Imola and Highway 221. That development would likely be at least in part paid for by a private developer.

And finally, the college continues to explore ways to combine facilities with the city of Napa and its adjacent Kennedy Park, which could benefit the college and city residents in both cost and quality.

All of those projects, if they come to fruition, would come at little or no cost to the taxpayers. If they are successfully completed, or at least solidly under way, by the time the college does decide to pursue a bond measure again, they could be strong signals to voters that the college is able to manage substantial projects and is willing to consider innovative ways to minimize the cost to the public.

We applaud the decision by Kraft and the trustees not to pursue a bond measure this year, and we urge them to move forward on the program of public-private partnerships that offer so much promise.

The Napa Valley Register Editorial Board consists of Interim Publisher Davis Taylor, Editor Sean Scully, and public members Cindy Webber, Ed Shenk, Mary Jean Mclaughlin and Chris Hammaker.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday said the under-construction bridge over river Feni in southern Tripura would make easier the transportation of goods between the northeastern states and the rest of the world via the Chittagong sea port in Bangladesh.

The Haldia port near Kolkata is 1,220 km from Assam while the Chittagong international port is less than 70 km from Sabroom in Tripura, he said.

The Chief Minister promised that the bridge would be operational by December next year and accessing Chittagong port would become much easier.

CM said this while addressing a seminar on Strengthening Indo-Bangladesh relationship organised by the Agartala Press Club here. Many experts and politicians from both the countries have taken part in the event.

For the development of Tripura and other northeastern states, many construction materials can be imported from Bangladesh or can be transported via that country. The Bangladesh government will also earn huge revenue from these transportation businesses, the Chief Minister said.

Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank (its central bank) Atiur Rahman said the two countries in recent years had resolved decades old issues including exchange of 162 enclaves (Chhitmahals) and maritime boundaries.

The friendly ties of the two neighbours and each others economic prosperity could be further improved by developing border infrastructure and removing remaining barriers.

However, India and Bangladesh are still facing three major challenges  political, infrastructural and regulatory. Bureaucracy is the main obstacle in making investment and speedy growth of trades, he said.

Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin urged the media for objective reporting on the issues relating to India and Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said she was keen to develop deeper ties with India and its northeast that sheltered over one crore people who fled Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war.

Bangladeshs increasing bilateral ties with India will continue to boost the economy of both the countries. The two neighbours are working in various sectors for mutual benefits. However, the visa norms should be further simplified.

The Agartala Press Club Secretary Pranab Sarkar and editor Subal Kumar Dey stressed on the need for more such interactions and sharing of views to eliminate the misconception over some issues.
The construction of cross-country oil pipeline between India and Bangladesh will begin from this month.

As per a report published on Friday by The Hindu BusinessLine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may flag off the construction of the pipeline to carry diesel from Siliguri in West Bengal to Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of North Bangladesh.

It may be mentioned that India and Bangladesh in April this year had signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including one for the construction of an 129.5 km oil pipeline between Siliguri and Parbatipur.

The MoU on oil pipeline was signed with an aim to pump diesel from India to Bangladesh with a capacity of 1 million tonnes per year.

The MoU focuses on deepening bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector and the mutual benefits for both sides that would accrue from the proposed construction of approximate 129.5 km long oil pipeline from the Siliguri Marketing Terminal of the Numaligarah Refinery Ltd (NRL) in India to the Parbaripur depot of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), read the MoU.

The The Hindu BusinessLine report stated that the 6-km Indian leg of the pipeline will be financed by Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).

On the other hand, the remaining 130 km of the oil pipeline will be in Bangladesh and it will be financed through Indias ongoing development cooperation programme.

The total cost of the oil pipeline is pegged at ?360 crore.

The oil pipeline project, is scheduled to be completed in 27 months, will replace the existing practice of sending diesel by rail, covering a distance of 510 km, the report stated.

It may be mentioned that India started sending Euro-III diesel produced by NRL to Bangladesh following a deal in March 2016.

State-run NRL on October, 2017 had signed a 15-year agreement with Bangladesh Petroleum Corp (BPC) for export of diesel to the neighbouring nation.

In a historic development, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd inked a 15-year long term sale and purchase agreement with BPC for export of gas oil (diesel) to Bangladesh, the company said in the statement.

The NRL currently sends approximately four rake loads (10,000 to 12,000 kilo litre) of diesel every month for distribution in Bangladesh.
Manipur handloom and handicrafts will now have a huge market in Mauritius, thanks to Jaulim Group of Companies of Mauritius.

S Jaulim, Director of Jaulim Group of Companies, Mauritius and his team called on Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday at the latters office in Imphal with proposals for bulk buying of handloom and handicrafts products of the State manufactured by reputed firms of the State.

The Director of Jaulim Group of Companies, Mauritius also discussed with the State Chief Minister on prospects of joining hands with the State Government in the import-export sector.

Jaulim Group of Companies is a reputed commercial chain of business establishments in Mauritius.

Manipurs handloom and handicraft needs no introduction as it is highly revered and wanted in various parts of the globe as well as various places across the country.

Manipur enjoys a distinct place amongst the handloom zones in India. Handloom industry is the largest cottage industry in the State.

This industry has been flourishing since time immemorial. One of the special features of the industry is that women are the only weavers.

According to the National handloom Census Reports 1988 there are about 2.71 lakh looms in Manipur.

Most of the weavers who are famous for their skill and intricate designing are from Wangkhei, Bamon Kampu, Kongba, Khongman, Utlou etc in respect of fine silk items.

The rest of the villages of the State produce all varieties of fabrics. Tribal shawls are all varieties of fabrics.

Tribal shawls with exotic designs and motifs are the products of five hill districts of the State. Fabrics and Shawls of Manipur are in great demand in the national and international market.

Today, major handloom production activities are undertaken by three Government organizations namely, Manipur Development Society (MDS), Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHHDC) and Manipur State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society (MSHWCS).
YEREVAN.- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received on Thursday Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and Minister of Industry and Mines of Gabon Immongault Regis.

Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the visit of the two African Foreign Ministers to Armenia, noting that the visit of such a high-ranking delegation is a good occasion to discuss issues related to the upcoming La Francophonie summit in Yerevan in October, to open a new page in the relations between Armenia and Africa, to exchange ideas on development of cooperation.

Rwandan Foreign Minister thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for the reception and noted that he was impressed with the warm hospitality showed by Armenia. According to Louise Mushikiwabo, this is the high time for Armenia and the African states to give a new impetus to bilateral relations and take practical steps. He also noted that they are closly monitoring the Prime Minister's working activity and are impressed.

The interlocutors discussed a number of issues related to preparations for the upcoming La Francophonie summit . The prime minister underlined that holding the summit in Armenia is a great honor, and all the necessary work will be done to organize it properly and at a high level.
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For a long time, it seemed that France, Europes leading nuclear power producer, will seek to decrease the share of nuclear in its energy matrix. The 2015 Energy Transition for Green Growth law stipulated that by 2025 the share of nuclear would have to drop from the current 75percent (the highest rate in Europe) to 50 percent, whilst capping maximum production capacity at 63.2 GW, i.e. roughly the level where it stands currently. However, coping with the challenges of energy supply proved to be too complex to cut down on Frances traditional buttress, nuclear power  in fact, during Francois Hollandes tenure not a single nuclear reactor what shut down. Renaming the Energy Ministry into the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition did not help  with Nicolas Hulot stepping down, nuclear seems to burst back onto Frances energy policy agenda.

Frances nuclear romance started out as a post-1973 crisis realization of the nations scarce indigenous resources  it was never really powerful in terms of oil and gas production (currently it produces 16 kbpd of oil and roughly 0.5 BCm of gas on an annual basis but plans to phase out all hydrocarbon production by 2040), the only energy sector it had genuine hands-on expertise in was coal, which employed 150 000 at that time. Nuclear seemed like a perfect match  it was low-cost, carbon-free and France could make use of its Francophone ties with countries filled with uranium, such as Niger. Up until the late 2000s, despite falling reactor construction rates France boasted of the energy independence it reached thanks to developing nuclear as well as its relatively low electricity prices (lower than all of its neighboring countries).

The 2011 Fukushima catastrophe, however, tilted the balance, providing a powerful tool for those who opposed nuclear. Francois Hollande managed to set the nuclear-to-renewables transition in stone, or so it seemed until quite recently. Hollandes successor, Emmanuel Macron, reiterated his aspiration to carry on with the gradual nuclear phasing out, further underpinning his stance by nominating Nicolas Hulot, a well-known environmental activist and media personality, as Frances first Minister of Ecological Transition and Solidarity. Renaming the energy ministry, however, does not change its substance and the first cracks in the new governments policy fulfillment began to appear last Autumn. At that juncture then-Minister Hulot postponed the nuclear dependence reduction (to 50 percent of total electricity production) deadline to 2030 or even further.

Related: Europes Natural Gas Prices Surge To Record For Summer Season

Hulot announced his stepping down on August 28, in a radio interview, citing general disappointment with the progress of energy policy change. Although the Ecological Ministry had to backtrack on other topics, too, the nuclear issue loomed large in Hulots decision to quit  several days before his departure, a confidential report recommended reversing Frances nuclear phaseout and build five new EPR (European Pressurized Reactor, a 3rd generation presurrized water reactor) reactors in 2025 (instead of decommissioning 15-20 reactors). Adding to the probability of an impending nuclear policy reversal as the main cause of Hulots leaving, he stated in an interview to French left-leaning newspaper Liberation that if he leaves, there will be 3 another EPRs in the upcoming years.

Today France has 58 nuclear reactors which are operated by EdF, after the French nuclear champion Areva (now renamed Orano) fully divested its reactor operations in order to concentrate solely on the nuclear fuel business. The root cause was quite simple  Arevas financial standing was notoriously deficit-plagued and as part of a general reorganization the state has agreed to shelter the newly-established Orano from significant market risks. Only one nuclear reactor was slated for decommissioning so far  in fact, the oldest reactor in the country in Fessenheim  and even this would take place only in 2020, after the first French EPR reactor is started up in Flamanville. The average age of French reactors now is 32 years, which is above the global average of 29-30 years, yet still less than the American median of 37 years.

The new Ecological Transition Minister is widely expected to push forward the transition from nuclear towards a later date, presumably 2035. The reasons are manifold, yet two main factors can be highlighted  a relative dearth of alternatives to replace the emission-free nuclear and Frances long-standing tradition as one of the worlds leading nuclear pioneers (in fact, only France and Russia can boast of commanding the full nuclear cycle). RTE, the French electricity transmission system operator, proposed last year that in order to compensate for volumes lost due to a potential nuclear phaseout Paris ought to initiate the construction of 20 new gas-fueled thermal power plants, as well as to keep intact the 4 currently functioning coal-fueled plants. Given that 90 percent of Frances electricity comes from emission-free sources (see Graph 1.), this initiative seems even more radical than sticking to good old nuclear.

(Click to enlarge)

Graph 1. Electricity generation in France 2000-2017, by source (in Terawatt-hours).

Related: Airlines Are Suspending Flights Because Fuel Is Too Expensive

Given that renewables currently account for only 8 percent of Frances electricity production, nuclear is the nations only choice to avoid any significant energy deficit in the forthcoming years. Aging reactors will have to be replaced with third-generation ones, which are much safer and efficient  despite all the delays and cost overruns (the Flamanville 3 project tripled in cost to 11 billion due to several production faults in the reactor pressure vessel, its current estimated commissioning date is 8 years behind original schedule) the EPR is the most viable way of keeping Frances position as an energy independent country and Europes biggest net electricity exporter - bereft of any nuclear capacities, northern Italy is predominantly supplied by French nuclear plants.

At some point in the future, when wind capacity has grown sufficiently  both in terms of overall number of wind farms commissioned and their profitability  it might make sense to curtail further nuclear usage, however, under current conditions, it is much more reasonable to get finally rid of coal (which France stopped producing in 2004, so the fuel is imported) and rely on the combination of nuclear, hydro and wind power. Imposing ill-judged restrictions has rarely proven to be the right energy policy tenet, the French nuclear example proves that rationality will prevail in the end, in one way or another.

By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. solar market has been rattled twice this year by two separate policy decisions, one in the United States and one in China. U.S. manufacturers and developers are now caught between two conflicting market forces as the two policies have had opposing effects on them.

A Chinese policy from June to cut domestic solar subsidies caught the global market by surprise and is now expected to benefit U.S. solar developers who import the solar panels they install because the global market will be flooded by low-cost Chinese products.

Yet, the Chinese subsidy cut is also expected to reduce the profit margins of the solar panel manufacturers in the United States, offsetting the profit boost that the U.S. tariffs had intended. The glut of solar products worldwide is pushing prices down, eroding the profits of the manufacturers in the United States.

The lower prices could totally offset by November the initial profit boost from the U.S. import tariffs announced in January, Paul Strigler, vice president at Boston-based investment firm Esplanade Capital, which has a solar energy investments fund, told Reuters.

But while the U.S.-based manufacturers could see their profit margins slimming, the Chinese subsidy cut would be a boon for the companies developing solar installations and relying on imported solar panelstheir costs would now be lower.

Thats a reversal of the fortunes and prospects for the manufacturers and developers in the United States after the import tariff was announced in January.

The tariffs on solar products imports that U.S. President Donald Trump levied in Januaryaimed at safeguarding U.S. manufacturingled to a surge in U.S. panel pricesa boon for U.S. manufacturers. Several foreign companies announced new investments in manufacturing factories in the United States, relying on boosting their profits if they make panels in the United States.

Chinas JinkoSolar said in January it was planning the construction of an advanced solar manufacturing facility in the United States. Hanwha Q CELLS Korea Corporation said in May that it would start construction of a solar module production facility in Georgia this year, scheduled for completion in 2019. Related: Oil Rallies On Flurry Of Bullish News

At the same time, hit by higher costs on imports, some U.S. solar developers told Reuters in early June that they had either canceled or frozen US$2.5 billion worth of large installation projects, more than double the US$1 billion in investment that manufacturers had announced in domestic solar panel manufacturing to take advantage of the tariffs on imports.

Also in early June, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the trade association representing both solar developers and panel manufacturers, said that this year, the U.S. installation and developers would be somewhat insulated from the impact of the tariffs.

But in the longer term, the impacts of these tariffs are significant  several developers have announced project cancelations, and more are in negotiations to restructure their PPAs due to the higher costs resulting from the tariffs, SEIA said.

Around the same time came Chinas decision not to issue approvals for any new solar power installations this year and cut the feed-in tariff subsidy that had been a major driver of the solar business in the country, which accounts for as much as 50 percent of global capacity.

According to Wood Mackenzie, the sudden reduced demand in China after the subsidy cut will result in an oversupply in the global PV module market and further reductions in prices.

The drop in panel prices globally and in the United States is helping to revive installation activity and boost the margins of projects in the pipeline, executives at U.S. solar developers told Reuters, noting that the falling prices have yet to revive projects that had been put on hold after the Trump tariffs.

SEIA, which has criticized the tariffs since the beginning as a loss for America, thinks that the declining prices could take some of the sting out of the tariffs, but growth would still be slowed down.

It may be less bad than it could have been, but its still not nearly as good as it should be, spokesman Dan Whitten told Reuters.

The falling prices could help U.S. solar developers to blunt the impact of the import tariffs. Ironically, they have China to thank for it.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The world is ticking down to a deadline that promises to have major ramifications in the global fuel markets. On January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will require the sulfur content in marine fuel to drop from a maximum of 3.5 percent down to 0.5 percent.

The rule is meant to curb pollution from ships. Combustion of high-sulfur fuels leads to the production of compounds like sulfur dioxide, which causes respiratory problems and produces acid rain.

This rule continues a trend of limiting the sulfur content in fuels (which originates from the sulfur contained in crude oil). Europe began tightening sulfur specifications in the 1990s, and the U.S. began to phase in ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) in 2006.

Prior to implementation of the ULSD standard in the U.S., gasoline often traded at a premium to diesel. But meeting the ULSD standards required refineries to invest billions of dollars into equipment to remove the sulfur. This drove up diesel prices in two ways.

First, the cost to produce diesel was simply higher due to additional capital and operating costs.

Second, this meant that refiners had to be more selective about purchasing high-sulfur (i.e., sour) crude oils. This drove down the demand for sour crudes and drove up the demand for lower sulfur (i.e., sweet) crudes, increasing the price differential between the two.

So refiners had to pay more for sweet crudes, or invest heavily into new equipment that could remove the sulfur from the sour crudes. The net result was that after 2006, the price differential between gasoline and diesel flipped.

According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in the decade prior to the implementation of ULSD, retail gasoline traded on average at a $0.04/gallon premium to retail diesel. In 2005, the year before the phase-in of ULSD began, diesel traded at an average of $0.09/gallon over the price of gasoline. And in the decade following implementation, diesel averaged $0.23/gallon over the price of gasoline.

(Click to enlarge)

The gasoline premium over diesel disappeared following the rollout of ultra-low-sulfur diesel.

It has been estimated that the new IMO rules will apply to 3.5 million barrels per day of high-sulfur fuel oil, although post combustion gas scrubbers may allow some vessels to continue using the high-sulfur fuel. Most marine vessels will have to switch to cleaner distillate fuels like low-sulfur diesel, which will increase demand significantly. Related: Canadian Court Deals Blow To Trans Mountain Expansion

As with the previous USLD switch, the new regulations will increase the cost to produce marine fuel, and it will again put upward pressure on the price of sweet crudes and downward pressure on sour crudes.

Refineries are certainly gearing up for the increase in diesel demand. But given the time, complexity, and expense of increasing capacity to meet the new demand, it is possible that there will be insufficient supplies when the new specifications come into effect.

EnSys Energy and Navigistics Consulting conducted a Marine Fuel Availability Study in which they conclude that there are significant risks leading up to the transition. Specifically, they note that installation of exhaust gas scrubbers has been lower than expected. They also project that there will be a Scramble period where refineries that arent equipped to process sour crude will bid up the price of light sweet crude that can enable them to meet the lower sulfur specifications.

In any case, it seems certain that diesel prices are set to rise, and perhaps significantly. Low sulfur crudes like West Texas Intermediate (WTI) will likely see demand spike as well. Yet you can buy WTI today for February 2020 delivery for $64.19/bbl, which is more than $4/bbl cheaper than the current price.

History suggests that discount wont last.

By Robert Rapier

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Indias natural gas production is projected to double in the next four years, according to a statement by the countrys oil ministry. If growth continues as predicted, natural gas production will hit a whopping 2 billion cubic meter (bcm) by 2022 (an impressive number, especially when compared to the 35 bcm of natural gas the nation produced in the last financial year). This development is thanks in large part to a sweeping government plan to shift the subcontinent away from its accolade as the world's third biggest oil consumer, instead moving in the direction of a gas-based economy.

In addition to a major spike in production and usage, experts are also predicting a major shift in the makeup of Indias major producers themselves. Until now, the natural gas extraction industry has been dominated by Indian state-owned exploration company Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). In fact, this single company accounted for a staggering 24.2 bcm, or 68 percent, of Indias total natural gas production in the last fiscal year. By comparison, private firms and their joint ventures were only responsible for 7.9 bcm. However, going forward, this dynamic is expected to flip by a dramatic margin. By 2022, private and joint ventures may account for as much as 40.3 bcm, thereby taking the lead over ONGC in a historic upset.

(Click to enlarge)

The Indian government is currently racing to construct and improve infrastructure such as pipelines and import facilities in order to incorporate larger amounts of natural gas usage. The country is preparing to sharply raise the amount of natural gas in its energy mix from 6.5 to 15 percent over next few years.

Just this month one of the countrys single biggest oil consumers (currently clocking in at about 3 billion litres of diesel per year), the national railway system, signed a preliminary agreement with GAIL, Indias largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company. The agreement stipulates that public transportation monolith Indian Railways will start shifting away from dirty diesel toward cleaner fuels, primarily natural gas. Thanks to the infrastructure boost and the state-sponsored push away from oil, using natural gas will be about 25 percent cheaper than other alternatives fuels used by the railways. A spokesperson for Indian Railways said that the company aims to waste no time in transitioning all 54 of its workshops to use natural gas by June 2019, with a first phase of 23 workshops already transitioning by the end of this year.

Related: IEA: Oil Market To Tighten Toward Year-End

GAIL has also begun to open its already massive and rapidly expanding pipeline network to the public, allowing outside interests to book surplus space online to ship gas across the subcontinent. The state-owned company controls 70 percent of the nations network, with 11,400 kilometers (7,084 miles) of natural gas pipelines, and an additional 5,000 km (an investment of 50 billion rupees, or $3.6 billion) coming down the pike. Shared infrastructure at a massive scale will help to facilitate quicker trading and utilization of natural gas, as well as taking full advantage of the companys gargantuation capacity, which is currently only running half-full. As an added effort, GAIL is gearing up to build a distribution hub to set natural gas prices in India.

Though it will allegedly remain cheaper than other alternative fuels, natural gas prices in India are predicted to rise sharply along with demand. Some local news sources are reporting that the Indian government is planning to raise gas prices by a steep 14 percent in October of this year in order to increase earnings for producers like the states own ONGC, which currently monopolizes the market. Such evaluations of natural gas prices occur every six months in India, when they re-determine the price based on average rates from gas-surplus countries like the U.S., Russia and Canada.

With a nationwide push for gas usage and a likely hike in prices, were heading into a record-breaking decade for Indian natural gas. Whats more, if the worlds third largest oil consumer can possibly redirect enough energy usage toward natural gas to shed that title, we can expect waves across the energy industry, and across the globe.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Space, the final frontier, is a near-vacuum thats freezing cold and full of harmful cosmic radiation. But, for some enterprising companies, it might prove to be the next big thing.

While many investors prefer putting their money in sectors with nearer-term benefits, space could be one of the biggest long of them all.

According to Morgan Stanley, several recent events support the transition of the $350 billion global space economy from mostly being the domain of private equity to public equity, as reported by Bloomberg and CNBC.

These developments include rising concerns about 

Russias satellite maneuvers

Chinas expanding space capabilities

The growing prevalence of airplane-borne rocket launchers

Quest to have Space Force as part of the U.S. Airforce

NASA plans to have manned rocket flights to the International Space Station

Morgan Stanleys Adam Jonas sees the space economy expanding to at least $1.1 trillion by 2040 mainly driven by national security concerns and, more specifically, tech communications.

Easy Money

Morgan Stanleys projections might seem a tad ambitious when you consider that NASA, the worlds biggest space agency, has a budget of just $20 million.

But thats because most people limit their thinking of the space industry to companies that build rockets and the vehicles that fly around space such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Airbus subsidiary Arianespace as well as a handful of private companies led by Elon Musks SpaceX or Richard Brandons Virgin Galactic.

That type of linear thinking ignores the next tierthe companies that actually operate the satellites in spaceInmarsat, Honeywell, Northrop Grumann.

Related: No College, No Problem: Silicon Valleys Student Loan Solution

Morgan Stanley says satellites in orbit will explode from 1,400 currently to more than 20,000 two decades from now. By 2020, we will be launching at least 500 satellites every year as launching costs continue coming down at a nice eight percent annual clip.

Yet, the Wall Street analyst predicts that most of the money in the new global space economy will flow to more earthbound companies--internet, ground equipment and consumer broadband market. Indeed, MS says that these 20 companies will account for two-thirds of the revenue forecast:

Adobe

Alphabet

Analog Devices

Amazon

Apple

Boeing

Facebook

GoDaddy

Honeywell

Inmarsat

Intuit

Lockheed Martin

Microsoft

Northrop Grumman

Qualcomm

SES

Shopify

Softbank

United Technology

XL Group

If you are thinking that its too early to invest in the coming space boom, consider all the easy money thats already flowing into SpaceXs coffers. Equidate's global head of business development, Robert Hilmer, told CNBC: SpaceX is one of [the most], if not the most, popular pre-IPO tech companies globally.

He says that interest in SpaceX is so high that the company can almost effortlessly access an unlimited amount of funding in private markets: "Everywhere I travel around the world, investors of all types  individuals, family offices, hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds or private equity  want to get into SpaceX," Hilmer said. "It's almost all investors I talk to."

SpaceX was ranked #1 in CNBCs 2018 Disruptor 50 Companies list. The companys most recent round of funding raised $500 million thus valuing it at $27.5B.

But only ultra longs need apply.

SpaceX investors have a very long-time horizonas much as 15 years-- before they can expect to see a return. But as Jonas advised, investors cant be too early to get into this game.

By Alex Kimani for Safehaven.com

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By Alex Dobuzinskis (Reuters) - Racist robocalls to voters from a white nationalist group targeting Andrew Gillum, the Democratic party's African-American candidate for Florida governor, were condemned on Saturday by both major campaigns contesting November's election. According to the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper, which first reported on the robocalls, they include jungle noises in the background and a man who pretends to be Gillum, the 39-year-old mayor of Tallahassee, using a minstrel performer's exaggerated accent and speaking about mud huts. It was not clear how many Florida voters received the robocalls on Friday. While denouncing the calls as racist, Gillum spokesman's Geoff Burgan said they should not be given undeserved attention. "This is reprehensible  and could only have come from someone with intentions to fuel hatred and seek publicity," Burgan said in statement. After scoring a surprise victory in this week's Democratic primary, Gillum could become Florida's first black governor if he beats Republican party's candidate Ron DeSantis in November. A spokesman for DeSantis, Stephen Lawson, also condemned the robocalls as "absolutely appalling and disgusting." "Hopefully whoever is behind this has to answer for this despicable action," Lawson said in a statement. DeSantis, a U.S. congressman backed by President Donald Trump, came under fire himself on Wednesday when he said Florida voters should not "monkey this up" by electing Gillum. Critics blasted DeSantis for the comment, which they said was racist. Lawson said at the time that DeSantis was referring to Gillum's political positions, not his race. The robocall received by some voters on Friday included a message saying it was funded by The Road to Power, an anti-Semitic and white supremacist website linked to Idaho resident Scott Rhoades, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. The newspaper said his group had been behind robocall campaigns during political contests in states including Virginia, Oregon and California. Rhoades could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
President Trumps trade war may be more an act of desperation than aggression. Art Laffer, an advisor to President Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, said on Friday that the president told him personally that tariffs were about all the leverage he has in his battle with China.

Hes said to me personally that he has very little leverage except by threatening tariffs and I have to trust him that hes telling me the truth, Laffer told Yahoo Finance.

Trump reportedly is planning to push ahead with tariffs on $200 billion of additional Chinese imports to the United States as early as next week. The U.S. has already imposed tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods and China has responded in kind with tariffs on $50 billion worth of goods it imports from the U.S.

Companies and members of the public have until Sept. 6 to submit comments on the proposed duties, which cover everything from selfie sticks to semiconductors and would impact significantly more consumer items than the previous tariffs had.

According to the report, the president plans to impose the tariffs once that deadline passes. U.S. stocks fell after reports of Trumps intentions.

In a wide-ranging interview with Yahoo Finance, Laffer, the architect of the supply-side economics paradigm embraced by former President Ronald Reagan, said that despite having started the trade war by imposing tariffs on the worlds second largest economy, he believes Trump wants free trade.

Economist Arthur Laffer speaks about the economy during a panel discussion at the Heritage Foundation on December 18, 2014 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

I believe deep down that hes a free trader, Laffer said. Any owner of an international business has to be a free trader if they know how to do business and he does.

Laffer is known for the eponymous Laffer Curve, which suggests that reducing taxes can actually increase government revenue by spurring productivity among workers who are discouraged from labor by high tax rates.

Hes also known as a strong advocate for free trade, who has railed against tariffs and other non-tariff barriers to free trade. Laffer said a trade war would be the exact opposite of what hed like to see.

Story continues

That is the one thing we need to make sure we avoid, and free trade is the only real answer, Laffer said. The question is how do we get from here to there and thats not my specialty.

See also:

Wall Street managers have cost Americans more than $600 billion over the past decade

Its the end of the world as we know it, and investors feel bullish

A Trump trade war victory over China could be disastrous for the US

What the collapse of Turkeys currency means for the US and the rest of the world

Dion Rabouin is a global markets reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter: @DionRabouin.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Government to zero in on vegetable price anomalies

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has undertaken the task of preparing a new report that will help zero in on the price anomalies in vegetables and regulate the vegetable market. Government officials say the report is likely to be finalised by Sunday.
Archbishop William Goh. (PHOTO: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore)

The Catholic Church in Singapore will soon be enhancing the measures it has put in place to reduce the risk of sexual abuse within its parishes and organisations, said Archbishop William Goh on Saturday (1 September).

This comes in the wake of last months revelation that some 300 priests in Pennsylvania had abused over a thousand minors across the span of 70 years, and that a vast majority of the crimes had been allegedly covered up by some members of the Church.

In a pastoral message posted online, Goh described the scandals abroad as a wake-up call, adding that the Catholic Church in Singapore has not been spared allegations of child abuse.

Noting the handful of cases seen over the years, he said that these incidents were referred to the archdioceses Professional Standards Office (PSO) for investigation.

Thus far, all the cases have been judged to be inconclusive by the PSO, and confirmed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome. As Archbishop, I want to assure you that, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no cover-up in our archdiocese, said Goh.

Formed in 2011 by Gohs predecessor, Nicholas Chia, the PSO is the instrument by which the Church deals with sex abuse complaints, said Goh adding that it is staffed by lay professionals who conduct their probes at arms length from the Archbishop so as to ensure total impartiality.

Currently, any allegations of abuse investigated by the PSO must also be reported to the police, so as to discourage falsified or exaggerated claims that may hurt innocent parties.

Prevention better than cure

Goh also noted the systems and processes already put in place by the Church to prevent sexual abuse, adding that announcements would soon be made as to how these will be enhanced.

Current measures include having all priests and religious workers employed by the archdiocese declare that they have not been previously convicted of any sex offences. Those with known records will not be allowed to work in ministry or mingle with the vulnerable.

Soon, all seminarians and novices who want to join priestly or religious life will not only have to sign this declaration but they would be subjected to more stringent psychological tests and background checks, he added.

There is a need also to ensure that our Church volunteers, especially those dealing with children, are vetted and cleared of sexual crimes against children. I seek the understanding of Church volunteers why such a step is necessary.
Iran's parliament called off a planned vote to impeach the education minister on Sunday, Iranian media reported, offering some respite for the embattled government of President Hassan Rouhani. Twenty-nine lawmakers signed a motion last Wednesday to impeach the minister, Mohammad Bathaei, but all of them withdrew their signatures. "Given the imminent opening of schools (on September 23), those requesting the impeachment have withdrawn their request," said Ahmad Amirabadi, a member of parliament's presiding board, according to the semi-official news agency ISNA. Rouhani has faced mounting pressure from lawmakers over his handling of an economic crisis, partly triggered by the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition of sanctions. Parliament sacked his labour and economy ministers last month, and Industries Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari has also been targeted for impeachment, though it is not clear if that will still go ahead. Rouhani himself was summoned to parliament to answer questions from lawmakers last Tuesday, a first in his five years in power, and only the second time for a sitting president. Economic grievances played a role in Bathaei's planned impeachment, with lawmakers criticising the reduced budget for education and school renovation, though senior officials pointed out that the minister has no power over budgets. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week welcomed the pressure on Rouhani's cabinet, saying it was a sign of the strength of Iran's democracy. But he also warned that differences between officials should not be overly emphasised "because the people would become worried".
(Corrects location to Mobbar in paragraph 7)

By Ola Lanre and Ahmed Kingimi

MAIDUGURI (Reuters) - Islamist militants have killed up to 30 soldiers in an attack on a military base in northeast Nigeria, security sources said on Saturday, in one of the biggest attacks of its kind this year.

Thursday's attack by suspected members of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) was on a base in Zari village in the north of Borno State.

In 2016 ISWA split from Boko Haram, the jihadist group which has killed more than 30,000 people in the region since 2009, when it launched an insurgency to create an Islamic caliphate.

The Zari attack highlights the challenge to secure the northeast, months ahead of a February election in which security looks set to be a campaign issue.

"The battle lasted for about two hours and our colleagues fought them but things became bad before the fighter jets arrived. We lost about 30 of our soldiers and about 10 were wounded," said a military source who did not want to be named.

Another, who also did not want to be named, said 20 to 30 troops had been killed in a surprise attack. Details only emerged days later because it occurred in a remote area near the border with Niger.

The attack, in the Mobbar local government area of Borno, is the latest blow to Nigeria's efforts to defeat insurgencies by Boko Haram and ISWA.

Earlier this week Reuters reported that Nigerian government officials had ordered thousands of displaced people to return to Guzamala, an area considered by aid agencies to be unsafe, as pressure mounts to show progress in the war against the insurgents ahead of the presidential election.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a former general, won the 2015 election after vowing to crush Islamist militants. He plans to seek a second term in February.

In July the fourth commander in 14 months was named to lead the fight against the militants after a number of embarrassing defeats, despite the government having said since late 2015 that the Islamists in the region had been defeated.

And 20 Nigerian soldiers went missing in mid-July following a clash with militants in the Bama area of Borno. Military sources say the troops are feared dead.

(Additional reporting by Paul Carsten and Camillus Eboh in Abuja; Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Andrew Roche)
Doctors and scientists increasingly suspect attacks with unconventional microwave weapons as the cause of the mysterious ailments that have stricken more than three dozen American diplomats and their families in Cuba and China, The New York Times reported Sunday. The victims reported hearing intense high-pitched sounds in their hotel rooms or homes followed by symptoms that included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems and hearing loss. A medical team that examined 21 of those affected in Cuba did not mention microwave weapons as a cause in a study published in March in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But its lead author, Douglas Smith, the director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Times that microwave weapons are now considered a main suspect and that the team is increasingly sure the diplomats suffered brain injury. "Everybody was relatively skeptical at first," he was quoted as saying, "and everyone now agrees there's something there." Neither the State Department nor the FBI has publicly pointed to microwave weapons as the culprit, and the Times said there were many unanswered questions as to who might have carried out the attacks and why. After holding Cuba responsible for either carrying out the attacks or failing to protect American officials, the US in September 2017 recalled more than half of its staff from the embassy and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from Washington. Cuba has firmly denied any role in, or knowledge of, the incidents. In June 2018, the State Department announced it had sent home US government personnel from China after they reported eerily similar incidents. - Microwave research - According to the Times, an American scientist, Allan Frey, first discovered in 1960 that the brain can perceive microwaves as sound. His discovery opened a new field of research that ultimately led both the United States and the Soviet Union to explore microwaves' potential use in unconventional weapons. The Russians dubbed the class of envisioned weapons as psychophysical or psychotronic, according to the Times. It said the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned in 1976 that Soviet research on microwaves showed potential for "disrupting the behavior patterns of military or diplomatic personnel." A National Security Agency statement obtained by Washington lawyer Mark Zaid on behalf of a client described how a foreign power built a weapon "designed to bathe a target's living quarters in microwaves, causing numerous physical effects, including a damaged nervous system," the Times said. The US military also researched weapons applications of microwaves, with the air force winning a patent on an invention shown to beam comprehensible speech into an adversary's head, according to the Times. Navy researchers explored the use of the Frey effect to induce sounds powerful enough to cause painful discomfort, and even immobilize the subject, it said. The Times said it is not known if Washington deploys such weapons.
Criminal code: Doctors to halt services except for emergency today

The Nepal Medical Association has announced to shut down all the medical services except emergency care on Sunday as part of its phase-wise protests over the provisions of the newly enforced Criminal Code aimed at curbing medical negligence and recklessness by doctors.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to arrive Sunday for a visit to Israel and Jordan, pursuing a pivot away from his nation's long-time reliance on American military hardware and backing. The four-day stay in Israel is the first by a Philippine leader in more than 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, even though their links go back to Manila sheltering Jews during the Holocaust. Duterte's visit has generated a lot of attention, powered both by his penchant for foul-mouthed statements -- including likening himself to Hitler -- and his internationally condemned drug crackdown that has killed thousands. Duterte, accompanied by an entourage including soldiers and police, will sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hold an event with some of the thousands of Filipino migrant workers in Israel. "We assign great importance to this visit, which symbolises the strong, warm ties between our two peoples," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement. Duterte has pivoted the Philippines away from its former colonial master the United States and toward warmer diplomatic and business ties with China and Russia. The US and Canada have both had military hardware deals fall apart with the Philippines due to concerns over Duterte's drug war. But so far sales with Israel have gone smoothly. "(The visit) is for President Duterte to look for an alternative market for... weapons for our armed forces as well as for the police," Henelito Sevilla, an international relations expert at University of the Philippines, told AFP. Israel is among the world's top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defence exports going to the Asia Pacific region, according to Israeli defence ministry data. - 'No Jerusalem embassy' - The Philippines emerged as a significant new customer in 2017 for Israel, with sales of radar and anti-tank equipment worth $21 million. There could be far bigger deals on the way as Manila plans a multi-billion dollar overhaul of its armed forces. Duterte has been dismissive of American sales overtures, saying he does not need US fighter jets or submarines. Manila says the trip is expected to yield signed agreements on defence as well as labour, which is one of the Philippines' top exports. Some 10 million Filipinos work abroad and send home money that is a lifeline to the economy. Manila is keen to ink agreements that protect conditions and pay for the workers, who are seen as national heroes at home. Though the Philippines has a special bond with Israel for giving refuge to some 1,300 Jews fleeing the Holocaust, Duterte drew global condemnation for comparing himself to Hitler in 2016. "Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. Most mainstream historians say six million Jews died in the Holocaust. Duterte later apologised to the Jewish community over his remarks, which he said were aimed at critics who had likened him to the Nazi leader. Just over a year later the Philippines abstained from a UN vote rebuking the United States for moving its embassy to Jerusalem. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. The Philippines was reportedly among a handful of nations considering following the Americans' move, but Manila has issued repeated denials. "This is actually not a topic of discussion," Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Ernesto Abella told journalists at a pre-visit briefing. Duterte heads to Jordan on September 5, where he is expected to meet with King Abdullah II.
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.
Its been a big day for former government officials speaking out against Donald Trump: Ex-presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush both used their eulogies for John McCain as an opportunity to draw an implicit contrast between the late senator and our current president, while McCains daughter Meghan, although not a former government official herself, explicitly invoked Trumps loathsome campaign slogan. By doing so, they joined a grand tradition of former government officials speaking out against the depravity of Donald Trump, from Jimmy Carter, who called him a disaster to Abraham Lincoln, who aptly described him as a highwayman in his legendary Never-Trump Cooper Union Speech. But perhaps no current or former employees of the United States government have been as vociferously opposed to Donald Trumps presidency as the staff of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1943, when they originally released their blistering anti-Trump film, Dont Be a Sucker. A clip from the film went around Twitter in the immediate aftermath of the Unite the Right disaster, but heres a cut of the full video from 1945, which spares Trump nothing:

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Its a sad day when people who have given their lives to public service, like the filmmakers behind Dont Be a Sucker, feel the need to speak out against a sitting president. Its even sadder when Felix Bressart, the Lubitsch stock player who plays the professor in Dont Be a Sucker feels the need to look into the camera with gentle disapproval. Theres no shortage of sick burns aimed at Trump here, from the reference to his oldest and most persistent enemy, the truth, to the prediction that his pure-blooded supermen [will be] defeated by the mongrel armies he despise[s]. But for all the swipes, the film ends on a positive note, speaking to the ideals we continually fall short of, but should continually aim at:

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You have a right to be what you are and say what you think, because here we have personal freedom. We have liberty. And these are not just fancy words: this is a practical and priceless way of living. But we must work at it. We must guard everyones liberty, or we can lose our own. If we allow any minority to lose its freedom by persecution or by prejudice, we are threatening our own freedom. And this is not simply an idea, this is good, hard, common sense. You see, here in America, it is not a question of whether we tolerate minorities. America is minorities.

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Its the most powerful indictment of the president and his stooges since the actual Stooges spoke out against him. At press time, inquiries to the White House about how they would respond to this unprecedented attack from the staff of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the 1940s went unanswered, as did requests about other anti-Trump films The Great Dictator, Inglourious Basterds, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and, of course, They Saved Hitlers Brain.

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Update, Sept. 2, 2018: As several astute Slate readers have pointed out, the version of Dont Be a Sucker embedded above features a reference to D-Day and footage of the detonation of the swastika atop the Zeppelinfeld stadium in Nuremberg, which happened on April 22, 1945, making it unlikely that this is a film from 1943, barring some sort of Man in the High Castle-type situation. Wikipedia alleges that Dont Be a Sucker had two versions, the original 1943 cut and a later, shorter version released to commercial theaters, which they date to 1947 (dubiously sourced to this 1948 paper about the films impact, which doesnt seem to say anything of the sort). Contemporaneous news reports, however, show that Paramount Pictures was distributing an 18 minute cut to theaters in the summer of 1946, keyed to July 4 screenings. The 22-minute cut from the National Archives embedded above is listed in their catalog as being from 1945, so it could be a print in some kind of in-between state or the 1943 date could be incorrect. For whatever its worth, a 1946 War Department catalog of films lists it as having been released in 1945 with a 24 minute runtime. The finding guide for the Richard Collins papersCollins was the films uncredited screenwritersays either Dont Be a Sucker or the script draft theyve got is from 1945, and that the working title was Quit Shoving. In short, the various releases of Dont Be a Sucker are a land of contrasts and a wilderness of error, but every version makes Trump and his supporters look like a bunch of suckers.
President Trumps administration is holding back on releasing more than 100,000 pages of records from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaughs time as a lawyer in the George W. Bush White House. The documents, the White House insists, are covered by executive privilege, according to a letter sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday ahead of the confirmation hearings. Lawyers have turned over around 415,000 pages of records to the committee, including 147,000 that were handed over to the committee but not released to the public.

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President Bush directed us to proceed expeditiously and to err as much as appropriate on the side of transparency and disclosure, and we believe we have done so, attorney William Burck, who serves as Bushs presidential records representative, wrote to the committee. In the letter, Burck writes that he has turned over every reviewable document except those that were duplicates, personal documents, and presidential records protected by constitutional privilege. Overall, 101,921 pages were not turned over to the committee because of that privilege.

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Kavanaughs confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin Tuesday and the withholding of records drew the ire of Senate Democrats, who characterized it as a way to ensure a quicker confirmation process. Were witnessing a Friday night document massacre, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer wrote on Twitter on Saturday. President Trumps decision to step in at the last moment and hide 100k pages of Judge Kavanaughs records from the American public is not only unprecedented in the history of SCOTUS noms, it has all the makings of a cover up. Schumer then went on to accuse Republicans and Trump of colluding to keep Judge Kavanaughs records secret, and wondered, What are they trying so desperately to hide?

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Were witnessing a Friday night document massacre. President Trumps decision to step in at the last moment and hide 100k pages of Judge Kavanaughs records from the American public is not only unprecedented in the history of SCOTUS noms, it has all the makings of a cover up. https://t.co/TgBAjOBRrW  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 1, 2018

Republicans in the Senate and the President of the United States are colluding to keep Judge Kavanaughs records secret, and trying to hide their actions from the American people by doing it on the Friday night of a holiday weekend.



What are they trying so desperately to hide?  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 1, 2018

Raj Shah, the White House principal deputy press secretary, replied to Schumer on Twitter, calling his claim  entirely incorrect because the committee requested access to any non-privileged Presidential record that is responsive to the Committees special access request. And that has been satisfied to the tune of over 440,000 pages of Executive branch documents, more than what was produced for the past five #SCOTUS nominees combined, Shah added.
Rob Tibbetts is angry that his daughters murder has suddenly become a rallying cry for the countrys anti-immigration activists. In a moving op-ed for the Des Moines Register, Tibbetts called on politicians and pundits to stop using his daughters death to campaign for an agenda that 20-year-old Mollie vehemently opposed.

In the op-ed, Tibbets writes that while debating immigration should always be encouraged, he implored on activists to not appropriate Mollies soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist. Ultimately, Mollie is not a pawn in others debates, he wrote. She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will. Please leave us out of your debate.

Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollies memory, Im imploring you to stop.

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Mollie Tibbetts was found dead on Aug. 21 after a monthlong search. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who authorities have described as an undocumented immigrant, has been charged with first-degree murder. He allegedly confessed to abducting Mollie while she was on a run.

In the piece published Saturday, Tibbetts also spoke up in favor of the Hispanic community and expressed horror that his daughters murder was being used to disparage a whole group of people. The person who is accused of taking Mollies life is no more a reflection of the Hispanic community as white supremacists are of all white people. To suggest otherwise is a lie, he wrote. Tibbetts expressed his heartfelt apology to the Hispanic community for the way it has been placed in the middle of this debate. We treasure the contribution you bring to the American tapestry in all its color and melody, he wrote. And yes, we love your food.

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In a separate interview with the Des Moines Register, Tibbetts said he was pushed to write the op-ed after he read a column in the paper by Donald Trump Jr. In the piece, the presidents son criticized the way Democrats responded to his daughters killing. They are seemingly more concerned with protecting their radical open-borders agenda than the lives of innocent Americans, Trump Jr. wrote. The White House has also used Mollie Tibbetts death to advance its agenda, naming her in a tweet that featured a video of family members whose loved ones were killed by undocumented immigrants. The Tibbetts family has been permanently separated, read the tweet. They are not alone.
Leaders seek criteria to select leadership in NCP lower bodies

The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has postponed its standing committee meeting for the second time after top leaders failed to resolve the leadership issues of the lower committees.
It all makes sense once you realize they want to kill us, by Mike Whitney - The Unz Review : 'It is now apparent that these products in ...
Freehold Raceway hosted another weekend of New Jersey stakes races. On Friday (Aug. 31), the track hosted the first leg of the two-year-old colt trotters NJ Standard Development Fund with a purse of $7,500, while the three-year-old open NJ Futurity was contested on Saturday (Sept. 1).

No Drama Please captured the first leg of the NJSDF for two-year-old colt trotters in 1:58.3 for trainer Julie Miller. The Yankee Glide colt, bred by TLP Stable of New Jersey, notched win No. 2 for owner Stroy Inc. American Dream Boy finished second and Cheap Tricks third.

The second division was won by Nick Drennan trainee Warrior One, the odds-on favourite, in 2:01. The son of Father Patrick earned his first lifetime win for owners Joseph Davine, Brad Shackman and Drennan Stable LLC. Gerris Trix was a close second and The Light In Me third.

The New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old pacers with a purse of $15,475 was captured on Saturday by Hypnotic Tale. The Hypnotic Blue Chip mare is owned by Ronald Mario and trained by Ross Croghan. Melanies Fran was second and Dream Police Woman came in third.

(SBOANJ)
Local level to go climate smart

To enable people to better cope with the long-term impacts of climate change, the government has taken an initiative to train local government bodies to work towards becoming Climate Smart Villages (CSV).
Welcome

Welcome to my Blog.



It consists of my thoughts on whatever I feel like sharing my thoughts about: popular culture; guns, shooting, self-defense and personal responsibility; Amateur Radio; literature; science fiction and fantasy; history; the Army and military affairs; beer, wine, and other Adult Beverages; food and cooking; current events; cats; and whatever else I feel like commenting on.



I will not be talking about my job--I don't know, offhand, what my employers policy is regarding blogs, and I do not intend to test it. It may not be the best job in the world, but it's the only one I have. I also have little interest in conspiracy theories...



Please Note: This is MY blog. I hope you enjoy reading it. I do not make any promises, however, not to offend you. I have no problem with dissent and/or disagreement, but please keep it polite, and rational.


Local units asked to furnish report rights of people with disabilities

Following the direction from National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has asked the local governments to furnish a progress report on the rights of the people with disability as envisioned in the constitution. There are 753 local governments across the country.
Making the most of Marsi

The rice qualifies to receive the benefits of Geographical Indications protection
Nepal, China to study Tatopani border

Nepal and China officials will inspect the infrastructure along Tatopani border before deciding to resume the customs office that stopped functioning after the earthquake in April 25, 2015.
Nepse sees marginal gain of 3.19pts

The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) climbed up by a margin of 3.19 points to close at 1,181.69 points last week. This rise in stocks came after the government assured stakeholders in a meeting last week that it would address and resolve the issues related with the stock exchange market, including the ones related with capital gains tax.
One held on charge of raping 15-year-old girl

Police arrested one of the four perpetrators on charge of raping a 15-year-old girl of Beldandi Rural municipality in Kanchanpur on Saturday.
SC tells Home Ministry to clarify Bista travel ban in writing

The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs to present a clarification in writing as to why former Maoist child soldier Lenin Bista was barred from travelling to Thailand for attending a workshop.
From homeless hermit to academic, tonight Australian Story profiles forest dweller Gregory Smith.

This episode is introduced by David Shoebridge from the NSW Greens.

From a homeless alcoholic living in the wild to academic success and a book deal, Out of the Woods tells the inspiring comeback story of forest-dweller Gregory Smith.

When he left school at 14, dogged by the crushing assessment that he was functioning at the lower level of the dull range, Gregory Smith had already endured a violent upbringing and months in an orphanage after the break-up of his family.

At 35, struggling with a lifetime of trauma, he opted to escape into the wild with no desire to return to the society that had failed him so dismally.

Exhausted by years of living off the land and sleeping rough, Gregory emerged from the forest ready to change his life, and gained an undergraduate degree and then a PhD at Southern Cross University.

His story offers hope for the most damaged amongst us. Gregory represents the capacity for transformation against all odds and a real triumph over adversity, says one of his students, Kerry Pritchard. How to take the crap in life and grow beautiful things out of it.

8pm tonight on ABC.
Sri Lankan President Sirisena prays at Mayadevi Temple

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, in Rupandehi district on Saturday.
Kerri-Anne Kennerley is joining Studio 10 in a part-time role.

She will appear 2 days a week on Mondays & Tuesdays, in a job-sharing arrangement with Denise Scott.

The TV veteran famously hosted Good Morning Australia for TEN from 19811991 and Mornings with Kerri-Anne (renamed as Kerri-Anne) for Nine from 2002  2011, following three years on Midday.

Kennerley said: Three decades of live television is just not enough. I cant wait to get the adrenalin pumping again and join the wonderful Studio 10 team two days a week. There is a slight feeling of coming home to TEN, where I enjoyed over a decade of fabulous live television. I have a feeling it will be a lot of fun.

Studio 10 Executive Producer, Lucy De Luca said: We are so excited to have Kerri-Anne as part of the Studio 10 family. Kerri-Anne is an Aussie icon who has played a huge part in television history, so it is great to see her return to her home here at Network TEN.

She joins as Denise Drysdale pulls back from her commitments.

Drysdale wrapped her 2018 studio commitments on Friday but is expected to file occasional stories later.

But the TEN show, broadcasting this week from Melbourne, has its work cut out with ratings hovering around just 50,000  60,000 a day.

The ratings are obviously pretty shocking, to be quite frank, at the moment so lets hope they improve, she told News Corp.

Sevens Morning Show is the timeslot champ, at around 150,000.

Photo: Instagram
When David (Takaya Honda) and Aaron (Matt Wilson) tie the knot tonight in Neighbours, it will mark the first same-sex wedding in an Australian drama since Australia voted for marriage equality.

Yet the timing wasnt driven by the vote for same-sex marriage at all. It had been a long time in the planning according to Honda (pictured, right) who has been on the soap since 2016.

When I had my first script meeting after being given the role of David, they said he was going to come out and Aaron would be the long-term partner, and we want you guys to be married by the end of it,' he recalls.

The day after it passed in Parliament was the (first) proposal by David to Aaron. We filmed it 3 months beforehand without any clues it would happen.

So it was just by chance that it came together.

This will save lives.

Indeed, it is a historic moment in local drama. While House Husbands featured a backyard wedding in 2015, it was before marriage equality was legal in Australia.

Since the days of Scott & Charlene, a Neighbours wedding has practically become an Australian institution. Across two episodes the Erinsborough community will celebrate the legal union of Matt & David, with marriage equality ambassador and actor Magda Szubanski fittingly officiating the nuptials.

Magda said, This is a huge moment for Australia and the gay community. This will save lives. So that was nice for us to hear, Honda explains.

Not that we werent taking it seriously. Matty and I have both understood the responsibility we have in playing gay characters on screen since we started.

It was a manic day because we had journalists on set, which we dont often do. Matty & Magda were having to do interviews in between takes, and I was really sick on the day, too.

But it was a lot fun.

As with any Neighbours episode the occasion is a mix of comedy and drama and whilst Szubanski turns on the comedy as celebrant Jemima Davies-Smythe, she turns serious for the crucial moment when TV history is made.

We need to give the moment the weight that it needs.

That was something she drove, he continues.

She went to Production and said, We need to give the moment the weight that it needs.

Filming with Magda was like a masterclass, really! Watching her in rehearsals trying out different kinds of comedy and jokes and then watching her pull It together in the take was quite impressive.

The rate at which we shoot on Neighbours is so fast. Often a lot of veterans come on and they get shaken by the speed we do, and how few takes we get. So she was on the ball using rehearsal takes, and then hitting all the comedic moments.

The comedy is nicely balanced with the sentiment of the episode, as well as the other storylines that are going on.

Yet in TV soap conflict and relationship break-ups are also par for the course. Hondas character has worked through his own internalised homophobia, as well as encountering dissenting voices, if vocalised by guest characters.

It isnt something theyve tried to shy away from but at large its been a supportive community, without too many consistent negative voices. I think it would have been difficult to maintain if one of the regular characters was openly homophobic, because its quite limiting in storylines, he admits.

Erinsborough as a whole has been really supportive.

Erinsborough as a whole has been really supportive. But weve have guest characters who have driven that conflict. David has had to deal with some pretty blunt homophobia, so it has been explored.

It would be the same if there was a racist on Ramsay Street.

People coming out on television are also generally younger, so that side of the story is often told. But the mature adult side isnt told a whole lot and its a common one.

When David started on the show, he didnt know what he was. He was questioning a period in his life where he believed he was straight. Thats how I played it with Amy (Zoe Cramond).

But she was part of the catalyst that helped him come to terms with the idea that maybe he was gay, and what that meant for him. He grew up with the image that he was supposed to be a straight doctor with a family and a perfect dream -rather than come to terms with who he actually is.

Honda, who has a Japanese father, is appreciative that his on-screen characters cultural background is merely part of the mix, as it is for his on-screen brother Leo (Tim Kano).

I dont speak with an accent, Im not expected to represent the whole of the Asian community in Australia. Im an Australian with a Japanese background who is just living on the street, he explains.

At my first producers meeting with Neighbours, I said, Thank you from me and Leo for making these roles what they are.

Neighbours doesnt get the credit it deserves

Neighbours doesnt get the credit it deserves, because there are resident characters who are not only gay, but different racial backgrounds, or in storylines such as surrogacy, pregnancy, which arent often explored in other shows. So it is trying to be inclusive.

The amount of people who personally messaged me either about someone they know, or they themselves. (saying) that storyline gave them courage to come out thats why as actors we do what we do.

It makes me immensely proud of the opportunities the show has given me.

Neighbours wedding airs 6:30pm tonight on ELEVEN.

Amended.
Interesting articles, stories, news. Views on happenings. Current activities, ideas and events. International and Antipodean affairs - scientific, cultural, political, economic, sociological, anthropological, archaeological and historical environment.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) welcomes Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (L) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 7, 2017./File Photo

Thomson Reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) - Kuwait's ruler will travel to Washington on Monday and hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the state news agency KUNA announced on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear what the leaders would discuss, but Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has led mediation efforts to resolve a year-long dispute between Gulf Arab neighbors after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, trade and transport ties with Qatar.

The four countries accuse Doha of supporting terrorism and cosying up to regional foe Iran. Doha denies those charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early on in the crisis but then began pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf unity and maintain a united front against Iran.

Reuters reported in July that the administration was quietly pushing ahead with a bid to create a new security and political alliance with six Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, in part to counter Irans expansion in the region, citing U.S. and Arab officials.

The administrations hope is that the effort, tentatively known as the Middle East Strategic Alliance, might be discussed at a summit provisionally scheduled for Washington on Oct. 12-13, the sources said, though the Qatar rift could present a big obstacle.

(Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Alison Williams)

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FILE PHOTO: China's President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands Swaziland's King Mswati III (L) as Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (C) looks on after the signing ceremony of the Bandung Message marking the 60th Asian-African Conference Commemoration at Gedung Merdeka in Bandung, West Java, April 24, 2015. REUTERS/Bagus Indahono/Pool/File Photo

Thomson Reuters

By Ben Blanchard

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is not putting any pressure on self-ruled Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in Africa, the Kingdom of eSwatini, to switch to Beijing, but believes it is just a matter of time before that happens, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Saturday.

China has become increasingly vocal about its desire to win away the country, formerly known as Swaziland, from Taiwan, even as the eSwatini government has denounced Beijing for playing "mind games" and says it has no desire to ditch Taipei.

eSwatini will be the only African country not represented at a major summit between China and the continent opening in Beijing next week, where President Xi Jinping is likely to offer new loans and aid for Africa.

Speaking at a news briefing, China's special envoy for Africa, Xu Jinghu, said the issue of eSwatini and its lack of ties to Beijing was "an important question", but it was up to them to take the initiative.

"On this issue we won't exert any pressure. We'll wait for the time to be right," Xu said. "I believe this day will come sooner or later."

Taiwan, which China claims as a wayward province with no right to state-to-state relations, now has formal ties with only 17 countries, many of them small, less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific, including Belize and Nauru.

Taiwan has vowed to fight China's "increasingly out of control" behavior after Taipei last month lost another ally to Beijing when El Salvador became the third country to switch allegiances to China this year.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed not to bow to Chinese pressure, and Taipei has accused Beijing of offering generous aid and loan packages to lure its allies across, charges China strongly denies.

Cheng Tao, a former head of the Africa division at China's Foreign Ministry, said at the same news briefing that he had been involved in talks with African countries about abandoning Taiwan and recognizing China, and that money requests had come up.

Story continues

"They said that while we want to establish diplomatic ties with China, we hope China can give us certain support financially," Cheng said, without naming the countries he had been in talks with. "They were very blunt."

"We told them. Establishing ties is a political decision. It's not a deal," he added.

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.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kim Coghill)

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SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A steelmaker in eastern China has been shut for a second time and local authorities reprimanded after the company resumed production without permission having been told to close due to environmental violations, Xinhua reported on Saturday.

An inspection team found round-the-clock steel production in late August at Huainan Hongtai Steel Co Ltd in Anhui province, with workers on 12-hour shifts, despite the company being ordered to halt in December, the official news agency said.

Since resuming production Huainan Hongtai had sold 288,000 tons of steel billets, Xinhua said.

The report said local authorities had been "negligent in their supervision" of the company.

The inspection team demanded the immediate closure of the plant and ordered local authorities to conduct a full review of the company's environmental problems.

China has struggled to implement production curbs in heavy industry to cut emissions as part of the country's intensified anti-pollution campaign.

(Reporting by Andrew Galbraith; Editing by Ros Russell)

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By Laurence Frost and Geert De Clercq

PARIS (Reuters) - French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot resigned on Tuesday in frustration over sluggish progress on climate goals and nuclear energy policy, dealing a major blow to President Emmanuel Macron's already tarnished green credentials.

Hulot, a former TV presenter and green activist who consistently scored high in opinion polls, quit during a live radio interview following what he called an "accumulation of disappointments".

"I don't want to lie to myself any more, or create the illusion that we're facing up to these challenges," Hulot said on France Inter. "I have therefore decided to leave the government."

Hulot was among Macron's first ministerial appointments following his May 2017 election victory. His inclusion helped to sustain a green image France had earned 18 months earlier by brokering the Paris Agreement to combat global greenhouse emissions.

But the centrist president has watered down a series of campaign pledges on the environment, including a commitment to cut the share of nuclear power in French electricity to 50 percent by 2025 and boost renewable energy.

Those policy shifts have been a repeated source of frustration for Hulot. Since a post-election honeymoon period, they have been accompanied by a sharp slide in Macron's ratings, which touched new lows after his bodyguard was filmed assaulting demonstrators last month.

Hulot said he had not informed Macron before announcing his resignation.

"This may not be the right protocol, but if I had warned them they might have talked me out of it yet again," Hulot said. His cabinet portfolio also included energy.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said the cabinet "regretted" his resignation, but also described it as "a blow from which we'll recover".

"I don't understand why he is stepping down when we had many successes in the first year that are to his credit," Griveaux told BFM Television. "He didn't win all his battles but that's the way it goes for ministers."

Story continues

Greenpeace France director Jean-Francois Julliard said that while Macron had "made some fine speeches" and stood up to U.S. President Donald Trump on climate change, he had "never turned these words to concrete action" at home.

"There is still no energy transition policy in France," Julliard said.

FRUSTRATIONS

Shares in power utility EDF <EDP.PA>, which is on the hook for the cost of decommissioning older nuclear plants, surged 2.7 percent in early trading before settling back to 14.26 euros at 0901 GMT, still up 1 percent on Monday's close.

Hulot had also voiced disappointment after Macron wavered on a commitment to ban the weedkiller glyphosate, sold under Monsanto's Roundup trademark, and failed to prevent Total's <TOTF.PA> La Mede refinery producing biofuel from imported palm oil linked to deforestation.

His announcement came a day after the government promised to relax hunting laws, in a move widely seen as an attempt to bolster Macron's appeal in rural areas.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he would discuss the "composition of the government" with Macron following Hulot's departure, leaving open the possibility of other changes.

Macron's office sought to attribute the resignation to the "frustration, even exhaustion" of a ministerial novice suddenly confronted with the slow-moving machinery of government.

"Political and administrative timeframes aren't necessarily as one hopes, coming from activism," an Elysee official said, insisting that Hulot's deep commitment to environmentalism was evidenced by the government's policy track record.

In his radio interview, however, Hulot emphasized the inadequacy of "mini-steps" on climate change by France and other nations, voicing hope that his exit might "provoke deep introspection in our society about the reality of the world".

His doubts about remaining in government had grown over the summer as devastating droughts were met with a tepid political response, he said.

Alain Juppe, a conservative former prime minister and presidential contender, said he was impressed by Hulot's "high-mindedness and by the nobility of his act".

"Beyond the inevitable political buzz, I hope this decision encourages us all to think and to change," he said on Twitter.

(Reporting by Laurence Frost and Geert De Clercq; Additional reporting by Yann Le Guernigou, Richard Lough and Michel Rose; Editing by Richard Lough, John Stonestreet and Peter Graff)
Some 400 prisoners escaped from a jail in Libya's capital on Sunday as fighting between rival armed groups raged nearby, a judiciary official said.

The inmates forced open the doors of the Ain Zara prison and guards were unable to stop them, the official said, confirming a judiciary police statement posted on social media. He asked not to get identified and could not provide more details.

The prison is located in southern Tripoli, an area hit for one week by heavy fighting between rival groups. Separately, a missile fell on Sunday on the al-Fallah camp for displaced Tawergha people, killing two and wounding seven, including two children, said Emad Ergeha, an activist following Tawergha issues.

The Tawergha were forced to leave their settlement near the western city of Misrata in the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and have been prevented from going back since.

Ergeha, who is a Tawergha, also posted online a video of firefighters extinguishing a blaze and showing severe damage to steel-made containers in the camp.

A rocket also hit the Waddan hotel in central Tripoli near the Italian Embassy on Saturday.

Three people were injured, staff said. State oil firm NOC confirmed one of its diesel depots used to supply a power station had been hit by a rocket on Saturday.

Fierce clashes erupted last week between the Seventh Brigade, or Kaniyat, from Tarhouna, a town 65 km (40 miles) southeast of Tripoli, against the Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigades (TRB) and the Nawasi, two of the capital's largest armed groups.

The U.N.-backed government based in Tripoli declared a state of emergency in the capital "given the seriousness of the current situation."

Although the government is formally in charge, it does not control the capital where armed groups are allied to it but operate with autonomy, often motivated by money and power.

(REUTERS)
Bobi Wine is seen in a wheelchair just before his departure at Entebbe International Airport, in Entebbe Bobi Wine is seen in a wheelchair just before his departure at Entebbe International Airport, in Entebbe, Uganda, August 31, 2018 in this still image taken from a social media video on September 1, 2018. NICHOLAS OPIYO/via REUTERS

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Prominent Ugandan opposition lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi, who has been charged with treason and temporarily detained, has left for the United States to seek medical treatment, his lawyer said.

Kyagulanyi, a popular musician known by his stage name Bobi Wine, was elected last year and has amassed a large following among youth electrified by his scathing criticism of President Yoweri Museveni, sometimes delivered in his songs.

In a tweet posted on Saturday evening, Kyagulanyi said he had "safely arrived in the US where I'll be receiving specialised treatment following the brutal torture at the hands of SFC soldiers", referring to Uganda's Special Forces Command.

"I will soon tell you what exactly happened to me since 13th August and what is next."

Earlier on Saturday his lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, told Reuters: "He is headed to Boston," adding that Kyagulanyi was also expected to travel to Washington D.C. during his stay.

Kyagulanyi, who has emerged as a formidable threat to the president who has been in power for 32 years, was charged with treason over his alleged role in the stoning of Museveni's in August. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The lawmaker has said he was beaten up and tortured while in detention. Police say they are investigating this allegation.

Protests had erupted in the Ugandan capital on Friday after police detained Kyagulanyi at the international airport during a previous attempt to travel abroad for medical care.

Nicholas Opiyo, another lawyer for Kyagulanyi, had said overnight on Twitter that the lawmaker was "on a KLM flight out of Entebbe Airport."

He posted a video of the lawmaker sat in a wheelchair and holding crutches being wheeled through what appeared to be the airport.

Museveni has won praise in the West for his opposition to militant Islam in the region, but many Ugandans regard the 73-year-old as out of touch with his people, nearly 80 percent of whom are under the age of 30.

Museveni, in power since 1986, has repeatedly been accused by his opponents of rights abuses and the widespread use of security forces to suppress opposition to his rule. He denies charges that his government is involved in rights violations.

(Reporting by Omar Mohammed in Nairobi and Elias Biryabarema in Kampala; Editing by Ingrid Melander and Edmund Blair)
Surge in pension payments drains government coffers

The government last year paid 250,089 pensioners a whopping Rs40.14 billionwhich accounts for nearly a third of the total salary and allowances paid to serving public servantsa drain on state coffers. The number of pensioners in the country has doubled in the last eight years and the surge in pension payments increased sixfold in the same period.
By Aref Mohammed

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Police used tear gas to disperse around 150 protesters at the main entrance to Iraq's giant Nahr Bin Omar oilfield on Sunday, police sources said, amid growing unrest in southern cities over poor public services and corruption.

Officials at the field in the southern oil hub of Basra said operations were running normally.

Production from Nahr Bin Omar, which is operated by the state-run Basra Oil Co., now stands at around 44,000 barrels per day, oilfield officials said.

On Friday, hundreds of Iraqi protesters stoned and tried to break into the provincial government headquarters in the southern oil hub of Basra demanding better public services and an end to pervasive corruption. Around 3,000 people gathered there again on Sunday and set fire to tyres outside.

Protesters threatened to break into the field if the government did not respond to their demands to improve basic services and address their complaints over Basra's drinking water, which residents say is undrinkable due to high salt levels.

"We will not allow the oilfield to operate unless we get clean water. No services, no jobs and now no clean water. We are fed up," said Hassan Ali, a protest organiser.

Iraqi political blocs are attempting to form a coalition government after a May 12 parliamentary election tainted by allegations of fraud.

Oil exports from Basra account for more than 95 percent of OPEC producer Iraq's state revenues. Any potential disruptions to production could severely impact Iraq's limping economy.

Police also dispersed protesters who tried to prevent trucks moving on a main road to the east of Basra which leads to a border crossing with Iran, customs and police officials said.

(Reporting by Aref Mohammed; Writing by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Kirsten Donovan)
Technical progress is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, many things that seemed incredible a few years ago is the population and there are more and more people every day. On the other hand, in order to meet demand, industrial production and mining are growing exponentially, and for the sake of economy, they often do not pay attention to the ecology, literally destroying all natural life. Meet the five dirtiest cities in the world, where, sadly, China and India are in the lead.

5) La Oroya, Peru

The small Peruvian town of La Oroya, which is located in the foothills of the Andes, became the center of metallurgy at the beginning of the last century.

Copper, lead, and zinc were mined for decades at a rapid pace, paying no attention to the ecology. The content of heavy metals in the blood of local residents exceeds the norm several times, and the death rate of children is one of the largest in the world. The neighborhood of the city is more like a lunar landscape with bare scorched earth, without grass, trees, and bushes.

4) Vapi, India

India can not boast of such a rate of economic growth as China, but there are also industrial centers where ecology and nature protection is an empty sound that no one has paid attention to for a long time. The city of Vapi, with a population of 71 thousand people found itself in the southern part of a 400-kilometer industrial zone, where all waste from metallurgical plants and chemical factories flow.

Here, the level of mercury in groundwater is 96 times higher than normal, and the high content of heavy metals in soil and air literally destroys local residents.

3) Sukinda, India

Chromium is one of the most important metals necessary for smelting stainless steel, and it is also actively used for tanning the skin. The only bad thing is, hexavalent chromium is the strongest carcinogen that gets into the body by air or mixed in with water.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

One of the world's largest open chrome mines is located near the Indian city of Sukinda, wherein 60 percent of drinking water the content of hexavalent chromium exceeds the norm by half. Indian doctors confirmed that in 84.75 percent of cases of diseases of local residents, it is the increased chromium content in the body that is to blame.

2) Tianying, China

The city of Tianying, located in the north-eastern part of China, is one of the largest metallurgical centers in the country, where about half of the lead is mined in the country. The city is constantly enveloped in blue smoke, and at a distance of ten meters, even in the daytime, it is difficult to see anything. However, this is not the worst thing, because of disregard for the environment, the soil is literally soaked with lead. It enters the children's blood, destroying them from the inside, leading to dementia.

1) Linfen, China

The title of the dirtiest city in the world, unfortunately for the locals, is the center of the Chinese coal industry, Linfen. Here people get up and go to bed with coal dust on their skin, clothes and bed linen. Washing laundry is meaningless as after hanging it out on the street for drying, it becomes black.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London is sharing Leonardo da Vinci's coveted notebooks with anyone connected to a computer. The V&A digitized the Renaissance artist's illustrated writings, known as Codex Forster in honor of English biographer John Forster who donated his copy of the notebooks to the museum in 1876. These writings have long appeared in unwieldy book form. Now it's accessible with the click of a mouse. Whether you're into art, science, or the world around you, this collection is a page-turner.

The bigger picture

Da Vinci's interests were wide.

As you'd expect, there's a lot of material on art: drawings of the human figure and theories of perspective, light and shade, color, and even the construction of an eye ball. Da Vinci also paid attention to matters of science like botany, biology, zoology, and more. He covered the waterfront  literally  not only analyzing the movement of water but also ways of swimming. Oh, wait, did I mention music?

In fact, given Da Vinci's voluminous writings and drawings, it's a wonder that he ever got around to paint the pictures he's famous for -- The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Of course, he never finished either one. According to The Guardian in 2005, as Da Vinci was working on his famous portrait at age 51, his right hand became paralyzed, which would account for why he never gave Mona her painting and kept it with him until his death.

As for "The Last Supper, it's plain to see that Christ's head is incomplete. According to Giorgio Vasari, art historian in the artist's time, he took forever to render the image, prompting the prior of the church it stood in to chide him for staring at it without lifting a brush. His preliminary sketches for this work are included in the notebooks.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

Words vs pictures

There's an odd twist to this story. The Last Supper is deteriorating badly. German art historian Jean Paul Richter wrote in 1970 that the decay is due to faulty restorations in the 17th and 18th century, but according to Vasari, Da Vinci had a bigger interest than painting  writing -- which would account for why he painted so few works.

So in that sense, it's a good thing he cared more about words than pictures. It's the words that will last.

By the way, digitizing Da Vinci notebooks isn't new. The British Library did it five years ago. According to The Guardian in 2013, these compilations (originally left to his student, Francesco Melzi) were sold in book form to royal/wealthy collectors. Business Insider reported in 1994 that Bill Gates purchased one of these volumes for $30 million, making it the priciest book ever sold. Now it's free to all.
Kate and Jon Gosselin, parents of eight teens, have waged a public custody battle in the years following their 2009 divorce. The parents have not shielded fans from their disdain for each other. Social media followers have missed seeing the children and knowing how they are doing since their parents breakup. Fans and followers appeared delighted to see recent back to school photos of all but one of the Gosselin children.

Kate and Jon each posted pictures on their individual Instagram accounts. Kates photo of six of the Gosselin children included twins Mady and Cara, as well as their younger siblings: Leah, Alexis, Joel, and Aaden.

Not pictured were son Collin, who lives away from his family, and daughter Hannah.

Custody battle resumes in the headlines

While Kate was insistent that she has full custody of the former couples twins and the sextuplets, it turns out that she was not as straightforward as possible, according to several news agencies. A judge actually gave Jon custody of Hannah, who is now 14. She has been living with Jon for months now. He posted a back to school photo of her, standing alone outside of where he lives.

Not long after the picture of Hannah was shared on Jons Instagram account, his daughters account was closed. There is speculation that the teens account being shut down is related to the custody issues between her parents.

Kate against her children being on social media

Kate has not favored her children having social media accounts. When a fan pretended on Instagram to be Alexis, for instance, Kate even blasted the fan, Radar Online reported on August 30. The Hollywood Gossip also reported on Hannahs Instagram account being closed. Hannah deleted her Instagram account," the publication noted.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

The reason for Hannahs account being closed could have an alternate explanation, posted by one of Kates social media followers. The Instagram user commented on a photo of Leah hugging the family dog. The picture was posted on July 27, and many users have commented on it since.

Mans bad behavior might explain why the account was deleted

Some fans are asking about the Gosselin teens and whether they have social media accounts. User @_lovely_keke_97 responded, saying that Hannah had an account, but that they would not tag it.

Another user asked whether others had seen Hannahs Instagram the day before. Kates followers asked what happened. According to one of Kates followers, a man reportedly joined Hannah live and engaged in inappropriate activities. Based on comments made by @dani_amy5, Jon closed the account, not Kate. When @kellym3480 asked how the man was able to join live, someone apparently accepted a request.

If the users comments are accurate, it would explain why Hannahs Instagram account was shut down. If Kate wanted her daughters account closed, she likely could have closed it prior to the custody drama resurfacing.

Be sure to follow Blasting News for the latest Gosselin updates.
"Alaskan Bush People" star Noah Brown recently got married, and his wife, Rhain Merill, is of course now called Rhain Brown. While the Brown family seems to be all supportive of Noah's new life as a married man, rumors are that there's a little drama going on. That's because Noah's sister name is Rain, as we all know, and she allegedly thinks Rhain stole it.

Rhain fights back

According to InTouch Weekly, Noah's little sister accused Rhain of stealing her name when she changed hers from Ruth to Rhain last year. Because of this, the teenager and the newlyweds are reportedly not getting along so well and Rainy even had difficulty accepting her new sister-in-law.

Meanwhile, Rhain's mother, Marilyn, told Radar Online that she had been using that name since she was in junior high, although it was legally changed from Ruth only last year. Her mother shared that back then when Rhain told them she didn't want to be called Ruth anymore, she thought her name choice was beautiful, and they "called her Rhain since then."

Rumors about the family drama involving Noah's wife had been around since they were still dating, and some of them have already been denied. The family is a close-knit pack and always support each other, even when Noah told them he wanted to go down his own path.

Will Rhain join ABP?

Marilyn also shared that Rhain is so happy and in love right now, and she is excited to move to Washington.

Given that Noah reunited with his family in last week's episode of "Alaskan Bush People," it is safe to say that people will see more of Rhain on the docu-series when she joins her husband there. Rhain was on the show during their courtship period, so it would not really be surprising to have the new Mrs. Brown on the set.

Noah and Rhain tied the knot this August in an intimate ceremony with only family and really close friends in attendance.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

All the Brown family members were there, including mom Ami who fought a hard battle against late-stage cancer last year. Billy served as his son's best man and Ami presented Rhain a blue ring for her bouquet as the symbol of something borrowed. Noah expressed how he is looking forward to this new chapter in their lives as they start to build their own family.

The Browns have moved to Washington as they can't go back to Alaska. Ami needs to be near the hospital for her ongoing cancer treatment.

"Alaskan Bush People" Season 8 airs Sundays at 9 PM ET on Discovery. Stay in touch with news about your favorite stars by checking in with Blasting Pop often.
Less than a year after the late President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1981, acclaimed actress Natalie Wood drowned off the coast of California during a post-Thanksgiving getaway with husband and actor Robert Wagner. The couple was on the boat named Splendour, along with actor Christopher Walken and the yachts captain, Dennis Davern. Decades after Woods drowning death, Davern, and author Kathleen McKenna voiced extreme allegations about Wagner and about the Regan, claiming that he had an unwitting role in covering up Woods death.

Podcast guests relay extreme allegations

Guests on the Fatal Voyage podcast are making news headlines with their assertions about Woods death. Davern, 62, is emphatic that Wagner is responsible for Woods death, according to The Sun (UK). The boats former captain further stated that Wagner halted efforts to search for Wood in the water off of Californias scenic Santa Catalina Island. Davern believes Natalie was killed and thrown over board,[sic] the Daily Mail (UK) reported. Also, the custody of Hannah Gosselin has rekindled the public dispute with her parents.

Captain claims Natalie Wood was killed by husband Robert Wagner  and that he stopped search for body https://t.co/6NMAyq8oah  The Sun (@TheSun) August 30, 2018

Davern and McKenna dropped bombshell allegations during the podcast focused on Woods death, Radar Online and Daily Mail reported on August 31.

Ronald Reagan did not merely lend support to a bereaved friend, according to McKenna. He is accused of participating in a nondescript manner of a cover-up following Woods death, Radar Online and additional media agencies noted. Also, Hannah Gosselin has shut down her Instagram account.

The thought process leading to the assertions about Wagner and Reagan take a pretty straightforward path, arriving at an intersection when Wood died.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

Wagner, according to his accusers, was aware that Tinsel Town covered up deaths as far back as the 1920s and the 1930s. Radar cited Publicist Tommy Lightfoot as holding out Gene Harlows death for an example.

Shocking claims from Hollywood insiders, experts, and law-enforcement figures state that Robert Wagners ties to Natalie Woods death were hidden by Ronald Reagan. @FatalVoyage Listen here: https://t.co/fYDGg7BUvn pic.twitter.com/t6s7WIX231  In Touch Weekly (@intouchweekly) August 31, 2018

Hollywood specialized in protecting an image

As matter-of-fact as Lightfoot makes it sound, Hollywoods specialization was concealing actual facts surrounding the deaths of Hollywood elite.

Wagner, of course, knew Hollywood covered up touchy situations, such as someone dying, to assist stars in upholding their image. Image motivated Wagner to summon support from the players and studio, Lightfoot claims. The actor was successful in enlisting others to assist him if Lightfoot is accurate. Sympathy was cast, Wagner reeled the players, and the cover-up took center stage. The right people enveloped Wagner, who fell under their protection.

Reagan was powerful for Wagner

While McKenna makes it clear that she isnt a conspiracy theorist, her premise for accusing Reagan of taking part in covering up Woods death is that someone incredibly powerful must have intervened, resulting in a superficial investigation.

Question for #MeToo when do we care enough about justice to deal with this situation? While we're talking about Natalie Wood.... https://t.co/ZAkTH9mLGc  Gratwick Productions (@GratwickProdInc) August 31, 2018

The author firmly believes that Reagan (The Gipper) ran interference, making sure no investigation followed the death of Wood. That Regan did ensure her death was not investigated, however, does not equate with the former president thinking that his friend, Wagner, killed his wife, Natalie. No, Reagan did not conspire to protect a killer, McKenna postulates. Rather, the former president endeavored to shield his grieving friend. The goal was to damage control to uphold Wagners image.

Walken has talked about death

Actor Christopher Walken has rarely addressed the death of his co-star. The duo was filming Brainstorm before Wood, 43, died. One instance of Walken speaking about Woods drowning death was in 1997.

Walken granted Playboy an interview, stating that an understanding of the logistics explains what happened to Wood. Point blank: It was night, it was also raining, and it happened on a boat in bad weather. He elaborated that people slip and fall. Some die, though people want to die making an effort at something.[sic] In other words, he states that Woods death was due to a slip and fall accident, which was totally unexpected.
The fight against the superbug

With antibiotic resistant bacteria on the rise there is a danger to public health
Labor Day  A legal holiday:

Labor Day is one of the legal holiday that is celebrated in all part of United States, The Canal Zone, Puerto Rico and on the islands of Virgin Islands on the first Monday of September. Other than this, it is also celebrated in Canada and in some parts of the European countries.

But in the Asian and some parts of the European countries, the Labor Day is mostly celebrated on the first day of May. It is a holiday that is for the labor unions and workers to celebrate their dignity in their work.

What is the meaning of Labor Day?

Labor Day is a combination of two things for all people. As it is a holiday, so people celebrate it by going on a holiday trip. Second, it is a good way to say bye to the summer season. But in general, it is a day for paying tribute to the workers and the labor unions. The Labor Day is for the strength and prosperity of the country. Therefore, you have to celebrate it well and according to the traditions of you country.

The start of Labor Day:

The Peter J. McGuire who was the general secretary of brotherhood of Joiners and Carpenters and also was the founder of AFL (American Federation of Labor) was the first man who suggested this day for the workers and labor unions.

Read More: History Of Labor Day

But there are some sources saying that Matthew Maguire was the first who suggested holiday on this day. He was the secretary in New York for the Central Labor Union. Regarding to the name, first Monday is the day of Labor Day in America and 1st May is the Labor Day in Asian and many other parts of the country.
Woman murdered on witchcraft charge

40-year-old Tanki Rawat from Dangisharan Rural Municipality-3 in Dang district has been arrested on charge of murdering her 69-year-old mother-in-law Khopi Rawat on witchcraft charge.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Rain likely, heavy at times in the morning. Thunder possible. High 56F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly this evening. Thunder possible. Low around 45F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
DUN LAOGHAIRE, Ireland  When David Ryan, a documentary film writer and creative producer, witnessed a Druid ritual in his native Ireland a few years ago, he was shocked  literally.

Ryan and his colleagues with Tile Films, an Irish documentary production company, were filming Sacred Sites: Ireland, a pilot for a proposed series on such places around the world.

We did some filming in the Slieve Bloom Mountains with a group of local Druids who do rituals in honor of the ancient Celtic gods, Ryan said during a Skype interview from his office in Dun Laoghaire just south of Dublin. One of the Druids  quite an old man, a very nice man  brought me around the back of a farmhouse and showed me two standing stones. He said, Theres an energy between these  put your hands out.

I was like I suppose your typical, skeptical 21st-century male, said Ryan, who matter-of-factly noted hes an agnostic when asked about his spiritual path. But I did and there definitely did seem to be an energy. I was taken aback. Now maybe theres a scientific explanation  magnetism or whatever. Im not quite sure for something like this, but it definitely makes you think theres more to whats going on here than meets the eye in many of these places.

Exploring the religious, mystical, and spiritual mysteries of such places is the subject of Sacred Sites  Season Two, currently airing on the Smithsonian Channel and also available through Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes and other video portals.

The six episodes of season two include King Arthur, The Maya, The Camino, Malta, Egyptian Priestesses, and Nazi Myths.

The series combines striking aerial footage (filmed via drones) of mythic landscapes and ancient structures, plus commentary from archaeologists and historians who relate the findings of recent research.

The series also includes dramatizations of historical events, such myths and legends as the Arthurian tales, and such ancient religious rites as the goats-head animal sacrifices at the 5,000-year-old Tarxien Temple on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Such ritual re-enactments are reconstructed based on scholars theories drawn from, say, the hieroglyphics of Egyptian temples, the traces of charred flesh at Malta altars, or other historical evidence.

In this series, we look at the new research that scientists are doing, that archaeologists are doing to see if we can find out a little bit more about why these places fascinated people thousands of years ago, and why they still have some kind of allure, Ryan said.

He cited an episode from the first season about the oracle at Delphi in Greece.

When we were there it certainly had an aura  that landscape and that site, Ryan said. It seemed part of the reason why it was sacred during the time of the ancient Greeks was because it had tectonic activity in the area that gave rise to certain phenomena, like possibly an electromagnetic field. Its more documented that there were vapors issuing from the earth that may have caused people to become intoxicated when they inhaled them, and that could have added to the religious experience that people had of these places.

Lest anyone believe these documentaries are a rehash of well-worn perspectives on ancient Egypt, the inspirations behind the Arthurian legends, or the archaeological quests that Nazis conducted to prove they were descended from a master race of Aryans from Atlantis, the Sacred Sites series emphasizes new and recent research.

Science and new technologies are allowing archaeologists and experts now to find out things they wouldnt have been able to find out 10, 20 years ago, Ryan said. Everything from DNA research right up to ground-penetrating radar are opening up new vistas. Maybe in another 10 years all the possibilities will have been exhausted and well be saying weve said everything we can say, but at the moment its a very exciting time because of that scientific element.

Ryan cited the Maya program, which includes a segment on a cave under El Castillo, the Mesoamerican step-pyramid that stands majestically at the center of the Chichen Itza archaeological site in Yucatan, Mexico.

As I understand it, they didnt know about this cave before they did ground-penetrating radar research at the site, I think it was in 2015 or 2016, Ryan said. That opened up a completely new interpretation of why they built that pyramid where they did, and what it might mean.

One of the experts we interviewed for the program said this cave underneath El Castillo was sitting at the intersection of an axis between four sacred wells around this city. That really speaks to the idea that the Maya see this place as the center of the world, which for them is the most scared place in their universe.

Ancient peoples sacred beliefs are what prompted them to build these amazing structures, said series production manager Maeve Kenny. A lot of the things we film and look into exist because of their religious beliefs about the afterlife or how they wanted to bury their dead.

Akin to her colleague Ryan, Kenny said she definitely experienced a very special feeling when the crew filmed at the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a 6,000-year-old underground complex of caves, alcoves and corridors that Maltas ancient people excavated and used as a temple, cemetery, and funeral hall.

Its an underground structure they built to bury their dead, Kenny said during the Skype interview. Its on a street with houses  youd never know its there  and you go in a normal sort of house door. It goes three layers down into the ground and its got all these sound systems in there.

The Malta episode explores what archaeologists call the oracle hole  an opening carved into the subterranean limestone so that when someone speaks or chants into it, the sound booms around and amplifies all around the site, said Caroline Malone, an archaeologist with Queens University Belfast in Northern Ireland. In fact, its terrifying. It would have been a very extraordinary experience listening to this.

The Malta episode then focuses on the research of acoustic neuroscientist Psyche Louie of Wesleyan University, who is studying the impact that the sound effects of the Hypogeum oracle hole could have had on the human brain.

Although the series includes the occasional scene of Dark Ages battle gore (King Arthur) or a sacrificial severed goats head on a platter (the Malta episode  shades of Dennis Wheatley!), the series aims to avoid hype, Ryan said.

That temptation is definitely there, he said. As program makers, we have an obligation to tell a story as well. So, we have to balance that and walk a fine line between telling a good story and also being true to the archaeological, historical, and folkloric evidence that we feature. Youre trying to be true to the integrity of what youre talking about.

Its just fascinating, the sophistication with which these cultures that are thousands of years old built these things and revered their dead, Kenny said. That whole subject of the afterlife and death is something that still fascinates us. So, for cultures 5,000, 6,000 or 7,000 years old to have the same questions that we sometimes have, that kind of links us.

The broadcast schedule of Sacred Sites Season 2, as well as numerous clips from many of the episodes, are available on smithsonianchannel.com. Episodes are repeated at various times following their premiere.
Haidt and Lukianoff in The New York Times:

Before he died, Senator John McCain wrote a loving farewell statement to his fellow citizens of the worlds greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. Senator McCain also described our democracy as 325 million opinionated, vociferous individuals. How can that many individuals bind themselves together to create a great nation? What special skills do we need to develop to compensate for our lack of shared ancestry? When Alexis de Tocqueville toured America in 1831, he concluded that one secret of our success was our ability to solve problems collectively and cooperatively. He praised our mastery of the art of association, which was crucial, he believed, for a self-governing people.

In recent years, however, we have become less artful, particularly about crossing party lines. Its not just Congress that has lost the ability to cooperate. As partisan hostility has increased, Americans report feeling fear and loathing toward people on the other side and have become increasingly less willing to date or marry someone of a different party. Some restaurants wont serve customers who work for  or even just support  the other team or its policies. Support for democracy itself is in decline. What can we do to reverse these trends? Is there some way to teach todays children the art of association, even when todays adults are poor models? There is. Its free, its fun and it confers so many benefits that theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics recently urged Americans to give far more of it to their children. Its called play  and it matters not only for the health of our children but also for the health of our democracy.

More here.
Samuel Moyn reviews A Foreign Policy for the Left by Michael Walzer in Modern Age:

In A Foreign Policy for the Left, Walzer has updated some of the accessible and sprightly essays he published in Dissent and elsewhere since 2001 to explain how American progressives should think about their states global activities. His central argument is negative: the American left should not stick to what Walzer calls its default position of recommending standoffish withdrawal from world affairs.

Like an annoyed teacher who has seen generations of students repeat the same mistakes, Walzer lectures the left on the defects of the confection of anti-imperialism, isolationism, and pacifism he thinks it offers too reflexively. To the contrary, Walzers main point is that sometimes American hegemony, internationalism, and military force serve progressive ends.

I grant that it is sometimes genuinely worrisome when Americans, on both the left and the right, find excuses for disclaiming responsibility and doing nothing in response to international aggression or humanitarian abuses. But this fact hardly minimizes the even greater risk that Walzer courtsthat of prettifying interventionismas if it were the sole alternative to withdrawal. If inaction and isolation are sometimes sins, it is also true that Americas left and right have erred even more grossly through staunch interventionism and showy moralism.

Like many who defined their leftism around the cause of humanitarian intervention after the Cold War, Walzer is fixated on the quandary of when American military power should be deployed to prevent or halt mass atrocity. The experiences of the 1990s, from failures in the face of slaughter in Bosnia and Rwanda to success in Kosovo, crystallized a sense of obligation and even optimism about the beneficence of American force, if properly applied.

Unfortunately, the history of the current century points the other way: from Iraq (where many progressive hawks supported a catastrophic neoconservative adventure) to Trumps recent Syrian intervention, the litany of armed American incursions has ranged from the feckless to the ruinous.

More here.
Wings defenseman Hugo Allais follows unlikely path from France

The defenseman from Amiens, France was in his fifth year in Quebec when the league he was playing in wasnt allowed a regular season.
David Schneider has always loved books.

He even owned his own bookstore for a decade but he never imagined he would spend his retirement years in the basement of a library.

But thats exactly what hes been doing for the last four years as a volunteer for the Albuquerque and Bernalillo County library system.

And hes happy about it.

His volunteer efforts have helped the library raise thousands of dollars since he began four years ago.

Schneider, who has a degree in business management, runs the Friends for the Public Library eBay page where they sell rare books donated by the public.

Schneider owned an electronics company for 30 years. In 1997, he and his wife decided to open a book store near the University of New Mexico. They would keep the doors open for a decade and during that time, Schneider educated himself on how to spot rare books.

Whenever a book comes along that looks valuable, volunteers hand it over to Schneider. He has a small work station, which is a small table with a computer, crammed between the mounds, shelves and bins of books. He monitors the eBay website and does his research there as well.

The Friends is a nonprofit organization whose members raise money for the library. The groups main source of income comes from books the public and other organizations donate to the library system. The books are sold at a monthly sale for a few dollars a piece.

However, Schneider said there are some books worth much more than spare change. One of his greatest finds was a first edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain that sold for $3,200.

The library has more than 300 books for sale on eBay ranging in price from $50 to $2,250. Some are rare because they are first editions, others because they are signed and some are centuries old giving them a hefty price tag.

They currently have a Book of Genesis listed for $2,250. The volume was translated from Greek to Old Slavic around 1790.

The book store shuttered in 2007 and Schneider eventually sold his electronics business. A friend suggested he try the library, saying his knowledge of local history and books would make him an asset.

I needed a retirement job, he said. I got a temporary job here in the genealogy (department) doing research (at the Downtown library).

The temporary job ended after four years and he began volunteering for the Friends at the main library.

I would always sneak down to look at the books (being donated), he said. Its unbelievable the books that come down that chute.

The Friends sort the donated books then organize them on shelves in the basement, which is where Schneider has his work station.

Schneiders other interest is local history. His book store specialized in Southwest history and anthropology.

When I came here (Albuquerque) in 63 to go to school, it was interesting, he said. When I ask people where they were from they wouldnt say Albuquerque. They would say Alameda, or Pajarito, or some other area of town.

Schneider began researching and compiling historical information about the citys distinct neighborhood areas and has even given talks about the subject.

This has also made him an asset to the library.

He has a real knowledge of local history, said Lisa Kindrick, a librarian in the genealogy department. He is very well versed. He helped a lot of people who were coming here doing research on their New Mexico families.

Schneider has said working at the library changed his life. It exposed him to all walks of life and what it felt like to work for one common goal.

You leave your ego at the door when you come to this library, he said. Its all for one and one for all. Everyone is so eager to help one another and delight the patron by giving them the information they want or need.
Many organists can make their instrument roar; only a few can make it sing.

Acclaimed organist Isabelle Demers will lure listeners into Harry Potters world of witchcraft and wizardry at the Cathedral of St. John next Sunday.

The keyboard virtuoso will mark her Albuquerque debut with her own transcriptions of John Williams symphonic suite. Humor, nature and virtuosity mark the program.

Its all the memorable tunes from the first movie, the French Canadian said of the Potter suite in a phone interview from Waco, Texas, where she teaches at Baylor University.

Its like a potpourri, she said. I think people will recognize most of the tunes. We have a Halloween concert every year. I thought it was the best way to introduce people to the organ.

The concert will continue with Bachs Trio-Sonata No. 2 in C minor. The composer penned it for his son, whom he either hated or loved, according to various interpretations of the piece.

It was to teach him independence of the limbs, Demers said. Some say he hated (his son) because he made it so vicious to trip him up. Others say he loved him because its so beautiful.

Its very transparent and very tuneful, she continued. Your right hand and your left hand and your feet all play different lines of music.

Switching to a more romantic theme, Demers will perform Smetanas Vitava from Ma Vlast, otherwise known as The Moldau. The Czech composer used the tone poem to evoke the sounds of one of Bohemias greatest rivers.

Its very graphic in a good way, Demers said. Its easy to understand the directions of the river.
Temperatures in the 60s, overcast skies and light rainfall did little to curb the enthusiasm of the thousands who showed up at Balloon Fiesta Park for the opening day of the Albuquerque Harvest Wine Festival on Saturday.

Im like a postman when it comes to wine fests, said Velvet Farra, who was there right when the gates opened at noon along with best friend Shelly Sadzewicz. Ill be there through rain, sleet, snow or shine.

Farra and Sadzewicz were each enjoying a glass of red wine from Sherman-based La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery, one of 20 New Mexican winemakers on-hand.

New to the festival this year is Corrales Pasando Tiempo Winery and Vineyards.

Pasando Tiempo owner Chris Carpenter said the venture is entering its 10th year in operation, but its their first time at a bigger wine festival.

We thought wed give it a shot, Carpenter said.

Carpenter brought along a syrah, merlot, a red blend, riesling, chardonnay and blended white called Blanco.

The event is taking place at a time of the year when Carpenter said people typically start switching from poolside whites to heavier reds.

Were kind of in that gray area between summer and fall, said chef Stephen Ormsby of Savor Catering, who is serving his creations at the festival for the first time this year.

Ormsby recommended pairing Sheehan Winerys malbec with his brisket sliders, creamed corn and marinated cabbage. If white wine is your preference, he suggested his shredded chicken sliders with watermelon slaw and basil aioli with Gruets Blanc de Blancs.

Event organizer Dean Strober said the three-day festival, which is fully tented, usually draws between 8,000 and 9,000 people.

Strober said in addition to the wineries, there are 40 vendor booths, a reduction from years past.

The main priority and mission of the event is to support small businesses, to make sure theyre out here and theyll leave here having made money, Strober said.

Priority is given to New Mexico-based businesses, among them Celinas Biscochitos, The Old Windmill Dairy and New Mexico Sabor.

Another new addition to the festival is the $5 off any bottle of wine that comes with each ticket.

Its wonderful when people come out here and taste the wine and enjoy a glass or so, but we really want them to bring it home and share with friends and family, he said.
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
We get it. Few people, if any, take the time to read pages and pages of fine print. From the boilerplate on credit-card agreements to seemingly endless terms and conditions on the latest downloaded app, there are many things most of us simply check the box on and move on.

But voting should never be one of them.

Voting is not just a right or a privilege  it is a responsibility to our democracy. It is how we as Americans keep Abraham Lincolns government of the people, by the people, for the people alive 155 years after the Gettysburg Address. It is ensured for all citizens regardless of race or gender in the 15th and 19th amendments, respectively, to the U.S. Constitution.

Citizens of other nations wait in line for hours to cast a ballot that we, as Americans, take for granted multiple times a year, be it for school, municipal, primary or general election days.

And yet some would like to reduce this quintessentially American exercise in democracy, this casting of a ballot, to checking one box for political expedience.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is in that camp. On Wednesday she announced she is bringing back a vestige of back-room party politics  straight-party voting  under the guise it gives more options to voters. On Friday she defended it.

How, exactly, does checking one box that has you pledge allegiance to a single political partys ideology  and thus a single political partys slate of candidates  constitute options? Toulouse Oliver might try to wax poetic about busy single mothers, elderly voters and those with disabilities suddenly being able to cast a ballot because, well, now its fast and easy, and voters can always go down the ballot to change individual races, and candidates of each major party have won under straight-party voting.

But the fact remains straight-party voting benefits only political party leaders who want to marginalize voters to the right or the left, who dont want voters to weigh candidates and issues on their merits, who are banking on voters putting all their ballot eggs in the basket of whomever they like at the top of the ticket.

They want voters to be content to let a political party essentially say Im from the government, trust me to make your decisions for you.

As if the fundamental change isnt dubious enough, consider Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, made her move public just two months before the Nov. 6 general election and less than a week before the deadline to finalize the ballot.

Thankfully, New Mexicans of all political stripes immediately called shenanigans.

State Republican Party Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi said the change is politically driven and straight-ticket voting is an attempt to rig the system in favor of Democrats and turn New Mexico into a one-party state. Republican candidate for governor U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce called it an attack on democracy.

State Libertarian Party Chairman Chris Luchini called reinstatement of straight-ticket voting naked partisanship. Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Gary Johnson described it as a worn-out staple of major-party incumbents. (As governor he signed legislation in 2001 repealing a law providing for straight-party voting, though it was still offered to voters through the 2010 general election. In 2012 then-Secretary of State Dianna Duran did away with it, saying nothing in the state election code allowed it.)

And state Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, tweeted Wednesday straight-ticket voting would provide a partisan advantage in low-information elections.

Its more than disappointing Toulouse Oliver is trying to take New Mexico backward on this issue. And before party hacks cry foul on this criticism and quantify it as the conservative Journal Editorial Board picking on a Democrat, remember that the Journal has endorsed Toulouse Oliver more than once  including in 2008 for Bernalillo County clerk and 2016 for her current statewide office. For more than a decade she made the elections in the states most populous county run faster and smoother than her predecessors.

She is usually very data- and detail-driven, so it is baffling that she is ignoring that the New Mexico Legislature abolished straight-ticket voting in 2001 and has since refused to reinstate it. That only nine states still use it  and Texas is dropping it effective in 2020. And that straight-party voting too often benefits down-ballot candidates who ride the party coattails while hurting important nonpartisan down-ballot races where voters dont bother to weigh in, such as judicial retention, bond questions, constitutional amendments and the like.

Late Thursday, the New Mexico Republican and Libertarian parties, nonprofit Unite New Mexico, Elect Liberty PAC and Santa Fe Democrat and write-in candidate Heather Nordquist filed a petition with the Supreme Court to bar the straight party voting option for the Nov. 6 election. Justices have ordered the secretary of state to file a response by Friday, which is three days after the state law deadline to modify this years ballot.

We hope members of the states highest court will agree it is not too much to ask voters to think about qualifications before they fill in a circle determining who will set their utility rates (Public Regulation Commission races); who will be the arbiter of jail sentences and court judgments (judicial races); who balances the states needs with their tax dollars (legislative races); and how much they should be taxed (gross receipts tax increases and mill levies).

Because when it comes to your individual right, privilege and responsibility to vote, when it comes to moving New Mexico forward, checking a box so someone else makes your decisions for you just isnt democracy.

And it moves New Mexico backward.

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.
Editors note: The FBI and federal prosecutors relied on cooperators to take down more than 120 members and associates of the notorious Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang, including more than a dozen who were convicted at trial or pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering. This story is the first in a two-day series. It contains graphic content about violence, content that some may find offensive.

Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Their confessions of violence and depravity fueled the massive three-year federal investigation aimed at dismantling what had been New Mexicos oldest and largest prison gang.

Their cooperation helped solve at least nine murders and convict more than 120 members or associates of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang  nearly 70 percent of whom were out on the streets when arrested, court records show.

They also helped foil an assassination plot and convict the SNM leaders who gave the orders to kill two top state Corrections officials in 2015.

Now, the 30 or so former Syndicato members who turned on their fellow carnales could be on their way to a new life in federal prison or a new identity in a federal witness security program. Nearly all those who opted to cooperate had been facing federal racketeering or other charges at the time.

Since helping the FBI-led investigation, called Operation Atonement, some SNM cooperators have lapsed back into drugs and crime. At least two were relocated to other states for their safety but have re-offended and landed back in custody.

Ultimately, whether in prison or not, they will always be looking over their shoulders.

Its an unforgiven sin, testified former SNM leader-turned-cooperator Roy Paul Shadow Martinez. If you snitch, you get killed.

Dramatic results

The federal investigation that relied heavily on cooperators produced dramatic results. Of the 120 or so prosecuted, nine SNM members or associates face life in prison after being convicted at trial this year of committing murder to further the violent SNM racketeering enterprise. At least eight cooperators have pleaded guilty to racketeering charges that carry life sentences in federal prison, court records show.

Now it is up to U.S. District Judge James O. Browning of Albuquerque to decide the fate of those convicted and those who helped convict them. Whether the public will know the final outcome isnt clear.

A key cooperator and former SNM leader, Gerald Styx Archuleta, was the first to be sentenced by Browning last month.

But there was no prior public notice of the Aug. 17 sentencing in U.S. District Court, and the terms of his sentence are sealed.

His sentencing came to light only because his lawyer filed a motion to withdraw from the case.

FBI lead case agent Bryan Acee testified in July that Archuleta opened the floodgates of cooperators.

If Gerald Archuleta could cooperate, any of them can. And I made that known to all of them, Acee testified. It also left a pretty remarkable legacy on the SNM that the famous Gerald Archuleta wore a wire against his own people.

Archuleta, 51, turned informant weeks after his arrest in the initial FBI-led takedown of more than 40 SNM members indicted in December 2015 on federal racketeering and other charges, court records show. While detained in state prison, Archuleta secretly recorded fellow SNM members, many of whom still revered him as a leader.

A lot of guys I talked to didnt believe me, Acee testified. I had to actually play recordings of him (Archuleta) talking to me before theyd even believe he would talk to us.

Archuleta testified earlier this year in U.S. District Court that he knows he is targeted for death.

If the SNM is good at one thing, its killing SNM informers,Archuleta said.

Defense attorneys have argued that cooperators are bound to get leniency from the federal judge because of their testimony, and the public could be at risk.

Take the case of former SNM member Mario Montoya, argued attorney Marcia Morrissey of Santa Monica, Calif. Morrissey was a court-appointed attorney for Anthony Cordova, who went to trial in July on charges of murder in aid of furthering SNMs criminal enterprise.

As a witness in the case, Montoya testified that he drove the getaway car when Cordova fired the fatal shots at a rival gang member in the South Valley in 2005. But Montoya wasnt prosecuted for the crime after he agreed to cooperate in the racketeering investigation and testify truthfully.

Do you want him in your neighborhood? Morrissey asked jurors, who ultimately convicted Cordova.

Federal prosecutors argued that the nature of SNMs crimes meant the government couldnt choose its witnesses.

They echoed the old adage: When you cast a play in hell, you cant expect the actors to be angels.

Thriving gang

The SNM gang, which formed after the deadly 1980 riots at the State Penitentiary in Santa Fe, thrived over the past three decades, perpetuating drug trafficking, assaults, extortion and murder inside and outside prison walls, federal prosecutors maintained. Over the years, the gang boasted as many as 500 members, who were expected to continue to work for SNM even after release from prison.

Syndicato wasnt on law enforcement radar when SNM member Eric Duran turned over letters in March 2015 written by a top SNM leader who was recruiting gang brothers in Albuquerque to kill then-Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel and the top official in charge of the corrections gang unit.

That official has since quit the agency and left New Mexico.

In return for his work for law enforcement, Duran won early release from prison for saving the officials lives, court testimony showed. Before he left prison, FBI put $25,000 on Durans prison account, FBI agent Acee testified.

Discovery of the murder plot launched a wider investigation by the FBI-led team, which scrutinized SNM criminal activities dating back to the 1980s, including nearly three dozen suspected SNM homicides. Known SNM members and their associates on the streets were confronted and arrested after dozens of undercover drug and firearms buys.

We were looking for their vulnerabilities, Acee testified. Every organization has them. It was just a matter of figuring out what they are and how we can best exploit those.

The primary goal, he testified, was thwarting the murder plot. And investigators in September 2015 found their hit man after arresting SNM member Mario Montoya for selling heroin to an FBI informant.

Montoya decided to come clean on his SNM crimes, including the South Valley murder. He also pointed the finger at others, and worked undercover to subvert the Corrections murder plot. He wore a wire when he picked up a pistol from an SNM drug dealer for the Corrections hit and secretly recorded other SNM members.

SNM leader Anthony Pup Baca, already serving a life sentence, was waiting to hear the news of the officials murders in early December 2015. Instead, he and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury in the murder conspiracy, court records show.

With the murder plot foiled, the ongoing racketeering prosecution charging SNM as a violent criminal enterprise had just begun.

Two more waves of federal criminal indictments followed, along with state arrests. Because some violent SNM acts occurred as far back as 2001, there was often no DNA or other physical evidence. So the quest for informants and SNM members who would testify was paramount.

I certainly made it known that the FBI was coming after the SNM, Acee testified. And then I would  if I believed they were an SNM member  I would let them know that they could be seeing us again and it could involve helicopters and tanks and indictments and stuff like that.

Your message was, either you become a witness or you become a defendant? asked defense attorney Richard H. Sindel, of Missouri, in cross-examining Acee in April.

I often said that,Acee testified.

Cooperation

Over the past eight months, former SNM members who cooperated with the FBI testified in U.S. District Court about their roles in strangulations, beatings, waterboarding of rivals and sexually assaulting a weak inmate in southern New Mexico with a bottle of hot sauce.

The U.S. Attorneys Office and FBI in New Mexico wouldnt agree to be interviewed by the Journal about the SNM case or say how much has been paid to cooperators. But Acee testified that the tab was about $90,000, mostly monthly payments put on cooperators prison accounts for them to buy goods or make phone calls.

Acee testified that he couldnt make promises to the cooperators about their fate: I only promised that I would do my best to protect them and their family.

In some cases, Acee had to convince gang members relatives that the cooperators were truly cooperating, because their family didnt believe it. They were gangsters, too, he said.

In some cases, the U.S. Attorneys office signed immunity-like agreements with cooperators, agreeing not to federally prosecute them for crimes they confessed as long as they didnt lie on the witness stand.

Some of the guys had identity crises that would last for months,Acee added. You know, one day theyre a cooperator, the next day they think they can go back to the gang. And I would argue with them that they were done, theyd already talked to us and there was no going back  snitches cant be gang members. After three jury trials involving murders dating back 17 years, three SNM members were acquitted.

As one of more than 45 court-appointed defense attorneys, Morrissey argued that cooperators were lying so they could benefit from the governments gravy train.

Defense attorneys also reminded juries that former SNM members hadnt given up their drug habits or criminal ways.

Many cooperators still incarcerated have been caught with drugs. Others have engaged in sex with a correctional officer or a spouse during prison visits, testimony showed. Some watched porn on government tablets provided to show discovery records in the federal racketeering case.

After becoming cooperators, Duran and Montoya served their sentences and were relocated out of state.

Testimony showed that Duran went to work as an informant while Montoya was moved with his family and received moving costs and about $3,100 in government-paid job training.

But both men picked up new criminal charges before they could even take the witness stand in the Syndicato trials.

Testimony showed Duran was a suspect in a series of crimes on the West Coast in 2017, including possession of heroin and felon in possession of a firearm involving a police chase.

Montoya, meanwhile, is back in custody awaiting possible prosecution in Colorado for leaving the scene of a burglary and theft of a truck.

The FBI subsequently severed ties with both men, Acee testified. But they were still expected to testify in court and both did.

It was the best time of my life, Montoya testified in July, referring to his 11 months of freedom. I was clean that entire time. I was living my life. Its a major accomplishment for me. I know it made me sound bad, but I cant dwell on the past. All I can do is keep trying. Im not the same person.
At age 9, Billy Cordova prowled what was known as Albuquerques War Zone with his street gang.

Years later, as a Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang member, Cordova arranged for a rival drug dealer to be given a hotshot balloon of heroin mixed with rat poison. Cordova came by later to pick up the body, which he dumped outside a neighborhood church.

Cordova testified about his criminal past and the lure of the SNM gang as a cooperating witness in the federal SNM racketeering prosecution this year.

To avoid looking weak to his gang, Cordova testified that he beat his wife until she bled internally. He broke her jaw, ribs, arm and the top bridge of her mouth after she violated SNM rules by having an inappropriate conversation with another SNM member.

Cordova recalled how he committed home invasions, waterboarding those inside until they confessed to the location of drugs and money.

And he happily took orders from SNM leaders to intimidate jurors in the trial of fellow SNM member Michael Astorga, who was ultimately convicted of fatally shooting Bernalillo County sheriffs deputy James McGrane Jr. in a 2006 traffic stop.

I was raised as a gangster, Cordova testified in July. I learned how to sell drugs from my mom and my dad.

Now Im a rat. I threw away my career being a successful gangster mafioso.

In the SNM I felt like a human with superpowers. Once I stripped that from myself, I didnt know how to feel. I lost that identity. I lost all my friendships, Cordova added.

The conversion of 34-year-old Cordova from violent criminal to government informant has been like learning how to walk, talk and crawl again, he testified.

But Cordova realized when he was approached by an FBI-led team investigating the SNM in 2016 that they could help me walk away from the life I was living.

I was a bad person, Cordova testified. I was an awful person. I was a parasite of the community. Now Im a work in progress  at least I took the step to be one less parasite on the streets of Albuquerque.

Cordova, who said he has 20 more months to serve in state prison on a manslaughter charge, hadnt yet been charged in the federal racketeering case when he agreed to become a cooperator.

I was tired of all the violence, he testified. I was tired of all the betrayal. Once you get so far up in the organization, you start seeing theres no brotherhood, theres no loyalty. Its all politics. Dirty politics.

Though SNM operates from New Mexico prisons, the gang relies on members released from prison to further its criminal enterprise through drug trafficking and violent crimes, he testified. SNM furnishes start-up kits of drugs, weapons and money to help convicts returning to the streets, cooperators testified.

SNM is our everything. Our religion. Our beliefs. It comes before your family, your kids, even before yourself. Its what we call onda; its our destiny.

After assaults, murders, attacks on corrections officers and earning his bones to become an SNM brother, you get tired, Cordova said.

For instance, on deliveries with other SNM members, he testified, Youre thinking, Am I going to come out alive of this house? 

He told jurors he wanted only one SNM brother at a time with him when he drove places because I couldnt trust four brothers with me in my car. Thats how bad it got within that organization.

Cordova testified he was tired of always having to carry a shank up my rectum, never knowing when youre going to come off the (prison) tier and the politics was not going to be in your favor that time, and youll be next on the list.

Cordova hopes to someday maintain a civil life, a regular life in a federal witness security program. But in April he was indicted on a charge of assaulting a correctional officer at the Southern New Mexico Correctional facility. Trial is set for December.

Two days after testifying in July, Cordova found a sack lunch outside his prison cell. The sandwich inside contained an anonymous note inserted between two pieces of cheese, according to an FBI search warrant affidavit. The note called him a rat and a liar and threatened his family.

No arrests were made in the threat, but the affidavit shows that the FBI discovered the sack lunch came from another state prison more than 78 miles away.
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Samira, a fair-skinned, green-eyed woman from Azerbaijan, met her Turkish husband on social media. Our first rendezvous was in Turkey, she told Judge Suheil Abdallah at her first hearing at the Central Criminal Court in Baghdad. We got married, and we decided to go to live in Syria. It was 2015. We lived almost one year in Syria and one year in Iraq, where we were then divorced. Dressed in the womens pink uniform of the Iraqi Correctional Center, which is the prison for women north of Baghdad, she was with her 2-year-old daughter, Safiya. Samira said she was not aware of committing a crime. Wheres your husband now? the judge asked. I dont know. I lost news of him during the battle of Mosul in 2017, she replied.

According to the 2005 Iraqi Counterterrorism Law, prisoners could be given a sentence of 15 years to life or the death penalty. Women of foreign nationality who lived in Iraq under the Islamic States (IS) rule risk spending 20 years in prison, which is the term of life imprisonment in Iraq.

There are no witnesses or evidence in Samiras trial that could change her fate. Many Russian women are waiting their turn to see the judge, however, the Russian translator is not available every day, and so they wait. The translators, whether French or Russian or Turkish, are not always there, and women and children wait in vain, Judge Abdallah told Al-Monitor.

Up to 1,000 women are believed to be held in Baghdad, together with 820 infants. The women are accused of being IS affiliates. At the same time, in the same court, male cells are always full, as the men wait for their turn as well to see the judges. Seventy percent of the men are accused of being IS members and have already passed investigation hearings in other smaller courts. The other 30% are ordinary criminals: A man who stole a car waits next to one who could have committed war crimes.

Judge Abdallah begins hearing cases at 9 a.m. and finishes at 3 p.m., Sunday to Thursday. With IS fighters, it will not end soon. We will have them at least for the next year, Firas al-Khazali, a lawyer at the court, told Al-Monitor. An estimated number of 20,000 people are detained in prisons throughout Iraq. A large majority of the prisoners were arrested during the long battle for Mosul and the military campaign leading to the clearing of IS from the one-third of Iraqi territory it has occupied for three years. Approximately 3,000 trials have been completed, with 98% of the prisoners convicted.

Wearing the brown uniform of the prison, Ahmed claims to be innocent. The allegations about him are based on reports from secret informers. The judge begins with a lot of questions: Did you work for the Islamic police? No, sir, Ahmed answered. The judge continued, Did you go to military school? Did you participate in terrorist actions? Did you fight in battle? Did you get a salary from IS? No, sir. They took me on the street. They forced me. I'm innocent, Ahmed said. Ahmed was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On average, the hearings last 10 minutes and the prisoners lives depend on that quick questioning. About 300 executions have already been carried out. The problem is that the confessions are often pushed out under torture, but many people are really innocent and have no chance to defend themselves or to save themselves, Khazali explained to Al-Monitor. The judges and the attorneys are in turn afraid of retaliation as well as being accused of being IS supporters if by chance they try to defend a possible innocent.

A lawyer who talked to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity does not see other solutions. He said, The Western world and human rights organizations criticize us for fast trials and for the death penalty, but I have been working on this issue for 15 years. There is no treatment for extremists. They have changed their name but have not changed their minds. There is no prison that can change their life purpose and their desire to die.

Although last December the Iraqi government claimed victory over IS in Iraq, its presence throughout the country can still be felt. Terrorist attacks on a weekly basis in different provinces continue to shake Iraq, while security forces make daily arrests of IS members in Mosul and in all of Iraq. At the Syrian-Iraqi borders, in the desert areas where most of the survived fighters  the ones who escaped  are believed to operate, the battle never ended. But the longest battle in Iraq will be the one of justice. In August 2018, a UN team of investigators began collecting evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide (Yazidi people and other minorities) for use in Iraqi courts. The Iraqi government has not approved the UN team to investigate war crimes committed by the Iraqi army and militias during the battle against IS.

If we dont investigate the war crimes and if we dont listen to the innocents, IS will change its name, but not its face, Khazali concluded.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Knesset member Anat Berko of the Likud plans to submit a bill in October that criminalizes raising the Palestinian flag or the flag of any anti-Israel state during even tiny gatherings.

The bill outlaws raising the flags of states that are hostile to Israel, non-friendly states or commissions that do not allow the raising of the Israeli flag on their premises. Such individuals will face a one-year prison sentence.

The bill will be submitted to the Knesset at the beginning of the winter session in October and has already received pledges to facilitate its passage, according to the Israel Today newspaper. On Aug. 22, the newspaper reported that Berko had received promises that a Knesset committee intends to exempt the bill from the waiting period of 45 days that regulations require before bills are put to the vote.

The bill came in the wake of a demonstration organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel in Tel Aviv on Aug. 11 against the nationality law passed July 19. The law states that Israel is the national state of the Jewish people and that they have an exclusive right to self-determination. Tens of thousands of Palestinian demonstrators took part in the demonstration and waved Palestinian flags, sparking ire in Israeli circles.

Arabs account for 20% of Israel's population.

The draft law states, It is illegal for groups of at least three people to gather to commit an offense or achieve a common purpose, even if this purpose is legitimate, if they cannot act in a manner that leads others to believe that their public safety is jeopardized. They also cannot act in a manner that provokes other people. Participants in such gatherings will be sentenced to one year's imprisonment.

The Arab Knesset members denounced the move as a racist attempt to suppress the Palestinian identity.

Ayed Marar, the director of the legal department of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, told Al-Monitor that raising the Palestinian flag in Israel is a legitimate right of Arab citizens following the signing of the Oslo agreement, under which Israel and the Palestinian Authority each recognize the other.

Marar said that Israel is in a state of denial of the agreement and has always been keen to disavow its obligations stated therein.

He explained that the bill does not go in line with Israel's claim to be a democratic state, as it is unreasonable for a state to ban the flag of another on its territory on the grounds of political differences and opinions. Doing so is only understandable when there is a state of official hostility between the two states, in which case there would be a legal status regulating the relations between the two parties. But this is very far from the Palestinian case.

He pointed out that if passed, the bill would make the problem worse, as Palestinians in Israel would not abide by it. He said that Israel does not respect the dignity of Arab citizens, adding, The punishment is not commensurate with the act, which should not even be considered a crime.

Marar stressed that peaceful Palestinian resistance is a social act and that everyone should play their part in confronting Israel, be it by boycotting Israeli products, engaging in direct confrontation, repelling Israeli policies.

Director of the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center Issam Aarouri told Al-Monitor that the bill reflects a state of anger and growing fascism in Israeli society and goes in line with the current orientation of the Knesset. The extreme rights control has changed the situation through the enactment of several laws that discriminate against Palestinians. Added to this, he said, is the expansion of the settlement activity in the West Bank. In its 20th session, the Knesset approved more than 187 laws, compared to an average of only 23 during previous sessions.

He pointed out that raising the Palestinian flag is a form of political expression and affirmation of the Palestinian presence in Israel, and added that the bill aims to ban any kind of Palestinian nationalism and is part of attempts to wipe out the Palestinian culture and the Palestinian presence.

Aarouri noted that the adoption of the bill will only raise the value of the flag and increase its symbolism.

Crazy and extremist ideas are sweeping across Israeli society at a faster pace than ever before, he said, stressing that the bill is one of a series of laws that contradict the principles of international laws and norms. He also explained that if more similar laws are enacted without serious steps to address them, it will contribute to the isolation of Israel in the long run because eventually, Israel will be officially deemed a racist country.

Aarouri pointed out that the PA should reassess its strategy in dealing with Israel, annul the agreements that Israel is disavowing and reverse its recognition of Israel.

Banning the waving of the Palestinian flag implies the non-recognition of the legitimacy of the PA, he said.

Journalist Mamoun Abu Amer told Al-Monitor that the Israeli structure lacks reason and political logic, and it is bound to harm Israels international image. He said that the US bias toward Israel was the reason behind the enactment of racist laws free of any consideration for Arab and international reactions.

Abu Amer stressed that minorities around the world have the right to raise slogans and symbols that represent them, and added that the adoption of the bill will promote violence, as minorities will feel that their existence is at stake and will be tempted to fight and take actions to prove their identity. He said that Israel is now dealing with other nationalities with rejection, and this is a dangerous indicator that is bound to threaten Israels security.

In democratic countries, minorities are respected regardless of their proportion. All men are equal before the law, he said.

Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 states, In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, or to use their own language.

Abu Amer said he expects the protests to increase and that the Palestinian flag will be raised not only on political occasions, but become a social expression and serve as an existential affirmation.

He recalled that the Israeli military law that was applied in the West Bank and Gaza Strip after the 1967 war and that created stiff penalties for those who lift the Palestinian flag was only applied for a couple of months. The harsh new law will confirm that the Israeli civilian rule is more severe than the military one, he concluded.
The looming battle for Idlib, the last major rebel bastion in Syria, sidelined all other issues at news conferences following recent talks in Moscow between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his counterparts from Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Lavrov made it clear at both news conferences that a military operation in Idlib was unavoidable and that there was further progress in Russian-Turkish talks over the issue. However, Moscow is particularly concerned about the US presence on the ground and what the White Houses Syria strategy will be. Lavrovs remarks at the news conferences actually resembled a virtual debate of sorts with US counterparts. What lent a certain piquancy to the situation is that Saudi Arabia is Washingtons closest Arab ally; however, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir went out of his way not to speak ill of either Moscow or Washington.

Jubeir arrived in Russia amid a heated debate between Moscow and the West surrounding the situation in Idlib. On the eve of the Aug. 29 visit, Russias Defense Ministry provided information that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terror group  still called Jabhat al-Nusra in Russia  has been planning a chemical attack; Russia accused British intelligence agencies of assisting in the plot. This is important because the United States has sternly warned Syria against using chemical weapons in Idlib; Russia has sought to turn the tables by muddying the blame for any such attack.

Lavrov said US officials were trying to take the heat off Jabhat al-Nusra using every trick in their book, hoping to be able to use it in the fight against what they refer to as the 'regime.'"

Lavrov added, This abscess of terrorists in Idlib must be eliminated. There is a political understanding on this matter between Moscow and Ankara.

The next day, following talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, Lavrov was asked about the planned schedule of a coordinated operation in Idlib, as well as the timing of a dissociation process between Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists and the armed opposition.

It must be done as soon as possible, but Moscow does not set any artificial deadlines, Lavrov said.

Turkey has been opposed to an Idlib operation. But while Moscow says it appreciates its relations with Ankara as well as the Russian-Turkish-Iranian Astana process, Russian military sources told Kommersant newspaper that the Idlib operation is unavoidable, even if the specific format for it is yet to be determined.

The Saudi foreign minister did not seem to perceive the Idlib issue as a priority. Still, while Riyadh has little to no clout over the regional situation, Jubeir emphasized the role of Saudi Arabia in uniting the Syrian political opposition for talks.

Lavrov shared this sentiment and lavished his counterpart with compliments. We are especially grateful to our Saudi friends for their role in uniting the Syrian opposition and ensuring the participation of the representatives of the Moscow and the Cairo groups.

The joint press conference had an appearance of a discussion between two best friends looking forward to meetings to come. And these meetings may indeed be in the offing. No wonder Lavrov said, President [Vladimir] Putin is keeping in mind the invitation by King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to visit Saudi Arabia, which was extended during the kings visit to Russia in October 2017. Lavrov also said, We agreed that the date and other details of this visit would be further coordinated through diplomatic channels.

Both ministers tried to avoid exhibiting any disagreement publicly. Thus, the Russian minister refrained, while in the presence of his Saudi guest, from dwelling on US investment in Syrian territory to the east of the Euphrates River. Yet Lavrov quite enthusiastically discussed this subject with his Turkish counterpart the week before, and with his Syrian counterpart the day after the talks with the Saudis.

For Moscow, it is hard to come to terms with the US refusal to back the Russian project for the return of refugees and how the United States has helped prevent others from doing so. The same goes for foreign participation in rehabilitating territories that are under control of regime forces. In the meantime, Washington is engaged in rebuilding infrastructure in areas of Syria where US troops are stationed.

At the press conference with Muallem, the top Russian diplomat accused the United States of facilitating the fragmentation and division of Syria. Obviously, Moscow knows that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pledged to be the larger contributors to Syrias development in areas where the United States holds sway. However, Lavrov, in speaking to journalists while accompanied by Jubeir, was tactful; the Russian foreign minister said in passing that at the negotiating table, the Saudi delegation was made aware of the efforts currently being undertaken by Russia, which is in contact with the corresponding countries in the region, to provide proper conditions for returning refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes in Syria.

At the same time, the Russian foreign minister urged the United Nations to play a more active role in creating a proper environment for the return of refugees and displaced persons, including the modernization and restoration of the socio-economic infrastructure in Syria.

Jubeir also avoided sensitive issues, other than to voice his opposition to Russias stance on the Iran nuclear program, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015. The P5+1 included Russia.

The agreement does not envision curbing Iranian activities in supporting terrorism and Tehran's violation of international resolutions on ballistic missiles. We believe that Iran deserves that we adopt more sanctions against that state, the Saudi foreign minister said in support of recent US sanctions on Tehran.

In addition, Saudi Arabias foreign minister did not allow himself to be painted as a US opponent. When Russias state-run RT channel asked Jubeir about US criticism of a possible Saudi purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, Jubeir replied, There are two things in Saudi Arabia that we do not bargain on: security and faith. Our leadership always strives to buy the most modern weapons for its army, to protect its sovereignty, security and its allies security.

He also said Saudi Arabia favors discussing differences concerning weapons procurement directly with its American and Russian allies rather than with media outlets.

A day later, the Lavrov-Muallem news conference demonstrated the typically convergent positions of Moscow and Damascus. During his stay in Moscow, Muallem primarily sought to find out the outcome of Russian negotiations with the Turks and other regional players. The day after meeting Lavrov, the Syrian foreign minister held talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov. Muallem and Borisov are co-chairs of the Russia-Syria Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. The negotiations focused on Syrian reconstruction, with Muallem promising to give Russia a priority. Recently, Damascus made a similar promise to Iran.

The Lavrov-Muallem press conference turned interesting because of Moscows outspoken concern over the US presence in Syria, both on the eastern side of the Euphrates and at the US al-Tanf base near Iraq. It is clear why Moscow is worried. Should the operation to regain control of Idlib turn out to be successful, the question will arise about other parts of the country, largely remaining under Turkish and American tutelage. While Moscow hopes for some compromise with Ankara, it expects a tough confrontation with Washington. This is all the more so because the United States can arrest the already-difficult process of Syrias political settlement. It is Moscow that has managed to break the impasse by securing the start of the formation of a constitutional commission. Now Russia is going to face a battle for the constitution, both with Damascus and with the Syrian opposition; in Russia's view, the United States and its European allies are making the opposition less flexible when it comes to making concessions. Here, Saudi support would be welcome. Whether the Moscow negotiations were effective in this regard will be seen in less than two weeks in Geneva, where all the stakeholders in the Syrian settlement will come together to consult with UN officials.
A South Carolina museum is honoring Alabama author Rick Bragg with an exhibit about southern cooking and kitchens - a subject Bragg loves to write about.

His latest book, "The Best Cook in the World: Tales from My Momma's Table," was the inspiration for the exhibit at The Museum of Greenwood in Greenwood, S.C. In it, Bragg tells stories that framed his mother's cooking and shares more than 70 recipes.

The exhibit will include kitchen equipment from the 1930s to the 1950s, as well as handmade aprons in 1950s styles, and lots and lots of real family recipes.

Dr. Marion Smith, exhibit coordinator, said he first read Bragg's work earlier this year during Greenwood County Public Library's Greenwood Reads program, in which the entire community was encouraged to read and discuss "All Over But the Shoutin'.'"

"I enjoyed it so much, I read several more of his books and was so delighted to read his latest 'The Best Cook In The World: Tales From My Momma's Table,'" Smith said. "Both books became the inspiration for our exhibit, "My Momma's Kitchen - An Exhibit Inspired by the Writings of Rick Bragg and Mommas Everywhere."

The exhibit will open Thursday, October 11 and run through January 5, 2019.

Bragg, who now teaches writing courses at the University of Alabama, has said in a previous interview that he believes old family recipes originate in old family tales. That's how he came to write "The Best Cook in the World."

"If you don't have a written-down recipe, where does it come from?' Well, it comes from the stories themselves," he said.

Smith said he hopes it will encourage community input and participation and people will share their own stories of comfort food.

"Food is a common denominator that everyone can relate to and we all have memories of a favorite dish prepared by our mother or other relatives," he said. "Our exhibit will trace the evolution of kitchens and those who prepared food in the home. We will feature vintage kitchen appliances, dishes, and cookware."

Greenwood residents are adding their personal touches: "Local residents are contributing items for the exhibit and the reception will be fashioned after a covered dis supper with area cooks contributing their favorite dishes along with the recipes," Smith said.

For more information on the exhibit, call 864-229-7093 or visit the website.
Investing publication Barron's is the latest national magazine to identify Birmingham's growing status as a nexus of tech and commerce.

In a story posted Saturday, Barron's uses a phrase that's becoming a new nickname for Birmingham - "the Southern Silicon Valley." This comes less than a month after Forbes' look at the Magic City, which also used the moniker.

"What is happening in Birmingham reflects a slow but inexorable shift in local economies throughout the U.S.," the story reads.

The story covers some of the same ground as other pieces, noting Birmingham's cost of living and doing business in contrast "the suffocating cost-of-living, traffic snarls, and hyper-competitiveness that dog Silicon Valley, Seattle, New York, and Austin tech workers."

The piece also features quotes from Shipt CEO Bill Smith, Planet Fundraiser CEO Kasey Birdsong, XpertDox CEO Sameer Ather and others. It also highlights the role of Innovation Depot and UAB in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

Smith told the magazine that Birmingham "was a ghost town" in 2013 when Smith bought the Hand Building.

"Now, it is very vibrant, with new hotels, restaurants and thousands of new apartment units built the past five years," Smith said.
A Birmingham man is dead and his girlfriend in custody after a fatal argument Saturday night.

North Precinct officers responded about 9:20 p.m. to 2525 37th Avenue North on a report of a person stabbed, said Birmingham police spokesman Sgt. Johnny Williams Jr. Once on the scene, they found 50-year-old Antonio Pettaway suffering from at least one stab wound.

Pettaway was taken to UAB Hospital where he later died from his injury.

Williams said Pettaway's girlfriend was taken into custody at the scene. Her name has not been released pending formal charges.

Authorities have not said what led up to the altercation, but said more information will be released once formal charges are filed.

Pettaway is the 77th homicide in Birmingham in 2018. Of those, five have been ruled justifiable and therefore are not considered criminal by Birmingham police. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 109 homicides including the 75 in Birmingham.
A man sentenced for murder more than 24 years ago could get a shot at parole someday after a re-sentencing hearing Thursday.

Kenneth Loggins, now 42, was originally sentenced to die for the Feb. 22, 1994 slaying of Vicki Lynn DeBlieux. That sentence was changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole after the U.S. Supreme Court banned executions of inmates who committed their crimes while juveniles. Thursday, Loggins appeared in court for a re-sentencing hearing before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tracie Todd. Todd has yet to rule in the case.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an Alabama case - Miller v Alabama - in 2012 that a law requiring sentences of life without parole for juveniles convicted of capital murder was unconstitutional. In 2016, the court said that rule is to be applied retroactively to people convicted prior to 2012. The decision opened up the possibility of parole for about 80 prisoners in Alabama-- including Loggins, who was 17 years old at the time of DeBlieux's killing.

Judges can still re-sentence the offenders to life without parole, but must have other sentencing options.

During the hearing Thursday, defense attorneys called three witnesses: Two psychologists and a criminologist. Loggins did not take the stand.

Dr. Laurence Steinburg, a psychologist who specializes in adolescent developmental research, risk taking, and decision making testified first. He talked about the differences in a 17-year-old's brain and an adult brain, saying that a teenager has more difficulty controlling their impulses and that a teen is more likely to take risks when their peers are around. Steinburg also said that while he's never evaluated or even met Loggins, Loggins's crime isn't indicative of his character now.

Under cross examination from Deputy District Attorney Misty Reynolds, Steinburg said there was little research on the effects incarceration has on the brain's development timeline. He said violent crimes are less common after a person reaches their late 20s, but said there's no way to say that adults wouldn't again commit heinous crimes like they did as adolescents.

Another psychologist, Dr. Allen Scholey, also testified. He specializes in clinical and forensic psychology and has evaluated Loggins several times--first in 2006 and again in 2016. He said that in his first evaluation, he thought Loggins was "much less disturbed in 2006 than he was in 1995... basically he was much more well-adjusted."

He said Loggins' IQ rose while in prison, and currently Loggins is reading at a college level. Loggins has empathy and the capacity to develop "caring and loving relationships," Scholey said. The psychologist mentioned Loggins' ex-wife, who he developed a pen pal relationship with and later married. Scholey also has spoken with her, and said she "found [Loggins] to be warm, open, and caring... he basically set the standard for her in relationships with men."

She and Loggins have since divorced.

According to Scholey, Loggins was affectively abandoned by both parents at an early age and began using drugs around 13. He was depressed, suicidal, and self-mutilated, Scholey said. Loggins was also easily influenced by his peers and at one point was associated with a Nazi group.

But, Scholey said, Loggins has been able to overcome his adverse experiences while in prison and "function remarkably well." He called Loggins the "poster person for the Miller standards being applied in the state of Alabama."

Criminologist Dr. James Austin took the stand last, and said that Loggins is considered a medium custody inmate by the Alabama Department of Corrections, and should be housed at a lower security prison. Because of his life sentence, Austin said, Loggins is only allowed to be housed at a close-security facility.

Reynolds discussed Loggins' multiple disciplinary infractions--including one in 1997 where he threw hot water on another inmate and one in 2008 where he fought with an inmate over a woman. Loggins also has been disciplined twice in recent years for failing drug tests.

Reynolds also mentioned the majority of the psychologist's information about Loggins' mental state is based on self-reporting.

DeBlieux was kidnapped while hitchhiking when she accepted a ride from Loggins, Carey Grayson, Trace Duncan, and Louis Mangione on the Trussville exit of Interstate 59 on Feb. 22, 1994.

She was beaten so badly that every bone in her head was broken at least once, according to the autopsy, and she had to be identified by an old X-ray of her spine. The teenagers, some of whom were later quoted as calling her the perfect victim, tossed her body into a dump in St. Clair County.

According to testimony in the teens' 1996 trials, they took Mangione home and the other three returned and mutilated the corpse, stabbing it more than 180 times, severing the fingers and hacking open the chest. They gave a finger to Mangione, who showed it to other friends who tipped the police.

Almost all of the wounds happened after death, according to the coroner's report.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Mike McCormick sentenced Grayson, Loggins and Duncan to death. He sentenced Mangione to life in prison without parole. Loggins and Duncan had their sentences changed to life in prison after the 2003 Supreme Court decision, as they were both 17 at the time of the killing.

Grayson is awaiting execution on Alabama's Death Row at Holman Prison. He is one of several inmates who this year elected to die by nitrogen hypoxia rather than lethal injection, after the state passed a law allowing the alternate method.

Loggins is represented by Pietro Signoracci and Julia Wood.
Media outlets in Pennsylvania say that U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers have agreed to an extension of ongoing talks.

The extension of the current contract will be in place until an agreement is met between U.S. Steel and the workers, according to WPXI.

The contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Steel workers with USW Local 1013 Union Hall rallied Thursday in Fairfield.

"Your local union leadership will return home in the coming days and will quickly schedule informational meetings and strike authorization votes with you," read a statement released Saturday from the union to its members. "During that time we will continue to stay at work and will provide management with a 48-hour notice in advance of any strike in order to safely cease operations. We will also continue to try to bring the company to their senses, but that authorization is necessary to bring them into the real world."

The statement from the union said the two sides are "still far from a fair agreement," claiming that U.S. Steel wants cuts to health insurance, increased premiums and six-year contract with no bonuses or raises in the last three years.

In a statement, U.S. Steel said they've agreed with union leaders to continue the collective bargaining agreement past the deadline, and all company facilities will continue to operate.

"We believe (the extension) is in the best interest of our employees, customers, stockholders and other stakeholders," U.S. Steel said in a statement.
Opelika pastor Hamlet Barnes Jr. thought he had entered a time capsule, one that carried him as far back as the 1950s, the moment he set foot in Bungoma, Kenya.

Taking in the sights of green farmlands worked by villagers living in small homes sealed with mud, Barnes also watched as animals roamed freely, including some chickens who entered kitchens of houses lacking screen doors. Villagers fetched water from wells, relied on outhouses and used kerosene lamps due to the lack of adequate electricity.

But it was also during Barnes' 2017 mission trip to Kenya that he observed villagers' major reliance on motorbikes to haul goods and complete tasks. Many bikes even supported three or more people as they rode from place to place. Thinking about the pastors and families of Bungoma's Seed Faith Ministries, Barnes knew what he had to do.

"I came back with a plan, a vision to help those pastors," he said. "This is what was pressed upon me. I believe God said, 'Help those pastors get motorbikes.' We can get them a motorbike to get back and forth to church and take care of the family. They can take that motorbike, and it will help them to generate funds for their families and home. Because a little bit of money is a lot to them, for the pastors to be able to take back home to their families and get sugar or buy flour to eat, or even a little oil to cook with. It means a lot to them."

Supporting those with less

Since around 2015, Barnes' church, Mustard Seed Faith Center Ministries, has given financial support to churches within Seed Faith Ministries in Kenya. Earlier this year, the church was able to send $1,000 to help buy a $1,200 motorbike for one of the eight pastors.

More money was sent on Aug. 24 to help get another bike. That leaves six more pastors in need, and Barnes is hopeful that hearts within the church communities in Lee County will rev up their willingness to assist in the effort.

"The Bible shows at times that the Christians that were more financially able than others, they would support those that had less, to get them on their feet," Barnes said. "Because they just need some help to get on their feet. Once they get going, then they can handle it from there, because their goal is to help others."

The pastor who received the first bike, Bernard Nato, was very grateful, said Bishop Caleb Wanjala Peter of Seed Faith Center Ministries. Peter spoke to an Opelika-Auburn News reporter on via telephone from Kenya.

"He's so happy," Peter said. "He gets to the church better, early, and that motorbike is helping him put food on the table every day. He makes three dollars every day."

Having access to a bike also helps him take care of his children and pay for their schooling, Peter added. Naturally, it helps him spread the word of Christianity through the village easier as well.

"Where a car cannot reach, a motorbike can reach," Peter explained.

If given the opportunity, the other pastors would benefit similarly in being able to provide for their families financially, as well as attend to the spiritual needs of villagers.

Appreciative of the generosity shown by Barnes' church, Peter said the assistance they've received "is a great, great help that has changed the lives of these pastors."

"One was even giving up in the ministry," he added. "But through that encouragement, now he's so happy in the ministry."

'They love the Lord'

While preaching at Seed Faith Center churches within Bungoma, Barnes was stricken by the immense faith of the villagers who have so little.

"Boy, they are strong," he said. "They love the Lord; they love the Lord."

Realizing the need for continued encouragement, Barnes' church set up a GoFundMe account to help collect donations for purchasing six more motorbikes. The church is asking pastors and churches throughout Lee County to please help with the effort, and Barnes is hopeful that enough money can be raised to buy a bike each month.

"It's not that the God that we serve can't bless them. But He uses us, who He's blessed to where we are, to be able to help them," Barnes said. "We've just got to do it."

The sheer gratitude of the villagers in Bungoma is certainly memorable, Barnes said. Recalling how the pastors and their families warmly welcomed him into their homes and expressed joy during his fellowship with them, Barnes said a pastor and his wife gave him a special gift he'll never forget as he made one of his last stops.

"She presented me a live chicken that was out of their yard," he recounted with a smile. "That's a meal for them, but they were so appreciative of me being there, and they were just elated at the fact that I came there to see them, and then came to their house to sit and eat with them. They just never had anybody to do that, coming from America in there to see them."

The pastors are very appreciative of the kind hearts that are able to help with the purchasing of motorbikes, Peter said. Hoping to get the names of those who are able to assist, he further remarked that donors and their families will be remembered and prayed for every day.

"This will bring a lot of joy and the peace to these pastors," he said.
Confederate statues, the Ten Commandments, legalized gambling: They're tried-and-true political hot-buttons in the Alabama of recent times.

A discussion about Alabama's sickly rural hospitals is more nuanced and much less sexy. But, as more of the hospitals struggle to keep the lights on, there soon may be no avoiding it.

The state has had few resources, and few answers, to stop the bleeding: Five smaller towns have seen hospitals shut down just since 2010, among 87 such closures nationally.

And several other communities have had close calls. In Haleyville, Thomasville and Camden, local leaders jumped in to increase sales taxes to stabilize hospital books or to get new hospitals up and running to replace ones that gone dark.

In Sumter and Chilton counties, voters themselves green-lighted new sales taxes for hospitals, decisions that won wider attention simply because of the Alabama electorate's well-known aversion to tax increases of any kind.

But politicians will tell you that, in much of rural Alabama, hospitals are community bedrocks. If it's abandoned and empty, what does that say about the community's own future?

"When an area is suddenly without a hospital, the chances of becoming a ghost town are significantly increased unless local leaders and legislators unite to address it," said state Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Cullman. "And even then, they need the state to be a partner."

Alabama has proven to be a difficult landscape for rural hospitals, underscored by Medicaid reimbursement rates that remain among the lowest in the country.

Almost all of the state's rural hospitals are cash-strapped, and operating with deficits. The alarming facts are reflected in an Alabama Hospital Association survey of hospital CEOs two years ago. Among the findings:

88 percent of the rural hospitals were operating in the red, meaning revenue received for patient care wasn't enough to cover the cost of care.

The vast majority of hospitals were keeping their heads above water thanks to investment income and charitable donations. But a quarter of the hospitals had encountered slippage charitable donations.

63 percent were treating larger numbers of uninsured patients. And 48 percent reported an increase in Medicaid - or low-income - patients.

72 percent were seeing more patients flowing into emergency rooms, a high-cost activity for hospitals to shoulder. Meanwhile, 53 percent had experienced a drop in regular inpatient admissions.

"If all things stay the same, I predict our hospitals won't make it through next year," said Danne Howard, chief policy officer with the Alabama Hospital Association, which is launching a campaign next week in support of expanding Medicaid through the 2010 Affordable Care Act, better known as "Obamacare."

Said Howard, "I've been with the hospital association 23 years and have never seen things so fragile as they are now."

Political solutions

The Medicaid expansion question is entering the state's 2018 election arena as well.

In the gubernatorial race, Democratic nominee Walt Maddox promises to expand Medicaid on "Day 1." His pledge: Call a special session and unveil a financial plan to pay for the expansion, as well as addressing other issues his campaign is talking about, such as a lottery.

Medicaid expansion is also likely to surface in the 2020 race for U.S. Senate: Sen. Doug Jones, D-Birmingham, favors it, while his possible Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, says the state would have to up taxes to do so.

But both Jones and Byrne are advocating for changes in the wage index, which is a formula that determines reimbursements from Medicare, and has left Alabama's hospitals with the lowest reimbursement rate in the country.

Byrne said the current system favors urban hospitals. He said, "It's a 20 percent discrepancy. You can be at South Baldwin (Regional Medical Center in Foley) and get an MRI and the hospital will be reimbursed 20 percent less than a hospital in Pensacola. That doesn't make any sense at all."

In the gubernatorial race, Maddox is starting to make Medicaid expansion a central theme during speeches. "Funding for all hospitals depends primarily on insurance reimbursements," said Chip Hill, Maddox's campaign spokesman. "Medicaid expansion adds a major layer of insurance coverage and reimbursements for patients who currently don't qualify for Medicaid yet cannot in reality afford insurance. Their treatments are not reimbursed, which adds enormous strains to hospital budgets."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox talks with supporters during a meet and greet Saturday, August 18, 2018, in Brewton, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)

Maddox, if elected, would face a difficult situation in pushing a Medicaid expansion through the Republican Legislature unless he finds the revenue sources to compensate for the new expense.

Expansion talks have gone nowhere, thus far, at the Statehouse. In 2016, lawmakers dipped into the state's BP oil spill settlement to patch an already-existing $85 million Medicaid funding gap.

Former Gov. Robert Bentley once pegged the Medicaid expansion cost at around $710 million for six years. Alabama is one of 14 states that have opted not to go along with the expansion.

Hill did not dive into details of the Maddox team's funding plan, other than to say it, along with a state lottery and legalized gambling, would be revealed at a special session. "Watching hospitals close around the state -- and several communities entertaining new taxes to keep their local hospitals open -- is all the information we need to know it's long past time to take action," he said.

Maddox's opponent, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, has assembled a three-member team that will produce a report recommending ways to address rural health woes. This working group has been traveling the state and meet with health professionals and to gather information. There is no timetable on when the report will be finished.

The team includes Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar, Alabama's Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, and David White, senior policy adviser to Ivey.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will await a report back from a three-member team that is examining Alabama's rural health concerns. (file photo)

"This is a very complex issue that touches and affects many components of the healthcare system in Alabama," said Azar. "As more information is obtained on the struggles facing rural healthcare, it is our goal to consider potential solutions to address this important issue."

Thus far, the Ivey administration has proposed new work requirements for some able-bodied Medicaid recipients, a move that would require federal approval, and would affect only a small fraction of Medicaid recipients.

But it's a similar strategy that is playing out in conservative states that have yet to expand Medicaid under ObamaCare. States which have passed Medicaid expansion -- Arkansas, Indiana and New Hampshire -- have federally-approved work requirement waivers in place. Non-expansion states -- like Utah, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and others -- want to require recipients to work.

The federal government gave Kentucky permission in January to impose work-related requirements for Medicaid, but a judge blocked the program in June. The Republican governor is now considering eliminating the expansion, and saving the state $300 million.

"Alabama would be following in a fine tradition of reflecting on the common judgement of what is fair by putting a requirement in there," said Len Nichols, a health economist at George Mason University's Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics and the former health care adviser to President Bill Clinton. "The question becomes, 'Can you make the requirements and judgements reasonable?' I believe there are quite a few cases that there are. But that is the thing it could take to help more people to get access to health care."

Legislative solutions

Alabama Republican lawmakers, especially those representing rural constituents in areas where hospitals are facing financial distress, say the work-related requirements are important. They anticipate the fate of rural hospitals becoming a hot topic of discussion and debate during the 2019 legislative session.

"We need to make it a priority to put people to work and hopefully for people to come off Medicaid rather than put people on it," state Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, and chairman of the House Rural Caucus, said.

According to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, only 6 percent of those on Medicaid would have to get a job or participate in training or volunteer activities to meet the new work-requirement rules pushed in states like Alabama. Of those on Medicaid, 43 percent are working full-time and 19 percent are working part-time, the group's research found.

Said Standridge: "I think that is the reason we have to do job training and all of these other things for people so they can get good-paying jobs and not just a working-poor job. We need to look to the future to move those people out of that class."

But Standridge and Shedd of Cullman, both say that all options on rural health care remain "on the table." Shedd noted that in Georgia, which has not adopted an expansion of Medicaid, state lawmakers endorsed a bill authorizing the concept of "micro-hospitals." This program allows that if a hospital in a county of fewer than 50,000 people closed or is closing within 12 months, a neighboring hospital can buy the rights to operate it, but on a smaller scale.

Media reports indicate that it's unclear how much interest there is in the program.

"We'll see how that works out," said Shedd.

Shedd said he believes the issue will be a priority for House leaders next spring. "I think the Legislature will be proactive this coming year and I expect legislators form rural areas to stick together to make sure solutions are found," he said.

Standridge said he's looking forward to the governor's report coming back to lawmakers, saying that it would be "good to hear a report about the state in general" and that it would be a good resource.

But the report, according to the Hospital Association's Howard, should include plenty of references from hospital officials advocating for Medicaid expansion.

It's unclear whether expanding Medicaid would be endorsed under Ivey's administration, if she's elected in November. Ivey's spokespeople did not respond to requests for comments.

"That was the first thing out of everyone's mouth when meeting with (Azar) and (Harris)," she said. "It was the No. 1 thing that everyone brought up that could be one of the things that could help our rural hospitals survive."

Howard admits that hospital administrators "don't have all the answers" when it comes to finding revenue sources to pay for it. Instead, they are advocating for the economic benefits of expansion which includes boosts to the state budget, and improve the state's lagging rankings in obesity, infant mortality rates, among other issues.

William Ferniany, CEO of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, said there isn't a hospital administrator in the state who doesn't support Medicaid expansion. But, he said, it's an issue that goes beyond the governor's race.

"It takes the Legislature to do it, you have to have $200 million to fund it," said Ferniany. "More than anything we talk about, that will be needed to expand rural hospitals."

For now, Ferniany and the UAB Hospital System are rolling out a new resource center that was approved by lawmakers last spring. The new center will support nonprofit, rural and public hospitals in the state that are facing economic pressures.

But the legislation establishing the new center came without funding, and Ferniany said that staffing it will be important for lawmakers next year. He said it will take "less than $1 million" from the state.

"It's designed to be a support structure," said Ferniany. "If a rural hospital is part of a large system like Community Health or with us, they will get (that support) anyway. But this is designed for community hospitals who are independent and need resources."

He added, "What happens in rural health care is critical because if (the state) hopes to attract good industry, they need a good health system. It's also the largest employer in the community. And if you have an emergency, you need a place to go. You don't need a place two hours away."

Local taxation

Prospects of long drives to emergency rooms and acute medical facilities were what was keeping a worried Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri up until 4 a.m. some days. A year ago, the mayor was dealing with the likelihood that the 59-bed Lakeland Community Hospital was shutting its doors.

"We were 50 minutes to an hour and 10 minutes away to the closet emergency room," said Sunseri. "It was critical."

Indeed, the Northwest Alabama city of slightly more than 4,000 residents had to scramble and find creative financing mechanisms to afford to keep Winston County's only hospital open.

The process happened fast. In November 2017, the hospital announced its closure due to dwindling reimbursements. One month later, Haleyville leaders approved a 1-cent sales tax, which Sunseri says will bring anywhere between $850,000 to $950,000 annually. The revenue is dedicated solely for the hospital: A loan repayment for purchasing the building, and a subsidy to pay for its operations.

Voters in this conservative county where nearly 90 percent backed Donald Trump for president in 2016, didn't blink an eye about the tax, the mayor said.

"We put it in place in January and it went into effect in February," said Sunseri. "I did not receive one phone call over it. As a matter of fact, I've had people stop me at Walmart and the grocery store - and this is coming from people who have never support me before - telling me how much they appreciated the fact that we've done that."

He added, "You have to realize, without a hospital, first of all, workman's compensation goes through the roof. In order to recruit industry here, we need health care available. A hospital is a vital part of economic development and the sustainment of a community."

In Thomasville, a Clarke County city of 4,000 residents, a $36 million hospital is under construction and will open next August thanks, in large part, with a sales tax increase. The 1-cent hike will raise enough revenue to support the $19 million dedication the city made toward building a new hospital that replaces Southwest Alabama Medical Center, which closed in 2011.

Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day said that the closure had little to do with the low volume that harms rural hospitals nationwide. Instead, he said the issue had more to do with a "problem" with the medical center's former owner.

"The day our hospital closed, it had 15 patients in it," said Day. "Most hospitals around us will tell you, 'Glory Hallelujah' if they had 15 patients a day. It's a difference set of circumstances."

Day said his community simply could not wait for the state to decide if it was investing in rural health care. He also said the days of the "little private provider" operating a rural hospital in Alabama without government help "is a thing of the past."

Said Day: "Whether folks agree with what we are doing or not, I hope we can have some consideration that we are at least not sitting down and waiting on the state and federal government to do something."

But in Wilcox County, which is the poorest county in Alabama and among the poorest in the country, a 1-cent sales tax to keep J. Paul Jones Hospital in Camden afloat is "a burden," according the County Commissioner John Moulton.

"We had no choice," said Moulton. "We'd definitely love to receive some help especially with our hospital so we can take this regressive tax off the books."

Wilcox County adopted a 1-cent sales tax to keep the hospital open after its acute care facility targeted for closing in 2017.

"I'd love to see the Legislature step up and do more for a rural hospital," said Moulton. "The Medicaid expenses really hurt the communities like ours."

Moulton said he would like to see Ivey, a Wilcox County native, "step up" on the issue and roll out a plan. Otherwise, he said, an annual $700,000 tax burden will continue in a county where 48 percent of youths under age 18 are below the federal poverty line.

"There is really no reason why we shouldn't (expand Medicaid)," said Moulton. "It's life and death. That is what it boils down to."
It's looking more likely that there will be a tropical storm in the Gulf, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for part of the northern Gulf Coast, including Alabama.

The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories for Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven earlier Sunday.

The hurricane center has been using "potential" tropical cyclone advisories for storms that may not qualify as tropical depressions or storms but could bring similar effects to land areas.

This system isn't considered a tropical depression yet because it doesn't have a closed center of circulation, the hurricane center said.

 Remember the POTENTIAL Tropical Cyclone (PTC) Advisories issued for the first time in 2017?



As a reminder, PTC Advisories can be issued BEFORE a tropical depression or storm actually forms! #HurricanePrep pic.twitter.com/1hkjh894vD  NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) September 2, 2018

As of 10 p.m. CDT Sunday, Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven was located about 175 miles east-southeast of Marathon in the Florida Keys and was moving west-northwest at 15 mph.

The storm had winds of 30 mph and was expected to become a tropical depression on Monday afternoon and Tropical Storm Gordon by Monday night.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for the northern Gulf Coast and stretches from the Alabama-Florida state line westward to east of Morgan City, La., including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

A storm surge watch was added on Sunday night. It extends from the Mississippi-Alabama border westward to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven was moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday.

On that path, the system will pass through the Florida Keys or the southern portion of the Florida peninsula on Monday and move over the southeastern Gulf by Monday evening.

It could reach the central Gulf Coast by late Tuesday or Tuesday night.

A storm has to have, among other things, a closed center of circulation and winds of at least 39 mph to be considered a tropical storm and get a name.

The next name on the list is Gordon.

An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is now scheduled to take a closer look at the system on Monday.

The hurricane center said rain and storms increased with the tropical wave on Sunday as it moved to the northwest, and upper-level winds had become more favorable.

The system will bring a lot of rain, heavy at times, to parts of Florida and the Bahamas over the next few days.

Two to 4 inches of rain will be possible over the central and northwestern Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and South Florida through early Tuesday, the hurricane center said.

Some spots in South Florida could get up to 8 inches.

What does it mean for the northern Gulf Coast?

The National Weather Service in Mobile said it all depends on the track, strength and timing of the system, but as of Sunday heavy rainfall was one of the greatest concerns.

But storm surge was another. Up to four feet of surge could be possible from the Alabama-Mississippi border westward to the mouth of the Mississippi River, the hurricane center said. Other areas to the east and west -- including the Alabama coast -- could see 1-2 feet of surge as well.

There is also a high risk of rip currents already in place along the Alabama and northwest Florida coasts, and that will last through midweek.

Coastal flooding could also be possible, especially during high tides late Monday through Wednesday.

The weather service noted that there was still "plenty of uncertainty" over its strength, track and timing.

Tropical storm conditions will be possible within the watch area by Tuesday night and Wednesday, the hurricane center said.

Tropical-storm-force wind gusts will be possible Monday afternoon and evening across parts of South Florida and the Florida Keys.

The hurricane center on Sunday was also tracking Tropical Storm Florence, which is in the east-central Atlantic.

Florence had winds of 50 mph as of the last update. It is expected to remain out at sea for the next five days and is no threat to land.
Update:

Red flags, indicating the presence of potentially hazardous surf and tides, continue to fly at Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Panama City and Destin.

Red and purple flags, purple indicating the presence of potentially hazardous marine animals, are flying in South Walton. South Walton Fire Department officials said they expect to go to double red flags, meaning the water is off limits to the public, later today.

Rip current levels are expected to remain high for the remainder of the day into tomorrow.

For the latest on Tropical Storm Gordon and the hurricane watch issued for the Gulf Coast, go here.

Earlier story:

Labor Day beach goers will want to keep a close eye on beach conditions.

The National Weather Service in Mobile is advising people of a high risk of rip currents along the Alabama and northwest Florida panhandle beaches.

As of Sunday afternoon, single red flags are flying in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Panama City, Destin and South Walton. Single red flags indicate high hazard with strong surf and currents. The water remains open under a single red flag; if upgraded to a double red flag the water is closed to swimmers.

The high risk of rip currents will remain through Tuesday night, according to the NWS.

The current conditions come as weather watchers are keeping an eye on a tropical depression in the Gulf. The National Hurricane Center said there is a 90 percent chance that a tropical depression will form in the Gulf in the next few days. The wave, currently over Cuba and the Bahamas, is forecast to move into the Gulf early Tuesday and is expected to become more organized.

Staying safe in rip currents

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, can travel at speed of up to eight feet per second. Panicked swimmers caught in a rip current often try to swim straight back to shore, putting themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue.

If caught in a rip current, swimmers are advised to not fight the current and instead try to swim out of moving parallel to the shore. If you can't escape, swimmers are advised to escape, float or tread water.
Tropical Storm Florence continued to move quickly in the eastern Atlantic on Sunday.

As of the last advisory from the hurricane center, at 10 p.m. CDT Sunday, Tropical Storm Florence was located about 790 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and was moving west-northwest at 16 mph.

Florence had winds of 50 mph. The hurricane center said little overall change in strength was expected through Tuesday.

Could Florence eventually be something for those in the United States to worry about?

It was uncertain as of Sunday. The hurricane center said its forecast models consistently showed a northwest track for the next few days, but then they diverge.

"A stronger Florence will likely turn more toward the northwest, while a weaker, shallower system should continue on a more westward to west-northwestward track," forecasters said Sunday.

The hurricane center is also tracking a tropical wave closer to home -- Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven.

The storm was located over the Bahamas and Cuba on Sunday night and is forecast to move into the Gulf, where it could become Tropical Storm Gordon late Monday.
Three people were arrested in Florida after a high-speed chase that began in Enterprise and ended about 40 miles away after crossing through four counties.

The chase began Friday at 10:30 p.m. following a drive-by shooting on West College Street at the Beeline Gas Station in Enterprise.

Enterprise Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Billy Haglund said officers tried to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle involved in the shooting, but the suspects refused to stop.

The resulting pursuit began in Coffee County, continued through Geneva County and all the way to the Florida state line. The Geneva County Sheriff's office, Samson Police Department and troopers took part.

The trio then went into Florida's Walton and Holmes counties, with Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol and Holmes County Sheriff's Office ending the pursuit.

Bailee Nicole Taylor, 20, of Enterprise, Nathaniel Hicks, 30, of Enterprise and Michael Smith, 21, of Clarksville, Tenn., were charged with two counts of unlawfully discharging a firearm into an occupied building or vehicle. The three may face additional charges in both Alabama and Florida.
By Benjamin Jumbe.

President Yoweri Museveni is in China on a working visit during which he will attend the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation.

He is among African presidents and heads of government in the Chinese City of Beijing for the high-level summit hosted by the Chinese government.

African leaders already in Beijing have held different levels of talks with their Chinese counterparts signing deals and also meeting investors.

The Forum for Africa-China Cooperation summit is a meeting between Africa and China largely premised on ways to increase diplomatic, economic and bilateral ties.

The 2 day summit officially kicking off tomorrow September 3 is under the theme China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.
Record 251 women will run for a seat in the US House of Representatives in Novembers midterm elections.

Novi, US  At the Michigan State Fair in Novi, about a 35-minute drive northwest of Detroit, ask any woman what she thinks of US President Donald Trump and opinions are mixed.

Disappointing, says Alice Lashbrook, 44, a school principal who isnt affiliated with either the Republicans or the Democrats.

I think he has a personal agenda to advance himself personally at whatever cost.

But Erica Huston, 39, a registered Republican and Trump supporter disagrees. I think he puts up with too much crap, she says. I think hes doing amazing as a president.

Its Labour Day weekend across the United States, which culminates in a holiday on Monday for most Americans.

But for politicians, its typically the time they launch their final surge of their campaigns  especially this year, with about two months to go before midterm elections.

Still, the current cycle already looks a lot different. A record number of women are running for Congress.

Theres an old saying in politics that says if youre not at the table youre typically on the menu, says Lara Brown, director of the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University.

I think women feel that its time for them to have a seat at the table.

 He needs to clean up his mouth and his Twitter

On November 6, Americans go to the polls to decide the fate of Congress.

Trumps Republican Party currently controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate. But with one third of the Senate seats and all of the House of Representative seats up for election, Republicans will need all the support they can get to maintain control.

More importantly, the president will need all the Republicans he can get to head off any Congressional attempts to investigate him and his White House any further. Trump is already under a microscope as the FBI investigates his campaigns ties to the Russian government during the 2016 presidential election. Five people, three of them with ties to his campaign, have already pleaded guilty in the probe. On August 21, Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager, was found guilty on eight counts of financial fraud.

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According to a recent ABC News-Washington Post poll shows 57 percent of female voters want Congress to impeach Trump, compared with 40 percent of men.

Currently, there are a record 251 women running for a seat in the US House of Representatives, according to Rutgers Universitys Center for American Women and Politics. The overwhelming majority of them are running in opposition to Trumps Republican Party, as Democrats.

Among them is first-time candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who shocked the Democratic establishment in June by upsetting longtime congressman Joe Crowley in the primary, as well as Democrats Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar who will be the first Muslim women ever to hold a seat when they are sworn in to the House of Representatives next year.

Tlaib once called Trumps election very painful for women.

Trumps uneasy relationship with women is well-documented. In 2016, his presidential bid was rocked by a leaked audio recording on which he was heard bragging about sexual assault. It was the only time Trump apologised publicly for something he said. He is still accused by at least 19 women of sexual misconduct.

Still, many women in the US arent bothered by those accusations.

He needs to clean up his mouth and his Twitter, says Chris Shively, 57, a Michigan voter who backed Trump in 2016. But I respect the office more with him in there and trying to get around all the crap thats been going on.

Huston agrees. Everybody makes mistakes in their life, she says. Nobodys perfect but God and hes [Trumps] made his mistakes as everybody else whos human has.

Prove Trump wrong

Although the increase in female participation follows a 30-year trend, Trump is one of the biggest reasons in this years candidate surge, according to Brown, from the Graduate School of Political Management.

Theres this longtime sense that President Trump has not cared about women, has not spoken to women, has denigrated women, she says. So I think that there are women on the Democratic side of the aisle who are wanting to prove him wrong.

Alexandra De Luca, press secretary for Emilys List, an advocacy group supporting Democratic female candidates, agrees.

She argues Trump, coupled with the #MeToo movement where women began speaking more openly about sexual harassment and assault by powerful men, has given many people the confidence to step into the political arena.

Women dont traditionally raise their hand and say they want to run, says De Luca. Men look in the mirror and they see a Congressman.

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That changed after Trumps election, De Luca says. In the month following his victory, she says they had 1,000 women sign up for training.

We realised we had tapped into something, De Luca adds. Since then, Emilys List says theyve had 40,000 women approach them. The vast majority of them are involved in local or state politics.

Gallup polling shows that while Trumps support among female voters has fluctuated, it hovers around 37 percent.

Women continue to attend his rallies and events which have been packed to the rafters, evidenced recently in Evansville, Indiana.

Trumps daughter, Ivanka, a White House adviser, has appeared more frequently in recent weeks at presidential events in an attempt to appeal to women. Shes considered by many as a role model and I think she should be, Corey Lewandowski, Trumps former campaign manager, told Al Jazeera.

Expect Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara, to be campaigning regularly in the next few months, he adds, in an attempt to motivate female voters.

Republican women could make history, too. In both Arizona and Tennessee, states that have never had a female Senator, Martha McSally and Marsha Blackburn are running to fill an open seat.
Nano is one of many coca cultivators in southern Colombia.

He lives with his wife and three children in a small coca-producing village in the department of Narino.

Most farmers like Nano dont necessarily chose to cultivate coca, but are obliged or persuaded to do so either by armed groups who watch over the trade, or because other crops are simply not rentable.

I am not proud of cultivating coca, Nano tells Al Jazeera.

I would like to substitute the illegal crops. But we have no alternatives, he adds.

The cultivation of legal crops like cocoa doesnt bring any income and I have a family and need to provide for them. The coca makes it possible for me to send my children to school.

The country saw a 52 percent increase in production 2016, according to UN figures.

That same year, the Colombian government signed a landmark agreement that ended more than 50 years of conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group.

As part of the peace agreement, a new voluntary eradication and crop substitution programme began, but its implementation has been difficult.

The coca farmers say that there are no alternatives to the illegal cultivation and due to the high level of corruption, the promised financial support to help substitute their crops are only words that are never put into action.

Until 2016, FARC controlled 70 percent of the coca crops, most of it in the south of Colombia. Since the agreement, other groups have taken over the business.

Meanwhile, cocaine consumption in the US is rising, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

As the US is financing a big part of the anti-drug war, which includes forced eradication, it is putting pressure on the Colombian government, blaming them for not meeting its anti-narcotic requirements.

In October 2017, farmers protested against the forced eradication of their coca fields in Narino, when the local security forces opened fire against them and killed 12 civilians.

The government has come many times, saying they would offer us support within a substitution programme. But these are only words. Here at the river, nothing changes, says Nano.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, Colombias Ministry of Justice said it has taken steps to eradicate coca production, but it is necessary to invest more human and technical resources at both the national and local level.
Although youth unemployment has fallen, graduates still have poor job prospects and young people feel hopeless.

Athens, Greece  Each morning, Dimitris Chalkitos wakes up, scans the internet for job openings and sends his resume to potential employers. He then walks around Sourmena, the beachside Athens suburb where he lives, and searches for help wanted signs at restaurants and retail stores.

The 22-year-old engineering student has repeated this daily routine for more than a year, hoping to find work and help his debt-saddled family.

Sitting in cafe near a main square, he tensed his face while recalling printing his resume, handing it in to a nearby department store and receiving a familiar response: He didnt have enough work experience, the manager told him.

The biggest problem is work experience, Chalkitos told Al Jazeera. Most of my friends are in the same situation.

But work experience is hard to come by in a country where four out of 10 young people are unemployed and where the economy is still in a shambles after nearly a decade of financial trauma, austerity measures, tax hikes, pension cuts and massive bailout packages.

On August 20, the Greek government and its European partners celebrated the end of Greeces catastrophic crisis.

The following day, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras applauded a day of redemption and the start of a new era.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at a swearing in ceremony [File: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters]

The bailouts of recession, austerity and social desertification are finally over, he declared.

The overall unemployment rate sunk below 20 percent last month for the first time in seven years, down from its climactic peak of 27 percent in July 2013.

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And although youth unemployment is far below the 60 percent it reached in February 2013, few job opportunities and meagre wages have left many young people with little cause to rejoice.

When the country doesnt give you anything, you cant give anything back to it, Chalkitos said.

Young people believe the state should care more about them.

Graduates without decent job prospects

Chalkitos was 13 years old when the global economic crisis first reached Greece in December 2009, when the downgrading of the countrys credit rating led to public spending cuts.

As fears that Greece would default on its debt swelled, the centre-left Pasok-led government implemented more austerity measures in 2010, sparking protests in the streets of Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities.

In the years that followed, the crisis deepened, and Chalkitoss parents, both public school teachers, were forced to scrabble together what they could and tighten their belts where possible: worries about bills seeped into every dinner-table conversation, going out to restaurants was no longer affordable and holidays were rare.

All of these small things had an impact on our family psychology, he said, redirecting his stare to his lap. My parents were miserable.

In January 2015, the left-wing Syriza party came to power after campaigning on promises to do away with austerity. But those measures continued largely unabated.

Nikos Xydakis, a Syriza parliamentarian, acknowledges the challenges ahead, but maintains that the government has made progress since his partys ascent three and a half years ago.

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There are hundreds of thousands of young people in their early thirties without decent job [prospects] since graduating school or university, he told Al Jazeera.

The promising fact is that every month the number of people finding jobs rises.

Pointing to an increase in exports, Xydakis said: Both obviously reflect an improvement in the situation of the working class of the population, but this is not enough.

Unemployment is a Greek reality

Formally exiting the crisis is one thing, but the impact of the last nine years will be long lasting, according to several politicians and analysts.

The financial meltdown decimated a quarter of the countrys economy, minimum wage shrank, tens of thousands of businesses closed, thousands of factories shut down and more than 300,000 people emigrated to find work abroad.

Xydakis explained that the government is now considering a series of measures to lighten the burden on working-class Greeks. The exit wont be easy, he said.

On the contrary, it will need a lot of effort and hard work, imagination and innovative ideas from every one of us if we want to rebuild an economically stable country capable of responding to the challenges of the global market.

Pedestrians wait for the bus in central Athens [File: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters]

Twenty-four-year-old Yiannis Pappas, who three years ago graduated with a degree in 3D animation, has bounced from one short-term job to the next.

Currently unemployed, he was laid off several times and has had little luck finding employment in his field. Its a Greek reality, he told Al Jazeera.

Like others before him, he moved to Sweden for work, but returned seven months later after struggling to find sustainable employment.

Many of his friends are searching for opportunities elsewhere in Europe, Pappas said, explaining that he, too, is now exploring the possibility of moving to Germany to continue his education and find work.

Just 15 when the crisis started, Pappas says many young Greeks have abandoned their hopes of finding the jobs they once aspired to.

A lot of young people dont understand where we are now, he said, insisting nontheless: Im not giving up yet  Greeks are a tough crowd.

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Back in the Sourmena cafe, Dimitris Chalkitos sums up his feelings.

This situation isnt my generations fault, he said. We didnt vote for the politicians who created it.

With politicians lauding a new era, Chalkitos sees more hardship ahead.

The crisis isnt over. It just became our routine, our lives.
Consequences after US cuts funding for Palestinian refugees

Nations worry UNRWA shutdown could have dire effect on millions who rely on it for basic healthcare, education and food supplies.
At least six killed as car bomb attack strikes government office building, causing nearby school to collapse.

At least six people, including three civilians, have been killed in a suicide bombing at a local government office building in Somalias capital, officials say.

Sundays car bomb attack destroyed the building in Mogadishu and caused a nearby school to collapse. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the scene.

Three of the people killed in the blast were security forces who stopped the bomber from speeding through a checkpoint, Salah Hassan Omar, spokesperson for the Mogadishu administration, told reporters at the scene.

The attacker then detonated the explosives-laden vehicle near the gate of Hawlwadag district headquarters, Omar added.

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The three others killed in the explosion were civilians, Omar added.

Fourteen people, including six children, were critically wounded, according to the citys ambulance service. Among the wounded was Ibrahim Hassan Matan, deputy district commissioner.

Most of the wounded were young students from the nearby Quranic secondary school, according to officials. The school was open at the time of the attack but most of the children were away from the building on a break.

I saw bodies strewn on the ground after the explosion before the ambulances and the paramedics reached the scene and the whole scene was very ugly, witness Halima Mohamed told The Associated Press news agency.

Police Captain Mohamed Hussein said that, despite the fatalities, the attacker had failed to achieve their goal of inflicting maximum casualties.

The blast also blew off the roof of a mosque and damaged homes nearby, prompting officials to warn that more casualties could be expected.

Decade of attacks

The armed group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, which shattered a period of calm in the seaside capital.

We are behind the suicide attack, We targeted the district office in which there was a meeting. We killed 10 people so far, we will give details later, said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shababs military operations spokesperson.

Al-Shabab usually gives higher death tolls than officials.

The al-Qaeda-linked group is fighting to overthrow the United Nations-backed government in Mogadishu and has been carrying our bomb attacks for more than a decade.

In October 2017, a truck bombing carried out by the group left at least 512 people dead.

Somalias devastated health infrastructure has struggled to deal with casualties in the past, said Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid.

As the war, which began in the 1990s, goes on, Somali civilians continue to suffer, he added.
EU, Ireland, Jordan and Germany pledge further support after US slashed UNRWA funding by $300m.

United States decision to cut funding for the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) is an evident politicization of humanitarian aid, according to the organisations commissioner-general.

UNRWA, which says it provides services to more than five million Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories as well as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, currently faces a budget deficit of $270m for the remainder of the year after the US government slashed its budget by $300m.

In an open letter to the agencys staff, Pierre Krahenbuhl dismissed claims made by US State Department that it was an irredeemably flawed operation and prolonged the status of refugees.

The responsibility for the protracted nature of the Palestine refugee-hood, the growing number of refugees and the growth in needs, lies squarely with the parties and in the international communitys lack of will or utter inability to bring about a negotiated and peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, wrote Krahenbuhl in the letter.

The attempt to make UNRWA somehow responsible for perpetuating the crisis is disingenuous at best. At no time over the past eight months were we notified of the specific reasons for the dramatic cut.





Krahenbuhl went on to say that the decision taken by the US, which has been its most generous and consistent donor since 1974, will not have any bearing on UNRWAs responsibility towards Palestine refugees or affect the energy and passion it carries out.

EU pledges further support to UNRWA

UNRWA was formed in 1949 following the forced displacement of 700,000 Palestinians by Zionist paramilitaries in the run-up to the establishment of Israel.

Over the past year, more than 50 countries have contributed to the agency.

In recent years, the European Union has been the second-largest contributor. It pledged more than $142m in 2017.

In a statement published on Saturday, the EU termed the US decision regrettable, one that will leave a substantial gap in the agencys funding.

The EU is committed to secure the continuation and sustainability of the agencys work which is vital for stability and security in the region, the statement said.

The EU and its member states, and many others in the international community, including many Arab states, have pledged their support to the continuity of the work that UNRWA is doing.

In the run-up to the UN General Assembly session later this month, EU foreign ministers, along with their international and regional partners, will discuss how to guarantee sustainable and effective aid to Palestinians, the statement added.

Countries rally to raise funds

Following the US announcement, Germany announced it will increase funding for the UNRWA, its foreign minister said.

The loss of this organisation could unleash an uncontrollable chain reaction, Heiko Maas said on Saturday before adding that while Germany contributed $94m to UNRWA this year, it was prepared to increase its financial aid.

Maas also urged the EU and member states to work towards a sustainable finance basis for the organization.

His statement was echoed by Irelands Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney, who called the US decision heartless and dangerous.

Ireland is a long-standing supporter of UNRWA, said Coveney. We will continue that assistance and discuss with our EU and other partners what more can be done to support its work.





On the same day, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi said his country will rally donor support to ease UNRWAs financial crisis.

Disruption of UNRWA services will have extremely dangerous humanitarian, political and security implications for refugees and for the whole region, Safadi told the Reuters news agency.

Jordan hosts more than two million registered Palestinian refugees. Safadi warned that shutting down UNRWA would create fertile grounds for further tensions.

Most vulnerable targeted

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported on Sunday that funding by the Arab Gulf states to the refugee agency would be condition-based on a revised definition and number of Palestinian refugees.

According to Israeli Channel 2, the US will allow the Gulf states to fund UNRWA this year to ensure continuation of the organisations immediate activities.

Funding for next year, however, will be subject to agreeing with the US demand to count only 500,000 refugees out of the five million, the report said.

In March, Qatar announced to pledge $50m, its largest sum to UNRWA to date, saying that the importance of the agencys sustainable funding, which provides food provisions, schooling, healthcare, and relief and social services, was crucial to the improvement of the lives of Palestinian refugees.

Hanan Ashrawi, an executive committee member of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, denounced the US decision to end all funding to the agency as a cruel and irresponsible move targeting the most vulnerable segment of Palestinian society.

With such a decision, the US is doing Israels bidding and destroying the very foundations of peace and stability by taking all permanent status issues off the table, including the right of return for refugees and occupied Jerusalem, she said.
By Ritah Kemigisa.

The Uganda Communication commission has revealed that telecom companies will be required to have a network in all parishes within the country with the base minimum of 3G network.

According to the commissions executive director Godfrey Mutaabazi, this is the only way these telecom companies will receive new licenses.

The commission says all telecom will be 4G in the coming 6 months.

According to then ICT secretary, Fred Matiangi, the high cost of roaming is a consequence of the different tax regimes of all the countries.

The Airtel communications manager Sumin Namaganda says they are yet to learn of the development adding that they will wait for official communication.
Rights group calls Saudi-led coalition bombing an apparent war crime that places arms suppliers at risk of complicity.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an end to all weapons sales to Saudi Arabia following the bombing of a school bus last month that killed 51 people, including 40 children.

The rights group called the attack an apparent war crime and said it places arms suppliers at risk of complicity in war crimes.

HRWs statement, released on Sunday, came just hours after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates admitted the bombing was unjustified.

A probe, conducted by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemens Houthi rebels, concluded on Saturday that mistakes were made in the August 9 air raid in Saada province.

The coalition, which initially defended the bombing saying it hit a legitimate military target, has now pledged to hold to account those responsible for the attack.

HRW said it received photographs and videos of munition fragments that a lawyer based in Sanaa, about 235km south of Saada, said were at the site.

Markings visible on photos and videos of one of the remnants  a guidance fin for a GBU-12 Paveway II bomb, an aerial laser-guided bomb  show it was produced by Pentagons top weapons supplier Lockheed Martin, according to the rights group.

HRW also said that while it could not confirm the remnants were found at the site of the attack, images of damage from the scene are consistent with the detonation of a large, impact-fused aerial bomb.

Al Jazeera could not reach Lockheed Martin for a comment.

The Saudi-led coalitions attack on a bus full of young boys adds to its already gruesome track record of killing civilians at weddings, funerals, hospitals, and schools in Yemen, said Bill Van Esveld, senior childrens rights researcher at HRW.

Countries with knowledge of this record that are supplying more bombs to the Saudis will be complicit in future deadly attacks on civilians.

Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, has been bombing Yemen since March 2015 after the Houthis swept across the country. The coalitions stated aim is to restore the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.

Out of the 16,000-plus raids they have launched since the start of the conflict, only a handful have been investigated, despite nearly a third of all bombs hitting civilian targets.

Al Jazeeras Alan Fisher, reporting from neighbouring Djibouti, said the report added to mounting pressure on the US to end its support for the Saudi-led coalition.

In the US, theres a growing movement urging the government to pull back support for the coalition, particularly when rights groups are saying that if the Saudis commit a war crime, and they use a US weapon, then the US could be complicit in that, he said.

The international outcry over the Saada attack also put pressure on the warring sides in Yemen to reach an agreement when they meet for UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva later this month, Fisher added.

HRW said it has identified US-origin munitions at the sites of at least 24 other coalition attacks in Yemen.

In November 2015, the US approved the sale of 4,020 GBU-12 Paveway II bombs as part of a $1.3bn arms sale to Saudi Arabia, but halted parts of the sale in December 2016.

President Donald Trumps administration, however, has reversed that decision.

The UK and France remain major arms sellers to Saudi Arabia, HRW said. Germany and Norway have suspended arms sales to the Kingdom, while the Netherlands and Sweden have limited weapons sales.

Last year, the UN blacklisted the Saudi-UAE alliance for causing the majority of reported child deaths and injuries in Yemen. It also described the situation in Yemen as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

At least 10,000 people have been killed since the start of the conflict, the UN said.
Irans supreme leader wants armed forces to be vigilant as fallout from US withdrawal from nuclear deal continues.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on Irans armed forces to boost their defence capacities but ruled out chances of war breaking out.

On Saturday, Iran announced plans to increase its missile capacity and acquire modern fighter jets and submarines as part of efforts to expand its military.

The announcement came in the wake of a decision by the United States to withdraw from a multinational nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions against it.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasised that based on political calculations there is no likelihood of a military war but added that the armed forces must be vigilant  and raise their personnel and equipment capacities, Khameneis official website quoted him as telling commanders of Irans air defence forces on Sunday.

Saturdays news of the military development plans came a day after Tehran rejected a French call for negotiations on future nuclear plans, its ballistic missile arsenal and its role in ongoing regional conflicts.





Earlier this week, Iranian lawyers asked the International Court of Justice to order the US to lift the sanctions, saying the measures  which are damaging Irans already weak economy  violate terms of a little-known 1955 friendship treaty between the two countries.

On Wednesday, in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet, Khamenei warned that Iran might abandon its nuclear deal with world powers, casting doubt on the ability of European states to save the accord following the US withdrawal.

He said Iran should give up hope on [Europe] over economic issues or the nuclear deal, according to his website.

The nuclear deal is a means, not the goal, and if we come to this conclusion that it does not serve our national interests, we can abandon it, he was quoted as saying.

Iran would never negotiate with indecent and confrontational US officials on a new agreement, Khamenei added.

In August, Iran unveiled a new domestic fighter jet, reportedly the first to be 100-percent indigenously made.

At the time, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the countrys military strength was designed to deter enemies and create lasting peace, adding it was also what deterred Washington from attacking it.
Moscow marks 90th anniversary of Gorky Park

Overview of how one of Russias most famous sites has sometimes followed, sometimes led the fortunes of the city.
Pentagon says aid is reprogrammed due to lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of US South Asia strategy.

The US military has made a final decision to cancel $300m in aid to Pakistan, the Pentagon says, citing Islamabads perceived failure to take decisive action against armed groups in the country.

The Coalition Support Funds were part of a broader suspension in aid to Pakistan announced by President Donald Trump at the start of the year, when he accused Pakistan of rewarding past assistance with nothing but lies and deceit.

The Trump administration says Islamabad is granting safe haven to fighters who are waging a 17-year-old war in neighbouring Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan denies.

Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining $300m was reprogrammed, Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said on Saturday.

We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, said Faulkner before adding that the aid amount would be used on other urgent priorities following Congress approval.

A Pakistani official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he was unaware of a formal notification of the US decision on assistance but said one was expected by the end of September, according to media reports.

Likely to dent relations

Kamal Hyder, Al Jazeeras Pakistan correspondent

After the Trump administration took over, the president announced his South Asia policy in which he came down very hard on Pakistan. Islamabad has categorically rejected that US policy.

This particular move by the US is likely to dent relations. Pakistan is also living up to its promise of trying to forge a brand new foreign policy initiative in which itll try to improve relations with its neighbours and reduce its reliance on the US.

The announcement came just weeks after Pakistans newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan took office.

Khan has repeatedly blamed Pakistans participation in the US-led anti-terror campaign for the surge in attacks on home soil over the last decade and has vowed to rebalance Islamabads relationship with Washington.

The disclosure also comes just days ahead of an expected visit to Islamabad by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the top US military officer, General Joseph Dunford.

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Just over a week ago, a telephone conversation between Pompeo and Khan stirred up controversy, with Islamabad calling Washingtons account of the discussion factually incorrect.

Pakistan Foreign Office refuted the US statement which said Pompeo raised the importance of Pakistan taking decisive action against all terrorists operating in Pakistan.

The impression that has been given in their press release, which mentions terrorists operating in Pakistan, is in contrast with reality. And I say this with full confidence, said Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Herein lies the crux of the dysfunction in US-#Pakistan ties: Expectations are hopelessly and endlessly divergent. https://t.co/2DKN4B9raj  Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) September 2, 2018

Some analysts warn there may be no real way to pressure Islamabad and say a suspension in aid could see the US lose crucial influence over Pakistan which will instead look to other countries for support, particularly its longtime ally China.

The announcement is to put Pakistan under pressure. Pakistan is expected to give a very tough response and also take it up with Pompeo when hes in Islamabad, Mateen Haider, a defence and security analyst, told Al Jazeera.

The cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing is also increasing rapidly, particularly in the field of defence and security. Pakistan is now buying most of its defence equipment from China instead of the US and that strategic partnership is upsetting Washington.

Pakistan has fought fierce campaigns against homegrown armed groups, and says it has lost thousands of lives and spent billions of dollars in its long-time war against them.

But US officials accuse Islamabad of ignoring or even collaborating with groups, which attack Afghanistan from safe havens along the border between the two countries.

The White House believes that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency and other military bodies have long helped fund and arm the Taliban for ideological reasons, but also to counter rising Indian influence in Afghanistan.

It also believes that a Pakistani crackdown could be pivotal in deciding the outcome of the long-running war in Afghanistan.
Defence, labour and tourism deals high the agenda during Israel visit, the first by a Filipino president.

Rodrigo Duterte has embarked on a visit to Israel, the first such trip by a Philippine president, as part of a regional tour that will also include a stop in Jordan.

The 73-year-old said on Sunday he would seek to re-affirm and renew relations with the two countries, where an estimated 76,000 Filipinos live and work.

I leave today for landmark visits that underscore our vision for our country  a responsible member of the world community  a Philippines that is friend to all and an enemy to no one, Duterte said before departing for Tel Aviv.

While in Israel, Duterte will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin, with defence, labour and tourism deals high the agenda.

Duterte is eager to improve security cooperation with Israel, which has sold the Philippines three radar systems and 100 armoured vehicles, and which Manila is now eyeing for an aircraft deal.

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According to Israeli government data, exports to the Philippines were worth $143m in 2017.

[The visit] is for President Duterte to look for an alternative market for  weapons for our armed forces, as well as for the police, Henelito Sevilla, an international relations expert at the University of the Philippines, told the AFP news agency.

Duterte will also visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and the Open Doors Monument, a memorial to Filipinos who saved Jews from Nazi persecution.

Known for his controversial turns of phrase, Duterte has compared the killings committed during his controversial anti-drug war to the murder of Jews by German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are three million drug addicts [in the Philippines]. Id be happy to slaughter them, he said in 2017. Most mainstream historians say six million Jews died in the Holocaust.

Duterte, who took office in 2016, later apologised for his remarks, which he said were aimed at critics who had likened him to the Nazi leader.

Jerusalem vote

Late last year, the Philippines abstained from a vote at the United Nations General Assembly rebuking the US for moving its embassy to from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial decision that sparked widespread international condemnation and large-scale protests.

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Palestinian leaders see occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

Duterte on Sunday expressed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We shall be guided by our constitution and laws as well as our international commitments in support of efforts and initiatives including the two-state solution, he told reporters.

Israels foreign ministry said in a statement that it assign(s) great importance to this visit, which symbolises the strong, warm ties between our peoples as well as the enormous potential for developing and strengthening the relations.

Duterte will be in Israel until Wednesday, before going to Jordan until September 8. In Amman, he is expected to meet King Abdullah II.
Explosion in Isulan comes days after another blast in the same southern city killed three people.

A bomb has ripped through an internet cafe in the southern Philippines, killing at least one person and wounding 15 in the second deadly blast to attack the same city in days, according to authorities.

Isulan, on southern Mindanao island, was placed on lockdown to hunt down those behind Sundays attack, said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, an army division commander.

We believe that the suspect is still inside, Sobejana told reporters.

Three of the wounded were taken to a hospital in serious condition.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but authorities suspected that the ISIL-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group was behind the explosion.

It is the BIFF who is responsible, Sobejana told AFP news agency, adding that this group is out to sow chaos.

Earlier this week, three people were killed and 35 wounded when a bomb concealed in a bag went off near a night market in Isulan.

In July, at least 11 people, including soldiers and civilians, were killed and seven others wounded after a bomb exploded in a van in the island province of Basilan in the southern Philippines.

Several armed groups are active against government forces in the south of the Southeast Asian country, where a decades-long rebellion has claimed more than 100,000 lives.

The recent blasts follow President Rodrigo Dutertes government enacting a law to create greater autonomy for the Muslim minority in the south which is hoped to help end the conflict.

Southern Philippines, especially the Mindanao region, has been on high alert since ISIL-linked fighters laid a five-month long siege in Marawi City last year.

The region is currently under martial law, which was declared by Duterte in May 2017, and later extended by Congress to the end of 2018.
At least 39 have been killed and nearly 100 others wounded in ongoing battles between rival militias in Libyan capital.

Libyas UN-backed government has announced a state of emergency in the capital, Tripoli, and its outskirts after several days of fierce fighting between rival armed groups.

At least 39 people, including civilians, have been killed in the violence and nearly 100 others wounded.

Due to the danger of the current situation and for the sake of the public interest, the presidential council declares a state of emergency  to protect and secure civilians, public and private possessions and vital institutions, the Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement on Sunday.

Reporting from Tripoli, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed said stray rockets were responsible for the death of several civilians.

Since the beginning of the clashes that broke out a week ago, many civilians have been killed as a result of random rockets falling onto densely populated areas, he said.

Many people here are blaming the Government of National Accord for not doing enough to stop the conflict.

Fighting in Tripoli

Libya slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

The country is currently governed by two rival authorities backed by an array of powerful armed groups: the Tripoli-based GNA, which is recognised by the UN as Libyas official government; and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives in the east of the country, which has the support of renegade General Khalifa Haftar.

The fighting in the capital erupted last week when armed groups from Tripoli clashed with others from a town to the south, vying for power in the administration based in the countrys west.

Street battles on Monday and Tuesday pitted the Seventh Brigade, or Kaniyat, from Tarhouna, a town 65km southeast of Tripoli, against the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigades and the Nawasi, two of the capitals largest factions.

The Kaniyat and other groups from outside Tripoli have noticed the success of rivals inside the city with growing unease. Reports about the wealth, power and extravagant lifestyles of some Tripoli rebel commanders have fuelled resentment.

Broken ceasefire

A fragile truce reached in coordination with the UN mission in Libya took effect on Thursday, but was quickly breached.

In its statement, the Tripoli-based government called the rival militias to stop the fighting and respect the ceasefire agreement, echoing a call issued by Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, a day earlier.

The Secretary-General condemns the continued escalation of violence in and around Libyas capital and, in particular, the use by armed groups of indiscriminate shelling leading to the death and injury of civilians, including children, a statement from Guterres office said on Saturday.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and abide by the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations and the Reconciliation Committees.

Also on Saturday, Britain, France, Italy and the United States said in a joint statement that an escalation would hamper the political process in Libya and plans to hold nationwide elections by December.

The four countries said they warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya that they will be held accountable for any such actions.
Syria and Iran say explosions were caused by short-circuit, denying Israeli strikes were behind the blasts.

A series of loud explosions from an airbase outside the Syrian capital, Damascus, was caused by an electrical fault, state media said, denying reports Israeli raids were behind the blasts.

The explosions, which occurred early on Sunday at the al-Mezzeh airbase on Damascus western outskirts, were heard across the city and were initially thought to be the result of an Israeli attack.

However, the Syrian state news agency SANA cited an unnamed military source who said there was no Israeli aggression.

The explosions heard in Damascus were due to the explosion of an ammunition depot near the airport, which was caused by a short-circuit, SANA reported.

The claim was repeated by an unnamed Iranian military official based in Syria, who was cited by Irans state news agency IRNA as saying that the blast was caused by an electrical short-circuit in an ammunition depot.

According to SANA, there were no casualties at the scene.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities.

AFP news agencys correspondents in Damascus heard multiple blasts overnight, one of which lit up the sky in a deep red hue, but reported calm on Sunday morning.

The airbase houses Syrian Air Force intelligence and, in early 2017, the Syrian government accused its neighbour Israel of bombing the base.

Israel has previously acknowledged having carried out air raids in Syria, aimed at degrading the capacity of Iran and its allies, including Lebanons Shia Hezbollah group, which are backing President Bashar al-Assad in the countrys seven-year war.

In May, it said it attacked nearly all of Irans military infrastructure in Syria after Iranian forces fired rockets at Israeli-held territory for the first time in the most extensive military exchange ever between the two adversaries.
Alexander Zakharchenko was the highest-profile member of Moscow-backed rebels to be killed in Ukraines war.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Ukraines rebel stronghold Donetsk on Sunday to mourn the killing of separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko.

Mourners queued to view the flag-draped coffin of the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic at a local theatre.

Zakharchenko died in a blast at a coffee shop in Donetsk on Friday. His bodyguard was also killed and 12 more people were wounded.

He was the most prominent figure from the Russia-backed side to be killed in Ukraines four-year conflict. Zakharchenko had been wounded twice in combat and survived a car bomb in August 2014.

Authorities estimated the turnout for the funeral was about 100,000 people, while a correspondent from AFP news agency put the number closer to 30,000.

Donetsks city centre was cordoned off and public transport temporarily suspended as people gathered to pay their respects.

Billboards displayed pictures of Zakharchenko and his quotes, including All of us have one Motherland  Russia.

Russia accused Ukraine of assassinating the 42-year-old, but Kiev blamed the explosion on separatist infighting.

Many mourners pointed a finger at Ukraines government for being behind the attack. We will never forget this tragedy, we will never forgive, said Sergei Kapustin, 35.

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A cool guy

Anatoly Bibilov, leader of Georgias breakaway region South Ossetia, and Alexander Borodai, a Russian journalist and former prime minister of the Donetsk republic, were in attendance.

Vladislav Surkov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued a statement carried by Donetsks official news agency calling Zakharchenko a brother.

You are a cool guy, a true hero and its a huge honour to be your friend, it read.

Mourners queued in Donetsk to pay respects to Zakharchenko, described as a true hero [Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters]

Zakharchenko, a former coal mine electrician, joined pro-Russian separatists in an armed uprising in Donetsk in 2014 and sold his business to help fund the movement.

He took the reins as the leader of the Donetsk Peoples Republic in November 2014 from a number of Russians, in a bid to show Ukraines separatist movement wasnt a Russian-led operation.

Other rebel leaders say he was handpicked for the role by Moscow. A vote held by separatists confirmed him in office.

Zakharchenko introduced Soviet-style military parades with tanks in Donetsk and usually wore military fatigues despite his political role.

Ongoing conflict

Putin called his death a dastardly crime aimed at destabilising a fragile regional peace.

I expect that the organisers and executors of this crime will get the deserved punishment, he said in a telegram of condolences released by the Kremlin.

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On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Zakharchenkos murder would derail long-delayed international peace talks on Ukraine.

Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany are involved in the talks, known as the Normandy format, which was established to seek a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

More than 10,000 people have been killed since rebels in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions overthrew Ukrainian central rule in April 2014 following Russias annexation of Crimea.

A shaky internationally brokered ceasefire has been in force since 2015, halting large-scale fighting. But there are still frequent firefights on the front line between separatists and Ukrainian forces.

Kiev and its Western allies have accused Russia of sending troops and arms into Ukraine. Moscow denies the allegations but has admitted Russian volunteers are assisting the rebels.
Several large rallies have taken place in recent months against an unpopular proposal to raise the retirement age.

Thousands of Russians have joined protests against plans to raise the retirement age, despite a recent move by President Vladimir Putin to soften the deeply unpopular measure.

Large crowds on Sunday gathered close to the Kremlin in the capital, Moscow, with many demonstrators carrying the red flags and banners of the opposition KPRF Communist Party, the main organiser of the rally.

Around 9,000 people took to the streets, according to White Counter, an NGO that counts participants at rallies. Moscow police put the number of participants at 6,000.

A large banner reading We do not trust United Russia, was held up by protesters and featured a drawing of a red fist punching the white polar bear logo of Putins ruling party, according to Reuters news agency.

Today we are holding an all-Russia protest against this cannibalistic reform, Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party, told protesters.

A separate Moscow gathering, organised by the Just Russia party, drew some 1,500 people, police said. Protests also took place in other Russian cities, including Siberias Novosibirsk and Vladivostok.

They were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the government proposal, announced in June, to gradually raise the pension age from 60 to 65 for men and from 55 to 63 for women in a change that would also affect the age at which Russians can receive state retirement pensions.

Following the public outcry, Putin took personal responsibility for the reform for the first time in a televised address on Wednesday, describing it as a financial necessity and asking Russians for their understanding.

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During his speech, Putin offered to lower the proposed retirement age for women from 63 to 60, women currently retire at 55.

The proposed raise for men would remain unchanged.

The measure is intended to address workplace shortages and boost the economy. However, unions and activists have raised concerns that, should the proposal be accepted, many Russians may not live long enough to claim a state pension.

According to the World Health Organization, Russian men have an average life expectancy of 66 years, while for women the figure is 77.

Critics say in some regions, the new retirement age would exceed life expectancy.

Putins approval rating has fallen by around 10 percentage points since the proposed reforms were announced, according to the Levada Center, an independent Moscow-based polling organisation, although it still stands at around 70 percent.

Critics of the proposal say in some regions, the new retirement age would exceed life expectancy [Pavel Golovkin/The Associated Press]

Whoever stays at home enables the thieves

Anna Borschevskaya, a fellow at The Washington Institute focusing on Russias foreign and domestic policy, told Al Jazeera that, despite the concession, many Russians feel Putin is to blame for the proposals.

He presented himself as this fatherly figure who is stepping in at the last minute to intervene to save everyone, but ultimately the public holds him responsible, she said.

These reforms demonstrate Russias economic decline and the governments inability to handle development because Russia is a system that is not geared towards development of the country  For example, the government had stopped contributing to the pension fund to finance the Crimea annexation, so its prioritising political motives, funding foreign adventures over domestic development.

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The economy has been suffering for several years, burdened by sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and a drop in oil prices.

In late August, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a key figure in arranging Sundays protests, was arrested in Moscow.

Navalnys spokesperson linked his detainment to his call for protests against the pension reform.

I dont doubt that you will be able to do it without me. The protest will be held in almost 100 cities in the country, you must join, the opposition politician said in an Instagram post from detention last week.

Swindlers and thieves will not quit by themselves and no one except for us can defend our pensions and our present and future. Whoever stays at home enables the thieves, he said.

Almost three million people have signed an online petition against the reform, which has been described by Moskovski Komsomolets, a Moscow newspaper, as the most dangerous and risky reform of Putins rule.

In March, Putin won a landslide re-election victory, extending his rule for another six years. The 65-year-old has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000.
Far-right and left-wing rallies draw 8,000 people in German city following wave of violence over carpenters killing.

Thousands of opponents and supporters of German Chancellor Angela Merkels immigration policy have marched through the eastern city of Chemnitz after a wave of racist violence that followed a knife killing.

The rallies drew about 8,000 people on Saturday, according to police, and ended peacefully.

Far-right protesters paraded with large portraits of victims of attacks perpetrated, they claimed, by asylum-seekers.

Some chanted Merkel must go and We are the people while waving German flags.

Rival demonstrators, meanwhile, brandished banners reading Chemnitz is neither grey nor brown and Heart instead of hate.

A total of 1,800 police officers were deployed in the city to keep the groups apart.

Saturdays protests drew about 4,500 far-right supporters from various movements including the far-right anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement, according to police estimates.

Another 3,500 marched in support of Merkels immigration policy, which has seen more than one million migrants and refugees allowed into Germany since 2015.

The leftist groups accuse the AfD and PEGIDA of exploiting the stabbing of a 35-year-old German carpenter, allegedly by asylum seekers, last month  to stoke hatred against migrants and refugees.

Rival demonstrators brandished banners reading Heart instead of hate [Monika Skolimowska/ AFP]

There were outbreaks of street violence last week, after two men  one Iraqi and one Syrian  were arrested over the fatal stabbing.

Mobs launched random street attacks against people they took to be foreigners, including an Afghan, a Syrian and a Bulgarian man.

Chemnitzs mayor, Barbara Ludwig, took part in the left-wing protest.

The government lent its support to the pro-refugee rally through Foreign Minister Heiko Maas who tweeted: The Second World War started 79 years ago. Germany caused unimaginable suffering in Europe. If once again people are parading today in the streets making Nazi salutes, our past history forces us to resolutely defend democracy.
From limiting the number of refugees welcomed to the US to cutting aid to Pakistan, here are some things Trump did in 2018 that you may have missed.
About the show

A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT
A look at how autocratic leaders and tyrants undermine democracy, media failings, and those willing to challenge power.
Leftists demanded a boycott, suggesting that all Americans who ate at Chick-fil-A were not just Americans who happened to like chicken sandwiches more than they cared about the extremely partisan smear campaign, but that anyone who would eat at Chick-fil-A is an evil person who hates gay people.

We all remember when, in 2012, the left pressed for a massive boycott against Chick-fil-A for the company's stance on a definition of "marriage" that includes same-sex couples. In short, CEO Dan Cathy had expressed some opinions in favor of the traditional (or Biblical, as he refers to it ) definition of marriage, and the left lost its collective mind.

Some would argue that the efforts backfired when the restaurant chain immediately experienced a "record-setting day," as "supporters thronged to many of its 1,600 locations, causing traffic jams and hours-long waits." Chick-fil-A saw massive turnout from supporters aligning with Dan Cathy's political statements in the weeks after the calls for boycott. Then the politics faded, and people once again decided to continue patronizing a store with quality food and fantastic service rather than not patronize it because the leftist criers demanded that they not do so.

The left later tried to make it an issue again, this time spearheaded by New York City mayor Bill de Blasio in late 2015 after the first store was opened in the city. Immediately after, the chain "gobbl[ed] up market share" among its rivals in the city, and four new stores have been opened there since then. In July of 2016, Chick-fil-A was named "America's best fast-food restaurant for the second year in a row."

But third time's the charm, as the saying goes. And so they tried again earlier this year, this time with the Huffington Post editor Noah Michelson writing a "scathing commentary headlined 'If You Really Love LGBTQ People, You Just Can't Keep Eating Chick-fil-A.'"

Talk show host Dave Rubin entered the fray on behalf of the restaurant, tweeting: "Hi, I'm Dave. I'm married to a dude [sic] and I eat chicken sandwiches whenever I want."

Rubin's comment is excellent  not because he's a gay man, but because it drives right to the heart of the issue. He chose to eat Chick-fil-A not because he loves their stance on marriage. He chose to eat it because he likes the sandwiches, it seems  but he appears to love the liberty he enjoys by pointing out that he can do whatever the hell he wants, and he won't be told what to do by those voices who claim to be the moral arbiters determining what someone can or can't do if he "loves" gay people.

This was all so juicy to watch for us because we recognized it as the left's effort to control the political narrative and the American people. The public smear campaign against Chick-fil-A can be described only as the left's complete and utter failure to do so, and Chick-fil-A is enjoying "staggering growth" in the fast food marketplace.

The left hasn't learned the slightest thing from any of that, obviously, because now its acolytes are trying to do the same thing to California's most popular fast food staple, In-N-Out, known for its trademark double cheeseburger, the Double-Double, and fresh-cut French fries.



Photo credit: Flickr.

Democrats, initially spurred by California DNC chair Eric Bauman, are calling for a boycott of In-N-Out for its having donated $30K to the California GOP in 2017. "[L]et Trump and his cronies support these creeps," he tweeted.

"These creeps," as he put it, are "a California institution that some hold with the same level of esteem as the Golden Gate Bridge and Joshua Tree," according to the Los Angeles Times. That alone might run the boycott efforts into the brick wall of regional pride  and there's nothing more American than that.

But there's another, more thoughtful reason why Californians and reasonable people everywhere may dismiss the calls to boycott.

Ashley Reese of The Slot writes that she's "never been more insulted by a burger" in her life.

She should have known, she says, that this revelation was coming. After all, she knew that In-N-Out "hid Bible scriptures on their soda cups and burger wrappers," and that "reeks of GOP." But what's perhaps most telling is that her indignation continues even though she is quite aware that the chain also donates to Democrats, including $80K "this election cycle to Californians for Jobs and a Strong Economy, a committee focused on electing business-friendly Democrats to the State Legislature."

In-N-Out quickly addressed the "controversy" in its having donated to Republicans with the following statement: "For years, In-N-Out Burger has supported lawmakers who, regardless of political affiliation, promote policies that strengthen California and allow us to continue operating with the values of providing strong pay and great benefits for our associates."

To a reasonable observer, that statement suggests balance, not a partisan agenda.

But, Reese whines, "that doesn't make me feel better, you guys!"

For the increasingly radical and intolerant left, you see, the facts don't matter. The only thing that matters is submission to leftists' preferred agenda, and the fast food chain must support only the political party that leftists support. Stop everything you've done with your family for years, Californians, and boycott the iconic restaurant that has made native Californians happy for generations  not because the delicious food, nostalgic atmosphere, and cost-effective pricing no longer make you happy, but because the left demands that you do so. After all, the restaurant had the audacity to support Republicans and Democrats!

This boycott will be no more successful than the Chick-fil-A boycott, I predict, likely for the same basic reason. As Jaime Regalado, emeritus professor of political science at California State University, Los Angeles describes, "[t]he stomach overrules the mind ... a cheap, good-tasting burger is hard to dismiss politically."

But the premise of left-wing activists for this boycott is even more radical than the boycott of Chick-fil-A, given that In-N-Out's only crime is that it is beholden to the non-ideological goal of "providing strong pay and great benefits" for its employees and appears to seek bipartisan solutions to attain such progress legislatively. That is, in fact, what many Americans in the political center want.

It's as if the universe is providing us with yet another metaphor for just how radical and intolerant the left is rapidly becoming, and how leftists would rather scream more loudly into their ideological echo chamber than appeal to anyone outside it.

William Sullivan blogs at Political Palaver and can be followed on Twitter.
Jeremy Corbyn Is Too Liberal Even for Britain

At the length, truth will out. If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Now the truth about the venomous presence of anti-Semitism in the British Labor Party is being told, told in all its lack of glory. In July 2018, three Jewish newspapers in Britain simultaneously wrote United We Stand, stating that a Labor government led by Jeremy Corbyn would pose "an existential threat" to Jewish life in the U.K. A month later, in August 2018, more than 30,000 British citizens signed a petition organized by the Campaign against Anti-Semitism , an organization to educate people about the issue, calling on Corbyn to resign as leader of the Labor Party. In the House of Commons, Dame Margaret Hodge, M.P. for Barking in East London, who lost family members in the Holocaust, called Corbyn a "racist and anti-Semite" and asserted that the Labor Party is a "hostile environment" for Jews.

At the outset, it should be clear that the complaints and allegations against the persistence of Labor Party anti-Semitism and his refusal to condemn it is not motivated by animus against Corbyn, but results from perusal of his utterances and actions and his non-actions and silences. Any animus is in fact displayed by supporters of Corbyn. One influential close ally is Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, the second largest trade union in the U.K., with 1.2 million members, who spoke of Jewish "truculent hostility" and called on Jewish community leaders, whose motives he somewhat surprisingly said he did not understand, to "dial down the rhetoric." There can be no misunderstanding the motives of McCluskey and Unite. In a "statement of Solidarity with the Palestinian People," issued on July 11, 2014, a call was made for sanctions against Israel, which was described as an "apartheid state." Even Corbyn himself in March 2018 recognized, if belatedly, that anti-Semitism has occurred in pockets of the Labor Party, "causing pain and hurt to our Jewish community in the L.P. and the rest of the country." However, over the years, Corbyn has denied that he is personally anti-Semitic, though he has uttered classic tropes that suggest otherwise. This can now be judged by videos recently made public showing that he shared platforms and took part in events with anti-Semities, terrorist sympathizers, and other political extremists and never publicly challenged them. The weightiest stinging comment on Corbyn, an unprecedented attack, came in August 2018 from Lord Sacks, Cambridge and London University-educated chief rabbi, 1991-2013, who referred to Corbyn as a person who has legitimized the public expression of hate. Sacks was unqualified in his remarks of an indigo hue: within living memory of the Holocaust, Britain has an anti-Semite as the leader of the Labor Party and Her Majesty's Opposition. The danger is that where he leads, others will follow. According to Sacks, Corbyn's hate defiles British politics. He is low, dishonest, and dangerous. First he denies, then he equivocates, then he obfuscates. Sacks was particularly incensed by revelation of remarks Corbyn had made in 2013 at a meeting of the Palestinian Return Center, where he attacked a group of "British Zionists" who had dared to criticize a speech by Palestinian ambassador Manuel Hassassian. Those Zionists, Corbyn said, had two problems. One is that they don't want to study history. The second is that, having lived in the country for a very long time, probably all their lives, they "don't understand English irony. ... Manuel does understand English irony." Sacks saw this as the most offensive statement made by a senior British politician since Enoch Powell. Like Powell, the leader using the language of classic prewar European anti-Semitism, Corbyn depicts an entire group of British citizens as essentially alien, with implications of double loyalty. Corbyn said "Zionists," but "Jews" were implicit, unable to appreciate irony, a figure of speech absent in his own speeches. Corbyn was not only offensive, but ignorant and foolish. All Jews, Isaiah Berlin once said, who are conscious of their identity as Jews are steeped in history. Jews, we know, have too much history and too little geography. Corbyn may be a slow or inattentive reader. Otherwise, he can start with Jewish irony in the Bible and, more recently, in British novelist Howard Jacobson's The Finkler Question. By a remarkable coincidence, the case of Enoch Powell and his controversial 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech was being discussed when Sacks referred to it in August 2018. In February 2018, Powell's former constituency of Wolverhampton, for which he was an M.P., 1950-74, planned to remember him with a blue plaque. As a result of opposition by many, including those who intended to tear it down or deface it, the plan was scraped. In his speech, Powell proposed control and limit to mass immigration into Britain, especially from the black Commonwealth: we must, he said, "be mad as a nation to permit the annual flow of some 50,000 dependents." The country must prevent discrimination against the native population. Curiously, in spite of the invective, Powell had never used the phrase "Rivers of Blood" but had alluded to the poet Virgil, who wrote, "[L]ike the Roman, I seem to see the River Tiber foaming with much blood." Corbyn's statements and the recent emergence of video footage occasion a comment. One video shows him in 2014 in Tunisia attending a ceremony honoring three "Palestinian martyrs," the Black September group, and the group's founder, Salah Khalaf (Abu Iyad), responsible for torturing and then for the assassination of 11 Israeli athletes in the 1972 Munich Olympic games. He denied laying a wreath but said he was "present though not actually involved in it." However, he mislaid the truth, since photos show him with a wreath. They also show him close to the grave of Atef Bseiso, intelligence chief of the PLO, also involved in the 1972 massacre, who was killed in Paris in June 1992. Corbyn urged an end to the "stranglehold of elite power and billionaire domination" over large parts of the British media, familiar in many anti-Semitic utterances. His remarks echoed and were praised by David Duke, Holocaust-denier and Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, and Nick Griffin, former leader of the neo-Nazi British National Party. Corbyn was also defended by Haneen Zoabi, Israeli-Arab member of the Knesset, who calls Israel a "fascist" state, about his remarks concerning speeches made by the British MPS, but which she, and L.P. members, insisted were written by Israeli diplomats concerning the Gaza flotilla raid in May 2010. Zoabi was aboard the ship Mavi Marmara, along with IHH activists affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, who tried to end the Israeli blockade of Hamas in Gaza. Israeli commandos boarded the ship and were attacked by IHH, ten of whom died in the fighting. Corbyn in 2011 called for Holocaust Memorial Day to be changed to Genocide Memorial Day to reflect that Nazis targeted not only Jewish people. In 2010, he hosted an event and made no comment when a speaker compared Israeli policy with Nazi policies. Again in 2013, at a meeting of the Palestinian Return Center, he compared Israeli control of the West Bank to the Nazi occupation of Europe, with endless roadblocks, imprisonment, and irrational behavior by the military and the police, "of the very sort that is recognizable by many people in Europe who suffered occupation during World War II." In an interview on TV on August 12, 2012 concerning a terrorist incident, Corbyn said Israel had an interest in violence in the Sinai, though it was Islamic jihadists who attacked an Egyptian army base, killing 16 Egyptians. Corbyn has endorsed BDS with the argument that "I think the boycott campaign is part and parcel of a legal process that has to be adopted. Sanctions against Israel are the appropriate way of promoting the peace process." He described former foreign minister Tzipi Livni as a war criminal. No one will accuse Corbyn of being a war criminal, but equally he is not the best the U.K. can offer to cleanse the disease of anti-Semitism. The Labor Party, for its own good and for the good of the country, should end his position as leader. Dayanu: Enough is enough.
We Must Fight for Family Values

Our culture is increasingly pushing against the family as the bedrock institution of civilization. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels believed that the family is a "bourgeois institution" premised on the inequalities of the capitalist system. This teaching is disgusting and wretched in the deepest sense. It must be persistently and openly repudiated. Bernie Sanders and some stupid lady who just won a primary in New York City openly proclaim socialism, but all their critics can say to their vision of more free programs for the populace is "where will the money come from?" The implications for our families of their socialist-communist vision is never at the forefront of the voiced objections to them, even by the conservative media. Yet the preservation of the family is more important than even the serious matter of whether the country is or is not impoverished. My grandparents were dirt poor from a foreign country, and America did not yet have any safety net, but they had a strong sense of family, a strong commitment to family values. Because of those values, they survived and even thrived, as did their children and grandchildren. It was their family values that allowed their progress.

We are on the brink of a family catastrophe in this country. The threat to the integrity of the family in America is entirely because of the leftward trend of our politics during the past half-century, combined with a tremendous decline in faith in God. Since the era of the 1960s  the anti-Vietnam War movement; the sexual revolution; prayer taken out of the schools; millions dead from abortions; the drug subculture epidemic; the explosion of perversions of all kinds; identity politics instead of trans-ethnic unity (the melting pot); and above all heightened divorce rates, non-marital cohabitation, children born out of the bonds of holy matrimony, and stagnant or declining educational competencies. Our leftward drift has brought us to this point of disunity, chaos, moral relativism, and utter contempt for the foundational values of our country. This writer taught in the New York Public High Schools for over twenty years. In one high school, two weeks after I arrived, when it became known that I had a more conservative outlook and was an evangelical Christian (how shocking!), one of the teachers stood close to me and said, "I just want you to know that communism collapsed in the USSR, but it is alive and well in this high school." Another teacher, regularly and blithely, handed out copies of a communist newspaper to students. Still another teacher spent an entire month in his Advanced Placement European History course teaching the Communist Manifesto. When the students complained to the department chairperson, nothing was done. Although Howard Zinn's bestselling college textbook on American history entitled The People's History of the United States is not on the list of textbooks that can be bought by the New York public schools, many teachers of American history photocopy sections of that book for distribution in their courses as supplementary reading. By so doing, they are advancing Zinn's communist view of American history. But one of the most popular approved textbooks is The Americans, a veritable digest of left-wing activities (Zinn lite) and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Although teachers are not allowed to promote a specific candidate or political point of view in the schools, it is so common, and so uniformly approved in the bluest of blue subcultures known as New York City, that these "forbidden polemics" are routinely promoted. When this writer expressed to his leftist colleagues that the teaching platform was not a bully platform, and that teachers should try not to let their biases totally control their teaching, the leftists declared that it is impossible to offset one's biases and that trying to offset one's bias is itself a bias in favor of a more conservative ideology than theirs. In many high schools in New York City, girls are routinely given slips to go have abortions without parental permission. Condoms are distributed by the schools. The days of going to the drugstore to purchase your own are over. Thus, the schools are literally promoting fornication. For over 30 years, sex ed teachers have been telling students how to put condoms on cucumbers and bananas. This writer was covering a class as a substitute and glanced at a sex education textbook on the teacher's desk. One section told the students they should be tolerant of that remnant of students who still believed they should wait to have sex until they are married. This implied that their view is now a minority view but that this pro-wedlock minority should not be harassed or ridiculed. How generous and commendable! The unity of love, sex, and marriage was not advanced in any way. The relation of sex to reproduction  i.e., the ultimate purpose of human sexuality  was not included in the book. One high school where I worked had a yearly event called Senior Cross-Dressing Day, where senior male students, if they so desired (and many did), would come to the school dressed as females with wigs, dresses, make-up, polished nails, bras, and other accoutrements such as necklaces or bracelets. In a way, it was a mockery of drag queens, homosexuals, and cross-dressers. In another sense, it was a purely prurient activity that not only went against the school dress code (yes, the school on "normal days" had a dress code), but was guaranteed to have shocked most of the freshmen boys and girls and to have offended students of every religion in the school (in NYC, that includes Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews). No parental permission is required in any of these cases. The premise of this article is that these activities are anti-family because they put sex on a pedestal outside the context of family. For most of the twentieth century, the rule of in loco parentis (in place of the parents) prevailed. Schools were to acknowledge that it was the parents who imparted values to their children, not the schools. Those values were, by definition, family values. Now the schools have become places were values are imparted, and the parents sometimes, and sometimes not, are asked to sign a permission slip for their children to participate in modern society. The values projected are anti-family. The engine of the anti-family agenda in our society and in our schools is the Marxist agenda that has gained traction and momentum since the 1960s. The central tenet of that agenda is that government ("the people"), not private individuals, should own the means of production. That agenda has seen various add-ons such as identity politics; the sexual revolution that repudiates the sex-love-marriage unity; the increasing legitimization of drugs and various dissipations; and attacks on the philosophical ideas and ideals of individual rights and an eternal, God-given moral law. These add-ons to classical Marxism may be called cultural Marxism. Those of us who are professed deplorables and people of faith must pray, speak, vote, and organize against these destructive trends. E. Jeffrey Ludwig is a prolific online writer of conservative articles and has authored the volume The Catastrophic Decline of America's Public High Schools: New York City, A Case Study, available at www.amazon.com. He has been listed multiple times in Who's Who Among America's High School Teachers. At present, he teaches philosophy in New York City.
According to the liberal media, Brooklyn was one big happy multicultural town, until conservatives ruined it by complaining about the illegal alien who murdered Mollie. Really.

When an invading army captures a town, they usually run up the flag, to show who's in charge. But in America, we don't need an occupying army. We do it to ourselves. Witness the town of Brooklyn, Iowa, where Mollie Tibbetts was murdered by an illegal alien, which proudly flies the flag of Mexico .

...police found Tibbettss body discarded in a cornfield. They charged Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a local farmhand, with her murder. And they announced that Rivera, who had no prior criminal history, was an undocumented Mexican immigrant.

For most people in Brooklyn, though, Riveras legal status is a distraction. This time should be about Mollie, they say, not the man accused of killing her.

This is the liberal line. On the statistically rare occasions when a white person kills a black, the liberal media can talk about nothing else other than the race of the accused. But when an illegal alien does the killing, they don't want to talk about perpetrators. They treat it like the weather. It's just something that happens.

The wave of racist rhetoric prompted organizers to cancel two nearby Latino heritage festivals.

The WaPo calls it "racist" rhetoric because it's anti-illegal alien. But shouldn't Brooklyn have more American heritage festivals than Latino ones?

They [Liberals] resented that Tibbetts, whom they describe as warm, sharp, liberal and loquacious, was being used as a pawn for a political position she never would have adopted.

Would Tibbetts have wanted to end illegal immigration, if it would have saved her own life? If she was truly a liberal, perhaps not!

At her memorial service on Sunday, Rob Tibbetts defended the Latino community, saying, As far as Im concerned, theyre Iowans with better food.

Of course. Illegal aliens are better than Americans in every way, according to the liberals. Actually, I think illegal aliens are just like Iowans who don't speak much English. And speaking of that...

Eustaquio Capi Bahena Radilla... wouldnt know if neighbors were whispering about him  he doesnt speak English.

A good thing we have ballots in Spanish!

Rumors circulated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials planned to raid Brooklyn, and fearful families weighed whether to stay or go.

You have to empathize a little, right? These people feel terrorized by the country they illegally invaded and are currently occupying.

An American is killed by an illegal alien. And so the media is filled with stories about illegal aliens who feel oppressed by backlash to the killing, and praise for the flying of the national flag of the killer's nation of origin. It's no longer surprising, just sad.

File image of Mexican flag via Pixabay

Ed Straker is the senior editor of the Newsmachete Twitter Feed.
The money had previously been suspended because of Pakistan's support for terrorists who were killing Americans in Afghanistan and destabilzing that regime. Donald Trump announced the suspension of aid earlier this year, but the Pentagon left open the possibility that it could be restored if Pakistan altered its behavior.

Reuters is reporting that the Pentagon has decided to cancel $300 million in military aid to Pakistan over their continuing support for Islamic terrorsts.

Since that has not been the case, the money has been cut.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, in particular, had an opportunity to authorize $300 million in CSF funds through this summer - if he saw concrete Pakistani actions to go after insurgents. Mattis chose not to, a U.S. official told Reuters. Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy the remaining $300 (million) was reprogrammed, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said. Faulkner said the Pentagon aimed to spend the $300 million on other urgent priorities if approved by Congress. He said another $500 million in CSF was stripped by Congress from Pakistan earlier this year, to bring the total withheld to $800 million. The disclosure came ahead of an expected visit by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the top U.S. military officer, General Joseph Dunford, to Islamabad. Mattis told reporters on Tuesday that combating militants would be a primary part of the discussion. Experts on the Afghan conflict, Americas longest war, argue that militant safe havens in Pakistan have allowed Taliban-linked insurgents in Afghanistan a place to plot deadly strikes and regroup after ground offensives. The Pentagons decision showed that the United States, which has sought to change Pakistani behavior, is still increasing pressure on Pakistans security apparatus. It also underscored that Islamabad has yet to deliver the kind of change sought by Washington. It is a calibrated, incremental ratcheting up of pressure on Pakistan, said Sameer Lalwani, co-director of the South Asia program at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington.

Pakistan sees Afghanistan as in their sphere of influence and their support for terrorists and the Taliban is part of their overall regional security strategy. For years, they have been playing a double game, giving lip service and some assistance to US anti-terrorism efforts in the region while Pakistani's intelligence agency, the ISI, blatantly supports terrorists who kill Americans. We've put up with this double dealing because most supplies that go to our forces in Afghanistan come through Pakistan -- the cheapest and easiest resupply route. But with far fewer US military personnel in Afghanistan today, the urgent need to keep Pakistan happy has disappeared. Hence, the Pentagon's calculation that if Pakistan refuses to allow resupplying Americans in Afghanistan, other supply routes can be utilized.

Pakistan will no doubt be angry and turn out militants into the street to protest. American facilities may be attacked. But the Pakistanis have only themselves to blame. We have been sending military and economic aid to Pakistan since the days of President Zia, who backed Afghan rebels in their war against Soviet occupation and all during that time, the Pakistani government has supported extremists.

If they can do without US military and economic aid, they can continue their duplicitous policies. But there is no doubt that the Pakistani military will feel the loss of $300 million keenly.
Sunday, September 2, 2018

Recent discipline summaries from the California Bar Journal

Shell Kaminsky [#284216], 38, of Brentwood, was summarily disbarred effective August 22, 2018, ordered to notify clients of the discipline and perform other obligations under rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. Kaminsky pleaded no contest to a felony count of second degree burglary. Burglary is a crime involving moral turpitude. Kaminsky did not participate in the State Bar proceedings and did not provide any mitigation evidence. Kaminsky had no prior record of disciplinary matters.

Peter D. King [#282249], 41, of Livermore, was summarily disbarred effective August 22, 2018, ordered to notify clients of the discipline and perform other obligations under rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. King pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second degree burglary. Burglary is a crime involving moral turpitude. King did not participate in the State Bar proceedings and did not provide any mitigation evidence. King had no prior record of disciplinary matters.

The King Review Department report is linked here.

He was admitted on March 20, 2012 and has been administratively suspended as of July 1, 2016 for non-payment of dues. An interim disciplinary suspension has been in effect as of December 26, 2017.

The Kaminsky Review Department report may be found here.

She was admitted on August 13, 2012, administratively suspended on July 1, 2015 and suspended for the crime on March 12, 2018.

Two very short careers at the Bar.

The Press Democrat had the story of an earlier arrest of Ms. Kaminsky

An East Bay lawyer charged with possessing methamphetamine and prescription pills when she tried to enter the Sonoma County courthouse claims she is the victim of an illegal search.

Shell Kaminsky, 31, of Brentwood is seeking to suppress evidence obtained during her July 17 arrest on grounds that she was not present when deputies looked in her briefcase.

In court papers, Kaminsky admits grabbing her phone and running after security guards went through her belongings and found nearly a gram of the illegal stimulant. She was arrested minutes later in a nearby parking lot.

But she said the briefcase wasn't in her possession later when deputies retrieved it from the court entrance where she left it. They conducted another search and turned up dextroamphetamine pills.

Because the briefcase was not under her immediate control, a suppression motion filed in her defense claims that anything found in it was taken illegally and cannot be used as evidence against her.

"Ms. Kaminsky asserts the search of her briefcase was without warrant and without other legal means to justify the search," said her lawyer, Jason Tucker, in the motion.

In their legal papers Tuesday, prosecutors argued that Kaminsky's belongings were abandoned by her and that she no longer had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Diana Gomez said rules regarding searches are clearly posted at the entrance to the court. Kaminsky saw them when she submitted her briefcase and wallet for inspection and later fled despite a command from a security guard to stop, Gomez said.

"The subsequent search of the property she abandoned at the station is lawful," Gomez wrote.

Kaminsky is charged with two felonies, possession of methamphetamine and possession of pills without a prescription. She's also charged with failing to subject herself to a search upon entering a courthouse, a misdemeanor.

The later charge makes her ineligible for court-ordered drug treatment programs, Tucker said.

A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 19. The suppression issue will be decided by Judge Robert LaForge.

Any sanctions from the State Bar of California would follow a separate path. A conviction could result in a suspension of her license to practice but would not lead to automatic disbarment.

A Bar spokeswoman didn't return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

Kaminsky, who received her license about a year ago, was representing a client in a multi-defendant assault case when she was arrested.

Prosecutors said she was walking through the north entrance to the courthouse when security guards spotted the clear plastic bag in her belongings.

Kaminsky grabbed her phone and ran. A security guard and two deputies followed her as she walked at a "faster than normal" pace across Ventura Avenue just north of Administration Drive.

She ducked behind some cars and took off her suit jacket before Deputy Michael Whiteside shouted to her, according to court papers.

He recognized her from the courthouse when she turned around. He asked her how she came to have drugs other than the prescription pills and she responded she "could imagine how it got there" but she refused to say anything else, according to court papers.

Whiteside then asked why she was walking away and she said "she didn't want to have to deal with it in front of people," the papers said.

(Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2018/09/a-recent-discipline-summary-from-the-california-bar-journal-shell-kaminsky-284216-38-of-brentwood-was-summarily-disbar.html
Reeling from a huge pedophilia, pederasty, and coverup crisis, and refusing to answer charges of participating in the latter from a former papal nuncio, Pope Francis seems to have some very screwy priorities. Here's what the Associated Press, via the New York Post, reported :

Francis made the appeal in a message Saturday to galvanize Christians and others to work to save what he hails as the marvelous, God-given gift of the great waters and all they contain. He said efforts to fight plastics litter must be waged as if everything depended on us. The pope also denounced as unacceptable the privatization of water resources at the expense of the human right to have access to this good.

Has he gone bonkers? Is this satire from his enemies? The Church is in the middle of the mother of all public relations meltdowns, the faithful are scandalized, and he's talking about the environment and capitalism as the real problems? We still haven't got past the mind-boggling news that 1,000 children were abused by 300 priests in just one of 50 states, in some of the most grotesque circumstances imaginable - actually, they weren't imaginable until we read about it - a priest stripping a boy naked and making him pose as Jesus on the cross to get his perversion on? A priest raping a little girl at the hospital who was getting her tonsils out? We aren't over this. The pope's soggy apologies and efforts to collectivize the guilt aren't cutting it. And there's smoke from the huge fires of abuse rocking once-ultra-Catholic Ireland and once-ultra-Catholic Chile going on at the same time. Sorry, talking about the environment under these circumstances is likely to motivate some Catholics to go throw a plastic milk bottle into the ocean just to teach him a lesson.

For his information, we're not the bad guys this time.

This whole effort to change the topic is the sign of someone out of touch, and lacking interest in what is going on in the organization he's the leader of, by blaming the West for supposedly 'bigger' sins.

Even from his own point of view, the plastics-in-the-ocean 'emergency' is hardly a useful topic for a pontiff cast aside everything else for.

Studies show that nearly all plastic polluting the ocean can be traced to Asia - the socialist and communist parts of Asia as a matter of fact, which is hardly a Catholic bastion of the faithful. According to Forbes:

China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are dumping more plastic into oceans than the rest of the world combined, according to a 2017 report by Ocean Conservancy.

And if you want to take it further, note that virtually all of this plastic pollution is coming from the places apparently untouched by either the existence of Catholics or more particularly, the abuse crisis. According to the U.K. Express:

A STAGGERING 90 per cent of all plastic found in the worlds oceans is carried there by just ten rivers - all of them in India, Africa and China.

Is that who the pope is targeting in his plastic pollution remarks? The Church's growing markets? The whole thing is absurd, because from the Church's point of view, if it came down to saving so much as one child or letting the ocean get dirty for awhile, the faith dictates saving the child.

Actually, we know what his leftist Holiness was really trying to do: Blame the West for is pollution sins. Somehow, us with our consumer habits are the real sinners, not the horrid clergy that's right there in front of our eyes and attention.

What's striking to me is how out of touch the pope's remarks were with the very Gospel being read in today's Catholic Churches worldwide this Sunday, when Jesus was asked by the supercilious Pharisees why his followers didn't wash their hands properly before eating, and he replied like this:



He summoned the crowd again and said to them,

"Hear me, all of you, and understand.

Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;

but the things that come out from within are what defile.



"From within people, from their hearts,

come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,

adultery, greed, malice, deceit,

licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

All these evils come from within and they defile."

You can bet I'm not the only one who thought of those words as a rebuke to the problems of pedophile priests infesting our Church and making Christ's name mud among the scandalized faithful. The problems come from within, not from dirt from the exterior.

Yet here we are, with the pope decrying water pollution and privatization (something he likely picked up from the liberation theology greats controlling Church and state in Bolivia, where there has been a water issue and socialist agitating about it), instead of addressing head-on the problems facing the Church, and calling to make the situation better. He's only showing his lost moral authority as he tries to deflect the topic. The issue is just too big now, and calls for a hard papal response, even if it costs him his lefty political allies, if he ever wants to regain the moral authority his office merits.
Which already is underway on Twitter. (Retweeting with a comment is the easy approach).

With President Trump always eager to point out new varieties of fake news, the Associated Press, the nations largest single source of news content, has lobbed a slow softball over the Oval Office plate for him. And it has done so in a way that is utterly suited for hilarious mockery.

Hats off to Asche Schow of the Daily Wire for catching an breathless report on AP projecting doom for the POTUS they love to hate.

How many layers removed can a source be before the entire report starts to look absurd? The Associated Press seems to have pushed the limits in an article published Friday morning. Heres the lede: A senior Justice Department lawyer says a former British spy told him at a breakfast meeting two years ago that Russian intelligence believed it had Donald Trump over a barrel, according to multiple people familiar with the encounter. So, sources say a DOJ lawyer said a former British spy told him that Russian intelligence told him it had the president over a barrel during the 2016 elections. Got that?

Its already resembling the party game called Telephone where a message is whispered from one ear to another, and after several iterations becomes hopelessly and often humorously garbled.

But, the levels of separation between source and the publication of information is more degrees of separation:

I count five-times removed from the original source, but it was pointed out to me on Twitter that it is even more removed than that. We have the Russian intelligence, Christopher Steele (former British spy), Bruce Ohr (Former DOJ official), DOJ lawyers, lawmakers, sources, and the Associated Press.

Asche is not alone in mockery. And Sean Davis of the Federalist puts this nonsense in perspective just perfectly:

My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw a Russian intelligence agent talking about Trump at 31 Flavors last night. https://t.co/8uYLsEE0m8  Sean Davis (@seanmdav) August 31, 2018

Respectfully, Mr. President, please retweet Sean Daviss tweet with a few choice words of your own and make this an instance Sunday Schadenfreude the AP will never forget.
The youngster was one of 11 children and 5 adults found at the residence by sheriff's deputies, along with the body of a 3 year old boy who had been buried on the site.

According to federal court documents, a 13 year old who was part of a group of Muslims staying at a run down compound in New Mexico, says he was being trained to carry out jihad against unbelievers.

Last week, a judge released all the adults without bail.

Reuters:

In an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, an FBI special agent wrote that Leveilles 13-year-old son told investigators that his mothers boyfriend, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40, wanted to get an army together and train them for jihad. The boy told agents that Ibn Wahhaj trained him and another of Leveilles teenage sons in firearms and military techniques, including rapid reloads and hand-to-hand combat, and told them jihad meant killing non-believers on behalf of Allah, according to the affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in New Mexico. The 13-year-old also told the FBI that his mother believed she received messages from God, and that he watched her and Ibn Wahhaj perform supposed exorcism rituals over the three-year-old boy, including one during which the boy choked and his heart stopped, according to the special agents affidavit. The teenager said his mother and others at the compound told him not to talk to anyone about the three-year-old ever being at the compound because they would all go to jail. Defense lawyers have said that the five adults were exercising their constitutional rights to practice their religion and own firearms, and that the group is being discriminated against because they are black and Muslim. The defense attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday.

But I thought "jihad" meant "struggle" or something. Not war against unbelievers. Only ignorant Islamophobes believe otherwise.

Learn something new everyday.

Meanwhile, 5 of the adults were re-arrested by the FBI on weapons charges.

Good Morning America:

The FBI charged five former residents of a dilapidated compound in New Mexico with weapons offenses after three of them were released earlier in the week. Lucas Morton, Subhannah Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj -- who are sisters -- were taken back into custody on the weapons charges, authorities said. Jany Leveille and Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, who had not been released, were also charged by the FBI. Leveille, who is from Haiti and in the U.S. illegally, was charged with being "an alien unlawfully in possession of firearms and ammunition in the District of New Mexico from Nov. 2017 through Aug. 2018." The other four were charged with aiding and abetting Leveille, according to a release from the FBI. The five adults were originally arrested on Aug. 3 when the Taos County Sheriff's Office stormed their compound in northern New Mexico and found 11 children living in a filthy, ramshackle trailer buried in the dirt and surrounded by tire and earthen barricades. The facility had no running water or electricity and officials found 11 guns, including an AR-15-style rifle and four handguns, as well as a stockpile of ammunition.

Not taking the threat of jihad seriously because to do so might brand one an "Islamophobe" is idiotic. It is not anti-Muslim to be concerned that someone is being trained to kill people - regardless of their religion.

There may be more charges coming, including murder against the 3 year old. The question on my mind is, how do we deprogram those kids who have been brainwashed to commit acts of violence?
In other words, only the U.S. Congress has the constitutional authority to create a special path to legalization for the "DREAMers." (In the interest of full disclosure, I support a limited plan that offers legalization based on behavior and schoolwork. My plan would provide a work visa but no path to citizenship.)

As we've posted before, only Congress can save DACA.

Judge Hanen confused things even more by writing an opinion that is a win and a loss for the DREAMers.

It's a win because it keeps DACA in life support for a bit longer.

It's a loss because Judge Hanen made it clear, in his words, that he would likely terminate DACA.

Furthermore, what program are DREAMers going to sign up for? There is no DACA. It phased out last September.

So DACA lives on for a bit longer, but not too much longer.

President Trump put a plan on the table to legalize 2 million DREAMers months ago. The Democrats decided that playing resistance was a better option.

My suggestion to DREAMers: Get on the phone and tell the "resistance" to negotiate with President Trump.

Here are the political realities facing DREAMers, no matter what wave comes in November:

1. It takes 60 votes to pass anything in the U.S. Senate. At the moment, there are 49 Democrats, but six represent red states, and they did not go along with Minority Leader Schumer in February to shut down the government over DACA. At the moment, polls indicate that Democrats in North Dakota, Missouri, and Indiana will lose re-election.

Moral of the story: No blue wave will get Democrats a majority in the U.S. Senate. On other hand, the GOP could pick three or four Senate seats, making DACA even more difficult to pass without border restrictions, employer sanctions, and some of the other things President Trump put on the table.

2. President Trump, assuming that some version gets 60 votes in the U.S. Senate, can veto DACA. In that case, it would take two thirds of the Congress to override a presidential veto.

Second moral of the story: The DACA decision will have to go through President Trump's desk.

I sympathize with the DREAMers. They were used by President Obama to create some excitement in the Mexican-American community when polls showed little enthusiasm for him in the summer of 2012.

The DREAMers were basically given a check without funds, and now they can't cash it anywhere.

Again, the DREAMers need to call their Democrat friends and tell them to sit down and negotiate with President Trump.

Otherwise, we will go from judge to judge until it reaches the Supreme Court. As Judge Hanen said, DACA is very likely to lose in the courts.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
Dead Facebook apps and services are still a privacy issue but one that the company is now doing a better job at addressing, according to Neil Hughes, Vice President at One World Identity, an independent advisory firm specializing in the data economy. In a statement provided to AndroidHeadlines, Mr. Hughes praised Facebooks new policy that prevents third-party developers from accessing user data via apps and services that havent been accessed in over 90 days, calling it a step in the right direction for the Internet juggernaut.

Policies like that are a sign that the company is making changes for the better, the industry veteran said, suggesting more work needs to be done on the privacy front. Facebook has been under fire to do more to protect the privacy of its users ever since the Cambridge Analytica scandal became public knowledge in late March, especially as the episode that saw the now-defunct political consulting firm surreptitiously harvest data on tens of millions of users was described as a standard developer policy prior to Facebooks 2015 change of its terms of service. While some industry watchers such as Mr. Hughes are supportive of the companys efforts to limit third-party access to user data, others are calling for more unconventional methods of protecting peoples privacy.

The latter group includes Jedidiah Yueh, founder of secure data management company Delphix. Earlier this year, Mr. Yueh told AndroidHeadlines Facebook is too late to employ restriction-versus-access policies and should instead invest in better protecting the data it has while still making sure such information can be accessed by trusted parties, usually in development and testing scenarios. You dont become a Facebook by restricting data access to developers, the technology expert concluded at the time. The Menlo Park, California-based social media giant is still in the process of investigating apps that it suspects might have violated user privacy in the past, having most recently banned online quiz MyPersonality for such a transgression. The European Commission is still looking into the companys data management practices and recently signaled it may explore the possibility of breaking up its business on antitrust grounds.
Samsung is working on a new Android smartphone thats equipped with a quadruple-camera setup on the back and is planned to be released later this year, known China-based industry insider known only by their social media handle Ice Universe said earlier today. The source close to a number of Samsungs component suppliers specifically stated the handset in question is not the Galaxy S10 or the firms foldable Galaxy F, having already implied as much by asserting the product will be commercialized this year instead of 2019.

The presence of four rear cameras would suggest the said device is a high-end offering with a premium price tag given how such an imaging system would likely raise its manufacturing costs by a significant degree, hence not being an ideal option for the mid-range category that already comes with thin profit margins attached to it due to aggressive global competition. Based on that assumption, the insider was most likely referring to the W2019, the only remaining unannounced flagship Samsung is expected to release this year. The successor to the W2018 should once again launch in the form of a traditional flip phone and be a China exclusive which continues Samsungs history of experimentation. Last years W2018 debuted the variable-aperture camera Samsung ended up implementing into the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 lineups but even if the W2019 was to use a quadruple-lens system, such a solution is unlikely to be added to the companys mainstream product lines meant to be released next year.

Imaging systems with three and more cameras are widely expected to be the next major trend in the smartphone industry. Besides allowing manufacturers to deliver better mobile photography experiences without making thicker handsets, such systems are also being heavily pushed by component manufacturers threatened by the stagnation of global smartphone shipments. By popularizing triple- and quadruple-camera setups, sensor and lens producers can continue growing their businesses even as consumers are buying fewer handsets on an annual basis. This years LG V40 is rumored to feature a triple-camera setup, much like the upcoming Huawei Mate 20 Pro. At least one member of Samsungs Galaxy S10 series set to launch in early 2019 should feature three rear cameras as well, according to recent reports.
Do it yourself if you can We accept  in principle  that private equity can deliver (somewhat) excess returns over most other asset classes. But there are a lot of qualifications attached to that, and most of them are very relevant to whether and how pension funds should invest in private equity.
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France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing bees silversides

The bare necessities of life

User ID: 148291

09-02-2018 02:47 AM



Posts: 30,760









Post: #1 France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing bees

Advertisement





France's new ban on pesticides will go further than those of the EU, in a bid to protect the country's declining bee population CREDIT: REUTERS



Henry Samuel, paris

31 AUGUST 2018  4:15PM

France will take a radical step towards protecting its dwindling bee population on Saturday by becoming the first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides researchers believe are killing off the insects.



The move to ban the five so-called neonicotinoids has been hailed by beekeepers and environmentalists, but cereal and sugar beet farmers warn it could leave them all but defenceless in protecting valuable crops against other harmful insects.



By enforcing the blanket ban, France is going further than the European Union, which voted to outlaw the use of three neonicotinoids - clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam - in crop fields starting on December 19.



France has banned these three, along with thiacloprid and acetamiprid, not only outdoors but in greenhouses too.



Initially opposed, Britain now backs the less comprehensive EU ban due to evidence supporting claims the chemicals contribute to colony collapse disorder, a mysterious phenomenon that has seen bee populations plummet by up to 90 per cent in some cases. Other potential causes are mites, viruses and fungi.

...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08...ling-bees/ I Wan'na Be Like You

France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing beesFrance's new ban on pesticides will go further than those of the EU, in a bid to protect the country's declining bee population CREDIT: REUTERSHenry Samuel, paris31 AUGUST 2018  4:15PMFrance will take a radical step towards protecting its dwindling bee population on Saturday by becoming the first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides researchers believe are killing off the insects.The move to ban the five so-called neonicotinoids has been hailed by beekeepers and environmentalists, but cereal and sugar beet farmers warn it could leave them all but defenceless in protecting valuable crops against other harmful insects.By enforcing the blanket ban, France is going further than the European Union, which voted to outlaw the use of three neonicotinoids - clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam - in crop fields starting on December 19.France has banned these three, along with thiacloprid and acetamiprid, not only outdoors but in greenhouses too.Initially opposed, Britain now backs the less comprehensive EU ban due to evidence supporting claims the chemicals contribute to colony collapse disorder, a mysterious phenomenon that has seen bee populations plummet by up to 90 per cent in some cases. Other potential causes are mites, viruses and fungi.... LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 398421

09-02-2018 03:02 AM











Post: #2 RE: France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing bees

i work with neos and they kill the hell out of flies.like meth to them. PuddyCat

I Want Tuna

User ID: 348173

09-02-2018 03:05 AM



Posts: 23,112









Post: #3 RE: France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing bees

Quote: The ban "will exacerbate unfair competition with European and non-European producers" still allowed to use the pesticides, they warned.



A report by France's ANSES public health agency said in May there were "sufficiently effective, and operational" alternatives to the majority of neonicotinoids used in France.



Others believe the ban should go further.

Should go further but won't. Not while big money interests are forefront. Should go further but won't. Not while big money interests are forefront. Politics only interests me because it transforms

people into dribbling nincompoops (The World Is Mad)







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsjRpcgfmk



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oFzHx29PDo Natura Naturans

Registered User

User ID: 441875

09-02-2018 03:46 AM



Posts: 13,155









Post: #4 RE: France becomes first country in Europe to ban all five pesticides killing bees

So sad that the governments that are supposed to protect us from corporate poisons don't do their job. Could be because corporations were defined as "persons" by the Supreme court, and therefore allowed unlimited donations to politicians. Now we have "the best government money can buy". The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza
















im a u.s. citizen and would like to move to australia because many people have told me that bricklayers over there make way more money than here in the u.s. or maybe even canada. can i immigrate as a skilled worker but only with this skill that i have as working as an experienced bricklayer here in the u.s. for the past 15+ years? who would have the final say in this case, would it be the australian government or a private employer? can someone immigrate to australia under the skilled worker category assuming that there is a shortage of bricklayers, electricians, carpenters, plummers, or anyone else who is a skilled worker in a vocation or trade which we can only assume that there is a shortage for????? can someone from the u.s. or canada immigrate if theyre a skilled worker in any of these fields? if someone graduated from jobcorps which is a free government vocational/trade school in the u.s. or a school in canada, how could they immigrate to australia as a bricklayer or any other trade listed???? would this be feasibly possible? how can one immigrate? can someone please tell me. rsvp. thank you.
DCT

Fast-forward to the present day, and Jalopnik understands from a source that is familiar with internal specifications sheet that a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is the sole offering for the Shelby GT500. For fans of the previous generation, this might come as blasphemy.Bringing the point home, Jalopnik reports the Stang is unlikely to get the DCT out of the GT . Pardon the Captain Obvious moment, but fitting a transaxle from a mid-engine supercar to a chassis with a front-engine layout is impossible. But wait, theres more!The cited publication expects the dual-clutch transmission to come in the form of the Tremec TR-9007, which General Motors might also end up using in the C8 Corvette . The TR-9007 has been developed for high-end applications with up to 900 Nm (664 pound-feet) of torque on tap.Tremec claims the modular design is good for both rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles (including transaxle platforms). Given these circumstances, it might not come as a surprise to us if the two-pedal setup becomes the norm in the Shelby GT500 Ford refused to comment on the matter, though a spokesman with the Dearborn-based automaker announced that theres more to come as we get closer to the market introduction. What can we make out of this choice of words?For starters, durability favors the Hydra-Matic 10Lxx automatic transmission that Ford calls 10Rxx in the Mustang and F-150 pickup truck. Then theres the fact that existing manual transmissions from Tremec cant cope with the 5.2-liter Predator V8, let alone the TR-3160 in the Shelby GT350 and even the TR-6060 of the previous Shelby GT500.Even though Ford is keeping its lips shut on the subject, the dual clutch seems extremely likely for this application. If the Blue Oval does go ahead with the-only strategy, this could turn into a win-some-lose-some situation for the newcomer. Enthusiasts and owners of the former GT500 would end up alienated, but on the flip side, theres plenty of people who wouldnt say no to the blistering-quick shifts of a dual clutch.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told a group of Israeli legislators who met him today in his office in Ramallah that President Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Jason Greenblatt asked him in one of their meetings if he supports forming a Palestinian-Jordanian confederacy as part of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Why it matters: Most of the details about the talks Kushner and Greenblatt had with the Israelis and the Palestinians over the last 18 months regarding their peace plan have never leaked. This is the first time any of the players in the region has mentioned that the U.S. has explored the possibility of a Palestinian-Jordanian confederacy. This idea hasn't been on the table in Middle East peace talks in the last 25 years.

Two people who attended the meeting and took notes told me Abbas said he told Kushner and Greenblatt he would agree to a trilateral confederacy comprised of Israel, Jordan and Palestine. "I asked them if the Israelis would agree to such a confederacy but they said they didn't know," Abbas told the Israeli members of Knesset in the meeting today.

More details from the meeting, according to the two people who attended:

Abbas said that in all four of his meetings with Trump, the president had told him he supports a two-state solution. Abbas said he thinks Trump might have changed his mind about this.

Abbas also said the current U.S. policy is hostile towards the Palestinians and closes any possibility to make progress in the peace process. He stressed that he is against the upcoming White House peace plan.

Abbas criticized the Trump administration's decision to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and called the move disappointing and dangerous, adding that he has always said that the return of millions of Palestinian refugees will destroy Israel and he does not want to destroy Israel but live side-by-side with it. Abbas said a formula can be found that will not harm Israel but will give provide solution for the refugees. "The Arab peace initiative talks about an agreed upon solution to the refugee issue," he said.

From the White House: Greenblatt said, "Over the past 19 months we have probed all relevant parties about many ideas and possibilities. The plan, when released, will reflect ideas that we think are realistic, fair and implementable that will enhance the lives of the Israeli and Palestinian people. We will not discuss any specific ideas or private conversations that may or may not have been had with leaders in the region.
Amid the Trump-shaming at the emotional Washington National Cathedral sendoff for Sen. John McCain, the televised eulogies and private conversations reflected a broader dream that the United States is still capable of a saner politics.

The big picture: "We were reminded by his funeral that we have been, and could again be, a nation based on values like honor, truth-telling, service, humility, respect, and kindness," Walter Isaacson, author of a shelf of historical biographies, told me.

"That was the last gift McCain gave us."

McCain gave us." One of the day's most socially viral moments was a bipartisan gesture that wasn't even on the program: TV coverage captured President George W. Bush trying to unobtrusively pass a piece of candy from Laura Bush, on his left, to Michelle Obama, on his right.

President Barack Obama captured the mood with the single word "small":

"So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse, can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult, in phony controversies and manufactured outrage."

our public life, our public discourse, can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult, in phony controversies and manufactured outrage." "We never doubted the other mans sincerity or the other mans patriotism, or that when all was said and done, we were on the same team."

Obama spoke right after Bush. Both had vanquished McCain for president, but got a call from the senator in his waning months, asking them to eulogize him.

The unusual invitation gave Obama the line of the day: "It showed his irreverence  his sense of humor, little bit of a mischievous streak. What better way to get a last laugh than to make George and I say nice things about him to a national audience?"

gave Obama the line of the day: "It showed his irreverence  his sense of humor, little bit of a mischievous streak. What better way to get a last laugh than to make George and I say nice things about him to a national audience?" Bush called McCain "a man with a code": "John's voice will always come as a whisper over our shoulder: We are better than this. America is better than this."

Reality interlude: This is likely to be a late-summer fling. Every single sign heading into President Trump's 2020 reelection campaign is that the rhetoric and reality of politics are only going to get worse.

Demography and technology are fueling the Trump brand of tribal politics, and his governing choices have left him more dependent on stoking his own forces rather than bringing in new swaths of support.

The day's only mid-speech applause went to Meghan McCain, who gave fiery remarks through tears: "The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great."

She certainly followed some of McCain's last advice: "When my father got sick, when I asked him what he wanted me to do with this eulogy, he said, 'Show them how tough you are.'"

One of the sweeter McCain memories came from former Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. The two senators had traveled the world together as part of congressional delegations. McCain always regretted not naming Lieberman to a historic bipartisan presidential ticket, instead crassly picking Sarah Palin.

"One of John's favorite cities in the world was Jerusalem," Lieberman recalled. "And one of his favorite things to do there was to stand on the balcony with [Sen. Lindsey Graham] and me of our hotel looking out at the old city and discussing all of the religious and political history that happened there over the centuries."

So there are causes larger than ourselves, as McCain constantly reminded his audiences, particularly young people.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Israeli members of the Knesset during a meeting in his office in Ramallah Sunday that  despite the deep crisis with the Trump administration  a Palestinian delegation of security and intelligence officials is in Washington, D.C. for talks with the CIA.

Why it matters: The connection between the CIA and the Palestinian General Intelligence service is one of the few functioning channels of communication between the Trump administration and the Palestinians. Despite cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority and projects in the West Bank and Gaza alongside its decision to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the Trump administration has decided to maintain the funding it gives to the Palestinian security services.

According to two people who attended the meeting, Abbas said he wants to maintain security coordination and intelligence sharing with the U.S. even though he has cut all ties with the White House since President Trump's decision last year to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The official heading the Palestinian delegation is General Majed Faraj  who was also in Washington for medical treatments.

Go deeper: Abbas says Kushner explored forming a Palestinian-Jordanian confederacy.
The Pentagon will cut off $300 million in aid to Pakistan due to its support for the Taliban and other militants seeking safe haven inside the country, reports Reuters.

The big picture: That makes a total of $800 million in aid from the Coalition Support Funds, intended to be reimbursement for Pakistan's counterterrorism activities, that has been withheld this year by the Trump administration. The announcement comes ahead of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's expected trip to Islamabad, where the fight against militants will be a "primary part of discussions," per Reuters.
Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 94 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Sept. 2.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy 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 regions.
Trend:

The development of compulsory medical insurance in the country may positively affect voluntary medical insurance, chairman of board of A-Group Insurance company Anar Bayramov told Trend.

"This influence will be observed only after a few years," he added.

"Over the next few years, compulsory health insurance will not affect voluntary insurance," Bayramov said. "These programs may exist in parallel without interfering with each other. Of course, when compulsory health insurance will fully work, it will be interesting for people to buy additional insurance coverage."

"The additional insurance coverage is very popular in European countries, where medical insurance is widely developed," he added.

"Statistics shows that in European countries where the level of development of compulsory health insurance is very high, about 10 percent of the population actively use voluntary medical insurance," Bayramov added. "In our country, voluntary health insurance covers only about two percent of the population. We hope that compulsory medical insurance will also positively affect voluntary medical insurance, but this requires time. Now it is too early to talk about that. It will be in a few years after effective use of the compulsory medical insurance system."

"The process of full implementation of compulsory medical insurance in Azerbaijan will be completed within five years," Director of the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance under the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan Zaur Aliyev said earlier.

"In five years we would like any citizen of Azerbaijan, regardless of financial condition, to be able to apply to medical institutions and get the necessary services," he said. "Much work is required, which will be done in stages."
Trend:

Azerbaijan and Russia are trying to further strengthen cooperation through joint efforts and measures, Hikmet Hajiyev, spokesman of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with "TRT World".

Responding the question about Azerbaijan's relations with Russia and Germany, as well as heightened interest in the region, Hajiyev said that Azerbaijan stands for the establishment of equal and normal relations with all partners and friendly states. In this regard, Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan and Russia are neighboring states, and traditionally friendly ties prevail between the two countries.

Noting that Azerbaijan closely cooperates with partners from the European Union (EU), the Foreign Ministry spokesman said that cooperation with the EU, the member countries of the organization, including Germany, is on the agenda.

Commenting on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the mediation mission, Hikmet Hajiyev added that the South Caucasus suffers from Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territories, and the illegal presence of the Armenian Armed Forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan poses a serious threat to the maintenance of peace and security in the region.

The spokesman recalled that the map for resolving the conflict is clear and based on the norms and principles of international law, corresponding to the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Hajiyev brought to the attention the importance of intensifying the efforts of the co-chair countries to fulfill the requirements of the UN Security Council resolutions.

"The expectations of Azerbaijan are that along with the co-chairs, all countries participating in the Minsk Group should support the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions," Hajiyev said.

Touching upon the essence of the UN Security Council resolutions, Hajiyev recalled that they demand complete and unconditional withdrawal of the occupant forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

"The Azerbaijani people have been suffering from this conflict for more than 25 years, Azerbaijan supports the solution of the conflict through intensive and substantive negotiations," the representative of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
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Page: 1 2 3 4 Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election Loud Sneeze

lop guest

User ID: 397577

09-02-2018 06:52 AM











Post: #1 Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Advertisement



Deripaska, rumored to be Donald Trump's "back channel" to Putin via the Russian's former association with Paul Manafort, says he "colluded" with the US Government between 2009 and 2016.



In 2009, when Robert Mueller was running the FBI, the agency asked Deripaska to spend $25 million of his own money to bankroll an FBI-supervised operation to rescue a retired FBI agent - Robert Levinson, who was kidnapped in 2007 while working on a 2007 CIA contract in Iran. This in and of itself is more than a bit strange.



Deripaska agreed, however the Obama State Department, headed by Hillary Clinton, scuttled a last-minute deal with Iran before Levinson could be released. He hasn't been heard from since.



FBI agents courted Deripaska in 2009 in a series of secret hotel meetings in Paris; Vienna; Budapest, Hungary, and Washington. Agents persuaded the aluminum industry magnate to underwrite the mission. The Russian billionaire insisted the operation neither involve nor harm his homeland. -The Hill



In other words - Trump's alleged "back channel" to Putin was in fact an FBI asset who spent $25 million helping Obama's "scandal free" administration find a kidnapped agent. Deripaska's admitted



Steele, Ohr and the 2016 US Election



As the New York Times frames it, distancing Deripaska from the FBI (no mention of the $25 million rescue effort, for example), the Russian aluminum magnate was just one of several Putin-linked Oligarchs the FBI tried to flip.



The attempt to flip Mr. Deripaska was part of a broader, clandestine American effort to gauge the possibility of gaining cooperation from roughly a half-dozen of Russias richest men, nearly all of whom, like Mr. Deripaska, depend on President Vladimir V. Putin to maintain their wealth, the officials said. -NYT



Central to the recruiting effort were two central players in the Trump-Russia investigation; twice-demoted DOJ #4 official Bruce Ohr and Christopher Steele - the author of the largely unverified "Steele Dossier."



Steele, a longtime associate of Ohr's, worked for Deripaska beginning in 2012 researching a business rival - work which would evolve to the point where the former British spy was interfacing with the Obama administration on his behalf - resulting in Deripaska regaining entry into the United States, where he visited numerous times between 2009 and 2017.



The State Department tried to keep him from getting a U.S. visa between 2006 and 2009 because they believed he had unspecified connections to criminal elements in Russia as he consolidated power in the aluminum industry. Deripaska has denied those allegations...



Whatever the case, it is irrefutable that after he began helping the FBI, Deripaska regained entry to the United States. And he visited numerous times between 2009 and 2017, visa entry records show. -The Hill



Deripaska is now banned from the United States as one of several Russians sanctioned in April in response to alleged 2016 election meddling.



In a September 2016 meeting, Deripaska told FBI agents that it was "preposterous" that Paul Manafort was colluding with Russia to help Trump win the 2016 election. This, despite the fact that Deripaska and Manafort's business relationship "ended in lawsuits, per The Hill - and the Russian would have every reason to throw Manafort under the bus if he wanted some revenge on his old associate.



So the FBI and DOJ secretly collaborated with Trump's alleged backchannel over a seven-year period, starting with Levinson, then on Deripaska's Visa, and finally regarding whether Paul Manafort was an intermediary to Putin. Deripaska vehemently denies the assertion, and even took out newspaper advertisements in the US last year volunteering to testify to Congress, refuting an AP report that he and Manafort secretly worked on a plan to "greatly benefit the Putin government" a decade ago.



Soon after the advertisements ran, representatives for the House and Senate Intelligence Committees called a Washington-based lawyer for Mr. Deripaska, Adam Waldman, inquiring about taking his client up on the offer to testify, Mr. Waldman said in an interview.



What happened after that has been in dispute. Mr. Waldman, who stopped working for Mr. Deripaska after the sanctions were levied, said he told the committee staff that his client would be willing to testify without any grant of immunity, but would not testify about any Russian collusion with the Trump campaign because he doesnt know anything about that theory and actually doesnt believe it occurred. -NYT



In short, Deripaska wants it known that he worked with the FBI and DOJ, and that he had nothing to do with the Steele dossier.



Today, Deripaska is banned anew from the United States, one of several Russians sanctioned in April by the Trump administration as a way to punish Putin for 2016 election meddling. But he wants to be clear about a few things, according to a statement provided by his team. First, he did collude with Americans in the form of voluntarily assisting and meeting with the FBI, the DOJ and people such as Ohr between 2009 and 2016.



He also wants Americans to know he did not cooperate or assist with Steeles dossier, and he tried to dispel the FBI notion that Russia and the Trump campaign colluded during the 2016 election. -The Hill



Interestingly, Steele's dossier which was partially funded by the Clinton campaign, relied on senior Kremlin officials.



It would be most helpful if the Department of Justice could please investigate and then prosecute themselves and/or members of the previous administration, so that journalists like John Solomon, Sara Carter, Luke Rosiak, Chuck Ross and others don't have to continue to break stories that are seemingly ignored by all but a handful of Congressional investigators.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-0...t-meetings Russian Oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, has gone on record with The Hill's John Solomon - admitting to colluding with Americans leading up to the 2016 US election, except it might not be what you're thinking.Deripaska, rumored to be Donald Trump's "back channel" to Putin via the Russian's former association with Paul Manafort, says he "colluded" with the US Government between 2009 and 2016.In 2009, when Robert Mueller was running the FBI, the agency asked Deripaska to spend $25 million of his own money to bankroll an FBI-supervised operation to rescue a retired FBI agent - Robert Levinson, who was kidnapped in 2007 while working on a 2007 CIA contract in Iran. This in and of itself is more than a bit strange.Deripaska agreed, however the Obama State Department, headed by Hillary Clinton, scuttled a last-minute deal with Iran before Levinson could be released. He hasn't been heard from since.FBI agents courted Deripaska in 2009 in a series of secret hotel meetings in Paris; Vienna; Budapest, Hungary, and Washington. Agents persuaded the aluminum industry magnate to underwrite the mission. The Russian billionaire insisted the operation neither involve nor harm his homeland. -The HillIn other words - Trump's alleged "back channel" to Putin was in fact an FBI asset who spent $25 million helping Obama's "scandal free" administration find a kidnapped agent. Deripaska's admittedSteele, Ohr and the 2016 US ElectionAs the New York Times frames it, distancing Deripaska from the FBI (no mention of the $25 million rescue effort, for example), the Russian aluminum magnate was just one of several Putin-linked Oligarchs the FBI tried to flip.The attempt to flip Mr. Deripaska was part of a broader, clandestine American effort to gauge the possibility of gaining cooperation from roughly a half-dozen of Russias richest men, nearly all of whom, like Mr. Deripaska, depend on President Vladimir V. Putin to maintain their wealth, the officials said. -NYTCentral to the recruiting effort were two central players in the Trump-Russia investigation; twice-demoted DOJ #4 official Bruce Ohr and Christopher Steele - the author of the largely unverified "Steele Dossier."Steele, a longtime associate of Ohr's, worked for Deripaska beginning in 2012 researching a business rival - work which would evolve to the point where the former British spy was interfacing with the Obama administration on his behalf - resulting in Deripaska regaining entry into the United States, where he visited numerous times between 2009 and 2017.The State Department tried to keep him from getting a U.S. visa between 2006 and 2009 because they believed he had unspecified connections to criminal elements in Russia as he consolidated power in the aluminum industry. Deripaska has denied those allegations...Whatever the case, it is irrefutable that after he began helping the FBI, Deripaska regained entry to the United States. And he visited numerous times between 2009 and 2017, visa entry records show. -The HillDeripaska is now banned from the United States as one of several Russians sanctioned in April in response to alleged 2016 election meddling.In a September 2016 meeting, Deripaska told FBI agents that it was "preposterous" that Paul Manafort was colluding with Russia to help Trump win the 2016 election. This, despite the fact that Deripaska and Manafort's business relationship "ended in lawsuits, per The Hill - and the Russian would have every reason to throw Manafort under the bus if he wanted some revenge on his old associate.So the FBI and DOJ secretly collaborated with Trump's alleged backchannel over a seven-year period, starting with Levinson, then on Deripaska's Visa, and finally regarding whether Paul Manafort was an intermediary to Putin. Deripaska vehemently denies the assertion, and even took out newspaper advertisements in the US last year volunteering to testify to Congress, refuting an AP report that he and Manafort secretly worked on a plan to "greatly benefit the Putin government" a decade ago.Soon after the advertisements ran, representatives for the House and Senate Intelligence Committees called a Washington-based lawyer for Mr. Deripaska, Adam Waldman, inquiring about taking his client up on the offer to testify, Mr. Waldman said in an interview.What happened after that has been in dispute. Mr. Waldman, who stopped working for Mr. Deripaska after the sanctions were levied, said he told the committee staff that his client would be willing to testify without any grant of immunity, but would not testify about any Russian collusion with the Trump campaign because he doesnt know anything about that theory and actually doesnt believe it occurred. -NYTIn short, Deripaska wants it known that he worked with the FBI and DOJ, and that he had nothing to do with the Steele dossier.Today, Deripaska is banned anew from the United States, one of several Russians sanctioned in April by the Trump administration as a way to punish Putin for 2016 election meddling. But he wants to be clear about a few things, according to a statement provided by his team. First, he did collude with Americans in the form of voluntarily assisting and meeting with the FBI, the DOJ and people such as Ohr between 2009 and 2016.He also wants Americans to know he did not cooperate or assist with Steeles dossier, and he tried to dispel the FBI notion that Russia and the Trump campaign colluded during the 2016 election. -The HillInterestingly, Steele's dossier which was partially funded by the Clinton campaign, relied on senior Kremlin officials.It would be most helpful if the Department of Justice could please investigate and then prosecute themselves and/or members of the previous administration, so that journalists like John Solomon, Sara Carter, Luke Rosiak, Chuck Ross and others don't have to continue to break stories that are seemingly ignored by all but a handful of Congressional investigators. Tacoavenger

Avenger of Tacos

User ID: 459857

09-02-2018 08:35 AM



Posts: 4,275









Post: #2 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Loud Sneeze Wrote: (09-02-2018 06:52 AM) Russian Oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, has gone on record with The Hill's John Solomon - admitting to colluding with Americans leading up to the 2016 US election, except it might not be what you're thinking.



Deripaska, rumored to be Donald Trump's "back channel" to Putin via the Russian's former association with Paul Manafort, says he "colluded" with the US Government between 2009 and 2016.



In 2009, when Robert Mueller was running the FBI, the agency asked Deripaska to spend $25 million of his own money to bankroll an FBI-supervised operation to rescue a retired FBI agent - Robert Levinson, who was kidnapped in 2007 while working on a 2007 CIA contract in Iran. This in and of itself is more than a bit strange.



Deripaska agreed, however the Obama State Department, headed by Hillary Clinton, scuttled a last-minute deal with Iran before Levinson could be released. He hasn't been heard from since.



FBI agents courted Deripaska in 2009 in a series of secret hotel meetings in Paris; Vienna; Budapest, Hungary, and Washington. Agents persuaded the aluminum industry magnate to underwrite the mission. The Russian billionaire insisted the operation neither involve nor harm his homeland. -The Hill



In other words - Trump's alleged "back channel" to Putin was in fact an FBI asset who spent $25 million helping Obama's "scandal free" administration find a kidnapped agent. Deripaska's admitted



Steele, Ohr and the 2016 US Election



As the New York Times frames it, distancing Deripaska from the FBI (no mention of the $25 million rescue effort, for example), the Russian aluminum magnate was just one of several Putin-linked Oligarchs the FBI tried to flip.



The attempt to flip Mr. Deripaska was part of a broader, clandestine American effort to gauge the possibility of gaining cooperation from roughly a half-dozen of Russias richest men, nearly all of whom, like Mr. Deripaska, depend on President Vladimir V. Putin to maintain their wealth, the officials said. -NYT



Central to the recruiting effort were two central players in the Trump-Russia investigation; twice-demoted DOJ #4 official Bruce Ohr and Christopher Steele - the author of the largely unverified "Steele Dossier."



Steele, a longtime associate of Ohr's, worked for Deripaska beginning in 2012 researching a business rival - work which would evolve to the point where the former British spy was interfacing with the Obama administration on his behalf - resulting in Deripaska regaining entry into the United States, where he visited numerous times between 2009 and 2017.



The State Department tried to keep him from getting a U.S. visa between 2006 and 2009 because they believed he had unspecified connections to criminal elements in Russia as he consolidated power in the aluminum industry. Deripaska has denied those allegations...



Whatever the case, it is irrefutable that after he began helping the FBI, Deripaska regained entry to the United States. And he visited numerous times between 2009 and 2017, visa entry records show. -The Hill



Deripaska is now banned from the United States as one of several Russians sanctioned in April in response to alleged 2016 election meddling.



In a September 2016 meeting, Deripaska told FBI agents that it was "preposterous" that Paul Manafort was colluding with Russia to help Trump win the 2016 election. This, despite the fact that Deripaska and Manafort's business relationship "ended in lawsuits, per The Hill - and the Russian would have every reason to throw Manafort under the bus if he wanted some revenge on his old associate.



So the FBI and DOJ secretly collaborated with Trump's alleged backchannel over a seven-year period, starting with Levinson, then on Deripaska's Visa, and finally regarding whether Paul Manafort was an intermediary to Putin. Deripaska vehemently denies the assertion, and even took out newspaper advertisements in the US last year volunteering to testify to Congress, refuting an AP report that he and Manafort secretly worked on a plan to "greatly benefit the Putin government" a decade ago.



Soon after the advertisements ran, representatives for the House and Senate Intelligence Committees called a Washington-based lawyer for Mr. Deripaska, Adam Waldman, inquiring about taking his client up on the offer to testify, Mr. Waldman said in an interview.



What happened after that has been in dispute. Mr. Waldman, who stopped working for Mr. Deripaska after the sanctions were levied, said he told the committee staff that his client would be willing to testify without any grant of immunity, but would not testify about any Russian collusion with the Trump campaign because he doesnt know anything about that theory and actually doesnt believe it occurred. -NYT



In short, Deripaska wants it known that he worked with the FBI and DOJ, and that he had nothing to do with the Steele dossier.



Today, Deripaska is banned anew from the United States, one of several Russians sanctioned in April by the Trump administration as a way to punish Putin for 2016 election meddling. But he wants to be clear about a few things, according to a statement provided by his team. First, he did collude with Americans in the form of voluntarily assisting and meeting with the FBI, the DOJ and people such as Ohr between 2009 and 2016.



He also wants Americans to know he did not cooperate or assist with Steeles dossier, and he tried to dispel the FBI notion that Russia and the Trump campaign colluded during the 2016 election. -The Hill



Interestingly, Steele's dossier which was partially funded by the Clinton campaign, relied on senior Kremlin officials.



It would be most helpful if the Department of Justice could please investigate and then prosecute themselves and/or members of the previous administration, so that journalists like John Solomon, Sara Carter, Luke Rosiak, Chuck Ross and others don't have to continue to break stories that are seemingly ignored by all but a handful of Congressional investigators.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-0...t-meetings

Loud Sneeze

lop guest

User ID: 397577

09-02-2018 04:59 PM











Post: #3 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Alian2

Registered User

User ID: 441655

09-02-2018 05:09 PM



Posts: 13,250









Post: #4 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election





Was this in their capacity as office holders, or as candidates?



They were trying to free a US spy and you think that is wrong?







Why don't you move back to Russia, Loud Snowflake? Were they colluding to throw an election, or were they colluding to obtain the release of a US spy?Was this in their capacity as office holders, or as candidates?They were trying to free a US spy and you think that is wrong?Why don't you move back to Russia, Loud Snowflake? .

........ .

................ . LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441604

09-02-2018 05:25 PM











Post: #5 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

So, was Levinson rescued? Alian2

Registered User

User ID: 441655

09-02-2018 05:27 PM



Posts: 13,250









Post: #6 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

LoP Guest Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:25 PM) So, was Levinson rescued?

No.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Levinson No. .

........ .

................ . LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441604

09-02-2018 05:30 PM











Post: #7 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Michael-AK Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:09 PM) Were they colluding to throw an election, or were they colluding to obtain the release of a US spy?



Was this in their capacity as office holders, or as candidates?



They were trying to free a US spy and you think that is wrong?







Why don't you move back to Russia, Loud Snowflake?



There were no candidates involved. It was the FBI, the Russian guy, and Hillary (who it sounds like screwed up the deal). This all started way back in 2009. The article actually points out another possible rotten thing that Hillary (all of this long before Trump came on the scene) may have done -- so why are you jumping on the OP? You should be happy he posted this article. There were no candidates involved. It was the FBI, the Russian guy, and Hillary (who it sounds like screwed up the deal). This all started way back in 2009. The article actually points out another possible rotten thing that Hillary (all of this long before Trump came on the scene) may have done -- so why are you jumping on the OP? You should be happy he posted this article. Alian2

Registered User

User ID: 441655

09-02-2018 05:32 PM



Posts: 13,250









Post: #8 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

LoP Guest Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:30 PM) Michael-AK Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:09 PM) Were they colluding to throw an election, or were they colluding to obtain the release of a US spy?



Was this in their capacity as office holders, or as candidates?



They were trying to free a US spy and you think that is wrong?







Why don't you move back to Russia, Loud Snowflake?



There were no candidates involved. It was the FBI, the Russian guy, and Hillary (who it sounds like screwed up the deal). This all started way back in 2009. The article actually points out another possible rotten thing that Hillary (all of this long before Trump came on the scene) may have done -- so why are you jumping on the OP? You should be happy he posted this article.

The faek nooze perspective of it. thats why. The faek nooze perspective of it. thats why. .

........ .

................ . LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 453934

09-02-2018 05:35 PM











Post: #9 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

[ ]The proper

legal term is[/size]

[ ]CONSPIRACY[/size]







[ ]The entire Trump Campaign was, and still is an [/size]

[ ]INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY[/size] LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441604

09-02-2018 05:36 PM











Post: #10 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Michael-AK



If you think the article is fake news, then critique the article instead of attacking the original poster with petty names. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441604

09-02-2018 05:40 PM











Post: #11 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Wouldn't proper procedure be to use FBI or State Department money to get the man out? Loud Sneeze

lop guest

User ID: 397577

09-02-2018 05:41 PM











Post: #12 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Loud Sneeze Wrote: (09-02-2018 04:59 PM)

for the liberals to read. for the liberals to read. Alian2

Registered User

User ID: 441655

09-02-2018 06:00 PM



Posts: 13,250









Post: #13 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

LoP Guest Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:36 PM) Michael-AK



If you think the article is fake news, then critique the article instead of attacking the original poster with petty names.

How about both? How about both? .

........ .

................ . Alian2

Registered User

User ID: 441655

09-02-2018 06:01 PM



Posts: 13,250









Post: #14 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Michael-AK Wrote: (09-02-2018 06:00 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:36 PM) Michael-AK



If you think the article is fake news, then critique the article instead of attacking the original poster with petty names.

How about both?

What petty name did I call the OP in this thread?



Please quote the post and highlight the name I called Loud Snowflake. What petty name did I call the OP in this thread?Please quote the post and highlight the name I called Loud Snowflake. .

........ .

................ . LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441604

09-02-2018 06:07 PM











Post: #15 RE: Russian Oligarch And Putin Pal Admits To Collusion, Secret Meetings 2016 Election

Michael-AK Wrote: (09-02-2018 06:00 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:36 PM) Michael-AK



If you think the article is fake news, then critique the article instead of attacking the original poster with petty names.

How about both?

bad form, Sir. shows a lack of internet etiquette and lack of substance in your argument against the article. bad form, Sir. shows a lack of internet etiquette and lack of substance in your argument against the article. Advertisement


















Trend:

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has received numerous messages of congratulation on the occasion of her birthday from famous Azerbaijani and foreign public and political figures, scientists and leading figures from academia, intellectuals and ordinary people. In their congratulatory messages, they highly praise First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyevas role in public administration and development of modern Azerbaijan and her humane and charitable activity carried out inside the country and abroad. They also express their deep respect, love for and trust and confidence in Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva addressed a message to those who congratulated her. The message says:

"Dear friends,

I have received many letters of congratulation on my birthday. Different people extend their sincere wishes and heartfelt congratulations to me. Students and pensioners, our fellow countrymen and friends living abroad send letters of congratulation to me. Regrettably, I am physically incapable of responding to each of you separately. However, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you for your sincere words, positive and high recognition of my activity. Each congratulation is valuable for me and gives me positive energy.

Dear friends,

We live in a dynamically developing world. Despite all the changes, humanity and honesty, sincerity, benevolence, mercy and love remain major values.

I have always felt your love and support. Your good wishes are the highest recognition of my activity. Thank you for it. Believe me, this is the best birthday gift.

Dear friends,

I would like to once again express my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your attention and sincere congratulations.

I wish all of you happiness, good health, a life full of love, and our native Azerbaijan peace, tranquility and prosperity."
Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Slovak counterpart Andrej Kiska.

"On my behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and your people on the national holiday of the Slovak Republic, the Day of Constitution," President Aliyev said.

"I believe that Azerbaijani-Slovak relations will continue to develop on the basis of friendship and cooperation in accordance with the interests of our peoples," he added.

"On this remarkable day, I convey my best regards to you, and wish the friendly people of Slovakia everlasting tranquillity and prosperity," the president said.

President Aliyev also congratulated President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and through you to all the people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Independence Day," President Aliyev said.

"Confidently moving forward on the path of independence, brotherly Uzbekistan is making great strides in strengthening of statehood and socio-economic development. Uzbekistan's reputation on the international arena is continuously enhancing," he added.

"The relations between our countries stem from the will of our two peoples, which are bound together by common national, moral and cultural values," the president said. "It gives me immense pleasure to emphasize that having developed on such solid foundations, our interstate relations reached the level of strategic partnership."

"I believe that the expansion and deepening of the scope of our cooperation, which is of mutual interest, will continue to benefit our countries and peoples," he said.

"On this remarkable day, I wish you the best of health, success in your endeavours, and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan everlasting peace and prosperity," the president added.
Among EU nations, Italy is a major trade partner for Iran. With more than 2.58 billion worth of purchases, Italy was the main export destination for Iranian products during the 10 months to Oct. 31, 2017, registering a significant 315 percent increase compared with the corresponding period of 2016.

The European nation was also the second biggest exporter to Iran among other EU member states during the same period after Germany, as it shipped 1.38 billion worth of commodities to Iran, up 14.5 percent year-on-year.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrates part of its mission with its rich diversity. SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook greeted and affirmed LGBTQIA students, faculty, staff and allies during the eighth annual SIUE Safe Zone and Ally Welcome Reception, held in the University Centers Hickory-Hackberry Room.

Pembrook praised the LGBTQIA community for recent Safe Zone accomplishments, some of which included:

Completed ally training with more than 60 faculty, staff and students through on-site training on the Edwardsville and East St. Louis campuses

Completed ally training with more than 60 future K-12 teachers in the Department of Teaching and Learnings Planning for Diverse Learners spring 2018 course

Completed ally training with staff members of the Centerstone Community Health, a non-profit healthcare organization with a location in Alton

Established the inaugural Safe Zone Scholarship Committee and awarded two $500 scholarship awards for fall 2018, one to an undergraduate and the other to a graduate student

Participated in 2018 PrideFest St. Louis, with more than 40 volunteers from the community

The LGBTQIA Welcome Reception was an informal way to welcome members and allies of the LGBTQIA community, said Shelley Price-Williams, PhD, SIUE Safe Zone staff co-chair and coordinator of student services and transitions in the SIUE School of Business. Mary Sue Love, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Management and Marketing, is the Safe Zone faculty co-chair.

The LGBTQIA reception was held in Morris University Centers Hickory-Hackberry Room and more than 50 administrators, faculty, staff and students attended.

We saw an increase in student attendance from the last few years, added Price-Williams. I attribute that to students feeling welcome, safe and having a community of support here at SIUE.

It is always great to welcome our LGBTQIA and Ally students back each year, said Rex Jackson, associate director of Residence Life and past Safe Zone co-chair. This allows them to connect to other LGBTQIA and Ally students, and to see members of the campus administration who are supporters of this community.

This reception allows us to show our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive campus for the LGBTQIA community, continued Jackson. At this event we are also able to let people know how to get involved with Safe Zone, and what Safe Zone has planned for this upcoming year.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Ally/Asexual (LGBTQIA) Resources website of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) seeks to encourage a safe environment that is welcoming to all students, staff, faculty, and LGBTQIA community members. This site, operated by SIUEs Safe Zone Committee, strives to provide a comprehensive listing of resources and information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity as these concerns relate to the SIUE Community. Safe Zone is funded by and reports to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
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Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future spo snouou

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09-02-2018 04:16 PM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #1 Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

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Quote: Speaking with Democrats, I rarely heard anyone mention Trump. They preferred circumlocutions like After November 8th, or In early 2017, I began to follow local politics more closely. It was a good time to follow local politics. Normally in a year there might be one special election, Anna Langthorn, the twenty-four-year-old chair of the state Democratic Party, told me. Since the Presidential election, Oklahoma has had nine special elections for state legislative seats. One legislator resigned after being charged with engaging in child prostitution, one with sexual harassment, one with sexual battery, and one following an ethics-commission investigation; four went to other jobs; and one died. Thats Oklahoma politics, Langthorn said, with a shrug. The first special election, covering parts of Seminole and Pottawatomie Counties, didnt get much coverage; Steve Barnes, the Democratic candidate, predictably lost. But, in a district that in 2016 had gone for Trump by a margin of thirty-six points, Barnes lost by only sixty-six votes. His opponent made border control a central issue; Barnes focussed on education spending.



Jacob Rosecrants decided to run again, in a special election on September 12, 2017. I followed his race closely; he had been three years behind me at Norman High School, and his House district included my childhood home. His high-school English teacher canvassed with him. He won by twenty per centa forty-point swing. Rosecrants told me that he lost sixty pounds knocking on doors. I saw a photo of myself at my swearing in, he said. I was laughing because those clothes did not fit me anymore.



The Democrats ended up winning four of the nine special elections, all in areas that had voted heavily Republican in 2016. Karen Gaddis ran again, and won by five points. In a red district covering west Tulsa, Allison Ikley-Freeman, a twenty-six-year-old lesbian and a mother of three, began a State Senate campaign with only eight weeks to go, because there was no Democrat on the ballot. Four years earlier, she had been sleeping in her car, homeless, while trying to finish a masters degree. She won by twenty-nine votes. Two of the four victors were teachers, and if you guess what issue they ran on youll be right.

more:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/...n-oklahoma more: LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 460002

09-02-2018 04:57 PM











Post: #2 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

How many children did Obama kill with his drone program?



Obama added 10 trillion dollars to the national debt. How much of that money went to "children?" How much went to banks and corporations?



Obama is a fraud and so are you. Loud Sneeze

lop guest

User ID: 397577

09-02-2018 05:13 PM











Post: #3 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

So now you are all worried about Oklahoma over there in Australia? LOL

How many Aussies besides you are concerned with Oklahoma? Oh. it is just you. spo snouou

Vocem sine nomine audivit!

User ID: 350320

09-02-2018 05:18 PM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #4 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future







TRY CAPLOCK



can you whine a bit louder please .. I don't think anyone heard you?TRY CAPLOCK spo snouou

Vocem sine nomine audivit!

User ID: 350320

09-02-2018 05:19 PM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #5 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

LoP Guest Wrote: (09-02-2018 04:57 PM) How many children did Obama kill with his drone program?



Obama added 10 trillion dollars to the national debt. How much of that money went to "children?" How much went to banks and corporations?



Obama is a fraud and so are you.

GenX

Subscriber

User ID: 459127

09-02-2018 05:28 PM



Posts: 33,079









Post: #6 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future







Quote: U.S. cruises toward record-breaking debt on Trump's watch



The nations fiscal outlook looks ever bleaker, thanks in part to deficit spending during President Donald Trumps first term, Congress nonpartisan budget scorekeeper projected Tuesday.



Within 16 years, the federal debt is expected to be the largest in history, outpacing even the fiscal shortfalls that followed World War II, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.



...

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/2...rds-651929 Why should HE care, HIS children's future, and those of his friends is assured. ************





If I don't look after the interests of the underprivileged, maybe somebody else will. Maybe somebody without any money or property, and that would be too bad!"



-Citizen Kane spo snouou

Vocem sine nomine audivit!

User ID: 350320

09-03-2018 01:21 AM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #7 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

General Banter Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:28 PM) Why should HE care, HIS children's future, and those of his friends is assured.





Quote: U.S. cruises toward record-breaking debt on Trump's watch



The nations fiscal outlook looks ever bleaker, thanks in part to deficit spending during President Donald Trumps first term, Congress nonpartisan budget scorekeeper projected Tuesday.



Within 16 years, the federal debt is expected to be the largest in history, outpacing even the fiscal shortfalls that followed World War II, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.



...

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/2...rds-651929 But see how he is making America great again.



thought terminating cliches by the fuckload... then more thought terminating cliches about thought terminating cliches. ..followed by a desert of thought terminating cliche surprise.











https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/stat...0087644160



He has the left using a lifelong neo con war hawk as means to attack him, this is crazy stuff.. at least he keeps it entertaining. But see how he is making America great again.thought terminating cliches by the fuckload... then more thought terminating cliches about thought terminating cliches. ..followed by a desert of thought terminating cliche surprise.He has the left using a lifelong neo con war hawk as means to attack him, this is crazy stuff.. at least he keeps it entertaining. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 423870

09-03-2018 01:34 AM











Post: #8 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

spo snouou Wrote: (09-03-2018 01:21 AM) General Banter Wrote: (09-02-2018 05:28 PM) Why should HE care, HIS children's future, and those of his friends is assured. But see how he is making America great again.



thought terminating cliches by the fuckload... then more thought terminating cliches about thought terminating cliches. ..followed by a desert of thought terminating cliche surprise.











https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/stat...0087644160



He has the left using a lifelong neo con war hawk as means to attack him, this is crazy stuff.. at least he keeps it entertaining.

Really pisses you off that he was still better than anyone else who ran, don't it dingo-breath? Really pisses you off that he was still better than anyone else who ran, don't it dingo-breath? spo snouou

Vocem sine nomine audivit!

User ID: 350320

09-03-2018 01:37 AM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #9 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

Quote: Trump fosters HATRED. So do his enablers. We should do all that we can to call out the HATERS among us. It is our obligation to punish haters as best we lawfully can. Call them out. Make their lives difficult. MAKE HATING DIFFICULT TO DO!!!





LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 215614

09-03-2018 01:39 AM











Post: #10 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future





Partisan bait thread.







spo snouou

Vocem sine nomine audivit!

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09-03-2018 01:41 AM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #11 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future





LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 423870

09-03-2018 01:42 AM











Post: #12 RE: Oklahoma: Billionaires and the GOP have robbed millions of children of a future

Trump's election merely showed that a critical mass of people have finally got wise to the Globalist scam, and every post by asshats like you only confirm they were correct.

So whomever you might think you are working for-- YOU ARE WORKING FOR TRUMP!



Great Job, BTW! Keep up the good work.
















The bus was destroyed and a second sustained partial damage. Credit: PSNI

A bus was set on fire at Bangor station in a suspected arson attack.

One bus was completely destroyed and a second one sustained partial damage.

The incident happened at Bangor Rail and Bus station on Abbey Street at 5.10am on Sunday.

Expand Close The bus was destroyed and a second sustained partial damage. Credit: PSNI / Facebook

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UUP councillor for Bangor East and Donaghadee David Chambers, posting on social media, said: "Deplorable behaviour. Glad to hear an arrest was made. What goes through someone's mind to carry out such carange?"

Deplorable behaviour. Glad to hear an arrest was made. What goes through someones mind to carry out such carnage? https://t.co/L8qo8hEpVY  Cllr David Chambers (@Cllr_dchambers) September 2, 2018

A 36-year-old man was arrested but has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

Expand Close The bus being towed. Picture by Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye  Freddie Parkinson / Facebook

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No one at Translink was available for comment.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to call 101 quoting reference 448 02/09/18 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A 21-year-old man has been assaulted in Ballynahinch during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident happened in the Loughside Drive area of the town.

The victim has been taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including grievous bodily harm with intent.

He remains in police custody at this time.

Detective Sergeant Bell would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or anyone who has information that would assist police enquiries to contact Detectives at Ardmore on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 420 02/09/18.
A man has been stabbed in the back in Ballymena.

Police have appealed for information following the incident which happened shortly before 4am somewhere between Larne Road and Queen Street in the town.

The victim attended hospital where he received stitches to his injury

Police have appealed to anyone who was in the vicinity of either the Larne Road or Queen Street on Sunday morning and witnessed this incident or anyone who has information that could assist police with their enquiries to contact police at Ballymena on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 346 02/09/18.
The Philippines receives the least amount of foreign direct investments in Southeast Asia because of constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership in several industries, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. said in a report over the weekend. HSBC said the continued restrictions to foreign direct investments were among the reasons the Philippines lagged behind its neighbors in terms of attracting foreign capital. It said the governments plan to remove tax incentives enjoyed by foreign companies could reduce capital inflows further. Not all countries are benefitting equally from the recent FDI windfall. Structural restrictions to FDI and the sustainability of investment incentives present downside risks for some countries, which means that the region must continue to find new ways to attract foreign investment in the long term, the bank said. HSBC said while total FDI flows to the six largest members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations averaged nearly $117 billion per year since 2010, much of it went to Singapore. It said the Philippines and Indonesia received a relatively small part of inflows, despite constituting almost half of the regions population. FDI as a percentage of GDP in Singapore increased to over 20 percent since 2010, while the Philippines and Indonesias share remained below their regional peers. We believe these are primarily due to structural issues, such constitutional restrictions to FDI in the Philippines and souring foreign investment sentiment in Indonesia, which their respective governments must address to take larger part in the broader regions FDI windfall, HSBC said. It said the US and Japan remained the primary investors in Aseans most valued-added and productive industries such as services and manufacturing, while China was finding its footing in the regions smaller economies and in several niche sectors such as real estate and mining/quarrying. HSBC said the intra-regional investment was also a key in the recent FDI surge. The most developed economies (Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand) were the largest sources of intra-Asean FDI, with their largest recipient being Indonesiathe biggest economy in the region.Intra-regional investment to Indonesia averaged around $9 billion per year since 2010. The Philippines received the least amount of FDI from its Asean peers, averaging just $200 million since 2010. This may be partly due to the countrys onerous restrictions on foreign ownership of certain key industries, as protected by its constitution, HSBC said. HSBC said many countries in the region should find ways to remain competitive in the long term. It said the sustainability of investment incentives could be in question for countries with reduced fiscal space such as Vietnam, while the Philippines was also considering amending its incentives to corporations and investments in the second phase of tax reforms. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier said the countrys exciting growth prospects were the main reasons that it was attracting foreign direct investments and not the fiscal incentives the government was offering to businesses for years. Dominguez cited the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showing that FDIs rose to $10 billion in 2017, or double the amount recorded in 2015, and surged further in the first half of 2018. FDIs increased by 21.4 percent to $10.05 billion in 2017 from 2016 and further by 48.9 percent in the first five months of 2018 to $4.86 billion. Dominguez said reducing the corporate income tax while modernizing the countrys investment incentives under the second package of the Duterte administrations comprehensive tax reform program, would make the business climate more conducive for small and medium enterprises. Im not against giving tax credits. But its time to modernize our system. Its time to move ahead, Dominguez said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the news of Donald Trumps visit to Ireland came out of the blue for the government, and argued the US president should be respected.

Mr Varadkar said there is a standing invitation for any US president to come to Ireland.

Speaking on the Marty Squad on RTE Radio 1, the Taoiseach said the Government had not known until a couple of days ago.

There is an open invitation to the US president to visit Ireland at any time, I think theyve all visited since Reagan, if not before and obviously theres an open invitation for me, or any future Taoiseach, to attend Washington in March.

A lot of people object to him, a lot of people disagree with a lot of his policies, just as I do in fact, but he is the President of America.Leo Varadkar

We hadnt known until just a couple of days ago that he was going to take the opportunity of his visit to Paris for the Armistice commemorations, commemorating a hundred years of the end of the First World War, to visit Dublin, and also hes going to go to Doonbeg too.

Weve got to work out a programme and all the rest of it but I think any programme we will have will have to respect the fact that we will be inaugurating our own President on the 11th of November.

We will have to make sure that we have enough time and space to commemorate the Armistice because bear in mind hundreds of thousands of Irish people, including a lot of people from this city, fought in the First World War.

We need to make sure thats appropriate and fits around that as well.

The news of Mr Trumps visit in November was immediately met by calls for protests by opposition parties and activists.

Mr Varadkar said he understood that many people in Ireland dislike Mr Trump, and said that he disagreed with many of his policies.

I know a lot of people dislike him.

A lot of people object to him, a lot of people disagree with a lot of his policies, just as I do in fact, but he is the President of America.

He is elected according to their rules, and the relationship between Ireland and the United States is so strong and so important, much more important than any Irish government or any US administration and I think we have to treat his office with the respect that it deserves.
As science experiments go, this was one of the more spectacular.

At a special Harry Potter-themed event at a museum in Arkansas, the lead demonstrator asked visitors what they thought would happen if they combined liquid nitrogen with hot water.

The answer, it turned out, was this.

As two demonstrators dumped buckets of hot water into the specially constructed nitrogen container, a huge cloud erupted, shooting as high as the ceiling and, according to one onlooker, soaking the front row of people looking on at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock.

It wasnt just the audience who were taken by surprise  the museums educators were too.

Sara from Little Rock, who took the video, told the Press Association: Both of their face shields were blown off, the assistant wasnt wearing an apron or as much covering as he was, and they were both looking up at the ceiling with surprise afterwards.

The experiment took place at a special evening event, open only to adults, called Science After Dark: Wizards, Muggles and Science.

Both Sara and the museum confirmed nobody was hurt, even if the experiment didnt go quite to plan.

Kelley Bass, the museums chief executive officer, told the Press Association: The hot water hitting the very cold liquid nitrogen causes a rapid phase change. The expanding gas is forced upward, creating the large cloud.

In this case, the innermost of the three plastic vessels shattered and the force of the reaction between the liquid nitrogen and hot water propelled it upward.

The middle vessel also broke but remained contained in the larger white vessel that surrounded the inner two vessels.

Bass, who said the museum had done the experiment dozens if not hundreds of times, added that the outer vessel was there as a safety measure to protect visitors and that it worked just as it was supposed to, absorbing the shock and directing everything upward.

The incident didnt seem to diminish the enjoyment of the visitors in attendance one bit.

Sara, who was there with her husband, said: People were having a good time and enjoyed the show. I didnt get the indication that anyone was hurt or afraid by any means.

The Museum of Discovery is supported and adored by the locals.

As for why the inner container shattered, Bass said it was down to thermal shock.

Bass added: We believe the innermost trash can failed due to thermal shock from the liquid nitrogen sitting in the bottom end of that vessel while our educators donned their safety gear.

The best news here is that the precautions with the demo protected the museum guests and no-one was injured.

He said that the museum would review its safety protocols and share this experience with other science museums here in Arkansas and nationwide.
Dutch police officers near the scene of the stabbing attack (Alex Furtula/AP)

A 19-year-old Afghan citizen who was shot and detained after a double stabbing at Amsterdams citys main railway station had a terrorist motive, authorities said.

The city council said in a statement on Saturday that investigators reached that conclusion based on the suspects first statements to police.

The suspect allegedly stabbed two American tourists on Friday before police shot and wounded him.

Expand Close The suspect is an Afghan citizen (Alex Furtula/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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He holds a German residency permit and was identified as Jawed S. in line with Dutch privacy rules.

The Americans are recovering in a hospital. Their identities have not been released.

The suspect is also in hospital.

Amsterdam City Hall said German authorities searched the suspects home and seized data storage devices that would be analysed as part of the investigation.

He will appear in court on Monday in a closed-door hearing.

The charges he could face have not been released.
Philippines asks South Korea to cut banana tariff

posted September 02, 2018 at 07:20 pm by Othel V. Campos September 02, 2018 at 07:20 pm

The Trade Department filed a new request with the Korean government to reduce the tariff on Philippine banana exports. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who recently met with Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong, reiterated the Philippines request for wider market access to South Korea. We will open discussion and we are considering options for a better process moving forward, either bilateral through PTA [Preferential Trade Agreement] or under Asean-Korea trade agreement, he said.The Philippine remains the biggest supplier of bananas to South Korea with over 85-percent market share. Other countries with similar trade arrangements are asking Korea to increase their market presence. South Korea imports about 30 million boxes of Philippine bananas or about 390,000 tons a year. Philippine bananas are levied a 30-percent duty in Korea.

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.
To strengthen the anti-illegal drug abuse programs in its 188 barangays, the local government of Caloocan City, under the leadership of Mayor Oscar Malapitan, recently held a training and orientation seminar. More than 150 barangay officials from Barangays 1-24 participated in the first leg of the event conducted by the Citys Anti-Drug Abuse Council in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government. DILG-Caloocan City director Marco Cabuenos said one of their primary objectives is to welcome drug surrenderers back to society. We must actively participate in the campaign against illegal drugs. We are not enemies of drug surrenderers. We must help them through our sustainable community-based drug rehabilitation program, Cabuenos said. Speakers from the DILG, CADAC, and Philippine National Police emphasized that the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils role is not just about creating a drug watchlist, but also about implementing necessary programs and monitoring its impacts.During the training and seminar, participants came up with their Badacs action plan. Participants from other barangays are also set to undergo the same seminar on Sept. 3, 10, 14, 17, 24, and 28. According to Cadac head Atty. Sikini Labastilla, Caloocan City has a total of seven drug-cleared barangays right now. Meanwhile, Mayor Oscar Malapitan continuously encourages drug dependents to undergo the citys rehabilitation program to gain new lives.
Rep. Robert Ace Barbers

DESPITE the assertion of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that P6.8 billion worth of shabu had slipped past Customs last month, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday said that claim could only be validated with physical evidence. In a dzBB radio interview anchored by Rowena Salvacion, Barbers said it would be difficult to prove that the four empty magnetic lifters found in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite could have actually contained P6.8 billion worth of shabu.We still stand by the principle of corpus delicti, or the body of crime. It is hard to tell if the four lifters contained the drugs. Even if there is a circumstantial evidence indicating there is, it will still be difficult to tell in the absence of the body of crime, he said. That is why we are giving the PDEA a chance to conduct follow-up operations and recover [the drugs]. And if there is [such entry of drugs], we will have to investigate why it slipped past the bureau, he added.He, however, said drug syndicates could also be sowing intrigues to divide the PDEA and BoC. PDEA director general Aaron Aquino stood by their assessment that the four empty magnetic lifters seized in Cavite, on Aug. 9, contained the P68-billion shabu that made its way to the streets. But Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena questioned the findings of the PDEA, and said the four magnetic cylinders found in Cavite did not contain shabu.
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PR Newswire

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 1, 2018

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Climate Control Experts, a leading provider of air conditioning, heating and plumbing services with existing operations in five national markets - Las Vegas, Northern California, Central Texas, Phoenix and Tucson - recently announced a key addition to its team; Jeremy Anderson, Operations Manager for the Climate Control Experts HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) Division.

Based out of the Las Vegas corporate office, Jeremy Anderson will directly oversee Development, Sales, Quality Assurance and Operations of Climate Control Expert's growing HVAC Division. Anderson is tasked with refining overall business strategy and planning growth initiatives for development, operations, client satisfaction, and sales. Anderson has held numerous senior executive positions in the HVAC industry, and most recently holds the position of President of Southern Nevada Air Conditioning Refrigeration Service Contractors Association (SNARSCA). Anderson was unanimously elected as the President of this prestigious air conditioning and refrigeration association which is into its 40th year. In 2017, Anderson clinched the title of Contractor Of The Year by The Southern Nevada Air Conditioning Refrigeration Service Contractors Association. This award is a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of Anderson's core values and unprecedented reputation throughout the HVAC community in Southern Nevada.

"Jeremy Anderson is a strong choice to lead our HVAC Division within our headquarters in Las Vegas. His extensive background in the heating and cooling industry is paramount to our business development and continued industry leadership and growth," says Chris Roth, owner of Climate Control Experts.

Improving the quality and integrity of key managers and optimizing consumer engagement has a positive impact on organizational performance and reputation. Climate Control Experts intends on bolstering its brand identity and market share with the addition of their new HVAC operations manager, with the goal of acquiring strategic locations to more easily serve future markets planned for its 2018/2019 expansion.

"Our company invests heavily in our team's success and growth so we can develop leadership that is consistent with our culture," said Chris Roth. "We are excited to have Jeremy on board, and are confident he will lead his team to provide exceptional heating and cooling services to our clients, as well as continue the outstanding growth performance in our service business."

About Climate Control Experts Climate Control Experts is a leading brand in the heating, air conditioning and plumbing industry, specializing in service, repair and replacement for residential and commercial applications. The Climate Control Experts brand promises complete satisfaction with all equipment and labor through a Fixed Right Or It's FREE, Experts Guarantee. For three years in a row, (2016, 2017, & 2018) Climate Control Experts has been named one of America's Fastest Growing HVAC company in America" according to the rankings of Inc 5000's Fastest Growing Companies.

SOURCE Climate Control Experts
President Rodrigo Duterte will bring a delegation of 150 businessmen and 15 government officials on his trip to Israel this week, in hopes of reaffirming the ties between the two countries. I leave today for landmark visits that underscore our vision for our countrya responsible member of the world communitya Philippines that is a friend to all, an enemy to no one, said the President in his departure statement Sunday afternoon. Duterte, who was criticized in 2016 for comparing the Jews to the victims of the campaign against illegal drugs, said he responded to the call of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We have about 28,000 Filipinos in Israel and there are 48,000 Filipinos in Jordan. And you know, without mentioning anything, theres a volatile situation there and we have to be sure that our citizens are fully protected, said Duterte, who promised to bring several retiring military officials as a gift for serving the country. I shall seek to have a robust relationship that looks forward to broader cooperation on a broad range of mutually important areasdefense and security, law enforcement, economic development, trade [and] investments and labor, he added. Meanwhile, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dutertes three-day visit symbolizes the strong, warm ties between the two countries and the potential for developing and strengthening those relations. The Philippine President will be accompanied by a large delegation of ministers, including the ministers of foreign affairs, national defense, trade and industry, agriculture, internal security, science and technology, labor and employment, tourism and transportation. Senior senators will also be part of the delegation, MFA spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon said in a statement. Nahshon said Dutertes visit will mark several important events such as the 80-year anniversary of the Philippines opening its doors to the Jewish refugees in the late 1930s, the 70-year anniversary of the Philippines support of United Nations Resolution 181, paving the way for the creation of the State of Israel, and 60-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Philippines. One of the important subjects to be discussed is the opening of a direct flight route between Manila and Ben Gurion Airport, said Nahshon, saying that direct flights will bring a rise in the number of Filipino tourists going to Israel, particularly Christians wanting to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Nahshon said other agreements to be discussed or signs include one that would regulate the employment of thousands of Filipino caregivers. The agreement will protect the workers rights, ensure equal and fair treatment of them, and cancel all the fees that until now they have been forced to pay to intermediate agents, he said. Nahshon also said there are agreements waiting to be signed in science and technology, promotion of investments, agreements between chambers of commerce, and the environment. The official delegation includes: Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, Senator Richard Gordon, Interior and Local Government officer in charge Eduardo Ano, and Philippine Coast Guard commandant Rear Admiral Elson Hermogino. The Palace has already said that public funds will be used to finance Dutertes trip to Israel and Jordan, but said the benefits would outweigh the cost. Duterte is set to arrive Sunday for a visit to Israel and Jordan, pursuing a pivot away from his nations long-time reliance on American military hardware and backing. The four-day stay in Israel is the first by a Philippine leader in more than 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, even though their links go back to Manila sheltering Jews during the Holocaust. Dutertes visit has generated a lot of attention, powered both by his penchant for foul-mouthed statementsincluding likening himself to Hitlerand his internationally condemned drug crackdown that has killed thousands. Duterte, accompanied by an entourage including soldiers and police, will sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hold an event with some of the thousands of Filipino migrant workers in Israel.We assign great importance to this visit, which symbolizes the strong, warm ties between our two peoples, Israels foreign ministry said in a statement. Duterte has pivoted the Philippines away from its former colonial master the United States and toward warmer diplomatic and business ties with China and Russia. The US and Canada have both had military hardware deals fall apart with the Philippines due to concerns over Dutertes drug war. But so far sales with Israel have gone smoothly. [The visit] is for President Duterte to look for an alternative market for... weapons for our armed forces as well as for the police, Henelito Sevilla, an international relations expert at University of the Philippines, said. Israel is among the worlds top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defense exports going to the Asia Pacific region, according to Israeli defense ministry data. The Philippines emerged as a significant new customer in 2017 for Israel, with sales of radar and anti-tank equipment worth $21 million. There could be far bigger deals on the way as Manila plans a multi-billion dollar overhaul of its armed forces. Duterte has been dismissive of American sales overtures, saying he does not need US fighter jets or submarines. Manila says the trip is expected to yield signed agreements on defense as well as labor, which is one of the Philippines top exports. Some 10-million Filipinos work abroad and send home money that is a lifeline to the economy. Manila is keen to ink agreements that protect conditions and pay for the workers, who are seen as national heroes at home. Though the Philippines has a special bond with Israel for giving refuge to some 1,300 Jews fleeing the Holocaust, Duterte drew global condemnation for comparing himself to Hitler in 2016. Hitler massacred three-million Jews. Now there are three-million drug addicts [in the Philippines]. Id be happy to slaughter them, he said. Most mainstream historians say six million Jews died in the Holocaust. Duterte later apologized to the Jewish community over his remarks, which he said were aimed at critics who had likened him to the Nazi leader. Just over a year later the Philippines abstained from a UN vote rebuking the United States for moving its embassy to Jerusalem. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. The Philippines was reportedly among a handful of nations considering following the Americans move, but Manila has issued repeated denials. This is actually not a topic of discussion, Foreign Undersecretary Ernesto Abella told journalists at a pre-visit briefing. Duterte heads to Jordan on Sept. 5, where he is expected to meet with King Abdullah II.
Market Participants Betting on Nafta Deal between US and Canada

The Canadian Dollar strengthened to a two month high against US Dollar earlier this week. Market participants seem to bet on possible inclusion of Canada in a new Nafta pact. The U.S. has just concluded a successful bilateral talk with Mexico on Monday. Under the new agreement, cars need to have 75% of their content originate in the U.S and Mexico. The current Nafta requires 62.5% originate within North America. Under the new deal, 40-45% of auto content need to be made by workers who make more than $16 per hour, favoring the U.S. and Canada.

President Trump has threatened to put 25% tariffs on Canadian-made cars if a three-way deal cant be reached. The major disagreement between Canada and U.S. is Canadas insistence that the dairy supply management system is not open for negotiation. Trump has repeatedly said Canadian tariffs on some dairy products are unfair for U.S. producers. However, Prime Minister Trudeau on Wednesday has defended the supply management system that controls production of some Canadian farm products. The dairy issue is a difficult one for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The majority of domestic dairy industry is in Quebec and Ontario, and if they cave in the U.S. demands, they risk losing a lot of votes.

If a deal can be reached, the Bank of Canada can continue to focus on the domestic economy without worrying about trade disruption. Trump told reporters at White House on Wednesday that talks with Canada is going well. They want to be part of the deal. And we gave till Friday and I think were probably on track. Earlier this week Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is trying to reach agreement with the U.S. this week but wont sacrifice its goal of getting the right deal. Talks with Canada should continue through the end of the week with aim to include Canada in trilateral deal. If the deal is successful, the Canadian Dollar may rally a lot further.

USDCAD Short Term Elliott Wave Sequence

USDCAD shows a 5 swing sequence from 6.28.2018 high, favoring further downside while rally stays below 8/13 high (1.3178). A 5 swing sequence is part of 7 swing WXY or also often referred to as double correction. The structure calls for further downside to 1.265  1.275 area as far as current rally in swing #6 fails below 1.3178. A successful outcome of the Nafta talk this week could cause pair to extend lower as the chart is calling.

If you want to know the next path in USDCAD or other instrument, you can join our 14 days FREE Trial here > I want to get my 14 days FREE Trial We cover 78 instrument using Elliott Wave in 4 time frames. Welcome to EWF.

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Brandons leading post-secondary institutions are grappling with how they will handle recreational cannabis-smoking students come its Oct. 17 legalization.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 1/9/2018 (1159 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Brandons leading post-secondary institutions are grappling with how they will handle recreational cannabis-smoking students come its Oct. 17 legalization.

In accordance with provincial legislation that prohibits smoking and vaping cannabis in most public places, smoking marijuana will not be permitted on the Brandon University campus, as the space is also considered public property in Manitoba law.

BU dean of students Katie Gross said a new policy, which is expected to be approved within the next few weeks, may eventually change and exemptions could be granted for medical purposes, but those will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

"All universities across Canada are expecting that the legislation will evolve, so were expecting that in a year, possibly, the provincial government may change their view on that (with) the introduction of oils and ingestibles," Gross said.

BU is being treated as a public space since it is generally accessible by the public, Gross said, whether its the library, lectures or sporting events.

The BU board of governors is expected to consider a policy about responsible substance use and harm reduction by the end of September, which will deal with detecting signs of impairment and what to do if medical attention is required. Smoking is currently banned in residences.

"So right now, were primarily concerned with the safety and security of students, faculty and staff," Gross said.

Brandon University Students Union president Justin Shannon described the policy around consumption as concerning.

"Its certainly something that I and BUSU will raise with the board of governors," he said, adding that there should be a location on campus for students to smoke in accordance with the law.

"But I think ... the problem is going to be how the law was drafted in Manitoba  that (it) treated marijuana very differently than tobacco is treated."

A spokesperson for Assiniboine Community College referenced the provincial ban on smoking cannabis and e-cigarettes in public places and said the college is in the process of updating its own policy around cannabis.

"Our policies stay in compliance with (the) legislation," the spokesperson said.

Assiniboine Community College Students Association president Tulsa Labonte said they will be promoting cannabis awareness once school starts, including its potential benefits and risks, as part of their Wellness Wednesday Initiatives for students.

However, the campus will not be hosting any events that provide for, or encourage, cannabis use on campus at this time, she said.

Labonte added that they are also looking into possible coverage in later years for medical cannabis within the ACCSA Student Health and Dental Plan.

"We look forward to working with our council to best assess the opportunities and/or challenges it may have for our students," she said.

Meanwhile, Canadian Institutes of Health Research cannabis researcher Zach Walsh said legalization may have a positive effect on post-secondary campuses.

"When we think about the assaults or some of the accidents that happen on campus, a lot of those are related to alcohol use," Walsh said. "If cannabis cuts down on alcohol use, it may be able to improve the social climate on campus.

"If campuses make strict anti-cannabis regulations, they may be driving away students and they may end up victimizing those students that use cannabis."

When it comes to legalization and how it will affect university campuses, its important people look at things from an open viewpoint, Walsh said.

"We have to have a common-sense and rational approach to it at the campus level, and recognize that university students are adults who can make their own decision around substance use."

 mverge@brandonsun.com, mlee@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @Melverge5, @mtaylorlee
By David Raleigh

A former Labour Party councillor has given a chilling account of discovering his father, also a former politician, lying dead in their home which was destroyed in a fire two months ago.

Speaking for the first time about the tragedy, James Houlihan, said he was relying on the goodwill of his neighbours and friends in Southill, Limerick, to help carry out refurbishment works before he can move back to his family home.

Mr Houlihan did not have house insurance when the fire ripped through the property last June.

Mr Houlihan and his girlfriend discovered the house on fire when they returned from a local pub.

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Its believed a faulty electrical appliance may have caused the fire. The heat from the blaze also melted water pipes in the kitchen which caused the downstairs of the house to be flooded.

The second that I opened up the (front) door there was a billow of smoke straight out; the ground was flooded; and one of our dogs was dead at the end of the stairs, Mr Houlihan said.

My girlfriend went to go in and I told her to get out. I tried to go into the kitchen because I could see a glow coming from there, but, I couldnt get in there.

I ran up the stairs and into my fathers room. I got to the bed and I realised he wasnt there. I could barely see a thing (in the smoke).

I went into the bathroom...I think I even tripped over (Dads body) trying to open up the windowI was trying to ring 999,Mr Houlihan added.

Both Seamus Houlihan and his son James were Labour Party councillors on Limerick City Council.

Seamus, who was aged in his 80s, was also well known as a champion for the rights of the elderly, and was involved in the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.

Seamus Houlihan was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of James as well as firefighters from the to citys fire service who also extinguished the fire.

Speaking at their scorched home, Mr Houlihan said the best efforts of firefighters and his own attempts to save his fathers life, he knew he was gone.

It was very warm in the house because of the heat and the smoke. I couldn't get a pulse from him.

The (emergency services operator) was telling me to get out of the house and I said I wasn't going anywhere, Mr Houlihan added.

He managed to save the familys second pet dog from the fire, but the canine passed away from his injuries a day after Mr Houlihans funeral.

I found (the dog) hiding under one of my blankets on my bed. He was still breathing and we got him out and off to the vet.

The dog lasted for a few days. We even took him out for a walk the following Monday, but he took a turn.

He had (suffered) brain damage, and he ended up being put to sleep, a day after the funeral.

James had given up work to care for his mother Geraldine, in their home, during the last two years of her life, and she passed away in 2016.

When news emerged of Seamuss tragic death his neighbours immediately offered to help in any way they could.

They approached me after the funeralI thought it was very nice. They asked me would I be offended if they helped out, but, I'm not in a position to be offended, Mr Houlihan added.

An initial target of 20,000 has been set for the cost of refurbishing the house.

The Houlian family home.

Donations can be made to an online fundraising page on GoFundMe.com, entitled Southill Honours Seamus.

Thanking his neighbours Mr Houlihan said: Im kind of embarrassed about it, but, it's nice, its a lovely gesture.

It's humbling what they are trying to do, to get me back into the house.

He also thanked his brother Kieran, his girlfriends boss, and his own employers, Turas Nua, for helping secure temporary accommodation since the fire destroyed his family home.

With only a mere 695 raised of the 20,000 target, organisers of the fund have also appealed to tradespeople, builders merchants and businesses for help.

Mr Houlihan added: I'm still numb. In time (dads death) will hit me. There is just too much to do at the moment for it to really hit me.

We are clearing everything out. There is a lot of smoke damage so there was very little we were able to save.

Standing in the middle of the charred remains of his parents' furniture, twisted picture frames, and bags of wrecked clothes, he said:

My brain is just fried with everything. I'm just trying to get the place together.

Donations can be made online here
An investigation is underway after a motorcyclist in his late 40s was killed in a crash in Co Tipperary.

His motorbike collided with a car at Deerpark, just on the outskirts of Carrick on Suir at 6.15pm yesterday evening.
Update 12.25pm: The Labour Party has joined growing calls for mass demonstrations to protest the visit of Donald Trump to Ireland.

Two cabinet ministers Finian McGrath and John Halligan have also stated their opposition to the visit, as well as People Before Profit.

The Government says Mr Trump's visit will be an "opportunity to follow up on the issues discussed in the White House in March including migration, trade, climate change and human rights".

Labour leader Brendan Howlin says this will be a rallying call for people who oppose Donald Trump's worldview.

"Ireland is an open and tolerant nation, committed to peace and democracy. Trumps values are not our values and there should be no welcome for this man," he said.

"We must send a clear signal around the world that dangerous politicians will be opposed by all democratic means, including by peaceful protest.

"Labour will actively oppose this visit, working with likeminded people.

"I would ask people to recall the protests in 2003 against the Iraq War, where over 100,000 people marched in opposition. Now is another time where people from all walks of life need to raise their voices together.

Trump is a menace to democracy and our way of life. Trump is not welcome in Ireland.

Digital Desk

Earlier: Richard Boyd Barrett: 'Shameful' that Donald Trump to visit Ireland

Update 7.05am: People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett's slamming the Taoiseach's decision to welcome Donald Trump to Ireland as 'shameful'.

He says he's already contacted other groups to organise major demonstrations when the US President arrives in November.

He says his politics have made the world a more dangerous and divided place.

Deputy Boyd Barrett says he does not like what Mr. Trump stands for.

"Donald Trump is a promoter of the politics of hate, of corporate greed, of war and of prejudice and I think it's really shameful that Leo Varadkar would bring him over here to legitimise and endorse those politics.

"I'd really urge people who believe in peace, equality and justice to come out and protest against Trump's really nasty political agenda."

Digital Desk
A laboratory researcher has been treated at hospital because she is devastated by the death of more than 1,000 rats.

Gwynneth Quick, who has been dubbed Rat Woman, kept the rats at her home near Cape Town because she couldn't stand the way they were being treated at work.
By David Raleigh

The Liam MacCarthy Cup has made a special visit to the headquarters of the Limerick Garda Division as a thank you to the force for helping escort the All Ireland Champions team bus to and from the final held at Croke Park.

Manager of the hurling team, John Kiely, acknowledged that while his hurling team are champions, Gardai perform heroic duties everyday.

"Absolutely, they are putting their lives on the line every single day, and every night, they go out (to work)," Kiely said.

They are putting themselves in harms way. But, thats the job, and they acknowledge that themselves, but it is a high risk job...

Kiely singled out two Limerick Gardai who were injured and their patrol car destroyed when loose horses collided with their vehicle last week.

The horrific collision occurred in the early hours of last Tuesday morning, along a stretch of the N18, between Limerick Tunnel and the Roxboro Road Junction.

One of the gardai involved suffered a broken arm, and head wounds, while the other had less serious injuries.

One of the horses involved was killed instantly in the impact.

To see two of (the gardai) caught up in such an almost totally devastating accident was a shock for everybody, Kiely said.

Everybody was really shocked, and taken aback, and concerned for them. We are thinking of them.

When you do get caught in something like they did, you do pay a price, he said.

We just wish them well and a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them back on the beat as quickly as possible.

A former detective at Henry Street Garda station, Superintendent Eamon ONeill, who now oversees the Newcastle West District, organises logistics for the Limerick hurling team.

His colleague, Superintendent Derek Smart, who helped spearheaded a massive garda operation for the teams homecoming celebrations, was ecstatic Kiely and some of the players dropped into the station with their All Ireland hurling silverware.

I was just a child when they last won it in 1973. I remember the team then coming back by the Parkway (Dublin Road) and I was standing there beside my father, said Supt Smart.

Its been a long wait and its long overdue, and its great to see these young men return with the cup again, and, to see how proud they are," Supt Smart added.

The visit of Liam MacCarthy to Henry Street garda station was bittersweet for the head of the Limerick Garda Division, Chief Superintendent Gerry Roche.

Sad, that his native Galway had lost out to Limerick, Roche acknowledged the better team won on the day.

Limerick hurling panellist Barry OConnell, who is waiting for the nod to take up a position as a trainee garda at the Garda College in Templemore, joked hed be keeping a close eye on any potential messers in the hurling squad.

There's a few (on the team) alright, and well have to tell them to keep the head down, he laughed.
"Perhaps the sentiments put forth here are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor. A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason." --Thomas Paine
One of Biggest Military Drills in History to Be Launched

By Vladimer Napetvaridze

September and October 2018 will be the period of one of the biggest military drills in history. On the one hand, Russia together with China and Mongolia is planning exercises "Vostok 2018", on the another, NATO together with Norway is planning drills  Trident Juncture 2018".Russia is mobilizing its most significant military exercise since the Cold War, as the Kremlin says, noting the main reason is a tense international climate that is frequently aggressive and unfriendly toward the federation.The exercises which start on September 11, will involve nearly 300,000 Russian troops, 1,000 aircraft, and 900 tanks, will also include units from China for the first time and it will take place near Russias eastern border with China and Mongolia.The participation of China, in upcoming drills, signals a significant reshaping of military exercises that began in the Soviet era. For decades, both states were preparing their army for a possible attack on each other, but nowadays they are carrying out joint military drills.In September 2017 in conjunction with Belarus, Russia held military drills named "Zapad" (West) in Kaliningrad. The action unnerved the Baltic States and Poland because similar drills preceded clashes in Georgia and Crimea.After the Russian military drills in September, NATO will carry out one of the most massive military exercises in October. More than 40,000 participants from all 29 NATO members and partner nations are expected to take part in Exercise Trident Juncture 2018, which will be one of the most complex exercises NATO has done in the last 30 years.The first part of The Trident Juncture 18 which is live exercises- officially begins on October 25 and ends on November 7, in and around Norway. As for the second part - a command post exercises, it will take place mainly in Naples. It will test and certify JFC Naples as the 2019 NATO Response Force command headquarters and runs November 14 -23.The primary goal of the exercises is to test NATOs ability to plan and conduct a major collective defense operation. It will be the largest in a series of exercises scheduled over several years to ensure that NATO forces are well-trained, to operate together and respond to a threat from any direction. One more detail that makes Trident Juncture 18 unique in the NATO system is the fact, that it is not only about a military exercise, but also a comprehensive all-dimensions practice, which will include medical services, firefighters, civilian defense, railroad, etc.Military drills aim at demonstrating the power and defining potential allies and threats. At the same time, Russia has mobilized most massive naval deployment off the coast of Syria, since Moscow first intervened in Syrias civil war in September 2015. As the Russian authorities say, the move was followed by threats that the West is preparing to stage a fake chemical weapons attack on Syria as a pretext for an assault on the forces of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Richard Hammond and his family were "gassed" and robbed while staying in a holiday villa in Saint Tropez, the Grand Tour host's wife has told UK press.

Mindy Hammond said Richard, the couple's teenage daughter Willow and a group of friends woke up one morning to discover cash had been stolen from their wallets and purses, and a watch swiped from Willow's room.

"I'm pretty convinced we must have been gassed or something, because they were in all of the bedrooms  they went where they wanted, into each room, opening and closing the drawers, searching through handbags, etc," she told the UK's Sunday Express.

Mrs Hammond, 53, detailed the couple's confusion surrounding the robbery. She said she had initially heard a "door downstairs shut" on the night but believed it was one of the other couples staying up.
Danielle Cormack plays the central character, Alceste, the title's misanthrope. Credit:Brett Boardman

At their best the rhymes come fizzing and spitting at you, the wit sizzling as writer Justin Fleming throws fat on Moliere's fire. At other times the work feels more laboured, as if Moliere's satire and Fleming's metre, rhymes and token modernity have been scrunched together like so many peak-hour commuters on a Sydney train.

Fleming has explained in these pages how and why he has varied his rhyme schemes' architecture in previously adapting Moliere, and this ingenuity lubricates the wit as much the many clever rhymes, themselves. Such flashes of virtuosity on Fleming's part let us glimpse how Moliere dazzled his audiences 350 years ago, and, for those fluent in French, continues to do so.

Oddly enough, however, this particular play, widely considered his finest, was a flop in Paris in 1666, primarily because the central character, Alceste, the title's misanthrope, is not intrinsically comical. Even today, he  or in this joint Bell Shakespeare/Griffin Theatre production, she  tests the audience almost as much as she does the other characters with her relentless fault-finding of the rest of humanity. Her saving grace  beyond her unfaltering honour and probity  is her ability to detect her own faults, also.

Director Lee Lewis suggested Fleming swap Alceste's gender, and it has been made to work. Nonetheless, because the character is more admirable than likeable, the actor must bring some compensatory charisma, and Danielle Cormack does show sparks of this, particularly early on. But as the play develops and Alceste becomes more frustrated, Cormack loses this ability to compensate us with charm. Despite finding humanity so deeply flawed, Alceste's anger should be tempered with a quality akin to despairing of its foibles. Although Cormack is capable of exuding a certain energy and effervescence, somewhere between her performance, Lewis's direction and Fleming's writing, a disproportionate stridency sneaks in.
Montgomery's island break

Australian actress Poppy Montgomery will head the cast of a new drama series set on a small Pacific island. Montgomery will play a former thief who now works as a "fixer" for the governor of the small island in Reef Break. The series is a co-production between the US network ABC and the French network M6. "It's an exhilarating and suspenseful ride set against some of the most beautiful locations," ABC's president of entertainment Channing Dungey said. Montgomery's previous credits include Without a Trace and Unforgettable. ABC has ordered 13 one-hour episodes; the series will air in summer 2019.

Today  it's so yesterday

Sometimes the overnight ratings bat you a curve ball and the unexpected rise of the ABC's morning magazine program News Breakfast in Melbourne is one that has eyebrows arched across town. Today's grip on Australia's southern capital is surprisingly tenuous given the network's history placement on Melbourne's cultural geography  Graham Kennedy, anyone?  but last week Today found itself behind News Breakfast in Melbourne, with the latter edging forward thanks to its simulcast on ABC News 24. The result was surprising because the breakfast TV war is generally cast as a battle between Today and Seven's Sunrise.
Battling thin oxygen at high altitude, food poisoning and snow blindness, lawyer Heather McNeice was a long way from the comforts of a Noosa boardroom.

It was her fourth trek to Bhutan, a remote kingdom high in the Himalayas between China and India, but this time McNeice was there with a purpose.

Heather McNeice and her friend Krista trekked Bhutan in 2013, raising funds for girls' education. Credit:Heather McNeice

Her detailed daily diary of the 2013 trip formed the backbone of McNeices first book, telling the story of the trek, the challenges faced and the people she met.

Yak on Track details the 240-kilometre march, described as a love song to Bhutan and its people.
Police are hunting for a carload of men after 35-year-old Clinton Pollock was shot dead in the front yard of his home north of Brisbane.

Clinton Pollock, shot dead north of Brisbane on Sunday night. Credit:Facebook

Mr Pollock was shot in the chest after getting into an argument with the group, who went to the Deception Bay property about 11.30pm on Sunday and called him out onto Thompson Street.

Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Hogan said Mr Pollock was then shot in the chest and the attackers fled the scene in a car.

"After police arrival and ambulance had treated him, he passed away at the scene," Detective Hogan said.
Just over 10 degrees in the city now ahead of a mostly sunny top of 15.

Pretty congested on the trains this morning, with replacement buses on a number of lines including Craigieburn and Frankston. Think of your happy place, people.

That's it from Express today. We'll be back bright and early tomorrow. Until then, have a fabulous day.
Perth activists have flagged their intention to protest controversial British politician Nigel Farage ahead of his speaking engagement at the Perth Town Hall on Sunday.

Farage is known as the former leader of the UK Independence Party, and is currently the vice chairman of the pro-Brexit Leave Means Leave political organisation.

Nigel Farage, former leader of the UK Independence Party, has arrived in Australia. Credit:Bloomberg

Hosted by GME Events, Farage's speaking engagement is due to take place at 6pm on Sunday evening with tickets ranging between $45 and $995.

"Farage has been described as 'the most important British politician of the last decade' and one of the most influential," the event's description reads.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison headed to Indonesia on a mission so urgent it rated higher on his agenda than staying to heal the deep divisions in his party.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace on Friday night. Credit:AAP

The haste behind Morrisons Jakarta jaunt was to announce the in-principle agreement of a new free trade deal with Indonesia. This is an agreement that nobody  not even parliament  in either country has had the chance to assess. If history is any guide, it will favour big business at the expense of working people. It will allow business owners to exploit temporary workers at the expense of secure local jobs. And it will prioritise corporate profit at the expense of national sovereignty.

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A good trade deal should reduce inequality and put people at its centre. That seems self-evident, but its a principle that the Turnbull government failed to embrace. Given Morrisons desperation to keep his predecessors appointment with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, it seems no lesson has been learned.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ripped up a deal allowing the Katters Australian Party five extra staff, on the back of Senator Fraser Anning's widely condemned maiden parliamentary speech.

Addressing the Labor State Conference on Sunday, she also announced a Queensland parliamentary inquiry into euthanasia.

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk are seen during the annual Queensland Labor state conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Credit:AAP

The Labor leader renewed criticism of the KAP's support for Mr Anning's inflammatory speech, which praised the former White Australia policy and suggested a plebiscite as the "final solution to the immigration problem".

Nazis referred to the extermination of the Jewish people in Europe and beyond as "the final solution to the Jewish question".
In the days since President Donald Trump announced his administration had negotiated a new trade agreement with Mexico that he hopes will modify or replace NAFTA, Florida farmers and politicians have sent up red flags.

Strawberry, pepper and tomato farmers, whove sparred with their Mexican counterparts over winter imports for years, argued that the deal does little or nothing to stop Mexican farmers from flooding the U.S. market with below-cost produce. U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson quickly warned that the agreement needs to better protect the states agricultural industry, and state Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam said Trumps newly negotiated agreement wasnt quite the deal we hoped it would be in Florida.

So, how does Florida Gov. Rick Scott feel about the agreement?

The Miami Herald wanted to find out, and asked the governor for his opinion on the new trade agreement Saturday during a Scott visit to Doral, where a slew of Puerto Rican officials, including former Gov. Luis Fortuno, were gathered to endorse his candidacy for the U.S. Senate against Nelson.

Click here to see what he said.
Manila: Suspected militants on Sunday detonated a second bomb in less than a week in a southern Philippine town, killing at least one and wounding 15.

The homemade bomb went off near an internet cafe in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province, said regional military commander Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana.

Military officials in the Philippines are blaming a spate of recent bombings on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a small but hard-line group that has aligned itself with the Islamic State group. In this photo, a soldier stands amid ruined buildings after months of fighting in Marawi against Islamic State-inspired militants. Credit:Jez Aznar/The New York Times

"We've temporarily placed Isulan on a lockdown. We wouldn't want the suspect to go out. We believe that the suspect is still inside," Sobejana told reporters.

Three of the wounded were taken to a hospital in serious condition, he said.
Latest News Auswide Bank breaks with convention and slashes rate Bank becomes first lender to move after cash rate hold, slashing interest rates

Judo Bank hits ASX and catapults to $2.5bn valuation All the reaction from the first bank IPO since 1996

A mortgage brokerage has appointed a new director to focus on making the referral process from its real estate partner even easier.

Peter Camphin has been appointed director, strategic partnerships at Loan Market, whose partner company is Ray White.

Camphin holds more than 25 years experience across the two brands. Under his new position he will make the referral process between the companies simpler for brokers, agents and property managers to create a culture for the convenience of customers.

The national focus will also amplify business growth opportunities for the respective businesses.

Sam White, executive chairman Loan Market, said market feedback emphasised the need for greater collaboration.

He added, The two companies are respected leaders in their industries.

Loan Market was named Major Brokerage of the Year  Franchise, while Ray White won the Real Estate Business Franchise Network of the Year award for the third consecutive year in 2018.

With such a wealth of industry talent and resources, it makes obvious sense to better integrate our services, to make the property process easier for our respective customers. Its our duty to customers, whether theyre looking for finance or looking to buy a property, to inform them of all the options available to their circumstances.

Peter has a rich association across both companies, at the corporate and agency levels. Having seen both sides of the equation positions him to make the relationship between Loan Market brokers and Ray White franchisees closer.

Camphin said he was energised by the purpose of the role. He said the process had been tested in numerous businesses across the networks over the past two years and he was looking forward to using the learnings in his engagement strategy.

Camphin said, Across both businesses, creating the best customer offering possible is at the top of our agenda.

There are few industries which complement each other like property and finance, and Loan Market and Ray White are determined to take the lead on developing a richer customer experience.

Diversifying business practices is the key to business longevity because it gives customers more reasons to choose your business over another.

I acknowledge that there are industry-wide habits to be broken in this process but, through engagement and education, I think the motivation to embrace it across both businesses will be compelling.

While the broker-sales agent relationship was obvious, Camphin said the industrys appreciation of the connections between brokers and property managers was greatly under-realised.

He added, People invest in property to generate wealth. In many instances, property managers are handling numerous properties for the same landlord. Property managers can be instrumental in maximising the returns of their clients through attracting and retaining tenants, cost-efficient maintenance schedules and market knowledge.

Making sure their client is getting the best finance should be part of the process, as well, and thats where the broker can add genuine value to the customer offering.

In other senior Loan Market appointments, highly experienced finance specialist Tim Amourous has taken on the role of State Director, Queensland.

Amourous, who previously headed up Sales for NABs White Label product, has generated significant results at Loan Market over the last 12 months, contributing to his promotion
Donna Shalala, the Democratic nominee to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Congress, said during an interview that aired Sunday morning that abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- a position that's increasingly in vogue within her party -- is "irresponsible."

Speaking during a taped interview with NBC's Jackie Nespral, Shalala explained that she believes the elimination of entire agencies due to their "evil" direction under President Donald Trump is short-sighted. She used the Environmental Protection Agency as an example, saying that while currently Trump's administration is using the agency to undercut environmental regulations, that doesn't mean the EPA should be destroyed.

"Its irresponsible to try to abolish an agency without understanding" the context and consequences of such a decision, said Shalala, who oversaw Health and Human Services for President Bill Clinton.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increasingly been used as a police force for finding undocumented immigrants in the U.S. by controversial methods such as stopping Greyhound buses and interrogating passengers. But the agency also targets human trafficking and other criminal enterprises, something Republicans seize on when talking about the issue.

Shalala's characterization of the position comes as Florida Democrats rally around a gubernatorial candidate in Andrew Gillum who ran to the left in a contentious, five-way primary. Gillum adopted the #AbolishICE platform months ago, although he qualifies that position by saying he wants to eliminate ICE "in its current form to be replaced with a more compassionate and focused agency that actually keeps us safer."

Shalala also ran in a contentious five-way primary. But in the Democratic primary for Florida's 27th congressional district, it was Shalala who was cast as too moderate for a progressively liberal Democratic party. During her interview with Nespral, Shalala asserted that she is just as progressive as vanquished opponent David Richardson, a state Rep. who cast Shalala as a "phony Democrat."

"I'm just as progressive as he is," she said.

But she was already arguing against herself. Earlier in the interview, the former University of Miami president explained that she wasn't surprised she won the primary by less than 5 percentage points in part because of her politics.

"I was the candidate that was not very far to the left," she said. "So many of them made the decision to beat up on me a little bit. Thats politics for you. I made a decision I was just going to run an upbeat, positive campaign. I wasnt surprised it was close. Im happy it was over with."

As the Democratic nominee, Shalala now faces Republican Maria Elvira Salazar and independent candidate Mayra Joli in November.
IDENTITY The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment Francis Fukuyama Farrar, Straus & Giroux 218 pages; $26 THE LIES THAT BIND Rethinking Identity: Creed, Country, Color, Class, Culture Kwame Anthony Appiah Liveright Publishing 256 pages; $27.95 A Japanese-American political scientist and a Ghanaian-British-American philosopher walk into a bar where a brawl over identity is underway. Stop fighting! the philosopher cries. The identities youre fighting for are lies. The political scientist steps forward. Theyre not ...
None of the Indian IT services players would be disclosing their cloud revenue numbers as yet, though they have been quite vocal in the recent past about plans to strengthen their portfolios in the segment. Analysts are worried over the aggressive manner in which IT services companies are growing their cloud portfolios.

They have observed that the very objective behind moving to cloud by the clients is to reduce costs, but this may affect their profitability. Cloud itself is not a low-margin business, but it is cannibalising some of the traditional infrastructure and application ...
Q: With the acquisition of IDBI Bank by the Life Insurance Corporation, is there any clarity on the prospects of selling the promoting bank's stake in IDBI Federal Life? A: Over the past 15 months, there has been constant news that IDBI Bank has been in need of capital infusion. The shareholders had decided that there would be a stake sale in the company and they ...

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.

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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
Via @KirbyWTweets

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum gave three national television interviews Sunday morning. In all three, he fielded questions about the status of the FBI corruption probe into his city government.

And on all three programs  CNN's "State of the Union," NBC's "Meet the Press," and MSNBC's "AM Joy," Gillum gave what is becoming a familiar answer to the question: He, as the mayor of Tallahassee, welcomed the investigation, and he's not its target. His Republican opponent, Ron DeSantis, has tried to "undermine" the FBI investigation into President Trump's campaign, Gillum said.

But on Meet the Press, Gillum also offered some new information, saying he planned in coming days to release receipts related to two trips he took in 2016 that have come under scrutiny in the press coverage of the probe.

In May of 2016, Gillum reportedly vacationed with friends and lobbyists Sean Pittman and Adam Corey in Costa Rica. It was on that trip that Corey scheduled a meeting between Gillum and an undercover FBI agent posing as a developer via an online calendar invite, the Tallahassee Democrat has reported.

Although Gillum had long been friends with the lobbyists, the trip raised the eyebrows of some ethics experts. Gillum, his friends and their significant others reportedly split a $1400-per-night villa on the trip. Gillum says he paid for his portion of the trip, but he has not publicly released any receipts.

A separate trip later in 2016 to New York with Corey and the undercover FBI agent, "Mike Miller," also caused some to ask questions. Gillum took a boat trip arranged by Miller, and may have attended a Mets game and a performance of the musical "Hamilton" with Corey and the agent as well.

Gillum has said he didn't allow "Miller" to pay for any part of that trip, but he's likewise has never provided receipts.

Gillum cut ties with Corey, who's at the center of one part of the FBI investigation, last year.

Sunday on NBC, the mayor said he would provide evidence that he paid his way on the New York and Costa Rica trips as soon as a Tallahassee ethics board wrapped up its investigation this week.

"My commitment is to make every receipt available because I've got nothing to hide," Gillum told Todd Sunday morning. "I just wanted to make sure the process worked the way it was intended to."

The FBI probe was far from the only topic of discussion in the TV interviews Sunday. Gillum also talked about how he'll implement Medicare for all in Florida, and about racist robocalls that targeted him this week  among other topics.
The Reliance Group, accused by the Opposition of influence peddling in its selection by Dassault as its Indian offset partner, has rejected allegations that it has benefited from Rs 300 billion worth of offset orders. It says its offset business from Dassault will amount to just Rs 66 billion.

The 7.85 billion euro (Rs 590 billion) contract for 36 fighters that the government signed with Dassault on September 23, 2016, makes the vendor liable for discharging offsets worth 50 per cent of the contract value, or about Rs 300 billion.

Due to the rupee devaluation, the original Rs590 billion cost of the deal has already gone up to Rs 650 billion, but most calculations are working off the old figure.

Now Reliance Group, in a legal notice served on six entities and individuals in connection with a panel debate on the Rafale, terms it incorrect and misleading to state that Reliance received all those offsets.

The notice says: Dassaults share in the total offset export obligation is approximately 22 per cent, or Rs 66 billion. The balance 78 per cent of offsets is to be discharged by other such as Thales, Safran, and MBDA.

Dassault is the prime vendor for the Rafale, but other tier-1 vendors supply major fighter assemblies. Thales provides avionics, such as radars and instrumentation, Safran supplies the Rafales twin M-88 turbojet engines, and MBDA provides missiles and weaponry.

Indias offset guidelines, specified in the Defence Procurement Policy of 2016 (DPP-2016), provide for tier-1 vendors like Thales, Safran, and MBDA to discharge their own offset liabilities on a pro rata basis.

Earlier, Reliance Group head Anil Ambani had written to Congress President Rahul Gandhi, saying other were discharging the bulk of offsets. On August 20, Ambani wrote: More than 100 medium, small and micro enterprises will participate in this along with public sector undertakings like Bharat Electronics and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

DPP-2016 allows a foreign vendor to discharge offsets in various ways. These include direct purchase or export orders for specified defence, coastal security, and civil aerospace products or services; foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indian enterprises for the manufacture of eligible products or services; transfer of technology to Indian enterprises for eligible products and services; provision of equipment to Indian enterprises, or to government institutions, for manufacturing eligible products or providing eligible services; and the provision of specified technologies to the DRDO.

Offset obligations are to be discharged within a time frame that can extend beyond the period of the main procurement contract by a maximum of two years. This includes the period of warranty of the equipment being procured. Dassault has contracted to deliver the last of the 36 Rafales before April 2022, and the warranty contract (which ensures that minimum 75 per cent of the fleet must be operational at all times) extends for another five years, till April 2027. That means Dassault has till April 2029 - a period of almost 13 years to discharge its offsets through the Reliance Group. Assuming full-scale delivery of manufactured items begins by next April, Reliance would have to manufacture and deliver Rs 6.6 billion worth of equipment each year.

Dassault Reliance Aerospace (DRAL) intends to discharge offsets by building civil aerospace components for Dassaults successful Falcon business jet. Last year, Dassault chief Eric Trappier and Anil Ambani laid the foundation stone of DRALs proposed manufacturing facility outside Nagpur.

Reliance Group and the government both argue that the original equipment manufacturer is free to choose the Indian offset partner to discharge offset obligations. While the DPP does indeed provide this flexibility, the defence ministry is required to vet the choice.

Para 8.6 of the offset guidelines states: All offset proposals will be processed by the (Ministry of Defences) acquisition manager and approved by the Raksha Mantri, regardless of their value.

Further, the DPP lays down detailed timelines for the vendor to submit his offset proposals for scrutiny. This is normally within 12 weeks of submitting the main proposal.

Reliance Group entities involved in defence are Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Defence, Reliance Naval and Engineering (RNEL), and DRAL. Together, they have 35 industrial licenses for manufacturing various defence products. However, the biggest project in hand, RNELs fabrication of five naval offshore patrol vessels at its Pipavav shipyard, is running years late and in danger of penal action from the Navy.
The billionaire chief executive of one of Chinas largest online retailers was arrested on Friday in Minnesota on a charge of criminal sexual conduct before being released a day later, according to police records. According to the jail roster for the Hennepin County Sheriffs office, Richard Liu, the founder of JD.com, was taken into custody by the Minneapolis police late Friday and freed Saturday afternoon. In a statement posted Sunday afternoon on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, JD.com said that a false accusation had been made against Liu while he was in ...
The Indian space agency's commercial arm Corporation is waiting for Inc to enter the multi-billion dollar space business in a big way and invest in making and launching rockets and satellites for customers worldwide.

"There is big money to make in the space business for Indian corporates. We do not mind whether it is Tatas, Birlas, Ambanis or someone else, as there is no dearth of big corporates in to invest in the space industry," Chairman and Managing Director S. Rakesh told IANS in an interview here on the margins of a space trade event.

Admitting that the Indian space business, driven solely by the state-run (ISRO), had been frugal, Rakesh said Inc was not looking at space as a business, as it had not been generating much money hitherto. Not anymore.

As the global space business is a whopping $330 billion (Rs 23 lakh crore) and growing 2-3 per cent annually, there is huge money for Indian corporates to make in the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) market and sending satellite constellations for various activities spanning civilian and military use.

"As ISRO's programmes (launches and satellites) are primarily meant for societal and the country's needs in the civilian and defence sectors, the spare capacity is small for commercial needs. We hope the private industry will come forward to drive the commercial space and grow the business," Rakesh said.

Clarifying that as a space research organisation, although ISRO's responsibility was not to grow the commercial segment of the space industry, Rakesh said it, however, was proposing the SSLV programme for involving the industry directly in making smaller rockets.

"The Indian industry has to proactively involve and suggest manufacturing methods, which is not our strength as a research entity," he asserted.

Referring to the growing demand for real-time pictures and data from earth observations in the market in commercial and defence areas, Rakesh said the industry had to come forward to make SSLVs as well as PSLVs, the manufacturing of which the space agency is keen to privatise.

With a cost one-tenth of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the 34m-long SSLV will be used to launch smaller satellites that weigh 500-700 kg.

The low-cost SSLV requires a dedicated launch pad with a simple vertical launch mechanism, the executive said.

ALSO READ: Isro's Antrix signs MoU with SatSure for promoting geospatial technology

With ISRO looking at 50-60 SSLV launches a year, it wants the private industry to design, develop and manufacture them.

The space agency is also looking at many places on the east coast, including Tamil Nadu, to set up the SSLV launch pad, as it will be mostly for commercial purposes.

"Though SSLV will be initially launched from our rocketport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, we want to have a separate spaceport for it later," Rakesh stressed .

The market for small satellites is estimated to be $18 billion (Rs 1.27 trillion) over the next 10 years, with a potential to generate Rs 1,500-2,000 crore (Rs 15 billion- Rs16 billion) business per year for India alone, he noted.

Even as there is a lull in the global space market currently, there will soon be a huge demand, on which India can capitalise, as it has the required technologies, which not many countries do, said Rakesh, ahead of the sixth edition of the biennial Bengaluru Space Expo in this tech hub on September 6-8.

Rakesh also noted that the "negative" attitude of the corporates towards the space business was hurting despite the country having very good technologies and a huge opportunity to do business.

"We are looking for someone to be willing to put money in the space business," he affirmed.

The world over, like are able to produce launch vehicles (rockets) despite its technologies being exclusive and the quality required is of high standard.

Hence, the Indian space agency is also looking at massive technological transformations.

"Many design concepts are changing in the space industry. Satellite constellations are being looked at as they give the advantage that if one component does not work in space, the rest of the constellation continues to function," he pointed out.

Of Antrix's Rs 21 billion turnover in fiscal 2017-18, launch services contributed Rs 2.5 billion).

"We have an order book of Rs 9.80 billion, with Rs 5 billion-6 billion contracts in pipeline for launch services in this fiscal (2018-19) and next fiscal (2019-2020)," added Rakesh.

With ISRO eyeing two launches a month to meet the country's growing demand for multi-purpose satellites, the space agency and its commercial arm have busy years ahead.
The Alma-Ata Declaration was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care (PHC) which was held between September 6-12, 1978. The declaration was indeed historical, because, for the first time, elected representatives from 134 countries and 67 international organisations agreed upon a common definition of health that examined causes of ill-health to lie beyond the four walls of hospitals.

This Declaration will complete 40 years in September. So, it is perhaps the right time to take a relook at and examine as to what has happened to this document. What have been the ...
The has slammed the for making "misleading statement" about pendency of an appeal while making it clear that the apex court is not a "picnic place" and cannot be treated like this.

A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur slapped a cost of Rs 1 million on the department and said it was "shocked" that the Centre, through the Commissioner of Income Tax, has taken the matter "so casually".

The bench, also comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, also noted in its order that the plea was filed by the IT department after a delay of 596 days and "inadequate and unconvincing explanation" was given for the delay.

"Please do not do this. The is not a picnic place. Is this the way you treat the of India?," the bench told the counsel appearing for the department.

"You cannot treat the Supreme Court like this," the bench said.

The top court observed that in the petition filed by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Ghaziabad, the department has said that a similar matter filed in 2012 was pending in the court.

It, however, noted that the matter referred to as pending by the department was decided by the apex court way back in September 2012.



"In other words, the petitioners have given a totally misleading statement before this court. We are shocked that the Union of India through the Commissioner of Income Tax has taken the matter so casually," the bench said in its order while dismissing the petition.

"As we have noted, there is an inadequate explanation of delay of 596 days in filing the petition and a misleading statement about pendency of a similar civil appeal," it said.

It said that the cost of Rs 1 million be deposited with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee within four weeks and the amount be utilised for juvenile justice issues.



The department had moved the apex court challenging the August 29, 2016 judgement of the Allahabad High Court which had dismissed their appeal against an (ITAT) order.

The plea before the high court pertained to different assessment years concerning the Hapur Pilkhuwa Development Authority (HPDA), a body constituted under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.

The HPDA had applied for grant of registration under the relevant provision of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which deals with procedure for registration.



The Commissioner of Income Tax, Ghaziabad, had rejected the application in June 2006 observing that HPDA was not an institution working for charitable purposes.

The HPDA had thereafter approached the ITAT which allowed its appeal against the order of Commissioner of Income Tax and said that it was entitled for registration.
Despite much talk from both sides, many rounds of talks and ambitious targets of hitting $15 billion by 2015, trade between India and Canada remains around the $8-billion mark. The Invest India Conference, which returns to Toronto on September 4-5 for its second edition, is the latest nudge towards reinvigorating this economic equation, and the brainchild of Prem Watsa, the prominent Indo-Canadian investor and Chairman and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings. ...

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.



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Digital Editor
Lelectricite est devenue, de nos jours, un besoin dune importance majeure, et cela, dans tous les domaines dactivite. Que ce soit dans les maisons ou []
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would not allow compromises to her Brexit strategy that went against the national interest, seeking to allay fears among some in her Conservative Party that she will cave in to Brussels demands in negotiations. But her words drew scepticism, including from the former Brexit negotiator David Davis who said the pledge was little reassurance and that he would vote against parliament giving Mays exit plan its required approval. With under two months before Britain and the European Union (EU) want to agree a deal to end over ...
The US military said it has made a final decision to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan that had been suspended over Islamabads perceived failure to take decisive action against militants, in a new blow to deteriorating ties. The so-called Coalition Support Funds were part of a broader suspension in aid to Pakistan announced by President Donald Trump at the start of the year, when he accused Pakistan of rewarding past assistance with nothing but lies & deceit. The Trump administration says Islamabad is granting safe haven to insurgents who are waging a ...
From being a television phenomenon at a time when stardom was a rare commodity for small screen stars, Pallavi Joshi has moved quite effortlessly into the world of YouTube and political campaigns. She is back under the spotlight.

But this time around, as an endorser for the State, rather than just another scripted entertainer. Joshi has been speaking up in explainer videos, a new tool that is being used by both the national political parties to endorse or critique a policy initiative. The videos put forward a point of view and seek to control the flow of conversation on social ...
have infused over Rs 51 billion into the country's in August -- the second consecutive month of inflow -- on improvement on the macro front, better corporate earnings and correction in the mid and small-cap space.

The latest inflow comes following a net infusion of over Rs 23 billion in the -- both equity and debt -- in July. Prior to that, overseas investors had pulled out over Rs 610 billion during April-June.

According to the latest depository data, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) pumped in a net sum of Rs 17.75 billion into equities in August and a net amount of Rs 34.14 billion into the debt market, taking the total to Rs 51.89 billion.

After three months of huge outflows from April till June, analysts said it is encouraging to see FPIs making a comeback in July and August.

"The recent net inflow could be attributed to improvement on the macro front, better earnings from corporate, correction in the mid and small-cap space and positive observations of International Monetary Fund (IMF) on India," said Himanshu Srivastava, Senior Analyst Manager Research at Morningstar.

"The direction is definitely positive. However, the quantum of inflows from FPIs is much lower than what we have seen in the past when they come with full conviction. It indicates that there is a fair bit of uncertainty and cautiousness among FPIs at the moment," he added.

Overall, so far this year, overseas investors have pulled nearly Rs 24 billion from equities and close to Rs 380 billion from the debt
At least seven police officials were wounded in two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts in Afghanistan's Kandahar city on Sunday.

The IED was placed inside an electrical box, reported TOLO News.

An official of the Afghan National Police (ANP) was among the wounded in the first explosion in the city's PD14. Around six other policemen, who were responding to the first blast, got injured in the second explosion.

The provincial governor's spokesperson said that the exact number of injured people was not confirmed yet.

No group has taken the responsibility for the explosion so far.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, will embark on a three-day visit to Myanmar and Malaysia from September 3 to 8.

The visit will be beneficial for enhancing the strong camaraderie and partnership that the nations and their Air Forces share. Presently, the areas of cooperation include exchanges in the military training course, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises.

During the visit, Dhanoa is scheduled to visit various operational establishments and interact with senior functionaries of the Myanmar and Malaysian Air Forces. The main focus of the visit would be to share ideas, enhance mutual engagement and promote understanding.

The visit of the Indian Air Force Chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the Air Forces and pave the way for greater interaction in future.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Army on Sunday paid a befitting tribute to late Sepoy Shive Kumar, who was killed in yesterday's counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district.

In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, Northern Army Commander, along with Lieutenant General AK Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks paid homage to the soldier. Representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the brave heart.

Kumar sustained bullet injuries during the operation in Danna forests of Bandipora district in which three terrorists were eliminated. He was provided with immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital but he later succumbed to his injuries.

Kumar had joined the Army in 2005 and belonged to village Karoor of Kishtwar Tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda District. He is survived by his wife, three children and parents.

The mortal remains of the soldier were flown for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours.

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The Pune Sessions Court granted a 90-day extension to the Pune Police to file a charge sheet in the Bhima Koregaon violence case registered against five accused, namely, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson. It further noted that the matter will be taken up for hearing on September 6.

The court will also hear the bail application of Gadling and Sen along with an application filed to shift the accused out of Pune's Yerawada Central Jail.

Earlier in the week, Yerawada Jail had moved an application to shift the accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence, citing overcrowding and security issues.

The bicentenary anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle which was held on January 2 this year had turned violent when clashes erupted, killing one person and leaving several injured, including 10 policemen.

The five accused in the case were arrested in June this year, while five activists, namely Sudha Bhardwaj, P Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira, and Vernon Gonsalves were arrested earlier in the week following countrywide raids. The five activists have been kept under house arrest until September 6 as per the Supreme Court's directive.

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Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK on Sunday blamed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and members of Referendum 2020 for carrying out the attack on him in California at the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Speaking to ANI, Manjit said, "I think the attack on me in California was done by ISI, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and members of Referendum 2020. They left no stones unturned to kill me in California. Sikhs around the globe condemned the attack."

"I think they are demanding Khalistan. There are many other organisations that are demanding Khalistan. They have right to demand but they cannot force anybody," he added.

On August 25, Manjit Singh GK was attacked by a group of unknown men at the Yuba City Gurdwara in California. The attackers allegedly pushed Singh to the ground, causing his turban to fall off and blackened his face. Three people have been arrested in connection with the matter.

Manjit Singh GK, who was allegedly attacked by supporters of the Pakistan-backed Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan organisation, hit out at the pro-Khalistan outfits and said that he is not scared of their threats to support Referendum 2020.

"We will fight with the help of the Constitution and these organisations are funded by ISI, I am not afraid of their threats," he said.

While recalling the incident, the DSGMC chief had earlier informed that a group of over 20 people had attacked him.

On August 20, Manjit Singh and his family were allegedly attacked by Khalistan sympathisers at a TV studio in New York, following which he appealed to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for help and demanded action.

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Lauding the Indian diaspora for their contributions to the country, President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday termed the community as true cultural ambassadors.

Addressing the Indian community here, President Kovind said, "The relations of India and Cyprus have been traditionally close and friendly. India and Cyprus had mutually supported each other's independence movements and after obtaining freedom, we helped each other to progress as a nation. The culture of Cyprus resembles the ancient culture of India."

He added, "In order to make our international presence more stronger, the Indian community play a crucial role in our lives. All of us have contributed to spreading the message of India's role in the "

Invoking former Army Chief of Staff KS Thimayya, the President said that he had sacrificed his life in Cyprus in 1965. He also expressed his gratitude to the Cyprus government for renaming the street stretching from Larnaca to Nicosia after him.

He underscored that the people residing in India and those living abroad share cultural, emotional, economic and institutional relations, which has become stronger over the years.

"On October 2, Gandhi Jayanti would be celebrated around the This would be his 150th birth anniversary and ceremonies would be held. I hope that Cyprus would be among those who would be participating in these celebrations. All of you should help us in reaching Gandhi ji's message and philosophy across the Archbishop Makarios (first Cyprus president) had also a sense of high respect for Mahatma Gandhi," President Kovind continued.

The President also highlighted the central government's various initiatives such as 'Digital India', 'Make in India' and 'Start-up India', saying how it benefitted the people. He also apprised that India has now become the fastest growing economy in the world, having achieved a growth rate of 8.2 percent.

President Kovind underlined that India's international relations are cordial while also inviting the Indian diaspora to come and invest in the country.

"We have directed our high commissions and embassies to assist the people, where they can avail help 24*7. In the last few years, our government has taken a lot of steps to reach out to the Indian diaspora," the President further said.

Earlier in the day, President Kovind and First Lady Savita Kovind arrived in Cyprus for the first leg of their three-nation visit. Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, Georgios Lakkotrypis received them at Larnaca International Airport.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), President Kovind is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament (MPs) Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several officials.

President Kovind is scheduled to hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral relations between India and Cyprus. He will also meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris.

President Kovind is also expected to address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. This is the first visit by a President to Cyprus after nine years.

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Italian filmmaker Luciano Silighini Garagnani flaunted a 'Weinstein Is Innocent' T-shirt at the Venice Film Festival red carpet premiere of Luca Guadagnino's 'Suspiria'.

Venice experienced one of its most glamorous red carpets yet with celebrities namely Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, Alek Wek, Mia Goth and Chloe Grace Moretz walking up to celebrate the world premiere of 'Suspiria', reported The Hollywood Reporter.

Garagnani, dressed in sneakers, faded jeans, a blazer and a homemade T-shirt which read "Weinstein is Innocent" with a photo of the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. He did so in support of the disgraced producer.

Right next to him, actor Paolo Riva was all smiles as he pointed to the T-shirt, which looked like a ridiculous PR stunt.

Venice fest chief, Alberto Barbara told Deadline that the stunt was a 'stupid move'.

Garagnani posed for as many photos as possible, while his staff happily waited for him. The director is a known supporter of Silvio Berlusconi and also donated money to Trump's presidential campaign.

Actor Riva will play Berlusconi in Garagnani's upcoming project about the former Italian Prime Minister, supposedly a flattering biography.

Producer Weinstein is facing the possibility of life behind bars from sex crime charges against him by a New York grand jury and numerous rape investigations in Los Angeles and the UK.

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Students of a residential school for the visually-challenged in Hizla village in Jharkhand's Dumka district on Saturday staged a protest alleging that the school in-charge makes them work, beats and verbally abuses them.

The students demanded that a new in-charge should be sent to the school, which comes under the social welfare department and is run by a Godda-based NGO.

"We are unhappy with the way we are taught. Also, we are not provided good quality of food. We want a new in-charge," a student told ANI.

"Students say that the in-charge misbehaves with them. They are made to work, not given food as per menu and face water crisis. Even doors of the bathrooms in the school are broken. The concerned officers are investigating the matter. We will take appropriate legal action," Dumka Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rakesh Kumar told ANI.

The school in-charge, however, has denied the charges and said that he tries to be strict towards children because he cares for their

"I just want to keep the students tight. I don't know if anyone else in the school mistreats the students. But, I have never done this," said Shivnandan Mahto, the school in-charge.

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Untouched by the Green Revolution, many parts of the northeastern region remain pure organic, where a very little amount of fertilizers and pesticides are used in agriculture.

Kachai, a village in Ukhrul district, known for its unique lemon, continues to be organic with limited use of chemical inputs.

Realising the potentials of these organic products and in a bid to promote the regions organically produced vegetables and fruits, especially lemons, , Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Th. Shyamkumar Singh recently inaugurated the first rural vegetable market shed under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme.

"Next year, we will construct one pack house for storing horticulture produces for the welfare of the farmers. I will also speak with the concern officers what kind of help can be given to the farmers of the lemons of Kachai village," the minister said.

The minister also reiterated that Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) will provide pest and disease management materials to around 500 farmers of the surrounding areas including 200 farmers of Kachai.

Despite lack of basic infrastructures, including transport and communication, villagers are working hard to improve their livelihood by selling not only lemons but different kinds of organic vegetables.

Now, this new vegetable market shed has given the assurance of better income facility especially to women in the village.

Scores of villagers from every nook and corner turned up for the launching event. "It is really exciting as we did not have vegetable market sheds earlier. Paying school fees for my children with the amount I earned makes me really happy. Our road is not good; we will appreciate if the road there will be improved," a vendor said.

"I am happy that the Government has constructed this new vegetable vendor shed in our Kachai Village," a villager said.

It is noteworthy that the construction of a market shed was declared during the last Kachai Lemon Festival a year back.

"We are expecting a heavy fruiting after two years. Next year, we are expecting the fully organic certificate under NOP norms. In the village citrus is declining due to use of excessive pesticides and other chemical fertilizers, however, to improve that training has been imparted and inputs have been delivered for a better organic farming in the village," Debadutta Sharma, Project Director, Manipur Organic Mission Agency said.

Kachai is one of the highest producers of lemons in entire northeastern India. These lemons are grown without the use of fertilizers or other chemicals.

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National para-athlete Manmohan Singh Lodhi, who was promised a government job by the state authorities, is now forced to beg on the streets of Bhopal to earn the livelihood for his family.

The athlete, who proved his credentials during the 100m race event at the 2017 National Games, alleged that despite meeting the Chief Minister four times in the last one year to claim the promised employment, he got no positive response from the government's side.

He further stated that if the Chief Minister did not come forward to help me then he would earn his livelihood by begging on the streets.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "I have met Chief Minister four times, he made promises but didn't fulfil any of them. I am financially weak. I need money to play & also to run my family."

"If Chief Minister doesn't help me, I will earn my livelihood by begging on the streets," he added.

Lodhi had lost one of his hands while performing the labour work but he did not get disheartened by the incident as he went on to give an impressive performance during the 2017 National Games.

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A domestic aircraft of a private air service provider skidded off the runway of Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) here, injuring five passengers on board.

"The Aircraft bearing the call sign 9NAHW was carrying 21 passengers from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. It skidded off the runway at around 8:30 PM (Local Time) on Saturday," TIA General Manager Raj Kumar Chettri told ANI.

According to Chettri, five of the passengers sustained minor injuries without any serious threats, while remaining passengers and the crew members were safe.

The airport is, however, shut for maintenance as the decade-old runway bears cracks on the surface.

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Lalitpur [Nepal], Sept 2 (ANI): Nepal's famous Krishna Temple was on Sunday reopened for the public, three years after it was closed for reconstruction following a massive earthquake in 2015.

Serpentine lines and a large mass of people gathered in the historic Patan Durbar Square to get into the Krishna Temple, which was built in the 17th century and had sustained minor damage during the calamity.

Rangaman Malla, a devotee, told ANI, "We are feeling very happy as we are now able to worship by entering the temple after the destruction caused by the earthquake in 2015. I am feeling very happy as the reconstruction of the temple was completed, but still, there are many monuments to be reconstructed and we want it to be expedited and we hope for its revival."

The temple has been reopened for the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna which is witnessed with religious fervour and enthusiasm. Devotees have been flocking the premises of Patan Durbar Square from the wee hours of Sunday.

Bina Magar, another devotee, said, "For the last three years, we had to take a round of temple without entering. But from this year, we can now enter the temple. Along with the Krishna Temple, I hope that others temple and the monuments also would be expedited."

The Krishna Temple, which is constructed in Shikhara style (a tower like conical formation built of stone and decorated with carvings) and has 21 Gajurs (golden pinnacles) in the temple. The place of worship also has about 10 idols of Lord Vishnu in various forms.

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South Pasadena city leaders have cautioned people against making preliminary judgements over the fatal shooting of the American actress Vanessa Marquez on Thursday.

Issuing a statement,the officials stated that two separate investigations are being conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office into the officer-involved shooting.

"We believe our officers acted appropriately under a tragic set of circumstances," South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe said in a press release,"We are asking the public to respect the investigative process and allow the Sheriff's Department and D.A.'s office to gather and release the facts."

Marquez was shot and killed by police in Pasadena city. According to a report by TMZ, police arrived after Marquez's concerned landlord called them up to check on her, as she was said to be suffering from seizures due to an eating disorder.

After the paramedics were called in to take care of her, the 'Fire and Ice' actor took out a gun and pointed at the police. Following which, the police opened fire at her, Variety reported.

Vanessa was later rushed to the hospital where she was declared brought dead. It later turned out that the weapon she was holding was a mere BB gun.

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The United States military has decided to cancel the financial aid worth 300 million USD to Pakistan due to the growing concerns regarding the latter's failure to tackle the militants, according to an exclusive report by Reuters.

Authored by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali, the Reuters report further revealed that United States President Donald Trump's administration has accused Pakistan of providing a safe haven to the insurgents, who are responsible for the "a 17-year-old war in neighbouring Afghanistan". However, Pakistan has denied any such charges.

The Reuters quoted a US official as saying that United States Defense Secretary Jim Mattis would have authorised the 300 million USD in Coalition Support Funds (CSF) only if Pakistan took actions against the militants and rising insurgency, but he chose not to.

CSF was part of a broader suspension in aid to Pakistan, announced by President Trump earlier this year.

The report by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali quoted Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner as saying, "Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy the remaining 300 (million) USD was reprogrammed" and will now be used on "other urgent priorities" if United States Congress approves.

These facts, however, have come to light ahead of the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Pakistan on September 5, where, according to Mattis, combating militants will be a "primary part of the discussion" between the two countries.

Last month, the Congress had slashed the security-oriented financial aid to Pakistan that came after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2019 increased the military expenditure and opted to not bring any changes in policy.

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Just a few hours before the commencement of a massive public meeting titled 'Pragati Nivedana' in Ranga Reddy district on Sunday, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader KT Rama Rao said that the turnout for the rally will be something that the people of India will remember for a very long time.

"The turnout in this rally is going to be something that people will remember for a long time. It is going to be the biggest political rally ever held in India," KTR told ANI.

He confirmed that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will reach the venue at around 5 pm.

The party has invited scores of local artistes and folk dancers in order to keep TRS participants entertained at the venue of the rally.

As part of the arrangements ahead of the meeting, a poster was spotted near the venue depicting the Telangana Chief minister as Lord Rama.

The ruling TRS government has organised this public meeting at Kongara Kalan village amid speculations of early polls to the state legislative assembly.

In response to a complaint filed by the Opposition accusing the TRS of wasting funds, Rao told ANI that it was unfortunate that in a democratic country like India, organisations are creating obstructions for the political outfit who wants to connect with the masses. "Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people," he added.

"Opposition in Telangana are intellectually bankrupt, unfortunately. And, if anything they should welcome a party like TRS which is making efforts going back to people," Rao claimed.

KTR's remark came after senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) V Hanumantha Rao accused the government of bribing each volunteer of Rs 5,000-6,000 to attend the meeting.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC N Ramchander Rao too criticised the TRS for allegedly using public money to fund their campaigns.

"They (TRS) haven't provided 1.25 lakh jobs to the people of Telangana as they promised during the election. They didn't give 2BHK houses to the underprivileged people of the state, or 3 acres land to the Dalits. They are instead using public money for their own party campaigns. I'm sure this is taking place with a purpose to take an opportunity to declare early elections in the state," Rao said.

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President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe, spanning over eight days.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the President is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several officials.

On the first leg of his journey, President Kovind will be visiting Cyprus, where he will hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral ties.

Furthermore, President Kovind will meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris. He will address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus and address members of the Indian Diaspora there.

Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of over USD 9.2 billion. There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in the past couple of years, and President Kovind's visit is expected to further strengthen the economic ties.

From Cyprus, President Kovind will proceed to Bulgaria on September 4, where he is scheduled to meet Bulgarian President Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

He will also address a business forum in Bulgaria and deliver a lecture at the Sofia University. At present, India-Bulgaria annual trade stands at USD 315 million.

On the last leg of the journey, President Kovind will visit the Czech Republic from September 6 to 9, where he will hold discussion on issues of mutual concern with Czech President Milos Zeman.

President Kovind will also address business representatives from the two countries and interact with students at the Charles University.

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Former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee has hailed the Chief Justice of India's office's decision to propose the name of Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the next head of the judiciary of the country.

The CJI's office recommended Justice Gogoi's name on Saturday.

"He is the senior most judge after Justice Dipak Misra. So, he should take charge. I don't see any problem in that. There is nothing that will disqualify him from being the next Chief Justice. He is a very far-sighted judge. He keeps an open mind. He is a very fair judge. He is not at all bothered about what the government would feel. He is independent and that's what we want - independent, intelligent and courageous. That's what we want the Chief Justice of India to be and that's what Ranjan Gogoi is," Sorabjee told ANI.

Senior advocate K.T.S Tulsi also called it "great news."

"Firstly, it strengthens the judiciary. The convention is being followed. If it had not happened, it would have been a serious problem for not only the judiciary, but the state. I am glad that it is being done. Also, Justice Gogoi is one of the most outstanding Judges that you could come across. He is an intuitive judge. He makes up his mind in a matter of seconds. But, he is always open to changing his view if you are able to convince him. He is a brilliant judge in all fields," Tulsi told ANI.

If appointed, Justice Gogoi, who is the second senior-most judge in the court, will be the 46th Chief Justice of India and will replace the incumbent Dipak Misra, who will retire on October 2 this year.

As per protocol, the sitting CJI has to name his successor, after which clearance has to be sought from the Centre and then the President of the country.

It may be noted that Justice Gogoi, along with the other Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, revolted against CJI Misra, following which the apex court was thrown into its biggest ever crisis.

Born in 1954, Justice Gogoi was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Guwahati High Court on February 28, 2001, and was elevated as a Supreme Court Judge on April 23, 2012.

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Nostalgic Shraddha Kapoor took to social media to share a throwback picture from the time she was shooting for the horror flick 'Stree'.

She took to Instagram to post a picture where the actor is seen sitting along with co-star Rajkummar Rao and other crew members.

Expressing her gratitude to be a part of the film, she wrote alongside, "#STREE shoot throwback! Deeply grateful for the love for #STREE. Every moment on this film has been special & memorable & I feel so blessed to be a part of a film like this. Thank you all so much Missing from the photo - DK, @nowitsabhi , @pvijan & Dinoo"

The story is set in a small town where it is believed that there was a beautiful woman, who left every man awestruck by her beauty, but only one man loved her truly.

The film, which also starred Pankaj Tripathi, was released on August 31.

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Turkey has added 'Tahrir al-Sham' to the list of the terrorist groups.

This comes after the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree in compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution on counter-terrorism financing, reported Sputnik.

Tahrir al-Sham came into being after another terrorist organisation called the Nusra Front was joined by several smaller Islamist groups.

The Idlib province in Syria is controlled by Tahrir al-Islam and the Syrian forces are planning an offensive to eradicate the terrorist group from the region.

A potential military operation in the Idlib province, which is currently covered by the de-escalation zone agreement (between Russia, Turkey, and Iran) is in talks between Turkey and Russia.

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The capital on Sunday woke up to heavy downpour causing severe waterlogging in several areas.

Delhi and adjoining areas have been experiencing rainfall for the past few days, leading to severe waterlogging and traffic jam. While the civic authorities continued to blame each other over poor drainage facilities, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that rains would continue for the next two days.

Furthermore, the IMD issued heavy rainfall warnings for isolated pockets in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and adjoining areas, and said that light to moderate rainfall would be witnessed, occasionally accompanied by thundershowers.

On Saturday, around 30 people were stranded in the waterlogged area of Yamuna Bazar, after the bus they were travelling in broke down on the Ring Road. The passengers were rescued by the police along with the help of locals.

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In a bid to boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated Alaknanda, a luxury tourist cruise at Khidkiya Ghat here, during his two-day visit to the town.

The ride on this cruise will cost around Rs 750 per person, excluding the Goods and Service Tax. The double-storeyed cruise will give the tourists a tour of Varanasi with a capacity of holding 60 people on the lower deck and 30 people on the upper section. It will cover a distance of 10 kms from Assi Ghat to Rajghat. The lower deck is fully air-conditioned with a hall for parties and events. The cruise has bio-toilets so that the holy river is not polluted.

Speaking on the same, one of the crew members said, "The cruise will initially originate from Assi Ghat to Rajghat in Varanasi, where it would be divided into three different sections. It will cover the sunrise in the morning, the famous 'Ganga aarti' in the evening, and in the meantime, it will hold corporate events, parties, etc."

The move has taken a few months ahead of Kumbh Mela which will be organised in Allahabad next year from January 15 to March 4. During this event, scores of Hindus from across the world will gather to bathe in the sacred Ganges. It is believed to be the world's largest religious gathering.

After inaugurating the cruise, Adityanath addressed a public gathering in the town and elaborated on the developmental steps undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government after coming to power in 2014. "After Modi ji became the Prime Minister, the government formed the policies keeping in mind the upliftment of not only the women but also country's farmers, poor and the Dalits," he said.

He also added that under Prime Minister Modi regime, scores of remote villages got electrified and each family was provided funds for building a toilet under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. "This is not only the government's responsibility but also yours to make your surrounding clean," he said.

In his concluding remark, Adityanath directed the local authorities to set up health check up camps across the region and provide villagers with all basic medical facility at the earliest.

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Venezuela has officially selected 'The Family' for submitting in the 'foreign-language film category' at the 91st Oscars.

The movie, directed by debutant Gustavo Rondon Cordova, premiered at the 2017 Critics' Week in Cannes Film festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the report, the movie tells "the story of a father and his 12-year-old kid who have to run away after the son knifes down a peer from a potentially vengeful family in the slums of Caracas, and set out on a life-changing journey."

Notably, Venezuela submitted a film for the Oscars back in 1978, which till now hasn't been considered for a nomination.

On August 31, Palestine officially chose its documentary film 'Istiyad ashbah' (Ghost Hunting), and on August 30, Germany chose 'Never Look Away' to be submitted in the 'foreign-language film' category.

Earlier, Turkey chose 'The Wild Pear Tree' and Ukraine chose their film 'Donbass' to be submitted under the said category.

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Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday called for greater support by those engaged in the agriculture sector.

"Finance Minister is here, he may not like what I am saying as he has to take care of everybody, but there has to be bias towards agriculture in coming days, otherwise people will leave agriculture as it's not remunerative," he said while expressing concern at the depleting agriculture sector. He was speaking at the launch of his new book "Moving On, Moving Forward: A Year In Office" here.

Expressing unhappiness over functioning of Parliament, Naidu urged all political parties to come together on issues of importance. "I am little unhappy that Parliament is not functioning as it should. On all other counts, things are moving, World Bank, ADB, World Economic Forum, whatever ratings they are giving is heartening. All Indians should be proud of whatever is happening on the economic front," he said.

The book launch event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

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As many as one in seven graduates may have paid someone to undertake their assignment for them, potentially representing 31 million students across the globe, a new study suggests.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Education, has revealed that the use of contract cheating -- where students pay someone else to write their assignments -- is rising rapidly around the world.

According to the researchers, essay-mills are currently legal in the UK, although they are banned in the US and New Zealand, while other countries are actively developing legislation.

"These findings underscore the need for legislation to tackle essay-mills, alongside improvements in the way students are assessed and awareness-raising of the fundamentals of academic integrity," said co-author Phil Newton, Professor at the Swansea University in the UK.

"We need to utilise assessment methods that promote learning and at the same time reduce the likelihood that contract cheating can happen," Newton added.

For the study, the research team analysed 71 survey samples from 65 studies dating back as far as 1978, covering 54,514 participants.

Because the products of essay-mills are designed to be difficult to detect, it is hard to develop objective measures of contract cheating, the researchers said.

This new study therefore systematically reviewed findings from prior 'self-report' research papers; questionnaire based studies wherein students were asked if they had ever paid someone else to undertake work for them, the research team added.

The researchers found that across the sample, contract cheating was self-reported by average of 3.5 per cent of students, but this was shown to be increasing significantly over time.

In studies from 2014 to present, the percentage of students admitting to paying someone else to undertake their work was 15.7 per cent. Cheating, in general, also appeared to be on the rise according to the studies reviewed.

The data is actually likely to underestimate levels of contract cheating, for the simple reason that students who engage in contract cheating are less likely to volunteer to participate in surveys about cheating, the researchers said.

--IANS

vc/mag/

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Three people were killed when their car overturned and caught fire in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district, police said on Sunday.

Jawar Police Station Inspector Anil Bamniya told IANS: The car, which was going from Indore to Bhopal on Saturday night, overturned and after bumping into a rock, it caught fire.

All the three passengers were charred to death and could not be identified yet, according to him.

Further investigation is underway, police said.

--IANS

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(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.)
Star hotel chefs are of two kinds -- one who turns adventurous at the request of a guest who says he is game for new dishes, and the other who does not like to veer away from the restaurant's menu card. At the newly opened Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa near here, one encounters chefs of the former kind.

Interesting and innovative food at The Reef restaurant and a nice four hands body massage at the spa makes for a blissful experience which the chefs and the body therapists serve well at this beach resort.

Rasam and Pongal are the two typical South Indian dishes that may look simple to make but are difficult to get right. If a chef can get these right, then he/she can get any South Indian dish right.

The chefs at The Reef surely get these two dishes right. And the mere mention that I was game for their gastronomic experiments brought bright smiles to their faces.

Serving the mushroom soup, Senior Chef Saroj Kumar Muduli told IANS: "Beach resort guests are open to experimenting with food. They want their stay to be an unforgettable experience -- of which food is an integral part."

The soup was yummy and adding to the pleasant experience were the gliding storks seen through the restaurant's glass wall.

Meanwhile, Chef Jagadeesh Karuppaiah brought the ragi banana pancake with maple syrup -- his own "idea dish". It is a healthy option with a local touch and quite nice on its own -- though honey may have been a better dip for it than maple syrup.

On his part, Chef T. Suresh served wheat banana dosa, which tasted good even without any dips.

When asked for an apple omelette -- with a small amount of finely cut apple and good amount of finely cut green chilli to balance apple's sweetness -- Suresh whipped up the yummy item.

It was followed by stir-fried prawns and honey chilli lotus stem. The prawns and the lotus stem rolled down the throat fast.

It was time for the main course and Muduli brought to the table an aromatic salmon fish dish made with mustard paste, ginger, garlic, pan seared potato, tomato and some vegetables.

It can be a meal by itself if one opts for a full portion and small quantity of rice.

Muduli followed it up with lobster curry and ponni steamed rice. The curry was of the right spice levels and its taste lingered in the mouth for a long time.

It was interesting to see good number of Jain dishes -- starters and mains -- on the restaurant buffet. However, the segregation of the buffet food counters could be improved considerably for a smooth flow, as also to provide comfort to vegetarians.

The fig halwa was great and is not to be missed if it is on the buffet. The rasmalai milk, however, needed further condensing as the sweetness was slightly on the higher side.

"We have special nutritional food that is light on the stomach for our spa guests. However, we have not paired the spa menu with the kind of massage treatment a guest takes," Muduli remarked on parting.

A couple of hours later it was time for the session at the Shine Spa.

"Body therapists are now gaining societal acceptance and respect," Kenyusole Magh, an executive at the spa, told IANS.

Queried about customers misbehaving, she said: "The therapists are trained to take care of themselves. Each room has an emergency button which the therapist can press to alert others."

Be that as it may, the medium pressure applied by the two therapists in tandem worked magic on the body.

"We don't apply much pressure on the instep or the mid foot or the arched part of the foot as it is connected to various vital organs. Different massage styles have different strokes," Magh added.

Heading back home may be a depressing thought if the next day is Monday, but the silver lining is that you will feel light as a feather.

FAQs:

What: New restaurant The Reef

Where: Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa on East Coast Road

When: Lunch (12 noon to 3 pm) and Dinner (7 to 11 pm)

Cost for two: About Rs.3,000 plus taxes ala carte menu.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan's visit was at the invitation of Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa. He can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) -- especially without intellectual disability -- may have a greater risk of depression in their young adulthood, a new study, led by an Indian-origin researcher, suggests.

ASD are developmental conditions with difficulties in reciprocal social interaction and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests.

According to the researchers, including Dheeraj Rai from the University of Bristol in UK, mental health problems, including depression, are considered common in people with ASD.

Understanding depression in people with ASD is important because it can further reduce social function. The identification and treatment of depression in people with ASD may help improve their quality of life, the researchers said.

For the study, the research team involved 223,842 individuals from Sweden to examine whether people with ASD are more likely to be diagnosed as having depression in adulthood than the general population and their non-autistic siblings.

The research team also investigated whether these risks differ by the presence or absence of intellectual disability.

The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, showed that 4,073 were diagnosed with ASD and 219,769 were not.

The study also found that depression appeared to be more prevalent among people with ASD without intellectual disability (24.1 per cent) than among those with ASD with intellectual disability (9.1 per cent).

It appears that this association is unlikely to be explained by shared familial liability. Future research to identify modifiable pathways between ASD and depression may assist in the development of preventive interventions, the researchers said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a veiled attack on the opposition for disrupting Parliament proceedings and dubbing presiding officers who tried to enforce discipline as "autocrats". Modi praised Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu for ensuring "discipline" in the House.

"Naidu is a disciplinarian, but the situation in the country is such that it has become easy to call discipline undemocratic. If someone even tries to be a disciplinarian, he has to face the music. He is called an autocrat and they open the dictionary ," said Modi.

Modi said the disruptions in the Rajya Sabha enabled Naidu to display his administrative expertise.

The Prime Minister was speaking after unveiling "Moving On... Moving Forward: A Year In Office" -- a book marking the completion of Naidu's one year as the Vice President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

The book details Naidu's mission of engagement on key issues with various stakeholders across the country and it's alignment with the mission of a new India in the making.

The event witnessed former Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh sharing the dais with Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Praising the former BJP President's administrative expertise, Modi said, "Naidu himself follows discipline which he preaches. Discipline is in his nature.

"If a House functions properly, then nobody pays attention to who is presiding. But when it does not function as per the norms, everybody focuses on the Chairperson; what that person's qualities are and how that person maintains discipline in the House.

"This year, people got the opportunity to witness how Naidu presides over the House. Had the House functioned properly this wouldn't have been possible," said Modi making a veiled attack on the opposition protests over various issues in Parliament.

Naidu's tenure as the Rajya Sabha Chairman has witnessed continuous disruptions especially by the Opposition over a host of issues including Rafale fighter jet deal and lynching incidents.

Modi then went on to praise Naidu for his "diligence" to carry out the work that has been assigned to him whether as as a union minister or a BJP politician.

"Which ever duty he had, he performed with utmost diligence and adapted into that role with ease. He always provides visionary leadership whenever he gets a responsibility. He gets the best experts to ensure justice is done to the work assigned."

The Prime Minister also lauded Naidu for always being focused on the plight of farmers and the development of agriculture.

"Atalji wanted to give Venkaiah Naiduji a ministry. Venkaiahji said, 'I want to be the minister for rural development'. He is a farmer at heart. He is dedicated towards the welfare of farmers and agriculture."

Speaking on the occasion, Naidu also expressed his disappointment over the working of Parliament.

"I'm a little unhappy that Parliament is not functioning as it should. On all other counts, things are moving, World Bank, ADB, World Economic Forum, whatever ratings they are giving is heartening. All Indians should be proud of whatever is happening on economic front," he said.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman sought cooperation from the Opposition to run the House smoothly.

Speaking on the occasion, Manmohan Singh, too heaped praises on Naidu for bringing political and administrative experience to the office of the Vice President and opined that "the best is yet to come".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Though combating terrorism finds mention in the joint declaration issued following the conclusion of the Bimstec Summit in Kathmandu, the fact of the matter is that connectivity, trade, people-to-people ties and cultural linkages are the larger priorities of the seven-nation regional bloc that is now growing in prominence.

If one highlights the counter-terrorism part of the Kathmandu Declaration issued on Friday after the Fourth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) Summit, Pakistan willy-nilly becomes the elephant in the room, defeating the very purpose of the bloc's existence.

Bimstec, which came into existence in 1997, comprises seven countries lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The bloc brings together 1.6 billion people, or 22 per cent of the world's population, and has a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion.

Membership in the bloc allows India to engage more with the extended neighbourhood in Southeast Asia under New Delhi's Neighbourhood Policy via northeastern India.

With the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) virtually rendered ineffective as a bloc, largely due to non-cooperation on the part of Pakistan on issues like connectivity and counter-terrorism, India has been giving more importance to Bimstec in recent times.

After the cross-border terror attack from Pakistan on an army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir in September 2016, that year's Saarc Summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad stood cancelled after other members of the group joined India in boycotting it.

Though Bimstec has been in existence for over two decades now, the Kathmandu summit was only the fourth one, the earlier ones being in 2004, 2008 and 2014, but expectations are that the group's leaders will meet more regularly.

As Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, told the media here, Bimstec, which has its secretariat in Dhaka, is yet to have its own charter, but the member-countries are consolidating the group's rules and procedures.

"Clearly the secretariat will assist the Bimstec member-countries to draw its rules and procedures and consolidate itself internally and, as it does that, I am sure there will be this desire on the part of the member-countries to meet more frequently and I am hopeful that at some stage it will become an annual event," Saran said in response to a question by IANS.

After the 2014 summit, India organised the Bimstec Outreach Summit in Goa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in 2016 and then came the Kathmandu Summit.

That connectivity, trade and people-to-people ties are the priorities for India in its interaction with Bimstec is amply reflected in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the plenary session of the Kathamndu Summit where the word "terrorism" finds mention only twice towards the end, whereas "connectivity" is mentioned no less than nine times.

Emphasising that the Bimstec member-states have to work together to achieve peace, prosperity and happiness in today's interconnected world, Modi said: "I believe that the biggest opportunity is connectivity -- trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity."

India's membership of Bimstec also complements its increasing engagements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional bloc under New Delhi's Act East Policy.

"It is no surprise that the culmination of both India's Neighborhood First and Act East happens in this region of the Bay of Bengal," Modi said.

Under the Act East Policy, two key connectivity projects are coming up -- the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway connecting Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand, and the Kaladan multi-modal transport project connecting Sittwe port in Myanmar with Mizoram.

However, it is not the physical infrastructure alone that will suffice for connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia but it is the "soft connectivity" that will be the key as Thai Ambassador to India Chutintorn Gongsakdi put it.

"What is more important is that when the road (trilateral highway) is finished, we have to be prepared on the customs, immigration and quarantine aspects because we cannot have roads and then people getting stuck at the border," Gongsakdi had told IANS in an interview.

The Kathmandu Declaration also reiterated the Bimstec member-states' resolve to conclude the Bimstec Coastal Shipping Agreement and the Bimstec Motor Vehicle Agreement.

In terms of trade, it renewed the group's commitment to an early conclusion of negotiations for a Bimstec Free Trade Area.

This comes even as negotiations are on for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement between the 10-nation Asean regional bloc and and the six countries with which its has existing free trade agreements -- Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

In terms of people-to-people and cultural linkages, India has been touting its Buddhist heritage that has connected South Asia and Southeast Asia and the Kathmandu Declaration committed to establishing a Buddhist Circuit in the region.

India also offers a number of scholarships to Bimstec member-states under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation and Indian Council for Cultural Relations for education and training purposes.

Inevitably, condemning and combating terrorism will always figure in any bilateral or multilateral document India is party to, but when it comes to Bimstec, things have to be seen from a different perspective.

(Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday visited forward posts in the frontier district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, and interacted with the troops deployed along the border.

She was accompanied by the Army chief General Bipin Rawat, and was received by Lieutenant General, Ranbir Singh, Northern Army Commander and Lieutenant General, A.K. Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander, Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said in a statement.

"She was briefed by the commanders on ground as regards the operational preparedness and counter infiltration grid.

During her interaction with the troops, she lauded their round-the-clock sharp vigil along the Line of Control (LoC), high morale and professionalism.

"She also exhorted them to remain alert for any eventuality to defeat nefarious designs of hostile forces," the statement said.

"Later on Sunday, she along with the General Rawat interacted with Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar and discussed the overall prevailing security situation in Kashmir Valley," it noted.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi government has ordered the restoration of 2.53 lakh ration cards in the national capital and warned officers that they will be 'personally responsible' for starvation deaths of eligible beneficiaries.

Between July and August, the Delhi government claimed that over 2.50 lakh ration cards were cancelled allegedly by Delhi's Food Commissioner, despite strong objections by the Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain.

In a circular issued last week, Hussain ordered officials to immediately restore the cancelled cards.

"The Minister by virtue of powers conferred by the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) Control order, 2015 to the state government has accordingly directed that the FSOs (Food and Supply Officers) of circles shall immediately restore the deleted 2,53,178 ration cards," the circular read.

In the circular, Hussain also said that non-compliance of the directions "shall invite stringent disciplinary action against the FSO/FSI (Food and Supply Inspector)".

"Any death occurring in Delhi due to starvation/non-availability of ration to the otherwise eligible beneficiaries whose card has been cancelled without proper verification, shall also invite criminal action besides disciplinary action against the concerned FSO/FSI for which they shall be personally responsible," it said.

--IANS

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Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday appealed to the people of Telangana not to become slaves of Delhi parties and urged them to emulate Tamil Nadu for their self-respect.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Chief gave the call at a massive public meeting held here amid talks of early polls.

Promising to take Telangana forward on the path of development, Rao sought continued support of the people.

"You have to decide whether decisions relating to Telangana should be taken by us here or should we become slaves of Delhi parties," he said in an obvious reference to Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.

He advised Telangana people to emulate Tamil Nadu, which has its own parties, and not to allow Delhi parties to take their decisions.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, made no announcement about dissolution of the Assembly to go for early polls. He said the ministers and party leaders have authorized him to take a decision which is in the best interest of Telangana. "In the coming days you will hear that decision," he said.

He announced the formation of a manifesto committee, headed by party General Secretary K. Keshava Rao. The panel will come out with what TRS plans to do if voted to power again.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday sounded the poll bugle, appealing to the people of the state not to become slaves of national parties and urged them to emulate Tamil Nadu for their self-respect.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief gave the call at a massive public meeting held here amid talks of early polls to the state Assembly which completes its term in May 2019. TRS has hinted that it may go for early polls to delink them from the Lok Sabha elections.

Promising to take Telangana forward on the path of development, Rao sought continued support of the people so that the TRS can take various works launched by it to their logical conclusion.

"You have to decide whether decisions relating to Telangana should be taken by us here or should we become slaves of Delhi parties," he said in an obvious reference to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Hinting that the TRS will contest the coming polls on the plank of self-respect, he advised Telangana people to emulate Tamil Nadu, which has its own parties and where people never allow Delhi parties to take their decisions.

Lakhs of people were mobilized from across the state for the meeting christened "Pragathi Nivedana' (Progress report).

TRS leaders claimed that 25 lakh people attended the meeting held at Kongara Kalan on the city outskirts.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, made no announcement about dissolution of the Assembly to go for early polls.

He said the ministers and party leaders have authorized him to take a decision which is in the best interest of Telangana. "In the coming days you will hear that decision."

He announced the formation of a manifesto committee, headed by party General Secretary K. Keshava Rao. The panel will come out with what TRS plans to do if voted to power again.

Seeking a fresh mandate, KCR promised to make "Bangaru" or golden Telangana a reality. Stating that works on many irrigation projects were on, he said the goal of bringing one crore acres under irrigation would be achieved in two years.

KCR vowed to further increase the revenues of the state and distribute the fruits of economic development among people. He promised to do more for the welfare of various sections of people by increasing the social security pensions and providing jobs to the unemployed.

The TRS chief recalled his announcement that he would not seek votes in the next elections if he failed to ensure tapped drinking water to every house in the state.

Claiming that no other politician in the country ever made such a commitment, KCR said 45 per cent of "Mission Bhagiratha" was already completed and the remaining work will be completed by Diwali.

He lashed out at leaders of the opposition parties for stating that their goal is to oust KCR from power.

He accused them of creating hurdles in the path of development by filing court cases over irrigation projects.

KCR recalled the long struggle for Telangana state and referred to the injustices meted out to people in unified Andhra Pradesh.

He said after creation of Telangana state, when the TRS government began its journey, there was uncertainty over the financial position of the new state.

He claimed that during the last four years Telangana had consistently recorded highest growth rate in the country.

He claimed that the TRS government acted with commitment to increase the state's revenues and used the same to provide benefits to all sections of people.

KCR said overcoming the electricity shortage and ensuring 24-hour free electricity to farmers was one of the major achievements.

He said the state was on course to becoming electricity-surplus.

He listed out measures taken for the welfare of farmers including loan waiver, investment support of Rs 8,000 per acre for two crops every year, life insurance for farmers, revival of old irrigation tanks, pensions to various sections of people, financial assistance to poor girls for their marriages, distribution of sheep for rearing and help to various castes engaged in traditional professions.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Himachal Pradesh government has taken various initiatives to increase its green cover and ensure conservation, including three forestry projects with the participation of local people, an official said on Sunday.

The 'Samudayik Van Samvardhan Yojna' has been launched to ensure participation of locals in forestry activities, a government spokesperson told IANS.

The plots in forest lands will be allotted to them for plantation of useful plant species.

Similarly, under the 'Vidyarthi Van Mitra Yojna', forest lands will be allotted to schools for plantation.

Under the 'Van Samridhi, Jan Samridhi Yojna', locals will be provided facilities for processing, value addition and marketing of herbs from rural forests.

To ensure local participation, the government has introduced the 'Mukhya Mantri Mahila Van Mitra Puraskaar' and 'Mukhya Mantri Yuva Van Mitra Puraskaar' for the success of the 'Samudayik Van Samvardhan Yojna' and the 'Vidyarthi Van Mitra Yojna'.

Likewise, for government and private schools, the 'Mukhya Mantri Bal Van Mitra Puraskaar' scheme has been started, said the spokesperson.

Under the scheme, the first prize of Rs 50,000, the second prize of Rs 40,000 and the third prize of Rs 30,000 is being given to each 'mandal' for contribution to forest protection, fire protection, biodiversity conservation and developing sustainable mechanism.

In order to connect the forest enhancement with livelihood, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Eco System Management and Livelihood Improvement project of Rs 800 crore, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has been launched in six districts -- Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti, Bilaspur, Shimla and Kinnaur.

Under the project, 460 committees will be constituted for promoting activities like forest and environmental protection, biodiversity and organism conservation and improvement in livelihood activities would be encouraged.

The efforts of the government have helped in steady rise in the green cover of the state.

According to the Indian Forest Survey report of 2017, one per cent increase has been recorded in the forest area of the state, in comparison to the report of 2015, which says 13 sq km growth in forest area has been recorded.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Huawei AI Cube, the first Amazon Alexa-powered smart speaker from the Chinese tech giant introduced at consumer electronics show IFA 2018 here, has the ability to make calls if it gets approval from local operators, cliams a top company executive.

Unlike other smart speakers such as the Google Home, Apple's HomePod or Amazon Echo devices, the cylindrical-sized speaker from Huawei also has a 4G mobile Internet router, meaning users can insert a SIM card in the device and make it their Wi-Fi hotspot if they so wish.

"We are planning to sell it in partnership with local mobile network operators just like what Jio is doing with its phones in India," Shudong Luo, Chief Marketing Engineer, IoT (Internet of Things) Produt Line, told IANS, hinting that the AI Cube could even come for free, depending on the partnership with the local carrier.

The AI Cube, which currenly supports three languages - English, German and French - is likely to hit the stores first in Europe towards the end of this year.

Huawei said it was currenly not prepared to bring it to the fledgling Indian smart speaker market.

Besides the addition of the 4G router, what sets the AI Cube apart from its competitors are the Huawei Histen audio technology and its enhanced AI capabilities that offers superior performance, Shudong said, adding that one can call the AI Cube from a maximum distance of five metres.

Histen enriches the AI speaker's set of features by including virtual bass, linear phase equaliser, adaptive gain control, far-field voice recognition and more as part of its repertoire, Huawei said.

While the calling capability of the AI Cube is not unique for a smart speaker, it may have a wider application than its competitors because of the 4G router.

"The AI Cube works like a human ear and automatically adjusts to the surrounding sound effects," Shudong said about the device powered by HiSilicon Balong chipset.

The device supports LTE category 6 speeds -- 300Mbps downlink - and is compatible with the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, meaning the router is dual band, capable of working on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels, according to Huawei.

With Alexa built into the device, consumers can use it to effortlessly play music, control smart home devices, and access more than 50,000 "skills", or apps, with voice commands.

The worldwide smart home devices market, inclusive of smart speakers and other devices, is forecast to ship 549.5 million devices in 2018, growing 26.8 per cent over the prior year, according to a report from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

The value of the smart speaker market is set to reach $27.8 billion in 2022 from $11.8 billion in 2018, according to the report.

(Gokul Bhagabati is attending IFA 2018 at the invitation of Huawei Consumer Business Group. He can be contacted at gokul.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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Attacks on the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and cross-border crimes will be on the agenda of talks between Bangladeshi and Indian frontier forces when they meet for the 47th bi-annual conference between from Monday onwards.

The Indian delegation, headed by K. K. Sharma, Director General (DG) BSF, will hold discussion with the Bangladesh delegation, headed by Major General Shafeenul Islam, DG, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), in Delhi.

The BSF in a statement said it would discuss issues of attacks on its personnel by the Bangladeshi criminals, cross-border crimes, and action against insurgent groups and border infrastructure, among other things.

The BGB has listed among its agenda, issues of trans-border crimes, smuggling of narcotics from India to Bangladesh, arrests of Bangladeshi nationals by BSF, expansion of crime-free zones.

The last such talks were held at Dhaka between the two forces during April 23-27, 2018.

"The joint India-Bangladesh guidelines for border authorities - 1975 envisage that there should be frequent contacts between the border authorities of two countries concerned to discuss the matter of immediate administrative concern," the BSF statement said.

--IANS

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Actor Jonas Bloquet says he could "feel the dead" while shooting for horror film "The Nun" in Romania.

"Filming on location in Romania was incredible. We could feel the soul of the abbey where the film takes place. We could feel the dead," Bloquet said in a statement to IANS.

Narrating an incident, he said: "One day, we were filming at this castle in Transylvania, and from nowhere a Romanian priest stood in front of the castle and started praying.

"He wasn't part of the crew, and his arrival was not planned. We were all wondering what he was doing there. We never found out."

Valak, a demonic Nun, had a part in "The Conjuring 2". And "The Nun" narrates the origin of the demon.

The film is produced by James Wan and by Peter Safran, who has produced all the films in "The Conjuring" franchise. It stars Demian Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Charlotte Hope, Ingrid Bisu and Bonnie Aarons.

Warner Bros Pictures is bringing the film to India. It will release in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu on September 7.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Kangana Ranaut was considered the best person to take over the mantle to complete patchwork and to direct a few additional scenes for "Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi", when director Krish moved on to his new film, says producer Kamal Jain.

The movie has been in the midst of a controversy ever since the news of Kangana stepping in behind the camera for it emerged.

Clearing speculations about the film, Jain said in a statement: "The additional shoot of the film is presently underway at ND Studios at Karjat, near Mumbai. After the last schedule was over, we saw the line-up of the film. On seeing it, we decided that apart from the patchwork, we also needed a few additional scenes.

"Once the scenes were written, we approached Kangana for additional dates. But Krish had moved on to his next project by then. Given how driven and creatively involved Kangana has been on this project since its inception, we realised she would be the best person to take over the mantle.

"Hence, there is no hijacking of the project. Whatever decisions are being taken are with the full support of the producer and the studio."

Jain said they have an aggressive production schedule planned as they are committed to releasing the film on January 25, 2019.

Actor Sonu Sood has walked out of the film owing to his professional commitment towards "Simmba". However, Kangana hit back at him, claiming he left the movie as he "refused to work under a woman director".

On his part, Sonu has denied this.

Jain explained: "While we managed to get matching dates from Danny Denzongpa, Jishu Sengupta, Ankita Lokhande and others, we got stuck on Sonu's combination dates and continuity look as he has grown a beard for 'Simmba'.

"Hence, we had to let him go. Zeeshan Ayub now plays the character of Sadashiv".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A dance-based musical production "In Search of Love", showing three manifestations of love, will explore what love means for a courtesan, a 'jogan' and a traveller. It will be staged at the Kamani auditorium here on Friday.

Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj and filmmaker-artist Muzaffar Ali Sahab will be the guests of honour at the event, the organisers told IANS.

The Kathak dance performance will be based on both traditional and contemporary styles, with occasional merging of the two.

It will explore the themes of worldly and divine affection, journeying from the corporeal to the spiritual.

"In Search of Love" will be performed by dancer-choreographer Astha Dixit, whose work on Sufi poetry will be reflected in the performance.

The three narratives in the production will show how dramatic turns in the lives of the courtesan, 'jogan' and wanderlust traveller, leave them searching for the answer to a timeless question: What is love?

Dixit will be performing with her troupe of 10 dancers.

She has studied the art form of Kathak from her gurus Harish Gangani and Malti Shyam, and has performed in Muscat, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and at the Baalbeck International Festival in Lebanon, the organisers said in a statement.

The tickets for the performance start from Rs 150, and can be bought online at www.bookmyshow.com.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for the US from here on Sunday for medical treatment.

He is being accompanied by his wife, Kamala Vijayan.

His trip was initially scheduled for August 19 for a period of 17 days, but it was postponed due to the heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods that ravaged the state.

According to informed sources, Vijayan is expected to return by the end of this month.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The daughter of late Sen. John McCain on Saturday took aim at the President of the US in an emotional eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral.

In her remarks, she praised her father and contrasted his life with that of Donald Trump, Efe reported.

"He was a great man," Meghan McCain said of the two-time presidential candidate, long-time member of the US's upper house of Congress representing Arizona and chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee from 2015 until his death of brain cancer last Saturday.

"We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness - the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served."

Those remarks clearly were targeted at Trump, who received five deferments excusing him from military duty during the Vietnam War.

John McCain, for his part, was well-known for his military service in the Vietnam War and particularly for having been held prisoner for five years and tortured by his captors.

Meghan McCain, the co-host of the American talk show "The View," also used her remarks to criticize Trump's slogan during his presidential campaign - "Make America Great Again."

"The America of John McCain is generous and welcoming and bold. She is resourceful and confident and secure. She meets her responsibilities. She speaks quietly because she is strong. America does not boast because she has no need. The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,"

In May, the New York Times reported that those close to McCain had told the White House that Vice President Mike Pence would be welcome to attend the senator's funeral but that Trump would not be.

During his campaign, Trump mocked McCain's service in Vietnam, saying, "He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured? I like people who weren't captured."

The two men's relationship remained rocky after the real estate mogul's surprise victory in the 2016 presidential election.

One of the most tense episodes came in July of last year, when McCain - shortly after making public his brain cancer diagnosis - joined just two other GOP colleagues in voting against a Republican-proposed bill that would have repealed certain aspects of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, a US health-care overhaul popularly known as "Obamacare."

Meghan McCain was the first speaker at Saturday's memorial service for the late senator at the Washington National Cathedral.

Also scheduled to deliver eulogies on Saturday are two former presidents, Barack Obama (who defeated McCain in the 2008 presidential election) and George W. Bush (who beat out McCain in the race for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination).

One other former US president, Bill Clinton, also was in attendance at the memorial service on Saturday, as was his wife Hillary Clinton and numerous foreign dignataries.

Several people close to Trump also were in the audience for the ceremony, including his daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, as well as White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(AI) and voice-based assistants are stealing the show at IFA 2018 in Berlin, and one of the innovative products launched at this edition of the show was "Chris", a voice-controlled digital assistant that allows drivers to make phone calls, send messages, listen to music and get navigation guides without ever touching their smartphones.

Developed by Berlin-based start-up German Autolabs, Chris has now been launched for Germany and Britain at IFA -- a leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances -- but it could come to assist drivers in India next year, claimed a company official showcasing the product to visitors at their booth at the innovation centre of the show.

Chris fits into any car, is easy to install, and works even if the Internet goes off, said Daniel Mieves of German Autolabs.

"We will possibly be able to bring Chris to India next year. Mapping works in India, everything else works in India... but we do not yet have a distributor. We are seriously looking for a distributor there as we have a lot of requests from India," Mieves told IANS.

"It's our own The biggest benefit that Chris has over other voice assistants like Alexa is that Alexa needs Internet to work, but in the car, a driver may not always have access to Internet. Chris can work without Internet because the voice recognition technology is inbuilt in the device and it does not need the Cloud to work as is the case with Alexa," he said.

Chris works both online and offline, meaning that if you enter a tunnel or drop out of a coverage area, Chris will continue to listen and talk to you, and also keep the navigation going, according to the description of the product in the company website.

The basic requirement for Chris is a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, though some features do need data connection on the phone.

Conceived by Holger Weiss and Patrick Weissert about two two-and-a-half years ago, Chris also allows people to control its functioning with simple hand gestures.

According to Weissert, who is the Co-Founder and Head of Product, German Autolabs, the smart hardware in Chris supports drivers like a real co-driver.

The device can be attached to the windscreen like a navigation device and paired with the mobile phone via Bluetooth.

"Touch screens are not good in the car because they require the driver to take the eyes off the road -- so voice and gestures are the future user interfaces for the car," Weissert told the IFA International, the official show daily.

Moreover, it is illegal to use smartphones while driving in many countries. In Germany, for example, one needs to pay a fine of 100 euros if one is caught using phones while driving, a company spokesperson told IANS.

The companion app for the device is compatible with both Android and iOS, so one does not need to worry about switching phones. All you need to do is download the free Chris companion app and install it on your phone before entering the car.

The device is priced 299 euros, the spokesperson added.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday expressed his "unhappiness" over disruptions in Parliament and sought unity among parliamentarians of all political parties over issues of national importance.

"I am a little unhappy that our Parliament is not functioning as it should be. I have not hesitated in recording in the book just now released my disappointment over the functioning of the Rajya Sabha during the first two sessions that I have presided over," Naidu said on the occasion of the release of his book "Moving on, Moving forward: A year in Office".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the book in the presence of former Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Union Minister Arun Jaitley.

Referring to the recently concluded monsoon session, the Vice President said that new tidings were seen in the session raising hopes that the trend would continue in future.

"So, there is a hope but we need to stay on course. My earnest endeavour has been to facilitate informed and dignified debates befitting the stature of this hallowed institution. I sincerely feel that all the political parties should come together, transcending political considerations, on issues of national importance."

Naidu said the last session was "rightly called the session for social justice".

He advised the lawmakers to consider and pass important legislations reflecting their collective commitment to social justice, and stressed on the need to move towards ensuring proportional representation of all groups, especially those who have till now been under-represented, in order to build a more inclusive society.

He hoped political parties would consider dispassionately the issues related to women empowerment and legislate measures "through reservation in all spheres of public life including legislatures".

In an apparent reference to the pending triple talaq bill, Naidu said: "We must move towards ending discrimination against women on the basis of religion and other factors."

Outlining some reforms for the better functioning of Parliament and state legislatures, Naidu said: "Political parties must evolve a consensus on the code of conduct for their members both inside the legislature and out of it. Otherwise people might soon lose faith in our political processes and institutions.

"Related to this is the issue of political defections. If a member desires to change party, he must do so by resigning from the membership of the House. The anti-defection laws should be implemented in letter and spirit expeditiously, within three months."

Similarly, the Vice President said the election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders needed to be disposed of within a reasonable time frame by constituting, if required, special benches of High Courts and the Supreme Court.

He also emphasized on the need to consider and decide upon a national policy on the Upper House in the state legislatures, and that "all efforts should be geared towards creation of a cleaner polity and transparent people centred governance".

Describing the media as a close and invaluable partner in strengthening the democratic culture, Naidu said it would be useful if the temptation of giving more importance to disturbance and disruption than to constructive contribution made by the members in the House can be overcome.

Calling for greater focus on agriculture, he said that instead of depending on imported products people must adopt the culture of growing these in their land.

--IANS

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US space agency NASA is planning to start its effort to restore communication with the Mars rover Opportunity.

In a recent statement, NASA said it would begin a 45-day campaign of active efforts to restore communications with Opportunity once skies above the rover cleared to a sufficient level, Xinhua reported.

The rover has been out of contact since early June, when a major dust storm deprived the rover of solar power and the storm is fading.

"The dust haze produced by the Martian global dust storm of 2018 is one of the most extensive on record, but all indications are it is finally coming to a close," said Rich Zurek, project scientist for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Zurek said in the statement that there had been no signs of dust storms within 3,000 km of Opportunity "for some time."

John Callas, Opportunity project manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a statement that "assuming that we hear back from Opportunity, we will begin the process of discerning its status and bringing it back online."

However, NASA's plan attracted criticism because it limited the active part of the recovery to 45 days.

Mike Seibert, a former flight director and rover driver for Opportunity said that Jet Propulsion Laboratory under NASA once attempted "active listening" of Spirit, the twin of Opportunity, for 10 months in 2010 and 2011 when that rover stopped transmitting before giving up.

Callas said that if Opportunity did not respond to communications attempts after that 45-day campaign, it likely meant the spacecraft had suffered a mission-ending malfunction.

"We will keep trying to get our Martian friend back online. We will not give up on #Oppy even after the 45 days of plan we have put in place!" tweeted Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday ruled out the possibility of a second Brexit referendum, claiming that it would be "a gross betrayal of the British democracy".

Her comments came as a signed article by May appeared on the Daily Telegraph website Saturday night.

"This government will fulfill the democratic decision of the British people by ensuring that the UK leaves the European Union on 29th March next year -- and that as we do so, we build a stronger, more meritocratic Britain that is fit for the future," she wrote in the article.

May said she is confident that her government can broker a "good deal for Britain".

She stressed that Britain will finally control its own borders.

Regarding the lengthy Brexit negotiations with Brussels, May said Britain will be ready for a no deal if it needs to be.

"I will not be pushed into accepting compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in our national interest," the Prime Minister said.

"As we negotiate a bold new partnership with the European Union, we will continue vital work at home to build an economy that works for everyone," she said in the article.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Acclaimed Punjabi poet-writer Amrita Pritam gave all her life to literature but when her partner and famous painter Imroz -- the muse of many of her poems -- wrote about Pritam during her last years, she had stopped both reading and writing.

"She was such a brilliant litterateur all her life. However, she seemed to have lost this love for literature few years before she died," Pritam's close associate and veteran poet Amia Kunwar said at a literary meet here.

Pritam (1919-2005) was born in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) and is well-known for her poem "Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu" -- a writing expressing the horrors and anguish of Punjab's partition.

She is the first woman recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award (1956) for her poem "Sunehary". She also won the Jnanpith Award (1981) and the Padma Vibhushan (2004), a year before she breathed her last on October 31, 2005.

"Towards the end, even the thought of reading and writing troubled her. Whenever I brought up the topic or read something myself, she would ask me to drop it," Kunwar said, adding she was among the first ones phoned by Imroz after the 86-year-old ailing poet died.

Her love for Imroz is much-talked about. It can be seen in writer Uma Trilok's book -- "Amrita Imroz: A Love Story" -- where she talks of Amrita and Imroz's "unpronounced unexpressed love for each other".

They lived together for forty years before her death, after she ended a troubled marriage with her husband, Pritam Singh, in 1960.

Many note that she features in his paintings just as much he does in her poems and writings.

Kunwar, who said she shared many relationships with the poet -- that of a sister, a friend and a confidante -- said that Pritam and Imroz shared a "deep understanding".

After painting Pritam, Imroz started writing for her, but her ailments made her almost indifferent to everything.

Referring to an episode during her last days, Kunwar added: "A sad Imroz had told me that now when he's writing poems for her (Pritam), 'unko kuchh pata hi nahi' (she doesn't know it)."

She was speaking among Punjabi writers and scholars at Saturday's literary meet "Amrita Pritam Nu Yaad Kardeyan" (Remembering Amrita Pritam), organised by the Punjabi Academy, Delhi government at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan here.

It commemorated her 99th birth anniversary and marked the beginning of the centenary year of the people's poet.

--IANS

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In a queer turn of events, what were initially feared to be foetuses and bodies of newborns dumped in a deserted ground in Kolkata turned out to be packets full of medical wastes, a senior officer of Kolkata Police said on Sunday.

A group of labourers stumbled upon what looked like bodies of newborn babies wrapped in 14 separate plastic packets, while cleaning a plot of land in south Kolkata's Haridebpur on Sunday afternoon and informed the police.

Senior officers of Kolkata Police as well as the city mayor who rushed to spot also confirmed them to be dead bodies of newborns and sent them to M.R. Bangur Hospital here for autopsy.

The doctors at the hospital, however, said they did not find any human elements inside the packets.

"Initially, the packets seemed to be containing foetuses and bodies of newborns. But police did not open the packets. However, when the packets were opened at the hospital, the doctors found no human tissues," Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police Praveen Tripathi told IANS.

"The doctors said that the stuff inside might be medical or clinical wastes. Forensic test will be done to confirm the same," he added.

Earlier in the day, a senior city police officer confirmed that the packets possibly contained foetuses.

"Fourteen bodies and foetuses, wrapped separately in plastic, were recovered from a deserted plot of land on the Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani in Haridebpur area on Sunday. The packets were found scattered within an area of 20-25 feet at one side of ground that was fenced with tin shade, a senior officer from Kolkata Police had said in a press conference.

City mayor Sovan Chatterjee also confirmed the same and said chemical was applied on the body to stop them from emitting rotting smell.

"I was informed by the local councillor that the ground was filled with litters for many months and needed to be cleaned. The bodies were recovered today while the cleaning work was going on. The bodies were wrapped in plastic and chemical was applied to stop them from smelling," Chatterjee had said.

Police had also said they would initiate a suo-motu case in the matter and hinted that certain local hospitals might be involved in illegal activities.

"We are collecting the CCTV footage of the nearby apartments to look for any suspicious activities near the ground. We will also talk to the locals. It is possible that some hospitals that conduct illegal activities, are involved in dumping the bodies there," the officer had said.

--IANS

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Pope Francis on Sunday called on the international community to ensure the safety of civilians in Syria's Idlib province, one of the last opposition-held territories in the conflict-ridden nation.

"The winds of war are still blowing and we are receiving disturbing news of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, in the province of Idlib," Efe news quoted the pontiff who was addressing a crowd at the Vatican during the Angelus prayer.

"I renew my appeal to the international community and to all the actors involved to use diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations in accordance with international humanitarian law to protect the lives of civilians," he added.

The UN has also requested international parties involved in the Syrian civil war to do everything to prevent open warfare in Idlib, which is home to around three million people.

In recent years, the government of Bashar al-Assad has used Idlib province as a repository for rebel fighters and families evacuated from other regions of the country.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Saudi-led coalition involved in a Yemen war Saturday admitted the wrongdoing in an airstrike that targeted Yemeni city Saada, pledging to hold those responsible accountable, Al Arabiya reported.

The coalition accepted the findings of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) on the attack that took place on August 9 in Saada, including the mistakes in compliance with the Rules of Engagement regarding the strike.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition expressed regret over the mistakes, extended its sympathies, condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims, and announced its acceptance of the results and findings of the JIAT.

It obliged to revise and enhance its Rules of Engagement, according to operational lessons learned, in order to guarantee non-recurrence of such incidents. It also assured that the victims would be compensated.

On August 9, a coalition airstrike hit a school bus in Yemen's northern province of Saada, killing 51, including 40 children.

Saudi Arabia has led other Arab countries in the war in Yemen that completed its third year in March in support of the Yemeni exiled government against Houthi militias.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday discussed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Governor Satya Pal Malik.

"Sitharaman, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, held discussions with Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here," a statement said.

"She was received by the Governor on her arrival at the Raj Bhavan. The Defence Minister extended warm greetings to Malik on his appointment as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir," it noted.

The Governor and Defence Minister discussed several important inter-related issues concerning effective management of internal and external security, particularly in the context of increasing attempts at infiltration and the ongoing anti-terrorist operations.

They also had detailed discussions on the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat elections which will be conducted in October-December this year.

The crucial need for strengthening and the maintenance of vital road networks and strategic connectivities in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Ladakh region was also discussed, the statement said.

The Governor lauded the Northern Army's working in total coordination with the administration, police and Central armed forces for ensuring safety and security of the people.

--IANS

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Sunny Leone has time and again expressed that her husband Daniel Weber is her pillar of strength. The musician also says there is not even one aspect of his life wherein he doesnt seek his star wife's opinion.

Daniel said his life revolves around his wife and their children.

"She probably influences everything that I do in my life. We discuss everything -- not always as husband and wife but in terms of business as well. There is not even one aspect of my life that I don't ask her opinion on -- whether it is creative opinion or business opinion," Daniel told IANS in an interview over phone from Mumbai.

"That is the mutual respect that we have for each other. We respect each other and just want each other's thought or take on something. It has been a long time since I made a unilateral decision without my wife giving her input," he added with a laugh.

Sunny and Daniel have been together for the last seven years. They surprised everyone last year when they announced that they had adopted a baby girl named Nisha from Latur.

They sprang another surprise in March by announcing that they had expanded their family by including two more children -- sons Noah and Asher -- via surrogacy.

For Daniel, embracing fatherhood has been a big but beautiful change.

"I believe I am extremely a hands-on father. For instance today, the reason we are on a call at 2.30 p.m. is because at 1.30 p.m., I pick-up my daughter from school every day and at 2 p.m I read her a book and at 2.15 p.m., she takes a nap and at 2.30 p.m., I am on a call with you.

"So how has it changed me? Well, everything in my life revolves around what my kids are doing."

Professionally, Daniel fronts Los Angeles-based rock and roll band The Disparrows. He says he makes it a point to come out with an album after every two years.

What about cutting an album for the Indian market?

"Probably not at this time. I think it will not be authentic. I collaborate with artistes for songs in Hindi where I play the guitar. But for me to write an album that caters to this market, I don't think it will be authentic enough as I don't think I am strong enough in the language," said Daniel, who seeks influence from American rock and roll icons for his music.

Last month, Sunny -- who started off as an adult film star and ventured into Bollywood with "Jism 2" in 2012, made headlines for starting a donation page on crowd-funding platform Impact Guru to raise money for her friend Prabhakar for kidney transplant.

Talking about the initiative, Daniel said: "We are trying to help him raise money. We put out his story and we put out a 'fund me' page. We are trying to do our best to help and it has been doing very well. People have a heart and when they hear somebody's story who is not well off, they want to help."

On the work front, Daniel is busy producing a movie, creating content, managing Starstruck, managing Lust fragrance company, managing a social media company.

"We do a lot of stuff. I look after all of her work too," he said.

(Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Trinamool Congress activist was found dead at Bhangar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Sunday after being missing since Saturday night, police said.

While the relative of the deceased claimed that the state ruling party activist has been killed by opposition party workers, police said they have not found any proof of murder.

"The body of Shibu Debnath, a Trinamool Congress worker was found in a pond near his house in Bhangar's Saitgachi on Sunday morning. There are no injury marks on the deceased's body," a senior officer from Bhangar police station said.

"We have got the news that the man was drunk. He consumed alcohol thrice on Saturday. The body has been sent for autopsy to find out how he died. No proof of him being murdered has been found as yet," he said.

The family members of Debnath accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of kidnapping and killing him.

"He suddenly went missing yesterday. We guess that he was kidnapped and murdered by some BJP workers as he supported Trinamool Congress," a relative claimed.

The villages in Bhangar witnessed massive unrest over the construction of a power grid in the area for the last one year.

Violent clashes took place between anti-power grid agitators and state ruling party Trinamool Congress workers several times including at the time of state rural polls in May.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As we reached the hilltop, the BRA people started shooting in a crossfire, killing three people and wounding several others.

I was two years old at that time and cant remember much about it. The ambush had been set up on a hilltop near the track we usually took.

The incident happened at Tonu village after Sunday church service while we were returning to a government care centre.

DEVARE - In July 1994, during the Bougainville crisis, my mum was shot dead along with several other people in an ambush that was set up by members of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army from the Siwai area in South Bougainville.

A true story from a collection of writing from the Devare Adventist High School in Bougainville edited by Alphonse M Huvi

Members of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army on parade in 2000 after the ceasefire in the civil war

My mum was carrying me on her shoulder when she was shot in the chest by a bullet and died instantly. I was unharmed but my mum was left behind as the others escaped, taking me with them.

My family members later returned to get her body and it was taken to Tonu station where she was given a proper burial.

I had been rescued by my aunt who took me to the care centre. At the care centre, by the grace of God, a Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldier, Captain Gilbert Konde from Delta Unit at Moem Barracks took me with him when he returned to Wewak.

We left the care centre early in the morning and flew to Aropa in central Bougainville in a PNGDF helicopter. Captain Konde did not inform my aunt or relatives about this.

By the time we arrived at Aropa, some soldiers were getting ready to take their six months break so we boarded an aircraft with them. It also carried a few wounded and several bodies. We landed at Nadzab near Lae and from there transited to Wewak.

By the time we arrived at Boram airport, several people had gathered in front of the terminal waiting for the same plane.

Some were waiting to collect the bodies of their loved ones while others were celebrating the arrival of those returning safely back from the war.

We were met at the terminal by Captain Kondes wife and his mother. After introducing me to them we travelled back to Moem Barracks where they lived.

Mrs Konde was a wonderful woman. She worked as an x-ray assistant at Wewak General Hospital. The couple didnt have any children so they took me as their adopted son.

I stayed with them for almost 16 years and had my initiation in a Sepik haus tambaran and got the crocodile tattoo on my body.

I finally came back to Bougainville when I was expelled from school in Wewak. My dad sent me back so I could complete my education in my home province.

He also told me what really happened and the name of the village. I followed his words and came back to Bougainville.

If I complete my education here at Devare, I will make sure I go back and take care of Captain and Mrs Konde because they treated me well as my real parents would have done.
The US military has announced that it was cancelling $300 million in aid to Pakistan over what it calls Islamabad's failure to take action against militant groups.

Pentagon spokesman Lt Col Kone Faulkner on Saturday said the US military would aim to spend the money on other "urgent priorities", the BBC reported.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups," Col Faulkner said in a statement, adding that the $300 million aid - which had earlier been suspended - should be used elsewhere due to "a lack of Pakistani decisive actions" in tackling the issue.

The announcement comes just days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Pakistan to meet the country's new Prime Minister Imran Khan.

President Donald Trump has previously accused Pakistan of deceiving the US while receiving billions of dollars.

The US state department has also slammed Pakistan for failing to deal with terrorist networks operating on its soil, including the Haqqani network and the Afghan Taliban.

In January, the US government announced it was cutting almost all security aid to the country.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fashion designer Victoria Beckham told her children her marriage is solid amid false rumours of her husband David cheating.

She revealed all to Vogue magazine as the couple holidayed in the South of France.

The couple sat down with seven-year-old daughter Harper, and her three teenage brothers to reassure them their marriage was solid after David was falsely linked to another woman.

The interview with the magazine was initially intended to mark her 10 years in fashion. But she wanted to address claims which swept social media three months ago that she was divorcing, reports thesun.co.uk.

The fashion designer, 44, requested her husband to join her for the cover photograph - though a "sultry" solo one of Victoria was also taken.

A friend said the Beckhams are always "transparent" with their children.

Sources said: "Allegations about the state of their marriage and ridiculous claims about David are extremely hurtful, and obviously potentially very distressing for the kids.

"Whilst publicly they maintained a united front by laughing off the rumours, behind closed doors they've taken them much more seriously. They sat the children down and addressed these horrific, hurtful whispers.

"Both David and Victoria are very transparent with the kids to ensure they hear things directly from them - and not from the playground. After the latest furore, they once again took the decision to be open and honest with them, reassuring them Daddy is not a cheat."

--IANS

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Negotiations within the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), for which talks were held in Singapore last week, represent one of the enduring ironies of a regime that claims to be pro-business. With global trade wars hotting up and protectionism reaching high tide, Indian business has long been keen for the government to move ahead in the negotiations and finalise a deal.

The RECP will open up trade to a region that represents a third of the global economy and one that is growing twice as fast as the rest of the world. So far, however, the National Democratic ...
A man was killed and seven people, including a woman, were seriously injured on Sunday in a head-on collision between two speeding cars in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district, the police said.

The accident took place on the Varanasi-Lucknow National Highway in Amethi's Kathaura area, they said.

The deceased was identified as Pradip Kumar (50), a resident of Kanpur, SHO of Kamrauli police station Prahlad Singh said.

All the injured were rushed to a hospital from where two of them were referred to the trauma centre in Lucknow, the police said.

Construction work is underway at the Varanasi-Lucknow National Highway for its four-laning.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sixteen people were killed and 12 injured in rain-related incidents across Uttar Pradesh since Saturday, officials said Sunday even as the meteorological department predicted rainfall throughout the state for the next two days.

The day also witnessed IAF personnel rescuing 14 people stranded in Lalitpur and Jhansi districts due to heavy rains, drawing appreciation from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Shahjahanpur bore the maximum brunt of the weather onslaught on Saturday, as six people were killed in incidents of lightning strike, while seven were injured.

A statement by the office of the UP Relief Commissioner on Sunday said, "Six people lost their lives in Shahjahanpur, while three died in Sitapur district and two people each in Auraiyya and Amethi".

One person each died in Lakhimpur Kheri, Rae Bareli and Unnao, it said adding all the deaths took place on Saturday.

Eighteen animals were killed and as many as 461 houses or huts were damaged, the statement added.

The meteorological department predicted widespread rainfall in eastern and western parts of the state on Monday and Tuesday.

District Magistrate, Shahjahanpur, Amrit Tripathi said some youngsters were grazing cattle in Shamsherpur village on Saturday, when sudden downpour forced them to take shelter under a tree.

"Mohit (24), Bablu (5), Anmol (10) and Dablu (11) died when they were struck by lightning, while three were seriously injured," he said.

Vandana (11) of Nabipur village and Ashok (42) of Sikandarpur village, also lost their lives when lightning struck them, Tripathi said.

"Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ramji Mishra was sent to the spot. Financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh is being made available to kin of the deceased," he said.

The bodies were sent for post-mortem and the injured admitted to Shahjahanpur district hospital, police said.

Meanwhile, IAF personnel rescued 14 people stranded in Lalitpur and Jhansi districts.

Six people were marooned in a village of Lalitpur district Sunday morning following heavy rains. In Garautha tehsil of Jhansi district, eight fishermen were stranded on an island near Erech Dam on the Betwa River after a sudden rise in water level owing to heavy downpour, they said.

Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, "All six people were successfully rescued in Lalitpur district. The IAF team did a fantastic job."



"The district magistrate of Jhansi has confirmed that all eight fishermen have been successfully rescued by an IAF team," he said.

UP Chief Minister Adityanath praised the rescue work carried out by IAF personnel in Talbehat area of Lalitpur district, an official statement said.

Adityanath on this occasion also extended Janmasthami greetings to the officials and jawans.

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Eighteen people were injured in rival demonstrations capping off a week marked by xenophobic protests in the eastern city of Chemnitz, prompting Germany's foreign minister to urge Germans to "get off our sofas" and speak up against racism.

Chemnitz has been in the spotlight after violent far-right protests erupted over the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old man, allegedly by a Syrian and an Iraqi last Sunday.

On Saturday, 8,000 people answered a joint call by far-right party AfD and Islamophobic PEGIDA street movement to descend once again on the streets of the former communist city which was in the erstwhile East Germany.

The mobilisation vastly outnumbered a contingent of 3,000 counter protesters, including Green party and Social Democratic Party MPs, who had also converged to take a stand against racism.

Local police, backed up by officers from across Germany, were out in force to keep both sides from clashing.

But as the rallies cleared, scuffles took place among small groups.

SPD MP Soeren Bartol said on Twitter that his group from Marburg were "attacked by Nazis" while they were heading for the bus.

"All SPD flags destroyed and some were also physically attacked," he wrote, adding that police had arrived swiftly to halt the assault.

In all, 18 people were injured, including three police officers, said in a statement Sunday, doubling their earlier injury estimate. Police are also examining at least 37 possible offences, including bodily harm, property damage and resistance against law enforcement officers.

A television crew from regional broadcaster MDR said they were also assaulted they were while filming scenes of a protest from an apartment building.

Away from Chemnitz city centre, a 20-year-old Afghan man suffered light injuries after he was assaulted by four masked men. Police said they were investigating if the perpetrators counted among demonstrators.

Scenes of men chasing down foreigners in Chemnitz and chanting "foreigners out" have rattled the country. On Sunday, two smaller demonstrations against xenophobia passed without disturbances.

Another major event is expected on Monday, when German punk band Die Toten Hosen leads a free concert against racism. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called on Germans to take a stand against xenophobia.

"We have to get off our sofas and open our mouths," he told Bild am Sonntag, stressing that "all of us have to show the world that we democrats are the majority and the racists are the minority." "The silent majority must get louder," he said.

The tensions in Chemnitz have underlined the divisions in Germany over Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision three years ago to keep Germany's borders open to asylum seekers, many fleeing war in Syria and Iraq.

Misgivings run particularly high in Saxony state, where Chemnitz is located, over the arrival of more than a million asylum seekers since 2015.

The far-right AfD party has won strong support in the region through its campaign against migrant arrivals, and surveys suggest that it is poised to become Saxony's second biggest party in next year's regional elections.

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Two school students, on their way home after a picnic, were killed when their vehicle fell into a canal here Sunday, police said.

The incident took place Sunday evening when the school students and three teachers were returning after a picnic at the Rajdari fall in Naugrah, Circle Officer Chakia Kunwar Prabhat Singh told PTI.

"There were 17 passengers in the ill-fated vehicle. The deceased have been identified as Muskaan (8) and Ruchi (18)," he said.

"As the vehicle fell into the canal, local boys jumped into it and were able to rescue 15 people. Locals say that the driver told them that the steering of the vehicle had failed, which led to the accident," Singh said.

Those injured includes Jyoti (16), Tannu(15), Kiran (17), Neha (16), Rishu(16), Khushi(10) and their two teachers - Priya Pandey (26) and Lali Devi (40), police said.

On the complaint of the school administration, an FIR has been registered against the vehicle driver for negligence, he said.

The driver is absconding, police said, adding prima facie there was negligence on the part of the school management, as 17 people were travelling in a vehicle whose maximum capacity is 8-9 people.

The police officer said the vehicle is still in the canal, and is yet to be retrieved.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the loss of lives and has directed the officials to ensure that the injured get adequate medical care.

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Altogether 24 of the 34 tribal children allegedly trafficked from Jharkhand to an illegal shelter home in Punjab were traced and two persons were arrested, the police said on Sunday.

"We have rescued four children who were reportedly pursuing their studies in the three-room shelter home in Ludhiana and arrested two persons, including the owner of the home," Superintendent of Police, West Singhbhum, G Kranthi Kumar said.

As the home authorities claimed that they had sent back 30 children, physical verification of 20 of them was made in West Singhbhum district, while search is on for the remaining ten, Kumar said.

Those arrested were identified as Satyendra Prasad Moses (56), the shelter home operator in Ludhiana and a resident of Gaya district of Bihar and Junul Longo, a resident of Gudri police station in West Singhbhum, he added.

Both the accused were produced before a local court in Chaibasa on Saturday and forwarded to judicial custody for 14 days, he said.

Based on a report of the Special Branch, Ranchi that 34 children from the state were taken to a Ludhiana-based shelter home and allegedly converted to Christianity, a police team headed by the Officer-in-charge of Anti-Human Trafficking Unit police station, Banarasi Ram was sent to Punjab to rescue the children.

Jyotsana Tirkey, a member of Child Welfare Committee, Chaibasa had lodged a complaint on August 26 on the basis of a media report that 34 children from Jharkhand were illegally kept in the missionary-run children shelter home, where efforts were on to convert them to Christianity and engage them in child labour.

Tirkey alleged that Longo had lured the children with the false promise of education and employment.

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Four elephants will be be deployed to trap tigers which have reportedly killed 13 persons in the last few months in the Ralegaon-Kelapur forest belt of Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, a senior official said Sunday.

Deputy Conservator of Forests A Abharna said that the four elephants would arrive in Ralegaon here from Madhya Pradesh in a week's time.

The official said that a tiger, a tigress and two cubs are moving about in the area for the past one-and-half years and are believed to be behind the attacks on people in villages nearby.

However, the official added, that it was not known which among the group of four tigers had turned man-eater.

Besides plans to deploy trained elephants, the forest department had set up 63 camera traps as well as solar lamps at various spots in the forest belt to get a sighting of the tigers, the official said.

Bhavana Gawali, Lok Sabha MP from Yavatmal-Washim, demanded that the tigers be trapped quickly and the kin of those who had died in attacks by the big cats be compensated.

The Shiv Sena MP claimed that the presence of four quarries close to the forests and the expansion of a cement factory in the Tippeshwar-Tadoba tiger corridor was causing these man-animal conflicts.

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Five people were arrested here Sunday for allegedly conspiring to eliminate a few leaders of Hindu outfits, police said.

Acting on a tip off, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the police have detained four people who arrived here from Chennai, yesterday.

Another person who had come to receive them was also picked up for questioning, they said.

Stating that all four had come to attend a marriage, police said interrogation revealed that they had conspired to eliminate Arjun Sampath of Hindu Makkal Katchi and Hindu Munnani leader Mookambikai Mani among some others.

All the five were booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and conspiracy.

They were arrested and lodged in Central jail here.

Security has been provided for the leaders.

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Airports Authority of India (AAI) has sought various clearances from the Environment Ministry for expansion of five airports, including Vijayawada, Lucknow and Patna, involving an investment outlay of Rs 3,258 crore.

According to the minutes of meeting of the latest expert appraisal committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the AAI sought environmental clearance for Patna, Lucknow, Dehradun and Jabalpur airports.

It also requested the ministry to prepare terms of reference for the Vijayawada airport expansion programme.

The AAI intends to construct a new terminal building T3 for Lucknow airport after dismantling Terminal 1 to cater to the increasing number of international and domestic passengers as the capacity of the present ones has neared saturation point.

A multi-level car parking and allied facilities are also proposed.

"The estimated cost of the project (for Lucknow Airport) will be approximately Rs 1,383 crore.

Based on the information submitted and clarifications provided by the Project Proponent (AAI)... EAC recommended the project for grant of Environmental clearance for Lucknow Airport," the committee said.

The AAI plans to set up a new domestic terminal at Jai Prakash Narayan International (JPNI) Airport, Patna, to handle 4.5 million passengers per year with modern amenities on par with GRIHA-4 rating.

The existing domestic terminal is more than 20-year old and the ATC tower, technical block and administrative offices are housed in the same domestic terminal building.

Initially, the building was designed for 50 lakh passengers per annum. The cost of the project is Rs 865 crore, the EAC said.

However, the increase in number of flights has seen more passengers travelling per year to about three million and hence the existing building was not sufficient to cater to the present passenger load, it said.

"In view of the future growth of passengers, it is proposed to construct a new domestic terminal for 4.5 million per annum," the EAC said in case of Patna airport while recommending for the environment clearance with certain conditions.

For Vijaywada, the AAI has submitted a plan for construction of a new integrated terminal building with allied facilities like surface car parking, utility building, city side four lane approach road and canopy for passenger facilitation, among others, at an investment outlay of Rs 500 crore, the committee said in the minutes.

As per current traffic data, Vijayawada airport handled 3.98 lakh passengers in 2015-16. The airport is expected to handle 14.87 lakh passengers by 2021-22.

It also proposes to expand Dehradun airport by constructing a new integrated terminal building and allied facilities at an investment of Rs 344.75 crore, while for expansion of Jabalpur airport, the AAI requested the ministry to reconsider the environment clearance to make the aerodrome suitable for operation of AB-320 type aircraft.

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A 19-year-old Afghan man who was shot and wounded by Dutch police after allegedly attacking bystanders at Amsterdam's Central Station will briefly appear in court on Monday, police said.

The suspect, identified by authorities as "Jawed S", "will appear before a judge and until then no further details will be released," the Amsterdam police said in a statement on Sunday.

Two American citizens -- both believed to be male -- were seriously injured when a knife-wielding man attacked bystanders around noon on Friday at the busy station next to the Dutch capital's historic city centre. Police quickly reacted and shot the man in the lower body. He and the two injured bystanders were taken to hospital.

The US State Department on Sunday condemned what it called an "unprovoked, horrifying attack" and offered full support to Dutch authorities both in their investigation and "in our common fight against terrorism in all forms".

Both of the wounded Americans were in a satisfactory condition, officials said Saturday.

There was no update on the victims' condition, which police Saturday described as "satisfactory".

"Following an initial statement by the suspect it has emerged that the man had a terrorist motive," Amsterdam City Hall announced after police questioned the suspect.

Jawed S. has a German residency permit and German police on Saturday raided his apartment. The police did not release details about its exact location.

The suspect will make a brief first appearance behind closed doors and according to Dutch criminal legal procedures will not be asked to plead. "It is likely that the judge will remand him in custody for two more weeks, in order for detectives to continue their investigation," a Dutch prosecution service official told AFP.

This process could take up to three months, the official added.

Thousands of commuters and tourists were evacuated from the rail terminus after the attack.

One witness said he saw a young man "stumble" into his flower shop at the station with a bleeding wound to his hand, before hearing shots ring out. The Netherlands has so far been largely spared the terror attacks which have rocked its closest European neighbours in the past few years.

But amid a number of scares and reports that people linked to some of those attacks may have crossed briefly into the country, top Dutch security and intelligence officials have stressed that the threat level is substantial. Around 250,000 people travel through Central Station every day.

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Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa will be on a six-day visit to Myanmar and Malaysia from tomorrow with an aim to bolster India's defence cooperation with the two countries considered strategically important from the regional security perspective.

The Chief of Air Staff's first destination will be Myanmar where he will hold extensive talks with the top brass of the military establishment of that country on ways to deepen the bilateral defence engagement, officials said.

From Myanmar, he will travel to Malaysia for a three-day visit beginning September 5, they said.

In Malaysia, Air Chief Marshall Dhanoa will hold parleys with his Malaysian counterpart and other senior military officials on ways to strengthen cooperation between the air forces of the two countries.

The visit will be beneficial for enhancing the strong camaraderie and partnership that the nations and their air forces share, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee said.

During the visit, the Chief of Air Staff is scheduled to visit various operational establishments and interact with senior functionaries of the Myanmar and Malaysian air forces.

The main focus would be to share ideas, enhance mutual engagement and promote understanding, Banerjee said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a brief stopover in Malaysia earlier this year during which he had met the newly-elected Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohammad and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties.

India and Malaysia have been recently stepping up their engagement in the defence field.

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BJP president Amit Shah will visit Jodhpur, considered a stronghold of senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, on September 16 and address a meeting of party workers, the party said Sunday.

BJP in-charge of Rajasthan Avinash Rai Khanna was in Jodhpur to oversee preparations for the meeting.

He met party leaders and called on workers to gear up for the upcoming assembly election in the state.

Khanna urged party workers to inform people about the work done by the BJP government at the Centre and in the state.

Jodhpur being Gehlot's forte, the BJP is trying to win all 10 seats of the district, including Sardarpura, held by the Congress leader.

It has rescheduled its Gaurav Yatra, which was to culminate in Jodhpur today. Under the new plan, the party has skipped four constituencies - Sardarpura, City, Soorsagar and Luni - and decided to organise a meeting of Shah in Jodhpur.

"In order to deal with the influence of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot in the region and bring the Congress under a psychological pressure, the party leadership has decided to invite Shah," a senior BJP leader said.

Apprehending that the state could follow the pattern of dislodging the ruling party every five years, the BJP has urged people to repose their faith in the Vasundhara Raje government during the statewide yatra.

Khanna too called on party workers and leaders to ensure that this trend is shattered and the BJP returns to power.

"We are not willing to antagonise any leader or worker of the party and giving attention to all of them," the leader said.

Also, Khanna visited party veterans, who are no longer active in party affairs but hold sway in the region.

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Army on Sunday paid tributes to Sepoy Shive Kumar who was killed in a gun battle with militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district.

Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt led all ranks in paying homage to Kumar, who laid down his life during the encounter on Saturday. Three militants were killed in the operation.

Representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects to the martyr, an army official said.

Kumar (32) sustained bullet injuries during the fierce operation in Bandipora's Danna forests. He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital but he succumbed to injuries, the official added.

He had joined the Army in 2005 and hailed from village Karoor of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. He is survived by his wife, three children and parents.

"The mortal remains of the martyr were flown for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours," the official said, adding that the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.

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Intellectuals, artists and writers Sunday denounced the house arrest of five human rights activists in connection with a probe into a case of caste violence in Maharashtra, and described it as an "act of



fascism" by the BJP government.

Calling for a platform of "artists, writers and conscious citizens", writer-columnist Debesh Roy said there should be protests everywhere against "the fascist regime that orders raids at anyone's residence for voicing dissent".

"They (the BJP) have branded the activists 'Urban Maoists', a term imported from the US Constitution. We need to counter them with a full-fledged movement, not tokenism. I call upon the theatre personalities of Bengal to bring back their popular anti-fascist plays on stage to mobilise opinion," the Left intellectual said.

All "anti-fascist forces", espousing the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, should join hands in the movement, Roy added.

Theatre personality Rudraprasad Sengupta said a "reign of terror is prevailing on the land".

Decrying the arrests of the five eminent personalities, he said, "It as an infringement on civil liberties. We have to keep ourselves ready to fight fascism."



Actor Kaushik Sen, who was also a part of the intellectual meet at Shishir Mancha here, said artists should come together to voice their opinion on topical issues.

"We have to make our voices heard more emphatically as the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is nigh. We (intellectuals) need to sit together and chalk out our next action.

"This is imperative to make ourselves more acceptable and our tirade against communal and fascist forces more credible to the masses," he said.

The two-hour meet here passed a resolution against the alleged attempts to "take away the rights of protest by civil societies".

Around 200 people have signed the resolution, including eminent personalities such as writer Mandakranta Sen and poet Shankha Ghosh, Chandan sen, one of the organizers of the meet, said.

Five Left-wing activists were picked up Tuesday by the Maharashtra Police from different locations for their alleged Maoists links.

The raids were carried out as part of a probe into the violence between Dalits and the upper caste Peshwas at Koregaon-Bhima village near Pune on December 31 last year.

The Supreme Court ordered that the five activists be kept under house arrest till September 6 under police watch.

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No human foetus or bodies of newborns were found in plastic bags recovered from vacant land at Haridebpur in southern part of the city, the Kolkata Police said Sunday retracting from statements made by officials earlier in the day.

"The plastic bags actually contained medical waste, it was found later," DC South-West Division Nilanjan Biswas said.

Biswas had earlier told a press conference that 14 human foetuses were found in the bags recovered during cleaning of the patch of land.

Police would visit nearby hospitals and nursing homes to check whether any abortion racket was operating from those facilities, he had stated.

Initial police reports before the press conference had said bodies of 14 newborns were recovered.

However, within an hour, Biswas retracted from his statement and said it was found after examination at a hospital that the bags contained only medical waste such as cotton and bandages, and there was no sign of any human foetus.

The DC also visited the hospital where the bags were sent for examination.

"I spoke to the doctors there. We will conduct forensic tests of the material recovered. Our forensic team is looking into it," he said.

City Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar and other senior police officers had rushed to the spot after reports of bodies of newborns being found from the place.

The bags actually contained medical waste, it was found later, a police official said. They were found on the grassy land on Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani under the Haridebpur Police station area when labourers were cleaning the patch, he said.

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At least two pro-government forces were killed overnight in a string of explosions at a military airport near the Syrian capital, a monitoring group said on Sunday.

Syrian state media also reported the blasts at the Mazzeh airbase, on the western outskirts of Damascus, but did not mention any casualties.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Mazzeh was hit by a "possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions". "It left two pro-regime fighters dead and wounded another 11, some of them in critical condition," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

He could not specify their nationalities or whether they belonged to militias or government forces.

An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on Sunday.

AFP's correspondents in Damascus heard multiple blasts overnight, one of which lit up the sky in a deep red hue, but reported calm on Sunday morning.

A Syrian military source said the Mazzeh airbase "was not the target of Israeli aggression", according to the official SANA agency.

"The explosions heard were due to an explosion at a munitions deposit close to the airport which was due to an electrical short circuit," the source said, without mentioning any casualties.

The Mazzeh airbase houses Syrian Air Force intelligence, and in early 2017 the Syrian government accused its neighbour Israel of bombing the base.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.

Earlier this week, Israel reiterated its threat to hit Iranian military targets in Syria.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran's attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In July, Syria accused Israel of bombing a military post in the northern province of Aleppo, where at least nine pro-regime fighters were killed according to the Observatory.

More than seven years since Syria's conflict began, regime forces have managed to retake entire regions from rebels and jihadists and now control nearly two-thirds of the country.

Syrian troops are supported military by their Russian and Iranian allies, Tehran-backed Hezbollah fighters as well as Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan militiamen.

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A Brazilian man has been arrested from IGI airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country Rs 3 crore worth cocaine, which he had swallowed in form of 64 capsules, a statement issued by the customs department on Sunday said.

The passenger was intercepted after his arrival from Sao Paulo via Addis Ababa on August 27, it said.

According to the statement, the man had swallowed 64 capsules containing 620 grams of white coloured powder which preliminary narcotics testing has revealed to be cocaine worth around Rs 3.1 crore.

The passenger has been arrested and the narcotic seized.

It was the second significant narcotics seizure (in the form of capsules swallowed by passengers) effected by customs officials at Delhi international airport.

About 1.7 kg of cocaine, worth nearly Rs 10 crore was seized by the customs officials from two foreign passengers



Bolivian and a Kenyan on August 24.

The duo had swallowed about 145 capsules of cocaine, which were extracted at a city-based hospital.

In the hospital, 89 capsules weighing 890 gram, which tested positive for cocaine, were extracted from the Bolivian national. Similarly, 56 capsules, containing 842 gram of cocaine, were extracted from the Kenyan national.

In total, 1.7 kg of cocaine was recovered from them.

The foreigners were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

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Aam Aadmi Party leader and tribal activist Soni Sori Sunday accused the Chhattisgarh police of trying to implicate her in a "false" case in connection with an encounter on August 6 in which 15 naxals were killed.

She said she did not know the person from Sukma district who has file a complaint to the police against her in this matter.

A senior Sukma police official told PTI that Sodi Hadma, a resident of Nulkatong village, close to the site of the August 6 encounter, has filed a complaint with Konta police station that Sori and a few others had come there to provoke residents.

In his complaint made on August 24, Hadma alleged Sori and a few others had visited Nulkatong, as part of an AAP fact-finding team, and provoked villagers to give statements against the police.

The police official said no FIR was registered on Hadma's complaint but Sori was called to Konta police station for questioning.

Speaking at a press conference in Raipur Sunday, Sori called it a conspiracy by the police.

"Sodi Hadma, who I have never met, has complained against me. It is a conspiracy of the police to implicate me in a false case. The truth will come out if he and I are brought face to face," Sori told reporters.

AAP state convener Sanket Thakur defended Sori and said the Chhattisgarh government was "scared" of the influence of his party and her in Bastar region, of which Sukma is a part.

"Sori has been fighting for the rights of tribals for several years. The state government is scared of the increasing impact of AAP and her growing popularity in Bastar region. Therefore, it is trying to implicate her in a false case," Thakur said.

He warned that th eparty will stage protests if any attempt was made to arrest Sori.

On August 6, personnel from District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) encircled a maoist camp in Nulkatong, about 500 kilometres from the state capital, and gunned down 15 naxals in a 30-minute firefight.

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Prime Minister said Sunday calling for discipline these days is branded "autocratic", as he praised Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu for being a "disciplinarian".

After launching a book on experiences of Naidu during his first year as vice president of India and chairman of Rajya Sabha, Modi said he always provides visionary leadership whenever he gets a responsibility.

"Venkaiah ji is a disciplinarian, but our country's situation is such that it has become easy to call discipline undemocratic. If some one calls for discipline, he is branded autocratic...the whole dictionary is opened. But the discipline Venkaiah ji calls for he himself follows it," he said.

The prime minister said whichever duty Naidu had, he performed it with utmost diligence and adapted into that role with ease.

"He has been in public life for 50 years. Ten years in student and 40 years in state as well as politics," he said.

The 245-page book titled "Moving on Moving forward: A year in office" brings out Naidu's "mission of engagement" on four key issues with various stakeholders across the country and its alignment with the mission of a new India in the making.

Naidu says in the book his mission of exploring and shaping public discourse over four key issues took him on extensive travels across the country since he was sworn in as vice president on August 11 last year.

Modi said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wanted to give Naidu a ministry in his government, but he said he wanted to be the minister of rural development.

"Venkaiah ji is a farmer at heart. He is passionate about the welfare of farmers and agriculture.

"The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana came into being due to the efforts of Naidu Ji. In a time when political discourse was centred around train stoppages only, he ensured that leaders began to think more about roads and other forms of connectivity," Modi also said.

At the book launch event, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh, H D Deve Gowda, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and senior Congress leader Anand Sharm were present on the dais.
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has set aside the appointment of a doctor as Assistant Professor of Hospital Administration at AIIMS, saying she did not possess the requisite qualification for the post.

A bench of CAT Chairman Justice L Narasimha Reddy and administrative member Aradhana Johri were of the view that the degree of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) held by her was not sufficient and she needed to undergo an additional year of residency in a hospital recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The tribunal said that according to the MCI's regulations on minimum qualifications for teachers in medical institutions, a person holding a DNB degree from a non-MCI recognised institute had to undergo four years of total training.

The CAT said that of the four years of training, one year had to be in an MCI recognised hospital according to the regulations.

"It is not in dispute that respondent 3 (Dr Kanika Jain) did not undergo this type of training or residency. The inescapable conclusion is that the selection and consequential appointment of respondent 3 is vitiated.

"We, therefore, allow this original application, and set aside the appointment of respondent 3 as Assistant Professor of Hospital Administration. Respondent 1 (AIIMS) shall fill the vacancy with the next available candidate from the concerned category, in the merit list," the bench said.

The tribunal's decision came on the plea by three doctors, who had also applied for the post of Assistant Professor of Hospital Administration in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

They had challenged Jain's appointment on the ground that she did not have the requisite qualifications.

Jain, in her defence, had claimed that her DNB degree was equivalent to a MD degree and therefore, she was qualified for the post.

She had also argued that AIIMS had selected and appointed her to the post after it was satisfied that she had the requisite qualification.

The tribunal, however, held that according to the MCI regulations, a candidate having a DNB certificate on the basis of training in a hospital not recognised by MCI, would become equivalent to MD if only an additional year of residency, that too in an MCI recognised hospital, is undergone by the candidate.

A DNB degree is awarded by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to candidates who successfully completed their postgraduate or postdoctoral medical education under it.

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In a sermon of a different kind, a Catholic priest addressed Muslim brothers in a mosque to express his gratitude for their selfless service in feeding the flood victims who had taken shelter at his church.

By offering the Christian priest the same platform where a 'Maulavi' (muslim cleric) addresses the believers, the mosque authorities have showcased a rare model of togetherness in the post-flood state.

Fr Sanu Puthussery, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church, had visited the Juma Masjid at Vechoor in Kottayam district during Jum'ah (Friday prayers) on August 31 and delivered a thanksgiving speech at the Masjid prayer hall.

As the deadliest floods had lashed the state two weeks ago, over 580 persons had sought refuge at St Antony's Church at Achinakom where Fr Puthussery is serving as the priest.

Though the Church authorities had opened their hall for the hapless people, they found some shortage of food and water to feed them the next day.

"I straightaway went to the Masjid, appraised the Maulavi about our difficulty and requested his help. After the day's prayers, Muslim brothers came to the church with a large quantity of food and water as per his direction," Fr Puthussery told PTI.

"I cannot express my gratitude to them in words. That much help and support they had extended during the time of difficulties," he said.

They had continued to bring essential articles to the relief camp at the church.

Besides food and water, essential medicines were also brought by the youths attached to the Masjid, he said.

"I went to the Masjid to meet the Maulavi and other authorities and thank them personally. But they invited me to their prayer hall and offered me their platform to speak. It was a rare gesture of togetherness," the priest said.

It was a different experience for over 250 believers, who were at the Masjid to attend Friday prayers.

In his around 10-minute speech, the Catholic priest had said though the floods snatched away many valuables from people, it also washed away the walls of differences among them.

"Pope Francis has said build bridges, not walls. The devastating floods has now given us an opportunity to destroy the walls and build the bridges of togetherness," the priest added.

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Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) has urged the Centre to set up at least one nationalised bank head office in the economically backward state of Bihar.

The chamber also requested the Centre to consider appointing a representative director from Bihar in any of the 21 nationalised banks in the country.

"Overall development of India is only possible when economically backward state like Bihar is developed at par with the economically advanced states, where banking sector also plays a major role," Chamber president P K Agrawal said in a release issued yesterday.

Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Agrawal said that "for the benefit of the people of Bihar and all round development of the industries, business and economic activities of the state, there is a need to establish a nationalised bank head office and a representative director of the nationalised banks from the state."



Agrawal said that currently there are 21 nationalised banks in India whose head offices are situated in the bigger cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Baroda, Mangalore and Manipal.

Of these cities, Mumbai alone has six head offices while Delhi and Kolkata have three each. Chennai and Bengaluru have two head offices each, he said.

Cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Baroda, Mangalore, and Manipal have one head offices each, he said.

Agrawal also said that the central government appointed public representative directors of the nationalised banks mostly from these big cities.

Out of 41 public representative directors of the nationalised banks, Delhi has 14 directors; Mumbai and Bengaluru have six each, while Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune have two each.

"Non existence of the nationalised banks head office and the representative directors of the nationalised banks from Bihar has created lots of problems for the people of the state while restricting the economic development/growth of the state.

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Chinese billionaire Liu Qiangdong, also known as Richard Liu, the founder of the Beijing-based e-commerce site JD.com, was arrested in Minneapolis on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, jail records show.

Liu, 45, was arrested late Friday night and released Saturday afternoon pending possible criminal charges, Hennepin County Jail records show. The jail records don't provide details of the alleged incident.

Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Sunday that he couldn't provide any details because the investigation is considered active. He declined to say where in Minneapolis Liu was arrested or what Liu was accused of doing.

Minnesota law defines five degrees of criminal sexual misconduct, ranging from a gross misdemeanor to felonies, covering a broad array of conduct ranging from nonconsensual touching to violent assaults with injuries. The jail records for Liu don't indicate a degree.

JD.com, the main rival to Alibaba Group, said in a statement posted Sunday on the Chinese social media site Weibo that Liu was falsely accused while in the U.S. on a business trip, but that police investigators found no misconduct and that he would continue his journey as planned.

"We will take the necessary legal action against false reporting or rumors," the company said.

Liu recently tried to distance himself from a sexual assault allegations against a guest at a 2015 party at Liu's penthouse in Australia. Liu was not charged or accused of wrongdoing, but Australian media reported he tried unsuccessfully to get a court to prevent the release of his name in that case. The guest was convicted.

In June, Google said it would invest $550 million in JD.com. The investment reflected an effort by the U.S. tech company to expand its reach into Asian e-commerce.

JD.com is China's second-largest e-commerce company after Alibaba. Among its other investors is Chinese internet gaming and social media giant Tencent Holdings, the developer of the WeChat messenger app and a major rival of Alibaba, and U.S. retailer Walmart Inc.

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A select contingent of over 150 women police personnel from Madhya Pradesh prison police are being provided specialised training by the CISF in handling weapons and frisking of visitors, an official said on Sunday.

He said the women force, called 'jail prahari', have been sent to the central paramilitary forces' training centre in Barwaha (Khargone district) in Madhya Pradesh recently, apart from the about 2,600 more personnel from another unit of the state police and that of the Uttar Pradesh Police.

"Over 2,700 police personnel from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being trained by our master trainers at various centres across the country at present," CISF spokesperson Assistant Inspector General Hemendra Singh said.

He added that a contingent of 159 personnel of women jail police personnel are being trained as part of this task in various subjects of building/infrastructure security and weapon handling.

The about 1.81-lakh personnel strong Central Industrial Security Force is the tasked as the lead force to guard 60 civil airports in the country apart from strategic assets in the aerospace and nuclear domain. It works under the command of the Union Home Ministry.

The security training wing of the CISF for installation and industrial security is considered as the best in its domain in the country.

Another contingent of 622 personnel of the special armed force (SAF) of the MP Police and about 2,000 men of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) of the UP Police are also being trained at present, he said.

"Trainees will acquire skills in a wide array of subjects like minor and major laws, Police Act and rules, security, intelligence and surveillance fire prevention and fighting, human rights,VIP security, forensics and human behaviour as part of the about 6-month training that will be imparted to the constables from these forces," he said.

They are also being imparted strenuous training in handling of sophisticated weapons, combat drills and new physical training capsules, he said.

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Citing Congress' comprehensive win in the Punjab Assembly polls, former Union Minister Manish Tewari Sunday said the rights and interests of the party workers must be protected to ensure victory in the 2019 general elections.

The senior Congress leader and national spokesperson of the party asserted that the secular and progressive forces of the country should also unite to save "the idea of India."



"It is because of the hardwork of the party workers that had ensured a two-third victory for the Congress in Punjab in 2017," Tewari said on the sidelines of a workers meeting organised by the Punjab Congress General Secretary Gurmail Pahalwan.

"If party wants to repeat the feat it must ensure the rights and interests of (the) workers are protected and safeguarded," he added.

Congress wrested power from the SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab with an overwhelming majority in the 2017 state assembly polls.

Tewari congratulated the Congress workers for defeating the SAD-BJP in the state when the BJP had swept almost the entire country.

"I know you have great expectations from the government and these expectations are well deserved since you have faced the Akali-BJP onslaught for ten years and then ensured a sweeping victory for the party," he said.

"Now it is our turn to deliver on those promises and expectations," he added.

Replying to a question on the registration of a case by Haryana Police against former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and businessman Robert Vadra on Saturday in connection with alleged irregularities in a land deal in Gurgaon, Tewari said it was a case of political vendetta.

Besides, the BJP government was feeling the heat "as it has no defence against the multi-billion Rafale scam, by purchasing the fighter aircrafts for the price two times more than what had been negotiated by the Congress led UPA government".

The BJP government was only trying to divert the attention and it will never succeed in its design, he said.

The Congress leader also slammed the Akalis for criticising the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission which probed the sacrilege incidents of 2015 was not fair.

"The (Commission's) report has not been prepared by the Congress government or the party, but by an independent judicial commission. Who stops them (Akalis) to challenge the report on facts?," he asked.

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Delhi, Puducherry and Meghalaya have "consistently focussed" on health expenditure between 2001 and 2017, while states like Madhya Pradesh and Bihar "have not spent much" on health during that period, a research study by an industry body has claimed.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry has based its findings on a research analysis of the expenditure done by various states during two different periods -- 2001-2008 and 2009-2017.

"The health expenditure of Delhi as percentage of aggregate expenditure increased significantly to 9.6 per cent (average during 2009-2017) from 7.1 per cent (average during 2001-2008) with the improvement of 2.5 percentage points," according to the study.

The PHD Research Bureau released the analysis of the study on Saturday.

In July 2015, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had asserted that education and healthcare were Delhi government's topmost priority, and the expenditure in the two sectors was an investment.

"We consider the money being spent on education and health as an investment for the future," he had said.

The study by PHD also said that the expenditure on health in Puducherry as percentage of aggregate expenditure "increased significantly" to 7.8 per cent (average during 2009-2017) from 7.0 per cent (average during 2001-2008), with improvement of 0.8 percentage points, while the corresponding figures for Meghalaya were 6.2 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively.

Among the 31 states and Union Territories, expenditures by Gujarat, Telangana, Nagaland, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh were also analysed.

"However, the state of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana are not spending much on health expenditure and it is less than 4 per cent," it claimed.

"Haryana has increased its health expenditure to 3.5 per cent (average during 2009-2017) from 2.9 per cent (average during 2001-2008) with the improvement of 0.6 percentage points but less than 4 per cent," the study said.

Bihar has declined its health expenditure to 3.7 per cent (average during 2009-17) from 4.4 per cent (average during 2001-2008) with the decrease in 0.7 percentage points whereas Madhya Pradesh remains stagnant without any change in health expenditure, it said.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headquartered in Delhi and established in 1905, is a proactive and dynamic multi-state apex organisation working at the grass-root level with strong national and international linkages to industry and trade.

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A digital archive of 3,500 poems of Rabindranath Tagore was launched here in a private initiative with 15 recitations by the poet himself and the rest by 245 elocutionists.

Besides the recitals, 110 Rabindra Sangeets (Tagore songs) and 103 English recitations have also been included in the 'Rabindra Kobita Archive', said its maker Purnendu Bikash Sarkar, a physician by profession.

Sixty most popular poems of Tagore have also been put separately in a gallery - 'most popular poems', Sarkar, who collected and digitally compiled the poems during a research spanning over five years, told PTI.

Details like at what age the poem was written by Tagore and the place where it was penned - are also available in the archive.

"I found during research that apart from 150 popular poems by Tagore, others are not very much known. And the number of such poems is much higher than the known ones," he said hoping the digital initiative will now help the younger generation to know the lesser known works of the Nobel laureate.

Visva Bharati university Vice-chancellor Sabujkali Sen, present at the launch of the archive at Rabindra Sadan early this week, said "Purnendu Bikash Sarkar accomplished a task which ideally should have been done by the Visva Bharati university. It is undoubtedly a complete archive of Tagore poems and will guide future generations and initiate them with Tagore's works."



Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Toufique Hasan said the archive would enable 25 crore Bengalis, living across the world, hear both the known and not-so-well known works of Tagore.

Poet Sankha Ghosh said the archive was an important and unique initiative.

Sarkar said the archive, which also contains brief notes of 52 books of poem by Tagore, is compatible on Android and Mac.

The archive was available for download from an online App launched on August 28 or can be bought as DVDs.

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Discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or gender is unacceptable to any "nationalist" and this approach should be followed by everyone, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said Sunday.

Naidu, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairman, called for deciding upon a national policy on the need for the Upper House in state legislatures, and urged political parties to evolve a consensus on the code of conduct for their members both inside and outside legislatures.

He made the remarks during the launch of the book 'Moving on...Moving forward: A year in office'. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime ministers -- Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Rajya Sabha's Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma.

Noting that the last session was called the "Session for Social Justice", Naidu said it was important to consider and pass legislations that reflect collective commitment to social justice.

"In order to build a more inclusive society, there is a need to move towards ensuring proportional representation of all groups, especially those which have till now been under represented," he said.

There is a need to cleanse politics, strengthen parliamentary and governance institutions, give a big push to next level of reforms to harness the entrepreneurial and economic potential, harness the energies of young India, and ensure sustainable and remunerative agriculture, Naidu said.

He also called for upholding the rich traditions of cultural diversity and nationalism.

"Nationalism, according to me -- Bharat Mata ki Jai...it means 'Jai Ho' to all the 130 crore people irrespective of their caste, creed, sex or religion.

"Any discrimination on the basis of religion, any discrimination on the basis of caste, any discrimination on the basis of gender, is not acceptable to any nationalist. That sort of approach should be there among everyone of us. I hope we all move in that direction," Naidu said.

Talking about the issue of political defections, he said the anti-defection laws should be implemented in letter and spirit expeditiously, within three months.

"I know that this is absolutely feasible since I could dispose off the petitions that I received within this time frame," Naidu asserted.

In his remarks, the Rajya Sabha chairman urged all the political parties to evolve a code of conduct for MPs and MLAs both within and outside the Houses for effective functioning of legislatures to restore the confidence of the people in parliamentary institutions.

Voicing concern over the functioning of legislators in the country, he also urged parties to come together, transcending political considerations, on issues of national importance.

Naidu described the book launched Sunday as a report to the people on his mission and its outcomes during the year since he was sworn in as vice president on August 11 last year.

"While there is cause for a great deal of celebration in the way Indian economy is shaping up and how India's standing in the comity of nations has been steadily going up, I am a little unhappy that our Parliament is not functioning as it should," he said.

Naidu also said election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders should be decided quickly by special benches of higher courts.

He also urged political parties to consider issues concerning women dispassionately to ensure their safety and dignity. He called for ending discrimination against women on the basis of religion and other factors.

Naidu called for reservation for women in all spheres, including legislatures.

Stressing that agriculture is the basic culture of the country, the vice president said there was a need for a bias towards farmers in resource allocation to ensure remunerative farming and a robust food security.

During the last year, in 60 visits to different parts of the country, including all the seven northeastern states, Naidu said he interacted with the youth, farmers, and scientists, and made an effort to promote public discourse on four key issues of broader concern.

He said the four key issues were the huge untapped demographic dividend, an effective and enabling ecosystem for remunerative farming in the country, orienting scientific and research efforts to better the lives of the people, and enhancing public awareness about rich Indian heritage and inculcating national pride in "our pluralistic, inclusive, harmonious world view".

Naidu also asserted the benefits of reservation should reach everyone.

He also expressed his disappointment over the frequent disruptions in Rajya Sabha.

"I have not hesitated in recording in the book just now released, my disappointment over the functioning of Rajya Sabha during the first two sessions that I have presided over.

"But I have also referred to the new tidings during the recently concluded Monsoon Session raising hopes. So, there is a hope but we need to stay on course. My earnest endeavour has been to facilitate informed and dignified debates befitting the stature of this hallowed institution," he said.

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Mathhew McConaughey says he does not believe he has 'made it' in Hollywood.

The 48-year-old actor, who has hits such as "Dallas Buyers Club", "Interstellar" and "The Wolf of Wall Street", among others to his credit, said he does not take his successes and failures seriously.

"I don't believe that, 'Ah, I'm Matthew McConaughey. I'm 48, I've got a family, I've got a wife, I've got three kids, everyone's healthy right now, I've got a career, I've won an Oscar'. It's not like, 'Oh, I did it'," McConaughey told BW magazine.

"There's chapters of success and failures but there's not a spot where you get to take a deep breath and go - 'I've finally made it'. Then you become stagnant. That's not as fun," he added.

The actor, who shot to fame after featuring in 1993 hit "Dazed and Confused", went on to win a Best Actor Oscar for his performance as AIDS patient Ron Woodroof in "Dallas Buyers Club".

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Explosions rocked a Syrian military airport near the capital Damascus late Saturday, with an NGO saying it was a "possible Israeli missile" but state media blaming a technical issue at a munitions depot.

The military airport of Mazze, in the west suburbs of Damascus, was hit by a "possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions," the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdel Rahmane told AFP.

The airport houses Syrian Air Force intelligence, and in early 2017 the Syrian regime accused neighbouring Israel of bombing the base.

A Syrian military source said that "the Mazze airport was not the target of Israeli aggression," according to a Saturday report by the official Sana agency.

"The explosions heard were due to an explosion at a munitions deposit close to the airport which was due to an electrical short circuit," the source said.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.

Earlier this week, Israel reiterated its threat to hit Iranian military targets in Syria.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran's attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In July, Syria accused Israel of bombing a military post in the northern province of Aleppo, where the Observatory reported at least nine pro-regime fighters died.

More than seven years since the conflict began, regime forces have managed to retake entire regions from rebels and jihadists and now control nearly two-thirds of the country.

Syrian troops are supported military by their Russian and Iranian allies, as well as by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan militiamen.

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Five-time champion Roger Federer found a new way to amaze Saturday as he reached the US Open last 16 with a 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 victory over Nick Kyrgios.

The second-seeded Swiss withstood an early onslaught from the unpredictable Aussie, firing 51 winners that included an unlikely forehand flicked around the net post that Kyrgios couldn't believe.

"Definitely a bit of luck and good feet," Federer said of the shot that had Kyrgios wide-eyed at the net.

Federer had the luxury of a two-set lead when the duo's most entertaining exchanges thrilled the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

Things would have been much different if Kyrgios could have converted one of four break points in the seventh game of the opening set.

But Federer escaped, breaking Kyrgios to pocket the first set and dominating the second.

"He's an unbelievable frontrunner," Kyrgios said.

"When he gets in front, there's not much you can do."



Federer will be seeking a 13th appearance in the US Open quarter-finals when he plays Australian John Millman, who reached the last 16 of a major for the first time with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin.

If he makes it past Millman, Federer could find Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic waiting in the last eight.

Djokovic, winner of US Open titles in 2011 and 2015, extended his dominance over Richard Gasquet with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory in front of a rowdy night crowd on Ashe.

"It was the best match of the week so far without a doubt, and one of the best performances of the hardcourt season after Wimbledon," said Djokovic, who warmed up for Flushing Meadows by beating Federer in the Cincinnati Masters final.

Djokovic saved all five break points he faced to book a meeting with Joao Sousa of Portugal, a 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) winner over France's Lucas Pouille.

- Kerber can't get it done -



============================The third round was the end of the line for men's and women's fourth seeds from Germany -- Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber.

Kerber, the 2016 US Open winner tying to become the third woman in the last 20 years to win both Wimbledon and the US Open in the same season, was bundled out by Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Zverev, the 21-year-old sensation, who has lifted titles in Munich, Madrid and Washington this year and reached finals in Miami and Rome, fell 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to veteran compatriot Philippe Kohlschreiber.

It was another Grand Slam disappointment for Zverev, touted as the youngster most likely to end the major dominance of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Kohlschreiber will seek a quarter-final berth against 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori after the Japanese downed Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.

Kerber's defeat followed the early exits of world number one Simona Halep and No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki -- who were both also seeking a second Grand Slam title of the year.

Fifth seed Petra Kvitova was also ousted, the two-time Wimbledon champion falling 7-5, 6-1 to rising Belarussian star Aryna Sabalenka.

In all just three of the top 10 women made it through to the fourth round, although Kerber didn't blame a domino effect for her departure.

"I'm not looking around who was winning or who was losing," she said.

"You have sometimes days where you are trying everything, but it's not really working as you wish."



Cibulkova, the 29th seed, moves on to face 2017 finalist Madison Keys, who shook off a slow start to beat Serbian Aleksandra Krunic 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Sabalenka will play Japan's Naomi Osaka, who crushed Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-0, 6-0.

Sixth-seeded Caroline Garcia of France also departed, beaten 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) by Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, and Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova sprang a surprise, too, with a 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 7-6 (7/1) victory over 13th-seeded Belgian Kiki Bertens.

Suarez Navarro, seeded 30th, next faces 2006 champion Maria Sharapova, who defeated 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2.

Vondrousova, through to a Grand Slam third round for the first time, will play Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko, who defeated Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-0 after taking out Wozniacki in the second round.

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Feminism is not a cult which seeks supremacy or privilege, it rather demands acceptance from people with a patriarchal mindset - be it men or women, says Pakistani author Sana Munir.

The Lahore-based writer, who has come up with her book "Unfettered Wings: Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Women", believes one does not have to be a feminist to speak up.

"For speaking out against harassment, courage is often marred by lack of support from the immediate circle. In Pakistan, the re-emergence of feminism has taken some decades to happen," she told PTI in an interview.

Munir says that in the late 1940s to 1970s, educated women were prominent among political circles, the literati, the civil society and the education sector and at the spur of the 21st century, writers, politicians, non-governmental organisations and the civil society have all emerged with women in the top echelons.

"Feminism, to be clear, is not a cult of any kind. It does not look for supremacy or privilege. It demands acceptance from not just men, but also from women with a patriarchal mindset as well.

"Feminism is for respect, on a level-playing field for both genders. When a social equilibrium is maintained between the genders, there can be no room for injustice. That is not even utopian and would make us all feminists."



In the Rupa Publications' 213-page fiction, Munir captures vignettes of the everyday lives of Pakistani women, stretching from the barren dust bowl of Nushki, a small town in Balochistan, to the posh white marble bungalows and mansions of Lahore.

The 36-year-old, who is an active blogger and homemaker, shares that she is strongly averse to generalisations as they involve "very little objective information and too much subjective judgment" and the core word that she worked upon while compiling this book, was 'representation'.

"There are scores of women in Pakistan and India, who have a sound intellectual ground and they have earned respect for their intelligence. I have, through my stories, conveyed the fact, that women in their particular sociocultural set-up are strong individuals who can make the best of their situations. Knowing them is essential before making 'generalisations'," she says.

Munir stresses that if there are Pakistani women who stay veiled all their lives, there are also those who choose an independent life.

"Both contribute to the society. Both deserve acceptance, respect and justice. Both matter," she says.

Asked about patriarchy in Pakistan, she refers to the characters in her book to depict the picture as how "women with chauvinistic mindsets cause misogyny to grow in a society".

"When women don't support each other, it is useless to expect men to do so," says Munir.

She says it took her six months to pen the 10 stories in the book.

Asked how she maintains balance between work and family, Munir, a mother of three, says time management is the key.

"One needs to prioritise intelligently and keep aiming for the best performance. It has always worked for me."



"And dare I say, women are asked this question more than men," she quips.

On the stories in 'Unfettered Wings', she says the characters and their specific situations are fictional but the geographical settings are real and so are the issues discussed.

She says some stories have layers that deal with multiple demographical problems that a woman might face in her life, such as prejudice, harassment, divorce and/or honour killing.

"The very realistic representation of a woman character, sans glamour or sensation is what makes the reader connect with the fictional heroines.

"In addition, I feel, the human mind is a complex place where the conscious and subconscious compartments overlap each other," Munir says.

On what prompted her to pen these stories, she says, "In short, 'ethos'."



She quoted American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou to conclude, "I am a feminist. I have been a female for a long time now. It'd be stupid not to be on my own side.

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Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged his opposition Labour party Sunday to adopt the internationally agreed definition of anti-Semitism in order to resolve a bitter row that has engulfed the party for months.

The issue has opened up deep and bitter divisions within Britain's main opposition party.

And its current leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has come under prolonged attack for refusing to adopt fully the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism in Labour's new code of conduct. He has also been accused of allowing anti-Semitism to spread in the left-wing party.

The Labour leadership has argued that the definition, signed by 31 countries and used by many British institutions, does not allow for full criticism of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Ahead of a meeting of its ruling executive committee on Tuesday, Brown -- who was prime minister between June 2007 and May 2010 -- said the issue touched on "the soul of the Labour Party".

"This is a problem that is real and present and something that's got to be dealt with now," he told a Jewish Labour Movement conference.

"I want to say to you very clearly today that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is something we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately." His comments came as Jewish leaders continued to attack Corbyn over the controversy.

Former chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks said Sunday the majority of Jews were questioning whether Britain was a safe place to bring up their children. He insisted the Labour leader must "recant and repent" and that he risked engulfing the country "in the flames of hatred".

"Jews have been in Britain since 1656, I know of no other occasion in these 362 years when Jews... are asking 'is this country safe to bring up our children'," he told the BBC.

Arab members of the Israeli parliament meanwhile expressed "solidarity" with Corbyn, defending his position on the definition of anti-Semitism.

"When some try to force the Labour party into using as its litmus test a definition of anti-Semitism that goes far beyond anti-Jewish animus to include anti-Zionism, we must raise our voices and decry these efforts," members of the opposition Joint List wrote in a letter to the Guardian.

The Israeli Labour party had suspended its ties with Corbyn ealier this year over the UK leader's "hostility" to the Jewish community. Veteran Labour lawmaker Frank Field, who has sat in the House of Commons for almost 40 years, quit the party's group in parliament Thursday over the mounting anti-Semitism allegations.

In a letter to the party, he said that Corbyn's leadership was overseeing an "erosion of our core values".

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell defended the Labour leader Sunday, telling the BBC that critics had "got it wrong". "Jeremy has made it absolutely clear we will protect Jewish members of our party from any form of abuse and anti-Semitism," he said.

McDonnell predicted all sides would be "satisfied" with the proposals agreed Tuesday.

"It will be resolved, and there will be a balance about acceptance," he said.

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The Delhi Police said Sunday it has busted a gang of car thieves who used to steal high-end vehicles parked outside gyms and sell them in Mizoram.

The Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the police said it has arrested Amit (27), Pramod Nagar (35), Kashif Raza (32) and Kansam Rajesh Singh (43) and recovered stolen vehicles from their possession, they said.

Two others -- Saddam Hussain (32) and Sarik (47) are absconding, police said.

After Pramod, who was arrested first, his younger brother Amit, allegedly the gang leader, went into hiding, police said, adding that he was traced through the internet dongle he was using to communicate through Whatsapp with his family and friends.

On August 19, police received a tip-off that Amit, along with an associate, would come near Peera Garhi flyover on the Outer Ring road towards Janakpuri here and laid a trap for him.

Amit and an associate, Kashif Raza, were arrested and on their sustained interrogation they revealed their modus operandi. They said that they used to sell the stolen cars to Rajesh Singh in Mizoram who in turn sold them after forging registration documents, police said.

Singh was arrested from Aizawl and five cars stolen from Delhi were recovered from him. One stolen car each as recovered from Pramod and Amit when they were apprehended, it said.

According to police, their interrogation revealed that all six were part of a gang which was operating primarily from west Delhi and have stolen over 100 cars.

However, Amit was inspired by the notorious car thief 'Bunty chor' and wanted to steal expensive cars and live a luxurious life, police claimed.

It said that he was not satisfied with stealing small cars and noticed that the patrons left their car keys in a bowl at the reception desk in gym where it was left unattended.

Subsequently, he would drive away the vehicle and supply it to Saddam or Sarik, who in turn would sell it to Singh.

The cars with their original keys fetched a higher value as they did not have to be broken into nor their security systems disabled or replaced, which entailed additional costs, police said.

With the arrest of the four accused, police has claimed to have solved 34 cases of auto theft in the national capital.

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In a veiled jibe at the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that by calling for discipline these days, one can be branded an "autocrat", as he praised Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu for being a "disciplinarian".

After launching a book on the vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman's first year, Modi said Naidu always provides visionary leadership whenever he gets a responsibility.

"Venkaiah ji is a disciplinarian, and the country's situation is such that it has become easy to call discipline undemocratic. If one calls for some discipline, then that person is branded an autocrat... The whole dictionary is opened. But the discipline Venkaiah ji calls for, he himself follows it," Modi said.

Opposition parties were reportedly upset with Naidu for not allowing their parliamentarians to raise their issues of concern.

Referring to Naidu's punctuality and discipline, Modi said, "One has to be very alert while touring with Venkaiah ji. One, he never wears a watch, he does not keep a pen and does not keep money... He does not wear a watch, but he reaches for programmes on time. And if the programme does not get over in time, then he becomes uneasy. Discipline is in his nature."



The launch of the book 'Moving on...Moving forward: A year in office' was attended by Modi, former prime ministers -- Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Rajya Sabha's Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma, and a host of other ministers, MPs and senior officials.

Naidu, addressing the gathering, said discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or gender is unacceptable to any "nationalist" and this approach should be followed by everyone.

He also called for deciding a national policy on the need for the Upper House in state legislatures, and urged political parties to evolve a consensus on the code of conduct for their members - both inside and outside legislatures.

Modi described Naidu as a person "driven by a holistic vision aimed at improving the lot of common man".

He recalled that when former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was keen to offer to Naidu an important portfolio, he requested to be given the Rural Development Ministry.

Modi noted that the Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched by Naidu, became hugely popular among MPs, given the importance of rural roads.

Referring to Naidu's 50 years of public life, the prime minister said he has set high standards of discipline, commitment and passion to do justice to any responsibility given to him.

Former prime minister Singh said the four themes that Naidu explored during his extensive travels in the last one year could become the national agenda to be pursued.

"These include, untapped demographic dividend, an effective eco-system to ensure sustainable and remunerative agriculture, orienting scientific and research gains to improve quality of life of people, and enhancing public awareness about the country's rich cultural heritage and harmonious world view," he said.

Mahajan said the book on Naidu's first year in office was a chronicle of how a person from humble origins could rise to an exalted position and give effective leadership.

Gowda said running the legislatures these days had become a lot more complicated and Naidu was doing his best in running Rajya Sabha by protecting the interests of all sections of the House.

Recalling his 45-year association with Naidu, Jaitely said, "The unique feature of Shri Naidu is he is 24x7, 365 (days), without even a day's rest and is intensely committed to farmers. He is more guided by heart and so is emotional."



Modi said if the House functions normally, then nobody pays attention to who is sitting in the chair, but when the House does not run, then the focus is on the person who is in the chair.

If the House would have been run properly then the vice president's qualities would not have been manifested, he said.

Modi also lauded Naidu's oratorical skills, saying he has a way with words and is a wonderful speaker, in English or Telugu.

"It is commendable that M Venkaiah Naidu Ji has presented a report card of sorts about his first year in office, containing the rich work he has done both inside and outside Parliament," he said.

"His (Naidu) desire, that the House functions well, there is a debate inside the House, those things come out of the House that help the country, this dream, will come true with his constant efforts," Modi said.

The 245-page book brings out Naidu's "mission of engagement" on the four key issues with various stakeholders across the country and its alignment with the mission of a 'New India' in the making.

There is a need to cleanse politics, strengthen parliamentary and governance institutions, give a big push to next level of reforms to harness the entrepreneurial and economic potential, harness the energies of young India, and ensure sustainable and remunerative agriculture, Naidu said.

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Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday stressed on bettering Indo-Bangladesh relationship and said the two culturally bonded nations should take initiatives together for closer economic ties.

Addressing the inaugural session of an Indo-Bangla dialogue organized by Agartala Press Club here today, Deb said both India and Bangladesh are led by development-oriented governments.

Indias relationship with Bangladesh is civilisational and relation on political, cultural and economic fronts is going on for a long time. Both nations are developing. We might be different nations but India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, even Indonesia have more or less similar cultures. We are united by this similar culture, he said.

Md Iqbal Sobhan Choudhury, Media Advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Parliamentarian Obaidur Muktadir Choudhury, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Atiur Rahman, members of different chamber of commerce from Bangladesh and mediapersons from both countries participated in the event.

Feb said,Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman, who took the main role in giving birth to sovereign Bangladesh in 1971, was a good friend of India.

I feel proud of the legacy of February 21, which went on to form the Liberation War. Language activists protested against the decision of Pakistani rulers of imposing Urdu language in 1952 and Pak forces gunned them down in the streets of Dhaka, he added.

Appreciating the role of Sheikh Mujibs daughter and incumbent Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Deb said she has been leading Bangladesh with zero tolerance to corruption.

He said since the BJP formed the government in Tripura, he has tried to increase trade between Tripura and Bangladesh.

The path has smoothened a lot and many restrictions were relaxed. If goods come directly from Bangladesh to Agartala without the hassles of loading and unloading midway, price of commodities will come down, he said.

He said the ongoing Indo-Bangla connectivity projects including a bridge on River Feni in South Tripura, Agartala-Akhaura rail project can make Tripura a gateway to Northeast India since it is the only state which is just 66 km away from Chittagong port.

Feni bridge, which would connect Tripuras south district directly with Chittagong Port, is expected to be completed by December, 2019.

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President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday praised the Indian community in Cyprus for strengthening people-to-people relations between the two nations.

Addressing the Indian Community here, the president said, "India is proud of its diaspora and their achievements. They are true cultural ambassadors of India and will deepen our ties with Cyprus."



Kovind arrived in Cyprus on Sunday on the first leg of his three-nation visit to Europe to continue India's high-level engagements with European countries.

The president and his wife arrived at the Larnaca International Airport. They were received by Georgios Lakkotrypis, Cyprus' Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

"Happy to begin my visit to Cyprus, one of our closest and most steadfast partners in the international community. My delegation and I bring warm and friendly currents from the Indian Ocean to the waters of the Mediterranean. Looking forward to a productive visit," Kovind tweeted.

Apart from Cyprus, Kovind will also visit Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

This is his first overseas state visit in the second year of his presidency.

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The Indian Museum here has put for online display of some rare ornaments, including a bow ring studded with emerald of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan,its Director Rajesh Purohit said.

Six per cent of 14,383 objects in the arts section of the museum, one of the oldest and largest museums in south west Asia, have been on online display, Purohit told PTI.

Some archaeological and anthropological objects are also on display, he said.

The ornaments include an 18th century necklace with exquisite floral design of Myanmar, one 18th century musical instrument 'Mahakachhapi Vina', one 18th century crown of goddess Lakshmi studded with rubies, emeralds, turquoises, corals, pearls of Nepal and a goblet studded with emerald and gold and ruby belonging to the Mughal period, a museum official said.

In the archaeological section, 17 objects dating back to the 4th millennium BC to 7th century AD are on display. The art objects include pottery, earthen vase and female figures.

In the anthropology section, the New Guinea Mask of 1890 figures among the collections.

One relic casket of Goutam Buddha with inscriptions is also on display.

The online exhibition was launched on August 31.

"This will be an experience where you will be sitting at home with your mobile and see those artefacts often not seen by people because of security reasons and space constraints," the director said.

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A Pune court Sunday granted extension of the 90-day period for filing charge sheet against five persons arrested in June for alleged Maoist links.

The court of special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) judge KD Vadhane granted the extension sought by Pune Police, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaji Pawar, the investigating officer in the case.

"We approached the court, saying the investigation in the case is in progress and sought an extension of 90 days for filing the charge sheet," the officer said.

The Pune Police had moved the court Saturday for extension of the 90-day period for filing charge sheet against the five persons, citing fresh arrests in the case.

Police had arrested Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut in June while probing the alleged Maoist connection to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31 last year.

Inflammatory speeches at the event led to violence at Koregaon Bhima near Pune next day, police had alleged.

"The period of their judicial custody of 90 days is coming to an end on September 3. With the fresh five arrests in the case, probe is still going on," Pawar said.

On August 28, police arrested five more Left-wing activists: Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navalakha from different places in the country.

The Supreme Court had ordered that the five be kept under house arrest till September 6.

In ordinary cases, police have to file charge sheet within 90 days of arrest, otherwise the accused can get bail.

Under UAPA, which is invoked in the case, if the investigation is not completed within 90 days, the period for filing charge sheets can be extended up to 180 days, Pawar said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Yerawada Central Jail, where all the five activists arrested in June are lodged, had moved an application before the court in mid-July, seeking permission to shift all the accused to another prison citing "security reasons".

The court is likely to give its judgement on the application on September 6.

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"Manikarnika" producer Kamal Jain has rubbished reports that lead actor Kangana Ranaut has "hijacked" the project as a director, and says the reins to helm the historical drama were handed over to her because of her creative inputs.

Jain said additional shoot of the filmpreviously directed by Krishis presently underway at ND Studios at Karjat, here.

"After the last schedule was over, we saw the line up of the film. On seeing it, we decided that apart from the patchwork, we also needed a few additional scenes. Once the scenes were written, we approached Kangana for additional dates," Jain said in a statement.

"But Krish had moved on to his next project by then. Given how driven and creatively involved Kangana Ranaut has been on this project since its inception, we realised she would be the best person to take over the mantle. Hence, there is no hijacking of the project, whatever decisions are being taken are with the full support of the producer and the studio," he added.

The producer said the team is committed to release the film as scheduled on January 25 next with an "aggressive production schedule."



On August 31, after Sonu Sood announced his exit from the historical drama, Kangana had said that he decided to quit the project because she was directing the reshoots and patchwork.

In his response, Sonu said even though Kangana is a good friend, making the entire issue about male chauvinism is "ridiculous".

Throwing light on the matter with Sonu, Jain said, "While we managed to get matching dates from Danny Denzongpa, Jishu Sengupta, Ankita Lokhande and others, we got stuck on Sonu Sood's combination dates and continuity look as he has grown a beard for 'Simmba'. Hence, we had to let him go, Zeeshan Ayub now plays the character of Sadashiv."



Jain insists the shooting is going smoothly and Nick Powell had been called to designing some "mind-blowing action shots to complement what has already been shot earlier.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left Sunday for the US for medical treatment, sources said.

He left for treatment at Mayo Clinic and was expected to be back after three weeks, they said.

He was supposed to have left for the US tomorrow.

During his absence, Industries Minister E P Jayarajan would receive donations towards the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) at the Chief Minister's office here, a release said.

Vijayan, 73, had Saturday called on Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam and briefed him about his trip abroad for treatment.

The chief minister had also updated the governor about the steps initiated by the government for rebuilding Kerala and for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.

Vijayan was originally scheduled to go for treatment on August 19 and return by the middle of this month.

He postponed the trip due to the unexpected floods that ravaged the state and claimed more than 400 lives.

The chief minister had undergone a routine annual medical check up at Apollo Hospitals at Chennai on March 3.

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Days after the agitation at Manipur University was suspended following the intervention of the HRD ministry and the state government, Vice Chancellor AP Pandey, who is at the centre of the row, has issued a statement, banning two protesting bodies at the institute.

The vice chancellor, who was sent on leave on August 2, said in the statement Saturday that he has assumed charge and the HRD ministry, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu have been intimated about the development.

"The Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) are hereby being been banned with immediate effect as the Manipur University Act 2005 does not have provisions for existence of employees' bodies," Pandey said.

Academic activities resumed in the central university on August 24, a day after the Manipur University Students' Union, along with MUTA and MUSA, called off their 85-day long agitation, demanding immediate removal of Pandey over administrative and financial irregularities.

The protest was called off following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the representatives of HRD Ministry and the state government.

The agitators, in a symbolic gesture, unlocked the doors of the administrative block office and other departments of the university.

Earlier, in July, the HRD ministry had formed a fact-finding committee, headed by a retired chief justice of Meghalaya, to probe into the allegations against the vice chancellor.

Pandey, in his statement, said it was inevitable to curb the activities of both MUTA and MUSA to bring "order and discipline" in the university.

"Disciplinary actions will be initiated against any employee of the university involved in the activities of both the bodies," he added.

Pandey's statement triggered resentment among the university community.

Debananda Singh, a spokesperson of MUTA, told media Sunday that Pandey's resumption of duty will "disturb normalcy on the campus".

He sought the intervention of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the HRD ministry on the issue.

In a joint communiqu, the protesting bodies threatened to resume their agitation if the "competent authorities do not take appropriate action on or before September 4".

The agitators claimed that orders issued by Pandey were "null and void" as the probe into the allegations leveled against him was still pending.

They also expressed disappointment over the fact that the HRD ministry-appointed committee has not arrived at the university yet to carry out their investigations.

I Tomba, the president of MUTA, said the protesters will not allow Pandey to enter the university campus.

"Our demand for removal of Pandey remains steadfast and any attempt to suppress it will not be tolerated. The order issued by Pandey is an insult to the university community," he added.

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Doctors and scientists increasingly suspect attacks with unconventional microwave weapons as the cause of the mysterious ailments that have stricken more than three dozen American diplomats and their families in Cuba and China, The New York Times reported Sunday.

The victims reported hearing intense high-pitched sounds in their hotel rooms or homes followed by symptoms that included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems and hearing loss.

A medical team that examined 21 of those affected in Cuba did not mention microwave weapons as a cause in a study published in March in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

But its lead author, Douglas Smith, the director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Times that microwave weapons are now considered a main suspect and that the team is increasingly sure the diplomats suffered brain injury.

"Everybody was relatively skeptical at first," he was quoted as saying, "and everyone now agrees there's something there." Neither the State Department nor the FBI has publicly pointed to microwave weapons as the culprit, and the Times said there were many unanswered questions as to who might have carried out the attacks and why.

After holding Cuba responsible for either carrying out the attacks or failing to protect American officials, the US in September 2017 recalled more than half of its staff from the embassy and expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from Washington.

Cuba has firmly denied any role in, or knowledge of, the incidents. In June 2018, the State Department announced it had sent home US government personnel from China after they reported eerily similar incidents.

According to the Times, an American scientist, Allan Frey, first discovered in 1960 that the brain can perceive microwaves as sound.

His discovery opened a new field of research that ultimately led both the United States and the Soviet Union to explore microwaves' potential use in unconventional weapons.

The Russians dubbed the class of envisioned weapons as psychophysical or psychotronic, according to the Times.

It said the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned in 1976 that Soviet research on microwaves showed potential for "disrupting the behaviour patterns of military or diplomatic personnel."



A National Security Agency statement obtained by Washington lawyer Mark Zaid on behalf of a client described how a foreign power built a weapon "designed to bathe a target's living quarters in microwaves, causing numerous physical effects, including a damaged nervous system," the Times said.

The US military also researched weapons applications of microwaves, with the air force winning a patent on an invention shown to beam comprehensible speech into an adversary's head, according to the Times.

Navy researchers explored the use of the Frey effect to induce sounds powerful enough to cause painful discomfort, and even immobilize the subject, it said.

The Times said it is not known if Washington deploys such weapons.

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Students in suburban areas of Mumbai will now be able to receive certificates at their doorsteps.

The Mumbai Suburban District collectorate has tied up with the India Post for delivery of various certificates issued by government authorities within two days, an official said Sunday.

Mumbai Suburban District belongs to the Konkan division of Maharashtra, having its headquarters at Bandra, a suburb of the city. The administrative limits of the district are from Mahim Causeway to Dahisar, Kurla to Mulund and Kurla to Trombay.

The decision to tie-up with the India Post for speedy delivery of these documents is aimed at easing the hardships of people, specially students and senior citizens, Mumbai Suburban district Collector Sachin Kurve told PTI.

"At the start of the academic year, there is a huge rush of students to obtain various certificates, like of caste, non-creamy layer, and proofs of age, nationality, domicile and income. This puts tremendous pressure on the administrative system," Kurve told PTI.

"To ease the pressure, the Mumbai Suburban District collectorate has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Post department for doorstep delivery of certificates within 48 hours," he said.

Another unique feature added to certificates is the insertion of the applicant's photograph to check malpractices and curb the role of middlemen, the collector said.

In order to ease the pressure, the suburban district collectorate had organised 22 mega camps in June this year in Borivali, Andheri and Kurla areas of the district, which evoked good response from members of the public, he said.

"Over 2,000 applicants (students) were handed over relevant certificates for admission purposes," he said.

Separate mega camps were organised by the collectorate for elderly people as well, he added.

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A 38-year-old Navy officer



has been arrested here on charges of raping a woman, police said Sunday.

The woman's father had lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that the Navy officer raped his daughter after making a false promise to marry her.

Murali Kumar, a chief petty officer of Navy in Mumbai, was arrested and remanded in judicial custody yesterday, police said.

He has also been charged under the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.

The victim in her early 20's alleged that Kumar raped her when she had gone to meet him at a hotel here last week.

He had allegedly invited her to the hotel room, police said.

The incident came to light when the woman was admitted to a private hospital near here, police said.

Kumar, a two-time Mr Asia title holder and eight-time Mr India title winner, allegedly befriended the woman through social media.

Police said they would file a report with naval authorities on the incident.

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A Nigerian national was arrested for allegedly peddling drugs, while eight people from Africa were arrested for staying illegally in India, the police said today.

Acting on a tip off, the hideouts of the Africans was traced following which a police team raided a multi-storey building in Qutub Vihar in Goyala Dairy on Friday, said police.

During the search, the wanted Nigerian national, Ugochukwv John (28), was apprehended from his flat in Qutub Vihar and 100 grams of heroin, worth Rs 20 lakh in the international market, was seized from his possession.

Subsequently, a case was registered and the accused was arrested, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajith Shingla said.

On raiding other flats in the same building, some more African people were found staying there.

On verification, eight Africans, including two women, were found staying in India illegally without any valid visa or passport. Subsequently, they were also arrested, the senior officer said.

The accused were identified as Ibrahim Bakayoka (27), Anselem Chibuko (27), Everistus (37), Anthony (31), Anayo (27), Emmanuel (35), Joy (23) and Mimi (23), police said.

The proceedings for their deportation to native country have been initiated, he added.

John disclosed to police that he had come to India in October 2012 on a business visa for six months and did not return back to Nigeria after his visa expired, the officer said.

During this period, John visited Delhi, Goa, Mumbai and Chennai multiple times and started a garment business. He started exporting garments to Nigeria from Chennai and Mumbai. But his business was not making profit. So, he began supplying drugs to make easy money, Shingla said.

Soon, he developed a good interstate network spanning across the northern states of India, he added.

The accused Africans have revealed that they had come to India on business and student visas and did not return to their native countries after their visas expired and continued to stay in India illegally, the senior officer said.

Raids are being conducted to nab other members of illegal drugs syndicate. Proceedings for deportation of illegally staying Africans were in progress and action against the owner of the property will be initiated for abetting the crime and not getting proper tenant verification, the officer added.

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Abhishek Bachchan reveals filmmaker Aditya Chopra thought of making a sequel to the hit "Bunty Aur Babli" back in 2005 but he dropped the idea as there was no script at that time.

Recently there were reports that the sequel was in the works but Abhishek said no one has approached him for it.

Calling "Bunty Aur Babli" a special film, the actor told PTI, "Soon after the release of the film in 2005, Aditya Chopra, the producer of the film, was very keen that we do a sequel but he did not have a story at that point of a time.

"Would he want to make a sequel? At that point of time, he did. If Adi finds a story that is worthy and he wants us to do it, he will let us know. As of now I can't say anything."



The film directed by Shaad Ali was about two small-town misfits, played by Abhishek and Rani Mukherji, who run away from their homes to make their mark in the world and end up as fraudsters.

There have also been rumours about Abhishek will be part of "Dhoom 4" that will reportedly have Shah Rukh Khan as the antagonist this time. The action franchise has seen different villains - John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and most recently, Aamir Khan - in every installment.

"Till Adi doesn't tell me I would not believe any of the rumours," Abhishek added.

The 42-year-old actor is excited to reunite with actor wife Aishwarya Rai after a gap of 10 years for "Gulab Jamun".

"'Gulab Jamun' is a script that both Aishwarya and I agreed to do. We are looking forward to it. But we are still figuring out when to do it," he said.

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Yemen's warring parties will not meet directly at UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva this week, likely to focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of a key port, government officials said Sunday.

The United Nations has invited Yemen's government and the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to Geneva for talks which open Thursday.

Both parties have confirmed they are sending high-level delegations to the talks, but officials say expectations of a breakthrough are low.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths has said the talks are aimed at charting a path forward to revive UN-backed negotiations which broke down in 2016. The Yemeni government says the meetings will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of embattled Hodeida, the rebel-held port city that is now the frontline of the Yemen war.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani told AFP the meetings "will not be face-to-face and depend on how well the UN envoy manages the two sides".

"The consultations will be indirect, unless there is some progress that can be made directly," said Abdullah al-Olaimi, head of Yemen's presidential office and a member of the Geneva delegation.

Yemen's government has openly said it has low expectations for the talks, blaming the Huthis for refusing to make concessions. "Our expectations are limited to the possibility of progress in the question of prisoners and detainees," Yamani said.

"I think this is the chance to succeed in securing the release of prisoners, and I believe the other party is also willing and ready." The United States, a major ally of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday said it "fully supported" Griffiths' efforts.

"It is imperative that all parties work toward a comprehensive political solution to avoid further harm to the Yemeni people," said state department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

The UN has set a low bar for the talks -- the first since 106 days of negotiations in Kuwait failed to yield an agreement between the government and rebels in 2016.

"The aim of this first round of consultations is to better understand how committed both parties are to the framework for formal negotiations... and to come to some conclusions about how those negotiations may start," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

In July, the Yemeni government demanded the release of all prisoners held by the Huthis as a condition for the start of peace talks. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government source said the delegation would demand the release of 5,000 prisoners while the rebels were hoping for the liberation of 3,000 of their fighters.

Rights group Amnesty International in July said it feared violations in a string of Yemeni prisons could amount to war crimes.

The prisons, according to Amnesty, are run by the UAE, the Yemeni government's most powerful partner on the ground. The UAE has denied involvement in any prisons in Yemen.

The Geneva talks will also look at the economy in Yemen, long the Arab world's most impoverished country.

In 2014, the Iran-backed Huthis overran the capital, driving out the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and setting up a parallel government in Sanaa.

The rebels, however, have been unable to pay the salaries of many civil servants for months, according to reports from the capital.

Yamani said the government could step in to help pay the overdue salaries, a move likely aimed at strengthening the state's grip on the national economy and boosting its standing in rebel-held areas.

The foreign minister accused the Huthis of failing to turn in their revenues, which he estimated at 45 billion riyals (USD 113 million), to help bolster Yemen's economy.

Backed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, Hadi's government has battled the Huthis for more than three years in what is widely seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran.

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition in June launched a major offensive to capture Hodeida from the Huthi rebels, sparking fears of a fresh humanitarian crisis.

Hodeida is home to Yemen's most valuable port on the Red Sea. The port, controlled by the rebels, is under blockade by the Saudi-led coalition, which has allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance in recent weeks.

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Norwegian police on Sunday said they were investigating the disappearance of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's associate Arjen Kamphuis, a cyber security expert, who was last seen in northern Norway.

"We have started an investigation," police spokesman Tommy Bech told AFP, adding that so far they had no clue about the Dutch citizen's whereabouts. The police "would not speculate about what may have happened to him," Bech said.

WikiLeaks tweeted on Saturday about Kamphuis's "strange disappearance", saying he had been missing since August 20 when he left his hotel in the northern Norwegian town of Bodo.

It added that Kamphuis had a ticket for a flight departing on August 22 from Trondheim, a city located more than 700 kilometres (435 miles) south of Bodo.

"The train between the two takes (approximately) 10 hours," suggesting he disappeared either in Bodo, Trondheim or on the train, WikiLeaks said, triggering numerous conspiracy theories on Twitter.

Assange has been holed up at Ecuador's embassy in London since 2012 when he was granted political asylum as he feared extradition to the United States to face trial over WikiLeaks' publication of secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Patidar leader Hardik Patel unveiled his "will" Sunday, the ninth day of his indefinite fast demanding reservation for the community and farm loan waiver.

The quota leader has divided his property among his parents, a sister, 14 youths killed during the quota agitation in 2015 and a' Panjrapole' (shelter for ill and old cows) near his village, a Patidar leader said.

"Hardik Patel has expressed his wish to donate his eyes in case of his death," Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) spokesperson Manoj Panara told reporters at Hardik's residence near Ahmedabad where he has been observing fast since August 25.

While leaders and representatives from various political parties, including the Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, have visited the 25-year-old quota spearhead in the last nine days, the BJP government has so far not intervened.

Among the delegates who visited Hardik Patel today included former Bihar chief minister and Hindustani Awami Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi and Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Paresh Dhanani of the Congress.

"Hardik Patel's health is deteriorating. He has not eaten food in the last nine days. He didn't drink water in the last 36 hours," Panara claimed.

He said Hardik Patel has prepared his will while "considering the doctor's advise regarding his deteriorating health".

"As per the will, Hardik has Rs 50,000 in his bank account, of which Rs 20,000 will go to his parents and the rest to a Panjrapole near his native village in Gujarat.

"Royalty from the book on his life 'Who Took My Job', which is currently under publication, as well as insurance money and the money collected after selling a car owned by him will be divided among his parents, his sister and the family members of the 14 Patidars who sacrificed their life during the agitation three years ago," Panara claimed.

He said 15 per cent of the total money will go to Hardik Patel's parents, another 15 per cent to his sister, and rest 70 per cent to the family members of the 14 Patidars.

A doctor from a government hospital who visited Hardik Patel today said he has advised the quota leader to get admitted to the hospital considering his health.

"We have advised him to be admitted to the hospital. His urine and blood pressure is normal, but Hardik has refused blood and urine tests," the doctor said.

Meanwhile, Manjhi told reporters that the government was not "sensitive" towards Hardik Patel's demand for reservation to members of the Patidar community.

"If the government was sensitive, it would have amended the Constitution to increase the reservation from 49.5 per cent to 70-80 per cent. It is there in some states. In Tamil Nadu, quota percentage is around 70 per cent, then why not here?" he asked.

Dhanani said the state government should listen to the protesters sensitively and address the issues concerning farmers in the state.

"The BJP government is trying to suppress and crush the voice of people with baton. The protesters are trying to bring up the issues of the farmers and weaker sections, but the government is instead trying to crush the protest," Dhanani alleged.

He alleged that while Hardik is trying to raise the issues of farmers, the state government has converted 18,000 villages into "fortresses" to prevent his supporters from reaching the venue of Hardik's fast.

"The government should adopt a positive stand and listen to what the protesters have to say," Dhanani said.

Meanwhile, some supporters of Hardik Patel alleged that they were baton-charged by the police when they approached his residence to meet him.

Hardik Patel had launched his hunger strike on the third anniversary of his mega pro-quota rally in Ahmedabad that had turned violent.

He is demanding a loan waiver for farmers and quota for Patidars in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Class category.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The direct purchase centres (DPCs) for procurement of paddy in Tamil Nadu, usually shut during this month for maintenance work, will remain open in view of fall in the crop's price in the market, state Food Minister R Kamaraj said Sunday.

Instructions had been issued to officials to ensure that the DPCs procured paddy from the farmers without any break, he told reporters here.

He said that accepting an appeal by farmers, Chief Minister K Palaniswami had instructed that the DPCs should function continuously.

"The practice is to shut centres every year in the month of September for maintenance. But this year, there is a need to keep it open because the price of paddy has seen a decrease in the market," Kamaraj said.

Direct purchase centres are opened every year, generally throughout the state, especially in the Cauvery delta districts, to directly procure paddy from farmers.

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Rebel BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini Sunday hit out at various political parties accusing them of using OBCs, backward classes, poor and farmers as "vote bank", but dumping them after coming to power.

The MP from Kurukshetra, who Friday announced his new political party 'Loktantra Suraksha Party' and formally launched it here on Sunday, claimed that there was no improvement in the condition of backward classes, OBCs, poor and farmers in the country despite different parties promising to work for their welfare.

"Over the last seven decades, the OBCs, backward classes, the poor and farmers have been used as vote bank by various parties. Now the time has come to stand up and ensure that they get justice," he said addressing the 'Loktantra Bachao' (save democracy) rally here.

He said the country needed to get rid of " of hypocrisy".

Known for his strong anti-Jat stand, Saini reiterated that he was not against reservation for any community and was in favour of taking all sections along.

Saini, who has been projecting himself as a prominent OBC leader targeted the Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"People gave 12 chances to Congress during different elections over the years, but they betrayed their trust and discriminated against them each time they came to power," he said.

Accusing the INLD and Congress of promoting nepotism, he went on to criticise the BJP for "appeasing" Jats and "kneeling" before them during the quota stir two years ago.

The backward classes had voted for the BJP in the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, but the party failed to address their issues, he claimed.

He also referred to the violence during the February 2016 Jat quota agitation in Haryana that left 30 persons dead, alleging that shops and commercial establishments of a particular community were singled out in the mayhem.

Hitting out at former chief ministers Bansi Lal, O P Chautala and B S Hooda, who came from the predominant Jat community, Saini accused them of promoting "favouritism and regional bias".

Asking people to strengthen his new outfit, Saini said: "I am not here for any CM or PM's post... This is not my fight, but together we have to work to bring a change in the political course where infringement of rights of socially marginalised will not be allowed.

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The Pentagon has sought Congressional determination to reprogram USD 300 million of its Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan because of the latter's "lack of" decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy.

"Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining USD 300M (actually USD323.6 million to include non-Pakistan funds) was reprogrammed by DoD in the June/July 2018 time frame for other urgent priorities before the funds expire on September 30, 2018," Pentagon Spokesman Kon Faulkner told PTI.

With this, the Department of Defence (DoD) has reprogrammed USD 800 million CSF destined for Pakistan.

This is because US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has refused to give the necessary certification to the Congress that Pakistan has taken strong steps against terrorist groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"This is not a new decision or a new announcement," Faulkner told PTI in response to a question.

"In 2018, the DoD Appropriations Act, published on March 23, 2018, you can find the verbiage detailing USD 500M was rescinded by Congress upon the 2018 DoD Appropriations Act's passage (page 161), which is all public, he said.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and LET in the region, Faulkner said.

The Department of Defence is awaiting congressional determination on whether this reprogramming request will be approved or denied.

Pentagon will have a congressional response before September 30, to allow it to implement the reprogramming actions, he said.

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Opposition SAD on Sunday dubbed AAP leader H S Phoolka's 15-day ultimatum to the Punjab government to arrest former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal for police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan a "political gimmick".

Phoolka gave the ultimatum to cabinet ministers Sukhjinder Randhawa, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Charanjit Singh Channi, Manpreet Singh Badal and Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa on Saturday, asking them to get a case of murder registered against Badal and retired DGP Sumedh Singh Saini.

He vowed to resign if the Congress-led government failed to book the duo.

In a statement, the Shiromani Akali Dal said Phoolka's warning was a "political gimmick to derive political mileage out of troubled waters of Punjab."



The party also demanded that the license of the Aam Aadmi Party leader, who is also a lawyer, should be revoked.

"Phoolka is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court and his license should be revoked by the Bar Council of India immediately for making unconstitutional and illegal demand to register cases on the basis of a fabricated, concocted tailor-made report prepared at behest of the Congress party..," SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said in the statement.

He said the state government "cannot register any case against Mr Badal on the basis of (Justice) Ranjit Singh Commission report which is a bundle of conjectures, assumptions and far-fetched deductions (and) which are unlikely to stand legal scrutiny for a day."



Justice (retd) Ranjit Singh Commission was set up by the Congress government in April 2017 to investigate the various incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts.

It dealt with incidents at village Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, Bargari and firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in 2015.

Cheema alleged that Phoolka and the Aam Aadmi Party "worked hand in glove with the ruling Congress to defame Mr Badal..."



According to the report, Badal, the then chief minister of Punjab, and Saini were "aware" of the proposed police action to disperse the protesters at Kotkapura in Faridkot by using force.

It held that the police opened fire in Behbal Kalan, in which two people were killed, "without any warning and without taking permission from civil authorities".

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A man who was prosecuted in 20 criminal cases, including that of rape and murder, has moved the Delhi High Court challenging certain provisions of law which limit the time period to file a case against police officials for committing an offence under the garb of discharging duty.

Agreeing to examine the 65-year-old man's plea, who spent over six years in jail fighting the cases against him, the high court issued notice to the Centre and Delhi government, and sought their responses within six weeks.

A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and A K Chawla listed the matter for further hearing on November 16.

Prempal Singh, a mason by profession, said 20 FIRs were registered against him for various offences, including murder, rape, drugs and arms, and under the stringent Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act between 1991 and 2007.

Of these 20 cases, he was convicted in five. Besides him, 13 cases were lodged against his son and one against his wife, and both of them had to spend some time behind bars.

Advocate Wills Mathews, who filed the plea on behalf of Singh, said due to financial constraints none of the three family members could file an appeal and they were branded as known criminals of Delhi resulting in isolation from the society.

Singh has challenged Section 140 of the Delhi Police Act which limits three months as the time period for filing a case against police officials who have allegedly committed offences under the garb of discharging their duty.

The plea stated that Singh and his family got some relief when a trial court in 2004 acquitted him in the rape case, observing that he was framed in the case and tortured by police, converting him into a living corpse.

The high court in 2010 had directed that the man be given a compensation of over Rs five lakh and had told the police commissioner to send a written apology to him and his family members, it claimed.

According to the plea, the police chief was also asked to withdraw pending cases against the man, if no merit is found, following which the last two cases against him were withdrawn.

In March 2011, the man and his family members filed a suit seeking damages of nearly Rs 55 lakh, which was dismissed by the trial court citing section 140 of the Delhi Police (DP) Act.

In his fresh plea before the high court, Singh has challenged the validity of the provision of the DP Act which states that a prosecution or suit shall not be entertained and if entertained shall be dismissed in case it was instituted more than three months after the act complained of.

The plea said the provision was violative of fundamental rights and it was oppressive and ultra vires of the Constitution.

It claimed the man's life was disturbed by police. He lost more than 15 years of his life in contesting cases in which he was falsely implicated and suffered physical, mental and social harassment.

The plea stated it was the state's duty to compensate the petitioners for the loss, including litigation expenses.

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The Supreme Court has considered a fresh plea of a Muslim woman seeking to declare as unconstitutional the setting up of Sharia courts to decide marriage, divorce and other cases.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked petitioner Zikra to file an application to intervene as a party in a batch of pleas challenging the practice of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims.

The apex court, which had last year banned the age-old practice of instant 'triple talaq' among Sunni Muslims, had on March 26 decided to refer to a five-judge Constitution bench a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of polygamy and 'nikah halala'.

Polygamy allows a Muslim man to have four wives. Under 'nikah halala', a man cannot remarry his former wife unless she marries another man, consummates the marriage, gets a divorce and observes a period of separation period called 'iddat'.

Zikra, a 21-year-old resident of Uttar Pradesh and a mother of two, was represented by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay.

She has demanded that triple talaq be declared "cruelty" under Section 498A and 'nikah halala, nikah mutah and nikah-misyar' rape under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.

"Polygamy is an offence under Section 494 of the IPC," her plea read.

Muslim personal laws of India permit the practice of nikah halala and polygamy.

In her petition, Zikra narrated her experience of facing "triple talaq, nikah halala and other laws and practices".

The woman was divorced twice and forced to undergo 'niakh halala' to remarry her husband.

"Declare that establishing a Sharia court to decide cases related to marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, succession and/or other similar matters is illegal and unconstitutional," Zikra said in the plea.

The Muslim Personal Law, like all other personal laws, is subject to the rigours of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and "any part of it contravening the fundamental rights would, to that extent, is void and ineffective", she said.

"Nikah halala, nikah mutah, nikah misyar and polygamy definitely run counter to public order, morality and health," the plea read.

It said these laws must "yield to the basic right of women to live with dignity, under equal protection of laws, without any discrimination on the basis of gender or religion".

Earlier, the top court had said the petitions challenged the prevalent practices of polygamy and 'nikah halala' and they would be heard by the Constitution bench.

The Centre recently made it clear that it would oppose in the Supreme Court the practice of 'nikah halala' when the top court would examine its legal validity in the coming days.

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Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Sunday charged the previous government with lack of vision for development that "stalled" the state's growth.

She alleged the Congress only did and "never" focused on development.

We keep development and separate but what Congress did? Congress only did in the name of the development during their rule, Raje said at a public meeting in Baytoo in Barmer district, as part of her 'Rajasthan Gaurav yatra'.

The chief minister said despite the previous regime leaving a huge financial burden, her government managed to push development amidst challenges.

Any work can be done with a strong will power and this is how the (BJP)government has carried out development not only in Baytoo or Barmer but in the entire Rajasthan, she said.

The Chief Minister also called upon the people of the state to set aside their differences and get united.

On the Barmer oil refinery project, she said it will push development in the region and generate employment for the local youths.

On Congress seeking to know why she was taking out the 'Gaurav Yatra', the chief minister said "the works which could not be done by the Congress government in 50 years were done by the BJP government" and she felt "proud" going to the public with the report card of her government.

..They (the previous government) just gave slogan of removing poverty but instead of removing poverty of the poor, they removed their own poverty, she said.

Raje also highlighted her government's schemes and programmes on the occasion.

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09:39

Former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee has hailed the Chief Justice of India's office's decision to propose the name of Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the next head of the judiciary of the country.





The CJI's office recommended Justice Gogoi's name on Saturday.





"He is the senior most judge after Justice Dipak Misra. So, he should take charge. I don't see any problem in that. There is nothing that will disqualify him from being the next Chief Justice. He is a very far-sighted judge. He keeps an open mind. He is a very fair judge. He is not at all bothered about what the government would feel. He is independent and that's what we want - independent, intelligent and courageous. That's what we want the Chief Justice of India to be and that's what Ranjan Gogoi is," Sorabjee told ANI.





Senior advocate KTS Tulsi also called it "great news."





"Firstly, it strengthens the judiciary. The convention is being followed. If it had not happened, it would have been a serious problem for not only the judiciary, but the state. I am glad that it is being done. Also, Justice Gogoi is one of the most outstanding judges that you could come across. He is an intuitive judge. He makes up his mind in a matter of seconds. But, he is always open to changing his view if you are able to convince him. He is a brilliant judge in all fields," Tulsi told ANI.





If appointed, Justice Gogoi, who is the second senior-most judge in the court, will be the 46th Chief Justice of India and will replace the incumbent Dipak Misra, who will retire on October 2 this year.





As per protocol, the sitting CJI has to name his successor, after which clearance has to be sought from the Centre and then the President of the country.





It may be noted that Justice Gogoi, along with the other Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, revolted against CJI Misra, following which the apex court was thrown into its biggest ever crisis.





Born in 1954, Justice Gogoi was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Guwahati high court on February 28, 2001, and was elevated as a Supreme Court Judge on April 23, 2012. -- ANI
President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to three state bills, including a legislation which will smoothen the process of reconstructing dilapidated buildings or a complex of buildings in land-starved Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Apartment Ownership (Amendment) Bill, the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill, 2017 have got the presidential nod, a home ministry official said.

The Maharashtra Apartment Ownership (Amendment) Bill will facilitate reconstruction of old and dilapidated buildings, especially in Mumbai, by allowing "majority consent of the owners instead of unanimous consent".

There are hundreds of buildings in Mumbai which could not be redeveloped as not all the flat owners have given their consent, leading to fear of building collapse and other problems.

According to the new legislation, the consent of 51 per cent of the residents will be required for reconstruction or repair of old and dilapidated buildings, the official said.

The Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill, 2017 seek to amend the Agricultural Land Ceiling Act, enacted in 1960.

The purpose of these legislations is to ensure that land surrounded by factories, but unsuitable for farming and lying unused can be given to the industries which are keen on expanding operations.

A provision in the 2017 bill allow the allotment of land to such industries, which will be required to make available equivalent quantum of land in lieu of land given to them by the government.

The old Agricultural Land Ceiling Act, 1960 restricted a person from owning agricultural land beyond a certain limit, and it also empowered the government to acquire surplus land from such owners.

The key purpose of Act was to bring parity, as the government could allot such land acquired from influential people to those who did not have agricultural land.

The first bill was proposed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat. The then UPA government at the Centre had rejected and returned it to the state.

The opposition Congress in Gujarat had also opposed it in 2015, saying the amendments to the bill defeated the purpose of the original Act of 1960.

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An investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against an Indian national employed in the UN agency for gender equality and women empowerment has been completed and steps have been taken to initiate "appropriate action" against him.

While the Office of Audit and Investigation of UNDP did not identify the Indian national, sexual misconduct allegations were levelled last month against Ravi Karkara, Senior Advisor on Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy to the Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director at UN Women.

UN Women, in a statement dated August 24, said its Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has "taken immediate steps to initiate appropriate action.

"She is committed to ensuring that UN Women focuses on a survivor-centred approach in concluding this matter as quickly as possible," the statement said.

It added that the Executive Director appointed earlier this year Purna Sen as Executive Coordinator on Sexual Harassment to engage with survivors so that they are supported in a range of areas.

"While accountability is indispensable, UN Women stands ready to support victims through counselling, psychosocial support and legal assistance," the UN Women statement said.

Sen had told PTI earlier that zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse must be strictly followed and practiced and that those who show the courage to speak out against abuses should not feel judged.

She also added that the UN agency wants to change the dynamics and culture in which men and women feel that their position of seniority and authority entitles them sexually to other more junior staff, interns and young people.

The UN Women statement did not give details about the nature of "appropriate action" being taken.

According to the agency's legal policy, several disciplinary and non-disciplinary proceedings such as written censure, loss of one or more steps in grade, dismissal or administrative leave can be imposed on the individual depending on the nature and gravity of the misconduct in which the staff member has engaged.

Karkara was under investigation for sexual misconduct after at least eight men had accused him of using his prestige and position to sexually harass them, five sources with knowledge of the investigation had told Newsweek.

A UN spokesperson had also confirmed to PTI last month that the individual under investigation was Karkara. As reports of the allegations against Karkara surfaced early last month, a UN Women spokesperson had said the agency "cannot confirm nor deny the subject's name" and it cannot comment on any specifics of the case, as that could harm the investigation and disciplinary process.

UN Women had said it aimed to be as transparent as possible while ensuring that the integrity of the investigative, and disciplinary process, if any, is safeguarded.

UN Women had said back in December 2017 that it received allegations of sexual misconduct involving one of its staff members, again not naming Karkara. According to Newsweek, Steve Lee, a 25-year-old policy activist, who has addressed the United Nations and was a member of the Major Group for Children and Youth, is among the men accusing Karkara of misconduct.

Lee said he first met Karkara in 2009 when he was a 16-year-old delegate for UNICEF. In 2016, Lee said Karkara invited him to join a policy working group he co-chaired. Lee alleges that Karkara asked him "inappropriate sexual questions", and during one instance Karkara grabbed Lee by his genitals through his pants, according to the Newsweek report.

"He does this with a lot of young men, and I don't really think it's sexual favors he's looking for," Lee said in the report.

"He enjoys the fact that he's at a position of such high authority that he can do this and they can't really do anything about it."



The Newsweek article added that two of Karkara's former subordinates said this was a common occurrence where Karkara followed minute developments in young staffers' social media profiles, demanding credit and gratitude, snapping at them if he was not invited to an event, thanked on a program, mentioned in an article or named to a panel. He would grab their phone or device and log in to their email, social media or internet search histories, Lee said.

According to his profile, Karkara has worked with UN Women, UNICEF, Save the Children among others.

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The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Sunday claimed that the state had suffered a huge loss due to the NDA government's Rafale deal.

Had the contract been done as per arrangements made during the UPA government, public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would have played a major role, PCC president Niranjan Patnaik alleged.

The Rafale jet fighter deal caused a loss of over Rs 42,000 crore to the country, PCC president Niranjan Patnaik alleged at Chitrakonda in the tribal dominated Malkangiri district.

The Congress has repeatedly alleged a "scam" in the purchase of Rafale fighter jets claiming the cost per aircraft in 2012 during the UPA regime was agreed at Rs 526.10 crore while the one signed by the Modi government costs Euro 7.5 billion (Rs 1,670.70 crore per aircraft).

At that time the aircraft would have been manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, a PSU, but now the defence offset contract went to a private company with zero experience of manufacturing fighter aircrafts, the party claimed.

As many as 108 aircraft would have been manufactured in India by HAL and around 1,20,000 people of the country would have got employment opportunities, Patnaik claimed.

Referring to the HAL unit at Sunabeda in Odisha, he said around 40,000 people in the state would have been benefited with job opportunities.

The PCC chief also came down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha and alleged that there were financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 74 crore in construction of Gurupriya bridge over Janbai river in the Maoist-hit zone of Malkangiri district.

Huge funds were misappropriated by changing the initial project design and conditions of tender, he claimed and alleged that the state government is embroiled in many such irregularities in which huge amounts were swindled.

The Congress leader said the bridge connecting the cut-off areas with the rest of the state was planned long ago when the Congress was in government in the state, but the project was delayed due to naxal problem.

He said the entire credit for successful completion of the bridge which was inaugurated by the chief minister in July this year goes to the security forces.

Both BJP and the ruling BJD rejected the allegations levelled by Niranjan Patnaik.

Odisha BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said the Congress was indulging in spreading false campaign in an attempt to derive political gain.

He said the union Finance Minister has recently given a clear picture about the Rafale deal which showed that the Congress was trying to mislead people on the issue.

BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra denied the allegation about irregularities in Gurupriya bridge project.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal Sunday claimed the Narendra Modi government did not have answers in the Rafale fighter jet deal and his party would wait for getting the necessary documents before moving court on the matter.

The Congress has been relentlessly attacking the NDA government over its deal with Dassault Aviation to buy 36 fighter aircraft, with the opposition party claiming the cost per aircraft was about three times higher when compared to the one inked by the previous UPA government.

"The Rafale deal is a big scam to which the Modi government does not have any answer. This deal was struck overlooking the provisions of the Aircraft Procurement Policy.

"The External Affairs and Defence ministries were not taken into consideration before inking the deal," Sibal told reporters here.

Asked why the Congress was not moving court despite having renowned lawyers like himself and former Union minister P Chidambaram, Sibal said, "We won't move the court until we get necessary documents in the case."



Explaining his party's objection to the deal, Sibal said the Congress-led UPA government had struck a deal in 2012 to buy the aircraft at Rs 560 crore each.

He claimed the Modi government junked this deal and inked a new one in 2016 in which the price of each of the French-built aircraft rose to Rs 1,600 crore.

"We are not seeking information on the technology used to manufacture the aircraft. We just want to know on what basis the NDA government inked the deal to buy the aircraft at three times its 2012 cost," Sibal said.

Sibal, reiterating Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's demand, sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into Rafale deal.

Asked whether the BJP was hitting back at the Congress by raking up the Bofors deal of the 1980s, Sibal dubbed such leaders from the ruling party as "big liars".

"Has anything happened in Bofors deal yet? The court has acquitted the people. But we will see how these people come out clean of the Rafale deal accusations after 2019," Sibal said.

To a query on the FIR registered against Robert Vadra, the brother in law of party chief Rahul Gandhi, and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, over alleged irregularities in a land deal in Gurugram, Sibal said, "We already knew that as the countdown to the 2019 general polls begins, such cases (against us) would rise.

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The mortal remains of Rifleman Shive Kumar, killed in an encounter with terrorists in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, were consigned to flames with full military honours at his native village in Kishtwar district Sunday.

The mortal remains of the martyred soldier were brought to his native village Kurur-Palmar in Kishtwar in a helicopter on Sunday. His last rites were carried out with full military honours, a defence spokesman said.

Kumar, 32, of 31 Rashtriya Rifles (commando) had sustained bullet injuries during the fierce operation in Bandipora's Danna forests.

He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital but he succumbed to injuries, an official said.

Three militants were killed in the gun battle.

Military and civil officials paid their homage to the slain soldier by laying wreaths. A wreath was also laid on the behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, the spokesman said.

A large number of people gathered on the site to pay their respects to the departed soul.

Kumar is survived by wife and three children -- two daughters and a son.

He had joined the Army in 2005.

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Veteran actor William H Macy says he stands by Emmy Rossum's decision to quit "Shameless" after its upcoming season nine.

The 68-year-old actor said the team had been expecting Rossum to exit the show for some time now.

"We've been expecting it. I tell you, when you get to season nine and you think of (whether) to keep going, it's daunting. It's hard not to think of: 'What would my life be post-Shameless?' And part of it is very frightening and part of it is very exciting," Macy told EW.

"She's young and I think she's made the right choice. She's got another show that she's an executive producer on, so she's going right into something and she wants to branch out. Plus, she just got married," the actor said in reference to Rossum's husband, Sam Esmail.

Macy said he wishes her well and "can't wait to see what she's going to do next".

In December 2016, it was reported that Rossum had successfully lobbied for a higher salary per episode than Macy.

She contented that she had more screen time and thus longer hours on set, and was even supported by Macy in her campaign.

Rossum, 31, who plays Fiona Gallagher in the show, announced her exit Friday in an emotional Facebook post.

"I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told. I will always be rooting for my family. Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block," she wrote.

The ninth season of "Shameless" will premiere on Showtime in September next year.

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Mohammed Siraj produced career-best figures of 8 for 59 as India A dismissed Australia A for 243 despite a fine hundred from Usman Khawaja.

The Hyderabad pacer triggered a dramatic collapse with four wickets in a spell, after Australia A lost their first wicket on 78.

Among his prize wickets were Test players like rival skipper Mitchell Marsh (0) and Khawaja even as four Australia A batsmen could were out in singhle digits.

Apart from Marsh, Chris Tremain and Brendan Doggett went back to the pavilion without scoring while Peter Handscomb and Michael Neser made golden ducks.

The other wicket-taker for India A was Kuldeep Yadav, who picked up two wickets for 63 runs.

Opening the batting, Khawaja scored 127 runs off 228 balls with 20 boundaries, before he was the last batsman out after giving a catch to wicketkeeper Kona Bharat off Siraj.

Khawaja sketched a 114-run fifth wicket partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 60 in 105 balls with 11 boundaries.

Kurtis Patterson was the only other batsman to make more than 15 runs.

India A, in reply are 41 for no loss at stumps, trailing Australia A by 202 runs.

Opener Mayank Agarwal and Ravikumar Samarth are batting on 31 and 10, respectively.

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and discussed the prevailing security situation in the state.

Sitharaman met the Governor at Rajbhawan here and the two discussed issues related to security along the Line of Control and hinterland of the state, officials said.

Earlier, the defence minister, accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, visited a forward post in north Kashmir this morning, the officials said.

They said Sitharaman visited Balbir Post where she interacted with the troops of 28 Infantry Division. She is the first defence minister to visit the Balbir post, the officials added.

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday reviewed the security situation in Kashmir during a visit to the valley, and army officials briefed her on the operational preparedness and counter-infiltration grid.

Sitharaman was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on her visit, army officials said.

The defence minister visited the forward areas in the frontier district of Kupwara. She was briefed by the commanders on ground on the operational preparedness and counter-infiltration grid, they said.

During her interaction with the troops, the defence minister lauded their round the clock sharp vigil along the Line of Control and professionalism.

She also asked them to remain alert for any eventuality to defeat nefarious designs of hostile forces, the officials said.

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Former president Pranab Mukherjee said Sunday that the 'Smartgram' initiatives were aimed to transform villages into happy, harmonious and hi-tech places, by connecting the villagers with the initiative.

These villages have been adopted by the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation.

The foundation named after the former president that will initiate, support and execute projects aimed at improving the quality of life of people, was launched earlier this year in Delhi.

The 'Smartgram' initiative was inaugurated for five villages of Haryana -- Tajnagar, Dhaula, Alipur, Harchandpur and Rojka Meo by Mukherjee, who was then the President, on July 2, 2016.

"They are aimed to transform villages into happy, harmonious and hi-tech villages, by connecting the villagers with the initiative," Mukherjee said while addressing people of Harchandpur, Alipur and Nayagaon villages in this district.

On May 1 last year, it was approved that the initiative be extended to 100 villages in the vicinity of the initially-selected five villages of Haryana.

Mukherjee, along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday, inaugurated Harchandpur 'Smartgram Gramalaya' building, Smartgram Partner Processing Centre at village Harchandpur, Training and Innovation Warehouse at village Alipur and 'Water ATM' at village Nayagaon and laid the foundation stone of 'Nayagaon Happiness Square' at Nayagaon village, in Gurgaon.

On the occasion, Mukherjee and Khattar also honoured the new entrepreneurs of these villages by giving them appreciation letter.

Mukherjee also launched the "Selfie with Daughter" trophy at Alipur village and released booklet of "Laado-Rights" at Nayagon village.

The former president said that the aim of the 'Pranab Mukherjee Foundation' is to give pace to the development of villages by connecting its people, and in this, the support of various government departments, NGOs and corporate companies are also involved.

Speaking on the occasion, Khattar said that India resides in villages and our culture is identified through them.

He said that even during the tenure of his presidency, he gave special emphasis on rural development.

For this, the Smart Village Initiative was launched in five villages of Haryana on July 2, 2016.

The chief minister said that in the last four years, many unique schemes were launched for rural development in Haryana which included Sansad Gram Yojana and Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana.

He said that the Adarsh Gram Yojana was launched for connecting well-to-do families with their villages to carry out development works. Under this scheme, more than 50 villages have been adopted by them.

Managing Director, the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation, Omita Paul said that 100 villages have been adopted by foundation, out of which 64 villages are working in the field of education.

Union Minister of State for Planning and Gurgaon MP, Rao Inderjit Singh and Haryana Public Works Minister, Rao Narbir Singh also spoke on the occasion.

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Budget carrier SpiceJet has appointed Travel ETS Avia as its general sales agent (GSA) in Israel.

GSA is a sales representative for an airline, responsible for selling all products including tickets and cargo services in a specific country or region where the airline does not operate.

At present, government-run Air India is the only domestic carrier which flies to Israel with four-times a week services to Tel Aviv from New Delhi.

SpiceJet, which is the second largest budget carrier after IndiGo, forged the partnership with Travel ETS Avia last month, according to a source.

"Travel ETS Avia has been appointed as the main sales agent of SpiceJet in Israel," the source said.

When contacted, SpiceJet spokesperson did not comment on the developments.

The new development will open an attractive avenue for tourists and businessmen visiting India from Israel, according to the source.

Travel ETS Avia is a part of the Israel-based family- owned consortium Ophir Tours, which is largely into MICE (meeting, incentives, conference and exhibitions) segment of the tourism industry.

SpiceJet operates more than 400 daily flights to 55 destinations, 47 of them in the country and seven international, with a fleet of 36 Boeing 737s and 22 Bombardier Q-400s.

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In a cryptic tweet, screenwriter Apurva Asrani took a sly dig at Kangana Ranaut Saturday for "hijacking a film" and described it as "the worst form of hara-kiri".

Without taking any name, Apurva's tweet alluded to the controversy surrounding historical drama "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi", which saw Sonu Sood exiting the project.

"A star hijacking a film and running down the hard work of crew member/s is the worst form of hara-kiri there is. When affected filmmakers cannot control this and instead put on a facade of a 'dignified silence', they allow a monstrous ego to go on a rampage and eventually kill the film," the "Aligarh" writer wrote.

On Friday, after Sonu announced his departure from the film, Kangana had said that he decided to quit the project because she was directing the reshoots and patchwork.

In his response, the actor said even though Kangana is a good friend, making the entire issue about male chauvinism is "ridiculous".

"The gender of the director is not the issue, competence is," he said of his decision to quit the film.

Last year, Apurva had alleged that Kangana, who has been credited as additional dialogue and story writer in her last release "Simran", tried to discredit his work in public by saying that she developed the story with director Hansal Mehta from a one-line script.

The actor, however, dismissed the claims.

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Miscreants threw stones on the vehicle carrying Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is touring the state ahead of assembly polls, in Churhat area near Sidhi district, a police official said.

Chouhan was not hurt in the incident, Churhat Police Inspector Ram Babu Choudhari told PTI over phone.

He did not give any more information, saying he was busy discharging his duties at a public meeting of the chief minister in the district.

Stones were hurled at Chouhan's vehicle in Churhat area which is the assembly constituency of Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh, Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal said.

Churhat is about 25 km from the district headquarters.

Later addressing a public meeting in the district as part of his Jan Ashirwad Yatra, Chouhan dared Singh to come in the open and fight with him.

"Ajay Singh, if you have strength come in open and fight with me," he said.

"I am physically weak but I won't be bogged down by your deeds. People of the state are with me," he added.

In a press release, Singh said no Congressman was involved in the stone-pelting incident. He said his party does not follow the culture of violence.

"I suspect that it was a well thought and hatched conspiracy aimed at defaming me and people of Churhat," he added.

Chouhan is touring the state in a bus modified as a chariot.

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As internal divisions over Brexit plague Britain's ruling Conservative Party, a recent surge in membership has left some fearing the new recruits have ulterior motives.

The Tories have seen thousands of new members apply to join its ranks this summer, according to lawmakers and reports.

But this newfound popularity has not been welcomed by all within the centre-right bastion of British

"There clearly is a movement of people joining the Conservative Party but for exactly what purpose it's impossible to say," Dominic Grieve, a pro-European MP, told AFP.

In his constituency in southeast England it has grown by around 100 people to 1,200 members in recent months -- alongside his suspicions.

"I'm sure there's a deselection agenda by some members of my association towards me," he added.

"The Conservative Party's always been a broad church and tolerant of difference.

But I'm afraid at the moment we're going through a political crisis which is reducing tolerance."



MPs who back remaining in the European Union -- so-called Remainers -- suspect hardcore Brexit supporters from the right-wing UK Independence Party (UKIP) are joining the Tories to remake its leadership.

Their concerns stem from businessman Arron Banks, the single largest bankroller in the 2016 EU referendum campaign, calling for the roughly 90,000 members of his Leave.

EU group and its 1.4 million social media followers to join the Conservatives.

He admits wanting to ensure the party's next leader -- and therefore prime minister -- is a hardliner if Theresa May is ousted amid fierce opposition to her plans for a post-Brexit "common rulebook" with the EU.

Under Conservative rules new members are able to vote in leadership contests within three months of joining.

"The best way to secure Brexit and our country's future is via the Conservative Party," Banks wrote in last week's Sunday Times, noting "it is in government and, for now, calls the shots.

"A grassroots rebellion in the Tory party is possible. In the right conditions a new leader can be swept to power, and sanity can prevail. Our aim is to unite the right," he added.

Conservatives last month rejected Banks' own bid to join, reportedly judging he would likely bring them into disrepute.

"He is not a Conservative and he supports a rival political party," pro-Remain MP Anna Soubry said in welcoming the move.

She urged Tory Chairman Brandon Lewis "to show the courage and determination to stop the extremist infiltration".

Brexiteer lawmakers disagreed and said they welcome the converts, noting Banks was a member as recently as 2013.

Conservative Party headquarters declined to comment on Banks or provide new member numbers.

A party source said: "We have been driving up membership steadily through a recruitment drive." Insiders added the spike was anticipated due to a new centralised membership system and nationwide campaign managers working to recruit.

Lawmakers like Grieve and Soubry cannot see the national picture, they said.

George Evans, 64, of Wirral in northwest England, is among the new members from UKIP but insisted he is a lifelong Tory voter and "far from being a subversive negative influence".

He briefly left the party "to put pressure on them" to hold the 2016 referendum, and rejoined in August to influence Brexit "if there is a leadership challenge".

Evans said the growing campaign for a second referendum spurred his decision as much as Banks.

"My vision of Brexit is being lost to a Remainer PM (prime minister), Remainer cabinet and majority-Remainer Parliament," he told AFP.

Tim Bale, professor at Queen Mary University of London, said a spike in ardent Brexiteers joining the Conservatives was "almost inevitable".

"If it is being coordinated in some way then that will help the process along," he added, noting its sign-up criteria is "pretty loose".

Bale said the Tories are just the latest British political party targeted by energised activists in recent years, following membership surges for Labour and the SNP in Scotland.

And its impact could be limited. He estimated Conservative membership may have risen up to 140,000, while UKIP peaked in 2015 with a mere 40,000 members.

"It still couldn't constitute a UKIP takeover," Bale said of the recent crossovers.

But Grieve believes the party must "protect itself" from the Banks-led "pure entryism" -- infiltration of a party by rivals to subvert policy.

"If you leave the centre ground you are most unlikely to win," he said.

The former attorney general conceded the party is relatively powerless to prevent entryism, invoking a wartime British mantra for worried Tory centrists: "Keep calm and carry on.

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Senior Congress leader Rameshwar Dudi on Sunday asked farmers to take a pledge to vote the BJP out of power in the upcoming Rajasthan assembly election.

He said the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government had betrayed farmers by not waiving their loans.

"Farmers are committing suicides as they are being suppressed by the government," Dudi, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan assembly, said.

The Congress leader while addressing farmers at his residence here urged them not to vote for the BJP in the assembly election due later this year.

"The government should listen to the voices of farmers and make the announcement of the entire loan waiver in the monsoon session of the assembly which is beginning on September 5," Dudi said.

Several Congress leaders, including former chief minister Jagannath Pahadia, former union ministers Namonarain Meena and Mahadev Singh Khandela, former PCC presidents BD Kalla and Dr Chandrabhan, were present on the occasion.

Dudi also launched a pamphlet on the "failure" of the government on farmers' issues.

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Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Sunday called for deciding a national policy on the need for Upper House in state legislatures.

He also urged political parties to evolve a consensus on the code of conduct for their members both inside and outside legislatures.

He made the remarks during the launch of the book 'Moving on...Moving forward: A year in office' on his first year as vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma.

Naidu broadly suggested five reforms to improve the functioning of Parliament and state legislatures.

"In my view, political parties must evolve a consensus on the code of conduct for their members both inside the legislature and out of it. Otherwise, people might soon lose faith in our political processes and institutions," he said.

Talking about political defections, he said the anti-defection laws should be implemented in letter and spirit expeditiously, within three months.

"I know that this is absolutely feasible, since I could dispose off the petitions that I received within this timeframe," Naidu asserted.

The election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders need to be disposed off within a reasonable timeframe by constituting, if required, special benches of high courts and the Supreme court, he said.

"It is time that we consider and decide upon a national policy on the need for Upper House in state legislatures," Naidu said.

Some Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar have bicameral legislatures, while other states have unicameral legislative set up.

All efforts should be geared towards creation of a cleaner polity and a transparent people-centred governance, the vice president said.

Noting that the last session was called the "Session for Social Justice", Naidu said it was important to consider and pass legislations that reflect collective commitment to social justice.

"In order to build a more inclusive society, there is a need to move towards ensuring proportional representation of all groups, especially those which have till now been under represented," he said.

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A 14-year-old girl studying in a government-run school for tribals near here in Maharashtra has died, prompting questions by an NGO over the circumstances of her death.

While the NGO, Shramjeevi Sanghatana, said the girl died due to malnutrition, a government official said her medical report was awaited.

The girl was a student of Class 8 at the government- run ashram school for tribals in Wada taluka of this district located adjoining Mumbai.

The girl was initially taken to the rural hospital at Wada Saturday after she complained of uneasiness and fever, Palghar civil surgeon Kanchan Wanere told PTI.

Wanere said the teenager, who was anaemic, died of health complications, including convulsion, while being taken to the Thane district civil hospital for further treatment.

However, the Shramjeevi Sanghatana, which works in tribal areas of the state, claimed it was a malnutrition- related death.

In a statement issued Sunday, Shramjeevi Sanghatana chief Vivek Pandit said the girl's hemoglobin had dropped drastically and said her death was caused by malnutrition.

Asked about the NGO's claim, the civil surgeon said a detailed medical report of the girl is awaited.

Pandit said the girl's death shows the government's apathy towards tribals.

He said the girl was down with fever for the last three days, but she was not provided proper medical care by school authorities.

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Two retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from Chhattisgarh have joined the Congress ahead of the state Assembly elections slated for later this year.

While former IAS officer and the states ex-Chief Information Commissioner Serjius Minj joined the Congress Sunday, former bureaucrat RPS Tyagi was inducted Saturday.

They were inducted into the party in the presence of AICC Chhattisgarh in charge P L Punia, state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel and other leaders.

"Congress party leaders, particularly from my area Kunkuri (in tribal-dominated Jashpur district of the state), have been requesting me from the past one year to join," Minj said.

"I had been doing public service earlier and it is just an extension of that in a different form," he added.

"I believe in the ideology of the Congress which respects the multi-lingual, multi-culture, multi-caste and multi-religious framework of the country and works for the development of all," Minj said.

He is likely to contest the upcoming Assembly polls from Kunkuri though Minj added that a decision on it would be taken by the Congress high command.

Minj, a 1978 batch IAS officer, retired as additional chief secretary in 2011 and was then appointed Chief Information Commissioner of the State Information Commission, a post he held till 2016.

Tyagi, an officer who was inducted into the IAS in 2001, had joined the Congress Saturday.

Following his retirement in 2015, Tyagi was appointed as secretary of the State Administrative Reforms Commission and had resigned from the post in May this year.

Tyagi, a native of Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar who now lives in Korba in Chhattisgarh, had earlier served as district collector of Dhamtari, Korba and Janjgir Champa.

"As a bureaucrat, I have done social welfare but there were certain limitations. I believe a political platform is very essential do it on a wider scale," he said.

Recently, 2005 batch IAS officer O P Choudhary had quit government service and joined the ruling BJP.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday inaugurated a 5-star luxury tourist cruise Alaknanda at the Khidkiya ghat here.

The double storey air-conditioned cruise will ferry passengers across the 84 ghats of the temple city. At present, the ferry will cover a distance of 10 km between Assi ghat and Raj ghat and the service will be extended till Allahabad later.

Adityanath took a 30-minute ride on the cruise and also addressed a gathering at the Domri village, the fourth village adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Adityanath praised Modi for ensuring "rapid development" in the country as well as his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

He credited the PM for "working tirelessly" for the upliftment of poor, Dalits and farmers in addition to the empowerment of women.

Highlighting the achievements of the NDA government, the chief minister emphasised that electrification of all the villages across the country was completed in a time bound manner which shows the sincerity and efficiency in the functioning of the union government.

He also listed the Mudra scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat among others as major achievements of the NDA government.

He then appealed to the people to promote the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and asked them to construct toilets in their homes.

Earlier in the day, the UP CM also launched a mobile app dedicated to NRIs visiting the city on the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas' to be held from January 21 to 23, 2019 in which Modi is expected to take part.

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The has decided to cancel USD 300 million in aid to over its failure to take decisive actions against groups, the Pentagon said on Saturday, a fresh blow to the deteriorating ties between the two nations.

The move, which needs to be approved by the US Congress, is part of a broader suspension of aid announced in January.

US President Donald Trump since assuming office has been tough on over its inaction against terror groups. Trump in August last year unveiled his new South Asia policy and asked to do more against such groups.

The US in January this year suspended more than USD 1.15 billion security assistance to Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring terror groups like the Afghan and the Haqqani Network within its borders and showing unwillingness to take "decisive actions" against them, a move that affected bilateral ties.

Pentagon has now sought Congressional determination to reprogramme USD 300 million of its Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan "due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy", Pentagon Spokesman Kone Faulkner told PTI.

He said the would aim to spend the money on other "urgent priorities" before the funds expire on September 30, 2018.

With the latest move, the Department of Defence (DoD) has reprogrammed USD 800 million CSF destined for Pakistan as US Defence Secretary did not give the necessary certification to that the country has taken strong steps against terrorist groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

"This is not a new decision or a new announcement," Faulkner told PTI in response to a question.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and LeT in the region," Faulkner said, adding that the USD 300 million aid - which had earlier been suspended - should be used elsewhere.

Pentagon will have a congressional response before September 30, to allow it to implement the reprogramming actions, he said.

The announcement comes just four days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Pakistan to meet Pakistan's new leadership, including new prime minister

The issue of combatting terrorism is expected to be raised by Pompeo during his talks here with Khan this week.

A row erupted between the two nations following a telephone call by Pompeo to Khan on August 23, as Islamabad took exception to the American version of the conversation that the issue of terrorism was discussed during the call.

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US officials working on a Middle East peace plan have asked Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas about forming a confederation with Jordan, Abbas told activists Sunday, according to one of them.

Abbas recounted the conversation he had with White House aides Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt during a meeting with Israeli peace activists in Ramallah, said Hagit Ofran of the Peace Now NGO, who attended.

According to Ofran, Abbas said he told the US officials he would only be interested if Israel was also part of such a confederation.

It was not clear when the conversation took place, though Abbas has declined to meet with the White House since US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December.

Abbas's office confirmed Sunday's meeting with the peace activists, but not the comments on the confederation.

Israeli media also reported Abbas's comments on the confederation proposal. Ofran said Abbas did not go into further detail.

A Palestinian-Jordan confederation has been favoured by some on the Israeli right as a way to avoid granting full state status to the Palestinians for now.

In such an arrangement, Israel could also avoid taking responsibility for the some 3.5 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Abbas's response was essentially a way of torpedoing the proposal since Israel would likely not agree to join such an arrangement, Ofran told AFP.

"He did say that Kushner and Greenblatt came to him and asked 'would you agree to a confederation with Jordan'," Ofran said, stressing she was paraphrasing his remarks.

"And he said, 'I will agree to a confederation with Jordan and with Israel only.'" Abbas meets occasionally with Israeli peace activists and left-wing politicians.

Sunday's meeting included members of Peace Now and other organisations, as well as two Israeli parliament members.

Palestinian leaders see US President Donald Trump's administration as blatantly biased in favour of Israel.

In addition to the Jerusalem recognition, Washington last week announced it was ending funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

The previous week, it announced it was cancelling more than USD 200 million in bilateral aid to the Palestinians. Trump has pledged to unveil a plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace, saying he wanted to reach the "ultimate deal".

His son-in-law Kushner has been among those working on the plan.

Ofran said Abbas also spoke of the right of return for Palestinian refugees during Sunday's meeting, long a major issue in peace efforts.

She said Abbas told the meeting that he would not push for a solution for refugees that would "destroy Israel," but for a compromise that could be agreed upon.

More than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.

They and their descendants are now classified as refugees and Palestinian leaders continue to call for at least some of them to be allowed to return to their former homes now inside Israel.

Israel says Palestinians must give up the so-called right of return.

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Pakistan claimed Sunday that the USD 300 million aid the Pentagon has decided to scrap was not a military aid as the US owed this money to Islamabad for its support in the war on terror and was supposed to reimburse it.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the matter would be taken up during Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's upcoming visit to the country.

The USD 300 million is neither aid nor assistance it is the money Pakistan spent from its resources against militants and in the war against terrorism. This is the money they (US) are supposed to reimburse, but now either they are not willing or unable to pay back, he was quoted as saying by the BBC Urdu.

He said the US in principle should pay back the money to Pakistan because it was spent for a common objective to defeat militancy and create peace and stability.

The Pentagon has announced that the US will cancel USD 300 million in military aid to Pakistan over its failure to take "decisive actions" to support President Donald Trump's new South Asia policy and act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The announcement comes just days before Pompeo is due to visit Pakistan to meet the country's new prime minister Imran Khan. The US and others have long complained that Pakistan provides safe haven to militant networks, allowing them to carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon's move, which needs to be approved by the US Congress, is part of a broader suspension of aid announced in January.

To a question about options for Pakistan to get the stopped funds, Qureshi said Pakistan will talk to the US because the money was already spent by Pakistan.

If they don't want to reimburse for future spending, it may be different thing. But morally and in principle, they should reimburse what we spent in the past, he said.

He said Pakistan welcomes the forthcoming visit of Pompeo on September 5 as it will help to understand each other's point of view.

There are two sides of a picture. They (US) are showing only one side of it; we will show the other side, he said.

He added that there is a trust deficit between Pakistan and the US but the government wants to improve the ties and build trust between the two countries.

US President Donald Trump since assuming office has been tough on Pakistan over its inaction against terror groups, saying Washington has got "nothing but lies & deceit" in return for millions of dollars in aid over the years.

Trump in August last year unveiled his new South Asia policy and asked Pakistan to do more against such groups.

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Oscar-nominated actor Demian Bichir may be fronting a major Hollywood horror film "The Nun", but the actor says he does not like being scared in real life and has predictably stayed away from other films in the "Conjuring" universe.

Bichir plays a priest, Father Burke, in the '50s-set film. He and Taissa Farmiga's novitiate Sister Irene are tasked by the Vatican to investigate a mysterious death at an abbey in Romania and encounter something that puts them on a path of extreme danger.

"I have not seen any of the films. I am not a big fan of horror films. I don't like to be scared so that's the only reason I have not watched it," Bichir told PTI in a telephonic interview from the US.

"I wanted to make this one because making a film is way more different than watching it. I guess it was a way of exploring my inner demons and fears," he added.

"The Nun", set to be released in India on September 7 by Warner Bros, explores the beginning of the inhuman spirit, also known as Valak, that appeared in "The Conjuring 2", the second film in the horror franchise made popular by James Wan.

Corin Hardy is directing the new film, while Wan and Peter Safran are attached as producers.

Bichir, who will also be seen in "The Grudge" reboot, said it is not that he is particularly averse to the horror genre. He said, both "The Nun" and "The Grudge", are well-written stories and that was the main reason for him to come on board.

"It is all about the script. I don't have anything against any genre. They both had powerful scripts and while there is always a distance between what is written and what appears on screen, I am hopeful that it will match in the case of these two films. 'The Nun' looks like a fantastic film."



The priest in a scary movie is a trope that has been done to death but Bichir is confident that in Father Burke, fans will not be reminded of other such characters.

He also believes that shooting in real locations in Romania helped set the sense of dread.

"Every character presents new challenges. Father Burke is far away from me, from who I am and what I believe in. That's what attracted me to this. I felt it was a powerful character to explore and to be able to play this in real locations like Romania was a big deal. We do a lot of things with the make-up and special effects but if you set up something in Romania, it should appeal to the fans."



The film may be part of the "Conjuring" universe but it is very different from the previous films in the series, Bichir said.

The horror franchise enjoys a massive following across the globe and Bichir said he would be able to gauge his popularity with the increase in followers on his social media pages.

"Let's see how many new followers I have on Twitter and Instagram after this film releases. If my account crosses over a million or more, then that would mean I became very well known in the world. If I stay with the same followers that would mean that no one really cared," he joked.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress has asked the Narendra Modi government why it inked a deal with France's Dassault Aviation to buy just 36 aircraft when 126 fighter jets were required.

The party's national spokesperson, Priyanka Chautrvedi, asked if there's any urgency, why the government did not ask the French company to supply all the aircraft in one go.

"The first lot of the aircraft will be supplied in 2019 and the rest in 2022. If there is any urgency, the whole lot should have been supplied by 2019," she said here Saturday.

Chaturvedi asked why the government is "afraid of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the deal, if it's fair".

"A total of 126 aircraft were required, but the NDA government signed a pact for only 36 aircraft. This is strange," she said.

She alleged that the government "sacrificed the country's interests to favour a millionaire friend".

"How the cost per plane soared from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,670 crore? The prime minister should explain why the government ignored a public sector undertaking with a 70-year-long clean record and gave the contract to a 12-day-old company which lacks experience," she said.

The Congress leader said though the deal could not materialise during the UPA government's tenure, but it ensured transparency in all matters related to it.

Union minister Arun Jaitley had earlier said the fully weaponised fighter jets which his government is buying are 20 per cent cheaper than the ones offered under the previous UPA regime.

In 2015, then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said that the government had decided to buy only 36 Rafale fighter jets scrapping the earlier plan to acquire 126 of the French aircraft on grounds of huge cost.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister on Sunday reached out to the voters assuring them relief from the recently hiked fixed charges on electricity bills.

Addressing a gathering in New Delhi after inaugurating an SDM office, the chief minister said electricity rates were the "lowest" under the (AAP) regime in the national capital while other state governments have increased power tariffs.

"I assure you today that we will provide relief to you from fixed charges that have been recently increased. I am working on it," Kejriwal told the gathering.

In March this year, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) had increased fixed charges for every consumer, but brought down the unit cost of power.

At the public event, Kejriwal asked people to reject the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 general elections and urged them to vote for the AAP to ensure speedy development in the national capital.

AAP MPs will never allow metro fare hikes and sealing drives if they are voted to power, Kejriwal claimed.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won all the seven seats in the national capital, defeating Congress and AAP candidates.
A woman was killed and eight people were injured in two separate building collapse incidents due to incessant rains here, police said Sunday.

Superintendent of Police (City) Shlok Kumar said a roof of an under construction building came crashing down at around 12.30 pm on Sunday in Vikram enclave here, injuring two labourers, a woman and her 15-year-old daughter.

They were rushed to GTB hospital in Delhi's Shahdara, where the woman, identified as Praveen, succumbed to injuries, he said.

Her daughter, Nisha, and the labourers were discharged after treatment, Kumar said.

In the second incident, a double-storeyed building collapsed in Ashok Vihar colony of the Loni area Saturday night, injuring Islam Khan, his wife Bundo, son Kasif, daughters Shireen and Chandi, Kumar said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union minister Ramdas Athawale Sunday said it was wrong to say cases of atrocities against Dalits have increased under the Narendra Modi government.

Noting that caste-related violence was continuing in the country, the Dalit leader from Maharashtra said irrespective of which party is in power, the government should take stringent action against the perpetrators.

I do not agree that (cases of) atrocities against Dalits have increased under the Modi government, but they continue to take place. No party (in power) encourages these acts. However, the government should make efforts to stop this, Athawale told PTI.

The RPI leader said the issue should not be politicised as attacks on Dalits have happened in the past and may continue to happen in the future. The issue, he noted, must be viewed from a social perspective.

He said the statistics from the last 10 years revealed that every year, nearly 45,000 to 46,000 cases of atrocities against Dalits were registered in the country.

The BJP has been criticised over Dalits being attacked in the states ruled by the party, particularly the incident in Una, Gujarat, where Dalits were flogged in 2016.

Athawale further batted for the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the Maharashtra. However, in case the tie-up ends, the RPI will align with the BJP, Athawale said.

The Athawale faction of the RPI aligned with the Shivsena-BJP combine in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. However, when the Shiv Sena-BJP severed ties in 2014, Athawale chose BJP over the Shiv Sena. Later, Athawale was made a minister in the Modi-cabinet.

Athawale asserted he will contest from Mumbai South Central in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, a seat currently represented by the Shiv Sena. This move is likely to irk the Sena.

The Republican Party of India does not have any representation in the Lok Sabha. I will contest from Mumbai South Central. I will ask the BJP to compensate the Sena with some other seat from their quota, he said.

Athawale added that if there is no alliance then he can win the seat in a triangular contest between him, the Shiv Sena and the Congress-NCP combine candidate.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China is still determined to reform and wants to work with all parties to build an open world economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday, reiterating Beijing's message amid a bitter trade war with Washington. The two countries have been rolling out a series of tariffs on each other's exports as US President Donald Trump's administration seeks to tackle a range of issues from the large trade imbalance with China to forced technology transfers. China has criticised the United States for resorting to protectionist and unilateral measures and says it will keep ...
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia will partner with Alibaba's CEO Jack Ma to look into ways to use Alibaba's ecosystem to increase its exports, particularly to China, its communications minister told Reuters on Sunday."We are also discussing how to work together to develop tech talents to meet the needs of Indonesia and the region," Indonesian minister Rudiantara said after meeting Ma and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Saturday.The Alibaba founder and CEO, who was in Jakarta for the 2018 Asian Games, was named an e-commerce adviser to the Indonesian government in 2017.McKinsey estimated in a ...
By Silvia OgnibeneMARINA DI PIETRASANTA, Italy (Reuters) - Italy's populist government will make a "historic choice" between what citizens need and what ratings agencies say should be done, the deputy prime minister said on Sunday, responding to Fitch's cutting the outlook on Italian debt. Fitch on Friday changed the outlook on the world's third-largest pile of state borrowing to "negative" from "stable", citing concerns about the government's "new and untested nature" and its promises to hike spending.Economy Minister Giovanni Tria responded reassuringly on Saturday, saying Italy would ...
DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's sovereign fund has named Andrew Liveris, the former chairman and chief executive of Dow Chemical, as a special adviser, in its highest-profile appointment of any global manufacturing executive. Liveris will work closely with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) on matters of strategic importance, assist the fund in efforts to boost the value of its portfolio, and ensure the contribution of PIF companies to Saudi Arabia's economic vision programme 2030, the fund said in a statement on Sunday.His appointment comes as the PIF, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin ...
To attract more drivers and passengers, Didi advertised the "tagging" function of its Hitch service, which allowed users to post labels on each others' accounts. Photos: Didi

At one oclock in the afternoon Aug. 24, a young woman in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province got into a car she had booked on Didi, Chinas most popular ride-hailing app.

Less than three hours later, she was dead after being raped and stabbed by the cars driver, a 27-year-old man.

The womans death three months after the similar killing of a flight attendant by a Didi driver in Zhengzhou, Henan province  has made Didi the target of public fury.

A Chinese hashtag calling for Weibo users to delete the Didi app from their phones topped the social media platforms trend charts for days last week, and Didi has been summoned to meetings with central and local government authorities, who said the company had unshirkable responsibility and demanded an overhaul of Didis Hitch car-pooling service, which both victims had used.

On Tuesday, Didi Chief Executive Officer Cheng Wei and President Liu Qing issued a public apology, saying that vanity and non-stop riding on the force of breathless expansion and capital had helped to cause the Zhejiang passengers death . The Hitch service has been suspended indefinitely.

Didi was founded in 2012 and rose to dominate Chinas ride-hailing industry after winning costly subsidy wars and absorbing rivals, including Uber China in 2016. But the companys eagerness to win overtook its initial intentions, Cheng and Liu said in a letter to the public.

This included Didis failure to enforce its own standards on driver and vehicle qualifications, Caixin has learned. Its possible for unqualified drivers to whitewash their credentials to gain acceptance, sources told Caixin. On Aug. 24, the companys passenger-safety systems proved ineffective as the victims texts to friends asking for help before her death went unheeded, and even local police were unable to obtain real-time information from Didi.

Sexualized ride-sharing

Passenger safety is a challenge for every company in the ride-hailing industry, and U.S.-based companies Uber and Lyft have been involved in more than 100 sexual assault or abuse cases since 2018, CNN reported in April.

But critics have charged that Didi  and its Hitch service in particular  have long appeared to encourage drivers to view their passengers in a sexualized, objectifying way.

Hitch was launched in June 2015 as a way to allow drivers to share their vehicles with passengers headed in the same direction for less than the fare of a similar normal taxi ride. It quickly became more profitable than many of Didis other services, which include regular ride-hailing and airport limousines, thanks to its lower operating cost. In the services first few months, passengers were also attracted by offers of subsidized and even free rides.

But when Didi attempted to wean users off the costly subsidies, the number of Hitch transactions each day began to fall. Huang Jieli, the former general manager of Hitch, who was fired last week , thought she had stumbled onto a solution to this problem when she realized that female passengers were 10% more likely than male passengers to successfully obtain rides from predominantly male drivers.

Huang decided to allow Hitch users to view each others gender and profile photos, as well as tag each other with descriptions that frequently focused on womens physical appearance.

Huang even told the Chinese news site Netease in a 2015 interview that Hitch is a very sexy situation. In the wake of the latest passenger murder, that interview has resurfaced in Chinese media reports that also point out Didis past use of dating- and sex-themed advertising for Hitch.

This encouragement of sexualized socialization, without regard for the obligations of public service and safety, has attracted a large number of potential predators to the platform, an analyst told Caixin.

After the May killing in Zhengzhou of Hitch passenger and flight attendant Li Mingzhu, Didi removed the tagging and profile photo functions from Hitch and no longer allowed drivers to accept orders from passengers of the opposite sex after 10 p.m. But Caixin learned from multiple Didi drivers that the tagging and photo functions had been quietly returned shortly before last weeks passenger killing.

Identities for sale

Didi has long failed to verify drivers identities and bar drivers who dont meet official requirements  such as residency in a given city or the absence of a criminal record  from signing up as ride providers.

In Chinas capital, for example, drivers for Didis regular ride-hailing service must be registered residents of Beijing, and their vehicles must also be registered in the city. But the manager of a Beijing-based car rental company that rents cars to Didi drivers told Caixin that, based on his experience, only one in 10 of current Didi drivers had an official Beijing household registration, or hukou.

Caixin reporters found multiple chat groups on QQ, the Tencent-owned messaging platform, that advertised whitewashing (deleting demerit points on Didis driver ranking system) and fake registration services that claim to help people illegally evade the requirements for becoming a Didi driver.

One such chat group, the Unlocking and Whitewashing Business Group was established in 2014 and mostly catered to drivers with insufficient years of driving experience, vehicles that were too old, or inconsistent vehicle types, according to group administrators. Caixin also found an operator who said his current order volume was large, so urgent orders would not be entertained, a sign that this underground business is booming.

Whitewashing can cost between 600 yuan ($87.85) and 1,500 yuan.

The latest passenger murder has prompted a crackdown by Didi on drivers who have criminal records, and many drivers who have previously received customer complaints have been locked out of their accounts. But while express whitewashing was currently unavailable, slow whitewashing, which would take several days, was still available when Caixin asked one agent.

Every time Didi launches a crackdown, only the symptoms are treated, and the root cause is that Didi never completely changes the socialization aspect of Hitchs product design, a source close to the company told Caixin.

The problem is a fundamental contradiction between Didis business model and its obligation to be selective when accepting drivers. The more selective Didi is, the fewer drivers it has  and the lower the supply of rides on the platform, which has depended on amassing an enormous fleet to attract passengers and overwhelm rivals.

Red flags ignored

There were many warning signs before last weeks Didi passenger killing.

The day before the killing, a passenger had reported the driver, surnamed Zhong, for harassment. But, on the day of the killing, Didi allowed Zhong to accept passengers bookings without warning passengers in any way.

During the fatal ride on Aug. 24, Zhong took the car far beyond the path suggested by Didis navigation service, but this, again, failed to trigger any safety mechanism on the Didi platform.

Around an hour into the ride, Zhao , the passenger, texted friends saying the driver had taken her into a deserted mountainous area, and asked for help. Weibo user Super_4ong, who described himself as a friend of Zhaos, said he attempted to contact Didis customer service platform seven times that afternoon but was told repeatedly that frontline customer service staff had no authority to take action.

Meanwhile, local police in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, received a call from another friend of Zhaos. But when police attempted to submit an inquiry on Didis customer service hotline, they were forced by the Didi system to wait nearly two hours for information on the driver, according to information released by the police.

One Didi insider told Caixin that the company had an opportunity to prevent the tragedy when it received the earlier passenger complaint. But customer service failed to act on it.

All customer complaints and inquiries from Didi users are automatically sent to frontline customer service staff, who are supposed to enter keywords from the complaint into a database, one of the customer service contractors Didi uses told Caixin. The complaints are then passed down a chain of customer service staff. If keywords such as robbery and rape are present, complaints are supposed to be redirected immediately to security experts, the person said.

But there is too much information every day, and there is a lot of misinformation, the contractor said. So, information that appears in only one complaint does not attract enough attention.

Didi responded to the recent murder by removing Hitch general manager Huang Jieli and customer services Vice President Huang Jinhong from their positions.

But the problem has deeper roots, according to Chen Yuefeng, deputy dean of law at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai.

The licenses that shouldve been taken were not taken; the supervision that shouldve been accepted was not accepted; and a large number of vehicles in operation have not been included in regulatory platforms, Chen said. Didi is not just condoning [non-compliance with regulations], it is doing it on purpose.

Didi did not offer comment when Caixin contacted the company to ask about its passenger safety system and drivers who sign up using fake qualifications or use whitewashing techniques.

Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com)
news, crime

An ACT women's organisation says some student visa holders and their families are demanding money, jewellery, real estate and cars from prospective partners in return for a life in Australia. Initiatives for Women in Need has called for safeguards to protect vulnerable people from paying hefty dowries to the families of student visa holders, some of whom demand more and more from their partner upon arrival in Australia, making them particularly vulnerable to domestic violence. Organisation chairwoman Madhumita Iyengar said she had dealt with many instances of such abuse in Canberra but emphasised it was not isolated to any particular migrant community. "Unfortunately I cannot disclose how many because of privacy reasons, but there are quite a few cases. Its a real thing thats happening," Dr Iyengar said. Student visa holders can apply for their spouse or de facto to travel to Australia as a secondary visa holder. There were arranged partnerships where this worked, Dr Iyengar said, and others where the couple tolerated each other until they could apply for permanent residency. Partners attached to a student visa can work only 40 hours a fortnight unless in a relationship with a masters or doctorate student. Dr Inyengar said the resulting financial constraints could make them more vulnerable to slavery, forced labour, domestic violence and wage theft once in Australia. In the worst cases, the partnership turned violent, she said. Initiatives for Women In Need has told a federal government inquiry that existing visa holders could use dowry as a "harsh stick" to harm the dependent partner. "This is where the abuse starts: [the original visa holder will] demand more and more and it becomes a vicious cycle," Dr Inyengar said. Initiatives for Women In Need, which works with disadvantaged migrant women living in the ACT, wants it to be mandatory for community organisations that work with culturally and linguistically diverse people and receive government funding to hold regular awareness-raising events on dowry abuse and the services available to victims of domestic violence. It also wants new migrants, including spouses on temporary visas, to have to sign an affidavit stating the value of their personal assets as part of their visa application. This could reduce disputes over finances were the partnership to end in divorce, Dr Inyengar said. The organisation has also recommended that any demand of dowry is legally punishable, like all forms of financial abuse covered by laws preventing domestic violence. Dr Inyengar said it was crucial that broader policy responses to dowry abuse did not target particular communities in Australia, noting no clear data was kept on who was particularly affected. The payment of dowry happens in some South Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries and was outlawed in India in 1961. A senate committee examining the practice of dowry and dowry abuse will report to the government later this year.

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news, latest-news

Year four and five students at Torrens Primary have been learning about asylum seekers and refugees. They've read books and poems, watched documentaries and held a special assembly, with teachers hoping their charges gain empathy and understanding for people fleeing persecution. Staff have been at pains to keep the topic apolitical. The nine, 10 and the 11-year-olds have drawn their own conclusions about Australia's approach to asylum seekers. "When I heard what they were doing to the refugees it made me really sad because everyone should have at least a safe home to live in," said Christian Wang. Classmate Catherine Bashford agreed: "Let them live with us. They enrich our culture. "What if we had to leave our home because soldiers were attacking us? They would let us into their home, so we should do the same." Torrens Primary has channelled the hardships faced by refugees and asylum seekers into a performance aimed at promoting a broader understanding of the issue. Their seven minute story dance, Seeking Freedom, was awarded Best Raising Awareness Story at recent performing arts competition Wakakirri. The school's performance followed a refugee, played by Catherine, as she left her homeland in search of a safer future. After arriving in Australia by boat she was held in an offshore detention centre , where the performance started and ended. Teacher Sarah Nicholas said the school - a long-running participant in the competition - had previously centred performances on the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Alzheimer's and Ned Kelly. "When we find that inspiration, if we feel we can put a story around it, it can come from anything," she said. "[Refugee issues are] obviously very topical so weve been careful because you do need to present it in the appropriate way. "The feedback weve had has been extremely positive and people really feel the story - theres lots of tears in the audience." Indeed, some parents from other schools have written to the school to congratulate them on the handling of the issue. "Theres no blame," Ms Nicholas said. "This is whats happening for people. These are situations they find themselves in. This is what they have to do to try and find a better life than what theyve got. "Were not political in any way - its just the factual evidence that we can show." More than 230 schools participated in national Wakakirri story dance competitions with ACT schools taking the stage at the Canberra Theatre in August. The six finalists - Rosary Primary, St Gregory's Primary, Charnwood-Dunlop School, St Anthony's Parish School, St Francis of Assisi Primary and Torrens - will compete in the regional competition on Monday. The winner of that heat will compete for the national Story of the Year award.

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Photo: transmountain.com

Workers and companies who were set to be employed on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion have been left wondering where they stand as construction on the project begins to shut down.

Ryan Bruce, director of government and public relations for the union CLAC, said some of the workers were sent home after the Federal Court of Appeal ruling quashed Ottawa's approval of the pipeline expansion on Thursday.

The workers will come back for a meeting with their employers early next week to talk about next steps as the situation unfolds, he said.

"Official layoff notices have not been issued yet, but we're waiting to hear what happens next week," said Bruce.

Construction on parts of the western end of the pipeline began three days ago, he added. But it was stopped after the ruling was handed down.

"Our members were happy to be working," Bruce said. "They were expecting long-term employment on the project and to wake up Thursday morning and hear the news on the radio  that the decision came down the way it did was a surprise to all of us."

Richard Masson, an executive fellow at the University of Calgary's school of public policy and former head of the Petroleum Marketing Association, said these are uncertain times for skilled workers because there are few projects in the oil sands.

"Those guys will be sitting at home waiting for something else to come along," he said. "There is nothing as big as this."

In an email, Trans Mountain said the pipeline had more than 2,000 people working on it, and by the middle of next year it was expected 5,000 people would have been employed.

Masson said shutting down the project will also have a ripple effect on the economy. A lot of young people are usually employed in the sector and they are starting up households, buying recreational equipment, and going on trips, but now they will have to watch their spending.

David Hoff, a spokesman for Ledcor Industries Inc., said the Kiewit Ledcor Trans Mountain Partnership is working closely with Trans Mountain to suspend construction activities in a safe and orderly manner. The partnership was formed to build the Lower Mainland portions of the project, which includes the last 35 kilometres of the pipeline from Langley to Burnaby.

Brian Cochrane, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115, which represents 11,000 B.C. members in heavy-equipment operations, said he was disappointed in the ruling.

"Every three days something new used to happen with this project over the last few months," he said. "This project has seen more changes over the last six months than any major project across the country ever."

Because it was early in the project, he said a handful of workers were scattered around the province. He expected at least 3,000 workers would have been hired if construction continued.

"These jobs pay mortgages and feed families," Cochrane said.

"Pipelining is a transient workforce so we've got a number of folks from right across the country who were certainly looking forward to coming to work on this project."
Photo: Contributed Police supplied image of Anton Reeves.

Police are asking for the publics help locating a missing teenager last seen in Surrey.

Anton Reeves, 17, was last spotted by his family at about 5 p.m. on August 27 at the Surrey Central Mall.

Police said it is believed Reeves was at the Directions Youth Shelter in Downtown Vancouver the next morning.

Reeves is being described as a mixed race male, 17 years old, six-foot-two, 130 pounds, dark brown short curly hair, has a dark brown scraggly beard and moustache.

He was last seen wearing a black Bench zippered jacket with the word Bench across the collar and had on grey Nike sweat pants, black Nike rose shoes with white soles.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.
Kathy DeNiro and Matthew Cranswick lead D60 race

Kathy DeNiro and Matthew Cranswick were leading the race for District 60 school board as of 9 p.m. on election night with 24.4% of ballots counted.
Do Christians Show Mercy in Their Daily Life? What About Pastors? 02 September, 2018 by Michael Gryboski , |

Nearly two-thirds of Christians and about four out of five pastors believe that mercy influences their daily behavior, according to findings from a recent Barna Group study.

In a report released Tuesday, Barna found that 63 percent of Christians say mercy influences their everyday decisions, while 83 percent of pastors said the same.

"However, another four-in-10 Christians are less likely to characterize their words and actions as merciful. It remains part of their belief, but they either don't really think about it that much, or it simply doesn't influence their actions," stated Barna.

"The apathy in this sizeable minority is reason for concern among a faith group that professes a commitment to a merciful God."

For the research, Barna interviewed 1,502 practicing Christians via an online survey and 515 Protestant senior pastors via online and telephone surveys from April 12  May 2, with a sample error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.

A study detailing all their findings on forgiveness and mercy is scheduled for release in spring of next year, according to Barna. Author Jack Alexander aided in the research.

In late July, Alexander had a book published titled The God Impulse: The Power of Mercy in an Unmerciful World, which focused on the topic of "biblical mercy."

"For Jesus, truth and mercy went hand in hand. Where he preached he also healed. He didn't outsource one or the other to biblical scholars or nonprofit ministries. He presented the truth of the gospel through his words and his actions, and he did it all in a hands-on, relational way," noted the book's summary.

"Today we seem to have lost this powerful pattern of self-giving love, focusing on truth at the expense of mercy or on mercy at the expense of truth, and often failing to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people around us."

Read more about Christian living on The Christian Post.
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Make no mistake about it. The news from California is very big and very positive. As reported in the LA Times, "California legislator shelves bill to ban paid 'gay conversion therapy' for adults."

In a somewhat unprecedented move in the history of gay activism, Assemblyman Evan Low, himself gay, has withdrawn AB2943 from a final vote.

The bill, which would have made it illegal for people of any age to receive professional help for unwanted same-sex attractions, was almost certain to pass the Assembly, having been approved by the Senate 25-11. But to Low's credit, he took the time to meet with faith leaders across the state, hearing their concerns.

In his own words, "I knew this was an emotionally charged issue, so I spent the past few months traveling up and down the state meeting with a wide variety of faith leaders."

It appears he was sensitive enough to the concerns of these leaders that, for now, he withdrew the bill.

That is certainly commendable on Low's part, and he deserves our utmost appreciation. How many legislators would do what he had done?

There is also a massively important lesson to be learned, so let all of America (and the world) take notice: This is what can happen when the church gets mobilized, even in hyper-left California. This is what can happen when Christian leaders decide to take a moral stand on controversial social issues. This is what can happen when we seek to be the salt and the light, even when it's outside our comfort zone.

But that leads to a major concern. Why did it take so long? Why did we largely sit on the sidelines until now? And isn't it ironic that we are rejoicing over the withdrawal of a bill that should never have seen the light of day?

Having been on the front lines of these issues since 2004, this is a truth that stings deeply: We are only in this moral and cultural morass today because the church has been so silent.

I say that with shame and with pain, not with condemnation. Surely I could have done better too.

California has passed bill after bill mandating the celebration of LGBT history in America, with no one allowed to opt out, including both teachers and students. This is mandatory for all public schools, grades K-12.

One of the worst of these bills, SB777, became law in 2007. Where was the Christian outcry over this? Where was the concern for our children?

Speaking of our children, where was the Christian outcry in 2012, when California passed the virtual equivalent of AB 2943, barring minors from receiving professional help for unwanted same-sex attraction?

And for those throwing stones at the church of California, where were the rest of us when similar bills were passed in a dozen other states? Are we that unconcerned with the wellbeing of our kids?

So, as much as I rejoice over this major victory in California, I do so with reserve: We have been asleep in the light for far too long. Today, we are paying for the price for convenience store Christianity.

There's also a reason to be cautious in our celebration. AB 2943 is not going away. It's just being reshaped.

To quote Assemblyman Low again, "I believe we are on the side of the angels on this issue," he said. "Having said that, in order to get it right, why wouldn't we want to engage in meaningful, thoughtful, transformational relationships and conversations?"

What, exactly, does it mean to "get it right"? Is not the whole premise of the bill that there's nothing wrong with being gay? That all attempts to change sexual orientation are harmful and abusive? That any professional services offered to produce change are fraudulent?

But there's more  and be assured that the impact will be major. There are two brand new movies that will be highly touted by Hollywood (just wait for the praises and awards to flow), and both seek to expose "conversion therapy."

One, called Boy Erased, "follows the son of a Baptist preacher who is forced to take part in a gay conversion program."

The other is called The Miseducation of Cameron Post, telling the story of "a 12-year-old Montana girl who is discovering her own homosexuality" and is subsequently sent to a "conversion camp."

It is difficult to describe just how much anti-Christian, anti-conservative, anti-change sentiment will be stirred up by these films, which in no way, shape, size or form will be fair or balanced, let alone biblical.

So, while there is much cause for celebration in California, there remains serious cause for concern.

May this victory be a wake-up call and a starting point rather than a time to sit back and rest on our laurels. To do so would be to make a very serious mistake.
Hundreds of writers who dont care about making money came to San Francisco, where they didnt.

Thats how it goes when you publish your own book on a copy machine, one at a time, and sell it for a buck or two.

These kinds of works are called zines. The 17th annual San Francisco Zine Fest was held Sunday in Golden Gate Park. What happens at a zine festival is that hundreds of writers sit at long tables and offer up their zines, mainly to one another. Everyone goes broke together, all in one big room, instead of one at a time at home.

If you do this for capitalistic reasons, youre not very bright, said Breanne Boland of Berkeley, who was selling a self-help book about creativity. At $2, it was half price because she hadnt been paying attention when she printed it on the copy machine. It came out off-center, which is something that doesnt happen at Random House.

When youre your own editor and publisher, you know that all the mistakes are yours, she said. You get to make all the choices.

Boland has another job. Shes a software engineer. Thats because she needs to eat, she explained. Another zine writer with another job was Rachel Scheer, of Seattle, who teaches second grade to pay the rent.

Id love to be published by someone besides me, Scheer said.

Scheer was selling, for $2 a copy, a comic book about how, when she was a kid on a White House tour, Bill Clinton borrowed her ballpoint pen during an autograph session and never gave it back.

Its a great book, and says more in eight pages about the Clinton presidency than many longer ones. The copy she sold to a Chronicle reporter was, so far, her only sale.

Scheer said it was fulfilling to get money for her writing, even if only $2, and that she was not frustrated by the economics of the single copy sale.

I believe in the product, she said.

Aptos Middle School of San Francisco had a table full of student-written zines, and school librarian Lisa Bishop said the price was whatever a customer wanted to pay, which is not how they do it at Random House, either. Student Oscar Withrington, 12, paid $2 for a copy of his friend Owen Basores insightful book about video games.

Pretty good book, Oscar said.

Thanks, Owen said.

Meggie Remm of Oakland was selling copies of a book called I Have No Idea What Im Doing. There were 10 copies of the book in existence and all 10 of them were on the table.

You dont do this to become rich and famous, she said.

The giant hall was filled with charming, earnest, colorful opuses, almost all held together with the miracle of staples. The subject matter included monsters, rock music, nature, cookies, nuclear war and an illustrated guide to the worlds cemeteries.

Admission to the zine festival was free but, said festival organizer Anand Vedawala, each zine author had to pay $90 for table space. At that rate, breaking even was not an option.

Zines have always been part of America, Vedawala said. Thomas Paine wrote a famous one called Common Sense that got the U.S. off to a good start a couple of centuries back. Ben Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson did zines, too, although not on photocopiers.

This is how political movements and marginalized voices can get themselves heard, said the festival organizer, who may have been the only person coming out ahead at the festival.

You get a voice, he said. Youre your own censor. When the gatekeepers say they dont want to publish your work, you can still be in print.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF
Magnolia ISD fifth grade science teacher Libby Medford of The Woodlands was one of only 36 teachers selected out of about 600 applicants to take a free Saudi Aramco G-Camp trip across the southwestern United States this summer with lessons she is bringing back to the classroom.

G-Camp for Teachers is an 18-day field trip camp for 5th-12th grade science teachers offering a first-hand experience with the principles of geology to help educators develop new curricula and create virtual field trips for their students so they can get excited about geology. The trip is led by 6 faculty members from Texas A&M University who led the teachers through Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

My dad is a geologist but growing up I was always like, ugh, no dad, she laughed. I did not want to talk about rocks. But our curriculum coordinator said she heard it was really good. Last year was my first year teaching science, and I loved it.

Last year, Medford was teaching at Smith Elementary which she said is a high performing Title I campus in the district with about 66 percent of the population who are English Language Learners.

Lots of them from my experience had never really left the county, Medford said. When teaching science, you rely upon past experience a lot for them to relate to, so since a lot of the kids did not have past experiences, I had to figure out creative ways to help them connect to the content. So I was excited about any opportunity, especially that could give me hands on learning so that is why I applied. It just exceeded my expectations.

The teachers viewed beautiful landforms including the Great Sand Dunes, an area of large sand dunes up to 750 feet tall in south-central Colorado; Taos Gorge; and Valles Caldera, a 13.7-mile wide volcanic caldera in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Among the different geological features explored were ancient marine deposits, faults, glacial landscapes, streams, landslides, energy resources and mineral resources.

Rick Giardino and Carolyn Schroeder, faculty at Texas A&M University's Department of Geology and Geosciences, founded the camp in 2007 and have served as advisors and mentors for the science teachers.

Before she applied, Medford cynically reviewed Facebook comments about the trips life changing experience. Now she has a different perspective.

I just cant put it into words that first-hand experience and Im just very excited to use it in my classroom, Medford said. Getting rock samples that I can bring back and kids can put their hands on. Thats very importantmaking it real and concrete for them.

In fifth grade she said the students talk about changes to the earths surface and what causes that. She shared one of the Texas A&M instructors elaborated on the ways the glaciers shape the face of the earth.

I didnt know what a big impact glaciers had on forming everything around us, Medford said. Im going to be able to elaborate upon that in my classroom and I have pictures of me in front of these formations. I feel like they are going to pay attention more to a picture that has their teacher in it opposed to a picture I found off of the internet.

She is already thinking of ways to connect geology to movies, such as the similarity between Star Wars settings and the way wind patterns and erosion looks to compare and discuss.

I think the excitement and passion I now have for geology is going to be contagious, Medford said. A huge thing is getting to know other teachers and finding out how they teach and what their experiences are. I still talk daily to a few of the people I met on this trip.

During the training she learned ways to set up journals in the classroom. She also noted while she had an hour to teach each of the three classes at her old campus the year before, she now has 45 minutes to teach each of her six classes.

They give us lots of tips on how to streamline things in the classroom that I am already using and its making my year start off very nicely, she said, noting that she is sharing these with her colleagues.

The G-Camp program fits within a wider Aramco commitment to STEM education. The companys early beginnings can be traced from the work of geologists who discovered and explored the outcrops of rock layers that held vast amounts of hydrocarbons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco has some of the largest oil and gas reservoirs in the world and is known today as one of the worlds leading energy companies.

A program like this is a natural fit for us, said director of strategic relations Alma Kombargi with Public Affairs at Aramco Services Company. Aramco is addressing global energy challenges with innovation and new technologies that come from great ideas. Partnering with Texas A&M University to educate students about geology is one of the ways we look to shape the future. Teachers bring their field experience back into the classroom to create exciting lessons. By inspiring teachers, we look to inspire students.

Having a father as a geologist, Medford said there are always jobs for geologists. While she initially did not know why she was selected, she believes it may have been because she teaches some underserved students who often do not have some of these life experiences and need teachers who can reach them and explain the opportunities to them.

I think sometimes people dont know about those jobs and how interesting geology is until it is too late for them to pursue that, Medford said. What Im hoping to do is inspire a passion for geology in my students that they will keep in the back in their brain and when they do decide on their careers they can study geology.

For more information about the G-Camp application process, visit https://geoweb.tamu.edu/academics/camps-and-outreach/g-camp/.

mellsworth@hcnonline.com
A new horse rescue has launched in Montgomery County to raise awareness and save abused and neglected horses in need from slaughter. Now the co-founders are seeking partnerships with military veterans and the community to help the horses develop skills and find permanent homes.

Our mission is to provide a journey for wellness and beyond for those in need, specifically targeting our horses and humans, co-founder Erin Malia said. Wellness is an all-encompassing approach but specifically what we are looking to do is partner equine rescue with horsemanship programs that serve our community.

After meeting each other in an equine therapeutic riding program, Malia and co-founder Russ Gunther had the idea to take their passion and start an equine rescue. While working on the formation, which received its official nonprofit status in September and may open soon in Conroe, the pair came across a little wild mustang named Ruby.

She was a wild horse that was captured by our government and as many, many horses do, ended up at risk of slaughter, Malia said. She was in the hands of a kill pen or kill buyer and was at risk of shipping. Thats our passion on the welfare side is: how do we help these horses? How do we get them into permanent and safe homes before they end up in this situation?

Ruby was eventually sent to a boarding facility in Conroe with no home where the co-founders met her and decided to bring her home as the first horse for the rescue and its namesake.

She was bailed, she was pulled from a rescue network, but our current facilities, our current rescues were all fullthey didnt have anywhere for her to go, Malia said.

Malia said more than 100,000 American horses are being shipped to slaughter every year. She said, due to a regulation change made in 2007, the United States is not regulating slaughter. The horses are being shipped to plants in Mexico and Canada where she described a terribly inhumane process where the horses are slaughtered after spending days on packed trailers, dangerous with no food, water, or rest.

We want to make a dent in that, help bring awareness to not only the fact that this is happening and the suffering around it but the fact that these are really lovely functional horses, that can have jobs, that can be part of our families or competitive careers or whatever it is that we decide to do and that these horses shouldnt be overlooked, Malia said.

Of those horses at risk, she learned only about 10,000 are being adopted, and overpopulation presents a need for more horse rescues, she said.

There is a desperate need to not only provide sanctuary or permanence for our horses currently but to change our industry and to stop overpopulating, to stop creating all these horses that dont have a place because those are the ones who end up suffering in bad hands, Malia said. Overpopulation is a huge issue.  100,000 is a daunting number obviously we are not going to tackle that on our own, but we are hoping to help get these horses before they end up going and to raise awareness in our community.

The vision to address the issue includes not only getting the horses to a safe place, but them being well-cared for in a way that reflects their natural needs, which Malia said is different than the traditional horse community or industry. The co-founders seek to create partnerships with participants with an initial focus on the veteran community, their spouses and children who will learn how to care for the horses, how to develop relationships with them, and how to help horses develop skills that will keep them out of being at risk in the future.

One of the biggest risk factors for horses is if they are not trained, if they do not have a skill-set, so we want to help horses like developing with Ruby that have skills that make them safe and have a permanent place in our society, Malia said.

The co-founders appreciate that others recognize the value of horses in transition and in need as well as the human service side with other existing programs that offer equine psychotherapy with a direct therapy approach. She believes what sets Rubys Home for Good apart from other organizations is a focus on horsemanship based on a partnership that indirectly benefits others as well by being around the horses, learning about their nature, and becoming better partners with them.

If we focus on learning how to have deep connective relationships with our horses, how to improve our communication styles, how to have the self-awareness, and self-regulation and self-acceptance to be a great partnerthose skills are going to help our families, our work situations, or our personal sense of well-being, Malia said.

They hope veterans will get involved to help the horses.

Our veterans, they go to service and they have a purpose and we have a mission here we want them to be a part of, Malia said. Our veterans are committed to serving others and protecting our community and nation. We would like them to help be a part of protecting our horses.

For now, Ruby is staying at Malias home in Magnolia with her two personal horses with a plan to move her to the nonprofit rescues new facility soon. The co-founders anticipate that it will cost about $3,600 per year to care for her and about $15,000 for two more horses to create a necessary herd experience, as well as $20,000 for infrastructure, land and supplies at the new facility.

We are right at that critical point where we are ready for our own place, weve been doing a pretty exhaustive facility search, Malia said. We have one property that is very hopeful, it is not finalized, but we are hoping to start with. Our goal is to start with 3-5 acres, set up what we have here which is a natural boarding environment and start our pilot program later this fall before the end of the year.

We met with our veterans community, we have an overwhelming response to what we want to do, so we are confident that once we establish our facility that we will be able to move very quickly into the service side, she added.  we want to develop a family unit that can not only be well together but then can service with our veterans in that program. So we are hoping these next few months are going to be exciting.

For more information, visit www.rubyshomeforgood.org or search facebook.com/RubysHomeForGood.

mellsworth@hcnonline.com
Two people were shot Saturday night when gun-toting robbers targeted a Sunnyside-area apartment filled with drugs.

Two men somehow got into an upstairs apartment in the complex at Jarmese and Calhoun just before 10 p.m., and held everyone there at gunpoint.

It's not clear whether they broke in or were let in, but once inside the pair demanded illegal goods from the "significant" drug stash that allegedly included everything from ecstasy and methamphetamine to cocaine and marijuana, according to Houston police.

After some sort of struggle, the would-be thieves opened fire, leaving the apartment riddled with bullet holes in every room, police said later. It's unclear how many people were at the home or whether they returned fire, and police declined to elaborate.

One of the men in the apartment was shot five times and taken to the hospital in serious condition but expected to survive. A woman was shot in the leg and hospitalized in stable condition, police said.

The suspected shooters both ran away headed north, but it's unclear whether they succeeded in taking anything.

When police showed up and searched the place, they found the stash of drugs along with numerous illegal guns. Authorities did not immediately release a suspect description or name either of the victims.
A teen was shot to death late Saturday outside a Third Ward convenience store when an argument broke out in the store parking lot.

The 19-year-old victim was near the store on Rosalie just after 11:15 p.m. when he and another man started fighting, according to Houston police. Two friends of the other man spotted the argument and walked over, police said.
TORRINGTON  A city man who was charged in connection with the death of a 15-month-old child has recently pleaded guilty to at least two of his three charges.

Court records for Alex Ciccarelli-Rosa, 27 at the time of his arrest, of Birney Brook Road, show he was charged with second-degree manslaughter, risk of injury to a child and tampering with evidence when he was arrested on Feb. 8.

Ciccarelli-Rosa pleaded guilty to the manslaughter and risk of injury charges, according to court records. There was no plea entered in the court records for the evidence tampering charge.

His bond remains at $500,000, but records show he was not released from custody. He is next expected to appear in court at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 9.

The charges against Ciccarelli-Rosa stemmed from an investigation into the death of Evan Standish, a 15-month-old boy who was found unresponsive in his South Main Street home on June 6, 2017.

Police said Ciccarelli-Rosa was watching after the boy, whose mother was not home. He was accused of leaving the boy unattended in a bathtub in the home.

When the boys mother got home, she found Ciccarelli-Rosa holding her unresponsive 15-month-old in his arms, police said. She immediately called 911.

When police arrived, Ciccarelli-Rosa, who was a paramedic with Campion Ambulance, was giving the child CPR, an affidavit for his arrest warrant said. He had not called 911. He told police he left the child in the tub for a minute.

The 15-month-old was not breathing when first responders got to the home. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, with the cause listed as submersion in tub with blunt injuries to head and acute alcohol intoxication. At the time of his death, the childs blood alcohol content was 0.035 percent, the affidavit said.

During an interview with police Ciccarelli-Rosa said he made himself a drink and put it on the floor. Then, he saw the child drinking out of the cup, the affidavit said.

There were needle marks found on the childs left arm, not caused by any paramedic that responded to the home, the affidavit said. It also said the child had a series of bruises on his forehead and facial area.

Staff reporter Ben Lampart contributed to this story.
The accident occurred on August 24th at 2:58 p.m. when Apple's autonomous vehicle was "preparing to merge onto Lawrence Expressway South from Kifer Road".

An Apple Inc (AAPL.O) self-driving auto was rear-ended while merging onto an expressway near the company's Silicon Valley headquarters this month, the company said in an accident report posted on Friday that confirmed the iPhone maker is still in the race to build autonomous vehicles.

Apple uses Lexus RX450h SUVs as one of its self-driving vehicles in California, Cupertino, and other neighboring areas. Apple's own vehicle was traveling at a speed of less than 1mph. Despite that, Apple did not comment on the incident, beyond confirming that the company had filed the report.

At this time, Apple is testing its software in more than 60 vehicles. Both vehicles sustained damage but no injuries were reported, the filing added.

This appears to be the first crash involving one of Apple's test vehicles.

Apple has kept tight wraps on its ambitions for self-driving cars, declining to publicly acknowledge them until it wrote a letter to USA transportation regulators in late 2016 urging them not to restrict testing of the vehicles. It's Apple's very first reported autonomous collision on California roads, a DMV spokesperson confirmed to CNET. It is required by regulators for a human driver to be present, and able to gain control over the vehicle.

Apple has experienced its first autonomous vehicle crash in California, state DMV records reveal. Apple researchers also a year ago published their first public research on cars, a software system that could help spot pedestrians more readily.

The DMV has approved 56 companies to test self-driving vehicles on California roads.
Leader of Majority Aden Duale, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua and Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe led senior government officials in seeing off the President.

The Forum for Africa-China Cooperation (FOCAC) gets underway in Beijing on Monday.

But as the Horn of Africa nation of 100 million people faces debt distress, there are signs that China, a major creditor, is slowing financing to Ethiopia as doubts grow over the profitability of some infrastructure projects there.

Kenya is looking to complete the second last phase of the line and Uganda will be inking a deal for its first phase from Malaba to Kampala. It is also an important meeting that will draft the policy measures for the development of cooperation between the two sides in nearly every field - political, economic, trade, finance, infrastructure people to people exchanges, security and military - nearly in every field.

In this regard, we look forward to cementing an even stronger China-Africa partnership through win-win cooperation at the 2018 Focac Summit.

"Chinese and African leaders will exchange in-depth views on the development of China-Africa relations and worldwide and regional issues of common concern", it said.

Mr Zhao said both China and Botswana have entered a new era in terms of national development.

Data shows that China-Africa trade amounted to $170 billion in 2017, a 14.1 per cent increase upon the 2016 figures.

The conference will also focus on measures to facilitate African exports and help African companies integrate into the global value chain, as well as expand China-African trade.

"We also find that numerous commitments undertaken under the ten new cooperation measures announced by President Xi have been implemented or are in the process of being completed", said Sisulu.

The forum, which is in its third edition, is a platform established by China and friendly African countries for collective consultation and dialogue.

In addition to leaders of African countries, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission is expected to be in attendance.

It is expected that the summit will adopt the new Beijing Action Plan (2019 to 2021), which will chart a new course of China-Africa friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields in the next three years. The Chinese dream meets the African dream in Agenda 2063, the continent's development blueprint.

As Africa's largest trading partner, China has become increasingly significant to the resource-rich continent, as it expands from trade and investment to security engagements - from its military base in Djibouti to conflict mediation in South Sudan - as well as more peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.

However, this has failed.
The report follows similar warnings from other global institutions that North Korea has also done little to dismantle its illegal nuclear program or display any goodwill regarding an end to the belligerence that has defined dictator Kim Jong-un's regime.

"The special envoy will discuss a wide range of issues, including the specific date for the South-North Korea summit, development of the South-North Korean relationship, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula", the South Korean presidential spokesman said.

Details, including when, are still unclear.

President Trump said: "I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula". North Korea hasn't responded to Trump's move.

The latest flap began Tuesday, when Mattis was asked at a news conference about the future of USA joint military exercises with South Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had agreed at their landmark summit in Panmunjom in April that Moon would visit Pyongyang later in the year.

Trump has been heaping blame on China, North Korea's traditional ally and main trading partner.

"The safety and security of US citizens overseas is one of our highest priorities", a State Department official said in a statement issued to Voice of America and CNN.

Despite signs of mounting tension between the United States and North Korea, South Korea's top envoy in Washington deflected concerns that the two nations might lose the momentum for dialogue. So far, the two Koreas have only settled on holding their next summit in September in Pyongyang. The recent cancellation is a part of the intense negotiations that have been taking place since the two leaders met in Singapore. But many foreign experts believe that's not enough to prove it's serious about disarmament.

But Pyongyang has since slammed Washington for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament, and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported there were no indication that the North had stopped its nuclear activities.

At the heart of the current impasse is North Korea's request to declare the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

On the subject of military exercises, which the US suspended as a "good faith" measure following Trump s summit with Kim, the president said "there is no reason at this time to be spending large amounts of money on joint US-South Korea war games" though added these could resume if the need arose.
May's trip is aimed at improving Britain's economic ties to the continent before her country's departure from the European Union next year.

The pact was signed during a meeting between President Kenyatta and UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who is on a one-day visit to Kenya.

May's first stop was South Africa, where she handed the SS Mendi's ship bell to South Africans, talked about UK-South Africa trade investment deals, amongst other discussions.

Kenya, a former British colony, is now a key British ally in East Africa on trade and security.

May will later Thursday watch the British and Kenyan militaries training together to identify and destroy improvised explosive devices.

The publication further picked issue with how President Kenyatta began his address by telling May that he was glad she had honoured Kenya's invitation to see for herself how the country and the African continent has changed in the almost four decades since a UK Premier last visited.

This will be May's first visit to Africa since taking over from David Cameron in July 2016, although by Wednesday evening State House had yet to release the British PM's itinerary.

British Prime Minister Theresa may, despite the criticism of the previous dance, danced again, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to TSN.

Britain's government said May's visit brought 7 million pounds in new funding for the AU peacekeeping mission, as well as 60 million pounds to help Somalis recover from drought. "Indeed, UK is the number one investor in Kenya", said President Kenyatta. AU troops landed in Mogadishu more than a decade ago and Somali forces are supposed to eventually take over their duties.

Kenya's President, Uhuru Kenyatta noted that the ties of friendship between his country and the United Kingdom had deepened after the pact was signed. The returned money will be used exclusively for development projects.
A mentally ill Mexican national with claims of brain damage is set for execution in November, more than two decades after he was convicted of killing his wife and two youngest children near the southern border.

Robert Moreno Ramos is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Nov. 14, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jeremy Desel.

The 64-year-old immigrant was sent to death row in 1993 for the slayings of his wife Leticia and their children, Abigail and Jonathan, who were found buried beneath the bathroom floor in the couple's Hidalgo County home.

For years, his lawyers have contended that his execution would be a violation of international treaty as he wasn't properly notified of his right to tell the Mexican consulate about his arrest and request legal assistance from his country. On top of that, they argue, Ramos had abysmal legal representation during trial and jurors never learned about his severely abusive childhood, brain dysfunction, bipolar disorder and low IQ.

ALSO: 'A significant treaty violation': Mexico speaks out on planned Texas execution

In February 1992, a neighbor in Progreso heard screams coming from the Ramos home. It wasn't until two months later that investigators unearthed the family's remains.

That April, Ramos was picked up on an outstanding traffic ticket, then questioned without a lawyer. Eventually, he gave authorities the OK to search his home - and they found blood inside.

Under further questioning, records show, Ramos drew police a map to bathroom, where the bodies were buried.

But Ramos told investigators he didn't kill his wife and children. Instead, he said that he came home to find his family slain and decided to hide the bodies so his surviving eldest son wouldn't find out.

He didn't get a lawyer until three months after his arrest, according to defense filings. During his trial, prosecutors argued that he'd beaten to death his wife and two children with some type of blunt instrument and then married another woman days later.

Defense lawyers argued in the 1993 case that unknown drug dealers committed the triple slaying. After the state introduced testimony implying he'd killed his first wife in Mexico, Ramos was convicted and sentenced to death in a matter of hours.

In the punishment phase, attorneys for Ramos didn't cross-examine the state's witnesses, offered no evidence and didn't ask the jury to spare their client from the death penalty, according to court records.

Mexican authorities learned of Ramos' arrest through news reports nearly a year after the fact, according to court records. During appeals, attorneys for Ramos said that late notification could have made a difference because Mexico often provides extra defense support in capital cases and might have done so had they known sooner.

But the state argued that extra help from Mexico wouldn't have resulted in a different outcome.

ALSO: After covering more than 400 executions, APs Graczyk calls it quits

On appeal, Ramos raised concerns about earlier bad lawyering, and also alleged that the state had violated Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by not telling him about his right to speak to his nation's consulate.

Ultimately, the courts refused to grant him relief in part because the Vienna Convention is only enforceable between countries - it's not up to American federal courts to enforce the application of international treaties in individual criminal cases.

More than 15 years ago, Ramos was one of 54 death row inmates named in a complaint to the United Nations World Court, when Mexico accused the U.S. of violating international treaties and asked for a stay in all of the cases. The international court decided the prisoners should get their cases reviewed. But the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 deemed that decision unenforceable, unless Congress takes legislative action.

Neither Ramos' defense counsel nor Hidalgo County prosecutors responded to requests for comment Friday.

The case bears some similarities to that of Ruben Cardenas, another Mexican national who was executed last year amid international outcry and claims of global treaty violations.

Despite pushback from Mexico and Cardenas' claims of innocence, the 47-year-old was put to death in November for the murder of his teenage cousin.

"It is as if the United States were thumbing its nose at the government of Mexico and the United Nations," Sandra Babcock, a Cornell Law School professor specializing in international issues surrounding capital punishment, told the Chronicle last year. "And when I say the U.S., I should be clear that we're talking about Texas."

The Lone Star State has executed eight men this year, and another seven - including Ramos - are scheduled for the remainder of 2018.
Morocco and Russia are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. To mark the event, the foreign ministers of the two countries have exchanged letters highlighting the exemplary character of their bilateral ties.

Moroccos foreign minister Nasser Bourita and his Russian peer Sergey Lavrov have exchanged letters on this occasion underpinned by strong friendship, mutual respect and multi-layered partnership.

The two ministers voiced satisfaction at their excellent political dialogue marked by convergence of views on a range of regional and international issues, notably in the fields of security, peace and development in Africa.

They welcomed the steady development of economic and commercial ties.

The two ministers also reiterated their commitment to fostering Moroccan-Russian strategic partnership

King Mohammed VIs visit to Russia in 2016 has added momentum to bilateral ties yielding fruitful results as evidenced by the growth in Moroccos exports to Russia.
AKRON, Ohio -- The University of Akron's police department issued a safety advisory Sunday morning after a shooting and a robbery were reported near campus.

Both incidents happened between 3:15 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. Sunday behind businesses on East Exchange Street near Spicer Street, the campus police department said in a news release.

Neither of the victims in the shooting and robbery were University of Akron students, the news release says.

In the shooting, a man wearing red pants with a white stripe and a white shirt shot another man in the leg, police said. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

In the robbery, four or five men men -- possibly wearing green bandannas -- robbed another man at gunpoint before they ran away, police said.

Investigators did not release any additional information about the incidents.

Anyone with information about either incidents is asked to call Akron Police Department's detective bureau at 330-375-2490.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by text message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters should begin the text with the keyword ZIPTIP.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously online.

The University of Akron's Campus Patrol is available to escort students to classes, labs or their cars at any hour. They can be reached by calling 330-972-7123.

To comment on this story, visit Sunday's crime and courts comments page.
VERMILION, Ohio -- The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday for a missing boater in Lake Erie after a body matching his description was found.

The missing boater was located at about noon on Saturday by a "good Samaritan" about three miles north of the mouth of the Vermilion River, Ensign Justin Bommer said.

The identity of the man, who was not wearing a life jacket, has not been released.

The search for the missing boater began Friday night and continued into Saturday as the Coast Guard was assisted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Huron police and fire departments and the Canadian Coast Guard.

A second, unrelated body was recovered from Lake Erie on Saturday near Wildwood Marina, according to ODNR.

A man's body was found about 10 miles from the shore at about 1 p.m. His identity has not yet been released by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.

The Coast Guard urges everyone to wear a life jacket at all times when boating, especially when alone. Bommer also suggested people wear bright-colored clothing to help make it easier for rescuers, and check the weather before venturing out.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland police are investigating a fatal assault and shooting Saturday morning of a man who was found on a West Side tree lawn.

Police were called at about 8 a.m. Saturday to a home on the 3200 block of West 82nd Street in Cleveland's West Boulevard neighborhood.

When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old man on the tree lawn with a gunshot wound to his torso.

Officers administered first aid until EMS arrived and took him to MetroHealth, where he was pronounced dead. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office has not released his identity.

Police learned on the scene that the victim had been assaulted by several males.

The case remains under investigation, police say.

To comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comment section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A man's body was recovered Saturday from Lake Erie near Wildwood Park Marina in Cleveland, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The body was found about 10 miles from the shore at about 1 p.m. and brought to the Wildwood Marina.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office has not released the man's identity, and more details will be released as they become available.

This is the second body recovered Saturday from Lake Erie.

The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing boater after a body matching the description of the man was found at about noon near the mouth of the Vermilion River.

To comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comment section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Detectives are investigating after a man was shot early Sunday in Cleveland's Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood.

The 28-year-old man was shot in the shoulder and the groin just before 2:45 a.m. on Lansing Avenue near East 65th Street, police said.

He was taken to MetroHealth for treatment. A Cleveland police spokesman did not provide an update on his condition.

The police spokesman did not provide any additional information about the shooting, or say whether any arrests have been made.

To comment on this story, visit Sunday's crime and courts comments page.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A man was hurt early Sunday in a shooting on Cleveland's East Side, police said.

A 25-year-old man was shot in the hip just after 12:30 a.m. on Carnegie Avenue near East 71st Street, in the city's Fairfax neighborhood, police said.

Cleveland EMS took the man to University Hospitals for treatment.

A Cleveland police spokesman did not provide any additional information about the shooting. He also did not say if any arrests have been made in the case.

To comment on this story, visit Sunday's crime and courts comments page.
James D. Robenalt is a Cleveland lawyer and author.

CLEVELAND -- President Donald Trump was disinvited from speaking or even attending the late Sen. John McCain's memorial service at the Washington National Cathedral yesterday. According to reports, Sen. McCain told those close to him that he did not want Mr. Trump at the service. Vice President Mike Pence attended the memorial services in Washington, D.C. in his place.

Among the growing list of parallels Trump shares with the late Richard Nixon, there is now a new one.

In January 1973, President Nixon did not attend former President Harry Truman's memorial service at the National Cathedral out of sheer pettiness. He sent Vice President Spiro Agnew in his stead.

But Nixon's longstanding animosity towards Truman was not his only reason for skirting the service. As with most things Nixon, there were multiple slights he nursed when it came to the National Cathedral.

Richard Nixon never got along with Harry Truman and the feeling was mutual. Truman famously said of Nixon: "Richard Nixon is a no good, lying bastard. He can lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, and if he ever caught himself telling the truth, he'd lie just to keep his hand in."

Francis B. Sayre Jr., who was the dean of the National Cathedral, stood high up on Nixon's enemies list.

Sayre, born in the White House in 1915, was Woodrow Wilson's grandson. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Selma campaign and was one of the first clergymen along with King to turn against the Vietnam War. He was known to Nixon as a regular protestor outside the White House during Nixon's first term.

Nixon also believed that Sayre was behind a reprimand Nixon received at Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black's funeral in the National Cathedral in 1971.

Sayre was not in the pulpit at the time; another friend of Justice Black, the Rev. Duncan Howlett, took the shots at Nixon.

"Justice Black had little patience with strict constructionists," Howett said, looking directly at the president. Nixon had campaigned on the idea of appointing only strict constructionists as Supreme Court justices, a race whistle at the time for jurists who would not support busing or who might even overturn Brown v. Board of Education on school desegregation.

Nixon was furious after the Black service, blaming his Attorney General, John Mitchell, for persuading him to be present at the funeral.

Two years later, in January 1973, Nixon was still railing about it. "I wish we had some good excuse for not going to that darn Cathedral," he said to his secretary Rose Woods in the Oval Office, the White House taping system picking up his every word. "That Sayre is going to deliver the eulogy of Truman, and I'm probably going to get lectured."

Nixon in fact spent a good deal of time during the first week of January 1973 fretting about what to do. He worried aloud with aides, finally landing on the idea of calling his predecessor, Lyndon Johnson, to see if Johnson intended to come from his ranch in Texas to Truman's memorial in Washington.

The phone call on Jan. 2, 1973, would be the last time the two men would speak. "Happy New Year!" Johnson chirped when the White House operator connected him to the president. After exchanging some pleasantries about Nixon's friend Bebe Rebozo, Johnson said, "Well, I just feel the torture you're going through on Vietnam. I wish I could do something to help you."

Nixon had just unleashed a massive bombing campaign over Hanoi (where John McCain was being held as a prisoner of war), which became known as the infamous "Christmas bombings." Nixon confidentially reassured Johnson that the bombing was causing the North Vietnamese to return to the negotiating table in Paris. "We've got to finish this the right way and not the wrong way," Nixon said.

Then Nixon got to his point. Both men had visited Independence, Missouri, after Truman died to pay respects, but now Nixon wanted to know if Johnson was coming to Washington.

"No," Johnson replied, "I have no plans to go there at all."

"Good," Nixon responded. He now would have cover for not attending himself.

Johnson further explained his reasoning. He had gone to the Cotton Bowl the day before and had been up all night with chest pains. "I pay for it every time," Johnson said.

His mission accomplished, Nixon got off the phone quickly and looked to Chuck Colson, who had been sitting at the president's desk during the four-minute conversation. He remarked about Johnson's discussion of his heart pains. "He's a hypochondriac," Nixon said to Colson. "He's unbelievable." Colson replied, "He's so pathetic."

Twenty days later, Lyndon Johnson died from a massive heart attack while taking a nap at his Texas ranch.

Nixon found his excuse for not attending Truman's memorial and Dean Francis Sayre delivered the eulogy, calling Truman "a fearless son of simple soil, our brother Harry."

Vice President Agnew and his spouse, Judy Agnew, sat next to Margaret Truman Daniel, her husband Clifton Daniel, and Mamie Eisenhower. They sang "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," as the recessional.

"Power reveals" LBJ biographer Robert Caro wrote. "It doesn't always reveal you for the better, but it reveals."

Richard Nixon's character is often laid bare in private on the tapes. The current occupant of the White House shows his stripes in plain view in tweets and public pronouncements. The result however is the same: both men have shown themselves unable to overcome petty-mindedness at moments of great national import when important leaders are to be memorialized.

James D. Robenalt is author of "January 1973, Watergate, Roe v. Wade, Vietnam and the Month That Changed America Forever." His latest book is "Ballots and Bullets, Black Power Politics and Urban Guerrilla Warfare in 1968 Cleveland."

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On this Labor Day weekend, I thought I'd take a moment, as I sit at a computer keyboard and type for pay, to consider real laborers, the people who deposit sweat before they can collect a paycheck.

I'm thinking about highway crews, construction workers, landscapers, factory workers and roofers. People who go home bone tired and covered in a long day's dirt; who face dangers far greater than a missed deadline or a blown sale; who work in decent-paying jobs that young people still aren't clamoring to fill.

Which of them, I wondered, has the toughest job, the most demanding physically and mentally, the most all-consuming?

I think I've found him.

His name is Billy Ottinger and he lives in Brook Park. He's a member of Laborers' International Union of North America Local 860 in Cleveland and he works for B&B Wrecking & Escavating, with a crew that takes apart houses and buildings with tools and toil.

But that is not Billy's toughest job. He'll tell you himself he used to work harder in his early years on a street paving crew. At this point of his career, in his mid 40s with decades of experience, he can sometimes sweat a little less and supervise a little more.

It's his other job, the one he got in June, that's tougher than demolition, tougher than road paving, tougher, really, than any other job I can imagine. And for the record, he never even applied for it.

Every day now, Billy Ottinger wakes up and goes to work trying to walk again.

Before embarking on the hard work of standing and walking, Billy Ottinger discusses the day's physical therapy game plan with MetroHealth's Darcy Kosmerl.

"I fell off a roof. I was up there torching some beams and fell 11 feet and landed flat on my back on a pile of debris," he said. "I broke my back."

The accident happened in Hartville. He gashed his head pretty bad, too, and was rushed to Summa Health's Akron City Hospital, where 10 staples took care of the head wound. The back was a bit dicier: He required emergency surgery to fuse together several vertebrae.

After a month in that hospital and then rehab at MetroHealth in Cleveland, he's now home, attending outpatient physical therapy three times a week and working hard at home to regain function.

He can stand with leg braces and walk while steadying himself with a walker and some help. His spinal cord was not completely severed and the prognosis is hopeful.

"My doctors have a pretty positive outlook that I am going to recover," he said. But he's going to have to put in the work, something his employment history shows is no problem.

"That's how I'm built. I am doing as much as I can possibly do in the wheelchair," he said. "They say the more you put into it at home, the quicker you are going to get better. You cannot just go home and do nothing."

At a rehab session last week at the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio, he listened to physical therapist Darcy Kosmerl like she was a forewoman, and followed her directions like his livelihood depended on it. Which it does.

Physical therapist Darcy Kosmerl adjusts the straps on Billy Ottinger's KAFO (knee-ankle-foot-orthosis) braces.

He stood with the aid of KAFO (knee-ankle-foot-orthosis) devices and used a walker to traverse the hallway.

"Hips forward," she'd remind him.

"Right," he'd say, correcting his stance.

For an hour, he was the hardest working man in Cleveland. As for pay, he's covering his bills with workers' compensation payments, though they don't come close to his usual paycheck. And friends held a fundraiser at a local bar last week, where 200 of them bought $25 tickets with the proceeds going to whatever Billy needs.

The real payoff comes as he continues to get stronger and when his mobility returns. It comes, he says, when he sheds the braces and the walker.

"I just want to get better," he told me. "I want to go back to work."
Improve Your Tutoring Techniques Using These Tips 01 September, 2018



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Woke Bingo Tutoring can be very satisfying because you have a chance to share knowledge with another person directly. The results can be noticed easily because it is more productive to focus just on one person. There are various techniques that you can use when it comes to teaching, and we have created a list that contains some of the best ones.



If you are a person looking for a Torrance Tutor, it can also be helpful to take a look at these tips and see what you should expect from a professional tutor. Finding a person that knows how to teach is vital for any student



Prepare yourself

Your first lesson is essential, and you must be properly prepared for it. Start by doing a bit of research when it comes to the syllabus of your student. You should be aware of his or her level of knowledge, as well as the requirements for the exam.



You will also need to get the right materials for tutoring. You should find out which textbooks you need and bring them to your first lesson. You might also want to bring some stationery, just in case your student doesn't carry any. Call your student in order to fix the time and space and make sure that you know how to reach the location.



Help your students become independent

If you are a good tutor, you will teach your students how to study without needing you. It is important to help a student think on his own. You can do this by offering them tasks that might go over their level of knowledge. This will help them think on their own, and they will feel proud of themselves when they complete an assignment.



Use games

A game can be a fun way of testing the comprehension of your students. This technique doesn't have to be used just with small children, and there are also plenty of educative games that work for adults. If you are out of ideas, a simple online search should help you.



Finding the right place

It is very important that you have the right environment for your lesson. There shouldn't be any distractions so that your student can focus and you can teach without being interrupted. You will need a table, two chairs, and good lighting.



Discover the problem

If a student needs tutoring, there might be certain problems when it comes to the learning process. For example, you might deal with a creative student that loves humanities, but has trouble with science and math. Or things could be the other way around, and you might need to help your students express themselves.



It is important that you understand what is the problem so that you will be able to fix it together. There are plenty of solutions for each student, but you need to sit down and discuss first. For example, if you tutor someone who finds it hard to memorize information, you need to find out which tools work for that person. Some people react better to visual techniques. In this case, you should use drawings, highlighters, and pictures in order to help them memorize.



You might also have a student that has trouble concentrating. In this situation you need to make sure that you make your lesson interesting and give them breaks from time to time. You can also combine learning sessions with other activities, which is a method that always has good results.



You will have to evaluate your student's needs and discover what the things that they already know are. There is no point in continuing to teach them something that they have already understood. Let your student talk freely about the subject you are working on so that you can identify the strong points.



Customize your teaching style

If you want to get through your student, you will need to discover which methods work for him or her. If you have active students, you should teach them things by making them do it. On the other hand, those who have a reflective learning style will need to spend time processing the information before they do anything.

In order to find out the learning style of your student you can make them complete certain questionnaires. A simple online search can help you find tests that you can use in order to determine the style of your student.



Come up with a plan

Once you have discovered the teaching methods that work for your students and you know what the problem areas are, you can start preparing yourself. Create a plan and decide how you are going to cover each topic. You can also create a basic timetable so that you will know exactly how much time each lesson needs. Share this plan with your student and ask if there are any suggestions.



You should also create a set of goals with your student. Make sure that they are all reasonable goals that can be achieved in a limited amount of time. You can decide together what these goals should be. For example, improving their grade at a certain subject can be a reasonable goal. Make sure that you keep track of this.



Tracking progress

Once you have come up with a plan and a set of goals, you need to track the development during the sessions. Write down all the details that can be important for this. For example, you need to know the grades for tests and quizzes, as well as the overall class grades. You should evaluate the efforts of your student, as well as their improvements.



You should also ask your student to inform you about all the assignments received in class. These are also things you need to cover during the tutoring lessons. You should handle graded assignments before the deadline and help your student get a good grade. Remember that you shouldnt do your work for them, simply help them do it on their own.



Praise your student

Positive reinforcement is incredibly efficient so don't be afraid to praise your students whenever they do something correctly. This will increase their self-confidence and it will help them focus even more. If a student does not perform successfully, don't make him or she feel bad. Words of encouragement can be a lot more helpful.



Breaks are needed

Every student needs some breaks from time to time. A break shouldnt be too long, and five minutes are usually enough. If you work without a break it will be a lot more difficult for your student to concentrate. Getting up and drinking some water might help them get the concentration they need.



Come up with a structure for your sessions

Your sessions should be organized properly. For example, it can be a good idea to start by asking questions about the previous lesson. You shouldnt move on unless you are sure that your student has understood the old material. If there are any problems, you should do a little bit of revision.



Adapt

Everyone has a bad day from time to time, even students. If you notice that your student is in a bad mood, it can be a good idea to take things easier that day. Find simpler tasks for that session and help them get through the day.



Dont be afraid to create a personal connection with your students. Find out how they feel and see if there is any chance that you can help them. If a poor performance in school is worrying them, you should encourage them and remind them of their progress. You can also find out what their passions are so that you can include them during the tutoring lessons.



Preparing for the next session

When your session is over you should discuss your next one. When you schedule the next lesson you should try to keep the same time, day and location. Make sure that your student or the parents are also aware of the payment details.



End your lesson by telling your student what needs to be prepared for the following session. If you didn't manage to finish the work that day, you could assign it as homework. You should also try to give your student some things to look forward to, such as an interesting activity that you have prepared for the next time.



Homework is useful

We all know that students hate homework, but there is no better way of making sure that they have understood the material. However, this does not mean that homework should be boring. Try to give them homework that will make them engage and think. For example, watching a movie and writing a review could be both fun and educative.
In this image taken with a fisheye lens, Stephanie Rolf, center, a teacher in the Douglas County, Colo., school system, leads a cheer during a teacher rally Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Denver.

As classrooms and textbooks crumble from neglect and resources run thin, teachers from both parties are running for office in unprecedented numbers this year in hopes of gaining a political voice in Washington and in statehouses across the country. More than 300 educators are on ballots, more than double the 2014 and 2016 numbers, in a grassroots movement following strikes that shuttered schools in such states as West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arizona and Colorado. The movement is cutting across party lines. Democrats are vying to capture seats in GOP-led statehouses that have slashed public education in favor of tax breaks for wealthy corporations. Some Republican educators are campaigning on promises to increase education spending and curb the expansion of charter schools. After a decade of fiscal austerity, voters and lawmakers from both sides of aisle are seeking to reverse trends that have led to tighter budgets, charter school expansion and pension cuts. "Education is in crisis. And teachers are held responsible for the poor decisions made by lawmakers," said Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year who is vying to be Connecticut's first black Democrat in Congress. "Even though we were never at the table, we're still held accountable." Republicans who have previously voted against education measures are already paying for it in the primaries. In Oklahoma on Tuesday, six more incumbent Republican state House members were defeated, all of whom voted against a tax hike used to fund teacher pay raises. Of the 19 House Republicans who voted against the tax hike, eight have now been defeated. In Florida, Andrew Gillum, a progressive who would be the state's first black governor, won the Democratic primary Tuesday. Gillam has supported investing in public education, raising teacher salaries and overhauling standardized testing. He will square off against Republican Ron DeSantis, a conservative congressman who boasts the support of President Donald Trump. In a major blow to Arizona teachers on Wednesday, the state's Supreme Court blocked a ballot initiative that would have increased taxes on the wealthy to raise money for schools. In the gubernatorial race, David Garcia, a Democrat and an education professor, is running to unseat Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican who has fought against raising taxes despite signing legislation in May to raise teacher pay, ending the Arizona walkout. Since the financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent recession, state tax revenues have largely recovered, but funding for education has not. Many states haven't restored funding for K-12 schools since the Great Recession. The Trump administration's fiscal 2019 budget proposal will cut more than $3 billion from the Education Department, while investing $1.6 billion to support private school vouchers and other school choice programs. Criticism of the administration's education policy has centered on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, a Republican billionaire brought into the administration with no experience as an educator but with a reputation for promoting private and charter schools. She has since steered money away from public schools and has pushed to give families taxpayer money in the form of vouchers to attend private schools. She has pushed legislation establishing tax credits for scholarships to private schools in Florida. In her home state of Michigan in 2016 her family contributed $1.45 million over two months  an average of $25,000 a day  to Republican lawmakers after the GOP legislature derailed a provision that would provide more oversight in Detroit charter schools. "I'm unhappy with what the government is doing to public education. But I won't spend time being angry and waiting for someone else to make a change," Connecticut candidate Hayes told CNBC. A White House official who declined to be named said that the 2019 budget proposal would reduce and eliminate programs that haven't helped students, preserve funding for grants to support low-income and disabled students, and expand school choice. The Education Department did not respond to requests for comment.

National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes (C) has a hard time controlling her excitement after taking the stage with U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd R), Education Secretary John King (R) and her fellow state teachers of the year during a White House ceremony on May 3, 2016. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images

Wisconsin's state school superintendent, Democrat Tony Evers, isn't waiting either. As his party's nominee for governor, he is taking on Scott Walker, the Republican incumbent who has been instrumental in restricting the bargaining power of public employees, including teachers. In his stump speech, Evers accused Walker of "gutting our public schools, insulting our hard-working educators, and destroying higher education in Wisconsin." Walker transformed his once progressive state, with a long history of labor activism, into a hotbed of conservatism and controversy. In 2011, he eliminated collective bargaining rights from most public employees and forced them to contribute more to their retirement and health insurance. This sparked outrage over what many saw as another move by Republicans to silence organized labor. Walker also cut property taxes at the expense of school funding, justifying the law as a cost-saving measure following the Great Recession. The law slashed $800 million in funding to schools, among the deepest cuts to education in any state. In response, some conservative cities and towns have voted to hike their own property taxes to make up the shortfall. In Minnesota, Rep. Tim Walz, a former teacher who narrowly won the Democratic nomination for governor, is promising to protect bargaining rights and encourage union organization. He wants to reform the Bush 43 administration's No Child Left Behind law, calling it "deeply flawed." No Child Left Behind had passed with bipartisan support in 2001. It introduced high-stakes standardized testing to gauge students, with the goal of making every student proficient in those subjects by 2014. But critics argue that it encourages an overemphasis on standardized testing and leads to unfair evaluations of K-12 educators. Over time, more schools failed to keep up to such high standards and faced sanctions, including closings. In 2015, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, which rolled back some components of the law, but frustrations still linger.

Charter schools are a target

The ongoing debate over the role of charter schools has been brought into sharper focus in many campaigns being fought by educators. Supporters of charter schools argue that forcing low performing public schools to compete for public funding will pressure them to improve. But opponents argue charter schools have siphoned money away from public education and contributed to underfunding in some districts. The backlash even includes some Republican teachers who are challenging members of their own party as first-time candidates. That has upended some traditionally GOP-led education initiatives, including local tax freezes and charter school expansion. Republican Scott Lewis, a school superintendent in rural Hartford, Kentucky, is vowing to protect public education in his bid for a seat in Kentucky's State House. Lewis said he'd consider raising taxes to fund schools and would oppose charter school expansion. Kentucky has seen a wave of educators join this fall's election campaign following a statewide strike in April that saw the GOP-led legislature override the Republican Gov. Matt Bevin's veto of a plan to increase spending. Travis Brenda, a high school math teacher at Rockcastle County High School in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, narrowly upset state House Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Shell in the state's GOP primary in May, despite Shell's endorsement from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

I know it's said that Republicans usually want to cut spending, and Democrats want to raise taxes. But there's a happy medium somewhere. This is a bipartisan issue. People need to come together. Travis Brenda Republican candidate for Kentucky's House of Representatives

"I know it's said that Republicans usually want to cut spending, and Democrats want to raise taxes. But there's a happy medium somewhere," Brenda said. "This is a bipartisan issue. People need to come together." Brenda also opposes charter schools, saying they have failed to live up to their promises to serve lower income students. "Charter schools just help the people that already have money. And they take money away from the public schools that are already suffering from budget cuts," he said.

Pension cuts

Budget cuts since the recession have also cut deeply into pension benefits for many public employees, including public school teachers. Public pension systems nationwide face record levels of debt, totaling $1.4 trillion, according to a recent Pew Charitable Trusts study. As lawmakers try to close the funding gap, retirement programs and wages are under increased pressure. Pensions cuts were at the heart of the April protest in Kentucky, when thousands of outraged teachers took to the Capitol to protest a surprise pension overhaul. Despite Kentucky's approval of increased school student spending, the pension changes still remain. That's prompted many teacher candidates to fight back against legislatures that have diverted funds from pensions.

Paying out of pocket

Tight budgets have whittled away at school days, with thousands of districts across the country cramming classes into four-day weeks, despite widespread agreement among educators that students need more instruction time for a better education. In Pennsylvania, school funding has emerged as a key issue in the governor's race between incumbent Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf and his GOP challenger Scott Wagner. Wagner said he would seek to drive $1 billion in new funding to help schools. More than a dozen districts across Pennsylvania are severely underfunded, according to Equity First, an organization focused on school funding in the state. In many cases, the financial burden is falling on teachers forced to spend out of pocket on classroom supplies. A federal Department of Education survey found that 94 percent of public school teachers in the United States pay for supplies without reimbursement in the school year that straddled 2014 and 2015.

Public school teachers and their supporters protest against a pension reform bill at the Kentucky State Capitol on April 2, 2018, in Frankfort, Kentucky. The teachers are calling for higher wages and demanding that Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin veto a bill that overhauls their pension plan. Bill Pugliano | Getty Images

Devon Skeens, who taught government in two different Baltimore City charter schools, said he walked in on his first day to an empty classroom; no textbooks, pencils, or markers. Besides the "Eisenhower era" desks, he said he bought everything himself, which averaged to $100 per week and amounted to thousands of dollars over the course of the school year. "I was more than willing to spend money on my students. If I didn't, no one would," he said. "It's just the expectation." But the frustration over out of pocket spending, Skeens said, is a smaller component to a systemic problem in which school teachers are treated with little respect. "Teachers are tired of being de-professionalized and treated like they're dispensable. They've been picking up the slack for government institutions who are pushing the tab on teachers so they can balance their own budget," he said. Skeens eventually left the profession, fed up, he said, with the indignities of public school teaching and dismayed by the lack of progress in public education.

Advocating for the profession
Bloomberg News on Sunday denied being the source of an off-the-record interview remark made by President Donald Trump that complicated already tense negotiations between the U.S. and Canada over the contours of a new North American Free Trade Agreement.

An 11th hour firestorm erupted late last week in the wake of the president's sit down with Bloomberg for an on-the-record interview. However, a portion of Trump's remarks that were not for attribution or publication  in which he suggested he wouldn't grant Canada any concessions at all  were somehow obtained and reported by Toronto Star.

On Sunday, Bloomberg Washington bureau chief Craig Gordon said the organization neither published or authorized the release of any of the off-the-record material from Trump's interview. "When we agree that something is off the record, we respect that agreement," Gordon wrote on Twitter.

The leak was highly unusual, given journalistic rules of engagement governing off-the-record material. Usually, if a source grants an interview but requests that certain portions not be published or attributed directly to them, reporters must abide those terms.

Trump, who is consistently at war with the media, denounced the leak on Friday as an example of "more dishonest reporting," and called on Bloomberg to apologize.

Trump tweet

Trade talks between the United States and Canada will kick off again Wednesday, after the two sides ended Friday's tense negotiations without a deal.

"If we don't make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out. Congress should not interfere with these negotiations or I will simply terminate NAFTA entirely & we will be far better off," the president said on Twitter Saturday, blasting the trade pact as one of "the worst deals ever made."
A team of scientists at biotech company Genentech started using a meditation app in 2015 and, not long after, noticed that they felt more content and happier at home and work.

After conducting their own experiments and submitting the data to human resources, Genentech decided to roll the Headspace app out to all of its roughly 14,000 employees the following year, said Nancy Vitale, senior vice president of human resources at Genentech, a unit of Roche.

More than 2,500 Genentech employees now use the meditation app Headspace four times per week, on average, Vitale said.

"Headspace is giving us an opportunity to focus on the health and well-being of our employees," she said. "Our mission is bringing breakthrough medicines to patients, and it's critical to foster an environment where employees feel they can give their best."

Headspace has spent the past year aggressively chasing corporate clients like Genentech and already has 250 companies that cover the cost of their employees' subscriptions. Executives say they expect to double that number by the end of the year, said Chief Business Officer Ross Hoffman.

Corporate clients give it access to thousands of new customers, slashing the cost of acquiring new ones.

For employers, it gives them a way to help ensure their employees mental health. Quantifying how much stress and mental illness costs companies is challenging because it includes direct costs like medical visits and indirect costs, such as lost productivity.

More than half of working adults said they experienced a great deal or some stress at work in the past year, according to a 2016 study by Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and other researchers. Meanwhile, about 8 percent of Americans reported meditating in 2012, according to the National Health Interview Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Workers, especially millennials, are demanding more wellness benefits from their employers. Buying meditation subscriptions can be an attractive opportunity for companies  and a promising avenue for Headspace and competitors.

"You spend so much time working, that's why it's such a future vision of our company," Headspace's Hoffman said.

Anyone can access some of Headspace's meditation content for free when they download the app, or they can buy a membership to access all of its meditation packs and other content focused on mindfulness and sleep.

Premium memberships typically cost $12.99 per month, $95.88 per year or $399.99 for a lifetime. Headspace currently has more more than 31 million users on its platform and more than 1 million premium members.

Headspace started courting companies about three years ago, Hoffman said, but it started really making a push for corporate clients last year. He joined the Santa Monica, California-based company last June and formed a team to focus on corporate clients.

Tech companies, like Google and LinkedIn, were early adopters. Headspace has also signed deals with more traditional employers and sprawling conglomerates like General Electric and Unilever.

Headspace declined to say what percent of its revenue comes from its Headspace for Work business. A spokesman said the company anticipates the business will represent around 50 percent of its annual revenue, "in the coming years," making it equivalent to its consumer business.

How much the program costs employers varies based on how many subscriptions companies purchase and how many people actually people actually download one. Some, like General Electric, cover free trials and subsidize memberships. Others, like Genentench, cover the cost of an annual subscription.

Vitale notes this is just one tool Genentech uses to help employees with their mental health. At GE, Headspace is one component of the company's focus on mindfulness this year.

Employees can access an enhanced one-month free trial and a roughly 60 percent discount off the standard rate. The company has received "great feedback" from "many" of the more than 5,000 employees that have tried it, Global Wellness Leader Adam Malinoski said in a statement to CNBC.

Caroline Prendergast, interim chief people officer at London-based insurance company Aviva, said the company has also received "really good feedback" from colleagues about Headspace helping regulate their sleep.

But not every employer is sold quite yet. Some companies have asked Headspace for more proof that paying for the service will help their employees, or more data supporting the return on investment.

To address this, Headspace is conducting studies to see whether using the app can make employees healthier, workplaces safer and companies' medical costs lower  the "holy grail of ROI" as Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Megan Jones Bell calls it.

The company also created a subsidiary called Headspace Health in June. It's aimed at creating the first meditation app that's approved to treat chronic diseases by the Food and Drug Administration.

"Your mind feels intangible in a way," Bell said. "Where we're pioneering is we're trying to do studies to help us understand how meditation works to change your health and to push the edges of where science has been."

One of Headspace's competitors, Calm, is also eyeing corporate clients. It's already signed a deal with professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to give employees premium memberships as part of the firm's wellness initiative, "Be well, work well."
Hyundai Santa Cruz concept Source: Paul A. Eisenstein

Light trucks now account for two-thirds of the U.S. new vehicle market, and while utility vehicles might dominate the American market, demand also is booming for pickups, something planners at Hyundai soon hope to tap into. The Korean carmaker told CNBC it expects a production version of the Santa Cruz will launch in the U.S. market in 2020 or sometime the following year. The Santa Cruz pickup concept was revealed at the January 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Originally intended as little more than a styling exercise, the compact pickup will become a central part of the push by Hyundai to expand its presence in the booming U.S. light truck market. Targeting what it has described as "Urban Adventurers," the production Santa Cruz is expected to be the lone entry into the compact pickup segment that effectively disappeared several decades ago, in part due to hefty tariffs on imported trucks. Hyundai will still face those challenges, and potentially a rival from Ford. "We just had a meeting to look at the design," Kyung Soo "Ken" Lee, Hyundai Motor America's CEO told CNBC in an interview during the preview of another critical entry in its truck line-up, the complete makeover of its Santa Fe crossover-utility vehicle.

Hyundai Santa Cruz concept Source: Paul A. Eisenstein

SUVs and CUVs get most of the attention, but pickups make up a critical  and highly profitable  segment of the American automotive market. The full-size Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 models have for years been the market's three best-selling product lines, in that order. And written off for dead just a few years ago, the midsize pickup segment has come roaring back since mid-decade.

Where Subaru's BRAT stumbled

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, small pickups, such as the Subaru BRAT, found a niche with baby boomers on a budget who were just getting their licenses and wanted something different from the sedans and wagons their parents drove. They were more likely to be based on car-like platforms  just like today's crossovers  the BRAT sharing its underpinnings with a small Subaru station wagon. That's the approach Hyundai will take, though Lee and other Hyundai officials are being intentionally vague about details. One of the key questions yet to be revealed is whether the production version of the Santa Cruz will feature the same, unique bed extender that was a key part of the show car's appeal. The unusual system worked something like a drawer, allowing the bed to slide back to add extra length for large cargo. Fully extended, a motorcycle could fit into it. Retracted, the Santa Cruz concept was only about as long as a typical concept sedan. Though it will have more flexibility than a similarly sized utility vehicle, Hyundai isn't planning to bill the production Santa Cruz as a work truck, but will target millennials and even younger Gen-Z buyers who, much like the then-young boomers, wanted something a bit different and more affordable. That could mean a starting price in the teens, undercutting the current base model among midsize trucks, the Nissan Frontier, which starts at around $18,000. Full-size pickups are some of the most profitable vehicles sold in the U.S., and midsize models are generally delivering good margins, according to industry data. But at the likely price for the Santa Cruz, margins likely will be much tighter.

So, one of the other unanswered questions is where Hyundai will produce the Santa Cruz. Import pickups have largely been priced out of the market because of the "chicken tax," a 25 percent tariff holdover from a trade battle between the U.S. and several European countries back in the mid-1960s. That would likely make it impossible to bring the truck in from Korea.

Hyundai Santa Cruz Source: Hyundai

The alternative would be to produce Santa Cruz at Hyundai's sole U.S. assembly plant in Alabama. The carmaker might also try to squeeze the truck into one of the plants operated by its Korean sibling, Kia, one in Georgia, the other in Mexico. Unless NAFTA is rewritten or scrapped, as President Donald Trump has threatened, trucks built there don't pay the chicken tax. While Hyundai is still studying the potential demand for the Santa Cruz, the truck will become part of the brand's broader shift into light trucks. It has lagged behind key U.S. and Asian competitors in adapting to this trend, noted Mike O'Brien, its top U.S. product planner. Utility vehicles, pickups, vans and other models now account for 68.6 percent of the American new vehicle market, with Hyundai's light truck share only at 43.5 percent. The automaker is also expanding and updating its crossover line-up to gain momentum. As it tries to gain a foothold, other automakers are stepping up their efforts as well. Ford Motor will early next year relaunch the midsize Range nameplate that has been absent from the American market since 2011. Several recent news reports have indicated the Detroit automaker is also studying opportunities for an even smaller entry, likely car-based, that could come to market sometime during the first half of the coming decade. If that happens, there will be more competition for the Santa Cruz.

Hyundai Santa Cruz Source: Hyundai
The casket is pictured leaving the memorial service of U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) at National Cathedral in Washington, U.S., September 1, 2018.

Meghan McCain's apparent criticism of President Donald Trump at the memorial service of her father, Arizona Sen. John McCain, was in line with the late senator's outspoken style, two of his former Senate colleagues and friends told CNN on Sunday.

In her emotional speech at Saturday's funeral service  which Trump was not invited to attend  the younger McCain took veiled swipes at the president, blasting him for "cheap rhetoric" on American greatness. She never mentioned the president by name.

"The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great," she said, emphasizing her father's vision of how he saw the nation during his service and appropriating the president's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, two of the Arizona Republican's closest allies and friends in the Senate, defended her eulogy in a televised appearance.

"She is her father's daughter," Graham told CNN's "State of the Union" in a joint interview with Lieberman. "If you say something bad about her dad, you will know it, whether you're the janitor or the President of the United States. She is grieving for the father she adored. I think most Americans understand that."

Lieberman added that he was a "proud uncle" watching McCain's speech at the memorial service.

"She was direct ... the way John was," Lieberman said.

The senators' defense came after McCain posted a photo of them online, calling them her "uncles forever." Graham, Lieberman and McCain were often referred to as the "three amigos" during their time in the country's top lawmaking body.
With the unemployment rate below 4 percent and competition for skilled workers increasing, companies are getting more and more creative when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent.

In 2017, 17 percent of companies offered their employees sabbaticals, but only 5 percent offered a paid medium-term absence benefit, according to a survey by the Society of Human Resource Management.

While more companies are offering this as a way to help keep their employees happy, some experts caution it does carry some potential hazards.

For example, if employees are away for a really long time, "it does put someone's skills potentially at riskthey could come back kind of rusty," Glassdoor Senior Director Scott Dobroski told CNBC's "On the Money" in an interview.

In addition, Dobroski said that employee may not want to come back.

"A sabbatical, in part, is meant for someone to discover something new, learn new skills, get enriched in some way, and what if they like that option better?"

While it may be a risk for the employer, Dobroski says it's not a risk for the employee  even though some employees may fear seeming replaceable.

"Employees who are taking sabbaticals and employers who are allowing these employees to take sabbaticals are typically good to outstanding performers," he said.

He added: "These employers after several years want to give them extended time off knowing that it is actually a tool for retaining the employees long term."
Where you start your career can have a lasting impact on your professional trajectory. Geography can affect your opportunities, earnings potential and ability to save money.

But just because a city offers amazing opportunities doesn't mean it's the perfect fit for everyone or every young professional. Career services site Zippia combed through data from the American Community Survey as well as median income figures from the U.S. Census to find the best platform for young professionals.

The site analyzed 831 of the country's biggest cities based on factors such as unemployment, population, age and cost of living in order to determine which places were best for young people starting their careers. Surprisingly, it found that smaller, lower-profile cities offered the affordability and opportunity that could get new professionals the right jump start.

In its ranking, Zippia found Fargo, North Dakota, offered the best combination of professional opportunity, affordability and quality of life. The median monthly rent in Fargo is about $727 and the unemployment rate is just 2.2 percent.

The ranking also considered population  and the share of millennials living in each city. Unsurprisingly, several of the best cities for young people also had large student populations thanks to large state universities. For instance, Lawrence, Kansas, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Madison, Wisconsin, are all home to flagship state universities and have slots in the list's top 10.

Several major cities are noticeably missing, including New York and Los Angeles. While cities like these do have a large number of young people and often offer higher salaries, an equally high cost of living keeps them off the list.

Here are the best cities to kick-start your career in each state:
Imran Khan constituted 18-member EAC

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted an 18-member Economic Advisory Council (EAC) with the induction of a few world-renowned economists to ensure the availability of best possible professional advice to the government on economic policies.



Unlike past practices, the new EAC will be headed by the prime minister himself to ensure that the best possible professional advice is available to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government to inform, optimise and synergise the formulation and implementation of its economic and financial policies.



The first meeting of the council will be convened next week.



In the past, EACs were headed by finance ministers with no definite agenda for regular meetings. It was observed that EAC met even once in four months and its advice was not considered seriously. Consequently, EACs have become mere debating forums.



Contrary to this, it was decided this time that a permanent secretariat will be established for the EAC in the finance division. And the new EAC will meet at least once a month and its mandate will be to advise the government on both short-term macroeconomic stabilisation interventions and long-term structural reforms for stable and sustained economic development.



According to the terms-of reference, the ministry of finance will be the nodal government agency for the EAC, which will function in an entirely non-partisan manner and is expected to strengthen existing state institutions in a collaborative and concerted manner.



The ultimate goal of the EAC is to promote analytically sound and evidence-based reforms and initiatives for the progress and development of Pakistan.



The EAC comprises some of the most erudite and well-respected experts, academics and practitioners of the field, who are currently serving in, or have rich experience with, some of the most advanced academic institutions and other specialised organisations in Pakistan and abroad.



The council is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the government capacity to design and introduce sound and effective policies for rapid and continued social and economic advancement, human resource development, improvement of business processes, and strengthening of data services.



The council will also facilitate capacity building of the government in conducting policy analysis and will assist the government in reaching out to the international network of recognised economists to invite them to contribute to Pakistans development.



Out of the 18 members, seven belong to government and 11 are from the private sector.



From the private sector, three leading international academics made EAC members are Dr Atif R. Mian of the Princeton University (Department of Member Economics) and Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy); Dr Asim ljaz Khawaja, Sumitomo-FASID Professor of Member International Finance and Development at the Harvard Kennedy School; and Dr lmran Rasul, Professor of Economics, Department of Member Economics, University College, London.



Other members of the council are Dr Farrukh lqbal, Dean and Director of the Institute of Business Administration; Dr Ashfaque Hassan Khan, Principal and Dean of School of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Sciences and Technology; Dr ljaz Nabi, Professor of Economics, Lahore University of Management Sciences; Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of Sustainable Development Policy Institute; Dr Asad Zaman, Vice Chancellor of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics; Dr Naved Hamid, Professor of Economics at Lahore School of Economics; Syed Salim Raza, former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, and Sakib Sherani, economist.



The official members of the council are Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Asad Umer, Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Division Khusro Bakhtiar, Secretary of Finance Division Arif Ahmed Khan, Governor of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Tariq Bajwa, Adviser on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission.



Last week, the government constituted a committee headed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar to recover the wealth stashed abroad. The committee comprises officials of the National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Board of Revenue, SBP and the ministries of interior and foreign affairs. The committee held its first meeting on August 27.



Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked the committee to give it recommendations in two weeks for possible steps to be taken for expedient return of unlawfully acquired assets from abroad.



On March 26, the Supreme Court constituted a 12-member committee headed by SBP Governor Bajwa and tasked to trace and encourage Pakistani nationals to volunteer by declaring assets stashed abroad.
Hi! I'm an education beat reporter for Fall 2018, and I'm a senior studying print and digital news. Please provide me with any feedback, questions or tips you have  my email is kyle.lahucik@mail.missouri.edu and my phone number is 708.359.9917.

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May: I am clear about my mission. I commit to Chequers. And there will be no second referendum

She says second vote would be gross betrayal  The Sun on Sunday

And that UK would thrive after No Deal  Mail on Sunday

Party donor backs referendum on final deal  Observer

The coming months will be critical in shaping the future of our country and I am clear about my mission. This government will fulfil the democratic decision of the British people by ensuring that the UK leaves the European Union on 29th March next year  and that as we do so, we build a stronger, more meritocratic Britain that is fit for the future.  At Chequers in July, the government came together around a set of proposals that could break the deadlock on the negotiations and bring a fresh dynamic to the talks. And there are signs over the Summer that this has happened, with real progress in the negotiations.  Neither will I give in to those who want to re-open the whole question with a second referendum. In the Summer of 2016, millions came out to have their say. In many cases for the first time in decades, they trusted that their vote would count; that after years of feeling ignored by politics, their voices would be heard. To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy  and a betrayal of that trust.  Sunday Telegraph

More Comment:

My poll shows that 93 per cent of leave voters would still vote to leave  John Curtice, Sunday Express

Labour needs to lead calls for peoples vote  David Lammy, Observer

Editorial:

Good on May for scolding those calling for second referendum  The Sun on Sunday

>Today: ToryDiary: ConHomes monthly survey is out. Almost two months on, whats your view of the Governments Chequers plan for Brexit?

Brexiteers alternative plan, calling for Canada-style deal, to be published just before the party conference

Ex-Minister and Stand Up For Brexit campaigner Steve Baker has released this video urging Mrs May to chuck Chequers as a Canada-style deal and a no-deal blueprint are being stress-tested The alternative plan to the Chequers blueprint is being stress-tested ahead of its unveiling on the eve of conference. Brexit-backing Tory MPs are working on the benefits of a Canada-style deal and a no-deal scenario with a team of policy experts. It is set to be published just ahead of the Tories annual rally taking place in Birmingham later this month. It has been claimed around 100 MPs could back the alternative proposal. It comes as Eurosceptic MPs including former party leader Iain Duncan Smith and Cabinet Minister Priti Patel back the Stand Up For Brexit campaign. Ex-Minister Steve Baker last night said: The Prime Minister should chuck Chequers and stand up for Brexit based on advanced free trade agreement with the EU, an agreement of the kind the EU has offered in principle.  The Sun on Sunday

Boles: Heres my own plan for a Better Brexit. I cant support Chequers now. We need EEA followed by Canada

People across the world believe in Britain. We need to be confident here, and bang the drum for free trade  Liam Fox, The Sun on Sunday

Barnier says Britain should change mind in favour of customs union

This autumn Britain faces a terrible choice: between the humiliation of a deal dictated by Brussels; and the chaos of crashing out of the EU next March with no deal. But it is not too late to change course. Today I am publishing my plan for a Better Brexit. In July of last year I wrote a column for the ConservativeHome website suggesting that we should decouple from the EU gradually, parking temporarily in EFTA and the EEA before negotiating a long term relationship based on a free trade agreement. In short that we should try to emulate Norways relationship with the EU before moving to a position more like Canadas. At the time, the government was confident that it could do a better deal than that, that it would be able to secure full access to the Single Market and the Customs Union without being a member of the relevant institutions, or signing up to their rules. Now we know better  and the government is poised to sign up to a much worse deal than the one I outlined.  The Sunday Telegraph

Michel Barnier issued a stark warning to the UK government, urging the British negotiators to keep the countrys borders open or put companies at risk of major disruption. The EUs chief negotiator told London to strike a deal securing continued access to the European Unions single market or the customs union. If the British government was to opt for a so-called hard Brexit, severing all the current ties with Brussels, companies would face disruption to their supply chains. Mr Barnier told the German Sunday newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper: Should the British government decide in favour of a customs union with us, which is still possible, things would be much easier. The Frenchmans warning comes after the European Union urged its member states to ramp up their preparations for a no-deal Brexit.  Sunday Express

Crosby is secretly masterminding plan to destroy Chequers and make Johnson leader

May rumbled the plot, and has declared war  Mail on Sunday

May has been plotting survival strategies including considering potential election in case of Brexit-deal loss

Theresa May was facing a fresh threat to her leadership last night as senior Tories said the man who ran her election campaign is secretly masterminding a bid to destroy her Brexit plan and install Boris Johnson in Downing Street. Sir Lynton Crosby  the election guru who helped Johnson win two London mayoral elections  has ordered his allies to work with hardline Brexiteers in the Commons to run a nationwide campaign against the prime ministers Chequers plan. One of Crosbys senior staff at his firm CTF Partners is in close contact with the European Research Group (ERG) of Brexit hardliners run by Jacob Rees-Mogg and a campaign that is seen as a front for Johnsons leadership ambitions. MPs plan to publish an alternative to Mays plan before the Tory party conference with the backing of both Johnson and David Davis, who resigned from the cabinet over Chequers.  The Sunday Times

As metaphors go for what is about to unfold in Westminster, it is hard to top the moment Steve Bakers parachute failed to open while he was skydiving in Portugal. The former Brexit minister, who resigned in disgust at Theresa Mays Chequers deal, said: I was in a severe spiral dive, heading through decision height. I could not land it, so I cut away the main and deployed the reserve.  Mays team have been plotting survival strategies. Her political aides have discussed with civil servants whether to call an election if her Brexit deal is voted down by the Commons. They have also openly suggested that she might have to make a public statement that she plans not to fight the 2022 general election. One proposal, that May should say next months Tory conference would be her last as leader, has been rejected on the grounds that it would undermine her negotiating position with Brussels.  The Sunday Times

As recess ends, heres whats going on in the parties  Observer

Comment:

What was May thinking when she committed 4bn to Africa?  Nick Ferrari, Sunday Express

Hinds to announce national phonics roadshow to help teachers

Primary school kids will benefit from a reading and writing blitz to drive up standards, we can reveal. A thousand teachers will get help from a team of experts touring the country to boost reading and writing skills.Education Secretary Damian Hinds today reveals a phonics roadshow will tour the country to aid staff. Teachers across 500 schools in England will try and drive pupils up the international literacy league tables. The latest figures show Englands nine and ten-year-olds are ranked joint eighth out of 50 countries. More than 150,000 pupils aged six are on track to be better readers than in 2012.  The Sun on Sunday

More government

Javid to announce crackdown on online child predators  The Sunday Times

Ministers could scrap Help to Buy  Mail on Sunday

New government plan to help drivers bypass roadworks  The Sun on Sunday

More Conservatives

Rudd speaks of risks of giving data to companies  Sunday Telegraph

Could May come face to face with Banks at the party conference?  Black Dog, Mail on Sunday

You cant compare Ukip entryism with Corbyn situation  Janet Daley, Sunday Telegraph

>Today: Line Kristensen in Comment: To win next time, the Conservative Party must make recruiting and training activists its priority

>Yesterday: Local Government: Council by-election results since August 9th

Field: A by election is a possibility

The Hodge interview  Rosamund Urwin, The Sunday Times

The war playing out in Merseyside is about the takeover of the Labour Party itself  Michael Gove, The Sun on Sunday

Corbyn is worse than Powell  Dan Hodges, Mail on Sunday

 I shall remain as active as ever, in putting the interests of Birkenhead and the country first, and on the broader policy issues of poverty, jobs, welfare and pensions where I have long campaigned. A by-election is certainly a possibility, but it must be balanced against the commitment I gave the people of Birkenhead at the last election, always to put the interests of the town and the country above all other priorities. Accompanying that commitment was a series of pledges  including a programme of work to counter destitution and low pay, and get hundreds of new homes built  which I will continue working flat out to deliver. I look forward to a time when I can once again attempt to seek the Labour whip. But, for this to happen, the national party must make two significant changes  I cannot, through continuing to take the whip, lend any legitimacy to the most appalling culture that is now dominating some national and local Labour institutions.  The Sunday Times

Editorial:

Corbyn cannot and will not turn round the Labour Party  The Sunday Times

Labour to announce plans to make deselection easier

Plans to make it easier to remove Labour MPs, fast-track the return of expelled members, and accept supporters of hard-left groups are to be unveiled at the partys conference, the Observer has learned. In a move that will intensify the latest bout of bitter infighting between supporters of Jeremy Corbyn and his critics, local Labour groups from across the country will attempt to overhaul party rules with measures that would hand more power to the membership. Labours leadership is now under pressure to kill off the proposals, which threaten to cause renewed anger among MPs and put them at greater risk of deselection.  Observer

Details to be revealed at the party conference  Sun on Sunday

Lansman suggests up to 30 MPs could be deselected  Mail on Sunday

Labour MPs planning vote of no confidence in Corbyn

Twelve MPs threaten to quit  The Sun on Sunday

Two MPs call for him to be expelled  Sunday Express

This follows Corbyns snubbing of the head of MI5  The Sunday Times

Caplin says antisemitism crisis could lose Labour next election  Observer

Sturgeon to announce her legislative programme on Tuesday

The Labour Party is in a fresh crisis after details emerged of a planned coup against Jeremy Corbyn via a vote of no confidence to aid a plot to form a new political party backed by opposition MPs. Moderate MPs are hoping a no-confidence vote will help MPs feel safe in expressing their anger at the partys leadership. According to the Sunday Times, they hope the vote will give MPs the chance to see they are not alone in their frustrations and will give them the confidence to then quit the party and form a breakaway. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said he is worried and saddened at the prospect of a split in Labour. Mr McDonnell told the New Statesman: Yes, I think there are people who are willing to leave the party. I think Im saddened by that. I really am saddened and Im disappointed.  Sunday Express

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will try and regain the political initiative this week when she informs MSPs of her Governments legislative programme for the upcoming year. Sturgeon, whose Government has been rocked by the sexual harassment allegations made against Alex Salmond, will attempt to get on the front foot by making announcements on the economy, mental health, and social security.  Sunday Herald

Salmond reaches double his crowdfunding target  Observer

Meanwhile, politicians pledge to protest during Trump trip to Ireland  Belfast Telegraph

Comment:

Salmond may still have an important role to play  Kevin McKenna, Observer

News in Brief
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) melds enterprise information technology (IT) with operations technology (OT). It gives manufacturers the ability to deliver real-time operational intelligence to the right operator, in the right place, and at the right time. It signals a shift from reactive to predictive response for machine optimization. It is an opportunity to increase revenues with data-driven operational performance optimization and new service offerings.

Wireless industrial equipment sensors, cloud computing, robotics, wearables, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), as well as advanced analytics, all contribute to this information-rich environment. Picture a virtual Rube Goldberg machine made of connected deviceseach one on its own performing separate tasks that, taken together, have big impactand you get an idea how important IIoT will be for manufacturers.

First, however, there are significant challenges to overcome.

Network challenges

IIoT applications place pressure on the networks on which they run-remember, the second I in IIoT is "internet," and there is no IIoT without it-and complex quad-play services (data, voice, video, and control) require reliable high-bandwidth availability.

The IIoT will expand continuously due to the almost limitless number of devices and machines that can be integrated. A network must support rapid scalability, without losing speed or adding latency. The rugged environments in which industrial networks are deployed subject network infrastructure to shock, vibration, and temperature extremes, which the network elements must be able to withstand.

Moreover, cybersecurity concerns persist based on connectivity to an enterprise network and the broader Internet, creating inherent vulnerabilities and risk.

Finally, the mission-critical nature of IIoT applications requires fast recovery times and unwavering mobile connectivity to ensure uninterrupted operations, without negative impact on productivity or safety.

A manufacturer looking to exploit IIoT connectivity must address a range of technologies in a tiered communication system: Local area network (LAN) in the plant and offices; interlink or backhaul situated between the corporate LAN and broadband; then a broadband wireless solution, which may be point-to-point (PtP), point-to-multipoint (PtMP), long-term evolution (LTE), or fiber. At the process level, SCADA or another control system is likely present.

It is by way of the broadband wireless solutionthe last step of connectivitythat sensors and controls are linked. In many environments, achieving this connection presents challenges.

In the quest to identify broadband wireless solutions that support IIoT, manufacturing plants are considering implementing LTE, a 4G wireless communication standard developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, LTE delivers up to 10 times the speeds of 3G networks for mobile devices. However, even LTE networks are challenged when it comes to bandwidth/speed, flexibility, reliability, and scalability-all virtues of a truly IIoT-ready network.

Reasons LTE is not ready

LTE networks have advantages for some use cases, including consumer-grade wireless connectivity, but they simply are not capable of supporting IIoT initiatives. Here are four reasons why.

No. 1: LTE has bandwidth/speed challenges

In LTE, different nodes perform different functions. Infrastructure nodes act as access points, while mobile nodes only can pass data to infrastructure nodes.

LTE clients cannot pass data directly to or communicate directly with another LTE client device without first talking to infrastructure (a cell site), then to a switch, and back again.

LTE networks are designed with large infrastructure to maximize coverage. The towers are tall, but there are fewer of them spread across an area, which creates coverage challenges for these networks. Weve all experienced weaker signals on cell phones when driving down the backside of a hill, under a freeway overpass, or inside certain buildings.

This makes LTE sufficient for delay-tolerant apps like smart metering, but it lacks the agility to support real-time IIoT platforms like machine-to-machine communications (M2M) or autonomy.

No. 2: LTE networks are inflexible

LTE infrastructure does not adapt well to rapid increases in client density. A cell site has a fixed number of connections it can support, making it easy to overload the infrastructure connection capacity. LTE infrastructure also have elaborate, static configurations that are not adaptable.

No. 3: LTE networks lack reliability

A network that relies on infrastructure nodes creates points of failure. If an infrastructure node goes down, its mobile clients cannot access the network. Additionally, infrastructure and mobile nodes access only their respective dedicated frequencies, and loss of line-of-sight can create connectivity challenges. There is no real way around signal blockage or interference. Manufacturers are left with two choices: incur downtime or invest in a second network as a backup plan. Both come at high cost, and neither is ideal.

The stakes are high when mission-critical IIoT applications go down. The rugged nature of industrial operations, combined with the need for 100% uptime, makes LTE a gamble without having ruggedized equipment. When a network is seen as requiring a back-up from the get-go, its a red flag when it comes to ensuring IIoT connectivity. A network should be "one and done."

No. 4: LTE is prohibitively expensive to scale.

Expanding LTE networks requires installing large, expensive new towers. Additionally, LTE networks have static configurations and only support a limited number of simultaneous connections.

This expense creates issues for industrial companies hoping to use an LTE network as the broadband layer of their IIoT infrastructure. IIoT embodies an explosion of machine devices and applications at volumes that cellular networks are not equipped to handle. The number of connected "things" in the industrial operating environment will continue to grow, and IIoT applications like machine-to-machine (M2M) will involve a huge number of devices that generate sporadic transmissions of short packets. LTE would struggle under the weight of the signaling traffic M2M will generate.

A better option for IIoT

A network type called kinetic mesh can overcome the IIoT challenges that LTE cant. With kinetic mesh, nodes continuously and instantaneously route data through the best available traffic path and frequency.

For starters, kinetic mesh has the bandwidth and speed to handle IIoT. In kinetic mesh, all nodes are equal, and can be interchangeably fixed or mobile. If a device can see another, it can talk to it, communicating on a peer-to-peer basis. Intermediary equipment can be introduced as devices move farther away from each other, making networks efficiently scalable.

Kinetic mesh is full duplex, meaning data can be received by a node on one frequency and sent in another frequency, which creates unwavering high-speed transmission and ensures extremely low latency. The network uses all available frequencies and paths for all network functions, allowing it to deliver data with ultra-low latency to support real-time, bandwidth-intensive, next-gen IIoT applications.

Kinetic mesh is flexible. Each node can maintain multiple simultaneous connectionsnone must break for new ones to be made. Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking software runs on every node to dynamically direct traffic via the fastest available path at that moment.

The network self-optimizes as nodes move and conditions change, reacting to changes in network topology, network load, and external environmental conditions to keep operators constantly connected to, and in control of, high-value assets on the move. If a path is blocked or interference is identified, instead of dropping connections, information instantly is redirected over the best available paths, creating total mobility and communications agility.

Kinetic mesh offers reliability. Multi-transceiver redundancy eliminates any single point of failure, and multiple radio frequencies open redundant traffic pathways, for mission-critical reliability. With hundreds of potential connections available, the network avoids interference, signal blockage, or congestion. Built-in redundancy ensures consistently high network availability for 24/7/365 operations.

Kinetic mesh is highly scalable, allowing manufacturers to create or augment network infrastructure ad hoc. Nodes can be deployed anywhere, on any asset, to extend or enhance operational coverage. Expansion does not cripple connectivity. Rather, kinetic mesh strengthens as it grows. Each additional node establishes new pathways for data transmission, making the network more resilient as it expands, without compromising speed or performance.

These four qualitiesbandwidth and speed, flexibility, reliability, and scalabilitycreate a network equipped to handle both todays demands and those of the futureone deployed and scalable to hundreds of nodes in device-intensive IIoT environments. [subhead]

A network for the future

As industrial companies consider what network is right for them, now and in the future, its important to implement a broadband layer that offers autonomous adaptability.

LTE, PtP/PtMP, or fiber are options, but if a network experiences congestion or infrastructure outages, its harder to keep data flowing for device message delivery. Kinetic mesh used as the broadband layer overcomes these challenges.

IIoT needs a network that functions in dynamic, diverse environments, connecting people to people, people to things, and things to thingswhether mobile, fixed, or bothinterchangeably to deliver real-time intelligence. Kinetic mesh is architected with autonomous adaptability, to redirect routes and take new paths that ensure continuous data flow. It is an ideal solution for industrial companies to consider when embarking on the journey toward IIoT.

Todd Rigby is IIoT strategist and director of sales for Rajant Corp.

This article appears in the IIoT for Engineers supplement for Control Engineering and Plant Engineering.

See other articles from the supplement below.
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Three bottles of liquor found in Sharjeel memon hospital room

Former Sindh information minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Inam Memon was shifted back to Karachi Central Jail on Saturday after Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar found three bottles of imported liquor from his hospital room during a surprise visit.



The chief justice arrived in Karachi Saturday morning and before going to the Supreme Courts Karachi registry for hearing of cases, made surprise visits to three private hospitals and examined the rooms of the political prisoners.



As the chief justice entered the Memons room, which has been declared a sub-jail, on the sixth floor of the Ziauddin Hospital, the hospital staff was told to leave. According to the eye-witnesses, the chief justice inquired about the PPP leaders health, and examined his room. Bottles of liquor, drugs and cigarettes were found from Memons room which the court staff confiscated. Later, Memons blood samples were also taken for laboratory check-up.



Right after the CJPs visit, police rushed to the hospital and sealed the room. Police took two people into custody who were present outside the hospital room in connection with the presence of liquor at the room, DIG Prisons Nasir Aftab said. Mohammad Jam, one of the two men arrested by police, told reporters on camera that the bottles did not contain liquor but honey and olive oil.



After surprise visit of Ziauddin Hospital, the chief justice went to National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) where close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari and Omni Group head Anwar Majeed, who is under trial in a money laundering case, is admitted.



The chief justice inquired about his health and reportedly also confiscated some documents. The chief justice also visited VIP Ward of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) where Anwar Majeeds son, Abdul Ghani Majeed, is under treatment.



Upon returning to the Karachi registry, the chief justice remarked, I found three bottles of alcohol from Memons room. The attorney general should visit and see what is happening.



Meanwhile, while talking to media, PPP lawmaker Syed Nasir Shah claimed the bottles recovered from Memons room contained honey and olive oil and not liquor. We have huge respect for the chief justice.



He himself can get Memons medical check-up done. A laboratory test of the bottles would reveal the reality.



A medical check-up of Memon should also be conducted to check whether he had consumed any alcohol. Shah claimed that Memon recently underwent a surgery and needs to have his bandage changed on daily basis for the next two weeks. His surgery is part of the record  the respectable CJP can check the records.
US to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan

The US military said it had made a final decision to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan that had been suspended over Islamabads alleged failure to take a decisive action against militants, in a new blow to deteriorating ties.



The so-called Coalition Support Funds were part of a broader suspension in aid to Pakistan announced by President Donald Trump at the start of the year, when he accused Pakistan of rewarding past assistance with nothing but lies and deceit.



The Trump administration alleges Islamabad is granting safe haven to insurgents who are waging a 17-year-old war in neighboring Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan denies.



But US officials had held out the possibility that Pakistan could win back that support if it changed its behavior.



US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, in particular, had an opportunity to authorise $300 million in CSF funds through this summer  if he saw concrete Pakistani actions to go after insurgents, a U.S. official told Reuters.



Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy the remaining $300 (million) was reprogrammed, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said.



Faulkner said the Pentagon aimed to spend the $300 million on other urgent priorities if approved by Congress. He said another $500 million in CSF was stripped by Congress from Pakistan earlier this year, to bring the total withheld to $800 million.



The disclosure came ahead of an expected visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the top US military officer, General Joseph Dunford, to Islamabad. Mattis told reporters on Tuesday that combating militants would be a primary part of the discussion.



The Pentagons decision showed that the United States, which has sought to change Pakistani behaviour, is still increasing pressure on Pakistans security apparatus.



Reuters reported in August that the Trump administration had quietly started cutting scores of Pakistani officers from coveted training and educational programmes that had been a hallmark of bilateral military relations for more than a decade.



The Pentagon made similar determinations on CSF in the past but this years move could get more attention from Islamabad, and its new prime minister, Imran Khan, at a time when its economy is struggling.



Pakistans foreign exchange reserves have plummeted over the past year and it will soon decide on whether to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or friendly nations such as China.



They are squeezing them when they know that theyre vulnerable and it is probably a signal about what to expect should Pakistan come to the IMF for a loan, Lalwani said. The United States has the largest share of votes at the IMF.



Khan, who once suggested he might order the shooting down of US drones if they entered Pakistani airspace, has opposed the United States open-ended presence in Afghanistan. In his victory speech, he said he wanted mutually beneficial relations with Washington. A Pakistani official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he was unaware of a formal notification of the US decision on assistance but said one was expected by the end of September.
Duluth's City Council just approved funding for a temporary customs facility at Duluth's harbor on Monday, reports the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

According to Minnesota Public Radio, the Council voted to spend around $75,000 for a temporary customs facility that is needed before Duluth can receive a permanent office.

The port is said to have calls scheduled from Victory Cruise Lines in 2019.

Officials, however, hope it will turn the city into a destination for cruise lines looking to differentiate their Great Lakes program.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
Alaska Dusts Off Its Typewriters

Government workers in a borough of Alaska have turned to typewriters to do their jobs, after ransomware infected their computer systems.

A spokeswoman for Matanuska-Susitna said the malware had encrypted its email server, internal systems and disaster recovery servers. She said staff had "resourcefully" dusted off typewriters and were writing receipts by hand.

The borough is in the process of rebuilding its systems.

Ransomware is malicious computer software that encrypts or scrambles data and demands a fee for it to be restored.

The borough said "nearly all" of its 500 desktop computers running Windows 7 and 10 had been infected and 120 computer servers were also affected.

According to technology news site Bleeping Computer, the ransomware attack spread on 24 July. However, the borough thinks it may have been dormant in its systems since May.

As well as infecting the borough's desktop computers and email server, it had also attacked its telephone system and door entry card system, said IT director Eric Wyatt.

He said anti-virus software had detected one component of the attack on 17 July but had missed other elements of the malware, which allowed it to spread.

The ransomware also infected and encrypted some of the borough's back-up data, although "some portion" had been saved.

"Though it initially appeared that our data was a complete loss, we have recently recovered data from the shared drives," said Mr Wyatt.

"Email does appear to be completely unrecoverable."

Some systems have been restored with "year-old data" and the borough is in the process of rebuilding each affected machine. "There is optimism for the recovery of additional data," said Mr Wyatt in a report.

"Encrypted data will be stored for months or years in hopes that the FBI will recover the decryption keys."

BBC:

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US City Of Atlanta Suffers An Attack:
Parents only want the best for their children
Kerala recently witnessed one of the worst floods in its history. Twelve out of 14 districts were affected. More than 450 human lives were lost and resulted in destruction valued at more than Rs 25,000 crore. During the period of rescue and relief, there were stories of worries, threat, courage, heroism, compassion, confusion, despair, generosity, and we witnessed the entire country standing in support of Kerala and the affected communities.

The moods were sombre and festivities were toned down. Media covered all possible stories and participated in relief operations, directly or indirectly. Both government and non-government stakeholders were concerned and stood by the survivors.

No disaster response is useful without learning lessons, and this article brings out some of the initial lessons that we could learn from response mounted so far. The author is pretty much sure that in-depth analysis would provide better and greater insights and learning from this response. Here are some initial lessons.

No disaster response is useful without learning lessons. (Photo: PTI)

Be prepared for possible mega-disaster

Often, disasters come without clear notice or warning, and hence we need to be prepared to launch a large response involving multiple stakeholders at different levels all the time. Failure to do this will only escalate the human casualties, suffering and damage to property.

Learn ways to manage water

A large part of India is prone to hydrological disasters on account of drought, floods and cyclones. Hence we, at various levels, need to learn to manage scarcity as well as excess water. Growing urbanisation and effects of climate change are forcing us to do this with greater urgency. We need to take a careful look at integrated dam management, proper contour and precipitation inundation maps, formulate effective land management laws and ensure their enforcement. Use of better technology, ensuring political will at different levels and institutionalising resolve to enforce rules and regulations is the need of the hour.

Disaster management instruments

The Centre and different state governments have formulated acts, plans, protocols and other instruments for effective disaster management in the country. The 2005 Disaster Management Act enacted by Parliament, 2016 National Disaster Management Plan from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), various Guidelines from NDMA, state government acts and notifications are some of them. There should be a concerted effort to put these guidelines and plans into action.

India needs to establishing a Unified Command consisting of multiple responding agencies. (Photo: PTI)

Better forecast and effective synergy

Weather forecasting needs to become more effective. To achieve this, not only the science of forecasting but also its dissemination and follow-on actions after the forecast need to be improved. Agencies such as India Meteorology Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) should have pre-notified national and state-level agency liaison protocols for appropriate information and warning.

Plan for critical infrastructure

Significant public resources are invested to set up critical infrastructure such as airports, railway stations and others. They need to have appropriate disaster management plans to ensure they are well protected from disasters. It is sad to see some critical infrastructure facilities like airports which were critical to mounting a response were shut as they were impacted. For example, airports in Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and now Cochin were closed due to recent disasters. It will be interesting to learn what lessons they learned and whether adequate plans will in place to ensure their safety in the future and strengthened ability to respond in future.

Ensure better coordination

This is one area where there is always scope for improvement. Worldwide, different governments are dealing with this issue with great attention. A situation where multiple stakeholders come together suddenly needs to be coordinated well to make response effective, and this is easier said than done. NDMA issued an Incident Response System (IRS) guidelines in 2010, to strengthen disaster response management and planned event management (such as Kumbh Mela).

Based on these guidelines, some state governments have notified IRS in their states but many are yet to act on this. There is also a need to strengthen IRS training and its implementation during disaster response. Establishing a Unified Command consisting of multiple responding agencies is one of the strategies discussed in IRS.

This is pertinent in large disasters as multiple agencies such as Military, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Services, Police, Coast Guard and others come together for search and rescue operations. Unified Command involving these agencies will help in common planning and clear demarcation of geographies for effective rescue and response action.

Promote support to NGOs

It is once again demonstrated that the NGOs can move in quickly and support relief efforts in a meaningful manner. Due to their flexibility, NGOs are able to address the specific needs of the survivors. NGOs need resources to undertake their efforts and the government should help NGOs and promote their efforts to enable them to raise resources. One way the government can support NGOs is by creating a level playing field by provisioning tax exemptions to the donors on par with the tax exemptions available for the Prime Ministers Relief Fund and Chief Ministers Relief Fund. In absence of a level playing field, NGOs will find it difficult to raise resources.

Suitable system and operational procedures should also be in place to extend government support to local community efforts during disasters. (Photo: Reuters)

Strengthen local capacities

The fishing community of Kerala moved quickly and participated in rescue operations shoulder to shoulder with the national rescue agencies. This very well demonstrates the importance of local capacities to deal with disasters. There should be clearly articulated efforts to strengthen community capacities to cope with disasters. Suitable system and operational procedures should also be in place to extend government support to local community efforts during disasters. The fishermen of Kerala could achieve what they have, due to the support government extended to them.

Fund-raising from media houses

Many media house are supporting fund-raising for the Prime Ministers relief fund, Chief Ministers relief fund as well as for NGOs. Multiple media appeals for different funds and NGOs may potentially confuse donors. The worst is if they decide not to donate in such situations.

When government also actively raises funds, then many big donors, such as companies may also consider political appropriateness rather than actual use of funds while donating. To avoid this confusion, and to promote routing of citizens donations to NGOs, media companies could come together and formulate one single appeal and then go on to work with NGOs with the resources they raised. Experiences of this kind have greatly facilitated fund-raising from the public in the UK.

(Courtesy of Mail Today)

Also read: Kerala floods: Shame how we Indians politicised a national calamity and tragedy
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
Unum Group is engaged in providing financial protection benefits. It operates through the following segments: Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, Closed Block and Corporate. The Unum US segment comprises of group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment products, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. The Unum International segment engages in the operations of UK business, which includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and supplemental lines of business that include dental, individual disability, and critical illness products; Poland business primarily includes insurance for individual and group life with accident and health riders. The Colonial Life segment includes insurance for accident, sickness, disability products, life products, and cancer and critical illness products. The Closed Block segment consists of individual disability, group and individual long-term care, and other insurance products no longer actively marketed. The Corporate segment refers to investment income on corporate assets and other corporate income and expenses not allocated to a line of business; and interest

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The following companies are subsidiares of Aramark: 1ST & Fresh LLC, AIL Servicos Alimenticios e Participacoes Ltda., AIM Services Co. Ltd., AMP Limited Partnership, ARA Catering and Vending Services Limited, ARA Coffee Club Limited, ARA Coffee System Limited, ARA Food Services Limited, ARA Marketing Services Limited, ARA Offshore Services Limited, ARAMONT Company Ltd., Active Industrial Unif, Alcatraz Hospitality, AmeriPride Services, American Snack & Beverage LLC, Aramark (BVI) Limited, Aramark Airport Services Limited, Aramark American Food Services LLC, Aramark Asia Management LLC, Aramark Aviation Services Limited Partnership, Aramark B.V., Aramark Beverages Limited, Aramark Business & Industry LLC, Aramark Business Center LLC, Aramark Business Dining Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Business Facilities LLC, Aramark CCT Trustees Limited, Aramark Campus LLC, Aramark Canada Ltd., Aramark Canadian Investments Inc., Aramark Capital Asset Services LLC, Aramark Catering Limited, Aramark China Dining Services (Shanghai) Limited, Aramark China Holdings Limited, Aramark Chugach Alaska Services LLC, Aramark Cleaning S.A., Aramark Cleanroom Services (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aramark Cleanroom Services LLC, Aramark Co. Ltd., Aramark Colombia SAS, Aramark Concessions Services Joint Venture, Aramark Confection LLC, Aramark Construction Services Inc., Aramark Construction and Energy Services LLC, Aramark Consumer Discount Company, Aramark Correctional Services LLC, Aramark Defence Services Limited, Aramark Denmark ApS, Aramark Distribution Services Inc., Aramark Educational Group LLC, Aramark Educational Services LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Vermont Inc., Aramark Entertainment LLC, Aramark Entertainment Services (Canada) Inc., Aramark Executive Management Services USA Inc., Aramark FHC Business Services LLC, Aramark FHC Campus Services LLC, Aramark FHC Correctional Services LLC, Aramark FHC Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Kansas Inc., Aramark FHC LLC, Aramark FHC Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark FHC School Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Services LLC, Aramark FHC Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark FSM LLC, Aramark Facility Services LLC, Aramark Food Service LLC, Aramark Food Service of Texas LLC, Aramark Food and Support Services Group Inc., Aramark Global Group S.a.r.l., Aramark Global Inc., Aramark GmbH, Aramark Gulf Limited, Aramark Gulf Limited Catering Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services of the Virgin Islands Inc., Aramark Healthcare Technologies LLC, Aramark Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aramark Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, Aramark Holdings Ltd., Aramark Industrial Services LLC, Aramark Intermediate HoldCo Corporation, Aramark International Finance S.a.r.l., Aramark International Holdings S.a.r.l., Aramark Inversiones Latinoamericanas Limitada, Aramark Investments Limited, Aramark Ireland Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan LLC, Aramark KSA LLC, Aramark Kazakhstan Ltd., Aramark Lakewood Associates, Aramark Limited, Aramark Management GmbH, Aramark Management LLC, Aramark Management Services Limited Partnership, Aramark Manning Services UK Limited, Aramark Mexico Group, Aramark Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Support S.A.de C.V., Aramark Norway SA, Aramark Organizational Services LLC, Aramark Partnership Limited, Aramark Personnel Services, Aramark Peru S.A.C., Aramark Peru Servicios de Intermediacion SRL, Aramark Processing LLC, Aramark Property Services Limited, Aramark Qualified Opportunity Fund, Aramark Quebec Inc., Aramark RBI Inc., Aramark Rail Services LLC, Aramark Receivables LLC, Aramark Refreshment Group, Aramark Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark Refreshment Services of Tampa LLC, Aramark Regional Treasury Europe DAC, Aramark Remote Workplace Services Ltd., Aramark Restaurations GmbH, Aramark S&E/QCF Joint Venture, Aramark S.A., Aramark S.A. de C.V., Aramark S.R.O., Aramark SARL, Aramark SCM Inc., Aramark SM Management Services Inc., Aramark SMMS LLC, Aramark SMMS Real Estate LLC, Aramark School Catering Facility Ltd., Aramark Schools Facilities LLC, Aramark Schools LLC, Aramark Senior Living Services LLC, Aramark Senior Notes Company LLC, Aramark Service Industries (China) Co. Ltd., Aramark Services Inc., Aramark Services SA, Aramark Services of Kansas Inc., Aramark Services of Puerto Rico Inc., Aramark Servicios Industriales S. de R.L. de C.V., Aramark Servicios Integrales S.A., Aramark Servicios Mineros y Remotos Limitada, Aramark Servicios SRL, Aramark Servicios de Catering S.L., Aramark Servicos Alimenticos e Participacoes Ltda., Aramark Sports Facilities LLC, Aramark Sports LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Group LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Sub Investments Limited, Aramark Technical Services North Carolina Inc., Aramark Togwotee LLC, Aramark Trademark Services, Aramark Trustees Limited, Aramark U.S. Offshore Services LLC, Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel Group Inc., Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel LLC, Aramark Uniform Holding de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Uniform Manufacturing Company, Aramark Uniform Services (Canada) Ltd., Aramark Uniform Services (Matchpoint) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Rochester) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Supply Chain), Aramark Uniform Services (Syracuse) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Texas) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (West Adams) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services Japan Corporation, Aramark Venue Services Inc., Aramark WTC LLC, Aramark Workplace Solutions (UK) Ltd., Aramark Workplace Solutions Yonetim Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi, Aramark Worldwide Investments Limited, Aramark-Clarksville Club, Aramark-FINCO of Texas LLC, Aramark-Gourmet DPS LLC, Aramark-KWAME of St. Louis LLC, Aramark-SFS Healthcare J.V. L.L.C., Aramark/Dasko Restaurant and Catering Services S.A., Aramark/GM Concessions Joint Venture, Aramark/Giacometti Joint Venture, Aramark/Globetrotters LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-1 LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-2 LLC, Aramark/HF Company, Aramark/HMS LLC, Aramark/Hart Lyman Entertainment LLC, Aramark/Martin's Stadium Concession Services OPACY Joint Venture, Aramark/QHC LLC, Aramark/SFS Joint Venture, Avendra, Avendra Canada Inc., Avendra Gaming, Avendra Replenishment, Avoca, Avoca Handweavers Designs Limited, Avoca Handweavers Limited, Avoca Handweavers NI Limited, Avoca Handweavers Shops Limited, Avoca Handweavers UK Limited, Beijing Golden Collar Dining Ltd., Boompjes Hotel BV, Brand Coffee Service Inc., BuyEfficient, CDR Mantenimiento Integral S.A., Campbell Catering (Belfast) Ltd., Campbell Catering (N.I.) Ltd., Campbell Catering Holdings Limited, Campbell Catering Limited, Campbell Catering Ltd., Campbell Catering Services, Canadian Linen and Uniform Service Co., Canyonlands Rafting Hospitality LLC, Catering Alliance Limited, Caterwise Food Services Limited, Central Multiservicios S.R.L., Central de Abastecimiento Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Multiservicios Limitada, Central de Restaurantes S.R.L., Centrapal S.R.L., Centro de Innovacion y Servicio S.A., Cliff House Hospitality, Comertel Educa SLU, Comertel Residencia SLU, Comertel SA, Complete Purchasing Services Inc., Corporate Coffee Systems LLC, Crater Lake Hospitality, D.G. Maren II Inc., Delicious on West Street LLC, Delsac VIII Inc., Distributor JV Limited, Dongguan Best Property Management Co., Doyon/Aramark Denali National Park Concessions Joint Venture, Effective Partnerships Limited, Filterfresh Coffee Service, Filterfresh Coffee Service LLC, Filterfresh Franchise Group LLC, Fine Host Holdings LLC, Food JV Limited, Freedom Ferry Services, GTB Gastro Team Bremen GmbH, Gestion de Alimentacion y Limpieza Colectivadades SLU, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Concessions LLC, Glen Canyon Rafting Hospitality, Glenrye Properties Services Limited, Golden Collar, Good Uncle Services, Gourmet Aramark Services LLC, Guaranty Energy Group 1981, HPSI Purchasing Services LLC, Harrison Conference Associates LLC, Harrison Conference Services of North Carolina LLC, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of New Jersey, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of Penn., Harry M. Stevens LLC, Hunters Catering Partnership Limited, Institutional Processing Services, Instituto ICS S.A., Inversiones Aramark Chile Limitada, Inversiones Centralcorp Limitada, Inversiones Palm Limitada, Inversiones en Aseo y Mantenimiento S.A, Irish Estates (Facilities Management) Limited, L&N Uniform Supply LLC, Lake Tahoe Cruises LLC, Landy Textile Rental Services LLC, Lifeworks Restaurant Group LLC, Lotus Facilities Management, MESA, Masterplan, Medical Equipment Solutions & Applications Sagl (MESA), Mill Mount Weavers Limited, Muir Woods Hospitality, MyAssistant Inc., New Aramark LLC, Nissho Linen, North Rim Hospitality, Old Time Coffee Co., Olympic Peninsula Hospitality LLC, Orange Support Services Limited, Overall Laundry Services Inc., Paradise Hornblower LLC, Pelican Procurement Services Limited, Philadelphia Ballpark Concessions Joint Venture, Prem Hospitality Limited, Premgroup Franchise Services Limited, Premier Management Company (Dublin) Limited, Premier Partnership (Catering) Limited, Quebec Linge Co., ReMedPar, Restaura Inc., Rocky Mountain Hospitality LLC, Rushmore Hospitality LLC, SeamlessWeb, Seguricorp Servicios S.A., South Rim Hospitality LLC, Spokesoft Technologies Limited, Stuart Cabeldu Catering Limited, Sun Office Service Inc., Tarrant County Concessions LLC, The Aramark Foundation, The Original Food Company Limited, Travel Systems LLC, Trinity Hospitality Services GmbH, Trinity Hospitality Services SARL, Trinity Purchasing N.V., Vector Environmental Services Limited, Vector Workplace and Facility Management Limited, Veris Plc, Veris Property Management Limited, Veris UK Limited, WearGuard, Wilderness River Adventures, and Yosemite Hospitality LLC.
Experian plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a technology company. The company operates through two segments, Business-to-Business and Consumer Services. It provides data services to identify and understand their customers, as well as to manage the risks related with lending. The company also offers analytical and decision tools that enhance businesses to manage their customers, minimize the risk of fraud, comply with legal requirements, and automate decisions and processes. In addition, it provides financial education, free access to Experian credit reports and scores, online educational tools, and applications to manage their financial position, access credit offers, and protect themselves from identity fraud. The company serves customers in financial service, direct-to-consumer, health, retail, automotive, software and professional services, telecommunications and utility, insurance, media and technology, government and public, and other sectors. It operates in North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Experian plc was formerly known as Experian Group Limited and changed its name to Experian plc in July 2008. Experian plc was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

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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.
Nevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea. It also holds exploration licenses and permits in Serbia and Macedonia, as well as in the Bisha mining district. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of January 7, 2019, Nevsun Resources Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Sealed Air: A.P.S. (Holdings) Limited, AFP Trading (China) Co. Ltd., AFPTOH LTD, APS Automated Packaging Systems GmbH & Co. KG, APS Verwaltungs-GmbH, Air Ride Pallets Hong Kong Limited, Austin Foam Plastics Inc. (dba AFP Inc.), Automated Packaging Systems, Automated Packaging Systems Asia Holding Company Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Comerciale Importacao do Brasil Ltda., Automated Packaging Systems Europe, Automated Packaging Systems LLC, Automated Packaging Systems Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Southeast Asia Co. Ltd., B+ Equipment, B+ Equipment SAS, Beacon Holdings LLC, Biosphere Industries, BluPack (New Zealand), Blue Dot Packaging Pty Ltd., Cactus (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Cryovac (Malaysia) SDN. BHD, Cryovac Brasil Ltda., Cryovac Holdings II LLC, Cryovac International Holdings Inc., Cryovac LLC*, Cryovac Leasing Corporation, Cryovac Londrina Ltda., Cryovac Packaging Portugal  Embalagens Ltda., Cryovac-Sealed Air de Costa Rica S.R.L., DELTAPLAM Embalagens Industria e Comercio, Diversey, Diversey J Trustee Limited, Diversey Trustee Limited, Entapack Pty. Ltd., Fagerdala (Chengdu) Packaging Co. Ltd, Fagerdala (Shanghai) Foams Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Shanghai) Polymer Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Suzhou) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Thailand) Limited, Fagerdala (Xiamen) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala Leamchabung Limited, Fagerdala Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Fagerdala Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Mexico Supply Chain S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Packaging Inc. (Indiana), Fagerdala Singapore Pte Ltd, Fagerdala Singapore Pte. Ltd., Getpacking.com GmbH, Invertol S. de R.L. de C.V., JSC Sealed Air Kaustik, KRIS Automated Packaging Systems Holding Company, Kevothermal LLC, Kevothermal Limited, Nelipak Holdings, Pack-Tiger GmbH, Polyrol Limited, Polyrol Packaging Systems LLC, ProAseptic Technologies S.L., Producembal- Producao de Embalagens LTDA, Reflectix Inc., SLD Air Packaging Paketleme Malzemeleri Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Saddle Brook Insurance Company, Sealed Air (Asia) Holdings BV, Sealed Air (Barbados) S.R.L., Sealed Air (Canada) Co./CIE, Sealed Air (Canada) Holdings B.V., Sealed Air (China) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air (China) Limited, Sealed Air (Israel) Ltd., Sealed Air (Korea) Limited, Sealed Air (Latin America) Holdings II LLC, Sealed Air (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sealed Air (New Zealand), Sealed Air (Philippines) Inc., Sealed Air (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Sealed Air (Ukraine) Limited, Sealed Air Africa (Pty.) Limited, Sealed Air Americas Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Sealed Air Argentina S.A., Sealed Air Australia (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Real Estate Pty Ltd, Sealed Air B.V., Sealed Air Belgium N.V., Sealed Air Central America S.A., Sealed Air Chile SpA, Sealed Air Colombia Ltda., Sealed Air Corporation (US), Sealed Air Cyprus Ltd., Sealed Air Denmark A/S, Sealed Air Finance B.V., Sealed Air Finance II LLC, Sealed Air Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Funding LLC, Sealed Air General Trading LLC, Sealed Air GmbH (Germany), Sealed Air GmbH (Switzerland), Sealed Air Hellas SA, Sealed Air Holding France SAS, Sealed Air Holdings (New Zealand) Pty. Ltd., Sealed Air Holdings South Africa Proprietary Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK I Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK Limited, Sealed Air Hong Kong Limited, Sealed Air Hungary Ltd., Sealed Air Investment and Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Japan G.K., Sealed Air LLC, Sealed Air Limited (Ireland), Sealed Air Limited (UK), Sealed Air Luxembourg (I) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg (II) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Management Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Sealed Air Multiflex GmbH, Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) I B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) II B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands Holdings V B.V., Sealed Air Norge AS, Sealed Air OY, Sealed Air Packaging (India) Private Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Packaging LLC, Sealed Air Packaging Materials (India) LLP, Sealed Air Packaging S.L.U., Sealed Air Peru S.A.C., Sealed Air Polska Sp. Zoo, Sealed Air Pty Limited, Sealed Air S.A S., Sealed Air S.r.l., Sealed Air South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Sealed Air Svenska AB, Sealed Air Taiwan Limited, Sealed Air UK Limited Partnership, Sealed Air US Holdings (Thailand) LLC, Sealed Air Uruguay S.A., Sealed Air Verpackungen GmbH, Sealed Air de Mexico Operations S. de RL. de C.V., Sealed Air de Venezuela S.A., Sealed Air s.r.o., Shanklin Corp, Shanklin Corporation, TTS-Ciptec, TXAFP Asia Pacific Ltd., TXAFP GP LLC, and Trigon Industries.
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. engages in global investment banking, securities, and investment management, which provides financial services. It operates through the following business segments: Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. The Investment Banking segment serves public and private sector clients around the world and provides financial advisory services, help companies raise capital to strengthen and grow their businesses and provide financing to corporate clients. The Global Markets segment serves its clients who buy and sell financial products, funding and manage risk. The Asset Management segment provides investment services to help clients preserve and grow their financial assets. The Consumer & Wealth Management segment helps clients to achieve their individual financial goals by providing a wealth advisory and banking services. The company was founded by Marcus Goldman in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Avery Dennison: ADC PHILIPPINES INC., ADESPAN S.R.L., ADHIPRESS BANGLADESH LTD., AVERY CORP., AVERY DE MEXICO SRL DE CV, AVERY DENNISON (ASIA) HOLDINGS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (CHANGZHOU) FILMS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD, AVERY DENNISON (CHINA) COMPANY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (FUZHOU) CONVERTED PRODUCTS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (GUANGZHOU) CO. LTD., AVERY DENNISON (GUANGZHOU) CONVERTED PRODUCTS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (GUANGZHOU) INTELLIGENT LABELS CO. LTD., AVERY DENNISON (HONG KONG) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (IRELAND) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (KENYA) PRIVATE LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (KUNSHAN) COMPANY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD., AVERY DENNISON (QINGDAO) CONVERTED PRODUCTS LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (SUZHOU) CO. LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON (THAILAND) LTD., AVERY DENNISON (VIETNAM) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON AUSTRALIA GROUP HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PTY LTD., AVERY DENNISON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD., AVERY DENNISON BELGIE BVBA, AVERY DENNISON BELGIUM MANAGEMENT SERVICES SPRL, AVERY DENNISON BENELUX BVBA, AVERY DENNISON BV, AVERY DENNISON C.A., AVERY DENNISON CANADA CORPORATION, AVERY DENNISON CENTRAL EUROPE GMBH, AVERY DENNISON CHILE S.A., AVERY DENNISON COLOMBIA S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON COMMERCIAL EL SALVADOR S.A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON CONVERTED PRODUCTS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON CONVERTED PRODUCTS EL SALVADOR S. A. DE C. V., AVERY DENNISON DE ARGENTINA S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON DO BRASIL LTDA., AVERY DENNISON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON EGYPT LLC, AVERY DENNISON ETIKET TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI, AVERY DENNISON EUROPE HOLDING (DEUTSCHLAND) GMBH & CO KG, AVERY DENNISON FINANCE GERMANY GMBH, AVERY DENNISON G HOLDINGS I LLC, AVERY DENNISON G HOLDINGS III LLC, AVERY DENNISON G INVESTMENTS III LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON G INVESTMENTS V LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON GROUP DANMARK APS, AVERY DENNISON GROUP SINGAPORE PTE LTD, AVERY DENNISON GULF FZCO, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING & FINANCE THE NETHERLANDS BV, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING FRANCE, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING GMBH, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON HOLDING LUXEMBOURG S. A. R. L., AVERY DENNISON HOLDINGS LLC, AVERY DENNISON HONG KONG B.V., AVERY DENNISON HONG KONG HOLDING I B.V., AVERY DENNISON IBERICA S.A., AVERY DENNISON INNOVATIONS LLC, AVERY DENNISON INTELLIGENT HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS LLC, AVERY DENNISON INTELLIGENT LABELS EUROPE S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON INTELLIGENT LABELS HK LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON INVESTMENT LUXEMBOURG II SARL, AVERY DENNISON INVESTMENTS LUXEMBOURG III SARL, AVERY DENNISON INVESTMENTS LUXEMBOURG IV SARL, AVERY DENNISON ISRAEL LTD., AVERY DENNISON ITALIA S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON JAPAN KK, AVERY DENNISON JAPAN MATERIALS COMPANY LTD., AVERY DENNISON KOREA LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON LABEL LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L., AVERY DENNISON LUXEMBOURG SALES SARL, AVERY DENNISON MANAGEMENT GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS BELGIUM SPRL, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS EUROPE B.V., AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS EUROPE GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS FRANCE S.A.R.L., AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS IRELAND LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS NEDERLAND BV, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS NEW ZEALAND LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS PTY LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS ROM SRL, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS RUSSIA LLC, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SALES BELGIUM SPRL, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SALES FRANCE S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SALES GERMANY GMBH, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS SDN BHD, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS U.K. LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MATERIALS UKRAINE LLC, AVERY DENNISON MAURITIUS LTD., AVERY DENNISON MEDICAL LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON MOROCCO SARL, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT I BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT II B. V., AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT III BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT VII B.V., AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT VIII BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT X BV, AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT XI COOPERATIEF U.A., AVERY DENNISON NETHERLANDS INVESTMENT XII BV, AVERY DENNISON NORDIC APS, AVERY DENNISON NTP A. S., AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS COMPANY, AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS HOLDINGS COMPANY, AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING U.K. LTD., AVERY DENNISON OVERSEAS CORPORATION, AVERY DENNISON PENSION TRUSTEE LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON PERU S. R. L., AVERY DENNISON POLSKA SP. Z O.O., AVERY DENNISON PRAHA SPOL. S R. O., AVERY DENNISON R.I.S. FRANCE S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON R.I.S. IBERIA S.L., AVERY DENNISON R.I.S. ITALIA S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON RBIS (CAMBODIA) CO. LTD, AVERY DENNISON RBIS (CAMBODIA) TRADING CO. LTD, AVERY DENNISON RBIS PTY LTD, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES (PTY) LTD, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES COLOMBIA S. A. S., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES DE MEXICO S. A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES EL SALVADOR LTDA. DE C. V., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES GUATEMALA S. A., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES HONDURAS S. DE R.L., AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES LLC, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES PERU SAC, AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES UK LTD., AVERY DENNISON RFID COMPANY, AVERY DENNISON RIS KOREA LTD., AVERY DENNISON RIS TAIWAN LTD., AVERY DENNISON RIS VIETNAM CO. LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON S.A. DE C.V., AVERY DENNISON S.R.L., AVERY DENNISON SCANDINAVIA AB, AVERY DENNISON SCANDINAVIA APS, AVERY DENNISON SECURITY PRINTING EUROPE APS, AVERY DENNISON SHARED SERVICES INC., AVERY DENNISON SINGAPORE (PTE) LTD., AVERY DENNISON SOUTH AFRICA (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON SUPPORT SERVICES, AVERY DENNISON SYSTEMES D'ETIQUETAGE FRANCE S.A.S., AVERY DENNISON TEKSTIL URUNLERI SANAYI VE TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI, AVERY DENNISON TRADING COMPANY LTD, AVERY DENNISON TREASURY MANAGEMENT BV, AVERY DENNISON U.K. II LIMITED, AVERY DENNISON U.K. LIMITED, AVERY GRAPHIC SYSTEMS INC., AVERY LLC, AVERY OFFICE PRODUCTS PUERTO RICO L.L.C., AVERY PACIFIC LLC, AVERY PROPERTIES PTY. LIMITED, AWESOME PROFITS LTD, BEST COURAGE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, CHOICE CLEVER PROFITS LTD, CREATERO GMBH, DENNISON INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, DENNISON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, DM Label Group, Dunsirn Industries, EUSTON FINANCIAL LIMITED, EVERGREEN HOLDING SARL, EVERGREEN HOLDINGS V LLC, Finesse Medical, HANITA COATINGS (KUNSHAN) CO. LTD, HANITA COATINGS EUROPE B.V., HANITA COATINGS USA LLC, HANITA EUROPA GMBH, HEBEI YONGLE TAPE CO. LTD., Hanita Coatings, INK MILL LLC, JAC ASIA PACIFIC SDN BHD, JAC CARIBE C.S.Z., JAC DO BRASIL - LOCACAO DE EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA, JACKSTADT FRANCE S.N.C., JDC Solutions, JINTEX LIMITED, Jackstadt GmbH, L&E AMERICAS SERVICIOS S. A. DE C.V., L&E Packaging, MACTAC ASIA-PACIFIC SELF-ADHESIVE PRODUCTS PTE LTD, MACtac Europe S.A., MARKSTAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MODERN MARK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, NINGBO AVERY DENNISON SHENZHOU EMBELLISHMENT CO. LTD., P. T. PACIFIC LABEL INDONESIA, P. T. PAXAR INDONESIA, PAXAR (CHINA) LTD., PAXAR B.V., PAXAR BANGLADESH LIMITED, PAXAR CANADA CORPORATION, PAXAR CORPORATION, PAXAR DE EL SALVADOR S. A. DE C. V., PAXAR DE GUATEMALA S. A., PAXAR DE MEXICO S. A. DE C. V., PAXAR DO BRASIL LTDA, PAXAR FAR EAST LIMITED, PAXAR PACKAGING (GUANGZHOU) LTD., PAXAR PAKISTAN (PRIVATE) LIMITED, PLYMOUTH YONGLE TAPE (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD, PT AVERY DENNISON INDONESIA, PT AVERY DENNISON PACKAGING INDONESIA, RVL AMERICAS S DE R.L. DE C.V., RVL CENTRAL AMERICA S. A., RVL PACKAGING FAR EAST LIMITED, RVL Packaging Inc., RVL SERVICE S. DE R. L. DE C. V., Rinke Etiketten GmbH, SECURITY PRINTING DIVISION INC., SKILLFIELD INVESTMENTS LIMITED, Stimsonite Corp, TIGER EIGHT GROUP LIMITED, WORLDWIDE RISK INSURANCE INC., YONGLE TAPE LTD, and Yongle Tape Co.
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.

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Embraer SA engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of aircraft and its parts for commercial, defense, and executive aviation sectors. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Aviation, Defense and Security, Executive Jet Business, Service & Support and Others. The Commercial Aviation segment is involved in the development, production, and sale of commercial jets; and the provision of support services to regional aviation and aircraft leasing. The Defense and Security segment engages in research, development, production, modification, and support for defense and security aircrafts, as well as other integrated products and solutions including satellites and information and communication systems. The Executive Jet Business segment deals with the development, manufacture, and sale of executive jets. The Service & Support segment provides after-service solutions and support to its customers through a comprehensive portfolio of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure operational efficiency of products manufactured by Embraer and by other aircraft manufacturers, extending the useful life of commercial, executive and defense aircraft. The Others segment refers to

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IMAX Corp. is an entertainment technology company, which engages in the business of motion picture technologies and presentations. It operates through following four business segments: IMAX Technology Network; IMAX Technology Sales and Maintenance; New Business Initiatives; and Film Distribution and Post-Production. The IMAX Technology Network segment represents box office results and which includes the reportable segment of IMAX DMR and contingent rent from the joint revenue sharing arrangements and IMAX systems segments. The IMAX Technology Sales and Maintenance segment includes the sale and installation of theater systems and maintenance services, primarily related to the IMAX Systems and Theater System Maintenance. The New Business Initiatives segment involves content licensing and distribution fees associated with the firm's original content investments, virtual reality initiatives, IMAX Home Entertainment, and other business initiatives that are in the development and/or start-up phase. The Film Distribution and Post-Production segment provides licenses film content and distributes large-format films, primarily for its institutional theater partners. The company was founded

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HDFC Bank Ltd. engages in the provision of banking and financial services, including commercial banking and treasury operations. The firm also provides financial services to upper and middle income individuals and corporations in India. It operates through the following segments: Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking and Other Banking Operations. The Treasury segment consists of bank's investment portfolio, money market borrowing and lending, investment operations and trading in foreign exchange and derivative contracts. The Retail Banking segment provides loans and other services to customers through a branch network and other delivery channels. The Wholesale Banking segment provides loans, non-fund facilities and transaction services to large corporates, emerging corporates, public sector units, government bodies, financial institutions, and medium scale enterprises. The Other Banking Business segment includes income from para banking activities such as credit cards, debit cards, third party product distribution, primary dealership business, and the associated costs. The company was founded by Aditya Tapishwar Puri in August 1994 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Valero Energy: AIR BP-PBF DEL PERU SAC, BELFAST STORAGE LTD, CANADIAN ULTRAMAR COMPANY, COLONNADE TEXAS INSURANCE COMPANY LLC, COLONNADE VERMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY LLC, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OF CANADA INC., DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL HOLDINGS LLC, DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL LLC, DIAMOND K RANCH LLC, DIAMOND OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., DIAMOND SHAMROCK REFINING COMPANY L.P., DIAMOND UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., DSRM NATIONAL BANK, ENTERPRISE CLAIMS MANAGEMENT INC., GCP LOGISTICS COMPANY LLC, GOLDEN EAGLE ASSURANCE LIMITED, HAMMOND MAINLINE PIPELINE LLC, HUNTWAY REFINING COMPANY, MAINLINE PIPELINES LIMITED, MAPLE ETHANOL LTD., MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT GP LLC, MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT L.P., MRP PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, NECHES RIVER HOLDING CORP., NORCO METHANOL LLC, OCEANIC TANKERS AGENCY LIMITED, PARKWAY PIPELINE LLC, PENTA TANKS TERMINALS S.A., PI DOCK FACILITIES LLC, PICKARD PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, PORT ARTHUR COKER COMPANY L.P., PREMCOR USA INC., PROPERTY RESTORATION L.P., PURE BIOFUELS DEL PERU S.A.C., PURE BIOFUELS HOLDINGS L.P., Parkway Pipeline, Premcor, Pure Biofuels Del Peru, SABINE RIVER HOLDING CORP., SABINE RIVER LLC, SAINT BERNARD PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, SUNBELT REFINING COMPANY L.P., THE PREMCOR PIPELINE CO., THE PREMCOR REFINING GROUP INC., THE SHAMROCK PIPE LINE CORPORATION, TRANSPORT MARITIME ST. LAURENT INC., ULTRAMAR ACCEPTANCE INC., ULTRAMAR ENERGY INC., ULTRAMAR INC., Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, V-TEX LOGISTICS LLC, VALERO (BARBADOS) SRL, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS GP LLC, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS LIMITED, VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ARUBA ACQUISITION COMPANY I LTD., VALERO ARUBA FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA HOLDING COMPANY N.V., VALERO ARUBA HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA MAINTENANCE/OPERATIONS COMPANY N.V., VALERO BROWNSVILLE TERMINAL LLC, VALERO CANADA FINANCE INC., VALERO CANADA L.P., VALERO CAPITAL CORPORATION, VALERO CARIBBEAN SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO COKER CORPORATION ARUBA N.V., VALERO CUSTOMS & TRADE SERVICES INC., VALERO EAST BAY LLC, VALERO ENERGY (IRELAND) LIMITED, VALERO ENERGY ARUBA II COMPANY, VALERO ENERGY INC., VALERO ENERGY LTD, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS GP LLC, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS LP, VALERO ENERGY UK LTD, VALERO ENTERPRISES INC., VALERO EQUITY SERVICES LTD, VALERO FINANCE L.P. I, VALERO FINANCE L.P. II, VALERO FINANCE L.P. III, VALERO FOREST CONTRIBUTION LLC, VALERO GRAIN MARKETING LLC, VALERO H2 PIPELINE COMPANY LLC, VALERO HOLDCO UK LTD, VALERO HOLDINGS INC., VALERO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., VALERO LIVE OAK LLC, VALERO LOGISTICS UK LTD, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY (PANAMA) LLC, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY COMPANY, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPY INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO MARKETING IRELAND LIMITED, VALERO MKS LOGISTICS L.L.C., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEW AMSTERDAM B.V., VALERO OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONS SUPPORT LTD, VALERO PARTNERS CCTS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS EAST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS WEST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS EP LLC, VALERO PARTNERS HOUSTON LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LOUISIANA LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LUCAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MCKEE LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MERAUX LLC, VALERO PARTNERS NORTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS OPERATING CO. LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PAPS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PORT ARTHUR LLC, VALERO PARTNERS SOUTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS TEXAS CITY LLC, VALERO PARTNERS THREE RIVERS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WYNNEWOOD LLC, VALERO PAYMENT SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE LLC, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE OIL TERMINAL LTD, VALERO PLAINS COMPANY LLC, VALERO POWER MARKETING LLC, VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL PARTNERS LLC, VALERO REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-ARUBA N.V., VALERO REFINING COMPANY-CALIFORNIA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-OKLAHOMA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-TENNESSEE L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-MERAUX LLC, VALERO REFINING-NEW ORLEANS L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-TEXAS L.P., VALERO RENEWABLE FUELS COMPANY LLC, VALERO SECURITY SYSTEMS INC., VALERO SERVICES INC., VALERO SKELLYTOWN PIPELINE LLC, VALERO TEJAS COMPANY LLC, VALERO TERMINAL HOLDCO LTD, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO TEXAS POWER MARKETING INC., VALERO ULTRAMAR HOLDINGS INC., VALERO UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., VALERO WEST WALES LLC, VRG PROPERTIES COMPANY, VTD PROPERTIES COMPANY, WARSHALL COMPANY LLC, and ZELIG COMMERCIAL INC..
The following companies are subsidiares of Centene: APS Parent Inc., AWC of Syracuse Inc., Absolute Total Care Inc., AcariaHealth Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #11 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #12 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #13 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #14 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy Inc., AcariaHealth Solutions Inc., Access Medical Acquisition LLC, Access Medical Group of Florida City LLC, Access Medical Group of Hialeah LLC, Access Medical Group of Lakeland LLC, Access Medical Group of Miami LLC, Access Medical Group of North Miami Beach LLC, Access Medical Group of Opa-Locka LLC, Access Medical Group of Perrine LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa II LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa III LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa LLC, Access Medical Group of Westchester LLC, Accountable Care Coalition Direct Contracting LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Chesapeake LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers II LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers II LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers III LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers IV LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers V LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers VI LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers VII LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Florida Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland Primary Care LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Mississippi LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of New Jersey Inc., Accountable Care Coalition of North Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northwest Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Prime Health LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health II LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health III LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Physician Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Texas Inc., Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Tennessee LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Texas Inc., Agate Resources Inc., AirLogix, Ambetter of Magnolia Inc., Ambetter of North Carolina Inc., Ambetter of Peach State Inc., America's 1st Choice California Holdings LLC, American Progressive Life and Health Insurance Company of New York, Apixio, Apixio Inc, Arch Personalized Medicine Initiative LLC, Arkansas Health & Wellness Health Plan Inc., Arkansas Total Care Holding Company LLC, Arkansas Total Care Inc., B2B Gestion Integra S.L.U., B2B Salud S.L.U., Bankers Reserve Life Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Blackcrow Asistencia Medica S.L, Bridgeway Health Solutions LLC, Bridgeway Health Solutions of Arizona Inc., Buckeye Community Health Plan Inc., Buckeye Health Plan Community Solutions Inc., CCTX Holdings LLC, CMC Real Estate Company LLC, CT Poprad s.r.o., CT Presov s.r.o., Calibrate Acquisition Company, California Health and Wellness Plan, Cantina Laredo Clayton LP, Cardium Health Services, Care 1st Health Plan of Arizona Inc., Care1st Health Plan Administrative Services Inc., Carolina Complete Health Holding Company Partnership, Carolina Complete Health Inc., Casenet LLC, Casenet S.R.O., CeltiCare Health Plan Holdings LLC, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts Inc., Celtic Group Inc., Celtic Insurance Company, Cenpatico Behavioral Health LLC, Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona LLC, Cenpatico of Arizona Inc., Centene Center I LLC, Centene Center II LLC, Centene Center LLC, Centene Company of Texas LP, Centene Europe Finance Company Limited, Centene Health Plan Holdings Inc., Centene Institute for Advanced Health Education LLC, Centene International Ventures LLC, Centene Investments LLC, Centene Management Company LLC, Centene Venture Company Alabama Health Plan Inc., Centene Venture Company Florida Inc., Centene Venture Company Illinois Inc., Centene Venture Company Indiana Inc., Centene Venture Company Kansas Inc., Centene Venture Company Michigan Inc., Centene Venture Company Tennessee Inc., Centro Inmunologocia De La Comunidad Valenciana S.L., Centurion Correctional Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, Centurion Detention Health Services LLC, Centurion LLC, Centurion of Arizona LLC, Centurion of Delaware LLC, Centurion of Florida LLC, Centurion of Kansas LLC, Centurion of Minnesota LLC, Centurion of Mississippi LLC, Centurion of New Hampshire LLC, Centurion of Pennsylvania LLC, Centurion of Tennessee LLC, Centurion of Vermont LLC, Centurion of West Virginia LLC, Centurion of Wyoming LLC, Chrysalis Medical Services LLC, Clinica Santo Domingo De Lugo S.L., Collaborative Health Systems IPA LLC, Collaborative Health Systems LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Maryland LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Virginia LLC, Comfort Hospice of Missouri LLC, Comfort Hospice of Texas LLC, ComfortBrook Hospice LLC, Community Medical Group, Community Medical Holdings Corporation, Comprehensive Health Management Inc., Comprehensive Reinsurance Ltd., Coordinated Care Corporation, Coordinated Care of Washington Inc., Country Style Health Care LLC, Discare CZ a.s., District Community Care Inc., Dr Magnet s.r.o., Elche-Crevillente Salud, Envolve Benefits Options Inc., Envolve Captive Insurance Company Inc., Envolve Dental IPA of New York Inc., Envolve Dental Inc., Envolve Dental of Florida Inc., Envolve Dental of Texas Inc., Envolve Health, Envolve Holdings Inc., Envolve Inc., Envolve Optical Inc., Envolve PeopleCare Inc., Envolve Pharmacy IPA LLC, Envolve Pharmacy Solutions Inc., Envolve Total Vision Inc., Envolve Vision Benefits Inc., Envolve Vision IPA of New York Inc., Envolve Vision Inc., Envolve Vision of Florida Inc., Envolve Vision of Texas Inc., Essential Care Partners LLC, Exactus Pharmacy Solutions Inc., Family Nurse Care II LLC, Family Nurse Care LLC, Family Nurse Care of Ohio LLC, Fidelis Care, Forensic Health Services LLC, Foundation Care LLC, Godgrace Asistencia Medica S.L., Golden Triangle Physician Alliance, Grace Hospice of Austin LLC, Grace Hospice of Grand Rapids LLC, Grace Hospice of Illinois LLC, Grace Hospice of Indiana LLC, Grace Hospice of San Antonio LLC, Grace Hospice of Virginia LLC, Grace Hospice of Wisconsin LLC, Granite State Health Plan Inc., Growly Asistencia Sanitaria S.L., HHS Texas Management Inc., HHS Texas Management LP, Hallmark Life Insurance Company, Harmony Behavioral Health IPA Inc., Harmony Behavioral Health Inc., Harmony Health Management Inc., Harmony Health Plan Inc., Harmony Health Systems Inc., Health Care Enterprises LLC, Health Net Access Inc., Health Net Community Solutions Inc., Health Net Community Solutions of Arizona Inc., Health Net Federal Services LLC, Health Net Health Plan of Oregon Inc., Health Net LLC, Health Net Life Insurance Company, Health Net Life Reinsurance Company, Health Net Pharmaceutical Services, Health Net of Arizona Inc., Health Net of California Inc., Health Plan Real Estate Holdings Inc., HealthSmart Benefit Solutions Inc., HealthSmart Benefits Management LLC, HealthSmart Care Management Solutions LP, HealthSmart Information Systems Inc., HealthSmart Preferred Care II LP, HealthSmart Preferred Network II Inc., HealthSmart Primary Care Clinics LP, HealthSmart Rx Solutions Inc., Healthy Louisiana Holdings LLC, Healthy Missouri Holdings Inc., Healthy Washington Holdings Inc., Heritage Health Systems Inc., Heritage Health Systems of Texas Inc., Heritage Home Hospice LLC, Heritage Physician Networks, Home State Health Plan Inc., HomeScripts.com LLC, Hospice DME Company LLC, Hospinet S.L., Hospital Polusa S.A., Hospital Povisa S.A., Hudson Accountable Care LLC, IAH of Florida LLC, Illinois Health Practice Alliance LLC, Infraestructuras y Servicios de Alzira S. L., Integrated Care Network of Florida LLC, Integrated Mental Health Management LLC, Integrated Mental Health Services, Interpreta Holdings Inc., Interpreta Inc., Iowa Total Care Inc., Kentucky Spirit Health Plan Inc., LBB Industries Inc., LifeShare Management Group LLC, LiveHealthier Inc., Louisiana Healthcare Connections Inc., MH Services International Holdings (UK) Limited, MHM, MHM Correctional Services LLC, MHM Health Professionals LLC, MHM Services Inc., MHM Services of California LLC, MHM Solutions LLC, MHN Government Services LLC, MHN Services LLC, MHS Consulting International Inc., MHS Travel & Charter Inc., MR Centrum Melnick s.r.o., MR Poprad s.r.o., MR Zilina s.r.o., Magnolia Health Plan Inc., Managed Health Network, Managed Health Network LLC, Managed Health Services Insurance Corporation, Maryland Collaborative Care LLC, Maryland Collaborative Care Transformation Organization Inc., Mauli Ola Health and Wellness Inc., Medicina NZ spol s.r.o., Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Inc., Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc., Meridian Management Company LLC, Meridian Network Services LLC, MeridianRx IPA LLC, MeridianRx LLC, MeridianRx of Indiana LLC, Michigan Complete Health, Mid-Atlantic Collaborative Care LLC, Nebraska Total Care Inc., Network Providers LLC, New York Quality Healthcare Corporation, Next Door Neighbors Inc., Next Door Neighbors LLC., North Florida Health Services Inc., Northern Maryland Collaborative Care LLC, Novasys Health Inc., OB Care, OB Klinika, Ohana Health Plan Inc., Oklahoma Complete Health Inc., One Care by Care 1st Health Plans of Arizona Inc, Operose Health (Group) Ltd., Operose Health (Group) UK Ltd., Operose Health Ltd., OptiCare Health Systems - Managed Vision Business, PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy, Panther Pass Co LLC, Panther Specialty Holding Co LLC, Pantherx Access Services LLC, Pantherx Specialty LLC, Parker LP LLC, Peach State Health Plan Inc., Penn Marketing America LLC, Pennsylvania Health and Wellness Inc., Phoenix Home Health Care LLC, Pinnacle Home Care LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Illinois LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Indiana LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Kalamazoo LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Missouri LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Wisconsin LLC, Premier Marketing Group LLC, PrimeroSalud S.L., Pro Diagnostic Group A.S., Pro Magnet CZ s.r.o., Pro Magnet s.r.o, Pro RTG s.r.o, Progress Medical A.S., Prowl Holdings LLC, QCA Healthplan Inc., Qualchoice Life and Health Insurance Company, Quincy Coverage Corporation, R&C Healthcare LLC, RMED LLC, RX Direct Inc., Rapid Respiratory Services LLC, Ribera Lab S.L.U., Ribera Salud II, Ribera Salud Proyectos S.L., Ribera Salud S.A., Ribera Salud Tecnologias S.L.U., Ribera Slaud Infraestructuras S.L.U., Ribera-Quilpro UTE, Salus Administrative Services Inc., Salus IPA LLC, Secure Capital Solutions 2000 S.L.U., SelectCare Health Plans Inc., SelectCare of Texas Inc., Seniorcorps Peninsula LLC, Servicios De Mantenimiento Prevencor S.L.U., SilverSummit Healthplan Inc., Social Health Bridge LLC, Social Health Bridge Trust, Specialty Therapeutic Care GP LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care LP, Sunflower State Health Plan Inc., Sunshine Health Community Solutions Inc., Sunshine Health Holding LLC, Sunshine State Health Plan Inc., Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions Inc., Superior HealthPlan Inc., The Practice Properties Limited, The WellCare Management Group Inc., Torrejon Salud S.A., Torrevieja Salud S.L.U., Torrevieja Salud UTE, Traditional Home Health Services LLC, Trillium Community Health Plan Inc., U.S. Medical Management Holdings Inc., U.S. Medical Management LLC, UAM Agent Services Corp., US Script, USMM Accountable Care Partners LLC, Universal American Corp., Universal American Financial Services Inc., Universal American Holdings LLC, WCG Health Management Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of America, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Kentucky Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Louisiana Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Nevada Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Hampshire Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Oklahoma Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Wisconsin Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Connecticut Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Hawaii Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of New York Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of North Carolina Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Southwest Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Tennessee Inc., WellCare Health Plans, WellCare Health Plans of Arizona Inc., WellCare Health Plans of California Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Massachusetts Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Missouri Inc., WellCare Health Plans of New Jersey Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Rhode Island Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Tennessee Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Vermont Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Wisconsin Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, WellCare Pharmacy Benefits Management Inc., WellCare Prescription Insurance Inc., WellCare of Alabama Inc., WellCare of Arkansas Inc., WellCare of California Inc., WellCare of Connecticut Inc., WellCare of Florida Inc., WellCare of Georgia Inc., WellCare of Illinois Inc., WellCare of Indiana Inc., WellCare of Kansas Inc., WellCare of Maine Inc., WellCare of Michigan Holding Company, WellCare of Mississippi Inc., WellCare of Missouri Health Insurance Company Inc., WellCare of New Hampshire Inc., WellCare of New York Inc., WellCare of North Carolina Inc., WellCare of Ohio Inc., WellCare of Oklahoma Inc., WellCare of Pennsylvania Inc., WellCare of Puerto Rico Inc., WellCare of South Carolina Inc., WellCare of Texas Inc., WellCare of Virginia Inc., WellCare of Washington Inc., Wellcare Health Plans Inc., Western Sky Community Care Inc., Windsor Health Group Inc., Winning Security S.L., Worlco Management Services, and nirvanaHealth LLC.
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Andeavor, through its subsidiaries, operates as an independent petroleum refining, logistics, and marketing company in the United States. The company operates in three segments: Marketing, Logistics, and Refining. The Marketing segment sells gasoline and diesel fuel through retail, branded, and unbranded channels. This segment operates a network of 3,255 retail stations under the ARCO, Shell, Mobil, and SUPERAMERICA brands. The Logistics segment gathers and transports crude oil by pipelines, as well as by trucks. It operates approximately 13 million barrels of crude oil, feedstock, blendstock, refined product, and asphalt storage tanks. The Refining segment buys and refines crude oil and other feed stocks into transportation fuels, such as gasoline and gasoline blend stocks, jet fuel, and diesel fuel, as well as other products, including heavy fuel oils, liquefied petroleum gas, petroleum coke, calcined coke, and asphalt. It also sells refined products in the bulk market principally to independent unbranded distributors, other refining and marketing companies, utilities, railroads, airlines, and marine and industrial end-users in the western United States. This segment owns and operates 10 petroleum refineries with a combined crude oil capacity of approximately 1,157 thousand barrels per day. The company was formerly known as Tesoro Corporation and changed its name to Andeavor in August 2017. Andeavor was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

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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.
Ralph Lauren Corp. engages in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products. The firm offers apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product. It operates through the following segments: North America, Europe, and Asia. The North America segment consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. The Europe segment caters to sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Europe and the Middle East, excluding Club Monaco. The Asia segment covers the sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The company was founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Fidelity National Information Services: 11601 Roosevelt Boulevard Realty LLC, AFSF II AIV Investors D-LP, AGES Participacoes Ltda., AKC Insurance Company LLC, Advanced Portfolio Technologies Ltd., Alphakinetic Ltd., Armed Forces Financial Network LLC, AssetExchange, Automated Securities Clearance LLC, Best Payment Solutions Inc., Bibit Spain S.L., Bitpay Payments KK, C&E Holdings Luxembourg S.a.r.l., CPRS Holdings Inc., Canadian Envoy Technology Services Ltd., Capco, Central Credit Services Limited, Certegy Canada Company, Certegy Card Services B.V., Certegy Dutch Holdings B.V., Certegy France Limited, Certegy SAS, Certegy UK Holdings B.V., Chex Systems Inc., Clear2Pay, Clear2Pay (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Clear2Pay APAC Pte. Ltd., Clear2Pay APAC Pty Ltd., Clear2Pay BV, Clear2Pay Belgium BV, Clear2Pay China Limited, Clear2Pay France SAS, Clear2Pay Germany GmbH, Clear2Pay Limited, Clear2Pay Nanjing Co. Limited, Clear2Pay Nederland BV, Clear2Pay Poland Sp. z o.o., Clear2Pay Scotland Holdings Limited, Clear2Pay Scotland Limited, Clear2Pay Spain S.l., ClearTwoPay Chile SpA, Complete Payment Recovery Services Inc., Compliance Coach, Credit Management Solutions, Decalog (UK) Limited, Decalog N.V., Envoy Services Bulgaria Limited, Envoy Services Ltd. (Asia) SDn BHD, Envoy Services Pty Ltd., Envoy Services South Africa (Pty) Limited, F.I.S. Systems (Middle East) Limited, FIS (Switzerland) SA, FIS (Tunisia) I SARL, FIS (Tunisia) II SARL, FIS Ambit Holdings Pty Ltd, FIS Apex (International) Limited, FIS Apex (UK) Limited, FIS Asia Pacific Inc., FIS AsiaPacRim Holdings Ltd., FIS Australasia Pty Ltd., FIS AvantGard LLC, FIS Banking Solutions UK Limited, FIS Bilgisayar Hizmetleri Ticaret Limited Sirketi, FIS Brokerage & Securities Services LLC, FIS Business Integration (UK) Limited, FIS Capital Markets UK Limited, FIS Capital Markets US LLC, FIS Card Services (Caribbean) Ltd., FIS Card Services (Thailand) Co. Ltd., FIS Consulting Services (Ireland) Limited, FIS Consulting Services (UK) Limited, FIS Denmark ApS, FIS Derivatives Utility Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., FIS Derivatives Utility Services (UK) Limited, FIS Derivatives Utility Services LLC, FIS Energy Solutions Limited, FIS Financial Solutions Canada Inc., FIS Financial Systems (France) SAS, FIS Foundation Inc., FIS GCS LLC, FIS Global Business Solutions India Private Ltd., FIS Global Execution Services (Ireland) Limited, FIS Global Execution Services Limited, FIS Global Holdings S.a.r.l, FIS Global Recovery Services India Private Limited, FIS Global Solutions Philippines Inc., FIS Global Trading (Deutschland) GmbH, FIS Global Trading (Hong Kong) Limited, FIS Global Trading (Iberica) S.L. Unipersonal, FIS Global Trading (Nederland) B.V., FIS Global Trading (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, FIS Global Trading (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., FIS Global Trading (Suisse) SA, FIS Global Trading (UK) Limited, FIS Healthcare Trustee Limited, FIS Holdings (Germany) GmbH i.L., FIS Holdings Limited, FIS Holdings Mauritius, FIS Insurance Services Limited, FIS International Subsidiaries Holdings Inc., FIS Investment Systems (UK) Limited, FIS Investment Ventures LLC, FIS Investor Services LLC, FIS Japan KK, FIS Kingstar Cayman Islands Limited, FIS Korea Ltd., FIS Management Services LLC, FIS Management Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., FIS Pakistan (Private) Limited, FIS Payment Solutions & Services India Private Limited, FIS Payments (Ireland) Limited, FIS Payments (UK) Limited, FIS Pensions Limited, FIS Romania SRL, FIS SG (Italia) S.r.l., FIS SG International Holdings LLC, FIS SG Systems Philippines Inc., FIS Sherwood Systems Limited, FIS Solutions (India) Private Limited, FIS Solutions LLC, FIS Solutions Software (India) Private Limited, FIS Systeme GmbH, FIS Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, FIS Systems (Luxembourg) S.A., FIS Systems (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., FIS Systems (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., FIS Systems Canada Inc., FIS Systems International LLC, FIS Systems Kenya Limited, FIS Systems Limited, FIS Systems NZ Limited, FIS Systems Pty Ltd, FIS Systems South Africa (Pty) Limited, FIS Systems de Colombia S.A.S., FIS Technology (Beijing) Co. Limited, FIS Technology Services (Poland) Sp. z o.o., FIS Technology Services (Tunisia) SARL, FIS Technology Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., FIS Treasury Systems (Europe) Limited, FIS Treasury Systems (UK) Limited, FIS UK Holdings Limited, FIS Vietnam LLC, FIS Worldpay (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, FIS Worldpay Jersey Limited, FIS-SG Holding Corp., FNIS Istanbul Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, FV General Partner LLC, Fidelity Holding Ltda., Fidelity Information Services (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Information Services (Iberia) S.L.U., Fidelity Information Services (Israel) Ltd., Fidelity Information Services (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Fidelity Information Services (Thailand) Limited, Fidelity Information Services Front Arena AB, Fidelity Information Services GmbH, Fidelity Information Services Holdings B.V., Fidelity Information Services India Private Limited, Fidelity Information Services International Holdings Inc., Fidelity Information Services LLC, Fidelity Information Services Limited, Fidelity Information Services Operations GmbH, Fidelity Information Services SARL, Fidelity Information Services Slovakia s.r.o., Fidelity Information Services de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fidelity International Resource Management Inc., Fidelity National Card Services Inc., Fidelity National Global Card Services Inc., Fidelity National Information Services (Netherlands) B.V., Fidelity National Information Services C.V., Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Fidelity National Participacoes e Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Fidelity National Servicos de Tratamento de Documentos e Informatica Ltda., Fidelity National Servicos e Contact Center Ltda., Fidelity Participacoes e Servicos Ltda., Financial Insurance Marketing Group Inc., GL Settle Limited, GL Trade (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, GL Trade CMS (Thailand) Limited, GL Trade Software DOO, GL Trade Solutions CMS (Thailand) Limited, Glesia S.r.l., GoCart LLC, Information Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Integrity Treasury Solutions Europe Limited, Integrity Treasury Solutions Inc., Integrity Treasury Solutions Limited, Integrity Treasury Solutions Pty Limited, Link2Gov Corp., Memento, Metavante Corporation, Metavante Payment Services LLC, Metavante Technologies Inc, Metavante Technologies Limited, Minorca Corporation NV, Monis Management Limited, Monis Software Limited, NYCE Payments Network LLC, Oshap Software Industries Ltd., Oshap Technologies Ltd., PT FIS Systems Indonesia, PT Fidelity Information Services Indonesia, Panther Holdco 2 Inc., Panther Holdco Inc., Payment Brasil Holdings Ltda., Payment Chile S.A., Payment Trust Limited, Paymetric Inc., Pazien Inc., People's United Merchant Services LLC, Platform Securities Holdings Limited, Platform Securities International Limited, Platform Securities International Nominees Limited, Platform Securities LLP, Platform Securities Nominees Limited, Platform Securities Services Limited, Reech Capital Limited, Reliance Financial Corporation, Reliance Integrated Solutions LLC, Reliance Trust Company, Rocket Partners Holdings LLC, Sanchez Computer Associates Pty Limited, Secondco Limited, Ship Holdco Limited, Ship Luxco 2 S.a.r.l., Ship Luxco 3 S.a.r.l., Ship Midco Limited, Solutions Plus Consulting Services Limited, SunGard, SunGard Data Systems Beijing Co. Ltd., SunGard Global Services (Tunisia) III, SunGard Global Trading (Australia) Pty. Ltd., SunGard India Sales Private Limited, TP Technologies N.V., Tayvin 346 Limited, Transax Limited, Trax BV, Valuelink Information Services Limited, Valutec Card Solutions LLC, Virtus Fund Services, Virtus Group LP, Virtus LP Holdings LLC, Virtus Partners Fund Services Cayman Ltd., Virtus Partners Fund Services Holdings Company, Virtus Partners Fund Services Ireland Limited, Virtus Partners Fund Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Virtus Partners Ireland Ltd., Virtus Partners Ltd., Virtus Trade Settlement LLC, WebTone Technologies, Worldpay, Worldpay (HK) Limited, Worldpay (NZ) Limited, Worldpay (UK) Limited, Worldpay AP Ltd., Worldpay Argentina SRL, Worldpay B.V., Worldpay Canada Corporation, Worldpay Cayman Holdings Limited, Worldpay Company LLC, Worldpay Do Brasil Processamento De Pagamentos Ltda., Worldpay Finance Limited, Worldpay Gaming Solutions LLC, Worldpay Governance Limited, Worldpay Group Limited, Worldpay Holdings (Barbados) SRL, Worldpay Holdings Brasil Participacoes Ltda., Worldpay ISO Inc., Worldpay India Private Limited, Worldpay Integrated Payments Canada LLC, Worldpay Integrated Payments LLC., Worldpay Integrated Payments Solutions Inc., Worldpay International Group Limited, Worldpay International Holdings Limited, Worldpay International Limited, Worldpay International Payments Limited, Worldpay International Solutions Limited, Worldpay K.K., Worldpay LLC, Worldpay Latin America Limited, Worldpay Limited, Worldpay Marketing Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Worldpay Payments (Barbados) SRL, Worldpay Processing Services SRL, Worldpay Pte Ltd., Worldpay Pty Ltd., Worldpay S.a.r.l., Worldpay Services Company, Worldpay Services SRL, Worldpay Solutions SRL, Worldpay Technology Bucharest S.R.L., Worldpay Treasury Solutions SRL, Worldpay US Inc., Worldpay eCommerce LLC, Worldpay eCommerce Limited, Xpede, YES-Secure.com Limited, YESpay International Limited, Zenmonics Inc., Zenmonics Software Private Limited, eFunds Corporation, eFunds Holdings Limited, eFunds International Limited, i DLX International B.V., and mFoundry Inc..
The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sinnerschrader, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight Inc, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Prashansha is an enthusiastic youtuber, film maker, social activist and poetess. On September of 2017, she, on behalf of World Experience Foundation, initiated a project to spread awareness about kidnap marriage and child marriage. She created a document art about this campaign with purpose to educate, aware and encourage the viewers to make changes in their society. Further, she is planning and designing a project called 'A Word A Step Ahead'. The award was handed by Honorable Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security- Mr. Gokarna Bista and all the jury members.





This years competition had received over 532 applications, from fascinating teenagers demonstrating the diverse potential of this often underlooked age-group of people. The applicants had demonstrated their skills and expertise, and made an impact in their society, from areas like social work to journalism, from mobile app development and computer programming, to robotics, and from entrepreneurship to community development among others.





Prashanshawas selected from among top 6 finalists in the competition viz. Bikalpa Dhungana (19 years, Inventor, Tanahu), Deepshikha Ghimire (18 years, Writer, Makwanpur), Prashansha KC (17 years, Social Activist, Rukum), Saugat Tiwari (19 years, Entrepreneur, Chitwan), Sudarshan Subedi (19 years, Ecopreneur, Okhaldhunga), and Swornim Shrestha (17 years, Social Entrepreneur, Sindhupalchowk).





Glocal Teen Hero is the only national platform in Nepal to recognize and honor the outstanding teenagers. It is a platform for Nepali teenagers to share their initiation, creativity, and enthusiasm which will then motivate them and more of the other teenagers in the nation to develop an entrepreneurial thinking.





This is the fourth edition of the first ever program designed in the country to recognize dedicated, passionate, and innovative teenagers so as to encourage their initiatives. Bipana Sharma, a 17-year old child rights activist from Sunwal, Nawalparasi, and Santosh Lamichhane, young robot inventor were felicitated with the First and Second Glocal Teen Hero awards in the years 2015 and 2016 respectively. Similarly, SachinDangi, 18, Social Activist was felicitated Wai Wai Glocal Teen Hero in 2017.





Started from inside the Kathmandu valley only in the year of inception, the competition this year had reached out to teenagers nationwide and conducted interactive sessions in various schools, colleges and communities.





This year, the total reach to teenagers was 50,000+ after conducting activation and information session in different schools and colleges of Nation.

To make the program a grand success, this year, Glocal has partnered with Wai Wai as a title sponsor. It is promoted by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Nepal Tourism Board. European Union and UNDP are the Strategic Partner, Soaltee Crowne Plaza is the initiative partner. Likely, Coca-Cola, VOITH, Panchakanya and Honda as Partners, Turkish Airlines and Yeti Airlines as Airlines Partner. In addition, Prisma Advertising as Creative Partner and Sparrow SMS is the SMS Partner. The initiative is supported by Tara Air, Landmark education, Worldlink, IMS Group, IME, AYON, YUWA, Restless Development, Facts Nepal, SmartDoko, View Your Choice, YesClub Nepal &Khubiliti. Partnership with various such organizations working on youth-segment helped the program reach every nook and corners of the country, and ensured no teenagers having talents and potential were left-out from the competition.





The respected 7-member jury panel had shortlisted the 6 amazing teens (ages 13-19) for their achievements, initiations or contributions in any other field outside of their respective schools or colleges curriculum. The jury panel this year comprises of Mr. Ambuj Singh, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Nepal, Ms. Alina Prajapati, General Manager, Glocal Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Renaud Meyer, UNDP Country Director to Nepal, Ranjit Acharya, CEO of Prisma Advertising, Mr. Suraj Vaidya, President of Vaidyas Organization of Industries, Mrs. Srijana Shakya Jyoti, Chief Branding Officer, Jyoti Group and Mr. Upaul Majumdar, General Manager of Soaltee Crowne Plaza

The selection was based on their resume, the evidence and an essay on their accomplishment.





These six teens also went through a six-days-long capacity building workshop, trainings, corporate visits and recreation.





After SMS voting round, the finalists were then individually interviewed on the basis of attitude, vision and aptitude by the panel of judges and Prashansha KC was declared as the Fantastic Teen for the year 2018.

The action-packed award ceremony held at Soaltee Crowne Plaza today was attended by 250+ personalities of Nepal from different walks of life, such as diplomats, politicians, film stars, entrepreneurs, educators, youth leaders and many more.





Second edition of Wai Waipresents Glocal International Teen Conference 2018 held





Similarly, Glocal also organized the second edition of Wai Wai Presents Glocal International Teen Conference on September 1, 2018.





Wai Wai Glocal International Teen Conference (GITC) is an international conference for teenagers in Nepal and abroad. GITC is an opportunity for teenagers to authentically address issues that are important to them without having to overcome generational barriers. The conference showcased the ideas, experience, and stories of the teenagers from different countries like India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jamaica, Ghana, Vietnam, Bangladesh etc. through series of panel discussions and presentations. The panel majors on Entrepreneurship, Empowerment and Socio-Perspective.




Kathmandu, Nepal: Hundreds of thousand medical service seekers have been deprived from the right to get service after all the medical services except emergency service, both governmental and private, have been shut across the country on Sunday.





The Nepal Medical Association, (NMA) the umbrella organization of Nepalese doctors, has announced to shut down all the medical services except emergency service as part of its phase-wise protests over the provisions of the newly enforced Criminal Code.





The NMA has demanded to amend in the code claiming that some provisions of the code intend to challenge the right of the medical persons on the name of curbing the negligence and recklessness of the doctors.





Issuing a statement on Friday, the association had announced a series of protests citing the governments reluctance to amend the Criminal Code.




While there were no new car launches in this week, there were a number of cars spied testing on Indian roads.

While there were no new car launches in this week, there were a number of cars spied testing on Indian roads. Hyundai and Mahindra garnered most of the headlines of this week. The new Grand i10 and Carlino-based SUV were caught testing, whereas the Marazzos bookings have commenced. The Mahindra MPV was completely spied, revealing most of its exterior bits. Even the Maruti Ertiga was spied with a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Theres more to it, so keep reading.

News You Cannot Miss

Three-year third-party insurance mandatory from next month: New cars will now get costlier from 1 September 2018 as buying three-year third-party insurance will become mandatory. To know more about the move, tap here.

Rs 40 Crore Bugatti Divo Sold Out: Yup, thats true. However, the even more stunning part of the deal is that the car is yet to launch! Know more about the Bugatti that can corner equally well here.

The Santro badge emerges victorious: The name that wrote Hyundais fate in the country has been rated as the most sought after in the naming contest of the carmakers upcoming hatchback in the country. Head over to the story to know more about the Hyundai small car.

Mercedes C-Class Facelift Launching On 20 Sept: The German luxury carmaker is set to launch its updated C-Class facelift in India next month. It gets subtle exterior changes and new engine options. Read more about it here.

Hyundai Xcent Gets Standard ABS: Good news for folks looking to buy the Xcent. The compact sedan from Hyundai now features ABS with EBD as standard. Restructuring the variants, the carmaker has chosen to discontinue the E variant. Complete details here.

Cars Caught Testing

New Hyundai Grand i10 Caught Testing: The Korean automakers third-generation Grand i10 was recently spied testing. It is likely to feature a new platform, which will be shared by other upcoming cars from Hyundai. Tap here to know what the spied images reveal about the new Grand i10.

Finally, we know how the Marazzo looks: While Mahindra was busy teasing the Marazzo in bits and pieces, it was snapped undisguised revealing its looks completely. Head over to the story to see the pics.

Hyundai Carlino-based SUV Spied: In yet another Hyundai news, the Carlino-based SUV was caught testing in the country. It will fall in the sub-compact SUV segment and will rival the Tata Nexon, Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport among others. To know what all was visible in the images, tap here.

2018 Maruti Ertiga snapped with new diesel engine: The second-generation Maruti Ertiga, set to launch ahead of Diwali, was caught on lenses testing with the new 1.5-litre diesel engine. It could debut Maruti Suzukis indigenously developed 1.5-litre diesel motor. Tap here to know about the Maruti MPV.

Tata Harrier Gets Floating Touchscreen: Similar to the H5X concept, the Tata Harrier featured a floating touchscreen which gives a premium look to the cabin. The overall interior layout is also more or less similar to its concept design. Head over to the story for complete information.

Our Exclusive Work Just For You

Clash of Segments: 2018 Maruti Ciaz Vs Maruti Vitara Brezza- Which Car To Buy

Car Safety: Myths, Dos and Donts

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Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho.
Mumbai: The makers of upcoming murder mystery AndhaDhun have dropped the gripping and intriguing trailer of the thriller which leaves you excited and confused at the same time.

Ayushmann Khurrana who has made a mark with slice of life films in Bollywood is all set to mark his first association with director Sriram Raghavan and break the mould.

The thriller unfolds the story of a blind piano artist and showcases facades of his love story. However, life takes a sharp turn as he gets caughts in the world of tragedies. It holds your attention and leaves you confused with murders and mysteries unfolding.

Watch the trailer here:

Unveiling the trailer on social media, Ayushmann said, "You can't see what I can...or maybe you can. 'See' for yourself! Apologies for the delay but here's the #AndhaDhun trailer - http://bit.ly/AndhaDhunTrailer #Tabu @radhika_apte #SriramRaghavan @Viacom18Movies @MatchboxPix @ZeeMusicCompany @AndhadhunFilm".

Earlier, the makers unveiled the first look poster showcasing Ayushmann as the blind pianist intriguing the audience for the thriller.

AndhaDhun stars celebrated actress Tabu in a pivotal role. The actress will be seen in a grey character once again after Drishyam.

The film also features Radhika Apte who lately had been getting a lot of appreciation for her work. This will be her second association with Sriram after Badlapur.

Produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, AndhaDhun is slated to release on October 5, 2018.
Dubbing for ones own role seems to be the trend in Tollywood right now. Many actresses are dubbing their own lines, be it Anu Emmanuel or Keerthy Suresh. Now, Mehreen Kaur will join this list by lending her voice for her forthcoming Telugu film, F2. Apparently, it was a collective decision by the unit.

I was enthusiastic to dub for my lines as this character is very entertaining, and at the same time, challenging. Basically, I want the role to look authentic; I feel I can do justice only if I lend my voice, Mehreen says. The actress feels dubbing is also a great way to connect with the audience. I am still picking up the language, says Mehreen.

Starring Venkatesh and Varun Tej, the Anil Ravipudi directorial also features Tamannaah. The unit will now head to Europe to shoot some interesting parts of the film.
The police is expected to produce the officer in the first class magistrate court here on Monday.

Kottayam: The police on Saturday arrested Mr India Murali Kumar, 38, an Indian Navy officer, on rape charges.

The chief petty officer in Indian Navy in Mumbai, Mr Kumar, the seven-time title holder is a native of Varissey near here.

Kottayam DySP R. Sreekumar said the victim had given a statement against him and he also faces non-bailable charges under the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.

He befriended the young lady on the Facebook and allegedly raped her in a hotel room in town where she went to meet him the other day.

She had sustained vaginal injuries and is in the surgical Intensive Care Unit now.

The police is expected to produce the officer in the first class magistrate court here on Monday.
New Delhi: Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on loans given during the UPA rule, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday asked the NDA government to reveal the number of loans given by it which turned into non-performing assets (NPA).

In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader also questioned why the present dispensation did not recall those loans, given by the previous government, which turned bad.

Also Read: PM Modi launches scathing attack on Cong, blames 'phone-a-loan' for NPA crisis

"How many loans and how much that were given after May 2014 have become non-performing assets?" he said. Chidambaram said this question was asked in Parliament but there was no answer so far.

The Modi government had assumed charge in May 2014.

Addressing an event, the Prime Minister on Saturday blamed the Congress-led UPA government for NPAs, saying action has been initiated against 12 large defaulters with a debt of nearly Rs 1.75 crore, who were given loans before 2014.

Modi said work has been on to recover around Rs 1 lakh crore from another 27 large loan accounts. Chidambaram said even if it was assumed that the Prime Minister was right when he said that loans given under the UPA have turned bad, how many of those loans were renewed or rolled over (that is 'evergreened') under the present NDA government? "Why were those loans not recalled? Why were those loans evergreened?" he asked.
Alagiri, who has been claiming since Karunanidhi's death that loyal party workers were with him, had earlier said the DMK would face threat after his rally. (Photo: File | ANI)

Madurai: Expelled DMK leader M K Alagiri on Sunday said he would go ahead with the proposed September 5 rally in Chennai, touted as a show of strength by his supporters.

"I am Thalaivar's (late DMK Chief M Karunanidhi) son, so I will do what I said," he told reporters here when asked about the silent rally proposed by him to pay homage to his father, who died on August 7.

However, he refused to respond to a query on the party's silence to his request to readmit him.

Alagiri, who has been claiming since Karunanidhi's death that loyal party workers were with him, had earlier said the DMK would face threat after his rally.

Alagiri had expressed his willingness to accept DMK president M K Stalin's leadership with a rider to readmit him into the party.

The former union minister has been in political hibernation since his expulsion from the party in 2014 by Karunanidhi.

He was sacked at the height of his fight with Stalin over establishing supremacy in the party.
Jankpur, Nepal: Internal Affairs and Law Minister of Province 2 Gyanendra Yadav staged a sit-in protest in front of Nepal Rastra Bank district office in Janakpur for opening the office on holiday on Sunday.





Protesting the decision of remaining open of some offices in the province despite the provincial governments decision of public holiday on Sunday for Krishna Janmastami, provinncil minister staged protest in front of the Nepal Rastar Banks regional office at Janakpur.




'It is unfair and illegal for a public authority to charge CGST and SGST for supply of information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act,' he said. (Representational Image)

Bhopal: An RTI applicant was asked to pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for getting information from the Madhya Pradesh Housing and Infrastructure Development Board in Bhopal under the transparency law.

Exercising his right to know, anti-corruption activist Ajay Dubey sought details of expenditure on the renovation of office of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Madhya Pradesh, from the board.

To his surprise, the board asked him to pay Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and the States Goods and Services Tax (SGST) at the rate of nine per cent each, according to the official documents.

Dubey paid Rs 43 -- Rs. 36 as photocopy charges for 18 pages (at the rate of Rs. two per page), Rs 3.5 as CGST and Rs 3.5 as SGST, the documents show.

"It is unfair and illegal for a public authority to charge CGST and SGST for supply of information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. I will appeal against this before the appropriate authority," he told news agency PTI.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley-led GST Council had in January this year recommended "to exempt supply of services by way of providing information under RTI Act, 2005 from GST".

While hearing a case, transparency watchdog Central Information Commission (CIC) had in February said public authority cannot quote a price for the information, treating it as goods or service of sellable nature.

"Besides, giving information is not even service, being transparent is the inherent duty of public authority and Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) can only collect the cost of copying charges so that the government exchequer is not affected. Therefore, the demand of GST charges made by the CPIO is illegal and unreasonable," the order by Central Information Commissioner M Sridhar Acharyulu said.
New Delhi: India is expected to convey to the United States during their forthcoming 2+2 dialogue at the foreign and defence ministerial level in New Delhi later this week that it is going ahead with the Russia deal to procure a batch of S-400 missile systems despite the American sanctions on countries engaging in military transactions with Moscow.

New Delhi is hoping for a waiver from the Americans for the deal to escape sanctions. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary Jim Mattis are travelling to India this week for the dialogue being hosted by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on September 6.

India has almost concluded the S-400 missile deal with Russia, and we are going ahead with it. Our position on the issue will be conveyed to the US, a high-level official source was quoted by news agencies, as saying. Sources said New Delhi would cite its requirement for the missile system in the wake of the evolving regional security architecture as well as considering its close defence ties with Russia. But there are also indications that the US has not fully reconciled with Indias decision to acquire the S-400 missile system from Russia and this issue is expected to be discussed prominently during the talks. This could also make any future acquisition of weaponry by India from Russia extremely difficult, despite India being hopeful of an American waiver at least for the S-400 missile acquisition from Russia.
Hyderabad: The focus on Assembly dissolution and early elections has now shifted to the next Cabinet meeting to be held by September 6.

A flash message sent by Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi to all secretaries and heads of departments on Sunday informing about the urgent Cabinet meeting and asking them to send proposals for approval in the Cabinet by 3 pm on September 4, yet again fuelled speculation that the elections may be held before time.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to hold the Cabinet meeting on September 5 or 6 and take a crucial decision on early polls.

Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari too confirmed that there will be another Cabinet meeting very shortly, in which crucial decisions on all important issues will be taken. Briefing the media about the Cabinet decisions after the meeting at Pragathi Bhavan, Mr Srihari said, There will be another Cabinet meeting very soon, which will take important and crucial decisions. In todays meeting, only administrative issues which were placed on the agenda were taken up. No issues other than those in the agenda were discussed.

The official note sent by Chief Secretary Joshi read, All the special chief secretaries/ principal secretaries/ secretaries to government including GAD are informed that the next Cabinet meeting will be held very shortly. They are, therefore, requested to send the Cabinet proposals duly approved in circulation for consideration of the Council of Ministers to General Administration (Cabinet) Department immediately by September 4, 2018, by 3 pm for placing the same before the Cabinet.

This note released few hours before TRS public meeting on Sunday generated political heat over early polls. The note was widely shared in social media by ruling and opposition parties speculating that the CM will hold next cabinet meeting on September 6 to suit his lucky number of 6 to take a decision on dissolving Legislative Assembly and go for early polls in December along with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.
Chennai: Imagine if one was to play the protagonist of this historical novel, Laale, with a valorous Afghani background to be proud of. She is abducted by a company sepoy who violates her dignity and eventually lands up in the court of the last of the great Mughal kings, Bahadur Shah Zafar in old Delhi, in the backdrop of 1857 Sepoys Mutiny as shadows fall on the Mughal empire.

Courageous Laale in a sense stoops to conquer. Deftly wading through the palace intrigues in the Red Fort, she rises from a courtesan to eventually being Zafars Begum, a relationship that begins on an aesthetic, spiritual companionship note as the King in his eighties then was more concerned to protect her honour and save her from the wolves. The relationship blossoms, capping in Laale taking on the British Army bigwigs with her charm and diplomacy, to redeem the Kings honour in defence of Hindustan, as Hindus and Muslims together fight the British, even as Bahadur Shah Zafar loses his throne and is deported to Burma.

Laale gets slowly groomed in the Mughal court, thanks to some of her new benefactors in the famous Lal Qila, including the Kings elder wife, Taj Mahal Begum; her initial tutorship is under one of the finest court poets, Mirza Ghalib, and then takes dancing lessons in Kathak, before she presents her first dance before the king. This narrative seamlessly conjoins the tussle between nature and culture and how Bahadur Shah Zafar was a multifaceted monarch.

Live it, Enact the poetry, extols Ghalib to Laale at one such session. And when she recites the poem, If you wear the Guise of a warrior, yet cannot protect yourself, you will surely die; Make Your Soul, a weapon, Surrender to the Will of God, whoever becomes invisibleis saved; one who has surrendered is unconquerable; This war, is your greedy game, a tactic, that destroys, only you, a philosophical profundity flows with it. These lines could have come from the lips of any of the devout Vaishnavite Azhwars, say even from the great Teacher Sri Ramanuja, at the fountainhead of the deep faith in Saranagathi, total surrender to the will of God. Great souls like Ghalib and Ramanuja think alike and at that spiritual level, all evolved religions are but different paths to the same Truth.

In writing this feminist Muslims story, the Canada-based poetess and writer, Sikeena Karmali in her novel, The Mulberry Courtesan, a delectable narrative in deeply enjoyable prose, with a good mix of Persian and Urdu poetry (most of it translated into English by the author herself as she says towards the end), also mirrors the cultivated mannerisms and cuisines of the bygone era. The epic tale nonetheless, skims on a thin template of mystical unity of all religions.

Every historical epoch has a rich and luxuriant side to it, for all the sufferings of its people, which simultaneously brings to the fore the decadent shades in a certain lifestyle. So much so, an unabashed apologia or a total condemnation would be out of place, and lacking the historical sense of the glorious uncertainties of life.

At the same time, all epochs have defended some basic human values through its heroes and heroines, despite shifting loyalties when instincts of life ride roughshod over intuitions of beauty and consistency. And Karmali has brought out all these dimensions, as her novel unfolds gently in keeping with the tempo of the last days of the Mughal era, in the backdrop of a rising heroic theatre of Indias first war of Independence. Bahadur Shah Zafar quietly leads the banner of revolt in Delhi, but it ends with British storming Cashmere Gate. The irony of it is the King well knew those from his inner circle who were also helping the British.

Yet, Karmalis protagonist lives to fight on, enters dark alleys of brutality and takes on Captain Hodson in her own way, to vindicate the honour of the King who was kind and respectful to her. It was not just that, Laale simultaneously sought to avenge the horrors of a Captain Hodson who saw to it that all but one of the princes of Zafar were done to death, alongside the British conquest of Delhi. Bahadur Shah Zafars true resting place should have been Humayuns tomb in Delhi, but the twists and turns of Imperial history found him grave in Burma!

A compelling read, laced with wisdom of comparative religions and philosophical insights. When the Begum speaks of the dance form Laale should learn, she says, You must learn Kathak. It is a Mughal dance form, marrying the ecstasies of Sufi whirling with the seductive devotion of a Hindu Devadasi. It shall not be difficult for you; you are still young. Yes the sooner you start, the better. This perhaps was how all great cultures engaged in the past, when cultivated minds married the best of all possible worlds, in search of that elusive ideal of Truth.

The Begum in another moment recalls to Lalee how the Mughals have adopted the Hindu practice of women wearing bangles. A few pages more, a homily of sorts flows from the Huzoor himself when he asks before Lalee, Who we are? We are not just conquerors or warriors or worse still, Muslim invaders. We are.we are custodians. The holy Quran names humankind as custodians of all that is on the earth..We seek to raise humanity to its place in the cosmos above the angels..Our Prophet told us that the best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge. And so we, my ancestors, and I, have sought knowledge.

Much later, sitting at Humayuns tomb in a deeply reflective mood with her five-year-old son, Amir Ali by her side, Lalee pens a letter to her son: For as long as there is a light, there will be a darkness that tries to obliterate it. You must carry forward the torch of light. Whatever name you give it, Allah, Krishna, Devi, God, always follow the light. These words could well resonate from an Upanishadic dialogue on the unity of all life, or reaffirm a Bhagawad Gita insight. But politics and warfare always draw rigid lines. No wonder Truth may sing and dance with a Mulberry Courtesan than with the political high-priests. Karmali seems to ask, If Truth was a woman, posed by Nietzsches Zarathustra.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao talks to his son and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao during the partys Pragathi Nivedana Sabha, at Kongara Kalan on Sunday (Photo: P. Surendra)

Hyderabad: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday chose to continue the suspense over the dissolution of the Assembly to pave the way for early elections.

The CMs speech at the Telangana Pragathi Nivedana Sabha, at Kongara Kalan on the city outskirts, lacked his usual wit and brimstone, and did not contain fresh election sops. He confined himself to listing the achievements of the TRS government in welfare and development programmes in the past four years during his 50-minute speech.

Addressing the huge public meeting, Mr Rao said, The State Cabinet, party MPs, MLAs and MLCs have given me the power to take a political decision on early polls. I will take a decision on this at an appropriate time. You will come to know about such political decisions soon. I will keep the interests of Telangana and TRS in mind before taking such decisions.

The CM played the self-respect card, urging the people of the state not to opt for national parties, as it was the case with Tamil Nadu. He said that even Assembly tickets in national parties were decided in Delhi.

He asked the people to choose between whether they wanted to live independently with self respect or do ghulaamgiri and chamchaagiri to Delhi by voting for national parties.

He said, Speculation is doing the rounds on Assembly dissolution and early polls. There were also reports that I will announce new sops today. As the head of the government and CM, I cannot make such announcements here.

"On political issues, I will soon take a decision which is good for the future of Telangana state. You will soon come to know about political decisions."

The CM asked the people to follow in the footsteps of Tamil Nadu by rejecting national parties. Look at our Tamil brothers and sisters. They never allowed national parties to rule them for the past 50-60 years. Tamilians have been ruling themselves with dignity and self respect. Like them, we too should become united and opt for self-rule. They should question whether they want the decisions concerning Telangana be taken by people of Telangana or by those in Delhi. They should choose whether they want to live with self respect or become ghulams in the hands of Delhi or gulabis (roses) of Telangana, he remarked.

Referring to election sops, he said, We will soon constitute a manifesto committee headed by K. Keshava Rao, which will finalise new sops which we will implement if voted to power. I should not make such announcements here though as the media will write about it.
Hyderabad: A 35-year-old Telangana Rashtra Samithi party activist from Nalgonda died on his way to attend Pragati Nivedana Sabha at Kongara Kalan, after falling from an overcrowded DCM van at Abdullapurmet on Sunday evening.

Abdul Jani, 35, along with several other activists from Madaram village in Nalgonda district started to attend the TRS party meeting in a DCM van. When the van reached Abdullapurmet, Abdul who was standing at the edge, slipped and fell down the road. He received a severe head injury and died on the spot.

The other activists who noticed this alerted the van driver to stop the van and then informed the Abdullapurmet police, who shifted the body to Osmania General Hospital mortuary and booked a case against the driver for causing death due to negligence.
Hyderabad: The TRS is devising its strategy to avert ghar wapsi of MLAs, who moved in from other parties, because of denial of tickets in the ensuing elections. At least 27 MLAs from other parties joined the TRS on the assurance of tickets for the 2019 elections. However, TRS old-timers from these constituencies are exerting pressure on the party high command for tickets.

The TRS leadership fears that if tickets are denied to the new entrants, they may return to their old parties which would impact the prospects of the ruling party. The anticipated tie-up between the Congress and the TD for the 2019 elections has also become a cause for concern for the TRS leadership. The TD and Congress MLAs who defected to the TRS are telling the TRS leadership that they would be forced to return to their former parties if they are denied tickets. The defector MLAs believe that the Congress-TD tie-up would enhance their winning prospects as the parties enjoy a good votebank.

This argument is seen more in MLAs hailing from Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and surrounding districts where AP-origin people form a major chunk of voters. With both the TD and the Congress fighting for special category status for Andhra Pradesh, the defector MLAs from these seats that people from AP would favour a Congress-TD combine over the TRS. If TRS denies them tickets, it would be better to return to their old parties.

These MLAs are confident that the Congress and the TD would definitely give them priority while nominating candidates.

From Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts alone, nine MLAs from the TD and one from the Congress have defected to the TRS and are expecting TRS tickets. But some strong leaders within the TRS are giving these MLAs sleepless nights by taking up hectic campaigning claiming that the party leadership has assured them of tickets.

As a result of this, the defected MLAs are keeping the ghar wapsi option open.
Hyderabad: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday chose to continue the suspense over the dissolution of the Assembly to pave the way for early elections. Because as CM if I say something, it should be implemented.

On political issues, I will soon take a decision which is good for the future of Telangana state. You will soon come to know about political decisions.

The CM asked the people to follow in the footsteps of Tamil Nadu by rejecting national parties. Look at our Tamil brothers and sisters. They never allowed national parties to rule them for the past 50-60 years. Tamilians have been ruling themselves with dignity and self respect. Like them, we too should become united and opt for self-rule. They should question whether they want the decisions concerning Telangana be taken by people of Telangana or by those in Delhi. They should choose whether they want to live with self respect or become ghulams in the hands of Delhi or gulabis (roses) of Telangana, he remarked.

Referring to election sops, he said, We will soon constitute a manifesto committee headed by K. Keshava Rao, which will finalise new sops which we will implement if voted to power. I should not make such announcements here though as the media will write about it.
The DMK president Stalin has made clear which direction his party will be going towards 2019. The status quo with old Congress partners was always on the cards although doubts had surfaced thanks to some overtures from the BJP when his father M. Karunaidhi was ailing, including in a visit by the Prime Minister Modi. The DMK has chosen to stick to its guns and allies even if Karunanidhi himself had proved that politics is the art of the possible in his aligning with Vajpayee and the NDA upto 2004.

There are no permanent enemies and friends in politics. However, the manner in which Stalin put down the saffron crowd and went for the jugular in naming Narendra Modi as the antagonist in his acceptance speech would have us believe that the door has been shut permanently. While this may not be so always in the long run, the DMK position has been settled so far as the 2019 polls go. It could be different if the results sill favour the NDA more and the BJP needs allies to make up the numbers for the next government.

Judging from the severity of the attack on the Modi government, it would appear Stalin has not left the door open for all options. His pronouncements may, however, have been based on 2019 projections and the anti-incumbency factor that could weigh heavily against the BJP nationally. The DMK may have had its share of problems with UPA and even pulled out its ministers at the height of the 2G scam when DMK protagonists were jailed. But they have proved reliable friends in rough weather too after all of them got unseated in 2014.

Stalin has been decisive in stating his party position and appears prepared to take what comes in 2019. Of course, his party has nothing to lose as it was routed seat-less in the last LS polls, beaten by the Jayalalithaa charisma which was at its height, and everything to gain in the current political scene post-Jaya's demise. If the closeness of the 2016 margins are a rough guide to what may happen, there is every reason for the original Dravidian major to feel confident about a change of fortunes.

The secular front, regardless of what the term means today, is the more natural spot for a party that used to swear by atheism, but one which is prepared to accept now that faith moves Tamil Nadu a great deal as the proliferation of roadside shrines in every city would indicate. With the passing of the patriarch who grew up in the Periyar movement, the one at the helm could soften his stance. In fact, it would be the pragmatic thing to do when it comes to addressing the whole populace in search of political power.

What else is it in India but a hunt for power? Is there a great difference in ideologies between the two major Dravidian parties? Of course, not. They are in it for wielding power and they have done it by offering the more attractive freebies than the other. All other talk loses value because both sides have been on either side of the spectrum. Curiously, in Tamil Nadu, the Communists, for all their didactic lecturing, have also been on both sides of the divide.

Why, even the most vocal opponent of the Jaya regimes of today has stood with folded hands without a chair to sit on at Jaya's public meetings when the Congress aligned with the AIADMK in the wake of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination on Tamil Nadu soil. All talk of principles has invariably vanished in this peculiar power grabbing game in which poll alliances have nothing to do but the picking of a combination to suit the public mood. Not that the voting public does not know this. But the public voice has been muted by freebies and how much of currency is forked out ahead of polls in what is now known as the Thirumangalam formula.

Having taken over the reins of his party decisively and put other contenders from the family firmly in their place, Stalin has taken on the onerous responsibility of reviving DMK electorally after having spent so many years in the wings in his own party. The patriarch's biggest mistake in 2016 may have been his failure to facilitate the change at the helm. Had Stalin been projected as the one taking on Jayas AIADMK rather than an ageing Karunanidhi, the results may have been different. But all that is like water flowing down the Cauvery. Its back to the future as it were.
Bengaluru: Dismissing reports about the imminent collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state, AICC general secretary, K.C. Venugopal on Sunday asserted that the Kumaraswamy government will complete its five-year tenure and also took potshots at the media for predicting that the coalition will fall apart.

Speaking to reporters here, a visibly irked Mr Venugopal said, The media continues to spin stories without verifying the facts, it writes that I walked out of a meeting, which was convened by me. There have been reports that CM H. D. Kumaraswamy complained to Congress president Rah-ul Gandhi about our leader, Siddaramaiah. These stories are absolutely baseless.

According to him, deliberate attempts are being made to malign the coalition. He also clarified that Mr Kumarswamy visited New Delhi recently to thank Mr Gandhi for his support on completing 100 days in his office.

It was a short and sweet meeting between both leaders where there was no politics involved. I was present at the meeting, not even once did Mr Kumaraswamy speak about Mr Siddaramaiah. Stil there were reports that the CM had complained about Mr Siddaramaiah, he said. In the same breath he added, I am not saying that we as coalition partners are completely perfect. No, that is not my point. We certainly have differences and at the same time we do have a perfect resolution mechanism to solve these minor issues.
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Chennai: Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi supported the move of Centralised Admission Committee (Centac) in the ongoing controversy over filling 50 MBBS seats in Pondicherry Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) and urged the medical aspirants and parents not to fall prey in any trap on the issue of medical admissions.

The controversy started after Centralized Admission Committee (Centac) cancelled the scheduled counselling on September 3, allowing the institution to fill the 50 seats (17 seats under government quota and 33 under management quota) from 1:10 merit list furnished by Centac on August 31. PIMS had already completed admission by August 31 as per the deadline set by Medical Council of India (MCI).

The students who were waiting for admission under the government quota raised complaints that they had no information on the counselling and admission.

The students and Parents Teachers Association complained that only Centac has the power to conduct the counselling and by forwarding the list to PIMS they were not acting within the laws.

The Lt Governor, on the other hand, supported the decision of Centac and said that PIMS is bound by the list of Centac and should follow the merit list given by CENTAC for admission. No list is valid until it is approved by Centac and MCI. The list is to be vetted and submitted by Centac to MCI. Centac will verify if students were contacted by PIMS for admission and did not do a pick and choose, Said Ms Bedi.

She had also warned the students against trying to jump the list to get admission.Parents will be placing their childrens career at stake and also may lose money if they try and jump the list, she said.
These parties were not only formed on caste-based support, they have survived largely on caste-based support as voters of particular castes vote for these parties in very large numbers and form a votebank for it. (Representational image)

The recent incidence of Aam Aadmi Partys leader Atishi Marlena giving up her surname Marlena soon after her announcement as party candidate for East Delhi parliamentary seat for the 2019 Lok Sabha election forces us to rethink if caste matters for voters even in big metropolitan cities like Delhi. It is understood that she was advised to do so as her surname sounded Christian, which is not helpful for mobilising votes of the majority community.

If this single instance was not enough, the recent statement of Ashutosh, who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Delhi as AAP candidate, confirms how caste identities and surnames are important for mobilisation of voters. Ashutosh, who recently resigned from the AAP, made a statement that his party wanted him to use his surname Gupta during his campaign as the constituency from where he was the candidate has a large number of voters from his community. There could be numerous such examples or candidates either taking up or dropping their surnames to be identified or to hide their caste and religious identities for expected political gains. The difference may be of shades, but caste considerations are important for almost all political parties. It begins with the selection of candidates and continues till the formation of the Cabinet.

I hardly have any confusion on this issue, whether big city, small town or village, caste considerations matter for voters, the only difference may be in shades. Caste-based identities have existed in villages for long and the rural people had no inhibition about this. But what is important to note is that caste-based identities have become much stronger now compared to the past amongst urban Indians. It does matter a lot for the political parties.

Post-Mandal politics has ushered a new era in Indian politics. Identity politics, which was earlier seen only in villages, is now visible in towns and metros too.

Few decades ago, we hardly saw vehicles in big cities with prominent display on the back and front of their vehicle of words like Yadav, Gujjar and Jat just to name a few as marker of their caste identity.

When identities have occupied much more a central space now compared to the past in the life of the people in big metropolitan cities, it is natural to expect such identities to play an important role even in the political space.

The caste-based mobilisation is one of the most important tools of voter mobilisation of all political parties in present-day politics in India.

The emergence of identity politics is the result of formation of large number of political parties and their survival largely of not solely on their caste-based support. We find such political parties in the length and breadth of the country from the far East to the West and from North to down South.

The Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh champions the cause of pro-Telugu people and those belonging to Kamma caste. In Assam we have All India United Democratic Front (AUDF) representing solely the cause of Muslims in the state. In Bihar all the regional parties have its own caste-based support, the JD(U) amongst the dominant OBC caste, the Kurmis; while the Rashtriya Janata Dal is popularity know as the party of Yadavs. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas Paswan has survived over the decades only on the support of dalit votes in the state.

The story hardly changes in Uttar Pradesh where the Samajwadi Party is closely identified as a Yadav party, while the Bahujan Samaj Party is identified as the party of dalits, more so of Jatavs. Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal is seen as a party only of Jats.

The JD(S) of Karnataka is largely considered as a party of the dominant peasant community, the Vokkaligas, while the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is identified as a party largely of Marathas. Most of the regional parties of states in the Northeast are seen as caste-based parties.

These parties were not only formed on caste-based support, they have survived largely on caste-based support as voters of particular castes vote for these parties in very large numbers and form a votebank for it.

Evidence from surveys conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) indicate, caste remains an important consideration of the voting choices for a sizeable number of voters. This is true of voters cutting across locality, whether rural or urban, the difference may be only of shades. Evidence from the survey indicates, caste-based voting is prevalent not only amongst voters of the North Indian states like Bihar, UP, Rajasthan or Haryana, but in most of the states in other regions as well.

In Andhra Pradesh, the two politically-dominant communities of Andhra Pradesh  the Reddy and Kamma  have voted over the years. It may not be incorrect to treat them as votebank for political parties. Nearly 70 per cent of the Reddy vote for the YSR Congress, while similar proportions vote for the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. Voters of two dalit communities  the Malas and Madigas  are also sharply polarised in favour of the YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh.

Similarly, the Nair of Kerala, vote for the Left Democratic Front in large numbers while other upper-caste voters generally vote in bigger numbers for the United Democratic Front. In Maharashtra, a very large proportion of voters from the Maratha community vote for the Shiv Sena.

Caste still remains one of the important considerations of voting for Indian voters, and caste-based mobilisation remains an important consideration for political parties. The recent issues of Atishi dropping her surname and Ashutoshs statement regarding issues with his surname only throw new light on this issue.

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are not far away. We will definitely witness how political parties will form alliance with other parties with the aim of forging bigger caste alliances. But the issues might get lost in the noise of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections at that time.
The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of the petition on Article 35-A, under which the J&K legislature is empowered to decide who permanent residents of the state are, to January 2019 on the plea of the Centre as well as the J&K government that the issue is sensitive in Kashmir and its hearing could cause turmoil and violence at a time when preparations for the panchayat poll in the state (slated for October-December this year) are going on.

In practical terms, the Centre and the state government, since J&K is under Central rule, are the same at the moment. In effect, the top court has deferred to the logic of the ruling dispensation. Two, even at a later date, the sensitivity of the issue does not go away. The Centre had sought postponement of the case in October 2017 as well. If the hearing of the case  only to determine whether it should be given over to a constitutional bench to decide  is moved to next year when the political preparation for the next Lok Sabha election will be in full flow, the ruling BJP could be given a handle to exploit the issue politically to claim before its core constituency that the government is serious about taking steps to end J&Ks special status even if Article 370 is to be tolerated.

The reason is that it is Article 35-A which provides that land and property can be held in the state only by its permanent residents, and state government employment and state educational scholarships can only be availed of by the same category of persons. These were crucial questions at the time of accession of J&K to India. Several presidential orders have been passed but it is only Article 35-A that has been challenged by an RSS-oriented NGO. This itself should alert the top court to the political design of the petitioners. Besides, the power of the President flowing from Article 370 (i) (d) to issue presidential orders has been challenged twice. On both occasions the petitions were dismissed by constitution benches. This aspect continues to be overlooked by the apex court for reasons that are unclear.

Challenge in the Supreme Court to Article 35-A had caused complete shutdown in the Kashmir Valley on five days  not all consecutive  last month. This is because all sections of political opinion, separatists and mainline parties, are united in thinking that this provision forms an integral part of the special compact under which J&K, then a princely state bordering Pakistan, acceded to India after Independence. Seeking its removal runs the constitutional and political risk of creating circumstances to question that accession. It is not merely a point of law under debate here. Ideally, the top court should dismiss the petitions in light of the ruling of the constitution bench on earlier occasions.
The plea in the Supreme Court against the possible chilling and numbing effect on the serving military in the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa) by over 350 military personnel is symptomatic of a far deeper, psychological and irretrievable concern that goes beyond the legalistic, constitutional and administrative concerns that are specific to this case.

A foreboding sense of the unending tightening-of-hands in the face of mounting military casualties in J&K and parts of the Northeast is giving way to a dreary belief of apathy, indifference and casualness when it comes to matters pertaining to the voiceless institution (by tradition) of the Indian armed forces, who in a democratic framework are rightfully beholden to the civilian rule. Somewhere, beyond the condescending platitudes, cliches and photo-ops, the armed forces are only getting acknowledged, revered and requisitioned in moments of ceremonies, political opportunities or unmanageable tribulations.

The supposed last resort of the nation is no longer the last in terms of getting requisitioned in internal insurgencies like J&K, civic disturbances like Panchkula, or in providing relief operations in flood-hit Kerala  it is only becoming last in the precedence of officialdom with the ever-growing portents of tightening-of-hands with impunity and in the sad know that the institution will fall in line as always.

The most imposing irony in the Afspa case is that the Indian military, which is not supposed to be handling internal strife as that is the domain of the respective state police forces, intelligence agencies and the concerned Central Armed Police Forces (wrongly called paramilitary), is sought to be brought under the operational policing by the very same institutions that have failed their own primary mandate, and the Indian military is tasked additionally to do their job of countering internal disturbances.

The second fundamental issue of the flawed Afspa narrative is the ignorant perception, where an operational imperative and cover (as extended to any military in disturbed areas across the world) is perceived as a privilege, and worse, an unmitigated right to plunder, kill and loot as it pleases! The edifice of the Indian military and its operational sub-components in the form of commands, corps, divisions, brigades and units do not have the right to any individual interpretation and thinking, other than what is sanctified as the objective, method and means that are approved by the sovereign. There is also no additional rupee in the soldiers pay structure, owing to working under Afspa-covered areas, exclusively.

Third, the prevalent perspective ignores the existence of military laws, procedural checks and balances and the undeniable institutional commitment of safeguarding all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste, sect or region. Unlike a mercenary or a terrorist  a soldier of the Indian Army does not wish to spend one extra day in the domestic insurgency-affected area, other than as warranted by his or her posting or that of their regiment. The Indian military would prefer to stick to its core role of safeguarding the sovereign borders and when required to undertake blunt kinetic operations against the enemies that exist on the other side of the border, and not in policing roles within the country, and getting questioned on its intent for Afspa retention.

The military like any other institution is not perfect and is susceptible to odd operational mistakes. However, to attribute either a pattern or even a sinister intent in its workings is absolutely incorrect and lazy extrapolation. Pertinent to the state, that amongst all the governmental institutions it is the closest to compliance or non-failure. Matters of individual failure or even culpability cannot be ascribed on the totality of the institution, much unlike Pakistan where the military does have a voice and a mind that is independent of the state itself (state within a state).

In the Panchkula mob fury case, the ultimate deployment of six military columns did what the entirety of the Haryana police struggled to control  the efficacy of the military is guaranteed and imposed by its blunt training and conduct that does the needful, even at the potential cost of paying the ultimate price by its personnel.

In instances of individual/unit level dereliction of duty, the military courts pass the requisite punitive orders that are both time-bound and of the required severity. In some cases the opinions on the operational and circumstantial conduct are possibly questionable and require adequate introspection and internal-debate to handle for posterity. However, for combatants it is also incumbent to know the right conduct, where an act like in the specific case of the human shield could have been undertaken to protect the lives of both civilians as well as combatants in the given situation. So far, there has been no workable alternative suggested that could have been undertaken to avoid loss of lives, given the specifics and constraints in this case.

Equally important is to ensure that situation or circumstantial conduct does not get glorified, institutionalised and defended in all circumstances, as the environment concerning the disturbed areas is asymmetric, non-linear and unique that practically warrants a certain outlook that is inherent in the spirit behind the Afspa. Therefore, the operational sensibilities governing Afspa areas are not applicable in non-Afspa areas for the military.

The Indian military is a blunt institution towards the enemy, and equally importantly, towards itself. It intrinsically does not tolerate non-compliance. Therefore, it would be prudent on the courts to strengthen its internal legal framework of auto-correction within the military law and control, as opposed to injecting the services and intrusions of those very institutions that have failed the situation in the first place.

Today military is an omnipresent institution that is in the thick of all national calamities and rising to the occasion to cherry-pick and weaken the last standing bastion of sovereign resolve, duty and honour would tantamount to unimaginable disservice to the institution, and to the nation. The sense of institutional-isolation from the daily optics of engagements with the politicians, civil bureaucrats, police services, etc, is unmistakable and unforgivable.
In a relief to air passengers, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has reduced by 54.5% the user development fee (UDF) levied on travellers departing from Kempegowda International Airport.

While UDF for international passengers is now down 54.49%, the fee has been reduced by 54.58% for domestic passengers. The reduced fee will be effective from September 16, 2018, for all tickets issued till March 31, 2019. AERA has notified UDF rates till March 31, 2021.

For international passengers, the UDF will be down to Rs 558 on tickets issued on or after September 16. This is a steep fall from the existing UDF of Rs 1,226. However, the UDF will go up to Rs 716 per passenger for tickets issued on or after April 1, 2019.

For tickets issued on or after April 1, 2020, the UDF will be reduced again to Rs 400. The UDF for domestic passengers has also come down from Rs 306 to Rs 139 (on tickets issued on or after September 16, 2018). For tickets issued on or after April 1, 2019, this will marginally go up to Rs 179 per passenger. The UDF for tickets issued on or after April 1, 2020, will only be Rs 100.

AERA has exempted the following from levy of UDF: Children under two years of age, diplomatic passport holders, airlines crew on duty including sky marshals, persons travelling on official duty on Indian Armed Forces aircraft and on official duty for United Nations Peace Keeping missions.

AERA had initially proposed to cut the UDF by 74%, which would have reduced the fee to Rs 316.80 for international and Rs 79.20 for domestic passengers.

However, after a stakeholders consultation meeting here on June 18, the rates were revised. KIAs operator, the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) had urged AERA to retain the existing UDF rates till 2021. It had contended that any reduction at this stage would jeopardise the airports planned project.

The Rs 1,200-crore Eastern Tunnel Connectivity proposed as a third access to KIA would have to be shelved. But the tunnel is only a part of KIAs massive Rs 12,000-crore expansion plan that includes the second terminal and runway. BIAL had warned that AERA would have to hike the UDF in the control period from 2021 to 2026 to compensate for the shortfall.
Indian Army has once again changed the specifications of the assault rifles it wants to buy, the fourth time in the last seven year.

In February 2017, it issued a Request for Information (RFI), the first step in the military tendering process, for 5.5 lakh assault rifles of 7.6251 mm calibre with a range of 500-550 mt. The rifles were to be made in India.

As an emergency purchase, the army is in the process of buying another 72,400 assault rifles of such calibre from a foreign vendor using a fast track route.

But last week the army issued a fresh RFI to buy 6.5 lakh assault rifles of the lower caliber of 7.62 x 39 mm with a minimum range of 300 mt. This means these rifles would be having a lesser firing range and a different barrel from the ones that would be purchased from abroad. It cancels the previous RFI.

This is the fourth change of specifications since 2011 when the Army issued the first tender document to change its home-made INSAS rifles (5.6 x 46 mm). The decision to change the rifle was taken in 2007 but the first RFI was issued only in 2011.

The first RFI was for a dual-calibre rifle that allows two types of ammunition with an interchangeable barrel 7.62 x 39mm and 5.56 x 45mm. The tender was withdrawn in 2015. A second attempt to buy the replacement was also scrapped.

The third attempt happened in 2017 was on the basis of Army's changed operational philosophy of shoot to kill rather than maiming the enemy.

The fourth change within a year's time, sources said, could be due to a combination of factors including budgetary constraints.

A meeting with the prospective vendors is tentatively scheduled on September 10 and the Request for Proposal  the second stage in the military tendering process  is likely around December 2018, sources said.
In a significant development involving the Elgar Parishad- Bhima Koregaon cases, the Pune police on Sunday got an additional time of 90 days to file charge sheets against five human rights activists arrested for alleged Maoist-links in June.

These five accused are Surendra Gadling, General Secretary Indian Association of Peoples Lawyers from Nagpur, Prof Shoma Sen, Head of Department of English, Nagpur University, Sudhir Dhawale, Editor, Vidrohi from Mumbai, Rona Wilson, Public Relations Secretary, Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (CORPP) and Mahesh Raut, anti-displacement activist from Bharat Jan Andolan and former Fellow at Prime Ministers Rural Development (PMRD) for Gadchiroli district.

On Saturday, the Pune police told the Shivajinagar court that they need more time to file the chargesheet.

The defence teams, however, objected to it and urged the court to schedule the hearing on Monday.

However, the prosecution told the court that since the investigation officer had to go for the hearing in the Supreme Court, they would like for the plea to be heard.

The court scheduled the hearing on Sunday- and an additional 90 days time was granted. All of accused were arrested on 6 June by the Pune police and since then have been behind bars.

The stipulated 90 days ends on Monday.

As per the norms, the chargesheet should be filed within 90 days from the date of arrest.

However, the Pune police sought additional time to file chargesheet as provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, were invoked in the case

The police had seized a letter from Wilson's residence that mentions of a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the way Rajiv Gandhi was killed.

It may be recalled that a case registered on 8 January at Vishram Baug police station of Pune in Pune with regard to the holding of the Elgar Parishad at Shaniwarwada on 31, December 2017 by the Bhima-Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerna Abhiyan - on the eve of the 1 January 2018 caste riots.

This FIR, originally registered u/s 153(A), 505 (1)(b), 117 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), was made a conspiracy case in March 2018 and later had sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) added to it.

In the original FIR, Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani and Jawaharlal Nehru University students' leader Umar Khalid were named, however, no action so far was taken.

Similarly, there has been no action against the two main organisers of Elgar Parishad - Justice (Retd) PB Sawant, a former Supreme Court judge and former Chairman of Press Council of India and Justice (Retd) BG Kholse-Patil, a former judge of Bombay High Court and a veteran activist.

The Supreme Court hearing pertains to the second round of arrests on 28 August - in which Marxist ideologue P Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira were arrested.

The Supreme Court has ordered house arrest for them and scheduled the next hearing on 6 September.
At least half a dozen protesters were injured during clashes with security forces which erupted following a brief gunfight between army and militants at Laddi village in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday.

Reports said the militants, believed to be two to three in number, managed to escape following the brief shootout. Soon after the news of the gunfight spread, locals took to the streets and pelted stones on security forces, who used tear gas and fired pellets to disperse them, they said.

At least six protesters received injuries in the clashes. Among the injured, three persons were hit by pellets, health officials said.

Sources said after conducting searches in the area, a joint team of army, police and paramilitary CRPF called off the operation. On Saturday, three militants were killed by the army in danda forests of north Kashmirs Bandipora district.

Nearly 150 militants have been killed by the security forces in Kashmir this year under operation All Out. Last year 220 militants were killed in anti-insurgency operations by the army.

Despite the killing of 150 militants this year, official figures reveal that there were at least 200-250 militants still operating in the Kashmir Valley.
The death of John McCain, a decorated Vietnam war veteran and long-serving American senator from Arizona, has once again underlined the growing political divide in America under the Trump presidency. Instead of bringing the nation together, McCains death and President Donald Trumps reaction to it has brought to the fore the challenges America faces as it navigates difficult times.

At the end of last year, McCain, who strongly believed in the post-Second World War global order and Americas key role in maintaining it, had written about the need to defend the liberal world order. For him, the rise of Donald Trump was a sign that all was not well in the liberal global space. Targeting the populists in the western world, McCain had bemoaned that they have turned inward economically and prioritised protectionism over integration and seem to have given up on the very idea of liberalism itself, betraying the underlying will that is necessary to maintain any world order.

McCain was anti-Trump all along and the sitting US president has not been invited to his funeral while McCains other political rivals, George W Bush and Barack Obama, will be eulogising the late war veteran. Trump has reciprocated in kind. Despite being pushed by his aides to release a statement in honour of the late senator, he only tweeted a perfunctory condolence message on McCain. Lowering the national flag to half-mast was also apparently a big deal.

McCains death draws a line under an American approach to the world which touted American primacy and defended the liberal international order. There is little love lost for these priorities today amongst ordinary Americans.

Despite doing his best to shred the global liberal order to bits, Trumps popularity among his base remains high.

The more besieged Trump seems, the more sympathetic he seems to his base. Talk of his impeachment in the beltway has gained salience after fresh accusations of him passing hush money to women for his alleged affairs.

Last week, in his guilty plea, Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer, implicated the president in off-the-books hush money paid to a porn star. Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, has also been found guilty of bank and tax-fraud charges. And then, there is the Russia inquiry, which hangs like a Damocles sword over Trump. While Trump cannot be prosecuted during his presidency, the only way remaining for his political opponents to remove him from office is by impeachment.

The process of impeachment is a cumbersome one and has to be started by the House of Representatives, needing only a simple majority to pass. The trial is held in the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is necessary for the presidents removal. This has not yet happened in American history.

Bill Clintons case is a reminder that impeachment can take a political toll on those trying to remove the president (Richard Nixon, the 37th president came closest to being impeached in 1974 following the Watergate scandal, but resigned before the Senate could take up the motion. The House passed a resolution, a judiciary committee investigated the charges against him and approved three articles of impeachment, but Nixon resigned before the House could vote for his trial and removal from office by the Senate).

Given the inherently political nature of the process of impeachment, the Democrats remain coy about declaring their intentions. They are only promising a serious investigation into Trumps affairs if they take control of the US House of Representatives in the midterm elections.

They dont want to jeopardise their chances to get a majority in the House in the November elections. They need 23 more seats to win control of the House. So, they continue to underline that impeaching the president is not a priority for them. They are wary of energising the Republican base before the midterm.

But Republicans have seized upon this chance and are likely to use the threat of Trumps impeachment to bring their voters out to vote in November, exhorting them to keep the Republicans in power to save Trump and his agenda.

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps lawyer and close aide, has made it clear: This election is going to be about impeachment or no impeachment. Steve Bannon, Trumps former chief strategist, has warned that impeachment proceedings would be launched against Donald Trump in January if he fails to hold on to the House of Representatives.

Sinking credibility

The institution of US presidency, one of the most potent of political institutions anywhere in the world, today faces a crisis of credibility as it has been weakened considerably by Trump. The American polity, meanwhile, is dysfunctional, with the nations much touted checks and balances barely managing to either check or balance.

In his final message to Americans, the late McCain suggested that the nations greatness is weakened when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down; when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been. It is not hard to decipher the target of this message  Donald Trump  who is challenging the foundations of the consensus on which American foreign policy was based.

By rolling back economic globalisation and making it starkly clear that his America is not keen on sustaining Pax Americana, Trump has managed to disrupt not only the global order but also in his own way Americas domestic polity. It is not readily evident if American polity will be able to regain its equilibrium even after Trump has left centrestage.

(The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi and Professor of International Relations, Kings College, London)
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put the blame on the two pilots who flew the chartered plane of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, which nearly crashed at Hubballi in April this year.

In its 30-page report made public on Friday, the two-member committee set up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to probe the April 26 incident said there was no prior snag in the Ligare Aviation-operated private Falcon 2000 jet, registered as VT-AVH.

The 10-seater plane carrying Rahul had suddenly tilted heavily on the left side and the altitude dipped steeply with violent shuddering of the aircraft body before landing at the Hubballi airport in north Karnataka. There were five passengers, including the Congress president, two pilots, one cabin crew and one engineer on the flight when the incident took place, ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections.

The Congress had then alleged intentional tampering with aircraft and demanded a probe into the suspicious and faulty performance of the aircraft. Crew initiated action only when the master cautions warning i.e after 15 seconds of autopilot disengage, the report said. Such a warning appears in the form of a red light and audio warning in the cockpit for the pilot to take action and avoid in the split second any mishap.

The yaw damper failure occurred due to intermittent behavior of FCC 2, this caused the auto pilot to disengage and the aircraft went into excessive right bank with altitude loss, it said adding due to lack of institutional awareness, the crew actions to control of the aircraft manually were slightly delayed. The report recommended that the cockpit crew should undergo corrective training and there should be regulatory audit of the organisation to be carried out to check the compliance of regulations.
CHEMNITZ, Germany  Emboldened far-right activists in Germany hope to make a Saturday protest a pivotal event that brings clusters of nationalists  from lawmakers to Hitler-saluting skinheads  together as a nationwide anti-migrant movement to challenge the political establishment.

Several groups scheduled rallies in the city of Chemnitz over the Aug. 26 killing there of a German citizen, allegedly by migrants from Syria and Iraq. The largest groups have invited concerned citizens to join them later as they converge for the first time, hoping a broader far-right drive emerges from their display of unity.

Counter-protesters organized a rival rally that could test authorities' ability to keep the peace. The opposing camps confronted one another in Chemnitz on Monday, and scenes of vigilantes chasing foreigners in the city's streets have shocked people in others parts of Germany since then.

The increasingly open displays of anti-migrant sentiment and violence reflect Germany's ongoing effort to come to terms with an influx of more than 1 million refugees and migrants seeking jobs since 2015.

The right blames Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow in hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan for multiple problems. Some far-right supporters argue that migrants are responsible for an increase in serious crimes, especially attacks on women.

The anti-migrant sentiment has been particularly strong in Saxony, the state where Chemnitz is located and traditional strongholds of two groups that are seeking to launch a nationwide movement Saturday night.

The Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West, or PEGIDA, has held weekly rallies in Saxony's capital of Dresden for several years. The far-right Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, received almost a quarter of the Saxony vote in Germany's national election.

PEGIDA's strength had fizzled in recent years while groups like AfD successfully used anti-Muslim to propel themselves into federal and state parliaments across Germany. The stabbing death of the 35-year-old man in Chemnitz six days ago provides the provincial group an opportunity to reactivate its base.

The share of foreigners in Saxony remains below the national average, although concerns about foreigners committing crimes are particularly high in the eastern state.

Far-right sympathizers who mostly met cautiously in a shame-marked country where displays of Nazi symbols are illegal mobilized with exceptional speed on the night of the slaying and the days after.

The efficiency could indicate that support for an agenda rooted in anti-Muslim rhetoric could be rising among ordinary Germans holding concerns about their new neighbors.

Local police appeared to have been caught unprepared when the slaying triggered protests that attracted crowds openly engaging in Nazi veneration and which devolved into violence.

The protests were sparked by a fatal stabbing early Sunday morning of a 35-year-old German man, Daniel Hillig. Two asylum-seekers, a 22-year-old Iraqi and a 23-year-old Syrian, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, known for his anti-migrant stance, said Saturday that he understood why "the people in Chemnitz and elsewhere are upset about the brutal killing" but added "there's no excuse for violence," Funke Media Group reported.

"We need a strong state and we have to do everything politically to overcome the polarization and division of our society," Seehofer stressed.

AfD and PEGIDA announced their Saturday marches would merge at some point. The two nationalist groups, who have not officially worked together before, appear to be working to build a mass of citizens who are uncomfortable with the recent pace of immigration against the political establishment.

Protesters attending a rally organized by third group, Pro Chemnitz, said they would join the combined demonstration, German news agency dpa reported. Some 1,500 people marched over to the announced location of the night event while shouting "We are the people" and "Merkel needs to go," dpa said.

While anti-migrant protests took place in Germany before, especially during the early 1990s, a strong and vocal opposition usually was there to provide a counterforce. Artists organized concerts to raise awareness, and ordinary citizens lined up in miles-long human chains to protest violence against newcomers.

Chemnitz, however, has seen a comparatively weak counter-protest movement to challenge the renewed anti-migrant activity so far. The city is known for its hardened neo-Nazi scene.

"I've a lot of experience with far-right protests in Chemnitz," said Tim Detzner, a member of the Left Party in Chemnitz, adding that the street riots this week "were a new dimension."

"It reached a level of aggression, brutality and willingness to use violence that we haven't known before," Detzner said.

Several hundred people showed up for a "Heart not Hatred" rally Saturday afternoon that was held to oppose the latest hostility and aggression. Some 70 left-leaning and pro-migrant groups organized the demonstration.

"We want it to be clear that the majority here thinks differently, not far-right and not anti-foreigner," Lars Klingbeil, a leading member of Germany's national Social Democratic Party, said.

__

Grieshaber reported from Berlin. Frank Jordans contributed from Berlin.
MANILA, Daggett County  Sheriff's officials say an ATV accident Friday resulted in the death of one man who became trapped in the vehicle after it rolled into Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Daggett County Sheriff E.L. Bailey said a search and rescue team responded to the report of an accident early Friday evening on County Road 17 that involved three men in a four-passenger ATV that rolled into the reservoir. Emergency personnel worked to extricate one passenger, who was trapped in the vehicle. After a 30-minute effort, workers were successful in bringing the man out, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been released.

The driver and one other passenger were transported by medical helicopter to hospitals in Ogden and Salt Lake City. Their condition was unknown as of Saturday afternoon.
SALT LAKE CITY  Stephan Sheppard recalls one military veteran he worked with who tried to take his own life twice in one night.

"His girlfriend broke up with him right as he was coming off methamphetamine. He became extremely depressed, grabbed a small-caliber handgun, and shot himself in the head," Sheppard said. "He woke up about five hours later, realized that he was still around, managed to get the gun, shot himself again, woke up in intensive care with residual cognitive difficulties."

But after the man miraculously survived both gunshots, his life began to change significantly. That he was able to do so after being hopeless enough to attempt suicide twice in one day, Sheppard said, serves as a testament that in behavioral therapy, "rehabilitation works."

"He managed to finish his  high school diploma, worked at vocational rehabilitation, found employment, lives independently," Sheppard said. "So, treatment works. That's just one of many, many, many examples."

Sheppard said thanks to "the fierce resilience of the human spirit," no person is a lost cause, no matter how much they tell themselves they are.

"That is what we are fighting for, is to renurture the fighting spirit that everyone has," Sheppard said, holding back tears.

Sheppard, manager of the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, presented his expertise on the intersection of veterans and mental illness Thursday to dozens of Utah physicians, counselors, social workers and others for the department's annual Mental Health Summit.

"What we do here matters," Sheppard told the group.

The purpose of the summit is "to no longer  be the hospital on the hill, but to be more integrated with the community," said Scott Hill, chief of mental health service for Veterans Affairs in Salt Lake City.

Communication and partnerships with professionals in other health care systems are critical to comprehensively serving all of Utah's military veterans, Hill said, particularly because veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder frequently prefer to live in some of the most remote parts of Utah in an attempt to "go to places where other people aren't around."

"Some of our areas in the state of Utah are two or three people per square mile, and that's where our veterans often live, which makes it very challenging to get mental health care to those individuals," Hill told the Deseret News. "So we have to use telehealth and other things, or community partners that we contract with, in order to provide that care in those rural locations."

Sheppard told summitgoers that existing research indicates a disproportionate number of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, as between 15 and 20 percent will have it at some point. Though for some wars, such as Vietnam, those figures are higher.

Studies also show veterans suffer clinical depression at a higher than normal rate, with some research showing it affects 1 in 5 of them, Sheppard said. About 7 percent of military veterans also suffer from substance abuse disorder, he said.

The different conditions can exacerbate one another's effects, Sheppard said.

A veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder is four times more likely to consider suicide than a veteran without it, he said. And a veteran with that condition in combination with other behavioral illnesses, including substance abuse or depression, is 5.7 times as likely to consider it compared to a veteran suffering from none of them.

"In terms of acting out on suicidality, when people are disinhibiting the frontal executive areas of their brain, acting out becomes more likely," Sheppard said. "So being under the influence is going to probably do something to the person's mood and is probably going to increase the likelihood they're going to act on (suicidal) thoughts."

According to Sheppard, it is unfortunately not uncommon for these behavioral health conditions to overlap. For example, studies show about 75 percent of veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome also having substance abuse disorder and vice versa, he said.

Sheppard also went in-depth describing what each condition feels like. "Think about what it's like to try to sleep when some portion of your brain thinks you're about to be killed," he said of post-traumatic stress disorder. Speaking on depression, he said that "at the heart of it is this brokenness  'I'm no good, I'm of no worth, I don't really matter, there's nothing I can do about it.'"

Veterans suffering from severe depression "will tell you that they don't know how to get out of it. And so the helplessness becomes profound," Sheppard said.

Substance abuse disorder influences the brain so that its "priority systems begin to get reorganized and reworked, so that the things that would be motivators and de-motivators no longer do so," he said.

"The compulsion  can be absolutely all-consuming, and fatal," Sheppard said.

However, there is hope, Sheppard said, because patients with each of those powerful conditions do respond to treatment. Much of Thursday's summit focused on describing those treatments, and connecting Veterans Affairs providers with other health professionals to ensure correct patient referrals can be made at the proper time, with no veteran falling through the cracks.

"What we do is important. I don't think it's enough to just relieve suffering. It's not good enough. We can do that, we can reduce suffering, but that's not going to hold a person, especially (with) addiction," he said.

"What you've really got to do is build (their) quality of life  connecting with people, feeling productive and useful  being able to sit still in your own skin. Quality of life is really what this is about."
SALT LAKE CITY  As students, parents and others began filing into the auditorium at Salem Hills High School Thursday evening, Deseret News Opinion Editor Boyd Matheson slipped out to change his socks.

He had arrived wearing a perfectly good pair sporting a beehive, the logo of the Deseret News, at this screening of the documentary film "Angst." It's one of many showings we're sponsoring featuring the struggle youth are having with anxiety and we couple it with a discussion and question-and-answer session that Boyd moderates.

Here at Salem Hills, something important is happening, and something as simple as a pair of socks has a way of speaking to a crowd and it put the focus exactly where it belonged for the night's discussion.

The high school is the home of the Skyhawks, and the newly acquired striped socks featured two wings that flank three important words:

"One of Us."

So a hearty round of applause rose from the auditorium as Boyd lifted his pant cuff to reveal he, too, had embraced "one of us," the burgeoning motto of the high school that emerged last year as the school works to help students battle the crippling effects of anxiety and other difficulties that students here (and everywhere) are experiencing: depression, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, even post-traumatic stress.

"It's something Im very passionate about. We fight this battle hard at our school," Principal Bart Peery told me as we spoke a day after the event. He then offered the reason for urgency. "We've had four suicides in the past five years at our school."

Helping students understand that they are "one of us" has become the principal's top priority. Or as he puts it, "it's our No. 1 focus."

"One of Us" comes from the song by the group New Politics, and Principal Peery eases into the lyrics as easily as he would any school fight song.

"Everybody needs a place to call their home.

Everybody needs someone to call their own

Even when you're lonely know you're not alone

You're one of us, one of us, one. of. us."

Other high schools are fighting the same battles. Here at Salem Hills the dedication of the principal and the staff is clear: There were 1,000 people attending the evening screening, and it was just one evening event in a week full of them to start the school year.

There's a qualified member of the school staff, Corom Hughes, who is dedicated full time to helping students through these difficulties. He was on the panel discussion this past week and offered an invitation to students: Come see me.

"In the often ignored, overlooked or avoided topic of mental health, Salem Hills has a leader with a vision, a team of faculty committed to helping every student maximize their potential, parents who are engaged and a community that has clearly come together," said Matheson as he reflected on the evening and the work of Peery.

He continued: "'One of us' is more than a slogan and more than just a principle of inclusion. It is a way of being that is bringing out the best of everyone and creating an extraordinary place in Salem Hills."

I first met the principal at a showing of "Angst" in Herriman, a community also searching for answers. He was seeking ways to reach his students and the documentary by filmmaker Karin Gornick, which I first wrote about in May and again weeks later in June, is having an impact.

But the reality is help is given one by one, and you never know just what it will be that will reach someone. That's why keeping the momentum going beyond last week is a concern of the principal and of Hughes, who has "Corom's Corner" each week to help students gain the skills to manage difficult situations.

"Everybody needs a place to call their home." Salem Hills High School is telling everyone, come be one of us.

Editor's note: More screenings of "Angst" are coming, and they're free. It's easy to register for the eventsand find other content about battling anxiety at www.deseretnews.com/anxiety.

Additional showings of "Angst":

 In Sandy at Jordan High School, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

 In Provo at Centennial Middle School, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

 In Holladay at Olympus High School, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

 In Vernal at Vernal Middle School, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
SALT LAKE CITY  Detectives from Salt Lake's gang unit are investigating a shooting outside a downtown club that left a man in critical condition early Sunday morning.

According to Salt Lake Police Lt. Yvette Zayas, police responded to a shooting outside the Moose Lounge, 180 W. 400 South, around 2 a.m. A man who reportedly was shot there had been transported to a local hospital by friends before being taken to another hospital by medical helicopter. He was listed in critical condition Sunday morning, Zayas said.

Police do not know what led up to the shooting, she said.

A vehicle belonging to the shooter has been located, Zayas said, but a suspect has not been located.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
SALT LAKE CITY  In order to keep the public out of meetings that will help shape the states largest-ever economic project, Rep. Francis Gibson proposed that the nascent Inland Port Authority just follow the state law rather than take Chairman Derek Millers suggestion to go above and beyond.

Gibsons motion passed easily Wednesday. But the states public meetings law may not be as straightforward as he made it sound.

At issue are three subcommittees established in July by the new state board, which has land use and tax increment authority on 25 square miles of undeveloped land at the northwest corner of Utahs capital.

One subcommittee is searching for an executive director, one is drafting tax increment policy and another is creating a business plan.

None of the subcommittees contain more than five members, so they dont constitute a majority or quorum of the 11-member port authority board. And because subcommittees dont have final decision-making authority (the full board will ultimately vote on their recommendations), Christopher Pieper, assistant Utah attorney general, has told board members that the smaller groups can legally operate behind closed doors.

But thats not so, according to Salt Lake City attorney David Reymann, who counts open meetings among his specialties.

The short version of Reymanns argument is this: The subcommittees themselves count as public bodies.

Under that interpretation, a meeting is public when it has a majority of the subcommittee, not the whole parent board. So, three out of five members would do the trick.

The open meetings act defines public bodies as including advisory committees and advisory boards, he said. The reason is pretty obvious: because otherwise you could have all of the work of a full board being done behind closed doors, and recommendations coming forward to the full board that have already been decided in private.  It would completely subvert the act.

Reymann said the true test is whether a subcommittee is doing work that the full board would be doing if it didnt exist. If the answer is yes, he said, the subcommittees must comply with the state law  to include posting notices and agendas, and keeping records of their discussions.

But whether the inland port subcommittees qualify as advisory boards or public groups might be open to a judges interpretation, and Reymann isnt aware of any case law in Utah. Open meetings lawsuits rarely rise to the level of constitutional interpretation, he said, because they can usually be easily solved by re-opening meetings and voiding any unlawful actions.

The best support for Reymanns interpretation may come, ironically, from the Utah Attorney Generals Office, which declined comment for this article because, a spokesperson said, it is prohibited from providing legal advice and has been directed to refer questions to the board.

In May 1983, six years after the 1977 legislation that created Utahs open meetings law, then-Attorney General David L. Wilkinson published a manual on open meetings that listed some frequently asked questions about its meaning and intent.

On the subject of advisory bodies, the office wrote: The function of making advisory recommendations necessarily involves weighing alternative considerations which would constitute a decision-making process, even though final decisions with respect thereto may rest with other persons.

In response to the next question, Are committees or subcommittees of a public body subject to the Act? the A.G. advised: Yes.

If such committee or subcommittee consists of two or more persons and a quorum thereof gathers to deliberate or make a decision regarding public business, it would be subject to the Act.

But even critics of the boards decision have yet to raise any legal objections, and Gibson didnt express much concern when asked about the laws true meaning on Thursday. The biggest mistake the board made, he said, was not calling them by a less formal-sounding name, like work groups.

Give me a sentence, and Ill show you three attorneys who interpret it three different ways, he said, stressing that he is committed to a transparent process and that the subcommittee recommendations will result in a public discussion by the full board.

Sen. Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, worried aloud at Wednesdays meeting that the port authority might set a new precedent if it opened its subcommittee meetings, and fellow board member Nicole Cottle  an attorney and assistant city manager for West Valley City  agreed.

The lawyer in me says, OK, that has consequences, she said.

Miller, who joined Salt Lake City Economic Development Director Lara Fritts in casting dissenting votes, said by text message Thursday that he couldnt respond to a legal analysis that he hasnt seen.

If there are those  who have a legal opinion they believe is relevant to the business of the port authority board then I encourage them to share that opinion with the Attorney Generals Office or the board, he wrote.

Like Miller, state Minority Leader Brian King is an attorney, and was measured when talking about the possibility that the subcommittees should be open under the letter of Utahs law.

But King, who issued a statement Thursday urging the port authority to reconsider its decision, said the authority clearly violated the spirit of the law.

The motivation probably isnt nefarious, he said. Its natural for elected officials to want to talk frankly ahead of major decisions, he said, and to do so without the public recording every spitballed idea.

You want to have a frank discussion, you want to be able to look in somebodys eyes and say, Do you really think this is the issue? And they say, Not really, heres the problem. he said. I think we all get it. But one of the things that comes with the territory, in terms of being an elected official, is to think more carefully about what youre saying and what youre doing. It creates a better process by which important decisions are made.

Gov. Gary Herbert told a Deseret News reporter Thursday that the board ought to err on the side of more openness and transparency though he felt it was within its rights to close the subcommittees.

Board members were also presented Wednesday with a letter signed by 160 groups and individuals who demanded open subcommittee meetings, including Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, who has also questioned whether the state had the constitutional right to seize control of her citys land in the first place.

Reymanns analysis sounded like a valid point to Chase Thomas, executive director of the progressive nonprofit Alliance for a Better Utah, which has called on lawmakers to re-examine the Open Meetings Law in light of this unfortunate decision.

King agreed Friday that the law might be worthy of a second look.

Said Thomas: Maybe this is showing that they need to make a clearer definition. Do subcommittees actually count as a public body or not?
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The community of Burtonport are being encouraged to attend a special public meeting on Monday evening to discuss the future of postal services in the area.

Cllr. Enda Bonner has organised the meeting following news that An Post have proposed to close Burtonport Post Office.

He said all interested parties are welcome to attend the meeting in the Community Centre in Burtonport at 7pm on Monday, September 3.

"It is important that the community have their say in this essential service," Cllr. Bonner said.

News that 17 post offices are to close around the county has spurred public reaction from local and national politicians.

An Post published a list on Tuesday which named 159 post offices which are set to close over the coming months.

The largest number of closures will be in County Galway followed by County Donegal.

An Post said the closures are necessary to secure the future of the postal network, and business will now be transferred to neighbouring post offices.

Senator Padraig MacLochlainn said there is a complete lack of delivery for services in rural areas of Donegal.

His Sinn Fein party colleague Deputy Pearse Doherty said he was saddened to hear that 17 post offices were listed for closure. He said many may feel that the closures could prove a death knell for rural Ireland.
AA Ireland is warning motorists in Louth to allow additional time when commuting to work moving forward, as schools reopen after the summer break.

Between the start of the new school year and the end of the holiday season commuting volumes are known to increase significantly from late August into the start of September.

Regular commuters into cities across Ireland will have noticed a drop off in traffic over the summer months, and particularly in August, but with schools returning over the next few weeks, traffic volumes will start to increase this week, Arwen Foley, Editor of AA Roadwatch stated.

While we can all expect our morning commutes to take a little longer moving forward, it may be the end of September when we start to see a significant change in rush hour patterns upon the return of colleges across Ireland.

As well as the start of a new school year, August/September represents the start of a new traffic year with the number of cars on Irish roads increasing in line with schools and colleges re-opening and the end of the holiday season for workers.

Over the summer months, traffic levels reduce quite significant because of a number of factors including primary and secondary school holidays.

"As well as this, during July and August you likely have up to 10% of the workforce on holidays in any given week which contributes to the speedier commutes weve all experienced recently, Arwen added.

A significant amount of this traffic will return from Monday and as conditions start to deteriorate over the coming months we can expect more and more people to turn to the car for the school run over alternative modes of transport," she said, "this year, however, the big spike in traffic could come later in September when college students return.
(Photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler / LWF)Christian activists attend an interfaith celebration in the Basilica of Saint Denis prior to the start of the COP21 climate summit in Paris, France, November 28, 2015.

Pope Francis has prayed for the success of the climate conference underway in Paris while in the French capital hundreds from many nations and confessions joined in a service for God's Creation at Notre Dame cathedral.

Negotiators paving the way for the global climate change agreement at COP21 in Paris on Dec. 6 said they had cleared a major hurdle, producing a draft accord in record time.

They raised hopes that a full week of minister-led talks can now clinch a deal despite many sticking points, The Guardian reported with global church leaders pressing for the dire need for an for a plan to stem climate change..

In Rome on Dec. 6, the Pope said, that as he follows the work of the conference closely, he was reminded of a question he asked in his recent encyclical Laudato Si:

"What kind of world do we want to pass on to those who come after us, to the children who are growing up?"

Francis then urged that, "for the sake of the common home we share and for future generations, every effort should be made, in Paris to mitigate the impact of climate change and, at the same time, to tackle poverty and to let human dignity flourish.

The Pope was speaking following the recitation of the Angelus in St Peter's Square, where he also recalled the 50th anniversary of a memorable event between Catholics and Orthodox.

It was the signing of a Joint Declaration between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, which took place on the eve of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, on December 7, 1965.

He noted that it was providential that this historic gesture of reconciliation, which has created the conditions for a new dialogue between Orthodox and Catholics in love and truth, should be remembered at the very beginning of the Jubilee of Mercy.

In Notre Dame the current Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said Dec. 3, "It is our moral obligation to engage actively in favor of environmental protection."

In a message read to the congregation at the service on Dec. 3 he said, "It is not too late to act, but we cannot allow ourselves to put off until tomorrow what we can do today."

The ecumenical service opened with a procession of lay people, young and old, and of clergy and church leaders from France and beyond, garbed in white, black, red and purple robes.

They included Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, the archbishop of Paris, WCC general secretary the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, Archbishop Antje Jackelen, primate of the Church of Sweden, who read the lesson, and Brother Alois, prior of the Taize Community.

Welcoming the congregation to the cathedral, Cardinal Vingt-Trois underlined the need for Christians "to assume our share of responsibility for the life of our common home."
(Photo:  Peter Kenny)Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew speak at the World Council of Churches on April 24, 2017 on why humanity has a duty to protect the environment which is sacred.

GENEVA - The Ecumenical Patriarch, who is the first among equals among the heads of several Eastern Orthodox churches, has made an impassioned plea for the protection of the environment laying strong emphasis on "life-giving" water.

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is also known as the "Green Patriarch" for the decades he has given to supporting environmental protection was speaking at the World Council of Churches in Geneva.

"Among several environmental issues, water is a very important one since water is as life-giving and sacred as the blood that runs through our body," said who is based in Istanbul.

Pope Francis, on a journey to the Egyptian capital Cairo, is to visit the prestigious al-Azhar center of Islamic studies at the end of the week and the Ecumenical Patriarch is expected to join the pontiff there, alongside the Coptic Pope Tawadros II, Vatican Radio reported.

Bartholomew's April 24 April speech was part of his official visit to Switzerland for the 25th anniversary of his enthronement as Ecumenical Patriarch and the 50th anniversary of the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambesy in Geneva.

He noted that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been a pioneer in engaging in dialogue with modern science with regards to environmental problems.

"We are glad that the WCC has followed our path, not only by implementing this annual day of prayer, but also in taking seriously the commitment of the churches in resolving the environmental crisis.

"We Orthodox were reminded by our Holy and Great Council that "the roots of the ecological crisis are spiritual and ethical, inhering within the heart of each man," (Encyclical, 14) he said.

'TRANSFORMATION OF GOD'S ENTIRE CREATIOON'

Bartholomew said, "On several occasions, we underlined that the Church cannot be solely interested in the salvation of the soul, but is deeply concerned with the transformation of God's entire creation.

"This is why our Churches need to have constant vigilance, information and education in order to understand clearly the relationship between today's ecological crisis and our human passions of greed, materialism, self-centeredness and rapacity, which result in and lead to the current crisis that we face."

For this reason he noted that a threat to nature is "also a threat to humankind; just as what is for the preservation of the planet is for the salvation of the whole world."

"For this reason," said the Ecumenical Patriarch, "we invite everyone to mobilize their resources, and in particular their prayers, in the struggle for the protection of the environment."

The general secretary of the WCC, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, said after the speech, "Being accountable to God the creator of all and of all things means that we have to pay attention to where our common life as humanity and our creation is under threat.

"It is well deserved that Your Holiness has been granted the title "The Green Patriarch", and you have given many church leaders and faithful Christians a new perspective on the Christian call to care for Creation."

At the same gathering the WCC's Associate General Secretary, Dr. Isabel Apawo Phiri, noted that the World Council of Churches had on Oct. 25, 2016 become a Blue Community, at a public event held at the Ecumenical Center in Geneva.

In line with the WCC's commitment toward a Blue Community, we have now personalized glass water bottles for the WCC staff and visitors. Therefore, we do not promote bottled water in the WCC premises, because tap water is safe to drink," said Phiri, a Malawian.

In 2015, the WCC's Ecumenical Water Network had issued an appeal in which it urged its churches to eliminate the use of bottled water in North America and Europe, where tap water is safe to drink.

In a statement it said, "The EWN strongly believes that among many impediments of realization of human right to water are the 'bottled water' industries." It then went on to list some of the following compelling reasons to shun bottled water.

Among these were that "Bottled water" industries are involved in "land grabbing" and "water grabbing" to expand at the cost of barring the poor to access safe drinking water, said Phiri.

"Many times governments shun their responsibilities to provide safe drinking water to the poor through their water distribution system, because people have the alternative of 'bottled water.'

"The availability of 'bottled water' allows the elites to ignore governments' failures to provide the necessary infrastructure to provide safe drinking water."
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  An Australian filmmaker arrested after flying a drone to photograph a Cambodian opposition party rally last year was convicted of spying and sentenced to six years in prison Friday.

James Ricketson had faced up to 10 years in prison. Almost two dozen jailed critics or opponents of Prime Minister Hun Sen's government had been freed in recent weeks following a sweeping ruling party election victory, which had raised hopes of leniency in Ricketson's case.

Ricketson has been detained without bail since his arrest in June last year.

Prosecutors have indicated he was suspected of working with the opposition party or had worked directly for a foreign power, though that country was never specified in court. The charge against him, endangering national security, was tantamount in legal terms to espionage.

As the prison van left after the panel of judges delivered the verdict, Ricketson shouted to reporters the same question he often raised throughout his trial: "Who am I spying for?'

Before hearing the verdict, he told The Associated Press that based on the evidence and facts in the case, he should be set free.

His lawyer, Kong Sam Onn, said he would consult with his client on what to do next. He said there were two options: to file an appeal, or accept the verdict and ask Prime Minister Hun Sen to convey a request for a pardon to King Norodom Sihamoni. Ricketson's health was not good, he added.

Ricketson, 69, repeatedly insisted he had no political agenda and his work making documentary films was journalistic in nature. Character witnesses testified to his filmmaking work and financial generosity to several poor Cambodians.

The evidence presented against Ricketson appeared thin, but Cambodia's courts are considered highly politicized and their rulings often tightly align with the ruling party's agenda. A handful of personal emails seized from Ricketson suggested he was sympathetic to the country's political opposition and critical of Hun Sen's government, but revealed no sensitive or secret information. Several of his photos and videos showed security forces on duty, but only in publicly viewable situations.

New York-based group Human Rights Watch blasted the court's decision.

"This trial exposed everything that's wrong with the Cambodian judicial system: ridiculously excessive charges, prosecutors with little or no evidence, and judges carrying out political orders from the government rather than ruling based on what happens in court."

He also criticized Australia for failing to publicly and consistently challenge Cambodia in the case, saying Canberra's soft and quiet diplomacy with Southeast Asian dictators "is not just morally bankrupt - it's also totally ineffective."

Australia's new Prime Minister Scott Morrison, on a visit to Indonesia, told reporters that Ricketson "can expect to get all the consular and other support from the Australian government you would expect in these circumstances."

"As usual in these types of events it is best to deal with these things calmly and directly and in a way which best assists a citizen," he said.

Members of Ricketson's family at a news conference in Sydney said they were counting on their government's assistance.

"We are really looking for a lot more support moving forward from the new Australian government," said Bim Ricketson, James Ricketson's nephew. "We know that they are, they have their attention on this and we know that they are working on it, but now really is the time for a lot of support to be shown and as much pressure as possible to be brought to it, to find some kind of way out of this."

In addition to accusing Ricketson of spying, Cambodian prosecutors had indicated he also was suspected of working with the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party, which for a time had enough popularity among Cambodians to be a viable challenger to Hun Sen's rule. The party's dissolution by a court ruling last year assured Hun Sen's party of its sweeping victory in the July general elections, which returned Hun Sen to office for five more years.

The leniency shown to opponents and critics following the election followed a pattern of Hun Sen's long rule, with a harsh crackdown on opponents and critics preceding the vote and clemency and conciliatory moves after a resounding victory.

Ricketson testified in his defense that he made contacts with the opposition party strictly for journalistic purposes while making a documentary film. He recounted a filmmaking career dating to the 1970s, and presented acclaimed Australian movie director Peter Weir to attest to his professionalism in the field.

Ricketson's other character witnesses were several Cambodians, including his informally adopted daughter, who described how he had provided financial assistance to them and other poor members of Cambodian society.

Ricketson's son, Jesse, who attended his father's trial, expressed hope future developments may see his father's release.

"We just need a bit of time to absorb what's just happened and figure out the next step," he said. "As always, we're hoping and praying for generosity, and leniency, and compassion to be shown to my father in this situation, so hopefully we'll see something good happening in the future."
LAWRENCE -- American gun owners in recent years have exhibited higher levels of political participation, not only in voting but in donating money to candidates and contacting elected officials, according to a study by University of Kansas political scientists.

"Part of the reason majority opinions on gun control legislation aren't turning into policy is that gun owners are a very strong political group who hold a lot of weight and hold a lot of influence despite being a minority in American politics," said Abbie Vegter, a graduate student in political science.

Vegter is collaborating on the research with KU political science professors Don Haider-Markel and Mark Joslyn. They will present their findings, "Motivated Voices: Gun Ownership and the Propensity for Political Participation," today, Sept. 2, as part of the American Political Science Association's annual meeting in Boston.

Haider-Markel and Joslyn have published several studies on gun politics in recent decades.

In the recent study, the researchers examined the political behavior of gun owners versus non-gun owners in presidential election years from 1972 to 2012. Primarily, they found that gun owners have increasingly become more politically active during that time. The findings could be key in determining why major gun control legislation in Congress has remained elusive, even after mass shootings such as Newtown in 2012 and others, even when a majority of people tend to support stricter gun laws.

"Our major conclusion establishes gun owners as a distinct social group, and we see how that social group influences their likelihood of participating in politics," Vegter said.

Much of political conversation surrounding guns tends to focus on large groups like the National Rifle Association's influence, but Vegter said the study's results paint a different picture.

"Only one in five gun owners belong to the NRA, so we think there is something else going on than just the NRA when it comes to mobilization," she said.

One explanation could be shifting reasons for owning a gun and how more people tend to see it as part of their identity.

"Owning a gun for hunting doesn't necessarily mean being a hunter is a core part of your identity," she said. "But owning a gun because you think it's an essential right guaranteed in the Constitution is more a part of your political identity. It's something more attached from the get-go to politics."

Vegter said the researchers are still exploring what has driven this shift in attitude among gun owners, whether it was in response to past gun control legislation at the state level or a reaction to certain candidates who were elected who had stronger views about gun control.

Conservatives seem to have done a better deal at realizing this trend and seeking to politically mobilize gun owners in campaign ads and other actions, she said.

"There are a couple of lessons. For individuals, especially individual gun control advocates, in order to make a difference, you need to match this level of mobilization and participation," Vegter said. "There is also a lesson there for politicians who I think traditionally have not seen gun owners as a political group to be addressed."

One development to watch will be the level of activity, especially among students who survived the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Many of them have advocated in campaigns and in national media for stricter gun control policies, which has kept the issue in the forefront longer than what typically occurs after a high-profile mass shooting, she said.

"There has been this sustained attention," Vegter said, "and I think the true test will be that mobilization piece."

###
Risk-aversion and speculation that the Brexit process could end with a better deal for the UK than most economists expected helped the British Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate surge last week, but further gains were limited as markets cooled on Thursday and Friday.

After opening the week at the level of 18.30, GBP/ZAR floundered until the middle of the week, when it began its ascent. On Thursday, GBP/ZAR briefly touched a high of 19.23. This was the pairs best level in almost two years, since September 2016. While the GBP/ZAR advance slowed after that, the pair continued to trend near those highs on Friday.

Brexit-Boosted Pound (GBP) Capitalises on Weakened South African Rand (ZAR)

One of the biggest movements in major currencies last week, was the Pounds mid-week boost in reaction to comments from EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier.

Barnier said on Wednesday that the EU was prepared to offer the UK a post-Brexit partnership that would be unprecedented among non-EU countries.

Following weeks of concerns that a no deal Brexit was becoming more likely, these comments gave investors a much-needed reason to buy the Pound back from its cheapest levels  which was ultimately what this weeks movement amounted to.

The Pound outlook didnt actually significantly improve following Barniers comments, as Barnier as well as market analysts later issued reminders that the EU was still preparing for the possibility of a no deal Brexit too.

Essentially, Barniers comments introduced the possibility of an unprecedented partnership between the UK and EU, but the chances of such a deal being reached are still perceived as being fairly low. This has limited the Pounds appeal.

The Pound to South African Rand exchange rate being close to its best levels in almost two years had more to do with broad weakness in the South African Rand, which saw another selloff this week due to various factors both domestically and globally.

Political uncertainties in South Africa, including concerns about rising populism, weighed on the South African currency.

Meanwhile, the Rand was also hit by a selloff in emerging market currencies throughout the week. A crash in the Argentine Peso (ARS), as well as continued concerns about a possible Turkish Lira (TRY) crisis, left investors hesitant to take risks on emerging market currencies.

The Rand stabilised slightly from the emerging market selloff on Friday, but ultimately the Pound to South African Rand exchange rate sustained notable gains last week and trended near its best levels since 2016.

Pound (GBP) Forecast: Brexit Developments and UK Services Data in Focus

As last weeks major movement was caused by the latest Brexit developments, it seems likely that Brexit news is likely to remain the key driver of Pound movement in the coming weeks.

Investors may increasingly focus on Brexit until more clarity is reached in UK-EU Brexit negotiations.

Negotiators from the UK and EU are expected to accelerate until a deal is reached, due to concerns from UK and EU officials that the initially projected deal date of October might be missed.

While some leeway is expected on the October deadline, this also means there may be an even longer period of uncertainty for the Pound.

Next week will see the publication of Britains August PMI results, which will give investors a better idea of how Britains economy performed last month.

However, Brexit uncertainties are likely to persist and could limit the Pounds potential for gains even if these impress.

Bank of England (BoE) speculation may also rise next week, as mid-Septembers BoE policy decision edges nearer.

South African Rand (ZAR) Forecast: South African Growth Results Ahead

Next weeks South African economic calendar will be busier, and there are many prints that South African Rand investors may react to.

Monday will see the publication of South Africas August manufacturing PMI, and the nations key Q2 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth report will be published on Tuesday.

If South African growth was better than expected, it might help calm investor uncertainty about the health of South Africas economy. This would support the South African Rand.

Mining and manufacturing production data will be published on Friday, which could also prove influential.

Of course, risk-sentiment and geopolitical trade news is likely to remain in focus for investors of the risky emerging market Rand too.

If US-China trade tensions continue to worsen, or concerns about other emerging markets drag on risk-sentiment, the South African Rand could be in for another week of losses.
President Donald Trump nodded with approval when a former campaign adviser suggested a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2016, according to a court filing by lawyers seeking a lighter sentence for the adviser, who has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts during the campaign.

The description of the meeting with Trump and then-Sen. Jeff Sessions was revealed Friday in the filing, which argued that George Papadopoulos should be spared jail time because his lies did not hinder the special counsel's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

In the court filing, the lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss to place Papadopoulos on probation at his sentencing set for Friday, saying claims that his falsehoods impeded prosecutors with special counsel Robert Mueller were "speculative and contrary to the evidence."

The attorneys wrote that Papadopoulos's "motives for lying to the FBI were wrongheaded indeed but far from the sinister spin the Government suggests. Caught off-guard by an impromptu interrogation, Mr. Papadopoulos misled investigators to save his professional aspirations and preserve a perhaps misguided loyalty to his master," an apparent reference to Trump.

Papadopoulos, 31, pleaded guilty last year to lying to the FBI about key details of his conversations with a London-based professor who had told the adviser the Russians held dirt on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the form of thousands of emails.

Contesting prosecutors' contention that Papadopoulos has provided little cooperation to the probe, lawyers argued that he has volunteered information in an effort to help - such as describing a March 31, 2016, meeting he attended with Trump and Sessions where Papadopoulos announced soon after introducing himself that he could get Trump a meeting with Putin.

For the first time, the lawyers revealed that the young adviser felt encouraged by Trump to continue those efforts, writing in the court filing that "Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions, who appeared to also like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it."

That account conflicts with what Sessions, now attorney general, testified to Congress. The attorney general has given shifting accounts of his contacts with Russia during the 2016 race. He has also changed his story about the March 2016 meeting in Trump Tower with Papadopoulos and Trump.

At his confirmation hearing in January 2017, Sessions was asked whether anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign had communicated with Russia. Sessions said he was "not aware of any of those activities" and added that he "did not have communications with the Russians." The Washington Post then reported that Sessions had spoken twice to the Russian ambassador at the time, Sergey Kislyak.

In October 2017, Sessions returned to Congress and testified that had met with Kislyak in his capacity as a senator, not as a Trump campaign surrogate. He was asked whether surrogates for the Trump campaign "had communications with the Russians."

"I did not, and I'm not aware of anyone else that did, and I don't believe it happened," Sessions said.

Then, details surfaced about the March 2016 meeting at Trump Tower. "I had no recollection of this meeting until I saw these news reports," Sessions told the House Judiciary Committee in November. He said he remembered offering "pushback" when Papadopoulos raised the idea, suggesting he had shut down the adviser's proposal for a Trump-Putin meeting.

J.D. Gordon, a former Pentagon spokesman and Trump adviser who said he was at the meeting, also recalled that Sessions "shut him down" when Papadopoulos offered to introduce Trump to Putin.

A spokeswoman for Sessions declined to comment.

Papadopoulos's plea was one of the first major developments in the special counsel's investigation that has produced the indictments or convictions of 32 people, including four Trump associates.

On Friday, Republican lobbyist W. Samuel Patten also pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington to failing to register as a foreign lobbyist in a case that began as a referral by Mueller's office.

Papadopoulos's sentencing will be a milestone marking the close of the case that launched the FBI investigation of possible Trump campaign connections with Russia. Officials have said the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation in summer 2016, after an Australian diplomat reported to American counterparts that Papadopoulos had told him over drinks in May 2016 that the Russians held damning information about Clinton.

Earlier in August, Mueller's office said jail time was appropriate for Papadopoulos, arguing he had lied repeatedly to investigators and had not provided substantial cooperation since he pleaded guilty. They did not recommend a sentence, though federal sentencing guidelines call for Papadopoulos to face a maximum of six months in jail.

Papadopoulos's lawyers also asserted for the first time that the adviser detailed for prosecutors a discussion he had in late May 2016 with the foreign minister of Greece, where he told the minister about the claim that the Russians held dirt on Clinton. The meeting took place days before Putin traveled to Greece and met with officials there, Papadopoulos's lawyers wrote.

In a 16-page court filing, Papadopoulos's lawyers said that despite the gravity of his offense, "he was just a small part of a large-scale investigation," in over his head and "giddy" at the boost to his career from joining Trump's team.

"To say George was out of his depth would be a gross understatement. Despite being a young energy policy guru, he had no experience in dealing with Russian policy or its officials," wrote attorneys Robert Stanley, Thomas Breen and Todd Pugh. They added the government "has not shown counsel nor the Court any evidence tending to show its investigation was actually hindered."

In recent weeks, Papadopoulos's wife, Simona, had said in interviews that Papadopoulos had grown suspicious over the FBI's treatment of him during the course of its investigation and was considering asking a judge to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea and fight the charges.

Papadopoulos had appeared to support the idea when he tweeted last week, "Been a hell of a year. Decisions."

His mother, Kiki, had also tweeted, "Looks like a trial is coming!"

Simona Papadopoulos told The Washington Post she believed the FBI had worked to entrap her husband during its investigation, including by dispatching an American professor working in Cambridge to gather intelligence from him during the campaign.

She said she and her husband believe he was approached by other FBI informants as well and said they doubted a claim by the special counsel's office that Papadopoulos's lies impeded its investigation. She said withdrawing the plea would have required the FBI to provide more information about the investigation.

"Everything has to be on the table and transparent and argued and counterargued," she said.

However, she said, Papadopoulos ultimately decided he wanted to "take responsibility for being less than candid" with the FBI.

Also, she said, a legal-defense fund established by the couple has not raised enough money to finance what would probably have been a lengthy legal battle, had Papadopoulos sought to withdraw his guilty plea.

Papadopoulos would have needed the judge's permission to exit the plea deal, which some legal experts have said was unlikely, given that he had previously entered his guilty plea voluntarily and had affirmed in court that he understood the consequences. Had the judge signed off, the special counsel's office could have sought to refile the case against him, charging him with additional felony counts that would have carried significantly more prison time.

"The downside risks far outweigh any upside benefit he could get," said Michael Dry, a former federal prosecutor who now works at the firm Vinson & Elkins.

- - -

The Washington Post's Salvador Rizzo contributed to this story.
BASTROP COUNTY  Hidden away down a long caliche road and surrounded by soaring pines, The Refuge Ranch feels like a 50-acre slice of Texas heaven.

For young victims of sex-trafficking, the ranch represents a chance to build a new life. Opened in August, it is the culmination of one womans dream to create a healing place that specifically addresses the complex trauma suffered by those who were bought and sold for sex at a young age.

Each year, some 79,000 people in Texas under the age of 23 are caught up in sex trade. Many of them are runaways; others are breaking free of bad foster homes, studies show. Law enforcement and social service agencies have come to view them not as criminals or prostitutes, but victims needing treatment. The vast majority are girls and women.

Brooke Crowder first learned about the sex-trafficking of minors by watching a video as part of her seminary studies in 2004, she said. She became passionate about helping them, and in 2013 created an Austin-based nonprofit, The Refuge, as a way to educate others about sex-trafficking of minors and raise money for the project.

The resulting 48-bed refuge was funded by $4 million in cash and $2 million in in-kind donations. Most of the materials and labor were donated by a host of supporters, and many of the various services and therapies offered will be provided by trained volunteers.

There are 12 cottages, including 10 for residential use and a transitional one with an apartment-style setting where residents learn the skills for independent living they will need once they leave the ranch.

Designed for survivors ages 11 to 19, the cottages are painted bright white, with lots of windows to let in sunlight. Theyre situated on 14 acres within the larger swath of land and clustered close together to impart a sense of community, Crowder said.

We want it to feel like family here, and to make the girls feel safe, she said.

Fully licensed by the state, the ranch also includes a charter school, a creative arts building and adminstrative buildings. An ecumenical chapel features soaring ceilings. While The Refuge is a faith-based group, its approach is nonsectarian; residents arent required to practice or embrace any particular faith.

Theres a guest house where a residents family members, be they biological or foster, can stay during visits  as long as their presence in a residents life has been identified as being healthy, Crowder said.

The refuge is one of a small handful of programs statewide to address the needs of sex-trafficked survivors and is open to people from across the state.

One of the programs offered at The Refuge Ranch is called Survivor Sisters Leadership, which was created by Toni McKinley, as an outgrowth of her own experience being sex-trafficked as a girl.

Healing together

Now in her mid-40s, McKinley was sexually abused and exploited as a child by a close friend of the family. The first time she ran from away home, she was just 14.

At 15, she was picked up by a pimp at a swimming pool and went missing for 21 days, during which time he sold her for sex. She managed to get away and spent time in various foster homes and juvenile facilities before moving back in with her biological family.

Despite all the chaos and pain in her home, McKinley managed to graduate from high school.

After that, I moved in with the first man who paid attention to me, she said. He turned out to be physically and emotionally abusive.

She fled that relationship and moved in with an older man, a retired police officer who served as a leader in his church. He turned out to be a sex-trafficker.

I was so desperate for a father figure, and this man was painted as being trustworthy, she said. In addition to selling McKinley, he took her ID and her car. There was no way for her to escape. I didnt know how to get out of the situation, so I just made the best of it.

Finally, a male friend helped her, a man she would end up marrying and having four children with. McKinley put herself through college while working minimum-wage jobs. She became self-sufficient, her hedge against the pain that percolated inside her.

After talking with her pastor at church, she finally got into counseling and began her long journey of healing from sexual trauma. McKinley would go on to earn a masters degree in counseling. She also created a nonprofit that helps pay for counseling for sex-trafficking survivors.

And she started the Survivor Sisters Leadership Program, which connects older, recovered sex-trafficking survivors with younger victims, be they in juvenile detention centers, correctional facilities, halfway houses or on probation in a community.

In 2017, McKinley brought her program to The Refuge and played a key role in the programmatic design at the ranch. Survivor Sisters leaders  currently there are four trained mentors  regularly visit residents at the ranch. They do the same at four juvenile treatment facilities across the state, including the Cyndi Taylor Krier Juvenile Treatment Center in San Antonio.

Its amazing to watch them recover their lives, recover their voices, McKinley said. The girls are automatically comfortable with (the mentors). They dont have to explain themselves. They dont have to answer questions like, Why didnt you leave your pimp? We understand each other right away.

One goal of the Survivor Sisters program is to help reduce the recidivism rate of sex-trafficking survivors, which tends to be high, even after former victims received services. Thats where the ongoing connection to a survivor-mentor comes in, she said.

Its so great to watch a girls face light up when she realizes, Hey, I really dont have have to back to this.

A drop in the bucket

Residents at The Refuge Ranch come to the program through a variety of ways  referral by judges, the states child welfare system, the juvenile justice system and self-referral or family referral.

Once at the ranch, they receive a complete medical and psychological assessment at an on-site medical clinic staffed by the University of Texas School of Nursing and a psychiatrist.

Theres a calming room, complete with soft lighting and comfortable furniture, where residents can go if theyre having a bad day or painful moment. In the verdant fields surrounding the complex, a host of outdoor chapels offer a private and quiet place in a nature where residents can pray or yell or journal or do whatever they need to do to process trauma.

Residents can stay as long as needed to recover, Crowder said. There are only two barriers to entry  no registered sex offenders, and no one who was apprehended actively recruiting potential victims.

.

Crowder said her goal is to keep going, to keep raising money and awareness for the need for more places like The Refuge Ranch. Already, there is a waiting list.

Unfortunately, we have no problem filling beds, she said. Were just a drop in the bucket of whats needed.

Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje
A former employee of Centro San Antonio, the nonprofit focused on building a more prosperous downtown, has been tied to the embezzlement of $175,000, officials said.

They said the theft from the organization was covered up by complex deceptions that were discovered earlier this month.

In response to the discovery, Pat DiGiovanni, Centros president and CEO, quit Tuesday.

Centros board of directors met in the afternoon to officially accept the letter of resignation from DiGiovanni, who was instrumental in the creation of the organization when he served as City Manager Sheryl Sculleys deputy. He left the city and started his role as Centros CEO on Jan. 1, 2013.

In an exclusive interview with the San Antonio Express-News, DiGiovanni said he stepped down so Centro could restore order and regain peoples trust. Also present were Centro board member Trish DeBerry and attorneys Jim Plummer, a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, and Michael Bernard, a member at Dykema-Cox & Smith.

Bernard, a former city attorney who was hired to oversee the investigation into the embezzlement allegations, said theres no indication DiGiovanni or any other Centro employee played a role in the theft.

The group members laid out a set of allegations against a woman who began working for Centro in October 2014, serving as the organizations staff accountant and office manager. They did not identify her by name, and because the woman hasnt been charged or arrested, the Express-News is not naming her.

They detailed a high level of deception used to embezzle the money. The woman, who was fired earlier this month, allegedly created a vast array of documents and communications  including fabricating two audits  and employed an accomplice who posed as an auditor to cover the theft of funds.

As the staff accountant, the former employee was tasked with communicating with the organizations outside auditing firm, Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge. And as the office manager, she had access to the email accounts of the entire Centro staff, which numbers about 15, DiGiovanni said.

It wasnt until Centro decided to seek a new auditing firm that officials began to realize what had happened.

Centros Tony Piazzi, who serves as both chief operating officer and chief financial officer, called a partner at the accounting firm that had conducted Centros annual audits to let him know Centro intended to seek a new firm.

As that discussion unfolded, the officials said, Piazzi and the auditor determined the audit documents Centro had were not produced by the accounting firm.

We believed we were under engagement with the auditing firm. The CFO had signed an engagement letter with the auditing firm. So the CFO had signed an engagement letter, had given it to the staff accountant, DiGiovanni said. The staff accountant never, basically, sent that to the accounting firm.

The Centro officials said during the Tuesday interview that the staff accountant was confronted earlier this month, confessed to the theft and was terminated immediately. Bernard oversaw a forensic audit and investigation and determined the employee had gone to great lengths to hide what she was alleged to have done.

The cover-up is pretty extensive, Bernard said. It involved fake emails, fake correspondence, fake letterhead.

And a fake web domain created it look like that of Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge.

The officials say she created an email account portraying an auditor with the actual firm and corresponded with Piazzi and herself.

We believed we were talking to the real auditors, DiGiovanni said.

The woman also is alleged to have created two fictitious audits. One focused on Centros Public Improvement District, funded by about $5.5 million in levies against downtown properties, which employs the yellow-shirted ambassadors who welcome visitors and keep the streets and sidewalks clean. The other audit was on the organizations private-business accounts with annual revenues just under $2 million.

Centro and city officials say theres no indication the woman embezzled any funds from the PID account.

But the deceit wasnt purely electronic. Those fake audits had to be presented to Centro officials  twice. Thats where the womans accomplice came in.

Centro officials allege the woman employed someone to pose as an auditor from Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, who made presentations on the fake documents to Centro officials.

We essentially had an impostor, Plummer noted.

The Centro officials said executives from the real accounting firm attempted to inform them theyd been unable to conduct the requisite site work to complete the audits, but those messages were intercepted by the employee.

Centro has turned over the results of its investigation to the Police Department. A spokesman confirmed a case is being pursued but no arrests have been made.

Bernard declined to detail exactly how the money was taken but said he believes theres a good chance that its recovered.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued a statement saying he was bothered by whats taken place at Centro.

I am deeply disappointed by the news regarding possible fraudulent activity by a former Centro San Antonio employee. The resignation of Centros president and CEO was an appropriate step toward ensuring accountability despite that fact that he is not implicated in any alleged fraudulent activity, he said. We will await the results of the investigation, understanding that every organization doing business in our city, especially those that receive benefits as nonprofit entities, owes San Antonians their very best efforts to ensure that they are living up to the highest standards of integrity.

Ensuring that the publics trust is justified has long been a top priority of mine, and I will soon announce steps to ensure that the public interests are further protected.

Centro officials dismissed a question about whether the incident will cripple and cause the dissolving of the organization. They said Centro offers thought leadership to downtown San Antonio and is responsible for passage of a massive investment in the area through the 2017 municipal bond program.

Centro supported three major projects  investments in Hemisfair, the Broadway corridor and La Zona Cultural on the west side of downtown.

Board Chairman Don Frost said in a news release that DiGiovannis decision to step down was the right choice and that Centro will forge ahead.

There is a tremendous amount of passion around Centro San Antonio and its ability to bring positive change to downtown San Antonio, Frost said. Its vitally important for that transformational work to continue, and the board will ensure thats exactly what happens.

Plummer noted that in recent years, the geographic boundaries of the PID have been extended, as well as the tax rate. The organization has tremendous support, DiGiovanni said, evidenced by the approved 10-year term for the PID  twice as long as whats typical for similar districts.

We had someone perpetrate an act here, said DiGiovanni, who turns 60 on Thursday. But this organization needs to continue.

jbaugh@express-news.net
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.
Alicia Padilla, the woman accused of embezzling $291,000 from Centro San Antonio, admitted to the crime and promised to pay back what she can, the San Antonio Express-News has learned.

The embezzlement caused a financial crisis at the public-private nonprofit, created to help beautify downtown San Antonio, and for a time threatened to cripple its operations.

The scandal also sparked finger-pointing over whether the organizations leaders and city officials should have detected the misconduct earlier.

Padilla, Centros office manager and staff accountant for three years, admitted to the embezzlement during a meeting in January with Centros legal team and accountants, according to Centros attorney, Michael Bernard, and Padillas own lawyer, David Christian.

She described the extent of her alleged crimes and revealed she had recruited her ex-husband to pose as an auditor in front of the nonprofits board, the two lawyers told the Express-News.

In reality, no audit had been conducted. At the January meeting, Padilla admitted she fabricated one to fool Centros executives and board, Bernard and Christian said.

Padillas statement was recorded by a court reporter, though she was not under oath. Centro provided it to investigators from the city, along with hundreds of pages of checks, bank statements and other evidence, Bernard said.

Christian said Padilla is willing to cooperate with the investigation being conducted by the Police Department and the Bexar County district attorneys office.

In an effort to cooperate and accept responsibility, she met with Centros representatives to explain to them that there was no PID money that was taken, Christian said.

By PID money, he meant property tax revenue that the city transfers to Centro to manage the downtown public improvement district, or PID.

Although it would be extremely difficult, Miss Padilla intends to pay the restitution back in full, Christian said.

An arrest in the Centro case is imminent, Police Chief William McManus said. He said the complex white-collar case involves reams of financial records. Three detectives are working on it full time, he said.

The case has broadened and likely will involve multiple charges and arrests, McManus said. He declined to elaborate but said a relative of Padilla is under suspicion. Apart from Padilla, no one at Centro is suspected of wrongdoing, he said.

Christian said his client led her ex-husband to believe he was presenting a legitimate audit as a favor because the real auditors werent available to present it to Centros board, Christian said. But the ex-husband did misrepresent himself as an auditor, Christian said.

Local developer David Adelman, who sits on Centros board, is skeptical of that explanation.

My opinion is that is outlandish and I would never believe it, he said in a text message.

The ex-husband and Padilla were divorced in 1991, the public records database LexisNexis shows. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Padilla was known as Alicia Henderson before she divorced her most recent husband in August and changed her name, court filings show. She did not return multiple phone calls from the Express-News.

Centro financial crisis

It has been nearly 10 months since the fraud was uncovered, sparking a scandal that has torn apart Centro, a quasi-public entity focused on downtown beautification and advocacy.

The city has paid Centro $22.2 million since 2013 to manage the downtown district. City Manager Sheryl Sculley and two other city officials serve on its board.

Centros formation in 2010 was led by Sculley and other city officials, who envisioned an organization that would unite political and business leaders in a mission to transform downtown from a sleepy tourist district into a dynamic urban neighborhood.

It became a potent lobbying force under CEO Pat DiGiovanni, a deputy city manager and Sculley protege who joined the nonprofit in 2013 and resigned in the wake of the embezzlement scandal.

Padilla had a crucial job within Centro. She prepared the bills the nonprofit submitted to the city every month for expenses ranging from sidewalk cleaning to downtown research to employee salaries. After reviewing the invoices, the city would send a payment.

Hundreds of emails between Padilla and the city show she habitually turned in invoices months later than she was supposed to, and that her submissions often had errors and were missing the required backup documents.

Despite assurances from Padilla and her supervisors that she would improve her performance  in September 2016, she told a city employee she would be turning a new leaf for the new year  the problems persisted.

She submitted the invoices late nearly every month in 2017, the emails show. City employees pointed out errors in her work on at least three occasions that year.

The Express-News obtained the emails through an open records request filed in December; the city provided them in late July.

During Padillas three years as Centros office manager and accountant, city employees emailed her supervisors on occasion to let them know she was late submitting invoices. But Ben Gorzell, the citys chief financial officer, said he didnt know of any instances of employees raising alarms about her work performance.

When youre that many months behind on billing something thats on a cost-reimbursement basis, certainly that should have raised a flag, Gorzell said. When you have those kinds of issues on a repeated basis, that should have been elevated more. I dont think the communication was at the level it should have been.

Eight months before the fraud was discovered, city officials and Centros board chair became aware of a financial crisis at the nonprofit, said DiGiovanni, the former CEO.

Block by Block, the contractor who employs the yellow-shirted ambassador amigos who walk around downtown cleaning sidewalks and giving directions, told Centro around March 2017 that its bills hadnt been paid for four months, DiGiovanni said. The company threatened to cut back its services.

The news came as a surprise, DiGiovanni said, because he had been signing checks to Block by Block. Centro hadnt been able to pay the company because Padilla was chronically late getting reimbursements from the city, he said.

It was an emergency situation, because we didnt want to see services on the street reduced or diminished by our vendor, DiGiovanni said.

DiGiovanni said he informed Don Frost, an executive vice president at Frost Bank who then was chairman of Centros board, and discussed it with Assistant City Manager Lori Houston. Frost and Houston confirmed the conversations but said Padilla wasnt mentioned.

You could argue, rewinding the tape  thats a storm warning, being past due on payables, Frost said.

City and Centro employees discussed how to get caught up on payments and make sure it wouldnt happen again, DiGiovanni said.

The emails show Padilla and Centros then-chief financial officer, Tony Piazzi, met with employees of the Center City Development and Operations Department in mid-March to set up a timeline for submitting invoices.

One crisis after another until we are back on track which is coming up, Padilla emailed a city employee later that month.

Persistent problems

Padilla was turning in the invoices late as early as summer 2015, the emails show. In August of that year, her supervisor told city employees she would strive to turn in the invoices by the 20th of the following month.

Padilla consistently failed to meet that goal. Her late invoice submissions and the errors in her work seem to have become more and more frequent until the fraud was discovered.

In the weeks before she was fired last November, city employees had at least five email exchanges with her about problems with her work.

On Oct. 2, Jim Mery, deputy director for the citys Center City Development and Operations department, emailed Piazzi to tell him the city still hadnt received invoices going back as far as July.

Padilla said she would bring the documents that afternoon. She didnt. Three days later, another city employee emailed a reminder.

On Oct. 10, a city employee told Padilla that invoices and receipts were missing in documents she submitted. The next day, the employee emailed again to tell Padilla that invoices she dropped off the week before were duplicates from ones she submitted in July.

The employee emailed Padilla again on Oct. 23 to tell her she still hadnt received documents from July, August and September. When Padilla turned in the September documents, a dozen receipts and invoices were missing.

Earlier this year, an audit commissioned by the city determined that Padilla didnt embezzle any taxpayer dollars from Centro; instead, the money was missing from the Centro Partnership, the nonprofit that oversees the PID and the Centro Alliance, Centros lobbying wing.

The audit found, however, that the city failed in its oversight of Centros finances. Centro submitted invoices to the city that included at least $32,000 worth of duplicate payments and lacked supporting documents, according to the audit by global auditing firm KPMG.

The Express-News discovered that Centro had used PID money for lobbying and for expensive meals and trips, including $2,350 for a membership and meals at the ritzy Plaza Club. The PID also had spent thousands on fundraisers, mixers and award shows for the Alliance, which wasnt supposed to receive tax dollars.

The level of due diligence, Ill say, that was being done by our staff didnt meet our standard, Gorzell said. The supporting documentation wasnt strong enough, or in some cases was missing.

When Centro hired Padilla in 2014, it didnt run a background check, so it didnt realize she already had been convicted of felony bank fraud and charged twice with theft by check. She also recently had declared bankruptcy and was struggling to prevent the foreclosure of her home.

Board frustrated

Centro board members say they are baffled that it would take so long for the SAPD and the district attorneys office to press charges, especially after Padillas admission.

I would like to think that long before now they would have arrested her and try to retrieve money out of her bank accounts, Adelman said. Im angry, but what can I do about that?

Trish DeBerry, Centros board chairwoman, called it completely unacceptable that an arrest has not been made. Frost, who served as Centros chair until the end of last year, called it frustrating.

Centros board is expected to go on a retreat next month to talk about how to streamline the nonprofit, DeBerry said. Adelman then will lead a search for a new CEO; the goal is to have one in place by Jan. 1.

Padillas husband, Nathan Henderson, filed for divorce in January and accused her of depleting their common wealth by her fraudulent acts, court filings show. The divorce was finalized on Aug. 13, with Henderson receiving their Ford F-150 truck and their Northeast Side home, valued at $191,680 this year by the Bexar Appraisal District.

Padilla, who changed her name from Alicia Henderson in the divorce decree, received a 2008 Toyota Camry and the contents of her 401k plan. She also agreed to assume all debts and liabilities she incurred after Nov. 1 of last year  around the time Centro discovered her alleged fraud.

Richard Webner is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rwebner@express-news.net | Twitter: @RWebner
TRIP REPORT

I took this flight a few days ago. Belavia operates three weekly services to Belgrade, two of which are via Budapest, and the recently introduced third weekly flight runs nonstop. I purchased my return ticket exactly a week in advance directly from their website at a price of 90 euros. Since Belavia is a full-fare carrier, this also included 23 kilograms of checked-in luggage. Having in mind the price and the time of my booking, I expected for the flight to be empty, but I was mistaken.





I arrived at Belgrade Airport just over two hours before the scheduled departure time. I realised quickly that the load on the flight would not be as light as I initially thought since two lines had already formed at the Belavia check-in counters, which still had not opened at that point. Exactly two hours prior to departure, check-in started.





The passengers in line seemed to be a mix of Russians, Belarusians and Serbs. The girl checking-in in front of me told the check-in lady her final destination was St Petersburg, so I assume they get some transfer passengers via Minsk as well.





I like Belavia's new branding.

After check-in, and with time to spare, I walked around the airport a bit which was quiet at that time of day.

There was an Aviolet charter to Thessaloniki

Our flight was ultimately delayed by some 40 minutes as it was late on arrival from Budapest. Although we were at gate C3, the air bridge was obviously not used for this small plane, and passengers were required to walk down the steps and then proceed to the aircraft.

There were two cabin crew members greeting passengers upon boarding. I was seated in row 12 which is the last row on the right side of the aircraft, the left one has one additional row. To my great surprise, the flight was full to the last seat. One should keep in mind that this flight also picks up passengers in Budapest bound for Minsk.





Flight: B2812

Aircraft reg: EW-276PJ (15 years old)

Load: 50/50





The CRJ200 definitely showed signs of wear and tear but for a 40 minute flight it was more than satisfactory. It reminded me a bit of Air Serbia's ATR72s.













Before departure all passengers were offered a lolly.













Around 10 minutes after takeoff the captain switched off the fasten seatbelt sign and the cabin crew began service. To my surprise, passengers were offered coffee, several juices and water. The crew was polite and did their job quickly and efficiently, considering how short this sector is.

By the time the cups were cleared we started our descent into Budapest.













Upon landing, passengers continuing to Minsk were told to stay seated, while we disembarked and went onto a bus. I counted a total of 12 passengers on the bus, all of which seemed to be Serbian, meaning that over 35 passengers from Belgrade were continuing to Minsk.

It is difficult to judge an airline based on a single flight, but the experience was enjoyable and worth not having to drive to Budapest, especially in late August when queues at the border crossings are long.





Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com
The word entrepreneur evokes images of a small-business owner or one attempting to bring an invention to market, but that only begins to scratch the surface, said college professors who teach in the burgeoning field of study.

There is no textbook for entrepreneurship, Carl Scheraga, professor of business strategy and technology management at Fairfield University, said. They exist, of course, but that is not the way to teach entrepreneurship. You have to hit the streets and see what works and what doesnt.

Nor is there a tidy definition for the word.

Entrepreneurship is not a career, but a mind-set, Pauline Assenza, associate professor of management and small-business entrepreneurship at Western Connecticut State Universitys Ancell School of Business, said. We are not necessarily preparing students to open a business right after graduation. Entrepreneurship is also recognizing the opportunity to be who you are while working for someone else who is willing to pay you.

Entrepreneurial skills such as thinking creatively, being innovative and willing to take risks are highly sought after in the workplace, she added.

They identify a problem and take a creative approach to solving it, Assenza said.

While courses in entrepreneurship have existed for decades, demand has reached the point that nearly every college or university in the state offers coursework and have centers devoted to entrepreneurship and innovation. Many universities offer majors and minors in entrepreneurship.

Where stuff happens

The business management major at Fairfield University offers an entrepreneurship concentration in which students must complete two of the three courses: social entrepreneurship, technology ventures and managing a family business. Fairfield University also has an entrepreneur student club and Scheraga said the annual entrepreneurship competition, the Fairfield StartUp Showcase, is booming in popularity. The school is building a Center for Entrepreneurship in the Dolan School building that will open next year.

Western Connecticut State University offers two courses in entrepreneurship. Assenza is also the adviser for the student club ERIC, or Entrepreneurship Research Innovation Creativity. The schools new, state-of-the-art entrepreneur center is called ERIC @ The Garage, a nod to the many businesses that have started in a garage.

When you walk in you get the feeling that this is a place where stuff happens, Assenza said.

About 35 students take courses in entrepreneurship at WestConn, she said, and ERIC has more than 200 members from a wide variety of majors.

David Levinson, president of Norwalk Community College, recently signed a pledge with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, which commits the school to encourage economic growth through entrepreneurship. NCC offers courses that are open to students and the public alike through its Entrepreneurs Institute.

For the entrepreneur, the more they know to get started, the more likely they are to operate a successful company and avoid those sort of all-too-common kinds of failure, Stephen Mersereau, lead instructor for NCCs entrepreneur program, told Hearst Media Connecticut in a previous interview. Theres a tremendous amount of ideas and innovation and excitement, and what we want to do is help them translate it into a successful business.

The University of Bridgeports Student Entrepreneur Center at the Ernest C. Trefz School of Business is open to all UB students and aims to accelerate the successful development of start-ups. UB also offers a minor in small business management and entrepreneurship.

The University of Connecticut has robust entrepreneurial offerings through courses and the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

New mind-set

Scheraga said students are drawn to entrepreneurship because it creates career options and allows flexibility in their careers. Many students, he said, do not want to graduate and work for the same company for 30 or 40 years like previous generations.

The 2008 recession turned a lot of students toward entrepreneurship, Scherago said, as they watched their parents lose jobs they held for decades.

Theres been a psychological shift and I understand why, he said. A lot of graduates see themselves as independent contractors who will work somewhere for three to five years and then move on. Entrepreneurship is not just a guy building bicycles at his house. Its become very sophisticated.

Assenza agrees: What we have discovered is that students are very pragmatic. Most people become entrepreneurs and innovators to be able to take a risk. They also want to feel good about making a difference.

Anju Gautam is the president of the ERIC student club at WestConn. She came to the U.S. from Nepal three years ago and works with several nonprofit organizations to help address the homelessness crisis in her native country. The management major said her entrepreneurial skills help her collaborate and think creatively about reaching goals.

Everything we do here (at ERIC) empowers students. There are resources and support, said Gautam, who wants to start her own business when she graduates. You have to have a passion and enthusiasm. Whatever you do, you have to support the community. Businesses will thrive more if you help others.

Scheraga said entrepreneurship will play an increasingly important role in keeping the U.S. competitive in a global economy.

I hope that stays on the radar of politicians because it needs to be supported, he said.

The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338
GREENWICH  U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is proposing new legislation aimed at combatting overpricing and critical shortages of EpiPens, which are used to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions.

EpiPen shortages have been compounded by high prices  simply unacceptable, Blumenthal said in a statement. Manufacturers gouging prices and a six-fold price increase is inexplicable. The CURE High Drug Prices Act will allow the federal government to step in and stop these skyrocketing prices once and for all.

Blumenthal (D-Conn.) made the announcement last week, just as parents of children with severe allergies were heading to pharmacies to stock up on EpiPens for the start of the new school year.

The plan will combat prescription drug price gouging  cracking down on drug companies like EpiPen manufacturer Mylan who have preyed on patients with no choice but to pay skyrocketing prices for drugs needed to survive, he said.

The high cost of the injectors has become a major source of concern, according to a local pediatric-emergency physician.

Were hearing a lot of families are really stressed, said Dr. Karen Santucci, a Greenwich Hospital physician.

The cost of the epinephrine injectors  used to control allergic reactions  has skyrocketed, putting an extra burden on parents who need to have the EpiPens on hand, Blumenthal said.

A decade ago, EpiPens could be purchased easily for $57 each, but now sell for over $700, if they can be purchased at all, he said. There has been a critical shortage in supply for months, leaving many families to rely on expired supplies or search between multiple pharmacies, he said.

Santucci, medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital, said recent price hikes for EpiPens were exorbitant. She noted that medical professionals were working to provide the public with lower-cost alternatives.

The need for the injectors for people, especially youngsters, who have life-threatening allergic reactions is crucial, she said. Allergic reactions to tree nuts, especially common among young people, as well as eggs and venomous insects can cause death. The epinephrine halts the reactions.

Its got to be given quickly, she said of the antidote. Youve got to get that into that adult or child as soon as possible.

Santucci said medical professionals were intent on getting the word out to families and patients about lower-cost alternatives to EpiPens. There are a number of generic epinephrine injectors on the market that cost less, and there are coupons that can be acquired to purchase them, as well. It takes a bit more work, Santucci said, but patients can find lower-cost injectors.

The high cost of the injectors was a still a big problem, the Greenwich Hospital doctor said. We absolutely need our legislators to look at the problem, she said.

Santucci notes that EpiPens can still be used past the expiration date. While the drug loses some of its potency after the expiration date, it is still largely effective for years, she said, if not 100 percent.

Recently enacted state legislation will allow students with life-threatening food allergies to carry their EpiPens on school buses. The new law also requires that school bus drivers receive basic training in administering EpiPens.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
GREENWICH  Working with mosquitoes gave Rahul Subramaniam itchy wrists in icy weather. But his final result, a trap that detects mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus, was worth every bite: It recently won him $50,000 in scholarship money.

Finding live mosquitoes in the middle of winter in Connecticut was not easy at all, the Greenwich High School senior said of his sophomore-year research project, which he largely developed in teacher Andrew Bramantes honors science research classroom. I seriously considered buying them online and releasing them in my garage.

Detecting Zika in the wild is difficult, and current methods require special equipment that at-risk communities do not have. By contrast, Subramaniams trap is inexpensive to build and requires neither human intervention nor advanced equipment, making it ideal for remote locations and disadvantaged regions.

The early warning system is an important first step in combatting the virus, according to Michael Thomas, a research technician with whom Subramaniam worked. Within 15 minutes, a field worker can determine whether Zika is in an area, warn people nearby, and quarantine the area for additional testing, he said.

A lot of people have been asking him to patent it, Rahuls father, Prem Subramaniam, said. I didnt expect all this to follow from something so simple.

Rahul Subramaniam was one of three students in the nation this year to earn the title Davidson Fellow Laureate, an honor for which he received $50,000.

The scholarship was out of the blue, said the elder Subramaniam, a research scientist at Columbia University.

The father said he could not believe the project  which uses supplies he and his son bought at Walmart  worked.

While Rahul could not buy mosquitoes at a department store, he could experiment on them in a state laboratory he found in New Haven that had a colony of the species known to carry Zika.

The lab, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, provided him with the tiny insects and a mentor, Thomas, who guided him through working with the bugs. Thomas pointed out his role was minor but he was thoroughly impressed with the high school student.

During my 15 years, in my opinion, Rahul is one of the brightest and most talented students Ive ever had the opportunity to work with, and that includes college students, he said. Rahul impressed me with his dedication and hard work.

Subramaniam has two other microbiology projects under his belt, including a patch that can detect the presence of prostate cancer. He conducted most of his research in Bramantes class at Greenwich High. In Room 932, students devote the entire year to researching and testing one project, which they can then take to science fairs across the state and nation.

I felt like this was the best, most-fleshed out of the other projects Ive done, Subramaniam said. Id done all the experiments from start to end to make it convincing, it had the biggest possible impact of all the other projects Ive done.

His experience submitting to the Davidson Fellow contest was unlike presenting his project at science fairs, which competitors call the circuit.

On the circuit, experienced scientists bombard students with questions that introduce topics they had not previously considered.

You often get questions out of left field and you have to figure out how to answer them on the fly, Subramaniam said.

For the Davidson, he wrote an essay and explained his project in front of a camera.

That was something tricky I hadnt experienced before, he said.

The scholarship money will go toward tuition and related expenses in college. Subramaniams top choices are Harvard, Columbia and Yale, and he is leaning toward studying pre-med.

Rahul has a bright future and I expect hes going to accomplish great things under the right mentorship, Thomas said. Hopefully he will be given that opp to solve some of the worlds health problems.

jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com
Hearst Connecticut Media / Tara ONeill

MILFORD  A city man faces charges after he allegedly broke a window trying to get into a home and left before police showed up, officials said.

Tyler Griffin, 21, of Greer Circle, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, second-degree reckless endangerment, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Since its September, residents across the state can expect to see small snapping turtle hatchlings leaving their nests and heading toward water.

Connecticut Fish and Wildlife said snapping turtles dig nests and lay their eggs in late May and early June.

Females often find soft dirt  sometimes on road edges or in flowerbeds  and dig a hole to lay their 20 to 40 eggs in. Once the eggs are laid, the female turtle will cover them and leave. The nest is left unattended and underground.

If all goes well, the nest will hatch in September and the hatchlings will dig themselves out and head for water, Connecticut Fish and Wildlife said.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said snapping turtles should not be picked up or handled by residents at any time.

Unlike most turtles, snapping turtles rarely spend time on land, spending most of their time in water.

When temperatures dip below 41 degrees in the winter, snapping turtles across the state will got into hibernation; they burrow into mud and leaf debris in shallow water or under logs and overhanging banks. Once the turtles emerge from hibernation, they start to feed and search for mates.

Snapping turtles reach maturity between the ages of 8 and 10. The average life-span is about 40 years, but they have been known to live longer.
A homebred in harness racing means that the horse was bred and is owned by the same person(s) and that in most cases the foal was never sent to any public auctions before it began racing.

At the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday afternoon, each of the three divisions of the final round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotters, the race favourite is a homebred.

The 26 youngsters entered on Sunday are seeking points to make it to their respective $55,000 finals at H3R on Sunday, September 9.

The two colt divisions take place in races two and three.

Race two features the homebred Money Hill, who starts from post six for Hall of Fame trainer/driver Yves Filion. This son of Muscle Hill scored his first win last week for owner/breeder R L Belanger of Laval.

Money Hill wired the field with ease for his first pari-mutuel win and prior to that he won a qualifying race at Mohawk Park in 2:00.3.

Money Hill was bred to be a champion. His sire, Muscle Hill, is a world champion racing and sire. And Money Hills dam is Norway No Day by Self Possessed, who many older fans may remember her dominance in the trotting ranks at the Hippodrome de Montreal where she earned $330,000 before retiring.

The third race is the second colt division and the homebred favourite is Cesar Duharas from post two for trainer/driver Stuart Sowerby. This son of Muscle Massive had an early win the Future Stars Series and has a record of 1:59.4. He has also been raced timed at Mohawk Park in 1:58.2.

He was bred and is owned by Haras De L Estrie of Dunham. From the Cantab Hall mare, Cleopatre Duharas, she was a 1:54.4 winner of more than $164,000 on the racetrack.

It would also be a special victory for Sowerby, as he is at 999 career driving wins and with a victory here would hit 1,000-win milestone.

The lone filly division takes place in race six and featured is Kenogami Darling for driver Guy Gagnon.

A winner in two of her four starts for trainer Dany Fontaine, Kenogami Darling scored an OSS Grassroots win at Mohawk in 1:59.2. Then she came to H3R for the second leg of the series and won that with ease and goes for her third straight win on Sunday for breeder Jean Francois Reid of Anjou, who co-owns the filly with Claude Reid of Jonquiere.

She is sired by Justice Hall from the Ken Warkentin mare, Profound Wisdom, who did race, winning an Ontario Sire Stakes Gold division in 1:57.3 at Mohawk before injuring herself.

Post time Sunday is 12:50 p.m. For a free race program, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.

(Quebec Jockey Club)
Royal KPN NV operates as a supplier of telecommunications and information technology services. It serves customers at home and abroad with fixed and mobile networks for telephony, data and television. The company focuses on both private customers and business users, from small to large. It also offers telecom providers access to widely branched networks. The company's brands include KPN, XS4ALL, Simyo, KPN Security, Ortel Mobile, Cam IT Solutions, Solcon, KPN Interned services and StartReady. Royal KPN was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

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Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. operates as an independent specialty pharmacy in the United States. The company operates through Specialty and PBM (pharmacy benefit management) segment. It provides specialty infusion pharmacy, patient care coordination, clinical, compliance and persistency program, patient financial assistance, specialty pharmacy training, benefits investigation, prior authorization, risk evaluation and medication strategy, retail specialty, and hub services, as well as clinical and administrative support services to hospitals and health systems. The company primarily focuses on medication management programs for individuals with complex chronic diseases, including oncology, immunology, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, specialized infusion therapy, and various other serious or long-term conditions. It also offers PBM services, including electronic point-of-sale pharmacy claims management, retail pharmacy network management, mail pharmacy claims management, specialty pharmacy claims management, Medicare Part D services, benefit design consultation, drug review and analysis, consulting services, data access, and reporting, information analysis, and preferred drug management programs to managed care organizations, self-insured employer groups, unions, and third-party healthcare plan administrators and worker's compensation payers. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Flint, Michigan.

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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.

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Sasol Ltd. is a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of liquid fuels, chemicals, and low-carbon electricity. It operates through following segments: Mining, Exploration and Production International, Energy, Base Chemicals, Performance Chemicals, and Group Functions. The Mining segment secures coal feedstock for the Southern African value chain, mainly for gasification, but also to generate electricity and steam. The Exploration and Production International segment develops and manages oil and gas exploration and production in Mozambique, South Africa, Canada, and Gabon. The Base Chemicals segment involves the marketing of commodity chemicals based on the group's upstream Fischer-Tropsch, ethylene, propylene and ammonia value chains. The Performance Chemicals segment markets commodity and differentiated performance chemicals. The Energy segment sells and markets liquid fuels, pipeline gas, and electricity. The Group Functions segment includes the head office and centralised treasury operations. The company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Wall Street analysts have given Beadell Resources 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 Beadell Resources wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
Cebu Air, Inc. provides air cargo services. It operates as a carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, which engages in transportation of passengers, mail, merchandise and freight. The company has distribution channels which includes Internet; direct sales through booking; sales offices; call centers and government/corporate client accounts; and third-party sales outlets. It offers ancillary services such as cancellation and rebooking options, in-flight merchandising such as sale of duty-free products on international flights, baggage and travel-related products and services. The company was founded on August 26, 1988 and is headquartered in Cebu, Philippines.

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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.

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Toyota Motor Corp. engages in the manufacture and sale of motor vehicles and parts. It operates through the following segments: Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other. The Automotive segment designs, manufactures, assembles and sells passenger cars, minivans, trucks, and related vehicle parts and accessories. It is also involved in the development of intelligent transport systems. The Financial Services segment offers purchase or lease financing to Toyota vehicle dealers and customers. It also provides retail leasing through lease contracts purchase by dealers. The All Others segment deals with the design and manufacture and sale of housing, telecommunications and other businesses. The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda on August 28, 1937 and is headquartered in Toyota, Japan.

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Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. is an early-stage contract research company, which provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and academic institutions. It operates through the following segments: Research Models & Services, Discovery & Safety Assessment and Manufacturing Support. The Research Models & Services segment comprises of the production and sale of research models, and also offers services designed to support its client's use of research models in screening non-clinical drug candidates. The Discovery & Safety Assessment segment offers discovery and safety assessment services, both regulated and non-regulated, in which it include both in vivo and in vitro studies, supporting laboratory services, and strategic preclinical consulting and program management to support product development. The Manufacturing Support segment provides endotoxin and microbial detection, avian vaccine and biologics testing solutions. The company was founded by Henry L. Foster in 1947 and is headquartered in Wilmington, MA.

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Rowan Companies PLC (NYSE:RDC) announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October, 31st. The oil and gas company reported ($1.13) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.15) by $0.02. The oil and gas company had revenue of $192.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $179.39 million. Rowan Companies had a negative trailing twelve-month return on equity of 9.19% and a negative net margin of 42.12%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 33.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.16) EPS.

View Rowan Companies' earnings history.
Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. engages in the management of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It operates through the following segments: Asset Management, Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure, Private Equity, Residential Development, and Corporate Activities. The Asset Management segment includes the management of its listed partnerships, private funds and public securities. The Real Estate segment is comprised of the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other properties. The Renewable Power segment encompasses the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and other power generating facilities. The Infrastructure segment consists of the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resource assets. The Private Equity segment refers to the broad range of industries, and is mostly focused on business services, infrastructure services and industrials. The Residential Development segment represents homebuilding, condominium development and land development. The Corporate Activiti

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by Sean Fitzpatrick | Sat, Sep 1st 9:03pm EDT

The Lakers and Loul Deng reached an agreement for a buyout of his contract. Finally. It's best for both sides as the Lakers completely phased him out and Deng wanted a chance to play elsewhere. Deng gives up $7.5 million in his contract to play on another team. (Shams Charania on Twitter)
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Mala Sinhais bungalow sits right there on the bustling Turner Road in Bandra yet it remains impervious to the world outside. Inside too, there are no ostentatious signs of stardom. The foyer with vintage furniture may have played host to several celebrations. But today, the sprawling residence is home to countless strays and pets, which daughter/actor Pratibha devotedly tends to. Mala Sinha, at 80 plus, has no desperation to cling on to past memories or trophies. Sheis happier travelling back and forth to the mountains of Nepal and to her husband Chidambar Prasad Lohaniis eresort like homei there.Satellite screens regularly give glimpses of her as in the romantic Anpadh, with the classic melody Aap ki nazron ne samjha, her fight as an unwed mother in Dhool Ka Phool, her unapologetic stance as the gold-digger in Pyaasa or her royal adas in Jahan Ara.... From Ashok Kumar to Amitabh Bachchan she has romanced all... cutting across generations and genres. If her women-oriented roles earned her the title of eDaring Divai, her dreamy esensuousnessi mesmerised millions, including filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Tell her that and she credits Filmfare for being her ticket to stardom. A journalist in Kolkata came across her photograph profiled in a photo studio and got it printed in the magazine. Filmmaker, Amiya Chakravarty, charmed by her picture, invited her to Mumbai. Through the years, she won Filmfare nominations for her performances in Gumraah, Jahan Ara, Anpadh and Himalay Ki God Mein. But life came full circle when she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement at the recently held 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018... iThank you Filmfare,i she says softly... her smile wiping away the years...Train from KolkataOf Nepali origin, Mala Sinha was born and brought up in Kolkata. Hence, she was often mistaken for being a Bengali. She was called Alda Sinha in school but later changed her name to Mala Sinha when she became a child artiste in Bengali films like Jai Vaishno Devi, Roshanara and Dhooli in the i50s. When noted film director, Amiya Chakravarty, came across a photograph of young Mala in Filmfare, he called her to Mumbai and signed her for a three-film contract. iBut I was no Deepika Padukone, who made it big with Om Shanti Om! I had a bumpy ride. Ami Dadais Badshah (1954) flopped! He cancelled my contract. He went ahead and made Seema with Nutan and Kathputli with Vyjayantimala instead,i she says. Her other two films, Kishore Sahuis Hamlet (1954) and Ekadashi (1955), also failed. iWeid keep looking from the veranda of our house, hoping for a produceris car to drive in. But not a fly came by. We were about to pack up and go back to Kolkata,i she says.Fortunately, actor Janki Das came to their rescue. Director Lekhraj Bhakri was making Naya Zamana (1957). Janki Das urged him to watch Malais Hamlet, which though a flop, had won Mala acclaim. iIid played Oephilia in it. I was a thin teenager. Kishore Sahuis wife got me padded costumes and wigs,i she smiles. The filmmakers watched the film and signed her for Naya Zamana.The turn aroundShe gives credit to Geeta Dutt for getting her Pyaasa (1957). Those days filmmaker S Mukerji held a huge Durga ustav. Geeta Dutt, who was fond of fellow eBengalii Mala, asked her to act in a play there. iGeeta Didi brought along Guru Dutt for the show,i she says. An impressed Guru Dutt signed her up for Pyaasa. Her act as the go-getter, who gives up love for luxury, won her applause. Alongside, films like Balraj Sahniis directorial Lai Batti (1957), Sohrab Modiis Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957) and Ramesh Saigalis adaptation of Dosteovskyis Crime And Punishment, Phir Subah Hogi (1958), established Mala as an avant garde actor. But it was Yash Choprais directorial debut, Dhool Ka Phool, (1959) that made her a star. iIt was a bold story of an unwed mother. We celebrated its silver jubilee in 36 cities. I got tired of attending those functions,i she laughs.Between 1958 and 1962, Mala gave hits like Duniya Na Mane, Hariyali Aur Rasta, Dil Tera Deewana and Anpadh. But what remains her favourite is Jahan Ara (1964). Producer-actor Om Prakash had first approached Meena Kumari for it. iMeenaji was a poetess and proficient in Urdu and seemed apt for the role. But Kamal Amrohiji said that she didnit have the dates. Meenaji suggested my name to Om Prakashji saying that I had the features and the ada of a Muslim girl,i she recalls. She was nominated for the Filmfare Award for playing the royal character.Another film she holds dear to her heart is B R Choprais infidelity drama Gumraah (1963). iAshok Kumar was my Dadajiis age when he played my hero in Gumraah. Sunil Dutt played my beloved. eKi bhalo kam kaj karoche (youive done good work)!i said Dada Moni to me after watching the film,i she says. She also mentions T Prakash Raois Bahurani (1963), based on the Bengali film Swayam Siddha. Here, she played a fiery village girl, married to a senile man as a path-breaking move.Switch-on switch-offShe enjoyed a fortuitous run with several co-stars. With Raaj Kumar, she gave hits like Phool Bane Angaare and Maryada and with Manoj Kumar, Hariyali Aur Rasta and Himalaya Ki God Mein. Her hits with Rajendra Kumar were Dhool Ka Phool, Geet and Lalkar. With Biswajeet, she enjoyed an iconic pairing in 10 films including Aasra, Night In London, Do Kaliyaan, Paisa Ya Pyaar and Phir Kab Milogi. In the i70s, she even paired with newcomers like Rajesh Khanna in Maryada and Amitabh Bachchan in Sanjog (1971).Given her vibrant onscreen chemistry with co-stars, one would assume she enjoyed friendships off it too. But she begs to differ. iI couldnit be over friendly with my heroes. It was only kaam se matlab. Iive always been aloof,i she says adding, iAnd so it was with Biswajeet too!i She elaborates, iBiswajeet and I shared good rapport on the set. It was give and take. Off the set there was nothing. I wouldnit share my number with anyone. It was switch on and switch off.i She had a strict code of work ethics. iNo one dared to crack naughty jokes in my presence. Theyid say, eGurkhan aagayee!i I never cracked jokes with anyone either. Why to become thick with anyone?i she asks. iI took remuneration from my producers. So, if there was an intimate scene, Iid do it. But ecuti after that. There was no nonsense, she maintains.She praises Rajesh Khanna, who was a phenomenon in the i70s. iRajesh was a jovial personality. Once we were to shoot the song Chupke se dil de de (Maryada).I had dressed with great care and had worn a backless choli. WhenI stepped out of my make-up room, I heard someone whistle. It was Rajesh. He said, eKya phataka lag rahi ho!ii she laughs. iHe was the heartthrob - young and old women loved him, his lop-sided smile was a craze! Despite his superstardom, he never threw his weight around.i She adds, iHe was game for rehearsals. But some actors didnit like rehearsals. Theyid tell the director, eMala ko bolo aap ke saath rehearsal karlein!i There was one actor, whoid be lying with his feet up, while the director sat beside him explaining the scene.iAnother actor, she has admiration for is Amitabh Bachchan. iHe was so respectful; you knew he came from a good family. He was so punctual, Iid get scared. So, Iid begin my make-up at 6 am. Iid rush to the studio only to find him waiting outside, sitting on the stool with the studio guard. He was that humble. Heid wish me saying, eNamaste!i Itis this humility that has taken him so far. I never saw him indulge in idle talk. Heid always be reading a book.i A regret that still lingers is not being able to work with thespian Dilip Kumar. iI missed the bus!i she sighs. iI was offered Mumtazis role in Ram Aur Shyam. But I was busy with South films.iMARRIAGE MATTERSThe dreamgirl of millions, Mala Sinha, chose to marry someone out of the industry. While shooting for her only Nepali film,B S Thapais Maitighar (1966), she came in touch with co-star Chidambar Prasad Lohani. iHe was in the customs. But because he was talented and good-looking, they asked him to act,i she says. iMy parents wanted me to get married as I had turned 26. Baba (father Albert Sinha) believed the industry boys were not trustworthy. Also, ego problems could creep in. Baba wanted a pahadi, a Nepali like us. Baba liked C P,i she shares. Mala and Chidambar got marriedin 1966.A long-distance marriage worked for them, with Chidambar looking after his business in Kathmandu and Mala in Mumbai with their daughter Pratibha. iMy husband understood my passion for work. And that I couldnit be confined to the kitchen. I was not the club going type either. Iid have gone crazy. There would have been friction. So, he let me work. Distance, in fact, fostered love,i she smiles.Mala graduated to character roles between the late i70s and i80s like 36 Ghante, Zindagi, and Karmayogi. She was last seen in Zid (1994). She links her retiring from films to the demise of her dear father in 1987. iI was daddyis girl. After every shot, Iid look at Baba for approval. Heid sleep in the same bedroom as mine on outdoors. Heid wait outside, when I used the washroom. After Baba passed away, I began to feel a vacuum,i she says.Sense & spiritualityBeing spiritually inclined has kept her rooted. iAs a child, I once dreamt of Christ sitting on a rock surrounded by children of every creed. He put his hand on my head,i she recalls. She had another such dream after her first film Badshah flopped. iWe didnit even have money for rent. One day I dreamt that a beautiful lady has come on the terrace, where I read the Bible. I knelt down and said, eYouire Mother Maryi. She asked what I wanted. I said the heart to love her son. My life changed after that,i she says. Malais not a regular church-goer. iMy prayer is conversation with God. No use simply reading scriptures. I donit brood. I don't hold grudges. I donit look back at my glory. Iim happy in every situation. Iim just a particle of dust and He blessed me with such brilliance.
DUBAI, UAE, September 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Around one quarter of school age children have some form of vision problem, with more children and young people wearing glasses and contact lenses. Research shows that children who have a vision problem literally lose focus on their work and this can affect their performance and development, as a result. As families across the region prepare for another school year, this is the perfect time to consider their children's vision - a vital part of their school performance.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/737762/Dr_Darakhshanda_Khurram.jpg )



This "Back to School" experts at Moorfields Dubai are highlighting the importance of healthy vision, whatever stage of education a child has reached. From KG to Grade 12, this is the time of year to make sure children are ready for their learning and studies - this is especially important for younger children (8 years and under) because there is a unique opportunity to correct any vision defects before this age.

According to Dr. Darakhshanda Khurram, Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, around one quarter of school-age children have some form of vision problem, such as short sightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, colour blindness, lazy eye or genetic diseases. Many of these problems begin well before school age and can go undetected, and so screening at an early age is an important part of the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment process.

Dr. Khurram recommends three steps for healthy school-ready vision:

1. Manage screen time for kids

Tablets and smartphones can help with hand-eye coordination and for the stimulation of neurons in the brain. However, they also have bright screens and these can create side effects such as dryness of the eyes, eyestrain, blurry vision, focusing issues, and headaches. Kids stare at screens intensively and don't blink as much while using devices and so tears don't spread across the eyes leading to dryness. Parents should try to limit the screen time for kids to no more than 20 minutes at a time to protect the eyes and vision of their children.

2. Outdoor time is great vision

Recent research from Canada shows that children who spend more time outdoors may reduce their risk of developing nearsightedness. Children seem to be becoming near-sighted at younger ages, around 6-7 years, rather than 12-13 as their eyes are constantly focusing on objects that are very close to them. The Canadian study shows that for each additional hour of outdoor time per week, the risk of a child developing myopia drops around 14 percent - this may be due to the brighter light outdoors and the fact that there is more to look at outdoors, so the eyes are working harder.

3. Early and regular eye tests for children

Most causes of poor vision are easily correctable if they are picked up and treated in time. A child's eyesight does not fully develop until the age of nine and if a condition like amblyopia (cross eyes or squint) or lazy eye (which can lead to permanent vision loss) is diagnosed early enough, the better the chances of successful treatment and complete recovery. Early vision screening is very important and children's vision should ideally be tested by the age of three or four. Nursery schools should also check children's eyesight, and notify parents if they suspect anything.

Dr. Darakhshanda Khurram, Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, comments: "Eye tests for children are essential - they are quick, simple and painless and can help prevent serious vision related problems in later childhood or in adulthood. They can also pick up those problems that may inhibit the child's development at school and performance in the classroom; it is surprising how many 'disruptive children' at school turn out to have a simple vision problem that is distracting them in the classroom. Parents should aim to manage kids' screen time, get them outdoors when appropriate, and ensure they have regular eye tests."

Notes to editors:

About Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai

Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) is the first overseas branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the oldest and one of the largest centres for ophthalmic treatment, teaching and research in the world. Located at the Al Razi Medical Complex in Dubai Health Care City, the facility provides day case surgery and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, for a variety of surgical and non-surgical eye conditions. MEHD will also raise standards for research and teaching in the region. MEHD is owned and managed by the NHS Foundation Trust, and maintains close links with London, to ensure that patients in the GCC receive the best eye care treatment in the world.
VADUZ, Liechtenstein, September 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

For the last two years, the Liechtenstein-basedThink- and Action-Tank THE HUS.institute intensively engages with the consequences of the transition to the Digital Modern Era, which marks a turning point for humanity. On 1st September, the collective heldTHE HUS.day 2018 in Vaduz to inspire conversations through speeches and a workshop. The event formed around the matter of sustainability and potential in the Digital Modern. With speakers like Iranian innovator Reza Ghiabi and Marc Buckley, the German/US climate and sustainability expert, the gathering was internationally listed.

In the Digital Modern Era, which we are currently entering, rules of economy and society are literally turned inside out. Exponential digital innovation and human-made phenomenons like globalisation escalate the disruption of "the old world". "The resultant highly complex new rules have to be identified and used in favour of a holistically sustainable future. We are constantly bringing humans from diverse professional and social backgrounds together to discuss about, and work on, these profound paradigm shifts of the Digital Modern," states Co-Founder and German Futurist Christopher Peterka.

Rudi Hilti, Co-Founder, Liechtensteiner and Entrepreneur, draws a positive balance after the first two years. Twenty-seven members from nine countries gathered for Transformers' Day on August 31 to decrypt and develop visions and missions. The expanded network that has emerged makes a dent. For example, THE HUS.institute is in exchange with renowned institutions such as the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) or cultural establishments like Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin. Right after their home base gatherings, the core team will travel to Malmo, Sweden to curate a unique two-part workshop at the innovative congress "The Conference" and spread its mission internationally. Visit their media centre for more insights.

Contact:

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Regina Fasel

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What makes Narendra Modis remarks ominous for the nation is his assertion that during the 6-year period, loans were sanctioned through what he humorously calls phone banking---behest lending at its worst.

"From Independence to 2008, Indian banks gave out Rs 18 lakh crore as loans. In the next six years, the amount touched Rs 52 lakh crore," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 September 2018 while inaugurating the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). This is not the first time that Modi has highlighted this indiscriminate and mindless surge in public sector bank (PSB) lending, bulk of which were for industrial and infrastructure projects.

This writer, too, has been of the view that PSBs never were ideally placed to bankroll infrastructure and other long-term lending. What makes Modis remarks ominous for the nation is his assertion that during the 6-year period, loans were sanctioned through what he humorously calls phone banking---behest lending at its worst.

Loans of this magnitude--Rs 34 lakh crore---should have transformed the nation by now even after granting a lag between investment and its impact on the economy. But what this reckless lending has done is to lay waste the banking sector with gross non performing assets (NPAs) standing at Rs 8,40,958 crore in December 2017, led by industry loans followed by services and agriculture sectors.

The gross NPAs or bad loans of scheduled commercial banks as on 31 December 2017 due to loans to industry were at Rs 6,09,222 crore, accounting for 20.41 percent of the gross advances.

This is unacceptably high pointing to a festering problem plaguing the PSBs in the country. With PSBs under the thrall of the government of the day, there is always temptation to make them dance to its tunes as evident from the alleged missives from the prime ministers office during UPA II recommending further loans to Kingfisher Airlines despite its repeated and massive defaults.

It redounds to the credit of the Modi government that there hasnt been a single behest lending nor any fresh NPA created during its tenure thus far. That private sector banks in India have bucked this trend is significant as it testifies to the fact that power brokers and influence peddlers took liberties with the faceless PSBs thus raising questions about the very wisdom of bank nationalisation started in 1969 by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Even without behest lending souring their fortunes, commercial banks would in any case have courted trouble by lending long-term mainly to infrastructure projects notorious for their long gestation periods. Steel and power companies which figure prominently in the list of companies being sold by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) as well as highway projects are not commercial banks cup of tea given the inevitability of asset-liability mismatch bedeviling their finances sooner than later.

With dice thus heavily loaded against them, PSBs were destined to be in a mess. In the event, the shrill noise made by the Congress President Rahul Gandhi from time to time both in India and abroad about the Modi government selling out its soul to big industrialists for a quid pro quo sounds laughable and ludicrous.

It was the Congress that mollycoddled NPAs and its offshoot ever-greening of loans with schemes such as corporate debt restructuring, strategic debt restructuring, 5/25 and S4A schemes that enabled the banks to kick the can further, i.e. hide NPAs and bury their heads in the sand ostrich-like.

Once again it redounds to the credit of the Modi government and the RBI that all these excuses were rendered untenable with one stroke of the pen with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) withdrawing all of them lock, stock and barrel in February 2018 and insisting on immediate recognition of NPA when its raises its ugly head.

Had the Modi government continued with its mollycoddling of the NPAs, it would have been business as usual with no concern for banks and taxpayers money remaining blocked forever in NPAs.

The Modi government indeed took the NPA bull by its horns. In fact its fight against tax evasion and crony capitalism, behest lending is acknowledged albeit grudgingly even by its detractors.

The vested interests hurt by this no-nonsense attitude of Modi are trying to hit back. It is sad that the Congress is throwing its weight behind them.

The Modi government has not only made banking inclusive with its Jan Dhan initiative but also made bank finances available for the grassroots people and those at the bottom of the heap with its Mudra Yojana initiative that has benefitted some 12 crore people with micro finance loans.

(The author is a senior journalist and tweets @SMurlidharan)
Modi has done a good job of not only putting the economy back on track but nurturing it back to health after the lost decade of UPA years.

They say Rome wasnt built in a day. As Indias economy shows signs of a sustainable, V-shaped recovery, it is a good time to revisit the structural challenges that the Narendra Modi government had received as a gift from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Without that assessment, we may not see the larger picture or appreciate why the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) deserves unequivocal credit for scripting Indias economic turnaround.

While judging a governments performance  especially macro-economic performance  we benchmark it against its predecessor or peers. In this case, we must also note that Congress-led UPA had handed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a deceptively bad script on exit. Modi had to jump through hoops and dig deep into his political capital to ring in structural changes. The short-term pain associated with these reforms scalded Modi, ate into his political capital and handed the Opposition a handy stick to beat him with.

The prime minister deserves praise for staying the course. The accelerated annual economic growth of 8.2 percent in the first quarter of 2019 fiscal is important, but equally so is the steady upward curve despite external and internal headwinds.

last five quarterly GDP growth trend (%)

5.6, 6.3, 7.0, 7.7, 8.2.

impressive upward trend.

difficult to sustain in remaining part of this year. pic.twitter.com/susVWw3FiU  Ajit Ranade (@ajit_ranade) August 31, 2018

On the back of structural reforms aimed at formalising the economy, cleaning up the NPA mess, ending the era of crony capitalists and empowering the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to clean up the banks  the upward trend in growth points to a possible kicking off of a virtuous cycle. This is expected to usher in a growth that is cleaner, not one fueled by toxic debts. The importance of this cannot be overstated.

The NDA government has received much flak from the media and the Opposition over the scooting away of inept and/or dishonest promoters such as Vijay Mallya or Nirav Modi. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has never lost an opportunity to slam the prime minister for 'allowing' crony capitalists to 'loot the country and scoot away'. He is presumably oblivious of the irony that his charges indict the Manmohan Singh government more than it does the Modi government.

While the NDA is certainly responsible for not bolting the door before the horses bolted, it is fair to note that these crooked captains made merry and pushed public sector banks into a massive non performing asset (NPA) crisis during the UPA years. How big an NPA crisis did the UPA preside over? And what impact did it have on the economy?

In a 2016 piece, Firstposts Financial Editor Dinesh Unnikrishnan and Chief Data Analyst Kishor Kadam point out that from Rs 53,917 crore, Indian banks gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) in September 2008, the bad loans have grown to Rs 3,41,641 crore in September 2015. In other words, the total GNPAs of banks, as a percentage of the total loans, has grown from 2.11 percent to 5.08 percent.

In response to a Right to Information (RTI) filed by the Indian Express, the RBI disclosed that while bad debts stood at Rs 15,551 crore for the financial year ending March 2012, they had shot up by over three times to Rs 52,542 crore by the end of March 2015. The report also points out that 29 state-owned banks wrote off a total of Rs 1.14 lakh crore of bad debts between financial years 2013 and 2015, much more than they had done in the preceding nine years.

In his blog, The Gold Standard, Singapore-based analyst V Anantha Nageswaran writes, the economy was nearly dead when the present (Modi) government took office. It has been a struggle for it to breathe life into the economy left comatose by Dr Singhs (Manmohan Singhs) government Indeed, much of Indias present economic fragility is traceable to UPAs errors of omission and commission. Certainly, the public sector banks Non-Performing Assets is a UPA legacy. That is just one of many legacies of his government that India could have done without This gives credence to Modis charge that the NPA was a UPA-era legacy, and that toxic legacy could be counted as a scam bigger than the Commonwealth, 2G and coal scams.

The prime minister has been relentless in pressing this point. He raised the issue in the Lok Sabha during his reply to the motion of thanks on Presidents address, stressing that Congress gave wrong figures as NPAs were 82 percent and not 36 percent and total advance made by banks rose from Rs 18 lakh crore to Rs 52 lakh crore.

On Saturday, while launching a payments bank of the postal department that professes to bring banking to the doorstep of every citizen by leveraging the postal departments 1.55 lakh offices and 3 lakh postmen, Modi claimed the Congress had put the economy on a landmine. He flagged the figure of Rs 52 lakh crore loans in 2014, up from Rs 18 lakh crore in 2008 given since Independence.

The prime minister blamed phone-a-loan scam of the UPA government for the bad loans and asserted that every penny given at the behest of naamdars (dynasts) would be recovered.

Phone banking was not popular. But the naamdars did banking on phone and helped people get loans on phone calls. Whichever industrialist wanted a loan would get the naamdars dial the phone number of the bank Our government has brought the banks of the country at the doorstep of the poor. Otherwise, five years ago, a situation was created that most of the money was reserved for people close to a particular family, said Modi.

In his paper Concentration, Collusion and Corruption in Indias Banks that traces the roots of bad debt crisis in Indian Banks, Sumit K Majumdar of the University of Texas, Dallas, writes in the Economic & Political Weekly that the amount of bad debts that are written off as NPAs are unsustainable for Indian economy. He called it a macroeconomic crisis that for an economy worth $1.5 trillion, the unrecoverable bad debts are around 12 percent of its size. To the author, collusion was an important reason behind the piling up of debts.

He writes: There might have been a quid pro quo between bankers, their appointing authorities in government, and banks large corporate customers such that businesses would support the process of appointment of certain bankers to senior positions. These senior bankers would provide the unworthy customers large amounts as loans. These loans would have been provided in the full knowledge that they would go bad and add to the banks bad debts.

So, while Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi for crony capitalism, the Congress government appears more culpable on this accord. Through its omissions and commissions, the UPA dealt a body blow to Indian economy. To the flight of dishonest promoters, it could be argued as a counter-factual that they were forced to fly the coop when circumstances for arranging loans through telephone banking became difficult under the NDA.

The truth is, cleaning up the toxic-debt fueled economy left behind by the UPA has been one of Modis biggest achievements. He deserves credit for going after the tycoons with single-minded determination.

Former World Bank consultant and Times of India columnist Swaminathan Anklesaria Aiyar notes: The greatest Modi reform has been the IBC [Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code], providing for the exit of crooked or incompetent promoters from companies defaulting on huge loans to banks. For the first time, industrialists are losing control of some of the biggest companies in India. Essar had to sell Essar Oil and has lost control of Essar Steel. Jaypee had to sell its cement plants. A dozen of the biggest defaulters are headed for auction or liquidation, with hundreds more in the queue This is anti-cronyism at last. The rich and powerful are finally being separated from the big businesses they have run badly.

This reflects, as The Economist has noted, a change in the nature of Indian capitalism.

The London-based newspaper observes that for decades, personal connections have provided a well-trodden path to success in Indian business. It goes on to say that one of the reasons why that system is under threat is most tycoons have lost influence in Delhi, as politicians from Modi down realise the toxicity of being seen to be in cahoots with bollygarchs. Some of Indias grandest businessmen complain that they can no longer get in to meet the prime minister, who much prefers wooing foreign bosses instead. To increase transparency, some state assets are now auctioned online.

If the Indian economy has recorded an 8.2 percent growth for the first time in two years, the challenge lies in maintaining the trajectory. It is heartening to see that manufacturing, construction and agriculture sectors have contributed handsomely to the growth. It indicates that the transitory costs of demonetisation and GST are nearly over and the elephant as the IMF had forecast in April, is ready to run. This revival wasnt unexpected and indeed had been predicted by saner commentators who havent let political bias cloud their judgments.

Back in September 2017, when the twin shocks of demonetisation and GST had battered the economy and left the Opposition and a section of the media blaming Modi for economic mismanagement, and even "crony capitalism", JP Morgan chief economist Sajjid Chinoy had pointed out that the point of demonetisation/GST is to formalise the economy. This necessarily involves disrupting supply chains that run through the informal sector. The hope is that eventually these supply chains will be routed through the formal sector domestically. In the transition period, however, some disruption is inevitable, and is being filled by imports. For the economy as a whole, this is tantamount to an adverse supply shock.

That period of disruption seems to be ending. Modi has done a good job of not only putting the economy back on track but nurturing it back to health after the lost decade of UPA years.
The question that should matter most now is whether the incidence of 'black money' in our economy has come down.

When he made that dramatic announcement on 8 November 2016 extinguishing all existing Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated three major objectives of this sudden and draconian announcement. The first was to force the 'black money' back into the formal system. The second was to filter our counterfeit notes, and the last was to cut off terrorist funding.

In November 2016, the total currency in circulation was Rs 17.97 lakh crores, 86 percent of which was in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

It was hailed by the governments drum beaters as a stroke of Modis genius that will result in a bonanza of Rs 3-4 lakh crores to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The governments propaganda machine even showed clips of old notes being dumped in rivers and wells.

The picture being painted was of the corrupt and the tax evaders being scared out of their wits and just dumping the cash. But the people of India are made of sterner stuff and today 99.83 percent of the extinguished cash has come back to the RBI and it is still counting.

In 2016, there was indeed a problem with counterfeits. In 2014-15 they rose by 22 percent to almost 6 lakh pieces. In 2015-16, of the counterfeits detected, 415 were in 500s, 35 percent in 100s and the rest in 1000s. These are notes in flow, and assume that an equal number are sitting in dormant stock.

Consider this against the fact that in April last year there were 1646 crores of 500s and 1642 crores of 100s in circulation. They were still small change, not distorting the system by much. A better way could have been found to filter them out by an orderly exchange of high value notes.

And as for terrorism in J&K and Naxalism in central and eastern India, there is no hard evidence of such activities abating. Now, the government has let us know that the 'cancer' has spread to urban areas and the 'Urban Maoists' were planning to buy 400,000 under-barrel grenade launchers. Clearly, imaginations are running riot or the problems have become bigger. It is more likely the former.

By taking out that much money from the market, the government inflicted a huge pain on an economy where 98 percent of all transactions accounting for 68 percent of the value are in cash. At any given time, about 150 million workers in the informal sector are daily wage earners and are still paid in cash.

With the abrupt sucking out of 86 percent of the cash, it was this cohort who bore the brunt of the assault. The vacuuming of the cash led to huge job losses and tens of millions just went back to their villages. The economic costs have been estimated to be at least Rs 225,000 crores or 1.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that year.

Let us look at some official data to understand the huge cost inflicted. In the past few days, the government spokesman and their phalanx of increasingly desperate drum beaters in the media have been exulting over the Q2 GDP growth having touched 8.2 percent. The Q2 quarter is always the high GDP growth quarter. This is mostly because government and private expenditures are rushed through to beat the year ending closure of the books.

The Q2 growth in 2015 was 8.4 percent. The Q2 growth in 2016 was 8.1 percent. As a matter of fact Q1 2016 clocked 9.1 percent, suggesting that we were heading north that year. Following the self-inflicted injury of demonetisation, Q2 growth in 2017 plummeted to 5.6 percent. Now Q2 2018 growth has clawed back to 8.2 percent. It just means we have resumed on the old track and that lost a year and at least Rs 225,000 crores on a hare-brained diversion. Some economists, Manmohan Singh being notable among them, actually estimate the net loss in the year that followed to be around 2 percent of GDP, taking it closer to Rs 300,000 crores.

The physical and mental anguish to the 150 million daily wage families can never be measured. How can you measure the pain of hungry children and agonised parents?

But there are other costs that can be quantified. It is estimated that the cost of printing replacement notes, re-configuring the automated teller machine (ATMs) and the logistics of rushing through the printing of new notes and transporting them to the banks was around Rs 40,000 crores.

In recent days, there have been reports emanating from China that a good quantity of the Rs 2,000 notes were printed in Chinese security presses on a job work basis. Since counterfeiting was supposedly a major concern of the suspicious minds in the PMO, the cost of this is yet to be estimated or felt.

The question that should matter most now is whether the incidence of 'black money' in our economy has come down. Sure income tax collections have spiked a bit. But that is mostly because of the back pays and new pays due to the generosity of the Seventh Pay Commission that gave 2.35 crores of government employees a 24 percent across the board hike. All government employees are now in the tax paying levels.

The number of I-T returns had been growing at a good pace since 2010. Following demonetisation in November 2016, the returns filed for 2017-18 increased by 99.49 lakhs to 6.84 crores tax payers. This was 16.3 percent more than the addition of 85.52 lakhs returns filed in 2016-17.

This is quite logical considering that the economy has been growing by about 7 percent for many years and that according to Oxfams estimates, 73 percent of the growth has been accumulating with the top 1 percent. It is also known that this 1 percent also accounts for 58 percent of Indias wealth. So why should it come as a surprise that the number of taxpayers too has been increasing?

Finally, the big question that still remains is, why did the government go after the cash component of 'black money' when it only accounts for about 5 percent of the total tax evaded income. The rest is held in cash abroad, land and property, jewellery and gold. Unearthing this will take some doing and in doing so the officialdom and its political masters will only generate more 'black money'.

And consider this, as much as 55 percent of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) investment coming in (about $44 billon last year) is actually Indian-owned money round tripping its way back from the economy it fled from. Is the government now going to look at this gift horse in the mouth by asking these ECBs to declare their origins?

(The writer is Chairman, Centre for Policy Alternatives)
Farooq Abdullah criticised ASG Tushar Mehta for saying during the Article 35A hearing in Supreme Court that 'there's an aspect of gender discrimination' in it.

Srinagar: National Conference president Sunday has denounced the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) for saying in the Supreme Court that "there is an aspect of gender discrimination" in Article 35A of the Constitution. The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar was reacting to the stand taken by the ASG Tushar Mehta in the apex court last Friday.

During the hearing, the ASG had agreed to the contention that Article 35A and certain aspects needed to be debated and said, "It can't be denied that there is an aspect of gender discrimination in it (Article 35A)."

"Such a statement, if made before the SC on behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir government indicates that instead of defending Article 35A and asking for the challenge to be dismissed based on on the earlier Constitution bench judgment, the state government has virtually conceded before the SC that some parts of Article 35A deserves to be struck down," Abdullah said in a statement.

He also expressed concern that the Advocate General of Jammu and Kashmir has been virtually sidelined and made to take a back seat in such a sensitive litigation concerning the unique legal history and constitutional status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir under Section 42 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The advocate general is appointed for the state and is obligated to represent and defend the interests of the people of the state. He is the constitutional authority and a guardian of the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir before all courts," Abdullah said.

He asked the government of Jammu and Kashmir to take immediate steps to ensure that the state does not facilitate the striking down of Article 35A by its subtle support and admissions made before the Supreme Court.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court deferred till January next year the crucial hearing on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to the natives of Jammu and Kashmir, after the Centre and the state said that polls to local bodies there would go on till December.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra was told by Attorney General KK Venugopal and the ASG, representing the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government, respectively, that the issue of Article 35A was "very sensitive" and keeping in mind the law and order aspect, the hearing be held in January or March, 2019.

Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs.

During the hearing, a lawyer gave an illustration and said if a native woman of the state married an outsider, she loses several rights, including property rights, in the state, but if a man marries a Pakistani women, he and his spouse both get all the rights.

The ASG, however, agreed to the contention that Article 35A and certain aspects needed to be debated and said, "It can't be denied that there is an aspect of gender discrimination in it (Article 35A)."

On 6 August, the Supreme Court had said a three-judge bench would decide whether the pleas challenging Article 35A should be referred to a five-judge constitution bench to examine the larger issue of alleged violation of the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution.

Several petitions, including by political parties like the National Conference and the CPM, have also moved the Supreme Court in support of Article 35A, which empowers the state Assembly to define "permanent residents" to bestow special rights and privileges to them.

An NGO, 'Ikkjut Jammu', has also filed a plea seeking quashing of the provision. It has said that Article 35A furthers the "two-nation theory, which is against the theory of secularism".

The state government, while defending the article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the president under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders.
The Delhi High Court order with regards to arrest of journalist Gautam Navlakha in Bhima Koregaon violence, dictated by Justice S Muralidhar, is a remarkable document and must be read by all citizens. In this instance the judiciary itself that has revealed the problems within it.

In India, we often hear people say, I have full faith in the judiciary and that the law will take its own course".

I do not use these phrases and I have little faith in the judicial system. The law almost never takes its own course in India. The state is always up to mischief against the citizen and the judiciary usually does not resist it. Let me illustrate this by looking at the case about which we are hearing so much these days, the arrest of five individuals whom this government, and its media, are calling "urban Naxals".

I will urge readers to withhold their opinion about these individuals, particularly based on what they are hearing and reading in the media. It is nonsense. The individuals should not have been arrested and in any civilised democracy (which India is not) this would not have happened because civilised democracies have functioning judiciaries that protect the rights of citizens. They are not enthusiastic about rubber-stamping whatever the state produces before them that violates our rights.

I accept that in the current instance it is also the judiciary itself that has revealed the problems within it. I do not mean the Supreme Court, but the Delhi High Court. A two-judge bench was looking at the arrest and transit remand of one of the five individuals, Gautam Navlakha. This courts order on the matter, dictated by Justice S Muralidhar, is a remarkable document and must be read by all citizens. It is 10 pages of clarity, precision and elegance.

It tells the following story:

On 28 August, Gautam Navlakha was arrested from Delhi. The police did not have a search warrant and were not allowed to enter his house. They went back and returned with a warrant.

The basis of the case was an FIR filed about an event held on 31 December, 2017. Gautam was not named in that FIR. He says he was not even present at the meeting. The charge of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (which is the law the government uses against terrorism) was not originally mentioned in the original FIR. It only had sections related to promoting disharmony. After his arrest, Gautam had to be taken to Pune. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Saket in Delhi, Manish Khurana, allowed transit remand to take him to Pune. The transit remand application was made in Hindi. However, the documents that were produced before the magistrate were mostly in Marathi.

The Delhi High Court said: It is not possible to make out from these documents what precisely the case against the petitioner is. The question we as citizens should ask is: then why was permission for the transit remand given by the magistrate?

The High Court ordered that the case would be heard the following day, and that the documents that were shown to the magistrate should be translated from Marathi. Meanwhile, Gautam was to be taken back to the place where the police had picked him up from.

In the morning, the advocate for the police said that the translation was taking more time and the court gave till afternoon. At 2.15 pm, the court was shown a few pages, including the FIR translated into English but with much of the material still in Marathi.

The police lawyer asked for still more time, which the court did not give.

The court then said that it was "concerned with the legality of the arrest" and "legality of transit remand passed by the learned CMM". It said the FIR did not mention Navlakha, so what evidence was produced before the CMM? It asked the Maharashtra Police officers present this question: whether at any time during the proceedings before the learned CMM, the learned CMM asked to see the case diary in which purportedly the relevant material concerning the involvement of the Petitioner is contained.

The police said no. It was revealed that the case diary is also in Marathi. The police lawyer then said that Gautam could apply for regular bail so there was real problem. To this the Delhi High Court pointed out that under UAPA, it would be extremely difficult to get regular bail till at least the time of filing of the charge sheet".

It was at this stage, on 29 August, that the police lawyer said that the Supreme Court had intervened. The Delhi High Court then said it would no longer be appropriate for it to continue hearing about the validity of the transit remand.

As we now know, the Supreme Court is to hear this again on 6 September. Many of us will be watching what it does with great interest.
An FIR against Robert Vadra, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and two companies  DLF and Onkareshwar Properties  has been registered in Gurugram.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were on Saturday booked by Haryana Police for alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurugram.

An FIR against Vadra, Hooda and two companies  DLF and Onkareshwar Properties  has been registered at Kherki Daula police station in Gurugram, Manesar Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Kumar told PTI.

"We received a complaint on Saturday from one Surinder Sharma, resident of Nuh, in which he alleged irregularities in the land deals," he said.

Gurugram Commissioner of Police KK Rao confirmed the FIR to The Indian Express and said, "further investigations are on." Kumar was quoted in the report as saying, "We have begun investigations. If need be, all those named as accused would be questioned on their role, as alleged by the complainant."

In February, Hooda and 33 others were chargesheeted by the CBI in another case of alleged corruption. That chargesheet was related to land deals in Manesar, Naurangpur and Lakhnoula villages of Gurugram, alleging a scam totaling Rs 1,500 crore.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had made the land deals a major poll issue in 2014, alleging that Vadra benefited through questionable land use permissions granted by the earlier Congress government in the state.

The new FIR said that Vadra's company Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd purchased 3.5 acres of land in Gurugram's Sector 83 from Onkareshwar Properties for Rs 7.50 crore in 2008, when Hooda was the chief minister and also held the portfolio of the Town and Country Planning Department.

Later, Skylight Hospitality sold this land to realty major DLF at a price of Rs 58 crore, after procuring a commercial licence for the development of the colony with the influence of Hooda, Sharma alleged. The company thus made a profit of about Rs 50 crore, according to the allegation which has been trashed in the past by Vadra.

In return, the state government allotted 350 acres of land to DLF at Wazirabad in Gurugram in violation of rules, Sharma claimed. In the alleged quid pro quo, the realty major made Rs 5,000 crore.

The Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government had on 14 May, 2015, set up a one-man commission to probe the grant of licences by the Department of Town and Country Planning for developing housing and commercial colonies in Gurugram's Sector 83. This included the alleged deals between Skylight Hospitality and DLF.

The Justice SN Dhingra Commission, formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, had examined the licences given by the then Hooda government for developing real estate in four Gurugram villages of Sihi, Shikohpur, Kherki Daula and Sikanderpur Bada.

Vadra and Hooda have now been booked under sections 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the IPC, and Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The complainant said the payment to Onkareshwar Properties was through a cheque, which was mentioned in registered deed. Onkareshwar Properties never deposited the cheque, the complainant alleged. It indicated that it was a shell company, Sharma claimed in the FIR.

Hooda, however, termed the new FIR as "political vendetta" on Saturday. According to The Times of India, Hooda said, "These are all tactics by the BJP government to divert the attention of the people from its failures."

The Indian Express reported Hooda as saying, "No wrongdoing took place during my tenure. This is is a failed government, they are getting these things done to hide their failures. It is a complaint orchestrated by the BJP."

Meanwhile, Vadra underplayed the FIR saying there's nothing new in the case. "It's election season, there has been an increase in oil prices so the government thought, let us divert the real issues that affect people with Robert Vadra's decade old issue. What's new in this?" he was quoted as saying by News18.

BJP leader Jawahar Yadav said, "This is not a personal fight. This is our collective fight against corruption. The BJP government in state and at the Centre does not tolerate corruption at any cost."

With inputs from agencies
IKEA's food safety team team will also visit the Nagpur Haldiramis and investigate the matter.

A customer at the IKEA store in Hyderabad allegedly found a caterpillar in his food on Friday, following which the the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) fined the store management Rs 11,500, according to media reports.

The customer, Abeed Mohammad had tweeted a picture of the worm he found in his Veg Biryani and alerted the Food Safety Officer at GHMC.

The municipal corporation has now issued a notice to the IKEA restaurant manager and its Nagpur vendor-Haldirams, from where they procure their food items, said The Indian Express.

India Today reported that on Saturday, GHMC's Food Safety Officer, food inspector of special zone and Assistant Medical Officer of Health (AMOH) along with other officials collected food samples for bacteriological analysis and quarantined the remaining Veg Biryani.

IKEA's food safety team team is also expected to visit Haldirams and investigate the matter, reported The Indian Express.

Mumbai Mirror quoted an IKEA spokesperson who said, "We regret the incident and apologise to our customer for the unfortunate experience. We would like to assure him and everyone else that we are investigating the matter currently to assess what happened and take immediate corrective action. At IKEA, we have the strictest guidelines when it comes to food safety and quality as customer health and safety are something we care about deeply."

The first IKEA store in India opened on 9 August, five years after IKEA received government approval in 2013 to invest Rs 10,500 crore to open 25 stores in India by 2025. Its next store will open in Navi Mumbai in 2019, followed by Bengaluru and Delhi. In the next phase, IKEA would cover Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata.
In some places in Kerala, authorities have been unable to develop an effective system to distribute aid to flood-affected people.

Editor's note: Described as one of the worst since 1924 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the rains in Kerala have left 483 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.

***

Should India create a special rescue entity that can be pressed into service when Nature displays her wrath, or when people are displaced by acts of violence? The existing institutions  National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the National Disaster Management Authority  are more think tanks, and are unwieldy and bureaucratic in their nature. Their foot soldiers are inadequate. The National Contingency Action Plan is good on paper, but it hardly even got a mention in the current Kerala situation.

These set-ups, staffed and headed by top political appointees, do not get down and dirty. What is called for is a dedicated unit.

In the ongoing operation to resettle hundreds of thousands of people affected by the Kerala floods, a significant question is why authorities are unable to get it right in terms of delivering aid to the affected people. Even as we speak, Assam and other northeastern states are gearing up for heavy rains. Although people have been warned of the possibility of flooding and landslides, the safety systems are ad hoc and reactive, and they are not operated by professional people. It is imperative to work on this aspect. In a country which faces a problem of unemployment, it is common sense to train people in multiple disciplines which are aimed at responding to disasters.

The wealthy have made announcements of huge donations to the Kerala relief fund, and some have even sent out press releases to that effect. The controversy generated in India over the UAEs generous offer to help financially  never mind the figure  has faded, but left a coppery taste in the mouth. Over 100 associations and groups with Malayali connections in the Emirates, who had come out galloping with good intent and made elaborate plans, have quietened down.

Commenting on this aspect, Chandra Prakash, India Assist's Director, UAE, and also the head of the Indian Peoples Forum said that while volunteers had lined up, there was no system in place. According to him, personnel deployed to distribute aid were not trained in creating functional supply lines. He said that it is time that India should have a dedicated task force that is mobilised in times of crisis. He cited the example of Dubais International Humanitarian City (IHC), where properly trained military-style planning ensures immediate and prioritised responses.

The IHC says this about itself: it has been created as a logistics centre for the distribution of humanitarian aid. The IHC now hosts nine United Nations agencies, and more than 40 NGOs and commercial entities  all engaged in delivering aid, both in crises and to support long-term economic development. Members range from purely logistics entities to educational, research and media offices.

The IHC has more than 300 staff members and 93,000 square metres of warehousing, plus facilities for offices, training and conferences, and a dedicated space to host evacuated aid workers during violent conflict. Members store a broad range of emergency aid items, ranging from water purifiers to portable offices to vehicles. Communications equipment, specialised foods, medicines, tents and blankets form a large part of the inventory. A major user is the UN Humanitarian Response Depot  an umbrella logistics network servicing both the UN and NGO partners  UNHCR, WFP, the Red Crescent and Red Cross, OCHA, UNICEF, UN University, UNDP, UNDSS, WHO, and World Vision.

Their response teams can go into areas of conflict and those hit by natural disasters. For India, such an entity would be able to professionally ensure supply lines, oversee proper distribution, reduce wastage and eliminate heartburn caused by the politicisation of human misery.

There have been some distribution issues with the aid being sent to Kerala. Over 100 containers reached the state from the Emirates, but the segregation of perishable and long-lasting items has been a grey area, with perishables not being distributed before their sell-by date and non-perishables being given precedence, especially in Alappuzha district. Prakash said that in Alappuzha, there have been cases in which one side of the road got excess aid, and the other got nothing, depending on who was doing the distribution.

The process of rebuilding Kerala has only just begun.
Replicating the same spirit that spurred a huge volunteer force into action in Kerala during the floods, people from the state are now helping crowdfund the mammoth rebuilding effort via social media

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.

A year ago  on 16 September, 2017 to be precise  US territory Puerto Rico was struck by Hurricane Maria that killed some 3,000 people. Puerto Rico is still struggling to get $139bn in federal help. But before the billions came, the balloons did.

Under Project Loon, Googles parent company Alphabet launched helium balloons over Puerto Rico to restore internet connectivity destroyed by Maria. It helped about a lakh people connect with the outside world. Only then followed help from corporate giants and relief organisations.

Puerto Rico is a good, recent example of what technology and internet could do to aid rescue and relief work when a disaster strikes. Kerala has now become another example, perhaps a better one.

No balloons went up in Kerala, and even drones that are increasingly common in search and rescue operations during disasters were put to limited use. But the people of Kerala, more than its government, deployed what is by now a basic technology tool: social media. Even the good old ham radio came in handy for those willing to help.

Power of social media

Helpful citizens used social media to communicate to the rest of India and the world, effectively and in no uncertain terms, the real enormity of the damage, spurring a huge volunteer force into action within the state. Teams from the army, navy and other states like Odisha did a remarkable job rescuing marooned people, but local volunteer groups, especially fishermen, proved exemplary on the ground.

And in what will no doubt be a model worth replicating, the same volunteer spirit is now helping crowdfund the mammoth rebuilding effort that will soon be underway.

Contributions totalling as much as Rs 1,032 crore have poured into the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

Social media has widely publicised the different ways in which contributions can be made to the fund. Though amounts small as well as big have been coming into the account from across the country, it is primarily the well-known inclination of Malayalees to help fellow Malayalees in trouble that is at its best. Small donations amounting to Rs 43 crore that came into CMDRF through Paytm are a fair indication of how sympathetic people are contributing their mite.

This may pale into insignificance, considering the gigantic reconstruction that the state needs and what it costs. One out of every two villages in Kerala was inundated, affecting one out of every six person in the state. While official toll stands at 483, about a lakh buildings were fully or partially damaged. The destruction took in its sweep some 96,000 kilometre of roads, 220 bridges and 57,000 hectares of agricultural land. The states famed tourism sector, one of its primary sources of revenue, is in a shambles. Thousands of people have lost their sources of livelihoods. The state pegs its total loss at Rs 20,000 crore for the time being.

People invite quick help

But thanks to the awareness raised by the states literate population via social media about the sheer extent of the damage, help was quick to come from everywhere. The Reliance Foundation tops the list of corporate donors with Rs 71 crore aid in cash and kind, while Telangana with Rs 25 crore, followed by Maharashtra with Rs 20 crore, has led the 23 states that have contributed Rs 207 crore so far.

The initial fears that Kerala would be deprived of funds from the Centre as well as foreign sources are slowly giving way for optimism. The Centre has repeatedly assured the state that the Rs 600 crore aid it has announced is only for immediate relief, and more assistance would be on the way for rehabilitation. Though the Centre has ruled out donations from foreign governments, it's encouraging aid from foreign institutions.

World Bank aid on way

Its likely that Kerala may ask the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for loans totalling at least $500 million or Rs 3,500 crore, though it may get only a fraction of it. After the 2004 tsunami, Tamil Nadu received a loan of $100 million from the two banks and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The World Bank, whose team visited Kerala last week at Centres behest, has already said it would provide the state an interim assistance of Rs 388 crore from funds the state is already getting for other projects.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was being practical when he said on Saturday that there were limitations on the Centres part to fully compensate the damage. "The state has to find resources to overcome the shortage of funds..., he said.

And thats what the Vijayan government seems to be trying to do. The state plans to net Rs 230 crore by hiking the excise duty on liquor and Rs 100 crore more through a special lottery with each ticket costing Rs 250. And the state is banking on raising Rs 10,500 crore from the market if the Centre allows it to raise its market-borrowing limit from 3 percent of its GDP to 4.5 percent.

Citizens initiatives the key

The myth of Kerala being better-governed and its overrated Kerala development model notwithstanding, its the community enterprises and citizens initiatives that have made the state what it is today and its the same collective peoples effort that will also, perhaps, largely see the state through the current tragedy.



A significant number of people who depend on remittances from Gulf countries where their family members work are likely to help themselves. For instance, there are 43 emigrants to the Gulf from every 100 households in flood-affected Pathanamthitta district. The figure is 29 in Thrissur, another district affected in the floods.

Overseas Malayalees  25 lakh in the Gulf and nearly an equal number in other parts of the world  sent as much as Rs 75,000 crore home last year. Besides helping their own families back home, the expatriates can be depended upon to help the states rebuilding effort in a big way. Vijayan knows it and is despatching ministers to foreign shores to tap the non-resident Malayalis.

The author tweets @sprasadindia
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan left Sunday for the US for medical treatment, sources said.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan left Sunday for the US for medical treatment, sources said. He left for treatment at Mayo Clinic and was expected to be back after three weeks, they said.

He was supposed to have left for the US on Monday. During his absence, Industries Minister EP Jayarajan would receive donations towards the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) at the Chief Minister's Office, a release said.

Vijayan, 73, had Saturday called on Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam and briefed him about his trip abroad for treatment.

The chief minister had also updated the governor about the steps initiated by the government for rebuilding Kerala and for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people. Vijayan was originally scheduled to go for treatment on August 19 and return by the middle of this month.

He postponed the trip due to the unexpected floods that ravaged the state and claimed more than 400 lives. The chief minister had undergone a routine annual medical check up at Apollo Hospitals at Chennai on 3 March.
The process of land acquisition in Maharashtra for the bullet train project, including in Palghar district, would be completed by this year end, a top official of the NHSRCL said on Saturday.

Mumbai: The process of land acquisition in Maharashtra for the bullet train project, including in Palghar district, would be completed by this year end, a top official of the NHSRCL said on Saturday.

He said a service road would also come up along the high speed corridor, save some section, for the use of the general public.

"There were apprehensions in people's mind and misconceptions. We have managed to clear those issues and win their trust....by December end we will be able to complete the acquisition process, said managing director of National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, Achal Khare.

He was addressing a press conference at Virathan Khurd village in Palghar, one of the 73 project affected villages.

Palghar has seen continued agitations surrounding land acquisition with villagers declining to part their lands for the project.

However, an official of the project execution agency said 45 villages out of 73 in the district have given their consent to the land acquisition process.

"There were apprehensions among the people that we would be acquiring 200 feet of land when the requirement is only 60 feet. We also engaged Marathi speaking officials to reach out to them and engage in conversations with them about the project and allay their concerns," Khare said.

Parashuram Kashinath Gaikwad, one of the likely affected families in Virathan Khurd, said they would not budge from their position unless a job is offered to a family member.

About 110 kilometres of the 508 kilometre-train corridor passes through Palghar. The project requires an estimated 300 hectares across 73 villages, affecting about 3,000 people, in the stretch. Land acquisition for the Japan-backed $17 billion bullet train  that will cut down the distance from Mumbai to Ahmedabad to under three hours from the usual seven  is being bitterly opposed by tribals and fruit growers in Palghar district.

Khare said alternative source of employment would get generated once the project comes up, though providing jobs as demanded may not be feasible.

He said skill sets would be imparted to the people as the project would throw open many opportunities, including the need for drivers.

We will ensure their self employment," he said.

Apparently indicating the involvement of some elements with vested interests in the land acquisition process, he claimed that the protest is not from the affected people.

"We have cut the involvement of middle men and hopefully we will get the land issue sorted with their support," Khare said.

The 508-kilometre high-speed corridor will connect Ahmedabad with Mumbai, with the train speed expected to touch a peak of 320 kmph.
There was an 85-day-long agitation at Manipur University, during which MUTA and MUSA demanded Vice-Chancellor AP Pandey's removal over administrative and financial irregularities.

Imphal: Days after the agitation at Manipur University was suspended following the intervention of the human resource development (HRD) ministry and the state government, Vice-Chancellor AP Pandey, who is at the centre of the row, issued a statement, banning two protesting bodies at the institute.

The vice-chancellor, who was sent on leave on 2 August, said in the statement on Saturday that he has assumed charge, and that the HRD ministry, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and Chief Secretary J Suresh Babu had been intimated about the development.

"The Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) are hereby being been banned with immediate effect as the Manipur University Act, 2005, does not have provisions for the existence of employees' bodies," Pandey said.

Academic activities resumed in the central university on 24 August, a day after the Manipur University Students' Union, along with MUTA and MUSA, called off their 85-day-long agitation, demanding Pandey's immediate removal over administrative and financial irregularities.

They called off the protest after a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed with representatives of HRD ministry and the state government. The agitators, in a symbolic gesture, had unlocked the doors of the administrative block office and other departments of the university.

In July, the HRD ministry had formed a fact-finding committee, headed by a retired chief justice of Meghalaya, to investigate the allegations against the vice-chancellor.

In his statement, Pandey said it was inevitable to curb the activities of both MUTA and MUSA to bring "order and discipline" to the university. "Disciplinary actions will be initiated against any employee of the university involved in the activities of both the bodies," he added.

Pandey's statement triggered resentment in the university community.

MUTA spokesperson Debananda Singh told media on Sunday that Pandey's resumption of duty will "disturb normalcy on the campus". He sought the intervention of Chief Minister Biren Singh and the HRD ministry in the matter.

In a joint communique, the protesting bodies threatened to resume their agitation if the "competent authorities do not take appropriate action on or before 4 September".

The agitators claimed that the orders issued by Pandey were "null and void" as the investigation into the allegations leveled against him was still pending. They also expressed disappointment over the fact that the HRD ministry-appointed committee had not arrived at the university yet to carry out its investigation.

MUTA president I Tomba said the protesters will not allow Pandey to enter the university campus. "Our demand for Pandey's removal remains steadfast, and any attempt to suppress it will not be tolerated. The Pandey issued is an insult to the university community."
Nirmala Sitharaman r was accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and visited a forward post in north Kashmir on Sunday morning

Srinagar: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and discussed the prevailing security situation in the state.

"Sitharaman met the Governor at Rajbhawan in Srinagar and the two discussed issues related to security along the Line of Control and hinterland of the state," officials said.

According to officials, the defence minister was accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and visited a forward post in north Kashmir on Sunday morning.

They said Sitharaman visited Balbir Post where she interacted with the troops of 28 Infantry Division. "She is the first defence minister to visit the Balbir post," the officials added.
Initially, police officials said they were verifying whether the bags recovered from the Haridevpur area contained bodies of newborns or foetuses

Kolkata: The 14 plastic bags recovered from a vacant piece of land in the southern part of the city contained only medical waste and not bodies of newborns or foetuses as stated earlier, police said Sunday.

Initially, police officials said they were verifying whether the bags recovered from the Haridevpur area contained bodies of newborns or foetuses.

Later at a press conference, DC South West Division Nilanjan Biswas said it appeared the bags contained foetuses.

Following what seemed a shocking revelation, Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar and other officials rushed to the spot.

Within an hour of his earlier comment, Biswas took a U-turn saying after examination at a hospital it was found that the bags contained medical waste and there was "no sign of any human foetus".

"The plastic bags actually contained medical waste, it was found later," another official said.

According to officials, the plastic bags were found on the grassy land on Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani under the Haridevpur Police station area when labourers were cleaning the patch.
President gives assent to three state bills, including a legislation which will smoothen the process of reconstructing dilapidated buildings or a complex of buildings in land-starved Mumbai.

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to three state bills, including a legislation which will smoothen the process of reconstructing dilapidated buildings or a complex of buildings in land-starved Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Apartment Ownership (Amendment) Bill, the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill, 2017 have got the presidential nod, a home ministry official said.

The Maharashtra Apartment Ownership (Amendment) Bill will facilitate reconstruction of old and dilapidated buildings, especially in Mumbai, by allowing "majority consent of the owners instead of unanimous consent".

There are hundreds of buildings in Mumbai which could not be redeveloped as not all the flat owners have given their consent, leading to fear of building collapse and other problems. According to the new legislation, the consent of 51 percent of the residents will be required for reconstruction or repair of old and dilapidated buildings, the official said. The Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling (Amendment) Bill, 2017 seek to amend the Agricultural Land Ceiling Act, enacted in 1960.

The purpose of these legislations is to ensure that land surrounded by factories, but unsuitable for farming and lying unused can be given to the industries which are keen on expanding operations. A provision in the 2017 bill allows the allotment of land to such industries, which will be required to make available equivalent quantum of land in lieu of land given to them by the government.

The old Agricultural Land Ceiling Act, 1960 restricted a person from owning agricultural land beyond a certain limit, and it also empowered the government to acquire surplus land from such owners. The key purpose of Act was to bring parity, as the government could allot such land acquired from influential people to those who did not have agricultural land.

The first bill was proposed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat. The then UPA government at the Centre had rejected and returned it to the state. The Opposition Congress in Gujarat had also opposed it in 2015, saying the amendments to the bill defeated the purpose of the original Act of 1960.
Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe, spanning over eight days.

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe, spanning over eight days.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the president is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several other officials.

On the first leg of his journey, President Kovind will be visiting Cyprus, where he will hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral ties.

President Kovind will also meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris. He will address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus and address members of the Indian Diaspora.

Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of over $9.2 billion. There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in the past couple of years, and President Kovind's visit is expected to further strengthen the economic ties.

From Cyprus, President Kovind will proceed to Bulgaria on 4 September, where he is scheduled to meet Bulgarian president Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

He will also address a business forum in Bulgaria and deliver a lecture at the Sofia University. At present, India-Bulgaria annual trade stands at $315 million.

On the last leg of the journey, President Kovind will visit the Czech Republic from 6 to 9 September, where he will hold discussion on issues of mutual concern with Czech president Milos Zeman.

President Kovind will also address business representatives from the two countries and interact with students at the Charles University.
The family of the Trinamool Congress alleged that the Opposition BJP had kidnapped and murdered him for supporting the rival party.

Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress (TMC) activist was found dead in Bhangar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Sunday. He was reported missing since Saturday night, the police said.

While the relative of the deceased claimed that the activist for the state ruling party was killed by Opposition party workers, the police said they have not found any proof of murder.

"The body of Shibu Debnath, a Trinamool Congress worker was found in a pond near his house in Bhangar's Saitgachi on Sunday morning. There are no injury marks on the deceased's body," a senior officer from the Bhangar Police Station said.

"We have got the news that the man was drunk. He consumed alcohol thrice on Saturday. The body has been sent for autopsy to find out how he died. No proof of him being murdered has been found yet," he said.

Debnath's family members accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of kidnapping and killing him. "He suddenly went missing yesterday (on Saturday). We guess that he was kidnapped and murdered by some BJP workers as he supported the Trinamool Congress," a relative claimed.

Villages in Bhangar have witnessed a massive unrest over the construction of a power grid in the area for the past year. There have been violent clashes between anti-power grid agitators and TMC workers several times, including at the time of the state rural polls in May.
The first woman from the Tilwani village [Maharashtras Kolhapur district] to pick up the occupation of puncture repairing, and a proud feminist, today everyone in the village calls her Awale maam.

This story is part of a series on the everyday heroes of rural Maharashtra.

I dont (feel) fear. I am a courageous woman, says 67-year-old Babytai Awale who has been battling patriarchy and casteism for close to three decades now. The first woman from Tilwani village [Maharashtras Kolhapur district] to pick up the occupation of puncture repairing, and a proud feminist, today everyone in the village calls her Awale maam.

The strenuous path

After getting married at the age of 18, Babytais life took a turn for the worse as her alcoholic husband would beat her up every day for no reason. She narrates,

I couldnt run away with my four children. Who would have looked after them? I always thought that todays bad times will definitely change and for this, I have tolerated a lot. I always wanted my children to grow up fast so that they could bring an end to the violence. A few years after starting the shop, my husband stopped drinking alcohol and also stopped beating and abusing me.

In 1989, her husband took a bank loan of Rs 5,000 and bought six cycles which he could rent out on a daily basis. He started his own puncture repairing shop near the entrance of the Tilwani village on the Kolhapur road. Whatever little money we earned, he would spend it on alcohol, she says. Two decades after her marriage [at the age of 38], Babytai decided to bring about a transformation in her life.

Now, the entire responsibility of looking after the kids and earning money fell over her. Once I went to the shop [in 1989] and within two hours I observed and learned how to remove a puncture, she says proudly. After two months of starting the shop, Babytai took the first step in battling patriarchy and alcoholism.

During those years, she would rent out cycle to the villagers at Rs 1 for every hour and at Rs 18 for the entire day. This brought in a constant source of minimum income for Babytai which she invested in repaying the loan and her childrens education. Within three years, Babytai repaid the bank loan. A lot of people dont pay me for removing the puncture. Thats the subsidy I give to people, she says laughing. Seven years ago a person had kept his license as he couldnt pay the money. Till date, he hasnt come back to collect the license. I think he doesnt need it, she says smilingly.

Back then she got Rs 2 for removing a cycles puncture, Rs 5 for a two-wheeler and Rs 40 for a four-wheeled vehicle. Every day I wake up, take a bath and walk with my shops keys proudly, just like men do, she says. Babytai starts off her work at nine in the morning after completing the household chores and continues till about 7.30 in the evening. Every day she manages to earn Rs 350 and says, Now, I am completely independent.

People are surprised to see a woman doing this work. With my permission they take my photos and send it to their friends on WhatsApp narrating my story, she says. A lot of people stop around and praise her work every day. Once a police inspector from Kolhapur clicked my photo and sent it to his department commending my work, she adds.

Recently, she learned the art of removing the puncture of tubeless tyres and says, A few months back I saw a man working on the tubeless puncture. I observed it carefully and now I can do the same in five minutes.

For the past one year, Babytai has been serving as the vice chairman of the Jaywant Vikas Credit Society [For farmers] in Tilwani village. After looking at my decades of hard work, I was made the vice chairman, she elaborates. On the Independence Day in 2017, she hoisted the national flag in the village. That was one of the best moments of my life, she says.

In 2007, the Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) in their yearly calendar published Babytais photo in which she is photographed removing the puncture of a heavy motored vehicle. Her daughter Lata, in her late 40s, and elder son, Sandeep, 28 work in the nearby garment industry. Her younger son, Vinod, in his mid-20s, is a plumber.

The difficult past

She couldnt complete her education beyond grade IV because of the financial condition. For 1.5 years my mother was not keeping well. Eventually, I had to quit education, she recollects. Her father, the late Tukaram practiced the caste-based occupation of making brooms in the nearby Pattan Kodoli village.

My kutcha house fell thrice in three decades, she says. With the puncture work, Babytai started saving up for her house and in 2003 she managed to build a pucca house. You have to stand again just like the wrestlers who rise up every time after they fall, she says proudly.

In 2012-13, her husband suffered from a paralysis attack. We spent Rs 15,000 on the treatment. With the help of my sons, I managed to pay the bills, she recollects.

Casteism

We were not allowed to enter any temple in the village because of untouchability. People from our caste [Matang] were considered untouchables. Upper caste women would slightly lift their sarees when we passed by so that it wouldnt touch the road which they considered impure because we walked on it. There were no water taps in the village till 1992, so we had to get the water from outside the village. We werent allowed to fill the vessels either. I always thought when will the happier days come for us? In the marriages, we were made to sit outside and served differently. Even we are human beings, but we were treated worse than the animals, she recalls.

She considers Babasaheb Ambedkar as her inspiration and says, Its because of Ambedkars work that casteism came down in the country. To date, seven upper caste women invited me to sanctify their house for their housewarming party. I wont do what others did to me. You have to take everyone and move forward, she says.

Legacy

Be it any situation, youve to get on the ground and fight for it, she says and urges everyone to battle against patriarchy. Babytai doesnt want to retire anytime soon. I will not stop working at least for the next ten years. If I stop working, then I will fall sick of sitting idle. Now my dream is to learn driving bikes and cars, she says.
The base of all the press statements made by the Maharashtra Police is that these Maoists and Maoist-sympathisers instigated Dalits to riot at Bhima Koregaon, through their anti-State songs at Elgar Parishad, a programme organised by individuals and organisations in Pune on 31 December, 2017, a day before commemoration of Shourya Divas at Bhima Koregaon.

On 30 August, the Maharashtra Police released letters which allegedly established links between activists whove been arrested in June and Maoists. Only a trial will be able to establish the veracity of these letters and the alleged guilt. But the base of all the press statements made by the Maharashtra Police is that these Maoists and Maoist-sympathisers instigated Dalits to riot at Bhima Koregaon through their anti-State songs at Elgar Parishad, a programme organised by individuals and organisations in Pune on 31 December, 2017, a day before commemoration of Shourya Divas at Bhima Koregaon.

The allegation of instigation was initially made by right-wing organisations and reports in the media. For example, a report in The Times of India stated how urban Naxal cadre may be behind the Dalit agitation that led to Maharashtra bandh. On the one hand, the report stated that an officer anonymously informed the newspaper that the police accessed reports which establish that the entire Bhima Koregaon episode was planned, executed and fanned across the state by leaders of Naxal front organisations, while on the other the officers the newspaper spoke with dismissed such claims.

Tushar Damgude, a right-wing activist based in Pune, filed an FIR on 8 January alleging that the Bhima Koregaon attacks were instigating by anti-State songs sung by Kabir Kala Manch activists such as Sagar Gorkhe, Harshali Potdar, Sudhir Dhawale and others at the Elgar Parishad.

Damgude alleged that the banned Maoist organisation (CPI) have strong organisational role to boost and implicate strong Maoist thoughts in depressed classes, and misdirect and misguide them towards unconstitutional violence activities. Members of Kabir Kala Manch say that theyve been questioned but none of them have been arrested. They dont want to interact with the media further since they feel there is a conscious attempt to misrepresent them.

Filmmaker Somnath Waghmare, who has made a documentary on Bhima Koregaon, said the Ambedkarite community in Maharashtra has kept a distance from the radical Left since 1974, when the Dalit Panthers split. Namdeo Dhasal and Raja Dhale split on this question. Since the 1970s, there has been constant disagreement and resistance to such outfits as it was felt by the Dalit community that these groups never addressed the problem of caste. Almost all their leaders were from privileged castes and reduced the question of caste to identity politics. The distrust was immense and only grew over the years.

He recalled going to Vijay Stambh as a child and mentioned how stories of the struggle of Bhima Koregaon are spoken about in family circles. He doesnt recollect any major conversation happening around this until the attacks in January. While Elgar Parishad had a mixture of Left, socialist, progressive, Ambedkarite groups coming together, it somehow has reduced to what the police is calling it now. Jignesh Mevani, MLA of Vadgam constituency, believes that the speakers and organisers of Elgar Parishad are being targeted because they spoke up against the attitude of the ruling government against Dalits across the country.

Dalit writer Urmila Pawar laughed off the police's claim that the community is being instigated by Maoists. While individuals are free to believe in any political thought process, this state is where our leader Dr BR Ambedkar was born. No doubt that he is a national leader, but the majority of his following is from the Dalit community in Maharashtra. We call ourselves Buddhist Ambedkarite because we believe in constitutional and democratic methods. We are an ideologically-inclined, educated community and this is not recent, this has been the case for decades. She said she finds the notion of instigating Dalits to attack hard to believe. Even if you approach working class Dalits, a majority of them will speak about constitutional values. In the field of education, the Dalit community has progressed more than others in the state.

Why would we look up to others who articulate a politics contradictory to ours? asked Sneha Magar, member of Ambedkar Student Association, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Yearly celebrations such as Bhima Koregaon are models of positive assertion for us. Weve been celebrating it for years. People visit the monument throughout the year because it is a way for us to connect to our history.

Dismissing the versions of the state government and Maharashtra Police, who said efforts funded by Naxal organisations have gone into generating a mass for the 1 January celebration, Shaymala S*, an IT professional said, We dont need to be mobilised to visit Bhima Koregaon. The planning for the 200th year of this celebration started more than a decade ago. She mentioned how there have been discussions in her family for years on visiting Bhima Koregaon in 2018. The anticipation only grew as 2018 approached. Like every year, multiple events are organised during the week leading up to Shourya Divas around the monument and across the state. This year, the celebrations were even more widespread and grand.

PHD student Digambar Surlata described the Elgar Parishad meeting. This was a programme organised by 250 individuals and organisations. They called themselves a front to oppose fascist forces and it saw the participation of individuals such as Jignesh Mevani, Radhika Vemula, Prakash Ambedkar and Umar Khalid. It was attended by around 5,000 individuals. He thinks the routine antagonism that these individuals attract from the right-wing may have been the reason why Elgar Parishad was in the spotlight.

Surlata makes clear his displeasure on how no-one mentioned the numerous other rallies and meetings which were organized. Most other rallies were just to commemorate Shourya Divas, which happens every year. The All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) took out a rally which saw a crowd of more than one lakh. Other such local Ambedkarite organisations had similar programmes in and around Pune. The media covers only what it wants to. Elgar Parishad had the cliches they were looking for, and the others didnt.

Vaibhav Chaya, a resident of Pune who has been helping arrested youth said that even before Shourya Divas, for close to a week, there were communally-charged disturbances in the area around Bhima Koregaon. The Dalit community was attacked ruthlessly by armed right-wing forces on 1 January. Following this, there were protests across the state for days. Instead of apprehending those who orchestrated these attacks, the police arrested several youth. They arrested Milind Ekbote first, then took a U-turn the very next month and stated they were going after Naxals. It feels like a carefully planned move to save Sambhaji Bhide, who is close to the ruling Devendra Fadnavis government.

In the aftermath of the violence at Bhima Koregaon, the actions of the Maharashtra Police and the state government have been confusing. The first FIR regarding the attacks on the Dalit community was filed by Anita Sawale on 2 January. Sawale alleged that while she was on her way to Bhima Koregaon to commemorate Shourya Divas, she witnessed attacks on Dalits by individuals wielding weaponswhich led to the death of a youthat the behest of Bhide and Ekbote.

Similar FIRs were filed later. No arrests were made. The days following the attacks saw statewide protests and bandh calls. The Maharashtra Police seemed to go out of their way to make arrests. Instead of investigating the FIRs filed against Bhide and Ekbote, the police conducted combing operations across the state to arrest youthmostly Dalitsseemingly at random. Close to 60 FIRs were registered and more than 170 people arrested. Some, like this 20-year-old girl I represented during bail proceedings were pursuing competitive exams such as the UPSC entrance, said Pune-based advocate Yogesh More.

Meanwhile, Ekbote, the leader of Hindu Ekta Aghadi, sought anticipatory bail: first in the sessions court and then in the high court. Then, on the directions of the Supreme Court, the Maharashtra Police filed a report about Ekbotes involvement in the riots and sought rejection of his bail application. Accordingly, the apex court rejected his application in March. Ekbote was arrested soon after.

Later that week, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed they were making all efforts to apprehend those involved in fuelling clashes and would withdraw cases against those booked for violence during the statewide protests. The Maharashtra government also appointed a two-member committee to probe the violence. After the arrest of Ekbote, many started echoing demands for arrest of Bhide, the main accused. Sawale's lawyers filed a writ in the division bench of the Bombay High Court alleging that while Ekbote was arrested, no attempts have been made to arrest or to investigate the involvement of Bhide.

After a month of disquiet, on 17 April, the Maharashtra Police conducted raids to investigate claims of Maoist involvement in the Bhima Koregaon violence. Residences of individuals who had previously been called "Maoist-sympathisers" such as Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira were raided. On the same day, Union minister Ramdas Athawale remarked that Naxals played no role in the violence and the Bhima Koregaon incident was a spontaneous reaction to the attack on the community during the bi-centenary celebrations at the memorial. Within two days, Ekbote was released on bail.

Dr Sanjay Aparanti, a retired IPS officer, suspects this is a diversion to save Bhide. The man is too important to the ruling BJP government. He holds the key to keeping the OBC vote together, along with the Maratha vote. In fact, Ravindra Kadam was transferred to Pune as joint commissioner to help the department strengthen this case. Kadam has worked in districts where Maoists have a strong presence and has engineered programmes to control them. He was transferred to Pune in April when the raids began and was in two months spearheading arrests and addressing press conferences about 'Maoist influence'.

But Parashar Mone, the Pune head of Bhides organisation (Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan) strongly believes that the violence in Bhima Koregaon is indeed Maoist influenced. He organised rallies in support of Bhide after he was accused of spearheading the attacks and feels that his guru has been targeted for his work and they have done nothing to to be at the end of the accusations made. We are a non-political organisation trying to promote co-existence and spread information about Shivaji Maharaj. Whereas they have political motives and want foot soldiers. What do these Dalits know about Naxalism? Thats why they are using Dalits to vent out their anti-national agenda. Manohar claims that the main agenda of these groups is to end the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Somnath Godse of Sambhaji Brigade, on the contrary, strongly believes that individuals such as Bhide occupy the vacuums created by lack of leadership among communities like Marathas to fuel polarisation among them. Communities like Marathas and Dalits are large voting blocs in Maharashtra. There is an active attempt to create enmities between them using historical and religious figures. Political parties like Congress and NCP have failed to counter these programmes.

But Sneha feels that while it is true that communities are being polarised, one cannot disagree that differences remain.

I didnt see Maratha youth oppose attacks on Dalit community in the past or when the Constitution was burnt. Coming together cant be superficial, said Sneha.

Sampat Desai, who has been assigned an armed guard by the government as a result of death threats from the right-wing, said he is all too familiar with such polarising techniques. It's pretty simple. For example, Kalavati Mata was used in village after village to bring women into the fold. They are revered as they use religion as their identity. What they say is undisputed. From time to time, they will say something which acts as a trigger. Many of these triggers seem to crop up just when elections are around the corner.

Attacks on Dalits have been occurring at regular intervals across Maharashtra, especially in the past few years. In November 2016, an alleged case of molestation in Talegaon village in Nashik district sparked a string of attacks on the Mahar community by Marathas. Figurines of Ambekdar and Buddha were desecrated and houses were burned. With 2019 around the corner, it is only natural for them to want to communalise a day like this, said Magar. They knew it would be well attended, considering it was a celebration. On one hand, right-wing forces attacked the community at Bhima Koregaon. On the other, we face violence, our youth go to jail and now an entire campaign is being spearheaded to delegitimise our struggle by calling us Maoist-influenced.

Chaya added that the State has imposed this tag to further silence the community. If there are problems with what some individuals said at Elgar Parishad, the police can investigate. But why drag Bhima Koregaon and all of us into this? Till this year, there was never an attempt by non-Dalits to document or understand the relevance of this day. The Buddhist Ambedkarite mass which goes to Bhima Koregaon every year has, by and large, nothing to do with the statements made at Elgar Parishad. But they were the ones who suffered attacks and nobody wants to talk about this violence anymore. Suddenly, the only two words one hears is Bhima Koregaon and Maoism.

Professor Satyanarayana of EFLU, though shaken by the experience of policemen entering his home inside a university and taking away his books and laptopin the name of looking for activist Varavara Raoendorses Chaya's opinion.

The focus has shifted from the violence which took place at Bhima Koregaon. The Maharashtra Police has successfully engineered moves to taint a movement against violence faced by Dalits by associating it with Maoism, another ideology tainted by the State.

However, what comes as a surprise is his praise (albeit faint) for the police. Satyanarayana said his experience with the Maharashtra Police was far better than what he faced at the hands of the Andhra Pradesh Police. When I was part of Kula Nirmulana Porata Samiti (anti-caste struggle committee), whenever the police arrested our members, they had a gunny bag with them. During the arrest, they'd remove the bag and plant a pistol or some other incriminating material. At least the Maharashtra Police made a list of everything they took. That their seizure of my material is illegal is another story. But how they'll connect this to the grand theory they are in the process of doctoring, I still dont know.
Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to have the support of grand alliance partners RJD, Congress, NCP and Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM(S)

Patna: Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest the Lok Sabha 2019 election from Begusarai constituency in Bihar as a CPM candidate.

He is likely to have the support of grand alliance partners RJD, Congress, NCP and Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM(S).

"If the party (CPM) decides to nominate me as its candidate from Begusarai and other grand alliance partners also extend their support, then I don't have any objection to it," Kumar told PTI.

He, however, said no formal talks have taken place either at party or alliance partners' level with regard to sharing of seats. A resident of Barauni block in Begusarai district, Kumar's mother is an anganwadi worker and his father is a farmer.

Asked if he will still contest the election if CPM decides to go alone in 2019 general elections, Kumar said, "Alliance is a certainty and party will not go it alone in elections. CPM's party congress has passed a resolution under which it would work and coordinate in forming a grand alliance of which CPM will certainly be a part," he said.

Sources said Kumar, 31, will be CPM nominee from Begusarai and all other partners of grand alliance such as RJD, Congress, NCP, HAM(S) and Left parties would extend support to him. CPM officials said RJD chief Lalu Prasad has given his consent in this regard.

"Left parties, including the CPM want him to contest the Lok Sabha election from Begusarai in 2019 and other parties such as Congress and RJD also want him to contest the election," CPM state secretary Satya Narayan Singh said.

Stating that Prasad has given his consent for leaving a seat for Kumar, Singh said, "During our talks held on earlier occasions, Prasad had agreed to leave a seat for him."

Singh also said his party has decided to contest six Lok Sabha seats in Bihar but a final decision would be taken after talks over seat-sharing with all like-minded parties.

The six seats on which the party intends to field its candidates are Begusarai, Madhubani, Motihari, Khagaria, Gaya and Banka.

The CPM leader said Kumar has agreed to contest election from Begusarai. Begusarai, once considered a Left bastion, is currently represented by senior BJP leader Bhola Singh, who defeated RJD's Tanveer Hassan in Lok Sabha 2014 elections.

CPM candidate Rajendra Prasad Singh, who was also CPM state secretary then, contested from Begusarai in 2014 in alliance with JD(U) and secured third position.

An RJD leader, preferring anonymity, said there is a broad consensus among grand alliance partners and Left parties that there should be a joint candidate to defeat BJP and its allies in 2019 polls, but discussions have not started on seat sharing so far.

"Parties will name their candidates once seats are allocated to them but that has not taken place so far," he said.
Rebel BJP leader Raj Kumar Saini said different political parties promised to work for their welfare before elections, but yielded no results once voted to power.

Panipat: Rebel BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini on Sunday hit out at various political parties, accusing them of using OBCs, backward classes, the poor and farmers as a "vote bank", but dumping them after coming to power.

The MP from Kurukshetra, who had announced his new political party Loktantra Suraksha Party on Friday and formally launched it here on Sunday, claimed that there was no improvement in the condition of backward classes, OBCs, the poor and farmers in the country despite different parties promising to work for their welfare.

"Over the last seven decades, the OBCs, backward classes, the poor and farmers have been used as vote bank by various parties. Now, the time has come to stand up and ensure that they get justice," he said while addressing the 'Loktantra Bachao' (save democracy) rally in Panipat.

He said the country needed to get rid of "politics of hypocrisy".

Known for his strong anti-Jat stand, Saini reiterated that he was not against reservation for any community and was in favour of taking all sections along. Saini, who has been projecting himself as a prominent OBC leader, targeted the Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and even the BJP.

"People gave 12 chances to Congress during different elections over the years, but they betrayed their trust and discriminated against them each time they came to power," he said.

Accusing the INLD and Congress of promoting nepotism, he went on to criticise the BJP for "appeasing" Jats and "kneeling" before them during the quota stir two years ago.

The backward classes had voted for the BJP in the Lok Sabha and Haryana Assembly polls, but the party failed to address their issues, he claimed. He also referred to the violence during the February 2016 Jat quota agitation in Haryana, which left 30 people dead, alleging that shops and commercial establishments of a particular community were singled out in the mayhem.

Hitting out at former chief ministers Bansi Lal, OP Chautala and BS Hooda, who came from the dominant Jat community, Saini accused them of promoting "favouritism and regional bias".

Asking people to strengthen his new outfit, Saini said: "I am not here for any CM or PM's post... This is not my fight, but together we have to work to bring a change in the political course where infringement of rights of socially marginalised will not be allowed."
Telangana Chief Minister KCR has dropped several hints that he wants early polls in the state. The TRS chief is likely to make a decision later this week.

Hyderabad: The Telangana cabinet met in Hyderabad on Sunday amid speculation that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was planning to dissolve the state Assembly and go for early polls. But the meeting ended without a decision on the matter.

After an hour-long meeting at the Pragati Bhavan, the official residence of the chief minister, state Finance Minister Etela Rajender, along with a few other ministers, briefed reporters.

The cabinet made some decisions on sops for various sections of people. A major decision is for the construction of a community building for the Backward Classes on 75 acres in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 70 crore.

Asked whether the issue of Assembly dissolution was also discussed, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari said they had briefed the media on the decisions made as per the agenda of the meeting. "There will be another cabinet meeting soon to make more decisions."

Earlier, leaders of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) had said that the cabinet will make some key decisions, and the same will be announced by the party chief later in the day at a public meeting titled 'Pragathi Nivedana Sabha', being held on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Rao has already dropped strong hints that he wants to go for early polls. He is likely to make a decision later this week.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief gave the call at a massive public meeting held in Hyderabad amid talks of early polls, though KCR did not bring it up in his address.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday appealed to the people of the state to not become slaves of Delhi-based parties, urging them to emulate Tamil Nadu for their self-respect.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief gave the call at a massive public meeting held on the outskirts of Hyderabad, in Ranga Reddy district's Kongara Kalan, amid talks of early polls in the state. Promising to take Telangana forward on the path of development, KCR, as he is popularly known, sought continued support of the people.

Lakhs of people were mobilised from across the state for the meeting christened "Pragathi Nivedana' (Progress report). TRS leaders claimed that 25 lakh people attended the meeting.

Promising to take Telangana forward on the path of development, Rao sought continued support of the people so that the TRS can take various works launched by it to their logical conclusion

"You have to decide whether decisions related to Telangana should be made by us here, or whether we should become slaves of Delhi parties," he said, in an obvious reference to the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.

However, KCR made no announcement about dissolving the Telangana Assembly to go for early polls, as had been expected. He said state ministers and party leaders have authorised him to make a decision on the matter that is in the best interest of Telangana. "In the coming days, you will hear that decision," KCR said.

The chief minister also hit out at Chandrababu Naidu, the former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, saying that people faced difficulties during his tenure due to high power tariffs.

Moreover, KCR announced the formation of a manifesto committee, headed by party general secretary K Keshava Rao. The panel will chalk out with what TRS plans to do if voted to power again in Telangana.

Seeking a fresh mandate, KCR promised to make "Bangaru" or golden Telangana a reality. Stating that works on many irrigation projects were on, he said the goal of bringing one crore acres under irrigation would be achieved in two years.

KCR vowed to further increase the revenues of the state and distribute the fruits of economic development among people. He promised to do more for the welfare of various sections of people by increasing the social security pensions and providing jobs to the unemployed.

The TRS chief recalled his announcement that he would not seek votes in the next elections if he failed to ensure tapped drinking water to every house in the state.

Claiming that no other politician in the country ever made such a commitment, KCR said 45 percent of "Mission Bhagiratha" was already completed and the remaining work will be completed by Diwali.

He lashed out at leaders of the Opposition parties for stating that their goal is to oust KCR from power. He accused them of creating hurdles in the path of development by filing court cases over irrigation projects.

KCR recalled the long struggle for Telangana state and referred to the injustices meted out to people in unified Andhra Pradesh. He said after creation of Telangana state, when the TRS government began its journey, there was uncertainty over the financial position of the new state.

He claimed that during the last four years Telangana had consistently recorded highest growth rate in the country.

KCR said overcoming the electricity shortage and ensuring 24-hour free electricity to farmers was one of the major achievements.

Speculations about early polls

The Telangana cabinet met on Sunday amid speculations that the ruling TRS might go for early state elections, but it made no decision on it.

The cabinet meet KCR chaired decided on a number of welfare measures, including increasing the salary of women working under the ASHA programme, Finance Minister Etela Rajender and Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao said after the meeting.

On Friday, state minister and Rao's son KT Rama Rao had said discussions had been held in the party on advancing the Assembly polls, but no decision has been made yet.

In this backdrop, the cabinet meeting assumed significance, but the ministers indicated that the subject was not on their agenda on Sunday.

With inputs from agencies
TRS rally LIVE updates: Following the Telangana Cabinet meet, ministers are set to leave for the rally after lunch while Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao will leave at 5.30 pm. He will deliver his speech from 6 pm to 8 pm.

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Titled "Pragati Nivedana", the meeting to be held at Kongara Kalan at Ibrahimpatnam on the city outskirts is expected to attract 25 lakh people. KCR's son and cabinet minister KT Rama Rao claims that this will be the biggest political rally in the country.

Telagana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao will take "key decisions" at the Cabinet meeting which is likely to begin at 2 pm and announce them at the rally later in the evening.

In what is touted to be a clear indication of Telangana holding early Assembly elections this year, a special summary revision of all electoral rolls in the 199 constituencies was ordered across the state on Saturday. Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar told The Times of India that the process would begin from 1 September itself and be completed by 30 November.

It has begun raining again at the rally venue. People are covering their heads with newspapers due to the rain. The chairs are soaked up and there is water everywhere at the venue. Rain has been playing a spoilsport since Saturday evening. Overnight showers had left the venue partly battered with hoardings and cutouts fallen to on the ground.

From KCR's point of view, the answer is yes. And this is because KCR is looking as much at Hyderabad as he is at New Delhi. With this massive rally, the TRS intends to make the Opposition Congress feel dwarfed in comparison to the "Baahubalisque" KCR. The party also aims to make people 1,500 kilometres away in North India sit up and take note of the optics of the mass mobilisation.

On numerous occasions, KCR  as the chief minister is better known  has pointed to surveys he commissioned that predict a tally of 100 of the 119 seats in the Telangana Assembly for the TRS. If the Opposition really is in such bad shape in the state, then is there a need to organise such a show of political muscle?

The crucial Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has come to an end. The Cabinet may pass a resolution to dissolve the Assembly and recommend this to Governor ESL Narasimhan. If the Election Commission agrees, the polls may be held in December along with the elections in three other states.

3. Honorarium hike for ASHA workers from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500. 4. Cabinet approves allotment of five more acres for Reddy Hostel in Hyderabad 5. Honorarium for Gopal Mitras hiked from Rs 3,500 to Rs 8,500. 6. Govt sanctions Rs 70 crore and 70 acres for construction of 'self-respect' buildings for different castes

2. Hike in salaries for contract doctors from Rs 36,000 to Rs 40,000 per month.

Following the Cabinet meeting, TRS leaders Etela Rajender and Harish Rao announced the new measures taken during the meet, but made no announcement about whether the state will opt for early Assembly polls or not. Here are the new sops:

Deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihar said that another Cabinet meeting will be held "soon" and "key decision" will be taken. With this, the suspense about whether the dissolution of Assembly will take place or not continues.

The rally is expected to begin at 4 pm and News18 reported that about 25 lakh people are likely to attend the Pragathi Nivedana Sabha.

The Telangana cabinet met in Hyderabad amid speculation that the chief minister was planning to dissolve the state Assembly and go for early polls. But the meeting ended without a decision on the matter.

After the Telangana cabinet meeting in Hyderabad ended, state deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihar said they had briefed the media on the decisions made as per the agenda of the meeting. "There will be another cabinet meeting soon to make more decisions."

Telangana minister KT Rama Rao, or KTR as he is known, and MP Kavitha Kalvakuntla are interacting with media representatives at the venue of the TRS' Pragathi Nivedana Sabha.

A video is being widely shared on social media, including by the Telangana Congress, in which alleged TRS supporters can be seen drinking on a bus believed to be heading to the party's rally in Ranga Reddy district. The Telangana Congress has been alleging that TRS has paid "supporters" to attend the rally to create an impression of massive strength.

TRS worker Bhikshapathi died in a road accident on his way to the Pragathi Nivedana Sabha in Ranga Reddy district's Kongara Kalan. Bhikshapathi was from Pachammawada in Warangal. An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh has been announced.

KCR has left for the venue of the rally in his chopper.

A KTR supporter shows off his admiration for the leader through his hairdo

KCR has landed at the venue of the rally

A while ago, the Congress had also shared the video to target the party.

In his speech, KCR recalled the regime of Chandrababu Naidu, the former chief minister of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh. He said that people faced difficulties due to high power tariffs.

Earlier during the rally, KT Rama Rao had said that the party is confident of forming a federal front without the BJP and Congress, The Indian Express reported.

KCR has claimed that all the promises made in the election manifesto were fulfilled, and 76 schemes not listed in the manifesto have been implemented, The Times of India reported

KCR asks if Telangana should be a slave to Delhi or have self-respect. The TRS president hints at early polls and says a manifesto committee headed by Keshav Rao will soon be formed.

KCR calls opponents breakers of development. He cautions the public from believing the Opposition and warns that they will be 'cheated'. KCR vows that development will be visible in every village and asks the public to kindly bestow their blessings on the TRS.

KCR says 22,000 villages benefitted under mission Bhagirathi. KCR says 1,300 more villages will get water in the next 10 days. Officials from 11 states have visited us to study our development plans and schemes, claims KCR. Telangana govt is providing schemes worth 2,000 crore for development of minorities, way ahead of what the central government is doing, says KCR.

The TRS chief also promised to 'increase government income' and 'distribute it to the public.' He said that he would focus on the unemployed youth, and that government jobs would only go to people from Telangana.

In his speech, KCR recalled the regime of Chandrababu Naidu, the former chief minister of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh. He said that people faced difficulties due to high power tariffs.

The TRS leader says that in 2001, he took a decision not to step back from the movement for a separate state. He also recalled the hurdles the agitation had faced.

The TRS chief said that the activist, popularly known as professor Jayashankar, was an ideologue in favour of a separate Telangana.

Earlier during the rally, KT Rama Rao had said that the party is confident of forming a federal front without the BJP and Congress, The Indian Express reported.

KCR has claimed that all the promises made in the election manifesto were fulfilled, and 76 schemes not listed in the manifesto have been implemented, The Times of India reported

KCR asks if Telangana should be a slave to Delhi or have self-respect. The TRS president hints at early polls and says a manifesto committee headed by Keshav Rao will soon be formed.

KCR calls opponents breakers of development. He cautions the public from believing the Opposition and warns that they will be 'cheated'. KCR vows that development will be visible in every village and asks the public to kindly bestow their blessings on the TRS.

KCR says 22,000 villages benefitted under mission Bhagirathi. KCR says 1,300 more villages will get water in the next 10 days. Officials from 11 states have visited us to study our development plans and schemes, claims KCR. Telangana govt is providing schemes worth 2,000 crore for development of minorities, way ahead of what the central government is doing, says KCR.

The TRS chief also promised to 'increase government income' and 'distribute it to the public.' He said that he would focus on the unemployed youth, and that government jobs would only go to people from Telangana.

TRS rally latest updates: K Chandrashekhar Rao, during his speech, recalled the regime of Chandrababu Naidu, the former chief minister of the then undivided Andhra Pradesh. He said that people faced difficulties due to high power tariffs.

A Telangana government cabinet meeting ended without any word on early polls in the state. Ministers are now headed to the venue of the Telanagan Rashtra Samithi's rally. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) will leave at 5.30 pm and is expected to deliver his speech from 6 pm to 8 pm.

After the meeting, TRS leaders Etela Rajender and Harish Rao announced the new decisions made during the meet, but remained mum about whether the state will opt for early Assembly polls, as KCR has hinted at several times.

Rain has not dampened the spirits of TRS supporters gathered at Kongara Kalan in Rangareddy district.

Ahead of the massive rally in Ranga Reddy district on Sunday, Telangana minister KT Rama Rao said the turnout for the rally will be something people will remember for a very long time. "It is going to be the biggest political rally ever held in India," he said.

In what is touted to be a clear indication of Telangana holding early Assembly elections this year, a special summary revision of all electoral rolls in the 199 constituencies was ordered across the state on Saturday.

For last few weeks, Rao had been dropping hints of Assembly elections being advanced. He has already declared that the party will announce the candidates in September.

The state unit of Congress, however, said that KCR is going for early elections as a "last ditch" attempt to protect his party from the "rising Congress wave".

State Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has failed to fulfil a single major election promise.

KCR is known to go for early polls

KCR is keen to advance the Assembly polls by six months to avoid simultaneous elections to the Assembly and the Parliament.

His two meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August further added to the speculation.

KCR's son and cabinet minister KT Rama Rao said the chief minister would take a final decision on early polls. Rama Rao, who is number two in the party and the government, is confident of TRS retaining power whenever the elections are held as the party enjoys full support of the people.

Titled "Pragati Nivedana", the meeting to be held at Kongara Kalan at Ibrahimpatnam on the city outskirts is expected to attract 25 lakh people. Rama Rao claims that this will be the biggest political rally in the country.

According to him, TRS has 47 lakh members and if half of them turn up, the meet would be a huge success. TRS leaders are mobilising people for the meet from across the state.

Arrangements were in full swing for the meeting amid allegations by the Congress and other opposition parties that TRS was misusing official machinery. They asked TRS to explain the source of funds for the event.

The massive mobilisation of people is expected to hit the traffic on Outer Ring Road (ORR) as thousands of vehicles will be heading towards the venue from different entry points along ORR. Rama Rao has suggested to people not attending the meeting to stay indoors.

Hyderabad High Court, while rejecting a petition to bar the meet, directed the organisers to ensure that inconvenience to public is minimised.

TRS has turned the city and outskirts pink by putting up billboards, flags and posters.

With inputs from agencies
The Associated Press

LinkedIn says its working to combat Chinese espionage activity targeting users of the online career network.

The Microsoft-owned service said Friday its partnering with US law enforcement agencies after uncovering fake LinkedIn profiles and other fraudulent activity.

Reuters reported on 31 August that William Evanina, who directs the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, says the US government informed LinkedIn about Chinas super aggressive efforts to contact members on the site, apparently for the purpose of spy recruitment.

LinkedIn said earlier in August it found accounts were being misused to connect with LinkedIn members who work at political organizations. The company then said in a blog post on 28 August that it has reason to believe nation-state actors were creating fake accounts.

Chinas foreign ministry told Reuters it disputes Evaninas allegations.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Kuwait's ruler will travel to Washington on Monday for a working visit and hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the state news agency KUNA announced on Sunday

CAIRO (Reuters) - Kuwait's ruler will travel to Washington on Monday for a working visit and hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the state news agency KUNA announced on Sunday.

The White House said in a statement the leaders would discuss trade, investment and security cooperation in their Sept. 5 meeting.

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has led mediation efforts to resolve a year-long dispute between Gulf Arab neighbours after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, trade and transport ties with Qatar.

The four countries accuse Doha of supporting terrorism and cosying up to regional foe Iran. Doha denies those charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early on in the crisis but then began pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf unity and maintain a united front against Iran.

Reuters reported in July that the administration was quietly pushing ahead with a bid to create a new security and political alliance with six Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, in part to counter Irans expansion in the region, citing U.S. and Arab officials.

The administrations hope is that the effort, tentatively known as the Middle East Strategic Alliance, might be discussed at a summit provisionally scheduled for Washington on Oct. 12-13, the sources said, though the Qatar rift could present a big obstacle.

(Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; writing by Stephen Kalin; editing by Alison Williams)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The fighting in Libya, especially in Tripoli, has continued despite a UN-brokers ceasefire in the strife-torn country.

Benghazi: Libya's UN-backed government has announced a state of emergency in the capital and its outskirts as ongoing fighting has killed some 39 people, including civilians, in the past days.

The fighting erupted last week between armed groups from Tripoli against others from a town to the south vying for power in Libya's capital. The Health Ministry said the fighting has also wounded 96 others.

Sunday's statement by the Libya government urged rival militias to stop the fighting and abide a UN-brokered ceasefire.

Libya slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country is currently governed by rival authorities in Tripoli and the east, each backed by an array of militias that wield real power on the ground.
The renewed violence came as Britain, France, Italy and the United States denounced the violence and warned that an escalation would hamper the political process in North African country.

Tripoli (Libya): Rockets rained on several parts of the Libyan capital on Saturday despite a truce to end fighting between rival militias, with one projectile hitting a popular hotel and wounding three people, rescuers and medics said.

The renewed violence came as Britain, France, Italy and the United States denounced the violence and warned that an escalation would hamper the political process in North African country.

Rescuers and witnesses said three people were wounded when a rocket hit the Al-Waddan Hotel, which overlooks the bay of Tripoli and is popular with foreigners.

It was not immediately clear if they were clients of staff members.

Rockets also hit other areas of the city, which has been at the epicentre of a bitter power struggle since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising.

On Friday, at least 15 rockets rained on Tripoli and its immediate surroundings, including the capital's only operational airport, according to rescue workers and an airport source.

Since then, authorities have suspended all flights in and out of Mitiga airport, just east of Tripoli, and rerouted them to the airport in Misrata, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) further east.

The fighting broke out on Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli and continued into Wednesday evening after a truce collapsed, despite the United Nations appealing for calm.

The clashes had paused on Thursday after a ceasefire agreement announced by officials from western Libya, but by late afternoon the hostilities had resumed.

In a joint statement, Britain, France, Italy and the United States said they "warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya that they will be held accountable for any such actions."

They also called on all sides "to refrain from any action that would jeopardise the political framework established by the UN-led mediation to which the international community is fully committed".

The interior ministry of Libya's UN-backed unity government, the Government of National Accord (GNA), also denounced the renewed violence on Saturday.

In a statement, it blamed unnamed factions for "undermining the ceasefire (announced on Thursday)... by blindly launching rockets and shells on Tripoli and its suburbs".

According to the GNA's health ministry, around 40 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded since the fighting first broke out on Monday in the capital's southern suburbs.

Human Rights Watch said four children were among at least 18 civilians killed in the fighting.

"The recklessness of armed groups currently fighting each other for power appears to have no boundaries, and civilians are paying the price," said the rights group's Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson.

"All sides need to do everything they can to spare civilian lives."
Panic broke out at the Dutch capital's main station shortly after midday on Friday when the suspect stabbed two bystanders before he was shot and wounded by officers.

Amsterdam: Dutch officials on Saturday said a knife-wielding attacker who wounded two US citizens at Amsterdam Central Station a day before "had a terrorist motive".

"Following an initial statement by the suspect it has emerged that the man had a terrorist motive," Amsterdam City Hall said in a statement after police had questioned the suspect.

US ambassador Pete Hoekstra earlier confirmed both the victims, who were rushed to hospital after Friday's attack, were American citizens. The pair are in a satisfactory condition, officials said.

Panic broke out at the Dutch capital's main station shortly after midday on Friday when the suspect stabbed two bystanders before he was shot and wounded by officers.

Police later identified the man as a 19-year-old Afghan with a German residency permit. His name was released by Dutch authorities as "Jawed S".

Amsterdam City Hall said the suspect was being held in hospital under police guard and would briefly appear in court Monday behind closed doors. Dutch authorities said they were in close contact with their German counterparts who raided the suspect's home Saturday at an unknown location in Germany.

"Among other things, several data carriers have been confiscated and are being investigated," they said.

Initial investigations also indicated the man had not specifically targeted the Americans - suggesting a random attack.

Amsterdam police spokesman Frans Zuiderhoek had already told AFP late on Friday that authorities were "seriously taking into account that there was a terrorist motive".

Further details of the two Americans injured were not immediately known, although one was reported to be a young man.

Hoekstra said the US is ready to "assist as appropriate, with our main priority as always being the safety and well-being of US citizens in the country".

The attack comes a day after an announcement by Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders that he was cancelling moves to stage a cartoon competition to caricature the Prophet Mohammad, a plan that had angered many Muslims.

Witnesses described scenes of panic on Friday as gunshots rang out and thousands of commuters and tourists were evacuated from the rail terminus shortly after midday.

One witness said he saw a young man "stumble" into his flower shop at the station with a bleeding wound to his hand.

"Shortly afterwards I heard some shots and I know something has gone badly wrong," Richard Snelders told the ANP news agency. A while later, he saw another man lying on the ground nearby, he said.

"The first thing that comes up in your mind is that it's a terror attack. After all, you are at Amsterdam Central Station. There was a lot of panic," Snelders said.

Police declined to comment when asked whether there was a possible link between Friday's attack and the cartoon competition.

Wilders' controversial announcement has seen angry protests, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement, calling on Muslims to attack Dutch troops and calling Wilders' plan "a hostile act by this country (the Netherlands) against all Muslims".

Earlier this week, police arrested another man  believed to be Pakistani  at The Hague's Central Station after he posted a film on Facebook saying he was planning to assassinate the blond-haired Wilders, well known for his virulent anti-Islamic views.

Wilders on Thursday said he was nixing plans to stage the competition to "avoid the risk of making people victims of Islamist violence".

The Netherlands has so far been spared from the slew of terror attacks which have rocked its closest European neighbours in the past few years.

But amid a number of scares and reports that people linked to some of those attacks may have crossed briefly into the country, top Dutch security and intelligence officials have stressed that the threat level is substantial.

In the most serious incident involving a terror attack, outspoken Dutch anti-Islam film director Theo van Gogh was shot and stabbed to death in 2004 in Amsterdam by a man with ties to a Dutch Islamist terror network.

Around 2,50,000 people travel through Central Station every day, according to statistics provided by the Amsterdam.info online travel guide.
In a letter to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan's embassy in Kabul requested that the governor of Nangarhar province refrain from 'interfering' in the functioning of the consulate.

Islamabad: Pakistan temporarily closed its consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad citing "intervention" by the provincial governor and a lack of security, but an Afghan official said on Saturday that the issue was a simple misunderstanding and would be resolved shortly.

In a letter to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan's embassy in Kabul requested that the governor of Nangarhar province refrain from "interfering" in the functioning of the consulate.

The Pakistani mission also requested that Afghan authorities restore security on the premises. It said the consulate will remain closed until security arrangements are completed to the embassy's satisfaction.

Sebghatullah Ahmadi, spokesman for the Afghan Foreign Ministry, said there was a misunderstanding which caused concern among staff at the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad. He did not elaborate.

"We have already held meetings with Pakistani officials from their embassy in Kabul. Soon the problem will be solved," he said.

The governor of the eastern Nangarhar province, Hayatullah Hayat, said in a statement that he hadn't intervened into Pakistan's consulate affairs in Jalalabad. He went on to add, however, that the procedures to obtain a visa must be organised and with no corruption involved.

Hayat said that every day thousands of Afghans gather in front of the Pakistani consulate, some paying Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 (around $40 to $160) to get a visa, and are getting beaten, among other offences.

"Any disrespect to Afghans can't be accepted," Hayat said adding "Providing security, organising people and avoiding corruption outside the consulate are our duties. We won't let anyone abuse the dignity of Afghans." Pakistan's Foreign Office did not immediately respond the governor's remarks.

The closure of the Jalalabad mission is a reflection of strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both blame each other of harboring militants along the porous border.
The Pentagon has sought Congressional determination to reprogramme $300 million of its Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan because of the latter's 'lack of' decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy.

Washington: The Pentagon has sought Congressional determination to reprogramme $300 million of its Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan because of the latter's "lack of" decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy.

"Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining $300 million (actually $323.6 million to include non-Pakistan funds) was reprogrammed by DoD in the June/July 2018 time frame for other urgent priorities before the funds expire on September 30, 2018," Pentagon Spokesman Kone Faulkner told PTI.

With this, the Department of Defence (DoD) has reprogrammed $800 million CSF destined for Pakistan.

This is because US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has refused to give the necessary certification to the Congress that Pakistan has taken strong steps against terrorist groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"This is not a new decision or a new announcement," Faulkner told PTI in response to a question.

"In 2018, the DoD Appropriations Act, published on March 23, 2018, you can find the verbiage detailing $500 million was rescinded by Congress upon the 2018 DoD Appropriations Act's passage (page 161), which is all public, he said.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani network and LeT in the region, Faulkner said.

The Department of Defence is awaiting congressional determination on whether this reprogramming request will be approved or denied.

Pentagon will have a congressional response before 30 September, to allow it to implement the reprogramming actions, he said.
The oil and gas industry is highly cyclical, with the downturn that started in mid-2014 simply the most recent example of the extremes that take place. But after oil plummeted from more than $100 a barrel to around $30, the energy industry, looked at as a whole, seemed to suggest that it had finally been chastened and would live within its financial means. Only that resolve may not be realistic, with recent results from Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD), Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP), and Noble Corporation plc (OTC:NEBLQ) all suggesting that you'll want to start paying close attention to costs again.

A changed industry

The cyclical nature of the energy industry isn't hard to understand. When oil prices are high, companies are willing to fund just about any project because just about any project can turn a profit. But huge investment inevitably leads to huge supply, which swamps demand and leads to falling prices. When prices are low, very few investments get made because low energy prices make it hard to turn a profit on new development. Once the excess supply from the upturn gets absorbed, though, the lack of investment during the downturn leads to a supply/demand imbalance that pushes prices higher again. And the whole cycle repeats.

The industry pull-back after oil prices started to fall in mid-2014 was severe, particularly in the U.S. onshore market, an increasingly important source of global oil supply. To give you an idea of how big of a drop-off there was, consider this: Helmerich & Payne, a drilling services company, watched its active onshore U.S. rig count decline from a peak of 297 to just 87 in an 18-month span. Clearly, oil companies, which are Helmerich & Payne's customers, pulled back hard and fast.

In fact, many in the energy industry have declared that their wild spending days are over. For example, industry giant Chevron (NYSE:CVX), which has drilling assets around the world, has cut capital spending by more than 50% since 2014. But more notable is the fact that it doesn't have any plans for a material pick-up in the foreseeable future. It's pegged capital spending at $18 billion to $20 billion through at least 2020.

The pressure is building

However, there are signs that energy companies may not have a choice but to raise their capital spending plans, and that they may not get much benefit for that added spend. Helmerich & Payne, for example, has seen its active rig count rebound to 189 rigs, and it's expecting drilling rig rates of $23,000 per day in the fiscal third quarter, up from $22,400 in the first quarter and roughly $22,000 in the year-ago period. Rising prices are generally a function of strong demand, which the company's rising active rig count highlights.

HP Revenue (Quarterly) data by YCharts

So, costs are going up, but what about the benefit to customers? This is where the problem lies. For example, Pioneer Natural Resources started 2018 with plans to spend $2.9 billion on capital projects. It recently upped that number to as much as $3.4 billion, based on its intention to expand its drilling activities and the impact of higher costs. At the midpoint of the year, this U.S. onshore driller is expecting to increase production in 2018 by 19% to 24% -- the same goal it had at the start of the year despite the fact that its spending plans have increased by as much as 17%.

The onshore U.S. market isn't the only place where costs are heading higher. For example, Noble Corporation, a drilling services company that serves the offshore market, saw the average rig rate for its portfolio of rigs jump nearly 10% year over year in the second quarter. The company's earnings release included a positive outlook for contracting opportunities, backed by an expectation for increased customer spending. Once again, increasing demand tends to lead to higher prices.

Start paying more attention now

It is unlikely that participants in the oil and natural gas industry will suddenly turn into spendthrifts, jacking up production at any cost. So, the industry isn't overheating...yet. However, recent pricing strength at Helmerich & Payne and Noble Corporation suggests that demand for drilling continues to build as oil prices have recovered from their lows. Investors should keep an eye on these costs. They could be a leading indicator of an oil industry that's starting to heat up again. And, at the very least, higher costs are a potential negative for oil company margins.
Since 2000, financial services giant Vanguard has released an annual study titled "How America Saves." Based on data from $1.2 trillion in assets belonging to almost 5 million retirement savers in defined contribution retirement plans that Vanguard manages, this report offers a tremendous amount of insight into how millions of people save for retirement.

Unfortunately, How America Saves 2018 shows that fewer young workers contributed to their retirement savings in 2016 or 2017 than any other year over the past decade. Combine that with the fact that young workers contribute a smaller percentage of their income than any other demographic, and it means millions of Americans will reach retirement with too little money to enjoy the quality of life they want.

To put it bluntly, millions of Americans continue to get it wrong when it comes to saving for retirement.

What Vanguard's report says

In recent years, the percentage of young workers saving for retirement has declined. Of workers under 25, only 42% contributed to their company's retirement plan in 2017 and 2016, the lowest rate in over a decade. In contrast, 70% of workers between 25 and 34 contributed in 2017, though that was their second-lowest rate since 2013.

The trend holds true for every other age group, with participation down over the past few years:

Retirement Savings Participation Rate by Age Age 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017* <25 49% 49% 44% 51% 52% 53% 57% 54% 42% 42% 25-34 68% 68% 68% 69% 70% 71% 74% 74% 69% 70% 35-44 75% 74% 74% 74% 75% 76% 79% 79% 75% 76% 45-54 78% 77% 77% 78% 78% 79% 81% 81% 76% 77% 55-64 77% 76% 76% 78% 79% 80% 82% 83% 77% 78% 65+ 67% 68% 67% 71% 74% 74% 75% 77% 69% 69%

It's not just the low participation rate for young workers that's a problem. Young workers also tend to contribute the smallest percentage of their earnings:

Age Percentage of Earnings* <25 4.7% 25-34 5.9% 35-44 6.4% 45-54 7.1% 55-65 8.4% 65+ 9.1%

The proof is in the balances (or lack thereof)

Here's how much Vanguard says people have in their retirement accounts at different ages:

Age Median Balance <25 $1,509 25-34 $9,227 35-44 $25,800 45-54 $46,837 55-65 $71,105 65+ $64,811

Simply put, that's not enough to replace the income you'll lose when you retire. The median balance of $71,105 held by those between 55 and 64 would only be worth $2,844 per year in retirement income based on the 4% rule. With Social Security only paying the average retiree $16,932 per year, most people will need other sources of cash to bridge the gap.

Many people do have other retirement savings, but the average balances are typically far below what most need to offset the income they'll lose when they retire. According to a 2015 Employee Benefit Research Institute study, the median balance for someone age 60 to 64 in a Roth IRA was $21,238; it was $51,731 in a traditional IRA, and $81,942 in a rollover IRA. That works out to $850, $2,069, and $3,278 per year in sustainable income, respectively.

And that's for people who actually participate in a retirement savings plan. According to How America Saves 2018, about one-fourth of people don't contribute to their employer's defined contribution retirement plan. Other research indicates almost 1 in 3 Americans aren't saving for retirement, and most of those never will. According to the Social Security Administration, 23% of married filers and 43% of unmarried filers count on Social Security for at least 90% of their income.

You can avoid a retirement catastrophe

America's youngest workers are the most highly educated generation in history, but How America Saves 2018 makes it plain that many are making the same retirement savings mistakes as prior generations: not saving enough, and not starting as early as possible. Compounding the potential for disaster, Social Security is expected to run out of its surplus in 2034, and the eventual "fix" may include reduced benefits for today's workers when they retire.

So what's a worker who's not saving enough for retirement to do? In short, find a way to ramp up your contributions. Whether you're still decades from retirement or decades into your career and closer to retirement than you want to admit, continuing to put it off will only make the problem worse.
Vettel leaves Monza 30 points adrift of championship leader Hamilton on a weekend where he would have expected to slice the deficit to at least 10. However, there are still seven races and a maximum of175 points left on the table.

Raikkonen nursed his car home to second, clinching his 100th podium, with Verstappen crossing the line third before a five-second time penalty dropped him behind Bottas and Vettel in the final classification.

Hamilton bided his time and then pounced to snatch the lead with eight laps to go, before pulling away to take a brilliant victory against the run of form. It was Mercedes' fifth successive win at Monza with Hamilton the first driver to win from below the front row since Rubens Barrichello from fifth in 2009.

Raikkonen pitted first, with Hamilton going eight laps longer. With fresher tyres, and the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, who had yet to stop, backing Raikkonen up at the front, Hamilton closed onto the Ferraris gearbox. Bottas then pitted, giving Raikkonen clear air, but his tyres were in trouble.

Hamilton was on the outside and Vettel opted to try and hang on alongside. The result was contact, with Vettels Ferrari spun round to drop him to the back of the field. Hamilton, meanwhile, was unscathed and set about chasing down Raikkonen.

On Saturday, Vettel said Raikkonen would be allowed to win the Italian Grand Prix from pole position and for much of the race, it looked like that would be the case. The Finns chances were boosted when Vettel defended too hard from Hamilton into the second chicane on Lap 1.

Ferrari were overwhelming favourites for victory in front of their loyal fans, the Tifosi, at Monza as they locked out the front row. But Lewis Hamilton had other ideas, taking advantage of a spin from Sebastian Vettel after a brilliant pass on his title rival, before hunting down Kimi Raikkonen to take a shock victory in a thrilling Italian Grand Prix

How the race unfolded

Raikkonen bolted across the track to defend the lead at the start, with Vettel tucking into his tow and then attempting a pass around the outside into the first chicane before bailing out.

On the approach to the Roggia chicane, Hamilton picked up a slipstream from Vettel and dived to the outside. Vettel was baulked by Raikkonen, allowing Hamilton to move alongside the Ferrari. The Mercedes driver got his nose in front as they entered the corner, but Vettel stayed side by side with the silver car. They touched, with Vettel spinning and dropping to the back of the field.

Meanwhile, the Safety Car was called into action, with debris on the start-finish straight after Brendon Hartley found his Toro Rosso sandwiched between Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren and Saubers Marcus Ericsson at the start. The contact broke the New Zealanders front-right suspension, forcing him out immediately.

Vettel used the neutralisation to pit for a new front wing and swap his supersoft tyres for softs, opening the opportunity for him to complete the race on that set of tyres.

At the restart on Lap 4, Hamilton got a lovely tow down the main straight and glided by Raikkonen to take the lead before the first chicane. But the Finn regrouped and retook the lead around the outside into the Roggia chicane - much to the delight of the Tifosi that packed out Monza.

However, Hamilton didnt let the Ferrari driver scamper away, the Briton keeping the pressure on until the Scuderia called Raikkonen in to pit at the end of lap 20. It was a super slick stop and he was sent back out on a set of supersofts and into clear air.

Mercedes opted not to respond, with Hamilton staying out for another eight laps before pitting. On the face of it, that looked to be the wrong call, as he rejoined 5.2s behind Raikkonen. But Raikkonen was baulked by Bottas, who had inherited the lead by virtue of not having pitted.

Hamilton set about reeling Raikkonen in, slicing at least a second per lap out of the gap until he was right on the Finns gearbox with 20 laps to go. Mercedes told Hamilton that this race will be won on lost on tyres, you need to look after yours. It looks like Kimi is killing his. They were referring to a blister that had appeared on Raikkonens rears, with the Finn struggling with vibrations.

Bottas eventually pitted at the end of lap 36, leaving Raikkonen and Hamilton to battle for the lead. The Finn rejoined in fourth, just 3.2s behind Verstappen but with tyres that were 10 laps fresher and began the chase for the final podium position.

Back up front, Hamilton hustled Raikkonen, with the Finn increasingly struggling with his tyres. Eventually, he could hold on no more, with Hamilton diving around the outside of the first chicane to take the lead on Lap 45, to the disappointment of the Ferrari fan-packed grandstands.

Ferrari then told Raikkonen to take care of his tyres and bring the car home, with the Finn fading and allowing Hamilton to move well clear. Further back, Verstappen and Bottas made contact at Turn 1, with Verstappen given a five-second time penalty for the incident.

Bottas couldn't find a way past, but he inherited the final podium position courtesy of Verstappen's penalty. Vettel completed a strong recovery drive to take fourth ahead of Romain Grosjean in the Haas, who took his fourth successive points finish.

The Force Indias of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez finished seventh and eighth, while Renault's Carlos Sainz and Williams' Lance Stroll completed the top 10. Along with the luckless Hartley, the other retirements were Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo, who both lost power from the respective McLaren and Red Bull machines.

The key quote

"I want to give it up to Ferrari, who put up a great challenge and gave us a great fight. I want to thank the guys here and everyone back home; without their belief it wouldn't have been possible.

"There's been a lot of negativity, but there were a lot of British flags out there today. They know who they are. In future I only want to turn a negative to a positive. Thanks to Valtteri too. We never give up." - Lewis Hamilton

The stats that matter

Hamilton is the first man to win the Italian Grand Prix from below the front row since Rubens Barrichello took victory from 5th on the grid in 2009.

Raikkonen led a lap at Monza for the first time in this decade, and led more laps today than he had in the rest of the 2018 season combined (17 before today).

The Finns second place today was his 100th podium finish in his F1 career  he is the 5th driver to reach that number after Prost, Schumacher, Hamilton and Vettel.

Ferrari were on the podium at Monza for the 7th time in the last 8 years, but they haven't won here since 2010.

Thanks to Ocon and Perez, Force India scored points with both cars at Monza for the 4th consecutive year.

Sirotkins 11th place for Williams was the best result of the Russians F1 career to date.

Alonsos early retirement in Italy means he has completed just 9 laps in last 2 races combined.

His penalty may have cost him a podium, but Verstappen still achieved his 50th career points finish today.

Grosjeans P6 was his best-ever finish at Monza and means he has scored in 5 of the last 6 races. He now has 35 points  his best-ever total with Haas.

A suspected engine failure meant Ricciardo retired for the 3rd time in the last 4 races (and the 6th time in 2018).

DRIVER OF THE DAY - Kimi Raikkonen
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Xiaomi Mi Pay could be coming soon to India: All you need to know News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Here are the features of the Mi Pay likely to be rolled out soon in India.

Xiaomi is one of the leading smartphone brands in India right now with a wide range of products from entry-level to premium smartphones, accessories and smart devices. After being successful in these categories, the company appears to be eying to take on the digital payment market space in the country with its own payment service.

Xiaomi Mi Pay, the payment service was launched in 2016 in the company's home market China. It aims at eliminating the use of both debit and credit cards to make purchases. As of now, the service is affiliated with nearly 20 banks in the country.

Xiaomi Mi Pay coming soon to India

Going by a recent Business Line report, the Mi Pay service will be launched soon in India to take on other digital payment services such as Google Tez, PayU, PhonePe, Paytm and more. The report adds that the Xiaomi Mi Pay will use UPI services. It is said to be under testing and waiting for an approval from RBI. It is believed that the service could be launched in India by the end of this year or early 2019.

The report goes on stating that the company is in works with a leading private lender in the country and is looking forward to rope in more partners as soon as it receives a green signal from RBI.

Given that the service is all set to be rolled out soon, we have come up with the features that will be introduced by the Mi Pay for the interested users.

NFC-based payments

Besides being a UPI payment service, the Mi Pay will support NFC. Similar to Samsung Pay, users need to just tap on the Xiaomi device at a POS to make a touchless payment. However, the downside is that most Xiaomi devices in the country lack the NFC support. We can expect the future devices, especially the high-end models to feature the NFC support to use this feature of Mi Pay.

Mi Credit facility

The Mi Pay users might get the Mi Credit add-on facility. Basically, this one will let the Xiaomi users gain access to instant loans from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. Back in May 2018, the company introduced this service in India to provide financial lending to its consumers. Xiaomi Mi Credit service has been announced in partnership with KreditBee, an instant personal loan platform. Only MIUI users are eligible to avail financial lending and the KYC verification should be completed.

Latest RBI rule

Recently, RBI came up with a new rule. According to the same, the digital payment services in the country have to save the user data in the country itself. Eventually, WhatsApp Payments faced an issue that delayed its widespread rollout. Given that Xiaomi has its office in the country, we can expect the Mi Pay service to be introduced without any delay for this reason.

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US accuses China of 'super aggressive' spy campaign on LinkedIn

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 12:29AM

The United States has accused Chinese intelligence agencies of using fake LinkedIn accounts in a bid to recruit US citizens who have access to government and commercial secrets.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters, William Evanina, the US counter-intelligence chief, said that intelligence and law enforcement officials had informed LinkedIn of China's "super aggressive" efforts on the site.

Evanina alleged that the Asian country's espionage agencies contact thousands of LinkedIn members at a time, but declined to give further details like how many Americans may have been contacted.

Previously, German and British authorities had told their citizens that Beijing was allegedly using LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft Corp., in order to recruit them as spies. But this is the first time a US official has made such an allegation, saying it is a bigger problem now than before.

Evanina urged LinkedIn to look at copying the response of Twitter, Google and Facebook, which have all purged fake accounts.

"I recently saw that Twitter is cancelling, I don't know, millions of fake accounts, and our request would be maybe LinkedIn could go ahead and be part of that," said Evanina, who heads the US National Counter-Intelligence and Security Center.

Meanwhile, LinkedIn's head of trust and safety, Paul Rockwell, confirmed the company had had discussions with US law enforcement agencies about the alleged Chinese espionage efforts.

Earlier this month, LinkedIn said it had taken down "less than 40" fake accounts whose users were trying to contact LinkedIn members associated with unidentified political organizations.

However, Rockwell did not clarify whether or not those were Chinese accounts.

"We are doing everything we can to identify and stop this activity," Rockwell told Reuters.

He went on to say that the company takes "very prompt action to restrict accounts and mitigate and stop any essential damage that can happen," but gave no further details.

In response, China's foreign ministry issued a statement, refuting Evanina's allegations.

"We do not know what evidence the relevant US officials you cite have to reach this conclusion. What they say is complete nonsense and has ulterior motives," said the statement.

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Seoul Launches New Defense Intelligence Unit to Replace Disgraced DSC - Reports

Sputnik News

19:05 01.09.2018

TOKYO (Sputnik) - South Korea launched on Saturday the newly-established Defense Security Support Command (DSSC) replacing the previous defense intelligence unit, the Defense Security Command (DSC), which has been disbanded amid allegations of its involvement in state affairs, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to the Yonhap news agency, the ceremony was held in the city of Gwacheon to the south of Seoul and was hosted by South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moon.

The DSSC, headed by Lt. Gen. Nam Young-sin, will be charged with collecting intelligence and combating activities aimed at inflicting damage to the country, the news outlet said, adding that the new unit would comprise 2,900 personnel, marking a 1,300-decrease compared to the previous unit's staff.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered to form a new security command in early August, following the results of military investigations that reportedly proved that the DSC considered introducing a martial law to suppress protests

against previous President Park Geun-hye, using military force. According to the investigators, the unit also put under surveillance families of the victims of the Sewol ferry, which sunk in 2014.

 Sputnik

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PLO slams US cutting aid to UNRWA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sep 1, IRNA -- Chief of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat condemned US decision to cut aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

US choice on cutting assistance is against international laws and UN resolution, Erekat was quoted as saying by Russian media 'Sputnik'.

US has not the right to confirm Zionist regime's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and pillaging Holy Quds.

US decision against Quds and refugees indicates destroying international regulations, security and stability in the region and granting award to extremist and terrorist elements, he added.

The United States cut more than $200 million in aid to the Palestinians.

"We have undertaken a review of US assistance to the Palestinian Authority and in the West Bank and Gaza to ensure these funds are spent in accordance with US national interests and provide value to the U.S. taxpayer," the US State Department earlier announced in a statement.

Meanwhile Hannan Ashrawi senior member of the PLO in a separate statement slammed US act saying 'The US administration is demonstrating the use of cheap blackmail as a political tool. The Palestinian people and leadership will not be intimidated and will not succumb to coercion. The rights of the Palestinian people are not for sale.'

'There is no glory in constantly bullying and punishing a people under occupation. The US administration has already demonstrated meanness of spirit in its collusion with the Israeli occupation and its theft of land and resources.now it is exercising economic meanness by punishing the Palestinian victims of this occupation,' she added.

9376**1397

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Yemeni naval forces, allies hit Saudi vessel off Jizan coast: Report

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 02:06PM

Yemeni naval forces, backed by fighters from Popular Committees, have reportedly targeted a military vessel in a missile attack off the coast of the kingdom's southwestern border region of Jizan, in response to the Riyadh regime's atrocious military campaign against their war-ravaged homeland.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arabic-language al-Masirah television network that the frigate was targeted with a guided missile on Saturday afternoon.

The source added that the wounded sailors had been transported to local hospitals to receive medical treatment.

Colonel Aziz Rashed, deputy military spokesman for the Yemeni army, said the attack was in retaliation for a recent Saudi airstrike against Yemeni fishermen off the coast of the strategic western province of Hudaydah, which killed five people. Fourteen other Yemeni fishermen remain unaccounted for.

On July 25, Yemeni naval forces and their allies targeted and destroyed a Saudi military vessel in a missile attack off the coast of Hudaydah.

An unnamed military source said French-built Dammam frigate was targeted with a guided missile.

Back on August 12, 2017, Yemeni forces targeted a Saudi frigate with a guided missile in waters near the port city of Mukha, situated 346 kilometers south of the capital Sana'a.

On July 29 that year, 12 Emirati troopers lost their lives and another 23 sustained injuries when their frigate was targeted with a guided missile off the coast of Mukha.

An unnamed military source told Yemen's official SABA news agency that the vessel was heavily loaded with various munitions, and the missile attack caused a series of explosions that lasted until 8:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT), before water-dropping planes could extinguish the flames.

'UN responsible for economic collapse in Yemen'

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of Yemen, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, has criticized new UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths for failing to honor his commitments to ease the Arab country's economic crisis.

"Griffiths has not fulfilled his promise to address the economic woes that have increased since his appointment. The American envoy had said that his priorities are to alleviate the economic crisis in Yemen," Houthi wrote on his official Twitter page on Saturday.

He then called for the return of state revenues to the Yemeni Central Bank in Sana'a to ensure the disbursement of salaries among civil servants.

Houthi further noted that Saudi Arabia and its regional allies were counterfeiting the Yemeni Riyal, causing devaluation of the country's currency.

Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the government of former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing the country's Houthi Ansarullah movement.

Some 15,000 Yemenis have been killed and thousands more injured since the onset of the Saudi-led aggression.

More than 2,200 others have died of cholera, and the crisis has triggered what the UN has described as the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

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Palestine Slams US for End of UNRWA Funding Program

Sputnik News

07:17 01.09.2018

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States has said it had stopped all funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency after a careful review found it to be "irredeemably flawed." The UNRWA denied these accusations and promised to look for new donors.

"We reject and condemn the US decision in its entirety," the secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, said in a statement on Friday, adding it ran counter to international law and was a "gift to extremists and terrorists in the region."

A spokesman for the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, Chris Gunness, has also rejected US claims that the charity was "irredeemably flawed." He has said the US move was surprising given that they renewed a funding pact last December, which acknowledged the agency's "successful, dedicated and professional management."

Moreover, spokesman for the Russian mission to the UN, Fedor Strzhizhovskiy, has warned that the US move would complicate peace process in the Middle East. Strzhizhovskiy pledged continued Russian assistance to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which supports 5.4 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The United States in January withheld a part of $350 million in annual funds for the UNRWA after US President Donald Trump said that Palestinians lacked the willingness to hold peace talks with Israel.

 Sputnik

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UN urges countries to step up assistance for Palestine refugees

1 September 2018 - The United Nations said it regrets the decision of the United States to stop funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and called on other countries to help fill the remaining financial gap.

"We regret the United States' decision to provide no further funding to UNRWA, which provides essential services to Palestine refugees and contributes to stability in the region," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said in a statement Friday.

"The Secretary-General calls on other countries to help fill the remaining financial gap, so that UNRWA can continue to provide this vital assistance, as well as a sense of hope to this vulnerable population."

In the statement, Mr. Dujarric also noted that the US has traditionally been the largest single contributor to UNRWA and that the Organization appreciates its support over the years.

He added that UNRWA enjoys the full confidence of the Secretary-General and that the agency's head, Commissioner General Pierre Krahenbuhl, has led a rapid, innovative and tireless effort to overcome the unexpected financial crisis it has faced this year.

The agency has expanded the donor base, raised considerable new funding, and explored new avenues of support, said Mr. Dujarric, noting also that UNRWA took extraordinary internal management measures to increase efficiencies and reduce costs.

"UNRWA has a strong record of providing high-quality education, health and other essential services, often in extremely difficult circumstances, to Palestine refugees who are in great need," he said.

UNRWA was established by the General Assembly in 1949 to provide assistance and protection to a population of some five million registered Palestine refugees in various countries throughout the Middle East. Its services include education, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, health care and emergency assistance.

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Mauritania: UN chief urges peaceful, credible elections

1 September 2018 - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties in Mauritania to ensure peaceful and credible elections as the country holds legislative, regional and municipal polls on Saturday.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Guterres said he is "closely following" developments in the West African nation as it prepares to go to polls.

"[The Secretary-General] urges all parties to ensure the holding of elections that are peaceful and credible and allow for the participation of all interested stakeholders," read the statement.

"He calls on all parties to ensure respect of the rule of law and that the human rights of all Mauritanians are upheld."

According to reports, some 98 political parties are participating in the elections this year, a marked increase over the last time polls were held.



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US General: Russia Trying to 'Undercut' Progress in Afghanistan

By Jeff Seldin September 01, 2018

Russia is not giving up on efforts to destabilize Afghanistan and drive divisions between the United States and its coalition partners, according to the outgoing commander of U.S. forces in the country.

The commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan and of Operation Resolute Support, General John Nicholson, is scheduled to step down Sunday after serving in the position for more than two years.

But before relinquishing command, he took time to cast doubts on Russia's intentions in the region, despite recent overtures from Moscow to help the Taliban reconcile with the Afghan government.

"We know that Russia is attempting to undercut our military gains and years of military progress in Afghanistan, and make partners question Afghanistan's stability," Nicholson said in an email to Voice of America, following on questions from his August 22 briefing with Pentagon reporters.

"It is no secret that Russia seeks any opportunity it can find to drive a wedge between the United States and our Central Asian partners, including Afghanistan," Nicholson added.

Aid to Taliban

U.S. and Afghan officials have previously accused Russia of meddling in Afghanistan by providing Taliban insurgents with both weapons and training.

Moscow has rejected the allegations, saying it has only political ties with the Taliban. Still, Russia has faced growing suspicion from the U.S. and its allies, who say the Kremlin has been increasingly working to expand its influence in Afghanistan and beyond.

Most recently, the U.S. and Russia have been competing over efforts to kick-start peace negotiations between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed Afghan government.

Russia was set to host both parties, along with the U.S. and other countries, for talks starting September 4, but was forced to postpone after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani declined the invitation.

The U.S. also has been hoping for talks between the government and the Taliban.

"We talk about an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation process," U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said during a briefing with reporters this past week. "We believe that the best way to get there is to ensure Taliban recognizes they can't win on the battlefield, they must negotiate."

But while U.S. officials have touted what they see are signs of progress, including increased support for a peace process from various sectors of the Afghan population, the government's recent cease-fire offer to the Taliban appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have been angered by what they see as Russian efforts to derail peace and stabilization efforts with disinformation campaigns.

Charges repeated

Just over a week ago, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova raised concerns about "unidentified" helicopters flying missions in support of fighters for the Islamic State terror group, also known as IS-Khorasan or IS-K, in the northern Sar-e-Pul province, suggesting the U.S. and NATO might be responsible.

"Who is arming the terrorists and secretly creating their bases?" she asked. "Why is this happening if NATO command is effectively in control of Afghanistan's airspace?"

Pentagon officials rejected the suggestion of U.S. or NATO involvement as "completely untrue," noting it was not the first time Moscow had levied such charges.

"As they [Russia] perpetuate false narratives about ISIS-K, the United States and the Afghan Special Security Forces eliminated the Jowzjan ISIS-K enclave and are killing ISIS-K leaders and fighters in Nangarhar," Nicholson said in his statement to VOA.

Still, the outgoing commander said he held out hope Russia could play a constructive role.

"We have shared interests with Russia in Afghanistan  peace, counterterrorism and counternarcotics," Nicholson said. "We hope to see Russia support Afghanistan and the NATO-led coalition in these areas going forward."

VOA's Ayaz Gul contributed to this report.

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Turkey Designates Tahrir al-Sham as Terrorist Group

Sputnik News

22:03 01.09.2018

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkey has listed the Jabhat al-Nusra* armed Islamist group as a terrorist organization, according to a decree signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The decree was signed in compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolution on countering terrorism financing. The Nusra Front organization, which joined with a number of other Islamists groups to form Tahrir al-Sham last year, had also been designated as terrorist by Turkey.

Tahrir al-Sham controls much of the Idlib province in Syria. Syrian forces are currently preparing an offensive in the region to clear Idlib and surrounding areas of militant groups.

Russia and Turkey have been in talks over a potential military operation in Idlib, which is currently covered by the de-escalation zone agreement agreed by Russia, Turkey, and Iran. Russia has also urged for the moderate Syrian opposition to separate from militants such as those in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

*Jabhat al-Nusra (also known as Tahrir al-Sham, al-Nusra Front) is a terrorist group banned in Russia



 Sputnik

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Brazilian electoral court bars jailed Lula from presidential race

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 06:32AM

Brazil's top electoral court has barred jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from running in the upcoming presidential election.

The Supreme Electoral Court ruled on Friday that Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year sentence for a corruption conviction, cannot run for a third term, eliminating the front-runner ahead of the October's election.

"I declare the ineligibility of the candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva based on the first article, subsection one, letter A, items one and six, of the law 64 of 90 of the Clean Slate law and as a consequence, I reject his registration as a candidate to compete for the presidency in the 2018 elections," said Luis Roberto Barroso, the judge presiding over the case.

Brazil's top electoral court also barred Lula from taking part in any election campaign advertising on radio and television.

Lula was the 35th president of Brazil from 2003 to 2011, with an approval rating of above 80 percent, and has been serving a 12-year prison sentence since April after being found guilty of money laundering and corruption. The 72-year-old veteran politician has dismissed his conviction as part of a plot to prevent him from returning to power.

Brazil's most popular politician has been leading early opinion polls. Lula's lawyers have said they would appeal the supreme court's decision. Under Brazilian electoral law of Clean Slate, politicians are not authorized to run for office within eight years of being found guilty of a crime.

Lula's Workers' party, PT, registered its founder as its presidential candidate for the October 7 vote, arguing that he is innocent and the victim of political persecution.

"When you prevent the most popular leader in the country from running for election, the risk for Brazilian democracy is very high," the president of the PT, Gleisi Hoffmann, said in an interview before the court ruling.

Running a campaign largely from his prison cell, the leftist leader has been able to garner nearly 40 percent of prospective votes for October's presidential election, according to the latest polls. His nearest rival, far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, enjoys 19 percent of voter support.

The Workers' party has until September 17 to replace Lula with another candidate or forfeit the presidential bid. The party is widely expected to cast Lula's vice president, Fernando Haddad, as his replacement.

In mid-August, a United Nations panel ruled that Lula cannot be disqualified from the election because his legal appeals are underway. The Brazilian government, however, described the committee's conclusions as a recommendation, saying it was not legally binding.

Lula is convicted of taking $1.2 million in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht in return for granting the company public contracts. He also faces another six trials for other corruption charges, but has denied any wrongdoing.

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Brazil Court Rules Barring Lula Da Silva From Presidential Election - Reports

Sputnik News

05:20 01.09.2018(updated 06:56 01.09.2018)

The lawyers of the jailed former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have said they would appeal the ruling by a 4-1 majority of the seven-member top electoral court to the country's Supreme Court, Reuters reported.

Lula, who served as the country's president from 2003 through 2010, was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison last summer for allegedly accepting a luxury apartment from a construction firm in return for political favors. Lula has denied the accusations. An appeals court upheld the ruling in January and increased Lula's jail term to 12 years and a month.

The Brazilian Workers' Party (PT) vowed in a statement late Friday to secure Lula da Silva's candidcay in the upcoming October's vote.

"We will present all appeals before the courts for the recognition of the rights of Lula provided by law and international treaties ratified by Brazil we will defend Lula in the streets, with the people," the PT statement was quoted by AFP.

Earlier in August, the PT announced it has registered jailed ex-president Lula da Silva as its candidate in the upcoming October's election. Papers were submitted to Brazil's Supreme Court hours before the deadline passed.

The UN Human Rights Committee has urged Brazil to ensure that political rights of Lula were observed given that he was registered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The committee also urged Brazil to refrain from hindering Lula from participating in the election until after his court appeals were completed.

However, the country's Foreign Ministry has said that Brazilian authorities do not consider binding the UNHR recommendations regarding observance of jailed former president.

According to the recent polls, jailed ex-president Lula da Silva is one of the most popular presidential candidates, however, the new rulling of the Brazil's electoral court questions Lula's run in the presidential campaign.

Lula da Silva's supporters remain, however, optimistic. The PT has launched an appeal for support on Twitter, after which a hashtag translating as "Lula on the ballot box" quickly began trending, AFP reported.

 Sputnik

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China joins Australia's military drills for first time

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 10:39AM

China has for the first time joined Australia's largest annual sea and air military drills known as Kakadu 2018, involving 27 countries, including key rivals the US, Japan, South Korea and India.

Commanders from the participating nations gathered in the northern Australian port city of Darwin on Saturday to discuss plans for the exercises that began Friday with more than 3,000 troops, 24 ships and submarines as well as 21 aircraft taking part in the naval maneuvers.

China has reportedly dispatched a Navy frigate to take part in navigation and refueling drills. It will not, however, participate in live-fire exercises in the Australia-led international maneuvers.

Commander of Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, emphasized that China can help establish a mechanism for maritime collaboration when it unites with other countries.

"All our nations are bounded by the seas and we all know that our economic prosperity is inherently linked to the freedom of movement and security on, below and above the world's oceans," Mead said.

"The very thing we're dependent on has no boundaries," he added. "From the smallest island nations to the largest global super powers, we all prosper from greater maritime security built on the foundation of agreed rules for how all nations behave at sea."

The development comes as relations between Australia and China hit a new low after Canberra passed laws aimed at foiling what it alleged as Chinese influence in its domestic affairs as well as for China's assertiveness in the South China Sea.

However, Australia stuck with an invitation it issued China last September, a sign analysts said hinted at a thawing in relations. The drills will wrap up on September 14.

Australia has censured Beijing for building and militarizing man-made islands in the South China Sea.

It extended an invitation for China to join the drill, in an apparent bid to ease tensions over Beijing's maritime assertiveness.

"Respect for freedom of navigation must be maintained by all nations, particularly through our complex area," the Australian commander further underlined.

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China's Newest Carrier Begins High-Speed Testing in Yellow Sea

Sputnik News

00:19 01.09.2018(updated 00:21 01.09.2018)

China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier has begun its second stage of testing, closing down large parts of the Yellow Sea to naval traffic while it practices high speed maneuvers and tests the endurance of its propulsion system, experts have indicated.

The Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration closed about 1,300 square kilometers of sea to shipping traffic for eight days beginning on Friday, the South China Morning Post reported, indicating military observers had told the publication the area had been reserved for the Type 001a aircraft carrier.

The carrier left the nearby shipyard of Dalian in northeastern China on August 26 for a second round of sea trials, Sputnik reported. The carrier's maiden voyage was in May, but military experts noted that it was mostly to test the watertight nature of the hull's construction; this time the People's Liberation Army-Navy is getting down to business.

"This sea trial will mainly test equipment following a normal working schedule," Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a press conference Thursday.

"The maiden voyage of the home-grown carrier had more political symbolic significance. The second phase of sea trials means it has started more scientific and comprehensive tests," Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping told SCMP for an article published Friday.

The 65,000-ton carrier, among the world's largest, will be testing out its engines in particular, the Global Times noted, pushing them to the limits in terms of speed and running time.

"As a warship, it's necessary to test whether the engines are able to cope with the highest speed of over 30 knots," Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said, indicating the tests would likely include finding the radius of the ship's high-speed turns.

Those kinds of extreme maneuvers might become necessary if Taiwanese forces take the advice given by a former director of US national intelligence and test their ability to attack Chinese carriers that venture near the island.

If China's Liaoning carrier sails around Taiwan, "Taiwanese forces should take advantage of its presence to conduct simulated attacks against the Liaoning, raising their own readiness and demonstrating the reality that the Liaoning is vulnerable under wartime conditions," ret. US Navy Adm. Dennis Blair wrote in an August 22 post for Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, Sputnik reported. The Liaoning is China's only operational aircraft carrier at present, and the ship the Type 001a is heavily indebted to design-wise.

 Sputnik

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UN: Number of People in China 'Re-Education' Camps Could Top 1M

By Lisa Schlein September 01, 2018

A United Nations watchdog committee accuses China of holding possibly more than one million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in political "re-education" camps in its Western Xinjiang region.

The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has published its findings on China and other countries examined during its latest session between August 6 and 30.

The 18 independent experts forming the committee say they have received numerous credible reports of widespread torture and ill-treatment in China.

Committee member Nicolas Marugan said those subjected to cruel treatment include Uighurs, Tibetans, and other ethnic minorities as well as political protesters and human rights defenders.

"The committee has been alarmed by numerous reports of detention of large numbers of ethnic Uighurs and other Muslim minorities held incommunicado and often for long periods without being charged or tried under the pretext of countering terrorism and religious extremism. The Committee regrets that there is no official data on how many people are in long-term detention," Marugan said.

The committee reports many people are forced to spend varying periods of time in the re-education camps. It says even non-threatening expressions of Muslim ethno-religious culture like daily greetings are enough to get people locked up. The committee estimates the number of people detained in these secret camps runs from "tens of thousands to upwards of a million."

The Committee also raises concerns about reports of mass surveillance, disproportionately targeting ethnic Uighurs, and of Uighurs abroad who have been returned to China against their will.

China denies these accusations, saying they have no basis in fact. It contends Uighurs enjoy full rights, though it acknowledges some religious extremists are being held for so-called re-education.

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Pyongyang preparing toned-down military parade on September 9: Analysts

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 09:52AM

North Korea is reportedly set to stage a new military parade as diplomatic efforts on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula show no sign of progress.

In a report published by Reuters on Saturday, US analysts cited satellite imagery gathered by Planet Labs Inc. as showing that North Korea was poised to stage a military parade to mark its Foundation Day on September 9.

The analysts at the San Francisco-based company said Pyongyang was preparing to host a number of major events on the 70th anniversary of its founding, including a military parade, possible visits by foreign delegations, and - for the first time in five years - a massive choreographed performance known as the "Mass Games."

According to the satellite imagery, the military parade is likely to be very "similar" to the one staged on February 8, however, analysts say it is unclear whether Pyongyang will showcase any of its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that it once claimed to be capable of targeting the US mainland.

"At the moment, this parade look pretty similar if not smaller than the one in February," said Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

The team at Middlebury said among the weapons spotted in the images were tanks, self-propelled artillery, infantry carriers, anti-aircraft missiles, and rocket launchers. Other possible weapons included coastal defense cruise missiles, as well as at least six solid-fuel, short-range ballistic missiles possibly of a type first seen in February parade.

"The first 99 vehicles are identical," Lewis noted. "After that we only see another 20 or so short-range missiles. There were more on parade in February, including ICBMs."

Lewis acknowledged that there could be more weapons hidden in the sheds, but said at this point it was "just speculation."

Pyongyang has refrained from missile and nuclear tests this year and even toned down the earlier parade in February.

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.

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.

The US president last week cancelled a planned trip by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to North Korea, citing unsatisfactory progress on the denuclearization of Pyongyang.

In July, North Korea censured the US "rapacious demands" and "extremely regrettable" attitude, accusing Washington of trying to unilaterally pressure the North into abandoning its nuclear weapons.

Pyongyang said Washington betrayed the spirit of the Trump-Kim summit by making unilateral demands on the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization, while putting the sanctions in place.

The North said the fastest way to achieve a nuclear-free Korean peninsula was through a phased approach under which both sides took steps at the same time.

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US military blocks proposed railway connecting North, South Korea

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 05:55AM

The United States has blocked a train project connecting North and South Korea amid deepening split between Washington and Pyongyang.

The two Koreas planned to begin a joint field study last week by sending a train from the South capital Seoul, across the length of North Korea all the way to Sinuiju on the Chinese border.

Their application, however, was denied by the US-led United Nations Command, which has controlled all movement through the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that bisects the peninsula, since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

The blockade highlights a growing division between North Korea and the US, which has called for denuclearization as a prerequisite to any economic cooperation.

The US-led military body said in a statement that it requested "more fidelity on the details of the proposed visit."

The project was proposed last month by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, for creating a "Northeast Asian railroad community" between the two Koreas, the United States and four parties, including China, Russia, Japan and Mongolia, according to the president's office.

He has called for the rail links by year's end.

The move is part of a wider push by the South to improve ties with Pyongyang and set the stage for large-scale investment.

Economic cooperation with Pyongyang, however, appeared to be complicated as international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile programs remain in place.

The rail projects denial by UN command came only one week after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to North Korea.

He said that the trip was cancelled "because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

This happened after North Korean senior officials warned Washington in a letter that nuclear negotiations are "again at stake and may fall apart," CNN cited sources familiar with the process.

The letter that was delivered to Pompeo only hours before his trip, also warned that Pyongyang could restart "nuclear and missile activities," if the talks break down.

According to sources, the letter stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un felt that the process could not move forward as "the US is still not ready to meet (Pyongyang) expectations in terms of taking a step forward to sign a peace treaty."

Kim and Trump met at a summit in Singapore back in June, after which they issued a broad statement on working towards denuclearization and better diplomatic relations.

This week, a North Korean newspaper slammed at the Trump administration for its "double-dealing" and "hatching a criminal plot."

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in an editorial issued on Sunday that American special units based in Japan were staging an air drill aimed at "infiltration into Pyongyang."

The editorial urged Washington to give up the "pointless military gamble" and implement the Singapore agreement.

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Spokesman dismisses rumors on Iran's missiles sent to Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 1, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Saturday categorically dismissed rumors on shipment of Iran-made missiles to Iraq and called the claim as 'fabricated and nonsense'.

The lie disseminated by some media on shipment of Iran-made missiles to Iraq is totally irrelevant and unfounded, he said.

Such news merely is to cause panic among countries in the region and are in line with their policy to spread Iranophobia, Qasemi said.

They seem to target Iran's foreign relations mainly with its neighbors, he said.

Qasemi's remarks came in reaction to a recent report by Reuters alleging that Iran has given ballistic missiles to some tribal groups in Iraq and is developing the capacity to build more there.

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Improving ballistic missile, cruise power new plan of Defense Ministry

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 1, IRNA -- Improving ballistic and cruise missile power in different ways, achieving new generation of fighter jets and surface, submersible and long-range submarines, with diverse weapons capabilities, are among the new plans of the ministry of defense.

Strategic Advisor and International Affairs Director for Defense Ministry Brigadier General Mohammad Ahadi, on Saturday in a meeting with foreign military attache living in Tehran, appreciated the efforts of military attache in the development of bilateral relations and added,' During the year, our colleagues are in touch with most military attache within the framework of the development of bilateral relations and our efforts are also facilitating security defense ties.'

'Our approach to defense diplomacy is based on communication and interaction with all countries, minus the occupying regime of Quds, within the framework of the foreign policy of the country to achieve and contribute to the regional and global peace and security and preventing crises,' said the advisor to defense minister, elaborating on defense diplomacy and regional developments.

Referring to the good relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the countries of the region, he noted, 'The close relationship and cooperation with the neighbors is in the priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in this process, we have close communications and interactions, as well as security cooperation with the Eastern, Western, and Northern neighbors, and some countries in the south.'

'We have good communication with many Asian and African countries, and we do not see any barrier to the development of defense and defense cooperation with European countries and everyone should be involved and collaborated to provide peace and security to the point where they do not intervene to each other affairs' said Ahadi, referring to the inter-operative approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the countries of the world.

9455**2050

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Iran condemns France's call for further talks on JCPOA

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 1 September 2018 / 15:34

Tehran (ISNA)  Condemning recent remarks made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian about Iran's missile program, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi stressed that such unwarranted concerns are rooted in his wrong perceptions of the program.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly declared its clear and transparent stance on unwarranted concerns rooted in some countries' wrong perceptions and ignorance," Qassemi said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always shown that it has never been fearful of dialogue and negotiation and that it believes in it. However, in a situation that the outcome of all efforts of Iran and other world powers (the 2015 nuclear deal) is violated by the bullying and excessive demands of France's partners, there is no reason for Iran to trust and negotiate on non-negotiable issues," he stated.

"The world and the French statesmen are well aware that Iran's regional policy is in line with regional and international peace and security and the fight against terrorism and extremism, and if such a campaign is not pleasant to some countries that basically create tensions and crises, they can reform their policies," he went on to say.

The remarks came after Le Drian warned Thursday that Iran "cannot avoid" talks on its ballistic missile program and role in Middle East conflicts, as European powers work to rescue the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

End Item

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Iran plans to boost ballistic, cruise missile capabilities: Defense Ministry

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 02:33PM

A senior Iranian Defense Ministry official says the Islamic Republic plans to boost the capabilities of its ballistic and cruise missiles.

Iran's Deputy Defense Minister for International Affairs Second Brigadier General Mohammad Ahadi made the comments in a Saturday meeting with foreign military attaches residing in Tehran.

"Increasing the capabilities of various types of ballistic and cruise missiles, the acquisition of a new generation of fighter jets as well as ... vessels and submarines with various weapons capabilities are among the new plans of the ministry," Ahadi said.

He added that United Nations Security Council sanctions against the country had failed to stop the development of Iran's defense industry.

"We have the necessary infrastructure and what we need to do is research and development while upgrading and keeping updated the defense industry. To that end, we are relying on the country's very high scientific capacities and tens of thousands of graduates in different technical and engineering majors," Ahadi pointed out.

He added that Iran's defense diplomacy is based on interaction with all nations except the Israeli regime in line with the principles of the Islamic Republic's foreign policy.

It aims to help promote peace and security in the region and across the world and prevent any crisis, he said.

The official further noted that Iran enjoys good defense and security relations with regional countries, saying close cooperation with neighboring states is a priority.

Ahadi added that Iran has positive cooperation with many Asian and African countries and places no limitation on defense cooperation with European countries.

He called on all countries to join hands to promote international peace and security.

Over the past years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in manufacturing military equipment and hardware despite sanctions and economic pressures on the country.

The Islamic Republic maintains that its military power is solely for defensive purposes and does not pose any threat to other nations.

On August 13, Iran unveiled a new generation of precision-guided missiles capable of striking ground and seaborne targets in surgical operations.

The Fateh Mobin missile was showcased and entered the production line in the presence of Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami.

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UK minister discusses future of nuclear deal in Tehran

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 10:33AM

Visiting British Junior Foreign Minister Alistair Burt and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have started talks in Tehran centering on the aftermath of the United States withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.

The talks started at the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday. Burt, who is Britain's minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa, is in the Islamic Republic for a two-day stay in a first visit by a British minister since the decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw Washington from the Iran nuclear deal.

The discussions are expected to address economic cooperation following the US move, and provision of the financial and monetary mechanisms that enable continued trade between the two sides despite the implications of Washington's decision.

Also, the talks will address the latest regional developments.

The US quit the 2015 deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), despite being legally bound by it after it was signed into a UN Security Council resolution.

The US has also reintroduced the sanctions that had been envisaged to be lifted under the JCPOA.

The UN, the European Union, which coordinated the talks leading to the agreement, and other signatories to the accord, namely the UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany had all warned Washington against taking the move. All consider the JCPOA to be a historical agreement and a pillar of regional and international peace and security.

In a statement before his visit, Burt echoed London's assertion to remain committed to the Iran nuclear deal, saying, "As long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal, we remain committed to it as we believe it is the best way to ensure a safe and secure future for the region."

Iran, whose commitment to the JCPOA has always been verified by the UN nuclear agency, has, however, sought Europe to offer it financial guarantees that could ensure its economic interests and justify its continued commitment to the deal.

In late April, the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany reaffirmed their support for the landmark deal with Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced their countries' continued commitment to the deal during separate phone calls with British Premier Theresa May.

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Iran's Basij forces start countrywide drills

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 08:36AM

Iran's Basij volunteer forces have started nationwide drills in which thousands of participants have been enlisted, said Iran's Basij Commander Brigadier-General Gholam-Hossein Gheibparvar.

General Gheibparvar added that the exercises have been codenamed as Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)'s Corps II, Fars News Agency reported on Saturday.

The exercises are being conducted under the slogan of "unity and advancement," he noted.

The motto has been chosen to send across the message that "as long as there exist adversities and threats posed by foreigners, we will defend the country's Islamic establishment, standing united behind the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei," Gheibparvar added.

The massive countrywide endeavor, he said, would be meant to hearten the Iranian people and discourage the enemy, while conveying the force's readiness for cooperation with all the apparatuses requiring its services.

"Iran's Islamic Revolution has not left behind a day throughout its existence that has not seen the enmity of the world's arrogant powers," the commander said, noting that it has steadfastly stood up to its adversaries.

The drills have been divided into two phases the first of which lasts until September 20.

As part of the first phase, Basij has dispatched 150,000 of its members to various parts of the country, Gheibparvar said.

Separately, 1,000 of the force's Beit ul-Muqaddas Battalions have started staging maneuvers across the country with the aim of ensuring security within the national borders.

The second phase of the drills would start after a four-day interval during the country's Holy Defense Week, which commemorates Iran's eight-year resistance against Iraq's 1980-88 invasion. It comprises a 700,000-strong organized presence by the volunteers in major urban centers countrywide, the commander noted.

Basij Special Forces

Separately, Gheibparvar remarked on Basij's Special Forces unit, known as Fatehin (Conquerors).

"This Basij unit comprises volunteer and death-defying members, who have undergone special training programs that have prepared them for tough threats," he noted.

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Iran Refutes Reports Alleging Missile Shipment to Shiite Groups in Iraq

Sputnik News

22:59 01.09.2018

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Reuters has reported, citing a number of different sources, that Iran had been delivering short-range ballistic missiles to its Shiite allies in Iraq and helping the groups to start producing their own over the past few months.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that reports on Iran allegedly transferring its ballistic missiles to Tehran-backed Shiite groups in Iraq were "false and ridiculous."

"The information, which was disseminated in several media, on Iran transferring missiles to Iraq, is unacceptable and false. This information is aimed at raising apprehensions against the states of the region and perpetuating political threats against Iran. It is a totally false and ridiculous story," the Mehr agency quoted the ministry's spokesman Bahram Qassemi as saying.

Iran is prohibited from any missile-related transfers and activities under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Washington pulled out from the agreement several months ago, but other signatories, including Tehran itself, pledged adherence to the deal.

 Sputnik

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Tehran to Acquire Next Gen Fighters and Submarines, Boost Missile Capacity

Sputnik News

17:51 01.09.2018

Earlier in August, Brigadier General Amir Hatami said that the development of the nation's missile capacity will remain Iran's top military priority, Fars News Agency reported.

Mohammad Ahadi, deputy defense minister for international affairs, unveiled plans of the Iranian military upgrade, IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

"Increasing ballistic and cruise missile capacity and the acquisition of new generation fighters and heavy and long-range vessels and submarines with various weapons capabilities are among the new plans of this ministry," Ahadi said.

The official stressed that the international sanctions against Tehran had failed to suppress Iranian industry, in particular the arms production of the Islamic Republic.

"We have the necessary infrastructure and what we need to do is research and development, and at the same time upgrade and update the defense industry while relying on the country's very high scientific capacities and tens of thousands of graduates in technical fields and engineering," he stated.

Previously, Tehran refused to discuss its missile program with other states, underlining that it is of a defensive nature and has no links to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

 Sputnik

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Iraqi security forces kill senior Daesh leader in Salahuddin

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 04:52PM

Iraqi security forces have killed a high-ranking commander of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the country's north-central province of Salahuddin as government troops, backed by allied fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, are seeking to purge the war-ravaged Arab country of remnants of the extremist outfit.

Colonel Mohammed al-Bazi, a provincial police source, said members of the Federal Police force and pro-government fighters  more commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi  engaged in a fierce exchange of gunfire with Daesh Takfiris in a rural area west of Shirqat town, located some 280 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad, early on Saturday.

Bazi added that Iraqi soldiers and their allies managed to fatally shoot Salih Karkaz, wanted by Iraqi forces as the leader of the so-called Nahavand Battalion.

Over two dozen Daesh terrorists captured northwest of Mosul

Meanwhile, at least 26 Daesh terrorists have been arrested during a counter-terrorism operation near Badush village, situated 24 kilometers west of Mosul.

Captain Omar Sabah of the Nineveh Operations Command said Iraqi security forces also seized weapons and hand grenades from the captured Takfiris.

Sabah added that the extremists have been transferred to prison pending trial.

Daesh terrorists murder Hashd Sha'abi cmdr., family

Elsewhere in Khuwair village of the northern province of Nineveh, Daesh terrorists executed a senior Hashd al-Sha'abi commander and seven members of his family.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arabic-language Baghdad Today news website that the Takfiri militants, disguised as security forces, stormed the house of Hussein al-Hamad, shooting him, his wife, five children and his father to death.

The source added that Iraqi army troops and police forces have been dispatched to the village, and launched an operation to capture the perpetrators.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, pledged on June 30 to hunt down Daesh terrorists across Iraq after a series of attacks and abductions carried out by the terrorist group.

"We will chase the remaining cells of terrorism in their hideouts and we will kill them, we will chase them everywhere, in the mountains and the desert," Abadi said.

Abadi declared the end of military operations against Daesh in the Arab country on December 9, 2017.

On July 10 that year, the Iraqi prime minister had formally declared victory over Daesh in Mosul, which served as the terrorists' main urban stronghold in the conflict-ridden Arab country.

In the run-up to Mosul's liberation, Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters had made sweeping gains against Daesh.

Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January 2017 after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19 last year.

Daesh began a terror campaign in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks.

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Iran: Hashd al-Sha'abi head's removal Iraq's internal affair

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 06:20AM

Iran says Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's decision to sack national security adviser and head of Hashd al-Sha'abi Falih Alfayyadh is an internal affair which it will not meddle with.

"This is an internal Iraqi issue and we do not interfere in it," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi told Iran's Arabic-language Al-Alam television network.

"For us, as a neighbor, a safe, unified, and advanced Iraq has priority over everything else," he added.

Alfayyadh was removed from office on Friday, with Abadi's office stating that the decision had been taken due to his involvement in "political and partisan work".

The decision has largely been attributed to the country's ongoing efforts to form a new government following parliamentary elections in May.

Senior cleric Muqtada Sadr's Sairoon bloc came first in the polls, while the Fatah (Conquest) Alliance led by Hadi al-Amiri, and Prime Minister Abadi's Nasr finished second and third.

Before Abadi's decision, reports surfaced alleging that Alfayyadh was working with other heavyweight political groupings to establish the largest parliamentary bloc with expected influence in the make-up of the next government.

Abadi's office said Alfayyadh's alleged involvement in government formation talks would undermine the performance of the country's security apparatus.

As an apparent answer to the prime minister's move, a number of Nasr's leaders have made Alfayyadh their candidate for premiership, according to various media reports.



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Joint Statement on Libya on the Situation in Tripoli

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 1, 2018

The text of the following statement on Libya was released by the Governments of the United States of America, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Begin Text:

The Governments of France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States strongly condemn the continued escalation of violence in and around Tripoli that has caused many casualties and continues to endanger the lives of innocent civilians. We reiterate that the targeting of civilians and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited under International Humanitarian Law.

These attempts to weaken the legitimate Libyan authorities and hamper the course of the political process are not acceptable. We urge armed groups to immediately cease all military actions and warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya that they will be held accountable for any such actions.

We reaffirm our strong and continued support to the United Nations Action Plan, as recalled by the President of Security Council on June 6th and by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame on July 16th. We call on all actors to refrain from any action that would jeopardize the political framework established by the UN-led mediation to which the international community is fully committed.

End text.

# # #

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Arab Media Report Cease-fire in Libyan Capital

By Edward Yeranian September 01, 2018

Arab media reported Saturday that warring militias in the Libyan capital had agreed to a cease-fire, but it was unclear whether it would hold for long.

Clashes were reported overnight in Tripoli, and its only functioning airport was closed after rockets hit the area Friday.

Militia fighters from several warring brigades fired multiple rounds of ammunition into the air around the Yarmouk military camp, scene of bitter fighting in recent days. Control of the camp changed hands several times during the week, and fighters from the so-called Seventh Brigade, based in Tarhouna, held it at last report.

Ahmed Maitiq, deputy head of Libya's Presidential Council, part of the country's national unity government, said brigades loyal to the unity government had been sent to recapture the base and end the fighting.

National unity government Prime Minister Fayez el-Seraj, under criticism from leaders on all sides, urged opposing parties around the country to agree to unite their forces and end the chaos engulfing Libya.

He called on the parliament and the council of state to work together to unite the institutions of state, especially the army and the central bank, and issue the necessary decrees in order to hold elections.

Amateur photographs posted on Twitter showed buildings, including a hospital and a hotel, that had been hit by rocket fire during the past 24 hours. Arab media said about 40 people had been killed in a week of fighting. Many residents complained that they had been pinned down by the fighting and that electricity was in short supply. One resident said that on some days, just three to four hours of electric power was available.

Refugees have been hit hard by the fighting, although amateur photos on Twitter suggested that food got through to at least one group that had been isolated by fighting. Abdel Salam al-Milad, who is in charge of the U.N.-run Az Zara refugee facility, said several hundred people had been moved to a safer location in Tripoli, where they were given medical and food aid. He said most of the refugees were from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan.

The United States and four European governments urged the warring militias to observe the latest cease-fire.

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Russia's foreign minister dismisses 'counterproductive' US sanctions

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 04:38PM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dismissed the United States' latest sanctions against his country as counterproductive, saying the US is pushing Moscow-Washington ties into a stalemate.

"Not for the first time we highlight that the permanent buildup of sanctions pressure without any facts that would justify such sanctions is counterproductive and push relations into an impasse," Lavrov said on Saturday.

However, the top Russian diplomat said that Moscow was always open for dialogue based on mutual respect and taking into account mutual interests.

"Once our partners are ready to talk on the basis of mutual respect and considering (mutual) interests, we are always ready for such dialogue," he said.

Washington imposed new sanctions on Moscow earlier this month over what it called the attempted assassination in Britain of a former Russian intelligence agent, Sergei Skripal.

Skripal, and his daughter, Yulia, fell ill in the British city of Salisbury on March 4. They were hospitalized and diagnosed with exposure to Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent.

Britain blamed Russia but never offered evidence. Moscow has strongly denied the accusation.

The new US sanctions include blocking foreign aid to Russia, halting the sale of items or services related to defense and national security, and prohibiting any government credit support for exports to Russia.

In an interview with Russian newspaper Pravda published last week, Lavrov warned that Washington's new anti-Moscow bans could prompt Russia's retaliation.

Russia is launching diplomatic, economic and strategic measures to stave off possible impacts of the US sanctions. The measures include establishing closer diplomatic ties with Iran, Turkey, and the European Union, reducing the holding of US treasury securities, and turning eastward in pursuit of a closer Eurasian partnership.

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Kremlin slams pro-Russia leader's murder as a 'provocation' against peace

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 10:20AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has denounced the murder of pro-Russia forces' leader in eastern Ukraine as a "provocation" that will undermine a Western-brokered peace agreement.

"This is no doubt a provocation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday. "Alexander Zakharchenko's death will certainly lead to increased tensions in the region" and undermine the Minsk agreements brokered by France and Germany in 2015.

The 42-year-old leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) was killed on Friday in a bomb blast at a restaurant in downtown Donetsk.

President Putin condemned in a statement the killing of Zakharchenko as a "dastardly" act that aimed to destabilize the region. He also expressed his condolences to Zakharchenko's family for the loss and praised Zakharchenko as "a true people's leader, a brave and resolute man."

Later in the day, the Russian foreign ministry declared that it had every reason to believe Kiev was responsible for Zakharchenko's killing.

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was cited in state media as saying that Zakharchenko's killing reflected Kiev's decision to engage in a "bloody fight" and that it had passed up on its pledges of seeking peace.

The Ukraine crisis started in the country's east in April 2014 following Crimea's separation from Ukraine and reunion with Russia following a referendum. Since then, international efforts to restore peace to the Russian-speaking region have failed and more than 10,000 people have died.

Kiev and its Western allies have accused Moscow of channeling troops and armaments across the border into eastern Ukraine, a charge Russia denies.

In September 2014, Kiev and the pro-Russia forces signed an EU-brokered ceasefire agreement in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk in a bid to halt the fighting in Ukraine's eastern regions.

The warring sides also inked another truce agreement, dubbed Minsk II, in February 2015 under the supervision of Russia, Germany, and France.

The fragile ceasefire has frequently been violated, with Kiev and the militants blaming each other.

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Russia In Talks With Eritrea To Set Up 'Logistics Center' On Red Sea Coast

September 01, 2018

Russia is in talks with Eritrea to set up a logistics center at one of the North African country's seaports, Russian news agencies cited Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on August 31.

Eritrea occupies a strategically significant location on the Red Sea across from the Arabian Peninsula on a major shipping route between Europe and Asia.

Lavrov did not specify where the center would be located, but he said the project would be aimed at developing bilateral trade in agriculture and mining as well as helping Eritrea develop its transportation and energy infrastructure.

"A negotiation process is under way regarding the creation of a logistics center at one of the ports in Eritrea to boost our bilateral

trade," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Interfax, after talks with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh in the Russia resort city of Sochi.

Lavrov said the center will advance "promising joint projects involving shipments to Eritrea of specific transport agricultural equipment," as well as help Russian businesses establish contacts in the country, Interfax reported.

The Kremlin will be encouraging Russian companies to take part in African projects, including building regional transportation corridors and cross-border pipelines, he said, adding that the Eritrea region presents "excellent opportunities" for "economic integration" with Russia.

Russia has been pursuing closer ties with a number of African countries in recent months, including signing a military cooperation with the Central African Republic and developing closer military relations with Egypt.

The negotiations with Eritrea also come as Moscow is beefing up its naval presence in the nearby Mediterranean Sea, where Russian forces are backing Syria's government in a seven-year civil war against Sunni rebels.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-talks-eritrea-set-up-logistics -center-red-sea-coast-lavrov/29464939.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.

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Russian Navy, Warplanes Start Massive Drills in Mediterranean

Sputnik News

08:33 01.09.2018(updated 09:00 01.09.2018)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces will hold joint large-scale training exercises in the Mediterranean Sea on September 1-8.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the drills will involve 26 warships from the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea Fleets and the Caspian Flotilla, including two submarines, and 34 long-distance, military transport and naval aircraft. The Northern Fleet's Slava-class Marshal Ustinov missile cruiser will lead the naval task force participating in the drills.

The exercises will also involve Tu-160 strategic bombers, Tu-142 and Il-38 anti-submarine warfare planes, as well as Su-33 and Su-30SM fighter jets, according to Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Vladimir Korolev.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Thursday that the upcoming naval drills had no relation to the situation in Syria's Idlib and had been planned in advance.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry accused the US, UK and France of preparing to conduct an attack on Syria under the pretext of the use of chemical weapons planned by militants in Idlib.

For his part, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on August 30 that the White Helmets had kidnapped 44 children to stage an incident with chemical weapons in Syria's Idlib.

 Sputnik

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Syria determined to end presence of terrorists in Idleb

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 1, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad stressed that the Syrian state is determined to end the presence of terrorist organizations in Idleb province with the aim of restoring security and stability to it and freeing besieged civilians.

In an interview with the Syrian TV on Friday evening, Mikdad said that the media misleading regarding Idleb is a part of hypocrisy mechanism adopted by the US and by the Western states and their tools in the region, SANA reported.

He indicated that Syria can't stand still towards the suffering of two million Syrian citizens who are controlled by the terrorist organizations in Idleb, and it will liberate them from their clutches whether through local reconciliations or through a military operation.

He reiterated that the terrorist organizations of Daesh (ISIS) and Jabhat al-Nusra are not less dangerous than the Nazism which was fought by the Europeans during the World War II, and consequently whoever had fought Nazism should fight the danger of terrorist organizations in Syria and should help it ensure the security of its citizens on every inch of its territories.

He wondered how some of those states continue to support terrorist organizations through circulating their lies on the use of chemical weapons with the aim of protecting them.

Mikdad asserted that terrorists are the ones who used the chemical weapons and that the Syrian Arab Army has never used it in its operations against terrorism.

He noted that the hostile statements by the US against Syria came after Washington and its allies failed to achieve their goal in undermining Syria or ending its national and pan-Arab role and imposing the Western hegemony on the region.

Mikdad said that if the Western forces take any reckless step, Syria will retaliate and will be not be subjugated and it will practice its self-defense right which is guaranteed by all the international laws.

He added that the Western states haven't understood yet that over eight years they haven't been able to implement the scheme which they made against Syria which constitutes a failure to them.

Mikdad indicated that the victory achieved by Syria and its allies against terrorism has foiled all the Western attempts to impose hegemony on the world, particularly in framework of the new policies adopted by the US administration.

He said that the credibility of the UN has become in danger due to the hegemony of the Western states on the mechanisms of decision-making at the international organization.

Regarding the return of the displaced, Mikdad stressed that the Syrian state called upon all the displaced to return to their homeland, adding that the Syrian government is responsible for providing all their requirements and the basic services.

1396**1396

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Army eradicating remnants of Daesh terrorists in al-Safa

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 1, IRNA -- Syrian Army units, in cooperation with the supporting forces, carried out concentrated strikes against the remnants of Daesh (ISIS) positions in al-Safa hills in the depth of Sweida eastern Badyia (desert).

SANA reporter in Sweida said that over the past few hours, the army air force and artillery carried out precise and intensive strikes against positions and fortifications of Daesh terrorists in the direction of al-Safa hills in the eastern countryside, inflicting heavy losses upon them in the personnel and equipment.

The reporter added that army units enhanced their positions in the areas where they achieved advancement in parallel with foiling any infiltration attempt by Daesh terrorists towards the gathering of the water of Hatil Dam, the most important source of water to the northwest of al-Safa hills.

The reporter indicated that during their operations, army units adopt military tactics that are suitable for the nature of the area of al-Safa hills, adding that depriving Daesh terrorist organization from one of its most important water resources and destroying its defense lines have contributed to establishing control over new areas amid a state of accelerating collapse among terrorists.

1396**1396

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US-trained militants to attack Syria's central city of Palmyra: Russian military

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 06:05PM

The Russian Defense Ministry says newly-obtained information from captured militants has revealed that the US-trained militants are set to conduct a terrorist attack on Palmyra, a city in Syria's central province of Homs, almost a year after it was liberated from the clutches of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

According to the Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation, part of the Russian Defense Ministry, the information was received from two militants of the Lions of the East Army group, affiliated with the so-called Free Syrian Army, a Turkish-backed militia fighting against Damascus.

The captured militants, along with their comrades, were heading toward Palmyra from a settlement of 500-strong militants near the US-led international coalition's Tanf military base, when they were ambushed in early morning by the Syrian government troops, said a spokesman of the center in a press conference on Saturday.

"One of the terrorists said US instructors were involved in training their group, weapons and ammunition were delivered from the US base. The militants' objective was to commit a series of terrorist attacks near the inhabited community of Palmyra and ensure the passage of about 300 militants to capture the city within the next week," he added.

The militants were to carry out "a series of terrorist attacks in Palmyra area" and ensure the passage of around 300 militants to seize the city within the next week, he further revealed.

The Tanf base is close to the Rukban refugee camp, which is home to more than 60,000 internally displaced women and children from the cities of Raqqah and Dayr al-Zawr.

Back in late July, the Russian Defense Ministry also warned about chemical-weapons provocations planned by militants in the northwestern province of Idlib, which is waiting for an upcoming full-scale operation by the Syrain army to flush out terrorists from the militant-held region. It said that an attack would be used as a pretext for airstrikes on Syrian targets by the US, UK and France.

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US prepared initial list of Syria targets for possible strike: Report

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 10:21AM

The United States has reportedly drawn up a preliminary list of facilities in Syria that could be targeted in case of a false flag chemical weapons attack in the war-torn country.

Several US officials told CNN on Friday that American intelligence and military targeting experts had already compiled the list, but a decision to launch the strike has not been made.

One of the officials said that the US military "could respond very quickly" to an alleged gas attack in Syria and that the initial targeting data would give the Pentagon a head start if President Donald Trump orders assault.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States views the Syrian government military assault on terrorist-held Idlib as an escalation of the Syrian conflict.

The Syrian province of Idlib and surrounding areas are the last major enclave held by terrorists.

"The US sees this as an escalation of an already dangerous conflict," Pompeo said in a post on Twitter in which he also blasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for defending the operation.

Damascus and Moscow have warned that the US, along with Britain and France, is gearing up for a new military attack against Syria as the army prepares for a liberation operation in Idlib.

Syria and Russia also obtained evidence revealing yet another plot by Takfiri terrorists to carry out a chemical attack in Idlib and pin the blame on Damascus with the aim of justifying an ensuing Western act of aggression.

On April 14, the US, Britain and France launched a coordinated missile strike against sites and research facilities near Damascus and Homs with the purported goal of paralyzing the Syrian government's capability to produce chemicals.

The strike came one week after an alleged gas attack hit the Damascus suburb town of Douma, just as the Syrian army was about to win the battle against the militants there.

Western states blamed the Syrian government for the incident, but Damascus firmly rejected the accusation.

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Western states not to "play with fire" in Idlib.

"It's well known that the progress of Syrian resolution, humanitarian solutions and fight against terrorism is not to everyone's liking," he said.

The Pentagon claimed in response that Moscow "is seeking to plant false lies about the use of chemical weapons" in Syria.

Elsewhere in their remarks, American officials told CNN that the Russians may have engaged in the buildup of naval warships ahead of a possible US strike.

"By having so many ships there, the Russians can attempt to use their shipborne radars to blanket that area and 'see' any potential US Tomahawk missiles coming," an official said, warning that Russian shipborne radars could cue S-400 missile systems in Syria and try to shoot US missiles down.

'Syria resolved to liberate Idlib'

Syria's deputy foreign minister on Friday stressed that his country is determined to end the presence of terror outfits in Idlib, noting that certain Western countries continue to support militants through circulating "lies" on the use of chemical weapons.

In an interview with the Syrian TV, Faisal Mekdad censured a media misleading campaign regarding Syria's planned counter-terrorism operation in Idlib.

"If the Western forces take any reckless step, Syria will retaliate and will be not be subjugated and it will practice its self-defense right which is guaranteed by all the international laws," he said.

Mikdad further reiterated that terrorists are the ones who use chemical weapons in Syria.

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U.S. Warns Russia, Syria Against Escalating 'Already Dangerous Conflict'

RFE/RL September 01, 2018

The United States has warned Damascus and Moscow that it views any military assault on Syria's last rebel-held province in coming days as an escalation of the seven-year Syrian civil war.

The warning from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on August 31 came as rebels in Syria's Idlib province bordering Turkey blew up bridges and dug trenches in preparation for an all-out government assault promised by the leaders of both Syria and Russia, which is providing air support for Syrian ground forces.

"The U.S sees this as an escalation of an already dangerous conflict," Pompeo said on Twitter in a post that also lambasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for defending Syria's assault plans.

"The 3 million Syrians, who have already been forced out of their homes and are now in Idlib, will suffer from this aggression. Not good. The world is watching," Pompeo said.

The United Nations has warned that a major military operation in Idlib could displace another 800,000 people in a war that has already killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions.

Lavrov has said the Syrian government has every right to push rebels out of Idlib, including an estimated 10,000 fighters in an Al-Qaeda affiliated group that is believed to be the dominant rebel force in the province.

Lavrov got backing from an unexpected source on August 31 for the government's avowed plans to "liquidate" the extremist Al-Qaeda group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, which includes many recruits from foreign countries.

The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, told reporters in Geneva that "no one doubts that Al-Nusra and Al-Qaeda are terrorists...and terrorists identified by the UN need to be defeated." But de Mistura continued to plead for protection for the millions of civilians who could be caught up in the battle.

Russian military leaders have said their forces are providing a humanitarian corridor for civilians to leave the province, and they also are attempting in talks with Turkey to separate out what they have called the "terrorists" from more moderate opposition groups that have Ankara's backing.

While Russia and Syria in the past have often have referred to all of their armed opponents as "terrorists," in the case of Idlib, they appear to be making a distinction in a bow to Turkey, which provides backing for many of the more moderate Sunni rebels in the province and which has joined Moscow and Tehran in sponsoring Syrian peace negotiations in the past year.

With a major battle over Idlib seemingly only days away, the U.S. State Department said on August 31 that it is sending the new U.S. special representative for Syria, James Jeffrey, to Israel, Jordan, and Turkey on his first official trip abroad from September 1 to 4.

Jeffrey and his delegation will "underscore that the United States will respond to any chemical weapons attack perpetrated by the Syrian regime," and will "address Russia's specious allegations of international plans to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria," the department said.

Russia and Syria have denied planning any chemical attacks and have charged that the extremist Hayat group -- with backing from the West -- is planning to stage one and then blame it on the government, creating a pretext for Western air strikes.

The latest exchange of warnings between Washington and Moscow comes as war monitors say thousands of Syrian government troops and allied fighters have been amassing in areas surrounding Idlib in preparation for an assault.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian forces have deployed at least 2,000 armored vehicles along the front lines surrounding Idlib and Hama.

The area, which has been controlled by rebels since 2015, has been targeted by government and Russia air and artillery strikes for months, devastating infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-pompeo-warns-russia -syria-against-escalating-already-dangerous-conflict- idlib-al-qaeda-affiliate-hayat/29464977.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.

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Iran Plans to Supply Syria With Its Own Jets, S-300 Analogues  Reports

Sputnik News

16:34 01.09.2018(updated 16:48 01.09.2018)

Last week, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami met with his Syrian counterpart Ali Abdullah Ayyoub and President Bashar Assad to sign an agreement on defense cooperation.

Iran is set to supply its own domestically produced jets and missile defense systems to Syria, Al-Masdar News reported, citing a military source in Damascus. Specifically, Tehran reportedly plans to send its newest fighter jet, the Kowsar, which was presented in August 2018, and the missile defense system Bavar 373, which was presented in 2016 and is described as an analogue to the Russian S-300.

The report does not reveal the date when supplies are to begin or any other specific details. Tehran and Damascus have not commented the report.

Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami visited Damascus at the end of August and held talks with President Bashar Assad and his Minister of Defense Ali Abdullah Ayyoub. Hatami offered Syria Iran's help in both post-war reconstruction and in developing military equipment. The defense ministers also signed an agreement aimed at developing military and defense cooperation.

Tel Aviv has previously accused the Islamic Republic of sending troops to Syria in order to attack Israel and has conducted several air raids against alleged Iranian positions in the Arab Republic. Tehran has denied the accusations, having noted that it has only sent military advisers to Syria, and slammed the Israeli airstrikes.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Kurds, Damascus Discuss Future Governance

By Nisan Ahmado September 01, 2018

The Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), a political wing of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reportedly is in preliminary discussions with Damascus to ensure the future government in Syria is inclusive and represents all sects of Syrian society, including ethnic Kurds.

One key subject the SDC is said to be focusing on during the discussions is a proclamation named Decree 107, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued in 2011, months after the protests began. The order reinforces the rule of the central government by tying all districts and provinces to a central authority in Damascus, an arrangement ethnic Kurds oppose.

"The 107 Decree falls short and does not achieve anything for the democratization and decentralization of government. We have experience in governing our areas in Syria, and we see that this might be a model for future Syria," Riad Darar, co-chairman of the SDC, told VOA.

Darar said initial negotiations with Damascus have not had tangible results, but both sides agreed on the establishment of committees to supervise the implementation of public projects and services in the Kurdish-controlled areas.

"Guarantees have not come from Damascus, but after trust-building and a willingness to talk about how the institutions will be run together and serve people, we can start to say this agreement will result in more comprehensive meetings in the future," Darar said.

The SDC says the war in Syria has fundamentally changed the political dynamics inside the country and any future Syrian government will need to consider the emerging realities, which call for a more representative government instead of a central authority.

SDF is a key U.S. ally in the fight against Islamic State and currently controls about a quarter of the Syrian territory.

Initial negotiations

The initial negotiations between the Syrian regime and the Kurds came during the signing of an agreement in July to cooperate on the management of the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River. It provides electricity and water to the city of Tabqa, an SDF stronghold in eastern Syria.

As part of the agreement, the central government agreed to pay the salaries of local government employees working at the dam. The agreement on the dam paved the way for other discussions between the two sides.

IS captured the Tabqa Dam in 2014; the SDF freed it in May 2017. During the liberation, the dam was partly damaged as the result of fierce fighting between warring factions and the coalition airstrikes. After the liberation of the area, the U.S.-led coalition helped SDF reconstruct the dam and make it operational.

Some analysts see the move by the SDC as part of a larger plan to ingrain the Kurdish identity within the country's constitution and extend constitutional guarantees to all ethnic groups living in Syria.

The SDC proposal "aims to restore a national identity to the Syrian army and dismantle its loyalty only to the regime, distribute political and administrative authorities to all areas, and recognize the Kurdish identity in the constitution," Ferhad Hemmi, a Germany-based Kurdish journalist and analyst, told VOA.

Regime opposition

Nicholas Heras, a Middle East expert at the Center for New American Security, a Washington think tank, believes the regime will oppose the idea of delegating power from the central government to local administrations.

The Assad regime "cannot accept the concept of federalism or even the concept of decentralization, because the Baath regime represents the bigger section of the Arab nation in Syria," Heras said, adding that a decentralized Syria would be a good move for various parties involved in Syria, including the U.S.

"For the U.S., this will allow its forces to remain in Syria in order to build post-IS stability and at the geopolitical level to keep an observer force in place to try to limit the influence of Iran," he added.

Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department official told VOA the U.S. remained committed to the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and that the U.S. was aware of the meeting between members of the SDC and the Syrian regime in Damascus, although the U.S. was not a party to the discussions.

The official emphasized that the U.S. fully supports a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political solution in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, which must include full representation for all Syrians.

Russia, another party in the Syrian conflict, reportedly has leaned toward a more decentralized Syria, but with a continued powerful central authority.

The Assad regime, however, is adamant about keeping the status quo and has opposed any attempt to change the current system of government in the country, including Russia's proposed solution.

Analyst Heras said the longer the U.S. is invested in Syria, the more time it will give the Kurds to build a strong foundation.

"Since 2012, the local administrative governance has come through the support and the training of the coalition, and the security and structure of the Kurdish areas are being made able to withstand pressure from Damascus," Heras said.

Syrians' outlook

Syrians are divided over the issue. A 2018 survey published by The Day After, a Turkey-based nongovernmental organization working for a democratic transition in Syria, found that the main concern among Syrians regarding decentralization was the fear of separatism in the country.

"One-third of respondents who opposed administrative decentralization may have done so out of wanting to keep the country united, especially in light of certain calls and practices that many fear were targeted toward division," the survey said.

According to the survey, those in the Kurdish-controlled areas supported the idea of decentralization. However, Syrians in the regime-controlled areas opposed it.

The European Council issued a report in 2016 based on another survey by the same NGO, and many respondents said the push to decentralize eventually would lead to partition.

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Erdogan on S-400 Deal Amid US Sanctions Threat: 'We Don't Regret Our Decisions'

Sputnik News

12:14 01.09.2018(updated 12:19 01.09.2018)

The United States has warned its allies against buying S-400 air defense systems from Russia and threatened sanctions against any country anywhere that acquires the state-of-the-art system.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony of non-commissioned officers on Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will soon receive two S-400 air defense systems from Russia earlier than initially planned, the Ankara-based news agency Anadolu reported.

Erdogan said Turkey is pursuing its own interests and struggling to reach its own goals "in the face of the efforts of those who try to shape both our country and our region according to their own agenda."

"We do not regret our decisions," he added.

In December 2017, Turkey said it had inked an agreement with Russia for the delivery of the advanced systems by early 2020.

However, in April 2018, the two sides agreed on the early delivery of two batteries of S-400 missiles.

Washington is seriously concerned about Ankara's push to buy the state-of-the-art anti-aircraft missile system, with the ability to carry three types of missiles capable of destroying targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

In February an unnamed US official told the Turkish newspaper Haberturk that this could "negatively influence the interoperability of NATO" and that the White House may introduce punitive measures in response.

In June, the US Senate passed a bill banning the sale of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets to Turkey citing Ankara's planned purchase of two batteries of the S-400 air defense missile system from Russia.

Turkish officials have responded to Washington's pressure by saying that Ankara does not accept sanctions from NATO partners when discussing deliveries of the Russian S-400 system.

President Erdogan, when speaking in Ankara on April 9, said that Turkey would not backtrack from its decision to buy the S-400 missile systems.

Turkey's relations with the EU remain equally tense as talks on Ankara's membership in the 28-nation bloc have effectively been suspended.

Erdogan said that Turkey needed alliances with other nations besides the European countries and the US.

"We know very well what kind of activities those who force us to have a unilateral relationship are carrying out either secretly or publicly all around the world," he emphasized.

In December 2017, Russia and Turkey inked a loan agreement for the delivery of two batteries of S-400 missiles to Ankara by early-2020.

Russia also agreed to provide technological know-how for the production of a new generation of Turkish air defense systems.

 Sputnik

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US ready to boost lethal arms supplies to Ukraine: Envoy

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 08:38AM

A US diplomat to Ukraine says Washington will provide Kiev with more lethal weapons to help build up its naval and air forces in the face of what they call Russian threat.

US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker told The Guardian that the administration of President Donald Trump was "absolutely" prepared to go further in supplying such weaponry to Ukraine.

The West accuses Moscow of providing support for the pro-Russia forces fighting in eastern Ukraine, a charge Russia resolutely denies.

"They [Ukrainians] are losing soldiers every week defending their own country," said Volker. "And so in that context it's natural for Ukraine to build up its military, engage in self-defense, and it's natural to seek assistance and is natural that other countries should help them. And of course they need lethal assistance because they're being shot at."

He said Kiev and Washington are engaged in negotiations "about naval capability because as you know their navy was basically taken by Russia."

"And so they need to rebuild a navy and they have very limited air capability as well. I think we'll have to look at air defense," he added.

Earlier this year, Congress approved $250 million in military support to Ukraine in 2019. Congress had voted for such measure in the past, but was blocked by the Obama administration amid concerns about an escalation from Russia. The Trump administration lifted the Obama-era restraint last December and approved the shipment of lethal weaponry.

Russia has warned at the time that the US was "crossing the line" by providing Ukraine with lethal weapons, saying Washington is practically pushing Kiev into "new bloodshed."

Moscow also warned Washington about the consequences of supplying arms to Ukraine, saying that the weapons would provoke "hotheads" among Ukrainian nationalists to seek to unleash new bloodshed in the country's troubled east.

The conflict broke out in Ukraine following the ouster of the pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, and intensified after people in the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea voted for reunification with the Russian Federation in a referendum in March 2014.

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Moscow denies Hollande's claim that Putin threatened to 'crush' Ukraine troops

Iran Press TV

Sat Sep 1, 2018 07:05AM

Moscow has denied a claim made by former French president Francois Hollande in his memoirs that Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened to "crush" Ukrainian troops.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that he had never heard the Russian president use such an expression.

"I was practically at every negotiation. I did not hear this phrase," Peskov underlined, saying however, that he had not read Hollande's book. The memoirs was published in April, but has been recently circulated in Ukraine.

The claim is related to alleged exchanges between Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko during peace talks in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in 2015 to resolve the Ukraine crisis.

Representatives of the warring parties as well as the presidents of Russia, France, Germany and Belarus attended the talks.

In his book, titled 'Lessons of Power,' Hollande claims "Several times things heat up between Poroshenko and Putin, who suddenly becomes annoyed and threatens to simply crush the troops of his interlocutor."

He opined in the memoir: "This amounts to admitting the presence of his forces in eastern Ukraine. He immediately takes it back."

The Ukraine crisis started in the country's east in April 2014 following Crimea's separation from Ukraine and reunion with Russia following a referendum. Since then, international efforts to restore peace to the Russian-speaking region have failed and more than 10,000 people have died.

Kiev and its Western allies have accused Moscow of channeling troops and armaments across the border into eastern Ukraine, a charge Russia denies.

Meanwhile, the Russian president described the killing of leader of pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine, Alexander Zakharchenko, as a "dastardly" act aimed at destabilizing the fragile truce between opposing forces in Ukraine, expressing his condolences to his family.

The leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) was killed on Friday in a bomb blast.

The Russian foreign ministry declared on Friday that it had every reason to believe Kiev was responsible for Zakharchenko's killing.

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was cited in state media as saying on Friday that Zakharchenko's killing reflected Kiev's decision to engage in a "bloody fight" and that it had passed up on its pledges of seeking peace.

Russia's state investigative committee also issued a statement, saying it was treating the killing of the pro-Russia leader in eastern Ukraine as an act of international terrorism. It opened a criminal investigation into the killing.

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Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame Over Zakharchenko Killing

RFE/RL September 01, 2018

Ukraine and Russia are trading blame for the killing of a top separatist leader in eastern Ukraine.

Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the head of the head of the breakaway separatist entity known as the Donetsk People's Republic, was killed in an explosion at a cafe in Donetsk on August 31.

Zakharchenko's killing was the latest in a series of violent deaths of separatist officials and commanders in eastern Ukraine, where the Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014 in a war that has killed more than 10,300. Many of the assassinations have been blamed on fellow rebels.

But Russia was quick to blame Kyiv for Zakharchenko's death.

In the latest comments, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said September 1 that the bombing was "Ukraine's provocation ... obviously aimed at derailing the implementation of the Minsk agreements," referring to the September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed at resolving the conflict.

It is now "impossible" to talk about planning the next international talks over the conflict, Lavrov said, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

"This is a serious situation that needs to be analyzed," he added.

However, Ukraine's security service said it believes the attack was the result of a conflict between "terrorists and their Russian sponsors."

"We do not exclude an attempt by the Russian special services to eliminate a rather odious figure who, according to the information we have, was meddlesome for the Russians," the security service was quoted by state media as saying.

The TASS news agency reported on September 1 that Zakharchenko's bodyguard also died as a result of the blast, while a dozen others were injured.

Another separatist figure, Aleksandr Timpfeyev, was injured in the blast, but his condition was reported to have stabilized on September 1.

Dmitry Trapeznikov, the first deputy prime minister, had been named as acting leader.

Zakharchenko, twice wounded in combat, played an important role in the separatists' military operation from the beginning, taking part in the seizure of the Donetsk regional administration building by those saying they were protesting against the new pro-Western authorities.

The 42-year-old Zakharchenko, a former coalmine electrician who was born in Donetsk in 1976, survived a car bomb explosion in August 2014, and later in the year he was picked as prime minister by the parliament of the self-proclaimed Donestk People's Republic.

TASS quoted Trapeznikov as telling the Donetsk News Agency that "several suspects" in the blast were detained and in questioning "confirmed the Ukrainian side's involvement in this crime." The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has denied any role in the blast.

Plagued By Infighting

The separatist movement has been plagued by infighting, with several leaders fleeing the region after saying they had been subject to threats from former comrades.

In February 2017, separatist commander Mikhail Tolstykh, 36, whose nom de guerre was Givi, died in an explosion in his office in Donetsk.

Another separatist commander -- Arseny Pavlov, known as Motorola -- was killed when a bomb exploded in an elevator in his apartment block in Donetsk in October 2016.

On January 1, 2015, Aleksandr Bednov, a separatist commander in Luhansk, was killed resisting arrest by fellow separatist authorities on charges he ran a torture chamber in the basement of a separatist-held building.

Since April 2014, more than 10,300 people have been killed in fighting between Kyiv's forces and the pro-Russia separatists who control parts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Moscow has denied providing the separatist forces with weapons despite what Kyiv and NATO say is evidence proving that it has done so.

Russia in 2014 also seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

The United States and the European Union have condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and have slapped a series of sanctions against Moscow in response.

Zakharchenko was sworn into office as the head of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic on November 4, 2014.

At one point, Zakharchenko announced plans to create a country called Malorossia -- Little Russia -- encompassing all of Ukraine with its capital in Donetsk.

However, in August 2017, Zakharchenko called off the plan, saying it "was rejected by many" after it was met with derision and criticism in Kyiv and the West and did not receive the Kremlin's support.

With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/blast-donetsk-cafe-kills- ukrainian-separatist-leader-zakharchenko/29465473.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.

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Volker Says U.S. Ready To Widen Arms Supplies To Ukraine

September 01, 2018

The United States is ready to widen arms supplies to Ukraine to help build up the country's naval and air defense forces in the face of continuing Russian support for eastern separatists, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine told The Guardian.

Kurt Volker told the newspaper in an interview published on September 1 that pro-Western, anti-Russian sentiment was growing in Ukraine and that the Trump administration was "absolutely" prepared to go further in supplying weaponry to Ukrainian forces than the antitank missiles it delivered in April.

"They are losing soldiers every week defending their own country," Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, said in the interview.

"And so in that context it's natural for Ukraine to build up its military, engage in self-defense, and it's natural to seek assistance and is natural that other countries should help them. And of course they need lethal assistance because they're being shot at," he added.

Moscow's takeover of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine prompted the United States, the European Union, and others to impose sanctions on Russia.

Russia seized Crimea in March 2014 after sending in troops, taking over key facilities, and staging a referendum deemed illegitimate by at least 100 countries in the United Nations.

The Kremlin, which has denied sending troops and heavy weapons to the region, has said providing new lethal weapons to Ukraine would foment bloodshed.

Volker said that, while time was not on Russian President Vladimir Putin's side, he would nonetheless likely wait for presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine next year before reconsidering his negotiating position.

"We can have a conversation with Ukraine like we would with any other country about what do they need," Volker said, according to the Guardian.

"I think that there's going to be some discussion about naval capability because as you know their navy was basically taken by Russia. And so they need to rebuild a navy and they have very limited air capability as well. I think we'll have to look at air defense," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/volker-says-us-ready-to- widen-arms-supplies-to-ukraine/29465211.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.

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Second Person Dies In Donetsk Cafe Blast That Killed Separatist Leader Zakharchenko

RFE/RL September 01, 2018

The leadership of the pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine has been thrown into disarray after the head of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic was killed in an explosion at a cafe designed to honor the separatists.

The death on August 31 of Aleksandr Zakharchenko at the Separ cafe -- a separatist-themed establishment featuring camouflage netting hanging from its eaves -- drove the separatist council into an emergency meeting and angered the separatists' backers in Moscow.

Zakharchenko's killing was the latest in a series of violent deaths of separatist officials and commanders in eastern Ukraine, where the Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting the central government in Kyiv since 2014 in a war that has killed more than 10,300. Many of the assassinations have been blamed on fellow separatists.

The TASS news agency reported that Zakharchenko's bodyguard also died as a result of the blast, while a dozen others were injured.

The Donetsk News Agency said in a statement on its website that another separatist figure, Aleksandr Timofeyev, was injured in the blast and was in serious condition.

"According to verified data, the terror attack left two people dead. Those were Head of the Donetsk People Republic Aleksandr Zakharchenko and his bodyguard. Twelve people sustained injuries of varying degrees of severity," Aleksandr Oprishchenko, health minister of the separatist entity that is called the Donetsk People's Republic, was quoted as saying on September 1.

TASS and Interfax reported late on August 31 that Timofeyev's condition had stabilized and his life was no longer in danger.

The TASS report quoted a separatist spokesman interviewed on Rossia-1 television as saying that a second, unidentified person had died from injuries sustained during the blast.

A reporter for the AFP news agency at the scene said police had cordoned off the block where the explosion occurred.

Local officials said traffic to and from Donetsk had been suspended and that the start of the school year would be delayed across the separatist-controlled region because of the attack.

Interfax reported that a curfew was reinstated in Donetsk starting at 11 p.m. local time on August 31.

TASS reported that the Donetsk separatists' ruling council had gone into an emergency meeting.

Interfax and TASS reported afterwards that Dmitry Trapeznikov, the first deputy prime minister, had been named as acting leader. Reuters earlier quoted a source as saying that Denis Pushilin, head of the separatist legislature, would be named temporary leader.

Late on August 31, TASS quoted Trapeznikov as telling the Donetsk News Agency that "several suspects" in the blast were detained and in questioning "confirmed the Ukrainian side's involvement in this crime." The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has denied any role in the blast.

Russia's Foreign Ministry was quick to blame Ukrainian authorities for the attack, saying Kyiv had decided to engage in a "bloody fight."

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in an interview with Rossia-24 television early on September 1 claimed that "the Kyiv regime is driving its country to the verge of an all-out disaster at increasingly faster speeds."

The Russian Investigative Committee announced an investigation into Zakharchenko's killing while Zakharova called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to also investigate.

"We call on the international community to wield its influence so that the investigation would be transparent, genuine, open, and prompt," she told Rossia-24 television, according to TASS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences for what he called a "contemptible murder," adding that Russia's state Investigative Committee was treating the killing as an act of "international terrorism."

"The contemptible murder of Aleksandr Zakharchenko is further evidence that those who have chosen a path of terror, violence and fear do not want to search for a peaceful political solution to the conflict or have a real dialogue with the people in the southeast, but thrive on destabilization to bring the people of Donbas to their knees. This will not happen," Putin said in a statement.

However, Ukraine's security service said it believes the attack was the result of a conflict between "terrorists and their Russian sponsors."

"We do not exclude an attempt by the Russian special services to eliminate a rather odious figure who, according to the information we have, was meddlesome for the Russians," the security service was quoted by state media as saying.

The separatist movement has been plagued by infighting, with several leaders fleeing the region after saying they had been subject to threats from former comrades.

In February 2017, separatist commander Mikhail Tolstykh, 36, whose nom de guerre was Givi, died in an explosion in his office in Donetsk.

Another separatist commander -- Arseny Pavlov, known as Motorola -- was killed when a bomb exploded in an elevator in his apartment block in Donetsk in October 2016.

On January 1, 2015, Aleksandr Bednov, a separatist commander in Luhansk, was killed resisting arrest by fellow separatist authorities on charges he ran a torture chamber in the basement of a separatist-held building.

Since April 2014, more than 10,300 people have been killed in fighting between Kyiv's forces and the pro-Russia separatists who control parts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Moscow has denied providing the separatist forces with weapons despite what Kyiv and NATO say is evidence proving that it has done so.

Cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords -- September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed at resolving the conflict -- have regularly failed to hold.

Russia in 2014 also seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

The United States and the European Union have condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and have slapped a series of sanctions against Moscow in response.

Zakharchenko, a former coal-mine electrician who was born in Donetsk in 1976, was sworn into office as the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic on November 4, 2014.

At one point, Zakharchenko announced plans to create a country called Malorossia -- Little Russia -- encompassing all of Ukraine with its capital in Donetsk.

However, in August 2017, Zakharchenko called off the plan, saying it "was rejected by many" after it was met with derision and criticism in Kyiv and the West and did not receive the Kremlin's support.

With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-separatist-leader- zakharchenko-reported-killed-in-donetsk-cafe-blast/29464119.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.

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The following editorial appeared in Sunday's Yomiuri Shimbun:

- - -

It is important to continue to gradually and steadily reduce the excessive burden of hosting U.S. bases on Okinawa. In contrast, the approach of the Okinawa prefectural government, which appears to position base-related issues as a point of contention in the gubernatorial election, is extremely questionable.

The Okinawa prefectural government has revoked its permit for land reclamation as part of the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to the Henoko district in Nago. Work will be suspended.

The policy of revoking the permit was stated by Gov. Takeshi Onaga, who died last month. Okinawa's Vice Gov. Kiichiro Jahana said at a press conference that the prefectural government "will act with all its strength to stop the construction of a new base in Henoko."

It will be officially announced on Sept. 13 that the gubernatorial election will take place on Sept. 30, with ballots to be counted on the same day.

Groups that supported Onaga and others had called on the prefectural government to decide quickly to revoke the permit. By maintaining the wishes of Onaga, they are apparently aiming for an advantage in the election.

Hasn't the prefectural government taken too much advantage of its decision to revoke the permit for political purposes? It is not understandable that the prefectural government has responded in a way to inflame hostility among people in the prefecture just prior to the election.

It is obvious that the prefectural government is trying to rehash an issue that has been settled judicially. In 2015, Onaga nullified the approval, claiming the procedures taken earlier were legally flawed. The following year, the Supreme Court ruled that Onaga's judgment was illegal.

This time, the prefectural government has asserted, as reasons for the revocation, that environmental preservation measures worked out after the approval was issued, including measures for coral, were found to be insufficient and that soft ground had been discovered at the site after the approval.

The central government has been moving ahead with the transplantation of coral reefs and a boring survey. The assertion made by the prefectural government can be called unreasonable.

The central government plans to file a suit to get a stay of the withdrawal. Now that the prefectural government has used strong-arm tactics, such an action would be inevitable. Should the court approve it, the central government will be able to resume work within a few weeks or about a month.

The central government has put off the injection of soil and sand at the landfill area. By doing so, the central government is believed to have avoided having the gubernatorial election focus on base-related issues more than necessary.

The relocation to Henoko is a realistic option to eliminate the risk posed by the Futenma base and maintain the U.S. military's deterrent capability. The government must steadily move the work forward.

The election is expected to be effectively a one-on-one fight between former Ginowan Mayor Atsushi Sakima, endorsed by the ruling parties, and House of Representatives member Denny Tamaki, backed by groups that supported Onaga and opposition parties.

With regards to the planned relocation to Henoko, Sakima said he will respect a judicial ruling. Tamaki has taken a stance of opposing the relocation. It is important to discuss base-related issues level-headedly.

In 2022, Okinawa Prefecture will celebrate a watershed year marking the 50th anniversary of its reversion to Japanese sovereignty. During the election, candidates need to wage a battle of words from a broad perspective with the future of Okinawa in mind, ranging from the promotion of local industries to infrastructure development.
This year's IFA in Berlin might not be over yet, but all the major announcements have been made. We can't say it was the most exciting of the shows but some manufacturers there was still some hot hardware for us.

Sony

As per tradition, Sony unveiled its H2 flagship at IFA and the Xperia XZ3 is more than a refresh of the Xperia XZ2 that was introduced back in April. It has a curved OLED screen like no other Xperia phone and it's the company's first QHD+ display as well.

It seems like Sony is trying to tackle things a bit differently this time around by introducing new features and extended functionality on the curved P-OLED screen. The rear camera is identical to the previous generation, but packs updated software and should produce better images. And hey, it runs Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, making it the first of its kind. Plus, the new color options, like Forest Green and Bordeaux Red are pretty awesome.

When talking about Sony at this year's IFA, we can't fail to mention the new addition to the successful Sony noise-cancelling headphone lineup. The new Sony WH-1000XM3 have a dedicated noise-cancelling processor, are lighter than their predecessor, have re-designed earcups and introduce fast charging over the USB-C port. Plenty of new features to look forward to.

Huawei

The company used the event to formally unveil Mate 20 Lite and it announced its next-generation chipset - the HiSilicon Kirin 980. It's built on TSMC's 7nm node and is the first to support LPDDR4X RAM and the first to have dual NPU co-processor. The impressive spces sheet continues with dual ISPs, Cortex-A76 CPU cores, a Mali-G76 GPU and a Cat.21 modem, capable of up to 1.4Gbps download speeds over 4G LTE.

The other part of the show included a new Alexa speaker called AI Cube, a GPS tracker and new Huawei P20 and P20 Pro color variants including a leather-skinned P20 Pro and updated memory configurations.

Huawei's keynote ended with an official confirmation about the Mate 20-series - they will come with the Kirin 980 chipset - as expected - and will be officially announced in London on October 16.

Honor

Although most of us were expecting the announcement of the Honor Note 10 and the Honor Play for the global market, the company released only the latter, but it compensated by teasing the successor to the Honor Magic that we saw two years ago.

The feature-packed follow-up seems quite exciting as it will come with slide-out cameras, fast 40W Magic Charge and nearly bezel-less display. The unit showcased on stage seemed like a really early engineering sample because its slider was manually operated, but with the release promised for December, more finished units are just around the corner.

HTC

HTC introduced its beautiful new U12 Life smartphone with dual finish back (similar to the Pixel lineup) and typical mid-range specs.

LG

LG introduced unexpected members of the G7 lineup - the G7 One and G7 Fit. Both smartphones are pretty similar to the original LG G7 ThinQ from the front but are actually sitting much lower in the pecking order.

The G7 One, for instance, is an Android One-powered smartphone sporting a Snapdragon 835. Fun fact: it's the first G-branded handset from the company to sport this SoC. Coming with a price tag lower than the original G7's, the One aims to appeal to the stock Android fans out there.

The G7 Fit, on the other hand, is a fundamentally odd handset with a Snapdragon 821 on board and once again, a flagship-class screen like the standard G7 ThinQ.

BlackBerry

Business users, rejoice! BlackBerry is back with a new, much more affordable Key2 variant - the Key2 LE. It's almost as if the OEM heard the users' and reviewers' complaints about the price point of the original Key2 and decided to give the world mostly the same handset with slightly toned-down chipset to fit the budget. And they did it nicely.

Starting at just $399 for the standard version with 4GB/32GB memory configuration and $449 for the 64GB model, the Key2 LE brings along almost everything we liked so much about the original version, including the keyboard. It's also the first BlackBerry smartphone since 2014 to come in a color that's not silver or black. The Atomic color, for example, is just great.

ZTE

One of the more interesting devices to come at IFA this year is the ZTE Axon 9 Pro. A flagship running stock Android and packing a huge 4,000 mAh battery. Among all these Chinese, heavy-skinned ROMs running on today's flagship smartphones, the Axon 9 Pro feels like a breath of fresh air.

Sure, it still costs around 650, but the device has a lot to offer in return including a top-notch Snapdragon 845 chipset, AMOLED screen with 1080 x 2248 pixel resolution and a capable dual camera setup on the back. We can expect the device to pop up in Germany first, followed by other European countries and later on in Asia.

And that's all folks. With Samsung, Huawei and a few others skipping on this year's IFA, it wasn't the most action packed in the past few years, but on the positive sides that means we have a bunch of other events to look forward to this Fall.
Week 35 in review: Pocophone F1 and Xperia XZ3 are here, iPhone event is near

This week was big in terms of mobile news. The tech world was buzzing with anticipation for the IFA show in Berlin (which is now done, mobile-wise) and there were a few big announcements in store.

Right off the bat Xiaomi launched its Pocophone F1 to the global market and subsequently sold more than 68 thousand units in 5 minutes.

Sony announced its first ever AMOLED smartphone in the Xperia XZ3 and LG unveiled the G7 Fit, G7 One and a Raspberry Rose G7 ThinQ.

Meanwhile, Realme released its second smartphone, aptly named Realme 2 and finally the Huawei Mate 20 Lite went on pre-order in Germany and Poland.

Apple stole some of the IFA thunder when on the eve of the show it announced its September 12 iPhone event. Rumors suggest that Apple will announce three iPhones - a cheaper 6.1-inch LCD iPhone, an upgraded iPhone X with a 5.8-inch AMOLED display and a full-on 6.5-inch AMOLED flagship iPhone X Plus. A render of Apple's next iPhones surfaced the day the media invite was sent out.

The rest of the hot topics this week include the first official teaser of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, which will have an Oppo Find X-esque slider for the camera. Honor also teased a phone with a slide-out camera module - the Magic 2.

Nokia obtained the Pureview trademark, sparking wild speculation about high-megapixel Nokia phones in the pipeline.

Finally the upcoming three Galaxy S10 are rumored to all feature an in-display fingerprint scanner. Given that none of the current in-display scanner solutions are quite as fast as the regular scanners, it will be interesting to see if this rumor turns out true.

See you next week!



Pocophone F1 teardown: a closer look at the 'LiquidCool' heatpipe and the face scanner The Poco appears solidly built with many screws holding it together and it looks surprisingly easy to repair.





Xiaomi launches the Pocophone F1 globally The Pocophone goes on sale in Europe and Asia today.





Pocophone F1: a list of all countries where it will be available The Spanish Poco site is offering a 30 coupon that brings the price down to 300. The French site is pricier, however.





Sony Xperia XZ3 unveiled: Big, curved OLED display! The latest Xperia flagship brings a rather radical design change to the Sony lineup.





Apple iPhone XS and its bigger sibling get pictured in leaked renders The use of the iPhone XS name is apparently a certainty at this point.





Honor teases the Magic 2 with slide-out cameras and FullView display It will also have absurdly fast 40W Magic Charge and Kirin 980 chipset on board.





HMD obtains PureView trademark The Nokia manufacturer might bring back another beloved smartphone-related brand.





Insiders: all three Galaxy S10 models to use in-display fingerprint readers However, not all three models will use the same kind of reader - the two more premium models will enjoy better security and reliability.





Official: Apple will show off its 2018 iPhones on September 12 Expect three new iPhones - all with a notch and Face ID - a new Apple Watch and new iPad Pros.





Oppo Realme 2 is here with bigger display and battery, dual camera Oppo's second Realme phone stretches out the display and packs more battery for the same price.






Haiti - Politic : Inauguration of the Professional Training Center of Hinche





Friday, President Jovenel Moise, accompanied by Maguy Durce Director of the National Institute of Vocational Training (INFP) and Koldo Echebbaria Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Haiti, in the presence of the Deputy of the constituency of Hinche, Fred Piton, of the Mayor of the commune Jonel Jn Baptiste, of Deputy Delegate Emmanuel Frantz Piton and several local authorities and personalities of the civil society, inaugurated the Hinche Vocational and Technical Training Center (CFPTH), located in Marmont.



Built on a plot of 27,050 m2, including 6 pavilions, this modern vocational training center, with a futuristic architecture whose construction cost, financed by the IDB, is estimated at about 5 million US dollars, was realized by a local firm. With a capacity of 3,000 learners, the Center offers programs in 7 sectors : water exploitation and treatment, civil construction, information and communication technology, clay works, agricultural products processing and general mechanics, divided into 35 trades.



"The construction of the Vocational Training Center, a tool for building the future in the heart of the Central Plateau, will enable young people to free themselves from the fear of unemployment" declared Maguy Durce, Director General of the INFP.



"The materialization of the Hinche Vocational and Technical Training Center is a modern vision for the development of technical and vocational education," stressed Koldo Echebbaria, IDB Representative.



Recall that after Trou-du-Nord https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24760-haiti-politic-inauguration-of-the-professional-training-center-of-trou-du-nord.html and Jacmel https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24818-haiti-jacmel-inauguration-of-the-vocational-and-technical-training-center.html , Hinche is the 3rd city to receive a Technical and Vocational Training Center since the beginning of the five-year term of Jovenel Moise.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24760-haiti-politic-inauguration-of-the-professional-training-center-of-trou-du-nord.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24818-haiti-jacmel-inauguration-of-the-vocational-and-technical-training-center.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2018/09/02 | Source

IKEA country retail manager Andre Schmidtgall speaks at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.

IKEA has racked up W470 billion in sales in the fourth year since its launch in Korea (US$1=W1,116).

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Country retail manager Andre Schmidtgall told reporters on Wednesday that sales from September 2017 to August 2018 came to W471.6 billion, up 29 percent on-year.

That makes IKEA the third largest furniture company in Korea, after Hanssem with W2 trillion in sales and Hyundai Livart with W888.4 billion.

Schmidtgall attributed the increasing sales to a second store that opened in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last year. The number of visitors to its two stores stood at 8.7 million, up 34 percent on-year.

He added Korea is the Swedish giant's fastest growing market, and it plans to open more stores in major locations including Busan, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province and Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province.

It will also start online sales and nationwide delivery services this Saturday.
Published on 2018/09/02 | Source

Record youth unemployment is prompting a growing number of university graduates to learn practical skills like welding to boost their chances of landing any kind of job.

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Of the 8,662 new students Korea Polytechnic University admitted into its two-year degree program this year, 1,334 had already attended other universities. In 2015, only 455 out of its 9,323 new students came from other universities, so the proportion increased threefold.

In KPU's one-year certificate program, 27 percent of new students are university graduates.

A KPU staffer said, "Most of the graduates who come to our school have tried for two or three years to find jobs". University graduates typically turn up their nose at anything but a job with a big conglomerate, but KPU connects students with small and mid-sized companies.

Kim Joon-seok, a professor at KPU said, "Most large businesses these days prefer skilled workers who can immediately put to work".

On job portal Saramin, 26.6 percent of the 550,000 jobs posted in the first quarter of this year were for experienced applicants and 13.4 percent for both experienced and inexperienced applicants. Only eight percent wanted to hire entry-level jobseekers.

KPU faculty said the rising number of back-to-school graduates has livened up the atmosphere in the classroom. Lee Seung-chul, who teaches computer-aided design, said, "Maybe it's due to their experience having a tough time finding work, but such students are very dedicated and often graduate at the top of their class".

An admissions officer at KPU said, "The job market remains bleak, so we expect to see continued growth in the number of back-to-school graduates".
By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2018/09/01

Among the 34 features Kim Ki-young directed, "A Woman After a Killer Butterfly" remains one of the most noteworthy, although in this case, not just due to its quality as a film, but most due to its unusualness, since Kim exceeds the borders of the absurd and the supernatural here, along with his omnipresent melodrama.

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The script, in essence, is comprised of three different stories and prologue, who come together through the protagonist, Yong-bin, a history student who lives almost like a hermit. During a trip with his co-students, he stumbles upon a woman, who, when he sees him killing a butterfly with a lethal injection, proceeds on poisoning him and herself, in a forced double suicide that he, somehow, manages to survive.

After he is released from the hospital, Yong-bin finds himself with suicidal tendencies, which are interrupted by a nosy book salesman, who speaks about the passion for life and even suggests that in order to erase his suicide notions, Yong-bin must kill someone instead of himself. Their interaction ends up with the salesman killed by the hands of our protagonist, although his presence does not cease at all, since he continues to philosophize as a corpse, and later as a skeleton.

The second story involves Yong-bin and a friend, who discover a corpse in a cave that is explored for archaeological purposes. Yong-bin takes the corpse to his home, but finds himself in the "company" of a 2000-year-old gorgeous woman, who has come back to life and is in search of a human liver if she is to survive. Furthermore, the two of them sleep together.

The third story, which takes the largest part of the film, has him living as a guest at the house of Professor Lee, an archaeologist who is obsessed with human skulls and Mongolian history. His daughter, Kyeong-mi eventually is revealed as a true femme fatale, but as the secrets of the family come to the fore, she is completely deconstructed as a character, just as she starts to form a romantic relationship with Yong-bin. Furthermore, a series of decapitations torment both the household and the local police.

At first glance, the absurdity mixed with fantasy, the b-movie aesthetics (including cheap SFX), the underlying sense of humor, and the grotesqueness of the stories, make the film seem like a combination of Seijun Suzuki and Shaw Brothers horror movies. For example, the interaction with the detective with the hat that always thinks Yong-bin is under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he explains his stories, is a distinct sample. Obviously, the aforementioned elements result in a truly cult film, but "A Woman After a Killer Butterfly" is so much more.

Kim Ki-young, in this utterly surrealist setting, explores a number of philosophical and social subjects. Life and death and the value of the first, loneliness, family, sex, desire and obsession are quite thoroughly analyzed through the three main stories. The concept of the femme fatale could not be missing from a Kim Ki-young film, and, in this case, finds one of its apogees, since it is presented through three women. The one who tries to kill Yong-bin in the beginning, the 2000-year-old corpse that comes back to life and, most of all, Kyeong-mi. Through these characters, Kim makes a direct connection between sexual desire, women, and death, while the concept of the butterfly serves as a metaphor of all three.

Furthermore, the interaction between Yong-bin and the professor's household, that also includes a handmaid, provides a social comment between the differences of the poor and aristocracy, with the protagonist obviously wishing to be included in the upper social classes, and the family (with the exception of the professor who does not seem to care) fighting him all the way, to a point at least.

The acting on the film is quite good. Kim Chung-chul as Young-gul is the undisputed star, having the longest screen time, and depicting a very difficult character that has to change negative psychological and sentimental statuses almost constantly, convincingly. Namkoong Won is also quite good as the calm and almost timid Professor Lee, with his change in attitude during the finale being one of the film's most impressive elements. The one who steals the show, though, is Kim Ja-ok as Kyeong-mi, whose transformation from a femme fatale to a completely broken woman is even more impressive than that of the aforementioned.

The production values suffer from the obvious lack of budget; nevertheless, Lee Seon-chun's cinematography is quite good, particularly in the mansion and the country, with the presentation of the former also benefitting the most from Lee Bong-seon's art direction. Kim Hui-su had a very difficult task as an editor, of joining all these different setting and stories together, and in that regard, he has done a very good job. I felt, however, that the movie would have benefitted from a bit of a tighter editing that would cut the duration from the almost two hours the film stretches.

Kim Ki-young has managed to shoot a supernatural, surreal horror/melodrama with philosophical and social implications and that is where the true value of the film lies, as a rather unique amalgam of cult, art-house and genre film.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"A Woman After a Killer Butterfly" is directed by Kim Ki-young and features Namkoong Won, Kim Ja-ok, Kim Jung-chul and Kim Man.
Published on 2018/09/02 | Source

Korean Air is set to deploy CS300 jets on its international flights.

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The jets will fly on routes linking Busan to Nagoya, Japan, starting in November and their routes will be expanded to more Japanese cities such as Fukuoka, Narita and Sapporo, the flagship carrier said on Tuesday.

Korean Air took delivery of its first CS300 from Canadian jet-maker Bombardier in December last year to bolster its short-haul domestic routes.

The 130-seat jet boasts greater fuel efficiency and significantly less noise and carbon dioxide emissions than regular aircraft. It also comes equipped with slightly wider economy seats.
The rule of thumb, whether youre a start-up or a huge enterprise, is to realize that parental leave doesnt mean maternity leave anymore. Parental leave encompasses all genders  as such its a benefit we should be pushing. Its reflective of the need for diversity; encouraging women to have flexibility in both their private and professional lives, whilst also allowing men to stay at home with their new child.

Take inspiration from big leagues

Jamie suggests creating a leave program thats universal  and ensure it doesnt just apply to one gender, but its inclusive of both.

In Colorado, for example, theyre piloting a four-day school week. That will fundamentally change organizations approach in general, either through increasing flexible working hours or providing day care subsidy.

Jamies referring to Colorados School District 27J, where teachers and pupils will only attended classes Tuesday through Friday. The added days off will be provided for with an additional $30 of childcare  according to the district.

Speaking to local press, Tracy Rudnick, public information officer of 27J, added: "A three-day weekend for educators may be a perk since they are unable to receive significant salary increases. This new schedule appeals to teachers because their professional development is built into their day.
We have long recognized that the health, well-being, and diversity of our employees helps Microsoft succeed, said Dev Stahlkopf, general counsel for Microsoft.

We also know that we rely on a wide array of other companies to supply us with goods and services that reflect their core competencies, and that the people who work for our suppliers also are critical to our success, Stahlkopf said.

Despite recognizing that the new policy may result in increased costs, Microsoft said it will assist its business partners in complying with the requirement.

The tech company was prompted to introduce the policy after the state passed legislation requiring companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees and contractors. The new law will come into effect in 2020.

In 2015, Microsoft introduced a similar initiative that would require its suppliers to offer paid time off to their employees.
For Subscribers Western Maryland Hospital Center workers warn of impact if it closes

Workers at a Hagerstown hospital that provides unique care to patients worry services could be out of reach for the patients if the facility closes.
A 70-year-old woman was killed after a two-storey house collapsed in Vijay Vihar locality of Loni town Saturday morning.

According to police, the woman was trapped inside and died later at the GTB Hospital in Delhi. The family said the house first tilted to one side and later came crashing down in the heavy rain on Saturday morning.

The police identified the woman as Kaushalya Devi  she was on the first floor while the other members of her family rushed outside when the plaster started peeling off around 11am.

I was on the first floor and saw that the plaster of the walls had started crumbling. I immediately asked my family to vacate the house and ran out to see what had happened. In the meantime, one of my three children and my wife along with three of our employees had come out to the streets, Suresh Kumar, Kaushalya Devis son and the tenant of the building, said.

I saw the entire building had tilted to one side. Within minutes, the entire building collapsed. My mother could not come out in time. Since we all were out of the house and the building started to collapse, none of us could go to the first floor to rescue my mother. She sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital where she succumbed to injuries. One of my employees suffered minor injuries, he said.

According to officials, the house belongs to one Manoj Chaudhary, who live in Delhi. He had rented it out to Suresh nearly six months ago. Two months earlier, Suresh had started a screen-printing unit on the ground floor of the house and had employed three or four men from Bihar.

The officials said the house collapsed due to several hours of heavy rain that lashed Loni on Saturday morning.

Initially, we received information that several persons of the family and workers were trapped in the debris. We rushed there and residents of the area also helped in the rescue operation. The elderly woman was taken out from under the debris. She was rushed to GTB Hospital where she was declared dead. There were a total of 10 persons inside the building when the incident took place, Vaibhav Krishna, senior superintendent of police, said.

Apart from locals and the police, the district administration officials also rushed to the spot.
In a sermon of a different kind, a Catholic priest addressed members of Muslim community inside a mosque, thanking them for selflessly feeding the flood victims who had taken shelter at his church.

Father Sanu Puthussery, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church, had visited the Juma Masjid at Vechoor in Kottayam district during jumah (Friday prayers) on August 31 and delivered a thanksgiving speech at the prayer hall.

As the deadliest floods had lashed the state two weeks ago, over 580 people had sought refuge at St Antonys Church at Achinakom where Father Puthussery was serving as the priest.

However, a day after, the Church authorities faced some shortage of food and water.

I straightaway went to the Masjid, apprised the maulvi about our difficulty and requested his help. After the days prayers, Muslim brothers came to the church with a large quantity of food and water, Father Puthussery said.

I cannot express my gratitude to them in words. That much help and support they had extended during the time of difficulties, he said.

They continued bringing essential items to the relief camp at the church.

Besides food and water, the youth attached to the mosque also arranged for medicines, he said.

I went to the Masjid to meet the maulvi and other authorities and thank them personally. But they invited me to their prayer hall and offered me their platform to speak..., the priest said.

It was a different experience for over 250 believers, who were present at the mosque to offer Friday prayers.

In his about 10-minute speech, the Catholic priest said, though the floods had snatched away many valuables from people, it also washed away the walls of

differences among them.

Pope Francis had said build bridges, not walls. The devastating floods has now given us an opportunity to destroy the walls and build the bridges of togetherness, the priest added.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Army chief General Bipin Rawat will be flying to Srinagar on Monday to call on newly appointed State Governor Satyapal Malik to exchange notes on the security situation in the state and the forthcoming Panchayat elections. This will be the first meeting between the defence minister, Army chief and the Jammu and Kashmir Governor.

South Block officials said that the visit of Sitharaman and Rawat comes at a time when indigenous militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, has been pushed to the forefront of action by handlers across the Line of Control (LoC) to orchestrate unrest in the Valley by targeting innocent families of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) personnel. It has been seen in the past two decades that whenever key American leadership is visiting India or the sub-continent, violence is orchestrated in the Valley in the name of the indigenous freedom struggle. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is visiting India on September 5 after paying a five-hour trip to Islamabad. Secretary Pompeo, along with defense secretary James Mattis, will be involved in a two plus two dialogue with their Indian counterparts on September 6.

According to senior army commanders, Hizbul leader Riyaz Naikoo has been involved in the recruitment of scores of local youth from south Kashmir and has now turned the focus of recruitment to Handwara and Kupwara in north Kashmir. Naikoo, who is said to be based in Shopian now, is recruiting local youth for militancy as cross-border infiltration of large groups has come down due to high attrition arising from army deployment on the LoC.

While there is no agenda for the Srinagar meeting, the visitors are expected to discuss forthcoming local body elections. The Centre is very keen to hold the Panchayat elections as the villages will be financially empowered through elected sarpanches. In the long run, this will also create a political alternative in the state traditionally ruled by the Abdullah and Mufti families. State chief secretary BVR Subramanyam will also be present in the meeting at the Governors house.

After the BJP walked out of the coalition government with PDP, the Centre wants the Governor to ensure fair play in the strife torn state, especially when it comes to government jobs. With a political Governor at the helm, we want merit-based system of selection and good governance to prevail. The message to the public should be that you need not be close to either Hurriyat or Jamait-e-Islami to get a job. The solution to this episodic unrest lies in infrastructure development and keeping the militant numbers below the threshold in the Valley, said an Army Commander.
In what looked to be a hurried circular, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has warned airlines operating in India that they would have to pay a penalty of Rs 50,000 if they empty the toilet tank during take off or landing. The order, issued on August 30, came after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) warned the aviation regulator that it would stop funding the salaries of DGCA employees if it failed to issue a circular by August 31.

In compliance with the directions of the NGT, all air operators have been directed to not to release any waste during landing and take off or near airports. The operators have been told that they would have to pay Rs 50,000 as environmental compensation if their planes are found dumping waste mid-air. They have been asked to submit monthly reports, said a DGCA official. However, the aviation regulator maintained that since the matter was subjudice, the directions were only interim.

In October 2016, former Lt Gen Satwant Singh Dahiya, who resides near the Delhi airport, had moved the NGT alleging human excreta was being dumped on his terrace and neighbourhood from the aircraft during landing.

On December 5, 2016, the DGCA formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter.

However, before the investigation could be completed, the NGT issued an order on December 20, 2016, asking the DGCA to issue a circular to the airlines. The expert committee, on the basis of physical inspection and examination of lavatory drainage systems of various types of aircraft, concluded that there did not exist a practical way to dispose lavatory waste from flights.

On the contrary, aircraft manufactures claimed that it is impossible to empty a toilet tank mid air. We had filed a counter affidavit, but on August 1 this year the NGT issued another order asking us to instruct the airlines. We cannot go against the courts order, the DGCA official said.

The bio vacuum toilet of aircraft has three levels of protection and any leakage is extremely rare. Even after landing, if you open the tank, the waste has to be sucked out, said a serving pilot requesting anonymity.

The DGCA has asked the airlines to follow the orders till its review petition is heard.
Online pharmacies will need to register with the government of India to sell medicines through the internet and will be bound a set of new draft rules that were notified by the health ministry recently.

The new draft rules require online pharmacies to be registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and obtain a trade licence  applicable across India  from any state government. As per the estimates, the total e-pharma industry is less than 0.5% of the retail pharmacy landscape currently, but is growing at more than 100% rate.

Any person who intends to conduct business of e-pharmacy shall apply for the grant of registration to the Central Licensing Authority through the online portal of the Central Government, reads the notification.

The drugs sold online would need prescription and the pharmacy will have to maintain a detailed record. However, there should be strict confidentiality and no patient information should be leaked domestically or internationally. There should also be facility for customer support and grievance redressal.

The draft rules also ban sale of narcotics, psychotropic drugs and tranquillizers.

The work to regulate online pharmacies, or e-pharmacies, has been going on for the past two-three years. We had created a rough draft earlier and made it public for comments. In the final draft that has been Gazette notified, we have incorporated all relevant suggestions, says Dr S Eswara Reddy, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

The ministry decided to make amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, to include e-pharmacies as with the growing e-commerce in India, online pharmacies have also been becoming popular in India.

A consultative committee on e-pharmacies was formed in 2015, which after 86 deliberations submitted its report to the DCGI in 2016. We are not against online stores as we understand it is beneficial for people who cannot access medical stores due to chronic conditions or for people who live in difficult-to-reach terrains where some medicine may not be available. The online store will be of great help in such circumstances, which is why we have made it easier for them to obtain the licences, Reddy said.
Close to the Line of Control, an area encircled by dense deodar, pine and fir forests and elevated cliffs, Kazinag National Park is home to the near-extinct Markhor, a majestic mammal with corkscrew horns.

Ever since it was declared a national park, the numbers of the mammal  a wildlife species included in Schedule 1 of the Indian wildlife (Protection) Act 1972  and other species such as musk deer, goral and tragapons have registered an upward trend.

Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan and is found on both sides of the LoC.

Kazinag National Park has the potential to become one of the biggest national parks in the country as its spread over more than 160 sq km.

It can now become a symbol of peace even as India and Pakistani soldiers would engage in shelling till five years ago. The park came into existence after two wildlife sanctuaries Limber and Lachipora  were clubbed with Naganari conservation reserve with the support of Wildlife Trust of India in 2007.

After the area was handed over to us, things have really changed in this park. It is one of the finest parks comprising two sanctuaries and a conservation and is home to Markhor and about 20 species of mammals, 120 of birds and 17 of butterflies, besides numerous species of medicinal plants, Regional Wildlife warden, north Kashmir, Mohammad Sadiq, told HT.

The warden, however, said that few people in and outside Kashmir know about the park.

This is one of the richest parks in the state and we still we have few visitors. The animal lovers can have the group sightings of the markhor, wild animals and birds here. Two surveys were conducted in the area in 2009 and 2011 by the Wildlife Trust of India and the last survey put the number of markhor between 150 -170.

Officials claim the number of the mammal has increased since. Now, the number can be between 300 to 350, said Abdul Qayoom, block officer, Naganari Conservation Reserve.

He said the best time to watch markhor is between October to April when the animal comes down from higher altitude areas.

This is a vast park and has everything which these animals and birds require. The only thing it needs is proper upgrade in the form of fencings, construction of tracks, firewalls inside the forests, rest houses and regular watch and ward staff.

It was in early 2000 that the J&K Wildlife department proposed Kazinag Biosphere Reserve project but WTI named the project as Kazinag National Park.

In India, markhor is found only in J&K and Kazinag habitats the mammals largest population.

Likewise Kazinag also has the largest population of tragopans  another endangered species of birds

Project head, Wildlife Trust of India, Riyaz Ahmad, said there has been an upward trend not only of markhor but tragapons, gorals, musk deer and other birds.

This national park is the only place in the country where markhor and tragapons are found in high numbers, so, it needs special attention. We have started making people aware about the park. Earlier, villagers used to go for community hunting of animals in winters, which has now stopped, he said.

He said in the 2011 survey, the markhor number was put between 155 to 165, and tragapons were estimated nearly 79 in the last survey done a decade ago. Sitting under the shades of pines on a road that leads towards Babagail village, Block Officer Lachipora, Mushtaq Ahmad, was busy giving instructions to the staff about the conservation. The biggest impediment is that only 10 permanent employees are posted to look after the entire park. We run our show with the help of daily wagers who are paid little that too after six months. After this area was declared a national park, we were to get special grants and dedicated staff, but nothing has happened.

Officials are miffed that the funds are released in March and the department fails to utilise them as the financial year ends in that month only. This place needs proper attention and special funds for the development, said an officer. Officials claim that department has so far constructed two rest houses and three huts for staff and tourists. We have every facility for sighting; so tourists and nature lovers should visit this park, said Peer Mushtaq, Range Officer, Baramulla.

Pervaiz Ahmad, a resident of Lachipora said the Central ministery should have shown special interest towards the park. This park is rich in wild animals, birds, butterflies and medicinal plants, the only thing needed is proper upkeep and facilities, he said.

Mining threat to park

The mining of gypsum close to the park is threat to the wild species.

These mining is a big threat to the park, but we cant stop them as these are run by influential people. If we start to take action, we get phone calls from top officials, said an official on condition of anonymity.
India will take up issues like BSF personnel being attacked by Bangladeshi criminals and those related to cross-border smuggling during a high-level meeting of the border guarding forces of the two countries beginning here tomorrow, a senior official said on Sunday.

As per an official, India and Bangladesh will share updates about movement of Rohingyas in the meeting.

A delegation of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), led by its Director General (DG) Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam, has arrived in India to hold bi-annual talks with their counterparts --BSF-- as part of their six-day tour.

The Border Security Force (BSF) side will be led by DG K K Sharma.

Relations between India and Bangladesh are at an all-time high, a BSF spokesperson said.

Issues like prevention against attacks on BSF personnel by Bangladeshi criminals, joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes, action against Indian insurgent groups (operating from the other side) among others are part of the agenda for the DG-level talks that begins tomorrow here, he said.

Issues related to border infrastructure, simultaneous coordinated patrol in vulnerable areas of the border and mutual sharing of information are also part of the BSF subjects, the spokesperson said.

A senior official told PTI that the two sides will also share updates with regard to the movement of the Rohingyas along the 4,096-km frontier they share.

The Dhaka headquartered BGB is expected to take up issues like smuggling of various types of drugs/narcotics from India to Bangladesh and arrest or apprehension of Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF among others, the spokesperson said.

A joint record of discussion will also be signed between the two forces on September 7, he added.

This is the 47th DG-level conference between the two sides since it began in 1975.

The last time the two forces met for such a meeting was in April this year in Dhaka.
India is expected to convey to the US during the upcoming two-plus-two talks that it is going ahead with the Rs 40,000 crore deal with Russia to procure a batch of S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems, notwithstanding the American sanctions on military transactions with Moscow, official sources said Sunday.

They said India is likely to seek a waiver from the Trump administration for the mega deal, citing its requirement for the missile system in the wake of the evolving regional security architecture as well as considering its close defense ties with Russia.

India has almost concluded the S-400 missile deal with Russia, and we are going ahead with it. Our position on the issue will be conveyed to the US, said a high-level official source.

The US has imposed military sanctions against Russia under the stringent CAATSA (Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) law for its annexation of Crimea as well as alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.

CAATSA mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish entities and countries engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

Randall Schriver, the Pentagons senior official handling issues relating to Asia, said Thursday that the US cannot guarantee that India will be exempted from sanctions if it purchases weapons and defence systems from Russia.

The US has been indicating that it does not want India to finalise the deal with Russia.

A new US defence legislation authorises President Donald Trump to exempt countries from the military sanctions.

The first edition of the much-awaited 2+2 dialogue on strategic affairs between the US and India will take place in New Delhi on September 6 during which a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interests will be discussed.

Under the new framework finalised last year, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold talks with secretary of state Mike R Pompeo and secretary of defence James Mattis from the US.

The sources said India will push for a waiver from the US for the missile deal with Russia, as the air defence system was critical for its security preparedness.

They said there was a possibility that both Russia and India are likely to announce the deal before the annual summit between prime minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.

There has been mounting concerns in India over the US sanctions against Russian defence majors including Rosoboronexport as billions of dollars of military purchases may be impacted because of the punitive measure.

India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border. S-400 is known as Russias most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.

China was the first foreign buyer to seal a government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 to procure the lethal missile system and Moscow has already started delivery of unknown number of the S-400 missile systems to Beijing.

The S-400 is an upgraded version of the S-300 systems. The missile system, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, has been in service in Russia since 2007.
Tension prevailed in several parts of Haryana as police stopped leaders and activists of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) going to Umra village of Hisar to oppose a government function to be presided over by Haryana finance minister Capt Abhimanyu on Saturday.

The finance minister was in Umra to inaugurate the 37th state-level women archery competition.

The AIJAAS had recently announced that it would oppose all government programmes of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and FM Abhimanyu in various villages across the state as the government has failed to keep its promises, including withdrawal of criminal cases against Jat youths registered during 2016 pro-quota agitation and reservation for the community in government jobs.

Police stopped the vehicles carrying Jat leaders and activists in Jind, Hisar, Hansi, Rohtak and Charkhi Dadri. Their vehicles were taken to various police stations.

Heavy police deployment was made in neighbouring districts to maintain law and order.

Many protesters were stopped near Jind-Hisar border. They shouted slogans against the government and local administration.

In Rohtak, the police stopped Jat protesters near Meham village and took them to a community centre. The protesters shouted slogans against the government.In Charkhi Dadri, the protesters were stopped near Dadri area.

In Hisar, the Jat protesters took out a protest march on the national highway-9, sending the police in tizzy.

Talking to HT, AIJASS state spokesperson Rambhagat Malik said, As soon we came to know that the finance minister is coming to a government programme in Umra village, we sent across messages to our activists to reach there to show black flags to the minister.

He said the AIJASS had decided at a meeting in Jasia village on August 16 to oppose the programmes of Abhimanyu and Khattar.

AIJASS Hisar district president Mahender Singh Poonia said, We had informed the Hisar administration that we will go to Umra to show black flags to the finance minister and hold a peaceful protest.

But the administration stopped our activists to reach the venue of the event. We have now decided to battle it out against the government and it should be ready to face similar protests across the state.

Hansi deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Narender Kadian said, We requisitioned police personnel from the adjoining districts, including those of Durga Shakti Rapid Action Force. No one will be allowed to breach law and order.

Meanwhile, the inaugural ceremony of the archery competition was held in Umra without any disturbance.

Speaking on the occasion, Abhimanyu said the state government is providing best facilities to sportspersons. He did not say anything about the protests.
In his single storey house deep inside lush green Pulwama, Asadullah Naikoo spoke about multiple incidents of harassment he and his family have faced ever since his son, Riyaz Naikoo, left home to join militancy in 2012 and went on to become operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Pointing towards the windows and almirahs, Asadullah claimed his house had been raided and vandalised multiple times by security forces during these six years. When the police detained me on August 29 at 11.20pm, that was the only instance among many during these years when I was not beaten up or abused and kept in a room instead of a lock-up at the local police station, said Asadullah, a tailor by profession.

They allowed me to wear clothes and shoes. The DSP (deputy superintendent of police) said your son has issued a video statement talking about acid attacks on those taking part in panchayat polls. He told me, remember if something happens we will blast your home, Asadullah said.

Additional director general of police (law and order) Munir Ahmad Khan on Friday said the police do not vandalise property or harass militants relatives.

We are a professional force and dont believe in harassment of anybody. But any relative or friend of a militant who is involved in some illegal activity will be taken care of by the law.

The detention of Asadaullah, along with the father and two brothers of another Hizbul militant, Abdul Lateef Dar (locally known as Lateef Tiger), Wednesday night, triggered a chain of abductions of relatives of policemen on Thursday night by militants, spreading fear among the families of local policemen.

A few kilometres away in Dugripora, Lateefs mother, Fatima, narrated something similar. She said the police had swooped on their house between 11.30pm and midnight, and took away her husband Ghulam Hassan, a farmer, and their two sons, both wall painters.

At the police station, they told him your son picked up the son of a policeman at Pinglish in Tral and we picked you up. They asked my husband to tell his son (Dar) to surrender and, in the same breath, conceded that he wont listen, Fatima said.

Eleven abducted people, mostly relatives of policemen in the four south Kashmir districts (Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam) were let off late on Friday after the police allowed the fathers of Naikoo, Dar and another militant, Adil Ahmad, to go home. Fatimas two sons were also released. After the release of the policemens relatives, Naikoo too issued an audio statement alleging they picked up these men to make the police realise the pain of a mother whose son has been taken away.

He alleged that the police had been at the forefront, along with the army, in the effort to ransack our homes and jail our family members under PSA (Public Safety Act) whenever militants attack the army anywhere.

Families of Naikoo and Dar alleged that the police and army had been raiding their homes whenever any militancy-related incident occurred across the four districts of south Kashmir.

They narrated how the police vandalised their homes when a policeman was killed in October 2017, and how army soldiers knocked on their doors when army man Aurangzeb was kidnapped and killed in June.

When a policeman was killed (in October last year), some 10 men beat me up and abused me. They damaged the household items and took away small electronic things. I, my brother and two other members in my family were taken into custody. They let me go after 17 days. At the time of Aurangzebs killing, security men again assaulted my family members, Asadullah said, adding that the police are still holding the cousin of Riyaz Naikoo.

What have uncles and brother-in-law of Riyaz done? Why are they being harassed? he asked.

Fatima said her other sons and even guests were beaten up by the army on the day Aurangzeb had been kidnapped. She said that her two sons came home after spending four days in police custody before Eid.

The families have a message for both warring sides.

They not only want the police and army to stop harassing but also want militants not to target the families of policemen.

Families of some 20 policemen live in my village. What is their fault? Similarly, the police and army harass us and even our neighbours. What is our fault? Fatima said. Many young men join militancy only because of this harassment. I have not seen my son for the past 16 months.

Asadullah said families of the policemen and the militants should be left alone. Let police and militants fight each other, they should not involve families in between. We dont want civil war here, he said.
Thousands of supporters of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao have started gathering in Hyderabad for a rally where he is expected to announce early elections in state and list welfare measures to woo voters.

Rao held a cabinet meeting Sunday afternoon before he heads to his Telangana Rashtra Samithi partys Pragati Nivedana (Progress report) rally at around 6pm.

The cabinet was expected to pass a resolution to dissolve the Assembly and recommend this to Governor ESL Narasimhan.

Rao has been dropping hints of assembly election being advanced for the past few weeks. He already declared that the party will announce its candidates in September. However, it is not clear if the decision will be taken on Sunday or later this week.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, is keen to advance the assembly polls to avoid simultaneous elections to the Assembly and the Parliament.

Assembly elections are due in Telangana in April-May next year along with the Lok Sabha polls

KCRs two meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August further added to the speculation.

KCRs son and cabinet minister KT Rama Rao said the chief minister will take a final decision on early polls. Rama Rao, who is number two in the party and the government, is confident of TRS retaining power whenever the elections are held.

A survey conducted by the TRS suggested that the party would win almost 100 out of the total 117 seats if the elections are held in the next few months, a TRS leader had earlier told HT.

At the Pragati Nivedana rally, the party will highlight the governments programmes and achievements since it came to power in the newly created state in 2014. Being held at Ibrahimpatnam on the city outskirts, it is expected to attract 25 lakh people. Rama Rao claims that this will be the biggest political rally in the country.

TRS leader Palla Rajeshwar Reddy said about 2.5 million people are expected to attend the public meeting with party workers from all 31 districts of the state in full attendance.

He added that KCR would present a roadmap for TRS for the assembly polls.

Telangana Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao depicted as Lord Rama in a Telangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS) poster in Ranga Reddy district, ahead of the party's Pragathi Nivedhana Sabha which will be held later today pic.twitter.com/Py8bd2TOgQ  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

Perhaps with the elections in mind, the TRS government has in the past few months announced a slew of measures for the welfare of farmers. In the first week of August, it launched life insurance schemes for nearly 2.8 million farmers in the state. Over the last few days, he announced sops for various sections of people and also transferred IAS and IPS officers.

On Saturday, he announced a 35% pay hike for employees of the electricity department.

The state government has also paid more than Rs 600 crore to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as a premium for the scheme, which costs about Rs 2,271 per farmer.

In May, it launched a crop investment support initiative named Rythu Bandhu, that aims to provide Rs4,000 per acre each to land-owning farmers for rabi and kharif seasons.

KCR also does not want simultaneous elections with Andhra Pradesh in view of reports suggesting that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) might join hands with the Congress for the assembly elections, upsetting TRS calculations in Telangana.

By advancing the assembly elections, the TRS leader said KCR will get enough room to maneuver during the Lok Sabha elections and enable him to take a call on having an alliance at the national level.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for the United States from Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday for medical treatment.

He is being accompanied by his wife, Kamala Vijayan.

His trip was initially scheduled for August 19 for a period of 17 days, but it was postponed due to the heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods that ravaged the state.

According to informed sources, Vijayan is expected to return by the end of this month.
A 38-year-old Navy official has been arrested in Kottayam on charges of raping a woman, police said Sunday.

The womans father had lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that the Navy officer raped his daughter after making a false promise to marry her.

Murali Kumar, a chief petty officer of Navy in Mumbai, was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Saturday, police said.

He has also been charged under the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.

The victim in her early 20s alleged that Kumar raped her when she had gone to meet him at a hotel in Kottayam last week.

He had allegedly invited her to the hotel room, police said.

The incident came to light when the woman was admitted to a private hospital near Kottayam, police said.

Kumar, a two-time Mr Asia title holder and eight-time Mr India title winner, allegedly befriended the woman through social media.

Police said they would file a report with naval authorities on the incident.
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Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said he would take a call soon on the dissolution of the state assembly for early elections in the state. The elections are due in April-May next year.

All my party leaders, including my cabinet colleagues and MLAs, have authorised me to take a decision on the assembly dissolution, which everybody is waiting for anxiously. I will take an appropriate decision soon and come before you, Rao told a public meeting at Kongara Kalan village near Hyderabad.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president asked the people to vote his party back to power for the second term to enable him continue the good work he had done over the last four years.

Rao separately chaired a cabinet meeting at his camp office without taking a decision on the dissolution. The cabinet approved some pending decisions and authorised Rao to take the call on early polls.

Watch: No announcement on early elections in Telangana at TRS mega rally

A communique from the chief ministers office said the next cabinet meeting would be held shortly. Unconfirmed reports said it will be called on September 5 for Rao to take a formal decision on the dissolution.

At the rally, Rao recalled his journey from the TRSs launch in 2001 for the liberation of Telanagana from the Andhra rulers to the statehood for it in 2014. He said the people had blessed the TRS as they believe it was the only party, which reflected their aspirations.

In the last four years and three months, Telangana has come a long way from being a state, which was exploited for decades, to becoming Indias richest state with tremendous annual economic growth rate of 17.2 per cent. We have the vision, commitment and planning, he said.

Rao presented a progress report of his four-year tenure. He spoke about his governments schemes and programmes like Mission Kakatiya (for restoration of tanks), Mission Bhagiratha (for supply of drinking water to every house) and a series of irrigation projects and pro-farmer schemes.

The schemes are there for you to see and you are enjoying their benefits. We have a long way to go to realise our dream of achieving a green and golden Telangana, he said.

Appealing to the people of the state not to become slaves of national parties, Rao urged the people to emulate Tamil Nadu for their self-respect.

You have to decide whether decisions relating to Telangana should be taken by us here or should we become slaves of Delhi parties, he said in an obvious reference to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Hinting that the TRS will contest the coming polls on the plank of self-respect, he advised Telangana people to emulate Tamil Nadu, which has its own parties and where people never allow Delhi parties to take their decisions.

He further lashed out at leaders of the opposition parties for stating that their goal was to oust KCR from power.

Rao accused them of creating hurdles in the path of development by filing court cases over irrigation projects.

(With IANS inputs)
The Congress leadership has stepped up back-channel talks with regional powerhouses in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with an eye on maximising the Opposition vote against the formidable Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 general election.

Talks are under way with parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in UP at different levels.

Senior Congress managers are also open to the possibility of a patch-up with Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United), or JDU, if such a situation presents itself. The problem is that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) veteran Lalu Prasad and his children are vehemently opposed to any space for Nitish Kumar after the latter quit their grand alliance and joined hands with the BJP last year.

Opposition parties are counting on UP (80 Lok Sabha seats) and Bihar (40 seats) to increase their tally in 2019 as they seek to stop the march of the BJP, which now has 69 seats in the former and 23 in the latter.

A senior Congress strategist said on condition of anonymity an informal group of party leaders has been formed to talk to Akhilesh Yadavs SP, Mayawatis BSP and Ajit Singhs RLD in UP to pave the way for an alliance or at least a seat-sharing arrangement in the countrys largest state. Congresss UP in-charge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, is also in touch with the leadership of these regional parties.

While Azad is in talks with the top regional leadership, the senior leaders of these parties are also engaged in their own way to discuss seat-specific issues and hurdles at the local levels. The senior leadership of these four parties meet at a regular interval, this person said.

A second Congress strategist added that the BSP and SP had so far indicated that they wanted at least 65-70 seats for themselves, keeping 10-15 seats for the Congress and RLD.

In the last few meetings, the SP and BSP insisted that given the strength of the Congress and RLD, they cant take more than 10-15 seats. But we have a support base across the state and certainly have the ability to field more candidates. Looks like it will be a hard bargain, said this person, also on condition of anonymity.

In Bihar, the Congress and the RJD are all set for a pact. While the RJD has repeatedly said no to any link with the JDU, the Congress has received feelers from Nitish Kumars camp. A senior Congress leader flew from Delhi to Mumbai last week to meet RJD veteran, Lalu Prasad and, according to an RJD associate, spoke about the growing disenchantment about the BJP in the JDUs rank and file. Prasad, however, remained unmoved, said a third Congress leader.

In an earlier interview with HT, Lalu Prasads son and RJD president, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, said his party was ready to consider Ramvilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) or Upendra Kushwahas Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) as partners, but was firmly opposted to Nitish Kumars return .

An associate of Nitish Kumar maintained that while seat-sharing talks are on between the BJP and Kumar, the JDU is also perhaps keeping its options open. Earlier, Kumar had kept the BJP subdued. But in this current government, the BJP certainly wields an upper hand as they know that Kumar has burned his bridges with the Opposition parties, he said on condition of anonymity.

JDU leader KC Tyagi was confident that the BJP and JDU would be able to forge an alliance. In the next few rounds, the two sides will seal the pact, he told HT.

The Congress had agreed to a seat-sharing agreement with the SP in the last assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP coasted to a comfortable victory last year. In Bihar for the 2015 state assembly polls, it forged an alliance with the RJD and JDU and the pact paid off, with their grand alliance stopping the BJP from coming to power, until Nitish Kumars volte face in 2017.

Afzal Amanullah, a political analyst and former parliamentary affairs secretary, said, UP, Bihar and Maharashtra would be the key states that may decide the fate of the next election. If the Opposition wants to do well, they have to get a solid alliance in these states. But they will also face a lot of challenges.

The Congress had agreed to a seat-sharing agreement with the SP in the last assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP coasted to a comfortable victory last year. In Bihar for the 2015 state assembly polls, it forged an alliance with the RJD and JDU and the pact paid off, with their grand alliance stopping the BJP from coming to power, until Nitish Kumars volte face in 2017.
The packets found from a south Kolkata locality contained medical waste and not decomposed remains of 14 babies and foetuses as alleged, doctors who examined them have said.

Panic prevailed in the city after it was alleged that workers cleaning a plot of land found remains of 14 bodies of newborns.

Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee, who visited the spot, had said that the 14 bodies, wrapped separately in plastic, were in two bags.

Suspecting illegal abortion ring, Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar rushed to the spot.

However, the police did not open the packets and sent them straight to M R Bangur hospital for post-mortem.

In the evening, doctors informed the police that the packets contained no human tissue.

Doctors who opened the packets found no human tissue. They found dry ice. Examination is on to determine the exact nature of the material, said Nilanjan Biswas, deputy commissioner of Kolkata polices South-West Division.

A thorough search of the entire area, including nearby water-bodies, will be conducted to see if there are more bodies, Sovan Chatterjee said.

Barely a couple of hours ago, Biswas had said that the police suspected the packets to be containing remains of foetuses and newborns, but will wait for the post-mortem report to set the course of investigation.

There is no question of conducting post-mortem because ho human element was found, said a doctor at M R Bangur hospital on condition of anonymity.

Biswas said a team of forensic science experts have been called in to investigate the packets.

A police officer who did not want to be identified said that the news of recovery of these packets created panic because in November 2016, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bengal Police discovered two skeletons and three skulls of newborns from the premises of an NGO of Maslandapur in North 24 Parganas district.

The CID also busted a baby trafficking racket that was active since 2014 and 50 babies were trafficked, Rajesh Kumar, additional director general, CID had said then.
In his first major party meeting as the president of the DMK, M K Stalin is all set to discuss the re-induction of estranged brother Azhagiris as well as the partys preparedness for upcoming polls.

Stalin is meeting all district secretaries on September 8, according to senior DMK members who did not want to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

According to senior leaders of DMK, Stalin will also discuss the partys current position on the ground.

The main agenda of the meeting is expected to be fundraising and Stalin will exhort the party office-bearers to raise funds for the party. He will also hear the grievances from the 65 district secretaries. Since Thiruvarur and Thirupparankundram bypolls are due soon because of the deaths of Karunanidhi and AIADMKs A K Bose, Stalin would also devise strategies for these elections, a senior district secretary from central Tamil Nadu told HT.

Since the district secretaries meeting is being held two days after Azhagiris major show of strength on Septemeber 5 in Chennai, his demand for re-induction into the party would be on agenda.

Azhagiri has publicly accepted Stalins leadership but has said that that the true followers of Karunanidhi are with him.

Azhagiri was expelled from the party in 2014 for anti-party activities and is seeking a re-entry into DMK after his fathers death.

On Sunday, Azhagiri refused to comment on Stalins silence to his demand, but told media at Madurai, As I said earlier, lakhs of my supporters will take part in the rally. Since I am the son of Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), I will stand by my words.

Political observers said Azhagiris refusal to respond on questions related to his brother could be a strategy to facilitate his re-entry into the DMK.

As an organiser, Azhagiri is a powerful man. The DMK now desperately needs an electoral victory and it will be a good decision to induct Azhagiri into the party. Since Thirupparankundram is in Madurai district where Azhagiri is based, his contribution would help DMK to win the seat. Also, Azhagiri has made it clear that he is not expecting any party posts (for now) says Tharaasu Shyam, a political observer.

He also observed that this stand could also bring sympathy for Azhagiri.

If the election results go against the DMK, the cadre would start to say that Stalin should have inducted him. So it becomes crucial for Stalin to decide on his elder brothers induction, Shyam, told HT.

DMK on Thursday had re-inducted Karuppasamy Pandian, a former district secretary of Tirunelveli district, and former minister Mullaivendan.

DMK expelled Karuppasamy Pandian for celebrating the release of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in 2014 when she got bail in her DA case. Mullaivendan was a minister in 1996-2001 DMK term. He joined actor turned politician Vijayakants DMDK in 2014.
A Trinamool Congress worker was found dead at Bhangar in West Bengals South 24 Parganas district on Sunday after being missing since Saturday night, police said.

While the relative of the deceased claimed that the state ruling party worker has been killed by opposition party workers, police said they have not found any proof of murder.

The body of Shibu Debnath, a Trinamool Congress worker was found in a pond near his house in Bhangars Saitgachi on Sunday morning. There are no injury marks on the persons body, a senior officer from Bhangar police station said.

We have got the news that the man was drunk. He consumed alcohol thrice on Saturday. The body has been sent for autopsy to find out how he died. No proof of him being murdered has been found as yet, he said.

The family members of Debnath accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of kidnapping and killing him.

He suddenly went missing yesterday. We guess that he was kidnapped and murdered by some BJP workers as he supported Trinamool Congress, a relative claimed.

The villages in Bhangar witnessed massive unrest over the construction of a power grid in the area for the last one year.

Violent clashes took place between anti-power grid agitators and state ruling party Trinamool Congress workers several times including at the time of state rural polls in May.
KCR ends speech

Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao ends his address.

Telangana wont surrender to Delhi leadership: KCR

In Tamil Nadu, people rule their own state with their leaders. Similarly, we shall retain power and not surrender to Delhi leadership: Telangana CM KC Rao at TRS rally in Ranga Reddy district, reports ANI.

I promised that if I don't give drinking water to every household through Mission Bhagiratha before next elections, I won't contest elections. No other Chief Minister in the country would dare to say something like this: Telangana CM KC Rao at TRS rally in Ranga Reddy district pic.twitter.com/MhBUxe3jI7  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

Will tell when I take a decision: KCR on early polls

Some media channels are saying KCR will dissolve the govt. All TRS members have given me an opportunity to take a decision on the future of Telangana. I will tell you when I take a decision: Telangana CM KC Rao at TRS rally in Ranga Reddy district, reports ANI.

KCR begins speech

K Chandrashekhar Rao starts his address amid loud cheer.

KCR arrives at the venue

K Chandrasekhar Rao has arrived at the venue of the TRS rally.

Massive crowd gather at the venue

People throng to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) rally venue in Ranga Reddy district. The rally will be addressed by CM Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao later today. #Telangana pic.twitter.com/3e27bFVwzb  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

KCRs arrival delayed

Cultural programmes Telangana Dhoom Dham begin to entertain audience at the TRS rally venue as KCRs arrival is delayed by at least two hours.

Cabinet meeting over

The Cabinet meeting has concluded with no decision yet on early Telangana elections.

Well have another cabinet meeting shortly to take crucial decisions, says deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihari. The next cabinet meeting is likely to be held on September 7.

Cabinet meeting is on

KCR holds a cabinet meeting at his camp office in Begumpet.

Crowds start trickling in ahead of rally

Crowds start trickling in at the Pragati Nivedana Sabha at Kongara Kalan village on Hyderabads outskirts

The turnout in this rally is going to be something that people will remember for a long time, it is going to be the biggest political rally ever held in India: Telangana Minister K. T. Rama Rao on TRS's Pragathi Nivedhana Sabha in Ranga Reddy district later today pic.twitter.com/ErzZxJXD6D  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018
The UP Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC) recruitment examination scheduled for Sunday morning was postponed after authorities received information that the question paper was leaked.

The UP Special Task Force (STF) arrested 11 people, including a primary school teacher suspected to be the mastermind behind the leak of the tubewell operators recruitment exam paper, from Meerut on Sunday morning.

The recruitment examination was scheduled to be held at 364 centres across the state. The commission said the fresh schedule for the examination will be announced soon.

Senior superintendent of police, STF, Abhishek Singh said the arrested included five exam aspirants and six involved in leaking the paper. He further identified the primary school teacher, Sachin Chowdhary, as the mastermind.

Singh said Chowdhary used his connections to sell the leaked question paper for around Rs 7 lakh each. Police had laid out a plan to catch Chowdhary red-handed while he handed over the leaked question papers to exam aspirants about 15 hours before the test.

Government authorities were alerted about the leak after the questions from the seized papers matched those in the real question papers, Singh said. Subsequently, authorities announced their decision to postpone the examination.

Singh said the STF team has also recovered around Rs 15 lakh, admit cards of several examinees and over a dozen mobile phones from the arrested people. Chowdhary is being questioned to find the source of the leak.

According to the police, Chowdhary frequently made phone calls to specific numbers over the past few days; police think Chowdhary was corresponding with those involved in leaking the questions. More raids are being conducted to arrest the others involved in the racket.

The tubewell operator exam was scheduled for a total of 3,210 vacancies and nearly two lakh aspirants had applied for it. As soon as news of the exam being postponed broke, students began protesting outside exam centres against the authorities.
At a literary meet here that comes close to the first death anniversary of the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, writers and intellectuals here called on the people of the country to work towards a more tolerant society and condemned the recent arrests of five activists by the Pune police.

At the event organised by the Gram Seva Sangha, linguist Ganesh N Devy said that all over the world the state is being controlled by capitalists. The idea of criminal justice has been squashed, where the victim is tortured and the perpetrators get away, he said.

MS Sathyu, director of the critically acclaimed film Garam Hawa, said there was a lot of confusion in society at present, added to which are extremist tendencies that are threatening society.

Condemning the recent arrests of five activists and intellectuals by the Pune police, Sathyu said it was necessary now to use art as a weapon to express dissent. It is necessary for some of us, through art to say vehemently that we oppose fascism and the dominance of religion..., he said.

Playwright Girish Karnad said the recent arrests were extraordinary.

Usually, the first information report lists out the charges, but here it is completely unrelated..., he said, adding that police were just following orders.

Historian Ramachandra Guha said he had suggested to some publishers to employ the Pune police officials to write crime fiction because of the fantastic nature of its claims.

Guha said it was important now more than ever to follow the writings of Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar.
Doctors have reported an increase in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the city. Surya Hospital in Santacruz said that in the last three months they have treated six times as many cases compared to the same period last year.

Dr Bhupendra Avasthi from Surya Hospital, Santacruz, said that the staff at the hospital has seen over 3,000 cases since June as compared to 500 cases during the same period last year.

The infection, which is caused by a virus, results in painful reddish blisters in the mouth, hands, feet and thighs. It also leads to fever and sore throat.

We really dont know why there are so many cases this year, Dr Avasthi said.

Dr Tanu Singhal, consultant paediatrician at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said there is an outbreak every monsoon, but anecdotal evidence suggested that the number of cases this year are higher . In the last two weeks she has treated two to three cases a day. The difference I see this year is that it is affecting older children, up to the ages of 6 and 7 years, Dr Singhal said.

She said that the cases this year are severe as compared to last year.

There are more lesions and the fever seems to be lasting for a longer time, she said.

Doctors are treating the cases based on the symptoms. In most cases, they are prescribing paracetamol and lotions for the blisters.

Doctors have advised parents to not send their children diagnosed with the condition, to school, as the disease is contagious. Doctor Om Srivastava, an infectious disease specialist, said, parents must refrain from sending children to school till the symptoms subside.

The disease is infectious. Just like other viral conditions it can be passed on to other students, he said.
In an embarrassment to the Maharashtra government, lack of coordination between two state departments led to a blanket ban on construction across the state, along with a 3-lakh fine.

The Supreme Court on Friday banned construction activities in Maharashtra and two other states and Union Territories (UTs), until a policy under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, is framed by them. The ban has now restricted any new launch of projects and ongoing construction of buildings in the state, industry experts said.

The ban is likely to hit Mumbai, one of the biggest real estate markets in India and the timely delivery of housing projects. It is also a double whammy for the city as it had faced a similar ban on new construction projects after a high court order in 2016. The ban on new projects was lifted in March 2018 by the SC for six months.

Meanwhile, state officials maintain the Maharashtra government has a policy in place for solid waste management. Then what was it that led to the ban in the state? According to a senior urban development department (UDD) official there was a misunderstanding over which department  UDD or the environment department  would file the affidavit in the SC informing the court about the existing policy. It was a misunderstanding between departments on whether UDD or the environment department would file the affidavit. Because of this, the affidavit could not be filed in time. We have a policy in place; all the detailed project reports are ready, said the official, requesting anonymity.

The state government has now decided to intervene in the matter next week, ahead of the hearing on October 9, to file its affidavit, apologise to the court and get the ban lifted. We will apologise to the SC for the delay and file the affidavit, listing out our entire plan. We will request the SC to lift the ban. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis convened a meeting of senior officials on Saturday and directed them to resolve the issue immediately. A statement from the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said the state will request the SC to lift the ban at the earliest.

MPCB forms panel for enforcing rules

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board constituted a technical advisory committee on Saturday.

The five-member committee  consisting of two retired municipal officers, the regional officer of MPCB Mumbai Nandkumar Gurav, deputy municipal commissioner of Pune Suresh Jagtap, and retired IAS officer Shyam Wardhane as chairman  has been formed for two years to ensure SWM Rules 2016 is implemented across Maharashtra, assist MPCB on technical issues, and help civic bodies. It is observed that segregation of municipal solid waste at source or at house level is not practiced by local bodies. Partial waste segregation practices observed in few cities. The door-to-door collection of waste is not practiced in most cities. Most cities dont practice covered transportation of waste, read the notice. It said 27 civic bodies and 235 municipal councils generate 21,950 metric tonnes of waste every day.

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) refrained from commenting on the issue. As the BMC was not a party to the case, I cannot comment. Unless we get the order officially, we would not know how it will impact development, said civic chief Ajoy Mehta.

A senior official from the SWM department said, BMC has been keeping a track of where debris are dumped. Developers have to upload data online, which shows us from where debris are picked and where they are dumped. The dumping sites are located outside the city.
Jharkhand Police on Saturday traced seven more children who went missing from an illegal shelter home in Ludhiana recently. With this, 20 of the 30 children staying at Packiam Mercy Cross Child Shelter Home have been rescued. Seven of the 20 rescued children are girls.

West Singhbhum superintendent of police G Kranti Kumar said that Junool Loga, a former student of shelter home owner Satyandra Parkash Moses, alias Musa, 59, had brought 34 children from tribal families in the Maoist belt of Jharkhand to Ludhiana by train.

The four other children rescued from the shelter home are from Bihar.

Loga and Musa are in the Jharkhand polices custody.

Musa is accused of converting the children to Christianity.

During interrogation, Loga said he brought 20 children from Chaibasa in West Singhbhum and the rest from Khunti area of Ranchi. He convinced the parents by promising them free food, lodging, education, clothes and money for their children.

Catch them young was their plan. They targeted children who were five or six years old. The children were tutored in a religious environment. They were not allowed to interact with other children of the locality, Kumar said.

Loga had studied at a private missionary school in Issa Nagri in Ludhiana and returned to Jharkhand in 2011 after which he began sending tribal children to Musa, who holds a masters degree in education from Gaya in Bihar.

Tutored in Bible

When 15 of the rescued children were asked about living in the illegal shelter home, they said they were taught the Bible. Elder children cooked, while younger ones arranged for wood as fuel.

The nine inmates aged above 18 years also went missing after the shelter home at Phullanwal village on the outskirts of Ludhiana was declared illegal and closed. They were staying along with the 38 children.

The home is named after Mercy, the mother of Musas second wife Rajni. The nine youngsters left because they feared they may be implicated in a false case and arrested, Rajni said.

On August 9, the local child welfare committee (CWC) wrote to the Ludhiana deputy commissioner and the deputy director, women and child welfare department, Chandigarh, that the shelter home was unsafe for children. The CWC sought security for the children till they were shifted to a government-run shelter home.

No action followed till August 20 when the CWC visited the home only to find eight children. Musa claimed he had sent the 30 children to their families in Jharkhand. He was arrested on August 28.

Council of churches acting chairman K Koshy said, Neither churches nor any Christian institution was associated with the shelter home. However, in my individual capacity, I maintain that Satyandra was serving humanity and an attempt is being made to tarnish the image of the Christian community.
The onslaught of the ruling Congress on the previous Parkash Singh Badal regime has come after party president Rahul Gandhis nudge to up the ante against them ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singhs no vendetta line had not gone down well with Congress rank and file and the party high command was told if things continue this way, the Congress may have to face its consequences in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Even as Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and some party ministers and MLAs were awaiting to make the Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission report on sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and police firing on protesters to target the former CM and his son and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Amarinder, on advice of some officers, declared to hand over the firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan to the CBI, at a press conference after the first part of the four-part report was submitted to him.

According to party insiders, this turned some ministers and MLAs openly against the CM and rumblings grew to seek his replacement before the Lok Sabha polls. Captains camp was told that the situation could lead to a revolt against the CM and Rahul too was not happy with this approach. Some Congress ministers and MLAs then met Amarinder and Jakhar to say it was a do-or-die situation for the party. They have to act and act now, a senior party leader disclosed.

At the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held before the session, Jakhar and many MLAs even went to the extent of warning the party of the damage from going soft on the Badals. Sensing the mood, Amarinder agreed to take back the cases from the CBI through a resolution in the state assembly and entrust them to a special investigation team (SIT).

Punjab is the only state to have returned the Congress with a two-thirds majority in the 2017 elections. And its performance in next years general elections in the state will also be a barometer of governments popularity.

Its Capt vs Jakhar: SAD

Amarinder and Jakhar have different targets though. While Amarinder left no epithet to attack Badal, Jakhar realised the next day that Sukhbir has escaped unhurt, both in the commission report and the debate on it, and demanded that his role in firing and sacrilege incidents too be probed by the SIT.

Jakhars aggressive posturing hints that he is trying to make the government toe the party line. Amarinder and Jakhar are not on the same page on many issues. He sprung to local government minister Navjot Singh Sidhus defence after he came under opposition and Amarinders fire for hugging Pakistans army general Qamar Javed Bajwa recently. He also opposed entry of some Amarinder loyalists in the cabinet expansion in April this year. But Jakhar denies any rift in the party.

The government and party are one. We are exposing the Badals, as they head a Panthic party. It is people of Punjab who want action against culprits of sacrilege and police firing. We are only doing what was expected out of our government, he says.

The Akali Dal says, however, says an open Jakhar versus Captain war is playing out. It is battle of one-upmanship between the Captain loyalists and Jakhar, Sidhu and company. They are repeating the history of 1980s when then CM Darbara Singh and then Union home minister Giani Zail Singh tried to outshine each other. That internal fight finally led Punjab to the dark ages of militancy, says SAD spokesman Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal.
Senator John McCains daughter paid tribute to her father on Saturday with a broadside at President Donald Trump, lambasting the U.S. leader without naming him for using cheap rhetoric against a man celebrated as a war hero and statesman.

Meghan McCain, who has made no secret of her unhappiness with Trumps criticism of her father, kicked off a memorial service that was attended by a whos who crowd of Democratic and Republican leaders who gathered to celebrate the former war prisoners life.

He was a great man, Meghan McCain said at the Washington National Cathedral. We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness, the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who live lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.

Trump, who has feuded publicly with McCain and mocked his military service, received five deferments that got him out of serving in the military. The president did not attend Saturdays service and spent the morning sending tweets on other subjects.

McCains daughter delivered a tearful but forceful tribute to her father, who she said told her to show them how tough you are with her eulogy. Taking aim at Trumps campaign slogan, Make America Great Again, she said McCains America was always great.

Trumps absence was notable. Former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush attended and also were scheduled to deliver eulogies to the longtime senator from Arizona. Both men bested McCain in separate presidential bids.

McCains body, which had lain in state at the U.S. Capitol, arrived at the Washington National Cathedral after his motorcade first stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where his wife, Cindy McCain, laid a wreath to honor those who died in the war.

Members of the military slowly carried the coffin into the cathedral, past friends and loved ones who have counted among the top power players in U.S. politics for decades.

McCains design of his service was seen as a final message to the country about his wish for bipartisanship.

The statesman and former prisoner of war died Aug. 25 of brain cancer, days shy of his 82nd birthday..

McCains family had made clear that Trump was not welcome at memorial services in Arizona and Washington or at Sundays private burial service in Annapolis, Maryland, at the U.S. Naval Academy. McCain was a member of the Academys Class of 1958.

Top members of Trumps administration including his daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton were present at the solemn cathedral service.

Other guests included former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, comedian Jay Leno, and former Senator Bob Dole.

McCain was a leading voice for revamping the countrys immigration, campaign finance and environmental laws. But it was his military service, punctuated by years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, that molded McCains political life.

McCain, who rose to the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy, was shot down over Hanoi while on a bombing mission in 1967.

Held as a prisoner until 1973, McCain was tortured by his North Vietnamese captors in a jail that Americans dubbed the Hanoi Hilton.
A little over two weeks have passed since Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf took power at the centre and two provinces, and multiple controversies have already given the new prime minister many headaches.

This week, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar ordered PTI provincial assembly member Dr Imran Shah to donate Rs3 million to the Diamer-Bhasha Dam fund as penalty. Shah was also banned from travelling in a luxury vehicle for up to one year. The reason? Shah had slapped Dawood Chauhan, a citizen, in a fit of rage on a Karachi street after he got between the lawmakers vehicle and that of his guards.

A video of the assault went viral on social media, eliciting much criticism. Karachis PTI leadership took Shah to Chauhans house to apologise but his son later tweeted that his father had been pressurised to forgive the lawmaker. This week, Saqib Nisar jumped in and made Shah contribute to a fund that he has created to help the country build more dams.

Another lawmaker who has repeatedly courted controversy is Punjabs provincial information and culture minister, Fayazul Hassan Chohan, who drew the ire of social media users for calling Adolf Hitler one of his favourite rulers.

But his controversies do not end there. While advocating for a ban of vulgar movie posters outside cinemas, he was filmed using colourful language, with many of his misogynistic remarks directed towards female artistes.

A few days earlier, he was seen abusing a private TV channels technical staff after he was asked about his controversial remarks in the past.

However, the issue has not been restricted to the provinces. Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi recently embarrassed the government with his remarks on a conversation between Khan and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo.

The controversy erupted after the US state department stated that Pompeo raised the importance of Khans government taking decisive action against all terrorists operating in Pakistan and its vital role in promoting the Afghan peace process.

Pakistans foreign ministry took exception, saying that a factually incorrect statement had issued by the state department. Qureshi would later tell the Senate that he knew the US position about the talks between Pompeo and Khan but he was also aware what US said in the readout was contrary to the facts.

It was only after the US provided a recording of the conversation between Khan and Pompeo that Pakistan backed down, insisting that it wanted good relations between the two countries.

Another minister who exceeded his brief and got into hot waters was information minister Fawad Chaudhry, who made the startling revelation on TV that Khans helicopter commute costs between 50 to 55 rupees per kilometre. This revelation, which led to widespread mirth, was made in a heated exchange over Punjabs chief ministers usage of a private jet to travel with his family to Islamabad.

But the controversy that really caught peoples attention was one that involved the first ladys ex-husband. A police team led by Rizwan Omar Gondal briefly intercepted the car of Khawar Maneka  formerly married to first lady Bushra Imran  after he didnt stop when signalled to do so. Khawar was also believed to have misbehaved with the officials.

Gondal was later directed to visit Khawars residence and tender an apology to him for intercepting the vehicle. The call, interestingly, was made by a colonel of the ISI. Gondal told a meeting called by chief minister Usman Buzdar that the police department had only fulfilled its duties and that he would not apologise to Khawar.

Shortly afterwards, he was transferred and asked to report to the central police office in Lahore. The case has now been taken up by the chief justice.
Iran on Saturday rejected a Reuters report that Tehran has moved missiles to Iraq, saying it aimed to hurt Irans ties with neighbours, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Twitter he was deeply concerned by the reports that Iran was transferring ballistic missiles into Iraq. He urged Iraqi leaders to quickly form a new government after a May 12 parliamentary election.

Such false and ridiculous news have no purpose other than affecting Irans foreign relations, especially with its neighbours, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, according to IRNA.

Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources told Reuters that Iran has given ballistic missiles to Shiite proxies in Iraq and is developing the capacity to build more there.

This news is solely aimed at creating fears in the countries of the region, Qassemi added.

Pompeo, in his tweet on the reports of the transfer of the missiles, said, If true, this would be a gross violation of Iraqi sovereignty and of UNSCR 2231.

He was referring to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which underpinned the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iraq and six world powers. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal earlier this year and his administration is currently reimposing sanctions against Tehran.

Earlier, Pompeo spoke by phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to reaffirm U.S. support for Iraqs efforts to form a modern, nationalist Iraqi government, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Pompeo emphasized the importance of safeguarding Iraqs sovereignty during this critical time, she said.

He also spoke to Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi to discuss political developments and relations between Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in north Iraq, Nauert added.

Any sign that Iran is preparing a more aggressive missile policy in Iraq will exacerbate tensions between Tehran and Washington, already heightened by Trumps decision to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

It would also embarrass France, Germany and Britain, the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, as they have been trying to salvage the agreement despite the new U.S. sanctions against Tehran.

According to three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources, Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the last few months. Five of the officials said it was helping those groups to start making their own.
The United States military has moved to cancel $300 million in security-related aid to Pakistan, following repeated rebuke to the nation for providing a safe haven to terrorists, days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeos visit to Islamabad for a meeting with newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Pentagon said late on Saturday that the decision had been taken due to Pakistans lack of decisive actions in support of American strategy in the region. US officials have accused Islamabad of overlooking the presence of terrorist groups such as the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba on its soil.

Pompeo is scheduled to visit Islamabad en route to India for the inaugural 2+2 meeting this week. The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Joseph Dunford will accompany him to Pakistan, as they become the first senior US officials to meet the Pakistan premier since his swearing-in ceremony last month.

Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining $300 (million) was reprogrammed, Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said in a statement.

Pentagon proposes to use the money, which came from the security-related Coalition Support Fund (CSF), for other purposes, if approved by Congress. It has asked the US Congress, which holds the governments purse strings, to reprogramme the cancelled aid to be spent on other urgent priorities, as it stands to lapse on September 30. Faulkner $500 million in CSF was cancelled by Congress earlier this year, taking up the total funds withheld this year to $800 million.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that the matter of suspension of aid will be taken up during Pompeos visit to the country.

He said the money blocked by the US military was part of reimbursement for losses Pakistan suffered while leading the fight against terrorism. I once again stress that it was no aid that was cancelled. It was all our money that we spent and they were merely reimbursing it, Qureshi said at a news conference. We will try to improve ties between the two countries. We will listen to him (Pompeo) and present our point of view to him as well.

The US had announced a freeze on aid to Pakistan at the beginning of the year as it pushed the country to crack down on terrorist activities originating from its soil. The move had come just days after an angry New Year Tweet by US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of giving the US only lies & deceit in return for $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! he had said.

We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, Faulkner said on Saturday, adding that the latest aid cut request was pending congressional approval.

The timing of the cancellation of the $300 million in aid comes at a delicate point for US-Pakistan relations. The Trump administration has shown no willingness to ease pressure on Pakistan.

This is a predictable and unsurprising decision. The Trump administration has telegraphed its unhappiness all year about Pakistans lack of efforts to close down the safe havens of Afghanistan-focused terrorists on its soil, said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at Wilson Center, a leading US think-tank.

The US may be sending a strong message that when Pompeo comes to Islamabad, he will be very serious about discussing the terrorism issue, and that the US is quite prepared to tighten the pressure if it feels Pakistan is not addressing the issue, he added.

Islamabad recently sought to dispute a US readout of a phone call between Pompeo and PM Khan, insisting that terrorism did not come up during the discussions. The US later said it was standing by the readout, refusing to make a correction as demanded by Pakistan.

Khan has in the past blamed Pakistans participation in the US-led anti-terror campaign for the surge in terrorism at home. There was little mention of the issue of terrorism in his maiden speech as the Pakistan Prime Minister.

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said earlier this week that in their discussions during their upcoming Islamabad visit, Pompeo and Dunford will make clear what we have to do, all of our nations, in meeting our common foe, the terrorists. And make that a primary part of the discussion.

From next year, the US military will cease to extend any aid under CSF, and switch Pakistan and other beneficiary countries such as Egypt, Jordan and others to funds set aside for border security, and the amount earmarked for Pakistan for 2019 is $50 million, as first reported by Hindustan Times.
Authorities charged Xi with stealing sensitive U.S. technology in the field of superconductivity in May 2015, only to withdraw the case four months later after his legal team showed that agents had misunderstood the science, and that the information they had accused Xi of stealing had already been widely circulated in the public domain.
Teresa Giudice claims Chief Keef used her property for his own creative endeavors without her permission. The rapper's most recent solo project, Mansion Musick, depicts the interior of the reality television star's home. In response, Giudice is taking legal action against the artist in efforts to secure compensation.

Her lawyer James Leonard Jr. disclosed how the Real Housewives of New Jersey star and her family recently noticed how Chief's cover art has an uncanny resemblance to a picture of their Montville Township, Towaco home.

Leonard maintains the fact that compensation should be attributed to the owners of the estate while also adding that Chief's actions are a form of invasion of privacy. Still, the photograph of Giudice's home that was allegedly ripped for Mansion Musik was once made public when the family sought to sell the property. The house was taken off the market as the family ultimately decided not to sell the home.

The lawsuit might have something to do with the family's recent financial issues and legal troubles. This particular real estate along with other properties was almost taken away from the family a few years ago. While they retained this home, one of their houses New Jersey was demolished after being put up for auction with a starting bid of 100$.
Chicago's very own Joey Purp is readying the release of his forthcoming Quarterthing project, the long-awaited follow up to 2016's iiiDrops. This time around, he's recruiting names from RZA and GZA to Queen Key and CDOT Honcho. It's a 14-track effort with features that showcase just how spread across the spectrum Joey is, and it's a characteristic that's defined the emcee for a while.

"I dont want somebody to have to think they have to be either J. Cole or Rae Sremmurd when they hear my shit. And I dont want them to think that Im J. Cole or Im Rae Sremmurd," Joey told HNHH back in 2016. "I want people to know that you can do all this shit, and the person that likes this guy can also like this. You gotta be able to do it all."

"It's natural for me to wanna explore different sides of what I can do," he added. "That is true. But I just think its more so natural for everyone to do different things at different times. So when I make music, I try to reflect that.

Catch the full tracklist to Quarterthing below.

Joey Purp's Quarterthing Album Tracklist

1. "24 Karat Gold/Sanctified"

2. "Godbody Pt. 2" featuring RZA

3. "Hallelujah"

4. "Elastic"

5 "Aw Sh*t"

6. "Quarterthing"

7. "Paint Thinner"

8. "Look at My Wrist" featuring CDOT Honcho

9. "2012"

10. "'Fessional/Diamonds Dancing" featuring Queen Key

11. "Karl Malone"

12. "Bag Talk"

13. "LeBron James"

14 "In the Morning" featuring GZA
Tekashi 6ix9ine shared a clip of his visiting a kid on behalf of the Make A Wish Foundation. The rapper met up with Franklin, a five-year-old who is suffering from brain cancer.

69 received a call after a performance. He was invited to fulfill the child's dying wish of meeting him. The rap star obviously agreed and shared part of his experience on Instagram.

"This beautiful kid has stage four terminal brain cancer.... his heart is so pure so full of joy  I fell in love with this kid in seconds. Yesterday we took the time to get to know each other, play games, sing.. We ate, laughed, and learned a lot. I got the honor to pay franklins family monthly Rent for a year to help them with financial funds during this hard time."

Tekashi urges the rest of his fans to be thankful for the lives they live, despite their hardships.

"WE BE SO QUICK TO HATE OUR LIVES AND FUCKING COMPLAIN AND ALLLLLLLLL THIS KID COULD DO YESTERDAY WAS FUCKING SMILE ai"

The New York native's charitable efforts might be leveraged to spruce up his image while he deals with multiple legal proceedings. Either way, his actions are genuinely sweet, showing his following that you can be hard and still have a heart
A two-alarm warehouse fire early Sunday drew crews to northeast Houston.

It's not clear what started the blaze, which broke out before 9 a.m. in the 7700 block of Wallisville, according to authorities.

Just after 10:30 a.m., there were still at least 11 fire trucks and vehicles at the scene. It's not immediately known whether anyone was injured and the Houston Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for information.

At one point, officials at the scene told ABC13 they were worried about a potential hazmat situation, but it's not clear whether that was resolved.
The Air Forces top commander says a team of researchers has cracked the mystery of why dozens of pilots, some of them in San Antonio, have suffered midair blackouts or other physiological episodes this year while flying the T-6A Texan II, the services primary trainer.

Gen. David Goldfein, the services chief of staff, said he has high confidence that the Air Force, Navy and NASA have figured out why the planes onboard oxygen generation system  called OBOGS  has repeatedly malfunctioned. But he declined to say what the problem is or how the Air Force would fix it.

Im confident that the team has come to an answer, Goldfein said in a lengthy interview. I do want to dig into the engineering piece of it because as the chief I owe it to the force to make sure that I understand the next level of detail of this. But what Ive been briefed to date, my confidence is very high that weve isolated it and determined the root cause, and were going to have good fixes in place. And I wish I could tell you what it was. Ive just got to let our process play out.

The OBOGS failures, which have resulted in at least 61 reported unexplained physiological episodes during the first six months of this year, prompted the Air Forces training command to ground the T-6A in February. It returned the plane to service in March, announcing a more frequent cleaning, testing and maintenance schedule for the oxygen system while it continued an intensive search for a root cause.

The San Antonio Express-News recently learned that pilots were told that the cause has been found but not what it was or how the problem would be solved.

Goldfein said pilots will be briefed within the next two weeks, both on the cause and the next steps.

Developed in the early 1980s, OBOGS draws outside air from a planes engine. The air is cooled and passes through a device called a molecular sieve concentrator, which uses a chemical process to produce oxygen. A Congressional Research Service brief said OBOGS delivers 95 percent oxygen and 5 percent argon to pilots. The Navy says the mix is cleaner than that in a typical office.

The grounding of the T-6A came after 22 unexplained physiological episodes, or UPEs, as the Air Force calls them, were recorded in January, the most ever seen in the single-engine, two-seat turboprop since it was introduced in 2000.

In clearing the way for the plane to fly, the Air Education and Training Command said it was safe after flawed OBOGS components were replaced. Goldfein echoed that view, saying, Even though we found those parts were failing at a higher rate, not one of them nor all of them together could actually explain everything that was going on, so we didnt stop.

But T-6A pilots suffered 39 UPEs from March through June, and some pilots have complained that months of investigation by the Air Force hadnt produced a fix.

The Navy, meanwhile, has not completed its root-cause analysis for similar problems with its primary trainer, the T-45 Goshawk. That investigation has lasted nearly two years, but technicians have added an oxygen monitoring device and plan to install a new oxygen concentrator, said Cmdr. Scot Cregan, a spokesman for the Navys Physiological Episodes Action Team in Arlington, Va.

Goldfein said the Air Force, Navy and NASA have adopted a holistic approach to studying the OBOGS on the T-6A, something his service did years ago when similar problems emerged with the F-22A Raptor.

That, Goldfein said, is what allowed us to get to a point where, with high confidence, I can say, all right, we understand what is going on, we have fixes in place where we can communicate this to the pilots and their families.

Given the number of months its taken, I understand completely that theyre going to be a little bit skeptical at first, he said. I dont blame them.  Theyre strapping on these airplanes to do the nations business, and we owe it to them to make sure that they are confident and were confident that theyre safe to fly.

Different onboard oxygen delivery systems are used in a variety of military aircraft, including fighters and the T-45. Hypoxia, a lack of oxygen that is potentially fatal, with symptoms ranging from fear, anxiety and giddiness to complacency and loss of consciousness, was suspected when an instructor pilot and student bailed out of a T-45 from Naval Air Station Kingsville that crashed Aug. 14, 2016.

Problems with the Goshawks OBOGS prompted the Navy to ground it more than a year ago before allowing the carrier-capable jet to fly under restrictions until changes were made to the oxygen system. The Goshawk has had 11 physiological episodes over the past 14 months, none of them hindering the ability of aviators to land safely, the Navy said.

The T-6A had enjoyed one of the lowest occurrences of unexplained physiological episodes over the past 10 years. The Air Force spike of 22 in January was far higher than anything seen before.

Goldfein said the Air Force wondered why the T-6A episodes over time exceeded those recorded by the Navy, which also flies the T-6A and T-6B, a newer model. The Air Force systems were older, and the Navy maintains its differently, he said, adding, Its really healthy to take a look at how everybody else is doing business.

Maintenance issues came on Goldfeins radar earlier this year. He ordered a one-day safety stand-down May 7 in the wake of a WC-130 Hercules crash five days earlier that killed nine members of the Puerto Rican Air National Guard. There have been eight manned aircraft crashes this year, resulting in 19 fatalities, making 2018 the worst since 2002, when 22 people died.

Goldfein said a recently submitted Air Force safety center report compiled from active-duty, guard and reserve wing commanders showed less experience in aircraft operations and maintenance stemming from personnel shortages now being reduced to zero.

So its actually not surprising to me that one of the feedback I got was, hey, we got more maintainers, but theyre a lot younger, and that contributes to safety risk, he said.

He was in San Antonio to address the Air Force Sergeants Associations Professional Airmens Conference on Thursday.

Unlike the Navy, the Air Force has not provided a breakdown of physiological episodes by base or listed their severity, but veteran instructor pilots have told the Express-News of an incident in which a Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph aviator suffered a physiological episode early this year that was so serious that a number of pilots there refused to fly.

Their chief concern was hypoxia, but other possible causes of UPEs involve hypocapnia, a state of reduced carbon dioxide in the blood, and hypercapnia, excessive carbon dioxide in the blood, usually caused by inadequate respiration.

Pilots who spoke on condition of anonymity said that up to 11 aviators at Randolphs 12th Flying Training Wing had refused to fly early this summer because of concerns about the OBOGS. Lt. Col. J.C. Gorman, who had taken command of the 559th Flying Training Squadron days earlier, canceled all his T-6A missions June 25 after meeting that morning with recalcitrant pilots. He said some who had ruled out flying changed their minds after talking it over.

The squadron returned to a regular schedule the next day.

Goldfein said: I think right now if there is one message I want to get out to the force its that we did not stop, when we got back in the air and we felt like we identified subsystems that needed to be either upgraded or fixed, we didnt stop there because that was not root cause, Goldfein said.

We kept going, he said. I wish it had not taken this long but, you know, we had to go down this path to get to this level of understanding.

sigc@express-news.net
I am a widow with two young children. My husband, Mike Brick  the father of our children  was a journalist, a lifelong newspaper man. He was just 41, when he died two years ago of a fast-moving and painful cancer. He was young, but he had an old soul.

He wrote stories of forgotten everyday folks, the ones you say you care about and built your election around: the elk hunters, the seismologists, the rock climbers, the barkeeps, the small business owners and the pro wrestlers. He told their stories in a beautiful, simple, and truthful way.

He was the most honest person I have ever known.

Mike was the child who told the babysitter exactly what homework he had, and later the reporter who made the second and third calls to ensure a name was spelled correctly. He learned to read from The Washington Post and started his own newspaper in elementary school called The Potomac Post.

As a reporter in New York, he was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team that told the story of every single victim of the citys 9/11 terrorist attacks. Later, he wrote a highly regarded nonfiction book about a struggling high school whose students were poor children of immigrants. He always wanted to tell these stories, and he did  up until a few months before he died.

I often think of the stories he didnt get to tell.

So, it is gut-wrenching and physically painful to hear President Trump call journalists the enemy of the people and question their patriotism. He is talking about not only my husband and my childrens father, but about Mikes many close friends and co-workers.

When Mike was diagnosed with cancer, his editor offered us his spare room for the twice monthly trips to Houston for chemotherapy. Upon going into hospice, Mikes best friends and fellow reporters pulled together a collection of his articles and published them as a book.

They took turns reading the galleys to Mike in the hospital bed we set up in the living room. They filled his life with love and laughter and made sure he knew in his dying days that they would help take care of the children and me. They traveled on short notice to be at his funeral and sing songs he had written at the wake afterword. I received many emails and letters from his colleagues whom I had never met expressing their love and admiration for him.

These are the best people in the world, the ones who search for the truth and seek to help others.

Last summer Trump said, I really think they dont like our country, referring to journalists. Mike loved this country. He loved his adopted home of Texas and he wrote many stories about the struggles of its hard-working people. He covered national stories from Texas, such as the collapse of Enron and the shooting rampage at Fort Hood. He proudly wore jeans and black cowboy boots to work everyday with a reporters notebook in his back pocket.

The last trip we took before he got sick was to New Orleans, another of his favorite cities. He spent time there in 2005 covering Hurricane Rita and the aftermath of Katrina. He wrote about abandoned pets, a church that sprung up under a tent in a parking lot and about con artists trying to trick people into giving up their personal information. It broke his heart to see the damage those storms brought to a place he loved so much.

Mike had an affinity for nature going back to his childhood near Washington, D.C. Last summer our family and close friends gathered in West Virginia to spread his ashes in the Shenandoah Mountains. We sang songs and planted flowers  lupines that resemble the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, the place we chose to build a family and where he died.

Mike lived a minimalist life without many personal possessions aside from his record collection and shelves full of books. He wanted to provide for his family, though, and that is something that wasnt always easy to do on a reporters salary. After our son was born we realized that New York City was too expensive, and we decided to move back to Texas. Mike was a freelancer for a while, and I know it was demoralizing for him to have to pester publications to pay him.

No one goes into journalism for money. The people who do these jobs do them because they are called to them; they feel a duty to tell stories or expose wrongdoing.

The truth is that journalism is a brutal profession with constant layoffs, stagnant wages and long hours, yet somehow, in Trumps mind, this is elitism.

What am I to say to my children, who are still struggling with their grief, when they hear the president demean journalists like their dad? He is sullying their fathers name and belittling a respected profession that has been protected since the time of our countrys founding.

Trumps words arent those of a person who knows how to lead and who has nothing to hide; they are the words of authoritarian leaders and tyrants  the words of a small man hiding behind a big desk who has no idea how to do his job.

That is what I must say to my children.

Brick is the widow of Michael Brick. This piece was originally published on Medium.
The convoluted political gamesmanship that may leave an empty desk in the Texas Senate come January quickly devolved into a briar patch of half-truths, obfuscation and perceived stubbornness.

So, politics as usual.

That is, until state Sen. Sylvia Garcia decided to throw down a clear, concise and straight-forward gauntlet this week.

For outside observers, it was easy to assign shared blame in a mess that began when Garcia sent a note to Abbott in late July announcing plans to resign her District 6 Senate seat on Jan. 2.

Garcia is the Democratic nominee for the Houston-area congressional seat held by the retiring Gene Green, a district so reliably blue that Garcia is already the presumptive winner.

Abbotts office wouldnt accept the letter, arguing that intending to resign wasnt enough. Deciding aint doing.

Garcia claimed she didnt want to resign until January to avoid leaving her district without a senator for a couple of months.

The back and forth went on the better part of August  so long that the Aug. 20 deadline passed to have the seat added to the November general election, the election date Garcia fancied.

Abbott seemed pedantic. Garcia seemed stubborn. Neither side seemed willing to blink, though Garcia already had, it turned out.

Late Thursday, Garcia sent a very un-politician-like bit of clarity to my inbox.

On August 3, I called Governor Abbotts Legislative Director to communicate several things, the statement said. The first was that I was willing to sign a new letter of resignation, as long as that would ensure a November 6 election of my successor. The second was that if the Governor had an issue with me waiting until January 2 to actually vacate my seat, then I would resign effective immediately, or do whatever it would take to get Governor Abbott to guarantee District 6 a November 6 election for my replacement.

Abbott, she said, refused to give those assurances.

Garcia followed that statement on Twitter Friday night, posting a letter to Abbott detailing the attempts above, and withdrawing the original letter of intent under protest. She says in the letter that she plans to submit a letter of resignation (even one written by Abbotts lawyers) at a later date that would still allow time for an expedited election that that would just barely beat the clock before the next Legislature opens.

Garcia continues to maintain there was nothing wrong with her letter, and she kept urging the governor to call a special election that would ensure her constituents had a senator when the Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 8.

Similar language, written by the same lawyer in former state Sen. Leticia Van de Puttes resignation letter was good enough for then-Gov. Rick Perry (and then-Attorney General Abbott) back in 2013, after all.

Garcias transparency deflated most speculation about what seemed like hazy motives on her part.

For a month, it seemed to she was willing to risk leaving 850,000 people with no senator during the session when elected representation really counts.

I discussed theories with political scientists and politicians, including one later trumpeted by Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart that suggested Garcia was trying to finesse increased pension benefits by staying until Jan. 1.

A review of the handbook the Employee Retirement System of Texas gives to all elected officials punctured that theory.

Garcias time as a county commissioner bridges with her time as state senator. As long as she shows up to work on Jan. 1, Garcia can pay $57 for each month of 2019 and have a cumulative 12 years of service toward the pension system. Which only gains her a paltry added $2,875 per year, hardly worth the fuss when youre looking at a $174,000 per year Congress seat.

Theres less doubt of Abbotts motive. He wants to protect the Republican supermajority in the Senate, which can push legislation to debate with 19 of 31 total votes. The current slate skews 20-11 in favor of Republicans.

And he probably wasnt keen on the possibility of Garcias seat turning out more Democrats in November.

Im loathe to take the side of a Democrat in most matters, especially a battle over a district that hasnt elected a Republican since 1992. And Abbott normally engenders my respect  in as much as any politician can. But it certainly appears that hes willing to use finicky machinations to disenfranchise the entirety of District 6.

The solution was never as simple as Garcia deleting the word intent. She felt doing so would give Abbott wiggle room to cheat her district out of a senator during whats sure to be a heated session by restarting a clock on when to hold the election.

There is a simple solution for the voters in that district. If the voters in the 29th Congressional District vote instead for Republican Phillip Aronoff, Garcias intentions could change a bit. She could likely retain her state senate position with a simple never mind -- SG scrawled on a Post-It note stuck to the back of Abbotts office chair.

All is not yet lost for District 6. The governor can still call an emergency special election, or even an expedited election in early January.

Its the rare case where deciding actually counts as doing.

Abbott can solve this now if he wanted. A good leader would jump at the chance.

Reynolds is a writer living in Houston. Find him on Twitter at @royrreynolds.
President Trumps sustained war on the news media is loud and destructive and surely must be the worst, most unprecedented attack on the Fourth Estate in modern history.

Not so fast. On a few significant fronts, Trump is following a trail blazed by President Obama in undermining openness and press freedom. And Trumps newfound willingness to use the Justice Department to surveil journalists and sniff out their sources is right out of the Obama playbook.

Meanwhile, the tweets keep coming. 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, Trump tweeted recently.

Since taking office, Trump has had only one, full-length press conference at the White House. His own legal and administrative headaches probably preclude a repeat performance any time soon.

Drawing the most attention are Trumps darker pronouncements  journalists are nasty, they are enemies of the people, and maybe some should see their licenses revoked. Journalist Ken Vogel of the New York Times is one of several to receive chilling death threats, apparently from Trump supporters.

You are the enemy of the people, a caller said on voicemail shared by Vogel last week. And although the pen might be mightier than the sword, the pen is not mightier than the AK-47.

Trump recently escalated from trash-talk to legal action, deploying the Justice Department to seize without notice six years worth of email and phone records from four reporters in order to smoke out a source whose information reflected badly on Trump.

Where did he ever get that idea? On his way out of Washington at the end of his second term, Obama gave a valedictory address in the White House briefing room, praising the work of journalists in watch-dogging the government.

America needs you and our democracy needs you, Obama said. Having you in this building has made this place work better. It keeps us honest, it makes us work harder.

Worthy sentiments, but a stark contrast to Obamas disappointing record on press freedom and access. His White House subverted the press in a number of ways while touting themselves as the most transparent in history.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning national security reporter James Risen wrote presciently in the New York Times that, If Donald J. Trump decides as president to throw a whistle-blower in jail for trying to talk to a reporter, or gets the F.B.I. to spy on a journalist, he will have one man to thank for bequeathing him such expansive power: Barack Obama.

The Obama White House routinely blocked news photographers from official events, preserving exclusive access for the presidents own image-makers. The resulting photos in were the only ones available of Obama acting as president, and many news organizations refused to use them.

Obama rarely took questions from reporters and went months between press conferences, preferring one-on-one interviews with television reporters and anchors, a setup that allowed him more control.

He broke a promise to make his schedule public, and his staff repeatedly scrubbed public visitor logs to conceal the names of White House visitors.

The administration dramatically slowed Freedom of Information Act processing, amassing the worst record in history for fulfilling requests from citizens and journalists for public records.

Worse, Obama used federal prosecutors to go after news sources. After campaigning as a reformer who would protect whistleblowers, Obama made greater use of the Espionage Act to prosecute leakers and menace journalists than all other presidents combined.

Obamas Justice Department in 2010 infiltrated the private email of Fox News reporter James Rosen, who was reporting on North Korea. The administration also seized personal records from Rosens colleagues and parents.

In 2013 Obamas Justice Department seized phone records of the Associated Press, secretly collecting information covering more than 20 telephone lines of reporters and editors including their work, home and cell phones.

The New York Times Risen, who fought the administration to protect his own sources, got so deep in his legal battle with Obama that he selected a reading list of of Civil War books to study in prison before the government finally backed off their case.

In a bleak episode of unintended irony, an open-government group gave Obama an award for transparency in an Oval Office ceremony closed to the press.

By 2015 and under pressure from industry and watchdog groups, the Obama administration reformed its policies for investigating news sources and journalists  but an extremely troubling precedent had been established.

These days, amid Trumps florid insults and threats to the press, it is received as a pedantic heresy to mention that, by the way, Obama was pretty bad too. In truth, Trump is just more obvious, and hes only getting started.

Trump certainly seems well-positioned to finish worse on press issues than Obama  his Justice Department is believed to be pursuing dozens of new leak investigations. And White House reporters receiving threatening voicemail this week could soon enough be picking out their own prison reading lists. But historic perspective is crucial, especially these days when the term unprecedented is getting such a steady workout. Trumps war on journalists didnt spring out of nowhere.

Mason hosts The Press Pool on SiriusXMs POTUS channel. She is a veteran White House reporter and a former elected board member of the White House Correspondents Association. She spent 20 years at the Houston Chronicle. @juliemason
Amid employee shortages, supply chain and inventory issues and a slower mail delivery system, experts are advising Americans to do their Christmas shopping as early as possible this year. Retailers large and small are offering holiday deals early this month. National surveys indicate 36% of shoppers plan to spend more this year than in 2020. Do you plan to take advantage of early sales?

You voted:
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Sacramento, California - The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear from state and local officials on issues related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Bay Delta Plan and other water initiatives. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street  Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

California has a role in sustaining the long-term productivity of our farmers and ranchers through protecting and conserving surface and groundwater resources, said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. As water policy moves forward at the state and local level it is important to recognize the diversity, uniqueness and contribution that California agriculture provides to our state and local communities.

Invited speakers include: Director Karla Nemeth, California Department of Water Resources; Michael Carlin, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Jeff Cattaneo, San Benito County Water District; Ann Dubay, Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency; Peter Brown, Indian Wells Groundwater Authority; Erik Ekdahl, State Water Resources Control Board; and Kamyar Guivetchi, California Department of Water Resources.

Knowing first-hand the complexity of issues related to the implementation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, I look forward to hearing perspectives and experiences from different regions of the state, said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.
Russia's Harassment of International Shipping Transiting the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov

Washington, DC - The United States condemns Russias harassment of international shipping in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Russia has delayed hundreds of commercial vessels since April and in recent weeks has stopped at least 16 commercial ships attempting to reach Ukrainian ports.

Russias actions to impede maritime transit are further examples of its ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilize Ukraine, as well as its disregard for international norms.

The United States supports Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

We call on Russia to cease its harassment of international shipping in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
Image courtesy of Walmart.com

Apple has moved its Chinese iCloud data to China and India is considering a policy to require data to stay within its country. National governments across the world will likely impose requirements on local residence of local data as time goes on. The one .com to rule them all domain strategy may have to include domains for each market. If you are a business owner, what domains do you need when entering the China market? Or, what is the implication if you are a domain investor? I hope a study of Walmarts domain strategy will give us some hints.

Walmart uses Wal-martChina.com as its corporate domain in China, as shown by Baidu. You may notice the hyphen in the name and how its different from Walmarts global domain Walmart.com. This is because Wal-martChina.com was registered in 1999 and well before the name change from Wal-mart to Walmart in February this year. Nevertheless, the retailer had the foresight in 2002 to register WalmartChina.com which now forwards visitors to Wal-martChina.com. It also owns Walmart.cn and recently acquired W.cn and W.com.cn.

Walmarts Chinese brand is  (Wo Er Ma), which is translated phonetically from its English brand. The retailer owns Woerma.com but Woerma.cn is a live site operated by Chinese functional drinks maker Zhong Wo.

When you look at the domains, you can see that Walmart.cn, W.cn, or Woerma.com would be a much better choice than Wal-martChina.com as Walmarts corporate domain in China. Therefore, Id suggest Walmart to consider changing its corporate domain to one of the three domains. In fact, W.cn is a very attractive option because Chinese consumers like short domains, as evidenced in the great success of JD.com by ecommerce giant Jing Dong.

Walmart is well positioned to handle any future change in government regulations to require local presence of websites and domains within China. The retailer can simply move Walmart.cn, W.cn, and Woerma.com to China, and then choose one of them as the corporate domain for its China business. This will not affect Walmarts global business built on its global domain Walmart.com.

What can we learn from this study? When you enter the China market, you need to (1) acquire the .cn domain matching your English brand; (2) secure the .com and .cn domains matching your Chinese brand; and (3) consider the matching acronym .com or .cn domain. While you only need one domain as your corporate domain, related domains should be secured as much as possible for brand protection. For domain investors, if you own a domain falling into the domain path of companies entering the China market, your domain will be very valuable if there is no trademark issue.

Note: If you have an English brand you want to translate into Chinese phonetically, you can try tools such as ChineseTools available on the internet. Of course, the quality cannot be compared with a professional translation service.)



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Halfway through the BBCs exceptionally fine new drama series Bodyguard and, like the principal charters, the show is retaining is composure despite the intense strain of events.

Curiously, in episode three we found ourselves warming to the cold home secretary Julia Montague, played with great plausibility by Keeley Hawes.

She started out pretty unlikeable on any level, but now, with a couple of assassination attempts behind her, were starting to care a bit more about whether she lives, dies or becomes prime minister after all.

Some of that, of course, is down to her affair, if thats the right word for it, with her personal protection officer, Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden). Whatever is going through his mind as he protects her, from loneliness as much as assassination, she, it is now clear, genuinely cares for the hunky copper, rather than just using him as room service, as he called it.

I didnt really get the impression some seem to have formed that he is some sort of emasculated male being kicked around by a lot of women bosses, which Montague does suggest. I think its just that he is a bit down about being used sexually.

Contrariwise, we still dont know if, or how, he might be using her. At some points he does engage in limited surveillance of her activities  as demanded by his police chief (Gina McKee) as part of her vendetta against Montague. Then again, the rest of the time he chooses to say nothing, or lies for her.

It doesnt look as though Budd is some sort of covert assassin himself, but theres still a sliver of doubt about whether he is playing some sort of long game. He is after all, literally and metaphorically scarred by his wartime experience in Helmand, a conflict Montague voted for, and his PTSD is brought dramatically to the surface when she wakes him from deep sleep and he almost strangles her. That was a scene that shouldnt have worked, because, honestly, it is a bit far-fetched, but Hawes and Madden made it feel natural, if weird. Just right.

So were beginning to feel some emotional involvement with Montague, especially. Shes developed a little humour, as when she remarks sex with the Home Secretary; its a heinous crime. (My racing mind summoned up a graphic and disturbing image of Sajid Javid).

TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Show all 17 1 /17 TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Maniac 21 September, Netflix Starring: Jonah Hill, Emma Stone, Justin Theroux Emma Stone & Jonah Hill star as two people in a three-day drug trial which promises no complications or side-effects whatsoever Things do not go as planned. Netflix TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 The Deuce 10 September, Sky Atlantic Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Franco, Dominique Fishback Picking up five years after the events of the first season, this new run will focus on the 'Golden Years' of the US porn industry in 1977. HBO TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 You 10 September, Netflix Starring: Penn Badgley, Shay Mitchell A dark 21st-century love story about an obsessive, yet brilliant twentysomething who uses the hyper-connectivity of todays technology to make the woman of his dreams fall in love with him. Netflix TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 BoJack Horseman 14 September, Netflix Starring: Will Arnett, Paul F. Tompkins, Alison Brie The animated sitcom in which humans and animals live side-by-side returns for its fifth run. Netflix TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Killing Eve 15 September, BBC iPlayer Starring: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia Fleabag star Phoebe Waller Bridge's series follows a desk-bound MI5 officer, who begins to track down talented psychopathic assassin Villanelle. BBC America TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 American Horror Story: Apocalypse September TBA, FOX Starring: Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Jessica Lange This crossover season featuring characters from 'Murder House' and 'Coven' will focus on Michaen Langdon, the antichrist born at the end of season 1. FOX TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Sick Of It September TBA, Sky One Starring: Karl Pilkington, Sondra James, Craig Parkinson A new scripted comedy set in the mind of Karl Pilkington. YouTube TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 The Walking Dead 8 October, FOX Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan New threats surface a year-and-a-half after the climax of All Out War which saw Rick defeat Negan in the battle against The Saviours. Gene Page/AMC Studios TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 The Romanoffs 12 October, Amazon Prime Starring: Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Isabelle Huppert Anthology series from the creators of Mad Men about the descendants of the last dynasty to rule Russia. YouTube TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Chilling Adventures of Sabrina 26 October, Netflix Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Michelle Gomez, Miranda Otto Sabrina Spellman must reconcile her dual nature as a half-witch, half-mortal while fighting the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit. Netflix TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Narcos: Mexico 16 November, Netflix Starring: Michael Pena, Diego Luna Episodes will chart the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel in the 1980s, with Luna playing Felix Gallardo and Pena playing the DEA agent chasing him. Netflix TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Cold Feet series 8 Autumn TBA, ITV1 Starring: James Nesbitt, Hermione Norris, Fay Ripley The five pals - now in their 50s - return to our screens once again. ITV TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Doctor Who Autumn TBA, Amazon Prime Starring: Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole. Mandip Gill. Bradley Walsh The 11th run sees Jodie Whittaker succeed Peter Capaldi as the beloved Time Lord. BBC TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 The First Autumn TBA, Channel 4 Starring: Sean Penn, Natasha McElhone, James Ransome New sci-fi drama about the first human mission to Mars from House of Cards' Beau Willimon. REX/Shutterstock TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 House of Cards season 6 2 November, Netflix Starring: Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Jayne Atkinson President Claire Underwood takes centre stage in the concluding chapter of the political drama. YouTube TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Kidding Autumn TBA, Sky Atlantic Starring: Jim Carrey, Judy Greer, Catherine Keener Following childrens TV star Mr Pickles whose off-screen life is much less of a fairytale than his on-screen persona. YouTube TV preview: The 18 shows to look out for before the end of 2018 Luther Autumn TBA, BBC One Starring: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson The grizzled detective returns for a new story which unites him with serial killer-turned-ally, Alice Morgan. BBC

Montagues politics too, seem more reasonable, or at least comprehensible, once she is heard making the case for shredding civil liberties and, unimaginable for a 2018 Tory, advocating for more social mobility in important prestigious profession such as the law, politics, medicine and, er , journalism (thanks for that). There also seems  seems  to be something awry with the prime minister, in which case her ruthless ambition is developing a more ethical quality. Could he be the cocaine and alcohol addicted sex maniac she is being secretly briefed about by the security service?

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One of the many great features of Jed Mercurios deft screenplay is that the unremitting focus on the two leads makes the many complexities in the story easy to follow, especially for the jaded viewer looking for a little diversion before the working week winds up again. At every turn you, like the eponymous bodyguard, feel motivated to scan the screen for potential plots and threats.

The source of the latest near-fatal attempt on Montague, probably a suicide bomb, wasnt clear at the end of episode three  classic cliff hanger  with a choice between a rogue police officer, a BAME special adviser or other person or persons unknown.

The suspense with Budd derived from his double dealing between his police bosses and the scrutiny services, and his protection of a former army comrade who tried to shoot Montague dead. There was a claustrophobic sense that Budds lies about his old mate are about to be found out, as the clues to his identity and background build up.

Bodyguard episode three ran at a slower pace than usual, which at least allowed us to catch our breath and take a fresh look at the evidence. The series remains topical, enthralling and skilfully executed.
A top UN official has warned that urgent action is required to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change ahead of important negotiations taking place in Bangkok.

After heatwaves and extreme weather swept the world this summer, there is hope among climate experts that leaders will be galvanised to act.

Patricia Espinosa, head of the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said governments are not doing enough to meet their climate targets.

Specifically she said they are unlikely to hit the ambitious goal of the Paris climate agreement to cap temperature increases not only below 2C, but closer to 1.5C.

1.5 is the goal that is needed for many islands and many countries that are particularly vulnerable to avoid catastrophic effects. In many cases it means the survival of those countries, Ms Espinosa told Reuters.

With the pledges we have on the table now we are not on track to achieve those goals.

The Paris agreement set out grand ambitions to move the world away from fossil fuels and avert the worst consequences of climate change.

10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke  filled with the carbon that is driving climate change  drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan

However, the plan was vague on details, and after the US and now Australia have distanced themselves from the agreement there is more pressure than ever to take decisive, binding action.

The week-long session in Thailands capital was hastily arranged in May after talks held in Bonn stalled and failed to produce tangible outcomes.

Countries must decide the rules that will govern the Paris climate agreement, and without this negotiating text the UN climate change conference held in Poland at the end of the year will have no basis.

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Ms Espinosa said she hoped a draft text for this rule book will emerge from the Bangkok talks. This can then ideally be agreed on by government ministers at the December meeting in Katowice, Poland.

This is a process that has been ongoing for some time, she said.

One of the reasons why this is so complex is because we are talking about... many different areas. One of those areas that countries need to take action on is to reduce their emissions.

The discrepancy between the impact climate change has on rich and poor nations has been a major sticking point in talks.

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To address this, richer nations have pledged $100 billion to the developing world to aid in its transformation to tackle climate change.

There is a clear view that the $100 billion is only one part of the broad transformation of our societies that we are talking about... There is also a need to mobilise private financing, said Espinosa.

She added that heatwaves, droughts and wildfires from the Arctic to Australia should give new impetus to the talks in Thailand.

Though these events are still ongoing throughout much of the world, scientists have already been able to identify the fingerprint of climate change on them. Preliminary evidence suggests that without steadily rising temperatures, such events would have been less intense and less likely to happen in the first place.

Bangkok itself is a low-lying city that is likely to feel the effects of a changing climate very soon.

One World Bank report concluded that nearly 40 per cent of the capital will be inundated by rising waters by 2030 due to heavy rainfall and changing weather patterns.

It really does make the evidence clear that climate change is having an impact on the daily lives of people, said Espinosa.

I do believe that this will create a bigger sense of urgency.
Ex-Brexit secretary David Davis has confirmed he will vote against any deal with the EU based on Theresa Mays Chequers compromise.

Eurosceptic Mr Davis said the proposals put forward by Ms May would be worse than staying in the European Union.

His admission makes it more likely the prime minister will be unable to get any deal based on her plans through the house of commons, where she has a wafer-then majority and a number of her own MPs already openly opposing her proposals.

It also comes as a new plot emerged to torpedo her plans, agreed with her cabinet at her Chequers retreat, involving Tory election guru Sir Lynton Crosby.

Speaking to the BBCs Andrew Marr show, Mr Davis said: I will vote against it. It would be rather odd for me to resign over something and then vote for it when it came back.

In my view the Chequers proposal is actually almost worse than being in [the EU].

We will be under the rule of the European Union in respect of all our manufactured goods and agri-foods, thats a really serious concession  what about take back control, it doesnt work.

 French minister Nathalie Loiseau says May's Brexit plan is not possible

International trade secretary Liam Fox later defended the Chequers proposal, arguing that if a voter had opted to leave the EU at the 2016 referendum, then it would be a no brainer that they would prefer Ms Mays plan to staying in the EU.

Some estimates suggest that only seven MPs would have to rebel against Ms May in a vote for the plans to fail, with the likes of Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Andrea Jenkyns, Steve Baker, Conor Burns and Bernard Jenkin among those already likely to vote against it.

Sir Lynton is said to have ordered allies to work with Mr Baker and other hardline Brexiteers in the European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs  chaired by Mr Rees-Mogg  to bring down Ms Mays Chequers proposal, something that could well lead to her fall.

David Canxini will partner up with ex-Brexit minister Mr Baker, a key organiser in the Conservative Leave campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum, with one potential plan to revive the campaign group Change Britain, which some see as possible future platform for a Boris Johnson leadership campaign.
Theresa Mays premiership has suffered a severe blow after reports emerged that Tory election-guru Sir Lynton Crosby is running a campaign to kill off her Brexit proposals.

Sir Lynton is said to have ordered allies to work with hardline Brexiteers in the European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs to bring Ms Mays Chequers deal down, something that could well lead to her fall.

Many ERG members back Boris Johnson as a future leader, and with Sir Lynton also having run two successful mayoral campaigns for him, the strategists appearance now is seen as a sign of growing momentum behind the ex-foreign secretarys ambitions.

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It came as Ms May attempted to stiffen her support among Brexiteers  who think her plans will keep the UK too closely aligned with Brussels, by saying she will not be pushed around by the EU in negotiations and repeating her vow to deliver on the 2016 referendum.

Sir Lynton, who also advised Tory leaders in the 2015 election victory and last years shock poll when the Tories lost their majority, has sent a senior member of his firm CTF Partners to work with the ERG, The Sunday Times reported.

David Canxini will partner up with ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker, a key organiser in the Conservative Leave campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum.

 French minister Nathalie Loiseau says May's Brexit plan is not possible

The newspaper reports that one option is to revive the campaign group Change Britain, with some seeing it as possible future platform for a Mr Johnson leadership drive.

But senior Tory sources were said to have warned that Mr Johnsons leadership ambitions were destabilising Brexit and could lead to it falling through altogether.

The Sunday Times also reported that PMs aides have held talks with senior civil servants about whether to call a general election if a Brexit deal is rejected by MPs.

With Brussels demanding further compromise, and a significant number on her own benches set to vote the deal down, let alone Labour, the odds are stacking up against Ms Mays deal passing through parliament.

People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Show all 30 1 /30 People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Rex People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young protestor shouts as she takes part in the People's Vote demonstration against Brexit Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A protester's pro-EU t-shirt EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Gina Miller and Caroline Lucas EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Tens of thousands of people march through London EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators at the People's Vote March Getty People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal 'Two months too young to decide on my future' REUTERS People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young girl joins in the march PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal An EU flag is draped across the statue of Winston Chruchill in Parliament Square REUTERS People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Vince Cable MP, Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller, Tony Robinson and Caroline Lucas MP join with crowds PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Crowds gather on Pall Mall PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A man resembling Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, joins EU supporters Reuters People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal People gather in Trafalgar Square REUTERS People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller and Tony Robinson PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participate in the 'People's Vote' march REUTERS

But the Prime Minister remained defiant and stood by her plan, writing in the Sunday Telegraph: I will not be pushed into accepting compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in our national interest.

The PM also dismissed calls for a Peoples Vote on the terms of withdrawal.

She said: To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy.

The Independent has been running its own campaign for a Final Say referendum on whatever the outcome of Brexit is with almost three quarters of a million people having signed the petition.

Ms May also said Britain would get through a no-deal outcome and thrive.

But in the same newspaper high-profile Tory MP Nick Boles, who backed Remain at the referendum, came out against the Chequers deal.

He wrote that under current the plans, the UK faces the humiliation of a deal dictated by Brussels, which is treating the Chequers proposals as an opening bid.
Michel Barnier has warned he is strongly opposed to the prime ministers Chequers proposal on future trade with the EU after Brexit, warning the illegal offer would end the European project.

In what were some of his harshest words yet for the British governments plans, the EUs chief Brexit negotiator said allowing Britain to cherry pick regulations would have serious consequences, adding it would be much easier if the UK stayed in the single market.

Mr Barniers comments came in an interview with newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, in which he told European carmakers they would need to shun British manufacturers in order to enjoy low tariffs on their global exports.

The British have a choice, he said. They could stay in the single market, like Norway, which is also not a member of the EU, but they would then have to accept all the regulations and make contributions to European solidarity.

But if we let the British cherry pick which of our regulations to follow, that would have serious consequences: all sorts of other third countries could insist that we offer them the same deal.

That would be the end of the single market and the European project. I am often accused of being dogmatic in the UK, but the truth is I'm only protecting our fundamental interests.

 Liam Fox says Treasurys predictions of economic turmoil following a no-deal Brexit 'hard to swallow'

Mr Barniers comments came after Theresa May insisted she would not be pushed around by Brussels in an op-ed for The Sunday Telegraph.

I will not be pushed into accepting compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in our national interest, she wrote. Neither will I give in to those who want to reopen the whole question with a second referendum... To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy  and a betrayal of that trust.

But ex-Brexit secretary David Davis said on Sunday the proposals put forward by Ms May would be worse than staying in the EU, and confirmed he would vote against any deal based on the Chequers compromise.

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

His admission makes it more likely the prime minister will be unable to get any deal based on her plans through the House of Commons, where she has a wafer-thin majority and a number of her own MPs already openly opposing her proposals.

In comments likely to concern Britons employed by the car industry, Mr Barnier warned EU manufacturers that the frictionless imports and exports between the UK and the continent would come to an end after Brexit.

Outside of the internal market and the customs union, this involves customs formalities and controls that hinder just in time production, Mr Barnier said.

In order for EU carmakers to benefit from the tariff benefits of the EU-Korea agreement, only a certain proportion of the services may be provided in a car in a third country. Businesses have to be careful not to use too many parts of Britain in their vehicles in the future.
Gordon Brown has called on Labour to unequivocally and immediately adopt the internationally-agreed definition of antisemitism.

In a speech to a Jewish Labour Movement conference on Sunday, the former prime minister demanded a comprehensive strategy to tackle antisemitism within the Labour Party, saying the issue was about the soul of the party.

Mr Browns intervention comes ahead of a vote on Tuesday by Labours ruling body, in which it will decide whether to adopt all examples of antisemitism set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

Allies of Mr Corbyn are set to attempt amendments, over fears that free speech in discussing Israel's actions with regards to its treatment of Palestinians could be damaged.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism is something we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately, Mr Brown told an audience in London.

It has been brought together for one reason and for one reason only. As the document says, to advance and support education and remembrance of the Holocaust.

Mr Brown denied any IHRA definitions of antisemitism in the document prevented criticism of Israel, saying anyone who claimed this was not telling the truth.

 Jeremy Corbyn releases video apologising for antisemitism in the Labour party

Its not a foreign policy document, its not got some plan for the Middle East, its about dealing with this one thing, and one thing only, antisemitism, which it is defined as hatred of the Jews.

On antisemitism, he said: "It is time to say that this wrong must and can be righted. This injustice had got to be remedied, this stain must be removed, the sore that exists and the harm that has been done, and the hurt it has caused, has got to be undone."

Mr Browns comments followed a renewed attack on Mr Corbyn by former chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who said British Jews were considering leaving the country due to antisemitism in Labour.

I know of no other occasion in these 362 years where Jews, the majority of our community, are asking is this country safe to bring up our children? Lord Sacks said.

Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites again and again PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading For the many, not the Jew AFP

Asked if he knew of British Jews considering leaving Britain over the issue, Lord Sacks responded, Of course.

When people hear the kind of language thats coming out of Labour, thats brought to the surface among Jeremy Corbyns earlier speeches, they cannot but feel an existential threat, he said.

John McDonnell, Labours shadow chancellor, told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show Lord Sacks had got it wrong over claims Mr Corbyn is an antisemite.

Jeremy Corbyn has made it absolutely clear. We will protect Jewish members of our party from any form of abuse and antisemitism, and we will take action as well, he said.

Mr Corbyn himself has defended the 2013 speech in which he suggested British Zionists do not understand "English irony". He insisted he was referring to a specific group of pro-Israel activists and had not used the term Zionist as a euphemism for Jewish people.

He claimed he was now more careful with how I might use the term Zionist because a once self-identifying political term has been increasingly hijacked by antisemites as code for Jews.
A former chief rabbi has said Jews are considering leaving Britain due to the threat of antisemitism in the Labour Party.

In a second outspoken attack on Jeremy Corbyn, Jonathan Sacks accused the Labour leader of contributing to Jews questioning whether Britain was still a safe place to raise children.

It came after footage emerged last week of Mr Corbyn criticising British Zionists, saying they did not understand English irony.

I know of no other occasion in these 362 years where Jews, the majority of our community, are asking is this country safe to bring up our children?, Lord Sacks told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show.

Now this is very very worrying and theres only one word for it, antisemitism.

The rabbis comments came after an earlier interview with the New Statesman in which he accused Mr Corbyn of the most offensive comments by a senior politician since Enoch Powell.

On Sunday, Lord Sacks stood by his assertion, insisting he had to issue a warning after seeing antisemitism return to mainland Europe within living memory of the Holocaust.

 Frank Field says he would return to the Labour party with Jeremy Corbyn as leader: 'Why should I leave the party?'

Anyone who befriends Hamas and Hezbollah, anyone who uses the term Zionist, loosely, without any care, is in danger of engulfing Britain in the kind of flames of hatred that have reappeared throughout Europe and is massively irresponsible, Lord Sacks said.

There is danger that Jeremy Corbyn may one day be prime minister. He is the leader of her majestys opposition, and Im afraid that until he expresses clear remorse for what he has said and what his party has done to its Jewish sympathisers as well as its Jewish MPs he is as great a danger as Enoch Powell was then.

Asked if he knew of British Jews considering leaving Britain over the issue, Lord Sacks responded, Of course.

When people hear the kind of language thats coming out of Labour, thats brought to the surface among Jeremy Corbyns earlier speeches, they cannot but feel an existential threat, he said, adding: Jeremy Corbyn must repent and recant as quickly as possible so as to regain the trust of the Jewish and general public.

Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites again and again PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading For the many, not the Jew AFP

But John McDonnell, Labours shadow chancellor, told Andrew Marr that Lord Sacks had got it wrong over claims Mr Corbyn is an antisemite.

Jeremy Corbyn has made it absolutely clear. We will protect Jewish members of our party from any form of abuse and antisemitism, and we will take action as well, he said.

So I just say to Lord Sacks youve got it wrong. Come and talk to us. If you sat down with Jeremy Corbyn, I believe you would reach a level of agreement that would help us go forward.

Mr Corbyn himself has defended the 2013 speech in which he suggested British Zionists do not understand "English irony". He insisted he was referring to a specific group of pro-Israel activists and had not used the term Zionist as a euphemism for Jewish people.

He claimed he was now more careful with how I might use the term Zionist because a once self-identifying political term has been increasingly hijacked by antisemites as code for Jews.
A 13-year-old boy who was part of the group taken into custody at a squalid New Mexico compound last month has told FBI agents his mother's boyfriend was training him to conduct "jihad" against non-believers, according to federal court documents.

The boy was among 11 children and five adults living at the compound in Taos County when it was raided on 3 August by local sheriff's deputies who discovered a cache of firearms and the children living without food or clean water. The dead body of a three-year-old boy was found buried at the site later.

They initially faced state charges, then on Friday, the five adults including a Haitian woman described as the group's leader, 35-year-old Jany Leveille, were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and accused of conspiracy and firearms offences.

In an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, an FBI special agent wrote that Ms Leveille's 13-year-old son told investigators that his mother's boyfriend, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40, wanted to "get an army together" and train them for jihad.

The boy told agents that Mr Ibn Wahhaj trained him and another of Ms Leveille's teenage sons in firearms and military techniques, including rapid reloads and hand-to-hand combat, and told them jihad meant killing non-believers on behalf of Allah, according to the affidavit filed in US District Court in New Mexico.

New Mexico compound search Show all 6 1 /6 New Mexico compound search New Mexico compound search Aerial photo released by Taos County Sheriff's Office shows a rural compound during an unsuccessful search for a missing 3-year-old boy in Amalia, New Mexico AP New Mexico compound search Taos County Solid Waste Department Director Edward Martinez, center, surveys property conditions at a disheveled living compound at Amalia, N.M., on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018 AP New Mexico compound search Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, left, sits next to public defense attorney Aleks Kostich at a first appearance in New Mexico state district court in Taos, New Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, on accusations of child abuse and abducting his son from the boy's mother AP New Mexico compound search Lucas Morton arrives in court to plead not guilty to child abuse charges in state district court in Taos, New Mexico, on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 AP New Mexico compound search Subhannah Wahhaj appears in New Mexico state district court to plead not guilty to charges of child abuse in Taos, New Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, alongside public defense attorney Greg Dawkins, left AP New Mexico compound search This Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, photo released by Taos County Sheriff's Office shows a rural compound during an unsuccessful search for a missing 3-year-old boy in Amalia, New Mexico AP

The 13-year-old also told the FBI that his mother believed she received messages from God, and that he watched her and Mr Ibn Wahhaj perform supposed "exorcism" rituals over the three-year-old boy, including one during which the boy choked and his heart stopped, according to the special agent's affidavit.

The teenager said his mother and others at the compound told him not to talk to anyone about the three-year-old ever being at the compound because they would "all go to jail."

Defence lawyers have said that the five adults were exercising their constitutional rights to practice their religion and own firearms, and that the group is being discriminated against because they are black and Muslim. The defence attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday.

The five defendants came under FBI surveillance in May after Ms Leveille wrote a letter to Mr Ibn Wahhaj's brother asking him to join them and become a "martyr," state prosecutors have said.

They are due to appear in court in Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Reuters
A new study stated gun owners are more likely to be politically active than those not owning firearms or calling for gun control reform in the US.

Political science researchers at the University of Kansas concluded this could be part of the reason gun control reform legislation has been slow to take hold in the US, despite numerous mass shootings from the 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, to the deaths of 58 people at a country musical festival in Las Vegas in 2017.

Graduate student Abbie Vetger said in a statement about the "Motivated Voices: Gun Ownership and the Propensity for Political Participation study that gun owners are a very strong political group who hold a lot of weight and hold a lot of influence despite being a minority in American politics.

Professors Don Haider-Markel and Mark Joslyn looked at the behaviour of gun owners in every presidential election year from 1972 to 2012 as part of the study.

Delineating gun owners as a distinct social group - as opposed to only examining members of the powerful lobbying and membership group like the National Rifle Association (NRA) - was a key factor in reaching the studys conclusions.

"Only one in five gun owners belong to the NRA, so we think there is something else going on than just the NRA when it comes to mobilisation," Ms Vetger said.

The study also concluded that various reasons for owning a firearm contributed to political involvement.

 Florida student Emma Gonzalez passionately calls for gun control at rally after school shooting

Owning a hunting rifle may not mean being a hunter is a core part of your identity," but owning a weapon because a person may think it's an essential right guaranteed in the Constitution is more a part of your political identity. It's something more attached from the get-go to politics, Ms Vetger explained.

Researchers are still exploring why the shift over the years to gun ownership has taken place and if politicians were responding to public sentiment on gun control reform or the other way around.

Whatever the cause, the conservative, often Republican, political capital built up by the NRA and by candidates at the state and local level who have been appealing to gun owners cannot be denied.

March for Our Lives  in pictures Show all 13 1 /13 March for Our Lives  in pictures March for Our Lives  in pictures Demonstrators chant during the protest for gun legislation and school safety AP March for Our Lives  in pictures Trevon Tre Bosley, 19, of Chicago, the brother of Terrell Bosley who was killed in 2006 in a case of mistaken identity, speaks during the rally AP March for Our Lives  in pictures Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Delaney Tarr speaks at the rally AFP/Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Protestors line the streets in Washington Getty Images March for Our Lives  in pictures People arrive for the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence in Washington, DC AFP/Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Protestors carrying placards in Washington AFP/Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Protestors hold up placards in Washington AFP/Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Schoolchildren wear targets ahead of the rally Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Attendees congregate in preparation for the march Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Students brought a host of innovative placards AFP/Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures The movements main demand is the banning of assault rifles Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures Since the Florida shooting, students have called for urgent gun reform AFP/Getty March for Our Lives  in pictures In the wake of the Florida attack, President Donald Trump called for teachers to be armed AFP/Getty

During the 2016 election cycle that group alone spent over $1m (771,000) in contributions to Republican political candidates and over $54m (42m) in outside spending - mostly in advertising - according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Ms Vetger said there are lessons in the study for those calling for gun control reform, as many student survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida have been since the February 2018 shooting which left 17 dead.

For individuals, especially individual gun control advocates, in order to make a difference, you need to match this level of mobilisation and participation, she said.

The study has not yet taken into account the latest public reactions, such as the March for Our Lives organised by those students but it remains to be seen if the marching and protesting translate into votes in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections and beyond.

Researchers are set to present their findings at the American Political Science Association's annual conference in Boston.
As many children head back to school to begin another year of learning, many others around the world face some very different experiences than just walking through their school gates into class.

Wars, conflicts and natural disasters spare no children. In fact, children suffer the most. In countries affected by emergencies, children often lose their homes, family members, friends, safety and routine.

While the life-saving needs of shelter, food, healthcare and safe water are crucial, the schools and teachers that sustain an entire future generation must also be a priority.

Every child has the right to an education, to give them a future and to allow them and their community to thrive. Giving children an education can help to transform countries by boosting economic growth, reducing poverty and contributing to the building of a peaceful society. Unicef works all over the world to bring quality, often transformative, education to all children who need it.

Every girl and boy, regardless of who they are or where they live, is entitled to nothing less than full and complete access to quality education. But many of the worlds poorest and most marginalised children are denied this basic human right.

Back to school: children attend class around the world Show all 30 1 /30 Back to school: children attend class around the world Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen A student stands in the ruins of one of his former classrooms Unicef/Clarke for UN Back to school: children attend class around the world Mali Sitan Doumbia, 5, plays with her friends at the Early Childhood Development Center in Mali Unicef/Keita Back to school: children attend class around the world Democratic Republic of the Congo Teacher Edouard Kabukapua, 28, accompanies his students as they sing on their way to their class in a temporary tent school in Mulombela village, KasaA region, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has deteriorated dramatically over the past year. A surge in violent conflict in the KasaA and Eastern regions has forced many people from their homes, including in the Kasai region. Unicef has scaled up integrated health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, protection in the country Unicef/Tremeau Back to school: children attend class around the world Democratic Republic of the Congo Tshiela, 10, sits in what was once her school, before residents fled the fighting Unicef/Tremeau Back to school: children attend class around the world Cameroon Students learn with the help of a computer tablet provided by Unicef at a school in Baigai Unicef/Prinsloo Back to school: children attend class around the world Syria Saleh*, 15, made the trip from his village in southern rural Aleppo to sit his final Grade 9 exams. He missed a year of schooling when violence escalated in his village Unicef/Al-Issa Back to school: children attend class around the world Malawi Students sit in their classroom at Makankhula Full Primary School in Dedza district. This outdoor classroom is not by choice, and is typical of Malawi's rural schools, where the lack of resources results in many young students learning under a tree. The primary school faces many challenges such as only having 16 teachers and a handful of classrooms for over 1,200 children Unicef/Brown Back to school: children attend class around the world Sudan Sunlight is filtered by reed walls as it streams into a classroom as students attend a mathematics class at the Upper Nile primary school in the Protection of Civilians Unicef/Hatcher-Moore Back to school: children attend class around the world Syria A child packs up his notebook at a make-shift school in rural Dar'a Unicef/anonymous Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen Students play chess in Nosaibah School for Girls in Sana'a, Yemen Unicef/Fuad Back to school: children attend class around the world Democratic Republic of the Congo Students attend a class in a temporary tent school set up by Unicef Unicef/Tremeau Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen Students sit under a tree as a teacher leads a class in Bait Al Faqueeh Unicef/Obadi Back to school: children attend class around the world Sudan Displaced children study in a tent classroom at the primary school in the Protection of Civilians Unicef/Hatcher-Moore Back to school: children attend class around the world Jordan A boy plays in the Unicef-supported Makani centre in Irbid Unicef/Shennawi Back to school: children attend class around the world Cote dIvoire Overcrowded class at a primary school in Gonzagueville. Unicef partnered with Conceptos Plasticos, a Columbian company that produces buidling materials with recyclable plastics, to build classrooms in this overcrowded preschool and primary school where in some classes there are more than 100 children, some of them as little as 3 years old In CAte d'Ivoire, many children do not access to education for lack of infrastructure in their community. Unicef/Dejongh Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen Students listen to their teacher during a class held in a Unicef tent school, after the Aal Okab school which they used to attend was destroyed in June 2015, in Saada, Saada Governorate, Yemen Unicef/Clarke for UN Back to school: children attend class around the world Central African Republic Gracia Rita, 13, is in her last year of primary school at the Combattant School in Bangui Unicef/Sokhin Back to school: children attend class around the world Mali Fatoumata Ouattara, a Mama Yeleen - a model mother trained in early childhood development (ECD), watches children during a drawing and colouring session with children at the Early Childhood Development Center in Mali. The Mama Yeleen initiative is promoted and supported by Unicef and its partners Unicef/Keita Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen Students gather outside the Nosaibah School for Girls in Sana'a, Yemen. Nearly half a million children have dropped out of school since the 2015 escalation of conflict in Yemen, bringing the total number of out-of-school children to 2 million. Unicef/Abdulhaleem Back to school: children attend class around the world Sudan Pupils sit in a classroom during lessons at the Upper Nile primary school in the Protection of Civilians site in Bentiu, South Sudan Unicef/Hatcher-Moore Back to school: children attend class around the world Malawi Binafrey Viera (center) enjoys being in class at an ECD center at Luwani Refugee Camp in Malawi Unicef/Chikondi Back to school: children attend class around the world Bangladesh Rohingya refugee Anjali, 8, attends a class at a Unicef-supported learning centre at the Balukhali makeshift settlement, in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar Unicef/Sujan Back to school: children attend class around the world Central African Republic A community teacher (centre in blue) plays with children in the playground at the child friendly space in Ndenga village. The village hosts a away from Kaga Bandoro, program for local children formerly associated with the anti-balaka armed group Unicef/Sokhin Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen Fatima Abdullah Abduoh, 12, attends a Unicef child friendly space. Fatima lost her elder sister to an illness during the conflict Unicef/Fuad Back to school: children attend class around the world Central African Republic Jospin stands in front of the blackboard in a classroom at the MINUSCA site in Kago Bandoro, Central African Republic Unicef/Sokhin Back to school: children attend class around the world Yemen A student attends class. Almost three quarters of public school teachers have not been paid their salaries in over a year, putting the education of an additional 4.5 million children at grave risk Unicef/Fuad Back to school: children attend class around the world Uganda Pupils of Bright Centre Early Childhood Development Centre, in Zone One, Block IV, Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district in northern Uganda, sing and play in their classroom Unicef/Bongyereirwe Back to school: children attend class around the world Cote dIvoire Students in class at a primary school in Gonzagueville. less than seven children out of ten go to primary school. In Cote dIvoire, UNICEF distributes school kits to children and supports the Ministry of Education by building schools and training teachers. Unicef/Ddejongh Back to school: children attend class around the world Sudan South Sudanese refugees children playing with their locally made toys together with a caregiver at reception Bright ECD Centre, Yumbe District Unicef/Sibiloni Back to school: children attend class around the world Sudan A child points out letters of the alphabet on a blackboard in a tent for pre-school children at the primary school in the Protection of Civilians UNICEF/Hatcher-Moore

Around the world:

 61 million children of primary school age (typically aged 6-11) are not in school

 60 million adolescents of lower secondary school age (typically aged 12-15) are not in school

 More than a half of all out-of-school children are in sub-Saharan Africa

 53 per cent of children out of school are girls

 1 in 4 of out-of-school children live in crises-affected countries

 Of the primary school-aged children not in school, 20 per cent dropped out before finishing primary school, 41 per cent will probably never attend and a further 39 per cent are expected to enter school as over-age students.

On current trends, the world will not achieve universal primary education for many decades to come, much less secondary schooling for all by 2030 as set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4.

As economic crises and depletion of international education funds further stretch the resources the world is willing to devote to education, the number of children out of school will continue to stagnate and the quality of schools will decline.

Unicefs work

Their work starts with identifying who is out of school and why. Unicef gathers and makes this data available to governments and communities and helps them design policy interventions tailored to local, regional and national needs.
Trend:

Azerbaijan is interested in the establishment of joint ventures with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the fields of industry, logistics and transport, trade representative of Azerbaijan in Dubai Elnur Aliyev told Trend.

"At the same time, we are interested in attracting a big number of Arab companies to the country, because Azerbaijan is an ideal market for foreign investors because it has access to key markets of neighboring countries in the region," he said.

To date, more than 250 companies from the UAE work in Azerbaijan. Baku-Dubai-Baku, Baku-Sharjah-Baku flights operate between the countries.

"In general, Azerbaijan and the UAE have great potential for cooperation and may successfully develop cooperation in the spheres of industry, transport, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and high technologies," he added.

"Currently, the work is being carried out to accelerate the dynamics of trade turnover between the countries," Aliyev said. "The main share of export of Azerbaijani products to the UAE accounts for Dubai, to which mainly agricultural products are supplied."

"Vegetables and fruits in big volumes, while meat in small volumes, are exported to Dubai," he said. "We intend to maximally increase meat supplies in the future, taking into account the needs of the Dubai market and the growing opportunities for production of this kind of products in Azerbaijan."

"Azerbaijan mainly imports high-tech products, electronics, industrial goods and building materials from the UAE," he said. "Taking into account that the UAE is one of the biggest importers of agricultural products, we expect that our high-quality products will have a niche in this promising market."

"As the UAE has a big potential for re-export, the supply of Azerbaijani goods to the UAE market, may contribute to the supply of our domestic products to the markets of other countries of the Persian Gulf in the future," he added.

"Besides agricultural products, Azerbaijan intends to increase supplies of various types of industrial goods, namely, aluminum plates, pipes, etc. to the UAE," Aliyev said.

According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to $28.457 million in January-July 2018, which is 67 percent more than in the same period of 2017.

At the same time, exports from Azerbaijan to the UAE amounted to $12.317 million (an increase of 58.8 percent), while imports - $16.139 million (by 73.8 percent).
One of the oldest-known villages in the Nile Delta, dating back to the Neolithic era, has been discovered in Egypt.

Chief archaeologist Frederic Gio said his joint Egyptian and French mission found silos containing animal bones and food, as well as pottery and stone tools, in the fertile Tell al-Samara, in the northern province of El-Dakahlia, around 90 miles north of Cairo.

It indicated human habitation as early as 5,000 BC, some 2,500 years before the Giza pyramids were built, Egypts antiquities ministry said.

Analysing the biological material that has been discovered will present us with a clearer view of the first communities that settled in the Delta and the origins of agriculture and farming in Egypt, said Nadia Khedr, a ministry official responsible for Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities on the Mediterranean.

Rain-based Neolithic farming may hold vital clues to a technological leap that led to irrigation-based farming along the Nile.

By recovering organic material from the site, scientists will be able to put together the different ways in which prehistoric societies lived in the Nile delta.

Egypt has been stressing its archaeological discoveries in recent years in a bid to revive its tourism industry after the destabilisation which followed the 2011 uprising.

Black sarcophagus found in Egypt is finally opened Show all 4 1 /4 Black sarcophagus found in Egypt is finally opened Black sarcophagus found in Egypt is finally opened Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities Black sarcophagus found in Egypt is finally opened Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities Black sarcophagus found in Egypt is finally opened Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities Black sarcophagus found in Egypt is finally opened Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities

Earlier this year Egyptian archaeologists said they had discovered a 4,400-year-old tomb near the pyramids outside Cairo.

The antiquities ministry said it was likely to have belonged to a high-ranking official known as Hetpet during the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt.

It included wall paintings depicting Hetpet observing different hunting and fishing scenes.

Agencies contributed to this report
After the relative quiet of the summer, the noise of Westminster politics is starting to rumble once again. Brexit, inevitably  and rightly  will dominate the autumn debates.

In an attempt to strike an authoritative note at the start of the new term, the prime minister has  in an article for The Telegraph  said she will not agree to compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in the national interest. That is hardly an unexpected pronouncement.

What is more striking is that Ms May has addressed the question of a second referendum, insisting she will not tolerate a further vote. Referring to the original referendum, she notes that voters trusted their voices would be heard, which is true of course. But it is also the case that there was no definitive vision at that stage for what Brexit would mean in reality. Plainly we know more now than we did in 2016 about the practical obstacles and likely consequences.

People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Show all 30 1 /30 People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Rex People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young protestor shouts as she takes part in the People's Vote demonstration against Brexit Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A protester's pro-EU t-shirt EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Gina Miller and Caroline Lucas EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Tens of thousands of people march through London EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators at the People's Vote March Getty People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal 'Two months too young to decide on my future' REUTERS People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young girl joins in the march PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal An EU flag is draped across the statue of Winston Chruchill in Parliament Square REUTERS People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Vince Cable MP, Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller, Tony Robinson and Caroline Lucas MP join with crowds PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Crowds gather on Pall Mall PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal A man resembling Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, joins EU supporters Reuters People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal People gather in Trafalgar Square REUTERS People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller and Tony Robinson PA People's Vote march  demanding vote on final Brexit deal EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participate in the 'People's Vote' march REUTERS

As such, the prime ministers additional contention  that to ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy  is fundamentally flawed. For one thing, a second referendum would not be a case of asking the same question again: it would be predicated on a deal in principle having been agreed. For another, this notion of democracy being betrayed  repeated most often by those who would leave the European Union at any cost  is as disingenuous as it is facile. It ignores the most central tenet of democracy, which is that citizens, who give politicians (and policies) their authority, can change their minds.

Indeed, as the Conservative donor Sir Simon Robertson has put it in an interview with The Observer, the argument put forward by Ms May and others that the people cannot be consulted once more is complete balderdash.

Still, the fact that the prime minister has decided to set out her stall on the issue of a second referendum is an indication that the pressure for the people to be given a final say on Brexit is beginning to tell. Nearly three-quarters of a million individuals have now signed The Independents petition for the right to vote on whether to accept whatever deal  if any  the government can agree with Brussels. And on 20 October many of those who support our campaign will come to London, as The Independent joins forces with the Peoples Vote to organise a March for the Future, to make a visible statement in support of a second referendum.

From the prime ministers point of view, the thing that will do most to restore her authority, in her party and more broadly, is real progress towards concluding a departure deal with the remaining EU members. But although the Brexit minister, Dominic Raab, is reported to have had positive discussions with Michel Barnier last week, it is all too obvious there remain several key issues on which agreement is still some way off.

Whats more, critics within the Conservative Party are already circling with renewed energy: their annual party conference could be the scene of some serious bloodletting. Nick Boles is the latest to set out a withdrawal plan that differs from the prime ministers, while David Davis has reiterated his belief that the Chequers proposals are worse than a no-deal Brexit. The divisions between Brexiteers such as Liam Fox and those like Philip Hammond, who warn of a cliff-edge departure, are widening.

The only saving grace for Theresa May is that the Labour Party appears equally divided  and not only on Brexit. The row over antisemitism seems, if anything, to be intensifying; talk of Labour splitting is back on the agenda.

Quite what the rest of this year will bring in the political sphere is difficult to predict. It will not be dull; there may be some moments of madness. But one thing is clear: as the Brexit deadline approaches, calls for the British people to be given a final say on the departure deal will inexorably grow.
On 6 November 2018, the Democratic Party have the chance to take back the House of Representatives as well as the 35 seats in the Senate that are up for grabs. With a dangerous, vitriolic and lecherous megalomaniac in the Oval Office, and his Republican sycophants in Congress, it is now more important than ever that the Democrats retake control of the House. If, however, Democrats perform poorly in the November elections, it could negatively shape the lives of generations to come. It is the countrys youth that stands to suffer the long-term ramifications of a current Congress that is largely motivated by a disquieting combination of sheer greed and extremist evangelical Christian ideology.

Every two years, the US swears in an entirely new House of Representatives, but the 35 Senate seats are for six-year terms. Most polls are predicting that the Democrats will regain control of the House in November, but they shouldnt be relied upon too heavily  lets not forget that these same polls predicted a win for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential elections, and we all know how that ended.

Democrats should be very worried. Voter turnout is notoriously low in the US, even for presidential elections, but for midterms its even lower. As for young adults (18 to 34-year-olds), most polls predict that less than 30 per cent will vote in the midterms, as opposed to nearly 75 per cent of seniors. In spite of online conversations about #Resistance  generation X, millennials and post-millennials are the demographics least likely to vote. This is due to a variety of reasons, including feelings of pessimism about the national political system. Its also a result of more complex factors, such as poverty and voter-suppression tactics like voter ID laws in Texas and Arizona, among others, where a student ID is not considered a valid form of identification to be eligible to vote.

Its true that many young people are cynical and unenthusiastic about national politics and their ability to effect change with their vote. And they have good reason to be: Congress is remarkably old, rich and white  and even though the 115th Congress set a record in terms of racial and ethnic diversity, as well as gender parity, it still has a long way to go before it more closely represents the we the people as contemplated in the Preamble of the US Constitution. Making things worse are outdated and patently unfair processes such as gerrymandering, where politicians draw electoral districts to favour a particular party, and the Electoral College, which is responsible for Trump winning the presidency but Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote.

But theres still hope. People like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York and Colin Allred in Texas are inspiring young Democrats and liberals to organise and get involved in local politics in a way that the US hasnt seen since Barack Obama was first elected in 2008. Things could take a turn for the better if this largely youthful group of Democratic Congressional candidates, including an historic number of women, can convince young voters that they are listening to them and that their vote will make a difference to their individual lives.

One way to motivate young voters to participate in the electoral process is to campaign (and follow through with) discussions around more universal issues like student debt reform  a 1.5 trillion-dollar crisis-level problem that spans the political spectrum of the young electorate. Democrats also have to work to drastically reform, if not abandon, processes like gerrymandering and the Electoral College. These systems cast aside the principles of fairness and proportionality in an otherwise arguably decent democratic system and make it so that individual votes dont actually matter, which is an incredibly disheartening prospect for young voters.

People under 35 make up the majority of the voting electorate in the US. A decent turnout from this demographic in the 2018 elections could be the decisive factor in determining the direction the country takes on priority issues for young people, such as undoing rollbacks on civil and human rights and environmental policy, gun control, socially progressive US Supreme Court nominees, student debt reform and immigration policy.

If, however, the Democratic Party fails to get young people to exercise their democratic voting power, it could spell the continuation of The Donald and his deeply upsetting, if not criminal, antics until 2025. This, in addition to another several years of the one of the most partisan, retrogressive and harmful Congresses in US history is something young Americans cannot afford to let happen.

Lets hope that young people show up to #Resist in November and that the 116th Congress is more representative of popular views and progressive world trends, instead of the avaricious, self-serving and extremist right-wing approach to politics that has come to define the 115th.
You can tell how popular Brexit is by how much time Nigel Farage commits to spending in the UK. Recently, hes been a staple on Americas Fox News, spouting his support for Donald Trump. But now, hes got his sights set on another target: Australia.

Over the next few weeks, Farage is embarking on a speaking tour of Australia. And, ever the opportunist, he is selling tickets for a one-to-one meeting and a photo for 295 Australian dollars (166).

So, why  other than to make some easy money  is he heading to Australia? Does he believe that Australia, with its golden beaches and easy smiles, is next, in a long list of countries, to be dominated by far-right political forces? Probably.

Nigel Farage's most controversial moments Show all 12 1 /12 Nigel Farage's most controversial moments Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he unveiled that 'breaking point' poster during the referendum Mr Farage was accused of deploying Nazi-style propaganda when he unveiled a poster showing Syrian refugees travelling to Europe under the next Breaking point. Users on social media were quick to compare the advert to a Nazi propaganda film with similar visuals and featuring Jewish refugees. The poster was particularly controversial because it was unveiled the morning of the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox Rex Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said hed be concerned if his neighbours were Romanian In May 2014 Mr Farage was accused of a racial slur against Romanians after he suggested he would be concerned living next to a house of them. I was asked if a group of Romanian men moved in next to you, would you be concerned? And if you lived in London, I think you would be, he told LBC radio during an interview. Asked whether he would also object to living next to German children, he said: You know the difference Bongarts/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the EU campaign was won 'without a bullet being fired' Nigel Farage has said the next Prime Minister has to be a Leave supporter AFP/Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he resigned as Ukip leader and came back days later After failing to win the seat of South Thanet at the general election, Nigel Farage stepped down as Ukip leader  as he had promised to do during the campaign. Days later on 11 May he un-resigned and said he would stay after being convinced by supporters within the party. Well see how long his resignation lasts this time AP/Matt Dunham Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he blamed immigrants for making him late Mr Farage turned up late to a 25-a-head meet the leader style event in Port Talbot, Wales in December 2014. Asked why he was late, he blamed immigrants. It took me six hours and 15 minutes to get here - it should have taken three-and-a-half to four, he said. That has nothing to do with professionalism, what it does have to do with is a country in which the population is going through the roof chiefly because of open-door immigration and the fact that the M4 is not as navigable as it used to be Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he wanted to ban immigrants with HIV from Britain Mr Farage has used his platform as Ukip leader call for people with HIV to be banned from coming to Britain. Asked in an interview with Newsweek Europe in October 2014 who he thought should be allowed to come to the UK, he said: People who do not have HIV, to be frank. Thats a good start. And people with a skill. He also repeated similar comments in the 2015 general election leadership debates Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he defended the use of a racial slur against Chinese people Defending one of Ukips candidates, who used the word ch**ky to describe a Chinese person, Mr Farage said: If you and your mates were going out for a Chinese, what do you say you're going for?" When he was told by the presented that he honestly would not use the slur, Mr Farage replied: A lot would Lintao Zhang/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said parts of Britain were like a foreign land The Ukip leader used his 2014 conference speech to declare parts of Britain as being like a foreign land. He told his audience in Torquay that parts of the country were unrecognisable because of the number of foreigners there. Mr Farage has also previously said he felt uncomfortable when people spoke other language on a train Screengrab Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the British army should be deployed to France At the height of trouble at Britains Calais border Mr Farage proposed a novel solution. The Ukip leader called for the British army to be sent to France to put down a migrant rebellion. In all civil emergencies like this we have an army, we have a bit of a Territorial Army as well and we have a very, very overburdened police force and border agency, he said. If in a crisis to make sure weve actually got the manpower to check lorries coming in, to stop people illegally coming to Britain, if in those circumstances we can use the army or other forces then why not AFP/Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said breastfeeding women should sit in the corner Mr Farage sparked protests from mothers after he told women to sit on the corner if they wanted to breastfeed their children. I think that given that some people feel very embarrassed by it, it isnt too difficult to breastfeed a baby in a way that's not openly ostentatious, Mr Farage said. He added: "Or perhaps sit in the corner, or whatever it might be AFP/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the gender pay gap exists because women are worth less At a Q&A on the European Union in January 2014 Mr Farage said there was no discrimination against women causing the gender pay gap. Instead, he said, women were paid less because they were simply worth far less than many of their male counterparts. A woman who has a client base, has a child and takes two or three years off - she is worth far less to her employer when she comes back than when she went away because that client base won't be stuck as rigidly to her portfolio, he said Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said he actually couldnt guarantee 350m to the NHS after Brexit During the EU referendum campaign the Leave side pledged to spend 350 million a week on the National Health Service  claiming that this is what the UK sends to Brussels. Nigel Farage didnt speak out against this figure and also pledged to spend EU cash on the health service and other public services himself. Then the day of the election result he suddenly changed his tone, saying he couldnt guarantee the cash for the NHS and that to pledge to do so was a mistake Getty

And its easy to see why. Trust in government has been rapidly disintegrating since the first leadership coup in 2010, when Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party was replaced by his deputy, Julia Gillard. By the last election in 2016, trust was at an all-time low, according to the Australian Election Study. Similarly, only 60 per cent of people reported being satisfied with democracy.

In fact, the only time dissatisfaction has been higher was in the 1970s when the entire parliament was dissolved. To say that Australias political system is in crisis isnt hyperbole. The government has spent the past decade in turmoil  and the Australian people are tired. Tired of a government that seems more interested in fighting amongst themselves, rather than fighting for the people they represent.

However, while there is dissatisfaction with the current political system, what isnt present are the same tensions that contributed to the recent rise of the far-right in the UK or the US.

Australias universal health care system  for the most part  works and while Australia has managed to avoid the financial crisis that crippled most major economies, people are still concerned about the current state of the economy. In fact, they are far more concerned about the economy than they are about immigration or terrorism.

Australia is so geographically isolated that while those issues register as concerns, most people are more anxious about the rise in unemployment and the affordability of housing. This is in direct contrast to the US in 2016, when the most important issue facing the incoming president was a coin toss between the economy and terrorism. Or the UK in 2016, when immigration was, by far, seen to be the biggest issue facing the country, followed by terrorism.

This is one of the biggest hopes in holding off a far-right uprising in Australia. For people like Farage to gain power, they need to be able to capitalise on one of peoples most basic instincts: fear of the other. They need to set up an us and them dichotomy. The us is generally cast as the white, working class, while the them refers to both immigrants and out of touch intellectuals who try and tell you that immigrants arent the problem. Its not a particularly clever tactic, but as history has shown, it is effective. Its the political equivalent of the school yard bully saying, hey, look over there, and stealing your lunch money right out of your hand.

The problem with that approach in Australia, is its hard to cast a them. Immigration is so tightly controlled that its largely restricted to highly skilled workers who fill the holes in the Australian labour market. Unlike in the US or the UK, where there was an influx of immigrants  both legal and illegal  Australias inhumane border policy, the brainchild of current prime minister, Scott Morrison, when he was the immigration minister in 2013, has been brutally effective at deterring asylum seekers from trying to gain access to Australia illegally. Of course, there are racial tensions, but the us and them is much harder to cast in Australia than it was for Farage in the UK, or Trump in the US.

The other advantage Australia has is, perhaps, an unlikely one: compulsory voting. Although political apathy is at a record high, people will still show up at the polls. In the UK, only 66 per cent of people voted in the last general election. In the US presidential race, the turn out was at 58 per cent. Meanwhile, in Australia, over 90 per cent of people cast their ballot in the last general election. The far right benefits from low voter turnout, as moderates and the centrists become too disillusioned with politics to show up and cast their vote. But in Australia, the moderates will keep coming to the polls for one reason: because they have to.

Even so, its hard to say if these things will be enough to stop a far-right uprising. In the 2016 general election, radical parties to the left and right garnered their highest combined vote since the 1930s, signalling a shift towards the edges of the political spectrum.

If that trend continues, the far-right will almost certainly become a powerful political force, spurred on by Rupert Murdoch, who owns most of the major news outlets. Its clear why Farage is heading to Australia, and why he believes that his divide and conquer tactics will work in a country ravaged by political turmoil. But the structural, social and economic forces of this enormous and prosperous country might just be enough to keep a far right uprising at bay  or at least halt them somewhere over the Indian Ocean.
Last month's takeover of the Rehill family's Top Oil business by Canadian company Irving Oil might pose a few interesting questions for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

Several commentators noted that Irving will be competing with another Canadian company in Ireland - Couche Tard, which bought Topaz, now rebranded as Circle K.

However, the relationship runs far deeper than that of just competitors. As one Canadian publication put it, that relationship could be better described as 'frenemies' - that fine balance between friends and enemies. According to Irving Oil's website, they are particularly close when it comes to the highly competitive forecourt market.

Under the Joint Venture section, it says Irving "began our relationship with North American retail industry Alimentation Couche-Tard in 2001 when we jointly developed a convenience store retail partnership in Quebec".

Under the partnership, 252 Irving Oil-owned convenience store properties in Atlantic Canada and New England were leased to Couche-Tard in 2008, operating the stores under its Circle K brand. The fuel pumps and sites are Irving Oil branded, and Irving Oil supplies the fuel products to the sites. A deal last year saw even more Irving sites adopt the Circle K brand. So just how will Irving compete with Circle K in Ireland?

Property dragons get a dunking for good cause

Some dragons got a dunking last week  but unfortunately it had nothing to do with the race for the Aras.

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The property industry fundraiser for the Dublin Simon Community, known as the Dragons at the Docks, took place at Grand Canal Dock with the Cairn Homes team taking gold in the final of the dragon boat racing, pipping Collen Construction and Investec.

Cairn boss Michael Stanley submitted to the CEO dunking that took place on the sidelines to help raise additional funds. He shared the honour with other leading industry figures including Green REITs Pat Gunne, and Hammersons boss in Ireland, Simon Betty.

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The event raised more than 250,000 for the Dublin Simon Community and local charities. It was an initiative started last year by Hibernia REIT CEO Kevin Nowlan. Dalata Hotel, Glenveagh Property and Hines joined the six companies which launched it last year: Cairn Homes, Green Reit, Hammerson, Hibernia, Ires Reit and Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate.

Niche radio stations to launch on industry app

Ten new radio stations will launch on the Radioplayer app next Tuesday and will deliver tunes for a variety of niche tastes, ranging from soul music to country favourites.

As previously flagged in these pages, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) opened up the service to the operators of stations already licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. There were 18 applicants and more broadcasters are now interested in adding to the original line-up of 44 stations.

Three of the stations will be from Denis OBriens Communicorp, already available digitally. Wireless, owned by Rupert Murdochs News UK & Ireland, will add two; Sunshine will launch a soul and Motown station; Corks Red FM is launching Red Hot, aimed at teenagers; WLR FM is doing a country and music station; Beat 102-103 is launching Noughtie Beats; and KFM is also adding a new station with extra local sports. Given the demand, a further 10 stations will be added later this year.

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KC Peaches, the cafe and delicatessen business which sells pastries, savoury dishes and coffee, is planning to add an extra location to its four Dublin outlets, I see.

Founded by Katie Cantwell in 2006, the food company already has thriving cafes in Nassau Street, Pearse Street, St Stephens Green and Dame Street, as well as a catering business, all focused on Cantwells preference for locally sourced wholefoods.

She is seeking planning permission to change a number of units on Thomas Street from retail use to restaurant use, with ground floor space on 33, 34 and 35 being eyed for the new premises.

Its a little bit off the beaten track for KC Peaches, which has stayed close to the Grafton Street area, but Thomas Street is set for a transformation over the next couple of years. Among the developments under way or planned for Dublin 8 are a new Aloft Hotel at Blackpitts and the Hodson Bays Sheraton Hotel at The Coombe, not to mention Diageos St Jamess Quarter on its landmark Guinness site.

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Retailing expert David Fitzsimons moved on from the chief executive position at lobbying group Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) earlier this year and has already picked up a few new roles.

Among them is some work with charity Unicef  he will join the business advisory board which not only looks at corporate governance but also at how Unicef can take a business-like approach to raising money, given the importance of bringing in as much funding as possible.

Fitzsimons, who continues to chair REI and is now offering consultancy services to retailers, joins an interesting group on the Unicef business advisory board. Other members include former Munster and Irish lock Donncha OCallaghan, who has done a huge amount of work for the charity for several years. Another member is Siobhan Plunkett, co-founder of cash in transit business GSLS, in which private equity firm Carlyle Cardinal took a majority stake in 2014 and sold on this year. Sounds like a good line-up for Unicefs good works.
The managing director of Accenture Ireland has warned that Ireland needs to make "profound" changes to its education system to ensure the country is equipped to secure the next wave of jobs in the digital economy.

Alastair Blair, who is also chair of Ibec's digital economy policy committee, says the advent of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality may require a move to a more modular education system to ensure the future workforce has the necessary depth and breadth of skills.

"Traditionally, Ireland has had access to deep skills and the availability of a young and educated workforce," said Blair, who believes the protection of digital jobs requires a long-term commitment from government, academia and industry working together.

"There is a real opportunity for Ireland to position itself well. However, there is a need for a profound change to our education system to take advantage of the next wave of jobs," he said.

Blair said Accenture, which acquired Irish creative agency Rothco for a reported 20m this year, is targeting further acquisitions as it is set to mark 50 years in Ireland.
European Property Fund (EPF) had an excess of liabilities over assets of 20.4m at the end of 2017 and faces uncertainties that 'cast significant doubt upon the groups ability to continue as a going concern', accounts said.. (Stock picture)

Plans to introduce a new pension for thousands of Irish workers could spell bad news for those already contributing to a scheme. The Government is promising to put in place what it calls an auto-enrolment supplementary scheme by 2022 for 900,000 workers.

Initially around 40,000 people will be signed up for the new scheme. The aim is to give them a better standard of living, as the aim of the State pension is only to keep people out of poverty, rather than provide a comfortable retirement.

Auto-enrolment will be introduced on a phased basis from 2022 and is targeted at low to middle-income earners who do not have private pensions.

The scheme will see workers contributing up to 6pc of their wages, with that amount matched by employers. The State will contribute 1 for every 3 put in by workers.

The Government has gone for this '1 for every 3 contributed' line as it says the benefits of the current tax relief system are not well understood.

Based on the system for calculating the current tax reliefs, the 1-for-3 system works out at an effective 25pc tax relief. That is because for every 4 in your pension pot the Government will be contributing 1, or 25pc.

This raises fears about a cut in the current tax reliefs for some of those who contribute to a pension. Some 619,000 people get tax relief on pension contributions.

Most of the contributions paid into pensions enjoy tax relief at the person's highest rate of tax. So those paying income tax at 40pc get relief at that rate, but those paying tax at 20pc get lower levels of relief. A single person hits the 40pc tax rate on income as low as 34,550. The threshold is 43,550 for married one-earner couples.

The auto-enrolment document issued by Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty's department has raised concern that people paying income tax at the higher rate on pension contributions will lose out.

And it is just months after Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe sparked fears he will reduce the tax relief on pension contributions in the Budget. The minister had described the current system as "generous".

A committee of public servants, chaired by the Department of Finance, has been set up to examine contributions relief.

Any move to reduce tax reliefs would be a retrograde step, one that would hit the pensions of public servants as well as private sector workers, many of whom have inferior retirement plans.

Middle Ireland has taken enough hits in the last decade. An assault on its pensions tax relief would not be tolerated.
Renters are being forced to pay more than six months' rent and thousands of euro to secure a bedroom as part of a trend emerging from the housing crisis.

The Government is now coming under increasing pressure to protect renters from landlords demanding huge up-front lump sums.

National housing charity Threshold said Dublin and Galway have been most notably hit by the practice, with landlords demanding inflated sums amid unprecedented demand.

It comes as the Sunday Independent spoke to a landlord demanding six months' rent to secure a property advertised at a rate almost three times higher than its market value two years ago.

He said he felt "guilty" after taking 5,500 from the mother of a student last week for a nine-month lease on a second rental property he lets. The landlord has advertised rooms in the first property at a rate of 750 per month. Homes in the same housing estate were being let for 280 per room per month in 2016.

An ad for the property on the Daft.ie website says the house is "set up for students" but the landlord is willing to "take professionals working in the area".

The house also features in a second ad on the website. However, the address given in this second advert is 2km away from the house at another property he owns.

The landlord is demanding an up-front payment of 4,500 for each of the four single rooms in the property and 5,500 for an en suite bedroom.

Further payments of 1,500 and 1,000 are due in November and January, meaning the full nine-month lease must be paid five months before it ends. The sum includes a 500 deposit and household utility bills for the year up to 1,500 (300 per room).

Last week he told an undercover reporter he was not willing to accept monthly payments because he had issues with previous tenants. "This is the only way I am willing to do it this year," he said. He also offered to reserve a room without a viewing for 500. He said a parent did this for her daughter for the other house he lets last week.

"One of the mothers transferred 5,500 to my account and she never looked at it [the house]," he said.

"I felt guilty. I called her immediately but I also said to her 'how do you know I'm not [a conman] from Nigeria?'" Laughing, he added: "I think I put the wind up her sails and I thought, 'Oh, what a cruel bastard I am'."

Threshold chief executive John-Mark McCafferty said landlords looking for significant up-front payments is not illegal but described it as "unethical and discriminatory". He called on the Government to take action by enforcing legal definitions for rent and deposits.

"It has come to our attention a lot more in the past year and we have recent cases showing it is a big issue," he said.

"The behaviour happens not just with students but across the private rental sector. It excludes people on social welfare and lower income earners who cannot afford significant up-front payments."

A spokesman for the Department of Housing said it is currently considering when and how to introduce an appropriate scheme that is fit for purpose. He recommended a tenant only pays a deposit when they are happy with the property and the terms and conditions.
The US alone spends $3.3trn a year on healthcare, or $10,000 per person

This month, a delegation of top executives from hospitals and healthcare systems across the US and Canada are coming to Ireland to discuss their greatest challenges. The inaugural North American Healthcare Forum is the first such high-powered group to meet outside of North America for that purpose.

It includes executives from groups such as Northwell Health in New York, Adventist Health in Florida, Cleveland Clinic and Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario. In all, visiting key decision makers are responsible for 30 million patients.

For Irish medtech companies, it is an unprecedented chance to learn about the challenges of these healthcare providers. But the group is not just here to talk; it is actively seeking solutions.

These professionals will outline the major clinical, operational and regulatory challenges affecting hospitals in the US and Canada, and their requirements for innovation and technology to address them.

They will focus on how North American healthcare groups respond to challenges by co-creating future solutions with medtech companies.

The challenge is immense. The Rand Corporation think tank estimates 60pc of US adults already live with at least one chronic condition; 42pc have more than one. As the baby boomer population ages, chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are set to rise.

There are also growing problems with obesity and, in the US, opioid addiction, all of which puts extra pressure on a healthcare sector coping with budgetary constraints.

The US alone spends $3.3trn a year on healthcare, or $10,000 per person. Healthcare costs are rising at a time when both government and health insurers are putting pressure on providers to reduce them, while at the same time improving outcomes.

As one delegate due to visit told Enterprise Ireland, they are operating in a "highly fragmented, bloated, inefficient, and poorly co-ordinated care delivery model that leads to waste and suboptimal outcomes for patients".

The scope for improvement is clear. One way to achieve it is to transition to a value-based healthcare system focusing on outcomes rather than on volume of care delivered.

That is facilitated by digitisation and the data-informed decision making it enables. The sector is actively seeking medtech partners to help develop the kind of innovations that have transformed other industries, from banking to shopping. Digitisation can facilitate the emergence of hospitals as virtual hubs too, from where care can be monitored remotely, and increasingly managed by patients at home.

The North American experience is not isolated. Globally, healthcare sectors struggle to cope with rising chronic diseases, as well as ageing populations and the increased healthcare needs - and shrinking tax revenues - that come with them.

But there are particular challenges facing North American healthcare providers, including a need to achieve competitive advantage in a market where patients are inclined to change hospitals to secure the level of service they demand.

What brings this delegation to Ireland is our highly collaborative medtech ecosystem, which includes government funding, academic support and world-class research centres.

Ireland is an acknowledged global medtech hub, home to 17 of the world's top 25 healthcare companies and world-class, highly innovative and dynamic indigenous medtech companies.

Not only are Irish companies well positioned to provide solutions, they are actively doing so through partnerships with groups such as Northwell Health in New York.

Whether it is Beats Medical's app for people with Parkinson's disease or new patient engagement tools from Oneview Healthcare, to better drug delivery methods from Aerogen, Irish medtechs are forging solutions that healthcare providers need. For the visiting delegation, Ireland is just what the doctor ordered.
Every morning when I check my phone, I am certain that there will be an email in my inbox from the e-tenders website. I subscribed years ago for the areas that my company is interested in which include consulting and training. I read the body of each mail and then typically delete it.

If one tender looks more appealing, I return to it eventually and click through to the e-tenders website to explore it further. And then, more often than not, I delete it anyway.

If that sounds familiar to you, then you've probably been as sceptical as me. But after meeting Tony Corrigan the founder of Tenderscout, pictured, I have changed my thinking.

SMEs and Tender Opportunities

"Here are four amazing statistics about government tenders. Less than 10pc of all Irish SMEs are recorded as having won a government contract. Only 10pc of Irish SMEs bother to enter in the first place. 25pc of all EU contracts only have one applicant. And 10pc of all tenders don't even get one response," said Tony.

This seems quite incredible to me, given that sales (with guaranteed payment) are a lifeline for any SME. In my conversations with SMEs over the years, I know there is a high level of cynicism and scepticism about the likelihood of actually winning a tender.

Many of us think that the entity has already made their mind up and is simply going through the motions.

Or we also think that they'll go for the cheapest bid. "That's simply not true," Tony assures me.

The Pitfalls for SMEs Responding to Tenders

Here are the typical pitfalls SMEs fall into when responding:

Finding opportunities on a web portal. If the first you know about a tender is because you saw it on a website, then you're on the back foot.

Assuming that you know how to compete. Most businesses think they can tender just because they can write a proposal. The evidence is that they lose 75pc to 90pc of the time.

Assuming that they know what they're doing. It is not likely that a company whose core expertise is digital marketing is also an expert at government contracting.

Failing to qualify the opportunity. Most businesses compete in hope rather than expectation because they have no idea who the competitors are, what the buyer is looking for, what the budget is or whether in many cases they actually know what is required.

Spending too much in competing. Businesses continually spend too little competing for individual opportunities and as a result, end up spending too much overall. They continually reinvent a sub-standard wheel rather than focusing on getting it right the first time.

Assuming that the buyers knows what they want. Tenders exist because the buyer needs something, but they may not know exactly what that is. Buyers will often educate themselves through the process, so you always have a chance to influence the outcome.

Failing to learn from your experiences. All tenders are scored and tell you where you need to improve. Most businesses ignore this advice and keep repeating the same mistakes.

Change Tips for Responding to Tenders

1 Read the tender requirements: Make sure you qualify (turnover, etc). If you don't, find a collaborator.

2 Qualify the opportunity: Who is the competition, what's the budget, can we actually deliver? Can we make a profit?

3 Estimate the cost of competing: Decide how much effort it's going to take to compile a response and who's going to do it? There's no point in half-doing it. Ensure you can still break even when counting the cost of competing.

4 Decide whether you need professional help: It may be cheaper than doing it yourself and will certainly give you a higher probability of success.

5 Give yourself enough time to do justice to your proposal: Finish it a week before it's due in to give you a chance to read, edit, refine and improve it.

6 Submit the tender on time: The number one reason why tenders fail is because they are submitted late. Even a second late is too late and it will not be evaluated.

7 Regardless of the outcome, seek a face-to-face debrief: This is the start of your next sales cycle.

Last Word

Tony founded Tenderscout and has developed a software solution to support organisations in improving their chances of success. What the team don't know about tenders is not worth knowing.

Imagine if you were doing an exam and someone let you see the answer before you sat for it? This is exactly what Tenderscout offers. Rather than having to start with a blank sheet of paper with each tender, Tenderscout can help in a number of ways. Either with a repository of prepared answers that you can 'copy and paste' or with consulting support.

Given all of the pitfalls outlined above, Tenderscout removes the stress and enable SMEs to compete and has a win rate of 70pc for its clients. My company will be signing up as a new customer.

I will endeavour to return to this topic in a few months to tell you how we got on
Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 94 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Sept. 2.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns.
Last week in Berlin, hundreds of thousands gathered for IFA, the annual consumer tech trade show. I walked those halls for two days, sifting through what's good and bad. Here are a few tips and warnings as to what's coming down the line.

1 Don't fall for the hype over 8K televisions: Arguably the biggest 'trend' tagged to IFA this year was the emergence of the '8K television'. It's complete overkill and there's virtually no home right now that can benefit from the technology.

But that's not stopping companies like Samsung, LG and Sharp from trying to flog the giant, over-egged displays as a new standard you should get to future-proof your life.

For the uninitiated, the current top telly tech is called '4K', also referred to as 'ultra HD'. In a nutshell, this means that the clarity and resolution that the screen is capable of displaying is incredibly crisp and detailed.

But for any TV under 40 inches, it's very hard to tell the difference between '4K' and the previous lower standard, 'full HD'. Indeed, many television programmes aren't even broadcast in 'full HD' yet - it's still considered a big deal if you get to see a match or a movie in that standard (also sometimes referred to as '1080p').

When I went up to inspect the 8K tellies on display (60 inches and 75 inches), I couldn't discern the slightest difference between them and existing 4K TVs. There was one difference - the price. An 8K TV currently sets you back well over 10,000 (or over 20,000 for some models).

But if you buy one, you're an absolute mug; there is close to zero content (movies, shows, sport) available to watch on one. Instead, the TV companies say that they 'upscale' the 4K content (of which there is still not much around) to something closer to the new standard.

Frankly, you'll get a much better picture on your television if you get a telly with better high dynamic range (HDR).

So don't be a sucker when it comes to 8K televisions.

2 Who's up: Huawei: 2018 has seen Huawei take over the mobile world. The Chinese company, number three by sales, briefly moved into second place (above Apple, behind Samsung) in global market share. And that's without being allowed to sell in the US, where it's effectively banned for geopolitical reasons.

Having earlier this year launched what became arguably the best business-friendly Android phone (the P20 and P20 Pro, which have sold over 10m units), it has just released a new model, the Mate 20 Lite.

Handling it last week, it's pretty clear that this could obliterate the softer end of Samsung's business user base. It's not just that the 6.3-inch Mate 20 Lite has a high-end screen, 64GB of storage, 4GB of Ram and a really decent engine.

It's that it costs 399, barely more than a third of the price of Samsung's new flagship business phone, the Note 9. Unless you're getting a Note 9 for free from your company, there's almost no way to justify getting it over the Mate series.

Apple, which is set to launch a couple of new iPhones in just over a week, will always hold sway with a certain chunk of the market. But Huawei looks to be mopping up the rest, particularly at Samsung's expense.

3 Who's down - the camera companies: Nothing illustrates the fall of once-strong standalone camera companies like their absences at the world's biggest electronics and consumer tech show. With hundreds of thousands of punters, press and traders present, neither Canon nor Nikon could muster even a tiny tent between them.

To my knowledge, this is the first year this has been the case. Canon has been in the habit of booking large stands to show off its cameras and lenses, while Nikon has frequently had a tent.

Some will say that the biennial Photokina, which takes place in a few weeks' time, may be a legitimate reason, and they're holding their fire for this.

But Photokina has never stopped them before. The sad fact is that standalone camera companies are in real decline, their mass market utility utterly stripped from them by phones.

Sony and Panasonic have cameras at the show, but only as part of their giant stands that are mostly dedicated to other things, such as 'white goods' (fridges, cookers), grooming gadgets and televisions.

Only Polaroid had anything resembling a lively presence, with a press conference to boot, and that's because it's doing something (instant prints) that phones can't easily replicate.

As someone who loves photography, this year was the most depressing, sober reality check yet: while interest in taking and sharing photos is soaring, almost no one is interested in standalone cameras any more because 95pc of us don't need one.

4 Artificial intelligence is being flogged like snake oil: Google (Assistant) and Amazon (Alexa) are going head to head while Samsung (Bixby) crashes and burns. But the most talked about single AI product at IFA this year was probably Aibo, the 3,000 robot dog from Sony. Aibo's 'brain' can recognise individual human faces and 'learn' its human companions' habits and behaviour.

Of a sort, anyway: in the time I spent with Aibo, he/she/it couldn't understand simple pre-programmed commands to lift up its pre-programmed bone.

To be fair, I've had stupid dogs before. But at least they were furry and had some glimmer of personality.

The term 'artificial intelligence' is currently one of the most over-used, misapplied terms in the tech industry. Over at its monster stand, LG was showing off an AI wine-cabinet, which was supposed to open up when you asked it to. After a few minutes of the hapless assistant shouting into a circuit, I was told that "the servers must be overloaded".

5 Why everyone's new phone is over six inches in size: Once upon a time, a 'phablet' (half phone, half tablet) was an exotic thing. Now it's becoming the norm. Virtually all of the new smartphones on show at IFA this year were over six inches in size. That's the same size screen as a Kindle. And it's going to push us even more into watching TV on our handsets instead of on our living room displays.
American data centre operator EdgeConnex plans to build two more of the high-tech facilities at its existing site in Lucan, Dublin.

The latest data centre proposal for the city comes at a time when there is a growing debate between those who believe the facilities are a welcome addition to Ireland's burgeoning tech sector and those who fear the environmental impact of rapid expansion of the sector because of the huge amount of electricity it uses.

Virginia-based EdgeConnex concentrates on hosting and delivering digital content as close to its end users as possible and has built 25 data centres around the world since 2013, mainly in the US, and it counts Virgin Media and Comcast , as well as Irish industry body Host in Ireland, among its clients and partners.

Its Irish subsidiary, EdgeConnex Ireland, has applied for planning permission to build the two new data halls, totalling almost 6,000sqm, on a 6.5 hectare site at Grange Castle business park.

The latest plan for the business park will double the size of its Irish footprint as part of a phased investment strategy in this country.

EdgeConnex built a 4,500sqm data centre in 2016 and later extended that facility further before adding a new 1,500sqm data hall last year.

The first phase of the company's Irish expansion was reported at the time to have cost in the region of 30m and it is likely the new plans will require similar levels of investment, although the company did not respond to a request for comment.

The Lucan business park is also home to a massive Microsoft data centre facility. The web services division of internet giant Amazon also operates a number of data centres in a ring around the city and it, too, is planning a further development at the former Jacobs biscuit factory in Tallaght.

The massive energy consumption required by the proliferation of data centres has become a major concern. This newspaper reported last September that ESB had warned in a risk report that it was at that point facing demands to more than double its entire electricity supply for Dublin to feed proposed new data centres.

The company told the Sunday Independent at the time that the current load in Dublin was then around 1,200MVA but that there was at that stage about 1,400MVA in data centre applications and enquiries in the system. The company insisted the "unprecedented load growth is a challenge that ESB Networks is rising to." But the original EdgeConnex proposal faced objections due to this issue with a locally based engineer lodging an extensive submission that argued that waste heat generated by the new data centre should be used to develop a district heating system for the nearby Clonburris housing development zone.

But an IDA-commissioned report by Grant Thornton, published in June, found that at least 1bn is pumped into the Irish economy every year by the development and operation of data centres by some of the world's biggest tech giants.

The report was seen as part of a major pushback against negative publicity after Apple pulled its massive data centre from Athenry and identified the significant economic and employment benefit the sector has made in Ireland.

Critics have argued that the huge power hungry facilities create relatively few jobs but the IDA report found that 5,700 construction and operational jobs are supported by the sector per annum, 3,700 of them directly.

The original EdgeConnex development included a temporary gas-powered generation plant but the overall plans for the site include a new two-storey ESB substation to replace it.

The substation element of the proposal has been redesigned under the latest planning application for the site.
A new TG4 will revisit several gross miscarriages of justice that have taken place in Ireland in the recent past.

TG4s Finne, which is set to air from this Wednesday, is an Irish documentary series that will examine the human side of big Irish stories that have made the headlines over the past 50 years.

The series will cover cases including the manslaughter of Una Lynskey in 1971, the murder of Jerry McCabe in 1996 and the Wood Quay saga of 1979.

Makers say the series will include first person testimonies by people who are still bearing witness to these incidents and living with the consequences.

Ann McCabe will speak of events surrounding the murder of her husband Jerry McCabe in Adare in 1996, and her subsequent efforts to bring his killers to justice.

The show will be presented by RTEs courts correspondent, Orla ODonnell.

Producer Paddy Hayes, who has also written and directed three of the eight episodes, said that the series allows individuals to to tell their raw and powerful stories in their own words.

It is only through searing personal testimony that we gain real insight into the human story behind the official accounts of these life-changing events, he said.

Finne allows each individual the time and the freedom to tell their raw and powerful stories in their own words.

Gail ORorke will re-tell how she was charged with the assisted suicide of her best friend Bernadette Ford in 2016.

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While George Stagg will recount the bizarre events surrounding the governments hijacking of his brother Frank Staggs body after his death on hunger strike in 1976.

Peter Mulryan recounts his upbringing in the Tuam mother and baby home and his subsequent quest to find his mother which led him to Galways Magdalene laundry.

Louise Hannon relives her experience of transitioning from male to female and her efforts to take a case against her employers in 2011 on discrimination grounds.

Pat Wallace recalls the heady days of the Wood Quay saga in 1979 when as chief archaeologist, he had to overcome the public outcry and appease the council authorities whilst still managing to excavate the site before construction took place.

Osgur Breatnach re-visits his nightmarish conviction for the robbery of the mail train at Sallins, and his subsequent efforts to quash the conviction.
When Dublin actress Lauren Larkin became a mum for the first time in the summer of 2016 she suddenly found herself struggling with the age old art of juggling career and motherhood and every other aspect of her life.

When I had my son I had some acting work lined up and he came on tour with me. We were breastfeeding and we went to Australia and my husband came with us. It was all very busy and I just kind of found the whole experience great, but I was also going, oh f***, its really hard to be a woman and be a go-getter in your career, and also maintain friendships, and your relationship with your partner, and also be a mother, and try to juggle all these balls, spin all of these plates, and I just found it very difficult, she tells Independent.ie

Her experience led the 26-year-old actress to write her one-woman play, Split Ends, which explores the struggles and the strengths of a generation of Dublin women.

The Waking the Feminists movement had just happened in Irish theatre [when she started writing] and a lot of attention was on women in theatre and childcare, and accessibility to working in the arts when you dont have the money for childcare, and how women kind of fall off the face of the industry, so I was determined to not let that happen to me, she says.

Lauren set her one-woman play, Split Ends, in a Dublin hairdresser's, where the issues women are facing in contemporary Ireland are explored via four women of different generations  all played by Lauren.

Theyre issues that arent really talked about and that are kind of a little bit taboo," she says.

The central character is hairdresser Amy who is secretly struggling to conceive. She explains, Ive witnessed some people who have had fertility issues and just the whole thing of having to get on with your life constantly as though things are normal when this huge thing is going on in your life behind the scenes.

Another character is a solicitor and mum of three young boys from Stillorgan whose mother has just been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Its that whole thing, as an Irish woman, were expected to care for our sick parents or our elderly parents and have children and have a career and be a wife, spinning all the plates until eventually one of them has to smash.

Expand Close Actors Peter Daly and Lauren Larkin were married in December. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook

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Whatsapp Actors Peter Daly and Lauren Larkin were married in December. Photo: Frank McGrath

The other two characters are an older woman from Cabra who has lost her son and a younger girl from Dublins north inner city who becomes a mother before shes ready.

Split Ends is running at Bewleys Cafe Theatre from September 10-22 as part of Dublin Fringe Festival. Its one of four plays supported by Show in a Bag, an initiative of Dublin Fringe Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute, which aims to help theatre makers and actors stage small, generally one-man or one-woman, plays.

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Previous Show in a Bag productions have included Emmet Kirwans Dublin Oldschool, which was recently adapted for the big screen, as well as The Humours of Bandon, written and performed by Margaret McAuliffe and directed by Stefanie Preissner and My Left Nut by Michael Patrick and Oisin Kearney.

Lauren has been paired with director Aisling Byrne for Split Ends. They have worked together previously so it has been a happy marriage thus far, as they work to stage the entire play themselves, with the support of the Show in the Bag team.

They will give you a slot in the Dublin Fringe Festival, production support, and theyll co-produce the show with you and guide you step-by-step through the process, reveals Aisling. The aim of the initiative is to support the creation of a small, tourable show, that will have a life beyond the festival.

Aisling runs Talking Shop Ensemble, a Dublin based theatre collective, as well as Run of the Mill Theatre for actors with intellectual disabilities. Lauren, meanwhile, is a familiar face on the Irish stage. She won Best Performer in The Dublin Fringe Festival 2014 for her performance in Advocacy. She also had a role in Love/Hate.

It has been two years since Lauren gave birth to her son, Robin, and then her other baby, Split Ends, and she says she is a little more accustomed to keeping all those plates spinning these days. She now has childminder who takes care of Robin in the mornings and he spends his afternoons with Laurens mum.

Peter [Daly] my husband is an actor as well but hes also an accountant  he uses a few sides of his brain! laughs Lauren.

If hes working nights on a play, I would generally work days so we just kind of make it work. Were just doing things on a wing and a prayer all the time. We're just winging it. He is doing Richard III with The Abbey and the Town Hall in Galway so hes going to Galway to rehearse so Ill be a single mama now for a few weeks during all the Split Ends madness.

"But that's the struggle isnt it?

Split Ends is running at Bewleys Cafe Theatre from September 10-22 as part of Dublin Fringe Festival. For more information check out www.fringefest.com
The brother of murdered Sunday Independent journalist Veronica Guerin has criticised journalist Gemma O'Doherty, saying she is abusing his sister's name.

Jimmy Guerin said that he found Ms O'Doherty's claims on the circumstances surrounding his sister's murder "offensive".

A video recording of Ms O'Doherty addressing a public meeting in Waterford last week - as she campaigns for a nomination to contest the upcoming presidential election - has been shared widely on social media. She was recorded as saying: "I think... oh Veronica... you know she was heavily involved with criminals, criminals and very dangerous individuals. I believe Veronica was murdered by the State because she was getting far too close to some of the State's very dirtiest secrets."

Sunday Independent journalist Veronica Guerin (37) was shot dead on June 26, 1996. Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan (65) was named in court as the man who ordered her murder.

Brian Meehan (49) was convicted in 1999 of the murder of Ms Guerin in the Special Criminal Court.

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Mr Guerin said Ms O'Doherty's claims about his sister's murder were "offensive" and upsetting for her family.

"What she has said, and left it hanging, is that Veronica was very heavily involved with criminals and then she said the State killed her. In other words, it was not the Gilligan gang and the people who have been pursued for years, it was the State. If someone was reporting this, I wouldn't believe it. Only that I can see it on video and it's her voice saying it... it's unbelievable.

"She is trying to abuse Veronica's name and she's talking about conspiracy theories, about the State being involved and in doing so, she is allowing John Gilligan to go around saying, 'sure even a presidential candidate says we weren't involved'," he said.

Ms O'Doherty previously worked with the Irish Independent, and took a case for unfair dismissal against Independent News & Media, publishers of this newspaper, after she was made redundant in August 2013. This was settled in December 2014.

Ms O'Doherty did not respond to requests for comment.

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Parents have withdrawn their children from a local national school after it emerged that up to 41 children were to be taught in the one classroom.

Concerned parents protested outside Scoil Bhride in Menlo, Galway after it was announced that 5th and 6th class students were to be merged and taught by one teacher for the coming school year.

One parent of a 6th class student told Independent.ie that at least 10 parents have pulled their children from the school this week.

"Putting 41 kids into one class with one teacher is not acceptable. It happened two years ago with the same kids when they were combined into a 3rd and 4th class group and it was a disaster. There was so much noise in the class that the kids couldn't concentrate. There wasn't enough room at the desks for the children. They had no room to open their books or work comfortably. There was no room for all their bags and stuff in the classroom. At the time, there was approximately 38 of them but we've gained more children since.

"There was uproar then and we were promised that the core subjects would be done separately and that only lasted a few weeks and then it was back to them all being taught together in the same classroom. We were told it would never happen again and here we are two years later."

The mother added that the school has again offered to teach the year groups separately for the core subjects of English, Maths and Irish for 15 hours a week.

"The 5th class students are going to be in the library with the learning support teacher and the 6th class students will stay in the classroom with the teacher.

"At this point, it's the only compromise we're going to get. We only found out last Wednesday that there wasn't going to be two teachers. It's been really rough. It's my daughter's last year so I really just want her to get through the year well and go to secondary school and be done with this school."

The parent added that she is concerned for the teacher and said that she will be using a microphone in the classroom so that the children can hear her.

"It's a lot of pressure for one teacher and she's a young teacher too."

Another parent who had a child in the 6th class said she withdrew her son from the class on Friday.

"It's chaos. A lot of parents have withdrawn their kids. More will follow suit in the coming days. I withdrew my son because we can't handle this anymore. We've given the school too many chances to make this right."

Independent Councillor for Galway City Central, Mike Cubbard, told Independent.ie said that despite the high number of pupils, the school didn't meet the requirements to get another teacher.

"The Department of Education based their teacher allocation on the numbers from September 2017 and the school was eight pupils short of getting another teacher. There is an appeals process that can be done, but the school failed to do an appeal.

"The school has an appeal now for another teacher but because a number of kids left the school in the last few days, the numbers have dropped so the school is 12 or 13 numbers short, so I can't see them getting another teacher now. The kids are the ones who have been failed. They're only getting 15 hours of separate support in core subjects."

Mr Cubbard added that because some students have left, the class size will now likely be in the high 30s.

"The number will likely be lower than 41 now but there should be no more than 24. You've got 21 kids here preparing for confirmation and secondary school and two different cirriculums. It's not like the children are all the same age. It's not fair on the teacher. She's caught in the middle. She wants to teach the kids but it's very unfair on her."

In recent days, Mr Cubbard said that the school has tried to find a solution to the large class size.

"The school has issued a compromise where they offered 15 hours of support for the three core subjects of Maths, English and Irish for the kids where they will be separated into two groups, 5th and 6th class from 9:30 until 1pm.

"The 5th class kids will go into the library with a learning support teacher and the 6th class kids will stay in the classroom with the teacher. The learning support teacher will act as a 5th class teacher from those hours but she's not allowed to go into a full-time role. There are three resource teachers in the school so there is enough hours between them to make it work."

Mr Cubbard said that after 1pm, the some 41 students will all meet again in the core classroom until 2:30pm when they go home.

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"The school also said they will do a full safety audit and the parents accepted that on Friday morning. A small number of parents, possibly four or five, have moved their children to another school, but the majority reluctantly compromised."

A spokesperson for Menlo National School refused to offer an official comment to Independent.ie.

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In a statement, the Department of Education said that the configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers is decided by each school.

"School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any one class is kept as low as possible. The department also requests school authorities to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes insofar as it is feasible to do so."

The spokesperson said that for the 2018/19 school year, the staffing schedule at primary level will operate on a general average of 26 pupils to every one teacher.

"Along with all other primary schools, Menlo NS has been allocated staffing in line with Department Circular 0010/2018, Staffing Arrangements in Primary Schools for the 2018/19 School Year i.e. A principal plus 7 classroom teaching posts based on an enrolment of 190 pupils. The schools also has 3.32 Special Education Teaching posts."
A holidaymaker, keen to spend a weekend enjoying the scenery and wildlife of Kilmore Quay, Wexford found herself face-to-face with a "gruesome sight" on walking the beach last Saturday week.

Suzanne Kavanagh, from County Meath, said she was horrified to stumble upon a "beautiful creature, dead on the beach", saying she was taken aback by the fact that the animal, which looks to be some type of porpoise or dolphin, was left there, but saying that her attention was also drawn to the amount of rubbish on the beach.

"There was a lot of plastic debris, fishing tackle and rubbish on the beach. This beautiful nature reserve is evidence of how plastic, and our way of life, is having an impact on our beaches."

Ms Kavanagh, who is a CSPE teacher in Meath, contacted the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary to inform them of the sighting and said they had already made aware of it.

She added that there were other people on the beach at the time, pointing out that the location was not too far from the carpark and thus accessible to kids and families.

Local councillor Jim Moore said he was not aware of the issue, remarking that they had had a pink porpoise wash up during the summer.

Expand Close Ms Kavanagh contacted the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary to inform them of the sighting / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ms Kavanagh contacted the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary to inform them of the sighting

He said that, every year, there was generally a few such incidents where mammals washed up on the beach.

"There is some issue with access down to Ballyteigue Bay but normally we go down and simply bury the animal thats washed in.

"I havent heard of this particular instance but in relation to the rubbish, we have to be mindful that some of that washes up here from the sea."

He stressed that a daily clean-up of the village and small beach was in place, but not of Ballyteigue Bay because it was six miles long and too vast for daily clean-ups.

They did, he pointed out, have a beach clean-up, coordinated by the local diving club, with scouts, which was held a bit later this year due to the fact that there was no Spring.

He added that he would report the latest matter to the Harbour Master.
A top private Dublin school is conducting an inquiry after two students allegedly engaged in a sex act with prostitutes during an overseas school trip in recent weeks.

Details of the alleged incident are contained in an audio Whatsapp message, which went viral on social media over the weekend.

It was alleged that the two students managed to sneak out of their supervised accommodation during one night, and went to a bar where they got drunk.

The two boys are then alleged to have brought two prostitutes back to their accommodation.

Department of Education officials did not respond to requests for comment when contacted by Independent.ie. Officials also did not respond when contacted to see if the Department was aware of the incident or had launched an independent investigation.

However, it has been reported that disciplinary action is being considered by the school against a teacher who was responsible for the welfare of the teenager during the school trip.

The school trip in question involves a small group of students and teachers travelling to another country to exchange cultural experience and carry out charity work.

Its understood this element of the trip had come to an end, and the students were staying in a nearby city towards the end of the trip which occurred during the summer holidays.

A number of these trips have been carried out over the years and this is the first incident where issues of any sort have occurred.

An account given of the incident included that two students were approached by a man on the street who convinced them to pay for the prostitutes.

They were then brought back to a property where students and teachers were staying at.

Further allegations have been made in relation to the incident, including that one of the prostitutes threatened to extort the teenager following the sexual encounter. It was also alleged that one of the women told the boys she was sick.

One of the students then admitted the incident to a teacher, who then informed fellow colleagues.

The teacher sought immediate medical treatment for the student.

Information on a previous trip relating to the schools trip, which included images of the touring group and a brief biography of the trip, have been removed from the schools website.

The school is considered one of the countrys most respectable fee paying schools with a number of high-profile alumni.

It has been reported that parents were told the trips have been successful, and that further such trips will be considered in the future.

The school was not available for comment when contacted.
Shane Hickey THE Office of Public Works has been accused of taking part in a "comedy of errors" over a faulty fish pass on the River Nore in Kilkenny.

There was widespread condemnation of the way in which the OPW dealt with the salmon pass at the Lacken weir by members of the joint Oireachtas committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources yesterday.

Chairman of the OPW Sean Benton admitted the passage of salmon was being impeded.

Last May the Department of the Marine confirmed that the wrong type of fish pass was built on the weir and that it was too high for salmon to reach because water levels were too low.

The committee heard that incorrect water level figures supplied by consultants had led to initial problems at the weir.

Mr Benton said a full review of the problems at the weir were being examined and that "everything possible will be done to resolve this."

Carlow-Killkenny Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness, who is a member of the committee, said it was "amazing the salmon travel half way around the world, up through Ireland and then hit the OPW object".

He told Mr Benton the OPW was "standing in the way of nature" and said "You are the laughing stock of the country".

Fine Gael Senator Fergal Browne said a "comedy of errors springs to mind", while Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan said "the longer I listen, the dafter it becomes".
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is coming under intense pressure from his Fine Gael colleagues to reduce the burden of inheritance tax on bereaved families in the forthcoming Budget.

Fine Gael ministers and backbench TDs are demanding that Mr Donohoe fulfils a commitment to increase the threshold for paying inheritance tax to 500,000, as is set out in the Programme for Government.

The Government increased the capital acquisitions tax (CAT) threshold from 280,000 to 310,000 in 2017 but made no changes in last year's budget.

This means children do not have to pay any tax on inheritance worth up to 310,000 left to them by their parents.

Fine Gael TDs, especially those based in Dublin, are coming under pressure from constituents to fulfil the promise made by the party on forming the minority Government.

Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee chairman Colm Brophy said he would like to see the cost of inheritance tax addressed in October's Budget. Mr Brophy told the Sunday Independent he expects his committee to examine proposals on inheritance tax before the Budget.

"My personal view is that I would like to see us raise inheritance tax threshold," he said.

"It is an area that should be looked at because a number of families, and particularly single-child families, can get caught in a situation where a family home has to be sold over fears they will get lumped with the taxes. We need to be imaginative."

Dublin Bay South TD Kate O'Connell also said people going through a bereavement are being forced to sell their family homes to pay tax bills.

"There is a commitment in the Programme for Government that we would raise the threshold of inheritance tax to 500,000, and I hope that this is the Budget we can finally deliver on that," Ms O'Connell told the Sunday Independent.

"Children inheriting their family home can currently face the responsibility of paying an insurmountable tax bill, which [coupled with the death of their parents] can be devastating.

"Many people simply cannot afford it and are forced to sell the family home to pay the inheritance tax bill, potentially to buyers who have no interest in living in the home, who have no connection to the area or who may decide to use it for short-term holiday rentals at a huge profit.

"The bereaved child then has to try find somewhere else to live, with what little may be left over from the sale of their family home," he added.

At least one Fine Gael minister is understood to have personally raised the issue of inheritance tax directly with Mr Donohoe.

The Programme for Government states that the current administration will "work with the Oireachtas to raise the band A capital acquisitions tax threshold (including all gifts and inheritances from parents to their children) to 500,000".

Before the recession, a parent could leave 542,000 to each child without tax applying. However, this was reduced to 225,000 by 2012 as part of a raft of revenue- raising austerity measures.

The current band A 310,000 threshold applies to all children including an adopted child, step-child and also certain foster children.

A brother, sister, niece, nephew or lineal ancestor of deceased person has to start paying capital acquisitions tax on anything they have been left by a relative which is worth more than 32,500.
Trend:

A new strategy for the development of health tourism in Azerbaijan may be adopted till the end of 2018, chairman of the Association for Support of Medical and Thermal Tourism of Azerbaijan, president of the World Health Tourism Organization Ruslan Guliyev told Trend.

"The strategy is almost ready and must be submitted to the Azerbaijani parliament in the near future," Guliyev said.

The "Action Plan for the Development of Health Tourism", designed for 2018-2020, was planned to be adopted in early 2018 but this process is delayed due to reforms in the ministry and the establishment of new State Tourism Agency.

"In general, the creation of the Action Plan remains a priority, most likely, it will be approved after the development strategy is adopted," Guliyev said.

Azerbaijan took over a chairmanship in the World Health Tourism Organization from the UAE in 2018.

"Azerbaijans chairmanship in the World Health Tourism Organization will further develop tourism in the country," he added.

Azerbaijan has been a member of this international organization since 2014, in which 60 countries are represented, including Russia, UK, Germany, Turkey and India.
The Volo Papale (papal flight) should perhaps more appropriately be called the stress express, at least for the hard-working Vatican support team travelling with Pope Francis and the small group of journalists admitted to the Papal flight.

While the public last weekend viewed a smiling 81-year old pontiff being greeted at mostly relaxed public engagements around Dublin and Knock, behind the scenes a slick logistical machine was in military-style overdrive to ensure timetables were met, security was always tight, journalists adhered to the strict rules of the papal 'bubble' and all diplomatic niceties were seamlessly complied with.

The Vatican team visited Ireland almost a year before the visit to check all accommodation, routes, event locations and transport. A large, dedicated Garda team provided back-up. Metal detectors and scanning equipment were even installed in the Dublin hotel where all Vatican press pool journalists were required to stay.

The Vatican press team or the Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, whose office is located on the corner facing St Peter's Square by Via della Conciliazone in Rome, understandably have plenty of experience in papal travel. Pope Francis can undertake anything up to eight trips a year - more if you count extended trips across Italy. Ireland was only a whistle-stop visit compared to trips to South America or Africa which can last for almost a week.

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Yet even veteran Vatican journalists admitted the packed Irish itinerary was exceptionally demanding and logistically exhausting. Pope Francis had wanted to include a brief visit to Northern Ireland in his agenda before realising, after briefings with Vatican staff, that it was simply impossible given the time frame and the commitments to events in Dublin and Knock.

I found myself part of the papal 'bubble' for the Irish Independent and, to be honest, it will undoubtedly rank as a career highlight. Never have I found an assignment as professionally demanding yet as personally exciting. Viewing Pope Francis at closehand was truly remarkable.

I was most astonished by how energetic and good-humoured the Pope was despite the demands of an agenda that exhausted people like myself who are more than 30 years younger.

That is before you even take into account the undoubted human stresses exerted on the Pontiff of having to face into publicly handling the Church's response to the shocking legacy of Ireland's clerical abuse scandals.

In 34 years in journalism, I've reported on US Presidential visits, repeated Irish trips by the British royals and even celebrity events such as the famous Red Cross charity ball in Monaco which ranked as a veritable 'who's who' of the European rich list.

But nothing prepared me for the stress, excitement, occasional panic as well as emotional and physical exhaustion of a 36-hour papal visit. In three days, the nine Irish journalists lucky enough to be admitted to the papal flight had roughly about ten hours sleep each. It is a pretty accurate guess that Pope Francis had even less sleep.

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Saturday evening was the only time he displayed tiredness, perhaps wishing like the rest of us weary Volo Papale members that the excellent Croke Park festival event was perhaps just a little shorter.

Saturday's travel demands were so hectic that after on the Alitalia flight to Ireland at around 7am, having been at the airport from just after 4am - my next meal was a snatched burger in Eddie Rocket's on O'Connell Street at midnight. And we knew we had to be up again for further papal travel within three hours.

One starving reporter managed to grab a sandwich at the Capuchin Day Centre where the Pope met the homeless on Saturday afternoon - and was mercilessly teased by his colleagues for the remainder of the trip that he'd taken food intended for Dublin's needy.

When we had all finished filing copy in the early hours of Monday morning at Ciampino Airport in Rome - by tradition, the Pope flies out of one Rome airport (Fiumicino) and returns to a different one (Ciampino) - everyone was shattered.

The most stressful work assignment was the 40-minute papal press conference on the Aer Lingus flight back to Rome from Dublin on Saturday night - which was conducted entirely in Italian and without an English translation from the Vatican until almost 24 hours later. Unfortunately for me, that was some 23 hours after the deadline for Monday's Irish Independent.

I boast English, pretty appalling French and Leaving Cert Irish. My Italian is pretty much exhausted after 'bon giorno', 'aqua frizzante', 'grazie' and 'forza azzuri'.

But a detailed account of precisely what Pope Francis said about his Irish trip was in Monday's newspaper.

This was thanks to the kind assistance of colleagues such as Elena Pinardi who was able to type the translation as Pope Francis was still actually speaking, and reporters from The New York Times and CNN who assisted several of their Irish brethren with translations of what Pope Francis had said about the specific issues arising from his trip. I'll preserve the digital tape recording of the interview as a keepsake for posterity.

The papal visit started for journalists, photographers and TV crews in Rome last Thursday week. Irish media had to collect press accreditation at 10am on Friday - which meant flying to Rome the night before - and then have a two-hour briefing from Vatican press officials about precisely what was involved in working with the papal media team.

Each journalist received two large plastic badges which were to be worn at all times around your neck - a Stampa or press pass and a purple VAMP (Vatican-accredited media) pass. The latter was the pass required for the special fleet of papal entourage buses which had Garda motorcycle escorts everywhere they went.

Some events such as the Croke Park festival for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) and the Phoenix Park open air Mass had all journalists in attendance. Others, such as the Capuchin Day Centre, were restricted to just two newspaper reporters because of the size and nature of the events. Other private events - such as the meeting of Pope Francis with abuse survivors in the Papal Nunciature on Saturday afternoon - were not even referred to on the papal itinerary.

Journalists had to supply the serial number of every electronic item they were bringing - from digital tape recorders and phones through to laptops and TV cameras. Their luggage was fast-tracked through whenever the Pope was travelling.

Roughly an hour into the flight, Pope Francis adhered to a tradition he follows of personally greeting every reporter who is covering a papal trip for the first time. He likes to offer a special greeting to the media contingent from the host country and will also personally greet the flight crew. Irish reporters were warned that the protocol was not to ask a question or attempt to take a selfie, something the pontiff specifically dislikes.

All questions were restricted to the press conference on the flight back to Rome from Dublin. Photos with Pope Francis were permitted but, we were told, should be taken by a colleague seated near you.

Reporters were also told they could bring personal issues to the attention of the pontiff - a prayer for a sick relative or a request to have special items such as religious medals blessed.

In my own case, an entire section of my computer bag was packed with rosary beads and medals which friends, neighbours and relatives had given me for a special blessing.

When my turn came to meet the Argentine-born pontiff, it was simply a few words of greeting, a smile, a handshake, the blessing and a rather dodgy photo of the occasion taken by an Italian colleague.

Generally, during flights, the first third of the aircraft cabin is strictly reserved for the papal party and a curtain is drawn between it and the back two-thirds where the media and Vatican press team travel. The curtain is only withdrawn for the press conference and when the aircraft takes off and lands.

As we flew toward Dublin, Italian and Spanish reporters pestered their Irish colleagues about what kind of reception Pope Francis would receive. It was clear that Ireland was effectively seen as the epicentre of a clerical abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic world to its core.

Six of the Pope's Irish events would include references to clerical abuse - and, in his private meeting with abuse survivors, he stunned even his own translator by referring to clerics who abused children as 'caca' or 'shit'. However, at 10.29am on Saturday as the papal aircraft appeared in leaden Irish skies, this was all ahead of us.

Once the flight touched down, the papal entourage sprang into gear. The Swiss Guard security team which surrounds the Pope ranks as one of the elite personal protection teams in the world, training alongside top police security teams in Italy, France and Germany. No journalist dared move from their seat until this team had left the aircraft and set up their perimeter.

Among the most incongruous moments of the papal trip was seeing the security team and advisers travelling in black BMW 5 Series cars, while Pope Francis insisted on travelling in a small blue Skoda Rapid.

One word of Italian I quickly picked up was 'peccato' which means 'sin' - and missing or being even late for one of the VAMP buses was pretty close to a mortal offence for any journalist.

You also learned that when the Vatican press team told you to move, you ran. Media and security had to be at scheduled events before Pope Francis - and then had to leave before him to ensure being at the next location.

The press centres set up at Dublin Castle and the Phoenix Park were huge given the fact that around 3,000 media members were involved in various aspects of the Papal coverage.

World events and clerical abuse scandals in the US, Australia and New Zealand meant there was enormous global interest in what Pope Francis was going to say about the controversy. TV stations represented included Sky, BBC, RAI, Televisa, EBU, US Pool, CNN, TV 2000 and AP-Reuters as well as Ireland's own RTE and TV3.

Highlights of the weekend for me were the Capuchin Day Centre and the Croke Park WMOF festival. The former showed Pope Francis at his happiest; the Argentine boasts a personal warmth and magnetism that is compelling to see at close quarters and stands in contrast to the aloofness of other pontiffs. At Croke Park, I was more than a little proud to see the impressed reaction of Vatican reporters to the key 'Riverdance' segment.

But Croke Park seemed a lifetime away as the weary Irish press corps departed the Vatican 'bubble' for the final time in the early hours of Monday morning at a near deserted Ciampino Airport. From the excitement of VAMP buses and police motorcycle escorts, it was back to the reality of shared taxis and, in my case, a 5.80 airport shuttle bus to Termini in Rome city centre.

As our little group went its separate ways after tired goodbyes, one journalist asked a colleague if he would like to cover another papal visit?

"I'm not sure - ask me again in 39 years' time," he replied.

By numbers: The Pope and the media

3,000

Number of media people associated with the papal visit

1 million

Number of Irish people who watched the Papal Mass on RTE

75

Number of global broadcasters who took an RTE feed of the papal visit

159

Countries where people viewed the Pope's Irish visit online
The Irish telecoms and media billionaire John Malone has predicted Google will be broken up by competition watchdogs to curb its dominance online.

Malone, chairman of European cable giant Liberty Global, which owns Virgin Media, the broadcaster Discovery, travel website TripAdvisor and Hollywood studio Lionsgate, said Google would in future not be allowed to offer other services on top of its monopoly on web search.

"In my opinion, Google will be broken up and will not be allowed to go vertical on services, anything in which they control the search algorithm and figure out - presenting it to the consumer," he said.

The 77-year-old made the forecast at a private event for Virgin Media staff in Dublin in July. British newspaper The Sunday Telegraph obtained a transcript of his comments.

Mr Malone said Google's ability to use its search engine to steer web traffic away from rivals in neighbouring digital markets would be its undoing.

Google denies such behaviour, but was last year found by European watchdogs to have abused its dominance of search to crush its competition in shopping comparison and was fined more than 2.4bn.

"We own a company called TripAdvisor. When you go on a mobile site, you might get two or three results of a search," said Mr Malone.

"For a company that is quite dependent on getting its traffic from search, when Google decides they're going to change their algorithm... game over.

"Now, I don't think that can sustain. I think that will ultimately fail."

Mr Malone also answered questions over the threat to traditional television from Netflix and other streaming-players.

He said attempts by Hollywood studios to gain heft via the merger of 21st Century Fox and Disney, and the battle between Disney and Comcast to take over Sky, were "late to the party".

"In my opinion it's being driven by a phenomenon of disintermediation that's taking place where Amazon and Netflix are going to the writers and the producers and the directors and saying 'what do you need the studio for?'. The traditional role of the studio was to finance ideas and then distribute.

"Both of those are better done, at least in [Netflix chief executive] Reed Hastings's mind, by Reed Hastings.

"So, as a result, somebody like Rupert [Murdoch] is looking at the future and saying this content is either going to cost me a lot more money to create, and I still might not be successful, or I've got to take my assets, put them - together with Disney's and maybe together we have enough scale that we can play in that global game. But, you know, they are late to the party. So it's going to be an interesting phenomenon."

Last week, TV3 was rebranded as Virgin Media.

Liberty Global bought TV3 in 2015 for 87m.

In July, Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries said it injected "10m to 15m" into the Irish broadcaster to drive a turnaround.

Mr Fries said the investment "had really moved the needle" and the broadcaster was making money in its own right.
Giedre Raguckaite was last seen in Co Meath but has not made contact with anyone since.

A friend of missing Giedre Raguckaite has released new photographs of the 29-year-old Lithuanian woman in a bid to get information on her whereabouts.

The photographs were released as anxiety increases over her fate. Gardai want to hear from anyone who spoke to her before she disappeared and friends are desperate to know if she is okay.

"There's still no news, nothing else. It seems like she just disappeared," childhood friend Gedvile Hibner told the Sunday World.

"We just want to know that she's okay, that she's alive, that's all we want.

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Whatsapp Giedre Raguckaite, 29, has been missing from Dundalk since Saturday 26 May

"She called her dad on May 29, she was last seen on May 26.

"The people she worked with have said that she simply disappeared, they haven't seen her for months.

"She used to call every week to the dad, sometimes every two weeks. She was always calling to the dad."

Ms Raguckaite was last seen three months ago in Dundalk but has not made contact with anyone since.

Gardai issued an official appeal for information about her disappearance last week.

"Giedre is a Lithuanian national and was last seen on Hoey's Lane, Dundalk on May 26 at approximately 6pm. She is described as 5feet 5inches in height, slight build, blond hair with green eyes," a Garda spokesman said.

Ms Raguckaite moved to Ireland after a trip to Lithuania to renew her passport. She had previously lived in the UK.

Her passport had been left with her landlord.
School holidays are the rush hour of family travel. The second kids are released, prices rocket and resorts cram up.

And once uniforms are on again, the madness cools off.

While September is a holiday sweet spot for those without school-age kids, however - offering great weather and lower prices - the rest of us have to wait for mid-term (October 29 to November 2) for the next window of opportunity.

Already, prices are rising - as I write, one Irish tour operator has a bog-standard, two-star package to Lanzarote from 545pp departing October 19. A week later, it jumps to 683pp. Anyone looking to ski over winter holidays will see a similar spike.

So, what to do?

1. Check the airlines

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One option is to look at early airline sales - Aer Lingus has autumn city-break routes from 34.99 each way, for instance, while Ryanair's one-way fares to the UK start from 9.99.

Prices obviously depend on dates and availability, so try to avoid Fridays and Sundays. Those who travel against the traffic (i.e. midweek) reap rewards.

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2. Book shorter packages

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That applies to packages too. Rather than booking a traditional, Saturday-to-Saturday sun break, think outside the box. What about taking the kids to a city for three days, or asking your travel agent about short packages using scheduled flights?

GoHop.ie, for one, has flights plus three nights at the four-star Camping Village Roma (about 3km from The Vatican) from 275pp, or four nights in Barcelona from 336pp, over mid-term. TUI (tuiholidays.ie) has a four-star, four-night self-catering break in Alicante from 689pp.

Elsewhere, ClickAndGo.com has a three-night break to Disneyland Paris, including flights and a 3-star hotel stay (but not park tickets), from 749 for a family of three travelling October 31.

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3. Think different (destinations)

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Just as rush hour has its busy routes, so winter sun holidays have their in-demand destinations - in particular the Canary Islands. Sunway (sunway.ie), however, has a week's holidays in Kusadasi, Turkey, from just 399pp over the mid-term.

4. Smart staycations

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Of course, you don't have to go overseas. A smartly booked staycation can give everyone a breather at a fraction of the cost (and without those airline baggage woes).

Over mid-term, Wexford's Ferrycarrig Hotel (above, ferrycarrighotel.ie) has a two-night family break including one dinner and its kids' club from 260.

Hunter's Yard, the new accommodation at Kilkenny's Mount Juliet, has a two-night family break with one dinner and kids' club from 395 (mountjuliet.ie).

In Mayo, meanwhile, the four-star Mulranny Park Hotel has three-night packages in its three-bed courtyard suites from 540 (mulrannysuites.ie) - the hotel is right on the Great Western Greenway, too.

In Tralee, The Rose hotel has one-night breaks from 150, including B&B, dinner, kids' club and a family pass to the town's Aquadome (therosehotel.com).

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5. Blow the budget

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Got a vault in Gringotts? A final option is to blow the budget entirely... Ashford Castle (ashfordcastle.com) runs a Harry Potter-themed 'Wizard School' over mid-term, with Halloween-friendly treasure hunts, dinners, a cookery school, arts and crafts and other activities from 2,130 for two nights.

Accio, bank loan!

NB: All prices subject to availability.
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Colm McCarthy Opinion Colm McCarthy: What planet are leaders on when shaping emissions policy?

It has been clear since the 1990s that worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases, of which carbon dioxide is the most important, would have to fall in the medium term if damaging climate consequences were to be avoided. Instead, they have risen, most dramatically in countries outside Europe. The scale of required adjustment has risen and the time available to face the music has diminished. It is no longer credible that minor and gentle changes will suffice, and the burden of adjustment has been permitted to rise.
File photo dated 20/02/15 of Kanye West who has said he cant be managed as he appeared to confirm his split with manager Scooter Braun.

Kanye West paid tribute to Michael Jackson on what would have been the King of Pops 60th birthday (Ian West/PA Wire)

Rapper Kanye West has said he is seriously considering a run for the US presidency, though he says he won't run in 2020.

West said he is mulling a run for the White House in 2024 .

If I decide to do it, it will be done, Im not going to try, he told Chicago radio station Power 92s DJ Pharris.

Yes, 100 per cent it could happen...2024.

West first indicated his desire to run for the office in August 2015 during the MTV Video Music Awards when he accepted a lifetime achievement award.

However he had openly admitted that he had smoking a joint before heading up on stage.

Y'all might be thinking right now, I wonder did he smoke something before he came out here? And the answer is yes, I rolled up a little something, I knocked the edge off, he said.
Among the mourners were George W Bush, Al Gore, Barack and Michelle Obama, former US President Bill and Hillary Clinton. Picture: AFP/Getty

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney. Picture: Reuters

Cindy McCain, wife of late US Senator John McCain, kisses his casket in a poignant farewell. Picture: AP

Former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush headed an elite gathering of political heavyweights at the memorial service for Senator John McCain at Washington's National Cathedral.

The Vietnam War hero, who became one of America's most high-profile politicians, died a week ago from brain cancer at the age of 81.

His daughter Meghan spoke ahead of the former presidents, saying her father's death was "the passing of American greatness", as she directed a message squarely at President Donald Trump while encouraging others to live up to her father's example.

In her tearful, impassioned tribute, she said they "gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness - the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served."

She said to applause: "The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great."

Mr Obama told the congregation: "We come to celebrate an extraordinary man, a warrior, a statesman, a patriot who embodied so much that is best in America."

He noted Mr McCain was a conservative politician, but said "he did understand that some principles transcend politics, that some values transcend party".

Mr Obama praised Mr McCain for opposing "bending the truth to suit political expediency or party orthodoxy" and as a proponent of a "free and independent press".

Mr Obama spoke after former president George W Bush, another McCain opponent.

George W Bush hailed Mr McCain's "combination of courage and decency" in a eulogy that touched on the state of the nation's politics under Donald Trump. Mr Bush, who defeated Mr McCain in the 2000 Republican primary, said Mr McCain "detested the abuse of power".

He added: "To the face of those in authority, John McCain would insist that we are better than this, America is better than this."

Mr Bush said his absence was tangible, "like the silence after a mighty roar".

Noting Mr McCain's time as a prisoner of war, Mr Bush said Mr McCain "loved freedom with the passion of a man who knew its absence".

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner were among the highest-ranking White House officials attending after Mr McCain's family made it clear that Mr Trump was not invited.

Mr McCain had been routinely criticised over his military record by the US president, who spent some time ahead of the service tweeting out a series of long-standing grievances about the news media, Canada and the Justice Department.

The Arizona senator had asked Mr Obama and Mr Bush to speak at the service to highlight the bridge-building that he espoused. Both men had defeated Mr McCain's own bids for the nation's highest office.

Mr McCain will be buried at his alma mater, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Travis Bickle: "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talk...
"Yeh world hai na world, is mein do tarah ke log hote hai...

Ek joh saari zindagi ek hi kaam karte rehte hai ...

aur doosre joh ek hi zindagi mein saare kaam kar dete hai.."

Well, these iconic lines remains etched in the memory of every cinema fan. 'Bunty Aur Babli' is one film that has the magical ability to make every smile.

This comedy film by Yashraj Films released back in 2005 but the film still remains a popular one. Recently there were reports that the sequel was in the works but Abhishek said no one has approached him for it.

YRF Films

Calling "Bunty Aur Babli" a special film, the actor told PTI,

YRF

"Soon after the release of the film in 2005, Aditya Chopra, the producer of the film, was very keen that we do a sequel but he did not have a story at that point of a time. Would he want to make a sequel? At that point of time, he did. If Adi finds a story that is worthy and he wants us to do it, he will let us know. As of now, I can't say anything."

The film directed by Shaad Ali was about two small-town misfits, played by Abhishek and Rani Mukherji, who run away from their homes to make their mark in the world and end up as fraudsters.

There have also been rumours about Abhishek being a part of "Dhoom 4" that will reportedly have Shah Rukh Khan as the antagonist this time. The action franchise has seen different villains - John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and most recently, Aamir Khan - in every installment.

"Till Adi doesn't tell me I would not believe any of the rumours," Abhishek added.

However, Abhishek Bachchan did express his excitement about reuniting with actor wife Aishwarya Rai after a gap of 10 years for Gulab Jamun,

"'Gulab Jamun' is a script that both Aishwarya and I agreed to do. We are looking forward to it. But we are still figuring out when to do it," he said.

Abhishek is currently busy with the promotions of Manmarizyan that is also set to release on 14th September.
He said, One amusing offer (came to me) for a bit part in a Salman Khan starrer from a rather famous director. I can always cherish these moments. It was to play the role of an Indian foreign minister in a sequence and the advice I was given by a good friend was, If you want to be the foreign minister, dont play the foreign minister. I thought that made sense and I backed off.

He said, "Soon after the release of the film in 2005, Aditya Chopra, the producer of the film, was very keen that we do a sequel but he did not have a story at that point of a time. Would he want to make a sequel? At that point of time, he did. If Adi finds a story that is worthy and he wants us to do it, he will let us know. As of now, I can't say anything."

According to TMZ, it is said that in order to come up with the cash, Pauls plans to see of come of the New Jersey construction and real estate companys property. In the past, the Jonas Brothers of which Nick is a part had sold millions of records worldwide before the band broke up in 2013, and the trio has continued building their portfolios on their own.

A source said, Sushmita was approached for a movie that plays out in a small town in which her character is the protagonist. Its a crime-based drama set in Madhya Pradesh wherein she plays a tough cop. Meanwhile, the film has changed hands  theres a new director who will be on board. Sushmita, too, gave her inputs after she heard the narration. The makers decided to alter the script and make the necessary changes, post which, she gave a go ahead. The modalities are currently being worked out. Once that is done, she will sign on the dotted line."

But this time, it wasn't just Taimur who stole the attention. It was 'Taimur Ke Daddy' Saif, who stole the limelight. With a hat and beard, Saif looked straight out of the sets of Narcos. Saif, whose fashion has always been on point is often spotted in kurta pajamas and track-pants but this airport look is an exception. While Baby Taimur was exactly like how we are when we are to catch an early morning flight, Daddy Saif looked stylish in a casual shirt, jeans, and the hat! Stealing limelight from Mommy Kareena, Daddy Saif looked extremely handsome.
Heres more proof of why you should be listening to music when you exercise. Not only does the rhythm of the music set your body into a rhythm it also activates a part of the brain that prevents you from tiering!

In fact, a recent study found that hearing Marvin Gayes I Heard It Through The Grapevine while performing physical activities stimulates the area of the brain linked to reducing fatigue.

ricomincioacorrere.com

The study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology sheds light on how music can prevent fatigue while working out.

The participants in the study claimed how just listening to 11 minutes of a song made them feel like their exercise routine was over in just 60 seconds. They also found their routine far less monotonous and even easier to perform when a song being played in the background.

The studys author Marcelo Bigliassi, of Brunel University in London and his colleagues found that music played an important role in delivering more excitement while working out and diverted thoughts to things that were not related to the task at hand; helping you avoid boredom.

thebestdance.com

They came up with these findings after observing changes in a particular area of the brain.

Music is a very powerful auditory stimulus and can be used to assuage negative bodily sensations that usually arise during exercise-related situations. This psychophysical response is triggered by an attentional mechanism that will ultimately result in a more efficacious control of the musculature, Bigliassi told PsyPost.

What we have identified in this study was that the left inferior frontal gyrus activates when individuals exercise in the presence of music. This region of the brain appears to be a hub of sensory integration, processing information from external and internal sources (e.g., music and limb discomfort, respectively), claimed Bilassi.

amazon.in

The positive effects of listening to music while working out have other implications as well, for people who struggle with obesity or diabetes as well.

A previous study found how listening to music while you walk increased energy and enjoyment levels and your mental focus. In fact, even listening to podcasts led to an improvement in performance levels; albeit not as much as listening to music.

These effects were due to the effect music had on the frontal and central regions of the brain. That being said, its important to know how much you can push and not go beyond your own pain threshold to avoid injuries in the future.
We either know of a couple or have ourselves been a part of a relationship where both partners break up only to reconcile and get back together a week or a few days later. The problem is that the on-again, off-again cycling of a relationship can be frustrating and rarely ever work out in the long run anyway. Frustration apart, on-again, off-again relationships can cause some serious damage to your mental health.

Constantly breaking up and reuniting was associated with more psychological distress symptoms such as depression and anxiety, according to a recent study.

recepta

One of the reasons why a cyclic relationship is bad news for your health and well being is the high rates of abuse, poor communication and a low level of commitment associated with such a pattern.

Although, "breaking up and getting back together is not always a bad omen for a couple. In fact, for some couples, breaking up can help partners realise the importance of their relationship, contributing to a healthier, more committed union," said Kale Monk, Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri in the US.

However, On the other hand, partners who are routinely breaking up and getting back together could be negatively impacted by the pattern."

udn.com

The study published in the journal Family Relations found that partners often break up and reunite on necessity or practicality.

Often, people stay in a relationship for financial reasons, others might because they feel they have invested far too much time in the relationship to leave.

Former partners should get back together based on dedication, not an obligation, suggests Monk.

chyang

"The findings suggest that people who find themselves regularly breaking up and getting back together with their partners need to 'look under the hood' of their relationships to determine what's going on," Monk said.

"If partners are honest about the pattern, they can take the necessary steps to maintain their relationships or safely end them. This is vital for preserving their well-being," Monk noted.

Heres what Monk recommends if youre looking to re-evaluate your relationship:

runtastic.com

 When considering rekindling a relationship that ended or avoiding future breakups, partners should think about the reasons they broke up to determine if there are consistent or persistent issues impacting the relationship.

 Having explicit conversations about issues that have led to breaking ups can be helpful, especially if the issues will likely reoccur. If there was ever violence in the relationship, however, or if having a conversation about relationship issues can lead to safety concerns, consider seeking support-services when it is safe to do so.

 Similar to thinking about the reasons the relationship ended, spend time thinking about the reasons why reconciliation might be an option. Is the reason rooted in commitment and positive feelings, or more about obligations and convenience? The latter reasons are more likely to lead down a path of continual distress.

nouvelles-du-monde.com

 Remember that it is okay to end a toxic relationship. For example, if your relationship is beyond repair, do not feel guilty leaving for your mental or physical well-being.

 Couples therapy or relationship counselling is not just for partners on the brink of divorce. Even happy dating and married couples can benefit from 'relationship check-ups' in order to strengthen the connection between partners and have additional support in approaching relationship transitions.
Altogether 24 of the 34 tribal children allegedly trafficked from Jharkhand to an illegal shelter home in Punjab were traced and two persons were arrested, the police said on Sunday.

"We have rescued four children who were reportedly pursuing their studies in the three-room shelter home in Ludhiana and arrested two persons, including the owner of the home," Superintendent of Police, West Singhbhum, G Kranthi Kumar said.

Representational Image

As the home authorities claimed that they had sent back 30 children, physical verification of 20 of them was made in West Singhbhum district, while search is on for the remaining ten, Kumar said.

Those arrested were identified as Satyendra Prasad Moses (56), the shelter home operator in Ludhiana and a resident of Gaya district of Bihar and Junul Longo, a resident of Gudri police station in West Singhbhum, he added.

Both the accused were produced before a local court in Chaibasa on Saturday and forwarded to judicial custody for 14 days, he said.

BCCL/Representational Image

Based on a report of the Special Branch, Ranchi that 34 children from the state were taken to a Ludhiana-based shelter home and allegedly converted to Christianity, a police team headed by the Officer-in-charge of Anti-Human Trafficking Unit police station, Banarasi Ram was sent to Punjab to rescue the children.

Jyotsana Tirkey, a member of Child Welfare Committee, Chaibasa had lodged a complaint on August 26 on the basis of a media report that 34 children from Jharkhand were illegally kept in the missionary-run children shelter home, where efforts were on to convert them to Christianity and engage them in child labour.

Tirkey alleged that Longo had lured the children with the false promise of education and employment.
It all began in 2016 when an Indian woman and a retired army officer complained that airplanes had been dropping human excreta on residential areas.

According to Independent, in early 2016, an Indian woman suffered a grave shoulder injury as a large chunk of blue ice dropped on her from the sky. Aviation experts believed that blue ice was the name given to frozen human excreta that is formed around the overflow outlets on airplane toilets.

The term refers to the blue chemicals that are used in airline washrooms. Later in December 2016, a retired army officer, Lt. General Satwant Singh Dahiya had moved the NGT alleging that faeces were splattered from aircraft on his South Delhi house before Diwali in 2016.

The tribunal, therefore, held that if "any aircraft, airlines and the handling services of registered aircraft" were found to be dumping human waste from the air or toilet tanks were found to have been emptied before landing, they shall be subjected to environmental compensation of Rs 50,000 per case of default.

In a recent development, in what looked like a hurried circular the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed the airlines in India that they will have to pay a Rs 50,000 fine if they empty the toilet mid-air. The order came on August 30 after the NGT warned the aviation regulatory body that it would stop funding the salaries of DGCA employees if they do not adhere to the rules, reported HT.

A DGCA official further told HT, In compliance with the directions of the NGT, all air operators have been directed to not to release any waste during landing and take off or near airports. The operators have been told that they would have to pay Rs 50,000 as environmental compensation if their planes are found dumping waste mid-air. They have been asked to submit monthly reports.

The NGT had also asked the DGCA to carry out surprise inspection of aircraft landing at the airport to check that their toilet tanks are not empty while landing and prevent waste from being splashed over residential areas and any other place before landing.

In May this year, the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) defended the airlines saying that it was impossible for an airplane to dump waste mid-air. The aircraft system has three level of in-built external protection for disposing the waste and under no circumstance release of waste during flight is possible and there has been no such resort ever by the operators, said a report by PTI.

The modern-day airline toilets are sealed and cannot be emptied in flight and toilet waste can only be disposed of by manual operation on the ground during its servicing. The tribunal had earlier constituted a committee comprising representatives from the DGCA, Central Avian Research Institute, and CPCB to collect samples from the house of Dahiya.

However, it couldnt be fully ascertained if human excreta was actually present in the waste samples. The DGCA has asked the airline to follow the orders till the review petition is heard. According to the Independent, it is not only India that is plagued by waste falling from the sky, around 25 cases of human waste falling from planes in the UK are reported every year.
In Odisha, most people believe that homosexuality is an equivalent term for transgenders. Ye toh chhakka hai, that is how people remark, says Rohit (name changed), a 26-year-old health professional who hails from Berhampur.

Coming out of the closet is a tough row to hoe in a city which is known for its temples and holds religion to its heart, which in an Indian context, somehow closes the doors to acceptance for homosexuality.

Homosexuality is a subject to which people stay oblivious. It doesnt exist for people, barring those who identify themselves in the ever-widening ambit of LGBTQIA+ or are familiar with the concept of sexual orientation in the state.

Bhubaneshwar is getting its first Pride on September 1 and for the LGBTQIA+ community of the state, this marks the end of silence and isolation.

Visibility and freedom from seclusion

Bhubaneshwar Pride for me is the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community and the voice for its people. It is a way to show that we exist and that we no different human beings from others. It is just the beginning and with more awareness, it will hopefully change peoples attitude, adds Rohit.

Rohit says that there are children who are assaulted, abused and even raped in schools. Boys with little feminine side are bullied. I was bullied as a child and during my school days, says Rohit, who is open to his sister and a few friends. For him, coming out to his parents isnt an option because of the patriarchal stronghold.

Dealing with the stigma in Tier II cities

Not every Indian state has been successful in hosting a Pride. National capital New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Pune are a few of the Indian cities that have hosted Pride. Very few Tier II cities have had this privilege and Bhubaneshwar marks a dynamic shift.

We are made up of Tribals, construction workers who keep migrating, displaced villages where industrialists have built their enterprises and street vendors. For a state like this, LGBTQIA movements cannot exist in isolation, without being intersectional. This Pride will not only address the LGBTQIA problems but also the general constructs of the society like shame, untouchability, class bias and sex discrimination within and outside the community and the majority deciding what is best for minorities, says Bijaya Biswal, a 22-year-old organiser of the maiden Bhubaneshwar Pride 2018.

Organising such events in a Tier II city is an uphill battle. In Odisha, the absence of LGBTQIA+ community is the foremost challenge. The community was never under one umbrella because they have remained completely invisible and closeted. For Bijaya, it took almost a year to only build up discreet networking to connect them to each other and build a collective.

To only build up discreet networking to connect them to each other, and build a collective, she says.

Most Tier II cities do not believe in LGBTQ Pride parades. The question: Why do we need to talk about sexuality when we have poverty and unemployment yet unresolved? Bijaya says that the straight community can talk about poverty because they never faced problems with their sexuality. The rights and acceptance came to them naturally and they never had to fight for it, she points.

LGBTQIA+ community has multiple layers. The trans does not share the problems of the LGBQ. While the former is outcast since an early age from the family for being what they are, the revelation of the latter is not so obvious and they might go on for ages in their masks and dual lives, often ending up in bad marriages before even coming out of the closet.

Odisha has an organised trans community, state-funded in skill training and education programs, which are as efficient as all other government programmes. Bijaya says that for trans people, it is easy to find solidarity.

Being a sex-positive heterosexual woman itself is considered an aberration even now, then how do we imagine the same society accepting a homosexual woman? she asks.

Ankita, who hails from Jamshedpur, a sort of neighbour to Bhubaneshwar, feels that Pride is big deal. It gives me a sort of relief, happiness and comfort that that places like Bhubaneshwar are finally talking about LGBTQIA+ community. The feeling of mere acknowledgement is surreal in a way, she says.

Ankita is a 23-year-old bisexual woman and a final year Masters student. She says that most people tell her that she is another confused woman. Ive heard so many comments about me being confused and not able to find a good guy and that I am also OK with cheating in a relationship. And all this comes from people who are well-educated.

Ankitas family isnt aware of her sexual orientation. Her siblings and cousins are and are very supportive of her choices.

And I think thats what I need now.

In most cases, financial dependency on parents acts as a mammoth barrier in coming out of the closet. The fear that they will be kicked out of the house and will not be accepted for who they are, most from the LGBTQIA+ community do not admit their orientation in front of their parents. For many, the plan seems to become financially independent and leave the parents house for good. In most patriarchal households, just like in case of Rohits, the stigma associated with being gay is massive.

The society has been divided into binaries and it will take time to become more inclusive. Homosexuality is among the things that are not accepted in the society and are mostly suppressed by it. Society always wants to suppress things in which it doesnt believe, for instance, women making their own life decisions.

People want me to consult a doctor because they consider homosexuality to be socially immoral, unnatural and a hindrance to religion. I have been judged just all other from my community," says Ruble Roy Choudhary, who is out only to a few of his friends, teachers, cousins and a few relatives. Ruble seeks to be financially independent as soon as possible so that he can finally address his sexual orientation in front of his parents.

Bhubaneshwar Pride isnt just an event, it an emotion. Thousands have been waiting for this moment to arrive. For long, the Indian society has been a victim of social hegemony and prejudice, but times are now changing.
The Swedish Multinational furniture brand, IKEA opened its first ever store in India on August 09 this year. The store is spread over 4 lakh square feet in the Hyderabads IT hub of HiTec City.

The brand is known for its ready to assemble furniture pieces. Excited consumers, many of who had already shopped in posh U.S or Singapore stores couldnt hold the butterflies in their stomach.

While all kinds of assessments were done on whether the store will become the cynosure of the Indian audience, a huge traffic jam brought the city life to a standstill.

Photo: Abeed Mohammad Twitter handle

Pushing and shoving combined with complicated navigation through the mega-sized store were the highlights of the first day. However, the global retailer is already in news for the wrong reasons.

A consumer named, Abeed Mohammad found a caterpillar in his vegetarian biryani while enjoying a meal at the store. The consumer tweeted this on micro-blogging site, Twitter besides complaining to the store management and municipal authorities.

According to the Indian Express, Mohammad alerted the Food Safety Officer with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) which then levied Rs 11,500 penalty on the store.

The civic body's food safety officer, the food inspector of the special zone, an assistant medical officer of health, and other officials inspected the restaurant and collected food samples for bacteriological analysis, reported The India Today.

The Express further reported that IKEA procures its food items from Haldirams Nagpur vendor. Reportedly, it was also discovered that the store was not adhering to the waste segregation norms and was using plastic covers less than 50 microns thickness.

Photo: Abeed Mohammad Twitter handle

According to media reports, IKEA will visit its food safety vendor in Nagpur and has also tendered an apology and assured the customer that the matter is being investigated thoroughly. "At Ikea, we have the strictest guidelines when it comes to food safety and quality as customers' health and safety are something we care about deeply," the statement said.
Kerala is still recovering from the damages caused by massive floods, worst in the last century and now northeast states of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam are embroiled in exhaustive preparations to avoid a similar situation.

A flood alert has been issued in low-lying areas nearing the Siang (Brahmaputra) river in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam after China alerted India about the rising waters in the river which is called Tsangpo across the border.

China informed that its Tsangpo was swelling (called Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and the Brahmaputra in Assam) because of heavy rain in the neighboring country. The country, therefore, had released 9,020 cumec water in the Tsangpo/Brahmaputra river on August 29.

Photo: AFP

Rescue operations are in full swing in the states with Indian Air Force airlifting as many as 19 people from a flooded island in Arunachal Pradesh. According to official records of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, at least 50 people have died in flood and landslide in Assam this year. According to All India Radio, at least 15,000 people have been affected by flash floods in Assams Golaghat and Dhemaji districts.

More than 600 hectares of crop area was severely damaged and over 1,488 people continue to stay in relief camps as low-lying areas remain inundated. Nagaland too has been ravaged by intense rains that have caused floods and landslides in several areas claiming at least 12 lives and leaving thousands homeless.

Flood Warning Issued In Meghalayas Garo Hills

Photo: PTI

The Meghalaya government is on its toes to make sure they are well prepared to deal with the floods. They are continuously monitoring the flood-situation in neighboring Assam districts and is preparing its disaster management teams.

On Friday evening, a flood warning was issued to the Deputy Commissioners of West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and North Garo Hills. The Garo hills district lie very close to the Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, and Kamrup (rural) districts of Assam.

The West Garo Hills administration has activated the disaster response center and has even instructed block development centers, line departments, and villagers to monitor the flood situation. The West Garo Hills deputy commissioner told The Telegraph, "We are monitoring the situation very closely and we are in touch with the administrations in these districts of Assam and Central Water Commission to provide us with updates on the water level.





Photo: PTI

Similarly, the DC of South West Garo Hills, Ram Kumar S, informed the Telegraph that field teams have been positioned and boats have also been requisitioned to help people. Residents have been advised to either move to a relief camp or a higher ground. The area was recently surveyed by the District Disaster Management Authority.

The Garo hills are susceptible to flood situations when the Brahmaputra and its tributaries are in a vulnerable situation. According to a local media report, at least 57 villages have been affected by flood in Selsella and Tikrikilla development blocks of the West Garo hills.

Photo: PTI

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of WGH, Pravin Bakshi had told The Meghalaya Times, For now, it is mostly agricultural lands which are underwater, but further rains may lead to human displacement. In case of human displacement, we will have to set up relief camps to accommodate those displaced until the water recedes. We are keeping a close watch on the situation and will act accordingly.

Reportedly, 1,550 hectares of land under sali paddy crop was destroyed and the agriculture department estimated a loss to the tune of Rs. 917.6 lakh. The flood has already affected the Majhipara - Solairtek embankment and villages in the Selsella block including Bhaitbari, Rajabala, Bholarbitha, amongst others are currently flooded.
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced closing the registration for the 5th cohort of Dubai Future Accelerators programme, and receiving applications from start-ups and global companies from 74 countries around the world, a media report said.



The programme received over 600 applicants in which they will undergo a rigorous evaluation and selection process, reported Emirates news agency Wam.



Ultimately, selected companies will have the opportunity to take part in Dubai Future Accelerator programme and tackle challenges launched by government entities and create innovative and smart solutions through the use of advanced technologies such as; Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain. The Programs 5th cohort is expected to start in mid-September.



Saeed Al Falasi, executive director of Future Platforms at DFF, said: "The Dubai Future Accelerators programme has achieved remarkable levels of success in finding effective solutions to challenges facing Dubai's government entities and its strategic sectors, in collaboration with start-ups and innovative global companies. This supports the process of building the future, in Dubai and the UAE.



The 5th cohort of Dubai Future Accelerators consists of nine weeks of joint work between the government entities and companies. The programme includes a series of specialised workshops and meetings with mentors and experts, as well as professional programmes and events.



Through its participation in the 5th cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators programme, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai aims to find effective solutions to develop the process of issuing residence visas to become fully digital to ease the process for customers.



Smart Dubai aims to develop a mechanism for exchanging data on the economic and social aspects of Dubai, and promote the concept of decentralized data exchange. It also aims to ensure the quality of data and standards through innovation and practical use of modern technology to identify existing gaps and enhance data quality levels sustainably.



Emirates Airlines is also participating in the 5th cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators Program to enhance customer experience in various stages of travel from the airport through the use of automated processes, Artificial Intelligence (AI), biometrics, data analysis, analysis of emotions and linking these systems, to contribute to the establishment of the Airport of the Future.



Dubai Police aims to employ social media to enhance public safety by predicting the occurrence of accidents or recommendations necessary for officers on shifts. It also aims to reduce the manual operations required when identifying and allocating resources to speed up emergency response, and improving emergency response by collecting and using data to forecast demand based on surveillance devices, such as sensors, heat detectors, among others.



Through its participation, the RTA aims to find innovative ways to increase maintenance efficiency and reduce maintenance expenses. These include 49 metro stations, 17 bus stations and a fleet of 1,500 buses.



Part of the programme, the KHDA aims to create an ecosystem where parents can participate in the early years of their childrens lives to enable students to shape their future.



DHA seeks to enhance quality of life through early intervention and healthcare using advanced healthcare techniques, reducing waiting time for patients in emergencies, and increasing accuracy and patient safety in operations, such as Vertebral Column Resection using robots.



DEWA aims to innovate solutions based on AI, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), digital transactions, and IoT, to improve the performance, productivity and quality of services and enhance the quality of customer service according to the highest international standards.



Through its participation in the Dubai Future Accelerators programme, Du aims to make use of data connectivity to provide companies with a competitive advantage that allows them to reduce costs, increase profitability, and become an active player in transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world.



Etisalat Digital will focus on finding smart innovative solutions to the key challenges that any modern city may face. First, it focuses on reducing crime rates and reducing traffic congestion using AI technology in smart surveillance systems. The second challenge is to use Block Chain technology to reduce transaction costs and simplify procedures between different organisations such as banks, government entities, and the private sector by 40 percent in the next five years. The third challenge will use blockchain to allow exchange between various loyalty currencies; and the development of a cryptocurrency for loyalty programmes that can be used in online and physical transactions.



Dubai Future Accelerators offers an ideal opportunity to find solutions to challenges and provide innovative models to enhance services. The Programme brings together companies and government entities in Dubai to explore, develop and employ future technologies to address the challenges facing cities.
You might have travelled the world but you cant escape the claws of immigration duty officers. Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters had to pay a heavy duty for her heavy crown when the immigration officers demanded Rs 4 lakhs for her crown.

Peters who landed in Mumbai on Thursday at 7 pm was carrying a replica of her Japanese crown. The South African winner was here to judge a beauty contest in NSCI, Worli. But it was only past midnight, at 1 am on Friday when Peters was let off with Rs 4 lakh as a duty.

Photo: Mid Day/Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters at the airport on Friday

Peters was awarded the Miss Universe title with a Mikimoto tiara which costs around Rs 1.77 crore. However, she brought a replica of the diadem instead. Immigration officers stopped her and asked her to wait. They later enquired about the value of the replica and arrived at an estimate of Rs 11 lakh.

Officers then asked the former winner to pay 40 per cent customs duty on the crown. There was a lot of confusion on whether duty ought to be levied on the crown or not. Finally, the officers found out that beauty crowns were not exempted from the policy.

Photo: Mid Day/Mikimoto crown

The South Africans queen team informed that the organisers had already informed the customs about the crown and had completed all the formalities. Her publicist told Mid Day, "Her flight was delayed, and by the time it landed, a new shift had begun at the customs. The officers in the earlier shift, who had been informed of her arrival and the needed clearance, had not done a proper handover of the paperwork. So she had to wait until it was done again."

Mikimoto crown, worth $250,000 (approximately 1.7 crore) is not given to every Miss Universe. Made in Japan, the crown is said to be the most beautiful in the world. The tiara depicts the rising phoenix that signifies status, power, and beauty.
Lord Krishna has given a purpose to the widows of Vrindavan to continue with their lives after being left alone in this world, says 88-year-old Gayatri Devi, for whom Janmashtami is more than a festival.

A native of Bisra in Odisha, Devi was thrown out of her home by her children 17 years back following her husband's death.

After begging at the Banke Bihari Temple here for some years and selling incense sticks later, she finally found a home in 'Krishna Kutir', a 1,000-bed facility for widows inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Friday.

"When our husbands passed away and we were shunned by our families, it was Lord Krishna who guided us in those dark times," Devi, who was among the 23 widows to move into the facility, said.

Videoblocks

"There was no place I could think of going other than Vrindavan. I bought a train ticket (for Vrindavan) after selling my silver ring which was my husband's first gift to me," Devi said.

She is one of the around 3,000 widows living in Vrindavan, where, it is believed, Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Many of them reside in ashrams across the city and beg outside temples to earn a living.

The Supreme Court had last year taken cognisance of the plight of widows living in Vrindavan and ordered the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government to take "all steps to rehabilitate the widows of Vrindavan so as to bring them to a stage where they can live with dignity".

Developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development under the 'Swadhar Greh' scheme on 1.4 hectares of land, 'Krishna Kutir' is equipped with a large modern kitchen and a skill-cum-training centre to teach the widows stitching, embroidery, among other things.

According to a WCD official, the building's construction has been funded by the Centre and will be managed by the state government.

The facility has 100 room and 200 bathrooms, and equipped with amenities like ramps and elevators for senior citizens and differently abled persons.

But due to its distance from the city, many widows are apprehensive about it, as they feel that the facility might act as a jail for them.

Videoblocks

Sumitra Singh, a social activist, said till the widows are made aware of the facilities and advantages, they would remain apprehensive.

"These widows have become very apprehensive because of their situation and they feel this home is too good to be true. Only when they see its success through its existing members, they would realise that it has been made for their betterment and might decide to move in," she said.

Union minister Maneka Gandhi tried to allay the fears of the widows, saying 'Krishna Kutir' is twice the size of a five-star hotel and equipped with all modern facilities.

"There would be no restriction on anyone's movements. The widows can come and leave as per their wish," she had said.

Soumya Kumari (45) from Ranchi, who was one of the widows who moved in the facility, said she hopes the skill development centre would help her get back on her feet.

"I wanted to be a fashion designer. There is no age bar to pursue one's dreams. I hope I can get the necessary skills at the centre and stand on my feet," she said and hoped that this Janmashtami, Lord Krishna would bless her with a better life.

The whole of Vrindavan has been decorated with lights to celebrate Janmashtami, the day of Lord Krishna's birth, and devotees from all over the country have started pouring in for the occasion.

But Devi says Janmashtami is much more than a festival for widows like her. "It is a day when we feel like everyone else, we feel equal."

This Janmashtami is even more special for her as she plans to visit the 'Rang Mahal Temple' where, according to mythology, Lord Krishna used to perform 'raas leela' with 'gopis'.

"I have always been a follower of Lord Krishna and every year I wait for Janmashtami when our Lord was born. He gave us a reason to continue living despite losing everything," she added.
China's flagship infrastructure project in the Maldives, a bridge linking capital Male with the airport island, has again brought into focus the widening gulf between India and its Indian Ocean neighbour. India chose to stay away from the inauguration on Thursday of what is officially known as the Sinamale Bridge with its ambassador Akhilesh Mishra not attending the event.

"He had been invited by our government but he didn't come," said a top Maldivian government official.

maldivesindependent

Indian officials chose not to comment on the issue. Mishras decision to skip the inauguration, which took place in the presence of a representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping and was marked by Chinese fireworks, was justified later with envoys of other countries being allegedly treated shabbily by President Abdulla Yameen's security staff at the event.

The Maldivian opposition alleged that only the Chinese ambassadors car was allowed to drive up to the venue. "Ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh boycotted the bridge inauguration event as their cars were stopped by Yameens security and they were asked to walk. Only Chinese ambassadors car was allowed to pass up to the venue. Such an insult to traditional friends," tweeted MP and joint opposition spokesperson Ahmed Mahloof.

Yameen went on to describe the $200 million bridge as the biggest achievement in our diplomatic history".

The president who is accused of having undermined all state institutions, even jailing many of his political opponents, in the run up to the elections later this month believes the bridge has further invigorated his chances of returning to power. Also known as China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the bridge was built with, according to Male, a grant of $116 million by China. Apart from the grant, Beijing also provided $72 million as loan for the 1.4 km bridge.

Ambassadors of Sri Lanks and Bangladhesh boycotted the bridge inauguration event as their cars were stopped by Yameens security and they were asked to walk.

Only Chinese Ambassadors car was allowed to pass up to the venue.

Such an insult to traditional friends.  Ahmed Mahloof (@AhmedMahloof) August 31, 2018

The financing of the bridge has sparked fears of Male getting enmeshed further in Chinese debt net. The main opposition party, MDP, has already alleged that there is "huge corruption" involved in the deal for the bridge which is meant to end congestion in Male.

India has been alarmed by the manner in which the cost of the project shot up in the past few years. A Delhi-based western diplomat who handles Maldives said even the "official cost of the project" $200 million was almost thrice that of the estimate prepared by former president Mohamed Nasheed government in 2011.

"Given the lack of transparency and parliamentary scrutiny in government affairs, no one really knows the actual cost of the project  some people say it may even have crossed $300 million," he said.

presidency.gov.mv/

A preliminary survey carried out by overseas experts in 2011, while noting the viability of the project, had estimated a total cost between $70 million to $100 million.

Also one could look at other projects, he said, connected with the Bridge, for which Male is paying out of its own budget at twice or thrice the actual cost.

"If one also includes airport and housing projects (in return for 2500 social housing units funded by government to government loans), Male has handed over almost entire Hulumale construction work (including several thousand housing units) to Chinese companies without any bidding. Effectively, Maldives is giving to Chinese far more than what it has received as loan to be repaid with commercial interest," said the diplomat.
In a day and age when we are aiming for the sun (literally, there is a mission to the sun), it drags us back at least a century to come across a piece of news like this.

27-year-old Adiba from Delhi murdered her 7-month-old baby girl on August 20, 2018. The mother believed that her daughter was the reason for all the medical and financial problems of her family.

TOI

She tried to get away with the crime by making it look like an accidental drowning but failed. When she took the baby to Moolchand hospital, the authorities alerted the police about the arrival and condition of the baby. The police saw marks on the babys neck and hence, did not buy her story that the baby had accidentally drowned. After the body was sent for post-mortem to AIIMS, the reports said the baby had died of strangulation.

BCCL

The mother, later, broke down and confessed to killing her daughter. She blamed her for the misfortune of her family and said that the only way she knew was to kill her, so her family would stop suffering. So, she strangled the infant with a dupatta when no one was home and then put her in water to make it look like a drowning. The woman has been arrested and the dupatta used to kill the baby has been found.

How can a 7-month-old baby  girl or boy  possibly bring someone bad luck? How can we be talking about development and progress when our mental growth is so stunted? The baby who could probably not even tell her foot from her hand was murdered by her own mother  how can anyone make their peace with that?
On August 15, 2018, when the entire country was celebrating Independence Day, this biker duo decided to start a challenging but rewarding journey. Gurgaon-based triathlete Abhishek Mishra and Delhi biker Sonia Jain met at an event where Sonia proposed a bike ride along the newly-built India-Thailand corridor. Abhishek, who was planning to run along the same route decided to bike along.

TOI

Thats how their 5,000-km-long journey began. Flagged off by Milind Soman, they began from India Gate in Delhi, travelling to UP, Bihar and Bengal before crossing into the northeast. However, this is not merely a joyride. The two bikers aim to spread the message of cultural harmony, meet people from various cultures and backgrounds and listen to the stories they have to tell them. They are calling it a tri-cultural ride.

dailyhunt

I noticed so many differences in the places. For instance, the traffic sense is much better in the northeast, and despite what people think, its quite safe there, Sonia told TOI. Abhishek admitted that he wasnt really a biker but the train he has undergone for Ironman and Ultraman competitions had prepared him for this journey.

As a female driver, Sonia was a little apprehensive about her safety. But so far, her experience has been positive. There are a few times I got spooked. For instance, there was a 100 km stretch just before Imphal which was complete forest area. People warned us that it was dangerous because of the animals there. We rode together all the time and it was some experience. The armed forces have been of great help. At every checkpoint, they would stop us and I would take off my helmet, they would be surprised. Some would click selfies with us, its all so positive, Sonia told TOI.

TOI

With great adventure comes a great challenge, but if you have the will, courage and the preparedness to undertake it, the reward will be priceless.
Be wary of large-scale disinformation campaign regarding Nicaragua by David Rubio

Saturday Sep 1st, 2018 10:35 AM

Various programs on KPFA and also regime-change minded liberals in the once-alternative media are amplifying the voices of self-anointed spokespersons for astro-turf protesters in Nicaragua who advocate for a violent coup. It's a scam with potentially massive death and other devastating consequences.

I can't believe my eyes and ears!! The Upfront program on KPFA and also Aaron Mate at RealNewsNetwork are amplifying the voices of self-anointed spokespersons for astro-turf protesters in Nicaragua who advocate for a violent coup. They also allow for little or insufficient chance for rebuttal. They can't win an election against the popular-elected leftist government that won the last nationwide election with 74% of the vote, because the so-called protesters poll at less than 5% approval nationwide, despite years of funding from the USAID, National Endowment for Democracy, and other supports and encouragement from an menagerie of neocons, like Marco Rubio and John Bolton.



Where are the spokespersons from the ELECTED government to point out the lies and to give the other side of the story? The last attempt at US sponsored regime change cost Nicaragua a devastated economy and 50 THOUSAND lives. With all the new technology and media control, and lack of transparency from external-funding sources, what's this one gonna cost? Someone should tell these provocateurs to stop gaslighting and recruiting young people to stage their soft coup and to just try to win the next election with their vision for improving society  if they have one. And enough with the dirty tricks that cause so much violence and suffering.
By Sarah Slater

A motoring chief has grave concerns over plans to impose a tax on the distance people drive.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has said, that while it is a model that is used successfully across the EU, Ireland does not have the motoring or financial infrastructures to support it.

Verona Murphy, IRHA President made her remarks as it was recently revealed that it is one of the options being considered by the government to maintain tax revenue, as lower-emission cars become more popular.

It is believed by the government that it needs to move away from relying on excise levied on diesel and petrol.

Ms Murphy said: So far we have not been consulted with by any government officials on this matter and we would be very disappointed and would have grave concerns if we werent listened to.

We are a very small cohort of people but hauliers are very important when it comes to taxes and revenue. As an organisation we are very far away from agreeing anything with them (government).

At the moment the IRHA is in the middle of preparing submissions regarding taxation proposals for the forthcoming Budget and they have to be ready by the start to the middle of this month.

Negotiations will then have to take place so any such plans and any implementation is a long way off.

Ms Murphy pointed out that members of the Association work as, commercial entities who have to remain competitive with other international hauliers. Ireland is already at a disadvantage as it is an island and costs are higher.

We are already paying a lot of transport taxes and this will (proposed) tax will mean us essentially being taxed twice. This then will inevitably mean, the consumer will be hit in their pocket also, as we will have to pass on the associated costs to them.

The idea of charging for road usage based on distance travelled has been proposed at EU level and is already in place for trucks in a number of member states such as Belgium and France.

Department of Finance officials are warning the move to more efficient cars may drastically affect the revenue generated for the exchequer.

Overall, environmental taxes in Ireland are projected to yield 3.55 billion this year. Excise rates on petrol and diesel have remained the same since 2012, with 58.7 cent excise and a 4.6 carbon charge on a litre of petrol. Diesel rates are 47.9 cent and 5.3 cent.
By Louise Walsh

Three Irish music legends have backed Meath guitarist Jimmy Smyth's bid to get a nomination to contest the presidential election

Finbarr Furey, Mary Coughlan and Don Baker have all lent their support to the Navan-born musician who 'wants to Rock the Aras.'

As pressure mounts on would-be candidates to secure nominations from either county councils or TDs, the music icons have cited Jimmy as the man who deserves a shot at the elections.

Jimmy, whose band The Bogey Boys was once supported by U2 and who was once asked to join Thin Lizzy by Phil Lynott, has already gained the backing of jazz maestro Paddy Cole, Imelda May and Steve Wickham to try and woo the councils' nominations.

This week, musician and actor Don Baker who runs a pub in Trim said: "Jimmy would make a fantastic president.

"As a musician and lecturer, he's in touch with the youth of this country and what they need. He's full of integrity and on the pulse of this country.

"I've known him for 30 years and I can tell you he's revered by all who knows him as a musician, a person and a man who fights for the underdog.

I think he at least should get a shot at it.

Multi-talented folk musician Finbar Furey also threw his support behind Jimmy for securing a nomination - after revealing he was asked to run in the last Presidential election

"I've known him a long and he's a very clever and academic man who has a lot of ideals and is not afraid to share them. I think he deserves at the least, a shake of the whip.

"There was a few of us talking and I was asked to run in the last election but I said whoever runs has to have an academic mind and dedication for what is a lifetime job.

"I think the Irish people are clever enough to vote the right person in."

And friend Mary Coughlan has rowed in behind getting Jimmy a nomination.

Mary Coughlan

"This has gone like a bit of a circus now really, hasn't it and we're not a reality show.

Jimmy is probably the best of all the would-be candidates. His campaign is really getting traction and I'd love him to even have a shot at the live debates because he has a lot of incredible points to make.

He is campaigning for the arts as well as to re-enact articles 47 and 48 of the constitution which he says dictate that "if an elected representative is doing a bad job, we can sack them on the spot - we don't need to wait until the next election to get rid of them.

He also claims that the word citizen has been replaced by customer on many government departmental websites.

In true Jimmy Smyth style, his latest post on Facebook sees him singing his manifesto to the tune of Rock the Kasbah, replacing the lyrics with Rock the Aras.

Over the years, the Grammy-nominated star has worked with artists including Van Morrison, Tony Childs, Roger Dalrey, Curtis Steigers, Chaka Khan, Lisa Stansfield, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Mary Coughlan and Roger Daltrey as well as the National Concert and RTE Orchestras.

He was even notoriously mentioned on the Late Lunch Show when Gay Byrne described legendary Rory Gallagher as Ireland's best guitarist and the Donegal man replied that there was a better guitarist from Navan called Jimmy Smyth.
Amy Lewis highlights the measures taken in tackling crimes against Irelands wildlife and the need for more action.

Protecting the voiceless victims of wildlife crime is a constant battle.

The ongoing persecution of wildlife overseas is often highlighted but such incidences arent as far away from home as one might imagine. In fact, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Gardai face them each week.

In July, two men were charged before Portlaoise District Court for the trapping of protected wild goldfinches using bait and rat glue.

Meanwhile, an investigation is underway in Louth regarding the unlawful killing of two peregrine falcons nesting in the Cooley Mountains.

However, these and other known cases are only the tip of the iceberg.

Many cases go undiscovered because by their nature, theyre suspicious and secretive activities, says Dr Barry O Donoghue from the NPWS Agri-Ecology Unit.

The stakes are being raised to combat wildlife criminals and their increasingly sophisticated methods.

An Garda Siochana recently announced plans for a wildlife crime training course. Commencing in September, it will equip specially-appointed inspectors from each Garda division with tools to recognise and deal with wildlife crime.

Each inspector will work closely with their opposite number in the NPWS.

Information is key. We want to show [inspectors] what the main offences are and demonstrate how to deal with them and prosecute them in the District Court, says Kildare Superintendent Martin Walker, who previously led the Gardas anti-poaching investigation Operation Bambi alongside the NPWS.

Although the Wildlife Act is the principal legislation regarding wildlife crime, Supt Walker says prosecution powers within it are limited.

Through training, he hopes to encourage Gardai to think laterally about other legislation that relates to these cases.

A surreptitious nature is a common denominator among wildlife crimes but offences take many forms.

According to Supt Walker, the illegal hunting of deer at night using lamps or lurchers is common.

Indeed, the Irish Deer Commission recently reported a significant increase in deer poaching and badger baiting in the Midlands.

Thats particularly cruel. These animals release stress hormones and the meat isnt even fit for human consumption. Its just an absolute bloodlust, says Supt Walker.

Catching finches is widespread, as is hare poaching with hounds.

People are hunting hares across farmers land. Theyve no authority to be there, farmers are afraid and sometimes their livestock is getting injured, says Supt Walker, who says that poachers often use hunts as intelligence-gathering operations for farm theft.

Birds of prey are also regular targets. The RAPTOR (Recording and Addressing Persecution and Threats to Our Raptors) protocol is a collaborative approach between the NPWS, Regional Veterinary Laboratories and the State Laboratory to determine non-habitat related threats to birds of prey.

We needed a mechanism of investigating and recording incidents, as well as using that data to inform and provide intelligence for addressing these issues, says O Donoghue, who is a Project Investigator for RAPTOR.

The sixth and most recently published report showed that in 2016, there were 19 poisonings, six shootings and one incident involving a vehicle collision.

Common buzzards, red kites and peregrine falcons were the most highly-recorded victims.

Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland notes that peregrines are common targets.

While he says some crimes have been at the hand of pigeon-fanciers, he stresses that most people involved in this hobby wouldnt harm peregrines in any way.

Project Manager of the White-tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Project Dr Allan Mee adds that peregrine chicks are sometimes taken from the wild by those without a licence.

Buzzards are [also] being targeted because some see them as a threat to pheasants being released. Buzzards arent well-regarded by some gun clubs in parts of the country, continues Mee, stressing that generally, his team have a good relationship with gun clubs.

Buzzards were almost extinct in Ireland but now have spread across the country. Theres no earthly reason for anyone to persecute them, adds Hatch.

People are sometimes worried that theyre a threat to lambs but they couldnt kill a lamb in a million years. Theyre nothing but a benefit to a farm as they kill rats and rabbits.

The RAPTOR report notes that some poisoning incidents, particularly those involving buzzards, red kites and barn owls are the result of bio-accumulation i.e. birds ingesting rodents that have been poisoned with rodenticides.

These cases are considered secondary and unintentional.

Through spreading awareness, Mee has seen that this can be mitigated.

Of 14 confirmed poisoning cases of white-tailed sea eagles, since their reintroduction from Norway commenced in 2007, Mee says not one has taken place since 2015.

He credits this to awareness, education and working with landowners.

In the past when they were poisoned, it was largely because people werent aware that the birds were out there or of a change in their population.

Some other poisoning incidents are more sinister, such the illegal placing of poisoned meat baits.

According to O Donoghue, some have been laced with enough poison to kill a human if touched and accidentally ingested.

To tackle these crimes, its universally agreed that more education and public awareness is key.

A poisoned buzzard

We must engage with local communities so that they have someone they know and trust they can report something to, says O Donoghue.

The 2013 and 2015 Wildlife Crime Conferences organised by Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland have helped to spread awareness.

The organisation, who run the information website Wildlifecrime.ie, will hold a public Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference in Slane this October which includes talks on wildlife crime.

Additionally, Hatch says that more resources could help.

The NPWS needs to be much better resourced. Theyre doing great work but are struggling because they dont have the resources they need and deserve.

Supt Walker hopes that with the upcoming training, potential plans for a wildlife crime recording system and liaising with various stakeholders, wildlife crime nationwide will be minimised.

This can be aided with the cooperation of the public.

If aware of a suspected wildlife crime, they should report it to the Gardai and local NPWS ranger.

Supt Walker stresses that anyone who reports will have their anonymity fully respected.

www.wildlifecrime.ie/pages/Reporting.html
Network International, a leading payment solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa region, has announced that Alipay, one of the worlds largest online and mobile payment platforms, will be integrated as standard across all its N-Genius payment terminals starting October.

As the largest acquirer in the UAE, Network Internationals seamless support of Alipay will strengthen UAE merchants offering to the growing number of Chinese shoppers in the UAE.

Network International will act as both settlement partner (merchant acquirer) and solution provider for mobile-based transactions via Alipay at points of sale and for online purchases. The payment companys new N-Genius platform can facilitate multiple payment methods on just one device, so there is no need for merchants to invest in a separate machine to accept Alipay.

Paul Clarke, group head of product & innovation, Network International, said: We are delighted to confirm that starting October, Alipay, the preferred payment method for over 520 million Chinese shoppers, will be integrated as a standard across our entire UAE merchant network. Leveraging our N-Genius platform, our merchants and their Chinese clients can look forward to a quick, seamless and hassle-free payment experience.

The partnership between Alipay and Network International complements the UAEs commitment to extend its support to Chinese visitors and those working and doing business in the UAE. Todays announcement is aligned with Network Internationals mission to enable commerce in the region by introducing innovative payment technologies and solutions for easier, safer and secure payment transactions. - TradeArabia News Service
School is back, holidays are over but dont despair, wine is here to help you through.

I know there was another report from the puritans in the USA telling us that it is bad for us but so is just about everything except in moderation. A friend suggested praying was all that was left but what if you were unlucky in your choice of religion and there really is a vengeful god? Im sticking with food, wine and music  Im at Electric Picnic as you read this so do head to the Theatre of Food if you are at Electric Picnic (text your friends).

After such a warm summer it is easy to forget the chaos of the snow which had a surprising effect on wine-buying patterns. Often the only shop open was the local Spar, Mace or Londis and many ended up sold out of wine. Sales have continued strongly in the convenience sector as consumers realised they were getting wines of decent or good quality for fair prices.

BWG (which owns Spar, Londis, Mace) took a group of us to France to meet some of its suppliers (Boisset in Burgundy) recently, and I was quite impressed with the wines we got to taste. I recommend a couple below and will mention others as they arrive in stock.

September always sees lots of sales and promotions so keep your eyes peeled. The French Wine Sale at Dunnes Stores has a range of good- value wines, particularly from southern France. I like the Lauren Miquel range (Solas Viognier, Albarino, Claccson) and would also recommend the Picpoul de Pinet, Cotes de Gascogne and the Metz Pinot Blanc  all around 12. From the Bordeaux selection I liked the Chateau Bois Pertuis, the Chateau le Joyeux and the Chateau Guillou.

OBriens also has a sale which began yesterday and you will find reductions across the full range. Many of their most popular wines are reduced, often by 4 to 5. The excellent DArrys Grenache-Shiraz is reduced to 14 (from 23), Monte Real G Res Rioja is at half price at 17, M de Riscal Reserva is at 18 (from 24) and the early drinking Chateau Fourcas Hoston 2007 is at 19.95 (from 30). I recommend two of its better wines below and hope to recommend a couple of its new wines next weekend.

BEST VALUE UNDER 15

Fortant Saint-Chinian 2016, Languedoc,France  12.99

Stockists: Spar, EuroSpar, Londis, Mace

Saint-Chinian is one of the more consistent Languedoc regions with pure ripe fruity wines. The best is often from old vines grown on schist ataltitude as with this wine (lower down where limestone predominates you get softer blander wines). This has pleasing dark fruit aromas, supple and juicy on the palate with blackcurrants and smoky touches.

Fortant Minervois 2016, Languedoc,France  12.99

Stockists: Spar, EuroSpar, Londis, Mace

Minervois is the Languedocs third biggest AOP (after Corbieres andCoteaux du Langudoc) and there are a range of sites with different styles. Again I find wines from altitude often have an edge. This has rounded red and black fruit aromas and a soft juicy fruit-driven profile that is attractive and appetising. A suitable wine for a big bowl of cassoulet perhaps.

Laurent Miquel Kinsale 2017, Faugeres,France  12.50

Stockist: Dunnes Stores

Faugeres has a slate and schist-dominated terroir perfect for producing fruit-driven wines and is a name worth learning. From a Franco-Irish team whose wines I mention frequently this wine was new to me  a blend of syrah-grenache (80% to 20%) this has textured palate with cherries and good density and brightness. Quite a serious wine for such a low price.

BEST VALUE OVER 15

Cigalus 2016, IGP Aude,France  29.95

Stockist: OBriens This biodynamic wine is normally 39 so is well worth picking up at this price. It also ages well. I recently drank a delicious 2012 that could easily have been kept longer. Aromas of wild dark fruits tinged with herbs and flowers (thyme, heather)  packed with rich plum and blackberry fruits, complex, textured and delicious.

Ascheri Barolo 2014, Piedmont,Italy  25.95

Stockist: OBriens Another wine worth ageing. I recently drank an excellent 2009. Normally costing 36, this represents a saving of 10. Aromas of smoky red fruits with touches of tar and cold tea, lithely fruity and fresh with good complexity and textured taut fruits on the finish. These days the best Barolo costs 60 plus, if you can afford them, go for it. This suits me just fine.

Caves Saint Pierre Vacqueyras, S Rhone,France  16.99

Stockist: Spar, EuroSpar, Londis, Mace Vacqueyras is just to the northwest of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It ripens earlier and is often softer and more fruit driven than Giogndas or Chateauneuf-du-Pape and always much better value. This has cherry and ripe red and black fruit aromas, supple and juicy on the attack with good ripeness, pleasing supple fruits and a liquorice-tinged, dark-fruit finish.
The governments of the Five Eyes countries  the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand  have warned tech companies that they must voluntarily enable access to products sold in these five countries, else they will be forced to do so in cases deemed necessary.

The warning was contained in a Statement of Principles on Access to Evidence and Encryption and was part of a lengthy declaration issued after a meeting of ministers from the five countries in the Gold Coast on 28 and 29 August.

"The governments of the Five Eyes encourage information and communications technology service providers to voluntarily establish lawful access solutions to their products and services that they create or operate in our countries," the statement said.

"Governments should not favour a particular technology; instead, providers may create customised solutions, tailored to their individual system architectures that are capable of meeting lawful access requirements. Such solutions can be a constructive approach to current challenges.

"Should governments continue to encounter impediments to lawful access to information necessary to aid the protection of the citizens of our countries, we may pursue technological, enforcement, legislative or other measures to achieve lawful access solutions."

The Australian Government released a draft of a bill on 14 August, which includes similar language.

It left open the door for enforcement agencies to use specific cracks to gain access to encrypted communications on specific devices.

Representatives of technology companies were invited to last week's meeting but did not attend.

In the main communique issued after the meeting, the five governments said: "Encryption is vital to the digital economy, a secure cyberspace and the protection of personal, commercial and government information.

"The five countries have no interest or intention to weaken encryption mechanisms. We recognise, however, that encryption, including end-to-end encryption, is also used in the conduct of terrorist and criminal activities.

"The inability of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to lawfully access encrypted data and communications poses challenges to law enforcement agencies' efforts to protect our communities.

"Therefore, we agreed to the urgent need for law enforcement to gain targeted access to data, subject to strict safeguards, legal limitations, and respective domestic consultations."
A man in Asheville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for being in possession of child pornography which he obtained from a site on the dark web known as Playpen.

The US Justice Department said in a statement on 30 August that Carl Jack Hall, 51, would also have to be under supervision after his release and register as a sex offender.

The case stems from an investigation carried out by the FBI into Playpen which had more than 150,000 members, published tips for grooming children and avoiding law enforcement and included discussion forums.

About 200 cases have been filed across the US in relation to Playpen which the FBI gained control of 2015 and ran for a while.

During the 13 days that the FBI controlled it, its agents used what they describe as a "network investigative technique" to find out the real IP addresses of the people using the site.

Websites on the dark web are accessed using the Tor browser which masks a user's IP address and guarantee anonymity. Security experts have described the NIT used by the FBI as malware.

Two earlier cases were dropped, one when it was found that FBI would have to reveal classified information if the case continued, and a second when US Government investigators found that continuing with the case would force them to reveal the technological means by which they located the accused.

In the case of Hall, the statement said FBI agents had searched his home in July 2015 and found hundreds of images of children being sexually abused on his laptop which they had seized.

He was convicted of charges of possession and receipt of child pornography on 19 January.

Andrew Murray, US attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, praised the FBI for its work that had resulted in the arrest of at least 350 people in the US, and rescued 55 American children who had been subjected to sexual abuse.
Bank ABC and AFS (Arab Financial Services) announced that the 3rd Middle East & Africa FinTech Forum, the regions premier fintech conference, will be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Bahrain on February 20 and 21, 2019.



The forum, being held under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, brings together internationally renowned thought leaders, practitioners and innovators from the FinTech and artificial intelligence (AI) arenas to discuss a wide range of issues including the future of banking, potential impact of AI and how it will transform the future, open banking, crowdsourcing and financial inclusion.



Sael Al Waary, deputy Group CEO of Bank ABC and chairman of AFS, said: Banking is beyond disruption. Huge advances in digital capability, AI, and greater financial inclusion are changing the way we do banking. Our FinTech Forum will build upon the success of the past two years and focus on the key opportunities and challenges of Fintech and innovations.



The Forum will examine technologys impact on both banks and humans, as well as the evolution of the customer experience. We are witnessing massive growth in new AI-based solutions on our daily lives and a deeper understanding of these trends is critical to shape the future of the financial industry, he added.



The FinTech Forum also features the regions widest congregation of business leaders, FinTech entrepreneurs, policy makers and regulators, representatives of the investor community and some of the financial industrys largest organisations who discuss and promote the next generation of FinTech innovations in payments, Artificial Intelligence, open banking, Blockchain technology and more in a highly engaging format.



The last MEA FinTech Forum brought together leading and well regarded global experts and industry leaders in a highly engaging format of talks and discussions addressing the most pressing issues in the fast evolving FinTech landscape.



More than 450 delegates attended the Forum, including representatives from the central banks of Jordan, Egypt and Bahrain and 40 banks and financial institutions from the Mena region. The 2019 Forum is expected to be an even bigger event with wide representation from all industries across the region.  TradeArabia News Service
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Technical experts from the Lanxess Urethane Systems business unit will present the latest developments on low free (LF) isocyanate urethane systems for adhesives, sealants, and one component foams (OCF) at an upcoming event.



Specialty chemicals company Lanxess will attend FEICA Conference and Expo in Riga, Latvia, from September 12 to 14.



The company is a leading innovator in the development of low free (LF) isocyanate technology.



The FEICA Conference and Expo is firmly established as the leading event for the European adhesives and sealants industry, providing essential insights into the key issues affecting the industry, as well as excellent networking opportunities for formulators, customers and raw materials suppliers to discuss the latest trends, innovations, sustainability and technological advances.



On September 14, the Lanxess experts Ronald M Emanuel, Jr, senior scientist, Global Research and Development, Adhesives and Gerald King, head of Applications Development, Europe, will speak about Unique high performance low free (LF) isocyanate urethane prepolymers for adhesives, sealants, and one component foams, said a statement from the company.



The presentation will provide a deep insight into the low free (LF) isocyanate prepolymer chemistry, it said.



The focus of our development work is to broaden the range of prepolymers with very low free isocyanate content  a key lever to improved industrial hygiene and worker safety, explained King.



Furthermore, there will be a table top exhibition at the event for existing and new customers to meet and talk with Lanxess scientists about how, with Lanxesss LF technology and decades of expertise, a product can be customised to meet their needs.



Under the brand name Adiprene LF, unique low free isocyanate urethane prepolymers have been developed for use in adhesives, sealants, and one component foams. The LF technology creates prepolymers with < 0.1 percent free MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) and other isocyanates such as TDI (toluene diisocyanate), HDI (hexamethylene diisocyanate) or pPDI (p-phenylene diisocyanate), providing extraordinary industrial hygiene standards, excellent performance, and improved processing.



These prepolymers are particularly suited to address increasingly strict regulatory requirements and provide for final products with lower hazard classifications.



Adiprene LF prepolymers enable the formulators to streamline their manufacturing processes and  with the ability to modify LF prepolymer viscosity to be either high or low  a tailored low free isocyanate prepolymer can be supplied.



High viscosity LF prepolymers allow for the use of propellants within certain applications, while low viscosity LF prepolymers allow for minimizing or eliminating the use of solvents. By controlling the chemical structure, these prepolymers offer more consistent processing.  TradeArabia News Service
Abu Dhabi-based Central Motors and Equipment (CM&E) has announced the addition of Taurus tyres to its extensive portfolio of high-quality automotive products and parts.



CM&E, an automotive member of AlFahim, will offer the established European tyre-makers products to private motorists, company fleets and transport firms across Abu Dhabi and the UAE.



As the official distributor of Michelin tyres in Abu Dhabi, CM&E has been supplying motorists in the capital with the highest standards of service and best-in-class automotive parts for more than 30 years, said a statement from the company.



The addition of Taurus tyres to its inventory is part of CM&Es commitment to provide its customers with every option, from premium brands such as Michelin to affordable alternatives. Moreover, the premium features and attractive pricing of Taurus tyres means even more motorists will be able to experience CM&Es award-winning levels of service, it added.



Based in Hungary, Taurus has been making budget-friendly, high-quality tyres for more than a century. Its products meet strict European Union and regional quality regulations, combined with ultra-modern technologies and innovation.



Oussama Jlailati, Michelin brand manager of CM&E, said: Our company prides itself on being able to meet the priorities of its diverse clientele. We operate in a fast-paced and demanding auto market; hence, it is important to provide a range of options and products that suit a variety of needs.



Taurus tyres will allow us to further extend the range of high-quality automotive products we offer to our customers, he added.



Eric Savarit, business development manager at Taurus Middle East, said: We are delighted to partner with CM&E to bring our range of affordable high-performance and ultra-high-performance tyres for passenger cars to the UAE market.



The tyres are accessible to the budget-conscious driver while delivering safety, reliability and high performance. CM&E has a long history of excellence in the automotive industry and we look forward to working with its extensive network of customers and clients, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Bahrains Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced the issuance of the Regulation on Permitting, Installation, Upgrading and Maintenance of Public Radiocommunications Stations.



This regulation was developed in coordination with the Municipalities Affairs, Civil Aviation Affairs, Supreme Council for the Environment, General Directorate of Civil Defence and other concerned government entities.



Each of the stakeholders established its criteria and conditions that the telecom operators shall consider in order to allow TRA to issue the final permits to deploy the Public Radiocommunications Stations (PRSs).



This Regulation aims to regulate the PRSs situation in the Kingdom by applying the requirements and conditions stipulated in the Regulation when designing, deploying, development and maintenance of PRSs according to Decree No. 48 of 2002 (Telecommunications Law) and the Prime Ministerial Decision No. 45 of 2015 as well as the laws, regulations and technical policies related to health, safety and design issued by the Government of Bahrain.



According to this regulation, TRA will be the point of contact between the telecommunications network operators and the concerned entities to ensure that the policies and procedures related to designing, deploying, development and maintenance of PRSs are unified, the emission of the electromagnetic fields are within the agreed thresholds to protect the public safety and environment and the procedures for choosing the locations to deploy the PRSs are transparent with the public.



Based on this regulation, the areas in Bahrain are categorized into zoning where each zone is linked to specific types of PRSs allowed to be deployed in each zone, provided that the public and the concerned entities are notified and consulted before deploying PRSs.



The regulation also aims to rectify the unpermitted existing PRSs as well as to ensure that there is no unnecessary multiplicity of the infrastructure and facilities of PRSs by encouraging the sharing of PRSs between operators.



Prior to the issuance of the provisions of the Prime Ministerial Decision No. 45 of 2015, the deployment of the PRSs was not clearly, not comprehensively regulated. As part of TRAs keenness to fulfil and achieve the tasks entrusted to it through the Decision 45, TRA developed this Regulation in coordination with the concerned government entities to regulate the PRSs situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as it will engage the public in choosing the locations to deploy the PRSs, said Mohammed Alnoaimi, TRAs technical & operations director.



This will give confidence to the public that the PRSs deployment is being regulated and monitored. The issuance of this Regulation will also enable TRA to commence rectification of the unpermitted PRSs situation, he added. - TradeArabia News Service
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Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP)  US President Donald Trumps swingeing cuts to aid for Palestinians will advance Israels interests but risk compromising a US-led peace push and raise tensions in the Middle East, analysts and diplomats said Saturday.

The US administration announced Friday it would no longer provide any funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), a week after cutting over $200 million (170 million euros) in separate aid to Palestinians.

They were the latest in a series of controversial moves by the Trump administration that have thrilled Israels government but caused shock and dismay among international powers and Palestinians, making their dream of an independent state more distant than ever.

The cuts come as the international community seeks to reach an agreement to deliver significant humanitarian aid to the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip, where most residents rely on external handouts.

The US has long been the largest single donor to UNRWA, providing more than $350 million a year.

The agency provides support to Palestinians who fled their homes in the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel, as well as their descendants.

Israel and the US object to the fact that Palestinians can pass refugee status to their children, and want the number of refugees covered by UNRWA to be sharply reduced.

The Palestinians accuse the US of blatant bias and of seeking to strip them of their rights.

A week earlier, the US government ended Palestinian funding by USAID, which amounted to more than $200 million a year.

In December, the US recognised Jerusalem as Israels capital, breaking decades of international consensus that the status of the disputed city should be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians.



AFP / MAHMUD HAMS. Palestinian refugees chat at the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018.

The May opening of the US embassy in the city triggered Palestinian protests that saw dozens of demonstrators in Gaza shot dead by Israeli forces.

A European diplomat said Saturday the US moves, taken in conjunction with an American pledge to veto any motions criticising Israel at the UN Security Council, were emboldening Israels government, considered the most right-wing in the countrys history.

Israel is increasingly convinced it has a free hand to accelerate settlement growth and even advocate for annexing parts of the West Bank, the diplomat said.

Alan Baker, a former Israeli diplomat-turned-analyst, said the government would be thrilled by the aid cuts.

The UNRWA thing is very logical as it has become an anachronistic organisation  maintaining the refugee status rather than trying to solve it.

 No leverage with Palestinians 

Baker said the aim of the cuts was also to force the Palestinians back to the negotiating table, though others said that was unlikely.

Trumps team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, has been pushing for what the US leader has called the ultimate deal, but the Palestinians have boycotted his administration since its Jerusalem announcement.

The cuts mean the US is providing very little aid to Palestinians, and another European diplomat said the move weakened Trumps hand.

When you have no money left to threaten them with, you have reduced your leverage, he said.

Palestinian economist Nasser Abdel Kareem told AFP the cuts would hurt Palestinians but have little impact on the government.

Unlike some European states, the US does not provide direct budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority.



AFP / MAHMUD HAMS. Palestinian refugee children play in a street of the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018.

The only part of US funding that goes directly to the PA - for security coordination with Israel - was not cut.

The cut will not harm the treasury of the Palestinian Authority, Kareem told AFP.

Nadia Hijab, president of the Palestinian think tank Al-Shabaka, said returning to negotiations would be extremely unpopular among Palestinians.

But she fears that with full US support, Israel will have free reign to increase settlement growth.

If the PA goes back and talks to the Americans it is giving them a green light to do whatever they want to do, and if they dont go back, they are going to do what they want to do, she said.

At the moment it is a lose-lose situation.

Hugh Lovatt, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, agreed.

If anything, the Palestinians will now double down on their current approach, which is to boycott the US administration and attack the yet-to-be unveiled US peace plan, he said.

 Regional fears 

Hijab and many Palestinians do not believe the US is seeking to get the Palestinian leadership back to the table.

Instead, she said, they believe the US is trying to help Israel end the conflict on its terms and legalise its occupation.



AFP / MAHMUD HAMS. Palestinian refugees sit near computers at the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018.

That would mean stripping refugees across the region of their rights, specifically the idea they could one day return to historic Palestine.

In both Jordan and Lebanon, Palestinian refugees have fewer rights than citizens and rely on UNRWA services for education, healthcare and other basic services.

In Gaza, run by the Islamist movement Hamas, the majority of the two million residents are refugees, meaning the UNRWA cuts will hit particularly hard.

Job losses for a few hundred of the agencys staff have already sparked major protests.

The Gaza Strip suffers from desperate poverty and is largely sealed off by both Israel and its other land neighbour, Egypt.

Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.

Some in the Israeli security services quietly express concern that immediate cuts to UNRWA could increase tensions with Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.
Dubai Customs has launched a new sophisticated smart inspection device that features 3D CT scanning as part of its incessant efforts to keep abreast with the latest technologies in this field today.



Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, executive director of Clients Management Division launched the new device at Um Al Rumoul post office in the presence of a number of heads of customs departments and centres in Dubai Customs.



The advanced technology incorporated in this new device will be a turning point in the inspection field and will significantly support Dubai Customs inspection officers in their work. There are 944 inspection systems used in Dubai Customs: 6 container scanning systems, 24 small shipment scanning systems, 23 drug and explosives detectors, 4 big shipments scanning systems, and 700 radioactivity detectors, plus 187 communication devices Al Khaja explained.



Al Khaja added: This supports our vision of becoming the leading customs administration in the world supporting legitimate trade, and our mission of protecting the society and sustaining economic development through compliance, facilitation and Innovation. For that we dedicated AED 79m between 2018 and 2021 to purchase and develop new systems.



Adel Al Suwaidi, director of Technical Support Department pointed out the new smart inspection device is the first of its kind in the Middle East and the second in the world.



Humaid Al Rashid, director of Air Customs Centre Management at Dubai Customs said the new system will considerably enhance inspection performance and will enable inspection officers do their job more efficiently.



Dubai Customs inspection officers made 1,628 drug seizures in 2017 compared to 1,347 seizures in 2016.  TradeArabia News Service
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Riyadh (AFP)  A Saudi official hinted Friday the kingdom was moving forward with a plan to dig a canal that would turn the neighbouring Qatari peninsula into an island, amid a diplomatic feud between the Gulf nations.

I am impatiently waiting for details on the implementation of the Salwa island project, a great, historic project that will change the geography of the region, Saud al-Qahtani, a senior adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said on Twitter.

The plan, which would physically separate the Qatari peninsula from the Saudi mainland, is the latest stress point in a highly fractious 14-month long dispute between the two states.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and being too close to Riyadhs archrival, Iran  charges Doha denies.

In April, the pro-government Sabq news website reported government plans to build a channel - 60 kilometres (38 miles) long and 200 metres wide - stretching across the kingdoms border with Qatar.

Part of the canal, which would cost up to 2.8 billion riyals ($750 million), would be reserved for a planned nuclear waste facility, it said.

Five unnamed companies that specialise in digging canals had been invited to bid for the project and the winner will be announced in September, Makkah newspaper reported in June.

Saudi authorities did not respond to requests for comment and there was no immediate reaction on the plan from Qatar.

After the dispute erupted last year, Qatar  a small peninsula nation  found its only land border closed, its state-owned airline barred from using its neighbours airspace, and Qatari residents expelled from the boycotting countries.

Mediation efforts led by Kuwait and the US, which has its largest Middle East air base in Qatar, have so far failed to resolve the dispute.

Featured Photo: AFP/File / KARIM JAAFAR. The Saudi plan, which would physically separate the Qatari peninsula from the Saudi mainland, is the latest stress point in a highly fractious 14-month long dispute between the two states.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Cable television news shows and perhaps social media as well are misleading us by concentrating on personalities instead of issues, and the funeral of Sen. John McCain was more of the same. I was once in the same room with John McCain at a DC think tank meeting, and on the same side as he on an issue. I cant say I knew him, but clearly he was a great man, and I was moved by the eulogies at his funeral.

That isnt the point. The really big problems that the United States faces are not a matter of personality. They are structural. On structural matters, McCain voted with Trump 83% of the time.

McCain was the third generation of naval officers and he married an heiress worth $120 million. He was part of the American elite in an uncomplicated way, and he often contributed to our structural problems.

The personal is about who exactly builds the foundation of your house. The structural is whether your house is about to fall down because it was badly made.

The biggest challenge facing the United States is the climate crisis. McCain, unlike Trump, was not a climate denialist, but he also wanted to undo the ban on offshore oil drilling and generally sided with the fossil fuel industry. He promoted green energy as well, but an all of above energy policy such as his is inevitably high-carbon and bad for our climate.

Another huge issue threatening our democracy is the concentration of the national wealth in fewer and fewer hands. The top one percent are taking home 20% of the wealth we generate every year. McCain was fine with Trumps tax giveaway to the rich, which will mean cuts in government services and thus represent a massive transfer of wealth from workers to the super-rich.

One reason for the concentration of wealth in ever fewer hands is that workers collective bargaining rights have been knee-capped by right wing social policy. McCain was anti-union.

We have a crisis of health care insurance in this country, which Trump is trying to worsen by destroying the ACA with a thousand cuts. McCain was against Obamacare to begin with. It is true that he temporarily interfered in Trumps ongoing attempt to destroy the Affordable Care Act, but philosophically McCain did not like it and did not vote for it when it was introduced.

Since 9/11, weve developed a Forever War syndrome and few can remember that in 1995 we werent actively war-fighting anywhere. We have big ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and are backing the Saudis in Yemen. McCain came to regret cheerleading for the Iraq War, but he remained till the end a proponent of the constant exercise of US military power abroad.

Although his interventionism was often in the name of human rights, McCain had the same blindspots as other US politicians. One 2015 headline said, McCain outraged at idea of Palestinian state.

Of course, on many policy issues, including campaign finance reform, torture, civil rights and immigration, McCain took admirable stances. He complained about Abdel Fattah al-Sisi taking Egypt backwards on human rights. But on the above most pressing structural problems, he tacked with the same wind as the rest of Americas business elite. That doesnt mean he wasnt a hero or wasnt a great guy. It means that politics isnt only about personalities, and cable news contrives to instill false consciousness when it focuses on them instead of on policy, issues, and the questions of class and wealth distribution. But then, the CEOs of cable news are representing the same business classes for whom right wing social policy has been crafted.



Bonus video:

USA Today: Meghan McCains full eulogy of her father, Senator John S. McCain
Britain on Sunday welcomed results of an investigation by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen into an air strike last month that killed 40 children, but urged clarifications on other deadly operations.

The Saudi-led coalition on Saturday said mistakes had been made in the August 9 strike on a crowded marketplace in a part of northern Yemen held by Huthi rebels that the Red Cross said had killed 51 people.

The incident sparked a wave of international anger and calls by the United Nations Security Council for a credible and transparent investigation.

We welcome the speed of the investigation into the incident of 9 August, and the coalitions announcement of regret and action to address the recommendations of that investigation, said the British Foreign Office.

We are reviewing the investigations conclusions, it added.

The coalition had claimed to have targeted a bus carrying rebels.

Separately on Sunday, the US State Department called the Saudi-led coalitions investigation into the August 9 attack an important first step toward full transparency and accountability.

Britain, however, asked the coalition to provide information on two other deadly incidents.

It welcomed the opening of a separate investigation into air strikes on August 23 south of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida that killed 26 children and four women.

(We) encourage the publication of the outcomes of this investigation as soon as possible, it said.

It also urged clarification of the circumstances around the incident of 2 August, when explosions in the rebel-held port city of Hodeida killed at least 55 people.

Britain had serious concern at the tragic loss of life in Yemen over the last month, violence it said killed 400 Yemenis in the first two weeks of August alone.

UN investigators said Tuesday that all sides in Yemens conflict may have committed war crimes, highlighting deadly air strikes, rampant sexual violence and the recruitment of young children as soldiers.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Huthis ousted President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadis government from the capital Sanaa and seized swathes of the country.

The devastating conflict has since left nearly 10,000 people dead and sparked what the UN has described as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.
Workers in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) have the worst cybersecurity discipline in the world and displaying signs of security fatigue, according to a study by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.



Conducted to understand how the digital workplace is impacting businesses, the study of 2,650 employees across EMEA threw up some key security based trends:



 Cybersecurity is an afterthought: Over half (55 per cent) of EMEA employees are not regularly thinking about cyber security, with nearly a fifth (17 per cent) not thinking about it at all. In contrast, global counterparts in Asia and the Americas think about cybersecurity on a far more regular basis (61 per cent and 51 per cent respectively think about it often or daily).



 Legislation isnt a deterrent: EMEA employees were more aware of the dangers of a security breach. When asked, 42 per cent understood that data loss brought legal ramifications, higher than both the Americas (36 per cent) and Asia (27 per cent). However, the study shows despite this, a quarter (26 per cent) still dont believe cybersecurity is important to them. Combined with the fact that the use of security software is lower in EMEA (48 per cent) than other regions, there are clear signs that security warnings are not being acknowledged by the workforce.



 Lack of responsibility: EMEA may simply be assuming less responsibility for IT security than those in other regions. Over a third (36 per cent) of employees in EMEA dont believe cyber security is their problem, with many thinking its for the leadership team (10 per cent) or the IT team (26 per cent) to manage.



Morten Illum, VP EMEA at Aruba, said this attitude could be due to security fatigue brought on by over-exposure to security rules with little technical assistance.



Employees in EMEA have been inundated with security messaging through their organizations, as well as the media. Clearly giving further warnings and adding procedures isnt having the desired effect. If employees understand the risks, but arent acting on it, the answer is not to provide yet more training, but to bring in enhanced technology that can provide the assistance and the protection workers need to do their jobs, he added.



A CARTA approach to security



An autonomous approach to security is increasingly becoming more of an imperative as mobile and remote working is becoming the norm. In EMEA, the amount of employees working in remote or shared locations is now at 53 per cent, according to Arubas study.



This new paradigm creates the need for smart digital workplaces that deliver secure and reliable, optimised and personalised experiences that will foster employee creativity, collaboration, and speed, without clunky security systems causing barriers.



To succeed, Gartner has recommended a Continuous Adaptive Risk and Trust Assessment (CARTA) approach to security which leans heavily on AI, Analytics and Automation to embrace the opportunities and manage the risks of digital business. This leads to a more productive and more motivated employee, with a greater sense of job satisfaction.  TradeArabia News Service
World Franchise Associates has announced the signing of an agreement to exclusively represent easyHotel for development opportunities in the UK, Continental Europe and the Middle East.



World Franchise Associates expertly assists franchisors to enter new international markets and provide international franchise advisory services to corporate and private investors who wish to expand their franchise portfolios or enter the franchise market.



EasyHotel is the owner, developer and franchisor of super-budget hotels. There are 28 hotels open today with a pipeline of 22 hotels under development in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.



Paul Cairnie, chief executive officer, World Franchise Associates, said: EasyHotel is an exceptional brand for investors as it builds upon the already successful Easy group of brands. It offers many unique benefits including excellent returns and a stable cash flow, a trusted truly international brand, direct distribution via easyHotel.com, trading in the fastest growing 'super budget' sector and more.



EasyHotel offers a comprehensive programme for master franchisees including full training and support. - TradeArabia News Service
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Ive been river rafting just one time in my life. We paid for a guided trip down Idahos famous River of No Return  the Salmon, and spent the day traveling stretches of rapids and stretches of calm. It was exhilarating enough for a newbie but not enough to ever feel like my life or livelihood was seriously at risk.

But Ive also seen that same river at flood stage, and it is downright scary looking. There is simply too much water in the riverbanks going too fast, too many rocks underneath shaping the rapids, and too much uncertainty about which way your raft might go. Even an experienced guide who has shot Class VI rapids might not have the skill or strength to ensure the passengers of their raft would make it through at that stage.

In many ways, this is where doctors, other medical providers and, sometimes, even clinic administrators are at right now. The rapid pace of change in the health care industry is so volatile, so uncertain, so complex that it has created Class VI monsters ready to swallow doctors whole. In the past, this river used to have some dangerous places that could be anticipated and planned for, followed by smooth waters to recover in before the next rough patch. But no more  its just one giant raging tumbler after another.

Unfortunately, many physicians think of themselves as failures for being unable to paddle hard enough.

Thinking about the last 10 to 15 years of change in this industry, does anybody expect it to get slower, calmer or more predictable any time soon? Hardly. No wonder physicians are just flat out exhausted. If the river current is the pace of change in industry, then the banks are the medical culture this river runs between. This long-established culture can contribute just as much to the occupational hazards physicians face  for example:

Pathological altruism (patient needs always come first) and its corollary, the lack of self-care as an occupational ethical baseline. We know the Coast Guard would never let anybody on an ocean-going rescue vessel without a life jacket.

(patient needs always come first) and its corollary, the lack of self-care as an occupational ethical baseline. We know the Coast Guard would never let anybody on an ocean-going rescue vessel without a life jacket. Shame and invulnerability. Never show your weakness  it can get you sued, fired or shipped off to an out of state evaluation facility.

Never show your weakness  it can get you sued, fired or shipped off to an out of state evaluation facility. Evidenced-based everything. The scientific method simply cannot be applied to every situation, especially human interactions and emotional health. Overmeasurement and documentation is the bane of a physicians existence right now.

Is there any hope of changing the stubborn banks of this river, removing some boulders or adjusting deadly vortexes?

I say: yes.

In fact, if there is any time in history to do this, it is precisely when there is a lot of water in the riverbed. Now is the time to identify the perennial eddies and the hazards that capsize or waylay physician careers and personalities; to put effort into the way medicine is taught, modeled and reinforced  to demand change from health care systems and employers and not settle just for safety-nets in front of the waterfalls.

Medical education is a great place to begin, and Im intrigued by some of the ideas the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine is implementing as it starts its first class this fall. This summer, I took a tour of the shiny, new facility with Dean Robert Hasty, DO, who proudly showed off the student nursing mothers lactation rooms where they can still watch lectures and the unified faculty-student lounges to promote more interaction. Theyre even planning to close the building before midnight in the hopes that students can learn to get more sleep. As Dr. Hasty has told me, I cant force them to sleep when theyre off campus, but I can keep them from staying on campus to study all night.

I appreciate that sentiment from one of the new river guides in our medical community. We need enlightened leaders who are as much or more devoted to the peak performance of the individuals who make up the organization than the peak performance of the organization itself, believing they will accomplish the latter if they first focus on the former. And while ICOMs ideas on this particular issue are a great start, it will only make a lasting difference if self-care and permission to be human is supported by the faculty, the mentors, the preceptors, the attending physicians they round with and, ultimately, the institutions they work for.

I challenge you to look at the current of change in this river as an opportunity to reshape the culture of medicine so that it isnt so dangerous and deadly. We will always need to teach individual survival skills and institute safety-net programs like physician wellness and counseling programs. But while we cant paddle back upstream to the old way of practicing medicine, we do need to do a much better job working to make this a safer river to be on in the first place. The old mantra of well, thats what I had to go through and the new mantra of we need to teach doctors the joy of working hard rings hollow. This isnt about getting soft on students, residents, or physicians  this is about making sure we have any doctors left when we all need geriatric care.

Steven Reames is executive director, Ada County Medical Society.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Castlecomer came together last week to host a presentation to the Bank of Ireland Enterprising Town judging panel. The theme was reinvention and new beginnings in Castlecomer.

Many of the towns small businesses turned out at the beautiful Creamery House to showcase their products and services to the judges. The judges were accompanied by local auctioneer Fonsie Mealy who introduced them to the local businesses and also performed the role of master of ceremonies.

Visitor Destination

This was then followed by a presentation to the judges and assembled dignitaries by Kathy Purcell and Billy Moran. This highlighted Castlecomers journey from coal mining to industry to its new beginning in tourism and as a visitor destination.

The Jewel in The Crown the Discovery Park was much highlighted and the judges were enthralled by the visitor numbers and the range of attractions and activities now available there and how it has evolved into a major visitor destination.

The level of new investment in the town was highlighted and in particular the Creamery House, Avalon Hotel and the new industry occupying the former textile mills factory. The theme was very much the community interacting with business and public bodies to improve the local economy.

This was followed by a question and answer section where the judges went into further detail on the presentation.

The judges were then brought on a tour of Castlecomer visiting the main community and business centres in the town and culminating with a tour of the Discovery Park.

They were accompanied by local authority officials, community representatives, business representatives, and elected members of Kilkenny County Council.

For the final wrap-up the judges had afternoon tea in the Creamery House with all the trimmings.

The judging panel was made up of ex local Authority Officials and Reps from Bank of Ireland. A great debt of gratitude is due to the organising committee for their hard work and dedication.






"The United States currently provides nearly $4 billion in mostly military annual aid to Israel."

"As it readies its peace plan, now 18 months in the making with no release date in sight, the White House is seeking to take the right of return off the table, as Trump has said he eliminated the future of the contested city of Jerusalem from negotiations late last year when he recognized it as the capital of Israel.

Ever since the Jerusalem decision, the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to meet with White House aides Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt and others working on the plan. While they have released no details, U.S. officials have indicated the plan is likely to include infusions of development aid, particularly to Hamas-controlled Gaza.

The goal, officials have said, is both to woo Palestinians away from Hamas, by appealing to their desire for better lives amid seemingly endless strife and deprivation under terrorist leaders, and to make it more difficult for Abbas, a Hamas rival, to continue to rebuff U.S. overtures." washpost

-------------

IMO the United States is intent on bullying and intimidating the Palestinians, all of them, into accepting an eternal status as helots existing in second or third class status in a Greater Israel.

Our cancellation of direct US assistance to the Palestinians and our Nikki run move to deprive Palestinians of their UN status as people driven from their homeland into exile are programmatic steps by the US and Trump to make the Palestinians subjects of Israel.

At the same time, Trump, IMO cares nothing for either group and is only seeking fulfillment of his egotistical vision of himself as "the Greatest President."

Amusingly, McCain, trump's rival in egotism has probably stolen from him the possibility of a future imperial funeral. pl

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-to-end-us-funding-to-un-program-for-palestinian-refugees/2018/08/30/009d9bc6-ac64-11e8-b1da-ff7faa680710_story.html?utm_term=.99b7620f56ff






Russia, China and Mongolia will this year take part in a large, joint military operation dubbed "Vostok-2018".

According to the Moscow Times, Russia is sending 300,000 military personnel as well as 1,000 aircraft and two naval fleets to the exercise. China is sending 3,200 troops, along with aircraft, and 900 pieces of military hardware, reports Xinhua. Mongolia's contribution to the event is unknown, according to the BBC.

Xinhua reports that the Chinese and Russian cooperation in the event is being hailed as proof of expanded ties between the two countries. (Next Animation via Reuters)








By Jun Ji-hye







BERLIN  Harman, an American car infotainment and audio company acquired by Samsung Electronics, showcased diverse lifestyle audio products equipped with smart technologies during Europe's largest show for consumer electronics and home appliances, which began Friday for a six-day run in Berlin.







Using a 2,000-square-meter booth at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) Berlin under the theme of "Designing a Connected Experience," Harman displayed products in the areas of potable audio, connected home, headphones and aftermarket car audio.







The company showcased speakers for parties taking place at open-air locations, allowing visitors to try out the products for themselves.







Samsung Electronics acquired Harman, well-known for its premium audio brand Harman Kardon, in March last year in an $8 billion deal.







Following the acquisition, the two companies have been collaborating on mobile products including the AKG headphones bundled with certain Samsung mobile phones and tablets tuned by AKG as well as professional systems for cinemas with the JBL Professional brand.







In August, Samsung also announced the release of two co-branded premium soundbars  the HW-N950 and HW-N850  in collaboration with Harman Kardon.







During the IFA, Harman introduced the Citation Series, a smart and configurable home audio speaker system delivering remarkable audio quality with cutting-edge technologies including Google Assistant and a high-resolution LCD touch screen.







The company said the Citation Series represent the next generation of home speakers.







The firm also introduced the Enchant soundbar series, equipped with MultiBeam technology, offering a truly groundbreaking way for consumers to enjoy a surround experience without the need for additional speakers or equipment.







The JBL TUNE500 wired and JBL TUNE500BT wireless headphones are the perfect grab-and-go headphones, the firm said, noting that the products satisfy three crucial factors for headphones  convenience, sound and simplicity.







Whether listening to soothing tunes to concentrate at work, chilling on the couch enjoying the latest jams or commuting into the city, these headphones provide dynamic JBL sound for everyday use, the firm added.







"Epic JBL sound, convenience and functionality  it's the perfect recipe for what the casual music-seeker wants in headphones," said Pascal van Laer, vice president and general manager, headphones and wearables at Harman. "The JBL TUNE Series is the answer for great sounding headphones at a reasonable price."






By TCN News:

For the first time in India the Haj pilgrims were welcomed by people from different faiths.

Today morning when the flight from Jeddah carrying the Haj pilgrims arrived at the Kolkata International airport the Hajis were given a warm welcome by not just the people from the State Haj Committee but also 5 members from the All Faith Forum.

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Along with Mr. Firhad Hakim, Minister for Urban Development, Mr.Nadimul Haque (MP and Chairman West Bengal State Haj Committe ) and Mr Ahmed Hasan Imran (MP ), Dr Arunjyoti Bhikku ,Baljeet Singh Grewal , M.A. Ali , Moulana Meher Abbas Rizvi and Sheharyar Ali Mirza from the All faith forum were present at the airport.

This gesture is the first of its kind and will develop feelings of harmony between people of different faiths, said the Secretary of the forum M A Ali.

This is the first flight of the Hajis to land in India from Jeddah.
Nicosia [Cyprus], Sept 2 (ANI): Lauding the Indian diaspora for their contributions to the country, President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday termed the community as true cultural ambassadors.

Addressing the Indian community here, President Kovind said, "The relations of India and Cyprus have been traditionally close and friendly. India and Cyprus had mutually supported each other's independence movements and after obtaining freedom, we helped each other to progress as a nation. The culture of Cyprus resembles the ancient culture of India."

He added, "In order to make our international presence more stronger, the Indian community play a crucial role in our lives. All of us have contributed to spreading the message of India's role in the world."

Invoking former Army Chief of Staff KS Thimayya, the President said that he had sacrificed his life in Cyprus in 1965. He also expressed his gratitude to the Cyprus government for renaming the street stretching from Larnaca to Nicosia after him.

He underscored that the people residing in India and those living abroad share cultural, emotional, economic and institutional relations, which has become stronger over the years.

"On October 2, Gandhi Jayanti would be celebrated around the world. This would be his 150th birth anniversary and ceremonies would be held. I hope that Cyprus would be among those who would be participating in these celebrations. All of you should help us in reaching Gandhi ji's message and philosophy across the world. Archbishop Makarios (first Cyprus president) had also a sense of high respect for Mahatma Gandhi," President Kovind continued.

The President also highlighted the central government's various initiatives such as 'Digital India', 'Make in India' and 'Start-up India', saying how it benefitted the people. He also apprised that India has now become the fastest growing economy in the world, having achieved a growth rate of 8.2 percent.

President Kovind underlined that India's international relations are cordial while also inviting the Indian diaspora to come and invest in the country.

"We have directed our high commissions and embassies to assist the people, where they can avail help 24*7. In the last few years, our government has taken a lot of steps to reach out to the Indian diaspora," the President further said.

Earlier in the day, President Kovind and First Lady Savita Kovind arrived in Cyprus for the first leg of their three-nation visit. Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, Georgios Lakkotrypis received them at Larnaca International Airport.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), President Kovind is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament (MPs) Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several officials.

President Kovind is scheduled to hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral relations between India and Cyprus. He will also meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris.

President Kovind is also expected to address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. This is the first visit by a President to Cyprus after nine years. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
United Nations, Sep 2 (AFP) United Nations chief Antonio Guterres Saturday called for an end to violence in Libya in accordance with a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement.

According to a health ministry toll at least 39 people have been killed and some 100 injured in five days of clashes among rival militias, which broke out Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli.

"The Secretary-General condemns the continued escalation of violence in and around Libya's capital and, in particular, the use by armed groups of indiscriminate shelling leading to the death and injury of civilians, including children," a statement from Guterres' office said.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and abide by the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations and the Reconciliation Committees."

In a joint statement Britain, France, Italy and the United States have said they "warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya that they will be held accountable for any such actions."

The Libyan capital has been at the center of a battle for influence between armed groups since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. (AFP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pune, September 2: In the latest development in Bhima Koregaon Violence case, the Pune Sessions court will hear the bail application of accused Surendra Gadling and Shoma Sen's bail application on September 6. The application for shifting them from Yerwada jail to any other jail will also be heard along with the bail plea on the same day.

According to reports, the application to shift the accused was moved by jail authorities. They have mentioned overcrowding and security issues in Yerwada Jail as the reasons for the transfer of the accused. Earlier in the day, the court has granted a 90-day extension to Pune Police to file chargesheet in a case registered against five accused Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence which took place on January 1, this year.

The police arrested the activists on June 6 and booked them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The accused organised the Elgar Parishad on December 31-January 1 in Bhima-Koregaon, which led to violent clashes between a section of Dalit and Maratha communities. Five more activists were arrested on August 28 in raids which were conducted across five states.

The Police claimed that the activists have links with Naxals and were planning Rajiv Gandhi like assassination to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The activists arrested on August 28 are lawyer and trade union activist Sudha Bhardwaj, poet P Varavara Rao, activist Gautam Navlakha, and lawyers Arun Pereira and Vernon Gonsalves.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2018 01:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, Sep 2: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe, spanning over eight days. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the President is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several officials.

On the first leg of his journey, President Kovind will be visiting Cyprus, where he will hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral ties.

Furthermore, President Kovind will meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris. He will address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus and address members of the Indian Diaspora there.

Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of over USD 9.2 billion. There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in the past couple of years, and President Kovind's visit is expected to further strengthen the economic ties.

From Cyprus, President Kovind will proceed to Bulgaria on September 4, where he is scheduled to meet Bulgarian President Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

He will also address a business forum in Bulgaria and deliver a lecture at the Sofia University. At present, India-Bulgaria annual trade stands at USD 315 million.

On the last leg of the journey, President Kovind will visit the Czech Republic from September 6 to 9, where he will hold a discussion on issues of mutual concern with Czech President Milos Zeman. President Kovind will also address business representatives from the two countries and interact with students at the Charles University.
New Delhi, Sep 2: A Nigerian national was arrested for allegedly peddling drugs, while eight people from Africa were arrested for staying illegally in India, the police said today. Acting on a tip off, the hideouts of the Africans was traced following which a police team raided a multi-storey building in Qutub Vihar in Goyala Dairy on Friday, said police. During the search, the wanted Nigerian national, Ugochukwv John (28), was apprehended from his flat in Qutub Vihar and 100 grams of heroin, worth Rs 20 lakh in the international market, was seized from his possession. Subsequently, a case was registered and the accused was arrested, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajith Shingla said. On raiding other flats in the same building, some more African people were found staying there. Nigerian Woman Sells Her 6-Week-Old Baby to Buy a Cell Phone.

On verification, eight Africans, including two women, were found staying in India illegally without any valid visa or passport. Subsequently, they were also arrested, the senior officer said. The accused were identified as Ibrahim Bakayoka (27), Anselem Chibuko (27), Everistus (37), Anthony (31), Anayo (27), Emmanuel (35), Joy (23) and Mimi (23), police said. The proceedings for their deportation to native country have been initiated, he added. John disclosed to police that he had come to India in October 2012 on a business visa for six months and did not return back to Nigeria after his visa expired, the officer said.

During this period, John visited Delhi, Goa, Mumbai and Chennai multiple times and started a garment business. He started exporting garments to Nigeria from Chennai and Mumbai. But his business was not making profit. So, he began supplying drugs to make easy money, Shingla said. Soon, he developed a good interstate network spanning across the northern states of India, he added.

The accused Africans have revealed that they had come to India on business and student visas and did not return to their native countries after their visas expired and continued to stay in India illegally, the senior officer said. Raids are being conducted to nab other members of illegal drugs syndicate. Proceedings for deportation of illegally staying Africans were in progress and action against the owner of the property will be initiated for abetting the crime and not getting proper tenant verification, the officer added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beirut, Sep 2: Explosions rocked a Syrian military airport near the capital Damascus late Saturday, with an NGO saying it was a "possible Israeli missile" but state media blaming a technical issue at a munitions depot.

The military airport of Mazze, in the west suburbs of Damascus, was hit by a "possible Israeli missile, which hit a munitions store setting off successive explosions," the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdel Rahmane told AFP.

The airport houses Syrian Air Force intelligence, and in early 2017 the Syrian regime accused neighbouring Israel of bombing the base. A Syrian military source said that "the Mazze airport was not the target of Israeli aggression," according to a Saturday report by the official Sana news agency.

Air Strike Kills 10 Civilians in Northeast Syria

"The explosions heard were due to an explosion at a munitions deposit close to the airport which was due to an electrical short circuit," the source said. Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.

Earlier this week, Israel reiterated its threat to hit Iranian military targets in Syria. "The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to take strong and determined action against Iran's attempts to station forces and advanced weapons systems in Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In July, Syria accused Israel of bombing a military post in the northern province of Aleppo, where the Observatory reported at least nine pro-regime fighters died.

More than seven years since the conflict began, regime forces have managed to retake entire regions from rebels and jihadists and now control nearly two-thirds of the country. Syrian troops are supported by the military by their Russian and Iranian allies, as well as by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan militiamen.
Washington, August 6: Six people were killed and 13 others were injured in two bombings, which rocked Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Sunday. As per the Voice of America, the incident took place outside a coffee shop on the capital's busiest road. Mogadishu officials believe the car was driven by a suicide bomber. Till now no one has claimed responsibility for the blast. This was the second blast in a day. Earlier, two people were killed in a suicide car bomb exploded near a military vehicle in Afgoye. Bomb Blast in Passenger Bus in Afghanistan's Farah Province, 8 Killed, 40 Injured.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sep 2, 2018, 1:45am ET

Spyker, Koenigsegg engine deal stuck in neutral

"Spyker has not met the conditions," says Koenigsegg.

In 2017, Spyker announced plans to purchase engines from Koenigsegg. The firm's first Koenigsegg-powered model should have been the C8 Preliator, a high-end model limited to 150 examples, but Spyker has yet to purchase a single engine.

"We have not built any engines for Spyker. Spyker has not met the conditions, so we have not started building. We wish Spyker a good future and hope that they will once again be able to deliver their fascinating cars," Koenigsegg spokesman Steve Wade told Dutch website Autovisie.

Koenigsegg's engine replaced the supercharged, Audi-sourced unit Spyker planned on using. The specifications sheet called for a naturally-aspirated, 5.0-liter V8 engine designed in-house by Koenigsegg and tuned to deliver 600 horsepower. In the Preliator (pictured), it should have occupied the space directly behind the passenger compartment and shifted through a six-speed manual transmission.

Spyker hasn't commented on the report. The specifications for the C8 Preliator listed on its official website point to a supercharged V8 engine with 525 horsepower. It's clearly the old Audi unit, not the Koenigsegg eight announced in 2017. It's unclear whether the company never added the updated specifications to its website or if it took down information about the newer engine.

Photo by Ronan Glon.
A white SUV fled a shots-fired incident just after 1 a.m. Sunday on Easton's South Side and crashed several minutes later near the city's border with Wilson Borough, police report.

When city officers drove up on the 1:17 a.m. wreck, no one was in the Chevrolet Tahoe, which had suspended California plates, Lt. Robert Weber said. A 9mm Glock handgun was recovered from the vehicle, he added.

There was no immediate connection between this incident and a shooting early Saturday morning in the 100 block of West Nesquehoning Street, which is about two blocks away, Weber said.

Police were called at 1:05 a.m. to the 200 block of Berwick Street for a report of shots fired, Weber said.

An Easton police officer searches for evidence early in the morning of Sept. 2, 2018, after a shooting behind the 200 block of West Berwick Street. (Tony Rhodin | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Crime tape was up still about 2:15 a.m. around a backyard near Davis and Wirebach streets and officers with flashlights were looking for evidence, some of which was found, Weber said.

After police arrived, the SUV, which had a flat tire and already had been hit by gunfire, backed up and took off, Weber said. Officers tried to stop the vehicle and then trailed it into Downtown as the driver sped "erratically" past the Northampton Street free bridge onto Bushkill Street and then Route 22 West, Weber said.

Pursing officers didn't have a view of the SUV the whole time due to the speed and since the windows were heavily tinted, police didn't know how many people were inside, Weber said.

The Tahoe left Route 22 at the 13th Street exit and headed down Wood Avenue where it crashed under the Route 22 overpass just west of Hackett Avenue.

Police did not fire any shots during the pursuit, Weber said.

Officers using ballistic shields approached the crashed vehicle but didn't find anyone inside, Weber said.

An Easton police officer climbs a fire escape searching for evidence Sept. 2, 2018, after a shooting behind the 200 block of West Berwick Street. (Tony Rhodin | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Loud speaker announcements were made saying if anyone was injured and in the nearby woods, police could help, Weber said. The Easton and Wilson fire departments used FLIR thermal cameras to search for body heat in the woods, but didn't find anything, Weber said.

As of 3 a.m., no one was in custody and no police officers were injured in the incident, Weber said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Daytime and overnight restrictions will be in place throughout the week, starting Tuesday, for work involved in the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission's Interstate 78 Bridges and Approach Slabs Rehabilitation Project.

Several lane closures are planned, as part of the commission's nearly $12.7 million project at the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border. The project, which runs between Pohatcong Township in New Jersey to Williams Township in Pennsylvania, is expected to wrap up in fall 2018.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission released a schedule of lane closures:

I-78 West approaching the I-78 Toll Bridge in Phillipsburg:

Cedarville Road -- Overpass across I-78 in Williams Township:

Morgan Hill Road Bridge -- Overpass across I-78 in Williams Township:

Scheduled travel restrictions are subject to change due to weather, emergency, traffic and project mobilization considerations. Motorists are urged to allow "extra time" to reach their destinations, as well as to reduce speeds and exercise caution when traveling through project work areas.

Atglen, Pennsylvania-based J.D. Eckman Inc. won the toll bridge commission's $11.1 million construction contract for the project, in addition to the $1.55 million construction management/inspection services contract awarded to Greeman-Pederson Inc., of Lebanon, New Jersey.

What you can do:

The Commission has created a specific project-related webpage for the I-78 Bridges and Approach Slabs Rehabilitation Project that may be accessed here.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Publicans across County Kildare say they are under financial pressure as a result of rising costs and below cost selling in the off licence trade.

By the end of last year there were 179 pubs operating in County Kildare  one more than in 2016.

However the number of publicans has been in decline since 2005 when 191 pubs were open for business, according to the trade representative group the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

Declan Kennedy of the Co. Kildare VFI is the proprietor of Bradys Clockhouse in Maynooth and he says there are many problems affecting the trade.

One of the biggest problems is that people are afraid to run the risk of driving with excess alcohol and being caught the morning after. Many people living in Co. Kildare have to drive to work, mainly in Dublin and while the were told the recession is over, its genuinely hard to see it. There are more jobs around but finances are still tight for a lot of people, said Mr. Kennedy.

He also said that supermarkets are selling alcohol for less than many publicans can buy it in.

Publicans cannot compete with that, not when we have costs to meet before we open the door. The price of commercial insurance has gone through the roof. And for some the biggest expense of a night out is a babysitter.

Mr. Kennedy said that even social media has had an adverse effect on the publican because many people are happy to stay at home and communicate using these platforms than go out for a drink and a chat.

He said that very few young people are going into the trade with two recent notable exceptions  one in Kildare town and one in Moone. He also said that publicans are expected to have a variety of television services including Sky, Eir and Netflix and this costs between 700 a month and 2,400 a month, depending on turnover.

The At The Races channel used to be free and now its paid for and in a racing county like Kildare its important to have it, he said.

He also said that while no publican endorses drink driving, the legislation governing this has become very draconian. In Kildare alone, hospitality and drinks businesses enable 7,309 jobs and the industry says this demonstrates the scale of employment that this sector creates rurally. Nationally there has been a 17.1% drop in the number of pubs in Ireland since 05, according to the umbrella Drinks Industry Group of Ireland.
Fianna Fail TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has called on the Justice Minister to pursue a full and comprehensive investigation into the Belturbet bombing.

Two teenagers were killed in the atrocity shortly after Christmas on the 28th December 1972.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, Its over 40 years since this barbaric act of violence was carried out and to this day nobody has ever been brought to justice. This is extremely difficult for the families of Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley, who were only teenagers at the time. Eight other people were injured in the attack and they are forced to live with the horrific memories of that day.

It is deeply saddening that despite an intensive investigation involving the Gardai, the Defence Forces and the authorities in Northern Ireland, nobody has ever been convicted of these murders.

I raised the issue with the Minister for Justice again last month and I welcome the fact that he has stated that the investigation into the bombing and the two murders has not been closed and An Garda Siochana will pursue any new evidence or information that is made available.

The fact that no-one has been held to account for this atrocity is yet another blight on our troubled past. I have strongly urged Minister Flanagan to establish a full and comprehensive investigation into the bombing so that the perpetrators of this horrific attack can be brought to justice.

I am also strongly urging anyone with any information about the bombing to come forward to the Gardai or PSNI, concluded Deputy Smith.
Anita McTernan from Dromahair has been 19 years volunteering in Mutomo Hospital in Kenya. Home for a holiday to stay with her sister and visit family and friends, she spoke to the Leitrim Observer about the challenges she meets daily due to poverty and hunger.

Anita McTernan originally from Dromahair



While at home Anita is meeting support groups that provide finance for the most important and basic need of the people she serves: food.

In almost two decades working in the area, Anita has seen huge developments with electricity, water and technology but sadly, for the very poor, it has not changed.



Mutomo is a small town (approx 2,000 inhabitants) in southeast Kenya, located 250km from Nairobi. The hospital was founded in 1962 by the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland.

The area is semi desert and vegetation is dependent on if there is enough rain during the rainy season and according to Anita after years of drought they were hit with heavy rain this year which washed away any crops.

Farmers grow staple food of maize, beans and some sorghum. Some might have goats, chickens and cows. Anita said the extreme weather adds to the vicious circle of famine and hunger. She said the people depend on crops first for food and secondly for much needed cash.



The hospital is private and receives no money from the state. It is dependent on donations. Through the Ministry of Health it received vaccines, tests and medications against HIV, STDs and TB. But any other care, tests and treatments are paid for by the patients. Prices are low even by Kenyan standards, but for the population it is still difficult to bear those costs. The hospital has a take up area of 100,000 people, half of those are under the age of 15.

Anita McTernan is a leader of the AIDs information programme. There are very few families who have not experienced AIDs. Yet the stigma of the disease is colossal and it means that there is a lot of denial, secrecy and reluctance to seek help.

The money received from Ireland goes towards Anitas HIV programme, but the money is not used for medication, the money is simply used for food.



The hospital must provide basic nutrition for children and their siblings on the HIV programme. Anita explains, the HIV drugs are very strong and would not work unless the children are fed, but we cant just feed them, we also provide food for their siblings.

Otherwise the food given to the children on the programme would be shared amongst the family and not given directly to the child that needs it.

So basic nutrition is what Anita spends the most amount of money on. Each month Anitas programme feeds 300 children and this costs 950 a month.



The food they provide includes beans, which are a second class protein, rice, polish meal, ground maze and corn. The children are also given milk and a boiled egg when they attend the clinic.

Anita said she and the hospital are so grateful to the money their receive. HIV is still the major epidemic in Kenya, but nowadays with medication, the disease can be controlled it is not killing as many people.

Anita said when she just arrived in Mutomo, we used to have to send home children to die once they tested positive for HIV. But the drugs now not only keep the children alive, but allow them the opportunity to fully live.

Anita is a coordinator of three important programmes, the HIV clinic, Health Hearts programme and the new Cervical cancer screening programme.



Mutomo Hospital

But no day is the same so some days Anita, who is a trained nurse will need to attend emergencies or help out in overcrowded clinic.

Anita who is staying with her sister in Dromahair tries to get home once a year.

In her 19 years a lot has changed in Mutomo, the hospital now has a bore hole for water and electricity. She said the Chinese are finally making a road to the hospital, and the town has been earmarked for a branch of the regions university, which should bring some more industry.



The hospital still write up their notes on paper, but they can order supplies online.

And yet, In this day and age, people are still dying of hunger. She said they had people who were fully in control of their HIV die of hunger this year. Hunger and malnutrition makes people susceptible to infections such as TB and pneumonia.

They have a 67% uptake on vaccinations for children, but she said it is hard to convince people to vaccinate their healthy babies. She said education has still a long way to go.

Anita says she hopes to keep returning to her work in Mutomo while she can. Anita said she is past the Irish retirement age, so she has no idea what else she could do. She said the role is fulfilling and it is great to see my work make a difference.

If you want to donate to the worthy charity visit mutomohospital.or.ke or use these details:

Account No. 44759780 Bank of Ireland, Cavan. NSC 903293

BIC Code BOFI IE 2D

IBAN No. IE 72 BOFI 9032 9344 7597 80.
New dwelling completions in Co Leitrim are down by a third on figures for the same period last year.



The Central Statistics Office has released details of housing completions for the second quarter of 2018. According to the latest figures, there were 4,419 new dwelling completions in the second three months of 2018 an increase of 34.1% on figures for the same period last year.



Despite the massive increase in new completions nationally, this increase is not reflected in Leitrim where completions fell by a third on figures for Q2 2017.

Front page this week: Massive drop in housing completions #Leitrim pic.twitter.com/jToepb4P31  Leitrim Observer (@LeitrimToday) August 29, 2018



In Q2 2018 just 14 new dwellings were completed in Leitrim. Of these 13 were single house dwellings and 1 one was a housing scheme.



This decline reflects the ongoing issue with obtaining planning permission in Co Leitrim.



At present it is all but impossible to secure permission for construction of one-off rural houses as the vast majority of the county has soil which will not pass the stringent T90 tests required under planning law.

Housing completions highlight urban-rural divide

The latest housing completion figures for Q2 2018 show the growing divide between urban and rural areas.



According to the figures 78% of new dwelling completions were in urban areas between April and June this year.



Dublin had the majority of new dwelling completions followed by the Mid East. These two areas account for three quarters of all scheme dwellings completed in Q2 2018.



The South West of Ireland had the most single dwellings completed with Co Cork leading the way with 175 new single dwellings.



Since 2011, Leitrim has seen a major decline in housing completions, especially for those involving single houses.

In 2011 62 single houses were completed. Last year this number had dropped to 42.



Eight years ago the Environmental Agency Protection (EPA) guidelines on wastewater generated by one-off rural houses were introduced and since then applications for planning for one-off homes have fallen off to a handful of successful applications each year.



At present Leitrim County Council is working with a number of people who are participating in a pilot scheme to test a zero discharge solution to the wastewater problem. But the reality is it will be a number of years before these homes are constructed and samples are taken for monitoring.



Until then more of our young people are finding they can no longer live in the areas of rural Leitrim they grew up in and our communities and accompanying infrastructure, are suffering as a result.

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THIS TIME ROUND, there is no pontificate presence in the remains of Greenpark. There is no special supplement to celebrate the Holy See.

There is no pilgrimage of families bingeing on chips from makeshift street vendors en route to His Holiness. There is no fight for the front row seat, just to inhale the same damp air as the chalice.

And there is no number close to the inspired masses who watched Pope John Paul II orate to some 400,000.

I wonder how many people would turn up today if the Pope decided to come to Limerick? Nothing near that figure, I would venture, wrote my editor Eugene Phelan in 2009, in a piece commemorating the 30th anniversary of the pontiffs visit to Limerick, an event he covered as a junior reporter for this newspaper.

Back then, as he described it, the Catholic Church was king.

If the Saint had sneezed or missed a line in a psalm, the Catholic Ireland of 79 would have unconditionally applauded the man.

In 2018 a new Ireland awaited the Pope ready to confront the Vatican on atrocities that shamed a nation.

No other Pope has ever faced this corrosive PR quandary, particularly during a triennial festival that celebrates the spirituality of family and community - two fabrics of Catholic Irelands tapestry that had frayed at the seams in recent years.

The Leader, 39 years ago, had a phalanx of reporters on duty from 1am at Greenpark. As for me, well, I am alone on the quiet 8.25am train to Heuston Station, trying to decipher how the sequel to 1979 will be written.

Everyone in this cabin is Dublin-bound to see Pope Francis deliver his final address as part of the World Meeting of Families festivities.

Other than a small choir of women practising their hymns and a trio of men reminiscing on last weeks hurling victory, the room is filled with the nice ambience of the chucking tracks and the newspaper crinkle from a nearby cubicle.

Sitting across the way is Sheila Deegan and her father Paddy Deegan, neither of whom are new to the sight of the pontiff.

Sheila, Limerick City and County Councils arts and culture officer, met Pope John Paul II five months before she attended his Mass in October 1979.

Her father, who is the same age as Pope Francis (81), has one up on her. Not only did he see JP in 1979, when he was a boy scout, he attended a Mass in Rome delivered by Pope Pius XII. Six popes before this one.

This trip, however, almost didnt happen for the Clareview man. When it was announced that Francis was to visit Ireland, he thought he was too old to endure the lengthy walk from the station to the Phoenix Park.

I decided anyway, for a finish, there was so much criticism, I felt, he needed a bit of support, you know? he says. His daughter adds that they were fortunate to secure seats.

I rang up the Vatican and I said she quips.

Sitting behind them is Senan Ryan, who remembers - as a steward - the sea of littered lunch boxes at JPs visit to Limerick. He didnt think much of the Mass, he admits, but he grew to adore the Pope in later years.

And what are his thoughts on Francis? I am warming to this man very well, and I think he is going to be tremendous.

Senan is with young David Burke from Caherdavin and his uncle Rory Bennis from North Circular Road.

Rory, son of well-known activist Nora Bennis, says today is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Very much like Limerick winning the All-Ireland, he says, which he watched from the Gaelic Grounds.

The conversation drifts to Francis unenviable task in addressing the abuse scandal, as protests have been taking place since people started hoovering up tickets just to boycott the Phoenix Park event.

Senan reckons the more thats uncovered, the better.

It will end up making the Church stronger. Unfortunately, I think the Church will become weaker before it becomes stronger. And we still have a way to go, he opines.

Rory adds: You have to remember too now, the Church only started off with 12 people. Theres something like 1.2 billion now. So if it does fall again, it will grow again after.

David, 15, wearing a silver cross, says more young people need to attend Mass in order to ensure its future.

Chrissie Lewis, a candid Knockainey woman, shares a similar sentiment. She takes the window seat with her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Peter Hennessy, from Kilmallock.

At the start, Peter is the lead speaker, and Chrissie the reserved observer. But once probed about the Churchs future, she waxes lyrical with her views.

Youd have young people doing their Leaving Cert, and theyd say: I am doing my Leaving Cert tomorrow Chrissie, will you go to Mass and light a candle for me and say a prayer. Now, if it was me doing my Leaving Cert, Id be there every day. You wont see any one of them come to light a candle for their Leaving Cert.

Priests should also be given the choice to get married, she tells this reporter who is then signalled by Peter.

But for a lot of the priests, its a lonely life. A lot of them have the same social problems as the rest of us - drink, everything, you know? Even the years gone by, they had the housekeepers, but they dont have the housekeepers. Once they close the door, they may not see someone for the day.

Peter and Margaret are attending Pope Francis Mass in memory of her dad, Dan Foley, who cycled all the way from Knockainey to see JPs closing Mass in Greenpark. He would have turned 100 next April.

The joyous couple are already partied out. They were at Croke Park for Limericks All-Ireland victory, and Liam MacCarthy fever boiled in their blood as they attended the homecomings in Galbally, Kilmallock and the Gaelic Grounds.

We kind of have enough of it now. We dont know what to do next, go to Electric Picnic or something?

Peter attended the 79 Mass, but wasnt one of the 400,000 spectators. He was carrying out popemobile security duties as part of an army apprentice programme.

What was it like being so close to a Saint?

Well, he replies, I was more worried about being under his front wheel than anything else.

It seems like Pat C Fitzgerald, from Croom, was the only Limerick person to not have attended Pope John Pauls Mass. He was in America at the time. A middle of the road follower, he says with a smile.

The ex-councillor, who is with his wife Mary and Croom woman Noreen ORegan, says he hopes the Church can hold its strength during its current ordeal.

He adds that the Churchs positive impact is inclined to be forgotten.

You have the foundation of the State and the role it had in churches, schools and hospitals and the voluntary work they would have done.

As if the train had just left a minute ago, it now docks at Heuston Station. I guess time flies when youre plunged into rabbit-hole discussions about the papacy and religion.

Im not following the crowd to the Phoenix Park, a walk of around 30 minutes. Instead I travel eastwards to Dublin Castle in order to receive my golden ticket to the media centre.

From there, I hop on the journalists chariot - a double-decker Dublin Bus - and we are escorted to Phoenix Park. A Cork journalist tells me there is an armed detective aboard. Its believable, considering a motorcade of gardai are clearing the route for us, sirens screaming, from Dame Street, through Dorset Street and on to North Circular Road.

As the bus enters the grounds, revellers wave the gold and white colours of the Vatican, exuberant despite the foreshadowing, grey overcast and hazy drizzle.

If you take the Pope out of the picture, its like the start of a mucky weekend in Stradbally, minus the cans of Dutch being confiscated by gardai. Not saying that didnt happen.

The media centre is a humid marquee, clogged with hundreds of journalists from nearly every major newsroom across the planet. Into its final day, the World Meeting of Families celebrations is dominated by global headlines on the Popes recognition of historical abuse, and the call for his resignation by the ex-papal nuncio.

The feeling outside among the ebullient worshippers flooding into the grounds is different, especially with Daniel ODonnell on stage, fortifying that today is the most Catholic day in Ireland this millennium so far.

At 2pm, there are estimates that fewer than 130,000 people have attended the Mass, a far cry from the Greenpark Mass and the Phoenix Park Mass of 79, when there were one million gazing up at the pontiff.

Before Francis arrives in the famous popemobile, the Papal Mass Choir gives a melodious performance that resonates through the vast landscape of Phoenix Park, as if the spirit of Mahlers Symphony of a Thousand was conducting the stage.

Then the brass fanfare ensues. The octogenarian cruises through an estuary of fans who are almost willing to dislocate their shoulders to get that extended reach for his dove-white garments.

And as he steps on the stage, below the papal cross and above a tuft of green and white flowers, Pope Francis is then clad with an emerald, silk cassock. Must be a fan of St Patrick, I hear a UK reporter chirp.

After Archbishop Diarmuid Martin delivers the introductory speech, the pontiff, through a translator, begins his final address.

However, the echo of the translator rambles over his Spanish, reverberating over the sound of the speech that is being broadcast on RTE in the media centre, prompting a fleet of nonplussed journalists.

Did he say abuse? Am I hearing forgiveness? I cant hear anything, a swarm of reporters struggle to comprehend the palaver of whats happening, as we realise that Pope Francis has lunged into an off-script speech, begging for the Churchs pardon over decades of abuse.

We ask forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland, abuses of power, of conscience, and sexual abuses perpetrated by members with roles of responsibility in the church.

In a special way, we ask pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions run by males or female religious and by other members of the church, and we ask for forgiveness for those cases of manual work that so many young women and men were subjected to. We ask for forgiveness.

We ask forgiveness for the times that, as a church, we did not show the survivors of whatever kind of abuse the compassion and the seeking of justice and truth through concrete actions. We ask for forgiveness.

We ask for forgiveness for some of the church hierarchy who did not take charge of these situations and kept quiet. We ask for forgiveness.

We ask for forgiveness for all those times in which many single mothers were told that to seek their children who had been separated from them - and the same being said to daughters and sons themselves - that this was a mortal sin. This is not a mortal sin, the pope said. And with every pause came a gargantuan reply of applause and cheer.

In the final moments of his oration in Greenpark, Pope John Paul II was encouraging mothers and fathers to continue to encourage their sons to enter priesthood. Now, the head of the Vatican was ending his three-day visit by penitentially seeking forgiveness for the actions of Irish priests.

Two hours before he is to address Irelands top bishops, including our own Bishop Brendan Leahy, on the repair of the Church over the abuse scandal, Pope Francis succinctly concludes his surprise address:

Give us the strength to work for justice. Amen.
THE proposal to develop a liquid natural gas plant along the Shannon estuary took a giant leap forward this week when US-based New Fortress Energy struck a deal with the Irish company behind the scheme.

The agreement between New Fortress Energy and Shannon LNG has been welcomed by the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and by Energy Minister, Denis Naughten, and opens the way to develop the 500m project and its promise of jobs at the 260 acre site between Tarbert and Ballylongford.

Developing the Shannon LNG project is expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction and 100 jobs when operational.

We are excited to take the Shannon LNG project forward and invest in Irelands low-carbon economy, said Wes Edens, New Fortress Energy founder and chairman.

This project is critical for Irelands energy security and will benefit the environment and the economy, he added.

The development will provide a significant boost to the Shannon region and provide a foundation for further investment in the region, the Taoiseach said.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly, who has taken a particular interest in the project over several years, believes it will ensure greater energy security for Ireland, particularly post-Brexit.

Mr Kelly campaigned for the project to be included as a European Project of Common Interest which means it could attract funding from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank.

I am delighted that the project has a serious backer that will hopefully quickly bring it to fruition. This is a project that makes a lot of sense for Ireland, and for the EU. It is now considered a key element of the EUs Energy Security Strategy, Mr Kelly said. An LNG terminal on the west coast of Ireland fits in well with the current EU policy of changing electricity generation to gas-fired plants from the present coal and peat-burning plants.

John Fox, spokesman for the Tarbert Development Association which has consistently backed the project said, The people of Tarbert and Ballylongford are delighted to see forward movement on this project.

However, he added, here was a certain understandable hesitancy, given the history of the project.

This is a chance to really get on with the business, Mr Fox said. All the planning permissions and permits are in place, he pointed out, and all the concerns have been more than adequately ventilated. This time too, he stressed, all the issues with the energy regulator have been ironed out.

New Fortress Energy plans to have Shannon LNG up and running in late 2020 but Mr Fox thinks that might be a bit over optimistic, given the scale of the project.

We would like to see machinery moving on to the site early next year, he continued. We would hope to see site preparations commence early next year. There is no good reason why they shouldnt.

Planning permission for the LNG plant on a 260-acre site at the publicly-owned 630-acre landbank between Tarbert and Ballylongford, was extended earlier this year despite opposition from environmental groups.

It will involve a deep water jetty, storage facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will also be connected into the national gas network.

The Shannon LNG project has been over a decade in the making. The proposal was first announced in 2006 when US multinational Hess was backing the project and obtained the various permissions and licences. But the project was held up, mainly because Hess objected to paying an annual tariff towards the maintenance of the Ireland/Britain gas interconnector, on the grounds that it did not intend to use it.

The project was then further delayed over the rate of tariff set by the Energy Regulator. Three years ago, Hess pulled out of the project, and Shannon LNG was bought by Sambolo Resources, a private Irish company controlled by Paddy Power and John Power, in November 2015.

New Fortress Energy is a US-based energy infrastructure company whose stated mission is to accelerate the worlds transition to clean and renewable energy.

It has natural gas projects and infrastructure across North America and the Caribbean.

It is not yet clear whether the new backers will develop phase two of the project, a 500MW combined heat and power plant for which planning has been obtained.

Environmental groups have opposed the LNG plant pointing out that the site is an EU Special Protected Area for waterbirds and whales, dolphins and porpoises. It would involve importing fracked gas, they say, when Ireland has banned fracking and would lock in the use of fossil fuel.
Two strange images were spotted in a Google Maps Street View of a cemetery in Huntsville, Texas.

The Street View near a fence line of Martha Chapel Cemetery is pretty serene, with sunlight coming in through the trees, illuminating a handful of headstones. But upon closer examination, two unexpected figures appear.

What appears to be a little girl can be seen peeking her head out from behind a tree. If that wasn't enough to creep you out, over her shoulder, off in the distance beyond the fence, is a tall black figure wearing what looks like a long cloak.

HAUNTED?: Downtown's Spaghetti Warehouse building, flooded and reportedly haunted, has been sold

These images grabbed headlines on Express and the Daily Star after a video of the Street View was uploaded to YouTube Aug. 25. The video has since been viewed nearly 300,000 times and has some people wondering if the cemetery is haunted.

Martha Chapel Cemetery was built in the 1830s along with a church and is one of the oldest burial grounds in Walker County, East Texas travel guide expert Dana Goolsby wrote on My East Texas in 2012. Two other blog posts, one of which was also written by Goolsby, refer to a Bowden Road in Hunstville that leads to the cemetery. The road is nicknamed "Demons Road" because of the "disturbing encounters, and an eerie feeling that sweeps over anyone who dares disrupt the spirits said to be lingering," Goolsby wrote on TexasEscapes.com. Some people claim they have seen large hand prints left on their vehicles when visiting the cemetery, Goolsby wrote.

More tales of strange encounters at the cemetery can be found on cristanwilliams.com.

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 Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang member has been arrested after Border Patrol agents apprehended a group of suspected undocumented immigrants.

READ MORE: Man receives life sentence for sexually abusing girlfriend's daughter

The arrest happened Tuesday when agents stationed in Hebbronville encountered the group in the Mestena Ranch walking through the brush. All nine were immediately arrested and taken into custody.

While they were in custody, a background check revealed one of them has an association with MS-13. He also had several tattoos indicative of Mara Salvatrucha membership.

Mara Salvatrucha is an international criminal gang that started in Los Angeles in the 1980s, and later spread to other parts of North, Central and South America. They are also thought to have a presence in several other countries worldwide.

READ MORE: Woman arrested for biting teenage brother after argument, LPD says

MS-13 is believed to be responsible for significant human, drug and weapons trafficking into the United States. They are known for their use of extreme violence to accomplish their illegal activities, and for retaliation, Border Patrol said.
More than $10 million in narcotics were recently seized at a Laredo port of entry.

The first of three separate seizures occurred at the World Trade Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2012 Freightliner tractor hauling a shipment of auto parts, driven by a 29-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon, for a secondary examination.

READ MORE: Alleged MS-13 gang member apprehended by Hebbronville BP agents

Upon a non-intrusive imaging and canine inspection by officers, a total of 252 packages containing 671 pounds of alleged cocaine was discovered.

The second seizure also occurred at the World Trade Bridge when an officer referred a 1999 Freightliner tractor hauling a shipment of plastic containers, driven by a 43-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, for a secondary examination. Upon a non-intrusive imaging and canine inspection, officers discovered 248 packages containing 659 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The final seizure occurred at the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge when an officer conduct an inspection of the personal belongings of a 38-year-old female U.S. citizen from Victoria, Texas.

Upon a canine and non-intrusive imaging inspection of her personal belongings, a total of three packages containing 20 pounds of alleged crystal methamphetamine was discovered.

The narcotics combined have an estimated street value of $10,666,719.

READ MORE: Eldery man on bike injured when car strikes him in west Laredo

CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicles. The drivers were arrested and the cases were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.

"These seizures speak volumes and I congratulate our men and women from CBP who work diligently and tirelessly as they protect our nation from dangerous narcotics," said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. "Drug seizures of this magnitude are not only noteworthy, but also send a message of CBP's mission to keep drugs from entering our community."
WINCHESTER  After more than a year of hard work, the Great Scott Community Market opened for business on Aug. 25.

Even Friday morning, a steady stream of customers came into the market looking for everything from deli meat to produce. Manager Sarah Lashmett, who also owns Lashmetts Meat Market next door, said the past week has been fun but hectic as she and her four employees settle into a routine.

Were kind of in the soft-opening phase, Lashmett said. Its been a little hectic trying to get all of the inventory figured out, then getting it into our system, figuring out the ins and outs of our system. But we all figured that would be the case.

The store is on the Winchester square and its interior is a mix of clean simplicity and a comfortable, old-fashioned atmosphere. Theres not much space inside the store, which makes for an intimate shopping experience, but the grocery selection is substantial for the size of the space.

(The selection) was kind of a consensus of everyone involved and also what our space allows, Lashmett said. We dont have a whole lot of space to work with so, basically, we wanted to concentrate on the basics and having everything youd need to make a meal.

Great Scott started as a project of the Winchester Civic Group to replace Winchesters only grocery store, which closed in 2016. The project really started to become a reality when the community helped secure the $80,000 needed to buy the property and make the necessary renovations.

Investors from around Winchester ensured that Great Scott truly is a community owned and operated grocery store.

During the summer, the building was completely renovated while the business plan details were hammered out. Committees were formed to help determine the best way to be profitable while surveys were sent out to the community to find out what products they would like to see for sale.

John Paul Coonrod, president of the grocerys board of directors, said hes proud of the work the community has put in to making the market a reality.

The store has been really lucky to enjoy the support of everybody that put in their time and made the extra effort to bring the store into fruition, Coonrod said. Things have come together at a pretty rapid pace since we acquired our start-up capital. Weve got a good crew running the place and I just hope that the town will continue to support the store, much in the same way the store benefits the town.

It didnt take long for word to get out about the new store to customers like David Moore of Winchester.

Its really nice having somewhere other than Dollar General to go, Moore said. Its got a good selection.

Kaylee Day of Winchester, who was perusing the stores goods on Friday, said the convenient location is perfect for her.

We havent had a grocery store in a really long time and we have to go to Jacksonville or somewhere else, Day said. Its nice for it to be right here in town. I like the decor a lot. I like that its all from hometown people and its just really nice.

Although the store is open, there still are plans for a grand opening in the near future, Coonrod said. The opening is merely the start of many good things to come for the market, with plans for meal baskets and call-in, take-out grocery orders on the horizon.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.
NEW YORK - For the second year in a row, four women will split the year's four Grand Slam titles.

Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber fell, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday at the U.S. Open, joining Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and French Open champion Simona Halep on the list of women upset on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Kerber defeated Serena Williams in straight sets in July to claim her first Wimbledon title and third major overall but has struggled to gain any traction in the North American hard court season. Her season had been impressive beyond the Grand Slams, as the German had made it to at least the quarterfinals in every tournament she played in 2018 before August. Kerber, the No. 4 seed in New York, played in the semifinals at the Australian Open and the quarterfinals at the French Open before winning in England.

But at hard court events in Montreal and Cincinnati she ran into players on hot streaks and fell early in both tournaments, arriving at the U.S. Open with five matches under her belt.

"I was trying to do the best I can, I mean, it was maybe not the best preparation I had before the U.S. Open," Kerber, the champion here in 2016, said. "I didn't really have a lot of matches on hard court . . . you sometimes have days where you are trying everything, but it's not really working out as you wish. I was trying everything until the last point."

Cibulkova was the more aggressive player Saturday and her reward is a matchup against American Madison Keys, runner-up here last year, in the Round of 16. The No. 14 seed defeated Aleksandra Krunic, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2,at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which wasn't immune to the upset bug Saturday.

No. 22 seed Maria Sharapova dropped No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 6-2, in a mere 82 minutes on the tournament's main stage at night.

"I feel like I started with that energy today," Sharapova, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, said. "She's a phenomenal player, a Grand Slam champion, and I can't come out here and expect an easy match. I think that's what got me going, that competitiveness."

Keys, despite her lower seeding that followed a dip in rankings after an injury-plagued 2018, is playing confidently enough to make another deep run in New York. She hit cruise control against Krunic after struggling with first-set jitters that caused her to badly whiff an overhead.

Her comfort in front of the big crowds on the tournament's main stage helped her keep her head.

"Just the experience I think is a big help. I think the confidence comes more from knowing I was able to get myself back in so many matches last year after being down, and, you know, even in final sets being down," Keys said.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was the third high seed to fall on Armstrong Stadium on Saturday. The fifth-seeded Czech lost 7-5, 6-1 to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

Defending champion Sloane Stephens, the third seed, is the last of the top five seeded women remaining in the draw.

- - -

The men's draw saw its own big upset Saturday as well when No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev followed Kerber out the door on Louis Armstrong Stadium, falling 6-7 (7-1), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to Philipp Kohlschreiber. Of the three Germans to play on the tournament's No. 2 court Saturday, the 34-year-old Kohlschreiber was the last one standing. He faces Kei Nishikori in the Round of 16.

Zverev, meantime, will continue to search for the Grand Slam success that has eluded him. The 21-year-old's record outside of majors in 2018 is 35-10. At Grand Slams, he is 10-4.
Turkeys foreign minister called for a new chapter in testy diplomatic ties with Greece on Saturday, even as he berated the neighboring country for providing a safe haven for Turkish criminals. As Reuters writes in an article "Turkey calls for a new chapter in relations with Greece", eight Turkish commandos are seeking asylum in Greece after commandeering a helicopter to flee Turkey following a failed coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016. Turkey describes the fugitives as criminals involved in the coup plot, and has demanded that Greece hand them back. Greek courts have so far rejected Ankaras requests.

The situation in our relations today is not to the benefit of our countries. Building trust is important. We should open a new chapter in our relations, Mevlut Cavusoglu told Ta Nea newspaper in an interview released on Saturday. We should continue the process of bilateral talks without any conditions. This is the way to solve our problems.

He repeated demands, however, for the eight commandos to be sent to Turkey to face trial. The Greek justice system, contrary to the rules and the principles of the international law, is letting the culprits go unpunished and is violating the victims rights, Cavusoglu was quoted as saying.

We remain determined in our effort to make sure that the fugitive coup perpetrators will be extradited and stand trial in Turkey, he added. Long-time regional rivals, the two neighbors have been at odds over a host of issues from ethnically divided Cyprus to rights in the Aegean Sea.

Rhetoric on both sides in recent months has taken a marked turn for the worse, particularly after the collapse of peace talks in Cyprus in July 2017. The European Union depends on Turkey to keep a tight lid on immigration from the Middle East, where the war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands and pushed millions from homes.

Under a 2016 deal, Ankara has to take back all migrants and refugees, including Syrians, who cross to Greece illegally across the sea. In return, the EU has to take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visa-free travel and faster progress in EU membership talks.

Cavusoglu said Turkey respected the deal and that the EU should now keep its promises, including granting the visa-free travel, extending a second three billion-euro tranche for the Syrian refugees and making progress on EU accession talks.
The Texas Department of Public Safety on Friday released dramatic helicopter footage of the fatal confrontation between police and the Austin bombing suspect, Mark Anthony Conditt, on Interstate 35 in Round Rock.

The footage, first obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, provides a bird's eye view of the conclusion of the weeks-long hunt in March for the 23-year-old serial bomber, now believed to be responsible for the deaths of two people and injuries of five others.

RELATED: Austin bombing victim was an aspiring musician

Recorded from a DPS helicopter unit, the video begins by honing in on Conditt fleeing the parking lot of a Round Rock hotel in his SUV after being surrounded by SWAT officers in unmarked vans.

"Air to ground, he's on the move, backing out now," says a DPS trooper monitoring Conditt from the helicopter.

Conditt leads police to an Interstate 35 access road, where one law enforcement van rams him from behind while another boxes him in from the front in a coordinated stop.

An officer rushes out of a van and begins furiously smashing Conditt's passenger-side window. He gets three hits in before Conditt detonates a home-made bomb inside the vehicle, killing himself.

"Got an explosion. Got an explosion on the vehicle," the spotter announces.

The SWAT team swarms the SUV, all with guns drawn, and begin securing the scene.

Authorities said Conditt taped a 25-minute confession prior to his death, in which he discussed the personal problems he blamed for his decision to leave exploding package for innocent victims, though officials say a true motive was never discovered.

RELATED: Lawmaker: Clues at FedEx store cracked Austin bombing case

In total, five exploding packages were attributed to Conditt. The first was left on March 2 at the home of 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House, who was killed when the bomb detonated.

Ten days later, on March 12, the second killed 17-year-old musician Draylen Mason and injured his mother. Hours later, a third package bomb injured 75-year-old Esperanza Herrera. The package detonated when she picked it up.

The fourth was a trip-wire bomb that injured two men who were walking with their bikes in a residential neighborhood on March 18. After that, law enforcement authorities described the attacks as the work of a serial bomber.

The fifth and final bomb detonated March 20 in a FedEx facility in Schertz, Texas, injuring one employee. It was mailed from Austin to another address in Austin.

Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns
Everything you need to know about Aotearoa's new COVID-19 'Traffic Light' system

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the new step in the COVID-19 response plan and we're breaking it all down for you.
The right to strike is under attack in Ontario. On July 25, legislation was passed by a vote of 69-40 ending the strike of almost 2000 teaching assistants at York University. The Ford government, in power for only two months, has sent a message to Ontario workers that he is ready to violate their democratic right to strike in order to carry out his rotten agenda. By making an example of the teaching assistants, Ford hopes that other workers will be intimidated from going on strike themselves. If not, it wont be long before they too face back-to-work legislation. Its these sorts of thug tactics that workers can expect from the Peoples Premier over the next four years.

In our society, the strike is one of the most powerful tools in the working class arsenal. Without it, the bosses would feel free to ride roughshod over us in their mad rush for profits. By withholding our labour, we are using the only leverage we have to defend our rights and eke out a decent existence for ourselves. For this reason, the bosses will stop at nothing to limit this right, if not remove it altogether. Like us, they possess their own tools to conduct this crusade: back-to-work legislation, as well as their faithful lackeys at Queens Park who carry it out. With the election of Doug Ford, big business has been given an opportunity to renew their offensive against the rights of working class people like never before.

Back-to-work legislation has a long history in Canada. Its first use was in 1950, when Liberal Prime Minister Louis-Saint Laurent forced an end to a strike of Canadas railway workers. Since then, back-to-work legislation has been used by the federal government 33 times, largely against railway workers, grain handlers and port workers. Provincial governments have also made ample use of this draconian legislation. In Ontario, TTC workers were declared an essential service and then legislated back to work in 2011 under then Premier Dalton McGuinty. Then, in 2017, faculty at Ontarios colleges were legislated back to work by McGuintys successor Kathleen Wynne. Today, Ontarios Liberals shed tears at Fords harsh treatment of the working class. They conveniently forget that it was them who drafted the legislation against the teaching assistants at York University, and that Fords policy is little more than a continuation of their own.

Unfortunately, the response from Ontarios trade union leadership has not been a particularly good one. Many of them encouraged a vote for the Ontario Liberals in 2014, despite their poor track record on workers rights. When that government inevitably brought down legislation against college faculty in 2017, the response from the union tops was to raise a hue and cry, and then to follow that up withnothing. OPSEU President Warren Smokey Thomas even said he understands why the Liberals acted the way they did, and chalked the legislation up to just bad policy. This while his own members were having their rights violated! It is then no wonder why Doug Ford felt so confident going after the teaching assistants at York University so soon after being elected. As he predicted, no plan to resist the legislation was forthcoming

This does not bode well for the labour movement in Ontario. So long as union leaders allow their members rights to be violated by the government, they will continue doing so. Some have responded by taking the government to court, but this normally takes years, and even when the unions win, both Conservative and Liberal governments have shown that they are ready to ignore the law if it means teaching the workers a lesson.

There is only one way to fight against anti-democratic laws, and that is to defy them. The right to belong to a trade union in Canada would not exist today if it were not for the thousands of workers who fought against unjust laws which banned trade unions before 1872. For this, they risked steep fines, prison sentences, and so much more. But still they persisted, and finally they won. The bosses would very much like to return us to the period when unions were illegal. The only thing standing in their way is the might of the working class, which they are afraid of provoking. However, every capitulation by the union leadership only further emboldens the ruling class, who then, little by little, erode whatever rights have been won by workers in the past. This must be stopped.

Therefore, it is necessary that Ontarios trade union leadership create a plan of action to resist future impositions of back-to-work legislation by the Ford government. A rule must be established that if even one local has its rights violated, the broader labour movement must do everything in its power to offer them support. This may include mass mobilizations, solidarity walkouts, or whatever other measures may be necessary to defend the rights of workers. The narrow-minded not my problem attitude of some union leaders plays right into the hands of Ford, and will lead to the destruction of the labour movement. The attacks against one union today will be directed against others tomorrow. Instead, the slogan an injury to one is an injury to all should be carried across the labour movement, not just in Labour Day speeches, but in action. Only in this way can back-to-work legislation be defeated, as well as the Conservative government behind it.

In just two months, Ford has already made his first big offensive against the rights of working class people. It would be the wildest fantasy to imagine that he will not resort to using back-to-work legislation again. There is no question: should he find the need to, he will use it again. That is, unless the labour movement is prepared to say enough is enough, and stand proudly in the defiant traditions of those who came before them. Ford has fired the first shot against the working class. It is time for the labour movement to fire back.
At the request of President Petro Poroshenko, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine prepared a package of documents to get rid of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership with Russia, signed in 1997. This document will no longer be in force starting from September 30.

Commenting this event, Bogdan Bezpalko, member of the Council on Interethnic Relations under President of the Russian Federation, called Ukraine an object of foreign policy of other countries and other geopolitical centers of power: "This determines how Ukrainian political forces act, including Peter Poroshenko. If he wanted to make cooperation and friendship with Russia a central point of his election campaign, he couldn't do it. People he reports to would immediately cut off all ties with him, maybe even make him go through a trial. That's why current president of Ukraine is promoting the only possible campaign in this situation, trying to get support of radical nationalists."

According to Bezpalko, actions of political elite of Ukraine have no real power: "Ukraine can oust Russia from the Sea of Azov only if it will posses powerful military resources or if someone provided those resources to it. So far, as far as I know, the enitre Ukrainian Navy on the Sea of Azov consists of just a few boats that are inferior to similar boats of the Russian fleet in terms of their tactical and technical characteristics. It's also important to note that the Black Sea Fleet is much bigger. The rest of its fleet is in Odessa, and its capabilities are also small."

Expert called withdrawal from the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership a simple formal and even pro-Russian step: "Many politicians in Russia wanted to get out of this treaty, but Ukraine withdrawn from it itself, so Russia will bear no responsibility. Ukraine hasn't complied with most clauses of this treaty for a long time. Moverover, now the issue of Crimea's status will become less significant even for foreign policy players, because Ukraine itself withdrew from this treaty."

Bezpalko stressed that foreign policy actors play a very large role in Ukraine: "Basically, they control the country from the outside. The US Ambassador to Ukraine works with Ukrainian politicians on a personal level, forming current political agenda. Current task is to convince people to go to elections and vote for politician who relies on nationalist populism, not on social populism."

At the same time, expert noted that Petro Poroshenko's opponents, especially Yulia Timoshenko, are betting on social populism: "Drop in standard of living is so obvious that it's impossible not to use it in election campaign."

President of the System Analysis and Forecasting Center, Rostislav Ishchenko, said that election campaign in Ukraine actually began six months ago and at that time main political forces determined their agenda, which they represent at these elections: "If Petro Poroshenko's opponents demand federalization of Ukraine, the end of war in Donbass, normalization of relations with Russia (this agenda is supported by about 60% of the population), Poroshenko himself took a diametrically approach. Perhaps he was forced to do this, but Poroshenko tried to gain support of radical nationalist forces."

Ischenko predicts that if elections will be held in more or less stable circumstances, Poroshenko will lose it cleanly: "So he doesn't have many options. There's an option to cancel elections, there's an option to blame his opponents for working for Kremlin, for the FSB money, say that Putin controls them. Then he can either push them out of political filed, put them in prisons or force them to leave the country. But in order to do this, Poroshenko needs to have some powerful resources in the form of the army, the SBU. He tries to achieve that. I don't think that his statement on the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership will be last serious provocation. There will be others, because intensity must be maintained."

Expert fears that as a result, it will be even harder to return to stability in Ukraine: "There's a great danger that either Poroshenko will begin repressions, or his opponents will have to resort to radical measures in order to prevent Poroshenko from doing so. Nevertheless, situation in Ukraine is very tense."
More than 40 Boston University students were displaced during move-in weekend after a fire caused around $200,000 in damage to a dormitory.

The one-alarm fire broke out around 10 p.m. Saturday on the third floor of BU's 722 Commonwealth Avenue student residence, according to fire officials.

Students were evacuated during move-in weekend. No serious injuries were reported. One student went to a nearby hospital with a minor injury, according to Boston fire officials.

Kenneth Elmore, associate provost and dean of students, told BU Today that building residents were not able to stay in their rooms Saturday night. There were safety issues.

BU Today reports students may be able to return to their rooms Sunday afternoon.

Boston fire officials said the building sprinkler system was activated and the fire was contained to one room. There is water damage from the third floor to the first floor.

A cause of the fire has not been determined.

Power was cut off to the building. The Dugout Cafe, located in the basement, lost power, BU Today reports. Power was restored Sunday morning.
Two Amherst Democrats, Eric Nakajima and Mindy Domb, are competing in the 3rd Hampshire District primary election Tuesday.

The district includes Amherst, Granby and Pelham.

Whoever wins likely will be filling the shoes of state Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose, who announced earlier this year he would not seek a second term. There are no Republican candidates for the seat.

Both Nakajima and Domb are progressives with similar views on issues, but the candidates differ slightly in experience. Domb's background is in activism and human services, while Nakajima has worked in public policy and government.

Domb is originally from New Jersey but has spent the last 20 years living in Amherst.

Her political experience lies largely in the campaign arena, having worked for both the local campaigns to re-elect U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2012 and state Attorney General Maura Healey in 2014. Before coming to Massachusetts, Domb also worked for Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Weiss of New York.

Domb said her priorities include supporting full funding for public education from preschool through college graduation, "addressing income inequality, protecting the environment and responding to the disastrous effects of the climate crisis, supporting Medicare for All and implementing a universal public single payer system, defending reproductive rights and supporting immigrant rights, worker rights and LGBTQI rights."

She also said she wants to "make sure that Massachusetts proactively withholds support from the Trump Administration's mean-spirited and dangerous agenda."

Much of Domb's experience is also based in nonprofit work and local activism, with a focus in health and human services. Domb was the co-founder of the Berkshire AIDS Coalition, and has been executive director of the Amherst Survival Center since 2013. She has also served as the state Department of Public Health's regional coordinator for HIV testing, and started the state's first jail-based HIV education program in the Berkshire County House of Corrections.

"I have decades of experience working in the front lines of some of the most important issues of our time (HIV/AIDS, the opioid epidemic, income inequality)," Domb said. "This has shaped my understanding of the ways policies and programs impact individuals and communities. I have a track record of results in multiple arenas and a record of successful advocacy. My position on issues comes from working directly with people in need and listening to their concerns."

Domb has received the endorsements from Healey, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Goldstein-Rose and the district's previous representative, Ellen Story.

A Democrat since "he can remember," Nakajima grew up in the Amherst-Pelham area. His father left Japan shortly after the end of World War II to relocate to the U.S. Nakajima said he still enjoys Japanese culture, and is a member of the U.S.-Japan Council.

Nakajima served under former Gov. Deval Patrick, operating largely in the Executive Office of Housing and Development. Starting as a senior policy adviser in 2007, Nakajima went on to become an assistant secretary for innovation policy by the end of his tenure.

He described this work with the Patrick administration as having focused on "affordable housing, workforce housing, and community revitalization," with work being done in cities like Chicopee, Holyoke and Springfield.

Nakajima also has a friendly history with local labor unions, having recently received the endorsement of the Massachusetts chapter of the AFL-CIO. Eric Tolman, president of the union group, said Nakajima has the "experience and passion to be a strong advocate for quality schools, affordable housing, and higher paying jobs."

Nakajima said he supports a living wage, paid leave, low-cost public transit and affordable housing.

The candidate has also emphasized his close relationship to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Having attended the school in the 1980s, he returned to participate in activist and leadership roles -- including acting as a UMass trustee and chairman of Student Advisory Council for the Board of Regents.
An off-duty Revere police officer and a doctor pulled a child from a Massachusetts lake Saturday.

WCVB reports Winchester police were called to Sandy Beach around 3 p.m. Saturday and learned a boy was rescued from Mystic Lakes.

Authorities told the television station an off-duty Revere police officer and a doctor pulled the boy out of the water.

The Boston Globe reports the officer began CPR on the boy with the doctor and they revived the child.

The boy was taken to a Boston hospital.
Carlos Gonzalez has given the 10th Hampden District an able representative in the Massachusetts House.

He does need some improvement when it comes to his campaign paperwork, but the Springfield Democrat still merits another term on Beacon Hill.

Gonzalez is an incumbent who is running a write-in campaign for a race where no names will appear on the ballot. How this affects turnout and results in the Sept. 4 Democratic primary remains to be seen.

He offers an important voice on community affairs and minority issues, and has been active within the district since his first election in 2014. Gonzalez has been committed to legislation expanding opportunities for youth development, micro businesses in the urban sector, transitional assistance for needy families and a re-examination of secondary school educational testing.

Gonzalez is running a write-in campaign because his campaign submitted 112 valid signatures to the Springfield election office. A total of 150 are required to qualify a candidate for the ballot.

"We miscalculated on folks that were turning them in," Gonzalez said after the oversight was revealed. "I'm one of those guys, I see the future, not the past."

Assuming Gonzalez runs in future elections, he has a responsibility to do better than that. Making sure 150 valid signatures are filed is not too much to ask. Campaign and elections rules are not afterthoughts.

Balancing that misstep against his diligent, progressive work in the district, however, tilts strongly in favor of returning Gonzalez to Boston. At a time death, retirement and resignation are causing unprecedented turnover within the Western Massachusetts legislative delegation, the region needs experienced voices on Beacon Hill.

Springfield faces many issues associated with its current growth curve. Minority citizens in particular need representation. Rep. Gonzalez gives a strong political presence to those voices.

The Republican endorses his write-in campaign to continue representing the 10th Hampden District.
SPRINGFIELD -- Although the race for Hampden County register of deeds may not scream political intrigue, it has shaped up to be a contest of local interest among insiders.

Given the death of longtime incumbent Donald E. Ashe in midst of the primary campaign season, his namesake, a political newcomer, finds himself a write-in candidate on the Democratic ticket. His opponent is Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, a former state legislator and assistant Hampden Superior Court clerk.

The primary election is Tuesday.

Donald E. Ashe Jr. in early August announced his intention to run for the seat his father held since 1982. Donald E. Ashe Sr. died on July 10 after a battle with brain cancer, in the midst of his bid for a seventh term.

Coakley-Rivera announced her intent to challenge Ashe Sr. months before his death, and headed into the election season preparing to face the veteran register. His death left her alone on the Democratic ticket until Donald E. Ashe Jr. jumped in the race on Aug. 6.

Ashe said in an initial announcement he believed his father's tutelage over three decades best qualified him for the seat, and that he felt his late father would have wanted him to salvage his vision of the office and his longtime employees.

"These wonderful people he did in fact consider his second family," Ashe said in his initial announcement.

Coakley-Rivera, who served as the 10th Hampden District representative from 1999-2014, was appointed to the court clerk's position by Hampden Superior Court Clerk Laura Gentile during Coakley-Rivera's final year in the House.

She was the first Hispanic woman elected to the Massachusetts legislature.

Both Democratic candidates said they are running no-frills campaigns light on fundraising.

Coakley-Rivera said she is enjoying retail politicking -- mostly hitting community events with her father, who is in the throes of Alzheimer's disease but still enjoys personal interactions including parades and town festivals.

"Campaigning has been a lot of fun. It hasn't been work. I don't dread it. When I meet people I hope they will vote for me, but it's been really nice chatting with everyone," Coakley-Rivera said. "And I don't go out with an entourage. I assume voters want to talk to the candidate. They want to talk to me."

She has all of four campaign signs, some fliers and has purchased a limited number of 15-second television spots. The TV ads have focused on getting out the vote.

"The main thing is reminding people to get out to vote, and I ask that they vote for me," Coakley-Rivera said.

Ashe, on the other hand, has focused on veterans' events -- being a Vietnam era vet himself -- and events aimed at elders.

"I've had to run a four-month campaign in four weeks," he said. "I've had to cherry-pick events, and my primary message is informing people that I'm a write-in candidate."

Having missed the filing deadline to get on the ballot, Ashe must garner at least 1,000 votes to beat Coakley-Rivera. For instance, if he gets 950 votes and she gets 800, he still loses.

"I'm already starting behind the eight ball," Ashe said, adding that he is confident he will win 1,000 votes and then some throughout the county. He argues that, as a retired business owner, he is most qualified for the largely administrative position that focuses on real estate and land transactions across the county.

He has bought airtime on cable television and said he plans to send out mailers to a select group of Democratic voters.

Neither's campaign has been totally without bumps in the road. Coakley-Rivera was briefly the subject of Massachusetts Trial Court inquiry probing whether she was politicking in her taxpayer-funded office -- which is strictly prohibited. The investigation determined the suspicion was unfounded, according to a trial court spokeswoman.

Ashe hastily switched his political affiliation from unenrolled to Democrat, and had to answer for some decidedly right-wing posts on social media. He has since stripped his Facebook page of the controversial posts.

The winner of Tuesday's primary will face Republican challenger Marie Angelides in the general election Nov. 6.
On Tuesday voters in the 10th Hampden District including Chicopee, Springfield and West Springfield likely will decide who will represent them in the state Senate.

Incumbent James Welch of West Springfield is being challenged by fellow Democrat Amaad Rivera of Springfield, a former policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and former Springfield city councilor. There are no Republican candidates in the race.

Asked at a recent debate what they felt were the most important issues facing the three communities in the district, Welch and Rivera focused on different priorities.

Welch said for Springfield it's education, for West Springfield it's economic development and for Chicopee its the redevelopment of the Chicopee Mills project that would turn the largely vacant Cabotville Mill into as many as 600 apartments.

"That project would require federal and state dollars, which of course we have been able to successfully bring back to get those projects started," he said.

Rivera said he has spent the last six months engaging residents in all three communities.

"People often forget that the river may divide us, but so many issues connect us," he said.

Rivera said he stood with 100 Chicopee teachers at a School Committee meeting when they were at risk of being laid off. He said he stood with religious leaders at South Congregational Church in Springfield when they gave sanctuary to an undocumented immigrant facing deportation.

"In West Springfield we need to make sure that we have solar panels on a school that was a failure of state government and now makes West Springfield pay three times the amount of electricity costs for a brand new school," he said, referring to West Springfield High School.

Rivera said he was raised in Springfield by a single mother and overcame poverty, going on to earn a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts.

"I am from this community, I am proud of where I came from and I will fight for the residents of Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee with true leadership, which this district has not had in 14 years," he said.

Rivera has run an aggressive grassroots campaign, getting significant endorsements from Progressive Massachusetts, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, and former Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh.

He has also received endorsements from Springfield City Council Vice President Justin Hurst, Councilor and Democratic City Committee Chairman Jesse Lederman and Councilor Melvin Edwards, as well as Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and four Holyoke city councilors: Nelson Roman, Jossie Valentin, Juan C. Anderson-Burgos and Rebecca Lisi.

"Amaad knows the challenges that we're facing in Springfield and he's been working to solve them for his whole career, as a former city councilor, a state housing official, and a policy director to U.S. Senator Ed Markey," Hurst said. "We need a state senator who is connected to the community and who can mobilize folks in the district and across our region to get things done in Boston."

Welch was first elected to the seat in 2010 and is the chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing. He said being a senator is about constituent services and advocating for the residents in his district.

"Helping people is the reason I got into politics. I'm motivated by trying help people with the problems and challenges they face," he said.

Welch has support from former Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Thomas McGee, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, 1199SEIU and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, among others.

On Thursday Senate President Karen Spilka visited Springfield to meet with Welch and state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, at the Baystate High Street Health Center. The visit was an opportunity to meet with patients and see the work being done with the $500,000 earmarked by the state to help defray the health care costs of Hurricane Maria evacuees.

Spilka credited Welch with always making sure the needs of Western Massachusetts residents are considered when it comes to funding.

"Sen. Welch raised to my attention the big influx of residents to the Springfield area and their great needs," she said. "He and Rep. Gonzalez were great in raising this to our attention and helping thousands of folks in the area."

To learn more about where the candidates stand on issues ranging from charter school expansion to food insecurity and universal health care watch their debate on Focus Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD -- State Rep. Jose F. Tosado, who is seeking re-election to a third two-year term, faces a first-time candidate, Mark A. Kenyon, in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Both candidates said they have been active ahead of the primary, vying to represent the 9th Hampden District, which includes sections of Springfield and one Chicopee precinct.

"I'm just hoping that people come out," Tosado said. "It's the day after Labor Day and the assumption is that turnout will be very low. I am not taking anything for granted. I take every challenger seriously."

Kenyon, who retired from the U.S. Postal Service July 3 to run for state representative, said he has been talking to voters daily and has put up campaign signs. An employee of a federal organization is not able to run in a partisan election under the Hatch Act, he said.

"Jose obviously has a competitive advantage," Kenyon said. "He's the incumbent and has an extensive political career."

Tosado, in addition to serving four years as state representative, is a former five-term member of the City Council and previously served on the School Committee and as a member of the Police Commission. He said he is feeling good ahead of the primary, and "standing on my record."

"The past two terms I've done the job I was elected to do, met my campaign promises, and I hope and hope the voters of the 9th Hampden District agree," Tosado said.

Tosado said recently that he has been a strong advocate for many landmark bills such as raising the minimum wage, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, and advocating for improvements in the funding formula for education, among with efforts to improve the quality of life for residents.

Kenyon said he is a lifelong resident of the district, living at 194 Wildwood Ave. Tosado is a resident of 22 Birch Glen Drive.

Kenyon said respects the job done by Tosado and has supported him for office in the past. Kenyon said he chose to run for multiple reasons, including "a strong desire to serve the people of Springfield and Chicopee."

In addition, Kenyon said his son died last October from opioids, and he feels more must be done to help people suffering from opioid addiction.

Tosado said he knows Kenyon and welcomes competition.

"That's democracy," Tosado said. "People should be challenged, records should be held to scrutiny. Mine certainly has."

Both Tosado and Kenyon are veterans, both having served in the U.S. Navy.

Tosado has a significant edge on campaign funds over Kenyon, according to pre-primary campaign finance reports filed with the state.

Tosado started the year with $30,467.62 in his war chest, and raised an additional $10,550 during the year. His pre-primary expenses totaled $16,255.47.

Kenyon had $555 in receipts including $200 from himself. His total expenditures were listed at $538, leaving an ending balance of $17.

There were no debates between the candidates.

The 9th Hampden District consists of Chicopee's Ward 5, Precinct A; and in Springfield, Ward 2, Precincts A, B, C, D, F and G, Ward 5 Precincts C, D, G and H, Ward 7 Precincts F and H, and Ward 8, Precincts A, B, D and H.
Angela Merkel's trip to South Caucasus attracted attention of not only Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also the entire world, which closely monitors Germany's foreign policy. Deputy of the Bundestag from the Left faction, Helin Evrim Sommer, who visited all three countries as part of parliamentary delegation accompanying Merkel, shared her impressions of the trip in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.

- You work as vice-chairman of the German-South Caucasian parliamentary group in the Bundestag. What makes this relatively unknown region in Germany so interesting for you?

- My origin alone makes me connected to this region. Although I wasn't born in South Caucasus, I'm from Eastern Anatolia, but South Caucasus was always close to me due to both personal and political interest. History and development of these three countries are very interesting, and I know about situation there. While I was studying history at the Humboldt University in Berlin, I learned about many aspects of Stalinism and, in this context, problems of three countries of this region. When an opportunity to participate in parliamentary group came, I immediately expressed interest in it. As a member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I also often work on issues related to these three countries - in particular, slow-moving settlement of conflicts in South Caucasus.

- Was this your first trip to South Caucasus?

- Yes, this was my first visit, and it was very interesting for me to get acquainted with these three countries. Unfortunately, our stay there was very short, but despite that we managed to meet and talk with politicians, representatives of civil society and funds operating in this region. It was great and important to learn about current situation in South Caucasus in the field of politics, economy and culture.

- In your opinion, why did Chancellor Merkel wait so long to visit Caucasus?

- Only Mrs. Merkel can answer this question. Actually, it's stange that she visited Armenia and Azerbaijan for the first time. I believe that South Caucasus should be more prominent in Germany's foreign policy. This region should be taken more seriously by Germany, at least due to its proximity to Europe and existing economic ties. Overall, our federal government tries to maintain status quo, guided by slogan "everything should remain the same as before." This applies to our foreign policy in the Middle East and Caucasus. However, in the long term, this model of foreign policy doesn't take geopolitical and geostrategic trends in Caucasus after the collapse of the USSR into account, so it can't properly function. Today's world has changed, and Angela Merkel's favorite policy of "continuing to do the same thing" can't be pursued forever. Despite all that, I would like to praise the fact that Angela Merkel decided to visit this region, which was almost forgotten in recent years due to such international political trends as Donald Trump's policy, sanctions, crises and migration flows.

- Will Merkel's visit mark the beginning of changes in German policy in South Caucasus?

- I don't think that's the case. In my opinion, Merkel doesn't have political courage. She works in already outlined political framework of the EU's "Eastern Partnership" and association agreements. She doesn't have her own concept and program for this region, and she works only in existing framework.

- World and regional powers - Russia, the United States, Iran, Turkey, China, as well as such large European countries as Great Britain and France - are politically active in South Caucasus. In your opinion, can Germany strengthen its positions in this region?

- Energy factor plays an important role for us. That's what Germany focuses on right now within the framework of the EU and the Southern Gas Corridor. Naturally, German enterprises would like to find new economic sectors, and that's why economic delegation also accompanied us. However, Angela Merkel is pretty realistic about real political capabilities of Germany in this region. As she told us, this trip's goal was to "refresh" relations with three countries.

- Merkel visited Georgia first. What can you tell about Georgians' expectations from this visit?

- I think Georgians were pretty disappointed with the results, since Georgia expected that Merkel would say something new about membership of this country in NATO and will name specific date for its accession to the alliance. Same thing goes for accession to the EU. Angela Merkel clearly didnt' meet these high expectations. We had a meeting with Georgian deputies, who openly expressed their disappointment with Merkel during our conversation. Her obvious restraint when it comes to Georgia's accession to the NATO and the EU was met critically in Georgia. On the other hand, Georgia received increased support from KfW and will receive more funds for development within existing formats of cooperation. Overall, Georgian side's expectations were too high, and Merkel significantly lowered them.

- Was Georgia satisfied with Germany's position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

- As for breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgian side was expecting that Germany won't question territorial integrity of Georgia. I think it's a right thing to not support unilateral secession of these two regions politically. So far only five states recognized these territories as independent states, especially Russia, which participated in the last Caucasian war 10 years ago. Such conflicts can be resolved based on international law and mutual agreements.

- It's different from situation in Ukraine, since the EU didn't begin to impose sanctions against Russia in Georgia's case. How can you explain this?

- First of all, conflict in Georgia is much older than the Ukrainian one. If there's a need for sanctions, there should have been introduced 10 years ago after Russia's diplomatic recognition of two regions as independent states. This did not happen at that time, and it wouldn't be logical to impose sanctions 10 years later. On the other hand, despite all existing political problems, Russia remains an important partner of Germany. German government doesn't want to provoke Russia, and Berlin doesn't want another region destroyed by conflicts like Ukraine. Prior to her trip to South Caucasus, Merkel met with Vladimir Putin, and I believe that they talked about her upcoming visit to Caucasus, so that everything went smoothly in the end.
Thousands of people marched to protest against plans to decriminalize abortion in the state of Queensland. The demonstrators marched from Queens Gardens in Brisbane's Central Business District to Speaker's Corner outside Parliament House, carrying signs that read "Choose Life" and "Pro-Life Pro-Woman", an epa-efe journalist reported.

Queensland and New South Wales are the only states in Australia that continue to treat abortion as a crime. 

Senator Matthew Canavan was among those in attendance, along with Liberal National Party Senator for Queensland Amanda Stoker.



Canavan praised the "fantastic turnout" at the march. "So proud to stand with thousands of Queenslanders for the gift of life", he tweeted.



Source: IANS

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The bill is scheduled to be voted on October 16, and Cherish Life, the organization behind the rally, has said it "is imperative that Queenslanders urge their MPs to vote No", according to a statement by the group.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said that the U.S. dollar's reign on global trade should come to an end by adopting trade with local currencies between countries, Daily Sabah reports.

Speaking at Turkey-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum in Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, Erdogan said that dependence on the U.S. dollar was becoming more of a burden each passing day instead of a convenience.

"The attacks on our country is a clear example of this. They try to cast doubt on Turkey's strong and solid economy via currency manipulations," Erdogan said.

Talking about international credit rating businesses such as Moody's and Fitch, Erdogan said every move by those firms were "politicized" and called them "insidious" and "dishonest."

Erdogan said Turkey is resolved to establish independence in economy, defying the attacks targeting its economy.

Reminding Turkey's willingness to trade with its top trade partners like China and Russia in local currencies instead of the U.S. dollar, Erdogan said that Turkey was in the process of finalizing the move and added: "These last events have showed how right we are."

Erdogan also said that Turkey would consider trading with Kyrgyzstan in local currency as well.
The United States has warned its allies against buying S-400 air defense systems from Russia and threatened sanctions against any country anywhere that acquires the state-of-the-art system.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony of non-commissioned officers on Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will soon receive two S-400 air defense systems from Russia earlier than initially planned, Sputnik reported citing the Ankara-based news agency Anadolu.

Erdogan said Turkey is pursuing its own interests and struggling to reach its own goals "in the face of the efforts of those who try to shape both our country and our region according to their own agenda."

"We do not regret our decisions," he added.
FORESTER TOWNSHIP  Following an investigation, three children were removed from what police said was a "dangerous situation" and an Indiana man was arrested, according to a news release from the Sanilac County Sheriff's Office.

On Aug. 30, deputies were contacted by the Indiana Department of Human Services in regards to a case stemming from Wells County, Indiana. Deputies were asked to attempt to locate a mother, her three children and her boyfriend.
FLYNN TOWNSHIP  Police have suspects in custody and a woman is still missing in what the Sanilac County Sheriff's Office has referred to as a "suspicious situation."

Deputies were dispatched just before 4 a.m. Saturday to the 3900 block of Aitken Road in Flynn Township for a call of a missing woman.
MIDDLETOWN  We celebrate Labor Day in Middlesex County and around our great nation. Every year on Labor Day, I take some time to talk about the importance of the holiday designed to provide a day of rest for working men and women.

In addition to honoring the commitment and dedication of hard-working Americans, Labor Day also represents the traditional end of summer and serves as an ideal time to chart a path for the rest of the year. The chamber's far-reaching membership, 2,275 businesses that employ nearly 50,000 people, allows me to observe the outstanding diversity in the Middlesex County workforce.

The men and women of the Middlesex community not only provide the economic productivity that allows us to maintain a high standard of living, but they give back each and every day, and provide a great example for our young people. Despite the many differences in occupations, there is a definite common theme among those in our county and statewide workforce: Everyone works hard.

A job in any field requires a personal commitment and a lot of time and effort. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has continued to implement successful workforce development programs throughout the past year. As a result of our great working relationships with a number of key partners, the chamber is able to serve as a bridge that connects job seekers to employers. A strong workforce is the key to a strong economy, and the chamber is proud of its workforce development initiatives.

Enjoy your Labor Day, Middlesex County, but let us not forget our fellow citizens who are currently looking for work, and lets never forget those who serve our country in a variety of ways.

As usual, the first full week of September is packed with a number of chamber meetings and activities.

Wednesday morning features meetings of the chambers Portland and East Hampton Division and Environment and Infrastructure Committee. The Portland and East Hampton division meeting, to be held at St. Clements Castle, will feature local updates from key municipal officials and chamber members.

The chambers divisions continue to be a vital link to our member towns and to each individual local business community within our service area.

The Environment and Infrastructure Committee focuses on important environment, land use, transportation and energy issues that have a direct impact on the business community in Middlesex County. This committee, as all of our industry-based groups do, continues to be an important part of our organization.

On Thursday morning, our Central Business Bureau will meet at 8 in the chamber conference room. This meeting, which will feature updates from a number of key Middletown stakeholders, including Mayor Drew and city department directors, will be hosted by KidCity Childrens Museum.

Middletown Parking Director Geen Thazhampallath will provide an update on the parking situation in the downtown area, which has gone through a lot of changes of late. We look forward to another productive CBB meeting on Thursday morning.

Friday, our Chester, Deep River, and Essex Division will meet at the Route 9 Exit 4 Commuter Parking Lot on Route 154 at the Deep River/Essex town line. The meeting will feature an update from Joe Comerford, executive director of the Estuary Transit District, which recently launched a new bus route from Madison to Middletown along routes 1, 81 and 154. Joe will also speak to other chamber divisions later in the month.

We look forward to starting off September with a bang during this short, but very busy week.

A packed September continues next week with an important business seminar, and a Business After Work networking reception on the river.

The seminar, which is the latest installment of the KeyBank Workshop Series, will be held Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at the chamber office. This session is titled Learn How to Make Your Business Stand Out Across All Forms of Social Media. Presented by Patrick Ganino of Social Tuna, the workshop will provide practical tips on how to make social media work for your business.

From the small nuances that allow your business to use social media effectively, to creating an effective posting schedule, to proper posting techniques, to email collation, this workshop is comprehensive. Please visit middlesexchamber.com for registration information. This important workshop series is sponsored by KeyBank, and I continue to appreciate the support of Market President Jeff Hubbard and his entire team.

Excitement continues to build for the September Business After Work networking reception which will be held aboard the Lady Katharine Cruise Boat, Mystique next Sept. 12. Mystique is docked at Harbor Park, 80 Harbor Drive in Middletown. Members can board the boat at 5 p.m. and network while docked until 6. At approximately 6 p.m., the Mystique will take a trip down river and will return at the close of the Business After Work at 7.

This event, as all of our Business After Work events do, will feature a terrific spread of food and drink and of course, the best networking around. The visit to the Mystique is for chamber members and key employees. All members who are interested in attending must register in advance.

On behalf of the chamber, I want to thank the owner of Lady Katharine Cruises, Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, for hosting this event and for their strong support of our chamber. Kevin Dodd and his team continue to do great work throughout the region, and we continue to appreciate their effort.

On the member breakfast front, the chamber will welcome FedEx Ground President & CEO Henry Maier as guest speaker Sept. 21. This event is jointly sponsored by the City of Middletown and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Maier assumed his role in June 2013 and is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of the company.

He also serves on the FedEx Corp. Strategic Management Committee. His visit coincides with the opening of the 525,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution hub in the Westfield section of Middletown.

FedEx Ground has more than 90,000 employees, an average daily volume of 8 million packages, and annual revenue of $18 billion (FY2017).

The breakfast meeting will be immediately followed by a lenders forum, which will feature a panel discussion and mini expo with representatives of bank, non-bank and community lending sources. Attendees will learn how to access the money they may need either now or in the future. The event will also feature information on SBA & DECD loan programs and other important topics about financing your business.

I would like to close this weeks chamber column with some thoughts on the recent passing of U.S. Sen. John McCain.

John McCain is a true American hero who served his country with honor throughout his life. He entered the Naval Academy in June of 1954, and served in the U.S. Navy until 1981. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982, and elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986.

Sen. McCain was the Republican Partys nominee for president in the 2008 election, and most recently served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

We were so honored to welcome him as keynote speaker at a chamber member luncheon in March 2015. During his remarks, he spoke about politics and his love for America, but he really focused on Thirteen Soldiers, a terrific book that he co-wrote with Mark Salter about the personal accounts of 13 American soldiers who fought in major military conflicts throughout our history.

We were also happy to welcome Mr. Salter to the event and I know that both of these gentlemen felt welcome in Middlesex County. It will go down as one of our best and most well-attended chamber events.

John McCain served his country, and he served it remarkably well. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce mourns his passing and offers our best wishes to his family. We thank him, and his fellow veterans, for their service. May Senator John McCain rest in peace.

Larry McHugh is president of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce in Middletown.
A crime group leader was eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in Dagestan, Russia, the National Antiterrorism Committee said, TASS reported.

"He was involved in the attack on law enforcement officers", the committee informed.

Law enforcement officers discovered the criminal, who was on the wanted list, on September 1 in a forest near the Toturbiykala settlement. The crime group leader did not heed the demand to lay down his arms and surrender, and opened fire from an automatic weapon. During the shootout, the offender was neutralized.

"He was identified - it is the leader of a crime group, Abas Khubayev, who was involved in several attacks and murders of law enforcement officers and civilians, including the attack on the officers of the Road Patrol Service near the Stalskoye settlement in the Kizilyurtovsky District in July 2018," the source said.

There have been no casualties among the civilian population and the police forces.
CROMWELL  It was a basic utilitarian room.

Actually, it was two bland, featureless rooms with a folded sliding cardboard divider that could be used to separate them. It didnt even have a name, just a reference number: Rooms 222-224.

It had all the grace  which is to say barely any  of a bus terminal waiting room with pretensions. It had a linoleum floor, row upon row of chairs  metal, folding, color gray.

Only recently were black Germanic chairs added, creating a faux business class for people sitting in the front of the room. Those harsh chairs radiated a silent but firm message, however  dont linger too long.

The economy class, the residents who at the rear, had to make do with the folding chairs.

There was a sound system, not that it faithfully transmitted the remarks of the few councilors or commissioners used their microphones.

People sitting in the rear of the room at best caught snatches of comments, fragments of thoughts, like a faraway radio station heard across the water on late summer night.

And yet this sterile room on the second floor of Town Hall was the seat of government for the town of Cromwell. Budgets were crafted here, planning proposals approved  or not  and acts, rules and proposed laws discussed, debated and sometimes approved here.

Once, governmental buildings reflected the dream of largeness of spirit and achievement, of the potential for greatness, of important things happening within its confines. These were buildings that spoke of pride, hope and vision.

This room, installed in 1985 when the Town Hall was created out of a former school, spoke of none of that. Instead it epitomized the triumph of the low bidder.

The best thing about Room 222-224 was the floors, which Building Maintainer Edward Kennedy polished to a high gleam in which people could see their faces and perhaps imagine themselves capable of great things.

The relentless mediocrity of the room chafed at Town Manager Anthony J. Salvatore. He wanted a room that spoke to the aspirational in government and in the people of Cromwell.

Salvatore spoke with Mayor Enzo Faienza and together they developed plans to re-do the room as a proper council chamber. The result: a complete makeover that turned a could-be bus terminal space into a room of which residents can be proud.

Crews from the Department of Public Works dismantled the room divider and re-painted the entire room.

Faienza and Salvatore had previously had an overhead projector installed, which enabled them to project images (and/or budgets) on a drop-down screen.

But as he embarked on the makeover, Salvatore wondered if we couldnt have a double-sided screen  one for the council and the other one for residents who would be seated in what now was becoming the council chamber.

I wanted to address problems we were having with the presentations. We had them install simultaneous projectors so we could simulcast presentations, he explained.

That was the least of the efforts. The town crews leveled the floor before a new rug was installed. The existing dais dismantled and a new one constructed out of cherry wood by employees of Angel Custom Woodworking of Waterbury.

The dais was brought forward to enable residents with disabilities who serve on the council or the other agencies that use the room to move freely about, something they were not able to do with the previous dais.

A new sound system was installed by Horizon Electronics. It is a system officials promise will put an end to what residents have been subjected.

Altogether, the project cost approximately $30,000. The room has been renamed as the Council Chamber.

It has warm, cozy feel about it, Salvatore said. The response has been extremely positive, both by the councilors and the commissioner that use it as well as by the citizens. I am very happy with the results, and very proud.

Im especially proud of all the work that was done by our employees, as well as by Rick DAngelo from Angel Woodworking and Rich Green from Horizon.

Salvatore and Faienza were looking for one more thing, that one special thing that would cap the renovation.

I always thought there should be a focal point, the manager said.

Salvatore drew upon his extensive network of contacts and reached out to the state Commissioner of Corrections who thought he might be able to help.

In short order, Salvatore and Faienza had what they wanted: the seal of the town made out of red oak wood  and made by inmates.

It was installed on north facing wall of the chamber, under a spotlight

Its exactly what we envisioned, Salvatore said. Its the focal point.

Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com
In President Donald Trumps defense, erasing the Obama Administrations strict emissions standards for coal-powered electric plants embraces the concept of putting authority in the hands of individual states.

That approach is appropriate on some issues. The environment is not one of them. Its akin to letting a smoker decide if they will light up in front of a non-smoker. Selfish urges have a habit of cutting the line ahead of compassion.

The air we breathe scoffs at boundaries. So, while Connecticut could remain proper stewards of appropriate standards, nothing would stop Midwestern states with strong coal-industry lobbyists from sending smog our way.

President Trump continues to cave to the will of polluters ... Trumps own EPA estimates that as many as 1,400 people per year will die prematurely because of the increased pollution caused by this backwards rule, and as a downwind state Connecticut will be disproportionately affected, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy countered.

Its predictable outrage from the governor over the presidents policies and will surely land with all the power of a snowball in an August heat wave.

Trumps reasoning has been that intrusive Environmental Protection Agency regulations kill jobs.

Our reasoning is that a lack of them kills people.

President Barack Obamas vision was to reduce emissions by one-third and replace coal with cleaner energy solutions by 2030. New England has remained on a steady path to that goal. The closure of Connecticuts last coal-fired power-generating plant along Bridgeport Harbor should be recognized as a sign of progress.

Trumps team is squarely on the side of (in his words) beautiful, clean coal, starting with former industry lobbyist Andrew Wheeler, who now holds the title of EPA administrator.

The Trump Administration is also trying to pump the brakes on Obamas efforts to boost fuel efficiency and reduce global warming emissions from our cars and trucks. If the air feels just a little warmer, a little thicker, in these final days of August, just remember that our vehicles are helping to overheat the planet.

Leah Lopez-Schmalz, chief program officer for Connecticut Fund for the Environment, echoed Malloys anger, accusing Trumps emissions plan of potentially leading to premature deaths, thousands of additional asthma attacks and lost school days.

The policies are a threat to Americas most vulnerable citizens, its children and its seniors, as exposure to air pollution contributes to health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.

The United States cant prevent fumes from crossing our borders  even a wall couldnt do that  but we can sustain practical policies to contribute to a healthier planet.

With coal states decrying the Obama regulations as overreach, our 50 states can never be expected to clear the air. Theres too much money involved.
Still undetermined is whether the impact caused the October leak, or if the line was hit by something else at a later date.
Day the Second World War ended is celebrated today in Russia.

As Fox News writes, Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of V-J Day  Victory over Japan, when World War II ended on Sept. 2, 1945 with Japans surrender to the United States in a ceremony about the battleship USS Missouri.

It followed V-E Day  Victory in Europe  on May 8 that same year, when the Allies accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany.

The Second World War was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945.

It was the most global war in history; it directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries.

Soviet Union suffered the most, losing 27 million people.
Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Strunz Dana Chemical Elements

Mineral List  Gold

1 valid mineral. 1 valid mineral.

Detailed Mineral List:  Gold Formula: Au Reference: The Age newspaper (1859) The Nightingale Dispute Ballaarat. Serious Disturbance, 11 January 1859.

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification Group 1 - Elements  'Gold' 1.AA.05 Au

List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification Group 1 - NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS Metals, other than the Platinum Group  Gold 1.1.1.1 Au

List of minerals for each chemical element Au Gold Au  Gold Au

Regional Geology

Historic gold mine.The claim is at the junction of the Golden Point and its tributary leads Malakoff and Nightingale. There were many leases in the area in the late 1850's, and like at various others parts of the goldfield at this time much litigation in the Court of Mines over who owned what piece of land, and accusations of encroachment. It amounted to a legal, and sometimes physical underground war between numerous parties, only solved when a Royal Commission was called, which arbitrarily determined what company could mine what land, and ended the legal arguments.The Telegraph, Great Western, British and West Malakoff companies were all in dispute with each other. The Telegraph and Great Western miners entered into an alliance against the West Malakoff. Meanwhile the British Mine miners were erecting barricades underground, and arranging combustible materials to burn believing they would be invaded by the Great Western miners. Instead they traversed the Telegraph workings and attacked the West Malakoff miners while they were working. The West Malakoff men were overpowered, then sent running with ore wagons pushed down an incline towards them. On the surface the West Malakoff men armed themselves, then took over the Telegraph and Great Western mine engine houses, thereby preventing the thirty or so Great Western men from surfacing. The police arrived, however the men refused to surface, and a stand off ensued throughout the night. Some were eventually arrested, and faced court charged with assault and damaging a mine.They were John McDonald, Samuel Johns, Laurence Branscombe, Patrick Flannigan, Robert Morrison, John Jones, John Earhardt, William Kelly, Martin Mullins, William Johnson, William Stevens, Abraham Berman. A jury acquitted them after 20 minutes of deliberation.Robert Vetter was killed in a fall of earth January 1858. In monetary terms the company stated it had achieved 25 000 pounds worth of gold by March 1859. Information of activity was only found between 1857 to 1859.The shaft is at the Midland Highway and South Street intersection.

This geological map and associated information on rock units at or nearby to the coordinates given for this locality is based on relatively small scale geological maps provided by various national Geological Surveys. This does not necessarily represent the complete geology at this locality but it gives a background for the region in which it is found.

Click on geological units on the map for more information. Click here to view full-screen map on Macrostrat.org

Newer Volcanic Group Age: Cenozoic (0 - 23.03 Ma) Stratigraphic Name: Newer Volcanic Group Description: Cinder cones - scoria, minor ash and agglutinates; Lava flows - tholeiitic to minor alkaline and basanitic lavas. Comments: igneous mafic volcanic; synthesis of multiple published descriptions Lithology: Igneous mafic volcanic Reference: Raymond, O.L., Liu, S., Gallagher, R., Zhang, W., Highet, L.M. Surface Geology of Australia 1:1 million scale dataset 2012 edition. Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia). [5] Paleozoic sedimentary rocks Age: Paleozoic (427.4 - 541 Ma) Comments: Lachlan Fold Belt Lithology: Sedimentary rocks Reference: Chorlton, L.B. Generalized geology of the world: bedrock domains and major faults in GIS format: a small-scale world geology map with an extended geological attribute database. doi: 10.4095/223767. Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 5529. [154]

Data and map coding provided by Macrostrat.org, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

References

Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)

The Age newspaper (Melbourne) (1858) Ballaarat, 28 January 1858. The Colonial Mining Journal Railway and Share Gazette (Victoria) (1858) Ballaarat, 04 November 1858. The Age newspaper (1859) The Nightingale Dispute Ballaarat. Serious Disturbance, 11 January 1859. The Argus newspaper (1859) Ballaarat Criminal Sessions (abridged from the Ballaarat Star). Monday February 14. (Before his Honor the Chief Justice). The Malakoff Riot, 17 February 1859. The Colonial Mining Journal Railway and Share Gazette (Victoria) (1859) Ballaarat, 06 January 1859. The Colonial Mining Journal Railway and Share Gazette (Victoria) (1859) Ballaarat, 03 March 1859.
No minerals currently recorded for this locality.

List of minerals for each chemical element

Regional Geology

Historic gold mine from the 1850's. The lease was sold to the adjoining company lease to the west in 1857. The shaft bordered Armstrong Street.

This geological map and associated information on rock units at or nearby to the coordinates given for this locality is based on relatively small scale geological maps provided by various national Geological Surveys. This does not necessarily represent the complete geology at this locality but it gives a background for the region in which it is found.

Click on geological units on the map for more information. Click here to view full-screen map on Macrostrat.org

Newer Volcanic Group Age: Cenozoic (0 - 23.03 Ma) Stratigraphic Name: Newer Volcanic Group Description: Cinder cones - scoria, minor ash and agglutinates; Lava flows - tholeiitic to minor alkaline and basanitic lavas. Comments: igneous mafic volcanic; synthesis of multiple published descriptions Lithology: Igneous mafic volcanic Reference: Raymond, O.L., Liu, S., Gallagher, R., Zhang, W., Highet, L.M. Surface Geology of Australia 1:1 million scale dataset 2012 edition. Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia). [5] Paleozoic sedimentary rocks Age: Paleozoic (427.4 - 541 Ma) Comments: Lachlan Fold Belt Lithology: Sedimentary rocks Reference: Chorlton, L.B. Generalized geology of the world: bedrock domains and major faults in GIS format: a small-scale world geology map with an extended geological attribute database. doi: 10.4095/223767. Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 5529. [154]

Data and map coding provided by Macrostrat.org, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

References

Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)

The Star newspaper (1857) Mining, 09 January 1857. Geological Survey of Victoria (1981) Ballarat Goldfield South 1:10 000 geological map. Department of Minerals & Energy, Victoria.
 Alunite Formula: KAl 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 Locality: Seven Mile Well, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Park Co., Wyoming, USA Reference: 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting (18-21 October 2009) Paper No. 26-23; Phillips, A. R., Larson, P. B., John, D. A., & Pauley, B. M. (2008, December). Hydrothermal Quartz Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Altered Post-Collapse Rhyolite at Sevenmile Hole, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY. In AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.

 Analcime var. Cesian Analcime Formula: Na(AlSi 2 O 6 )  H 2 O Reference: Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 71

 Buddingtonite Formula: (NH 4 )(AlSi 3 O 8 ) Locality: Seven Mile Well, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Park Co., Wyoming, USA Reference: 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting (18-21 October 2009) Paper No. 26-23; Phillips, A. R., Larson, P. B., John, D. A., & Pauley, B. M. (2008, December). Hydrothermal Quartz Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Altered Post-Collapse Rhyolite at Sevenmile Hole, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY. In AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.

 Celadonite Formula: K(Mg,Fe2+)Fe3+(Si 4 O 10 )(OH) 2 Reference: Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 71

 Clinoferrosilite (TL) Formula: Fe2+SiO 3 Type Locality: Reference: Amer.J.Sci.(1935) ser. 4, 30, 481-494

 Cristobalite Formula: SiO 2 Reference: AmMin 24:485; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 71, 72

 Cryolite ? Formula: Na 2 NaAlF 6 Reference: Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980

 Dachiardite-Na Formula: (Na 2 ,Ca,K 2 ) 5 Al 10 Si 38 O 96  25H 2 O Reference: Tschernich, 1992. Zeolites of the World

 Dickite Formula: Al 2 (Si 2 O 5 )(OH) 4 Locality: Seven Mile Well, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Park Co., Wyoming, USA Reference: 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting (18-21 October 2009) Paper No. 26-23; Phillips, A. R., Larson, P. B., John, D. A., & Pauley, B. M. (2008, December). Hydrothermal Quartz Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Altered Post-Collapse Rhyolite at Sevenmile Hole, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY. In AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.

 Fayalite Formula: Fe2+ 2 SiO 4 Reference: Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/fayalite.pdf)

 'Heulandite' Reference: Bird, D.K., Schiffman, P., Elders, W.A., Williams, A.E., McDowell, S.D. (1984) Calc-silicate mineralization in active geothermal systems. Economic Geology: 79(4): 671695.

 Kaolinite Formula: Al 2 (Si 2 O 5 )(OH) 4 Locality: Seven Mile Well, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Park Co., Wyoming, USA Reference: 2009 Portland GSA Annual Meeting (18-21 October 2009) Paper No. 26-23; Phillips, A. R., Larson, P. B., John, D. A., & Pauley, B. M. (2008, December). Hydrothermal Quartz Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Altered Post-Collapse Rhyolite at Sevenmile Hole, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY. In AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.

 Laumontite Formula: CaAl 2 Si 4 O 12  4H 2 O Reference: Tschernich, 1992. Zeolites of the World; Econ Geol (1984) 79:671-695

 Mordenite Formula: (Na 2 ,Ca,K 2 ) 4 (Al 8 Si 40 )O 96  28H 2 O Reference: Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 71, 166

 Quartz var. Agate Reference: D. M. Schlegal (1959) Gem Stones of the United States. USGS Bulletin 1042G

 Quartz var. Moss Agate Formula: SiO 2 Reference: Ludlow (1876) Report of a reconnaissance from Carroll, Montana territory, on the upper Missouri to the Yellowstone National Park

 Wairakite Formula: Ca(Al 2 Si 4 O 12 )  2H 2 O Description: zoned crystals of Ca-rich analcime and Na-rich Wairakite Reference: Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 71.; Bird, D.K., Schiffman, P., Elders, W.A., Williams, A.E., McDowell, S.D. (1984) Calc-silicate mineralization in active geothermal systems. Economic Geology: 79(4): 671695.
YPSILANTI, MI - Eastern Michigan University has reached an agreement on a three-year contract with the EMU Federation of Teachers Full-Time Lecturers Union.

The agreement, which was ratified by the EMUFT on July 27, runs from Sept. 1, 2018, until August 31, 2021. EMU's Board of Regents approved the agreement during a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 30.

Under the new contract, lecturers receive across-the-board salary increases of 1.75 percent in 2018-19; 2 percent in 2019-20 and 2.25 percent in 2020-21.

The agreement also increased overload rates and summer pay, from $1,350 per credit hour in 2018-19 to $1,400 in 2020-21.

The contract also resulted in an increase in base pay for Lecturer I ($37,000), Lecturer II ($39,500) and Lecturer III ($43,000).

"I want to express my strong appreciation and support for the crucial role our EMU Full-Time Lecturers play in the education, development and campus experience of EMU students," EMU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Rhonda Longworth said in a news release. "I also want to thank the negotiating teams for the hard work and strong commitment to collaboration that resulted in this agreement."

No changes were made to the EMUFT's current health care plan and the employee contribution increases by 8.5 percent year-to-year. HSA and HMO premiums for employees increase by 13.8 to 14.4 percent year-to-year in the first two years of the contract and 13.5 percent in year three.

The agreement covers approximately 90 full-time lecturers.
JACKSON, MI - An office furniture installation business in Jackson was left with heavy smoke damage Saturday afternoon after a fire broke out in the building.

Fire crews and police responded around 3:30 p.m., Sept. 1, to Marshalls Installation at 216 W Euclid Ave., Sgt. Jason Ganzhorn said.

A window in the building was blown out by the flames before firefighters arrived to the scene. The fire was put out around 3:30 p.m, Ganzhorn said.

Investigators said they do not believe arson to be the cause, and that the fire could have been the result of an electrical issue.

No injuries were reported. Ganzhorn said damages are still being determined, but the building has extensive smoke damage and water damage from the flames being extinguished.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Two men were shot Saturday night in southwest Grand Rapids and police are now looking for a suspect.

The shooting occurred at 10:34 p.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of Darwin Avenue, according to police. Both men were shot in various places, including the abdomen and thumb, but their wounds were not considered life-threatening.

The incident remains under investigation.

Police are searching for a suspect described as a African American or Latino man measuring 5-foot, 10-inches tall, weighing about 180 pounds, according to police. He was last seen wearing a light-colored T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Grand Rapids police at 616-456-3400 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
WEST MICHIGAN - Thousands of West Michigan residents are without power Sunday following a string of overnight and early morning storms.

A majority of those outages centered near Grand Rapids, with other scattered outages reported across the region.

Roger Morgenstern, senior public information officer at Consumers Energy, said Consumers is mobilizing crews to address the outages and expects power to be restored by late Sunday night. However, additional storm cells may result in more outages and later restoration times, Morgenstern added.

A total of 4,741 Consumers Energy customers in Kent County are experiencing outages, according to the company's online outage map. At least 2,992 of those outages are occurring in Comstock Park. Grand Rapids has a reported 717 customers without power, according to the map.

More than 1,000 customers in Allegan County are without power, while smaller scattered outages have been reported in Barry, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

To the north and south, Great Lakes Energy customers are experiencing outages in Newaygo, Mason, Oceana and Osecola counties, according to a news release issued by the company. Residents in Newaygo and Oceana counties should have power restored later this evening, but residents in Mason and Osecola may have to wait until Monday at the earliest or Tuesday at the latest.

Reports of trees and wires down have been reported across the area. A string of tornadoes have also been reported Sunday morning, but those claims have not been confirmed by the National Weather Service.
COLDWATER, MI - Several pieces of professional audio equipment were stolen from an area church - equipment vital to praise and worship music during Sunday service, according to Michigan State Police.

The break-in occurred sometime between Aug. 26 and early Sunday morning at the Snow Prairie Bible Church, located at 302 S. Snow Prairie Road, according to a news release issued by MSP.

Investigators said the following items were stolen from the church:

Two Peavy amplifiers.

A CD recording device.

One audio mixing console.

Several audio cables.

One laptop.

If anyone has information about this theft, please call the Marshall Post at 269-550-0500.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - The Russian government was among several agencies that worked together to nab a sex offender who is facing child porn charges.

Keith William Mahan, 44, of Montague in Muskegon County has been charged with two counts of copying child sexually abusive material and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. Both charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

But Mahan faces up to life in prison because he has two previous criminal sexual conduct convictions and failed to comply with the sex offender registry.

He allegedly had "many video images" of child pornography in his possession that were obtained through a "peer-to-peer" sharing program, said Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat.

The Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force first identified Mahan as a suspect, Maat said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Cybercrime Department of the Russian Ministry of the Interior also provided assistance, he said.

Mahan was convicted in 1993 and 1995 of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving force or coercion, Maat said. In 2011, he was convicted of failing to comply with the Sex Offender Registry Act, which at that time was a misdemeanor. In 2012, he was again convicted of failing to comply with the registry act, but by then the offense had become a felony.

He also has misdemeanor retail fraud convictions from 2014 and 2015.

Mahan was arraigned on Aug. 23 and is being held in the Muskegon County Jail on a $200,000 cash or surety bond. His preliminary examination is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 12 before Muskegon County District Judge Harold Closz.
UPDATE:

Brother, sister arraigned on murder charges in missing woman's death

SANILAC COUNTY, MI -- The death of a 42-year-old woman found late Saturday evening in southeastern Buel Township in rural Sanilac County has been ruled a homicide, police said.

Deputies with the Sanilac County Sheriff's Office were sent out shortly after 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 to the 3900 block of Aitken Road in Flynn Township for a man reporting his girlfriend missing and blood found in their residence.

The Michigan State Police Crime Lab was called in to assist at the scene as well as with a vehicle located later Saturday morning in Marlette from leads developed by deputies and detectives.

Law enforcement officials were eventually led to Buel Township, approximately 20 miles from the original scene, during the course of their investigation and found the woman's body.

An autopsy performed Sunday morning determined her death to be a homicide, police said. The victim's name has not yet been released.

Two suspects, whose names have not been released, are currently in custody pending arraignment. The investigation is ongoing and police remind the public this was an isolated incident.
Areas on both of Michigan's peninsulas have been rocked by repeated storms in the last week.

But somehow, those storm systems look so much prettier from up high and backlit by moonlight.

A satellite image shared by the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows Saturday's line of storms approaching Michigan very early that morning.

"VIIRS Day/Night Band on the NOAA-20 satellite captured moonlit storm tops with multiple lightning streaks rumbling across Iowa into Wisconsin and northern Illinois last night," CIMSS said while sharing the image on Facebook.

"This is not welcome rain however, the National Weather Service has Flash Flood Watches and some warnings in effect for most of the counties in these locations."

In Michigan's Lower Peninsula, the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Rogue River below Rockford, affecting parts of Kent County into Tuesday afternoon. The river is expected to reach its 8-foot flood stage on Monday night.

The NWS is also forecasting multiple rounds of heavy rain for parts of Michigan as we head into next week. Their meteorologists published these highlights:

- Each round of thunderstorms will be capable of producing very heavy rain and flooding

- Rainfall amounts will be highly variable, but hardest hit areas will receive upwards of 1-2" with EACH ROUND of storms

- Risk for flooding will continue to increase as soils become more saturated and rivers/streams fill

- Higher confidence with rounds tonight-Monday, and Wednesday-Wednesday night; few strong storms will be possible with these rounds

- Heat index in low 90s south of I-96 today and Monday, and 90-95 all of W Michigan Tuesday
SSJ Finance & Securities

Concerns over the ongoing US-China trade war continue to dampen investors appetite for base metals and consequently pressure prices lower.

Despite the optimism in the market over a trade agreement reached between the US and Mexico earlier this week and positive developments in negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Lack of progress between China and the US continues to dominate market focus with a fresh round of tariffs between the two set to take effect next week.

Lead prices have retraced from the recent lows thanks to a bullish backdrop of low on-exchange stocks and tightened supply of lead ore and concentrate globally.

SHFE lead stocks totaled 18,277 tonnes on August 24, down 56.3 percent from 41,816 tonnes at the start of the year. Stocks at London Metal Exchange warehouses totaled 126,225 tonnes on Wednesday, which is down by 11.2 percent from 142,225 tonnes on January 2  the first trading day of 2018.

This comes at the time when global mine output fell by 98,000 tonnes or 4.2 percent in the first half of 2018 according to the latest International Lead and Zinc Study Group data.

This is another indication that the global lead concentrate market has tightened and likely to remain so until year end.

MCX Lead Technical Analysis:

From the above daily chart of Lead we can see that prices after making highs around 170 in the month of June have seen a sharp decline below 140 and have recently given a pullback towards 147/150 zones after making a low around 137.50.

When prices started a correction from 170 in the month of June at that time major supports was seen around 150 (Blue Horizontal Line) and prices broke below that level and went below 140.

Going forward, we have seen a retracement from the oversold zones of 140 and now prices are trading around 148 zones. Prices could face stiff resistance again towards the horizontal line which was earlier a support line now turned as a resistance line at 150/152.

We could see prices heading lower again towards the previous swing low of 137 in near term. Prices are also nearing the 50-day SMA at 150.3 (Orange Line) which could offer resistance and they converge with the horizontal blue line.

It could be difficult for prices to break above 152 in the first attempt and we could see a down move towards 143/140 zones or may retest the recent low around 137.

The relative strength index (RSI) is also approaching the overbought zones at 60, which could also provide resistance to prices in the near-term.

Thus from the above analysis, we conclude that as long as we are below Rs 152 on a daily closing basis we expect a move lower towards Rs 144/140 zones and a possible test of Rs 137 again.

The author is AVP Commodity Research, SSJ Finance & Securities Pvt Ltd. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Chandan Taparia

Chandan Taparia

The Nifty formed a high wave Doji candle, as it closed flattish, indicating that bulls are not ready to surrender, even as bears are putting some pressure from higher zones. It witnessed selling pressure from higher levels, but on the decline, it managed to respect previous days low to recover towards 11,680 zones.

The index has been moving in a rising channel and respecting to its support trend line by connecting all the recent swing lows of 10,557, 10,630, 10,946, 11,340 and 11,620 levels.

Now, it has to decisively hold above 11,666 zones to extend its move towards 11,777  11,800 zones while a drift below previous swing high at 11,620 could change its short term price behaviour.

The Nifty has been making higher top-higher bottom on a weekly scale and supports are gradually shifting higher. The India VIX moved up by 1.53% at 12.60 but overall lower volatility suggests that decline could be bought in the market.

On the options front, maximum Put OI was seen at 11,600 followed by 11,500 strike, while maximum Call OI is at 11,800 followed by 12,000 strike. Call writing is seen at 11,800 followed by 12,000 strike, whereas Put writing was seen at 11,600 followed by 11,500 strike. Options band with its early OI inventory signifies an immediate trading range in between 11,600 to 11,800 zones.

The Bank Nifty was stuck in a broader range in between 27,700 to 28,400 zones from last eighteen trading sessions. It requires a hold above 27,950 zones to extend its move towards 28,333 then a fresh high towards 28,500.

On the decline, 27,750-27,700 zones could act as an immediate support. The banking index is stuck in range as many heavyweight private banking stocks are finding selling pressure, which is also giving a pause to Nifty index to continue its positive momentum.

We are expecting Stock-specific positive momentum in most of IT (NIIT Tech, Mindtree, KPIT, Hcltech), pharma (Sunpharma, Lupin, Auropharma, Divislab), PSU Banks (Bank Baroda, PNB), L&T, Bharatforg, etc names.

On the Nifty, traders can go with Bull Call Spread by buying one lot of 11,750 call and selling one lot of 11,900 call to play to positive to rangebound move of the market.

Th Nifty closed August series with the gains of 4.56% and moved by 550 from its series low of 11,210 to its life-time high of 11,760 levels. It witnessed gains of around 10% in last two series and rallied from 10,600 to 11,760 zones. Nifty Futures has seen rollover of 68.37% with roll cost of 0.48%.

The Bank Nifty closed August series with gains of 2.54% and remained consolidative between 27,750 and 28,388 zones from last four weeks. It has rollover of 65.92% with roll cost of 0.42%. Sector wise better rollover seen in Media, Fertilisers, Textile, Power and Realty while comparatively lower rolls in IT, Oil & Gas, Capital Goods, Cement and FMCG sector.

In line with rollover, with better roll cost suggests that longs are rolling their position in the next series. So overall positive bias could continue, but as it already has seen movement of 10% in last two series. So, some range bound move could be seen in the market.

The author is Associate Vice President, Analyst-Derivatives at Motilal Oswal Securities. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
The Noida Police on Saturday registered a case against some employees of a cash replenishing firm for allegedly swindling Rs 1.16 crore.

The money was stolen over a period of two months by the accused who were entrusted with the responsibility of refilling cash in the ATMs of the city, the police said.

The private firm-- Logicash Private Solutions on Friday lodged a complaint with the Noida Sector 24 police station suspecting complicity of some of its employees in the episode, Station House Officer (SHO) Pankaj Pant said.

The matter came to light reportedly during an internal audit at the firm which found that the amount being transferred to the ATMs was less than what was authorised.

Pant said the firm refills cash in ATMs of almost all banks including international ones in Noida, Delhi and Gurgaon.

Circle Officer, Noida City said three of the firm's employees who were custodians of the cash were suspected to be involved in the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he did not have an operational bank account before he became an MLA as he never had enough money.

Reminiscing about his school days, Modi recounted how Dena Bank used to offer a scheme under which students were given a piggy bank and an account was opened for them.

"They gave one to me, but mine was always empty. Later, I left the village. The bank account continued and bank officials had to carry forward that account every year. The bank officials were looking for me to close the account," Modi said.

He recounted how the officials located him after 32 years and approached him for closing the account.

"After 32 years, they got to know I was at a particular place so the bank officials came there and said please sign, we need to close your account," he said adding that after he became MLA in Gujarat and started drawing a salary, he had to open an account.

"...before that, there was no (operational) account," he said during his speech at the launch of India Post Payments Bank.

The Prime Minister on Saturday launched the payments bank of Indian postal department that will take banking to the doorstep of every citizen through an unmatched network of post offices and almost 3 lakh postmen and 'Grameen Dak Sewaks'.

Taking note of the emotional connect of 'daakiyas' with the local communities, Modi said the faith of people in the government may wobble, but certainly not in case of the postman.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to exclude Canada from a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agreement after negotiations to rewrite the pact ended without an agreement the night before.

"There is no political necessity to keep Canada in the new NAFTA deal. If we don't make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out," he tweeted.

"Congress should not interfere with these negotiations or I will simply terminate NAFTA entirely & we will be far better off." US-Canadian trade talks are set to resume on Wednesday, and Ottawa and Washington still have time to reach an agreement that would keep Canada in the 25-year-old trade pact with Mexico.

But Trump's tweet seemed designed to ramp up pressure on Canadian negotiators.

Earlier in the week, officials appeared close to reaching a deal that would rewrite NAFTA but leaked inflammatory comments from Trump -- seen by some Canadians as suggesting he was bargaining in bad faith -- threatened to upend the talks.

Trump has repeatedly denounced NAFTA as "one of the worst trade deals ever made," language he repeated on Saturday.

The US and Mexico had announced a breakthrough accord on Monday, potentially leaving Canada out in the cold, but Ottawa's foreign minister Chrystia Freeland insisted that a "win-win-win" agreement was within reach.

The White House notified Congress on Friday of its "intent to sign a trade agreement with Mexico -- and Canada, if it is willing -- 90 days from now." The White House now has 30 days to present the full text of a new agreement to Congress, which will give Ottawa and Washington time to iron out differences.

Trump's caution to Congress to "not interfere with these negotiations" appeared to refer to one potential obstacle: the fact that lawmakers have empowered him to reach a so-called "fast track" agreement with both NAFTA partners, not just Mexico.

It is unclear how that will be sorted out.

In a second tweet Saturday, Trump suggested that the United States would be better off with no trade agreement than with a flawed NAFTA deal. "We were far better off before NAFTA... We make new deal or go back to pre-NAFTA!" he said.

Sounding a more optimistic note, Freeland had said late in the week that "with good will and flexibility on all sides, I know we can get there." But she repeated that Canada would only sign an agreement that was in its national interest.

"Our officials are continuing to work toward agreement," US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement, stressing the benefits to US workers and businesses.

The US-Mexico agreement laid out new rules for auto trade and provided tougher protections for workers and intellectual property.

But the talks with Canada snagged over the mechanisms used to resolve disputes among partners, and on Ottawa's strictly controlled dairy sector. On Friday, a senior US official emphasized that Washington was ready to move ahead with just Mexico if Canada failed to sign on.

Mexican officials have made clear that they prefer an agreement that includes Canada.
A Pune court Sunday granted extension of the 90-day period for filing charge sheet against five persons arrested in June for alleged Maoist links.

The court of special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) judge KD Vadhane granted the extension sought by Pune Police, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaji Pawar, the investigating officer in the case.

"We approached the court, saying the investigation in the case is in progress and sought an extension of 90 days for filing the charge sheet," the officer said.

The Pune Police had moved the court Saturday for extension of the 90-day period for filing charge sheet against the five persons, citing fresh arrests in the case.

Police had arrested Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut in June while probing the alleged Maoist connection to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31 last year.

Inflammatory speeches at the event led to violence at Koregaon Bhima near Pune next day, police had alleged.

"The period of their judicial custody of 90 days is coming to an end on September 3. With the fresh five arrests in the case, probe is still going on," Pawar said.

On August 28, police arrested five more Left-wing activists: Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navalakha from different places in the country.

The Supreme Court had ordered that the five be kept under house arrest till September 6.

In ordinary cases, police have to file charge sheet within 90 days of arrest, otherwise the accused can get bail.

Under UAPA, which is invoked in the case, if the investigation is not completed within 90 days, the period for filing charge sheets can be extended up to 180 days, Pawar said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Yerawada Central Jail, where all the five activists arrested in June are lodged, had moved an application before the court in mid-July, seeking permission to shift all the accused to another prison citing "security reasons".

The court is likely to give its judgement on the application on September 6.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, launched a blistering attack on the Congress for leaving the economy on a 'landmine' by its indiscriminate lending, saying loans were handed out to select businessmen after phone calls were made by 'namdars' (dynasts).

He blamed 'phone-a-loan' scam of the previous UPA regime where money was lent by banks to select rich businessmen close to a particular family for mounting non-performing assets (NPA) or bad loans but vowed to recover every penny from defaulters.

None of the twelve biggest defaulters, who between them account for over Rs 1.75 lakh crore of NPAs, were given loan by the present government, Modi said at the launch of payments bank of the Indian postal department.

He said while the previous UPA government hid the bad loans, his government has properly recognised them and brought tough laws to deal with defaults and recovery money.

The Prime Minister said the country was cheated when the last government put such loan amount at Rs 2-2.5 lakh crore when it actually was Rs 9 lakh crore.

This comes days after Congress President Rahul Gandhi's attack on the government for NPAs jumping to Rs 12.5 lakh crore under the BJP rule from Rs 2.5 lakh crore under the previous UPA regime.

Modi said when his government came to power in 2014 it noticed that public-sector banks had been plundered. Loans of banks jumped to Rs 52 lakh crore from 2008 to 2014 from just Rs 18 lakh crore in the previous six decades.

Loans were given without any due diligence and keeping aside all rules and norms, he said, adding defaulters were given further funds in the name of loan restructuring.

"How were these loans given? One phone call from the namdars would get the rich loans," he said alleging a 'phone-a-loan' scam under the UPA government.

"This phone banking of Congress and its namdars caused a lot of damage to the country," he said, adding banks obliged namdars because top executives were appointed by the same namdars. "Despite knowing that the loans would not be returned, banks lent money."

And when these borrowers started defaulting, the pressure was mounted on banks to give more time and then restructure these loans by giving more funds.

"In 2014, after our government was formed we realised that the Congress and namdars had put India's economy on a landmine," he said.

The economy would have been damaged by the explosion of that landmine but the government worked not just to detect the ailment but also took steps to uproot the disease, he said.

Modi said his government has "defused" the landmine placed by the government of namdars and its results have been witnessed in the 8.2 percent GDP growth clocked in the first quarter of the current fiscal.

"This growth is proof of growing strength of the Indian economy and that the country is moving in the right direction," he said. "Today the country is not just the fastest growing economy in the world but also the one that is eradicating poverty at the fastest rate."

"I again want to assure that all the bank money which was stuck because of namdars, each and every rupee of that, we will recover. It will be used for the poor," he said.

Listing out the steps taken, he said every loan of over Rs 50 crore has been reviewed and it is being ensured that the rules are followed and recoveries made. The merger of banks has been proposed, professionalism was brought in banks, insolvency and bankruptcy code came and a law to deal with fugitive defaults introduced.

Modi said swift action to recover loans from the top 12 defaulters as well as another 27 who owe Rs 1 lakh crore is being taken. "We will ensure that every penny is recovered," he said.

"I want to again assure the country that of all these big loans, not even a single loan has been given by this government," he said.

Modi said Jan Dhan gave bank accounts to the unbanked and now the India Post Payments Bank is taking the bank to their doorstep.

The postman, besides carrying mail, will also carry the bank to the doorsteps of poor and rural people, he said.

With its unmatched network of 1.5 lakh post offices and over three lakh postmen and gramin dak sevaks, IPPB will initially in 650 districts allow savings as well as current accounts to be opened at doorstep, allow fund transfer and payment of utility bills. Also, loan and insurance will be provided in association with other banks and financial institutions.
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Closing Ceremony of the Asian Games 2018 at the GBK Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Image: Reuters)

Indian Athletes (L-R) Md. Anas, PU Chitra, Sudha Singh, Jinson Johnson and Arpinder Singh pose for photograph with their medals won at Asian Games. (Image: PTI)

School students in traditional costumes wait to perform on the occasion of 58th Tibetan Democracy Day at main Tibetan temple, in McLeodganj near Dharmshala. (Image: Reuters)

Virat Kohli in action at the England v India Fourth Test at Ageas Bowl, West End, Britain. (Image: Reuters)

Protesters block a street with burning tires after the Yemeni Riyal has severely plunged against foreign currencies, in Aden, Yemen. (Image: Reuters)

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and China's President Xi Jinping stand on the podium during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (Image: Reuters)

People's Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti during senior party leader's meeting, in Jammu. (Image: PTI)

Hindu girls dressed as Radha and Lord Krishna during Janmashtami festival, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Image: Reuters)

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat interacts with troops of the 28 Inf Div on their visit to the Balbir forward post in Keran sector, Jammu & Kashmir. (Image: PTI)
Could this be the why Police ...
Former Secretary of State John Kerry isn't shutting the door to a second presidential bid, more than a decade after his narrow loss to President George W. Bush in 2004.

In an interview with CBS News, Kerry, who represented Massachusetts in the Senate for 28 years and was secretary of state during President Barack Obama's second term, declined to say "no" when asked whether he might run for the White House in 2020.

"I'm really not thinking about it," Kerry said. "Talking about 2020 right now is a total distraction and waste of time. What we need to do is focus on 2018."

Rather than speculate on his presidential prospects, Kerry said he's planning to hit the campaign trail for other Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections.

"I think that's the most important work we can do right now, is trying to elect people on a national basis and restore the leadership that the country needs," Kerry told "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan on Sunday.

Kerry was on the program to discuss his new memoir, "Every Day Is Extra."

In 2004, Bush won with 286 electoral votes to Kerry's 252. The popular-vote margin between the candidates was slim - only about 3 million votes, or three percentage points, separated the two - and many Democrats lamented that Kerry would have taken the White House had he not narrowly lost the key swing state of Ohio.

After his loss, Kerry returned to the Senate and later took a pass on running for president in 2008. In announcing his decision at the time, he acknowledged that he "came close, certainly close enough to try again," but he ultimately viewed the Senate as the place where he could be most effective in opposing the Bush administration's foreign policy, particularly on the war in Iraq.

If Kerry were to jump into the 2020 Democratic fray, he would have plenty of company. More than two dozen potential candidates are testing the presidential waters, including former vice president Joe Biden, Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz and Michael Avenatti, the lawyer representing adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in her case against President Donald Trump.

Working against Kerry is the fact that Democratic primary voters have been supporting women and minorities over white men at unprecedented rates this year. Many among the new crop of Democrats are also calling for generational change at the top of the party, a trend that could have repercussions in the race for the 2020 White House nomination. Kerry will be 76 by Election Day 2020.

Sunday was not the first time Kerry has mentioned a possible bid. In January, an Israeli newspaper reported that he had told Palestinian officials that he was considering a second White House run.

News of Kerry's remarks Sunday prompted some observers to voice skepticism about his chances, with a few sharing tongue-in-cheek suggestions that other unsuccessful White House hopefuls should join the race as well.

Eve Peyser, a politics reporter for Vice, tweeted: "John F. Kerry should run. Al Gore, too. Let's toss Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich into the ring as well. And don't forget about Hillary! Spice things up with some John Edwards. And if Michael Dukakis [is] still alive, him too." (Dukakis is alive at 84.)

Others highlighted the assets that Kerry would bring to the race.

Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic strategist who previously worked on Kerry's campaigns and as a member of his Senate staff, said that although it's too soon to speculate about 2020 presidential prospects, "there's an advantage to having gone through the process once" and come close to winning.

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Like the late senators Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., Marsh said, Kerry returned to the Senate after losing the White House and played a key role in shaping U.S. policy before going on to serve as secretary of state. And although the elections from 2008 to 2018 have underscored the Democratic Party's diversity and inclusivity, that shouldn't preclude certain candidates jumping in the race, she said.

"I don't think there's any prescription to what kind of person - based on gender and race and age - is the best person to face whomever the Republican nominee is," Marsh said. "The great thing about campaigns is you find out what kind of candidate a person is, and more importantly, what kind of person. So, who is the best person to lead this country in 2020?"

The CBS interview also brought to the fore some of the underlying tensions between Trump and Kerry on foreign policy. The two sparred earlier this year over Trump's dismantling of the Iran nuclear deal, with the president accusing Kerry on Twitter of "shadow diplomacy" following reports that the former secretary of state had held behind-the-scenes meetings and phone calls with key players in an effort to preserve the pact.

"I didn't negotiate; I spoke out, and I will always exercise my right to speak out," Kerry said in defending his conversations.

He took aim at Trump for what he said were "dishonest tweets" in which the president claimed Kerry had never threatened to walk away from the table in his negotiations with Iran.

"More often than not, he really just doesn't know what he's talking about," Kerry said. "He makes things up, and he's making that up as he has other things."

Kerry also criticized Trump's mercurial diplomatic style, warning that "there are certain times where unpredictability invites an overreach by a country."

---

The Washington Post's Colby Itkowitz contributed to this report.
NORWALK  A Norwalk man pleaded guilty Friday to re-entering the country after being deported to his native Honduras for a sex crime.

Joel Bonilla, 30, admitted in federal court that he had failed to register as a sex offender in the state, according to a release from the U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut.
A man's night with a reported ghost in South Texas has gone viral, attracting 5.3 million views on Facebook since Friday, but not everyone is buying his story.

Potus Frank Ramirez of Corpus Christi recorded a video of his hotel room in Harlingen after he claimed paranormal activities in the room were keeping him awake.

GHOSTS ONLINE: Cleveland officer explains 'ghost' image seen on social media

"I was laying here, watching CNN, and that phone fell of its cradle and I have no idea why," Ramirez said in the beginning of the video. "It's really freaking me out so I decided to turn on my phone, because I can't figure out what's going on and this happened a couple of times already."

Ramirez described towels and cups being knocked over without explanation. While filming, the phone on the dresser flew off of its saddle.

In the video, Ramirez asked who the ghost is and what it wants. Eventually, he opened to door, said he needed to get some sleep. The entity he believes is knocking things over seemed to leave after Ramirez asked it to.

HAUNTED HOME: A haunted house for sale in Mineral Wells comes with nine ghosts

Story continues below...

Whether an actual ghost moved things or if the room was elaborately set up by Ramirez is debated in the video's comments on Facebook. Some viewers accuse him of using fishing line or strings to make the objects move. People have pointed out the phone, hanger and towel only move when he's standing in front of the objects, making some people think Ramirez moved them himself.

"Starting around 2:15 to 2:30 he moved the camera around to the other side of the room to grab a string attached to the towel and then faced the mirror/towel to pull the string," one commenter wrote. "After that, he then laughed."

Others believe the room was truly haunted, citing their own personal encounters with ghosts.

Ramirez told news station KSAT that he got a new room after he told hotel staff his room was haunted. He told the news station that the hotel staff said they will keep guests out of the room until it's blessed.
A man was sent to a San Antonio hospital early Sunday after suffering from a gunshot wound following a road rage incident.

Officers responded about 12:45 a.m. to the west bound lanes of I-10 and Colorado Street where two drivers were arguing, one pulled a firearm and shot the other in the head, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
















In Ontario we are educated to think that in this province and country we have rights which are strongly asserted by our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.







But I don't care how dire situation you're in for needing a lawyer, the thing in their minds that often comes out of their mouths are "are you going to be able to pay me?"





In my view, we need a system in which lawyers are accessible to all Canadians irrespective of their income bracket, as we do with doctors.





These guys really don't care what your situation is. As long as you can pay them that's all you want to know.





So, if you're making an average wage or even worse, if you can barely make ends meet and you have a civil law or family law case, you can probably forget about lawyers who on average charge more than $300/hr. And if you're criminally charged and among the working poor and have been falsely charged, you may be without a lawyer.





And if you self-represent yourself, you may get one of these hateful and corrupt judges who despise the fact that you had the "audacity" not to pay one of their former colleagues in the legal profession the "big bucks" for having the "privilege" (and not the right) to appear in front of them.





Many of these judges who are crooked won't even read ANY of your prepared materials if you're self-represented. If you're up against one of their former lawyer colleagues they will just assume that they are right and you must be wrong, if you're not in a Small Claims Court with very casual grievances.





If you try to represent yourself in Superior Court in Ontario, you can expect a very rough ride even though your materials have be fantastically prepared.



I even found a lady in Toronto who quickly demanded to know if I could pay her $700/hr fee before she would continue the conversation.Lawyers in Ontario, in fact, are so greedy, even if you can pay their official fees, they will often sell-you-out to your adversary if they offer them more.This happens all the time not only in Ontario but in other parts of Canada.And often worse are these judges in Ontario who are exclusively recruited from a pool or largely corrupt lawyers.I have seen judges do things completely illegal. This includes Justice Sylvia Corthorn who ignored Rules of Civil Procedure so she could manipulate a case for one of her paymasters.Because of Justice Corthorn, a woman in Ottawa continues to be subjected to abuse by her husband and a psychopathic cop.I have also heard reports of Judges illegally working to manipulate trials in behalf of their former clients when they were lawyers.The Law Society of Upper Canada which is supposed to oversee the profession often turns a blind eye to such corruption.If you're encountering problems with the court system contact our investigative journalism team for professional consultations - email: agorakanata@gmail.com
A man was sent to a San Antonio hospital early Sunday after suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers responded about 2 a.m. to the 2200 block of Southwest Military Drive where they found a man who had been shot in the abdomen, according to the San Antonio Police Department.

Officers said two men were arguing at a party and both left to an unknown location where the arguing continued. One of the men pulled a gun and shot the other.

RELATED: Police: Man shot outside Northeast Side strip club, suspect at large

The victim drove away where he was later found by police at the parking lot of Long John Silver's.

He was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center in critical condition.

The suspect is at large.
School has begun for children all around Texas, but for families with special needs, obtaining child care and after-school care can be challenging. As a parent of a child with autism, finding child care is a battle.

When searching for child care or after-school care, I am often faced with providers telling me they are not equipped, not trained or lack adequate staff to accommodate children with special needs.

Many child care workers are not comfortable caring for children with disabilities because they do not know enough about what it entails, nor do they know how to address the needs of the child.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated a 15 percent increase nationally to 1 in 59 children being diagnosed with autism, from 1 in 68 in two years previous. A study conducted by the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation on the prevalence of autism in San Antonio showed more than 30,000 adults and children are living with autism  1 in 79 people.

Despite these statistics, child care for children with special needs is in short supply, leaving few options for parents who are still working after their child gets out of school. The few quality programs available for children with special needs cannot come close to meeting the high demand.

A recent study on licensed child care facilities for Bexar County showed that there is only a small subset of facilities for children with special needs compared to those for children without.

Unfortunately, the shortage of quality care for children with special needs is not the only issue. Other challenges include unsupportive providers, safety concerns, lack of accommodation, unaffordable child care, expulsion from care due to behavioral issues related to disability and the child aging out of child care.

This puts parents in difficult situations. To care for their child, some parents have to quit their job or go on welfare because they are unable to work and care for their child simultaneously.

Families of children with special needs are more likely to have more economic difficulties and less job stability than families of children without special needs, according to researchers Helen Ward and Lisa Morris.

For single parents of children with disabilities, like myself, it is critical to obtain child care. Unfortunately, I have been in the situation of having to quickly find child care for my son or lose my job. After rejections from several child care centers, which stated they were not equipped to care for him or he was not a good fit in their program, I was thankfully able to find Respite Care of San Antonio.

However, like many other parents of children with special needs, as my child gets older he will age out, (as he did at Respite Care) and I still need child care for him. But providers for older children with special needs are scarce and costly.

While the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disabilities and requires child care centers to attempt to include children with special needs, many still say that providers frequently violate the ADA rules, and there is not much parents can do about it.

A lawsuit could take years to resolve, by which point the imminent need has passed. For families struggling financially, caring for a child with special needs and working, finding the time and money to file a lawsuit every time a child care center violates the ADA is not feasible.

Because of the growing number of children with autism, it is imperative to train providers on autism and special needs, so these children can be kept safe while their parents continue to work. It is vital that all child care and after-school programs provide access to this population.

To ensure this happens, speak with your congressional representatives and ask them to write a bill for mandated autism and special needs training in child care and to vote to increase funding for the Child Care Developmental Block Grant.

Providing more training and funding will allow for inclusion, safety and quality care for children with special needs.

Creating more inclusive and accessible child care programs also benefits families by giving their children an environment to receive adequate care, while allowing parents to work and sustain their families.

Bianca Ramirez is a licensed master social worker, and an activist for disability rights and child care. She is also a single parent and is working on her clinical license to become a licensed clinical social worker. She is a member of the board of directors for the Autism Society of Texas.
Blake Farenthold, the disgraced former congressman from Corpus Christi, cant even do post-controversy private life without stirring up a big old dollop of head-shaking embarrassment.

The latest? His $160,000-a-year job with Calhoun Port Authority. As a congressman, Farenthold attempted to steer a contract to the ports chairman, Randy Boyd, who was a political donor to Farenthold. Boyd also owns a dredging company.

As the Victoria Advocate reported, Farentholds office set up a meeting between Boyds office and the Army Corps of Engineers in May of 2015. Federal officials declined to contract with Boyds company, which prompted Farentholds office to offer its assistance. You know, just in case federal officials needed some help.

Boyd donated $5,000 to Farentholds campaign after Farentholds office began to arrange the meeting. Now, Boyd has hired Farenthold. Granted, Farenthold did need a job after resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives  after it was reported that taxpayers had covered an $84,000 sexual harassment settlement for him.

Farenthold, who is worth millions, has yet to make good on a promise to repay taxpayers. Gov. Greg Abbott also asked that Farenthold cover the cost of the special election to fill his old seat  about $200,000  but to no avail.

Farenthold did find time to use his campaign funds to cover $41,000 on attorney fees as well as an $800 deposit to stay at a resort in Florida and covering an $860 tab at a cocktail party in Maryland.

Just what will come next?
For years, Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff has argued the city of San Antonio should be sharing CPS Energy revenues with unincorporated areas.

The city-owned utility provides service to residents in unincorporated Bexar County, but the utility also pays the city about 14 percent of its revenues. In Wolffs view this is tantamount to taxation without representation since unincorporated county residents dont live in the city. Hes long argued some or all of this revenue, which totals about $40 million annually, should be diverted to the county. It could then provide better services to residents in unincorporated areas.

Its an argument that hasnt gained much traction locally, so Wolff is planning to take it to the Texas Legislature next session.

Its a bad idea. If approved  and the Legislature has proven itself to be no friend of municipal governments in recent years  Wolffs plan would be a significant blow to the city.

In a narrow sense, Wolff is simply arguing for what he thinks is best for his constituents. He represent a sprawling district with many residents in unincorporated areas of northern Bexar County. But in a broader sense, he is undermining the greater community that serves those residents.

First, the city owns the utility, which happens to provide service beyond its boundaries. That means it has to invest in the system and assume enormous liability. The majority of Bexar County residents  nearly 80 percent, according to U.S. Census data  live in the city. Wolff is arguing, then, to shift funding away from the majority of Bexar county residents who own an asset to better serve the few who dont own that asset.

Finally, residents of unincorporated Bexar County have chosen to live in the country, but residents in unincorporated Bexar unmistakably benefit from living close to the citys boundaries. They can fly in and out of San Antonio International Airport, travel on city roads; and they have access to a range of businesses, services and employers that can be found in a major U.S. city. All without paying city property taxes.

Perhaps there would be some community-wide benefit in diverting a portion of CPS revenues to, say, transit  benefiting residents in the city and unincorporated Bexar County. Short of that, Wolff should drop his plan to snag CPS revenues.

At a time when there is strain between the city and county, evidenced in ongoing squabbles about transit and the countys new Justice Intake and Assessment Center, this bit of angling is unwelcome. There is no reason to include this in the countys legislative plank. Unless, of course, the goal is to antagonize and undermine the city when the next legislative session begins. Thats the last thing this community needs.
United States congresswoman Karen Bass, has urged Zimbabwe to respect human rights following the post-election violence that resulted in the killing of at least six people during a demonstration in Harare.

Bass was part of the election observer team organised by the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, which also included former Liberian president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, which visited Zimbabwe during the election period.

In an interview with the Voice of America, Bass, said the post-election violence marred an almost smooth process, which was a contributing factor to US President Donald Trumps stance of maintaining sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Well, whether or not we remove sanctions and we move forward in our relations, is going to be how the government responds. So I do want (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa to be a loyal opposition but what I dont want to see, is I dont want to see the government commit human rights abuses.

And I dont want to see them arrest, incarcerate and attack the opposition.

So both sides have to maintain peace. And if peace is maintained and the opposition is allowed to function as a legitimate opposition, then the United States should examine our relation with Zimbabwe, and see how we move forward, Bass said.

Zimbabwe held harmonised election on July 30, 2018, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa emerged victorious, winning by a thin margin.

Before the completion of the announcement of the results, suspected opposition members were involved in a serious protest that resulted in the death of at least six people after they were shot by security personnel.

Following this incident, there were reports of abductions of members of the opposition by suspected State security officials.

Some members of the opposition reportedly fled from their homes after receiving death threats.

There was worldwide condemnation of the reported acts of human rights abuse, with observers and other countries calling for Zimbabwe to use minimum force in reacting to protests.

Mnangagwa has since set up a seven-member commission of inquiry into the events that led to the death of the six people.

The commission of inquiry is headed by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe.

Chamisa has since lost a Constitutional Court application, in which he challenged the results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).

Chief justice Luke Malaba in unison with eight other judges, upheld the results announced by Zec.

Bass, who is a ranking member of the (Foreign Affairs) subcommittee on Africa, said the US must continue to monitor the situation.

She also encouraged the Zimbabwean government to respond to the opposition in a peaceful manner and that the opposition must continue to protest, be vocal, but in a peaceful manner.

Bass further said Chamisa must recognise the decision made by the Supreme Court and prepare to participate in the next election, expected in 2023, even though he feels he won the election.

Well again, I hope the way forward is peaceful opposition. I mean look, look at our situation here.

I dont like our current president and we had a very messy process here in the United States and many people questioned the legitimacy.

But he is the president and as long as he is the president, you know I can say I dont want him to be the president all day long, but I am a member of Congress and I function as part of government and hes the president.

And I am hoping that well be able to change that in 2020 if not before, she said.

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- IGP Ibrahim Idris has explained why there was massive deployment of police during Ekiti election

- He said the deployment was solely to curtail the activities of political thugs

- The police boss also noted that adequate security would be provided before, during and after the September 22 governorship election in Osun state

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday, August 30, has justified the huge deployment of police personnel in Ekiti and other states where elections were recently held.

Premium Times reports that he also said that adequate security would be provided before, during and after the September 22 governorship election in Osun state.

Legit.ng gathered that he said the deployment was solely to curtail the activities of political thugs.

Idris spoke at a one-day sensitisation seminar, titled: "Imperatives of police collaboration with essential stakeholders; towards secured, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria", which held in Osogbo.

READ ALSO: Vote for me again in 2019 - Buhari begs women

He listed the deployment of armed security men, vehicular patrols and close monitoring as part of the functions of the police during an election.

Idris noted that during the Ekiti state governorship election, the police was accused of militarising the elections by posting about 30,000 police officers to cover the election.

What critics do not understand is that our actions and deployment strategies are guided by the intelligence gathered around a particular election. No two states are similar in terms of security needs for election, he said.

The police boss opined that the Rivers state House of Assembly bye-election was suspended because political thugs and hoodlums stormed polling stations shooting sporadically and snatching ballot boxes.

The election was in eight wards and 143 polling units and if the police had deployed 10,000 police officers to those wards, we may have been accused of militarisation of the election.

I think the police should be commended for the massive deployment of policemen during the gubernatorial election in Ekiti state. The deployment averted the plans of political thugs to disrupt the election", he said.

He promised that each of the local government areas in Osun would be adequately policed to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

Idris further said critical stakeholders would meet to plan further for the election, adding that the police would distribute telephone numbers that residents could call in case of violence.

He admonished politicians and their supporters to desist from conducts that might lead to violence, adding that anybody caught in any kind of violence during the election would be arrested and duly prosecuted.

Meanwhile, Olusegun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, in his address, promised that INEC would ensure free, fair, credible and transparent election.

He urged voters yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards to do, saying that nobody would be allowed to vote without PVC.

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The chairman of the seminar, who is also the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Eyitope Ogunbodede, urged politicians and other residents of the state to shun acts that could trigger crisis.

Legit.ng had previously reported that Nigerian politicians urged by the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, to desist from acts and utterances capable of inciting violence ahead of the governorship election in Osun state and the 2019 general elections.

Ekiti Election 2018: Water Tight Security in Ado-Ekiti as INEC Expects Election Materials | - on Legit.ng

Source: Legit
















Have you wondered why you haven't seen Dezrin Carby-Samuels since 2015?





The photos above shows what Dezrin had looked like before Ottawa Police Detective Robert Griffin entered the picture and what Dezrin looked liked thanks to the "wonderful" activities of this Detective.







Dezrin was well known for smiling and having pleasant conversation for everyone who she came into contact with on her frequent shopping excursions all over Kanata where she has lived since the mid-1980's and also in many other parts of the city.





Thanks to Ottawa Police Detective Robert Griffin, Dezrin has been rendered completely disabled from a perpetuated context of abuse.





You see back in April 2015, Raymond who is Dezrin's son presented a note from his mother that read "Dad Abuses Me."





Dezrin gave the note to her son, hoping that she could get relief from the police.





Ottawa Police Detective Robert Griffin's reaction to the note was not to help protect Dezrin from her abusive husband. Rather, he not only orchestrated the eviction of Dezrin son against Dezrin's wishes but also threatened social service agents led by Alison Timons to not only not testify in Court against Dezrin's husband as they had promised but not to further have contact with Raymond in his efforts to help his Mother.





When Raymond found out back in mid June that his Mother had just lost the ability to walk, write and talk, Raymond did what any loving and responsible son would do. Raymond tried to reach his Mom to help her as he promised he would when he last saw his Mom on 12 June 2015. During that last Meeting at the Nepean, Osgoode and Rideau Community Centre, Dezrin communicated to Raymond as best as she could that she wanted her son's help.





But on 15 June 2015 Detective Robert Griffin stormed down to this social service agency and demanded that they help ensure that would never happen again.





This evil cop then went to Raymond's new residence in Kanata and told him that we was not to share information on Dezrin's abuse with anyone.





One of his threats were in broad daylight in plain sight of witnesses who asked Raymond if he needed help against the plain clothed Detective fashioning his "stubbled" look.







You might ask, what motivates a supposed law enforcement officer to apparently work for the "dark side" of such an apparent evil as he has perpetuated against an innocent Mother as Dezrin who has served her country so well as a Registered Nurse and volunteer?





Is Detective Robert Griffin a psychopath with certain similarities to the character Hannibal Lecter? Or is Detective Robert Griffin just a low life that likes to prey on the elderly? Is there money involved, and if so, how much? Is Detective Griffin just an operative of some kind of corporate-controlled experiment which they are "testing" on Dezrin? Indeed, some whistleblowers allege that certain prison populations away from prying public eyes have been subjected to unethical medical experiments.







What we know here for sure is that Dezrin Carby-Samuels needs the help of her community in freeing herself from the criminal conspiracy that this so-called "Detective" has orchestrated.





Dezrin has been rendered completely disabled as a result of the spousal abuse she has documented and which this Detective has perpetuated.





Dezrin therefore cannot run, and she cannot hide. She lives in a Hell on Earth. She has wanted to badly see her son. But the evil Detective ignores her crises and despair.





But is the public, who reads this article, much better who will also undoubtedly not think twice about not helping Dezrin?







For more than three years now, Dezrin remains rendered prisoner by apparent demons and a system complicit in a heinous evil orchestrated by one of Ottawa "finest". Where are we coming to as a world when men and women in positions of authority can turn their back on the reckless conduct of apparent demons in positions of authority?





Listen to the above video of this so called Detective when he sought to call Raymond to "have a chat" about perpetuating the cover-up of Dezrin's abuse.





Where are we going to as a society when these kinds of men (and women) are promoted to senior ranks of organizations that are supposedly there to protect "law and order".





The irony is that it is such evil men and women are behind the breakdown of our societies including law and order into the sick and twisted world which twisted minds seek to bring into reality and that we as humans must oppose its manifestations.





Let Dezrin be the first among many more of us humans that we rescue from the demons who lacking empathy, ethics or decency are destroying everything that we value.




- President Muhammadu Buhari landed in Beijing on Saturday, September 1, and is expected to secure a bank facility

- The $328 million facility is to be used to develop the ICT infrastructure of Nigeria

- The Nigerian delegate to China is expected to sign at least 25 different MOUs during their stay

President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Beijing Saturday, September 1, to attend the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holding between September 3 and 4, 2018 and would secure a bank facility of $328 million for the development of ICT infrastructure.

During the six-day official visit of the Nigerian president, he is expected to join his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to witness the signing of an agreement on the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11) between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) at the cost of US $328 million facility provided by the Chinese EXIM Bank, a statement from Shehu Garba, Buharis spokesperson, said.

READ ALSO: Sarakis ambition almost destroyed APC - Oshiomhole

The statement added that the bank facility is for the development of NICTIB 11 project which is consistent with the administrations commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Legit.ng learnt that Buhari and his Chinese host will also witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).

It may be recalled that in 2013, the Chinese leader proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries.

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During the high-level dialogue between Chinese and African leaders and business representatives on the margins of FOCAC, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MOUs, including those proposed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the statement added.

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, August 31, departed Abuja for Beijing, China to attend the Forum on China-Africa Corporation (FOCAC) Summit.

Legit.ng gathered that the summit which is themed Towards an even Stronger China-Africa Community with a shared Future is scheduled to hold between September 3 and 4.

Election 2019: President Buhari Proves He is Fit to Run in 2019 | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
The Nigerian Army has denied reports of an attack on a military barrack in Borno state, by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The report was dismissed as fake, by an Army contact on Saturday, September 1, The Nation reports.

READ ALSO: Buhari meets with Nigerian community in China

Legit.ng gathers that when asked about the alleged incident, the contact reportedly stated: Where did you get this fake information, please?

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Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that at least 31 soldiers were allegedly dead, 19 injured and some others yet to be unaccounted for as Boko Haram insurgents allegedly invaded a base of the Nigerian Army in Borno state on Thursday, August 30.

Scores of Boko Haram fighters were said to have carried out the attack on the base located at Zari, a small community north of Maiduguri and near the border with Niger.

The insurgents reportedly stormed the base in 12 gun trucks while some others came on foot in the early evening of that day.

Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng
- A pro-Buhari group, the G-23, says in 2019, Igbos would vote for President Muhammadu Buhari

- The group said Ndigbo wont repeat the mistake they made in 2015, when they supported Goodluck Jonathan against Buhari

- It called on worthy Igbo leaders to support the current president for a second term in office

The G-23, a pro-Buhari group, has said that Igbos would vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, so that power would be zoned to the south-east in 2023.

The group made the assertion via its south-east convener, Johnbosco Onunkwo, during a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Saturday, September 1, Punch reports.

READ ALSO: 2019: APC aspirants threaten defection over high costs of nomination forms

Legit.ng gathers that Onunkwo said Igbos will not repeat the mistake they made in 2015, when they supported former president Goodluck Jonathan on the basis of regional consideration, and neglected broad-based politics.

According to Onunkwo, that decision cost Ndigbo politically.

He said: We have, as a body, painstakingly summarised the political realities confronting the south-east region with an understanding that Ndigbo will not repeat the mistake of 2015, where we neglected the broad-based politics that brought in President Muhammadu Buhari as a result of regional and ethnic sympathy.

This, at the end, cost the region a lot politically. Despite this, we, members of G23, sincerely appreciate the attitude of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has risen as a statesman to accommodate all Nigerians irrespective of where that region stood in the last general elections.

The groups convener urged south-easterners to seek the most favourable set of political outcomes that were realistically obtainable; even as he called on worthy Igbo leaders to support the president for a second term.

He stated: We must state that for now, it is imperative to allow the incumbent to complete his tenure; thus allowing power to rotate to the south at the end of his tenure as the conventional wisdom of our politics dictates.

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In a related development, Legit.ng previously reported that a political pressure group working for the actualisation of President Buharis re-election bid, Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria (GOGAN), said the president's continuity in 2019 will pave way for Ndigbo in 2023.

The groups national chairman, Chief Felix Idiga, who made this known in Abuja, also called on the people of the south-east geo-political zone to support the ambition of the president.

Election 2019: President Buhari proves he is fit to run in 2019 - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
- Intending couples, Emmanuel and Chinaza Udeolisa, did not expect the arrival of their child on their wedding day

- While preparing for the wedding, Chinaza started to feel serious pains and she was rushed to the hospital where she delivered her child safely

- After the delivery, the couple proceeded to the church for the wedding

Childbirth is a thing of joy for most mothers and it was not an exception for Chinaza Udeolisa. The woman who resides in Anambra only planned and prepared for her wedding on August 25, but things took a different turn after heavily pregnant Chinaza started to feel serious pains.

She was rushed to the hospital and was informed by the doctor that her baby was about to make a grand entrance to the world.

According to reports gathered from Orient Daily, the bride wasnt expecting her child till the middle of September going by what the doctors had told her. However, the baby obviously had other plans.

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Chinaza and Emmanuel Udeolisa at the registry Photo source: Orient Daily

Source: Depositphotos

When it became apparent that the wedding ceremony will have to be delayed, Chinazas husband, Emmanuel rushed to the church and pleaded with the officiating priest for more time, and his request was granted.

Chinaza gave birth to a baby boy, and after the delivery, the couple proceeded to the church for their wedding. It was truly a day of double joy for the couple.

It is important to note that the couple have been traditionally married for seven years, but they could not do a church wedding due to financial constraints.

READ ALSO: BBNaija 2017 star Bisola wins big at AMVCA 2018

An eyewitness to the whole scenario revealed that it was an interesting sight, to see make-up artistes at the hospital preparing the bride for her big day.

In other news, Legit.ng reported that a lady claimed that a married man started to preach to her after she turned down a relationship request from him.

The lady who shared her story on Twitter revealed that a married man had asked her out and she rejected. She further explained that because she couldn't say no outrightly, she decided to lie that she is interested in same gender relationships. This led to the married man's preaching that such relationships are ungodly.

Mom's Blog: How to Talk to Your Child | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
Entertainers do a lot of work to keep their audience happy in their highly competitive industry. This comes as no wonder seeing as an A-list actor can be usurped at any moment if he is not on his A game always.

Sometimes, when people feel inadequate, it can lead to depression. It is always comforting to know that one has a shoulder to lean on during such trying times.

Nollywood actor, Muyiwa Ademola, revealed in an interview with Punch that he once became depressed after he felt he was no longer relevant in the industry.

According to him, comedy movies became a thing, and he was also pressured to start doing comedy movies so as not to be outshined by his competitors but he soon discovered that it was not his calling.

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He said:

I have been depressed before and I thought it was over for me as an actor. I am a serious film-maker, unlike some of my colleagues who do comedy.

When there was an influx of comedy movies in the industry, marketers wanted me to shoot comedy too. I tried to emulate my colleagues, but it didnt come to me naturally. Later, I realised that I was not made for comedy movies; I am made for serious and touching stories.

He further explained that his wife was very instrumental in bringing him out of his gloom, and that depression is now a thing of the past for him.

READ ALSO: Seyi Law identifies EFCC's suspect as son of his former pastor, says he was also defrauded

He said:

I felt depressed during that period. I had stories that once you saw them, you would just go home and sleep. I felt dejected and thought it was over for me as an actor. But my wife helped me through those times. She assured me that it was a passing phase and it was actually one.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Nollywood actress, Ebube Nwagbo, explained that her parents understand that marriage is not something to be rushed.

She revealed this in a recent interview.

Homosexuals in Nollywood: Myth or Reality? | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
- Sabitu Nofiu, a father of late Babatunde Nofiu, has shared his grief over his son's death

- Babatunde was reportedly shot to death by a police officer attached to the SARS

- The father of the deceased said his son was to travel to Dubai barely two weeks before his death

A hotelier, Alhaji Sabitu Nofiu a father of 30-year-old Babatunde Nofiu allegedly killed by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Iwo, Osun state disclosed how the incident has caused anguish to his family.

The Punch reports that Alhaji Nofiu said his son was a very good boy, respectful, industrious and easy going adding that He was planning to travel out of the country.

The hotelier further disclosed that the late Babatunde was scheduled to travel to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) on Monday, September 10 saying he was killed barely two weeks to that time.

READ ALSO: PDP presidential aspirant begs Nigerians to purchase nomination form for him

According to him, ''I am the father of Babatunde Nofiu killed by SARS officials in Iwo, Osun state. He was a very good boy who was respectful, industrious and easy going. I am not saying this because of the popular belief that one should not speak ill of the dead. Anybody can find out from the people in our community. You cant hear any negative thing about him.

''He graduated from the Osun state Polytechnic, Iree. He read Computer Science. Like I said, he was yet to find a job when his life was cut short by wicked SARS operatives. He was planning to travel out. He was scheduled to travel to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) on September 10 and he was killed barely two weeks to that time. He had obtained the visa and all the necessary documents he needed were intact but the journey was aborted. They just killed my glory and put an end to his dream. It is painful but what can I do?

''I did not hear anything. I didnt know that the news had spread but I was shut out. Nobody told me anything. People were avoiding me but I didnt know. It was some minutes after 10pm that the elder sister of the deceased received a call and I saw that she was troubled. I asked her what was wrong.

''I told her that we would not close late on that Thursday because we closed around 1.30am the previous night being Sallah. I am an hotelier and that is the nature of the business. He said closing time was not the issue but she was told that Tunde had been shot and that his mobile was used to call her. She said they asked her to come together with me to the area command but I declined.

''I wanted to know why he was shot before I would go there. I know that he was neither a thief nor a thug. I was shaking visibly. Maybe I would have died that night if I was hypertensive because of the shock.

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''We eventually got a mini bus to Iwo. Suddenly, those in the bus with me said we should turn back that we should no longer continue with the journey to Osogbo. Then I knew they had heard something which they didnt want to tell me. I called his elder sister who earlier received the call when we got back inside and asked her if she didnt think Tunde had died. She said she also had the same thought. I knew the worst had happened but the people did not want to break the news to me.

''I decided to go and sleep at a brothers place because I knew that they would not want to mourn if I had not told them that he had been killed. I returned home around 6.30am the following day and that was how they started wailing. People started trooping in to condole with us.''

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that had reported that some irate youths on Friday, August 24, set a police station ablaze in Iwo, the state, for the alleged killing of an undergraduate, Tunde Nofiu, by an officer attached to the SARS in the state.

A regional reporter in Osun state, Sola Adetona, reports that Nofiu was said to be spending holidays in the town when the ugly incident happened.

It was gathered that the student who was going to Iwo from Olupona was shot dead on Thursday night, August 23, and the incident led to a protest by the angry youths.

#ENDSARS of #REFORMSARS? Nigerians blow hot - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
- Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has picked PDP expression of interest and nomination forms to re-contest in 2019

- The governor picked the forms on Saturday, September 1

- According to a source, the governor will be taking over the party structure on Monday, September 3

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state on Saturday, September 1, picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by the governor's chief press secretary, Terver Akase, on Saturday, September 1.

Legit.ng gathers that Ortom's spokesman said the governor thanked the leadership and members of PDP for the opportunity given him to seek the party's ticket for the coming election.

READ ALSO: Nigerians express displeasure as LCDA chairman commissions toilet

Akase said: "He (Ortom) also appreciated his teeming supporters across the state, urging them to remain peaceful and sustain the spirit of politics without bitterness as they have been doing.

"Governor Ortom also thanked Benue people for their prayers and goodwill, promising not to disappoint them."

According to Pucnh, the process of taking control of the PDP in the state on Monday, September 3, has been concluded at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

A source told Punch: It is in the PDP constitution that the governor should automatically be the leader of the party in the state it (the party) controls."

Reacting to the development, an ex-governor of the state, Dr Gabriel Suswam, said: The governor taking control of the party does not mean that they have given him the party structure. What we are saying is that since he is the governor, he should look after the party. It doesnt mean anything; the structure is still as it is."

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that twelve governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state, refused to step down for Governor Samuel Ortom, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

One of the aspirants, Dr Tivlumun Nyitse, revealed what transpired during a meeting between Governor Ortom and other governorship aspirants on the PDP platform.

APC chieftains in Benue state say PDP has nothing to offer - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- Lagos and other coastal cities globally that are less than one meter above sea level could be submerged by 2050

- Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) recently disclosed this

- It said this is a danger caused by climate change and it must be taken it seriously

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) says that Lagos and other coastal cities globally that are less than one meter above sea level could be submerged by 2050 if the seal level continues its rise.

The projection by scientists in the United Nations (UN) who are the authority in climate change effects, after extensive studies say there is the likelihood of the worlds ocean rising by 1 meter by between 2030 and 2050.

READ ALSO: PDP presidential aspirant begs Nigerians to purchase nomination form for him

Hence, any city less than one meter above sea level is under threat and Lagos is part of the many others, Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kanu, director-general of NCF, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

Aminu-Kano told NAN that part of the reasons for the ocean encroachments and beach erosions was as a result of the activities around the coastlines.

The director-general said it was not peculiar to Lagos alone but other coastal cities globally would have the same effects of the changes in climate.

It is a danger caused by climate change and we have got to take it seriously and apply steady and serious measures beyond infrastructure projects to deal with it.

Sea level rise is another looming danger that could come to threaten the existence of Lagos if we do not treat it with seriousness.

This is not a problem for Lagos alone to carry, it is a national problem that should involve the federal government, he said.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 at a Summit on Climate Change, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, said that Nigeria was strongly committed to the adoption of a legally binding universal agreement to mitigate climate change.

Buhari said the socio-economic consequences of climate change spared no nation as Nigeria was affected by extreme weather variations, rising sea levels, encroaching desertification, excessive rainfall, erosion and floods and land degradation.

The president also said Nigeria had developed a national policy to guide the countrys response to Climate Change which was largely based on two strategies of Mitigation and Adaptation.

Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano also urged the Lagos State Government to adopt strategies on renewable energy to tackle pollution.

There is an ongoing project by the World Bank to check the level of pollution in Lagos State, whereas, seven locations have been picked to set up monitoring stations, he told NAN.

The director-general said that the energy crisis in the country was huge and the use of energy generating sets was appalling which had earned the country the appellation, generator capital of the world.

He said pollution from automobile, firewood and generator emissions had become worrisome since Lagos State was ranked among the seven most polluted cities in the world.

He noted that all of the emissions contributed a lot to health challenges to the increasing population of the state estimated at over 20 million people.

The World Bank and Lagos State Government have located seven monitoring sites in the state and we have one in the Lekki Conservation Center.

It is also refreshing to note that when the initial study was done, the conservation was marked as the area that is less polluted and that is as a result of the density of trees in the area.

The place has also been equipped to be the control center of the pollution monitoring. Its a state of the art for monitoring station.

The stations will show the extent of the pollution which will guide decision making on what to do about it, he said.

Aminu-Kano also said the foundation was working with the Federal Government through the department of climate change and other relevant parts to promote the use of renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind.

He said another common issue was use of trees as firewood for cooking which was environmentally hazardous.

He strongly condemned the felling of trees for the purpose of cooking fuels and advised for an alternative quickly because of the rate trees were being cut down.

He highlighted five areas to look at the issues of energy sources critically, adding that the people have to rely on political will as firewood use could not be stopped overnight.

Cultivation of wood lots should be encouraged in each community for the purpose of firewood, where people grow fast growing trees so that they will stop cutting forest trees that are 200 years old.

We want promotion of more fuel efficient stoves to cut down the amount of firewood on needs to cook as heat escapes while using firewood which means more wood will be needed to cook.

We also have to look at some renewable energy models in other countries like India where there is developed affordable solar stoves.

The federal government should also look at the cost of kerosene because it is now the most expensive and scarcely available and what happened to the import of improved stoves by the last administration.

That project was handled by the Federal Ministry of Environment and should be revisited to save our ecosystem and vegetation, the Aminu-Kano told NAN.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Nigerians on Facebook expressed their disgust towards the commissioning of a toilet project executed by the chairman of Eredo local council development area, Honourable Saliu Adeniyi.

Legit.ng gatherered that the project, which was said to be an ultramodern staff toilet, was commissioned on Wednesday, August 29.

President Buhari commissions first Nigerian drone - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- The APGA is said to have to resolved to zone its presidential candidate to the north

- This was a resolution of board of trustees and national working committee of the party

- The secretary of the board, Sani Shinkafi, is said to have confirmed the decision

Members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance have reacted as the party resolved to field its presidential candidate to the north, while the vice presidential candidate is said to come from the south east, The Punch reports.

It was learnt that the party through its board of trustees and national working committee made the decision. The secretary of the board, Sani Shinkafi, is said to have confirmed the decision.

He said: After due considerations based on popular demand by party members, the party has resolved to field a presidential candidate with the ticket zoned to the north, while the vice presidential candidate will come from the south east.

READ ALSO: I am not afraid of free, fair election - Buhari boasts

The decision cannot stand. Its undemocratic and dictatorial. APGA has not taken any decision on the 2019 presidential ticket. any person or group of persons purporting that such decision has been taken by our great party are on their own.

My advice is that certain people should not allow their personal interests to destroy this party that had cost us our time and resources.

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It was gathered that a meeting of the BOT and NWC is expected to hold on September 12.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the APGA said it would present a presidential candidate for the 2019 elections and will not make the same mistake it made in 2015.

The party did not field a presidential candidate for the 2015 presidential election and there were reports that this was because of its alleged alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party to support its candidate.

Ifeatu Obi-Okoye who is the publicity secretary APGA said the party has now resolved to produce a presidential candidate and that this has been agreed by the national working committee of the party.

Is the newly-formed political party the solution to Nigeria's woes? on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
Clonmel Applefest is a brand new festival for the town, which aims to celebrate the unique sense of place emanating from Clonmels special location and mix of industrial and agricultural activities and heritage.

The festival - which will run from Friday to Sunday, September 28th-30th - is the brainchild of artists Theresia Guschlbauer and Lyn Mather, who last year researched the apple-growing traditions of Clonmel.

Over the summer of 2017, they interviewed several local people, including former Bulmers employees and apple orchard owners, and gathered stories and memories which were presented as part of the Apple Treasures exhibition and Tree trail for Culture Night.

Both women are members of Suircan Community Forum, which agreed to support their endeavour to pursue the idea of an Apple Festival for the town.

A steering committee was set up and a devoted group of six core members have put together an ambitious programme of free public events, as well as a number of arts-based projects.

Funding has been secured from a number of sources including Tipperary County Council, Creative Ireland and the Leader Fund for rural development as well as several private patrons, local partners and business sponsors.

Bulmers have kindly agreed to come on board by facilitating the opening of the apple yard, where truckloads of apples were once emptied.

With the support of the local apple growing fraternity, in particular the Apple Farm and Longways Cider, the festival is getting off to a good start and hopes that its first foray will secure enough interest and support to grow and thrive into the future.

As part of the Leader funding, a dedicated website will go live in early September (www.clonmelapplefest.ie) and a small brochure designed by a recent LIT Clonmel graduate will be available in shops and businesses across the town and further afield.

The Festival launch will take place at the Town Hall at 5.30pm on Wednesday, September 5th.

For anyone interested in attending, please e-mail clonmelapplefest@gmail.com

For more updates and news, follow the festival Facebook page @clonmelapplefest or Twitter handle @clonmelapplefe1
Today (2 September, 2018), General Austin Scott Miller assumed command of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission from General John ''Mick'' Nicholson at a ceremony at mission headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. General Miller will oversee the continued efforts by NATO Allies and operational partners to further develop effective and sustainable Afghan security forces and institutions through the train, advise and assist mission.

General Miller previously commanded the US Joint Special Operations Command. At the change of command ceremony in Kabul, he said: "We must enable our Afghan partners in building their security and military capacity so that they are able to deny safe havens to terrorists in a long-term, and sustainable way." He stressed the strength of the Resolute Support Mission, which includes 41 NATO Allies and partners: "Forty-one. That number sticks with me. It's powerful and I want to recognize NATO and the operational partners for building and sustaining such an inspiring team."

General Nicholson, who commanded the Resolute Support Mission for two and a half years, said all the nations involved in Resolute Support support the peace process: "These nations are here on a conditions basis, not a calendar. Peace in Afghanistan is in everyone's best interest. It not only ends the suffering of the Afghan people. Peace in Afghanistan makes the entire world safer."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, "I'm looking forward to working closely with General Miller as the new Commander of our Resolute Support Mission, and I thank General Nicholson for his outstanding service." He stressed that "NATO remains committed to supporting Afghan security forces as they create the conditions for lasting security and peace."

At the NATO Summit in Brussels, on 11-12 July 2018, Heads of State and Government of all Allies and operational partners contributing to the Resolute Support Mission decided to sustain the mission until conditions on the ground indicate a change is appropriate, and to extend financial support for the Afghan security forces through 2024. They reaffirmed their support to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
(Natural News) The last few decades saw the scientific community examining various compounds in search of additional diabetes treatments. One such compound is the trace element vanadium. According to health experts, the trace element can be found in many food sources, and can be beneficial for bone health when taken in very small amounts. Several animal and human studies have also previously established that vanadium may help regulate blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes. The trace element was even known to curb blood cholesterol levels in some instance.

According to health experts, vanadium and its derivatives vandal sulfate and vanadate can be found in a variety of foods including mushrooms, shellfish, black pepper and parsley. Beer, wine, grain, and grain products were also touted as excellent sources of the trace element. Vandal sulfate were more commonly found in nutritional supplements, according to experts.

Studies support vanadiums potential in blood sugar control

A number of human and animal studies have examined the effects of vanadium intake on blood sugar control, most of which exhibiting a positive correlation between the two. For instance, a small study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism revealed that vandal sulfate supplementation resulted in improved insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes. To carry out the study, a team of international researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center and the Center of Medical Education and Clinical Research and Hospital de Cli?nicas General San Marti?n in Buenos Aires, Argentina enrolled 11 patients with type-2 diabetes who were instructed to take 150 mg of vanadyl sulfate daily for six weeks.

The study revealed that the patients fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fructosamine levels significantly decreased following the treatment. The research team also found that patients in the treatment group exhibited marked increases in endogenous glucose production compared with the controls. The treatment was also associated with modest improvements in insulin-mediated glucose disposal, the experts noted.

A meta-analysis published in 2015 also revealed that vanadium compounds effectively reduced blood glucose levels in animal models of type-2 diabetes. As part of the study, a team of researchers from the Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences in Ethiopia gathered data from a pooled sample of 84 vanadium-treated and 80 control diabetic rats. The results showed that vanadium treatment curbed blood glucose rates in rats. The intervention was also linked to significant variations in food and fluid intake between the treatment group and the controls.

This may possibly make vanadium the promise of future type-2 diabetes mellitus therapy by avoiding the short comings of the existing therapies. The currently existing drugs for diabetes mellitus act by enhancing the secretion of insulin or sensitizing the body for the insulin action or reducing the absorption of glucose from the small intestine. In contrast to insulin secretion enhancers, the results from this meta-analysis point up an improved glycemic control, reduced food intake and fluid intake among vanadium treated diabetic rats without significant variation of plasma insulin level from controls. This may foster the propositions that vanadium compounds acts like insulin (mimic) by their own without the need of insulinIn conclusion, the results from this met-analysis reaffirmed that, vanadium compounds are able to reduce elevated blood glucose level significantly and other base line measures like food intake and fluid intake without affecting plasma insulin level and average weight of diabetic rats. In humans the number of studies is quite few, future studies are expected to address the long term safety, efficacy and potency of vanadium compounds on humans, the researchers wrote in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.

Sources include:

UMM.edu

Academic.OUP.com

IJPSR.com
An armed person was taken safely into custody after nearly two hours of talking with a police crisis team, San Mateo police said Saturday afternoon.

The person was described only as a male who was in distress and carrying a loaded gun, in releases from San Mateo police.

The incident began about 12:45 p.m. today in the 500 block of First Avenue. Crisis negotiation teams responded and surrounding streets were closed.

Police said at 2:19 p.m. that the subject was taken into custody safely and emergency crews were leaving the area.
Two Bay Area men are out of ICE custody Saturday after their community raised the $95,000 for their bond.

A homecoming rally was held for them at the Richmond Detention Facility - where they once detained. The two men say - the communitys support - has given them new motivation to fight their case.

"It feels great! Just to be with my family, reunited, its just something I personally didnt think was going to be possible," said Victor Hernandez.

Hernandez, 29, grew up in San Jose and had a clean record before being arrested for marijuana possession.

That landed the father of four in ICE custody and after Contra Costa County terminated its ICE contract at the Richmond facility, he was moved to Colorado.

"All our resources were here," Hernandez said. "Our lawyers were here, all our help was pretty much here in California."

New restrictions made working with his lawyer more difficult as well. For example, he wasnt allowed to use email.

"If anything was needed urgently, my attorney wasnt able to come visit me, and get papers signed," he said. "He had to send them through the mail, and wait until I received them, signed the, and sent them back."

Many who turned out for Saturdays homecoming rally claim the Trump administration is purposely putting up road blocks for those going through the immigration process.

"Bonds are becoming higher, judges and government officials have become more restrictive, less discretion, so we are seeing this a part of a pattern of making it more difficult," said Deborah Lee, executive director of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.

The other man released was Hugo Aguilar, who has been transferred to a facility in Yuba City. His bond set at $80,000, which many believe is too high for an immigration violation.

NBC Bay Area reached out to ICE but they were unavailable for comment.

However, in a recent email to NBC Bay Area they said such accusation against ICE are baseless and "When ICE is not allowed to work with local jurisdictions to house detainees closer to their families, friends and attorneys, farther facilities must be utilized."

"Im going to do whatever I have to do to saty here," said Aguilar.
Arlington police arrested three men and seized drugs and cash after a gun was allegedly shown during a road rage incident in Chelsea.

Police identified the suspects as Jason S. Butler, 23, Malachi Barnett, 23, and Branden D. Taylor, 24, all of Everett, Massachusetts.

Chelsea police informed Arlington police of a road rage incident in which one party allegedly flashed a firearm at about 10 p.m. Saturday. The vehicle involved, a gray 2010 Honda CRV, was registered to an Everett woman who was known to work in Arlington, police said.

According to police, officers located the vehicle in Arlington and conducted a traffic stop.

While searching the vehicle, officers found a red backpack with $25,000 in cash, about 12 ounces of marijuana packed in small plastic baggies, a digital scale and a 150 count of resealable plastic bags.

According to police, the three men in the car, Barnett, Taylor and Butler, were taken into custody without incident.

No firearm was found.

Chief of Arlington police Frederick Ryan said that the arrest was carried out thanks to two municipal law enforcement agencies working together.

"The messages are clear: Criminals cannot escape by coming across a municipal border, and while our communities have made great strides toward helping those who use drugs, we continue to aggressively pursue those who sell drugs," Ryan said.

The three suspects were charged with possession of a class D substance (marijuana) with intent to distribute. Butler was also charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The suspects were processed at the Arlington Police Department and will be arraigned in Cambridge District Court on Tuesday.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
At least three people have been killed and 14 more have been wounded in shootings across the city of Chicago this weekend.

The citys first fatal shooting occurred just before 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, when three people were shot in the 800 block of East 65th Street.

According to police, the individuals were standing on a sidewalk when a man walked up and opened fire, striking all three victims.

An 18-year-old man was shot in the chest and head, and was later pronounced dead. A 27-year-old man was also shot in the lower back, and was taken to University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition, according to authorities.

A third victim, a 24-year-old woman, was taken to the University of Chicago in stable condition. No suspects are in custody.

Another fatal shooting occurred just before 4 a.m. in the 5100 block of West Maypole, according to police. Two men were standing outside when a person wearing a mask walked up to them and opened fire, striking both victims.

A 32-year-old man was shot in the neck, and was later pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital, while a 23-year-old man was shot in the wrist. He was taken to Loretto Hospital in good condition.

No one is in custody in connection with the shooting.

Just 20 minutes later, another fatal shooting occurred in the 700 block of North Central, according to police. A 30-year-old woman was standing with a group of people in an alley when someone fired shots at the group, and she was struck in the back of the head.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are unsure if she was the intended target, and are still investigating.

On Sunday, a 24-year-old man was walking in the 2700 block of West 25th Street when he was shot in the hip and abdomen, according to police. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.

Another man is in critical condition at Christ Hospital Sunday after he was shot in the 900 block of West 129th Place just after 4 a.m., according to police.

Officers responded to a call of an injured person, and when they arrived on the scene they found the man lying in the street with a gunshot wound to his chest.

Officers saw a man walk away from the body and then drive away, but they were unable to apprehend him after he jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

Here are the rest of the weekends shootings:

Friday:

A 31-year-old man was shot in the lower right thigh, according to police. The man, who was shot in the 4300 block of West Gladys, was taken to a local hospital in good condition.

In the 800 block of West 59th Street at approximately 11:27 p.m., a 41-year-old man was driving when two men walked up to his vehicle and fired shots, striking him multiple times. The man then drove himself to St. Bernard Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.

Saturday:

A 37-year-old man was shot in the forearm and suffered a graze wound to his finger when he was walking in the 4300 block of West Cermak, police said. The man was listed in good condition at Mount Sinai.

In the 5200 block of West Lake, a 20-year-old man was shot in the abdomen. He is in stable condition, and is not cooperating with police.

A 37-year-old man is in serious condition after he was shot while driving eastbound on the 3200 block of East 82nd Street at 7:24 p.m., police said. The man was hit in the neck and body when a person in a light colored SUV opened fire, and he was rushed to Christ Hospital in serious condition.

In the 900 block of North Harding just after 8:30 p.m., a 19-year-old man was shot in the right hand, and was taken to Mount Sinai in good condition, according to police.

Just before 11 p.m., a 20-year-old man was sitting in a vehicle in the 6300 block of South Francisco when a person in a black pick-up truck fired shots at him, striking him in the neck. The man was taken to Christ Hospital in stable condition, police said.

Sunday:
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is aiming to cut back on violence over the Labor Day weekend by beefing up patrols across the city.

According to Johnson, more than 1,400 additional officers have been deployed, including those in squad cars and on foot across the city.

Over 40 people were shot over the Labor Day weekend in 2017, and thus far the total number of victims stands at 17 as increased patrols are taking place in high-violence areas and in downtown.

The Chicago Police Department is partnering with several other agencies over the weekend to help curb violence, with state police and federal investigators also joining in the patrols.

The department has launched increased patrols on other holiday weekends this summer, including Memorial Day and Fourth of July, with mixed results.

Violence is on the decline in Chicago however, as crime was down 10 percent in the month of August over the same time period in 2017, according to new statistics released by the department.
FOXBOROUGH -- Former Patriots cornerbacks Cyrus Jones and Ryan Lewis, defensive back A.J. Moore and punter Corey Bojorquez all landed with new teams Sunday after being released Saturday in New England.

A Baltimore-area native, Jones went back home to play for the Ravens. He's been signed to the team's practice squad, as first reported by ESPN's Adam Kaplan. Jones was a 2016 second-round pick of the Patriots who never panned out after a horrendous rookie season and ACL tear last summer.

The other three were claimed off waivers and will make their new team's 53-man roster.

The Buffalo Bills claimed Lewis and Bojorquez, while Moore landed in Houston. Lewis was in the thick of a position battle at backup cornerback until late in the summer, when rookies J.C. Jackson and Keion Crossen emerged as key front-runners. The second-year cover man out of Pitt was signed to New England's practice squad last year and appeared late in preseason games this summer.

Bojorquez signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in May. He did not take a single punt in the preseason and may have been a candidate for New England's practice squad before he was ultimately claimed. The lefty New Mexico product flashed a massive leg in training camp, but never came too close to unseating starting punter Ryan Allen. Allen is in the final year of his contract.

Moore, another undrafted free agent, totaled six tackles in the preseason. He signed out of Ole Miss, where he started every game of his senior season at nickelback.
Police in eastern Germany brought an early close Saturday to an anti-migrant march that far-right activists hoped would launch a nationwide movement to challenge the political establishment, with the fatal stabbing of a German citizen as the catalyst.

A trio of nationalist groups held separate rallies in the city of Chemnitz over the Aug. 26 slaying for which a Syrian and an Iraqi citizen were arrested. The two largest groups also organized their first joint march, a display of unity meant to build on other protests since the killing and a potent force to take hold.

Saxony state police cited security concerns for halting the march after more than an hour, producing screams and whistles from demonstrators as officers moved in to clear the streets but no violence or vandalism as the crowd dispersed.

The progress of the far-right march had been interrupted several times before then as counter-protesters blocked the route and the sizeable police contingent on hand rushed to keep them and the marchers apart.

Saxony police estimated the event had 4,500 participants and 4,000 counter-protesters. If attendance is any gauge, the numbers revealed a movement in an early embryonic stage at best rather than approaching a mainstream arrival that could be hastened by well-timed pushes.

The emboldened far-right activists had reason to be optimistic and local authorities to be worried after the opposing camps clashed in Chemnitz on Monday, the day after the 35-year-old German man's death. Scenes of vigilantes chasing foreigners in the city's streets have shocked people in others parts of Germany since then.

Police, at times, were unable to control the earlier protests and clashes.

Leaders of the two groups that combined forces on Saturday night cultivated a different image for the "mourning march," wearing dark suits and carrying white roses.

However, the mood at the event bringing together previously isolated clusters of nationalists  from lawmakers to Hitler-saluting skinheads  darkened as the sun set. People from both ends of the political spectrum could be seen drinking beer and shouting slurs at police.

The tension in the air reflected the polarization over Germany's ongoing effort to come to terms with an influx of more than 1 million refugees and migrants seeking jobs since 2015.

The right blames Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow in hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan for multiple problems. Some far-right supporters argued before the killing in Chemnitz that migrants are responsible for an increase in serious crimes, especially attacks on women.

The anti-migrant sentiment has been particularly strong in Saxony state, traditional strongholds of groups that sought to inspire a nationwide movement on Saturday night: the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West, or PEGIDA, and the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which has won seats in federal and state parliaments with an anti-Muslim platform.

While the share of foreigners residing in Saxony remains below Germany's national average and displays of Nazi symbols are outlawed across the shame-marked country, far-right sympathizers mobilized with exceptional speed on the night of the Chemnitz slaying and the days after.

German Justice Minister Katarina Barley said Saturday that authorities should investigate the role of networks from the radical far right in spearheading the week's protests.

"We do not tolerate that right-wing extremists infiltrate our society," Barley told weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag. "It's about finding out who's behind the mobilization of far-right criminals."

Local police appeared to have been caught unprepared when the slaying triggered the protests, which attracted crowds openly engaging in Nazi veneration and devolved into violence.

The protests were sparked by a fatal stabbing early Sunday morning of a 35-year-old German man, Daniel Hillig. Two asylum-seekers, a 22-year-old Iraqi and a 23-year-old Syrian, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, known for his anti-migrant stance, said Saturday that he understood why "the people in Chemnitz and elsewhere are upset about the brutal killing" but added "there's no excuse for violence," Funke Media Group reported.

"We need a strong state and we have to do everything politically to overcome the polarization and division of our society," Seehofer stressed.

While anti-migrant protests took place in Germany before, especially during the early 1990s, a strong and vocal opposition usually was there to provide a counterforce. Artists organized concerts to raise awareness, and ordinary citizens lined up in miles-long human chains to protest violence against newcomers.

Chemnitz, a city known for its hardened neo-Nazi scene, at first attracted a comparatively weak response to the recent anti-migrant activity. Some 70 left-leaning and pro-migrant groups organized the "Heart not Hatred" rally that got in the way of Saturday's far-right march.

"I've a lot of experience with far-right protests in Chemnitz," Tim Detzner, a member of the Left Party in Chemnitz, said, noting that the street riots this week "reached a level of aggression, brutality and willingness to use violence that we haven't known before."
A group of local firefighters returned home Saturday after weeks spent battling wildfires in Montana.

Five members of the Connecticut Fire Crew, who have special training and certification to fight forest and wildfires, left for their 14-day tour on August 15.

Allan Waterman of Moosup, Jacob Light of Enfield, Robert Yost of Milford, Deven Yudelsen of Burlington, and Patrick Marcoux of Sturbridge, MA, joined a company of fifteen others from the northeast.

The crews first seven days were spent in Montanas northwest corner near Ennis, where they battled the Wigwam Fire until it was mostly contained. They then moved hundreds of miles south to Libby, MT, primarily focusing on protecting the town from the Gold Hill Fire, which remained one-percent contained when they left for Connecticut on Saturday.

The two fires are burning through approximately 7,600 acres, according to a release from DEEP, and the sight of the destruction is seared into Robert Yosts memory. When youre standing in a forest thats burned, thats decimated all around you, its mind-boggling, he said.

Yost, a firefighter with the Westport Fire Department, used his paramedic training to handle minor injuries sustained by the group as they hiked for miles each day with 40-pounds of supplies on their backs.

The work was hard, but leaving Montana knowing his crew helped secure the town from the fire raging just 13 miles to the north feels good.

Its probably the hardest work youll ever do, yet the most fun youll ever have, he said.

Firefighters with similar training have been dispatched nationwide through the Forest Services reciprocal aid program to battle the wildfires that claimed more than 6.8 million acres so far this year. DEEP sent a fire engine and a three-person crew to California earlier in the week to the Ferguson Fire in Yosemite National Park, where almost 97,000 acres are burning. The fire already claimed the lives of two firefighters.
Two men are dead after a triple shooting in Hartford early Sunday morning.

According to Hartford police, shots rang out around 1:24 a.m. outside of a crowded house party in the area of 267 Hillside Ave.

The city's shot spotter system was activated twice, for around a dozen shots total.

Police in Hartford say two men are dead after a triple shooting in Hartford. Shotspotter activated twice at 1:24 this morning. The details @NBCConnecticut at 5:30 A.M. pic.twitter.com/L4esYexgX5  Jill Konopka (@jillkonopka) September 2, 2018

When police arrived, they found two men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The men were transported to Hartford Hospital where they were both pronounced dead. Police said one victim is 34-year-old Kevin Campbell, of Windsor, and the other is 28-year-old Joshua Steele, of Hartford.

Minutes later, officers said they received a frantic 911 call about someone who was shot several blocks away in the foot. "It was apparent he was part of this shooting on Hillside Avenue," Hartford Police Lt. Paul Cicero said. According to police, the victim is a 24-year-old Alex Roman, of Hartford. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital and is listed in stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

"We don't have any reason to believe this was a random act of violence. Like I said, there was a lot of people there. There may have been some kind of disagreement or what not. Investigation ongoing," said Hartford Police Lt. Paul Cicero.

Officers believe the shooting suspect and the gun that was used is still out there. They also believe all of the vicitms were targeted.

Hartford police are asking anyone who may have information or may have witnessed the shooting to come forward to help them identify a suspect.

"There was a lot of people here," said Hartford Police Sgt. Aaron Boisvert. "A lot of people saw what happened and were hoping someone saw what happened comes forward and lets us know."

Hillside Avenue from Catherine Street to Flatbush Avenue will be closed while police continue to investigate.
What to Know People were ejected into the Colorado River in a collision involving two boats Saturday night

Dive teams search for four missing boaters over the weekend

The body of a 51-year-old California woman was recovered Monday

The body of a California woman, one of four boaters missing after two boats crashed Saturday on the Colorado River, was recovered Monday as the search continued for other victims.

The body of Christi Lewis, 51, was located Monday in the river, two days after a recreational boat carrying 10 people and another vessel with six people on board collided head-on Saturday night on a well-traveled stretch of the river that marks the border between California and Arizona, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said.

Both boats sank, and passing boaters pulled some crash victims from the water. Nine people were injured, with two in critical condition, authorities said.

The crash occurred between two popular marinas and near Moabi Regional Park, a well-traveled recreation area crowded with people enjoying the Labor Day weekend.

Two women and one man remain missing. Dive teams and personnel from several agencies continued to search the river Monday morning.

Helicopters have been deployed, and authorities have scoured the shoreline to try to find them. Divers have been sent out into the river's waters, which can range from shallow to 30 feet (9 meters) deep.

"These efforts will continue until all of those who are missing and unaccounted for have been located," Shuster told reporters on Sunday.

The cause of the crash is being investigated. None of the boaters were wearing life jackets, which aren't required but are recommended by authorities, Shuster said.

On Saturday night, authorities had to temporarily halt the search because it was too dangerous to put divers into the dark waters. Efforts resumed after daybreak Sunday, and authorities closed off a stretch of the river where the search was taking place.

"We have four parties unaccounted for and presumed submerged," said Eric Sherwin, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire District in California, which is assisting in the search.
President Donald Trump "nodded with approval" at the suggestion of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a court filing that seeks leniency for a former campaign aide who lied to the FBI.

Lawyers for George Papadopoulos are seeking probation, saying the foreign policy adviser misled agents during a January 2017 interview not to harm an investigation but rather to "save his professional aspirations and preserve a perhaps misguided loyalty to his master."

Papadopoulos is a pivotal figure in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation as the first Trump campaign aide to plead guilty and cooperate with prosecutors. The revelation that he'd been told by a professor during the campaign that Russia had "dirt" on Democrat Hillary Clinton in the form of emails helped trigger the FBI's counterintelligence investigation in July 2016 into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

The 16-page defense memo filed late Friday paints Papadopoulos as an eager-to-please campaign aide who was in over his head, and aims to counter the prosecution's narrative that Papadopoulos's deception irreparably damaged the investigation.

The defense lawyers say Papadopoulos was hired by the campaign in March 2016 despite having no experience with Russian or U.S. diplomacy. That month, he traveled to Italy and connected with a London-based professor who introduced him to a woman described as a niece of Putin's even though that was not true. That professor, Joseph Mifsud, would later tell him that individuals in Moscow possessed "dirt" on Clinton.

When Papadopoulos returned to Washington, he was "eager to show his value to the campaign" and "witnessed his career skyrocketing to unimaginable heights." At a March 31 meeting of Trump's national security adviser, Papadopoulos proposed that he could leverage his newfound Russian connections to arrange a meeting between Trump and Putin.

"While some in the room rebuffed George's offer, Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it," defense lawyers wrote. That language is a reference to Jeff Sessions, who at the time was a Republican senator from Alabama and key campaign aide and later became the Trump administration's attorney general.

The inclusion of that detail seems intended to show that Papadopoulos provided investigators with valuable insight, even though prosecutors have said in their own sentencing memo that he did not provide "substantial assistance to them."

One morning in January 2017, two FBI agents knocked on the door of Papadopoulos's mother's home seeking to interview him. He agreed to accompany them to their office thinking they wanted to ask him about a Russian businessman, Sergei Millian, but soon the questions shifted to Russian influence in the election  and Papadopoulos was "surprised" and caught "off guard," the defense lawyers wrote.

Defense lawyers acknowledge that Papadopoulos "lied, minimized, and omitted material facts" to the FBI about his foreign contacts, including about when he had learned from Mifsud that the Russians had dirt on Clinton.

"Out of loyalty to the new president and his desire to be part of the administration, he hoisted himself upon his own petard," they wrote.

But they rejected the idea that those lies impeded the investigation, calling that argument by prosecutors speculative.

Papadopoulos was arrested on July 27, 2017 and began cooperating with federal investigators. He participated in four proffer sessions with prosecutors and provided important information, including a description of the March 2016 meeting at which he proposed to arrange a meeting with Putin "and the reactions of the people in the room."

"George Papadopoulos is now a convicted felon," the lawyers wrote. "When it came to make a good decision he made a bad one. His arrest and prosecution served as notice to all involved that this was a serious investigation. He was the first domino, and many have fallen in behind. Despite the gravity of his offense, it is important to remember what Special Counsel said at George's plea of guilty: he was just a small part of a large-scale investigation."
A newly approved set of reform measures could transform policing in the State of California. The State Legislature passed a pair of bills late Friday that will open up internal police investigations and would make body camera footage public.

Lawmakers approved Senate Bill 1421, which would open up internal police records of officer-involved shootings, and other major force cases.

Someone who has misconduct and brutalized someone, or hurt or killed someone, we need to know those things and see what type of officers are in our community, said Cornelius Bowser, a San Diego community organizer.

Activists are celebrating the passage of the bill, claiming the transparency will improve trust between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve.

I know that there are a lot of family members of people killed by police behind these bills, and this is what they want to see, said Catherine Mendonca, a San Diego community organizer.

California has some of the toughest police privacy protections. Police unions have typically been against removing the protections, claiming that its an intrusion of privacy, and could potentially put an officers life at risk.

We respect everybodys privacy and safety, but when youre a public servant, we also have the right to know what type of police officers are in our community, said Bowser.

Lawmakers in Sacramento also passed Assembly Bill 748. It requires police departments to make body camera footage available to the public within 45 days.

For families such as the McNeil family, it could actually answer a lot of questions, said Mendonca.

Earl McNeil died while in police custody in June. His family has been pushing the National City Police Department to release body cam video of the incident.

The new law may force police departments to release the video sooner than they would like. Opponents of the law argue that individual police departments should set their own rules for disclosure.

The new transparency laws must now be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown has not taken a position on either measure.
A man named by the coroner's office as the person whose body was found last month in a cistern at an abandoned home in the Lancaster area is in fact alive and officials have apologized to his family for the mishap, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said Friday.

The case dates back to July 2, when sheriff's homicide detectives were sent about 9:20 a.m. to the area of 220th Street East and East Avenue F.

A detective told a news photographer at the scene that a burned body was found inside a water cistern at an abandoned house. "The body was found (July 1) at about 4:30 p.m. by location film scouts," Sheriff's Homicide Bureau Detective Ray Lugo told the photographer. "They left the area at about 10:30 p.m., but did not make the call (until) some time (the following) morning at about 8:30 a.m."

Lancaster deputies confirmed the find and notified the homicide unit, Lugo said.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office identified the decedent as 26- year-old Adam Buckley, but it turned out the identification was made in error and Buckley was alive.

The coroner's office issued a statement explaining that its staff was unable to get fingerprints or bone DNA from the body because of extensive thermal damage.

On July 26, the sheriff's department contacted the coroner's office to say the body could possibly be that of a missing person - Adam Buckley.

"Less than three weeks later, our board-certified radiologist compared body X-rays known to be of Mr. Buckley with body X-rays of the decedent and, based on the information known at that time, confirmed the identification for LASD," according to a coroner's office statement.

The coroner's office notified Buckley's legal next of kin of the match, but on Tuesday, officials were informed that Buckley had been located and was alive.

"We confirmed this identification and established Mr. Buckley was in fact alive and a misidentification had been made," according to the coroner's office. "Immediately after learning this, we called the (supposed) decedent's next of kin and notified them that their loved one was still alive and apologized for our mistake."

It turns out, Buckley had been incarcerated for vagrancy and was released several days ago, his mother said.

"Additional tests are being run on the body, including DNA found in a muscle," according to the coroner's office.

The test results are pending, but officials have no leads on the decedent's identity and the cause and manner of death remains unknown.

"We would like to publicly apologize to the family of the man who was misidentified as the decedent and also express our regrets to the community we serve," according to the coroner's office statement, which went on to say identification is one of the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner's most important functions and a responsibility the office takes "very seriously."

"As forensic tools and strategies continue to be developed, we are reevaluating our processes in identification to help keep incidents like this from happening again in the future," officials said. "These types of mistakes are unacceptable to us and run counter to our mission of looking after and protecting the decedents of Los Angeles County. We are committed to making improvements wherever they are warranted."

Anyone with information about the once again unidentified body was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

Buckley's mother, meanwhile, said her son is still missing and "endangered" and may be at a homeless shelter.

"He has been diagnosed with several conditions, one of which is schizophrenia, and he needs help. He needs to be found as soon as possible," she said.

She asked anyone with information as to his whereabouts to call 805-259-9120 or 661-425-3178.

"My son is still missing and endangered, and I'm desperate to find him," she said.

NBC4's Rudy Chinchilla contributed to this story.
A 19-year-old Afghan citizen had a "terrorist motive" for allegedly stabbing two Americans at the main train station in Amsterdam, city authorities in the Dutch capital said Saturday.

Amsterdam police shot and wounded the suspect after the stabbings Friday at Central Station. The local government said hours later it appeared the people injured weren't targeted for a specific reason, but added that investigators had not ruled out terror as an aim or any other possibilities.

After the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands identified the victims as American tourists Saturday, Amsterdam City Hall gave an update.

"Based on the suspect's first statements, he had a terrorist motive," the city administration said in a statement that did not elaborate on what the statements were or how they showed intent.

The wounded Americans were recovering in a hospital from what police termed serious but not life-threatening injuries. Their identities have not been released. The suspect, who was identified only as Jawed S. in line with privacy rules in the Netherlands, also remained hospitalized.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed on Twitter that the investigation focused Saturday on exploring the extremist ideas that allegedly inspired the train station attack.

The Netherlands' counter-terror chief, Dick Schoof, tweeted that the country's threat level would remain at number four on a scale that tops out at five.

"Sadly, this reprehensible act fits into the current threat assessment," he said.

W. had a residency permit from Germany. German authorities searched his home and seized data storage devices that would be analyzed as part of the investigation, the city government statement said.

He was scheduled to be arraigned during a closed-door hearing with an investigating judge on Monday. Dutch officials did not disclose the charges he could face.

A statement issued late Friday by Amsterdam's city council said the Americans did not appear to have been victims of a targeted attack. Amsterdam authorities also said Friday that it appeared from initial inquiries that the victims weren't chosen for a clear reason.

The local government said Saturday it had no immediate plans to beef up security in the city, saying the swift action by police "shows that Amsterdam is prepared for this kind of incident."

A passerby's dramatic photo showed two police officers pointing guns at a man in blue jeans and sneakers lying on the ground inside a train station tunnel.

Earlier Saturday, the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands confirmed that the two people injured Friday were Americans visiting the Netherlands when they were stabbed at the station.

Ambassador Pete Hoekstra issued a written statement saying U.S. Embassy officials had been in touch with the victims or their families.

"We wish them a speedy recovery and are working closely with the City of Amsterdam to provide assistance to them and their families," Hoekstra said.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to Amsterdam, with regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week for train travel as tourists arrive for the weekend.

The station is patrolled by armed police and other security staff.
Gunfire erupted near a Native American celebration that draws thousands of visitors on Long Island, police say. A man was arrested, and no one was injured.

Troopers heard gunshots around 8 p.m. Saturday while providing security at the Shinnecock Indian Powwow at the tribe's reservation near Southampton, New York state police said. The event is open to the public.

Troopers found a 23-year-old Mastic man fighting with other attendees nearby.

Troopers were told he fired a shot, another man grabbed the gun and another shot was fired as they grappled. The second man fled with the gun.

Devon Trent was arrested on charges including weapon possession and held for arraignment Sunday.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Trent had an attorney.
What to Know A hip-hop concert in Newark that was intended to promote nonviolence was canceled due to a gun threat, the organizer says

An anonymous phone call to police threatened to shoot one of the performers and guests in the audience

The show, Leaders of the New School Back To School Jam, was scheduled at Newark Symphony Hall

A hip-hop concert scheduled for Saturday night was abruptly canceled due to threats made against a performer and the audience, the promoter said.

Newark police received an anonymous threat by phone on Friday saying that one of the performers, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, would be shot, along with others in the venue, said Dexter Thomas, CEO of The Promo Kings.

Police said only that the concert was canceled "in the interest of public safety."

The show, Leaders of the New School Back To School Jam, was scheduled at 8 p.m. at Newark Symphony Hall.

In addition to A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, PnB Rock and friends, FUNKFLEX and Newark's Own Jahsan Djjayhood Coles were scheduled to perform.

The concert was designed to send a message of peace and non-violence to youth in the community, Thomas said.

Tickets for the show ranged from $128 to $42.

Thomas said he fronted $120,000 in expenses to stage the concert. He said there was no way to immediately reschedule the performane.
What to Know Two residents of a single building in the Bronx have been sickened with Legionnaires disease, health officials say

The city will evaluate the plumbing system of the building in the Fort Independence Houses in the Kingsbridge neighborhood

Legionnaires disease, a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, can be contracted by breathing in contaminated water droplets

Two people who live in the same building in the Bronx have been sickened with Legionnaires' disease, health officials said.

The Health Department said it would evaluate the plumbing of the building in the Fort Independence Houses in the Kingsbridge neighborhood to look for evidence of Legionella bacteria. The building is part of the New York City Housing Authority. Health officials wouldn't specify which of the Fort Independence Houses was affected.

One of the cases was recent and the other was diagnosed in the last 12 months. Health officials said it wasn't yet considered an outbreak.

Both patients were at risk for Legionnaires' disease, health officials said. They have both been released from the hospital.

Health officials say they routinely evaluate buildings where two or more people contract Legionnaires' within one year.

Between 200 and 500 people get Legionnaires every year in New York City.

Legionnaires disease, a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, can be contracted by breathing in contaminated water droplets.

It cant be passed from person to person.
What to Know Bail was set at $500,000 for a man charged with raping an 11-year-old girl in her bedroom

Prosecutors say Julio C. Ayala raped the girl in the top bunk while her brother was in the bottom bunk

His defense attorney says it's a case of mistaken identity

A stranger climbed through a second-floor window, then up to the top bunk of a bed and raped an 11-year-old girl while her brother was in the bottom bunk below, a Brooklyn prosecutor said Sunday.

The prosecutor was arguing to set bail for the suspect, 18-year-old Julio C. Ayala, at $500,000. The judge agreed. Ayala walked in stoically and appeared nonchalant during the hearing.

Ayala was charged with rape, sex-motivated burglary, criminal sexual act, sexual abuse and acting in a manner injurious to a child, the NYPD said.

The rapist left his Bulls hat behind in the girl's room, the prosecutor said. Ayala had previously been seen wearing a hat, but after the rape, he was not wearing one, the prosecutor said.

Ayala had a forged U.S. resident and Social Security card, the prosecution said.

Law enforcement sources told NBC 4 New York that they believe he is an MS-13 gang member.

Ayala lives with his aunt, uncle and two cousins in Brooklyn and works at his uncle's air conditioning business, his defense attorney said, arguing that he has strong community ties and wasn't likely to flee.

The alleged rapist removed an air conditioner to access the window of the girl's bedroom in the Prospect-Lefferts neighborhood, according to prosecutors.

The girl wasn't able to identify him in a lineup but he admitted to the rape, the prosecution said.

According to prosecutors, he said: "I've never done anything like this before."

Ayala's defense attorney said it was a mistaken ID and he had concerns about his client's ability to comprehend.

The next court date was set for Sept. 7.

Ayala was arrested Saturday outside his home at Flatbush Avenue and Linden Boulevard, about six blocks from where the girl was attacked. He was seen going into his home, then, when police arrived, he jumped out a window, the prosecution said.

A crowd formed as he led police on a brief foot chase, then hid in a construction site. When officers pulled him out, the neighbors cheered.
What to Know Starting Saturday, the NYPD will no longer arrest most people for smoking pot in public

Instead, pot smokers will get a court summons that could result in a $100 fine

But police will still make arrests in some cases: outstanding warrants, on parole or probation, a history of violence, a threat to safety

Pot is still illegal in New York City, but smoking it in public likely won't land you in handcuffs anymore.

The NYPD began enforcing a new policy Saturday that results in summonses, not arrests, for smoking marijuana in public or possessing up to 25 grams. The court summons could result in fines of $100.

There are still cases where cops would arrest pot smokers, such as those with an outstanding warrant, people on parole or probation, those with a history of violence or who are deemed a public

Police expect to sharply reduce the number of marijuana arrests.

Marijuana is illegal in New York state except for medical use on a strictly regulated basis, but a state report on the issue recommends legalization.

New York City set out to change its marijuana enforcement policy in May after The New York Times reported that blacks, who make up 24 percent of the city's population, were eight times more likely to be arrested on low-level marijuana charges than whites, who are 43 percent of its population.

Soon after, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said they would scale back marijuana-related prosecutions, and police convened a group to study the policy with input from academics, community leaders and others.

"The glaring racial disparities in who is and is not arrested have contributed to a sense among many in our communities that the system is unfair," Gonzalez said. "This, in turn, contributes to a lack of trust in law enforcement, which makes us all less safe."

Manhattan prosecutors say they'll still pursue cases against marijuana sellers and people posing a significant threat to public safety.

This week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo also appointed a panel to draft legislation to legalize marijuana in the state.

The proposed legislation will be based on the findings of a multi-agency study Cuomo commissioned in January, which was led by the Department of Health and concluded the positive impacts of regulated marijuana use in the state outweigh the negative impacts.
What to Know Police in Tennessee say they are searching for suspects in the fatal shooting of a New York man during a car chase on Interstate 40

Eliezer De la Cruz, of Yonkers, was killed in the shooting Saturday while his friend suffered a broken leg

The vehicle contained thousands of dollars in cash and was being chased on eastbound I-40 by two other vehicles, police said

Police in Tennessee say they are searching for suspects in the fatal shooting of a New York man during a car chase on Interstate 40.

Metropolitan Nashville Police say in a news release 21-year-old Eliezer De la Cruz of Yonkers, New York, was killed in the shooting Saturday while his friend suffered a broken leg when their rental vehicle crashed east of Nashville.

The statement says the vehicle contained thousands of dollars in cash and was being chased on eastbound I-40 by two other vehicles.

After shots were fired at the rental vehicle, it exited the interstate, lost control and landed in the middle of the interstate.

De la Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds.

The statement says De la Cruz and his friend flew into Nashville on Thursday.
Three inmates at a prison in Delaware are refusing to eat over what they say are poor conditions inside the facility.

The News Journal reported Saturday that the inmates are incarcerated at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna. The inmates have refused to eat since Wednesday.

They say they're protesting a lack of rehabilitation and education programs, treatment by correctional officers and electronics being taken away.

The inmates also condemned the prison for having severely mentally ill inmates in recreation yards with ``non-mentally ill inmates'' and for housing violent offenders with nonviolent offenders.

A Delaware Department of Correction spokeswoman did not respond to the newspaper's questions about the inmates' claims. But the spokeswoman confirmed that 12 inmates stopped eating Wednesday. The number dwindled to three by Saturday.




TSA officers stopped a woman who had a gun in her possession at Philadelphia International Airport Saturday, according to investigators.

The unidentified woman from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was stopped at a checkpoint at the airport. Officials say they found an unloaded .38 caliber handgun in her carry-on bag. The woman told TSA she forgot she had her gun with her, investigators said.

TSA officers called Philadelphia police who responded and confiscated the gun. The woman was detained for questioning and then cited for weapons violations.

Officials say it was the 23rd gun caught by TSA officers at Philly International Airport so far this calendar year. A total of 37 guns were caught at the airports checkpoints in 2017.

Travelers, including those with concealed carry permits, are not allowed to bring guns past TSA checkpoints. Those who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges.

Click here for information on how to properly travel with a firearm.




Secretary of Defense James Mattis is scheduled to be in San Diego Monday as part of a trip that includes stops in India and the United Arab Emirates.

While in San Diego Secretary Mattis will observe carrier strike group training.

Afterward, hell leave for New Delhi to attend the first-ever India "2+2" Ministerial Dialogue alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

After meeting with their counterparts from the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, Mattis will travel to Abu Dhabi to meet with senior Emirati officials.

Other details of the secretarys visit to San Diego were unclear.
A man and a woman were killed when the motorcycle they were riding was struck by an SUV traveling in the wrong direction Sunday morning, Maryland State Police said.

A silver Ford Expedition was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 50 in Anne Arundel County when it crashed into the motorcycle at Ridgely Avenue about 12:50 a.m., police said.

Donald Tyner, 56, and Janell McDougald, 45, both of Baltimore, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The driver was taken into custody. The drivers identity is being withheld while charges are filed.

Route 50 was shut down for several hours before reopening just before 6 a.m.
Massachusetts transportation officials are halting down roadway construction and handing out free coffee to travelers to ease travel headaches over Labor Day weekend.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation says scheduled roadwork will be shut down until Tuesday morning.

Officials say the 18 MassDOT service plazas will be serving free coffee from 10 p.m. on Monday through 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane on Interstate 93 between Boston and Quincy will be closed on Monday and will open for regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday.

Transportation officials are encouraging people who will be behind the wheel this weekend to minimize distractions, stay sober and obey speed limits.

They're urging travelers to use www.mass511.com to check live road conditions and traffic cameras.
Mold found in the school that serves students in the Vermont towns of Pomfret and Bridgewater means elementary school students will start the year in the neighboring community of Woodstock.

The Valley News reports the mold, Aspergillus, which is commonly found in low concentrations in the atmosphere, was found at the Prosper Valley School.

The mold can cause health problems for those with asthma, lung problems, allergies or compromised immune systems.

Superintendent Mary Beth Banios says the safety of students is the first priority.

Woodstock Elementary opened last week, but the Prosper Valley students will join them Sept. 4.

Banios says work is underway to find a comprehensive solution the problem.

The Vermont Agency of Education says that last year Prosper Valley had 99 students while Woodstock Elementary had 196.
A New Hampshire man was killed after his motorcycle collided with another car.

Hudson police say they responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on Route 111 (Central Street) and Clement Road at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

When they arrived at the scene, officers learned that a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by Tyler Grant, 19, of Hudson, New Hampshire was traveling north on Clement Road and stopped at the intersection with Route 111. A 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Richard McLaughlin, 57, also of Hudson was traveling east on Route 111 approaching Clement Road, police said.

According to police, as McLaughlin entered the intersection, Grant made a left turn onto Route 111. The two vehicles collided and careened into the westbound travel lane of Route 111.

Responding firefighters and EMTs performed advanced life saving measures to rescue McLaughlin, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

McLaughlin was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, and he was the lone occupant of the motorcycle, police said.

Grant was not injured in the accident. The airbags in his car deployed, he was wearing his seat belt and there were no other passengers in his vehicle, police said.

Route 111 from Greeley Street and Kimball Hill Road to Windham Road was closed in both directions for six hours after the crash.

According to police, drugs and alcohol did not seem to be a factor in the collision.

The accident remains under investigation.

Hudson police ask anyone who witnessed the accident to please contact Lt. Dionne at 603-886-6011 or tdionne@hudsonnh.gov.
A 17-year-old boy has died after he was pulled from the water in a local pond on Saturday.

The teenager was reported deceased by UMass Medical Center in Worcester on Sunday evening, after he had initially been listed in critical condition.

A spokesman from the Milford police department said that there had been a "tragic incident" at North Pond Saturday afternoon and that the department is fully investigating what appears to be an accidental incident.

The boy was brought to the surface by bystanders and residents in the area on watercraft. The first responders administered CPR, police said.

The victim's name has not been released. The victim was initially rushed to Milford Regional Medical Center before being flown to UMass Medical Center in Worcester.
Police in Maine have identified the body of a woman found on the side of an Augusta road.

Augusta police on Friday named the woman as Elizabeth Munster. Police found her body around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 23.

Police had been searching for Munster. Family and friends had reported her missing to police on Aug. 2.

The state medical examiner's office have not said what caused her death. The investigation is ongoing.
Several dozen protesters, including some New Hampshire high school students, are protesting a Kittery store selling assault-style rifles.

The protest Saturday in front of the Kittery Trading Post follows a letter from several Maine and New Hampshire lawmakers asking the store to restrict gun sales and discontinue sales of what the lawmakers call assault-style rifles.

Democratic Rep. Peter Somssich said several dozen protesters and counter-protesters gathered outside the store Saturday.

A representative of Kittery Trading Post didn't immediately provide comment Saturday.

The protest is the latest effort by gun control advocates to target retailers that sell assault weapons following the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida and other high-profile shootings. Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods decided they would no longer sell "assault weapons" or firearms to people under age 21.
The race for the 7th Congressional District in Massachusetts is heating up.

As U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano canvassed neighborhoods in Randolph on Saturday, his opponent, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, spoke with hundreds of supporters at the IBEW union hall in Dorchester, rallying voters less than 72 hours before they head to the polls.

Capuano, who is facing his first primary challenge since being elected in 1998, touted his nearly 20 years on Capitol Hill.

"People with experience, people that know how to get the fight done, people with a proven track record..."

Pressley, on the other hand, said her leadership style and life experiences differentiate her from Capuano.

"I am black and a woman and unapologetically proud to be both, but that is not the totality of my identity," she said. "I'm a wife, I'm a mother, I was a caregiver to my mother, I am a survivor, I'm a visionary..."

If she wins on Tuesday, Pressley, who made history as the first black woman elected to the city council in 2009, could make history again, as the first black woman from Massachusetts elected to Congress.

The district, which includes parts of Boston, Cambridge and Milton as well as Chelsea, Somerville, Everett and Randolph, has a majority-minority constituency.

There is no Republican challenger in the race.
Authorities responded to three separate and reportedly deliberately set trash fires in a Massachusetts building.

According to Springfield police, they responded to 10 Chestnut Street at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday to find three trash fires. One was in the hallway on the 18th floor, one was in the 11th floor stairwell and the third was found in the 30th floor stairwell.

The one on the 18th floor was put out by a resident, police said.

The damage was under $5,000, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the incidents is asked to call the Arson & Bomb Squad.
Evangelos Katsioulis, one of the worlds most intelligent people, encourages all of us to be more moderate.

Some years ago, I became aware of a limited sphere of intelligent people from all over the world on the Internet; a high IQ-world, containing very difficult IQ-tests (so called High Range IQ Tests) and many high IQ societies for people with IQs from low Mensa-level and up (> 130). I was fascinated by this environment, and took some of the tests. I signed up for some of the IQ societies, in addition to Mensa where I am a member, and among those societies some that the Greek Evangelos Katsioulis has established. I have been lucky to have a chat with him.

Hi, Evangelos Katsioulis! You are from Greece, and thus originate from a country that is considered the origin of our Western culture. But you are keen to urge people to show humility, as I understand you. Well get back to that.

You have an IQ of around 200, and thats one of the reasons Im curious about you. You are also a psychiatrist and therapist, and that did also awaken my interest. Apropos, you have established WIN, World Intelligence Network, with the goal to connect people in a network, and not just those with the highest IQs. You can tell us more about WIN later.

I have been interested in the relationship between people, - paradoxically, Im not connected to social media yet, other than Linkedin - social psychology and related areas, almost my entire adult life, but without taking any formal education in for instance psychology. Therefore, it is of great interest for me talking with you about people, self-image and the modern technological world we have developed and live in.

You are considered by many as one of the worlds most intelligent people; if we consider it based on your scores on IQ tests. And yet we do not have other proper tools measuring intelligence.

But first, since the fewest here know who you are, can you introduce yourself?

Hi! I am Evangelos and I am a psychiatrist and psychotherapist of Greek origin. I guess that I am invited to present myself to you over here due to the fact that I am an enthusiast of human communication and interaction. This is the reason that I am supporting everyday the choice to be professionally active as a therapist and I am trying every way to disclose thoughts and ideas both in writing and speaking. I have been involved in the foundation and development of numerous societies most of them focused on facilitating people to find each other and act together on the grounds of common interests, skills and goals. Among these societies, allow me to name World Intelligence Network (WIN) founded in 2001, 7 high IQ societies (OLYMPIQ, HELLIQ, CIVIQ, GRIQ, QIQ, IQID and GREEK IQ) and AAAA.GR, a giftedness organization mainly active in Greece.

Since I have the strong feeling that our knowledge can be our power, I have so far sponsored studies in Medicine (MD), Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychopharmacology (PhD), Information Technology (Msc) and Philosophy (MA). A major part of my specialization in Psychiatry took place in London and I completed my specialty training in Greece. Being challenged to fight against cancer, I had also been tempted to have specialized in Oncology for a few years. My current private practice is in Thessaloniki, Greece, when I am especially active offering telepsychotherapy sessions over the internet in English.

The Australian Christopher Harding, the man listed in The Guinness Book of Records (Guinness World Records) as the worlds smartest man in 1974 , has apparently stated that if this book still had this title (it was removed in 1990), you would be listed as the smartest person now.

How has your intelligence affected your life?

I was keen to take some IQ tests back in winter 2000, when I was working as a GP in Corfu. You may understand that living on an island in winter time could be exhaustively boring and it appeared to me that taking some tests might entertain me and keep me distracted from the generalized winter introversion of both people and nature.

Here in Norway there are many who know how to live on an island in the wintertime! Some of them also meet polar bears; there are few polar bears in Corfu, but maybe some in Kos, I dont know. I dont think most people solve IQ-tests when they get bored though, even on the mainland.

You did score unusually high on some of the tests you took, didnt you?

My first scores were high enough to challenge me to take more tests and test after test, I made it to score quite very high, such as an IQ 205 (standard deviation 16), i.e. 6,56 standard deviations above the mean. This is statistically interpreted into a performance, which is expected to be achieved by only 1 person out of 38 billion of the general population.

Thats amazing. It goes without saying that we have to wait for a long time between each person who does something like that.

Having scored high on an IQ test didn't change anything in my life. To be honest with you, it troubled me for a while to try to manage not to lift up excessively my life standards both in life quality and people surrounding me. It is rather easy to reason that if you happen to get a nice picture of you, either an external or internal one, this glorious picture can easily interfere with your current identity perception or even cause alterations in your self-understanding and related life expectations.

I identify with that, even though I am not close to your achievements. In Norway, there is no one who lets you be bumptious for a long time. Janteloven and the Nordic mentality take care of that. And that can be very good in some cases, and not so good in others.

When I was young middle aged I started to solve high range IQ-tests, with good results, I probably boasted a little, yes. Ugh. The scores served as a confirmation of something I had thought about, but did not really believe. Basically, I was just a little bit different. There were some people that didnt like that. Conformity is important to most people; it provides safety and predictability. Mirrors and ideals. To feel strong affiliation with a group is like intoxication; one feels invincible.

I was not particularly concerned with intelligence until I was almost 50; I became a Mensa member at the age of 49, but noticed early that I understood certain problems quite quickly. I was pretty lazy at school, but did alright. I was interested in almost everything; I did a lot of other stuff during my studies. I was enthusiastic; an impatient guy.

But tell me how you used and took advantage of the good results.

In my case, I tried to use this shiny picture of mine to gather people around me and offer them a reference to interact with each other, think and work for the benefits of humanity. That was the time that I decided to form WIN, an international organization of giftedness and a few distinct intelligence societies, to create an umbrella foundation and the platforms to support all these activities.

Furthermore, I am thankful to have met great people around the globe also due to the fact that I have been involved and active in these societies. My professional choice to become a psychiatrist and act as a therapist is also highly related to my interest in human mind and its attributes, abilities and capacities. In other words, I tried to use my mental abilities to build a bridge with people and not a wall between them and myself.

That was well said! We certainly need bridges and not walls. We are fully aware of all our historical walls, not just the one in Berlin, but it seems difficult to avoid building new ones. At the same time we create a society where most people seem to want a better relationship with each other, with a simpler communication, which the social media should contribute to. But humans are not that simple. We are attracted to all these barriers and hierarchies. The Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, a very intelligent man, once said that he thought humans were too intelligent to continue to make wars and kill each other. I think so too. Although some believe that people who think like that are naive.





Do you feel different from others, I mean since you after all have an unusually high intelligence?

Yes and no.

I believe that each one of us has the feeling of being somehow similar and at the same time different with anyone else. We are all unique and we need to respect that. Actually, there is no one else identical to us in the whole world and this is a fact based on the extensive variety of cognitions, experiences, occurrences and personality features we had and have in our lives. Therefore, we reason life with our own eyes and mind on our own way. On the other side, we all have similar, but not the exact same, needs since we are all alive and we all look for claiming the satisfaction of our needs. So, yes and no. I, like everybody else, am both unique and a human being.

You say that there is so much that separate us; thats something to think about. We are so keen to focus on some common ideal, and we lose ourselves on that road. Ideals are important and good, but not if they interfere with what we are and who we can become. I read Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut now on vacation, and there he writes God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference. We must learn to respect the differences between us, instead of believing that combating it solves our problems. The foundation of such a respect is contained in the self-image, which provides us a floor of cement, soil or quicksand to walk on through life.

Can you say something about IQ-tests as such, and also about your top score?

In my understanding IQ scores are only representations of a cognitive performance, similar to a photo one can take of himself under any given circumstances. A photo might be excellent, extraordinary, impressive, representative or not of what this person looks like at any other time in his life. So, I have taken an excellent photo of my cognitive performance some years ago and that is all I feel about that score.

Furthermore, I need to mention that my performance is considered as the current highest adult intelligence performance only among the people who have taken a credible IQ test. You understand of course that not everybody is challenged to take such a test. And last but not least, intelligence becomes an important feature, only when it is applied and not if it is only photographed. I am myself trying my best to apply any abilities I may have in my life and make my life more satisfactory and fulfilling mainly for myself and my people of choice.

What are your thoughts about the Internet explosion since 2000?

When technology met communication. It was expected, if not predicted, one day to have established an online, virtual in total or partially, world entirely based on exchanged and stored data. As with any other innovation, we face the challenge to develop proper management over its functionality, purposes and use. It appears to me that humans have not yet established a concise and in-depth understanding of what internet is, means and can do, of its features, powers and implications of its use.

I can recall that when I was very young, it was even rare one to even have a personal computer. In a few years, internet appeared, speed was increased, websites were built, social networks were created, online profiling was established and here we are now. And all this progress happened within a few years time. Can anyone imagine a world today without internet? Can anyone understand its current impact in our everyday life? Can anyone convince a young person today not to use internet, not to be online, not to have a social network profile? Can we live today without internet? Can we?

When I was young, a few years before you, in the 1960s and 70s, we barely knew what a computer was. I was a young man when the personal computer was born, and I got my first PC at work in 1987. I bought a private one a couple of years later. I remember when we first heard about the internet, and there were many who did not believe in this new phenomenon at all. They did not know what content the internet could accommodate, because at the outset it was almost empty.





You are a psychiatrist. From a psychiatric perspective, what do you think about social media?

Everyday, we face two worlds, the real and the internet one, which sometimes may be the same, similar, separate or even totally different from each other. We develop profiles and roles for each one of these worlds and we support our presence and activities playing these roles, acting out these profiles. It is indeed a great challenge of our times one to maintain a coherent personality, a unique and the same presence both in real and internet world and to effectively manage his time, life, choices, needs, self-awareness and satisfaction dealing with the real and internet world.

I am thinking of the transparency of social media, of that everyone can read everyones thoughts in a way, because more people write what they think and feel as if it is not available. Many mean that social media makes larger gap between each other, making us strangers, and therefore losing respect and empathy; because we cannot see the other person in the eyes. On the other hand, social media open up for many more to reach each other, and just the ones they want to reach, and develop friendship, love, and other relationships that they could not possibly easy get. The problem, as I see it, is that you do not meet the people in the virtual room, but photos, videos and text. There is something missing when you cannot smell and notice the physical presence of those you speak or communicate with. Video calls can make it more closely, but it is not like sitting next to each other in the same room.

One last topic: If you were almighty for one day, that is had a divine power, what would you do?

If I was God for one day, I would choose that day to die. I suppose that a God could never die, so that could potentially face my mortality issues. Seriously now, if I was a God for one day, I would try to make humans understand and appreciate that they are humans and not Gods. People would benefit to understand that humans cannot be perfect nor immortal creatures. Life is a gift, a gift given to us as an opportunity to meet and accept ourselves, to claim experiences, to make our own steps on our own way towards our satisfaction and happiness. Actually, I define happiness as the state of satisfied needs, so much, so in depth and so intensive that the happy person can only feel complete. I have the feeling that if humans had the feeling that they are only tourists in this world, they wouldnt bother with arguing with each other, with conflicts, wars, meaningless competitions with others or even with themselves. That could help them appreciate their life and time, their opportunity to feel happy and alive.

Thank you for the chat, Evangelos!
New restaurant will "bring a taste of Cornwall to Northbrook Street"

GINSTERS will be "bringing a taste of Cornwall to Northbrook Street" when it opens its very first UK pasty store in Newbury on Saturday.

The UKs number one pasty producer announced the plans today.

The new store will replace the West Cornwall Pasty Company, which is also owned by Samworth Brothers.

Baking in Callington, Cornwall, since 1969, Ginsters is famed for bringing the noble Cornish pasty to the nation.

Ginsters managing director Kieran Hemsworth said: Our new Ginsters Pasty Store is inviting everyone in for breakfast, lunch and more, with flavours to suit all tastes - including vegetarian options."

The stores modern interior (pictured above) includes wall artwork created using a traditional wood carving technique.

The Ginsters Pasty Store will be open Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm.
https://www.aish.com/jw/me/Why-are-Palestinian-Refugees-Different-from-all-Other-Refugees.html

The unique status afforded to Palestinians is the single biggest stumbling block to achieving peace.

Why indeed?

News reports suggest the U.S. administration is considering a historic decision to redefine who is and is not a Palestinian refugee. I hope the reports are true. A change is long overdue and could actually help the search for peace long-term.

Tragically, there have been countless refugees in the annals of history.

In the 20th century alone, tens of millions of refugees, if not more, were compelled to find new homes  victims of world wars, border adjustments, population transfers, political demagoguery, and social pathologies.

The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne codified the population exchange of Greeks and Turks, totaling more than 1.5 million people.

Huge numbers of Hindus and Muslims moved because of the partition of the sub-continent into two independent nations  India and Pakistan.

Refugees by the millions, unable to return to their countries, were created as a result of the 12-year Third Reich.

The exodus from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam after the victory of communist and rebel forces was massive.

Refugee flows from Africas civil and tribal wars have been constant.

Yemenis were kicked out of Saudi Arabia by the hundreds of thousands during the first Gulf War due to Yemens support for Iraq.

Countless Bosnian and Kosovar Muslims fled, or were expelled, due to Serbian aggression.

And this is just the tip of the refugee iceberg.

Instead of wallowing in victimization or becoming consumed by hatred and revenge, my parents started anew, grateful to their adopted lands for making it possible.

In fact, I dont have to look far to understand the unending refugee crises of our times  or the trauma they have created. My mother, father, and wife were all refugees. Yet, instead of wallowing in victimization or becoming consumed by hatred and revenge, they started anew, grateful to their adopted lands for making it possible.

This past May, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) counted 19.9 million refugees in its jurisdiction, with the largest populations being from Syria, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over five decades, UNHCR estimates that it has assisted 50 million refugees to help restart their lives.

And yet, of all the worlds refugees, one group  the Palestinians  are treated entirely differently.

Indeed, the 1951 Refugee Convention explicitly does not apply to Palestinians, who fall within the purview of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

There is no equivalent UN body for anyone else in the world.

The definition of a refugee under the UNRWA mandate is also unique. It covers all descendants, without limit, of those deemed refugees in 1948. This helps explain why its caseload has quintupled since 1950.

Unlike UNHCR, UNRWA does not seek to resettle Palestinian refugees, but rather provides social services while, in effect, keeping them in perpetual limbo.

And despite the crocodile tears shed by Arab countries about the plight of their Palestinian brethren, they have been among the most miserly donors to UNRWA. They assert that it is not their responsibility to care for refugees created by the decisions of others. The top five donors to UNRWA until now have been the U.S. and European governments.

By the way, I should hasten to clarify that only those Palestinians seen as victims of the Arab-Israeli conflict are given this special treatment.

During the first Gulf War in 1991, when Kuwait sent packing 400,000 Palestinians for their alleged backing of Iraqs Saddam Hussein, there wasnt much reaction from the international community. And more recently, while thousands of Palestinians have been dislocated by the Syrian civil war, again theres silence. Arab violations of Arabs human rights are seemingly viewed differently, if theyre noticed at all.

And in Lebanon, with its large Palestinian population under UNRWA auspices, the government has long imposed strict restrictions on Palestinians right to work in numerous fields. Where is the outcry?

So, we are confronted by something unprecedented.

Palestinians are not the worlds first refugee population, but their leadership may be the first to resist a workable, long-term solution.

Palestinians are not the worlds first refugee population, but their leadership may be the first to resist a workable, long-term solution.

Think about it. In 1947, the UN offered a two-state plan to address competing national claims. The Jews accepted it; the Arabs rejected it. Or in UN-speak, the proposed Arab State failed to materialize. Had it been otherwise, two states could have emerged, and with any luck, learned to coexist. Apropos, to this day, that two-state concept remains the most feasible outcome.

Instead, the Arab side went to war. Has there been any war without refugees? Yet, in a case of reverse causality, Israel is blamed for the refugees resulting from hostilities triggered by five Arab countries.

Meanwhile, the Arab-Israeli conflict produced even more Jewish refugees from the Arab world (and Iran). They, however, resettled elsewhere with little fanfare and no attention whatsoever from the UN.

Theyve been used to create the single biggest stumbling block to achieving peace  the Palestinian fantasy of ending Jewish sovereignty in Israel.

Then, by design, the Palestinian refugees, and their descendants ad infinitum, were kept in UNRWA camps to serve as permanent reminders of the impermanence of their situation. Taught to focus their hatred on Israel, and to believe they will one day return, theyve been denied chances for new lives. And theyve been used to create the single biggest stumbling block to achieving peace  the Palestinian fantasy of ending Jewish sovereignty in Israel.

Even now, 13 years after Israel totally withdrew from Gaza, astonishingly, over 500,000 Palestinians continue to live in UNRWA camps there. Why? Gaza is under Palestinian rule, not Israeli.

While the Palestinians are among the worlds largest per capita aid recipients, much of that assistance has been siphoned off to line the pockets of Palestinian officials  who then turn around and seek more funds for their allegedly neglected people.

Its the same absurd logic that Hamas deploys when it decries energy shortages, while trying to shell the Israeli power plants that provide electricity to Gaza.

The whole process is abetted by an elaborate, well-funded UN apparatus, encompassing more than just UNRWA, created by a majority of member states to support the Palestinians. By contrast, among others, Kurds, who have a compelling case for statehood, and Cypriots, who have lived on a divided island due to Turkish occupation, have no comparable UN bodies to advance their causes.

This is not to say that Palestinians have had easy lives. They havent. It is to say that their leaders, with the complicity of too many, have pulled off one of the most successful spin jobs in history. Rather than resettle the refugees, they have shamelessly exploited them and their descendants.

Therein lies the irreducible tragedy  and the heart  of a decades-long conflict.
Contributed Photo / Orange Police Department / Contributed Photo

ORANGE  Cops charged a West Haven man after he was accused of yelling obscenities at someone and was trespassing, police said.

Timothy J. Ward, 60, of West Haven, was charged first-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.
Kabul : At least four al-Qaeda operatives were killed in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province as an unmanned plane targeted the extremist outfit's hideout, said a statement from the Afghan national army corps stationed in the eastern region on Saturday.



The unmanned plane, according to the statement, targeted the al-Qaeda hideout in Wata Pur district very recently, killing four operatives on the spot, Xinhua reported.

The statement did not say if there were any civilian or security personnel casualties.
Islamabad : The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has launched its i-voting website for 7.9 million Pakistanis living abroad to enable them to cast their votes in the upcoming by-polls.

The ECP will hold the by-elections in 37 constituencies for both national and the provincial assemblies' seats on October 14, reports Dawn news.

The Overseas Voting System (www.overseasvoting.gov.pk) has listed these constituencies for voting on the website's homepage.

Overseas voters will be able to register themselves on the ECP's website from September 1 to 15 in the constituencies their vote is registered in.

However, the voter pass - a unique pass code provided by the system to the registered voters - will be issued between October 10-14.

A designated list of candidates of the selected constituency would then be displayed by the system and the voter will select the election symbol of the candidate to cast his vote.
Baghdad : Iraq's Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday confirmed that his Sairoon Coalition will not return to square one.

On his Twitter account, Sadr said "no return to square one, as no return to quota system, sectarianism, ethnicity and corruption," Xinhua reported.

Sadr said that he will resort to political opposition in the parliament if the next government would be formed on bases of former principles of quota system that harmed Iraq in the previous stages of the political process.

"The government must be formed on condition of serving Iraqis," Sadr said. "It must be a government with Iraqi decision that serves the people through ministries led by independent technocrats."

Sadr's comment came as the Iraqi political blocs are in negotiations to form the largest alliance before the first session of the new parliament.

The negotiations have intensified since the Federal Supreme Court ratified the final results of May 12 parliamentary elections on Aug. 19, marking the first step toward forming the new Iraqi government.

The court approval confirmed the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections which showed the Sairoon Coalition, backed by Sadr, won 54 seats in the 329-seat parliament as the front runner.

The ratification widely opened the door for Iraqi politicians to form the next government and would give a push for the tough negotiations by the political blocs to form the largest alliance before the first session of the new parliament.

According to the Iraqi constitution, the ratification of the results entails the outgoing President Masoum to call on the new parliament to hold its first session under the chairmanship of the eldest parliament member within 15 days from the court's ratification, to elect a president of parliament and then the president of the country, who will ask the largest alliance to form a government within 30 days.

On May 12, millions of Iraqis went to 8,959 polling centres across the country to vote for their parliamentary representatives in the first general election since Iraq's historic victory over the Islamic State militant group in December 2017.
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian police are seeking two Indonesian women to appear as witnesses in an ongoing trial over the murder of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-nam died at the Kuala Lumpur's International Airport in February 2017 after a toxic VX nerve agent was rubbed on his face.

The police identified the two women as 24-year-old Raisa Rinda Salma and 33-year-old Dessy Meyrisinta, reports CNN.

Their last known address was given as the Flamingo Hotel in Ampang, Malaysia, a town on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

As the two women could not be contacted, the authorities are appealing to the public for information on their whereabouts.

Speaking to CNN, Selangor State Criminal Investigations Department chief Fadzil Ahmat wouldn't say whether the women were associates of two women who have been charged with killing the murder, only that they are being sought as witnesses.

Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong, nationals of Indonesia and Vietnam respectively, are currently on trial for allegedly murdering Kim Jong-nam by wiping his face with the highly lethal nerve agent VX at an airport in the Malaysian capital.

Lawyers for both women maintain they were duped by a group of North Koreans, four of whom have been charged in relation to Kim's murder but have since left the country.

In August, Aisyah's father Asria maintained that his daughter was tricked and called upon the government of Indonesia to do more to secure her release.

"She was framed. I asked her and she doesn't know what really happened," he told CNN.

The lawyers for both Aisyah and Doan said their clients will take the stand to defend themselves once the trial resumes later this year.

It will be the first time either of them has spoken publicly about the killing. Siti's hearing will begin in November and Doan's next year.
Washington : US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that there is "no political necessity" to keep Canada in the new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) deal.

"If we don't make a fair deal for the US after decades of abuse, Canada will be out," Trump said via Twitter, threatening to terminate the 24-year-old trilateral trade deal.

"We were far better off before NAFTA -- should never have been signed ... we make new deal or go back to pre-NAFTA!", he wrote.

Trump's comments came after the United States and Canada failed to meet a Friday deadline imposed by the Trump administration to revamp the NAFTA trade agreement as major differences remain in bilateral talks, Xinhua reported.

"Our officials are continuing to work toward agreement," US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer said Friday in a statement, adding the USTR team will resume trade talks with its Canadian counterparts next Wednesday.

The White House has pressured Canada to accept the preliminary agreement it struck with Mexico on Monday to update the trilateral trade deal. But Canada insisted that it would only sign a new agreement that is good for the country.

It is still unclear whether the United States and Canada will work out their differences in the next few weeks.

Trump has threatened to slap additional tariffs on imported autos from Canada if the two sides are unable to reach a new trade deal.

While US officials have indicated that they are prepared to go ahead and sign a NAFTA deal only with Mexico, the US business community and many lawmakers have insisted that the NAFTA deal should remain a trilateral pact.

"Anything other than a trilateral agreement won't win congressional approval and would lose business support," President and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, said Friday in a statement.

Talks on renegotiating the NAFTA began in August 2017 as Trump threatened to withdraw from the trilateral trade deal, which he claimed harmed US industries and jobs.
Moscow : Russian Defence Ministry on Saturday accused the United States of training militants near its base in Syria and instructed them to launch terrorist attacks.

According to the ministry's statement, the information was obtained after the Syrian government troops killed two militants and caught another two near the historic city of Palmyra earlier in the day.

The captured said they belong to "the Lions of the East Army" numbering about 500 people near the US-led international coalition's al-Tanf military base.

One of the captive said they were trained by US instructors and received weapons and ammunition from the US base.

The task of the militants was to conduct a series of terrorist attacks in the area of Palmyra and enable the passage of about 300 militants to capture the city within the next week, said the ministry.

Tens of thousands of displaced people from Raqqa and Deir al-Zour are living in the Rukban refugee camp near the US base, but the US troops do nothing to prevent them from being hostages or a "living shield" of militants, the ministry said.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in early August that an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 internally displaced people, with some 80 percent believed to be women and children, live under difficult conditions in Rukban camp between Jordan and Syria, reportedly in need of water, hygiene, health, education aid and civil documentation.
:

Among the dozen or so guests US Ambassador Frank Wisner was escorting to Bhutan for a holiday was Richard Holbrooke, former US Ambassador to the UN. Wisner had invited a few Indian friends to the long hall of Roosevelt House to meet the group. The year was 1996. The ebb and flow of conversation was interrupted when Holbrooke raised his hand like a Japanese tour leader. "Silent," he whispered audibly. He walked to the far end of the hall to talk on the telephone.



He returned with his mouth full of news. "US-Taliban romance is over," he announced with authority. Until the previous day, the US was operating on the assumption that the Taliban was the most organised and muscular group in Afghanistan who could be relied upon to stabilise the country. TAPI, or the Turkmenistan, Afghan, Pakistan, India gas pipeline, would then begin to look feasible to the US oil company, UNOCAL -- the principal reason for the Afghan conflict.

What the US had not bargained for was the brutality with which the Taliban applied Shariah law on Afghan women. A series of prime time features on Taliban cruelty against women, telecast by the CNN's Christiane Amanpour, created a sensation in Washington. Without any waste of time, the US decided to distance itself from the Taliban. US officials supportive of the UNOCAL project did not conceal their disappointment. "US gender politics has scuttled a strategic initiative."

Fast forward to the great Tajik leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud (the lion of Panjshir valley) addressing the European Union in Brussels, in early spring 2001. He alerted the EU leaders, of the information his anti-Taliban Northern Alliance had collected: Al Qaeda, helped by the Taliban, were planning a major attack on the US mainland. For this audacity Massoud was to pay with his life. On September 9, two days before the attack on the Twin towers in New York, Massoud was assassinated at his hideout on the Tajik border. It is interesting that the two Tunisian suicide bombers who had approached Massoud disguised as journalists travelled on passports forged in Brussels, the city where Massoud exposed the plot which turned out to be 9/11. At whose behest was Massoud killed?

Had the financial crisis of 2008 not weakened the West, there may have been different scripts for many regions, including Afghanistan. But given the ground realities, President Barack Obama settled on July 2011 as the date on which US troops would begin to withdraw. In August 2011, precisely a month after the Afghan withdrawal date was announced, the Syrian theatre was opened up. Coordination or chaos?

In a paper for the Observer Research Foundation in September 2010, I had argued that Obama's exit plans were a pipedream. Do Americans have an endgame planned? Can a superpower, in a theatre of strategic importance, have a linear exit plan when multiple strategic options present themselves? The US has been extremely watchful of a nuclear Pakistan. Is it now willing to walk away leaving the world's only "Islamic" bomb unmonitored? Let's not forget, Afghanistan has been the US watch tower on this count.

Moreover, a US being bled by an endless war suits all powers in the region. Demanding American departure but doing everything to keep it tied down in Afghanistan is an elementary game everyone is playing. Would interests in Pakistan wish the logistical supply line from the Karachi harbour to Afghanistan past Baluchistan to dry up? It is a regular source of incalculable earnings.

Would not a possible US departure cause Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia and China to contemplate the Afghan real estate as a huge vacuum which each power must rush to fill up before the next one does? Here is a recipe for the mother of all civil wars.

Are the Americans likely to walk away simply because they are exasperated? After having spent a trillion dollars, losing thousands of lives, losing face -- so soon after their reversal in Syria -- are they really contemplating withdrawal? Will the bosses of UNOCAL suck their thumbs now? Will the priceless poppy fields of Helmand, the oil in the North, the unexplored mineral wealth now become a Russian asset?

Of course not. Absence of consistency has been one of the constants in US policy on Afghanistan. To cloak this inconsistency, amplified in the time of Trump, we have strange reports coming out of the White House. Before Steve Bannon, the President's Chief strategist, was shown the door in August 2017, he had drawn the President's attention to an outlandish proposition put forward by Eric Prince, the founder of Blackwater, the world's biggest provider of private armies.

At a strategy session in Camp David, Trump's Best and Brightest considered the plan: Afghanistan should be administered exactly as the British controlled India -- under a viceroy. Is former US ambassador to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, to be that Viceroy? He is an ethnic Afghan and is being tipped as special Envoy which is what the Viceroys were.

Of course, the senior military brass around Trump shot down the first Prince proposal. But with Trump beginning to look vulnerable, all manner of risky adventures are being contemplated. The other day, National Security Adviser John Bolton leaked the alarming news that Syria was about to launch a chemical attack in Idlib. How did he know? From Hezbullah leader Hasan Nasrallah's speech last Sunday? Nasrallah said, "Data indicates that preparations are underway to stage a new chemical incident in Idlib." This is the Western "ruse to launch an aggression on Syria".

Meanwhile, there are statements by Iranian Supreme leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, Russian Foreign Ministry and reports by independent journalists like Robert Fisk that militant groups like Jabhat al Nusra, trounced in Syria, are being secretly airlifted to Northern Afghanistan. There are unconfirmed reports of a Chinese retaliation: A battalion being raised in the Wakhan Corridor to block terrorism being transported from Afghanistan. An air strike on the Afghan-Tajik border killed eight militants. According to the Afghan spokesman Khalil Asir, the origin of the aircraft remains unclear. Strange things are happening.

US Presidents have been known to dramatically divert attention when faced with internal crises. Is some catastrophe being manufactured to protect Trump?

(Saeed Naqvi is a commentator on political and diplomatic affairs. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached on saeednaqvi@hotmail.com)

--IANS

naqvi/mr
Washington : US President Donald Trump and the ruling emir of Kuwait will meet at the White House on September 5, an official statement said.

Emir Sabah al Ahmed will meet Trump as the head of a delegation to discuss trade, investment and cooperation in security, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a press release, Efe news reported.

She did not provide further details of the meeting's agenda, but the Kuwaiti emir and President Trump are expected to discuss the diplomatic crisis and trade blockade against Qatar, which has been going on for more than an year.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain severed their ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing the small emirate of supporting terrorism.

The US, which has one of its main regional military bases in Qatar, has unsuccessfully tried to resolve the conflict with the mediation of Kuwait.
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WASHINGTON  Megan Bennett sat at a table in the atrium of Shepaug Valley School, smiling as she watched students walk to their classes.

Its a testament to the type of superintendent she wants to be.

I want to be a superintendent thats in the schools, said Bennett, who took over as the Region 12 superintendent July 1, replacing Patricia Cosentino who is now New Fairfields superintendent. Its important I design it in a way that makes me happy, and my happiness is watching students be learners and seeing what happens in the schools.

Bennett has loved the classroom, ever since her first teaching job at Mark Twain School in Hartford in 2000. Having that interaction with students is what drew her to Region 12 for her first superintendent job. She likes how its a smaller district where she can still develop those relationships.

There are 690 students from Washington, Roxbury and Bridgewater who make up the district.

Im looking forward to a day when I can walk down the hallways and students can say Hi Mrs. Bennett, she said. That would be a win for me. Having that familiarity with the students will be a milestone for me.

She was also excited about the districts agriscience academy, which will be built this school year and open next fall. The program will train students for careers in the agriculture industry, while also focusing on the STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and math.

An agriscience teacher started this year and is busy developing the curriculum, teaching foundation agriscience classes at the seventh and eighth grade levels and marketing the program in area districts to encourage students to come.

The program will serve 139 students from Region 12, Danbury, Brookfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown and Sherman.

Bennett said she appreciates the potential for the program and how it can elevate not only the agriscience students, but all of Shepaug, especially by using input from staff and students to develop the program.

Theres a lot of student empowerment thats going to be happening, she said. Its a program that was brought in for student needs.

The program is expected to meet a demand for this type of training because there is a waiting list for the program at Nonnewaug and officials say its a growing industry. The agriscience academy at Shepaug is also seen as a way to bolster Region 12s declining enrollment.

Advancing the agriscience academy is a main focus of Bennetts 90-day plan.

Long-term, she hopes to work with school officials to determine how technology is used to enhance education, both in the four Region 12 schools as well as the agriscience program.

The same dual approach will be applied to determining the vision of what a graduate from this program and Shepaug should look like  another of her long-term goals.

If were a reflection of our community, then we need to listen to what our needs are, she said.

Bennett, who earns $175,000 a year in her new role, will hold a community conversation Oct. 4 to gather input from residents, as well as offer more information on the agriscience program.

My entire goal as a superintendent is to make sure they have options and arent forced into a certain decision, Bennett said of students deciding to join a trade, enter the military or go to college. If weve provided the right education, then they can make these decisions.

Bennett decided to become a teacher because she wanted to ensure that students would have learning experiences that would foster change. She also likes to challenge herself, which is why she set her eyes on Hartford to start her career after graduating from Siena College with a degree in psychology in 1999.

While teaching in Hartford, she also earned her masters degree in elementary education from Central Connecticut State University in 2004 and a masters degree in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University in 2005.

After more than a decade as an elementary school principal, working in Southington, Rocky Hill and Taunton, Mass., Bennett decided it was time for another challenge and applied to be Region 12s superintendent.

She said she was nervous to transition to superintendent, where her scale of administrative decisions has grown, but said the staff at Region 12 has helped.

There were a lot of nerves, but when you meet this team, you cant help but feel confident, Bennett said. This is a staff that has a can-do attitude. With every person I meet, I feel a little better.
A few veteran Washington Democrats are having this recurring nightmare: First they capture control of the House of Representatives on Nov. 6. Then they celebrate. Then chaos ensues.

The odds are strongly in favor of a Democratic House triumph in the midterm elections. That's why a dozen or so current members of the party are already angling for a leadership post in the next Congress. The current top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi of California, has been an effective leader but seems also to have become a political albatross as more and more Democrats, under pressure from Republicans and their own left wing, pledge to vote against her as House speaker.

If her support continues to wane, the consequences for Democrats could be serious. It's hard to exaggerate the importance of leadership of a Democratic caucus filled with members who have never been in the majority or shown legislative prowess. The House is likely to be the only U.S. government body that the Democrats control, and will shape ferocious battles with President Donald Trump, maybe including impeachment, that will set the stage for the next presidential election.

The qualities that make a good congressional leader are often misunderstood. Successful modern speakers, from Sam Rayburn in the 1940s and 1950s, to Tip O'Neill, Pelosi and John Boehner a generation later, all possess keen political instincts and the discipline and subtlety of judgment to harness them. Bomb-throwers like Newt Gingrich, who was speaker from 1995-1999, and policy specialists like the current Speaker Paul Ryan have failed.

Other requisites for an effective speaker are the ability to count votes, which is harder than it looks; to craft an agenda that keeps cohesion and protects marginal incumbents; to be tough (the former Democratic House luminary and present Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel once told me that the only person who could intimidate him was Pelosi) and, in these times, to be an effective public voice.

One largely irrelevant factor is ideology; others can do the vision thing.

Pelosi meets all these requirements except one: excelling in the public role. So would the No. 2 Democrat, Steny Hoyer of Maryland. But if the clamor is for a new, fresh face, it wouldn't work to replace a 78-year-old woman with a 79-year-old man.

There may well be younger Democrats with the potential to rise to the challenge, but few, if any, have yet demonstrated the skills required.

The majority party in the House has almost unchecked power to control the legislative calendar. With Trump in the White House and the Senate in Republican hands, expectations for legislative accomplishments would be minimal. But frustrated liberals will demand actions that may not sit well with new Democrats from places like Kentucky or Texas, and with a slim majority they won't be able to afford to lose anyone. Without smart and experienced leaders who can navigate that conflict, the Democrats are unlikely to stay in power for long.

The Trump administration offers so many targets for corruption investigations that there will be an insatiable appetite for an orgy of probes, and there need to be serious inquiries into demonstrated malfeasance. But the Democrats will make a mistake if they emulate the partisan witch hunts of Republicans like Devin Nunes, Trey Gowdy and Jim Jordan. A strong leadership would impose needed restraints.

If there's a compelling case for impeachment, as seems likely, there are two models. In 1973, Democratic congressional leaders fended off a few left-wing members who demanded a rush to impeachment before the country was ready for it, paving the way for a bipartisan, historic effort that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation a year later. In 1998 by contrast, the absence of such measured consideration facilitated a travesty against President Bill Clinton that left him in office and actually boosted his popularity.

If Democrats jettison Pelosi in favor a new leaders, they'll need to consider African-Americans like Elijah Cummings of Maryland, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana and Karen Bass of California, who was once speaker of the California Assembly, and Latinos like Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Several women are seen as potential leaders, especially Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Katherine Clark of Massachusetts. Another name frequently cited is that of Adam Schiff, a nine-term California lawmaker who skillfully countered Republican demagoguery on the Intelligence Committee in the present Congress.

These are quality members, but none are tested, and 20 percent of the Democrats who vote for a leader will be freshmen with no experience.

---

Hunt is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He was the executive editor of Bloomberg News, before which he was a reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor at the Wall Street Journal.
That the explosion of microbreweries in the area has required changes in some towns' zoning ordinances has been well documented. But plans by some businesses to offer their patrons something to eat have also faced municipal hurdles.

Call it food-truck phobia.

"Food trucks are part of the culture of going to breweries now," said David Kaye, co-owner with his father Robert of Ridgefield's Nod Hill Brewery at 137 Ethan Allen Highway. "A lot of them around the state host food trucks. They offer a variety of casual, good quality food, which enhances the experience of coming here."

That may be so, but Nod Hill needed to work to win Ridgefield's approval last month of an amendment to its 2016 rule forbidding breweries and wineries from featuring food trucks in one spot for more than 15 minutes. The Kayes needed to get a petition signed by more than 2 percent of registered voters to prove that it was an idea whose time had come.

At the subsequent public hearing, "A lot of residents spoke in favor of it, while some were still concerned about it," David Kaye said. Kaye termed the approval "a pretty gratifying success."

It wasn't the first time that the Kayes needed a change in Ridgefield's zoning laws. In February 2017, they were granted a zoning amendment to allow a brewery in their B-2 commercial zone, which previously allowed manufacturing but not brewing. Their food-truck request was made at nearly the same time that Nod Hill opened last October.

Kaye declined to describe either struggle as a "fight," however. "There were concerns about traffic and competition with area restaurants, which we understood," he said. "The town has been supportive of us. We just had to go through the processes in the correct way." Food trucks could start operating on Saturdays by the end of August, he added.

Nod Hill's efforts sounded familiar to Tess Szamatulski, co-owner with husband Mark of Veracious Brewing Co. at 246 Main St. in Monroe, which endured its own two-year struggle to get food trucks onto its site, culminating in approval last summer.

Food trucks were a relative rarity in Monroe and had to operate under the town's peddlers' license, which only allows for a mobile seller to be in one place for 10 minutes, after which it must relocate or, in Szamatulski's words, "drive around the block and set up again for another 10 minutes."

That it took Veracious two years to finally get that ordinance changed was something that did not work in its favor with food truck operators, Szamatulski said.

"When we opened three-plus years ago, we told them that we could have food trucks, and had several of them lined up," she recounted. "Then we became kind of persona non grata when we told them that wasn't the case."

Food-truck operators in Monroe must pay an annual $150 fee to receive health inspector approval. With those trucks pretty much booked for the hot months, Veracious instead has been relying on local eateries like Monroe Social and Country Pizza to deliver, though Szamatulski noted that patrons are welcome to bring in their own food. She said she hoped to meet with food-truck owners in January to provide a steady schedule of choices beginning that month; Veracious is allowed to have two on-site at a time.

Veracious and Nod Hill got off relatively easy. Broken Bow Brewery in Tuckahoe, New York, which is celebrating its five-year anniversary Aug. 17-19, took about five years to get food-truck clearance from the town; this is its first year to offer the trucks.

"Tuckahoe is a very small village that had never allowed food trucks," said Kristen Stone, founding partner and head of marketing. "They wanted to keep the focus on local restaurants, a lot of which have been here for a very long time. They were concerned about food trucks competing with them."

After a lot of back-and-forth, including demonstrating the caliber of trucks Broken Bow was interested in working with, not like the broken-down dives-on-wheels that may find service elsewhere, approval was finally awarded. Because it's limited to one truck at a time, Stone said that Broken Bow plans to have the two scheduled to be at its August anniversary event show up at different times.

Broken Bow originally invited local eateries to set up inside its space at 173 Marbledale Road to offer their wares to patrons but, Stone noted, weekend traffic at the restaurants themselves tended to work against those arrangements.

All of this begs the question: Why don't such breweries simply do their own cooking?

"Generally, most brewery start-ups come from the beer side first," said Paul Gatza, director of The Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to small and independent brewers in the U.S., headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. "It is that passion that drives them to go pro. To offer your own food involves developing some expertise in that area.

"About 80 percent of the openings we see are in the taproom model," Gatza added, "so not doing significant food service in-house is emerging as the dominant business model."

The food-truck option gives the entrepreneur brewer a chance to stay focused on the beer and manage a leaner business through its start-up phase, he said, "but then they are leaving potential revenue to others who handle the food."

"Oh God, no," Szamatulski laughed when asked about Veracious cooking its own food. "Between running the brewery and Maltose Express (the Szamatulskis' beer- and wine-making supply store next door), we're really busy.

"We could probably fit a kitchen in here somewhere," the former caterer allowed. "It would be nice to have pub food here, but it's not worth the hassle with the health department right now."

"For us and other microbreweries, it's important that the focus remains on the beer itself," Stone said. "Even on our koozies it says, 'It's all about the beer.'

"We know how to brew beer and we know how to eat food," she quipped. "But in no way are any of us cooks."

"I have limited interest in flipping burgers," declared P. Scott Vallely, owner and brewmaster at Danbury's Charter Oak Brewing, which officially opened last month at 39B Shelter Rock Road. "I'd rather focus on making the very best beer."

While Vallely also had to navigate his city's regulations to open Charter Oak, ultimately winning an amendment to a decades-old zoning rule, he didn't face Danbury opposition to food trucks. Unfortunately, he said, he's occasionally had other problems.

"Food trucks are so in vogue now that they can be hard to come by," he said. "I had two Saturdays in a row where the truck didn't show up because they got a better gig. If they can sell a few items here or have a guaranteed 40 or more meals at something like a wedding reception or a reunion, they're going to go there. It's understandable, but it can be a little frustrating."

Gatza expressed surprise when told of Charter Oak's troubles. "It seems like a strategy that burns bridges," he remarked. "If a food truck doesn't show for a commitment, they won't be asked back. I would think word gets around and the reputation of that truck could take a hit."

Bad Sons Beer Co. in Derby, while occasionally offering a food truck, prefers to work with local restaurants who deliver, according to Bill da Silva, who with his brother Mark opened at 251 Roosevelt Drive a little more than a year ago.

"We want to be adding to the neighborhood we're in, which is very important to us," da Silva said. "We're not interested in competing with the restaurants, a lot of whom sell our beer. We also close early"  at 8 or 9 p.m. during the week and 10 p.m. on weekends  "with the idea that someone can come here and enjoy a beer before they head out to dinner. Maybe they see our beer at that restaurant and order another one. It works."

Vallely takes the same approach. "We sell a lot of our beer to restaurants and bars," he said, "so we don't want those people to say that we look and smell like a restaurant." Charter Oak tries to avoid direct competition by opening on Thursdays and Fridays  the only weekdays it's open  after the lunch hour and closing by 8 p.m. on those days and Saturdays.

All of the operators noted that they're licensed as "breweries," not as "brewpubs," the distinction being the operation of a kitchen and adhering to additional zoning and health department regulations. One of the newest brewpubs, M&D Brewery, is preparing to begin construction at Fairfield Hills in Newtown. Partner Mark Tambascio, one of the principals at nearby My Place Restaurant, plans to have both a pizza oven and food trucks on-site, alongside beer and other beverages.

Kevin Zimmerman is a reporter for the Fairfield County Business Journal. For more of his work and that of the journal, please visit westfaironline.com.
NORWALK  The significance of an artifact-rich, 500-year-old Native American fort and settlement on the east bank of the Norwalk River was kept secret for a year by the state Department of Transportation, which feared looters would scour and violate it, Hearst Connecticut Media has learned.

Now, the archaeological dig has fencing and video monitoring. But a year ago, when remnants of the fort were first found  indicating trading with the Dutch in the early 17th century  the potential of the wide-open site in the heart of the city, was so important that the DOT and its contracted archaeologists kept a lid on what they were uncovering.

In December of 2016, archaeologists involved in the billion-dollar rebuilding of the Metro-North Railroad bridge began unearthing clues to a location they knew was first used by natives 5,000 years ago.

In November 2017, they hinted there could be some farther-reaching historical importance uncovered.

Finally, last month, the DOT announced the vast extent of the find. Both the archaeologists and the DOT said the secrecy was warranted by the fragility of the site, and not out of deference to the bridge project.

The awesome thing about this project team is they have involved me since the very beginning, said Mandy Ranslow, the DOTs archaeologist in its Office of Environmental Planning, who noted that the planning phase of the railroad bridge reconstruction is now only 60 percent complete. And nothing were doing now is delaying the project.

Find of the century

First, the archaeologists found a storage pit, yielding pottery with decorative etchings indicating that the site was more than just a point in the marsh where natives had hunted and fished for millennia. Then they found the signs of the walled encampment: the acidic soils where high wooden walls called palisades had been raised. Inside the perimeter are the remnants of posts from wigwams where indigenous families lived.

Theres widespread evidence of trade with the European explorers, including Dutch-made glass beads and an iron knife, as well as beads called wampum. Made by the natives from clam and oyster shells, the new arrivals to North America used wampum to barter for furs with upland tribes.

Its being called the most-important discovery of indigenous life in New England in the 21st century and likely the last such find between the Connecticut River and New York City that in the early 1600s was part of the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam, during the early decades of contact with Native Americans.

Given the urban location its pretty amazing that there was anything else at all, said Sara P. Sportman, senior archaeologist at the Storrs-based Archaeological and Historical Services Inc., which has been involved in the bridge project since 2015.

After locating the fort through historic maps published as early as 1847, but based on generations of local word-of-mouth, the archaeologists took core samples. Later, about six inches of modern soil and fill, likely from the construction of the rail line, was scraped back.

The fort site, occupied by a since-disappeared tribe called the Norwalk Indians, was active from 1610 to 1641, when the land was sold to English settlers.

Questions abound

There is no evidence of burials or human remains, although Lucianne Lavin, director of Research and Collections at the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut, believes that dog and bear bones found at the fort could indicate a ceremonial feast of some kind.

The site also poses some important cultural-historical questions, said Lavin, who recently visted the dig. Why was the settlement palisaded and located in the middle of a protective swamp? From whom were the Norwalk Indians protecting themselves? Another important question that might be answered by the Native American pottery recovered from the site: What was the cultural affiliation of the Norwalk fort inhabitants? Were they a village-band of the Wiechquaesgeck tribe whose homelands included Westchester County, Greenwich and Stamford, or were they a village/band of the Poquonnocks to their east? Or were they a separate community altogether?

The site reflects a period of transition, said Mary Guillette Harper, president and owner of Archaeological and Historical Services Inc.

All native groups on the Connecticut coast were caught in the global crunch to explore the New World, Harper said The Dutch and the English were vying for it and the natives literally got caught in the crosshairs.

The dirt from the site above the marsh on which the high-walled fort was perched, has actually helped preserve the fragile artifacts. When removed from the soil in which it was found, the early Dutch glass changes color, on its way toward returning to the sand from which it was made. So the artifacts are stabilized and sent in small containers to a laboratory, where they are washed, cleaned and given identification numbers.

The archaeologists expect to remain at the dig until December or later, to complete the recovery. Its unlikely that the size of the settlement can be determined, because so much of it was obliterated by centuries of building. The site extends under the rail tracks.

The site wont be preserved after the archaeological dig. State law requires that the artifacts become the property of the University of Connecticut, but Ranslow said the DOT hopes to work with local organizations such as the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion museum, the nearby Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and the Norwalk Historical Society to eventually bring the material back for public display.

The archaeologists said they have experienced no pressure or prodding from the DOT to accelerate their excavations.

The DOT deserves credit here, Harper said. This is a remarkable, one-of-a-kind find. Not every state DOT would pursue its due diligence as ConnDOT has. Theyre much more savvy, much more amenable about using advanced technology, and it completely paid off.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
UNCASVILLE  No one is fluent in the Mohegan language anymore, but Stephanie Fielding, a member of the tribe, speaks it better than most and is working to restore as much of the language as she can.

Fielding, who spent the last academic year as a presidential visiting fellow at Yale University teaching a course that compared the Mohegan language with the Delaware tongue, is working on a dictionary and grammar of her ancestors language, hoping to re-create as much of it as possible before it is lost like so many American Indian languages. The Mohegan language a member of the Algonquian family of languages.

Nobody speaks fluent Mohegan, Fielding said. The last fluent speaker died in 1908. So Im trying to bring it back from nothing. There are lots of sister languages that are up and down the (East) Coast that we can mine our language from.

Fielding is a full-blooded Mohegan who lives on the tribes reservation in the town of Montville and who has served on the nations Council of Elders. Shes related to Fidelia Fielding, the last fluent Mohegan speaker, by marriage. Fidelia Fielding was her great-great-grandfathers aunt. Her one-year tenure at Yale was part of the universitys .

Officially, Fieldings tribes name is the Mohegan Indians of Connecticut. On the question of how to refer to the people whom the Europeans encountered when they landed in North America, Fielding said, We are Native Americans, we are indigenous people and we are Indians. Just dont call us late to dinner.

Fielding said its not just the tribe that benefits by keeping their language alive.

Its important that languages dont die because, every time one dies, huge parts of our collective world knowledge die, because every group of people in the world have something to add to a world civilization, and to make it the best it can be we need everybodys contribution. (I) dont want anything left out, she said.

Its also valuable to know ancient languages in order to understand the culture from which they arose.

Fielding said not every member of the tribe is interested in learning Mohegan but many are. Chief Lynn Malerba is just thrilled and Im thrilled when I hear her get in front of a group and say a prayer in Mohegan and she is just a big supporter of the language, she said.

Cultural connections

Language represents more than the words people speak. There are lots of things included in language, Fielding said. If you dont know about a culture, you dont know what those things in the language mean, and if you dont know what they mean youre likely to lose them altogether.

As an example, she said, When a Mohegan would build a house, a wigwam, they would call it planting their house because they would have to  chop down a tree and stick  a lot of poles into the ground, then they would bend them and tie them together, she said. The image is of a growing thing, like theyre still growing.

The outside of the dome-shaped structure would be covered in bark and mats would be hung inside, forming a natural insulation. There are witnesses of this among the early settlers and they would say the wigwam would be warmer than the regular house would be, Fielding said.

So all of these different parts are included in the language and Ive seen wigwams that dont have all of the particulars.  You can go into a wigwam we have on the reservation and youd freeze your butt off in the winter.

Her research reveals connections with other tribes, such as the Brothertown Indian Nation of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which traces its roots to six Christianized tribes, including the Mohegans. Its native name is Eeyamquittoowauconnuck.

Theyre mostly Mohegans but theyre also Narragansett and also Wampanoag and a couple of (other) Eastern tribes, Fielding said. Theyre also in a position of wanting to learn their language and Ive been helping them.

Preserving the ancient Mohegan language requires an ability to find words in other native languages that have similar sounds as those in Mohegan, then applying the parallel sounds to other words to re-create the word in Mohegan. What makes the task more complex is that not all the letters in Indian languages have sounds.

Theres a whole set of letters that are called stops, and we use as our primary set of letters the ones that are voiceless, Fielding said. For example, The P is unvoiced and the B is voiced. If you put your hand on your throat and you say B, itll vibrate, and if you say P it wont.

Partly for that reason, and because few people know any Mohegan, Fielding does most of her work from texts.

Theres a Bible called the Eliot Bible, and it was translated back in the 1600s by the missionary John Eliot and his native friends. He did a full translation of it, Fielding said.

Eliot was a 17th-century English Puritan missionary whose translation of the Bible into Algonquian, the family that includes Mohegan, was the first Bible printed in Americas, according to the Yale Indian Papers Project.

I can access that Bible and find words there, Fielding said. I find a word that I want and Ill look in the Bible  I have a huge concordance that weighs about 20 pounds  and Ill go and look for that word in the concordance and it will tell me where it is in the Bible and Ill look for that word in the Bible. And if I do, I can translate that  word into Mohegan.

If I wanted to say one thing and its slightly different, it might be that this is the root, and I know all of the prefixes and suffixes to make it a different word. I know the grammar and the grammar includes suffixes and the prefixes to make it different parts of speech.

Native American languages differ from European languages in other, unexpected ways. We have a very verb-heavy language, she said. Its interesting in that all of what we in English would call adjectives in Mohegan are verbs.  In Mohegan, green is a verb because its a state of being, and thats what makes it a verb. Theyre not all action verbs. In fact, Mohegan has four types of verbs, she said.

Another difference is in language gender. If you have a language with genders, its usually male and female, but all of the pronouns are the same for male and female in the Mohegan tongue, Fielding said. Theres no male or female distinction. You can say, Hes a man or Hes a woman. The pronoun is the same for male or female but you can distinguish them by the other word in the sentence.

She has worked with David Costa, program director of the Language Research Office at the Myaamia Center, based at Miami University in Ohio. Hes one of the best

Algonquists in the world, and he did the research on our grammar, Fielding said.

With the help of Costas grammar charts, Fielding has written a dictionary, which lists the root word, the part of speech and up to 10 inflections for that word (I hunt, you hunt, you and I hunt would be inflections of one root word). Each entry has at least one sample sentence, many from the Eliot Bible.

In an email, Costa wrote of Fielding, Stephanie has worked tirelessly on Mohegan language revitalization for over 15 years, and her work has been a model for people working within communities on tribal languages, purely out of personal dedication. The Mohegan community has an exemplary language program, and it is entirely due to Stephanie's efforts.

Fieldings research has turned up surprising connections too. The Cree people live mostly in Canada and in parts of the northern United States, including Montana. Fielding found that the word for cold is the same in both Cree and Mohegan. Its one of those old, old words that usually doesnt change, she said. This Cree woman said, We have the same word for cold as you do.  Were related through our languages.

Shes also been helping the Unkechaug people who live on Long Island reclaim their language, which is almost identical to Mohegan.  The only difference is, some of the places where we have an I, they have an R.  So theres one letter that changes and its a normal sound change as people move away from each other.

It seems to me that it might be something in the water. Ive noticed that English-speaking people in Connecticut  change their Ls into Ys. She heard someone say Sullivan and it sounded more like Suh-yuh-van. Thats the same sound change that the Indians have here, Fielding said.

These changes are all over in the Algonquian territory, Some linguists have made a proto-Algonquian dictionary, she said. You can take the words from the proto-Algonquian dictionary and apply certain rules to them and come up with every different Algonquian language. Each language has its own set of rules to apply. The Algonquian Indian territory covers much of Canada, the U.S. East Coast from Maine to the Chesapeake Bay and parts of the Midwest, including Michigan and Illinois.

edward.stannard

@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382.
NEW HAVEN  Fussy Coffee wants to make a fuss over you.

The new coffee, sandwich, cocktail, craft beer restaurant, with long hours and a large crew of workers, is located at 290 Winchester Ave. at Science Park.

David Negreiro, who runs the 70-seat restaurant with Joe Ballaro, described Fussy Coffee as a third-wave style coffee shop.

He explained.

The first wave were brands such as Folgers; second wave is Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. Third wave is a different style of roasting, Negreiro said.

It is usually brighter or light roasts. Our coffee roasters source the coffee beans directly from the farms and they roast it on the lighter side where the most floral or earthy notes come out, he said.

Fussys roasters are Giv Coffee in Canton, Conn. and Kuma Coffee from Seattle, which ships twice a week.

Fussy has been open for two months, attracting customers from Winchester Lofts, the Science Park offices and graduate students living in the area.

We are closer to Yale Divinity and Yale Forestry (schools) than they are to the rest of downtown. For them and a lot of Science Hill we are the closest, he said.

He said he is happy with the early response.

We are growing quite a bit, Negreiro said.

The restaurant has a breakfast menu with such things as crepes, egg sandwiches and egg plates, featuring eggs Benedict, as well as avocado toast and bakery items, among other selections.

For lunch and later, customers can chose from Banh Mi, Korean Banh Mi, Veggie Banh Mi, Bar 140 burgers and turkey burgers. It also offers salads and poke bowls, veggie bowls and bibimbap bowls.

Belgium frites are served with a variety of sauces.

There are a number of specialty coffee drinks, listed under Chemistry on the menu.

There is a hibiscus coffee soda and a Luxardo cherry coffee soda, among others.

Unusual for a coffee bar/restaurant, Fussy has a number of specialty cocktails such as a Fussy Coffee Mudslide, which features Kaluha, Irish Cream and Absinthe. There is also a drink named French 140, which combines Proseco, Cidadelle gin, lemon and simple syrup.

Negreiro said there is also craft beer and wine..

The hours are Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with brunch served on the weekends.

The owners want to attract a large cross section of the community by offering bicycle trips to East Rock with yoga to be on the menu starting on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.

It is almost like opening three restaurants at once, Negreiro said of the coffee, cocktails and food offerings.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577.
Ann-Sofie Hermansson has a "Keep Calm and Carry On" mug on the window sill of her office in Gothenburg's city hall.

The mayor recently had to deal with gangs of masked youths setting dozens of parked cars on fire in this city in western Sweden. The turmoil made international headlines and added to nationwide unease over rising crime rates ahead of the country's Sept. 9 general election, which could be the most tumultuous in a century.

But torched cars are just among her concerns. The mayor's party, the Social Democrats, is heading for a beating. As the home of Volvo and a sprawling harbor, Sweden's second-largest city has long been a Social Democratic stronghold. The party is now running fourth in polls for a municipal vote also slated for next month, hemorrhaging support to both the left and the right.

Its troubles in Gothenburg are echoed nationwide. The dominant party in Swedish politics is poised for its worst national election in a century amid discontent over an explosion in immigration, lengthening hospital queues and rising crime rates. It would be another blow to European social democracy, which has already been routed in powers such as Germany and France.

"There's no point speculating," the mayor said in a recent interview at her office. "All we can do is to use every hour that's left of the campaign."

Ulf Bjereld, a political science professor at the University of Gothenburg and a Social Democrat activist, argues that the dwindling fortunes of the progressive movement is a product of the end of the industrial society.

"This tearing down of structures is affecting a lot of traditional parties like the Christian Democrats and the Liberals," he said. "Most of all, it's affecting European social democracy."

Despite overseeing years of solid economic growth and budget surpluses, the Social Democrats are also under fire over their handling of the country's treasured welfare state. In their traditional northern bastions, for example, it's health care that risks booting them out of power for the first time in 84 years.

They have run Gothenburg for the past 24 years, with Hermansson, a former Volvo factory worker, at the helm for the past two. While nationwide issues play a big part in their troubles in the city, local concerns also pose a challenge.

That can be found in the rise of The Democrats, a party founded less than a year ago by Martin Wannholt. He defected from the conservative Moderates because he opposed the construction of a new railway link designed to reduce congestion in this city of 600,000. But his party shouldn't be confused with the Sweden Democrats, the nationalists poised to win more than 20 percent nationwide. Wannholt is largely positive to immigration, but critical over how the large inflow of migrants has been handled.

Before the car torchings, the community was shocked by the 2016 death of an eight-year-old boy of Somali origin who was killed in his sleep by a grenade hurled at night into the family home. Both acts of violence have been blamed on criminal gangs of mostly foreign origin. Almost 26 percent of Gothenburg's population is foreign born.

"The Social Democrats, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and the PM before him have abdicated from their responsibility of maintaining law and order," said Wannholt, who's promising voters 300 new local police officers.

If polls are confirmed on election night, his party will become the biggest in Gothenburg.

Jahja Zeqiraj, a local politician who has switched to the Democrats from the Social Democrats, says his old party lacks answers and is "living in some kind of nostalgia."

Another voter, Lovisa Kohler, complains that "they've moved too much to the right" and is thinking of casting her ballot for the Left Party, the former communists.

"It's going to be a thriller," she said in an interview. "I'm from the north and up there there are a lot of Sweden Democrats. It's scary how popular Jimmie Akesson is there," she said, referring to the nationalist party leader.

Hermansson, the mayor, says her party needs to think bigger.

"I think voters are longing for a social democracy with more self confidence and visions for the future," she said. "Visions that aren't based on anxiousness."
With the new school year about to begin, a South Jersey district is searching for a new leader.

After just over a year on the job, Woodbury School District Superintendent Lynn DiPietropolo is leaving.

"Her resignation was sudden and unexpected," Board of Education President Kathy Mangeri said in a letter to the school community earlier this month.

The board has already begun its search for an interim superintendent and once that person is in place the search for a permanent replacement will immediately get under way, Mangeri said last week.

Classes for the new school year in the 1,500-pupil, 380-staff district in Gloucester County begin Sept. 6.

DiPietropolo, whose 20-year career in education has spanned the full range from teaching to superintendent, came to Woodbury July 1, 2017 after signing a three-year contract.

In a letter released Friday, DiPietropolo said "After careful consideration, I have made a personal and professional choice to accept a different job opportunity and one that is closer to home."

That job will be as assistant superintendent for elementary K-6 grades in the Monroe Township School District in Gloucester County, said DiPietropolo, who lives in Ocean City.

The superintendent, who earned $150,000 in her first year at Woodbury, called it "a remarkable district that has grown over the past year through the commitment of all staff members and the board of education."

"While the board is disappointed that Lynn will be leaving us so soon, we certainly respect her decision and are appreciative of the work that she has done in the district over the past year," Mangeri said Friday.

DiPietropolo's decision to leave has raised questions among the district's staff after what a representative of the teachers' union said has been a year of change with new programs and what she said has been the relocation of some staff and students among schools.

"Then after they heard about (Superintendent DiPietropolo's) resignation, more questions and concerns have been coming to me ... 'What's going to happen?' 'What are we going to do?'," said Colleen DiRienzo, speaking on behalf of the Woodbury Education Association at this week's board meeting. "They are concerned about the district's future."

DiPietropolo said those staffing and student movements were part of the district's strategic plan, "utilizing resources more effectively to improve student achievement."

Mangeri said the changes -- those already made and ones planned for this year -- are all part of the district's strategic plan to improve student achievement and they will continue to be implemented.

"There is not an intention anywhere to go in the reverse," she told the public at Wednesday's board meeting.

"Student achievement is part of the strategic plan and is a top priority for the district," she said Friday, noting the new district initiatives "were made after a careful review of resources and outcomes.

"Programs that were not resulting in successful outcomes were discontinued and resources were reallocated towards new programs to help students to better achieve. "

As for the search for DiPietropolo's replacement, it's already under way.

"It's our plan to try and fill that sooner than later," Mangeri said this week. "Once that interim is in place we are then going to ... advertise for a full-time superintendent. We are not going to wait."

Contracturally, DiPietropolo must stay with the district until Nov. 18, but Mangeri said once an interim superintendent can take over, the district will likely release her earlier.

DiPietropolo's experience had included nearly 20 years in teaching or administrative positions in other districts in Gloucester and Camden counties.

DiRienzo told the school board, "We would request you find an individual who demonstrates the dedication necessary to implement all these new district initiatives and see them through to fruition."

She added: "We think the new superintendent should demonstrate a vested interest in learning about the Woodbury community, our families and the faculty and staff, so that all future decisions are made with regards to the needs of the district."

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips
JERSEY CITY -- He lived in the church and celebrated Mass. Members at the Our Lady of Czestochowa Church knew of him, but many had never spoken to the Rev. Gerard Sudol, who last week stepped away from the parish after new allegations of decades-old sexual abuse surfaced.

Church members were informed of the allegations and that he would no longer be a part of the parish during last week's Mass.

"But for the most part he didn't really have all that much to do here," said a parishioner who requested anonymity. "I can't say I knew him incredibly well."

Parishioners after today's mass reflected on the priest who resided in the Downtown Jersey City church, but had little to do in the church's day-to-day affairs.

Sudol, 64, had been at the church since July 2015. He was "in residence," meaning he was living there and was allowed to celebrate Mass, according to Jim Goodness, an Archdiocese spokesman.

"He was not assigned to be... part of the parish priest staff," Goodness said. "He was someone who lived in the rectory (and) may have had permission to help out at the parishes as needed, but he didn't have a regular assignment. He had very little (involvement), if any" in day-to-day operations.

Sudol was accused of sexual misconduct last week by Ed Hanratty, who was a student at St. Francis of Assisi School in Ridgefield Park in the late 1980s while Sudol was a priest there.

Hanratty, in an article on the Daily Voice website and a first-person blog post, said the abuse entailed kissing with an open mouth, and, on one occasion, rubbing up against him in the Hanratty family's pool.

He came forward after news that the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania covered up years of abuse by priests there.

Sudol faced similar accusations 15 years ago. He was one of nine priests whose accusers settled with the Newark archdiocese for $1.07 million in 2004. The settlement was made "by the church to a family for medical assistance for several members of the family," Goodness said.

After the archdiocese settlement, Sudol was acquitted in a canonical trial in 2005 and was assigned to work at a hospice. Between 2005 and 2015 Sudol assisted in different parishes and was never assigned as a parochial vicar.

Goodness told The Jersey Journal "this was not something that had been kept from anybody," adding that there had been news coverage about Sudol's previous allegations.

He said he was "not aware" whether church members were directly notified of the previous allegations against him.

The OLC parish includes a grammar school, but clergy members were adamant that Sudol was "never left unsupervised around children."

But "he hasn't stepped foot onto that alter since (the allegations arose)," one church member said who declined to give his name. "I have a community to worry about, my own faith to worry about. There's a lot going on right now (and) I'm disgusted."

Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @coreymacc. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
HOBOKEN  The city celebrated homestyle Italian food Thursday evening as hundreds sat along the waterfront walkway on Sinatra Drive for the annual Spaghetti Dinner Block Party that raises money for a good cause.

Attendees chowed down on dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. while Zack Alexander, the 2016 Sinatra Idol winner, entertained.

The city-sponsored event included four types of pasta, salad, meatballs, sausage, eggplant, and assorted breads. Italian pastries and cookies were also served.

Beverages were available for an additional charge, but all proceeds will be used to support the Hoboken Ambulance Corps.

Freelance news photographer Joe Shine was there to snap shots of the event.
A 20-foot boat with two people aboard was taking on water Sunday afternoon when it put out a distress call, a Coast Guard spokesman said Sunday.

A Coast Guard vessel from Sandy Hook and a New York City Fire Department vessel arrived to help drain the boat, about three miles off the Sea Bright coast, Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier said.

After the water was drained, the engines would not start, so the Coast Guard vessel is towing the boat back to New Jersey, Strohmaier added.

No injuries were reported from the incident.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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You've seen them on cruise ship commercials, or maybe at a water park.

It looks like a surfing machine.

It looks like fun.

That would be a cool way to start surfing, you're thinking, right?

It's called a "FlowRider," and it is fun, but it's not as easy as it might seem. And while they're marketed as "The Ultimate Surf Machine," it's not really surfing.

New Jersey has two of the machines, so NJ Advance Media sent two reporters who surf, Alex Napoliello and Kevin Shea, to try one out - the Flow House at Thundering Surf Water Park in Beach Haven. (The other one is in Wildwood.)

Flow House Thundering Surf 16 Gallery: Flow House Thundering Surf

Here's their report:

Alex:

When an editor came to me with an assignment that involved surfing, there's no way I could say no.

First, let me get this out of the way: I surf, but I wouldn't say I'm good at surfing, nor do I pretend I am.

Like many North Jersey residents, I spent my summers as a child vacationing at the Jersey Shore - in Lavallette. My love for the ocean pulled me to the Jersey Shore full-time after I graduated from Rutgers in 2009.

I started surfing with one goal in mind -- to have fun. And I've managed to get myself to the skill level where paddling out in the ocean is no longer frustrating - it's enjoyable and soothing.

When I arrived at the Flow House on Long Beach Island, with my surf board and wet suit in the back of my car, I was taken aback when the instructor said: "This is nothing like surfing. It's more like wakeboarding and snowboarding."

Great, I thought to myself.

I can at least pass as a surfer. But snowboarding and wakeboarding? I've never even attempted those activities.

So, here I am, clenching a rope like my life was on the line trying not to fall off this tiny board atop a perpetual, angry wave.

I fell. A lot.

In fact, the next morning I could barely walk.

Kevin:

I've been surfing since 1995, and like Alex, did not grow up at the Jersey Shore. I'm a Maryland native who, also like Alex, vacationed at the Shore growing up. And when I moved here, also after college, (you see a theme here?), I also started surfing for fun.

(Yes, all you non-surfers should really try ocean surfing. Put it on the bucket list. Take a lesson. Really, do it. OK, back to the Flow Rider.)

I call myself a weekend surfer, but I have paddled into a few hurricane swells.

Would you like to try to the Flow Rider and shoot a video? Hell yeah, I told the same editor.

Us surfers, even the shortboarders, ride boards that are at least six feet, usually. This little thing was like a skateboard. On a rushing wave.

But at least it was water, so, yeah, I can do this.

Austin Ogule, our guide and a pro rider (see below) schooled us the best he could, but we had to get out there, drop in, and be humbled.

The biggest difference: you start riding while already standing, which is a huge brain switch for surfers - no need to pop up from the belly. There's bodysurfing on the flow rider, which most casual riders prefer.

I also fell, a lot. And the surface, while bouncy, is not as forgiving as a Jersey Shore wave. But don't let that make you not go and try this. It's not exactly surfing, but it's not bad, either.

The Future?

While's it's not technically "surfing," - it's sometimes called artificial surfing - man-made waves are all the rage in the surf world.

Legendary surfer Kelly Slater created a wave pool in California that is the hottest thing in the sport right now, and it's nowhere near the ocean. Check out the videos here.

And in Waco, Texas there's a wave pool that's also attracting a lot of attention from pro surfers. Ocean City pro Rob Kelly was one of the big testers earlier this year. Check out this video.

Jersey surfers were a big part of the early testing of the technology in the Texas pool, so could that mean one day they'll build one here? Probably not, cause of those darn winters.

Until then, catch the Flow House - there's still time left this summer.

Our final thoughts:

Says Alex: I'd like to think we were better than most people who attempt the Flow House - until I saw kids half my age flipping around on boards like it was nothing. I turn 31 in September. Maybe this is what getting old feels like.

And Kevin: I was sore the next day. Walking was tough, but my ribs took a shot and I had trouble brushing my teeth!

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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(Above: Plumes of pollution like the one seen above have many causes, but one is the turbulence kicked up by jet-skiers who churn up shallow waters.)

As you read this, I will be preparing for a neighborhood party at which the locals will be celebrating the departure of those summer visitors known as "bennies."

Most bennies are fairly well-behaved during the 10 weeks they're at the Shore. But some aren't. Among the worst-behaved are the owners of those torture devices known as Personal Watercraft.

My friend Brian grew up boating in the Normandy Beach area before becoming a baker, and eventually the owner of a bakery or two. If you think working in a kitchen full of hot ovens in the summer is fun, I can assure you based on my visits to the bakery that it is not.

But over a couple of decades of baking, Brian managed to accumulate enough money to build his dream house on the bay. He was looking forward to moving in this summer, but he soon found those bennies on PWCs turned his dream into a nightmare every weekend.

The PWCs, commonly known as jet skis, have a lot in common with those flies that come off the bay in summer. They make a buzzing sound that only seems to get louder by the minute.

This would be fine if they stuck to the deep water in the middle of the bay. But they like to buzz around the sedge islands that sit a bit offshore Brian's house for some reason.

Brian said he suspects he knows the reason: They're morons.

"After going around the island a few times, I don't understand why they go around and around all day," he said.

Neither do I. There are basically two things you can do on a jet ski: Go really fast in a straight line. Or go slow and do donuts. Brian recalled renting one when they first came out a couple decades ago. Basically you've had all the fun you're ever going to have after the first hour, he said. After that it's just repetition.

The locals quickly got bored with it, but every summer there's a new crop of bennies who find it fascinating for a few weekends.

Like most locals, Brian prefers boating. We jumped in his and went to get a closer look.

State law requires jet skiers to slow down to minimum speed within 100 feet of shore. But when we got out on the water we saw packs of jet-skiers doing their best to get as close as possible to the shoreline, often at speeds in excess of 50 mph. This causes erosion and destroys marine life.

"There's blatant ignorance that they're running over live marsh," he said "They're like freaking motorcycle gangs out there."

That's totally unfair - to the motorcycle gangs. If a bunch of bikers spent the afternoon doing donuts on the street outside your house, you could call the cops and have them chased away.

But when Brian calls the cops on the jet-skiers, he rarely gets a response.

"They did show up once. I don't know if it was because I called," he said. "But all they did was check credentials. At the same time, the guys were cutting right through the marsh."

"My main concern is not credentials," he said. "My main concern is that they're not supposed to be in the area."

I later ran that by Michael J. Kennish, a research professor in Marine Sciences at Rutgers. He told me that the shallow areas of the bay off the sedge islands are a prime breeding grounds for both birds and marine life.

"They're not supposed to operate them in less than two feet of water but you see them riding up on the sea grass," he said "Sea grass is essential habitat for bay biotic communities."

Kennish said the sediment they stir up makes the water so opaque that light can't get through to the sea grass and the populations of clams and crabs that breed in it, he said. Meanwhile the noise scares off sea birds, who will abandon their nests with eggs in them, he said.

There's a simple solution to this. The state Marine Police should enforce the law concerning the operation of PWCs. If that turns out to be impossible - which I suspect it might be - then PWCs should be banned from the bay on the perfectly logical grounds that the operators won't obey the law of their own free will.

No one would miss them, except for the bennies.

And as Brian told me as we looked out on the raucous scene below his back deck, they'll be gone as of the first Monday in September.

That's called Labor Day elsewhere.

But at the Shore it's just called the best day of the year.

COMMENTS - NO FAKE LIBERTARIANISM PLEASE: Every time I write about some sort of bad behavior that the unrefined classes inflict on their betters, I hear from someone who argues people are free to do as they please under the concept of liberty.

True enough. But if people are free to do as they please, then a homeowner should also be allowed to take out a flare gun - or perhaps a real gun - and fire a couple of warning shots at the people sending their obnoxious noises to his property.

We have laws to prevent both sorts of behavior.

Only one side of the law is being enforced unfortunately - or fortunately for the bennies. I know quite a few boaters and homeowners who have dreams of abating that nuisance with extreme prejudice.

Anyway, that's liberty. This is just cretinous behavior.
By Mark Crawford

In recent weeks you have most likely learned that one of the most prominent Catholic Church officials, then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, faces a credible and substantiated allegation of sexually abusing a minor. Since then, others have come forward disclosing how he used his position and authority to sexually abuse seminarians, priests and at least one other child.

To make matters worse, we learned that several bishops knew of settlements made decades earlier. Secrecy and silence prevailed at the highest levels within our church. At the very least, our local bishops knew and remained quiet as McCarrick -- the former head of the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Metuchen -- ascended to one of the highest positions within the church. He was allowed to craft the very document that was intended to stop child sexual abuse by clergy.

Mark Crawford: Society must no longer accept the fact that our bishops can or will fix this clergy-abuse crisis. (Illustration by Susan Santola | Advance Local)

Then we learned that the monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary's -- which operates one of New Jersey's most prestigious schools, Delbarton in Morristown -- issued a letter to parents this summer acknowledging the presence of 13 monks and one lay teacher who had been accused of abusing children in their care over the past 30 years. It was a staggering admission, almost incomprehensible in scope.

The letter referred to their efforts to be open and transparent. Yet officials currently are pursuing a case to sue an attorney who allegedly mentioned the term "7 figure settlement." This attorney, who was never a party to the original settlement or confidentiality agreement, offered to help a young victim of the Rev. Timothy Brennan to be released from a confidentiality agreement. Talk of real openness and transparency by school officials? Hardly.

Last month we learned that a Pennsylvania grand jury reported that more than 300 clergy members have abused children in six of the state's eight Catholic dioceses. If you include Pennsylvania's other two dioceses that already have been investigated, the number of known child-abusing clergy members in one state will almost double.

And last week, a Newark Archdiocese official said two priests have left their parishes in Bergen and Hudson counties while the church reopens investigations regarding allegations of sexual misconduct allegations.

How is it, 16 years after the Dallas Charter was implemented, we are just learning of these predators who were known to our church officials for years? Why is it we learn the true extent of abuse perpetrated upon children only when either victims finally speak publicly or investigations by civil authorities are about to reveal what has been kept from us all along?

The fact is, the Dallas Charter, which outlined such policies, is meaningless when the men responsible for their implementation and enforcement are themselves so compromised that they simply look the other way when faced with the knowledge of serious wrongdoing by clergy. Our bishops have had many, many opportunities to do what they had promised in Dallas, yet time and time again they failed to abide by the rules.

The following are but a few, well-publicized examples of such episcopal failures in New Jersey. Our bishops and cardinals are well-educated men. These decisions were choices, not mistakes:

The

The

The

The Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, a bishop of Newark, allegedly failed to act on a mother's complaint that a priest had molested her twin sons. The diocesan spokesman said they had immediately notified Essex County prosecutors, but those prosecutors had no record of the complaint. By that point, the woman's allegation was 4 years old.

These examples are but a few of how our bishops implemented their new commitment of openness and transparency in the wake of the Dallas Charter. So one must ask: Do we trust our bishops to fix this mess with more policies and procedures as they plan to revise the Dallas Charter this November?

Our bishops have instinctively "protected the institution" in an effort to protect itself from scandal and harm to its reputation, even when that meant putting children at risk. Society must no longer accept the fact that our bishops can or will fix this clergy-abuse crisis. It has been 16 years since the Spotlight team at the Boston Globe exposed the systemic violation of children by clergy who were simply protected and reassigned to unsuspecting parishes, where more children were harmed.

Such cases were highlighted throughout the country as scores of child victims found their voice. No, we cannot count on more rules, process and procedures when the men in charge have failed to follow such rules. Our bishops have had countless opportunities to change course. Their credibility in such matters is gone.

Society must demand that our lawmakers pass legislation that will instill accountability and consequences for those predators and all institutions that have concealed, protected and failed to report knowledge of predators

If our bishops and cardinals are truly sincere and repentant, they should start by addressing the needs of the victims, for justice and healing. I call on our state's bishops to openly support bills S477 and A3648 -- now pending before our New Jersey Legislature -- which would eliminate the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and hold accountable all institutions that fail to protect our children. It would restore justice for past victims of abuse, protect future generations of children and allow for further healing of those abused.

The Catholic Conference -- the lobbyist lawyers who represent the New Jersey bishops of the Catholic Church once headed by McCarrick and now governed by our Cardinal Joseph Tobin -- has opposed these long-overdue changes to our laws for years. Now I believe we can clearly see why. Only accountability and consequences instilled by our laws will bring these much-needed changes to institutions that have had no impetus for true reform.

State government, too, can take important steps to reveal abuse and cover-ups by the church. State Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, on Thursday called on Attorney General Gurbil Grewal to impanel a grand jury to investigate abuse, similar to how Pennsylvania uncovered wrongdoings.

New Jersey lawmakers now have a choice as well: They can choose to protect predators and the powerful institutions that have given them safe haven, or they can choose to protect our children from sexual predators. I pray our lawmakers have the fortitude to do the latter.

RELATED:

N.J. must investigate clergy sex abuse like Pennsylvania did, leading lawmaker says

Murphy 'sickened' by clergy sex abuse. But he stops short of calling for statewide investigation

Rape, celibacy, and Cardinal Tobin's challenge in Newark | Moran

Here's how much N.J. Catholic dioceses have paid out to sex abuse victims

Mark Crawford is the New Jersey director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. He is a survivor of clergy abuse and a national advocate on behalf of victims, and was one of 29 national experts invited to the White House to participate in a discussion on sexual violence in America.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Five Washington Township district schools are set to pilot the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia's "No Place for Hate" program this school year.

The Board of Education at its August meeting approved the Bells, Wedgwood and Whitman Elementary Schools, Chestnut Ridge Middle School and Washington Township High School to host the self-directed program.

The Anti-Defamation League's No Place for Hate initiative enables schools and organizations to challenge anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry in all forms. By providing a model for creating more inclusive environments, No Place for Hate aims to reduce bias and bullying, increase appreciation for diversity and build communities of respect. The free initiative is tailored to fit the needs and cultures of any school or organization.

The Philadelphia Regional Office first implemented No Place for Hate as a community-based initiative in 2001, and in 2005 the program was adapted to meet the needs of schools. No Place for Hate was endorsed by then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell in 2006 and currently is active in 220 schools and organizations throughout eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

"Our five pilot schools and principals have already developed a strong partnership with the No Place for Hate education director," said Jennifer Grimaldi, the district's director of school counseling. "The principals are eager to kick off the year with positive schoolwide initiatives that will include all staff, students and parents. Our district is working diligently to embrace and model the No Place for Hate mission by spreading respect and kindness one building and school community at a time. We welcome everyone to join in."

For additional information on the No Place for Hate program, please visit no-place-for-hate.
I want to be my own man, my own way. What do you run from?

Only friend of man is your horse - take care of horse,

cowboy life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctPM0NP-UNk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXFlJbXyZyc

Judgement In Berlin (Full Movie) Martin Sheen. Based on actual events (twin tower NYC). I got the gov. breathe down my neck telling what to do in my court as judge.

In 1978, an East German couple, traveling with their child, used a toy guy to hijack an airliner to a U.S. base in West Germany. Now they must stand trial in a potentially explosive fight for their freedom. Director: Leo Penn 1988 Stars: Martin Sheen, Sam Wanamaker, Max Gail Watch more free dramas here: http://bit.ly/1ROmzWe Watch more free movies at Popcornflix.com, or on the Popcornflix app available on mobile devices, Roku, Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and many more! #Popcornflix, Full length free movies Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Popcornflix Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Popcornflixnews Popcornflix is owned/operated by Screen Media Ventures, LLC.
North Augusta, SC (29841)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 64F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Low 49F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Image Credit

Image Credit

Not all bird species build nests. Some, like the razorbill, lay an egg on a rocky ledge and hope for the best. Others, like the king penguin, have no access to nesting materials so keep their egg warm by squatting directly over it, covering it with their feathers. Then there is the cuckoo, a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nest of others.Yet most species of birds do indeed make nests and they come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps the most spectacular of all these is that created by a rather plain looking African bird, the sociable weaver (also known more simply as the social weaver).They sociable weaver male is small  about 14cm (thats 5.5 in) in length  and brown. It is by no means unattractive  it has black barring on its back, a black chin and a nicely scalloped back. As for the female its identical. They are not sexually dimorphic and to the naked eye the male and female are indistinguishable. They may not stand out in a crowd, as it were, but as you can see their nests are another thing entirely.The sociable weaver is endemic to Southern Africa which means that is the only place you will find them. If it was to have a passport it could apply for South African, Namibian or Botswanan nationality. Yet truly it is a denizen of the southern part of the Kalahari, the large, semi-arid sandy savannah which sprawls for almost a million square kilometers across the three countries. The reason why it prefers the south is not entirely known but there is an idea.Its about the heat. The sociable weaver constructs its nests from stiff grasses, and the taller grasses grown in the south of the desert. Then there is the possibility of fire  the north and central Kalahari are prone to fire. As the grass that they make their nest from is highly combustible it is probably best to make them in an area that is unlikely to create the environment for an avian remake of The Towering Inferno.Their gigantic nests are permanent  and ingenious - structures. The permanency is down to the size: would you want to rebuild something like this every year? Besides, there is no set breeding season for this species  mating and the resulting chicks can happen at any time of year. The nests are also multi-generational; there can be several generations living and breeding in the nest at the same time. As over a hundred pair of birds can live inside these nests are the largest constructed by any bird notwithstanding that this is very much a group effort.It takes teamwork - it would take forever otherwise.As for its ingenuity  these birds are master architects. They are not, as you might imagine, one nesting are built over another built over another. They are highly structured with one thing in mind  temperature. The chambers at the center of the nest retain heat and so are warm at night, allowing the sociable weavers to roost without shivering. The rooms towards the outer sides of the nest are used for shade in the day time. They will maintain a cool temperature of 78 C (4546 F) inside. Once outside, the heat of the Kalahari ranges from 1633 C (6191 F). The sociable weaver effectively structures its nest to create an air-conditioning system. Not bad for a bird that isnt even as long as your hand.Nest are built around a variety of trees but if something like a telephone or electricity pole is large and sturdy enough then this bird is not fussy and will build there. There have been examples of nests built around electricity poles burning down in the dry season. This is unfortunate as many nesting colonies are active for over a century.Occasionally, when there are heavy rains the nest will become sodden and parts of them will collapse. Here you can see a nest in Namibia, probably decades old, which has collapsed in the middle.When a nest is seen from below it has a honey-comb appearance and the entrances can be seen. These entrances lead on to a short tunnel of around 250mm (10 in) which must be clambered through to reach the roosting chambers. Often sharp sticks are placed around the entrance holes in an attempt to deter predators. And heres the downside. A nest of this nature may appear something of an idyll for the birds but it attracts attention  often of the unwanted variety.Before we get to that, however, a note on the generosity of the sociable weaver. When there is space in the nest they are not bothered by other birds making their home their too. The red-headed finch (seen above among weavers) and rosy-faced lovebird use it to breed. The familiar chat and ashy tit will use it to roost  an escape from the sunshine for a short time. There have even been cases of owls, vultures and falcons making the nest a platform for their own. This is a type of commensalism which is a term for an interaction where on species gets benefits but the other species is neither benefited nor harmed.Then, however, there are the reptiles. Cape cobras and boomslangs will often predate the nest. Once they get in they will eat all of the eggs in all of the chambers. One scientific study placed the depredation as high as 70%. Yet the sociable weaver is a pragmatic breed.One pair of birds was recorded producing nine broods because of consistent visits by snakes to the nest. In other words, they keep on going until it works.They do get some help with the predators  but at a price. The pygmy falcon (above) will use the nest of the sociable weaver to bring up its own chicks. It will then hunt around the nest but when prey is scarce is will turn to the chicks of the social weaver. There is a fine balance here  it seems the sociable weaver will tolerate a certain amount of predation by the pygmy falcon but if a pair takes too many of their chicks the social weavers will band up against them.When it is unhindered by predation, the sociable weaver can produce four broods in a breeding cycle and as one brood gets old enough to fly and hunt for insects they will look after their younger siblings. In fact they will often act as helpers to other unrelated pairs too. As such, instead of breeding within the first year of life, these birds delay breeding until their second year to give the rest of the colony a hand and develop their own hunting and parenting skills.This truly is an exceedingly sociable weaver and its nest is truly one of natures spectacles.
Peter Frame, a former New York City Ballet principal dancer who became a mentor to young dancers, died on Thursday on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the police said. He was 61.

The cause was suicide, the medical examiners office said. According to the police, Mr. Frame had apparently leapt from his five-story apartment building at 145 West 75th Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, on Thursday morning. His body was found outside the building.

Mr. Frame was a dancer with the New York City Ballet for 14 years and taught at the School of American Ballet in Manhattan, where he created a dynamic strength training class for male dancers.

A highlight of his career came in 1986 when Mr. Frame, at the time a soloist with the City Ballet, was selected to restage a rare piece of George Balanchine choreography.
Randy Weston, an esteemed pianist whose music and scholarship advanced the argument  now broadly accepted  that jazz is, at its core, an African music, died on Saturday at his home in Brooklyn. He was 92.

His death was confirmed by his lawyer, Gail Boyd.

On his earliest recordings, in the mid-1950s for the Riverside label, Mr. Weston almost fit the profile of a standard bebop musician: He recorded jazz standards and galloping original tunes in a typical small-group format. But his sharply cut harmonies and intense, gnarled rhythms conveyed a manifestly Afrocentric sensibility, one that was slightly more barbed and rugged than the popular hard-bop sound of the day.

Early on, he exhibited a distinctive voice as a composer. Hi-Fly, which he first released in 1958 on the LP New Faces at Newport, became a standard. And he eventually distinguished himself as a solo pianist, reflecting the influence of his main idol, Thelonious Monk.

But more than Monk, Mr. Weston liked constantly to reshape his cadences, rarely lingering on a steady pulse.
To Milton William Cooper, the truth was out there. Way out there. Not in an X-Files way  in fact, after dabbling in extraterrestrial theories, Cooper eventually thought U.F.O.s were possibly the single greatest hoax in history, just another threat fabricated to keep a docile public in thrall to an increasingly one-world government. Cooper was in the earthly conspiracy business. He was killed in a shootout with police shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, which many say he prophesied. His book Behold a Pale Horse has been wildly popular among conspiracy theorists since its publication in 1991. In Pale Horse Rider, Mark Jacobson tells the story of Coopers life, and explores the roots and consequences of his distinctly American brand of fevered conjecture. Below, Mr. Jacobson discusses Coopers appeal to prisoners, the current crisis of faith in America and more.

When did you first get the idea to write this book?

Its complicated. I first became aware of Cooper more than 20 years ago because of some of the crazier things he said, especially about the Kennedy assassination. After nearly 30 years of increasingly byzantine theories of who killed the president, his idea was that the driver just turned around and shot him. Which was cracked, but there was something interesting about it.

Another time, I was walking down my street and saw Ol Dirty Bastard, and he was reading Behold a Pale Horse. Several rappers had quoted this book. I knew that Cooper was some big white guy who lived on a hill in Arizona. This struck me as one of those journalistic conundrums; something you take away for later reference.

Then in 2014, when reaction to the Obama presidency crossed over from National Enquirer land to mainstream, I was reading the kind of thing on the internet that I hadnt seen before. There was a fervor behind these comments that seemed so out there to me. Then I began to realize: This isnt a joke to them; they really believe it. I started to think, what about Bill Cooper? And then it became kind of obvious that he was this lost key  to me, anyhow  about what was happening.
 Richard Liu, the billionaire founder of Chinas online retail giant JD.com, is under investigation in the U.S., for alleged criminal sexual conduct.

He was arrested late Friday in Minneapolis and was released the following afternoon while the police seek to determine whether the case warrants charges. Details of the case have not yet emerged.

The company issued a statement saying that Mr. Liu was falsely accused, but any legal trouble could darken perceptions of JD.com, which is worth about $50 billion.
Jeremy Morris, 30, an actor-interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, said he felt a great responsibility in giving a voice to people who were never allowed to speak out.

Credit... Justin T. Gellerson for The New York Times
BEIJING  The billionaire founder of JD.com, one of Chinas largest and most successful online retailers, was arrested Friday in Minnesota for alleged sexual misconduct before being released a day later, police records show.

In a statement posted Sunday afternoon on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, JD.com said the executive, Liu Qiangdong  who goes by Richard Liu in the English speaking world  had been falsely accused. During a business trip to the United States, Mr. Liu was questioned by police in Minnesota in relation to an unsubstantiated accusation, the company said. The local police quickly determined there was no substance to the claim against Mr. Liu, and he was subsequently able to resume his business activities as originally planned.

Police officials in Minneapolis said they were treating the case as an active investigation.

The matter is another unwelcome bit of publicity for a company that symbolizes the business potential of Chinas rising middle class. The accusation could also be a test of JD.coms stability, as well as the ability of a Chinese technology company to rebound from the problems of its leaders. Chinas most powerful technology companies are still tightly controlled by their founders, so the fortunes of businesses worth tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars are closely intertwined with the fates of a small number of executives.

JD.com, whose shares trade in the United States, has prospered by catering to the increasing sophistication of Chinese shoppers. Big global brands such as Nike, Prada and Levis use JD.coms sales platform to reach the countrys burgeoning middle class, and the company is closely watched as an indicator of consumer confidence.
Alexandra Liv Gracey Brena and Andres Benjamin Naim are to be married Sept. 2 at the New London Historical Society in New London, N.H. Darius Bittle-Dockery, a friend of the couple who became a Universal Life minister for the occasion, is to officiate.

The couple, both 30, met at Tufts, from which they graduated.

The bride works in Stamford, Conn., as an associate at McKinsey and Company, a global management consulting firm based in New York. She received an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

She is a daughter of Margaret E. Gracey Brena and Jose G. Brena of London. The brides father is the head of distressed asset solutions at UniCredit, a bank in Milan. Her mother leads school groups on tours and in educational sessions at the Royal Academy of Art in London.

The groom is the chief executive of the Group of 50, a global network of Latin American business leaders, and the Naim Media Group, a diversified media company focused on story development, content production, and IP origination based in Washington.
Amy Rachel Gershkoff and Brendan Cutler Bolles were married Sept. 1 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Eric Anderson, a friend of the groom who is a minister in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, officiated. Kirsten Hall, a friend of the bride, took part in the ceremony, which incorporated Jewish wedding traditions.

Mrs. Bolles, who is 38 and works in San Francisco, consults for and advises companies in the technology sector regarding data and technology solutions. She previously served as the head of media planning for President Barack Obamas 2012 re-election campaign. She graduated summa cum laude from Cornell, and received both a masters degree and a Ph.D. in political science from Princeton.

She is the daughter of Pamela C. Gershkoff and Ira K. Gershkoff of Ashburn, Va. The brides father is an Ashburn-based principal consultant with T2RL, an aviation consulting firm. Her mother is a teacher at Edlin Private School, an elementary school in Reston, Va.

Mr. Bolles, 43, is the senior technical director for Swordfish, a creative advertising studio in San Francisco. Previously, he served as a visual effects artist for movies including Sin City and Hellboy.
Angelia Renee Tyler and Michael Anthony Fletcher II were married Aug. 31 at the Top of the Town, an events space in Arlington, Va. Terumi Culmer, a Universal Life minister, officiated.

The bride, 28, is a principal risk specialist at Capital One in McLean, Va. She graduated from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., and received a masters degree in international affairs and international economics from Johns Hopkins University.

She is the daughter of Claudia A. Grixoni of Tacoma, Wash., and Frederick H. Tyler of Phoenix. The brides father retired as a sales representative for Direct Energy, an energy service provider in Phoenix. Her mother retired as an office manager at Hillclimb Chiropractic Clinic in Seattle.

She is the stepdaughter of David C. Grixoni of Tacoma.

In October, the groom, also 28, is to join the law firm Covington & Burling as a first year associate in Washington. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and received a masters degree in public affairs from Princeton. He also received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
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ARTESIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Aug. 30

ARREST

5:39 a.m.  Howard Edwards, 59, of Clovis, arrested on a municipal warrant for failure to appear.

HARASSMENT

2 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 800 block of North Fifth Street in reference to harassment.

2:22 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 800 block of North Fifth Street in reference to harassment.

UNWANTED SUBJECT

4:14 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 2200 block of West Main Street in reference to an unwanted subject.

ALARM

4:34 a.m.  Officer dispatched to Chaos Cafe in reference to an alarm.

THREATS

7 a.m.  Officer dispatched to Artesia High School in reference to threats.

Aug. 29

MISSING PERSON

8:10 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 300 block of South 39th Street in reference to a missing person.

UNWANTED SUBJECT

11:10 a.m.  Officer dispatched to 26th and Main streets in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

11:12 a.m.  Officer dispatched to the 100 block of South 14th Street in reference to suspicious activity.

ACCIDENT

11:56 a.m.  Officer dispatched to Artesia General Hospital in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

LARCENY

12:44 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the Blue Quail Shopping Center in reference to larceny.

ACCIDENT

3:46 p.m.  Officer dispatched to South 13th Street and West Missouri Avenue in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

3:56 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1300 block of South First Street in reference to a domestic dispute.

ALARM

4:18 p.m.  Officer dispatched to 1809 W. Clayton Ave. in reference to an alarm.

6:01 p.m.  Officer dispatched to Century 21 Black Gold in reference to an alarm.

TRESPASSING

6:02 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1000 block of West Mann Avenue in reference to trespassing.

DOMESTIC

6:24 p.m.  Officer dispatched to Artesia General Hospital in reference to a domestic dispute.

DISTURBANCE

7:39 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 3700 block of West Lowell Avenue in reference to a disturbance.

7:50 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the Abo Apartments in reference to a disturbance.

VANDALISM

8:32 p.m.  Officer dispatched to 1808 W. Washington Ave. in reference to vandalism.

DISTURBANCE

8:50 p.m.  Officer dispatched to the 1200 block of West Missouri Avenue in reference to a disturbance.

ALARM

9:04 p.m.  Officer dispatched to Chaos Cafe in reference to an alarm.

9:07 p.m.  Officer dispatched to 406 S. 16th St. in reference to an alarm.

VANDALISM

9:35 p.m.  Officer dispatched to 309 S. 20th, Apt. 9, in reference to vandalism.

EDDY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

Aug. 30

ALARM

6:15 a.m.  Deputy dispatched to 2 Diamondback Road in reference to an alarm.

LIVESTOCK

6:23 a.m.  Deputy dispatched to U.S. 285, mile marker 72, in reference to livestock in the roadway.

Aug. 29

HARASSMENT

10:38 a.m.  Deputy dispatched to U.S. 82 and Haldeman Road in reference to harassment.

UNWANTED SUBJECT

3:54 p.m.  Deputy dispatched to U.S. 285 and Four Dinkus Road in reference to an unwanted subject.
Lydia Walker and Alan James Ross were married Aug. 29 at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. Angel L. Lopez, a staff member of the New York City Clerks Office officiated.

Dr. Walker, 35, is a postdoctoral fellow in international studies, focusing on global decolonization at Dartmouth. From 2002-03 she danced with Pennsylvania Ballet II in Philadelphia and toured as a member of the corps de ballet in 2001 with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, housed at the Kennedy Center in Washington. She is a founder of Delhi Dance Theater, a contemporary dance company in New Delhi and trained at the School of American Ballet. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia, where she was a founder of the Columbia Ballet Collaborative. She received a masters degree and Ph.D. in history from Harvard.

She is the daughter of Bonnie Scheibman and Tertius Walker of New York. The brides father is a wood sculptor who creates fine art pieces and furniture for private clients. Her mother is a choreographer whose works include Cross Rose performed by members of Delhi Dance Theater at the Green Building in Brooklyn in 2015 and Little Pictures performed by Pennsylvania Ballet II at Peabody Dance at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in 2008.

The bride is a paternal descendant of John Hart, a public official in colonial New Jersey who became a delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Dr. Nina Neha Kogekar and Peter Samuel Gross were married Sept. 1 at the home of the grooms paternal grandparents, Merle Ginsburg and Barry Ginsburg, in Roxbury, Conn. Emily Snow Gross, the grooms sister, became a minister with American Marriage Ministries to preside over the event.

The couple met at Swarthmore College, from which each graduated with high honors.

Kogekar, 27, is a resident in internal medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. She received a medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

She is the daughter of Dr. Nandini Kogekar and Milind Kogekar of Danbury, Conn. The brides father is a senior director at Oracle Corporation, the computer technology company, in Tarrytown, N.Y. Her mother, a pediatrician, is a section chief with Boston Childrens Health Physicians in Brookfield, Conn.

Mr. Gross, who is also 27 and works in New York, is an analyst with HR&A Advisors, a real estate and urban policy consulting company.
The month-old Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which emerged unexpectedly in a dangerous region and quickly soared to over 100 cases, now appears to be fading.

Only a handful of new cases appear each week, and the region's two treatment centers, full until recently, now have fewer than 30 patients in their 78 beds.

More than 3,500 contacts of known cases are being followed, more than 4,000 doses of vaccine have been given and officials feel hopeful enough to allow schools in the area  North Kivu Province, on the eastern border with Uganda  to open as usual on Monday .

However, it is far too early to relax, health experts warned.

We cannot say the outbreak is under control yet, said Dr. Oly Ilunga, the countrys health minister, echoing a warning from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization.
As an observation, that is not news. The author Mark Kurlansky wrote that the quest that led to his book The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell began with an assignment from The New York Times, in 2001. My colleague Sam Roberts made the oyster No. 9 in his book A History of New York in 101 Objects, after the beaver and  horrors  before the newspaper. He also quoted Henry Hudson, who said the natives brought great store of very good oysters aboard his three-masted ship.

I pictured a dinner in the 1850s with the famous Victorian novelist William Makepeace Thackeray, who rumbled, Why, they are perfect beasts of oysters! Harpers New Monthly Magazine, reporting the anecdote, cautioned that it was trivial, but it is not more trivial than some of the apocryphal anecdotes of Shakespeare which are handed down to us. Harpers also quoted Thackeray as saying he felt as if I had swallowed a little baby. According to Harpers, he was in Boston when he swallowed that one. But maybe it was a New York oyster.

I had crossed paths with oysters in New York Harbor before. In 2014, I trailed divers from the River Project, a group that works to restore the Hudson River estuary. The big oyster on that expedition was half the size of Big, but its very existence was a hopeful sign. The oyster beds in New York Harbor were all but ruined by pollution in the 20th century. In recent years, there have been efforts to stock artificial reefs with baby oysters, but there have been ups and downs. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the oyster population dropped 15 to 20 percent.

A careful reporter prepares for an interview, even thinking of strategies for keeping the conversation going if the subject clams up, and an interview with an oyster was going to be difficult  oysters dont say much. It was left to the big oysters caretakers to do the talking.

Is Big male or female? Cathy Drew, the founder and executive director of the River Project, had begun an earlier conversation by saying, He. She stopped and said, I should say she. She went on to explain that oysters are protandrous hermaphrodites: First its a boy and later almost of all of them become girls. She considers Big a she.
TELLURIDE, Colo.  Orson Welles was on the line. What are you doing Thursday? he asked.

It was 1970, and the Citizen Kane director had called Peter Bogdanovich to ask him to appear in his latest film, The Other Side of the Wind. Yes, he knew that Mr. Bogdanovich was stretched thin. Just drop by the set on Thursday, Welles insisted. The whole movie was only going to take a few weeks to shoot  tops.

Forty-eight years later, The Other Side of the Wind has finally arrived. It was shown for the first time in North America on Saturday at the Telluride Film Festival, where two new documentaries about the herculean efforts to finish the film were also screened. Its sad because Orsons not here to see it, Mr. Bogdanovich, 79, said from the stage of the Palm Theater here. Or maybe he is.

Cinema buffs had almost given up on The Other Side of the Wind, which Welles left unfinished upon his death in 1985. It is known as one of the most famous movies never released, held up by warring rights holders and never-ending financial troubles, including a failed funding effort by a relative of the shah of Iran.

No lesser a force than Frank Marshall, one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood, had been leading the salvage effort. Mr. Marshall, 71, made his name by making the impossible possible  shutting down the Las Vegas Strip to shoot Jason Bourne, staying calm the time Steven Spielberg asked him to find 10,000 additional snakes for a scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark, figuring out how Clint Eastwood could crash a jetliner for Sully. If he couldnt pull the film over the finish line, who could?
The chairman of Amtrak spent Friday morning explaining why commuting through Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan should be smoother after Labor Day. Then, New Jersey Transit appeared to be spending the rest of the day spreading fear of what lies ahead.

New Jersey Transit, one of the biggest users of Amtraks station in Manhattan, added several trains to its schedule to ease the stampede out of the city for the holiday weekend. But on Friday afternoon, it had to cancel some of those trains because of a shortage of equipment  after taking more than a dozen trains off the schedule earlier in the day.

The late cancellations continued a pattern that has plagued New Jerseys commuter railroad all summer. Gov. Philip D. Murphy has warned residents that the problems will not be solved quickly.

That is the opposite of the message Amtrak officials are trying to send. On Friday, they showed off the work that was completed this summer on two of the tracks and platforms beneath the station and a bridge at the north end of Manhattan, the second phase of improvements that began in June 2017.
It was an act because they have not kept faith with the principles that McCain held dear  and that he himself organized his memorial service to celebrate, as a clear rebuke to Trump and Trumpism. McConnell, Ryan, Graham and the others have instead done the very opposite of keeping faith. They have made possible Trumps hateful, petty, law-defying politics.

Despite running a branch of government that the Constitution makes equal to the presidency, they have meekly assented to Trump. Entrusted with power, they have chosen complicity.

They have refused to defend Americas national security in the face of Russian attacks. They have refused to defend the rule of law against Trumps attacks. They have refused to defend the F.B.I., the Justice Department and the First Amendment. They have refused to defend the basic civil rights that Trump seeks to deny to dark-skinned American citizens, including the right to vote and the right to hold a passport.

When George W. Bush said the following words in his eulogy for McCain, what did the congressional Republicans in attendance think that Bush possibly could have meant:

He was honorable, always recognizing that his opponents were still patriots and human beings. He loved freedom, with the passion of a man who knew its absence. He respected the dignity inherent in every life, a dignity that does not stop at borders and cannot be erased by dictators. Perhaps above all, John detested the abuse of power. He could not abide bigots and swaggering despots.

When Barack Obamas eulogy was organized around a recitation of McCains principles, what contrast could Obama have possibly been drawing:

John cared about the institutions of self-government  our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, rule of law and separation of powers.  He understood that if we get in the habit of bending the truth to suit political expediency or party orthodoxy, our democracy will not work.  John understood, as J.F.K. understood, as Ronald Reagan understood, that part of what makes our country great is that our membership is based not on our bloodline; not on what we look like, what our last names are.
The Syrian regime is determined to reconquer all of the territory it has lost. Aided by Russian bombers and Iranian troops, and emboldened by its success in terrorizing the populations of Ghouta and Daraa into submission, President Bashar al-Assads government is now preparing to attack Idlib, the last remaining province outside of his control. Idlib is home to some three million people, about half of them displaced, or forcibly evacuated, to the province from elsewhere. Many are crowded into unsanitary camps or sleeping in the open.

In recent days, regime troops have massed on Idlibs border and leaflets have been dropped on residential areas calling on Syrians to accept reconciliation or face the consequences. Meanwhile, Russia has been sending reinforcements to its naval base in Tartus.

The Syrian troika  Russia, Iran and Turkey  designated Idlib a de-escalation zone last year. But what happens there next could potentially undermine the so-far mutually beneficial agreement among the three countries.

De-escalation in Idlib genuinely serves Turkeys interests: It keeps both the Syrian Kurds and the Assad regime away from the border, it preserves Turkeys relevance to a long-term settlement, and it houses Syrians who would otherwise try to join the 3.5 million refugees already in Turkey. Turkey has shown its commitment by setting up observation posts around the province and by establishing the National Liberation Front, an amalgam of Free Army and Islamist militias that follow Turkish orders. Russia and Iran, on the other hand, have always seen the de-escalation zones as tactical and temporary. Just as Daraa and Ghouta were abandoned, so (they hope) Idlib will be returned to Mr. Assads control.
To the Editor:

Re Sex, Lies and Presidents (column, Aug. 25):

Bret Stephens is setting up a straw man. No liberal I know thinks that President Trump should be impeached because he covered up sex with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Those lies are the least of Mr. Trumps offenses.

There is a trove of circumstantial evidence that Russia has a financial and personal hold on Mr. Trump, and that Mr. Trump and the crooks he surrounded himself with colluded with the Russians to attack our democracy to throw the election Mr. Trumps way. There are many indications that Mr. Trump is using the office of the president for financial gain and to satisfy his Russian overlords, and that he is obstructing justice by very serious means, such as firing the F.B.I. director James Comey.

None of this remotely resembles the Clinton impeachment fiasco. Stormy Daniels and campaign finance fraud are to Donald Trump what tax evasion was to Al Capone  just one foothold that prosecutors can use to lay bare a far more serious criminal operation that is being obscured by criminal means.

Michael Selzer

Wynnewood, Pa.

To the Editor:

I experienced a sense of relief and renewed faith in The New York Times while reading this article. At last your paper compared the Clinton and Trump administrations partisan reactions to the sex scandals involving their respective heads of state while in office.
Theodore Markus

Stuart, Fla.

To the Editor:

How Far America Has Fallen seethes with disdain for all the good people in Colorado, like me, who voted for Donald Trump. Roger Cohen is right that its different in the West . Every time lefty pundits like Mr. Cohen and Paul Krugman write negative things about the economic miracles of Mr. Trump, the more we here on the fruited plain love the man.

Sam Taylor

Colorado Springs

To the Editor:

I would like to put a positive spin on the facts that Roger Cohen laments in his column. Yes, white Christian males losing their place in the social order decided theyd do anything to save themselves. But isnt the fact that they feel that they must defend their privilege itself an indicator of the great progress we have made in America?

In times not so far distant, they would have enjoyed and exercised their power and status without fear of criticism. We cannot expect those in positions of control and privilege to relinquish their roles without a struggle.

How far have we fallen? How far have we risen!

Gary Ostroff

Teaneck, N.J.

To the Editor:

Roger Cohen asks, Who are we? What have we become? Look at the corruption on Wall Street. Look at the weaponizing of the Supreme Court. Look at supposed Christian leaders falling into lock step with this sociopathic president. Look at the lies behind our endless wars. Look at the Kardashians. Look at a century of American interference in other nations elections.

Thats who weve become, and it did not all start with Donald Trump. We are merely entering harvest time for all those evil seeds planted decades ago. And the fruit is exceedingly bitter.
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The citys sign-ordinance saga will continue for at least another two weeks following postponement of its approval at Tuesdays meeting of the Artesia City Council. And the City of Champions will also have to wait a little longer for both its Frappuccinos and a traffic light at First Street and Hermosa Drive.

The first of six scheduled public hearings on Tuesdays agenda was for consideration and approval of the sale of city property at 10th and Main streets to Starbucks. The sale had twice been postponed from the councils July 10 and 24 meetings, and this time around, it was dismissed.

Mayor Raye Miller indicated Starbucks no longer desired that particular location. He stated the corporation was seeking a site without any issues, and the 10th and Main spot might have an issue.

Three of the public hearings dealt with amendments to the City Code, including Chapter 9-1, General Zoning Provisions; Chapter 9-2, Rules and Definitions; and Chapter 9-11, Signs.

Community Development director Jim McGuire informed the council the amendments to Chapters 9-1 and 9-2 had been passed from the Planning Committee to Planning & Zoning, which unanimously recommended approval. No significant changes to either had been made since the items were last discussed by the council, and those to ordinances were approved 6-0, with Councilors Kent Bratcher and Jeff Youtsey absent.

McGuire said Planning & Zoning had also recommended approval of the Signs ordinance, and that following lengthy discussions with the local business community, that ordinance had been made a lot more liberal than what we had before.

Artesia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Hayley Klein, however, informed the council there were still concerns amongst business owners.

I think, in general, we received two types of comments, she said. One was just the general Why more regulation; businesses need less regulation. And I guess Part B of that would be could you not regulate the billboards separately and address the other signs later.

In terms of specifics, I think the one sticking point that I picked up from several people is the (requirement of) a licensed contractor and engineer for any type of sign. I dont know if theres any way to loosen that a little bit for certain types of signs. A licensed contractor creates more expense and challenge for the business owners, especially the small business owners.

Councilor Bill Rogers reiterated his belief that the ordinance is too prohibitive.

My concern is, if we were in a community that had business districts where you wanted that entire district to look alike, I guess I could understand it, Rogers said. But we have one Main Street and one main thoroughfare north-south that has businesses along that, and I think if you limit the originality of those signs from those businesses, I think it is considerably too overreaching and complex.

McGuire told the council he had stated multiple times over the course of the process that sign approval by a licensed contractor was part of the citys already-existing Building Code.

We had a billboard that fell on the MainStreet building, McGuire said. The building official said, No, you do not put that back up until we see an engineers stamp and make sure that theres not going to be a problem.

There is a section, 9-11-2D, that says an engineers approval is needed when determined necessary by the building inspector, so not all signs are going to require that. But whether we put it in the sign code or not, when they get a building permit, they have to have that information for our building official.

Ultimately, McGuire reminded the council the decision is entirely up to them.

This is your town, he said. You can have no regulations if thats your desire. Or you can have some regulations. Or you can have a bunch of regulations.

Councilor Luis Florez motioned to postpone any potential vote and send the matter back to the Planning Committee in order to further address the concerns posed by Klein.

The fifth hearing was for consideration and approval of an ordinance for the Bush and Bowman Public Right-of-Way Dedication Plat, dedication of right-of-way to the public being 50 feet wide and approximately 1,326 feet in length, and Bush Avenue being 50 feet wide and approximately 844 feet in length. Owner of the plat is Yates Farms, LLC, and the agent is Harcrow Surveying, LLC.

For some reason, those portions of Bush and Bowman have not been dedicated public rights-of-way, McGuire told the council. Were doing platting for the Artesia Aquatic Center Foundation for the pool site, so the actual area where the roads need to be dedicated are still properties owned by Yates Farms.

Theyre the ones dedicating those two streets for public use at this time.

McGuire said Tuesdays action wouldnt incorporate all of Bowman Drive as a public right-of-way, and that would likely come later with future developments.

But we are getting just north of Bush all the way down to JJ Clarke, and from the west end of Bush to the end of the 10-acre parcel where the aquatic center is being built, he said.

The ordinance was approved, along with a second platting ordinance for the Kennemur Land Division  Final Plat  County, located within the three-mile platting jurisdiction of the City of Artesia. The division will be of Tract 1 of the Menefee Land Division No. 2 into Lots 1-3, being 1.258, 1.876 and 1.90 acres in size, located in the 900 block of West Thoroughbred Road. Owners are Ray and Kaylee Kennemur; agent is Harcrow Surveying, LLC.

Police Chief Kirk Roberts provided the council with a report on discussions held in the most recent meeting of the Police and Fire Committee.

Roberts said two primary topics had been discussed, the first concerning the ordinance regarding pay rates and schedules for exempt employees working events. The chief said the originally ordinance was approved in 2002 and last revised in 2003; some positions listed no longer exist within the police and fire departments, and the committee agreed the ordinance was due for another revision.

Included in that was a recommendation that commanders be allowed to work special events funded by state grants or organizations outside the city at the time-and-a-half pay scale currently afforded to other employees.

Right now, a commander makes $15 an hour when they work those versus the time-and-a-half that other employees make, said Roberts. The recommendation will be that we pay them time-and-a-half of their rate thats already calculated in the pay scales when they work those, as long as its not city monies funding the project.

Roberts also stated the police department was seeking to allow an employee residing in Roswell to use their city vehicle for travel to and from Artesia.

Originally, there were 14 or 15 taking vehicles back and forth; right now, theres seven, Roberts said. This individual lives in Roswell because they moved to Roswell for employment of the spouse. We would like an allowance for this individual to be able to join the other seven.

The requests will be added to a future council agenda for discussion.

Infrastructure director Byron Landfair told the council that while his department had expected the New Mexico Department of Transportation to go out for bid on the construction of a traffic light at U.S. 285 and Hermosa, the state says it has run into an issue with the railroad and will not begin the bid process until May 2019, with expected construction in the summer of 2019.

However, if historys a teacher on the light itself, once the contractor gets that contract in his hands, those lights are about a six- to eight-month project, Landfair said.

He stated his best guess was that the city would see a light at the intersection around the end of next year.

In final business, city clerk Aubrey Hobson reminded the council a meeting has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, for utility lien appeals.

As part of its consent agenda, the council granted permission for:

 the approval of 2018-19 outside-request Public Service Announcements for:

1. Artesia Advocacy Group/Chaves County CASA ($25,000)

2. Artesia Paws & Claws ($9,981)

3. Artesia Clean & Beautiful ($43,769)

4. Artesia MainStreet ($42,750)

5. Artesia Community Drug and Crime Coalition ($43,769)

6. Artesia Department of Development ($35,000)

7. My Neighborhood ($32,065)

 the reappointment of Felipe Garcia to the Recreation Commission Advisory Board (term to expire August 2021).

 the appointment of Greg Tutak to the Recreation Commission Advisory Board (term to expire August 2021).

 the hiring of Christopher Archuleta, wastewater assistant, at a pay rate of $2,363 per month.

 the hiring of Heather Navarrette, professional standards and training coordinator for the Artesia Police Department, at a pay rate of $2,088 per month.

 the resignation of David Watson, fire lieutenant/paramedic, effective Sept. 7.

 the retirement of James Styck, humane officer, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

 the resignation of Ryan Hagedorn, police officer, effective Aug. 22.

 the resignation of Bernadette Castaneda, Commission on Aging assistant supervisor, effective Sept. 11.

 the advertisement and filling of the positions of fire lieutenant, humane officer, police officer, and Commission on Aging assistant supervisor.

 the ratification of Millers approval to set a public hearing for Sept. 11 for consideration and approval of an ordinance for the final plat of the Artesia Aquatic Center Subdivision, the division of Tract B into two tracts of land with an access easement to Bush Avenue; owner, Yates Farms; agent, Harcrow Surveying.

 the setting of a public hearing for Sept. 25 for a bond ordinance.

 two planning employees to attend the New Mexico Municipal League  New Mexico League of Zoning Officials workshop in Red River.

 executive employees to attend the NMML Annual Conference in Roswell.

 one police employee to attend ICS 300 training in Ruidoso.

 one police employee to attend Adjunct Instruction  First and Fifth Amendments  Rights of Government Employees training at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

 two fire employees to attend the Medical Direction Committee meeting and Pre-Hospital Management of Cardiovascular Disease Conference in Albuquerque.

 one fire employee to attend Industrial Fire School (Navajo) in College Station, Texas.

 one fire employee to attend the New Mexico Fire Service Conference in Ruidoso.
Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan has set out an ambitious development and reform agenda. He is determined to reign in elite corruption and increase spending on health, education and womens welfare.

To carry out these important social programs, Mr. Khan needs the support of Pakistans battered and bruised civil society. He needs to put an end to the coercion civil society groups have faced from the previous government and the military and help them to function effectively and without constraints.

In the past, Mr. Khan had taken various regressive positions  supporting the discriminatory blasphemy laws, attacking liberals, criticizing the press and describing the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan as a legitimate jihad against occupying forces  but he has an opportunity to turn the page and embrace a new, more inclusive vision for the country.

Pakistan features on the lower margins of most international human development indexes. It has the worst infant mortality rate. A child born in Iceland has a one-in-1,000 chance of death at birth, while a child born in Pakistan has a one-in-22 chance, according to the United Nations Childrens Fund. Twenty-three million Pakistani children are out of school and millions of children enrolled in public and private schools can barely read or write.
It has become customary to gauge the scale of calamities by the official count of the dead. In this perspective, Puerto Ricos revision of the death toll from last Septembers horrific Hurricane Maria to 2,975 from 64 elevates the storm to one of the greatest catastrophes of recent times in the United States, far exceeding Hurricane Katrina and nearly equaling the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

That should prod the federal government and the American people to finally provide the attention and resources that this ravaged American territory still sorely needs. Alas, that was not President Trumps response to the latest and most authoritative analysis of the devastation wreaked by the great storm.

On Wednesday , the president smugly declared that we did a fantastic job, and he expounded on geography and pre-hurricane problems with the electrical grid as reasons for the level of destruction, just as he did in the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Ten months ago, he contrasted the then-modest estimate of the death toll in Puerto Rico with that of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which he called a real catastrophe.
Mr. Trump has particular animus for the dairy industry in Canada. Theres no question that protectionist constraints keep milk prices there high and farmers profitable. The Canadians have pointed to subsidies that American farmers get and are resisting Mr. Trumps no-compromise demand to throw their cows under the bus. Mr. Trump also wants Canada to join Mexico in agreeing to drop Chapter 19 of Nafta, a dispute resolution protocol. Canada has used it to fight off tariffs on its softwood and paper products. Mr. Trumps softwood and paper tariffs are hurting Canadian industry, but also are raising lumber prices in the United States so much that the housing market has slowed. Isnt that a great deal?

American farmers have been big losers in this trade war and would remain so under this trade deal. After Mr. Trump assessed tariffs on Mexican metals, Mexico imposed tariffs on corn and pork. The bilateral agreement restores the status quo on agriculture, but Mexico has, in the meantime, cultivated other sources of supply.

Auto companies have developed global supply chains since Nafta began in 1994, costing thousands of manufacturing jobs in the United States, as low-value work shifted to Mexico and other lower-cost countries. Auto companies have also built plants here using the same supply chain rationale, though, partly because labor costs in those American plants have decreased in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Mexico, in turn, is becoming less dependent on the American market every year  meaning the deal is covering fewer and fewer jobs. So Mr. Trumps deal isnt going to be getting jobs back from Mexico.

Mr. Trumps threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on cars if Canada doesnt submit to his demands will be painful  to Canada, and to General Motors, which produces the Chevrolet Impala and other models there. Hes also threatened the European Union, which has offered to remove tariffs on autos if the United States does the same. Thats not good enough for Mr. Trump, who thinks Europeans should be forced to buy American-made cars. Should the president carry out threats to hit imports, the United States stands to lose 200, 000 jobs, according to Kristin Dziczek of the Center for Automotive Research, because cars assembled in the United States contain imported parts, including engines. Prices would rise; sales would fall. Auto sales are cooling globally, so creating obstacles for the industry is foolish policy.

Having failed to browbeat Canada into submission by the American-imposed Aug. 31 deadline, the administration told Congress it will go ahead with the Mexico deal. Canada is free to join under those terms, within 30 days. No thank you, said the ever diplomatic Canadian minister of foreign affairs, Chrystia Freeland. Once we have a good deal for Canada, Ms. Freeland said, we have a deal. The ever-petulant Mr. Trump then tweet-threatened not only Canada but his own Congress: If we dont make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out. Congress should not interfere w/ these negotiations or I will simply terminate NAFTA entirely & we will be far better off...
In the past year, the American labor movement was dominated by two things. First, the Janus decision, in which the Supreme Court ruled the public sector was essentially right to work   meaning, workers covered by union contracts no longer had to pay the costs of their representation. And second, the Red for Ed movement, the wave of teacher strikes, mostly in conservative states with few union protections.

The teachers uprisings, from West Virginia onward across the country, garnered weeks of front-page news and are no doubt helping to fuel the strikes already happening or pending this fall: Thousands of Washington State teachers are walking the picket lines, and Seattle and Los Angeles teachers voted to authorize their own potential strikes.

But the underlying story of 2018 is that the growing labor militancy making headlines has its roots in slow, grinding efforts made in recent years by workers constantly denigrated by both major political parties and even written off by much of organized labor itself. Workers are putting in the effort over weeks, months and years to build new unions and to strengthen and reclaim moribund ones, and even to begin to chip away at the wall of new right to work laws passed since 2012. Their work has meant a slight uptick in union membership numbers, and a larger one in public approval for unions  suggesting that the more Americans see unions fight, and strike, for what they believe in, the more we want to join them.

In Missouri, a statewide movement put a referendum on a state right-to-work law on the Primary Day ballot. Not only did voters overwhelmingly overturn the law, but the referendum drew more votes than were cast in the party primaries. Missouris unions and labor organizations such as Jobs With Justice led the fight, but in a state where only about 9 percent of the work force is represented by a union, labor had to mobilize plenty of nonunion workers to reject the right to work law. The coalition relied heavily on black and Latino voters, almost certainly benefiting from organizing efforts in the wake of the 2014 Ferguson uprising.
He urged readers to turn toward each other with all the compassion we gave Mollie.

Lets listen, not shout. Lets build bridges, not walls, he wrote. We have the opportunity now to take heed of the lessons that Mollie, John McCain and Aretha Franklin taught  humanity, fairness and courage.

Ms. Tibbetts, 20, was last seen while on a run in her hometown, Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18. Television crews swarmed the town as the authorities searched for her and conducted hundreds of interviews. Surveillance video led them to Mr. Rivera, who they said later led them to her body.

It did not take long for politicians to seize on her killing and use it to promote their own platforms. On the day the discovery of her body was announced, President Trump, in a rally in West Virginia, used her death as a talking point about the state of immigration laws. He has repeatedly linked crime to illegal immigration, despite studies that show otherwise.

Candace Owens, a conservative commentator, tweeted about Ms. Tibbetts, saying that Democrats would not be outraged about her death because they need open borders for votes.

Ms. Owens also took note of the outrage from liberals and Democrats about children of undocumented immigrants being separated at the border of the United States and Mexico, and asked, What will they do for Mollie Tibbetts?

Sam Lucas, a distant relative of Ms. Tibbetts, tweeted back at her, saying her family is not so small-minded that we generalize a whole population based on some bad individuals. She told The Washington Post, I wanted to protect my family from this extra grief of politics.

Billie Jo Calderwood, Ms. Tibbettss aunt, told CNN that she did not want her nieces memory to get lost in politics.
Mr. Kemps pivot has been both stylistic and substantive, and it comes as Ms. Abrams, 44, a Yale Law School graduate and former state house minority leader, has been campaigning around Georgia arguing, with wonkish delight, that her progressive policy ideas  including robust investment in public education, gun control and the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare  amount to mainstream common sense. Her campaign calls it an opportunity agenda, and believes it will resonate more widely than the hot-button conservative agenda that Mr. Kemp is still known for that focuses on issues like illegal immigration and the Second Amendment.

Ms. Abrams is also hoping to appeal to moderate voters, placing decidedly more emphasis on her plans to create jobs and invest in education than her criticism of some Confederate memorials, which she has modulated recently.

On policy, Mr. Kemp, 54, Georgias secretary of state, recently made a small but important tweak to his longstanding promise to sign a state version of a federal religious freedom law, a possibility that frightens many in the Atlanta business community who fear that it could prompt harmful boycotts and backlash from liberals who believe such a law would be used to discriminate against the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community.

Various iterations of a similar state law have been promoted by Georgia conservatives in recent years as a way to protect people of faith from being forced to engage in practices they deem contrary to their beliefs. In 2016, Nathan Deal, the current governor and a Republican, vetoed a religious freedom bill that did not exactly mirror the federal law, pleasing some of Georgias most powerful corporations.
In an interview with The New York Times in July, Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, head of the Africa Command, said other training teams could still rotate in periodically for days or weeks of instruction if the Pentagon reduced its permanent troop presence in Africa.

He said those teams could be brought in from National Guard units from California, Indiana, Michigan and other states.

We wont walk away and abandon this, General Waldhauser said.

The defense strategy that was unveiled in January, coupled with the deadly attack in Niger, has fast-tracked decisions by Mr. Mattis and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to end some of the missions in Africa, military officials have said.

General Dunford and Mr. Mattis, a former four-star Marine general, had little experience working directly with commando units when they were younger officers progressing up the chain of command. That has fostered an institutional skepticism about the American militarys increasing reliance on Special Operations Forces in recent years, like those spread across Africa.

In the interview, General Waldhauser said that other combatant commands, such as those that cover the Middle East and the Pacific, will face similar changes. But one Defense Department official familiar with the deliberations said the Pentagons changes would largely affect the Africa Command, which was created only in 2007, years after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan got underway.

Another Defense Department official said the move to close the commando outposts would greatly diminish American influence in Africa and could prove to be shortsighted.

The first official, however, said local African forces had become increasingly capable in fighting extremists on their own, and do not need permanent assistance from American troops, at least in some areas. Additionally, that official said, the American commandos could return if necessary.
NAIROBI, Kenya  At least six people were killed, including two children, after a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle on Sunday outside a district headquarters in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, the authorities said.

Capt. Mohamed Hussein said the bomber tried to speed through a checkpoint but was stopped by security forces, prompting him to detonate the vehicle near the gate of Howlwadag district headquarters.

The Shabab, a Qaeda-linked extremist group based in Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack, which shattered a period of calm in Mogadishu.

The three soldiers who stopped the truck were killed instantly, and three civilians also died, said Salah Hassan Omar, the spokesman for the Mogadishu mayors office.
CAPE TOWN  The Boston consulting firm Bain and Company, which usually gets top dollar for its meticulously researched advice, charged $11 million on a contract in 2015 to advise South Africas tax agency on an ambitious restructuring plan.

Now, the firm has acknowledged that its work on a diagnostic report on the agency was shoddy. It did not meet with senior officials involved in the tax agencys modernization. It was ignorant of basic facts about the institution. And it did not even ask why the agency needed restructuring in the first place.

Bain admitted interviewing just 33 of the agencys employees  including one senior official for less than 15 minutes. All had been chosen by the agencys leader, a compromised ally of Jacob Zuma, then the president, raising questions of undue influence.

In an even more embarrassing turn, Bain admitted that it might have been a pawn in local political wrangling designed to help Mr. Zuma avoid scrutiny into his own taxes. The tax agency was among many government organizations gutted by corruption during his presidency. Before Mr. Zumas intervention, the national tax office had been an extraordinary triumph and was considered critical to collecting money the government needed to function at its most basic level.
Good afternoon. On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against Al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. That was the start of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. We need the freedom to operate on the ground and in the air. Its now Americas longest war. About 18 years. Yet few battles or notable events from Afghanistan have taken root in Americas collective memory. And that means fewer signposts to mark the long passage of time. But if we look at how long it took to reach seminal moments in other wars, it might bring Americas 17-year presence in Afghanistan into clear view. Well start with the Battle of Gettysburg. This bar represents the number of days the U.S. has been fighting in Afghanistan. The fighting at Gettysburg began 811 days into the Civil War. Many consider this the most important battle of the conflict. And it took place after half the war was fought. Now apply it to Afghanistan time. It would bring us to just Dec. 27, 2003. There were about 13,000 American troops in Afghanistan back then. That number would eventually peak at 100,000. In England, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his deputy commanders chart the liberation of a lost continent. Then theres the Allied D-Day invasion at Normandy. One of the most iconic moments of World War II. The culmination of extensive planning in years of fighting in Northern Africa, Italy and elsewhere. That invasion began 913 days after America entered the war. In Afghanistan time, that brings us to just April 4, 2004. Hamid Karzai hadnt even been elected as president of Afghanistan yet. And when World War II neared its end with the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, that came after 1,339 days of battle. In Afghanistan time, that would reach to June 2005. Not even a quarter of the way through. Vietnam was Americas second-longest war. And the final pivotal moment was the fall of Saigon in April 1975. That occurred 3,706 days after U.S. Marines landed in Da Nang in 1965. And in a final comparison to Afghanistan time, that would bring us to Nov. 30, 2011. Osama bin Laden was killed about six months earlier. And President Obama had already announced plans to completely withdraw U.S. troops. He would later reverse that decision. The Obama and Trump administrations would unveil new strategies  continuing the fight, which goes on to this day.
The Aug. 5 ceremony to open the pipeline underscored how much Kinmen, home to about 130,000 people, has been pulled into the orbit of China, whose ruling Communist Party has never controlled Taiwan and wants to annex it.

Liu Jieyi, the director of Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office, used his speech at the ceremony on the island to demand that self-governing, democratic Taiwan accept the One China policy, which declares that Taiwan and China are part of the same country.

The vast populace of Taiwan will certainly make the correct choice, Mr. Liu said.

He almost certainly wouldnt have made such a speech on Taiwans main island, where suspicion of China runs high. When Mr. Lius predecessor toured Taiwan in 2014, he was met with protests in multiple cities and his car was splashed with paint.

Wang Ting-yu, a Taiwanese lawmaker with the Democratic Progressive Party, said the freedom and democracy enjoyed in Kinmen made it unlikely that its residents would want to be part of authoritarian China. But he said Chinas ruling Communist Party had enjoyed some success on the island with so-called United Front tactics, under which it works with non-Communist groups to achieve its goals.
Among the other challenges are growing trade tensions, American insistence that India suddenly end its huge purchases of Iranian oil, and Washingtons threats to impose sanctions should India continue to purchase Russian military equipment, as India has done for most of its history.

Improving ties with the United States was Mr. Modis signature foreign policy endeavor when he came to power in 2014. But with New Delhi suddenly uncertain about Washington, Mr. Modi has in recent weeks sought to mend ties with Moscow, and with Beijing as a hedge.

For decades, the United States hoped that India would become an economic and military counterweight to a resurgent China. Rex W. Tillerson, the Trump administrations first secretary of state, described his outreach to India as among the most vital initiatives of his tenure, giving a gushing speech in October about the myriad reasons the two countries were natural partners.

Under Mr. Mattis, the Pentagon has been equally committed to the partnership. It has even renamed its Hawaii-based American combatant command that oversees the Pacific region as the Indo-Pacific Command as a lure for India to increase its partnership with the United States and other allied forces.

Indias rise was seen as such an obvious win for the United States that previous presidents mostly overlooked New Delhis reflexive trade protectionism. And if the Indians wanted to get some military equipment from Russia, that was seen as acceptable to Washington  as long as it meant India was becoming more powerful.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  A Saudi-led coalition in Yemen acknowledged Saturday that an air attack last month that killed dozens of people, including children traveling on a bus, was unjustified, and it pledged to hold accountable anyone who contributed to the error.

The rare concession came after mounting international pressure, including from allies, to do more to limit civilian casualties in a three-and-a-half-year civil war in Yemen that has killed more than 10,000 people and pushed the already impoverished country to the brink of famine.

The Western-backed alliance fighting the Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen had said after the Aug. 9 airstrikes, at a market in Saada Province, that it had been targeting missile launchers that were used to attack southern Saudi Arabia a day earlier. The alliance accused the Houthis of using children as human shields.

The Joint Incident Assessment Team, an investigative body set up by the coalition, said on Saturday that the strikes had been based on intelligence indicating that the bus was carrying Houthi leaders, a legitimate military target, but that delays in executing the strike and receiving a no-strike order should be investigated further.
Address infrastructure gaps in judicial system: CJI

India

oi-Madhuri

New Delhi, Sep 2: Infrastructure gaps in judicial system must be addressed at the earliest before it leaves scar on justice administration, and fiscal constraints must not be used as an excuse, Chief Justice Dipak Misra said on Saturday.

While delivering his lecture on the topic 'Technology, Training and Infrastructure: Key to Speedy Justice' and 'The changing face of legal education in India', organised by by the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA), Justice Misra said strengthening of judiciary will result in qualitative and speedy justice.

"The infrastructure gaps shall not be allowed to multiply and should be addressed at the earliest opportunity before it leaves a deep scar on the administration of justice and it becomes too late to act wisely. Fiscal constraints is no excuse. The need is to strengthen the judiciary as a consequence of which the justice delivery system becomes fast, qualitatively responsive and serve the purpose of justice," he said.

Also Read | Implementation of rule of law depends on quality of legal education: CJI

The first half of Saturday was quite busy for the Chief Justice who in the morning had inaugurated the symposium on 'Role of legal education on nation building' in the event organised by Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training (MILAT) as part of the 10th Law Teachers' Day award function.

Later, he attended the SCAORA conference which was inaugurated by President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

The CJI, in the SCAORA function, emphasised that adequate infrastructure remains a primary concern as without it the commitment to justice for all cannot be realised.

He said there was a need to widen the network of courts to increase the geographical reach of common man, to provide basic facilities to litigants and required facilities for the lawyers.

"Judicial infrastructure includes infrastructure for the bar and the litigants which are the backbone of justice delivery system," he said, adding that justice delivery system is not an alien concept.

Also Read | Seeking adjournments causing numerous pending cases says President Kovind

Justice Misra, while delivering his inaugural speech at the 10th Law Teachers' Day award function, said law schools are the hatcheries supplying legal professionals who act as sentinels for the implementation of rule of law.

"The implementation of rule of law in a nation depends on the quality of legal education in a country," he said.

The CJI also said legal education is a science which inculcates in law students a sense of maturity and understanding of the society and moulds them to emerge as protectors of citizenry liberties.

"The implementation of rule of law in a nation depends on the quality of legal education in a country. Law schools are the hatcheries which supply quintessential legal professionals who act as sentinels for the implementation of rule of law and contribute tremendously towards the development of the nation.

"Legal education is a science which imparts to law students not only the knowledge of certain legal provisions but it also inculcates a sense of maturity and understanding of the society which shapes and moulds them to emerge as protectors of citizenry liberties," Justice Misra said.

In both the functions, the Chief Justice appreciated the functioning of National Law Universities and said the institution has turned out to be the most successful exercise for enhancing the quality of legal education in the country.

"The introduction of five year law course has made legal education quite coveted in India. It has become imperative for law schools to take in account the changes taking place across the world as well as the contemporary issues in the society.

"Law schools must focus on developing amongst its students critical reflectiveness of the social, moral and political outlooks embedded in law," he said.

He released the e-journal of SCAORA and said it was the time that young lawyers, who are technically sound, should be allowed to argue in courts and old ones should leave the room for them.

He said technology has generated increased social awareness and made citizens more informed than earlier to claim their rightful entitlements and added that it can enhance quality of work by acting as an aid in expediting the routine cases.

He added that technological resources can aid in strengthening judicial data

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 13:00 [IST]
Amit Shah to be in 'Gehlot's forte' Jodhpur on Sep 16

India

pti-PTI

Jodhpur, Sep 2: BJP president Amit Shah will visit Jodhpur, considered a stronghold of senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, on September 16 and address a meeting of party workers, the party said Sunday.

BJP in-charge of Rajasthan Avinash Rai Khanna was in Jodhpur to oversee preparations for the meeting. He met party leaders and called on workers to gear up for the upcoming assembly election in the state.

Khanna urged party workers to inform people about the work done by the BJP government at the Centre and in the state. Jodhpur being Gehlot's forte, the BJP is trying to win all 10 seats of the district, including Sardarpura, held by the Congress leader. It has rescheduled its Gaurav Yatra, which was to culminate in Jodhpur today.

Under the new plan, the party has skipped four constituencies - Sardarpura, City, Soorsagar and Luni - and decided to organise a meeting of Shah in Jodhpur.

"In order to deal with the influence of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot in the region and bring the Congress under a psychological pressure, the party leadership has decided to invite Shah," a senior BJP leader said.

Apprehending that the state could follow the pattern of dislodging the ruling party every five years, the BJP has urged people to repose their faith in the Vasundhara Raje government during the statewide yatra. Khanna too called on party workers and leaders to ensure that this trend is shattered and the BJP returns to power.

"We are not willing to antagonise any leader or worker of the party and giving attention to all of them," the leader said. Also, Khanna visited party veterans, who are no longer active in party affairs but hold sway in the region.

PTI
Bhima Koregaon: Pune police gets 90-days' extension to file chargesheet

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Pune, Sep 2: A Pune court has granted the city police 90 days' extension to file its chargesheet against the arrest of five activists in connection with the the Bhima Koregaon violence. The police had filed an application on Saturday seeking such an extension.

The accused - Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen and Rona Wilson - were produced before the court this morning. Police had arrested the five accused in June while probing the alleged Maoist connection to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31 last year.

The court of special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) judge KD Vadhane granted the extension sought by Pune Police, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaji Pawar, the investigating officer in the case, according to a PTI report.

[Bhima Koregaon Raids: Country heading towards dictatorship, says Lalu Prasad]

Under UAPA, which is invoked in the case, if the investigation is not completed within 90 days, the period for filing charge sheets can be extended up to 180 days, Pawar said.

[Raids on naxal sympathisers: Details of the 5 arrested persons]

Meanwhile, officials of the Yerawada Central Jail, where all the five activists arrested in June are lodged, had moved an application before the court in mid-July, seeking permission to shift all the accused to another prison citing "security reasons".

The court is likely to give its judgement on the application on September 6.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 16:53 [IST]
Farooq Abdullah criticises ASG's stand on Article 35A in Supreme Court

India

pti-PTI

Srinagar, Sep 2: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Sunday denounced Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) for saying in the Supreme Court that "there is an aspect of gender discrimination" in Article 35A of the Constitution.

The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar was reacting to the stand taken by the ASG Tushar Mehta in the apex court last Friday. During the hearing, the ASG agreed to the contention that Article 35A and certain aspects needed to be debated upon and said, "It can't be denied that there is an aspect of gender discrimination in it (Article 35A)".

"Such a statement, if made before the SC on behalf of Jammu & Kashmir government indicates that instead of defending Article 35-A and asking for the challenge to be dismissed based upon earlier constitution bench judgment, the state government has virtually conceded before the SC that some parts of Article 35-A deserve to be struck down," Abdullah said in a statement.

He also expressed concern that the Advocate General of Jammu and Kashmir has been virtually sidelined and made to take a back seat in such a sensitive litigation concerning the unique legal history and constitutional status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir under Section 42 of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Advocate General is appointed for state and is obligated to represent and defend the interests of the people of the state. He is the constitutional authority and a guardian of the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir before all courts," Abdullah said.

He asked the government of J&K to take immediate steps to ensure that the state does not facilitate the striking down of Article 35-A by its subtle support and admissions made before the Supreme Court. Last Friday, the Supreme Court deferred till January next year the crucial hearing on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35 A, which provides special rights and privileges to the natives of Jammu and Kashmir, after the Centre and the state said that polls to local bodies polls there would go on till December.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was told by Attorney General K K Venugopal and ASG Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government respectively that the issue of Article 35A was "very sensitive" and keeping in mind the law and order aspect, the hearing be held in January or March, 2019.

Article 35-A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs.

[Article 35 A: No takers among women and dalits]

During the hearing, a lawyer gave an illustration and said if a native woman of the state married an outsider, she loses several rights, including property rights, in the state, but if a man marries a Pakistani women, he and his spouse both get all the rights. The ASG, however, agreed to the contention that Article 35A and certain aspects needed to be debated upon and said, "It can't be denied that there is an aspect of gender discrimination in it (Article 35A)."

On August 6, the apex court had said that a three-judge bench would decide whether the pleas challenging Article 35A should be referred to a five-judge constitution bench for examining the larger issue of alleged violation of the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution. Several petitions including by political parties like the National Conference and the CPI-M, have also moved the Supreme Court in support of Article 35-A that empowers the state assembly to define "permanent residents" for bestowing special rights and privileges to them.

[SC adjourns hearing on Article 35A till January 2019]

An NGO, 'Ikkjut Jammu', has also filed a plea seeking quashing of the provision. It has said that Article 35-A furthers the "two nation theory which is against the theory of secularism".

The state government, while defending the Article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the President under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders.

PTI
Fuel price rise: Dharmendra Pradhan blames 'isolated' US policies

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Sep 2: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan today blamed the "isolated" policies of the US for the "abnormally" rising fuel prices in the international markets.

He said the Centre is concerned about the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel and is taking all measures to check them.

"Due to the isolated policies of America, the value of currencies across the world has fallen in comparison to the US dollar. India's currency has also been affected and the price of fuel has increased abnormally," he told reporters on the sidelines of a programme here.

"Both the factors rise in fuel prices and devaluation of rupee (which) are affecting the economy of India are external reasons," Pradhan added.

Petrol and diesel prices hit an all-time high in four metros across the country today, crossing the previous peak reached on May 29. The prices ranged from Rs 78.52 to Rs 85.93 for petrol and from Rs 70.21 to Rs 74.54 for diesel.

Earlier today, the Indian rupee slumped to a record low of 71 against the US dollar by falling 26 paise on persistent demand for the US currency amid rising crude prices.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 1:25 [IST]
Haryana: Will Dushyant support Hooda, the man who jailed his grandfather

No let up in probe against Vadra says Khattar

India

oi-Madhuri

New Delhi, Sep 2: An FIR has been filed against Robert Vadra, over fraudulent transactions. Former Haryana Chief Minister BS Hooda, DLF Company Gurugram and Onkareshwar Properties Gurugram have been booked too.

The cases relates to the fraudulent land transaction by Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited, owned by Robert Vadra.

Speaking to media,Haryana CM ML Khattar on FIR against Robert Vadra and Bhupinder Hooda in Gurugram land case said,''Our fight against corruption is on. Those found guilty will be punished, probe is underway by different agencies in different cases. This FIR filed by a brave citizen will also be probed.''

Former CM Bhupinder Hooda said,''Its a politically motivated FIR through a private complaint. People now know this Govt's intentions,elections are near & they have found nothing against us. It is just their frustration.''
I am Karunanidhis son, will do what I say: MK Alagiri on Sep 5 rally

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Chennai, Sep 2: Expelled DMK leader and M Karunanidhi's elder son MK Alagiri on Sunday hinted that he may go ahead with his September 5 Chennai rally which is expected to be a show of strength by him. Alagiri is elder brother of MK Stalin, who was recently DMK president.

When asked about the upcoming rally, Alagiri today (September 2) said, "I am son of Karunanidhi. I do what I say."

After Karunanidhi's death on August 7 in Kauvery Hospital, Alagiri had made a controversial claim that his father's true loyalists are by his side. Recently, he had threatened with "consequences" should Stalin ignore his entreaties to be accepted back into the party.

Also Read | DMK war: Alagiri makes a U turn, says ready to accept MK Stalin as his leader

Karunanidhi had expelled MK Alagiri and his supporters from the party in 2014 at the height of his fight with his Stalin over establishing supremacy in the party.

Alagiri on Thursday said he was ready to accept the leadership of his younger brother, Stalin, if he was readmitted into the party fold.

Also Read | DMK will face 'threat' after Sept 5 rally, claims Alagiri

DMK had brushed aside MK Alagiri's latest claims. The political battle between the brothers got more intense after Alagiri, on August 13, claimed, "All the supporters in Tamil Nadu are on my side and are encouraging me only. Only time will give the answers; that is all I am willing to say now."

Amid threats from Alagiri, Stalin, the third son of Karunanidhi, took over the position at a General Council meeting held on Tuesday (August 25) in Chennai. In an apparent dig at Alagiri, Stalin said that he has a sister but, no brother.

Also Read | MK Stalin elected DMK chief, party demands Bharat Ratna for Karunanidhi

Alagiri claimed if he was not re-admitted into the DMK, the party leaders would again face similar defeat in coming Lok Sabha elections like in the last Parliament and assembly polls. "The same situation will continue."

DMK had drawn a blank in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, with the AIADMK sweeping 37 of the 39 seats. It suffered back-to-back defeats in the Tamil Nadu assembly polls in 2011 and 2016.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 16:09 [IST]
Guided by ex-Pak army officials, operating in buddy pairs: Why the Poonch encounter has dragged so much

India will have whole of Kashmir someday, says Western Air Command chief

J&K: As new hit-list is prepared, Army looks to clean them up by October

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Srinagar, Sep 2: With the local body polls just a couple of weeks away in Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the process is a peaceful affair.

While additional troops would be deployed to ensure that there is peace, the forces would also ensure that the top terrorists who feature as part of the new hit list are cleaned up as soon as possible. OneIndia had reported on August 31 that a new hit list had been prepared by the forces.

Also Read | Army releases new terror list for Kashmi

Hizbul Mujahideen rising:

The latest incident in which terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen abducted the families of police personnel was not just a new low, but also a matter of utmost concern for the security agencies.

It is a sign of desperation on their part. In fact the outfit has also prepared a 30 member dedicated squad to ensure that the elections are disrupted, an Intelligence Bureau report states.

Also Read | Revenge strikes: Terrorists go on a rampage in south Kashmir

Sources say that other groups such as the Lashkar-e-Tayiba too would be looking to carry out strikes and do their best to ensure that the polling process is distrusted. The local body polls are being held after a gap of almost 7 years.

Operation All Out:

The new hit list comprises of 16 terrorists all classified as Category A++. They include terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Ansar Gazwat ul Hind and the Al Badar.

The forces have already begun intense operations to track and gun down these terrorists. The forces say that this is the last batch of top and dangerous terrorists remaining in the Valley.

Our target is to hit them before the polling process gets into motion. Polling would be held in October and it is important that these persons are found and killed, a member of the security establishment informed OneIndia.

The new hit list:

Hizbul Mujahideen:

Riyaz Naikoo Alias Mohammad Bin Qasim

Category: A++

Residence: Beighpora Pulwama

Active From: 2010

Operating Kashmir Valley.

Dr: Saifullah Alias Abu Musaib

Category: A++

Residence: Malangpora Pulwama

Active From: 2014

District Commander : Srinagar.

Zeenat Ul Islam Alias Usmaan

Category: A++

Residence: Sugan Shopian

Active From: 2015

District Commander : Shopian.

Hilal Alias Abu Maaz

Category: A++

Residence: Kulgam

District Commander : Kulgam

Replaced By Altaf Kachroo.

Ashraf Molvi

Category: A++

Residence: Bring Kokernag

District Commander : Anantnag.

Adil Bhat Alais Abu Umair Al Hizbi

Category: A++

Residence: Malangpora Pulwama

District Commander : Baramullah.

Dr: Manan Wani Alias Abu Hamza

Category: A++

Residence: Lolab Kupwara

District Commander : Kupwara.

Lashkar-e-Tayiba:

Firdous Alias Abu Hanzalla

Category: A++

Residence: Maspuna Pulwama

District Commander : Pulwama.

Mushtaq Mir

Category: A++

Residence: Shopian

District Commander : Shopian.

Idress Bhat

Category: A++

Residence: Arwani Bejbahara

District Commander : Anantnag.

Azad Malik Alias Abu Zaid

Category: A++

Residence: Arwani Bejbihara

District Commander : Kulgam.

Abu Zargam

Category: A++

Residence: Pakistan

District Commander : Baramullah.

Saleem Billu

Category: A++

Residence: Hajin

District Commander : Bandipora.

Al Badar:

Arjumand Gulzar Alias Faisal bhai

Category: A++

Residence: Ratnipora

District Commander : Pulwama.

Jaish-e-Mohammad:

Zahid Bhat

Category: A++

Residence: karimabad

District Commander : Pulwama.

Shahijahan

Category: A++

Residence: Amshipora Shopian

District Commander : Shopian.

Ansar Gazwat ul Hind.

Zakir Rashid Bhat Alias

Moosa

Category: A++

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 9:30 [IST]
Top Lashkar commander gunned down with two more terrorists in Pulwama

Just a matter of time for 9 day encounter in Rajouri-Poonch jungles to end

Guided by ex-Pak army officials, operating in buddy pairs: Why the Poonch encounter has dragged so much

J&K: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Shopian

India

oi-Madhuri

Srinagar, Sep 2: An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Shopian's Laddi, Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

The security forces have launched a cordon & search operation in Shopian's Laddi Imamsahab village after receiving inputs of presence of terrorists in the area.

The militants, believed to be two to three in number, opened fire, triggering off a brief firefight, said an official.

In the wee hours today, special operations group (SOG) of police, army's 44 RR and CRPF troopers laid a siege around Laddi village here and launched cordon and search operation (CASO), witnesses told Kashmir Reader.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 7:59 [IST]
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan leaves for US for treatment

India

pti-PTI

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left Sunday for the US for medical treatment, sources said. He left for treatment at Mayo Clinic and was expected to be back after three weeks, they said.

He was supposed to have left for the US tomorrow. During his absence, Industries Minister E P Jayarajan would receive donations towards the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) at the Chief Minister's office here, a release said.

Vijayan, 73, had Saturday called on Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam and briefed him about his trip abroad for treatment.

The chief minister had also updated the governor about the steps initiated by the government for rebuilding Kerala and for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people. Vijayan was originally scheduled to go for treatment on August 19 and return by the middle of this month.

He postponed the trip due to the unexpected floods that ravaged the state and claimed more than 400 lives.

The chief minister had undergone a routine annual medical check up at Apollo Hospitals at Chennai on March 3.

PTI
One sun, one world, one grid: PM Modi bats for global solar power grid at COP26 summit

PM Modi to meet officials of districts where vaccination drive has been sluggish

Modi unveils book on Venkaiah Naidu's year as Vice President

India

oi-Madhuri

New Delhi, Sep 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's book "Moving On... Moving Forward: A Year in Office", that talks about Naidu's experiences as the Vice-President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was also present during the event.

Speaking during the book launch, Modi said,''If the house works in order, no one notices the person sitting on the chair, but people got to see and notice Venkaiah ji a lot in the last 1.5 year because of the house.''

''Whichever duty he had, he performed with utmost diligence and adapted into that role with ease. Naidu has been in public life for 50 years- 10 years in student politics and 40 years in state as well as national politics,'' he said.

''Atal Ji wanted to give Naidu Ji a ministry. Venkaiah Ji said- I want to be the Minister for Rural Development. Venkaiah Ji is a farmer at heart. He is passionate about the welfare of farmers and agriculture,'' Modi said during the book launch.

The 245-page book, titled "Moving on...Moving Forward: A Year in Office", with seven chapters deals with Naidu's focussed engagement on four key issues - unrealised demographic dividend, need for an effective ecosystem for farmers to thrive, scientific advancements to better the life of people and public awareness about rich Indian heritage.

Naidu explains in the book that his mission of exploring and shaping public discourse over four key issues took him on extensive travels across India since he was sworn in as the Vice-President of India on 11 August 2017.

The book also contains a detailed chapter on various initiatives taken by him as Chairman of Rajya Sabha and refers to the rapidly- expanding viewership of Rajya Sabha TV.
More trouble as Srinagar court orders probe into Major Gogois conduct

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Srinagar, Sep 2: A court in Srinagar has asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to conduct a thorough probe against Major Leetul Gogoi in connection with the May 23 incident when he picked up a fight with the staff of a hotel here.

It was alleged that he had picked up a fight after he allegedly refused to be allowed to check in with a teenage girl. The Major was also accompanied by a local man, Sameer Ahmed, who later turned out to be a soldier. The trio, it may be recalled were detained briefly.

The court observed that the probe into the matter was conducted in a very casual manner, without ascertaining the facts. The court also said that the matter required further probing.

Also Read | Court of Inquiry orders disciplinary action against Major Gogoi

It may be recalled that Major Gagoi was court-marshalled after an Army Court of Inquiry indicted him for fraternising with a local woman in a Srinagar hotel and being away from his place of duty in May this year.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 8:58 [IST]
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IAF choppers in action

Six people were marooned in a village of Lalitpur district Sunday morning following heavy rains.

Army helicopter rescuing stranded people

In Garautha tehsil of Jhansi district, eight fishermen were stranded on an island near Erech Dam on the Betwa River after a sudden rise in water level owing to heavy downpour, said a PTI report.

Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in UP

Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, "All six people were successfully rescued in Lalitpur district. The IAF team did a fantastic job."

More rains are predicted for UP

He also said, "The district magistrate of Jhansi has confirmed that all eight fishermen have been successfully rescued."
30 Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram

International

oi-Madhuri

Kano, Sep 2: Atleast 30 Nigerian soldiers were killed in combat with Boko Haram jihadists who overran a military base in the northeast near the border with Niger, two military sources told AFP on Saturday.

Scores of jihadists in trucks stormed the base at Zari village in northern Borno state late Thursday and briefly seized it after a fierce battle in which 30 soldiers were killed, they said.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 13:26 [IST]
With a scathing attack at the UN, India takes on Pakistan

Dutch former defence minister appointed as UN Iraq envoy

International

oi-Madhuri

Baghdad, Sep 2: A Dutch former defence minister has been appointed as the United Nation's envoy to Iraq, to head a mission which plays an essential role in the country's political and economic spheres.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert was named special representative and will head up the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a statement from the organisation said on Saturday.

She will replace Jan Kubis, a Slovak former foreign minister who took up the post in February 2015.

During his tenure the mission tried to curb internal conflicts, such as the crisis which erupted between the autonomous Kurdish region and the central government in Baghdad.

Hennis-Plasschaert, 45, served as the Netherlands' defence minister from 2012 until 2017.

Also Read | Implement all relevant UNSC resolutions: UN envoy tells North Korea

She was also a lawmaker in her home country and at the European Parliament, as well as working for the European Commission.

UNAMI was established in 2003 by a UN Security Council resolution, at the request of the Iraqi government, and the mission was expanded four years later.

It advises the government on matters including political dialogue and reconciliation, in addition to helping with elections and facilitating dialogue between Iraq and neighbouring countries.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 14:04 [IST]
Maken hits out at AAP govt, says Delhi has become 'capital of waterlogging'

New Delhi

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Sep 2: Hitting out at the AAP government over waterlogging in the city, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said on Sunday the national capital has become the "capital of waterlogging".

Maken alleged the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation and BJP-led three municipal corporations have "failed" to come out with a permanent solution to waterlogging in Delhi.

Many parts of the city witnessed waterlogging and traffic snarls for the second consecutive day after heavy rainfall lashed the city Sunday. Due to waterlogging, people of Delhi faced long traffic jams for hours, due to which fuel worth crores of rupees is wasted, he said in a statement.

"AAP government and the MCDs seems to be fighting with each other just for show-off. Had both worked to come out with the permanent solution of waterlogging in Delhi, Delhi, the capital of India, would not have become 'capital of waterlogging'," he said.

The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief said the data available on the government's website regarding desilting of drains are not only surprising but also puts a "question mark" on the working of the AAP dispensation.

"The desilting of drains should have been completed by June 15, 2018, but by this time, only 17 per cent of desilting was completed.

"Delhi government fixed next target to complete desilting of drains by June 30, but by June 29, only 37 per cent desilting was completed and by July 27, only 39 per cent desilting could be completed," the Congress leader alleged.

The Congress party stated that Delhi government has identified 96 places, which are chronic roads or areas prone to waterlogging frequently and where water logging was reported 3 or more than three times.

"This list is incomplete as there are many other chronic roads or areas which are prone to waterlogging system frequently," Maken alleged.

PTI
Diwali 2021: How to perform Lakshmi puja at home, puja samagri, vidhi and shubh muhurat

Man kills teenager to settle scores with family

New Delhi

oi-Madhuri

New Delhi, Sep 2: A 35 year-old man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing a teenage boy in northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri to settle scores with his family, the police said on Saturday.

The boy had left his home on the night of August 26 and his body was found in a sack near Haiderpur canal the next day, they said.

After investigation, the police arrested a man identified as Raj Kumar.

Also Read | Woman, fiancee held for killing ex-boyfriend

Suspicion about his involvement arose as he was taking keen interest in the investigation, the police said.

When asked about his activities since the day the boy went missing, Kumar tried to mislead the police, a senior officer said.

Also Read | 3 nabbed for gang-raping minor

The accused, who has a criminal record, had an enmity with the boy's family and killed him to teach them a lesson, he said.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 10:34 [IST]
Diwali 2021: How to perform Lakshmi puja at home, puja samagri, vidhi and shubh muhurat

Two held for killing temple priest

New Delhi

oi-Madhuri

New Delhi, Sep 2: Two men were arrested for allegedly killing a priest of a temple in Lohiya Nagar here, police said on Saturday.

Upender and Dhiraj were arrested for murdering Harivansh Shukla, 40, due to some personal enmity, they said.

Also Read | Woman, fiancee held for killing ex-boyfriend

Shukla's body was found in a canal on Saturday, they said, adding that the priest was missing since August 28.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 10:15 [IST]
Woman, fiancee held for killing ex-boyfriend

New Delhi

oi-Madhuri

New Delhi, Sep 2: A 21-year-old woman, along with her her fianc , was arrested for killing her ex-boyfriend after he threatened her over leaking her nude pictures, police said on Saturday.

The accused were identified as Dolly Choudhary, 21, and her fiance Manish Choudhary, 28, they said.

A case was registered on August 16 based on a complaint by the victim's father, police said.

Also Read | 4 nabbed in connection Mangolpuri stabbing

Sushil Kumar's family told police that he was in a relationship with the woman for last six-seven years and about a year-and a-half back she started living with a person named Mohit Mavi in Greater Noida, Randeep Singh Randhawa, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) said.

On Friday, police visited the woman's house and quizzed her about Kumar's whereabouts. Initially, the woman tried to mislead the police but on sustained interrogation, she admitted to the crime, said the officer.

Dolly told police that about two years ago, she went to Greater Noida for a job where she met Mohit Mavi who was a contractor supplying manpower to a company.

Mavi offered her a job for Rs 10,000. She eventually started living with Mavi and shared an intimate relation, the officer added.

Also Read | Man stabbed for a mobile phone, 3 killer juveniles arrested

Enraged over the fact that Mavi would marry Dolly, Kumar started blackmailing and threatening her with her nude pictures. Fed up of his constant threats, Dolly hatched a plan to eliminate him with the help of her fianc Manish Chaudhary, the DCP said.

On August 11, on Dolly's insistence, her fianc arranged a room at a hotel in Mathura. The same evening, Kumar reached Mathura and contacted Dolly. She went to meet him near the railway station. After visiting a few places, Kumar took her to a hotel room where he ordered food and cold drinks. While he was inside the washroom, Dolly mixed sleeping pills in his drink. He become unconscious after consuming it.

Following which, she called her fianc Choudhary in the hotel and later they dumped his body in a river near Old Yamuna Bridge in Mathura's Laxmi Nagar.

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Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 9:59 [IST]
BJP's Lok Sabha MP Liladhar Vaghela was injured after a stray cow attacked him outside his residence.

83-year-old Gujarat MP Liladhar Vaghela was out for a walk when a stray cow attacked him outside his residence in Sector 21, Gandhinagar. (Photo: YouTube | Screengrab)

Mumbai: BJP's Lok Sabha MP Liladhar Vaghela was injured after a stray cow attacked him outside his residence on Thursday evening.

He was admitted to the ICU with broken ribs after being attacked by the cow.

According to reports, the 83-year-old MP from Patan, Gujarat, was out for a walk when a stray cow attacked him outside his residence in Sector 21, Gandhinagar.

The octogenarian MP was rushed to the Apollo Hospital by passers-by and admitted to the ICU after initial examination.

Doctors said that he has sustained injuries to his ribs and head.

Prior to being elected to the Lok Sabha, Vaghela was a cabinet minister in Gujarat.

According to local media, the senior politician has sustained two fractures and clotting in the head. After the accident, the doctors have kept him in the ICU as his condition is quite critical.
The PIL has been filed by one Ankit Singh through his counsel Rohan Gupta who has asked for the courts directives on the Hindu courts.

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court has admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on the so-called Hindu Courts being set up by the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha.

The PIL has been filed by one Ankit Singh through his counsel Rohan Gupta who has asked for the courts directives on the Hindu courts.

The division bench of Chief Justice Dilip B Bhonsale and Justice Yashwant Varma has sent notices to Meerut district magistrate where the first Hindu court has been set up. The district magistrate has bene asked to file his reply by September 11.

Notices have also been sent to the president of Mahasabha Abhishek Agarwal and national secretary of the Mahasabha Dr Pooja Shakun Pandey who is also the self proclaimed judge of the Hindu court.

The petitioner has sought effective steps to disband and diffuse all existing and proposed courts to be set by the Mahasabha and a ban on rendering judicial services of any kind.

According to the petition the Hindu Courts are wholly illegal, an outrage to the Constitution and an affront to the judiciary and must be stamped out ruthlessly. It must be noted that such courts created without any statutory sanction are wholly illegal and are squarely covered under the definition of kangaroo courts.
Organisations (BPMO) which is going door-to-door with issues concerning people.

New Delhi: While a debate had been raging within the CPI(M) on whether to remain equidistant from both, the Congress and the BJP, or to tilt in favour of one, the Bengal unit of the party has categorically submitted in its report to the central committee that Marxists should not hesitate to join hands with any anti-BJP force to defeat Modi led BJP during the forthcoming general elections. While Bengal line of the party could be music to Congress ears, other state units continue to be cautious and want the party to adopt a pragmatic approach to retain its political bases.

A total of six state units  Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh  have sent in their reports ahead of next months CPI(M) central committee meeting which is supposed to decide the partys stand ahead of the 2019 general elections. Out of these, the Bengal unit has categorically said that the partys aim in the state is to remove the BJP at Centre and Trinamul Congress in the state.

Modi hatao, Mamata hatao is the slogan that has been coined and it is being implemented in the state by the partys Bengal Platform of Mass

Organisations (BPMO) which is going door-to-door with issues concerning people. However, top sources said that in the reports submitted by other states, the issue of retaining the partys own space has been flagged. For example, in states likes Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where Congress is the dominant party and is largely expected to win the coming Assembly elections, the CPI(M) might not be accommodated and would have to fight for its own space.

The reports take into account the grounds realities in each state, sources said, and added that in cases where the party needs to retain its space it will fight on its own.

Sources said that a recent example was of the Palghar bypoll in Maharashtra where the Congress had asked the CPI(M) not to field its candidate as the Congress candidate had a strong chance of winning. However, since the CPI(M) thought that it had a strong base in the area after its Kisan Long March, it fielded its own candidate and pipped the Congress for the fourth position.

The five-cornered contest with the BJP, Shiv Sena, Bahujan Vikas Ahadi, Congress-NCP and the CPI(M) in the fray had resulted in the BJP winning the seat.

In Bihar, another state which has evinced interest in fighting as part of the Congress-RJD alliance, the CPI(M) might get the Samastipur seat, Arrah and Begusarai may go to the CPI(ML) and the CPI respectively.

The CPI(M) has been in the throes of a bitter factional fight between the Bengal camp backed by party general secretary Sitaram Yechury and the Kerala camp of former general secretary Prakash Karat. While the former favoured an alliance with the Congress, the latter was against it.

However, in a dramatic development, the CPI(M) in its April 22 party congress had endorsed the political-tactical line proposed by Mr Yechury, paving the way for an understanding with the Congress and other secular-democratic forces to form a broad pan-India, anti-BJP coalition ahead of the 2019 election.
Born on June 26, 1967, in Dahoh district of Madhya Pradesh, the renowned Digambar Jain monk has a huge following in the Jain community.

New Delhi: Jain monk Tarun Sagar passed away on Saturday at Delhis Radhapuri temple after a prolonged illness.

The 51-year-old seer, who was suffering from jaundice and other ailments, breathed his last at around 3 am. He was earlier admitted to a private medical centre in Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his demise and said that he will always be remembered for his rich ideals, compassion and contribution to the society.

Deeply pained by the untimely demise of Muni Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj. We will always remember him for his rich ideals, compassion and contribution to society. His noble teachings will continue inspiring people. My thoughts are with the Jain community and his countless disciples, the Prime Minister tweeted.

He said the Jain monks noble teachings will continue to inspire people.

President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed grief over Muni Tarun Sagars demise. Our country has lost a well-respected spiritual leader. My condolences to his countless followers, he tweeted.

Born on June 26, 1967, in Dahoh district of Madhya Pradesh, the renowned Digambar Jain monk has a huge following in the Jain community. He was popularly known for his sermons titled Kadve Pravachan. He accepted celibacy and decided to lead a life of a monk in the year 1981.

His last rites will be performed in Uttar Pradeshs Muradnagar later in the day.
The Oppositions only aim is to create political instability in the country so that they can fish in troubled waters.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that Opposition parties were ganging up to create political instability in the country, a charge refuted by the Congress.

Speaking at a media conclave here, he said, The Opposition is worried that the BJP is gaining from strength to strength. It is opposed to development and has been ganging up to take on the BJP. Its only aim is to create political instability in the country so that they can fish in troubled waters.

The chief minister said the people were hopeful that a grand Ram temple would be built in Ayodhya and added that Lord Ram will decide its date.

Yogi Adityanath further ridiculed the Opposition parties, saying they were in a dilemma about who would lead the alliance.

Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the BJP would fight the Lok Sabha polls in 2019 on the plank of development and the Modi government would return to power with greater numbers.

Later, UPCC president Raj Babbar refuted the chief ministers remarks on Opposition unity, stating, The efforts to strike unity among non-BJP parties were not directed against any individual. The sole purpose is to save the country from the BJPs misrule, he explained.

About leading the alliance, Mr Babbar said that all parties would decide the issue at a later stage.

It is for the people to decide. The country will decide, he said. However, he said that Rahul Gandhi was the prime ministerial candidate for the Congress.
A portion of Washington State Route 14 near Vancouver was temporarily closed Sunday after a man threatened to jump from an overpass onto the roadway, authorities say.

The highway's eastbound lanes near the Evergreen Boulevard overpass were closed for about 25 minutes after Washington State troopers and Vancouver police officers responded to the scene around 8:30 a.m.

At some point, the man moved away from the edge of the overpass and was taken into custody, Vancouver police said. He wasn't injured and was taken to a hospital. Police have not released the man's name.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
By Colt Gill

Every child in Oregon's schools should feel welcome, valued and safe. But we're not there yet.

Forty seven percent of children in Oregon classrooms today have experienced adverse conditions during their early childhood. Some are hungry or neglected. Some have lived with severe drug and alcohol abuse in their homes. Some are witnessing or experiencing violence in their homes. And some don't have homes at all.

These adverse experiences can have long-term effects on a child's health and well-being. These experiences can affect a student's education, their ability to focus in class, their interactions with peers, their level of anxiety and increase their impulsive behaviors. All these students need and deserve our help.

Share your opinion

Submit your essay of 800 words or less on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.

Oregon already has laws that help school staff identify and address instances of bullying, harassment, and cyber-bullying. Oregon also has a School Safety Task Force that has implemented programs like SafeOregon.com, an anonymous tip line created for students, parents, community members, school staff and law enforcement officers to act on safety threats. But we have more work ahead of us.

We must also embrace Oregon's changing communities. Our students look different and have different backgrounds than in my time as a student in the 1970s and 1980s. More than one-third of our students are people of color. More than half are economically disadvantaged. Fifteen percent are students with disabilities. About 9 percent identify as gay or lesbian and 18 percent spoke another language before English.

The growing diversity of Oregon's student population is an asset for our schools and the future of the state. Today's students bring a diverse history and culture that is a new resource to embrace and celebrate. A well-educated, diverse, multilingual citizenry and workforce can be a catalyst for the future success of our state. However, for this vision to be a reality tomorrow, we must provide safe, equitable schools for our students today.

Oregonians care about the well-being of one another. If any student is excluded, marginalized, bullied or harassed we all care. We all seek a solution.

That's why, at Gov. Kate Brown's urging, the Oregon Department of Education formed the Advisory Committee on Safe and Effective Schools for All Students last spring. After engaging in more than 1,000 collective working hours, this dedicated and diverse group of students, parents, educators, lawmakers and advocates created several policy recommendations that I'm eager to share with you as our children head back to school.

These recommendations include:

Using equity tools that help local and state education decision-makers recognize hidden bias and understand how well-meaning rules, policies and practices may hurt some students.

Developing formal systems for students and their concerns and ideas to be heard by education decision-makers, including a network of regional student councils and statewide school-climate surveys.

Collecting better data to identify which students are being impacted by school policies and practices and how they're affected.

Focusing on placing physical and mental health services and other supports into schools.

Applying evidence-based systems to support students who are transitioning between schools and programs.

Implementing early identification and intervention systems to help students before they face significant problems.

Using professional learning, guidance and standards to choose prevention programs focused on culturally responsive practices, restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, de-escalation skills, bullying/harassment prevention, suicide prevention and related efforts.

Over the coming months, I will collaborate with others to act on the committee's recommendations in several ways.

The Oregon Department of Education will support and celebrate schools as they implement equitable practices to proactively support all students. The State Board of Education will prioritize policies that focus on equity and prevention practices that positively influence student outcomes. Gov. Brown and I will champion legislation and investment strategies that promote student safety and student voice.

As Oregonians we can work together this year to better create the kind of welcoming and inclusive schools where all our children can thrive. The kind of schools where our children feel valued for who they are. Schools where they are embraced by a community of caring peers and adults. Schools where they feel safe to engage in learning and follow their passions into the work place or continued learning after graduation.

Let's make this a school year in which we focus on our ethical and moral obligation to our children and rethink what needs to change to provide welcoming and safe school environments where every child feels valued, unburdened by discrimination, and fully supported in their learning.

-- Colt Gill is director of the Oregon Department of Education.

Share your opinion

Submit your essay of 800 words or less on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.
President Donald Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani has been making a fool of himself again on the talk show circuit as he tries to defend his deplorable boss. Don't get me wrong, I loathe everything about Trump and find it embarrassing half the country could elect such a buffoon. The election simply should not have been close enough to steal. As much as we enjoy laughing at poor Rudy, he has a point when he says, "Truth isn't truth." I find it funny a seasoned attorney has failed the one thing lawyers are supposed to do better than the rest of us -- articulating positions.

Let me give it a shot. What each one of us views as "truth" is very personal, even spiritual for many. Everything we see, hear or read is filtered through our own biases, life experiences and belief systems before we decide what any of it actually means. In that light, no two people view the same information exactly the same way, and both come away with slightly different truths.

Giuliani's error, besides taking this job in the first place, is jumping right onto the "fake news/alternative facts" idiocy train by uttering another new laughable idiom. If we all breathe; realize we see this world from our individual points of view; stop screeching about truth, lies and facts as if they're concrete -- maybe, just maybe, we'll settle into the idea of evidence, arguments and persuasion to find common ground and move back in a more productive and sane direction.

-- Marshal Read, Northeast Portland
A 30-year-old man was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of fatally shooting another man at a Northeast Portland boat ramp in August.

Jamias L. Hart-Resberry is accused of murder, unlawful delivery of cocaine and violating his parole. He is suspected of shooting Andre D. Pennington, 47, on Aug. 20 at the M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp along Northeast Marine Drive.

Pennington later died at a hospital in Portland. Police have not released more information on what investigators believe led to the shooting.

Pennington is one of 16 people who have died via homicide in Portland thus far in 2018. Thirteen of the 16 people killed this year have died in shootings, according to information released by police.

Among the deaths were three shootings in January, April and May that Multnomah County grand juries ruled were legally justified. One of them was a man fatally shot by Portland police in a homeless shelter.

Not included in the tally is the death of another man in July that Portland police said initially appeared suspicious but remains undetermined in how it occurred.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
Launches India Post Payments Bank with network of 1.55 Lakh branches.

New Delhi: Blaming the phone-a-loan scam under the previous Congress-led UPA government for leaving the economy on a landmine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said loans handed out by banks to select businessmen after phone calls made by namdars (dynasts) created the bad loan mess, but vowed to recover every penny from defaulters.

Speaking at the launch of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), an initiative that will take banking to the doorstep of every citizen through an unmatched network of post offices and almost three lakh postmen and grameen dak sewaks, Mr Modi said none of the 12 top defaulters who, between them, account for over `1.75 lakh crore of banks non-performing assets (NPA) were given loans by the present government.

He said while the previous UPA government hid the bad loans, his government has properly recognised them and brought tough laws to deal with default and recover the dues.

The Prime Minister said that the country was cheated when the last government fudged figures and put the bad loan amount at Rs 2-2.5 lakh crore when it actually was Rs 9 lakh crore. Mr Modis remarks came days after Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the Modi government for NPAs jumping to Rs 12.5 lakh crore from Rs 2.5 lakh crore under the UPA regime.

Mr Modi said that when his government came to power in 2014 it noticed that public sector banks had been plundered and bank loans jumped to Rs 52 lakh crore from 2008 to 2014 from just Rs 18 lakh crore in the previous six decades.

The phone banking of Congress and its namdars caused a lot of damage to the country, said Mr Modi and added that banks obliged namdars because top executives were appointed by them.

Despite knowing that the loans would not be returned, banks lent money... And when these borrowers started defaulting, pressure was mounted on banks to give them more time and then restructure these loans by giving more funds... In 2014, after our government was formed we realised that the Congress and namdars had put Indias economy on a landmine, he said.

Mr Modi said his government has defused the landmine placed by the government of namdars and its results have been witnessed in the 8.2 per cent GDP growth clocked in the first quarter of the current fiscal, which he said is proof of growing strength of the

Indian economy and that the country is moving in the right direction. Listing out the steps taken to check bad loans, he said every loan of over Rs 50 crore has been reviewed and it is being ensured that the rules are followed and recoveries made. The merger of banks has been proposed, professionalism has been brought in banks, insolvency and bankruptcy code has come and a law to deal with fugitive defaulters has been introduced.

Mr Modi said swift action is being taken to recover loans from the top 12 defaulters as well as another 27 who owe Rs 1 lakh crore to public sector banks.

We will ensure that every penny is recovered... I want to again assure the country that of all these big loans, not even a single loan has been given by this government, he said.

Mr Modi said that while the Jan Dhan scheme of his government gave bank accounts to people who were outside the banking system, the IPPB would taking banking to their doorstep.

With its unmatched network of 1.5 lakh post offices and over three lakh postmen and gramin dak sevaks, IPPB will, initially in 650 districts, allow savings as well as current accounts to be opened on the doorstep, allow fund transfer and payment of utility bills. Also, loan and insurance will be provided in association with other banks and financial institutions. Congratulating the Prime Minister for launching one of the most innovative financial inclusion initiative in independent India, BJP president Amit Shah said the initiative has revived and given a completely new dimension to India Post.

The postman, who we all have fond memories of, will now deliver last mile banking to the unbanked in far flung remote rural areas and bring them in the main stream. Economic independence is the first step towards empowering people and Modi sarkar is leaving no stone unturned to achieve that, Mr Shah tweeted.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said while the Digital India campaign has changed lives of millions across the nation, the IPPB will take the initiative to the next level by empowering rural populace with banking services at their doorsteps.

He also informed that 26 branches of IPPB have been started in Assam on Saturday and within December, the service will be taken to customers via 4,011 branches and access points and out of these, 93 per cent access points will be based in rural areas.
Terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen is said to be behind the unprecedented hostage drama.

Security forces have also been advised to take extra precaution in keeping identity of personnel involved in such operations a complete secret. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: The home ministry will soon discuss with the Jammu & Kashmir administration a plan to set up secure campuses which will have residential colonies for families of security personnel involved in counter-terror operations in the Valley. Sources said some other measures to provide more security to such families were also being discussed. The move comes close on the heels of terror outfit kidnapping of relatives of security personnel in the Valley.

Terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen is said to be behind the unprecedented hostage drama in the Valley in which they had abducted three police personnel of J&K Police and eight relatives of security personnel. All of them however, were released on Friday.

However, both Centre and State administration has taken a serious note of the development saying this was a new and an unprecedented modus operandi adopted by the terror groups. Fearing that militants may resort to similar pressure tactics in future again the security establishment has already started working on a plan to avoid a repeat of such incidents in future.

As part of the plan, sources said, one of the option being examined was setting up of secure campuses for immediate family members of security personnel in the Valley. The fully secure campus will have residential premises for such families to prevent them from being targeted by terror groups. Plans are also being discussed to provide security cover to these families at their existing residence.

The problem is mainly with the local Jammu & Kashmir Police and not so much with Army or central para-military forces whose families in any case live outside the Valley. We are examining a plan where some sort of a cantonment area can be set up for J&K Police where their family members can be shifted particularly in parts of south Kashmir,a senior security official said.

In addition, all security personnel involved in counter-terror ops in the Kashmir Valley have been instructed not share any personal details regarding families or even their travel plans. Security forces have also been advised to take extra precaution in keeping identity of personnel involved in such operations a complete secret.

With Jammu & Kashmir now under Governors rule, Home Ministry is hopeful that they will be able to expedite putting in place the new arrangements in a bid to provide the forces a more secure environment to work in.
Labor Day weekend means its time for Made in America in Philadelphia.

The music festival, which is curated by Jay-Z, returned for its seventh year on the city's Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The first day of the festival, Sept. 1, was a busy one.

Meek Mill performed his first concert in Philadelphia since his was release from prison earlier this year. Tekashi 6ix9ine crowd surfed (after missing his initial set timeslot). Janelle Monae delivered a powerful set that celebrated love of all kinds.

Take a look at photos from the first day of Made in America in the gallery above. You'll see the acts mentioned above, as well as Zedd and lots and lots of fans. In fact, you'll see virtually every combination of red, white and blue you can think of.

Can't see the gallery? Click here.

Made in America continues Sept. 2 with performances by Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Diplo, Miguel and Alessia Cara. Single day tickets for the festival are available at madeinamericafest.com for $99.50. Made in America opens at noon on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. There's more than just music at the festival. There's also a ferris wheel, lounge areas and lots and lots of food trucks. Learn more about Made in America at madeinamericafest.com.

Want more stories about Philly? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love.
ASHLAND, Ore. - The young golden eagle on the operating table showed no outward signs of trauma. An X-ray had revealed no fractures.

But this bird, a protected species, was dead - and that's why it was here, beak-up in a laboratory. It had been shipped to this picturesque college town by federal agents somewhere in the West who suspected it had been electrocuted by power lines. Now its carcass was evidence in an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against a utility company.

A veterinary pathologist was about to cut open the bird in the hope of determining its cause of death.

This unusual federal facility, the world's only full-service forensics lab for wildlife crimes, analyzes thousands of creatures that each year cross its threshold in the form of carcasses, parts and products. Its mission is to use science to find how the animal died - and often, to figure out what kind of animal it was.

"In police work, you know what your victim is - it's Homo sapiens," said Ken Goddard, a former crime scene investigator who now directs this place, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory. "Our first job is to figure out what a victim is."

Crimes against wildlife

Crime against wildlife is a multibillion-dollar global enterprise that experts say is only increasing as poaching and trafficking networks grow more sophisticated and move into dark corners of the internet. When authorities interrupt that enterprise, this lab is often a critical stop in their investigations. Its scientists run DNA tests, examine bullets, identify poisons and compare remains to some 35,000 specimens in the lab's reference collection - a ghoulish panoply of pelts, bones, feathers and claws.

When 13 bald eagles turned up dead on a Maryland field two years ago, chemists here found they had been killed by a banned pesticide. When a mysterious werewolf-like canine was shot in Montana this summer, geneticists concluded it was merely an odd-looking wolf. When one member of an infamous Irish gang pleaded guilty last fall to illegally exporting a rhino horn cup, he did so after the lab determined the vessel was fashioned from an endangered great Indian rhinoceros.

Not that Goddard or his colleagues will tell you that.

"We never call to see how the case went in court," he said. "The gold star on the wall is a successful presentation, not a successful prosecution."

A quaint place

The one-story, 40,000-square-foot lab is a federal building, but it feels almost quaint, compared with the fortresses in Washington. Visitors don't pass through metal detectors, though evidence is sometimes X-rayed upon arrival. A new parking lot barrier gate was installed this summer to deter truck bombers, not because of a specific threat, Goddard said, but because it's protocol at government facilities. Goddard half-jokes that some officials at headquarters do not even know the 34-employee lab exists.

But the lab is at the forefront of this kind of science. Its genetics refrigerators store tens of thousands of animal DNA samples. Its deputy director, Ed Espinoza, has made several breakthroughs, including a method for identifying types of ivory and the use of a mass spectrometer to determine the species, and sometimes origin, of wood - a growing target of traffickers. Biologist Johnnie French travels to African countries to train rangers there on crime scene investigation (CSI) techniques to use when they find poached rhinos and elephants.

But French's primary job is as a sort of curator and manager of a macabre collection that reflects humans' long-held fascination with gathering animals alive and dead. Room after room at the lab hold metal lockers and drawers bursting with specimens that have been seized by authorities or donated: a cabinet of silky big cat pelts, a tray of rainbow-hued birds-of-paradise, a freakish purse made from a monkey, the tanned and suede-like skin of an elephant's face. The collection is so vast that the lab is soon breaking ground on a new 14,000-square-foot warehouse to house it.

One storage closet, labeled "BACULA - DRIED ORGANS," holds real animal penis bones and impostors. (One foot-long item sold for sham medicinal purposes as a tiger penis was actually from a bull, the lab found.)

French gives what he calls his "sights and smells tour," which begins with a small room where the larvae of flesh-eating beetles in transparent bins strip the meat from animal bones so that they can be analyzed for injury or stored for reference. Across the hall is French's prep room, where he skins and tans or taxidermies newly acquired samples.

"This guy's one of my favorites," said French, a former Army paratrooper, as he pulled a dead but very alive-looking Gaboon viper out of a walk-in freezer, one of several snakes seized in a federal investigation in Nevada. "This high-school kid had 43 of the most venomous snakes in his room. And his mom had no idea."

An hour later, a FedEx delivery came: Two bins of frozen carcasses from the Santa Ana Zoo in California, which, like other zoos, donates to the lab's collection. This one held a rhea, several primates and a giant anteater that, French discovered as he ripped open several layers of plastic bags, was missing its head for reasons he did not know.

"I'll process each of its digits individually. That way we can always go back in five years or 10 years and say, 'You know, this necklace looks like it has giant anteater claws,'" he explained. Knowing what each claw looks like would help the scientists determine whether such a necklace was "made from one individual or three."

Global work

The lab handles mostly federal cases, but it is also the official lab for the 182 nations party to CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Goddard was hired to help launch it in 1979, after what he describes as several years working as "a police crime lab director in Southern California digging up bodies out in the desert." The facility ended up in Ashland, a town flanked by two mountain ranges just north of the California border, in part because a local chiropractor pushed Oregon senators to support the project.

The lab began working cases a decade later, and Goddard, a garrulous 72-year-old with the bass voice of a radio announcer, has been there since. He says the work has given him confidence that he'll look back on his professional life as meaningful; it's also provided fodder for his side-gig as a crime novelist.

"A sense of humor is important," Goddard said as he stood among various animal products displayed in the morphology lab, which, he emphasized with a smirk, has never come across a sasquatch sample. "You can't take yourself too seriously in this work."

That afternoon, veterinary pathologist Rebecca Kagan carried the dead golden eagle into a backroom and turned off the lights. Wearing red goggles, she held an alternate light source, the kind often used in forensics to detect fingerprints. But, as she and colleagues had discovered years before, it also can reveal electrical injuries on hair or feathers.

Kagan was surprised to find none on the bird, so she carried it back to the elevated metal table. Soon, she found another surprise. Blood was pooled in spots inside the golden eagle, which she had begun to carve open.

"It's not really consistent with electrocution. Interesting," Kagan said. It could have been caused by the ingestion of rodent poison, she said, which chemists would have to determine.

A chart on the lab's wall showed various rifle pellets. Another explained how to tell the difference between golden and bald eagles based on skeletal remains.

The lab's findings have often been used in prosecutions under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. But the Trump administration said this spring that it would no longer apply the treaty, 100 years old this year, to unintentional bird killings. Golden and bald eagles remain broadly protected under another federal law, however, so the birds continue to show up in Ashland.

Across the room, Tabitha Viner, also a veterinary pathologist, wore purple surgical gloves and listened to Simon and Garfunkel while examining a bald eagle that may have been struck by a wind turbine.

"In a human autopsy, people don't hide their bruises," but animals do, Viner said. "The question from special agents always is: Did a human kill it?"

Viner, who previously worked at Smithsonian's National Zoo, had X-rayed her bird, and now she was sitting in front of a computer inspecting the results.

"Both wings are fractured. This humerus is half-gone. This leg is fractured," she said, adding that all were signs of a high-speed, blunt-force impact more damaging than, say, a car collision.

"Our nation's icon," she said quietly as she continued her exam of the carcass. "Kinda broken."

(c) 2018, The Washington Post * Karin Brulliard
YORK, Pa. (AP) -- A man has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a central Pennsylvania slaying that authorities say stemmed from a look that was perceived as disrespectful.

The York Daily Record reports that 32-year-old Jose "Menor" Castro-Oquendo is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 3. York County prosecutors dropped first- and third-degree homicide charges in exchange for the plea.

Authorities alleged that the defendant and his older brother attacked 22-year-old Lester Cortes-Cotto on July 9 in York after the younger brother felt "disrespected" by a look from him. Police say a gun pulled from the victim's waistband was fired during the struggle, and he died from "multiple sharp-force injuries."

Prosecutors earlier dropped homicide and other charges against the older brother, 35-year-old Juan Castro-Oquendo, saying a key witness wasn't cooperating.
In the wake of the Pennsylvania grand jury report shining a light on decades of abusive acts through six church dioceses, the archbishop of Philadelphia is asking Pope Francis to cancel an upcoming conference focusing on youth.

Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput

Archbishop Charles Chaput sent a letter on the request, but a spokesman for the archdiocese would not provide Philly.com with additional information.

The conference, called the Youth Synod, would be held in Rome next month and include bishops and young people from around the world. It has been in the works for two years.

"I have written the Holy Father and called on him to cancel the upcoming synod on young people," Chaput said at a conference Thursday at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, as reported by LifeSite News. "Right now, the bishops would have absolutely no credibility in addressing this topic."

Chaput is instead asking that the conference focus on the bishops themselves.
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(Reuters)  A federal judge on Wednesday found Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in contempt of court for disobeying her order not to enforce the states disputed proof-of-citizenship voter registration law while the court weighed its legality.

Kobach is the front-running Republican candidate for Kansas governor, despite ongoing legal battles over the voter registration law he has sought to enforce as the states top election official.

Wednesdays ruling was the latest in a series of rebukes of Kobach by Judge Julie Robinson of Kansas City.

Kobach is one of the United States most prominent voter fraud crusaders and an advisor to President Donald Trump on the issue. He has made claims of widespread voter fraud in the United States and co-chaired Trumps now-dismantled commission on the subject.

In her Wednesday ruling, Robinson said Kobach had not treated voters affected by the ongoing court case the same as all other registered voters, in accordance with her previous order. She ordered him to pay attorney fees to the plaintiff in the case, the American Civil Liberties Union.

The Kansas law is one of numerous voter ID initiatives passed by Republican-led state legislatures that opponents say are designed to suppress groups of the electorate that tend to support the Democratic Party, such as the young and minorities. Supporters of the law say it is needed to prevent voter fraud.

A spokeswoman for Kobach said the secretary of states office would appeal Robinsons decision.

Kobach was fined $1000 last year after Robinson concluded he tried to mislead the court over documents relating to a 2016 meeting with Trump.

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; editing by Darren Schuettler)
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By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters)  A Southern California couple accused of beating, shackling and starving their 13 children as captives in the familys home pleaded not guilty on Friday to dozens of charges of torture, false imprisonment and abuse.

David and Louise Turpin, who were arraigned in Riverside County Superior Court, could face life in prison if convicted on all counts.

Sheriffs deputies raided the Turpins home in Perris, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, in January after one of the captive siblings, an emaciated 17-year-old girl, escaped through the window of the dwelling and called authorities. Deputies found the girls 12 brothers and sisters  ranging in age from 2 to 29  trapped inside the darkened, foul-smelling house, some of them chained to beds.

The siblings, found to be suffering from malnourishment, muscle wasting, stunted growth and other signs of severe abuse, were taken into protective custody and the parents were arrested.

Prosecutors said the victims had been denied proper nutrition, basic hygiene and medical care and were harshly punished for perceived infractions such as wasting water by washing their hands above the wrist. The couple also were accused of taunting their children with pies and other food that they were forbidden to eat.

Defense lawyers have never offered an explanation for the circumstances alleged by authorities.

David Turpins parents, James and Betty Turpin of West Virginia, have said in media interviews that their son and daughter-in-law were a deeply religious couple who home-schooled their children and required them to memorize Bible scripture.

The defendants were each charged with 12 counts of torture, 12 counts of false imprisonment, seven counts of abuse of a dependant adult and eight counts of child abuse. Louise Turpin, 50, also faces an assault charge.

David Turpin, 56, who worked as an engineer for aeronautics and defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, also was charged with one count of committing a lewd act on a child, plus eight counts of perjury over his claims that he was running a private school with his children as the students.

The couple entered not guilty pleas to all charges and denied all allegations on Friday, said John Hall, a spokesman for county prosecutors.

Judge Bernard Schwartz denied a defense motion to try the perjury counts apart from the other charges.

Hall said the next court date would be Oct. 5 for a trial-readiness conference.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Bill Trott)
By Jon Herskovitz

(Reuters)  Groups who successfully sued North Carolina over Republican-constructed congressional maps that a court ruled to be illegally drawn for partisan purposes said on Friday there is not enough time to put in place new lines ahead of the November elections.

The groups filing in federal court in North Carolina complicates an already difficult situation over maps that have been contested for years and could affect a Democratic push to wrest control of the U.S. House of Representatives from Republicans.

Plaintiffs have concluded that a statewide redistricting just weeks before Election Day would not be a good-government solution, the North Carolina Democratic Party, Common Cause, and League of Women Voters said in their filing.

On Monday, a three-judge panel for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ruled that Republican legislators responsible for the map conducted unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering to dilute the impact of Democratic votes. They gave parties until Friday to present fixes.

Defendants, who included state Republican leaders, did not offer any remedy in their own filing and instead laid out the logistical difficulties in making changes.

In their decision, the judges did not rule out allowing the current maps to be used in the election.

The North Carolina dispute centered on a congressional redistricting plan adopted by the Republican-led legislature in 2016 after a court found that Republican lawmakers improperly used race as a factor when redrawing certain U.S. House districts after the 2010 census.

The Republican lawmaker in charge of the plan said it was crafted to maintain Republican dominance because electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats.

Republicans in 2016 won 10 of the 13 House districts  77 percent  despite getting just 53 percent of the statewide vote, nearly the same result as in 2014.

Nationally, Democrats need to pick up 23 seats to gain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives that could thwart Republican President Donald Trumps legislative agenda.

North Carolina State House Rules Chairman David Lewis, a Republican, called on the court to put its ruling on hold.

Among the suggestions from the judges was holding state nominating primaries in November with new district lines that remove illegal partisan bias and then holding a general election before the new U.S. Congress is seated in January.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; editing by Bill Tarrant and Leslie Adler)
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WASHINGTON (Reuters)  Democrats on Sunday criticized the Trump administration for refusing to release thousands of documents on Brett Kavanaugh ahead of this weeks upcoming Senate hearings on his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh, nominated by President Donald Trump, worked in the White House under former President George W. Bush, whose lawyers combed through documents from that time and decided that 27,000 of them were protected under constitutional privilege.

The White House directed them not to hand them over to the Senate Judiciary Committee, one of Bushs lawyers said in a letter to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will host the hearings scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Another 102,000 pages of documents related to Kavanaughs record were not turned over for other reasons. The committee has had access to more than 415,000 pages on Kavanaughs background, the lawyer said in the letter.

Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said in an interview aired on Fox News Sunday that the White Houses citation of privilege on the documents was the first time that had occurred.

There has been more concealment of documents that are concerning his public service and his position on issues than ever in the history of the United States  If hes so proud of his conservative credentials, show us the record, Durbin said.

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Judiciary Committee member, echoed Durbins concerns in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, saying, This is not normal.

Republicans have dismissed Democrats concerns over lack of access to portions of the record on Kavanaughs background, arguing their criticism is politically motivated.

Democrats have more than enough information to understand that this is a highly qualified jurist that should be the next Supreme Court justice, Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican, said in an interview on ABCs This Week.

Trump nominated Kavanaugh to be a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court to replace the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on July 9.

Kavanaugh must win a majority of the 100-seat Senate to approve his nomination. Most Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the chamber, are expected to back him.

(Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh)
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The Kansas Supreme Court ruled on Friday that a citizen-initiated grand jury must be convened for the purpose of investigating allegations that Secretary of State Kris Kobachs office mishandled voter registration information during the 2016 election.

Grand jury to investigate Kobach, Kansas Supreme Court affirms

Grand jury to investigate Kobach, Kansas Supreme Court affirms https://t.co/jyGRCveU90 pic.twitter.com/5IMa1EmKu0  Talking Points Memo (@TPM) September 1, 2018

In a one-page order signed by Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, the court denied a request from Kobachs lawyers to review a Kansas Court of Appeals decision in June which held that Steven Davis had met the legal requirement for circulating petitions to summon a grand jury.

The Supreme Court did not provide any further explanation of its decision. Davis is a resident of Lawrence, which is in Douglas County, where the grand jury will be summoned.

Davis ran unsuccessfully for the Kansas House of Representatives in both the 2016 and 2018 Democratic primaries. After the 2016 elections he circulated petitions calling for a grand jury to be convened to investigate Kobach. He claimed that the GOP gubernatorial candidate had engaged in destroying, obstructing, or failing to deliver online voter registration, as well as possessing falsely made or altered registration books, preventing qualified electors from voting, and being grossly neglectful with respect to their election duties.

Kobach has denied the allegations, saying they relate to a short period of time in 2016 when certain online voter registration systems were malfunctioning and that those problems have since been resolved. He says that the allegations are politically motivated.

Douglas County Judge Peggy Kittel had at first dismissed Davis petition. She said that he had not made allegations that were specific enough to demonstrate that crimes had been committed.

But in June, a three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed that decision, saying Kansas statutes only require general allegations that, if proven to be true, would constitute crimes.

While the case was pending at the Court of Appeals, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidts office withdrew from the case.

After the Court of Appeals ruling, Kobach requested that the Kansas Supreme Court review the claims, and he filed a formal motion for the court to intervene. In the motion he said that he had not been adequately represented in the Court of Appeals case.

On Friday the Kansas Supreme Court turned down the request from Kobach to review the matter, and also denied Kobachs motion to intervene as moot.

A spokeswoman for the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration said the grand jury will have to be summoned as soon as the Court of Appeals issues a final mandate in the case. It was not immediately clear how long the appellate court has to do that, or when it will happen. Kansas is one of only six states that allow grand juries to be initiated through citizen request.

Kobach is in a close race for governor, and a new poll shows his Democratic challenger Laura Kelly has pulled even with him.

A new poll by Public Polling Policy shows this race is a dead heat! We can win and stop Kris Kobach but we cant do it without your support. Join this campaign and chip in to #StopKobach

A new poll by Public Polling Policy shows this race is a dead heat! We can win and stop Kris Kobach but we can't do it without your support. Join this campaign and chip in to #StopKobach #ksleg #ksgov > https://t.co/SlAo16RfwH pic.twitter.com/N9mrCMX6Ks  Laura Kelly (@SenatorKelly) August 30, 2018

Kobach also had previously been appointed by President Trump to head a so-called Voter Integrity Commission charged with investigating voter fraud during the 2016 election cycle. Trump shut down the commission in January after it became clear that there was no widespread voter fraud, as Trump and Kobach had claimed.
Kalbe Jawad ousts Rizvi for offering Babri land for temple.

Lucknow: The chairman of the UP Shia Waqf Board, Waseem Rizvi, has been ex-communicated from Islam for not accepting the fatwa issued by Iraqs top Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani against handing over Waqf properties for the construction of a temple or shrine..

Senior Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad announced Waseem Rizvis ouster from the Shia community, following the controversy over his offer of disputed land at Babri Masjid site for Ram Temple construction.

Later, talking to reporters, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said Shias all around the world were embarrassed by Rizvis pro-temple stand.

People like Waseem Rizvi are working against Islam, either under pressure or just to please their masters. On my recent visit to Iran, people were asking me questions and I am answerable to them on the kind of things he is doing here, he said.

Maulana Jawwad also said that since Waseem Rizvi was not a Shia anymore, he must be removed from the post of Shia Waqf Board chairman.

A fatwa from Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani cannot be rejected. Anyone who opposes his fatwa has no right to be called a Shia anymore. Hence, I have asked the government to remove him from the post. We have already said that whatever the court decides will be acceptable to us, but Waseem Rizvi seems to be in a hurry. How can he donate land of which he is not even the owner? He is just the caretaker. He is fooling the entire nation by saying that he is donating the land. He can donate his own house if he wants, but he cannot donate land which does not belong to him, the Maulana said.

Meanwhile, Mr Waseem Rizvi rejected ex-communication and said, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad is a witness in the Babri Masjid demolition case, which is why he is trying to put pressure on the Shia Waqf Board. Nobody has the right to throw anyone out of Islam, no matter how big the cleric is.

The controversy began some months ago when Mr Rizvi announced that he would offer the disputed land at Babri Masjid site for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

A Kanpur-based educationist, Dr Mazhar Naqvi, had posted a query on the legality of the announcement and Ayatollah Ali Al Sistanis fatwa was in response to this query.
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Despite pleas from the presidents attorneys, the Attorney General of New York has pledged to continue with a lawsuit against the president for misusing charitable funds donated to the Trump Foundation. According to her,Trump used the Foundation as a personal piggybank and a source of money to illegally fund his businesses and also his political campaign.

Lawyers for Donald Trump last week asked the presiding judge to dismiss the lawsuit brought against the Trump Foundation by New Yorks Attorney General Barbara Underwood, because they say that it was motivated by political considerations.

In the motion filed with the court on Thursday, Trump attorney Alan S. Futerfas pleaded that the former New York Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman, had made it his stated mission to lead the resistance and attack Mr. Trump whenever possible. Futerfas also said that Schneiderman used his public antipathy for Mr. Trump to solicit donations for his own re-election campaign and advance his career interests and aspirations.

According to Futerfas, Trump very publicly announced his intention to dissolve the foundation and donate all of its remaining funds to charity, but the Attorney General actively stonewalled dissolution.

At the same time, the New York Attorney General turned a blind eye to serious and significant allegations of misconduct involving the Clinton Foundation, including claims that it, and its subsidiaries, violated New York law by failing to disclose $225 million in donations from foreign governments, Futerfas added in the court filing.

Schneiderman first began to investigate the Trump Foundation in 2016, after articles in the Washington Post disclosed that Foundation spending personally benefited the presidential candidate, in ways not allowed under state law. At the time, and as a result of misuse of funds by Trump, Schneiderman issued a legal order to the foundation saying it must stop fundraising in New York.

In May of this year Schneiderman was forced to resign from his office due to allegations that he physically abused several women that he dated.

It was at that time that his successor, Barbara Underwood, took over the Trump Foundation case. In June she filed the lawsuit which Trumps lawyers now seek to dismiss. In filing the suit, Underwood wrote that the Trump Foundation was little more than a checkbook for payments from Mr. Trump or his businesses to nonprofits, regardless of their purpose or legality. The suit seeks $2.8 million in restitution and the foundations disbandment.

The filing by the presidents lawyers also said that Underwood was continuing the inflammatory rhetoric, stating publicly that she considers her battles with the President the most important work she has ever done and has vowed that such work will continue.

Trumps lawyers also are now claiming that impermissible donations by the Foundation were due to clerical errors and were all corrected when brought to the attention of foundation officers.

In a statement issued last week, Attorney General Underwoods office said they will not back down from holding Trump and his associates accountable for their flagrant violations of New York law.

As our lawsuit detailed, the Trump Foundation functioned as a personal piggy bank to serve Trumps business and political interests, the statement said.

Based on violations of New York law discovered so far, New Yorks Governor Andrew Cuomo has agreed to allow criminal charges to be pursued against the Trump Foundation. In addition, the case has been referred to the Internal Revenue Service for possible prosecution of federal tax law violations.
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Trump broke his own previous record sending out 46 tweets in August declaring various things fake or phony.

NPR analyzed Trumps tweets and found, An NPR analysis found that in the month of August, Trump sent out 46 tweets containing the words fake or phony, far surpassing his previous record. (Two of the tweets were later deleted to fix typos).In June 2018, a month with 31 fake or phony tweets, Trump took issue with coverage of the Singapore summit with North Korea, family separation along the U.S.Mexico border and, as usual, the Russia investigation.

Here is the chart of Trumps increasing declarations of fake:

If it seems like President Trump is declaring more things fake and phony more frequently, its because he is. And August set a record. https://t.co/IqaAGvo4w5 pic.twitter.com/1x3rGulBCb  Tamara Keith (@tamarakeithNPR) September 2, 2018

In the month of August Trump declared books, Google Search, the Steele Dossier, and his Lester Holt interview on NBC News, among other things to be fake.

Trump has a motive for declaring things fake

Fake serves two purposes for Trump. When Trump declares something fake, he is trying to discredit it, like the Russia investigation and news stories. Trump also uses declaring fake for the political purpose of rallying his base. Trump has been trying to rally Republicans to his side by declaring that Google is discriminating against Republicans through fake search results.

It might seem like the crazy president is just reacting to all bad news by declaring it fake, but there is a motive to what Trump is doing. Donald Trump is following the Fox News model to the letter. Fox monopolized cable news viewership by telling Republicans that they were the only source for truth. Other media outlets could not be trusted because they had an agenda against conservatives.

Trump is doing the same thing. He is telling Republicans that they cant trust what they see and read. He has gone beyond what Fox News did and told Republicans that they couldnt believe Google search results.

Like any good cult leader, Trump is trying to convince the Republican Party that he is the source of all truth and that they should only follow him.

The fake tweets are a tool that Trump uses to attack his enemies and keep his hold on his followers.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.
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Adam Parker has covered many beats and topics for The Post and Courier, including race and history, religion, and the arts. He is the author of "Outside Agitator: The Civil Rights Struggle of Cleveland Sellers Jr.," published by Hub City Press.
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.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
An Army jawan was also killed in the battle in which the militants and troops were holed up in the woods of Bandipore.

The operation ended on Saturday with the killing of three militants who had been trapped in the area after the troops laid siege to it, the sources said. (Representational image)

Srinagar: Three Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) militants and an Army jawan were killed in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmirs northern district of Bandipore on Saturday. Two other soldiers were injured in the clash which ended a six-day standoff between the holed up militants and the troops in the woods of Bandipore, the police and Army sources said.

Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia here said that the Army killed three militants in an operation in Danna village of Bandipora, about 55-km north of summer capital Srinagar.

The weapons of slain terrorists and other war-like stores were recovered from the site of the operation, he said.

He added that the fighting which broke out during the search operation in the area is over now.

The Army sources said that Rifleman Shiv Kumar of 31 Rashtriya Rifles who was among three soldiers injured in the gun fight on Saturday was evacuated to Srinagars 92-base Army hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

The police sources said that the Armys 27 and 31 Rashtriya Rifles had launched the operation Chaan Daji and Dani Behak forest area of Bandipore on last Monday after the militants targeted a group of soldiers near Danna village.

The operation ended on Saturday with the killing of three militants who had been trapped in the area after the troops laid siege to it, the sources said.

Earlier during the day on Saturday the security forces launched cordon-and-search-operation at Sub-District Hospital in Tral town of south Kashmir's Pulwama district following reports about the presence of militants within the premises.

The men from J&K polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG), the Armys 42 Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after laying siege to the hospital started searches the buildings.
Former S.C. congressman Bob Inglis spoke at the University of Sydney in Australia about climate change. He believes America can lead the way on this issue. "The question is, Will we do it soon enough to make a difference? he asked. Murray Harris/Provided
John OConnor, who played a part in Watergate, has a column in the Daily Caller that is a useful companion to Cleta Mitchells denunciation of the Mueller investigation. OConnor suggests that former CIA Director John Brennan should be criminally prosecuted:

As Watergate is inevitably compared to the present situation, we should recall what the scandal was and what it was not. The wrongdoing was rooted in abuses by the party in power during an election, not by a relatively powerless contender, as Trump was in 2016. The Nixon administration used the machinery of government for spying on and sabotaging the campaigns of its political enemies, then enlisted the CIA and FBI in a failed coverup. All of this is beginning to look like small beer when compared to Brennans orchestration of the CIA, FBI, GCHQ (British intelligence) and the media to smear Trump as conspiring with thug Vladimir Putin to rig the 2016 election. This charge not only criminalized the incoming president but also delegitimized him from the start, far worse than anything Nixons operatives did.

OConnor walks painstakingly through the known chronology of the CIA/FBI scandal and, as others have done, locates Brennan at the heart of the scheme to destroy President Trump:

Within a month or six weeks of being hired, Steele and Ohr produced a stunning report of June 20, 2016, a) detailing collusion between Trump and Putin, according to Trump insiders, Sources D and E; and b) the lurid peeing prostitute story, to explain Russian kompromat on Trump. To judge the credibility of this report, lets examine the origins of the Fusion team. Are we to believe that the CIA and GCHQ had been working on Russian collusion for six months, when, serendipitously, Fusion just happened to hire an ex-GCHQ spy and an ex-contractor for the CIA to investigate the same subject? I was born at night, but not last night. Moreover, Clintons sponsorship would have been concealed only if it was planned from the outset to be used for some official purpose such as, for a wild example, a FISA warrant, and not merely for oppo research. At the same time as Steele was being hired, the interagency team was failing in its first FISA bid. So we can infer as well that from the outset a renewed application was intended, using Steeles report so as to improve upon the then-failing FISA application.

We know how the story ends.

When Clinton did not win, Brennans team focused on delegitimizing the newly-elected President. Obama official Evelyn Farkas openly expressed the widespread partisan worry that all of the anti-Trump intelligence work would be lost to posterity if it were not quickly publicized, which the FBIs James Comey and DNI James Clapper readily accomplished in January 2017, as Brennan had attempted through Harry Reid pre-election. Brennan knew he was on his way out but still had the justice system in place to harass Trump in a way that would make Nixon blush. The FISA warrant was renewed three times, thanks to Comey, while Bruce Ohr remained a conduit between Steele and the FBI. When Mueller was appointed as Special Counsel in May 2017, the highly partisan FBI Counterintelligence Deputy Peter Strzok hesitated joining the team because theres no big there there. Brennan above all knew that. This has not kept Brennan from repeating the smears of Trump/Russian collusion, suggesting falsely that such claims are based upon classified information he cannot share. Brennan is doubling down on his fraud, hoping that Trump is impeached before Brennan is exposed.

There is a surreal element to all of this. One is reminded of Kafka. And trying to unravel the FBI/CIA scandal through analyses like OConnors and others we have posted here feels like poring over samizdat in the days of the Soviets. Cleta Mitchells assertion that the Mueller investigation, which is designed in large part to conceal the misdeeds of John Brennan and James Comey, and likely other senior Obama administration officials, as well as to nullify the 2016 presidential election, is a threat to our constitutional democracy, is no overstatement.

I came to OConnors column via this Michael Ramirez cartoon. I hope Michael is right that the far Lefts attempt to reverse the result of the 2016 presidential election is a house of cards. Click to enlarge.
New Delhi is hoping for a waiver from the Americans for the deal to escape sanctions.

New Delhi: India is expected to convey to the United States during their forthcoming 2+2 dialogue at the foreign and defence ministerial level in New Delhi later this week that it is going ahead with the Russia deal to procure a batch of S-400 missile systems des-pite the American sanctions on countries engaging in military transactions with Moscow. New Delhi is hoping for a waiver from the Americans for the deal to escape sanctions.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary Jim Mattis are travelling to India this week for the dialogue being hosted by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on September 6.

India has almost concluded the S-400 missile deal with Russia, and we are going ahead with it. Our position on the issue will be conveyed to the US, a high-level official source was quoted by news agencies, as saying. Sources said New Delhi would cite its requirement for the missile system in the wake of the evolving regional security architecture as well as considering its close defence ties with Russia.

But there are also indications that the US has not fully reconciled with Indias decision to acquire the S400 missile system from Russia and this issue is expected to be discussed prominently during the talks. This could also make any future acquisition of weaponry by India from Russia extremely difficult, despite India being hopeful of an American waiver at least for the S-400 missile acquisition from Russia.

US assistant secretary of defence for Asian and Pacific security affairs Randall G. Schriver was quoted by news agency reports from Washington as saying on the S-400 missile issue  at an event organised by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that the waiver authority had created the impression Washington would insulate India from any fallout from this legislation no matter what they do. He was quoted as ing, I would say thats a bit misleading We would still have very significant concerns if India pursued major new platforms and systems (from Russia). I cant sit here and tell you that they would be exempt, that we would use that waiver.

The policy towards China is also poised to be one of the major subjects of discussion front and centre between US and India during the 2+2 dialogue. Indias ties with Iran and its strategic implications on the Chabahar port project is also expected to be discussed, with the US piling on pressure on countries across the world to stop importing oil from Iran altogether.
Some of us are old enough to remember when the press dubbed Ronald Reagan the teflon President. Reporters meant by that to express their puzzlement at the fact that most Americans didnt share their hatred for Reagan. They attacked him viciously, more viciously than any president since Herbert Hoover, but when he ran for re-election he carried 49 states. His victory was a massive repudiation of the liberal media.

Countless distinctions could be drawn between Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, but we seem to be living through another teflon moment. The liberal press attacks President Trump even more viciously than it did Reagan. The news consists of little else, day after day. No doubt reporters and editors expected this non-stop assault to destroy Trumps presidency, and it might yet do so. But up to this point, the Lefts attacks have failed.

Pretty much anyone will tell you that President Trump has just endured an awful couple of weeks and a terrible month of August. Recent days have featured, among other continuing dramas, the conviction of Paul Manafort and guilty plea entered by Michael Cohen. If you Google Trumps terrible week, you get 12,900,000 results. It is easy to see why.

Yet Rasmussen Reports finds that for the month of August, the presidents approval rating rose by a point, from 46% to 47%. There must be wailing and gnashing of teeth in news rooms all across America.

How can this be? The short answer is that half of all Americans have tuned out the liberal press. It isnt true, as Trump once asserted in typically hyperbolic fashion, that he could shoot someone on a public street and his supporters wouldnt care. But it is true that half of Americans have figured outcorrectlythat President Trump is on their side, and the liberal media typified by CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Associated Press, is their enemy. So they dont much care what the Washington Post et al. think of their president, and they dont believe the daily attacks on him. Much more often than not, their skepticism is justified.

Actually, President Trump is the ally of far more than one-half of Americans. A 4.2% GDP growth ratealleged to be impossible by Obamas economistsand record low unemployment lift a heck of a lot of boats. If voters see through the endless smoke screen of media hate and vote their interests, the GOP will win a historic victory in November and Donald Trump will be re-elected in a landslide in 2020. Maybe even a landslide of Reaganesque proportions.
CNN reports that George Papadopoulos, convicted of lying to the FBI, is saying through his lawyer that Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions both apparently supported his proposal that Trump meet with Vladimir Putin during the 2016 campaign. According to papers filed by Papadopoulos legal team:

While some in the room rebuffed Georges offer, Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it.

Sessions, by contrast, has testified to Congress that he pushed back against the idea of the Putin summit. Two CNN sources have supported Sessions version of events, stating that the then-Senator shut down the idea of a Putin meeting.

In all likelihood, Papadopoulos is lying, as he did to the FBI  lying about the reaction of both Sessions and Trump. In addition to the witnesses who support Sessions version of events, and to Papadopoulos status as a convicted liar, theres the fact that no meeting with Putin occurred or, as far as we know, came close to occurring. If both Trump and Sessions  or even just Trump  had supported the idea of a meeting, things would have moved down that path. Apparently, they didnt.

Papadopoulos story, though very likely false, highlights why Sessions made the right decision when he recused himself from the Russian investigation. He understood that his significant role in the Trump campaign made it inappropriate for him to oversee an investigation into that campaign, including the question of whether the campaign colluded with Russia.

The meeting Papadopoulos purports to describe is, unlike much of Robert Muellers work, a proper part of an investigation into the 2016 election. There was always the possibility of conflicting versions of that meeting.

For Sessions to have presided over the Russia investigation under these circumstances would have raised serious ethical concerns. Thus, he needed to recuse himself.
PR-Inside.com: 2018-09-02 21:38:15

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At around 2 a.m. last Sunday, August 26, armed police officers stormed a hotel in Lagos and arrested 57 youth for alleged homosexual activity. The police said they acted upon an intelligence report that the alleged homosexuals were holding an initiation ceremony.

The accused  aged between 20 and 33  denied the allegation saying they were there for a party. They were later arraigned before a magistrate on three counts of conspiracy, belonging to a secret cult, and unlawful gathering. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in prison until they meet their bail conditions.

Recently, at a forum in Lagos, pastors selected from different churches sat down with gay rights activists from across Nigeria to discuss the role religion has played in people trying to express their sexual identities. This is an excerpt of the discussion.

(The identities of the participants have been removed for their safety)

Moderator:

You are probably a sexual minority; you want to use religion, religion in any form, either Islam or whatever and tell you that you need to be converted to Christ. You are already LGBT, you know Jesus Christ, and you know what the antics of the Bible talks about. But they begin to tell you that you need to go for counselling and forceful deliverance (sorry for using the word forceful deliverance).

People are already looking at me, we have people who will do justice to this topic on religion and conversion therapy. we have pastors here and we have other scholars and experts here, so I wont want to take from their time, I will like them to speak.

Gay rights activist

The first thing I want to say maybe to the topic of conversion therapy and homophobia in the church is actually that, I think we should separate this topic of religion and first talk about spirituality. The truth of the matter is that spirituality and sexuality are very much similar; they both connect us to something that is bigger than ourselves. When we engage in spirituality, whether its being an Christian, being an Ifa worshipper or being a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, we want to connect to something that explains what you are doing in the world, why you exist because human beings need that and they need a place where they feel that the difficulty of the world is captured by something bigger than themselves.

And in terms of sexuality, were looking to connect to other human beings; its actually about how we connect to other human beings, thats the basis of what it is, so they are not separate things. I think the greatest pity that we have is that weve managed to make this thing so separate from each other that we are not able to think about them as the same thing.

To the topic of conversion therapy, if you follow the experience of most LGTB people who have tried conversion therapy, you will know that it probably leads to depression, lots of mental health ill health and it is a struggle for most people basically. Scientifically speaking, sexuality is not a choice, its something that is deeply inborn and when you look at what conversion therapy is, its acting on the belief that you can make people behave in a particular way but it doesnt work. Most jurisdictions in the world have classified conversion therapy to some extent as a form of psychological torture. So I think when we are looking at conversion therapy in the context of religion, it means we talk about is this the most compassionate way to engage with what is a very difficult question of identity? And which connects to the question of homophobia in the church, which is really about, maybe the question of whether is the church a safe place for people to express that they are different? And even if that difference is not entirely accepted, should the fact that they are different.cast them out of the church? Should it not be a space for people to be able to express that differences and feel safe that they are doing so without going to experience stigma and victimisation?

Pastor

The conversion therapy, Im talking from the Christian point of view, conversion is for both believers and non-believers. Let me talk about believers first: believers, you can fall into sin, you can embrace wrong beliefs, so conversion to you as a believer, someone inside the church is turning from your sin back to the right path or turning from the wrong belief that has cut your relationship between you and God, so conversion is turning back. It is for both believers and unbelievers. For unbelievers, it is leaving the world of sin and coming to life in Christ. So whichever way, it means leaving something, dropping something, turning away from something to Christ, to establish or re-establish a good relationship with Christ. So, it is not the issue of God desires a relationship, he wants communion, a fellowship, thats why we dont see Christianity as a religion so to say, Christianity is a way of life, it is a relationship. And for you to be in a relationship with somebody, you must share the same virtues, where you are not sharing the same thing with the person, you must drop what you believe like what we are discussing here. Let me just add this: there are people who are into what were discussing here, they are happy, gay couples are happy, theyre proud, but Ive discovered that the majority are not really maybe they feel the society in this part of the world they dont enjoy it. So its not that when people come to church, we say you must do this, you must be converted. God does not impose anything on anybody. When God created us, He gave us free choice; anybody can rise up and say there is no God, God will not kill the person immediately.

Then two, Christianity does not punish anybody for whatever he or she believes. What were looking at is that the word of God said if somebody is into this and dies in that state, then this is the end result. In fact, Christianity does not punish anybody for holding any belief or for falling into sin.

Sexuality and sex is a wonderful gift from God and God being the creator, I think we should also agree that He should have the right to control what He has given us. So, this is the way I see things from this issue of conversion therapy, nobody is saying be this or be that but if you desire a relationship with God, you must turn from what He says you should not do and come to Him. That is that for now.

Pastor

Good morning once again. Before I go into conversion therapy, let me just say this, for me I think there is no way you can take sexuality from the issue of religion. As a Christian, obviously I believe there is a God and we are all here as creatures of God. So God created us and he created us as sexual beings and just like he said, which I agree with; if God is the author of something, I think he has the exclusive right to dictate how such things should be expressed. When we talk of religion, definitely were talking about something higher than us, there is a higher authority. So from my own point of view when we talk of religion, as I said as a Christian, let me put it as the Christian way, if as I believe that God created us and that He created us as sexual beings, then there is no way we can separate sexuality from religion, I think theyre inseparable.

Now coming to the issue of conversion therapy, the conversation therapy I know of or that I read of, I think I will say it here that as far as I know, I will say the church is not guilty of that. What do I mean? Lets separate what Christianity is from what people who claim to be Christians do, they are two different things. And a lot of the time when issues like these come up or some other issues on social media, one of the main faults that I see that a lot of people fall guilty of is judging Christianity based on what people who claim to be Christians do. So if you are talking of conversion therapy, if you look through the bible from the beginning to the end, there is no five-point plan of overcoming sin, there is nothing like that.

And the conversion therapy that I know of or that I read about, it involves some processes and which like you rightly said, some of them are so terrible to the point of demeaning the person involved. Its not just something I think anybody should do regardless of wherever that person is coming from, its not something I think anyone should be subjected to. My own point of view is that God is our creator, he created us as sexual beings and He has the exclusive right to dictate as to how we should express our sexuality. So theres no way we can separate the two of them.

Moderator: What do you think of the new approaches to conversion therapy as regards religion?

Gay rights activist

I actually have a question arising from the last speaker when he talked about God being the one who created us and given us sexuality and Hes the one who determines how we express it and Im just wondering about the role of pastors because none of us has seen God, so there are representatives who act on our behalf, who we have vested with the opportunity to represent God and so the conversion therapy actually has to do with the religious groups that we have decided to belong to.

And then, another aspect of conversion therapy that is not even within the church, where for instance I was at a public hearing in 2009 where a gay man was weeping when police was about to beat us because we were at the public hearing and he said I wish I wasnt gay. And a girl said to him You know why you are gay? The reason you are gay is that youve not met a girl who knows how to have sex. If I have sex with you you will stop being gay. And this guy was crying not because of course many people would have said that to him in the society that You can stop being gay, something you learnt. Thats another aspect of conversion that we dont look at.

And then also when we talk about lesbians. I was at a feminists forum where a young girl had been raped repeatedly by the uncle because parents want her to stop being a lesbian. And so it was okay for an uncle to rape her repeatedly. Those are some aspects (corrective rape) that we dont talk about.

Coming back to religion, when we say conversion therapy we are actually given it a beautiful name. Were looking at things like deliverance, when you come into a church circle and youre told that you have a demon in you, thats why you are a man and you love a man, thats why you are a girl and you love a girl. And so there are stages of how people try to bring you out of that your sexuality which they think that you have learnt. And it varies from church to church, I used to be a Catholic I dont know what they would do in their own way of conversion, but Ive been to places like white garment churches where people have to be seriously flogged. You go through a real torture for you to stop being a gay or lesbian. Some people are locked up for some time so they dont set eyes on other men to see if that changes their sexuality.

Moderator: Do you feel like a gay or lesbian woman can be straight if God is involved?

Pastor

Yes. First, you have to know that God is a loving God. Christianity is a relationship; its a father and son relationship. The first thing is this, you cant change a man by beating him. In fact, the more you beat a man the more he becomes hardened because its a matter of the heart and the mind. The best way to change a mans mind is not by beating the person or deliverance, holy water and all that. Most Christians, because of the hate they have for these things, because it irritates them, they try to do what they know they can do to change the man.

The best way to change a man is by love because love is the greatest commandment. There is something I usually say, you can give without loving but you cant love without giving. So a man that loves somebody and knows very well that this person is going the wrong way, there are guided ways with which the man can change that person. I believe in prayer because it is a necessity for survival, so the first thing as a Christian you need to do is the place of prayer, it can never be overemphasized.

The best way to change a man is to love a man unconditionally because God loves us. Now does that mean that living such a life is right? No, to an extent actually. You cant change a man by pouring the man holy water.

Moderator: Do you believe love and prayer is one of the ways we can change people from having same-sex relationships? What are your thoughts?

Gay rights activist

Looking at conversion therapy and what it entails, I agree with him that its evolved over time. Now it comes across to us in some very subtle ways that we dont necessarily term them conversion therapy anymore. We call them all kinds of names: deliverance, setting free, breaking yokes and the likes of them. Ill take it from a public health perspective.

Conversion therapy is wrong for anyone because I particularly believe that no one has the right to lord your opinion or whatever your perception is about religion on anyone. I also absolutely believe that religion is a personal journey. Ive grown to a point where I know that there are people who dont believe in God, there are people who dont believe in the tenets of your own religion, there are people who are not binded by the laws that come with your religion. And if Im a Christian and then Im dealing with a Buddhist or someone who doesnt belong to my religion and Im using the tenets of my religion to address that person, I feel its totally wrong. I also agree that if religion is a personal journey, people actually determine if they want to follow that tenet or not. And like I always say, no sin is greater than the other. So If Im judging you based on perception and Im guilty of some other stuff, who judges me?

Gay rights activist

Some of the conversations we need to have is also about the actual beliefs that we are bringing to the table when we are having this conversation. There a lot of us who are clear that sexuality is a part of human behaviour that is scientifically and in the same way that religion has had to reconcile itself with the fact that the earth does not revolve around. You know, that our place in the universe had actually been humbled by scientific knowledge.

The reason we are having this conversation is people who are queer identified with faith and what they keep experiencing is rejection.

If you flip the assumption on its head that you can love away or pray away gay, can you love or pray gayness? So if I take somebody and do all the things youve said to make him stop being gay, can I do the opposite? Obviously, we dont try to do it the other way because we see homosexuality as a sin or as wrong, but if we go one way why cant we go the other?

Gay rights activist

If you are talking about conversion, I just dont understand why we talk about love, then we say to change a person you need to love them. If you are going to change, then thats already conditional like you are doing this thing in the hope that you get a result, a result you might not get. And when you dont get the result, you are going to be disappointed or feel like you failed, so you are putting a lot of pressure on the other person to respond in a certain way because you are expecting an action for yourself. If we are going to interact with the LGBT people as a church or as a religious group, we cannot come from that point of view. Because these people are already in your places of worship, most of them grew up in your places of worship so they already have all the information you have, there is nothing magical that you have that they dont.

Moderator: If you pray and they dont change, do you love them regardless?

Gay rights activist

If we are going to talk about lets use the Catholic church because she was saying how she doesnt know.actually there have been lots of research in that field. For thousands of years a lot of LGBT men and women have chosen celibacy through monasteries and nunneries. So basically, an LGBT person knows that at some point theres gonna be a pressure to get married, pressure to make a choice like Do I want to be gay or not? So instead they go into monasteries and nunneries and they take up abstinence which basically relieves you of the pressure of sexuality altogether. So for a lot of Catholic LGBT people, the monasteries and nunneries have been a refuge, a safe place where they could go and not have to worry about these things and still be Christian. And because the question of sexuality is completely removed from the equation, their congregation is able to embrace them and accept them as people. Even evangelical Christianity have their own variant where a lot of young people go into evangelical missions because when you do that you are not really expected to raise a family and by the time you have done 30 years evangelizing and youre in your 50s or 60s nobody is going to ask you to get married. So a lot of people have found loopholes to the question of sexuality, it does make them any less Christian, it doesnt mean that their service to God or their acts of worship are any less valid. So this whole statement of loving people to change them is unfair to the people youre loving.

Gay rights activist

This problem is more with the religious leaders and tolerance. I think our religious leaders need to be more tolerant towards these people. Religiousity is a personal thing. What is the definition? Your relationship with your god. Sexual orientation should not becloud your opinion of people because even the Bible says judge not lest thou be judged, Matthew 7:1, its already telling us not to judge. But when you come to somebody and say Im going to that person because I want to change that person, he was talking about conversion, changing people. Does it mean the person will not enter the kingdom of heaven? I dont know if thats what God really. because the first thing here is love. Just like it said in the Letter to the Ephesians that You have abandoned your first love. I think what we are really doing now is not focusing on the people because if God is the ultimate and we start coming to people that we want you to be different, you are just chasing people away. Christianity itself was a religion that was totally stigmatized, even the people  in the history of Christianity were chased to the catacombs. And they were such people that were ignored and abandoned just like what we are indirectly doing today. Is it not because those early Christians were not tolerant that they were able to change the mother of Constantine? I think we have to come off our high mansions and face the reality. We must, first of all, embrace everybody, then if they are ready to come to your leveland if they are not, take people for who they are, we should stop it.

Gay rights activist

Im inclined to look at the scientific basis. Most people will say how do you, for instance, prevent a child who has gender to some people an imbalance and how do you want to influence it to suit what people perceive as the right gender expression? I think its a problem but scientifically, I know thatIve read a lot of journals and Im yet to see even one but yet people keep saying we can do it. Is there anybody that has done it? If you did it, how did you do it? In Nigeria here we say we use love to change people, have you done it before? Thats the question. If you have done it before, let us see how you did it and let us look at that proof that it worked.

Pastor

You have to understand that God is a God of purpose, and when purpose is not known abuse is inevitable. God created man for a purpose. Now God saw it and said it is not good for man to be alone and God created a woman. You have to understand that the creator is greater than the product and the creator of a thing has in mind the purpose of the thing before creating that thing. Thats there are rules and regulations, there are guidelines given, the Bible is our Constitution. Im speaking as a Christian. God created woman to become an helpmate. So God thought of it and created a woman. And the Bible said for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to a woman. This is what Gods word. It is Gods will for a man to get married to a woman.

Moderator: Okay, before we move to the next segment, can you respond to this question? What are religious leaders doing about same-sex relationship?

Pastor

Personally, I will say at times it is not the law in Nigeria; it is the implementation, the enforcement that is the issue. Like this one we just watched (a documentary showing mob violence against persons accused of same-sex relationships)..almost all the problem with the law is enforcement.

Moderator: You dont have an issue with the law prohibiting same sex marriage?

Pastor

No, I dont have.

Moderator: But you have an issue with implementation?

Pastor

The law didnt just come in a day; it went through all the processes.

Moderator: Based on what you said, the law prohibits freedom of association, so if you are here talking to members of the community you are liable to 10 years.

Pastor

You see, making law in the society is to ensure sanity. Like I said, the law in the U.S State of .that found Phillip guilty of discriminating against a gay couple for not making cake for them. When I was analysing the whole thing, I saw it as undemocratic because you as a business, though it is a public business anyway, you are not to deny service. But the truth is that when you make a law like that, those are the consequences.

Moderator: Homosexuality, is it right or wrong?

Pastor

From my own point of view, from my Christian point of view as a pastor, it is wrong; because God says its wrong.

Moderator: Can you be gay and can you be Christian? His question is apt in this regard. Do you feel homosexuality is right or wrong?

Gay rights activist

Research done about three years ago shows that about 3.4 percent of Nigerians are gay. Those were the ones that were found who were bold to be part of the research that led to people knowing that they were gay; Im sure they are more than that because some other people dont want people to come out. And so those were the people who were reached, people who were willing to say I am gay. They live with us, some of them are our siblings, some of them are the choirmasters and mistresses; those people are living in denial because we have an issue in understanding sexuality.

The issue of gay and lesbian in Nigeria we actually started with a denial, because I remember in 2007 I had gone to a universal periodic review in the UK and there they asked a Nigerian government representative a question that how do you relate with lesbian and gay people in your country? And he said we dont have those kinds of people in our country; that was where Nigeria started denying. And then we came back to Nigeria, soon after, there was a law criminalising same-sex and then at the public hearing that was held in 2009, the role of the church was so huge in ensuring that the law was passed. Because we had a Catholic woman who came with a carton of books and narrating how gay people had destroyed Nigeria and how gay people are a curse like Peter had said and how gay people have been giving everyone HIV diseases and all kinds of things to Nigeria and it has made a very strong argument that that law should be passed. And it wasnt a surprise that that law was passed. Initially, we heard it was political, someone wanted to get into power and that law was passed. But the truth I want to tell our pastors is that- I really commend you for coming because my pastor is a lawyer and he wont come here if he gets that invitation, because he preaches it in church and he says gay people are going to hell, thats the place for them. So I really commend you for coming.
Paul Kennedy, British historian and renown analyst on issues of international relations, economic power and grand strategy, gave one of the most profound insights on British foreign policy and Great Power struggles. In his book The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000, first published in 1987, he argued that poor economic power leads to reduced military and, more importantly, diplomatic strength.

He specifically argued that the triumph of any one Great Power, or the collapse of another, was usually the consequence of lengthy fighting by its armed forces. But more importantly, he quipped, at the heart of that development are concerns around the consequences of states (in)efficient utilization of the productive economic resources in times of conflict, and, well, of the way in which that states economy had been rising or falling, relative to the other leading nations, in the years preceding the actual conflict.

When, in the first quarter of this year, President Donald Trump of the United States described El Salvador, Haiti and certain African nations as shithole countries during a meeting with lawmakers, there was global outrage. In many countries in Africa and around the world, U.S. diplomats were summoned for formal reproach, amid global shock over the presidents roundly condemnable comment. But at the base of Trumps comment, especially in Africa, was the shame that comes with the realization that an uncouth racist has only spokenperhaps crudelyabout what stared everyone in the face.

So when the Financial Times reported recently that, yet again, Mr Trump spoke ill of President Muhammadu Buhari during the latters visit to the White House in April, it was not quite surprising. Financial Times, in an article titled, Africa looks for something new out of Trump, claimed that the US leader described Buhari, as so lifeless. The first meeting with Nigerias ailing 75-year-old Muhammadu Buhari in April ended with the US president telling aides he never wanted to meet someone so lifeless again, according to three people familiar with the matter, Financial Times claimed.

Now, to be sure, Trumps resolve to ridicule the Nigerian presidency should be totally condemnedwithout reservationsby every Nigerian patriot. It is important that we separate the individual from the institution; to separate the current occupier of office from the office itself. So away from the hypocrisy of pro-Buhari hailers who celebrated such similarly debasing and totally condemnable representation of the Nigerian president as a buffoon about four years ago when Goodluck Jonathan held sway (many of whom, ironically, now shamelessly lecture people about the sanctity of the office of the Nigerian president now), Trumps comment is utterly reckless and undiplomatic.

Of course, the Orange-headed loudmouth who is known more for everything un-presidential and less for decency, has said worse things about others. He isnt new to such dirty terrain. But then thats where it ends.

What Trumps lifeless comment may have shown, however, is the futility of cozying up to the worlds super powers, with weak global reckoning and a huge population of literally lifeless human population pushed into poverty by official ineptitude. It is particularly telling that in the wake of this meeting (between Trump and Buhari) in April, the Nigerian cyber space was flooded with pictures supplied by the presidents supporters, all containing pro-Buhari spin messages. Now that the chips are down, if Financial Times claims are correct, then Buharists may have only deceived themselves.

The lessons, frankly, are clear: no amount of propaganda and hero worship would cover up the fact that your country, according to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), earned $592 billion from the oil and gas sector from 1999 to 2014 but, rather dramatically, it just overthrew India as the worlds poverty capital. No BMC tweet-fest would hide the fact that Ghanas oil production and fiscal governance template were borrowed from you but the nation now does fairly better, in transparency and governance of its oil sector particularly. No amount of name-calling would hide your GDP figures from the world.

So, as Kennedy pointed out in his thesis, the strengths of the leading nations in global politics and international affairs never remain constant, principally because of the uneven rate of growth among different societies and of the technological and organizational breakthroughs which bring a greater advantage to one society than to another.

The late Nelson Mandela once reckoned that the world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence, said the South African leader. It is pathetic to imagine situating Mandelas postulation in the context of what obtains on the continent now, as exemplified in what its leading light (Nigeria) has become. The great Madiba, sadly, to borrow an Ekiti lingo, might be in severe pain right now.

Understanding that 2-Minutes of Lifelessness

On the flipside, fellow Nigerians, there may be something to rejoice about in this Trump-Buhari lifeless encounter of April. In a Vogue magazine profile published Tuesday, New York Times reporter Amy Chozick pressed Stormy Daniels for details of his sexcapades with Trump in 2006. Daniels (Stephanie Gregory Clifford), for clarity, is the pornstar who alleged he had an affair with Mr Trump.

How many details can you really give about two minutes? Daniels said. Maybe. Im being generous. Reports said the tone of the exchange suggests Daniels might be joking, yet netizens would not want to agree.

But, as a Nigerian, there was something I found quite interesting about the revelation: Daniels said Trump wasnt a bad conversationalist and that he asked good questions about the porn industry, including if adult film stars get royalties and residuals or had a union. If situated in the context of Trumps unsavoury lifeless remarks about Buhari, one could perhaps draw a connection from the April encounter at the White House.

First, the Orange man, a 2-minute talkative, was perhaps interested in idle chats about Ms Daniels industry and how to step up his game beyond his legendary 2-minute performance, having heard about Mr Buharis famed other room prowess. But the old soldier, a general in the war-front and perhaps in the other room, troubled by the shenanigans of a parliament that refused to co-operate (not even on a matter as important as election funding), had no such concerns in mind.

That encounter was bound to be lifeless!
The U.S., France, Italy and Britain on Saturday condemned what they called an escalation of violence in and around the Libyan capital Tripoli, warning that armed groups which undermined Libyan stability would be made accountable.

These attempts to weaken the legitimate Libyan authorities and hinder the ongoing political process are not acceptable, Washington, Paris, Rome and London said in a joint statement published by the French foreign ministry.

We are calling on the armed groups to immediately stop all military action and warn those who seek to undermine stability, in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya, that they will be made accountable for it, they said.

Libyan authorities closed Tripoli airport on Friday after some rockets were fired in its direction, a spokesman for the state airline Libyan Airlines said.

NAN reports that on Friday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that migrants had been left isolated and without access to food after nearly a week of clashes between warring militias in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Libyas health ministry said on Thursday that 30 people were killed and 96 injured as a result of clashes that broke out on Aug. 26.

The figures were released as fighting resumed on Thursday and the situation is likely to deteriorate.

The fighting has further jeopardised the lives of an estimated 8,000 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who have been trapped and arbitrarily held in closed detention centres throughout the city, MSF said.

The recent fighting demonstrates that Libya is not a safe place for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, said Ibrahim Younis, the MSF head of mission in Libya.

Many have fled from war-torn countries or have spent months in horrible conditions while being held by human traffickers before they were put in these closed detention centres.

The UN refugee agency said it moved about 300 refugees and migrants out of a detention centre in Ain Zara, one of the focal points for conflict.

Libya is not a safe country, and European governments must acknowledge their responsibility to help the most vulnerable people trapped in Libya, MSF said.

It accused the Libyan administration, the UN and governments from safe countries of failing to establish an effective way to process asylum claims and it said some European countries had created policies that stopped asylum seekers from leaving Libya.

It called on these countries to acknowledge Libya is not a place of safety and to help those trapped in the conflict-ridden North African nation.

The Libyan Red Crescent said it had been unable to open safe passages for some in the south of Tripoli because of the intense fighting.

The UN-backed government in Tripoli tried to bring about a ceasefire and instructed two of its most senior military commanders to mediate between the militias.

(Reuters/NAN)
Isa Salisu has been rearing cattle since childhood  from a year he could not remember. The trade which he inherited from his father subjects him to a monotonous lifestyle; graze his cattle on nearby field in the latter part of the year, and move further to the upper Niger in the dry season.

It is a lifestyle the herder, in his early to mid twenties, intends to pass on to generations after him. For Mr Salisu, cattle rearing goes beyond the normal herder tradition, it is the way to survival.

This was the routine until it all changed a few years ago when Isas family found another means of feeding their herd of 25 cows, 19 calves. He now feeds them on a large refuse dumpsite along the Jikwoyi/Karu road, at the Maraba/Nyanya axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Mr Salisu did not see anything wrong with feeding the cattle from the dumpsite. For him, it makes the cattle healthier than the conventional grazing on the field.

Its not our fault, he told PREMIUM TIMES, betraying no emotion. Its not like we come here all the time, it happens once a while, he said, rummaging with his hands through some refuse as if looking for some food particles for his cattle.

Its just that the rains this year have delayed and you will hardly get fresh grass anywhere. These cows even get the same nutrients and energy as they get from eating grass.

Mr Salisus day is routine and starts as early as possible. He leads the herd to the site, waits for refuse to be dumped, then leaves in the evening after he might have been satisfied that his cows are fed enough for the day.

By the evening, h moves the cattle to a place he called forest to catch a sleep of six to seven hours. The dawn of the next day, the routine resumes.

When PREMIUM TIMES reporter first visited the site in April, Mr Salisu was seated under a temporary tent erected to shield him and other scavengers who frequent the dumpsite. He sat watching his family fortune feed on dirt.

The cows were seen feeding on decayed food, fruits, insects, worms, human and animal faeces, which littered the ground.

A few metres away from this refuse dump is a small stream which flows through a bridge especially when it rains. The cows rely on this stream for water. The stream also serves as restroom for close-by residents who early in the morning line the drainage to do their toilet business.

HERDERS IGNORANT

This reporter talked to some of the herders and their responses showed they found nothing wrong in feeding cows on waste.

Mr Salisu was the first. He attributed the practice to the weather. He said lack of rains this year had made grass scarce in the neighbourhood, hence, the need to find alternative means of feeding. He said the cows get as much (and even more) nutrients from the refuse dump as they do from eating grass.

For him, whatever the cows eat from the dumpsite does not make them fall sick. It keeps them healthy, he said.

He mentioned what the cattle eat to include remnants of foods from restaurants, cabbage, carrots, among others.

The cow is a ruminant animal with a multi-chamber stomach. A cows stomach is divided into four parts; rumen, reticulum, omasum and omasum. The chambers of the stomach play different roles to aid digestion of food.

Each chamber, especially the rumen, helps to process plant cell walls like cellulose in various forms, generating a full range of nutrients for growth and maintenance.

Cattle feeding from a dump site along Karu/Jikwoyi road

According to animalsmart.com, an average cow needs to feed on roughage, oil-seed, grains and by-products  all of which is contained in grass or silage.

The above types of food recommended for a cow contains carbohydrate, protein, mineral, fats and vitamins which also give the cow all the required nutrients and energy.

A senior researcher from the University of Zaragoza in Spain, Jose Manuel Lou-Bonafonte, was quoted saying grass has proteins, essential lipids, nucleotides, minerals, vitamins and cellulose. Cows, thanks to the bacteria of the bowel, can digest cellulose and obtain glucose. They get all the necessary nutrients from eating grass. (www.researchgate.net).

Nathan Handan from the University of Ilorin, also said grass exists in varieties with different nutritional contents. By depending on grass alone as well as feeding on variety of grasses, cows get the needed nutrients for growth, development and for other requirements. (www.researchgate.net).

Further research shows that by eating animal carcasses or rotten organic materials, a cow can be infected with botulism.

Botulism is a usually fatal disease caused by harmful toxins. These toxins are usually found in these rotten organic materials in soil, water and marine sediments.

Typical signs of botulism include hind limb weakness progressing to paralysis, collapse and death.

Other clostridial bacteria are found in these toxins which cause diseases like blackleg, black disease, swelled head, tetanus and enterotoxaemia in animals.

All these bacteria produce long-lived spores, which ensure survival in the environment. Spores germinate in moist, low-oxygen environments such as rotting carcasses or decaying organic material and under favourable conditions proliferate and produce botulinum toxin, leading to intoxication if consumed.

Irrespective of these nutrition facts, Mr Salisu insists feeding his herd from refuse dumps does not just keep them healthy but also gives them more nutrients than they get from eating grass.

COOKING MEAT ESSENTIAL  HERDER

Mr Salisus younger brother, Umar, was around one of the days this reporter visited.

Like his elder brother, Umar told this reporter that worrying about the health of the cows as a result of what they eat from the dumpsite is not an issue.

The cows are strong and have the strength to fight diseases, he said.

Umar said his own job is to groom the cows and that is all.

People should be mindful of what they eat. Thats why you are asked to wash your meat with salt and cook it properly before eating. But I honestly dont think these things they (the cows) are eating are dangerous to humans in any way.

As long as youre not eating a cow that was sick before it was slaughtered and as far as you cook your meat well, it should not be a problem, he said obviously to convince this reporter.

UNDERAGE HERDER ALSO IGNORANT

During another visit to the refuse dump, an underage herder, who simply gave his name as Ibrahim, was more than willing to talk to this reporter.

He looked nine or ten years old. He could neither tell his age nor his surname.

Dirty and covered in dust with an oversized shirt, a trouser that was not so far below his knees and a stick twice his height, Ibrahim told this reporter he could only communicate in Hausa as he had no knowledge of English language.

He was not of a different opinion either as he explained that his family has been feeding the herd from dumpsites for as long as he could remember.

Weve been taking them to refuse dumps. We only feed them grass when we pass through the bushes to this place.

When asked whether food from the dumpsite makes the cattle sick, he said We bring them here because they get healthy food here. Theres nothing unhealthy about this food we give them. They get really healthy nutrients from here. In fact, if we let them eat grass for too long, they will fall sick and start emaciating and might even die, he said admiring one of the fat cows.

Cattle feeding from a dump site along Karu/Jikwoyi road

They eat leftovers of restaurant food, corns, cabbages, human foods basically. Its what makes them this healthy. Some of them get used to food from this dumpsite from birth and cant eat any other food now, he added, stressing the only English word he mentioned  restaurant.

He further explained that his family owns over 60 cows and about 40 calves.

I move with 23 cows and 16 calves. We split them. My father takes some of the cattle to another large refuse dump at Finance, while my elder brother wanders with the rest (focusing on refuse dumps), he said.

IMPLICATIONS

Beyond feeding the cows with healthy meals from the refuse dumps, Umar reveals other benefits involved in feeding the cattle at dumpsites.

He said the refuse dump gives him the opportunity to scavenge through the refuse and find used items like shoes, electrical appliances, among others.

We search through things that people dump here and find some useful things. I sort out metallic objects and give them to some friends who recycle them for money, he said.

Meanwhile, health experts did not agree with Mr Salisu and Umar as they pointed out the health implications both on the cows and consumers of beef.

A veterinarian, Abukakar Zubair, said that while it is unhealthy to feed cows from dumpsites, human should endeavour to thoroughly process their meat.

Food from the dumpsites comes with diseases, thats normal. Those who feed on the cow, it depends on the way of processing. Youre bound to have diseases if you slaughter a sick cow or a cow that is infected.

I think the best is to avoid such, including these cows that feed from dumpsites.

And since we cannot detect which is sick and which has fed from the dumpsites, we have to thoroughly cook the meat and rid it of any possible infection.

Most times its advisable to eat cooked meat than eating roasted meat, he said.

Another veterinarian, James Adokwe, condemned the act of feeding cattle from refuse dumps as he said germs and diseases from the sites always have a way of getting back to the body.

Believe it or not, these animal contact one disease or another, even of they appear healthy. Its just like we humans, whenever we eat anything unhealthy, we feel it. Same with the cows.

Its is really unhealthy and should be stopped. There are many other options. It poses a great threat to the health of humans.

It can transmit tuberculosis (which is caused by bacterium and mostly found in cows) to humans. Theres also the risk of worms in the stomach as well as heart and liver diseases.

AUTHORITIES REACT

The spokesperson for Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Muktar Ibrahim, who assumed it is an illegal dumpsite, condemned the act which he said could be hazardous to humans.

That area is under the supervision of the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD). The main dumpsite for AEPB is the one at Gosa, around Idu. I believe it can pose a great challenge for people who consume the meat. I believe there should be a dumpsite management there that should guide the herders properly and also prevent them from bringing their cattle there to come and feed.

Another thing is, theres a kind of circle between what we eat and what we dump in the environment. Any hazardous material that is put on the dumpsite there and the cattle eat it, it has a way of coming back to the human. So I think it should be taken seriously.

It might as well be an illegal dumpsite. Whatever dumpsite is being operated by whatever government agency should be properly managed so as to control the traffic that come into that dumpsite to ensure that it is only the waste products that come in there.

When we allow scavengers to come and pick up the recyclables, it also has to be controlled. But certainly, it is not a breeding ground for cattle, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach the STDD as there was no valid contact or social media presence of the department domiciled under FCDA.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed shock over the death of a worshiper in the collapse of St. Pauls Catholic Church building at Ugolo, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta.

Mr Okowa expressed the shock over the unfortunate incident in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, and made available to journalists in Warri.

The church building collapsed on Sunday morning while service was going on. The victim was identified as an 11-year-old boy.

The governor described the incident as a sad, unfortunate and regrettable experience.

Mr Okowa prayed for the repose of the departed faithful and condoled with the family.

According to the statement, the governor has dispatched the State Commissioner for Works, James Augoye, to visit the site.

The statement added that the visit would enable the government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building and how it could assist the injured worshipers and the church.

It stated: This is indeed a very sad and unfortunate incident. On behalf of the government and people of Delta. I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured.

Mr Okowa also condoled with the Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Julius Scott, the Orodje of Okpe, Felix Mujakperuo and Ugolo community in Okpe Kingdom over the incidence.

It is our prayer that the soul of the deceased will rest in peace, and the injured will experience quick recovery.

Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the people of Ugolo in Okpe Kingdom over this tragedy, he said.

Meanwhile, the Delta Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, has promised to foot the medical bill of those injured in the incident.

In its reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gas consoled the victims, particularly parishioners and family of the deceased in the tragic accident.

The PDP notes that it was traumatic that such disaster occurred at a worship place, when innocent and devout parishioners were at a morning mass, worshipping God.

Indeed, our hearts and prayers go out to the bereaved, the wounded, all members of St. Pauls Ugolo and the Catholic Church at large, over this sad event, even as we urge the parishioners to be strong and not allow the incident to wane their faith and confidence in God.

The PDP also condoles with the Governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, while urging all public-spirited persons and groups to immediately come to the assistance of the Church and the victims.

Finally, our party prays for the repose of the soul of the faithful departed and speedy recovery for the injured.

(NAN)
Aponmu Lona, a village under Idanre local government, in Ondo Central Senatorial District, cuts a picture of many neglected communities across Ondo State. The sorry picture begins at the entrance to the village through a detour off the Akure-Ondo expressway. The rocky road is impassable and difficult to drive through. The dearth of basic amenities is palpable as one approaches the village square.

To mitigate the troubles of the residents of Aponmu Lona, the construction of a Medium Basic Health Centre was earmarked in the 2015 federal budget at N8 million as a constituency project. Although the project was listed since 2015, not a single block has been laid for it three years later. Constituency projects are usually listed by federal lawmakers and implemented by the government in their respective constituencies.

The health centre in Aponmu Lona

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the village as part of its constituency projects tracking, only a basic health centre built over 12 years ago under the administration of Governor Olusegun Agagu, stands at the end of the village. The communitys only health centre lacked basic amenities, and had no toilets or bathrooms. The community had longed for either an upgrade of the old centre or a better one for improved services, unaware that such provisions had been made for them in the budget.

Sick residents needing better medical care would have to travel the long distances either to Akure, the state capital or to Ondo town, or alternatively to Idanre, which is another long distance from the village. Sina Olanade, Public Relations Officer of Aponmu Lona Health Committee, told PREMIUM TIMES that the four bedroom health centre was built without toilet and bathroom and had no exit door, when it was constructed.

We have to break a wall behind to create and exit door and there we used iron roofing sheets to do a little enclosure so that patients can take their baths there, Mr Olanade said.

He said there was no other basic health centre in the town and they had expected the interventions of the various tiers of government to come to the aid of the village but nothing positive was forthcoming.

This development seems to duplicate itself in other parts of the state under the constituency project scheme of the government as witnessed in other similar health centres billed for Atosin, in Idanre and Okeigbe, in Ikare, Akoko North East. They were either abandoned amidst thick bush after the structural work is done, or simply abandoned uncompleted in the midst of overgrown weeds. The projects were expected to bring health care to the doorsteps of the residents, but long after they were initiated, the people are still waiting for the work to be done.

In Idanre

The proposed health centre built at Atosin in Idanre has had its building completed. However, nothing is currently happening at the site except that it is in the midst of overgrown weeds, completely abandoned. This project and another located at Akindana has a total of N8 million voted in the 2015 budget. Atosin is not very far from Idanre, the town noted for its mountainous picturesque which has drawn tourists to the town.

The senator, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Alasoadura, could not be reached for his comments. He neither picked his calls made to him nor replied text messages sent to him on the observations made by PREMIUM TIMES regarding the state of the projects.

In Akoko

A similar health centre is currently under construction at Okeigbe, Akoko North East, and was started during the 2011-2015 dispensation and at the time it was under the facilitation of Gani Dauda who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives. As it was uncompleted, the project was continued by Stephen Olemija, the present representative at the federal House of Representatives, with a total of N20 million voted for its continuation in the 2017 budget. At the time of PREMIUM TIMES visit, the project was still far from being completed. Although roofing and glass windows had been installed, doors were absent, leaving the complex for goats that had messed up the place with their dung. The structure is left amidst overgrown weeds and access to it is difficult.

A former chairperson of the Primary Health Care Association in Akoko North East and a retired nurse, who gave her name as Mrs Ajisafe, said the Okeigbe health centre is a project she and other community leaders are awaiting its completion and activation. We are waiting for them to come and complete it, we dont know what is delaying it, she said.

Although a state-owned health centre is located at the entrance of the town, it is clearly inadequate for the sprawling community with an ever increasing population following developments and the influx of people into the community.

Boreholes

To ensure adequate provision of potable water to indigent communities in Ondo North senatorial district, a number of water projects in the forms of hand pump and motorised boreholes were proposed for the different constituencies. While a good number of them were executed, some of them were not executed as witnessed by PREMIUM TIMES in its tour of the project sites. It was observed that a good number of them provided were not being maintained, resulting in abandonment and damage. The affected communities are plunged in a renewed cycle of lack of potable water.

For instance, a water supply project (hand pump boreholes) for Ugbe communities of Aunti Bisi and Tanimowo, in Ikare Akoko, were completely absent. They were part of 10 hand pumps worth N20 million to be provided in the different communities in the constituency in the 2016 budget. When PREMIUM TIMES visited Tanimowo, only partially functional borehole was seen built over 10 years ago by the Olusegun Agagu government. Residents complained that the borehole, besides its being ineffective in producing enough water for the community, is unfit for drinking. At Antie Bisi, the borehole listed for execution was not found. However, an older hand pump borehole exists nearby.

At Okeagbe, in Akoko North West, the motorised borehole had been abandoned for four months when PREMIUM TIMES visited in July. The borehole was one of six solar powered motorised boreholes worth N50.8 million for the constituency in the 2016 budget. Residents at Oge street where the borehole was located complained that the facility had been left unrepaired after it malfunctioned, forcing the community to rely on a dug well nearby. A look at the well showed that it was not a hygienic source of water for the community.

A well used to illustrate a story

Mr Olemija, while responding to PREMIUM TIMES enquires on the projects, said the Auntie Bisi and Tanimowo boreholes had been completed and sited at the locations, arguing that the PREMIUM TIMES team failed to locate the address. He promised to provide the addresses, adding that the boreholes were functional and serving the relevant communities. On the Okeagbe water project, the lawmaker said the broken down motorised borehole was a problem caused by the supervising agency which failed to ensure that the contractors execute the projects according to specifics and carry the lawmakers along in monitoring the payments and execution of the projects.

They projects are there, it is just that you cannot find it. You see, when they do the geophysics and they cannot find water in the designated area, they move to another spot within that area where they can find water and that is what happened at Auntie Bisi and Tanimowo, said Mr Olemija.

The contractors and the agency, which is the Benin-Owena River Basin Commission, have created problems. We had argued that there should be a link between the contractors and the facilitators, whereby the contractors will not just go and collect money so that we can ascertain the level of work done.

He said he had petitioned the agency to urge the contractors to go round and rectify the broken boreholes, adding that the contractors reportedly went round to do some work rectifying some and leaving out others.

On the Okeigbe PHC, Mr Olemija said he inherited the project from his predecessor, but delays from the supervising agencies in releasing funds to the contractors had stagnated the completion of the centre.

According to him, the contractors appealed to him to make more money available for the work, but their request came too late in the year and would have to wait until the 2019 budget when it would be included for its completion.

Owo

A motorised borehole located at Ulede Market, Owo, Ondo North Senatorial District, has yet to produce a drop of water since it was constructed in 2017 even though N10 million was voted for it in the 2016 budget. The borehole had been completed, but traders at the market said the borehole had never been put to use since its completion. Although the market is in dire need of a reliable water supply, traders needing water would walk nearly 150m down the street to fetch water from a borehole owned by a private individual. The borehole had remained locked since they completed it, said a female trader at the market. If we need water, we will have to go down the street to fetch from a mans house down there.

The abandoned motorised borehole at Ulede Market, in Owo

A spokesperson said the facilitator of the project and senator representing Ondo North, Ajayi Boroffice, was not aware of the situation with the non-functional borehole. His chief press secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, told PREMIUM TIMES that his principal had facilitated a good number of projects in Owo and other parts of the senatorial district, which had remained functional and serving residents of the area.

He said the senator was not aware of the problem at Ulede Market, noting, Senator Boroffice has indeed facilitated many water projects in Ondo North senatorial district and the projects have continued to serve residents with steady water supply. Therefore, I will make efforts to verify your claim and if there is any need, Senator Boroffice will intervene.

Ilaje/Ese Odo

Igbokoda is the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government, an oil producing community of Ondo State. A major water project initiated under the 2016 constituency project worth N20 million has also been abandoned. The project consists of the purchase of a MAN diesel water tanker of 20,000 litres capacity, 15 GP water tanks and the construction of five public toilets.

The project was aimed at supplying drinkable water free of charge to the riverine community, which suffers acute lack of potable water particularly in the dry season. Igbokoda lacked an organised public water supply scheme, despite the fact that the water available in well and streams is not clean enough for consumption. The alternative sources of drinkable water were from mechanised boreholes.

The water project, facilitated by the representative member for Ilaje-Ese Odo federal constituency, Victor Akinjo, reportedly functioned efficiently when it was started in 2016/2017.

When PREMIUM TIMES visited by end of June, 2018, the water tanker was no longer in operation and the various plastic tanks across the town were completely dry. Instead of the truck being used to deliver water, it was parked beside a military checkpoint at the entrance of Igbokoda, apparently for its safety. The implication was that the residents had to seek for water supply through alternative means. A resident confided in our correspondent that the truck was initially parked by a petrol station nearby after it broke down, but had to be moved to the military check point after the battery of the tanker was stolen.

The broken down water truck at Igbokoda

Another resident, Fidelis, confirmed that the water project recorded success at its inception, but the water supply had been stopped. He also said that the people were not facing any water crisis at the moment because of the availability of rain water, which has become a major source of water for the residents.

Also, a tour of the town was done, but nowhere was any public toilet sighted. Residents, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, said they were yet to set their eyes on any public toilets in the town.

Mr Akinjo also failed to respond to enquiries sent to him on the projects within his domain, as it affects the water supply projects. He would also not pick several calls made to him and refused to respond to a text message to him.

In Irele/Okitipupa federal constituency

Ode Irele is in a major town in the southern senatorial district under the Irele/Okitipupa federal constituency. The people of the area had consistently complained of neglect in terms of infrastructure. It is also well populated by high schools and needed well equipped libraries. The construction of three libraries at Idepe, Igbotako and Irele worth N40 million was also provided for in the 2016 appropriation under constituency projects.

Curiously, there was no such library in all the secondary schools visited in Igbotako, in Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency. The principals of the schools visited affirmed that there were reports of a library for Igbotako, they were yet to see its implementation in the town. A principal who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, said he was at the commissioning of the library at Idepe, but was not aware that a library was slated to be built at Igbotako.

However, at Idepe High School, Idepe, a library had been completed with books on the shelves. A teacher in the school told PREMIUM TIMES that although books in the library were useful, more books were needed to fully meet the needs of the students.

The library listed for Ode Irele, was not however located at the town, but at Jowiri Community High School in Ajagba, about 4kms away from Ode Irele. The library had been fully completed and was already in use when PREMIUM TIMES visited.

One of the completed libraries at Idepe High

A member of the House of Representatives who facilitated the library projects, Mike Omogbehin, said the funds were not released for the construction of the Igbotako library project and that was the reason it was not constructed.

UBEC is supposed to explain what happened, because the commission gave out the projects to their contractors based on their bidding system and based on available funds, he said. You may have xy sum in the budget allocated to a particular project; in the final analysis only x amount will be released, and the MDAs would only finance the projects based on the amount released and that is what has happened.

This investigation was done as part of the UDEME project.



UDEME is a social accountability platform that tracks the implementation of developmental projects and how funds released for such projects are spent.
The announcement by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to seek the office of the president and the formal declaration by two former governors and serving senators, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Jonah Jang, to also seek same office dominated political discussions last week.

There were also meetings by the governing APC at the national level were some of the major events that took place last week.

Defections by politicians also featured prominently during the week.

Here are some political highlights from the past week:

Sunday:

-The Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi West Senatorial District said no aspirant would be granted an automatic ticket to contest the 2019 general elections. The senator representing the district, Dino Melaye, recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.

-Former Vice President and presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, said he was still in the Peoples Democratic Party, urging his followers to disregard a rumour that he has defected to another party. He was rumoured to be habouring plan to defect to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and aso choose Chukwuma Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as his running mate.

Monday:

-The Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Moshood Salvador, dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Salvador, a former lawmaker said he took the decision because all his efforts to move the PDP in the state forward had been frustrated by some elements in the party. Mr Salvador alleged that a former deputy national of the party, Olabode George, had done everything possible to undermine the progress of the party in the state.

 Several members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Alliance for Democracy in the Ogun East senatorial district defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Coalition of Nigeria Movement (CNM) formed by former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, an indigene of the state, had in May adopted ADC as its political party.

Tuesday

-A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, said Nigerians needed competent and assertive leaders and not necessarily strong leaders. The INEC under Mr Jegas watch conducted the 2015 election that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power.

Former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega

-Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the former Biafran leader, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared her political ambitions to run for the Anambra South senatorial seat in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

-The National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) approved N143 billion for INEC for the 2019 general election as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari in July.

-A former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, declared his interest in running for president. The event held in Jos, the state capital. Mr Jang, a retired air commodore, is currently representing Plateau North in the Senate. He is also a former military governor.

Jonah Jang

-The immediate past governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr. Uduaghan, a founding member of the PDP and Delta South Senatorial aspirant in 2019, confirmed his defection at a meeting of the APC national caucus held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Wednesday:

-A former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, formally declared his intention to run for president on the platform of the PDP. The event took place in Chida Hotel, Abuja. Mr Kwankwaso, the senator representing Kano Central in the senate, was denied access to use Abujas Eagle Square for his declaration.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and former President Goodluck Jonathan met in Abuja. During the meeting, Mr Jonathan commended the leadership qualities of Mr Saraki, saying the tremendous support being enjoyed by the senate president from lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives testified to his leadership ability.

Senate President, let me use this opportunity to commend your leadership abilities. Looking at what is happening in the country, if not for your strong leadership, probably the National Assembly would have been in chaos and if the National Assembly is in tatters, then of course, democracy is gone, the former president said.

Thursday,

-Mr Saraki formally announced his intention to run for president on the ticket of the PDP. He made the announcement at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja during an event organised by the conveners of the Not Too Young. Mr Saraki who returned to the PDP recently, had said about two weeks ago that he was considering entering the race and was consulting with prominent Nigerians . He had visited former Nigerian leaders, including Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki declaring his intention to run for president of the federal rebublic of Nigeria. [PHOTO CREDIT: Saraki Media Office]

-The governing APC held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the partys secretariat in Abuja, the second this year. Before the meeting the National Caucus of the meeting held at the Presidential Villa. President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, and other members of the body attended both parleys. Apologies were read on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dorara, and Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, who were absent at the meeting.

-Mr Buhari hosted the South West Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a dinner at the First Lady Conference Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

-Former Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Titi Oseni-Gomez, on Thursday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) .

Friday:

-The Oyo State Government declared Friday a work-free day to allow public officials to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

-The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, declared her support for female candidates vying for different elective positions irrespective of their political parties in Nigeria.

-Mr Saraki, just few hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election, obtained the presidential nomination form of the PDP.

-Former governorr of old Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, stepped down as national chairman of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Atiku crying

-Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, wept while speaking to the supporters who had purchased a Peoples Democratic Party presidential nomination form for him.

Saturday:

Rinsola Abiola, daughter of the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Moshood Abiola, announced that she had left the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ms Abiola, who is the Special Assistant on New Media to the Speaker of House of Representatives, in a series of tweets on Friday, said she had duly written to relinquish her membership to her ward chairman. She also presented allegations that APC is dictatorial and not youth-friendly.
In the run-up to the meeting, roads leading to the venue were decked up with TRS flags and banners of KCR.

The meeting has received flak from the opposition parties, who have accused the TRS of wasting a huge amount of money for the meeting. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to end the suspense over early elections to the Assembly during the TRS blockbuster public meeting today.

The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) meeting is slated to take place at Kongara Kalan village in Ranga Reddy district, amid speculations about the possibility of early polls to the state legislative assembly.

The 'Pragati Nivedana Sabha' (meeting) will begin around 1 pm and is expected to be attended by as many as 25 lakh people.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

In the run-up to the meeting, roads leading to the venue have been decked up with TRS flags, with the city police notifying the routes open for public.

From different parts of the state, 19 roads have been cleared for people to attend the meeting. At the venue, basic amenities like drinking water and toilets have also been arranged for the public.

It is also learnt that many buses are also plying to carry people from different regions of the state to the meeting venue.

The government has even built sheds for the people who reached the meeting venue a day before. Sound systems, floodlights and LED screens have also been arranged, along with 30 ambulances.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

The meeting has received flak from the opposition parties, who have accused the TRS of wasting a huge amount of money for the meeting.

Speaking to ANI, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC N Ramchander Rao said, "They haven't provided 1 lakh 25 thousand jobs to the people of Telangana as they promised during the election. They didn't give 2BHK houses to the underprivileged people of the state, or 3 acres land to the Dalits. They are instead using public money for their own party campaigns, I'm sure this is taking place with a purpose to take an opportunity to declare early elections in the state."

In addition, senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) V Hanumantha Rao said, "I have never seen a government like this before. He (K Chandrashekhar Rao) has not reimbursed fees yet, failed with job promises, Sonia Ji (Sonia Gandhi) had granted him Telangana when he begged to her while she was in power. Now he abuses her."

"They are promising a gathering of around 10 lakh people in the meeting which I'm sure is funded by KCR. They are giving 5-6 thousand rupees each to the ones who are coming from Warangal, Karimnagar," he added.
Nigerias ruling party (APC) says it is aware of plans by some of its officials to hold an illegal meeting on Sunday.

The APC stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Yekini Nabena.

The party said the illegal meeting is with a view to fault the decisions made by the NWC followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as regards the mode of the Partys primary elections.

The APC last week held its NEC meeting which was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

One of the major resolutions of the NEC meeting was that the party would adopt direct primaries for its presidential ticket while state chapters would decide whether or not to utilise direct or indirect primaries for other tickets.

Direct primaries involve all members of the party voting to elect candidates while indirect primaries involves delegates doing the election.

It is not clear if that decision was the issue to be discussed at the Sunday meeting.

The identities of those plotting such meetings have been identified and unless they desist from such they will be dealt with in line with the partys constitution at the appropriate time, the APC spokesperson said.

Read Mr Nabenas full statement below.

The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to an illegal meeting scheduled to hold on Sunday at Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja by some members of our Party organs, with a view to fault the decisions made by the NWC followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as regards the mode of the Partys primary elections.

We want to state clearly that the meeting which has been fixed for 2pm is illegal and an attempt to puncture the sincere efforts being made by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC to reposition our Party ahead the 2019 General Elections and to ensure unity, equity and justice in the Party.

The outcome of such meeting which is already known will be a nullity and we admonish our members to disregard such meetings in the interest of the Party. It is illegal to call such meetings outside the purview of the constituted authority.

The identities of those plotting such meetings have been identified and unless they desist from such they will be dealt with in line with the Partys Constitution at the appropriate time.

The NWC will resist any attempt to disrupt the current peace and harmony prevailing in our great Party after the exit of some members of our Party.

We urge any member who is not satisfied with the decisions of the Party to utillise channels provided by the Partys constitution to air their views.

We remain focused in delivering good governance to Nigerians and above all ensuring the victory for our Party come 2019 and we will not be intimidated by the antics of a few in ensuring success for our Party.
A former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has accused ex- president Goodluck Jonathan of orchestrating attacks against him and his government when they were in power.

Mr Sylva said the former presidents dislike for his emergence as governor of Bayelsa State led to the annulment of his election in 2008.

After serving as deputy for six years, Mr Jonathan was sworn-in as governor of Bayelsa following the impeachment of then governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, by the Bayelsa State assembly after being charged with money laundering in the United Kingdom.

Upon completion of his tenure in 2007, Mr Jonathan was succeeded by Mr Sylva of the same party, PDP. But the latters election was challenged and overturned in 2008 by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt which ordered a new election.

In the build-up to the new election which Mr Sylva won, he was locked in political duel with Mr Jonathan, then vice president, over who controls their home state of Bayelsa.

While responding to questions at a media interactive session in Abuja on Saturday, Mr Sylva said the fact that his election did not conform to a drafted succession plan was Mr Jonathan grouse against him.

As governor in Bayelsa State, I had ongoing battles with the Jonathan system. He wanted a different succession plan but I didnt and without him being in control, I ended up as governor. So, as vice president, he started fighting me from day one. And that was why my election was annulled in 2008; but then I went back for re-election.

YarAdua as president then protected me because he saw the good in what I was doing. But as soon as YarAdua died, my problems began because I was not part of that succession arrangement. So, they concocted all kinds of lies against me, he said at the media event tagged Frank Talk with Sylva.

Mr Sylva also spoke on allegations 48 houses belonging to him were confiscated and later returned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission had slammed 50 charges against the ex-governor and arraigned him before the federal high court in Abuja; but the case was struck out.

A report by Punch indicated that the confiscated houses were returned. Mr Sylva denied this.

If I own 48 houses, Ill have a street in Abuja. But that is not true. The Jonathan administration at the toppest level had vowed to indict and jail me but they could not find anything against me. They said they found money in my account, let them come and tell me how much they found in my account all over Nigeria, I challenged them. Because I didnt have.

Goodluck Jonathan

So, they come up with another story, any house belonging to anybody in any way connected to me, they ascribe to me. Even in that process, they were not able to gather properties. In fact, there was a friend of mine that was constructing a house, he came and told me that it is down my street. Ive not even visited the house before but they said it was my house. Houses belonging to people that I didnt know, they said it was my properties.

When we went to court, what happened was that all those whose who owned the house applied to join the case. So, when everybody came to say this house belongs to me and that, the judge had no choice than to say, look you cannot ask EFCC to confiscate these properties because every owners of these properties have conclusively proven that these houses do not belong to Sylva.

Mr Sylva said no 48 houses was returned to him after the judgement. He added that the story still lingers because it is being recycled at intervals.

Anytime they talk about cabinet reshuffle, they recycle the story. I bet you, at any other time something critical is coming, this story will come out again, he said.

Responding to questions on allegations he was a cultist and militant, the former governor said his sympathy for the youth earned him the tag of cultist while his amnesty programme proposal made some tag him as militant.

Late Former President Umar YarAdua

I sold it (Amnesty programme) to the president at the time, YarAdua. Even vice president Jonathan was against it. When that programme became the single most successful policy of the YarAdua administration, everybody took ownership of it and even said I was not part of it; but of course they couldnt deny it because I have proof and everybody who was involved knew that it was my concept. One of the problems I had was that when I tried to talk about amnesty programme, these same people will say hes taking side with the militants. Why is going to come with an amnesty programme, why are we not bombing them. You see, hes a militant himself. That was how the story evolved, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES could not get a reaction from Mr Jonathan as his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze did not answer calls Sunday morning.

He also did not reply text messages sent to him.
A civic group has filed a suit seeking to compel Nigerias police chief to investigate the forgery allegation against finance minister, Kemi Adeosun.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA), a non-governmental organisation, filed the motion at the Federal High Court, Lagos. It is seeking the leave of court to apply for an order compelling the Inspector General of Police to commence urgent investigations into Mrs Adeosuns forged National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate.

This is a second suit made public by civic groups on the matter.

In August, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) sued the NYSC after it received no response to a freedom of information request to the NYSC seeking details of the certificate paraded by Mrs Adeosun.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1369/18 filed at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, SERAP sought an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus directing and/or compelling General Kazaure and the NYSC to urgently provide specific documents and information on Mrs Kemi Adeosuns application to the NYSC for Exemption and to publish widely including on a dedicated and on the NYSC website, any such information.

HEDA, in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES Sunday, said it chose to approach the court with a view to ensuring that the matter is not swept under the carpet like most of such allegations involving politically exposed persons.

A statement signed by HEDAs chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the motion exparte was dated August 30 and filed alongside an affidavit, a certificate of identification of computer generated document, a statement, a verifying affidavit and a written address.

HEDAs application follows an earlier petition written to the Inspector General of Police in July demanding a thorough and urgent investigation of the allegations of forgery of NYSC certificate by Mrs. Adeosun. In the petition, the organisation requested that if the minister is found to be culpable of the allegations, she should be prosecuted, alongside the State Security Service officials responsible for vetting her certificate, including members of the parliament accused of exploiting her situation for budgetary favours.

In July, PREMIUM TIMES exposed how Mrs Adeosun skipped the mandatory national service for all Nigerians who graduated from universities or equivalent institutions at less than 30 years of age. The investigation also revealed that Mrs Adeosun presented a fake exemption certificate to cover her track.

In addition to being a requirement for government and private sector jobs in Nigeria, the enabling law prescribes punishment for anyone who absconds from the scheme or forges its certificates. Eligible Nigerians who skipped the service are liable to be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and/or N2,000 fine, according to Section 13 of the NYSC law. Section 13 (3) of the law also prescribes three-year jail term or option of N5,000 fine for anyone who contravenes provision of the law as Mrs Adeosun has done.

The revelation has elicited public outrage from Nigerians, civic groups and others. However, 57 days after the scandal broke, neither Mrs Adeosun nor the Nigerian government has reacted to the development.

According to the court application papers, HEDA seeks, among others, An order granting leave to the applicant to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the office of the IGP to investigate and publish its report on the allegations of forgery of NYSC certificate against Nigerias finance minister; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

The civic group similarly urged the court to hear the matter urgently in the overriding interest of justice since the subject matter is of utmost national concern and particularly of great interest to civil society in general.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian government said it was not silent about the scandal. Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, said government agencies are investigating the matter.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina [Photo credit: thewillnigeria.com]

Of course, NYSC has spoken, its an agency of government, saying it is investigating. The minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has spoken a couple of times on this matter. So I wouldnt call that silence, Mr Adesina said while featuring on Channels Television breakfast show, Sunrise Daily.

When probed on why it is taking the government and its agency, the NYSC, that long to come out with a position on the issue, he said, (It is) Not how long but how well, and that wouldnt qualify as silence I am sure NYSC also has a spokesperson that you can follow up with.
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Beijing said that as a beneficiary of free and fair elections, he is not afraid of a credible process in 2019.

To this effect, the president reaffirmed his commitment to making sure that the 2019 polls, under his watch, will be free, fair and credible.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in China, the president pledged that Nigerians eligible to vote in the next general elections will be allowed to freely elect candidates of their choice.

I have no fear about free and fair elections because that is what brought me to the present position. I know what I went through and very few Nigerians could boast of trying four times [contesting for the presidency].

Those interested in participating in the elections must get their PVCs, register in their constituency and elect anybody of their choice across ethnicity and religion.

The Nigerian police, law enforcement agencies and INEC must respect the people to express their wishes, he said.

Citing recent elections in Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi states, the president said the country had made progress relative to elections conducted in the past years.

On security issues, the president reaffirmed that his government has succeeded in curtailing Boko Haram insurgents in the country, adding that the terrorist group no longer controls any part of the country.

He attributed the success to operations of security agencies deployed to counter insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country.

You will all recall that we contested the last election basically on three issues, which includes security, especially in the North-east.

The Boko Haram used to occupy quite a number of local governments in Borno State but they are not in anyone now. They have resorted to a very dangerous way of terrorism by indoctrinating young people, mostly girls and attacking soft targets, churches, mosques and marketplaces, he said.

Buhari addressing Nigeria community in China [Photo: TheCable]

On herders and farmers clashes in Nigeria, the president told Nigerians in the Diaspora that while security agencies are doing their best to curtail the clashes, the Nigerian media need to complement the efforts through objective and informed reportage.

The president appealed to the Nigerian media to make an attempt at understanding the cultural and historical implications of some of the misunderstanding between herders and farmers.

In the words of the president: To my disappointment there are a number of things which the members of the press in Nigeria do not make enough efforts, in my observation, to study the historical antecedents of issues that are creating national problems for us.

According to the president, due to the effects of climate change, a farm that used to belong to 5 people now belong to 50 people, the weather condition, particularly the rainy season is now unpredictable.

The president partly blamed the farmers herders controversy on the shrinking of the Lake Chad, which has forced many cattle nomads to seek greener pastures for their herds in other parts of the country.

On Nigeria-China relations, the president applauded Chinas generosity and contribution to the development of Nigeria, citing the successful completion of the Abuja-Kaduna railway line, built by the Chinese, and ongoing works on Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Abuja, Kano railway routes.

He said Nigeria and China are also negotiating on the Mambilla project.

President Buhari advised Nigerians planning to travel abroad for greener pastures to do so legitimately and not to expect too much from their countries of destination.

You cannot seek greener pastures in a place where you are not respected because of the colour of your skin or your lack of education or other things. Personally, I think you will earn more respect when you remain at home and get a job, he said

Acknowledging the material and intellectual support of Nigerians in the Diaspora to the development of Nigeria, the president assured that his administration will remain focused and committed to providing the needed infrastructure and doing the needful for Nigerias prosperity.

Earlier in his remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed-Jidda, thanked the president for his support to the embassy, which led to the completion of the ambassadors residence.

The ambassador praised Nigerians resident in the various province of China for being law abiding with the exception of few.

On consular matters, the envoy told the president Nigerians still faced difficulties in the process of obtaining Chinese visas  an issue he thinks the president should take up with the Chinese authority.

Also speaking, the president of the China Chapter of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation, Brian Akiti, while wishing the country successful elections in 2019 pledged the support of the organisation to the present administrations development agenda.

In a separate event, the president also met with Nigerian students on scholarship in China.

He told the students: I hope you will make the best use of this opportunity given to you. Nigeria is grateful to China for extending this generosity to us.

The Chinese are helping Nigeria greatly with building infrastructure, it is very much appreciated. We are pleased with the training they providing for our Nigerian Students.

President Muhammadu Buhari also met with the executives of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), during which he lauded the construction group for their immense contributions to infrastructure development in Nigeria.
Seventeen additional bodies of gallant Nigerian soldiers who lost their lives while preventing Boko Haram thugs from overrunning their base on Thursday evening have been recovered by a search and rescue team overseeing the aftermath of the attack, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

The remains of one officer and 16 soldiers were recovered this weekend in the general area of Mobbar Local Government Area, Borno State, multiple military sources told PREMIUM TIMES. The soldiers were attacked at their base in Zari Village, north of Maiduguri and near the border with the Republic of Niger.

Troops from 145 Battalion who are leading the search and rescue efforts have transferred the bodies to Maiduguri, Borno State capital and heart of the Boko Harams campaign of terror, sources said.

Search and rescue operations have intensified for the remaining soldiers who are still missing in action as of Saturday night.

At least two officers and 46 soldiers have now been confirmed killed in the attack with the latest recoveries, which came a day after PREMIUM TIMES reported that 31 soldiers had been confirmed killed and 19 wounded in the attack.

The attack is the deadliest against a unit since Boko Haram resumed its attacks against military formations in July.

Scores of Nigerian troops were killed in successive attacks between mid and late July, raising fresh concerns about a resurgent sect amongst top military chiefs. At least 90 soldiers have now been confirmed killed within the past six weeks.

The Army confirmed Zari attack occurred in a statement late Friday, but Onyema Nwakchukwu  a spokesperson for the theatre command in Maiduguri initially said soldiers killed many Boko Haram insurgents when they repelled the attack.

But when told by PREMIUM TIMES that there are confirmations that dozens of troops were killed, Mr Nwachukwu, a colonel, said he did not immediately have details of military casualties.

I am only aware of aerial bombardment and the response of the ground troops that left many Boko Haram fighters killed, Mr Nwachukwu said by telephone Saturday afternoon. But I am not aware of soldiers casualties and I would not have such information until it gets to my desk.

Mr Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments about the additional recoveries Sunday afternoon, as his telephone line indicated it was switched off.

Texas Chukwu, chief spokesperson for the Nigerian Army who had largely refrained from commenting to the media on the attack, insisted no soldiers were killed in Zari on Thursday.

No soldier was killed and nothing was recovered, Mr Chukwu, a brigadier-general, told PREMIUM TIMES Sunday afternoon when told that military responders have recovered fresh bodies and evacuated them to Maiduguri. We do not know where you are getting this information from.

Mr Chukwu also said Boko Haram casualties could not be confirmed because the insurgents usually carry bodies of their colleagues when fleeing from a firefight.

The Nigerian Air Force said it launched aerial bombardment of Boko Haram positions during its response to the attack, and uploaded a short video clip of fleeing terrorists who it said were neutralised.

The latest recoveries of bodies of slain soldiers also come at a period President Muhammadu Buhari was highlighting the success of his administration in decimating the terror group.

Buhari addressing Nigeria community in China [Photo: TheCable]

Speaking at an interactive session at the weekend with members of the Nigerian community in China during his trip to the country, the president reaffirmed that his government has succeeded in curtailing Boko Haram insurgents in the country, adding that the terror group no longer controls any part of the country.

He attributed the success to operations of security agencies deployed to counter insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country.

You will all recall that we contested the last election basically on three issues, which includes security, especially in the North-east, Mr Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement by the presidency.

The Boko Haram used to occupy quite a number of local governments in Borno State but they are not in anyone now. They have resorted to a very dangerous way of terrorism by indoctrinating young people, mostly girls and attacking soft targets, churches, mosques and marketplaces, he said.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, has said that Nigeria and China have completed arrangements to sign 328 million dollars agreement on the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11).

Mr Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

The presidential aide said that President Muhammadu Buhari, who arrived Beijing, China, on Saturday, would join his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping to witness the signing of the agreement.

He said the NICTIB 11 agreement would be between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) at the cost of 328 million dollars facility provided by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

According to him, the bank facility is for the development of NICTIB 11 project which is consistent with the current administrations commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

President Buhari and his Chinese host will also witness the signing of the MoU on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR), he added.

It would be recalled that in 2013, the Chinese leader proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries.

He said: During the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African Leaders, and Business representatives on the margins of FOCAC, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MoUs.

These include those proposed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

Earlier, the president arrived Capital International Airport, Beijing, at about 9.04 a.m. (Nigerian time), Mr Shehu said; Mr Buhari was received by top Chinese government officials including the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian.

Nigerias Ambassador to China, Baba Jidda, and his wife Zahra, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Bakori Bakori, and other Nigerian embassy senior staff including the Defence Attache, Temitope Ademola, were among those who received the president.

(NAN)
With less than seven months to the general elections, the president declared his administration considers national security superior to the rule of law.

A civil rights group, Tap Nitiative for Citizens Development, has called on the federal government to avoid actions that could jeopardize the progress of Nigerias democracy.

The executive director of the group, Mbasekei Martin-Obono, in a statement also expressed fear that the recent remark by President Muhammadu Buhari on national security and the rule of law has added to the concerns about the presidents sincerity of purpose in the struggle to develop Nigerias democracy.

In the statement, the group said although Mr Buhari has stated his commitment to credible elections, the actions of the ruling All Progressives Congress leaves much to be expected in the build up the 2019 general elections.

While receiving British Prime Minister, Theresa May at the President Villa, in Abuja on August 29, Mr Buhari reiterated his administrations commitment to a free and fair 2019 general elections, adding that the multi-party system in Nigeria is an added advantage to the nations growing democracy.

I assure you that Im all out for free, fair and credible elections. Im very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly.

Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder, Mr Buhari said.

The civic group, however, alleged that Mr Buhari was paying lip service to the UK Prime Minister, since this government has also been involved in what Mr Martin-Obono describes as outright disregard for the voice of opposition.

In the history of Nigeria, there has never been a time in our democratic journey where a government has displayed total disregard for human rights and intolerance for opposition and voice of reason.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari promised the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, his administration would conduct free and fair elections. Events have shown that the president is only paying lip service to the Prime Minister as the government consistently displays a high level of intolerance towards opposition voices, civil society organizations and journalists.

Apart from the regular trepidation of insecurity and rigging which characterise the nature of our elections, it appears that the 2019 elections are designed to fail, the statement said.

With less than seven months to the general elections, the president declared his administration considers national security superior to the rule of law. This only suggests that the administration could suspend laws and rules to pave way for the ruling party in the 2019 elections.

Rabiu Kwankwaso declaring to run for President

Mr Buharis comments suggesting the supremacy of national security to the rule of law has been condemned by many Nigerians including senior advocates and Nobel Laurette Wole Soyinka.

The group in its statement also noted how a presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was denied access to a public venue for his campaign program,e, as well as the many cases of vote buying in recent elections across the country.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Kwankwaso was denied use of the Eagle Square for a flimsy reason after being granted approval initially. He eventual had his declaration at a private hotel in Abuja.

We have also noted with keen interest the denial of an opposition presidential candidate access to use a public venue for his presidential campaign declaration despite making payment for the venue and being issued a receipt by the facility managers.

In the most recent elections under this administration, state resources have been used to procure votes especially in Ekiti, Imo, Edo, Bauchi among others, contrary to section 138 (1) Electoral Act 2010. The president must ensure that rules do not only apply when it comes to opposition but he must be guided by them.

Also, elections in the north have been typified by underage voting. This is unacceptable and the government must demonstrate courage to prevent this from reoccurring in 2019.

We are therefore calling on the government to ensure transparency in allocating public facilities in order to guarantee a free and fair election in 2019.

The statement called on the international community to help safeguard Nigerias democracy and demanded immediate compliance by government to orders of court.

We also call on friends of Nigeria and the international community to pay close attention to the 2019 general elections and help rescue Nigeria from imminent danger of an election colored with indices of unfairness and violation of rules.

We also call on the government to obey the Federal High Court judgment pronounced by Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Gabriel Kolawole for the Federal Government to release Colonel Sambo Dasuki and Sheikh Ibraheem El-zakzaky respectively.

We also call on the government to release all those being held illegally and without trial in the various State Security Services facilities across the country.

This is the only way the government can demonstrate obedience to rule of law and democratic tenets.
Amnesty International has commended the Nigerian government over the trial of suspected Boko Haram terrorists, describing the ongoing trial as good progress for the justice sector.

The commendation was contained in a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, by Osai Ojigho, Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said that a copy of the letter was made available to his office by the AGF.

The minister said the Amnesty International Nigeria said its delegates, who were invited to observe the proceedings at the third phase of the trial at Wawa Military Cantonment, Kainji, New Bussa, Niger State from July 8 to July 11, were treated with respect and decorum.

Amnesty International has repeatedly and unequivocally condemned the attacks by members of Boko Haram.

We have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to conduct thorough and independent investigations into the alleged human rights violations and abuses.

This is with a view to bringing suspected perpetrators to justice in a fair trial without recourse to the death penalty and this indeed is a good progress for the justice sector, the minister quoted the global rights campaigners letter.

He said Amnesty International Nigeria expressed the hope that it would also be invited to observe future trials.

Commenting on the letter, Mr Malami said it was a clear demonstration of the strategic role of the Federal Ministry of Justice and its commitment in adjudicating terrorism cases, implementing the Criminal Justice Act, and promoting the rule of law and human rights.

(NAN)
The Nigerian government has called for inputs into a new trade policy it is preparing.

Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN), which is under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), made the call in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, Saturday.

It said the call was part of the process of preparing A 21st Century Trade Policy for Nigeria  A Welfare and Prosperity Trade Agenda that Works for All.

NOTN called for contributions from key players in the public and private sectors to create a policy for Nigeria which will enhance growth, job creation and expand prosperity to all Nigerians.

The process for preparing an updated Trade Policy for Nigeria will be transparent and nation-wide. The public and all stakeholders are invited to submit inputs no later than 30 September 2018, to: Nigerian-21st-century-trade-policy@notn.gov.ng; and, info@notn.gov.ng, the agency said.

The core areas highlighted in the statement where inputs are invited include:

Trade Policy, Foreign Policy and National Security;

Trade, Competitiveness and Rules-Based Safeguards;

Trade and Companion Policies (Enabling Environment for Business, Industrial Policy, Technology and the spectrum of Regulatory Policies);

Trade in Services;

Trade in Goods;

Trade in the Knowledge Economy: Digital Economy and Data, Intellectual Property and Innovation;

Trade and Investment Facilitation and Global Value Chains;

Informal Economy Trade / Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises;

Empowerment of Women in Trade;

Standards and Quality Infrastructure;

Trade Capacity-Building and Training;

Institutional Framework for the Management of Trade Policy;

Trade Remedy and Trade Dispute Settlement; and

Monitoring, Review and Evaluation.

NOTN said the policy would build on the results and issues identified from the nationwide stakeholder sensitisation and consultation government held on the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The statement also showed that inputs can be found on the NOTN website: http://www.notn.gov.ng/
The Nigeria Police Force said it complied with an Akure High Court order to release two suspects, Adefemi Mafimisebi and Wemimo Mafimisebi, over murder case.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a newspaper had alleged that the I-G of police faces contempt of court for disobeying the court order to release the suspects.

A statement by the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said that there was no time the police disobeyed the court order.

Inspector-General of Police did not disobey the ruling of an Akure High Court order for the release two suspects.

The police complied with the order of the court, suspects were released on August 30, he said.

Mr Moshood said that the suspects were arrested and investigated for conspiracy to murder Adebowale Bello and other sundry capital offences.

The spokesman said that there was no contempt or violation of court order by the police in the case.

Members of the public are hereby enjoined to disregard the story in its entirety as misleading and mischievous.

The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding institution has regard and utmost respect for the Judiciary.

The Force will also continue to partner with the media to ensure that the rule of law prevails and obedience to court rulings are adhered to, he said.

He implored the media not to allow the pages of their very esteemed Newspapers to be used for misinformation.

(NAN)
The hashtag #Urban Naxal is an interesting spinoff from this ugly episode of arrests of activists and writer-poet Varavara Rao.

Close to 7,000 civilians and over 2,500 security forces have been killed in cold blood by Maoist guerrillas since 2001.

The sense of outrage has been overwhelming at the arrest and subsequent incarceration at home as ordered by the Supreme Court on five well-known human rights activists. The manner in which the police have acted in serial raids would suggest this is more of a fishing expedition, the motive probably being to pile pressure on activists and intellectuals who are not in sync with the ruling forces.

The fact that some of them had been arrested before by previous regimes years ago for sympathising with Maoists does not alter the scenario of persecution against those with leftist leanings. The conspiracy angle has always been a hard one to prove in court though that does not absolve the highest sounding intellectuals from taking u the cause of those wage war against the nation as the Maoists do.

Close to 7,000 civilians and over 2,500 security forces have been killed in cold blood by Maoist guerrillas since 2001. The point is would sympathy for their cause on the grounds that they are underserved in society amount to condoning their murderous activities?

The State has to protect itself against anarchists but it cannot extend the battle to cover all those who publicly express themselves as sympathisers. Such hamhanded police action against civilians only spoils the image of government in its fight against the real guerrillas.

The hashtag #Urban Naxal is an interesting spinoff from this ugly episode of arrests of activists and writer-poet Varavara Rao.

Ramachandra Guha@Ram_Guha

As a biographer of Gandhi, I have no doubt that if the Mahatma was alive today, he would don his lawyer's robes and defend Sudha Bharadwaj in court; that is assuming the Modi Sarkar hadn't yet detained and arrested him too

Rahul Gandhi@ RahulGandhi

There is only place for one NGO in India and it's called the RSS. Shut down all other NGOs. Jail all activists and shoot those that complain.

Welcome to the new India

Kantilal Rathi@KantilalRathi

They support naxals They suport Kashmiri separatists They go to Supreme court at midnight to save terrorists They dislike vandematram They love Pakistan& all of them hate one person - Modi

Keshav Vats@aslipandit

Hey swara.. The arrested people have connection with the violence in koregaon. A criminal is a criminal whether he is a writer, human rights activist or anything else. Why don't u let the police do their work in order to prevail the justice to the victims of that violence..

Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor

I have no sympathy whatsoever for Maoism but freedom of thought, belief & expression are fundamental rights in any democracy. To arrest activists who have neither committed nor facilitated violence is to betray our democracy. This is not the India that Gandhiji fought to free.

Narayanan Subramania@KalpathiSN

??@Ram_Guha?? So your point is, a liberal posthumous biographer has the eerie responsibility of doing proxy thinking for the dead protagonist. I shudder to think what woe would befall this nation if it starts to seek direction from loony halucinating liberals

Kantilal Rathi@KantilalRathi

They support naxals They suport Kashmiri separatists They go to Supreme court at midnight to save terrorists They dislike vandematram They love Pakistan & all of them hate one person - Modi

tejsvi raj @TejsviRaj

Arun Ferreira jailed - 2007, UPAVernon convicted under UAPA - 2007, UPA Gautam Navlakha detained in Srinagar - 2011, UPA Rona Wilson interrogated in Geelani case - 2005, UPABinayak Sen arrested, convicted - 2007 & 2010, UPABut "undeclared Emergency" - 2018, Modi

Sucheta Dalal@suchetadalal

Arrest of activists, lawyers and intellectuals is a bad move in an election year, especially after the silence on lynchings! A government out of touch with public sentiment is what had led to the Emergency in 1977! No lessons learnt by those who were on the other side then!

Rajeev Mantri @RMantri

Normal citizens wait for years on end for honourable Supreme Court to hear their cases, cough up tens of lakhs in legal fees. Maoists and urban naxals gets instant audience with the Court, five-star senior advocates take their case for free

Shekhar Gupta@ShekharGupta

Arrests of Left activists/intellectuals is McCarthyism taken to another level. Playbook: use commando-comic channels to malign those you want to fix with zero evidence, then arrest them on nothing charges but draconian laws. Courts will be tested for their wisdom & spine

Swara Bhasker @ReallySwara

Indian jails are only for writers, human rights activists and academics.. And doctors who saved the lives of children...

tkb@bhatvicky73

@ReallySwara ma'am you are our honorable PM so, why not you make 5 star jail for these our special guests ???????? plzz special request from a poor 'Janta'

Oldtimer@auldtimer

Irony comes a full circle. Single-malt Socialist Ram Guha once called Arundhati Roy "the Arun Shourie of the Left". She called Naxals "Gandhians with guns". Now Guha also dubs Naxals as Gandhians. Is comrade Roy the soul sister of comrade Guha?

The simultaneous state-wide arrests are a dangerous sign of a government that fears it is losing its mandate and is falling into panic. That lawyers, poets, writers, Dalit rights activists and intellectuals are being arrested on ludicrous charges while those who make up lynch mobs and threaten and murder people in broad daylight roam free, tells us very clearly where India is headed. Murderers are being honoured and protected. Anybody who speaks up for justice or against Hindu majoritarianism is being made into a criminal. What is happening is absolutely perilous. In the run up to elections, this is an attempted coup against the Indian Constitution and all the freedoms that we cherish

 Arundhati Roy, writer and activist.
The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has reiterated its resolve to support the candidacy of former vice president and frontline presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, come 2019.

The group made its position known on Sunday when it hosted Mr Abubakar in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, a leader of the group and pro-democracy veteran, Ayo Adebanjo, stated that the group has taken time to think through all the aspirants and looking at the dossier of Mr Abubakar, there is a general consensus that his desire for restructuring is genuine.

You (Abubakar) have been writing about restructuring over a decade ago. You gave me your commitment to restructure Nigeria within six months in one of our meetings several years ago.

When people talk about good governance and promise good road, agricultural development and all that, we just laugh. There must be a country first before any development. Nigeria can not have peace and stability without restructuring.

We know that there is no greater champion of restructuring from the North than Atiku.

In his remark, Mr Abubakar stated that his commitment to restructuring is absolute and this position has once gotten him a query when he was vice president.

In all my political career, I have not seen Nigeria in a state of danger that may affect its existence as a country as at today. This is because  just like a house- if you get a faulty foundation that building is not likely to last. This is where we find ourselves.

As a vice president, I came to Lagos then to discuss why we should restructure this country so that we can survive and provide leadership for West Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. That lecture earned me a query from my boss then. I can assure you that I will restructure Nigeria within six months of my administration, he said.

Present at the gathering were former senator Femi Okunronmu, a former works minister, Adeseye Ogunlewe, among others.
The All Progressives Congress(APC) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already conceding defeat ahead of the 2019 elections by taking undue interest in the mode of primaries the APC adopts to elect its candidates for the elections.

The party stated this in a statement issued by Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Abuja.

The APC is amused by the interest the PDP has in the mode of primary election we adopted to elect our party candidates for the 2019 elections.

With over 13 million registered APC members, coupled with a large section of non-partisan Nigerian electorate supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, it would seem that the PDP, on account of its attack of APCs adoption of direct primaries, particularly to elect its presidential candidate, has already conceded defeat even before the 2019 elections.

We quite understand that the revolutionary and progressive idea of direct primaries to elect party candidates is strange to the PDP, the statement said.

According to the statement, the PDP is a party known for its inability to ensure internal party democracy, and it actively promotes imposition of candidates against the will of its members.

The statement added that the direct primaries, among other things, ensure fairness; creates a level playing ground for contestants and eliminates corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system.

It also added that the direct primaries ultimately ensure full and direct participation of party members at all levels in the election of party candidates.

It maintained that the APC is a progressive party and would continue to implement the change agenda it promised to Nigerians.

The statement, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue their support for Buhari as he continues to rebuild and re-position the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC National Executive Council (NEC) at its recent 6th meeting, resolved that primary elections into elective offices shall be by direct primaries.

In a separate statement, the APC says President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to mitigating the migration crisis Nigerians are facing, particularly in Libya and in the Mediterranean Sea.

The party stated this in a statement issued by Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja on Sunday when he reacted to comments made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the issue.

He condemned attempts by the PDP to politicise Mr Buharis statement on the illegal migration and trafficking of Nigerians during the recent visit of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to Nigeria.

The PDP in its typical insensitive and unguarded stance on matters affecting the country is exploiting an issue that borders to on the lives of Nigerians, mostly youths.

It is a known fact that many Nigerian families have suffered grief as a result of deaths and other inhuman treatment that have befell relatives attempting migration to Europe and other parts of the world.

Through support of international agreements and efforts towards curbing illegal migration, repatriation of stranded Nigerian migrants and addressing root causes encouraging illegal migration of Nigerians, the President Buhari administration has demonstrated the political will to check the scourge, he said.

It noted that the pains and sufferings most Nigerians go through with the hope of reaching Europe had been well reported through relevant agencies.

He recalled the presidential directive for Nigerians to be evacuated from Libya and other locations and be returned home safely.

Mr Nabena said the administration had already put in place several interventionist programmes to enable such persons start new and productive lives in the country.

He said that with unemployment and poverty identified as one of the root causes of illegal migration, the President Buhari administration was using initiatives to check the ugly trend.

He listed the initiatives as: N-Power, Bank of Industry Youth Entrepreneurship Support, Central Bank of Nigeria support schemes, Agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.

(NAN)
A former minister of education and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Sunday said the multiple number of presidential aspirants vying for the PDP ticket in the 2019 presidential election would not lead to the partys implosion.

A press statement signed by Governor Seriake Dicksons media aide, Francis Ottah-Agbo, noted that Mr Shekarau stated this after a condolence visit to Mr Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State, on the demise of his mother, at his Toru-Orua country home in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

He said the number of aspirants in the opposition PDP is a sign of hope, noting that, what is important is how responsibly they conduct themselves and the business of their campaigns as a family.

According to Mr Shekarau, it is God who decides who leads and all the aspirants are aware that, only one person can win the ticket to represent the PDP in the Presidential election scheduled for next year.

He said: The beauty of politics is that its about people, I always say the more the aspirants you have for many positions, the better for it. The number of presidential aspirants in the PDP is a sign of hope. It is hope that brings people to come out to contest elections.

What is important is not how many aspirants that are contesting but how responsibly they are conducting themselves. How are they conducting the business of their campaigns as a family?

Just last week, the PDP assembled all the presidential aspirants, we exchanged views on working together and working together like brothers. We know only one person will win and if we all move as a family, in the end whoever takes it, according to ur two faiths, Islam and Christianity, God has already decided. It is He who decides who leads in the end and we all believe that.

He described the cancer centre to be established by Mr Dickson in memory of his late mother, Goldcoast Dickson, who passed on August 8 in the USA, as the best thing to happen to the people of the state, Niger Delta and country at large.

He said the cancer centre is a well thought out idea, not only in terms of remembering his mother, but more importantly putting up the centre for the benefit of humanity.

The former Kano State Governor pledged his support for the centre as he wants to be part of history that would be remembered forever.

Earlier, another PDP presidential aspirant and former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who also paid a condolence visit to Mr Dickson, said his Kwankwasiyya movement is a grassroots organisation, with about one hundred and sixty thousand members in Bayelsa state alone.

Mr Kwankwaso also appealed to Governor Dickson to ensure that its members are accepted into the fold of the PDP.

He was accompanied on the visit by former Minister of State, Defence, Roland Oritsejafor.

In a brief remark, Governor Dickson said his family has become crusaders against the cancer scourge, which he noted has continued to ravage Bayelsa,the Niger Delta and the country.

He expressed appreciation for the support and encouragement from well-meaning organisations and individuals.

He advised people to go for cancer screening and medical checks.
A former presidential candidate and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has revealed how the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, plans to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 general election.

Last week, Mr. Saraki declared his intention to run for president of the country on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Months before his formal announcement, however, Mr Momodu had revealed that Mr Saraki told him he would run for president. Although Mr Sarakis aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, denied it then, Mr Momodu insisted the senate president said so at a private meeting with him.

In his latest weekly column, Mr. Momodu said he again spoke with Mr. Saraki during the last Eld-el-Kabir Islamic festival in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He said: Sarakis roadmap to victory is simple. Buhari is going to play the usual ethnic card that only a candidate from North-west can win a presidential election in Nigeria

He concedes that it may be difficult for any candidate from North-west and North-east to compete or beat Buhari hands down, despite the fact that PDP parades more experienced politicians and competent aspirants. What is then needed is to keep North Central on lockdown with a popular candidate from that zone.

He believes that it may be a waste of time and resources trying to compete in the presidents traditional enclave other than to strive to get up to 25 per cent. PDP should instead focus on mobilising the forces from the opposite direction and lockdown four out of the six geo-political zones.

Saraki says if the PDP presents just anyone, there may be voter apathy and Buhari would coast home to victory. As to where his deputy will come from, it would have to be from the South-east/South-south axis, since he has already covered the South-west, technically.

Mr. Momodu also wrote that: Saraki says he is well-positioned to make this happen. With one leg in the North and another in the South, especially the South-west, the people would have a higher stake in the presidency and this will galvanise more passionate voters.

According to the article, Mr. Saraki is looking forward to a serious debate between him, Mr Buhari and other candidates on every aspect of daily life in Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari

If Buhari likes, he can stay at home and do the debate by Skype or whatever, but moving forward, we must discuss Nigeria publiclyAnyone wanting to lead a country as important as Nigeria in this century must be someone who can ably represent us in the comity of nations and has a grasp of modern ways of life, he quoted the senate president as saying.

Speaking of the corruption allegations against him and the reactions of young people to his person, Mr Saraki was quoted as saying: That is my biggest task because they are my catchment group. I know many have been brainwashed and I dont blame them.

You know when you tell some lies repeatedly, it becomes the truth to some people. For example, they say Im the most corrupt man on earth. I have looted Kwara State dry. All cheap but dangerous lies. Whats the worth of Kwara State that anyone would have billions to steal? I was born into business.

Mr Saraki is one of the 14 PDP presidential aspirants. Others include former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Ibrahim Dankwambo, and ex-governors Rabiu Kwankwaso, Ahmed Makarfi and Jonah Jang.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has a new national chairman.

He is Falalu Bello, a former managing director of the Bank of the North.

Mr Bello replaces the former chairman of the party, Balarabe Musa, who stepped down from his position on Friday due to failing health.

The former bank chief was elected the new chairman at the partys National Delegates Conference held at the weekend in Kaduna.

The conference was presided over by Mr Musa.

The new chairman was announced in a communique issued at the end of the conference in which new national officers of the party were ratified.

The party also appointed a new National Secretary, Babatunde Alli, from South-west of the country as well as new National Executive Council (NEC) members

Conference received with standing ovation the inaugural speech of new National Chairman, Falalu Bello on the reinvigorated PRP focused on service to the people, committed to addressing poverty, inequality and good governance as a continuation of the partys historic mission of emancipation.

Mr Musa, a former governor of old Kaduna State, was appointed the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

According to the communique, the conference ratified a 19-member Board of Trustees with Richard Umaru as secretary.

Conference mandated the newly elected NEC to fill existing vacancies along the lines forwarded by its 54th meeting of August 31st, 2018.

The delegates also asked NEC to come up with guidelines on emergence of candidates for the 2019 general elections.

Members of the BoT include Ango Abdullahi (North West), Bashir Magashi (North West), Lawan Batagarawa (North West), Datti Malumfashi (North West), Mustafa Bello (North Central) and Setly Dadzie (North Central).

Others are Ibrahim Usman (North East), Ali Mala (North East), Philip Afanmuo (South East), Segun Falope (South West), Laoye Sanda (South West), and Odidi (South South).

The conference also mandated NEC to confirm the remaining members representing the six geo-political zones to ensure each zone has a full complement of at least three members.

Conference saluted Malam Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa and gave him a standing ovation for his steadfastness in keeping the PRP spirit alive despite all challenges over the years, the communique stated.

Falalu Bello served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc until July 10, 2010. Mr. Bello started his working experience in 1980 as a Magistrate Grade II with the Kaduna State Government. He served as the Company Secretary of Northern Nigerian Investment Limited and National Freight Company Limited from 1980 to October 1983.

Falalu Bello. PHOTO CREDIT: Daily Trust]

In 1983, he was appointed Commissioner for Trade and Industry with Kaduna State Government. Mr. Bello later joined Habib Nigeria Bank Limited in 1984 and became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer from 1994 to August 1998.

He was also Managing Director of Intercity Bank Plc and Managing Director Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) from 1998 to 2002. He served as Chairman of UnityKapital Assurance Plc until March 2014.

He was at various times Chairman and Director of many companies which include HNB Trustees Limited, Express Discount House Ltd., British American Tobacco, MBS Merchants Ltd., First Interstate Merchant Bank Ltd. and Kakawa Discount House Limited.

He serves as a Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank PLC. Mr. Bello served as a Director of Kakawa Discount House Limited since June 12, 2006. He served as Director of Unity Bank Plc. He was in 1992 honoured as Sarkin Bai of Zazzau, Zazzau Emirate Council and an Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by Government of Nigeria in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree and is also a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Residents have ignored a curfew imposed on Kwaru and Ungwan Yero communities August 26 by the Kaduna State Government.

The state government announced the restriction on movement in the area after a fight by rival gangs left two youth dead.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai visited the families of the victims following the violence in the two communities in Kaduna North Local Government Area.

After condoling with the families of the deceased, Mr El-Rufai announced the curfew to run between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m and later extended it to 24-hour following a fresh attack by suspected gang members two days later.

The hoodlums went on the rampage in Malali, a neighbouring community to Kwaru-Unguwar Yero, attacking residents.

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the communities, nothing seemed to have changed.

People were going about their normal businesses. As at 12 noon Sunday, shops where opened, buses and motorcycles were operating commuter services without hindrance.

Residents who spoke with our reporter said they were going about their normal businesses because the crisis was since over.

Yes there is curfew, but as you can see we are not adhering to it because everybody is hungry, Achi Magnus, a resident of Unguwar Yero, said.

We have to go out and get what to feed our families with. The government knows that it is the same youth they did not give work to do that are causing this problems. An Idle mind is the devils workshop.

Kwaru  Unguwar Yero residents defy curfew Kwaru  Unguwar Yero residents defy curfew

Mr Magnus, an electrician, called on the government to establish vocational centres in the state to engage youth positively.

Hussaini Mukaddas, a community leader at Kwaru, called on the government to review the curfew.

I think the review of the curfew is due now. That is why residents are not abiding by the order. It was never a religious or communal crisis. It was a gang fight. So people are not worried since the government has Identified the people and made some arrests.

Kwaru  Unguwar Yero residents defy curfew Kwaru  Unguwar Yero residents defy curfew Kwaru  Unguwar Yero residents defy curfew

We are happy here in Kwaru and our neighbors at Unguwar Yero are living peacefully now.

Many residents who spoke applauded the government for the prompt action taken and called on parents to always know the whereabouts of their children.

Meanwhile, spokesperson to Kaduna State Governor, Samuel Aruwan, said the curfew was still in place.

The 24-hour curfew is still in place until after the review of the peace status of the areas, Mr Aruwan told this newspaper on Sunday.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Eseme Eyiboh, has asked Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state not to contest for a second term in office.

Mr Eyiboh, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman, Board of Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA), said this on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Uyo.

The former lawmaker hails from Esit Eket Local Government Area, which is within the same federal constituency as the governor.

The governors own local government area, Onna, and the neighbouring local government area of Eket, Ibeno, and Mr Eyibohs own local government area, Esit Eket, make up the Eket federal constituency.

Udom, during the declaration of his bid for a second term, said he was responding to the yearnings of Akwa Ibom people whom he said asked him to contest for a second term.

We in Eket are saying that he should not contest again, Mr Eyiboh said.

Mr Eyiboh said the three-year-old administration of Mr Emmanuel hasnt been fair to Eket people.

He said the administration has not done much to lift up the economy of the federal constituency, even when the governor is from there.

He accused the administration of destroying a local market in Eket, and also failing to deliver on its road projects in the area.

The governor is my brother. He is a good man. But his administration has been most unfair to the people of Eket.

The governor has cited three companies in one single ward in his hometown in Onna. For the sake of fairness and brotherhood, he should have cited at least one industry in Eket.

If the government couldnt give us one of those industries, the governor should have considered re-activating Akwa Palm Industry in Esit Eket.

Eket people have been deprived, ignored, and neglected.

Udom second term is going to be an extension of the neglect and exploitation of Eket people, and that is why we are saying he shouldnt contest for a second term, Mr Eyiboh said, adding that the people of the area would seek for an alternative leadership.

The former lawmaker said leaders in the areas would soon move into the streets to mobilise the people against the governors re-election.

Democracy must be given meaning and leadership must be accounted for, he said.

Governor Emmanuel a few days ago declared that he was going to seek for re-election under his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his effective leadership that has brought huge infrastructural development to the state.

Mr Umahi, who made the commendation while delivering his welcome remarks during the meeting of the South East Governors Forum held at the Government House, Enugu, on Sunday, also thanked Mr Ugwuanyi for constantly hosting the Forum meetings.

Presenting the communique after the meeting, which was also attended by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), the forums chairman, while appreciating the federal government for its intervention on the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, also drew its attention to the deplorable state of the runway, the runway lights and the tarmac, calling on the Minister of State for Aviation to visit the airport for on-the-spot assessment and urgent intervention.

The forum also requested that urgent steps be taken for reactivation of the cargo section of the airport, requesting that the minister visits the airport with experts, as a matter of urgency, for the restoration of the runway lights and other facilities.

Mr Umahi disclosed that the forum received an interim report from the South East Consultative Committee on Health, recently inaugurated to facilitate the establishment of world class health facilities in each state of the South East Zone, and commended members of the committee for the progress so far.

The governors noted with delight the caliber of health and other professionals in the committee, urging them to work assiduously towards ensuring the transformation of the zone into a medical tourist destination in Nigeria.

The forum also disclosed that it received presentation from the South East Nigeria Development Fund (SENDEF), a financial arm of SEREDEC and urged them to channel all development plans in the South East region through the secretariat of the forum.
On the day three members of the Osun House of Assembly left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Action Democratic Party (ADP), another member has dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the latest defector, Olaolu Oyeniran, who represents Odo-Otin state constituency, announced his defection in his hometown, Okuku, on Saturday evening.

It is not clear if Mr Oyeniran has formally written to the Assembly speaker to announce his defection as constitutionally expected.

Mr. Oyenirans defection made it the fourth state legislator to leave the APC on a day. This newspaper had earlier reported that Debo Akanbi who represents Ede North, Tajudeen Famuyide, representing Ilesha West and Abdullahi Ibrahim representing Iwo Local Government Area dumped the party to ADP on the allegations that the ruling APC is marred with nepotism.

When contacted, Kunle Oyatomi, the Director of Publicity of APC, said the defecting members are free to go but should resign.

The APC is functional and not moved by recent defection of some people. The defected members of state House of Assembly should also honourably resign their membership of the House, he said.

There is no indication any of the lawmakers would resign as scores of other lawmakers have also changed parties across Nigeria in the build up to the 2019 general election.

The Osun governorship election holds on September 22 with over 40 candidates.
Alani Bankole, the father of former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, accusing the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and Attorney-General of the state, Olumide Ayeni, of flouting a court order on a land matter involving him and the governor.

But the governor in a swift reaction on Sunday through Mr Ayeni said he would not join issues with Mr Bankole on the pages of newspapers.

Mr Bankoles petition seen by PREMIUM TIMES, which was also copied the State Security Service (SSS), identified the landed property in dispute as Plot 1, Block V1, Ibara Commercial Centre in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Messrs Bankole and Amosun had filed separate suits before the State High Court in Abeokuta over the land.

But delivering judgment March 10, 2014 in suit number AB/335/2012 filed by Mr Bankole, Justice O.O Majekodunmi ruled that the revocation of the allocation of the land by the state government and its acquisition by Mr Amosun was illegal.

It is hereby declared that the purported acquisition of the claimants land situated at Plot 1, Block V1, Ibara Commercial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta,Ogun State is illegal, null, void and of no effect, the court ruled.

The purported revocation of the claimants right of occupancy over the land in dispute is hereby set aside, an order is hereby granted restraining the 1st defendant, his agents, privies and other representatives from disturbing the claimants quiet possession of the property situate at Plot 1,Block V1, Ibara Commercial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, save the portion which a road has already been constructed.

Following the failure of the state government to comply with the judgement, Mr Bankole filed an amended originating summon dated February 2 this year but filed on February 5 before Justice Mobolaji Ojo at the High Court, Abeokuta.

Suit number AB/513/2017 prayed the court for reliefs declaring the defendants action in entering, possession, excavating and erection of fence on the land without complying with the provisions of Section 44 (1) of the Constitution and Section 28 of the Land Use Act as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

Granting the prayers, the court ruled that the purported revocation of the claimants right of occupancy vide notice of revocation dated 25th day, May 2012, is hereby set aside.

The court added that the said notice of revocation (Exhibit G), was also set aside to the extent that it affects, relates to, touches and concerns the claimants land.

The judge then stated An order of perpetual injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, or any other claiming through them from interfering with or disturbing the claimants possessory right and quiet enjoyment of the land in dispute, and from taking any or further steps pursuant to the purported notice of acquisition dated the 25th day of May 2012.

Justice Ojo also ruled that I award the sum of N500,000.00 as exemplary damages against the defendants for their unlawful, high-handed, oppressive and outrageous conduct against the claimant in respect of the land in dispute. I award N100, 000.00 costs to the claimant the defendants jointly and severally.

Apparently not satisfied with the judgments, the respondents filed a counter affidavit and written address at an Appeal Court in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, which was brought to the notice of Ogun State High Court.

Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, in his ruling on the counter affidavit delivered on July 18, granted an injunction pending appeal restraining the respondent from enforcing or taking any step to enforce the declaratory reliefs granted by the said judgment under relief 1 of the judgment, adding that there shall be no order as to cost.

However, Mr Bankole alleged that Mr Amosun and his agents had commenced work on the land, despite the judgments in his favour and the latest ruling ordering the two parties to desist from taking possession of the land pending the determination of the case in the appeal court.

He said the development made him to write a petition to the Inspector-General of Police to call the governor to order, before the situation gets out of hand.

Mr Bankole further alleged that in a desperate move to deceive the judge, Mr Amosun through his agents moved to the land at about 2.30 a.m of July 16 to evacuate everything on the land.

However, to my great surprise, while I took the ruling in good fate, Governor Amosun and his agents immediately moved to the land and commenced construction on it.

Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun

Please be informed that all these rascality and diabolical impunity being perpetrated by Governor Amosun is being supervised by policemen attached to the Government House, some of who are permanently stationed at the site to provide cover for the illegality, Mr Banoke stated in the petition.

The petition, attached with photographs of the policemen assigned to the controversial land, added further that, I could not fathom the reason Governor Amosun is desperately trying to hijack a land that legitimately belong to me. This is the height of Executive rascality and disregard for rule of law by a man who swore to respect the constitution of our country.

I will like to put it on record that no man has monopoly of rascality. The Governors attitude, despite being the Chief Security Officer of the State is capable of setting the State on fire, but as a man who is unrepentantly committed to the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria, and who believes that two wrongs can never make a right, I hereby request you, as the man saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order to intervene and ensure compliance to the various judgments and ruling of the Ogun State High Courts.

When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Ayeni, who is the second defendant in the case, said he was not ready to respond to the issue on pages of newspapers.

If it is in relation to Chief Alani Bankole , I am not interested. I dont believe in third party information, I have not seen the petition, so I will not comment on it. I dont join issues on pages of newspapers. I join issues in court. Good bye, Mr Ayeni said to our reporter.
Find out what it is.

Washington DC: Prince Harry is popularly referred to as the Duke of Sussex, but Meghan Markle has come up with a cute nickname for her husband.

While attending the Hamilton charity performance recently at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London, Markle accidentally called her husband by the nickname and seemed quite embarrassed when people noticed it, reported E! Online.

As the royals posed for pictures with the show's cast, Meghan realized she was blocking her husband's view, and asked, "Can you see, my love?"

The nickname immediately caught the attention of the show's stars, and some of the actors broke out into an audible "Aww!" over the sweet moment between the couple, followed by a soft giggle from the Duchess of Sussex.

This wasn't the only special moment of the night. After the performance, Harry sang a few notes from the fan favourite "You'll Be Back", a tune performed by the actor playing his sixth great-grandfather King George III.

The show's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also joined Harry onstage and sat beside the royal couple during the musical, seemed especially excited about the musical surprise.

Meghan looked stunning in a Judith and Charles tuxedo mini dress, with matching pumps to complement the look.

The special event benefitted the organisation Sentebale, founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children and young people affected by HIV.
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.




DUBLIN, Aug. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Enterprise Social Networks and Online Communities Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2018 To 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global enterprise social networks and online communities market is set to exhibit double digit growth during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.

Over the past few years, social media platforms have undergone swift rise with over 2.5 Bn active users in 2017 up from nearly 1.0 Mn in 2010. Considering the strong impact of social media over people, enterprise social media networks have emerged highly promising for improving employee cooperation and efficiency.

Enterprise social networks offer numerous benefits including improved document collaboration, establishing healthy discussions among the employees and enhanced employee communication among others. In addition, market players have higher emphasis on continual release of updated versions with an aim of simplifying the platform for better convenience and user experience.

This enables the companies to establish healthy environment among the employees, thereby retaining talent and improving productivity. Similarly, these networks are designed for both internal as well as external communication. This helps employees to invite client representatives located outside the organization to engage in conversation for better service.

Enterprise social networks and online communities market is segmented based on deployment model, organization size, industry vertical and geography. By deployment model, the on-premise segment dominates the market globally. The segment growth is backed by the large enterprises segment having higher penetration of enterprise social networks owing to critical security concerns.

Nevertheless, with growing popularity of private clouds, cloud-based segment would exhibit higher growth rate during the forecast period. Further, based on the geography, North America led the global market in 2017. This is attributed to high penetration of social media, significant expenditure by organizations on employee collaboration and presence of large number of market players.

The overall enterprise social networks and online communities market is fragmented in nature due to presence of large number of companies in the market. The market comprises tech giants including IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, VMware, Inc. as well as small sized companies (including startups) such as MangoApps, Inc., Igloo Software and several others. Prime strategy adopted by these companies is consistent efforts in betterment of enterprise social media platforms for improved convenience, security and functionality of these networks.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Preface

1.1 Report Description

1.2 Research Scope

1.3 Market Segmentation

1.4 Research Methodology

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Market Snapshot: Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market

2.2 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market, By Deployment Model, 2017 (US$ Mn)

2.3 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market, By Enterprise Size, 2017 (US$ Mn)

2.4 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market, By Industry Vertical, 2017 (US$ Mn)

2.5 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market, By Geography, 2017 (US$ Mn)

Chapter 3 Market Dynamics

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Value, 2016 - 2026, (US$ Mn)

3.2 Market Drivers

3.3 Market Growth Inhibitors

3.3.1 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints

3.4 Key Market Trends and Future Outlook

3.5 Attractive Investment Proposition, by Geography, 2017

3.6 Competitive Analysis

3.6.1 Market Positioning of Key Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Companies, 2017

3.6.2 Key Strategies Adopted by the Leading Players

Chapter 4 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, by Deployment Model, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

4.1 Overview

4.2 On-premise

4.3 Cloud-based

Chapter 5 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, by Enterprise Size, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

5.1 Overview

5.2 Small Enterprises (Upto 250 Employees)

5.3 Medium Enterprises (251 to 500 Employees)

5.4 Large Enterprises (Above 500 Employees)

Chapter 6 Global Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, by Industry Vertical, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

6.1 Overview

6.2 Healthcare

6.3 IT & Telecom

6.4 Banks, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)

6.5 Government

6.6 Retail & Hospitality

6.7 Others (Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities etc.)

Chapter 7 North America Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

Chapter 8 Europe Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

Chapter 9 Asia Pacific Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

Chapter 10 Rest of the World (RoW) Enterprise Social Networks & Online Communities Market Analysis, 2016 - 2026 (US$ Mn)

Chapter 11 Company Profiles

BlackBerry Ltd.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Communispace Corporation

Convo Corporation

Google, Inc.

IBM Corporation

Jive Software, Inc.

Lithium Technologies, Inc.

MangoApps, Inc.

Microsoft Corporation

Mzinga, Inc.

Salesforce.com, Inc.

SAP SE

Socialtext, Inc.

Sprinklr, Inc.

Telligent, Inc.

TIBCO Software, Inc.

VMware, Inc.

Zyncro Tech SL

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9fm6sz/global_enterprise?w=5



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Riyadh, Sep 2 : Saudi-led coalition involved in a Yemen war Saturday admitted the wrongdoing in an airstrike that targeted Yemeni city Saada, pledging to hold those responsible accountable, Al Arabiya reported.

The coalition accepted the findings of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) on the attack that took place on August 9 in Saada, including the mistakes in compliance with the Rules of Engagement regarding the strike.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition expressed regret over the mistakes, extended its sympathies, condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims, and announced its acceptance of the results and findings of the JIAT.

It obliged to revise and enhance its Rules of Engagement, according to operational lessons learned, in order to guarantee non-recurrence of such incidents. It also assured that the victims would be compensated.

On August 9, a coalition airstrike hit a school bus in Yemen's northern province of Saada, killing 51, including 40 children.

Saudi Arabia has led other Arab countries in the war in Yemen that completed its third year in March in support of the Yemeni exiled government against Houthi militias.
Washington, Sep 2 : The daughter of late Sen. John McCain on Saturday took aim at the President of the US in an emotional eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral.

In her remarks, she praised her father and contrasted his life with that of Donald Trump, Efe reported.

"He was a great man," Meghan McCain said of the two-time presidential candidate, long-time member of the US's upper house of Congress representing Arizona and chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee from 2015 until his death of brain cancer last Saturday.

"We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness - the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served."

Those remarks clearly were targeted at Trump, who received five deferments excusing him from military duty during the Vietnam War.

John McCain, for his part, was well-known for his military service in the Vietnam War and particularly for having been held prisoner for five years and tortured by his captors.

Meghan McCain, the co-host of the American talk show "The View," also used her remarks to criticize Trump's slogan during his presidential campaign - "Make America Great Again."

"The America of John McCain is generous and welcoming and bold. She is resourceful and confident and secure. She meets her responsibilities. She speaks quietly because she is strong. America does not boast because she has no need. The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,"

In May, the New York Times reported that those close to McCain had told the White House that Vice President Mike Pence would be welcome to attend the senator's funeral but that Trump would not be.

During his campaign, Trump mocked McCain's service in Vietnam, saying, "He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured? I like people who weren't captured."

The two men's relationship remained rocky after the real estate mogul's surprise victory in the 2016 presidential election.

One of the most tense episodes came in July of last year, when McCain - shortly after making public his brain cancer diagnosis - joined just two other GOP colleagues in voting against a Republican-proposed bill that would have repealed certain aspects of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, a US health-care overhaul popularly known as "Obamacare."

Meghan McCain was the first speaker at Saturday's memorial service for the late senator at the Washington National Cathedral.

Also scheduled to deliver eulogies on Saturday are two former presidents, Barack Obama (who defeated McCain in the 2008 presidential election) and George W. Bush (who beat out McCain in the race for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination).

One other former US president, Bill Clinton, also was in attendance at the memorial service on Saturday, as was his wife Hillary Clinton and numerous foreign dignataries.

Several people close to Trump also were in the audience for the ceremony, including his daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, as well as White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis.
London, Sep 2 : British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday ruled out the possibility of a second Brexit referendum, claiming that it would be "a gross betrayal of the British democracy".

Her comments came as a signed article by May appeared on the Daily Telegraph website Saturday night.

"This government will fulfill the democratic decision of the British people by ensuring that the UK leaves the European Union on 29th March next year -- and that as we do so, we build a stronger, more meritocratic Britain that is fit for the future," she wrote in the article.

May said she is confident that her government can broker a "good deal for Britain".

She stressed that Britain will finally control its own borders.

Regarding the lengthy Brexit negotiations with Brussels, May said Britain will be ready for a no deal if it needs to be.

"I will not be pushed into accepting compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in our national interest," the Prime Minister said.

"As we negotiate a bold new partnership with the European Union, we will continue vital work at home to build an economy that works for everyone," she said in the article.
Canberra, Sep 2 : Australia's largest maritime exercise kicked off on Sunday in participation of navies from 27 countries.

Exercise Kakadu, which will run until September 15, involves 23 ships, 21 aircraft and more than 3,000 personnel from the 27 countries, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a speech that focused on security issues such as people smuggling, piracy and armed robbery, Royal Australian Navy's Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead highlighted the need to promote "free and open international order".

"In the dynamic strategic environment in which we find ourselves, rather than stepping back from our region, there is a clear need to engage more broadly and more deeply," he said.
Damascus, Sep 2 : A series of explosions was reported at a large Syrian military airport near Damascus, state media reports said on Sunday.

The private, pro-regime news outlet al-Mayadeen originally reported that Israeli airstrikes hit the airbase in al-Mazzeh on Saturday night area with multiple missiles, reports CNN.

However, Syrian state media later cited an unnamed military source denying the base was hit by Israel.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) and Syria state television reported a "military source denies the exposure of the Mazzeh Airport to any Israeli aggression and the sounds of explosions that were heard resulted from explosion of an ammunition depot near the airport because of electrical failure".

About four explosions were heard coming from the direction of the military airport Saturday, a Damascus resident told CNN.

Some clips of the explosions and the aftermath -- seemingly filmed by phones at a distance -- emerged on various forums including Facebook and WhatsApp.

Video showed bright flashes of light in the night sky in some kind of explosion, but did not reveal precisely what caused the blasts.

Besides the military airport, the al-Mazzeh area is home to embassies, security buildings and the homes of some members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.
Defence alleges insufficient time to prepare case, will appeal in high court.

Pune: A special court here on Sunday granted the Pune police an extension of 90 days in which to file a chargesheet against the five activists, who were arrested on June 6 for having alleged connections with naxals. However, defence lawyers are going to the high court against the order, saying they were informed at short notice about the police plea and had no time to prepare the case, which is under the special Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. (UAPA)

Special court judge, K. D. Wadane, granted the police plea of a 90-day extension to file a chargesheet in the arrests of activists Shoma Sen, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale, and Rona Wilson.

The five of them were produced in court on Saturday for a hearing where the defence lawyers had asked for more time to prepare. They had asked for the next hearing to be on September 3 but the court had allowed them only one day due to which the defence could prepare their case.

Prosecution lawyer Ujjwala Pawar had on Saturday argued for extension, saying that police need the time to probe banks details of activists and the transactions that took place in them, a voluminous data, which they received through electronic devices they seized during their raids. The police are also awaiting the forensic analysis of that data. The police also need time to check for links between the five activists arrested on August 8 in the same case with the current five.

However, Rohan Nahar, one of the lawyers from the team representing the five activists said, The police served notice to activists an hour before they were produced in court on Saturday and the lawyers were not even aware of it. This is against the principle of natural justice. Besides, as per our calculations, 90 days will be over on September 4 and court could have heard the case on that day. But as per police, 90 days will be over on September 3 and they cannot argue the case on that day as Shivaji Pawar, the Investigating Officer (IO) will be in Supreme Court.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for the US from here on Sunday for medical treatment.

He is being accompanied by his wife, Kamala Vijayan.

His trip was initially scheduled for August 19 for a period of 17 days, but it was postponed due to the heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods that ravaged the state.

According to informed sources, Vijayan is expected to return by the end of this month.
Washington, Sep 2 : The US military has announced that it was cancelling $300 million in aid to Pakistan over what it calls Islamabad's failure to take action against militant groups, a new blow to worsening bilateral ties between the two countries.

"Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining $300 million was reprogrammed," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said in a statement on Saturday.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups," Faulkner said, adding that the $300 million aid, which had earlier been suspended, would be now aimed at spending on other "urgent priorities" due to "a lack of Pakistani decisive actions" in tackling the issue.

The move, which needs to be approved by US Congress, is part of a broader suspension announced in January when Washington had announced that it was cutting almost all security aid to the Islamabad, reports the BBC.

Saturday's announcement comes before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's scheduled visit to Pakistan this week and meet the country's newly-elected Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

The US State Department has criticised Pakistan for failing to deal with terrorist networks operating on its soil, including the Haqqani network and the Afghan Taliban with President Donald Trump also accusing Islamabad of deceiving Washington while receiving billions of dollars.

Washington has long complained that Pakistan provides a safe haven to militant groups, including the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network and Al Qaeda, allowing them to carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has denied these claims.

Since 2002, Pakistan has received over $33 billion in US assistance, including $14 billion in Coalition Support Funds, a US Defence Department programme to reimburse allies that have incurred costs in supporting counter-insurgency operations.
New Delhi : Book: Aryabhata Clan; Author: Sudipto Das; Publisher: Niyogi Books; Price: Rs 595; Pages: 476 Spread across four parts, the narrative of Sudipto Das' second book, "Aryabhata Clan", starts like a typical crime thriller with the kidnapping of the protagonist, Kubha.

The book provides evidence that tackling sensitive and complicated topic like "Islamic terrorism" has its inherent risks. It is universally accepted that terrorism has no religion and yet the adrenaline triggered recourse to religion by Shamsur Ali, the terror mastermind of the book, would have us believe that the thick line between religion and terrorism does not exist.

Had the author, an alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur, not amplified the canvas of his narrative to encompass "Islamic terrorism", we surely would have a plot for another James Bond blockbuster, what with all the international intrigues, and the beach volley played between India's RAW and Pakistan's ISI, The oft repeated, misplaced references to the history of Islam by the terrorists can, however, act like a double edged sword in the book at hand.

"Rape can work like a dope for depraved young people wishing to exert their manhood, that too in a way approved by Islam," asserts Shamsur Ali to Kubha, the hostage picked up by the terrorists from JNU, showing the levels of perversion to which a sick mind can stoop.

Kubha, however, wonders at the irony that the place where she is raped again and again is called the "Eight Heavens" by her abductors. Invoking the holy Battle of Badr led by the Prophet of Islam, the indoctrination of the terror recruits is done by reference to Islamic history.

Proving beyond doubt that his terror mastermind is no humble follower of any religion, the author's "iconic Bangladeshi professor of death and destruction" does not hide his hatred for other religions as well.

"Jesus had spent a good amount of his growing years in Kashmir studying Buddhism. Many of the teachings of Jesus had surreptitious similarities with that of the Buddhism. If we want to eliminate all traces of Hinduism and Buddhism from the earth, we can't spare Christianity."

Gory, frightening and lunatic, the terror protagonist of the author will make you tremble at the sheer thought of waging a brutal war against the world in the name of fighting for peace.

It is precisely because of this realisation that an army general in Mardan tells Parush, the Aryabhata Clan's superhero against terrorism: "Not the time for beach volley between the RAW and the ISI. You can give a press release blaming the murder on RAW and we can blame the ISI. But, do you realise that someone is fooling both the RAW and the ISI?"

The author takes the reader on a roller coaster ride to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and to the motifs of Khushawari rugs. Finally, Shamsur Ali is hunted down by Parush and Rahul, the terror fighters of the Aryabhata Clan.

As to where and how the final battle between peace and terror would be fought, the author has few answers. Sadly perhaps, the words of Kubha sum up the spirit of the narrative: "There would be more Kubhas like me. There would be many more Aryabhata Clans like ours. We will not allow any apocalypse to happen anywhere in the world, in life and in death."

Sudipto Das has done well to portray the design that emerges as terrorists plot to strike innocent people in the world. A word of caution must be added to the oft-repeated reference to Islam and its history by the terror pushers in "Aryabhata Clan".

Islam has as little to do with terrorism as any other religion we follow. In fact, the narrative proves that the first victim of the terrorists' plan is the religion they claim to follow.

(Sheikh Qayoom can be contacted at sheikh.abdul@ians.in)
Kabul, Sep 2 : A helicopter crashed on Sunday near an Afghan army base in Balkh province, a military spokesman said.

"The incident occurred at 7.55 a.m. near army Corps 209 Shaheen on the outskirts of provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif. The chopper crashed shortly after taking off from the base and an investigation has been launched into the incident," the spokesman told Xinhua news agency.

Initial information said the helicopter was carrying 10 people out of which three were rescued and fate of the remaining seven army personnel was not known immediately, he added.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : When Roshan Lal, a 40-year-old rickshawpuller, got his son Rakesh admitted to a government school in Delhi, all he wanted for him was to get a decent education. Since he could not afford to pay for a private school, all that was on his mind was that "government school mein kuch toh seekh hi lega" (at least, he would learn something there).

But, today, Roshan is a happy man because his son, now in Class VI, is doing well in school and is even able to teach him a thing or two. He feels elated that many of his son's teachers are even being trained abroad.

Teachers and principals from over 1,000 Delhi government schools have so far been sent for training to Singapore and Finland, countries that are renowned for their pioneering teaching methods.

Many feel it has improved teaching methods as well as the quality of education imparted at government schools, hitherto infamous for their poor and archaic standards of teaching and rote learning methods, and that such training at different platforms enhances teachers' pedagogic skills and keeps them abreast with the contemporary knowledge in their domain areas.

"I got to know from my son that his teachers are going abroad for training. I am happy with the idea as it will help in improving the quality of education he is getting currently," Roshan told IANS.

"While poor people like us cannot afford private schools, it is good to know that even government schools are now competing with private ones and our children are learning from good teachers. Even private school teachers don't go abroad for training," he said.

Many Delhi government schools, with fresh coats of colourful paint on their walls, now not only have comparable infrastructure to private schools, but their course curricula are also transforming. They now also have a "Happiness Curriculum" designed by a team of 40 Delhi government school teachers and educators over a period of six months.

As part of this curriculum, students between Nursery and Class VIII now have a 45-minute "happiness period" which includes meditation, storytelling, question-and-answer sessions, value education and mental exercises.

Raju Yadav, a small shop-owner in Laxmi Nagar, feels excited with the focus on teachers' training.

"My wife and I are not educated. It is also difficult for me to afford tuition classes. My daughter, Swati, is studying in a government school in Class II. The teachers getting training is a good thing. The more the teacher will know, the better they will teach, and the better our kids will learn," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man's Party, AAP), which came to power in Delhi in 2015, made the improvement of the education system one of its priority areas by investing in infrastructure -- including classrooms and other facilities like playgrounds and swimming pools -- while also upgrading teachers' skills.

Delhi's Education Minister Manish Sisodia has repeatedly stressed on the need to improve education system and, during his first budget speech, when he doubled the government's expenditure on education, had said "the money spent on education and health is not an expense, but an investment into the well-being of coming generations".

According to Sisodia, the goal of making government schools better than private schools does not end with improving infrastructure and recruitment of teachers.

"Since the core of the educational improvement process lies in building capacity of teachers, the government would train teachers and principals at the best universities in the world like Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford," he had said.

The first to receive international training was a group of 200 teachers who the government called "mentor teachers". The aim was to leverage their creative expertise to enhance the pedagogic and academic capacities of over 45,000 Delhi government school teachers.

Each mentor teacher received training in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Singapore. They were then assigned to teachers at five to six schools. These 200 mentors have trained thousands of teachers over the last two years.

Manu Gulati, who went to Singapore for training in August last year and is now a mentor teacher, said after the training, she feels motivated and encouraged to perform better.

"The general feeling is that by investing in their training, the government is showing its trust in the teachers," Gulati, who started her teaching career in 2011, told IANS.

"In terms of calibre, teaching aptitude, content knowledge and pedagogy skills, government school teachers are no less than those at private schools," she proudly proclaimed.

Among the few ground-breaking improvements, she said, was the feedback from the students. She said a teacher's job is not just limited to providing knowledge and skills to students, but also to provide them emotional and psychological support, something the training helped teachers with.

Medha Parashar, another mentor teacher who went to a number of training sessions, said: "The teacher is no more the centre of teaching, but the students are. Teaching is not mechanical now, it is interactive."

"Through various trainings, we learned about 45 methods of teaching in a class, and can use any of these," Parashar, who has been a teacher for the past 27 years, said.

The training, Gulati said, gives a new vision and purpose to the teachers. The benefit of training teachers had, in turn, positively impacted hundreds of thousands of students of not-so-well-off families in the capital who had earlier been deprived of quality education.

However, Parashar said, it will take some time for changes to be clearly visible. "We are dealing with living beings. No change will happen overnight as small children are involved. Change will happen with time," she said.

(The weekly feature series is part of a positive-journalism project of IANS and the Frank Islam Foundation. Nivedita Singh can be contacted at nivedita.singh@ians.in)
Paris, Sep 2 : Fashion designer Victoria Beckham told her children her marriage is solid amid false rumours of her husband David cheating.

She revealed all to Vogue magazine as the couple holidayed in the South of France.

The couple sat down with seven-year-old daughter Harper, and her three teenage brothers to reassure them their marriage was solid after David was falsely linked to another woman.

The interview with the magazine was initially intended to mark her 10 years in fashion. But she wanted to address claims which swept social media three months ago that she was divorcing, reports thesun.co.uk.

The fashion designer, 44, requested her husband to join her for the cover photograph - though a "sultry" solo one of Victoria was also taken.

A friend said the Beckhams are always "transparent" with their children.

Sources said: "Allegations about the state of their marriage and ridiculous claims about David are extremely hurtful, and obviously potentially very distressing for the kids.

"Whilst publicly they maintained a united front by laughing off the rumours, behind closed doors they've taken them much more seriously. They sat the children down and addressed these horrific, hurtful whispers.

"Both David and Victoria are very transparent with the kids to ensure they hear things directly from them - and not from the playground. After the latest furore, they once again took the decision to be open and honest with them, reassuring them Daddy is not a cheat."
Las Vegas, Sep 2 : VMware, one of the largest enterprise software companies, says it has no problem with the demand by the Indian government to localise the servers used by big service providers to store users' data.

The $7.9 billion revenue company, which has tied up with Amazon to offer Public Cloud services on its Cloud arm Amazon Web Services (AWS), stresses there had been demands and they have no issues in complying with local laws, whenever such a demand is made.

Sanjay Poonen, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Customer Operations at VMware told a small group of visiting Indian journalists to "VMWorld 2018" here that "we don't go into a country with the idea of taking advantage of local laws. In general, we have to watch them and conform to them".

A panel by the Indian government is currently working on the guidelines to ensure that data generated locally must be stored within the country.

According to Rajiv Ramaswami, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Products and Cloud Services at VMware, "We can operate in the region with data being kept there and not exported. We will be happy to provide the government with the information they seek".

He said what VMware does is to help the big Cloud providers with governance and compliance issues, guiding them to build in security in their solutions.

"But if the local laws provide for getting details from big Cloud operators, they would move to comply," Ramaswami added.

Poonen, who was born in Kerala, said China and India were very important economies for VMware operations and the company's largest research and development (R&D) centre was in Bengaluru, from where some cutting-edge products come out.

The VMware workforce in India was set to grow, he informed.

"We think there's a very big opportunity unfolding in India and it is a logical place for AWS and VMware to be in," Poonen said, adding that he does not see any sense in Indian companies setting up Private Clouds, especially for disaster recovery.

"Shut it down, if you already have such an infrastructure and move to AWS/VMware. We would make your service just as efficient and cheaper," Poonen asserted on the sidelines of the company's annual conference.

"Anybody in India who's doing business of disaster recovery should do it," he stressed.

There was a great movement towards digitisation in India, said Poonen, and the Narendra Modi government had shown a lot of interest in getting investments from big tech companies. Poonen had met some ministers and top bureaucrats from the country who had all been enthusiastic about.

He said top Indian-origin executives in various Silicon Valley companies always got together to hosts ministers from India who often were eager to get investments into the country.

"The problem, as we all know it, is the bureaucracy and the corruption. If one can labour through that, it would be worthwhile," Poonen said.

When asked whether going with one company like Amazon would not keep VMware limited, he replied that at the moment, they are just one year into the relationship and have joined hands with the top player in the market with 40 per cent market share.

In the future, they may go with other players with whom they are always talking - Microsoft, Google, IBM - who have set up big Public Cloud and are expanding their business.

VMware may also go with Alibaba in China in the future though, at the moment, nothing concrete has emerged.

Ramaswami said there are early days in the demand for VMware/AWS Cloud services in India but most of the companies want to embark on the journey of virtualisation.

"The organisations like State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel and BookMyShow are really the ones ahead of others but adoption of Public and Hybrid Clouds is on the way," he noted.

Talking about desktop virtualisation, Ramaswami said VMware was ahead of its competitors who have been doing piecemeal work.

His company offers a complete package in its "Workspace ONE" project which integrates the desktop, laptop and mobile services across all platforms.

"Workspace ONE" is a digital platform that simply and securely delivers and manages any app on any device by integrating access control, application management and multi-platform endpoint management.

"We are leading the workspace journey here. We see very good opportunity in India where customers are into desktop virtualisation or mobile management, not both," Ramaswami informed.

He said that the parent company Dell Technologies would be coming out with "Workspace ONE" integrated into its computers in future, thus giving a major advantage to the clients.

(Hardev Sanotra was in Las Vegas at the invitation of VMware. He can be reached at hardev.sanotra@ians.in)
New Delhi, Sep 2 : Acclaimed Punjabi poet-writer Amrita Pritam gave all her life to literature but when her partner and famous painter Imroz -- the muse of many of her poems -- wrote about Pritam during her last years, she had stopped both reading and writing.

"She was such a brilliant litterateur all her life. However, she seemed to have lost this love for literature few years before she died," Pritam's close associate and veteran poet Amia Kunwar said at a literary meet here.

Pritam (1919-2005) was born in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) and is well-known for her poem "Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu" -- a writing expressing the horrors and anguish of Punjab's partition.

She is the first woman recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award (1956) for her poem "Sunehary". She also won the Jnanpith Award (1981) and the Padma Vibhushan (2004), a year before she breathed her last on October 31, 2005.

"Towards the end, even the thought of reading and writing troubled her. Whenever I brought up the topic or read something myself, she would ask me to drop it," Kunwar said, adding she was among the first ones phoned by Imroz after the 86-year-old ailing poet died.

Her love for Imroz is much-talked about. It can be seen in writer Uma Trilok's book -- "Amrita Imroz: A Love Story" -- where she talks of Amrita and Imroz's "unpronounced unexpressed love for each other".

They lived together for forty years before her death, after she ended a troubled marriage with her husband, Pritam Singh, in 1960.

Many note that she features in his paintings just as much he does in her poems and writings.

Kunwar, who said she shared many relationships with the poet -- that of a sister, a friend and a confidante -- said that Pritam and Imroz shared a "deep understanding".

After painting Pritam, Imroz started writing for her, but her ailments made her almost indifferent to everything.

Referring to an episode during her last days, Kunwar added: "A sad Imroz had told me that now when he's writing poems for her (Pritam), 'unko kuchh pata hi nahi' (she doesn't know it)."

She was speaking among Punjabi writers and scholars at Saturday's literary meet "Amrita Pritam Nu Yaad Kardeyan" (Remembering Amrita Pritam), organised by the Punjabi Academy, Delhi government at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan here.

It commemorated her 99th birth anniversary and marked the beginning of the centenary year of the people's poet.
Kolkata, Sep 2 : A Trinamool Congress activist was found dead at Bhangar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Sunday after being missing since Saturday night, police said.

While the relative of the deceased claimed that the state ruling party activist has been killed by opposition party workers, police said they have not found any proof of murder.

"The body of Shibu Debnath, a Trinamool Congress worker was found in a pond near his house in Bhangar's Saitgachi on Sunday morning. There are no injury marks on the deceased's body," a senior officer from Bhangar police station said.

"We have got the news that the man was drunk. He consumed alcohol thrice on Saturday. The body has been sent for autopsy to find out how he died. No proof of him being murdered has been found as yet," he said.

The family members of Debnath accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of kidnapping and killing him.

"He suddenly went missing yesterday. We guess that he was kidnapped and murdered by some BJP workers as he supported Trinamool Congress," a relative claimed.

The villages in Bhangar witnessed massive unrest over the construction of a power grid in the area for the last one year.

Violent clashes took place between anti-power grid agitators and state ruling party Trinamool Congress workers several times including at the time of state rural polls in May.
Agartala, Sep 2 : The economic prosperity of India and Bangladesh could be improved by developing border infrastructure and removing basic trade barriers, top politicians and experts said at a seminar here on Sunday.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who inaugurated the seminar, said the under-construction bridge over river Feni in southern Tripura would make easier the transportation of goods between the northeastern states and the rest of the world via the Chittagong sea port in Bangladesh.

The Haldia port near Kolkata is 1,220 km from Assam while the Chittagong international port is less than 70 km from Sabroom in Tripura, he said.

The Chief Minister promised that the bridge would be operational by December next year and accessing Chittagong port would become much easier.

The Agartala Press Club organised the seminar on "Strengthening Indo-Bangladesh relationship" and many experts and politicians from both the countries took part in the event.

"For the development of Tripura and other northeastern states, many construction materials can be imported from Bangladesh or can be transported via that country. The Bangladesh government will also earn huge revenue from these transportation businesses," the Chief Minister said.

Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank (its central bank) Atiur Rahman said the two countries in recent years had resolved decades old issues including exchange of 162 enclaves (Chhitmahals) and maritime boundaries.

"The friendly ties of the two neighbours and each other's economic prosperity could be further improved by developing border infrastructure and removing remaining barriers.

"However, India and Bangladesh are still facing three major challenges - political, infrastructural and regulatory. Bureaucracy is the main obstacle in making investment and speedy growth of trades," he said.

Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin urged the media for objective reporting on the issues relating to India and Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said she was keen to develop deeper ties with India and its northeast that sheltered over one crore people who fled Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war.

"Bangladesh's increasing bilateral ties with India will continue to boost the economy of both the countries. The two neighbours are working in various sectors for mutual benefits. However, the visa norms should be further simplified."

The Agartala Press Club Secretary Pranab Sarkar and editor Subal Kumar Dey stressed on the need for more such interactions and sharing of views to eliminate the misconception over some issues.
Supreme Court has imposed ban on Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and MP.

The real estate sector has been limping from the past one year due to major reforms in the market brought by the centre.

Mumbai: The Supreme Court ban on construction activities in Maharashtra will be a major setback for the real estate sector, according to property experts. The sector has shown some signs of recovery recently after the implementation of demonetisation, GST and MahaRERA. The SC has imposed ban on construction activities in three states, including Maharashtra, over failure of solid waste management.

On Friday, the bench led by Justice Madan Lokur imposed the ban after three states namely Maharahstra, Uttara-khand and Madhya Pradesh failed to deal with mounting waste problem and frame a policy regarding the same.

The real estate sector has been limping from the past one year due to major reforms in the market brought by the centre.

The SCs intention is good from a long-term perspective, but a blanket ban stopping all construction will have a negative impact on housing. It will choke supply, and impact home seekers. Effectively, home buyers will suffer just because some state governments have not formally notified the policy, said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, President (National), NAREDCO, realtors apex body.

In a recent study done by ANAROCK property consultants, Mumbai tops the list with `2,34,000 crore worth of delayed residential units. This move of the court will prove to be a major setback for the realty sector, which had recently started to show some sign of revival. The impeding stay on construction will further push the delivery dates of ongoing projects. Projects worth `4,64,300 crore for a total of 5,75,900 units are already significantly behind schedule, and this stern stand of SC may add to this number, said Anuj Puri, chairman of ANAROCK.

Meanwhile, Amit Wadhwani from Sai Estate stressed that the solution is a collective effort by educating masses and not putting onus on a certain segment.

State rushes to submit waste policy soon to SC

The state government has already framed a policy regarding solid management and accordingly the rules have been prepared, reveal the state officials. This matter will be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court (SC); the court will then request to lift the states ban on the construction of house-building and other constructions. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has also instructed to take immediate action on this matter.

The state has already shaped the waste management policy and framed rules to control it but due to some technical difficulties the document could not be produced to the SC. The facts will be brought before the SC soon and request will be made to lift the ban, read a statement released by the government reacting to the ban on Saturday.

It further added, Various measures are being taken for solid waste management in the smart city and clean Maharashtra campaign in the state. Many local bodies have set up solid waste centres. Also to ensure implementation of waste management activities, the local bodies have been instructed to set aside some amount in budget for it.

According to the statistics given by the state, waste control projects have been approved for close to 150 cities in the state, while 236 cities have already started with waste segregation. In addition, the process of compost fertilizer production in 143 cities is in progress, while 37 cities have received green manure brands.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : A dance-based musical production "In Search of Love", showing three manifestations of love, will explore what love means for a courtesan, a 'jogan' and a traveller. It will be staged at the Kamani auditorium here on Friday.

Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj and filmmaker-artist Muzaffar Ali Sahab will be the guests of honour at the event, the organisers told IANS.

The Kathak dance performance will be based on both traditional and contemporary styles, with occasional merging of the two.

It will explore the themes of worldly and divine affection, journeying from the corporeal to the spiritual.

"In Search of Love" will be performed by dancer-choreographer Astha Dixit, whose work on Sufi poetry will be reflected in the performance.

The three narratives in the production will show how dramatic turns in the lives of the courtesan, 'jogan' and wanderlust traveller, leave them searching for the answer to a timeless question: What is love?

Dixit will be performing with her troupe of 10 dancers.

She has studied the art form of Kathak from her gurus Harish Gangani and Malti Shyam, and has performed in Muscat, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and at the Baalbeck International Festival in Lebanon, the organisers said in a statement.

The tickets for the performance start from Rs 150, and can be bought online at www.bookmyshow.com.
Jakarta, Sep 2 : Japan's young swimmer Rikako Ikee was named the Indonesia Asian Games' Most Valuable Player (MVP) here on Sunday after winning six gold and two silver medals. She received $50,000 in prize money.

The 18-year-old Japanese won the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly as well as the 4x100m freestyle and medley relays, reports Xinhua news agency.

The teenager is the first female winner of the award, which has been presented at every Games since the 1998 edition in Bangkok.

Back in Japan after the competition, Ikee told the media that she was surprised and happy to know that she has been chosen for the honour. "Thanks to the OCA for considering me as the candidate," she said.

For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, she said she will prepare more. "Two years is neither long, nor short, I know what I should do, I will try to achieve more in my own country," she said.
Kolkata, Sep 2 : In a shocking incident, at least 14 dead bodies of newborn babies, wrapped in plastic bags, were recovered from a deserted ground in south Kolkata's Haridebpur on Sunday, police said.

Covered with shrubs and twigs, the bodies were found on Sunday afternoon while the sprawling ground was being cleaned up.

The ground has been sealed by the officials of Kolkata Police following the recovery.

City Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar rushed to the spot.

"I was informed by the local councillor that the ground was filled with litters for many months and needed to be cleaned. While the cleaning work was on, 14 dead bodies of new born babies could be recovered from one side of the ground. The bodies were wrapped in plastic and chemical was applied to stop them from rotting," Chatterjee said.

"The police are keeping a strict vigil on the spot. The entire ground needs to be cleaned to ascertain the exact number of bodies that have been dumped here."

The police are still figuring out how the bodies were dumped on the empty ground.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 : A Kerala Minister on Sunday warned that strict action would be taken against the state government officials who were not making an objective assessment of the damages caused to houses by the recent floods.

With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan leaving for medical treatment to the US, Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan, the de facto number two in the government, told the media that "very tough action" would be taken against erring officials.

"All complaints will be looked into and none will be spared," he said.

Kerala floods have claimed 483 lives and the estimated loss is more than the annual outlay of the state. Thousands of houses have been destroyed, while a greater number of homes have been damaged.

With the state government starting a massive fund collection drive to rebuild a 'new Kerala', besides announcing compensation to the losses suffered, the local bodies officials have begun estimation of the losses.

Jayarajan spoke tough when he was told about specific cases of officials overestimating the damages suffered to residential properties in Malappuram district.

The state government has also announced an interim relief of Rs 10,000 to every family that has suffered on account of floods.

"This money will be given to all and there is no rule that this money will be given to only who were in relief camps. Every family who suffered the floods... even if they remained in their homes would get this. Only those who say they do not want, will not be given," said Revenue Secretary P.H. Kurien.
Beijing, Sep 2 : At least five people were killed and 16 others missing after floods lashed China's Yunnan province on Sunday, authorities said.

The flood was caused by heavy rain that started pounding the Mengdong Township, Malipo County early on Sunday, Xinhua news agency cited the county's publicity office.

The disaster has also injured five people, damaged homes, cut electricity supply and communications, and caused cave-ins in the township.

The provincial civil affairs and meteorological authorities have activated emergency responses to the disaster.

Rescue work is underway.
Vatican City, Sep 2 : Pope Francis on Sunday called on the international community to ensure the safety of civilians in Syria's Idlib province, one of the last opposition-held territories in the conflict-ridden nation.

"The winds of war are still blowing and we are receiving disturbing news of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, in the province of Idlib," Efe news quoted the pontiff who was addressing a crowd at the Vatican during the Angelus prayer.

"I renew my appeal to the international community and to all the actors involved to use diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations in accordance with international humanitarian law to protect the lives of civilians," he added.

The UN has also requested international parties involved in the Syrian civil war to do everything to prevent open warfare in Idlib, which is home to around three million people.

In recent years, the government of Bashar al-Assad has used Idlib province as a repository for rebel fighters and families evacuated from other regions of the country.
Moscow, Sep 2 : Thousands protested on Sunday across Russia against government plans to raise the national pension age, after heeding the call to demonstrate from Russia's Communist Party and other left-wing organisations.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday softened his stance on the reforms in a bid to quell protests, saying the retirement age for women would only rise from 55 to 60 instead of 63, as initially planned, while for men, the age would increase from 60 to 65, Efe news reported.

Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov spoke at the rally, asserting that "there is no confidence in the government and there will be even less if they approve the reforms", which he described as "cannibalistic".

The changes have been given a preliminary green-light by the State Duma, Russia's lower parliament, but have provoked widespread outrage across the country.

Opinion polling has shown that about 90 per cent of Russians are against increasing the retirement age.

According to Moscow Police, around 6,000 people took part in the demonstration while the organisers estimated that around 100,000 people participated.
Berlin, Sep 2 : Huawei AI Cube, the first Amazon Alexa-powered smart speaker from the Chinese tech giant introduced at consumer electronics show IFA 2018 here, has the ability to make calls if it gets approval from local operators, cliams a top company executive.

Unlike other smart speakers such as the Google Home, Apple's HomePod or Amazon Echo devices, the cylindrical-sized speaker from Huawei also has a 4G mobile Internet router, meaning users can insert a SIM card in the device and make it their Wi-Fi hotspot if they so wish.

"We are planning to sell it in partnership with local mobile network operators just like what Jio is doing with its phones in India," Shudong Luo, Chief Marketing Engineer, IoT (Internet of Things) Produt Line, told IANS, hinting that the AI Cube could even come for free, depending on the partnership with the local carrier.

The AI Cube, which currenly supports three languages - English, German and French - is likely to hit the stores first in Europe towards the end of this year.

Huawei said it was currenly not prepared to bring it to the fledgling Indian smart speaker market.

Besides the addition of the 4G router, what sets the AI Cube apart from its competitors are the Huawei Histen audio technology and its enhanced AI capabilities that offers superior performance, Shudong said, adding that one can call the AI Cube from a maximum distance of five metres.

Histen enriches the AI speaker's set of features by including virtual bass, linear phase equaliser, adaptive gain control, far-field voice recognition and more as part of its repertoire, Huawei said.

While the calling capability of the AI Cube is not unique for a smart speaker, it may have a wider application than its competitors because of the 4G router.

"The AI Cube works like a human ear and automatically adjusts to the surrounding sound effects," Shudong said about the device powered by HiSilicon Balong chipset.

The device supports LTE category 6 speeds -- 300Mbps downlink - and is compatible with the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, meaning the router is dual band, capable of working on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels, according to Huawei.

With Alexa built into the device, consumers can use it to effortlessly play music, control smart home devices, and access more than 50,000 "skills", or apps, with voice commands.

The worldwide smart home devices market, inclusive of smart speakers and other devices, is forecast to ship 549.5 million devices in 2018, growing 26.8 per cent over the prior year, according to a report from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

The value of the smart speaker market is set to reach $27.8 billion in 2022 from $11.8 billion in 2018, according to the report.

(Gokul Bhagabati is attending IFA 2018 at the invitation of Huawei Consumer Business Group. He can be contacted at gokul.b@ians.in)
New Delhi, Sep 2 : Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa will be on an official visit to Myanmar and Malaysia from Monday to boost India's military ties with its eastern neighbours.

"The visit will be beneficial for enhancing the strong camaraderie and partnership that the nations and their Air Forces share," an Indian Air Force (IAF) statement said.

Presently, areas of cooperation between India and the two countries include exchanges in military training course, mutual visits by subject matter experts and joint air exercises.

During the visit, IAF chief is scheduled to visit various operational establishments and interact with senior functionaries of the Myanmar and Malaysian air forces. The main focus would be to share ideas, enhance mutual engagement and promote understanding, the statement said.

"The visit of the IAF chief would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation between the air forces and pave the way for greater interaction in future."
Hyderabad, Sep 2 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday sounded the poll bugle, appealing to the people of the state not to become slaves of national parties and urged them to emulate Tamil Nadu for their self-respect.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief gave the call at a massive public meeting held here amid talks of early polls to the state Assembly which completes its term in May 2019. TRS has hinted that it may go for early polls to delink them from the Lok Sabha elections.

Promising to take Telangana forward on the path of development, Rao sought continued support of the people so that the TRS can take various works launched by it to their logical conclusion.

"You have to decide whether decisions relating to Telangana should be taken by us here or should we become slaves of Delhi parties," he said in an obvious reference to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Hinting that the TRS will contest the coming polls on the plank of self-respect, he advised Telangana people to emulate Tamil Nadu, which has its own parties and where people never allow Delhi parties to take their decisions.

Lakhs of people were mobilized from across the state for the meeting christened "Pragathi Nivedana' (Progress report).

TRS leaders claimed that 25 lakh people attended the meeting held at Kongara Kalan on the city outskirts.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, made no announcement about dissolution of the Assembly to go for early polls.

He said the ministers and party leaders have authorized him to take a decision which is in the best interest of Telangana. "In the coming days you will hear that decision."

He announced the formation of a manifesto committee, headed by party General Secretary K. Keshava Rao. The panel will come out with what TRS plans to do if voted to power again.

Seeking a fresh mandate, KCR promised to make "Bangaru" or golden Telangana a reality. Stating that works on many irrigation projects were on, he said the goal of bringing one crore acres under irrigation would be achieved in two years.

KCR vowed to further increase the revenues of the state and distribute the fruits of economic development among people. He promised to do more for the welfare of various sections of people by increasing the social security pensions and providing jobs to the unemployed.

The TRS chief recalled his announcement that he would not seek votes in the next elections if he failed to ensure tapped drinking water to every house in the state.

Claiming that no other politician in the country ever made such a commitment, KCR said 45 per cent of "Mission Bhagiratha" was already completed and the remaining work will be completed by Diwali.

He lashed out at leaders of the opposition parties for stating that their goal is to oust KCR from power.

He accused them of creating hurdles in the path of development by filing court cases over irrigation projects.

KCR recalled the long struggle for Telangana state and referred to the injustices meted out to people in unified Andhra Pradesh.

He said after creation of Telangana state, when the TRS government began its journey, there was uncertainty over the financial position of the new state.

He claimed that during the last four years Telangana had consistently recorded highest growth rate in the country.

He claimed that the TRS government acted with commitment to increase the state's revenues and used the same to provide benefits to all sections of people.

KCR said overcoming the electricity shortage and ensuring 24-hour free electricity to farmers was one of the major achievements.

He said the state was on course to becoming electricity-surplus.

He listed out measures taken for the welfare of farmers including loan waiver, investment support of Rs 8,000 per acre for two crops every year, life insurance for farmers, revival of old irrigation tanks, pensions to various sections of people, financial assistance to poor girls for their marriages, distribution of sheep for rearing and help to various castes engaged in traditional professions.
Ambedkar further claimed that the polices evidence against the arrested activists recently was false and baseless.

Mumbai: Dalit leader and Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh president Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday stoked a fresh controversy with a comment on the alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rubbishing the polices claims about a Maoist conspiracy to end Modi Raj with Rajiv Gandhi-type plot, Mr Ambedkar said, Tick 20 (a pesticide) is enough to kill a rat; a gun is not needed.

On Friday, the Maharashtra police claimed that it had conclusive proof to link five left-wing activists, who were arrested recently, to Maoist-related activities.

The police also referred to an email between Rona Wilson, one of the arrested activists, and a Maoist leader, speaking of ending the Modi Raj with a Rajiv Gandhi-type assassination incident.

Commenting on the issue in a television interview, Mr Ambedkar said letters shown by the police in the press conference on Friday were not alluding to killing the Prime Minister. He said the letter only mentioned about Rajiv Gandhi type plot. He further stated that the police had needlessly linked letters with the assassination conspiracy. Taking a jibe at Mr Modi, Mr Ambedkar said, Tick 20 is enough to kill a rat; a gun is not needed.

Mr Ambedkar further claimed that the polices evidence against the arrested activists recently was false and baseless.

The Maharashtra police had recently raided the homes of activists Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and trade unionist Sudha Bharadwaj. The raids were carried out as part of a probe into the Elgar Parishad event held in Pune on December 31 last year, which had allegedly triggered violence between dalits and upper caste groups at the village of Bhima- Koregaon in the district.

The police has claimed that there is a larger conspiracy by Maoist organisations to overthrow the Indian government using weapons procured from Russia and China. It also claimed to have conclusive proof to link left-wing activists to Maoist activities.

They also produced a letter allegedly written by Wilson to a Maoist leader, Comrade Prakash, about a requirement of `8 crore for the supply of rifles, grenade launchers and rounds of ammunition.
Londons new multibillion-pound Crossrail service will miss its opening date by the best part of a year, the new delay making it two years late. Crossrail announced that further time is required to ensure a safe and reliable railway meaning Londoners won't be able to experience the new 13 mile

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Purplebricks has appointed of Neil Tavender to the role of chief operating officer in its struggling Australian outpost.

Tavender is a former sales director at UK-based listings portal Rightmove, before he worked as commercial property director at propertyfinder.com.

Neil Tavender has been appointed to the new position of group COO of Purplebricks to support the growth of the business," a spokesperson said.

"Neil has a wealth of real estate knowledge, combined with many years of Australian board-level sales, marketing and digital experience."

Mr Tavender was granted share options worth approximately $2.5 million on his appointment.

His appointment followed the recent departure of New South Wales-based Brent May, its national sales director.

May had joined "well positioned to draw on his 25 years of real estate experience."

"There is no doubt in my mind that Purplebricks is the smart way to sell property," May had suggested when he was at the low commission agency.

Leaked documents obtained by the AFR earlier this year showed that NSW agents were struggling to get vendors to sign up despite the low commission policy.

Industry leader Hayden Groves says Purplebricks aren't offering proper real estate agents.

The staff shuffle comes as Purplebricks' struggles continue to capture dreadful headlines from aggrieved former staff.

Its numbers have dipped to 90 from its 105 high late last year with many agents quitting because they could not make a living.



Jason van Straalen, a former agent at Purplebricks in Australia, is the latest to have claimed the hybrid model will not work in a declining market.

van Straalen has said that he quit after earning less than half of what he was told he would earn.

He has also accused Purplebricks of a bullying culture, as agents struggled to reach targets.

He says he worked 80-hour weeks and secured 67 listings in 13 months, but only managed to sell 20.

van Straalen talked to the Australian Financial Review, which ran the interview originally under the headline: Inside the Purplebricks sweatshop: former agent accuses it of toxic culture.
Pennsylvania announced Thursday that Thiel College was awarded a $1 million grant to make upgrades at the Academic Center on the northwest Pennsylvania campus. "The academic facility improvements will enhance the educational and training options at Thiel College."

Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, was awarded $1 million for improvements to laboratories, classrooms and common areas through a state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

The academic facility improvements will enhance the educational and training options at Thiel College, increasing the reasons why students who choose a post-secondary education in Pennsylvania are given every opportunity to forge a path toward a successful future, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said.

A statewide announcement of the grant award was made Thursday morning.

This grant recognizes the impact of Thiel College on the economics and lives of people in our region, Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., said. The Academic Center is the nerve center for the learning that occurs at Thiel, and these investments will benefit the next generations of graduates in new programs in environmental safety and healthcare. The brick-and-mortar improvements will enhance the student experience in the lab and classroom and continue Thiels 150-year-plus tradition of its students becoming career-oriented graduates.

Traverso said the College is grateful for the support of state Sen. Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Erie/Mercer/Warren) and state Rep. Mark Longietti (D-Mercer) in guiding the Colleges application through the process.

We appreciate the hard work and collaborative spirit that led to this investment in our campus, Traverso said. Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard and Senior Vice President for Finance and Management Bob Schmoll framed the grant application along with Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Liz Frombgen. I cannot say enough about the strong support that the College enjoys from our elected officials and community leaders. Our region is strengthened when the community comes together around a common goal.

These grant funds will support improvements throughout the Academic Center as well as the creation of a community clinic with our communication sciences and disorders program, Traverso said, Thiel College has offered its students academic excellence for more than 150 years, but its value to the community far transcends its strong academic reputation, Brooks said. Thiel is a vital educational and economic resource, while also being a leading employer. It is such an essential part of our community.

Longietti said the funding will help Thiel continue as a leading area employer and regional partner.

Returns from this investment will reach far beyond the campus, Longietti said. Thiel College is a driving force for the local economy and the entire region. The new centers enhanced resourcesincluding expanded STEM training thats so vital to todays high-skill jobswill help fortify our manufacturing industry and allow it to keep pace with changes in the global market.

At the same time, as our area economy expands to include the health and education fields, the new academic center will help meet those demands by providing expanded research facilities and new programs of study.
SkySilk Launch September 1st. Welcome to your new home in the cloud. SkySilk is an easy-to-use, scalable cloud computing platform with VPS plans starting as low as $1/month

September 1st, 2018: Today, SkySilk Cloud Services announced their brand new cloud platform is live and available to the public. SkySilk provides a simple cloud infrastructure which allows for users to create Virtual Private Servers (VPS) that can be used for application development, website hosting, IT automation, cloud storage, and more. SkySilks beta testing period saw over 20,000 users request beta access, with more than 20,000 VPSs deployed by beta users across the world. To celebrate the official launch, SkySilk is offering 500 of what they call SkyPoints to all new users which equates to a $5.00 credit to start with. In addition to early sign up rewards, SkySilk VPS pricing starts as low as $1/month, and just $5/month for premium, optimized VPS.

As a service, SkySilk is a cloud computing provider that offers simple, reliable, scalable, and affordable cloud computing solutions. The flexibility of the resource plans and hardware lies out a platform which is suitable for developers, website owners, small to mid sized businesses, IT professionals, and even students looking to utilize cloud computing in their everyday workflows.

Since its inception in 2015 and through the course of beta testing which started in early 2017, SkySilk has been able to mitigate any potential issues and fortify the platforms security measures to protect from viruses, DDoS attacks, hacking, torrenting, and any other malicious server activity that would otherwise affect its users.

Furthermore, SkySilk has built a community around its users, offering engagement through their Discord server and community forums. This gives freedom to their users to suggest any improvements towards the service, have any questions answered, features they would like to see implemented, and share their own projects hosted on the platform.

At its core, SkySilk provides an extensive library of Turnkey Linux applications and developer tools that can be pre-installed and configured on a VPS with just 1 click. Several of these apps include, WordPress, OpenVPN, NodeJS, Redmine,NextCloud, and many more options for various use-cases. SkySilk also offers a variety of the most popular Linux distros for more hands on control and clean OS environments for users to deploy. Any of these tools can be hosted for as low as $1/month for their Basic plans, $2 for Standard, and $5 for Premium which includes triple replicated NVMe SSD storage, AMD EPYC/Intel server-optimized CPUs, and up to

1 Gb/s Bandwidth. Additionally, all other plans come standard with SSD storage on tier-1 industry leading hardware from Dell and Lenovo.

SkySilks project manager, Matt Atkin, had some encouraging words for the state of the company and his excitement towards past, future, and present users, This is an exciting time for SkySilk and we want to kick off the launch of our custom cloud platform with a notable discount that allows our users the opportunity to experience SkySilk at pricing that works for them. We are grateful for the chance to have been able to work closely with our beta testers in order to build the best, most refined product we could. We are thrilled to finally be able to offer our platform to the public starting today!

The anticipated launch also comes with a number of UI improvements and the release of the SkySilk mobile iOS cloud app which allows users to deploy, manage, and use their VPS from the palm of their hand. The app will share the same functionality as the front end along with built-in SSH and VNC consoles that can be accessed with their mobile device. Any iOS user can download the app from the iOS store upon launch; An Android build will be coming in the near future as well.

SkySilk Managed Cloud Services launches today, September 1st and can be found at SkySilk.com
In an instagram post which was sighted by browngh.com, she made it clear to Ghanaians that she is not a Slay Queen ad that she is just a queen that slays.

It can be recalled that, Efia Odo who is neglecting the slay queen tag shot to fame by slaying on Instagram .

READ ALSO: undefined

In 2017, she dominated the headlines and attained fame due to her provocative way dressing .

Slay queen Means Young and naive girls who apparently do not date broke men. They spend hours on Snapchat and Instagram showing off things they dont even own. Or Girls who do not have a wealthy background but appear as if they do. They use malicious acts to attain cash, drink expensive alcohol, procure expensive cellphones. But back at home, shes a chicken chaser.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
She has created a niche for herself. Some people call her the lady with short and stunning sunglasses. And a colorful side bag. Give her these fashion accessories and with the directions of a good photographer, she will give you an iconic pose and a lovely photo.

Give accolades to those who deserve it. Lharley has really done well for herself over the past few years and she really knows to hunt for or lets stay hang around great influencers like High Royal Blackness, KKD, Claudia Lumor, Brommon among others.

READ ALSO: Official photos from Glitz Style Awards 2018

Glitz Style Awards is one of Ghanas prestigious fashion events that we proudly call our own due to its organization, credibility, and power to sell Ghana to the rest of the world.

Celebrities and fashion lovers always look up this event because earning a nomination even shows that you have finally arrived on the Ghanaian fashion scene.

The organizers introduced a new category this year: Rising Style Influencer. A lot of attention automatically dawned on this category because so many young fashionistas have popped up on the scene and people eager to know who will scoop this award.

Lharley, Kinorah Awini, Papa Oppong and Debbie Beeko were nominated for this category. When we saw the nomination list, it was very obvious the organisers created a mismatch with the nominees in order for her to win.

Here are some pointers:

Hosting of Glitz Africa events

Out of the four nominees, Lharley has had the honor of hosting events for Glitz Africa where Ghanaian celebrities and other dignitaries were present giving her a little privilege over the others. According to reports, 2 of such event this year so far and she handled the mic with intelligence and style.

The face of Girl Talk

Find spare time and check the people who have liked her photos on Instagram. You will lose count of the number of Ghanaian celebrities there.

At least once every month, she gets the opportunity to meet A -lister celebrity who is celebrating their birthday. She creates the rapport and boom, she gets invite to star-studded events.

Papa Oppong was nominated in the wrong category

Papa Oppong is a talented fashion designer and illustrator and should have been in the category for emerging designers.

He bombards Instagram with beautiful graphics of the likes of Kelly Rowland and Rihanna, of which Kelly Rowland retweeted and Rihanna faved on Instagram.

One of Ghanas prestigious fabric brand, Vlisco has featured one of his sketches on their Facebook page. He has also released impressive collections.

READ ALSO:10 of the worst dresses we have seen on red carpets in Ghana

Kinorah Awini is a self-made style influencer

Kinorah Awini is a food blogger and a self-made style influencer.

She owns telandeworld, a food network where local dishes are prepared with a touch of a contemporary twist. We think she is a self-made because she dresses fabulously at her own expenses.

Kinorah doesnt wait for events before she contacts a designer to make her stand out in awesome dresses. She doesnt take studio photos, just a beautiful image with her porch phone.

The food goddess has tried and tested all the fashion styles available from chic street style to corporate, red carpet to slay queen and she looks good in all.

Debbie Beeko is an editorial makeup

She is an outstanding makeup artist with a great love for fashion. As they always say, appearance speaks a lot about people.

If you want you celebrity clients to take you seriously, you must always look good.

For now, visit her blog for more makeup tutorials.

READ ALSO: Nikki Samonas talks fashion with Pulse Ghana

Although the Papa Oppong, Kinorah Awini and Debbie Beeko are great players in the fashion industry, where they were nominated clearly took them out of the reckoning to win. Papa Oppong dreams of breaking barriers to be like Virgil Abloh probably.

Kinorah is busily tasting different recipes across the world to satisfy her customers and Debbie is on the quest to teach young ladies how to apply makeup effortlessly. Fashion just happens to meet these women along the way.
READ MORE: Parliament approves bauxite trade deal for Chinese funded roads

In a Facebook post, President Akufo-Addo said, "Amongst others, I held separate bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping, and Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, with the talks centered on deepening the ties of co-operation and the bonds of friendship between the two countries.

"The $2 billion Sinohydro deal was also signed between the Government of Ghana and Power China."

The barter trade facility will be used to construct roads, hospitals, houses, rural electrification, interchanges, bridges and other government priority projects.

The agreement received parliamentary approval in July despite protest by the minority who insisted that agreement is a loan.

READ MORE: Sinohydro clears path at Atewa Forest bauxite mining

Meanwhile, the Minority wrote to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek its verdict on the matter.

According to the Minority Leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu, their side considers the deal to be a loan, hence their letter to the IMF.

The letter was to ask the IMF whether the $2 billion Chinese deal agreed by the government in exchange for bauxite will add to the countrys debt burden
Some stations in the northern part of the country, he hinted have already started laying off the workers. He said this is attributable to the increasing activities of black market fuel dealers in the country.

The implication of this black market on the OMC is that we cant meet over big overheads and if this continue, then we would have no option than to lay people offour overheads are big so if we dont make the volumes as it is now when some people are even making one-tenth of the volumes, we have no choice than to lay people off, he said.

He explained that unscrupulous and irresponsible Ghanaians and foreigners have entered into the petroleum sector (Petroleum Black Market dealers) whose operations are inimical to the economy.

He said investigations have established that the Petroleum Black Market dealers engage in some illegal oil ships deal on the high seas in order to avoid the payment of taxes whilst others claims to be exporting the products to the land locked countries only to divert and sell the products locally.

According to the tax regulations, petroleum products being exported to the land lock countries does not attract taxes from Ghana.

Some truck drivers have taken advantage of this policy and go to the yard to load fuel with foreign number plates; after invading the taxes and diverting the products sells it cheaply in yellow gallons, at vantage points and also on table tops.

Some of the trucks allegedly sell the product to some filing stations as well.

The occurrence, the AOMC Boss said is accounting for the losses that his outfit is suffering which would eventually lead to the laying off of workers.

The government, he revealed also lost revenue in excess of $500 million in 2016 through the illegal activities of Petroleum Black Market dealers.

Not only is government losing tax revenue, scores of OMCs are also losing out as a result of sale of cheap products in the market and we are at the point of declaring employees redundant.
The residences, built five years ago, houses mainly Appeal Court judges, about nine of them.

They were served with eviction notice and given temporal accommodation in order to make way for the demolish of the structures on the 14-acres of prime lands in Accra.

The move has been severely criticised by some Ghanaians, questioning why structures built with state funds will be demolished for a cathedral.

At a meeting with Christian leaders early this work, President Akufo-Addo hinted of further discussions about the project.
The BMC has formed a team of over 310 inspectors from market, license and shops and establishments departments.

Mumbai: In two months after the implementation of plastic ban, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has seized approximately 17,000 kgs of banned plastic and collected a fine of nearly Rs 1 crore. The amount of seized plastic in last two months is far greater than the one collected in last four years.

According to civic data, the BMC  after the plastic ban started from June 23  has seized Rs 16,964.18 kgs of banned plastic till August 31. In the same period, it collected fine of Rs 97.70 lakh from 2,09,589 offenders for violating the ban.

In comparison, the results of BMCs action in last four years against banned plastic are far less. In the period from the year 2012 up to June 22 this year, a day before plastic ban came into force, the civic body had seized on 5,264 kgs of banned plastic with the collection of nearly 1.90 crore of fine.

The BMC has formed a team of over 310 inspectors from three departments  market, license and shops and establishments  to take action against banned plastic in the city. Called as blue squads, these officials have been given blue jackets stating specifically that they belong to the plastic ban squad and also authorisation letters from the BMC. The teams of inspectors have been visiting shops, malls, markets, hawkers, and vendors to crack a whip on banned plastic.

Earlier the ban was only against plastic carry bags, which are under 50 microns thickness. However, the new ban includes several plastic items. In addition to this, earlier we had officials of only shops and establishments department to take the action. But now there are separate dedicated teams to implement the ban on a larger scale, said a senior civic official.

Under the plastic ban, the state government has declared a fine of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for first and second time offence. A third-time offender will be fined Rs 25,000 along with three mon-ths imprisonment.
The President left Accra on Friday to China for a state visit as part of moves to deepen the bilateral ties between Accra and Beijing.

He is also to attend the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4.

China state media Xinhua is reporting that the two leaders agreed to inject new vitality into and further enrich the bilateral relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China has always seen Ghana as a reliable friend and a good partner of common development.

For his part, Akufo-Addo said the Ghana-China friendship forged by the two countries' older generations of leaders is unbreakable. Ghana cast its vote in support of the People's Republic of China regaining its rightful seat in the United Nations and has been upholding the one-China policy.
READ MORE: Volta NDC rejects Dzifa Attivor over bus branding

The latest suit against him was filed by mining company C&G Aleska Company Limited.

Lawyers for C&G in a writ say the defendant in July this year published pictures of lands destroyed by mining activities which were believed to be concessions of the mining compnay.

Also, Mr Agyapong is reported to have published documents believed to be the rate and fees charged by the mining company to be the sale of its concession.

The company said the publication of the materials by the legislator suggested the company was engaged in illegal mining and selling of mining concessions to the perpetrators of the act.

C&J noted that the publication has gravelly injured the reputation of the company both locally and internationally.

READ MORE: Here are all the newly elected NDC chairpersons

The mining company is therefore demanding a compensation of GH20,000,000 for general damages.
READ MORE: Ade Coker pulls off shocking election win

Her opponent had used the bus branding saga, which led to her resignation as the Transport Minister, against her.

Prior to the election, she told Accra-based Joy FM that she will win by 65 percent, dismissing the bus branding saga.

The bus branding is the minutest part of the campaign It is not an issue she said on Joy FM, trumpeting her credentials as a crowd puller.

She resigned as Transport Minister in 2015 after it emerged that her ministry used one million dollars in rebranding some 100 buses belonging to the Metro Mass Transit Limited.

READ MORE: Joseph Yamin loses bid to become NDC Ashanti regional chairman
Trust us when we say the week was full of events as more shockingly we saw one of your favourite celebrities do the unthinkable. Even though there were a couple of car accidents (hopefully Djinee recovers fully) the week saw some celebs make some statements that have been blown out of proportion.

1. Jude Okoye comes for women who have a thing with plastic surgery

Our first big story of the week was on Jude Okoye's view on women who have a thing for plastic surgery. The music director made this known via his Instagram page on Sunday, August 26, 2018. According to him, he hopes they do it for their personal self-esteem.

"All these women clinically enhancing their butts. Hope its for your personal self-esteem cos it doesnt make you more desirable in any way. #happysunday," he wrote.

2. Yul Edochie says dreams die in Nigeria

Just when Jude Okoye was calling out certain women for their lack of self-esteem, Yul Edochie was throwing jabs at the entire nation. The actor turned politician made his disappointments known via his Twitter page on Sunday, August 26, 2018. He gave a brief story of his friend who worked in Nigeria for years as a doctor without making money but became rich after his short move abroad.

3. Timaya says marriage doesn't work

Ok, this is one story that really went viral in the course of the week. Timaya apparently has a thing against marriage which he shared with his friend and colleague, Phyno. Phyno posted the video on his Instagram stories on Sunday, August 26, 2018. In the video, Timaya is spotted making a funny gesture and giving the rather unexpected comment accompanied by Paul Okoye of Psquare.

"Just born pikin the pikin go grow, Mummy this marriage thing nor dey work," he said.

4. Jim Iyke denies reports of arrest at airport

While Timaya was discouraging Phyno from getting married, his best friend, Jim Iyke was busy doing a damage control after a viral video went out saying he was arrested by the police at the airport for slapping staff of an airline.

In a telephone conversation with PULSE, the talented actor said he was shocked by the news filtering the air about his arrest. According to him, he only had a delayed flight and was only being escorted by his two personal assistants and police escort.

5. Anto survives ghastly car accident

Well guys during the week, a former BBNaija reality tv star, Anto revealed how she escaped a car accident. The former reality star took to her Instagram page on Monday, August 27, 2018, where she posted a photo of the ruined car. According to her, while everyone was celebrating the Muslim holiday she was having a near death experience.

6. Seyi Law shares unbelievable testimony

Seyi Law shared an unusual testimony to his fans on social media. The comedian took to his Instagram page on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, where he shared photos of his new house. He went on to reveal how he had just N63K in his account just before he bought his house because he had lost a lot of money during his last show. media during the week.

7. Djinee involved in car crash

We really pray that Djinee is recovering after the news of his involvement in a ghastly car accident during the week. The accident occurred on Monday, August 27, 2018, in the Lekki axis of Lagos Island. According to movie director, Abinibi who posted a video and photos from the accident scene on his Instagram page, he presently receiving treatment and recovering at an undisclosed hospital.

8. Davido goes to NYSC camp

Guys this was the biggest story in the celebrity world for the week as Davido showed up the NYSC camp for this year's orientation programme. The music star took to his Instagram page on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, where he shared a photo of himself wearing the traditional NYSC kit.

"Otondo OBO ... #Nysc .. tying up every loose end !" he captioned the photo.

9. DJ Cuppy shares why she is no longer a feminist

One of the most sensitive topic to discuss around is on feminism. We guess DJ Cuppy didn't care whose buttons she was going to trigger as she revealed why she stopped being a feminist. The billionaire heiress revealed this while granting an interview with City FM. According to her, she didn't really understand the idea of being a feminist after a while hence her reason for opting out of the idea.
According to Vanguard, worshippers had gathered at St. Paul Catholic Church at Adagbrassa in Okpe local government area of Delta State for the morning mass, when the building caved in.

Enukanehire died immediately as a section of the building crushed him while he was drumming during the praise session, the report stated.

Delta state Governor reacts

In his reaction, the Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa expressed sadness over the incident.

Okowa also asked the Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye to visit the site of the collapse and investigate the incident.

This was made known to newsmen in a statement issued by the Governors spokesman, Charles Aniagwu.

Okowa said This is indeed a very sad and unfortunate incident. On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Chief Julius Scott, the Orodje of Okpe, HRM, Orhue 1, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd) and the entire Ugolo community in Okpe Kingdom over the unfortunate incidence.

It is our prayer that the soul of the deceased will rest in peace, and that the injured will experience quick recovery. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the people of Ugolo in Okpe Kingdom over this tragedy.

Dead boys father speaks

Narrating how it happened, the father of the drummer who died said We had just finished the morning prayer for the 7a.m mass when the wall collapsed on my son.

We had gone for service in company of my wife and five children when the unfortunate incident occurred.

ALSO READ: Flood claims 14 lives in Niger

The wall on the left side of the building collapsed and subsequently pulled the other sections of the building down on the worshippers.

My son had succeeded in freeing himself from the initial wall that fell on him when another section of the building fell and crushed him to death.
Duke in an interview, reportedly said that he would offer protectionto gay people and not criminalise them.

He said "I don't understand it (homosexuality) because I'm straight, the emotional feelings a gay person would have of their sexuality, I don't understand it, but I would not criminalise them.

"I would ensure that they have the protection of the law but if they want to exhibit their sexuality, that's an affront on the current norms of society.

"I arrived at New York and went through the airport, and at the passenger rank, two guys came together and were kissing. Keep it in your house. I'm sorry.

"I'm talking about the norms of society. The day you try and kiss me, the slap I'll slap you ehn. Don't even try it.

"You cannot jettison the norms of society. There are certain things you'll do in America or in England or Nigeria that you cannot do in Saudi Arabia, for instance, and you've got to respect the norms of the society.

"So when you're in Rome, behave like the Romans. Don't swim against the tide because we're not there."

Homosexuality is a crime

Donald Duke, in a statement which he issued on Twitter, stated that his comment about protecting the rights of gay people is not an affirmation of homosexuality and same sex marriage.

His statement reads: Recently, a statement I made during an interview concerning gay rights and homosexuality has been construed as my affirmation of homosexuality and same sex marriage. Nothing is further from the truth.

Homosexuality is a crime in Nigeria and ought to remain so. What I however did say is that I would not go seeking homosexuals for prosecution as this is liable to abuses and as such would rather not delve into the sexuality of an individual. For the avoidance of doubt, our law on homosexuality stands in fact and in my moral rectitude. 

The Lagos State Police Command recently arrested 57 persons suspected to beinvolved in homosexual activities in the Egbeda area of the state.
According to Leadership, GEJ said this while speaking at the 35th and 36th combined convocation ceremony of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt in Rivers state.

The former President was also honoured with the Icon of Democracy award by the University.

Home-coming

Jonathan, who had lectured in the institution, said that being at the University felt like coming back home to him.

He said I want to specially thank the Senate of the University for considering my family worthy of double honours, to wit: the conferment of the honour of Icon of Democracy on me and the naming of the new Automated University Library after my wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.

I always attach so much importance to any recognition coming from home because I strongly believe that no prize commands higher value than the one given by the beneficiarys direct constituency.

Job satisfaction

Let me also say that I had good job satisfaction here, compared to all the other places I have worked. I know that the only major challenge academic staff face is with the reward system, considering the fact that as a nation, we are yet to get to the point where we pay our teachers the wages they deserve.

However, for all the hindrances teachers face, they derive a fulfilling experience and satisfaction from the special relationship they cultivate with their students. This is because bringing up the young ones is very rewarding in a very distinct manner. The bond, friendship and sense of loyalty are eternal.

Even today, the way my former students regard and relate with me is different from the way my fellow politicians relate with me, even those I mentored, he added.

Wike donates N500m

Speaking at the event, Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike said his administrations goal is to provide quality education for the people.

Leadership reports that he also made a donation of N500m to the University to aid in the expansion of their facilities.

For us therefore, providing quality education for our people is an absolute necessity as nothing can be more important.

That was why we have and will continue to prioritise the provision of quality education for our children and adults alike to acquire the knowledge and skills that they need to succeed and contribute to our collective progress.

Here in this university, we recently released the sum of N200, 000,000.00 as capital grant for fiscal year 2017 and we are happy with the qualitative deployment of this money by the vice chancellor to meet the infrastructure needs of this university.

We are also pleased with the progressive increase in enrolment being experienced by the university in recent times, which shows a growing confidence in the quality and relevance of the progammes of the university.

These unparalleled achievements clearly testify to the fact that the university is fulfilling its mandate of producing quality teaching and administrative manpower to drive the educational needs of the state and our nation, he added.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Sunday when he appeared as guest on a Nigeria Television Authority programme, Stepping Up.

The minister said the five ongoing projects to benefit from the fund included the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway construction, the second Niger bridge and the East-West road construction.

The other two are the Abuja  Kano expressway construction and the Mambilla power project.

He said President Muhammadu Buharis administration was committed to infrastructure development across Nigeria and would continue to revive and complete all abandoned projects inherited from previous administration.

We believed that rather than starting new projects, it will benefit Nigerians to complete all inherited abandoned projects.

To appreciate the commitment of the administration to infrastructure: In 2014 Nigeria spent N14 billion on transportation, N34 bilion on water resources and agriculture and N106 billion on power works and housing.

In 2017, this administration spent N107 billion on transportation, N130 billion on agriculture and water resources and N325 billion on Power, Works and Housing.

The administration, in a manner unprecedented in the history of the country, spent a total of N2.7 trillion on capital projects in 2016 and 2017 alone, he said.

The minister listed the Oyo-Ogbomosho expressway being funded by Sukuk bond, the 240km Enugu Port Harcourt roads among the numerous ongoing projects of the government.

He said the administration had completed the reconstruction of the failed Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa road which had been abandoned for over 10 years.

The minister identified the 69 Federal Government ongoing projects in the South-East region, adding that the administration was miffed by the false allegation that the region was abandoned in infrastructure development.

On rail projects, Mohammed said the 156km Lagos -Ibadan standard gauge was ongoing.

He said the government in April signed an agreement with a consortium led by General Electric to revamp the 3,500 km narrow gauge between Lagos and Kano.

The minister said the 49.2 km Abuja light rail project was recently commissioned by the President.

When we came in the light rail project was 53.8 per cent completed. Within 18 months we are able to complete it 100 per cent.

This is the first integrated rail transportation mode in Africa that allows transportation by rail from the city to the airport to go by air.

It is being run by two coaches now and the government has placed order for 48 more coaches to cover the entire Abuja.

Mohammed said the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge was working and the government had in the pipeline, rail projects for all parts of the country.
According to The Nation, the statistics of registered voters in the North-West geo-political zone (18 million as at February), will be the focus when choosing a presidential candidate.

Saraki and Atiku, who both moved from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), recently declared their intention to run for President on PDPs platform, and they are from the North-Central and North-East respectively.

A source who spoke to The Nation said that the PDP might be focusing their attention on candidates from the North-West so as to tackle President Buhari who has a strong following in the North and also, share the votes in the zone.

North-West candidates

The candidates from the North-West who have signified their interest to run for President in PDP are: Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Special Duties Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, former Kano State governor Ibrahim Shekarau, former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The source also hinted that Kwankwaso might be the ideal candidate, considering the fact that he is a leading voice in the zone who also has many supporters.

Kwankwaso speaks

Kwankwaso also spoke on the North-West issue while speaking to newsmen after he collected his nomination form.

He said everyone knows that the bulk of the votes come from the Northwest and it would not be wrong for anyone to suggest that the PDP candidate should come from that zone.

You all saw from the last general election in 2015 the number of votes from Kano alone. So its just normal to expect the candidate to emerge from the Northwest. That is the only way to defeat them (APC). But this is my opinion because everybody has their different opinions.

Another challenge facing Saraki

The Nation reports that another hurdle facing Saraki is the fact that the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, who is seen as PDP's leader, is solidly behind Tambuwal.

A source said that the Sokoto state Governor promised to make Wike his running mate if he gets the PDP ticket.

Wike, according to reports, was instrumental to the emergence of Uche Secondus as PDP chairman.

The source said that was why Secondus hurriedly stormed out of Saraki's official declaration to run for President on Thursday, August 30, 2018.
Google will develop Wear OS and suggest features to make smartwatches more appealing.

Presently, Google itself cant think of a wearable that can suit both fitness freaks and the style conscious.

A few months ago, it was speculated that Google will venture into the smartwatch space by launching a slew of Pixel branded smartwatches. It was even expected that we could be seeing one of the watches unveiled alongside the Pixel 3 series later in October. However, brace yourselves as Google isnt planning any Pixel branded smartwatches anytime in the near future.

In an interview to Toms Guide, Miles Barr, Google's director of engineering for Wear OS, has confirmed that the company isnt planning to unveil smartwatches this year. In fact, Google will keep a distance from smartwatch manufacturing for a while.

However, the reason for that isnt related to manufacturing capabilities. To think of a one-size-fits-all watch, I dont think were there yet, Barr said. Our focus is on our partners for now.

Basically, Google is presently focusing on improving the core Wear OS experience, where they will be working with their partner manufacturers to bring features that are preferred by consumers in this space. The company will keep on suggesting new design concepts and features to manufacturers, which could implement to offer an experience which Google would approve of for Wear OS devices. Thats how several manufacturers ended up embedding essential features such as heart rate sensor and NFC in their latest offerings.

Presently, Google thinks that the smartwatch market is broadly divided between fitness freaks and those who are style conscious. According to Barr, Google thinks there isnt a smartwatch right now that can be a perfect balance between the two preferences. In fact, Google itself cant think of a wearable that can suit both fitness freaks and the style conscious.

However, when asked if Google had to dream of a perfect Pixel smartwatch, Barr said they would follow the Pixel smartphone lineups philosophy of embedding Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into the device for a smarter experience. Sadly, such a product isnt being formulated in the near future.

(source)
According to Daily Post, Frank said that President Buhari and the APC are afraid of Sarakis presidential bid.

The Senate President formally announced that he will be running for President in 2019 on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

Buharis China trip

According to the former APC spokesman, the plot to remove Saraki by all means will also be discussed during Buhari's China trip.

Events of the last three years has shown that the raison detre for President Muhammadu Buhari-led administrations ferocious attacks against Saraki is based on their phobia that the President of the Senate may contest for President and defeat Buhari in 2019.

Now that their worst fears have been confirmed by the formal declaration of Saraki to contest the 2019 presidential election last week, they are once again frantically foraging for criminal charges to hang on his neck.

I have it on good authority that the fresh plot to arraign Saraki this week is the first out of the series of strategies being perfected by Buhari and his cronies at their ongoing business trip in China.

Recall that in a statement on Friday, I had alerted the nation and the international community that Buharis APC Governors, Senators and heads of security agencies studded entourage is not in China to boost trade between both countries but to plot the removal of Saraki and how to rig the 2019 elections in favour of the APC.

Recall that I have continued to cry out against the unmitigated intimidation, harassment, persecution, intolerance, vilification, arrests and kangaroo trial being unleashed against those opposed to Buharis re-election bid  to the exclusion of his key allies with corruption allegations against them.

Dont be deceived

Frank also called on Nigerians not to be deceived by the fresh charges that will be cooked up by APC to nail the Senate President.

He said It is a proven axiom that no democracy can survive without a vibrant and virile opposition, therefore any attempt to gag opposition political parties in the country and decimate their presidential aspirants for the 2019 elections amounts to another coup against democracy and I call on Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to remain vigilant and continue to speak-up to safeguard the nations hard earned democracy.

Above all, I dont want Nigerians to forget that Adams Oshiomhole has vowed to get Saraki out of office by hook or crook. He also threatened to end Sarakis dominance of Kwara politics in 2019.

Now that Saraki has thrown his hat into the ring for the presidential election, the party in connivance with the presidency is out to sully his name and stop him from participating in the upcoming election.
The presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said in a statement in Abuja on Sunday that Buhari gave the assurance at an interactive session the Nigerian community in China.

Buhari pledged that Nigerians eligible to vote in the general elections would be allowed to freely elect candidates of their choice.

He said: I have no fear about free and fair elections because that is what brought me to the present position.

I know what I went through and very few Nigerians could boast of trying four time.

Those interested in participating in the elections must get their PVCs and register in their constituencies and elect anybody of their choice across ethnicity and religion.

The Nigerian police, law enforcement agencies and INEC must respect the wishes of the people.

Citing recent elections in Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi, the president said that the country had made progress relative to elections conducted in previous years.

On security issues, he reaffirmed that his government had succeeded in curtailing Boko Haram insurgents in the country, adding that the terrorist group no longer controls any part of the country.

He attributed the success to operations of security agencies deployed to counter insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country.

You will all recall that we contested the last election basically on three issues, which includes security, especially in the North-East.

Boko Haram used to occupy quite a number of local governments in Borno but they are not in any one now.

They have resorted to a very dangerous way of terrorism by indoctrinating young people, mostly girls and attacking soft targets, churches, mosques and marketplaces, he said.

On herders and farmers clashes, the president told Nigerians in the Diaspora that while security agencies were doing their best to curtail the clashes, the Nigerian media needed to complement the efforts through objective and informed reportage.

He appealed to the media to make attempt at understanding the cultural and historical implications of some of the misunderstanding between herders and farmers.

To my disappointment, the members of the press in Nigeria do not make enough efforts to study the historical antecedents of issues that are creating national problems for us, he said.

According to the president, due to the effects of climate change, a farm that used to belong to five people now belongs to 50 people, the weather condition, particularly the rainy season, is now unpredictable.

He partly blamed the farmers/herders controversy on the shrinking of the Lake Chad, which had forced many cattle nomads to seek greener pastures for their herds in other parts of the country.

On Nigeria-China relations, Buhari lauded Chinas generosity and contribution to the development of Nigeria, citing the successful completion of Abuja-Kaduna railway line, built by the Chinese, and ongoing works on Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Abuja-Kano railway route.

According to him, Nigeria and China are also negotiating on the Mambilla project.

The president advised Nigerians planning to travel abroad for greener pastures to do so legitimately and not to expect too much from their countries of destination.

You cannot seek greener pastures in a place where you are not respected because of the colour of your skin or your lack of education or other things.

Personally, I think you will earn more respect when you remain at home and get a job, he added.

He acknowledged the material and intellectual support of Nigerians in the Diaspora to the development of the country, and assured that his administration would remain focused and committed in providing needed infrastructure for Nigerias prosperity.

Earlier in his remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed-Jidda, had thanked the President for his support to the Embassy, including the completion of the Ambassadors official residence.

He praised Nigerians resident in the various provinces of China for being law-abiding, with the exception of few.

On consular matters, the envoy told the president that Nigerians were facing difficulties in obtaining Chinese visas, and urged the president to take it up with the Chinese authorities.

On his part, President of China Chapter of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation, Mr Brian Akiti, wished the country successful elections in 2019 and pledged the support of the organisation to the present administrations development agenda.

In another event, Buhari charged Nigerian students on scholarship in China to ensure that they made the best use of the opportunity, and said that Nigeria was grateful to China for extending this generosity to us.

The Chinese are helping Nigeria greatly with building infrastructure; it is very much appreciated. We are pleased with the training they are providing for Nigerian students.
Like millions of others, mainly from continental Europe but also Britain and the United States, Stashko's family was tempted "home" to the Soviet Union by a post-war propaganda drive.

But when they got there they lost their previous nationality, found themselves impoverished at best and victims of political repression at worst.

"Of course I could have done much more in France than I did here. But obviously it is too late to go back," the 88-year-old told AFP at the farm where she lives in the west of Belarus.

In the 1920s, Stashko's father had moved from what is now western Belarus to France along with his wife.

There he worked in the mines in the north of the country which at the time were crippled by strikes.

"In France we lived well. We had a house that my father was given from the mine," said Stashko, who was born shortly after her parents' arrival in the country.

Millions like us

But after World War II, her father lost his job.

The region from where in Belarus his family originated had become a part of the USSR -- at home, they would read Soviet newspapers, which were full of propaganda, and talk about what life would be like on the other side of the Iron Curtain.

At the time, the Soviet Union was on a major repatriation drive with immigrants, exiles, "White Russians" who had opposed the Bolsheviks in the Civil War, as well as other refugees from the conflict encouraged to come back.

Soviet statistics from 1952 say as many as 4.3 million people returned from around the world.

"In the end, my father said that he wanted to go 'home'. But nobody asked my opinion," said Stashko, who was a teenager and working as a seamstress in France.

In 1948, the family set out from the French port of Marseille to Odessa, southern Ukraine, with around 2,800 others, according to only child Stashko.

"We travelled as workers, in third class. The people in first and second class took cars with them, their belongings, some of them were leaving behind their businesses in France.

"There were doctors, engineers, teachers," the now widowed mother-of-two remembers.

But when they arrived, the passengers in the top two classes were immediately confronted with the realities of Joseph Stalin's regime.

"They were arrested and their belongings were confiscated," Stashko said.

Her own family saw their French passports confiscated and they were transported in cattle wagons to Belarus.

There, her father began work in a Kolkhoz, or collective farm, but he was sentenced to a year in prison for "subversion" after an argument with the leader of the collective.

"During that time, we tried just to keep our heads down. I used to send letters to France but then I stopped because we were scared."

One last journey home

Thanks to a sewing machine brought with them from France, which they were miraculously able to keep, the family earned enough to survive on meagre post-war rations.

Up until the 1970s, Stashko would make dresses in the French 1940s style.

In 1973, the French state tracked down her father and gave him a comfortable pension for his work in the mines, which then passed to his wife when he died.

But after the Soviet Union broke up in the early 1990s, the link to France was lost again.

In January this year, the Belarussian press picked up the family's story, and in the summer, Stashko was invited to the French Embassy in Minsk with a dozen other "children of France" and their descendents.

The ambassador promised the former seamstress one last journey to the village where she was born in the north of the country.

But, at almost 90, there is no guarantee Stashko will be able to make the trip.
Through his weekly talk show-The Fifth Estate, Ngunyi maintained that The Judiciary is a corruption swamp which needs to be drained and yes, Uhuru should revisit it unapologetically because the public needs answers.

Ngunyi opined that the CJ should be investigated over claims that the Supreme Court used fake documents to annul the results of last years August Presidential elections.

If Maraga nullified the August elections using fake documents we need answers Ngunyi said.

He also had issues with a trip made by the CJ to Lithuania last year shortly after the CJ Maraga led a team of Supreme Court Judges in nullifying the results of the Presidential elections and directing that fresh polls be held.

The analyst called for the trip to be investigated to establish if Hungarian-American business mogul George Soros influenced it.

Towards the 2017 election, NGO Coordination Board chair Fazul Mohamed accused an NGO linked with Rosemary Odinga of receiving Sh 500 Million from the billionaire.

Ngunyi also added that investigations should be launched to establish if there was any contact between the Supreme Court Judges and the opposition coalition NASA which could have influenced the decision to nullify the results of last years presidential elections.

Below is the video, courtesy of YouTube.

CJ Maraga should be investigated over these 3 things -Mutahi Ngunyi

His comments come at a time when the Judiciary is on the spot light following the arrest of DCJ Philomena Mwilu who was presented in court to answer to charges of abuse of office, receiving bribe and failing to pay taxes.
In a letter shared by the Embakasi East MP, the Ugandan government through the Ministry of East African Community Affairs took issues with the fiery legislator for meddling in its affairs and undermining its sovereignty.

The letter dated 30 Aug 2018 which is addressed to the Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly read in part that We therefore demand that Hon Owino be punished under the standing order of your parliament and EAC act of 2016.

Failure to act will make us write to the President of Kenya over the same. If Kenya dont act, we will seek the intervention of EAC court of justice.

It further warned that Babu Owinos remarks could hurt the good bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

In response to the letter, the firebrand MP took to Social media and wrote that Museveni should keep off,I already achieved what I wanted which was the release of Hon.Bobi wine.

A section of youthful Kenyan MPs led by Babu Owino had threatened to lead protests in Kampala to push for the release of Bobi Wine who was in police custody at the time. He has since been set free and is currently in USA receiving treatment.
16 babies will be born prematurely in New Zealand today, on this year's Father's Day.



Neonatal Trust executive director Neil OStyke speaks with RadioLIVEs Trudi Nelson to discuss the neonatal units across New Zealand and how they try to look after not only mothers, but fathers as well.



There are 360 incubators across New Zealand that 5,000 babies go through every year, which Mr OStyke says provide world-class care.

The five main neonatal incubator centres are in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Mr OStyke says the family is transported to one of the five main centres if they dont live in the area.



He says its hard enough having a baby, let alone one that arrives early and could cause extra complications.

In New Zealand for over 30 years, the Neonatal Trust was set up by parents who had gone through the same thing.



Mr OStyke says they also look after the journey of a dad and offer special support to their experience.



Listen to the interview with Neil OStyke above.

Weekend Life - the Sunday edition, 10am-2pm Sunday on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone.

RadioLIVE.
The original production seeks to delve deeper into the traditions and culture that the coming-of-age series The Teenage Psychic is based on. Filmed entirely in Taiwan, the hour-long Mandarin documentary explores some of the unique shamanistic practices that call Taiwan home  taking the audience on a journey through the rituals and beliefs surrounding the Ghost Month.The Ghost Month is the pinnacle of the annual spiritual calendar in Taiwan  when the gates of hell are said to open, and spirits enter the world of the living. Weaving through the festivities, The World Behind the Teenage Psychic follows different characters to explore how a distinct blend of Taoist, Buddhist, Chinese folklore and indigenous belief systems continue to flourish in modern Taiwan.Throughout the documentary, followers and devotees share thoughts on why these practices are still relevant and a part of everyday life, while leading academics explain how and why spiritual belief remains so deeply-rooted into the modern fabric of the island.The film is scheduled to premiere later this year on HBO Asias on-air, online and on-demand platforms.
Catholics across New England are sadly familiar with the cycle of excuses and blame-shifting coming from the church as a series of new scandals has made its way to the highest reaches of the Vatican.
UCLA, like most American colleges, is among the most tolerant, welcoming environments in human history. Why is it teaching students to find bias where there is none?
WASHINGTON -- Former President Jimmy Carter lives in a two-bedroom ranch house in Plains, Georgia, assessed at $167,000, the Washington Post recently reported. And unlike former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, he chose not to join corporate boards or deliver six-figure speeches because he didn't want to "capitalize financially on being in the White House."

Carter is such a saint that he has devoted his post White House years to building 4,300 homes for Habitat for Humanity. In office, he showed himself to be a man of the people when he urged Americans to turn down their thermostats to 65 degrees on winter days -- and ordered that the White House adhere to that standard.

Still, Americans voted to send Carter back to Plains after one term in office. American voters rejected a man whom they believed brought them an energy crisis and dismal economy.

President Donald Trump is not likely to spend his years after the Oval Office sawing lumber for modest homes in Third World countries. But he has overseen a vibrant economy and brought about a strut in the step of blue-collar Trump voters. And that's what matters most to voters.

All of which raises the question: Is it better to have an SOB in the White House who gets things done or a saintly incumbent whose policies don't work?

"I'd go with the SOB every time," Jeffrey Lord, a tireless Trump surrogate during the 2016 campaign, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "To me this job is about being effective and getting it done."

When critics take Trump to task for his lack of decorum on social media, his base responds that the president's willingness to flout convention makes him more effective.

"He is doing things that nobody else would dare do. That's why they're happy with him. Finally, there's somebody who doesn't care about being politically correct," said Bob Stern, the former president of the Center for Governmental Studies.

Lord doesn't think Trump's confrontational posture is his key to success.

"You can be nice. Ronald Reagan was nice," Lord recalled. "You can be a total SOB and be totally effective. And you can be a nice guy and be effective.

"I just think he's effective and there may be other people who are offended, but he's getting things done," Lord said.

Stern looks back at Clinton's presidency as an example of Democrats accepting behavior they now find unacceptable in Trump. "It's so ironic that Gloria Steinem would be defending Clinton for what he did," Stern observed. "We're all hypocrites in a sense."

In 2016, Stern led a course at UCLA Extension on the 2016 election that was attended almost exclusively by Los Angeles liberals. To their question, "How could anyone vote for Trump?" Stern devised an unusual exercise.

What if Trump was a Democrat, Stern asked, who embraced the Democratic platform, said his first appointment to the Supreme Court would be Merrick Garland (the Obama pick for the top court who never got a Senate hearing), and his second nomination would go to Obama himself?

At least two-thirds of his class of progressives said they'd vote for Trump.

Party matters and character issues are a luxury in politics.

Republicans in Rep. Duncan Hunter's San Diego district are likely to re-elect Hunter despite his indictment for using campaign money to subsidize his family's lifestyle.

New Jersey Democrats probably will vote for Sen. Bob Menendez as well. A federal trial of Menendez on corruption charges ended with a mistrial after a jury deadlocked. Even so, Stern said, "clearly there were major ethical problems there."

"People tend to vote their political philosophies first," Stern said, and it's "a percentage of independent voters who make a difference."

This is not to say that criticism of Trump is pointless. Many Trump voters are appalled at the president's tweets, the way he treats his staff and the puerile name-calling that has led to further deterioration of public discourse.

Also, Trump's antics could enable an impeachment effort if Republicans lose the House in November, or turn off his independent voters in 2020 -- as the public wearies of the drama.

Over time, Lord argued, what will matter is if Trump leaves a solid legacy.

For the moment, nice guys finish last, or in Carter's case, first place in the greatest ex-president category.

COPYRIGHT 2018 CREATORS.COM
At the Angelus, Pope Francis warns against the danger of hypocrisy. "The hypocrite is a liar, he is not authentic" because he upsets "Gods will by neglecting his commandments to observe human traditions". Listening to the Word of God to be freed from hypocrisy. A possible "humanitarian catastrophe" at Idlib, a rebel stronghold in Syria, about to be attacked by Russian air raids and Assad's army.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Commenting on today's Gospel before the midday Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis spoke many times on the subject of "hypocrisy" and said that Jesus " always calls us to recognize what is the true center of the experience of faith, that is, love of God and love of neighbor, purifying it from the hypocrisy of legalism and ritualism ".

After the Marian prayer, the Pope appealed to the international community to avoid a new "humanitarian catastrophe" in Idlib, Syria, where "winds of war" are blowing with a probable and imminent Russian air force and government army attack on the city in the hands of former Qaedist and Islamic State rebels.

Speaking to the approximately 20 thousand pilgrims gathered in the square, the Pope stressed that this Sunday Gospel (22nd a year, B, Mark 7: 1-8.14-15.21-23), "addresses an important issue for believers: the authenticity of the our obedience to the Word of God, against any worldly contamination or legalistic formalism ", and that the scribes and Pharisees who question Jesus, wanted" to target the trustworthiness and authority of Jesus as Master. This teacher allows his disciples to ignore the traditions of the ancients ".

Jesus accuses them of hypocrisy. "Hypocrite - said Francis - is one of the strongest words that Jesus uses in the Gospel", especially towards "the masters in religion", "the hypocrite is a liar, is unauthentic," because he or she distorts "Gods will and neglects His commandments to observe human traditions ".

Referring to the second reading of the day (James, 1, 17-18.21-22.27), he explained what the "true religion" visit the fatherless and widows in suffering and not be contaminated by this world "(v. 27) ".

"'To visit orphans and widows' - he continued - means practicing charity towards others, starting from the neediest, the most fragile, the most marginalised. They are the people of whom God takes special care, and asks us to do the same 'Do not be contaminated by this world' does not mean isolating oneself and closing oneself to reality. Here too, it should not be an external but internal attitude of substance: it means to be vigilant because our way of thinking and acting is not polluted by the worldly mentality, that is, by vanity, greed, pride. In reality, a man or a woman who lives in vanity, avarice and pride, and makes himself seen as religious and even condemns others, is a hypocrite ".

"Let's examine our own conscience to see how we welcome the Word of God. On Sunday we hear it in the Mass. If we listen to it in a distracted or superficial way, it will not help us much. Instead, we must welcome the Word with open mind and heart, as a good ground, so that it is assimilated and bears fruit in concrete life. Jesus says that the Word of God is like wheat, like the seed that must grow. Thus the Word itself purifies our heart and our actions and our relationship with God and with others is freed from hypocrisy ".

After the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled that yesterday, in Kosice (Slovakia), Anna Kolesarova was beatified. The virgin and martyr "was killed for resisting those who would violate her dignity and chastity." "She is like our Italian Maria Goretti - he added. This courageous girl helps young Christians to remain steadfast in fidelity to the Gospel, even when it requires going against the trends of the time and paying in first person ". And he asked the pilgrims for applause for the new blessed.

"With pain", he added: "The winds of war are still blowing and unsettling news about the risks of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the beloved Syria, in the Province of Idlib. I renew my heartfelt appeal to the international community and to all actors involved to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation, respect for international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians. "

The situation of Idlib is even more complicated by the fact that the Western powers seem determined to defend the rebels in every way, as reported to AsiaNews by the vicar of Aleppo, of the Latins, Msgr. Georges Abou Khazen
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Athens, GA (30605)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High near 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional light rain late. Low around 45F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
COLEBROOK  The 74th Annual Colebrook Fair may have some catching up to do, as the barely-three-quarters-of-a-century-old fair celebrates a 238-year-old town. Nonetheless, the fairs relative youth and vigor was shown in the turnout of an estimated 1,000 visitors who attended Saturday.

Colebrook Fair Chairwoman Sherri Gray said new additions to the fair this year include local music performances as well as new lawn games for children. The Town Center at the intersections of Routes 193 and 182A was taken over by about 40 vendors in the form of crafting booths, food and bake sales, flea markets, a frog-jumping contest and a petting zoo.

I love the fair, said Gray, also a former Board of Education member who helped out at the events sixth annual Car Show around the corner on Cooper Lane in the afternoon with her husband, Jon. Its a lot of work to get ready for, but Colebrook really shines on this day.

Earlier that morning, contestants could rent frogs for the mornings frog-jumping contest at the start of Cooper Lane. They could also savor Boston cream pies and honey bun cakes sold at the bake sale by the Colebrook Congregational Church or buy collectible books or artistic wooden book covers at vendors tables. The fair had hired shuttle buses to take visitors from their cars parked on side streets.

John Chevalier sold his nature photographs at his vendor table.

This is my first year here, he said. Its a nice country fair, and the people have been great.

Nearby Cub Scouts of America Pack 1027 of Winsted sold packages of popcorn.

Its a gorgeous day, said troop leader Gina Sartirana of Colebrook of the 77-degree day.

New Cub Scout Juliette Ricci, 5, of Winsted, said she would be getting a face painting like her fellow Cub Scout Brennden Desrosiers, 7, who had had half his face depicted as what he called the Red Monster.

There are so many different organizations who participate, organizer Gray added, pointing out the Colebrook Lions Club food booth, which sold hamburgers and hot dogs to raise money for its group, as well as the Colebrook Consolidated School, sixth-graders of which sold snacks to fund its planned trip to Cape Cod in March 2019.

Following the rock-music performance of the local band Cole Brook, organizers led female participants on an impromptu Zumba class.

Kate Kennedy manned the book and tag sale inside the nearby Community & Senior Center next to the Colebrook Town Hall.

Weve done very well, Kennedy said. There is a push now because the fair will be over in a couple of hours, so we are offering people to fill bags for $5.

Kennedys colleague Carol Sherwood was busy off supervising other fair festivities. Sherwood had remarked back in 2016 that the fair had originally been started by a small group of school children in 1944. The first fair included a music bandstand, a fortune teller and farm crafting tables. The aim was to educate young people during the World War II era. Colebrook Associates, a civic organization that provides support to local residents in need, took over running the Colebrook Fair in 1946. With the towns help, the fair became a local popular event with more updated attractions while keeping such longtime traditions as the frog-jumping contest and the Cardboard Boat Regatta.

And farther along Cooper Lane at the pond riders got ready for the sixth annual regatta. The goal of each regatta participant, supervised by lifeguards in kayaks, is to ride a cardboard boat of ones own creation as far as one can before it sinks.

Ray Zetye, executive director of Camp Jewell YMCA in Colebrook, supervised the preparation of the regatta. Twelve colorful cardboard boats were lined up on the ponds beach, including the U.S.S. Thriller, inspired by the 1983 ghoulish Michael Jackson music video, with plastic skeleton figures and tombstones.

The fair has grown significantly and really celebrates Colebrook, Zetye said.
NEW HAVEN  Jason Stanley isnt calling President Donald Trump a fascist.

The president is no Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini, ready to commit genocide or to rule as a dictator.

The case that Stanley, a professor of philosophy at Yale University, is making in his new book, How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them, is that Trump, among others, including leaders of Russia, Hungary, India and Turkey, use techniques of far-right nationalism to gain power and to build their popularity.

In his book, which goes on sale Tuesday, Stanley calls these strategies fascist politics, and its principles have been practiced in the United States throughout its history, most notably in defending slavery and Jim Crow laws (whose defenders Hitler admired and emulated).

By drawing on an idealistic mythic past, demonizing minority groups, intellectuals and those who do not belong to the heartland, among other tactics, leaders such as Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary and Trump  who rose to the presidency to the surprise even of many Republicans  gain power and then use the same appeals to remain popular, Stanley writes.

But hes careful to say that those who use fascist politics to gain power do not necessarily go on to rely on fascism as a ruling system.

Im definitely not calling Trump Hitler, Stanley said. Hitler was uniquely Hitler. Fascism does not need to result in a fascist state. Fascism is a way to appeal to what I regard as peoples worst instincts.

You can maybe use it to enrich yourself. You can use it to enrich your friends. You can use it to do good things, maybe, Stanley said.

But ultimately fascism is bad not just for the people it targets, not just for the minority groups. Its bad for the supporters. It feeds their vanity by lies about their superiority, and when your mind is taken over by myths and lies, youre not free, he said.

He gave North Korea as an example of a people who are fed lies and so are not free.

Among the tools of fascist politics are propaganda; using conspiracy theories to alter a sense of reality; supporting a hierarchy in which immigrants, minorities and women are considered less worthy; promoting a sense of victimhood, in which the movement toward equality by minorities is seen as a threat to the majority; portraying those not in the majority as lazy or more likely to commit crime; protecting the myth of the traditional family; and idealizing the pure rural countryside as opposed to the corrupt cities.

In calling the news media fake news and speaking harshly about immigrants, Trump is using the same strategies, even though the consequences may not be as dire, Stanley said.

People dont realize that fascism is not some foreign invasion, he said. The antecedents for European fascism are here. They include slavery and the Jim Crow South and the harsh reaction to the labor movement  the antipathy toward unions  the genocide of the Native Americans, which Hitler greatly admired.

Fascist politics also included the 1924 Immigration Act, which Hitler repeatedly praises. It restricts immigration, keeping out nonwhites essentially, Stanley said. In Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote that the United States absolutely forbid naturalization of certain defined races, and thus are making a modest start in the direction of something not unlike the conception of the national State.

In the late 1930s, the aviator Charles Lindbergh led the America First movement, opposing war against Nazi Germany. In his inaugural address, Trump said, From this moment on, its going to be America First.

Even in modern Germany, a far-right party, Alternativ fur Deutschland, gained the third-largest number of seats in Parliament in 2017, Stanley writes, quoting AfD leader Bjorn Hocke calling for a culture of memory that brings us into contact first and foremost with the great achievements of our ancestors, echoing the Nazi Heinrich Himmler, Hitlers second in command.

When it does not simply invent a past to weaponize the emotion of nostalgia, fascist politics cherry-picks the past, avoiding anything that would diminish unreflective adulation of the nations glory, Stanley writes.

Stanley said fascist politics arises when we feel legitimated in horrible things being done to people because  of the racial and ethnic identity and the supposed threat that they pose to our democracy.

In his book, Stanley points out that Trumps political career began with a conspiracy theory: that the news media were not covering his claim that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya and was an illegitimate president.

He then campaigned on his plan to build a border wall to keep Mexicans from illegally entering the country, saying, Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists.

His politics were fascist, Stanley said, warning that the United States is not immune to going down an authoritarian path. Because we heroically fought the fascists, people dont realize that we are vulnerable ourselves, Stanley said. The courts can be corrupted. As we see in Eastern Europe, the democratic institutions can go quickly. New laws can be enacted.

Rather than wanting to eliminate ethnic groups, as Hitler did, The new version of fascist politics, if you look at Viktor Orban or Vladimir Putin or [Recip Tayyip] Erdogan in Turkey, these authoritarian leaders who indulge in fascist politics  they tend to want to use it to maintain support and win elections, Stanley said.

You only need 40 percent of a society to be fanatically devoted to you to retain power, he said. That can cow the rest of the population into fear.

Americans are not special, Stanley said, despite our belief in American exceptionalism. Once, Americas sin was slavery. Now, we have mass incarceration of black men. There is intense voter suppression of minorities and the Voting Rights Act is being gutted, he said.

Why do you need to  remove the apparatus of democracy? he asked. The most effective way to take power nowadays is to make people think voting doesnt matter, to suppress the vote and to have your supporters be enough of the vote so that you win the vote.

Stanley isnt equating conservative politics with fascism.

Theres different forms of regular conservative politicians; none of them are fascists, he said. A democratic society needs conservatives and it needs progressives  but there are extreme threats to democracy on either side: communism on the left, fascism on the right.

Fascist politics attacks intellectualism and the universities as places where radical ideas are taught that contradict traditional values, Stanley said.

The key thing to realize is, fascism hates equality, fascism opposes equality  You represent movements of equality as attempts to take over, he said. So subjects such as womens studies or ethnic studies are condemned.

Theyre not methods to seeking equality for the fascist because equality is some fantasy. Theyre methods to take over. Liberalism is threatening the dominant traditions, he said.

Victimhood takes over when the majority is told that less capable people are taking their jobs or their status in society. Think of the presidents comment, Why do we have immigrants only from s---hole countries? People dont realize how close what were hearing is to fascism. Thats why I had to write the book, Stanley said.

Fascist politics demonizes those who live in the cities, just as Hitler said Vienna was overrun with foreigners  Jews, Jews and more Jews  when he went there from his small hometown, Stanley said. The cities are dens of iniquity, he said, and their residents praise minority groups, they praise homosexuality; the culture they produce is meant to corrode and corrupt us.

Ultimately, Stanleys message is about the danger of normalizing fascist politics. He offers as an example his grandmother, Ilse Stanley, who wrote a memoir, The Unforgotten, in 1957 about staying in Berlin until 1939, rescuing hundreds of Jews from a concentration camp by posing as a Nazi social worker.

Ilse Stanley struggled to convince her neighbors of the truth, Stanley writes. He quotes from her book:

A concentration camp, for those on the outside, was a kind of labor camp. There were whispered rumors of people being beaten, even killed. But there was no comprehension of the tragic reality. We were still able to leave the country; we could still live in our homes; we could still worship in our temples; we were in a Ghetto, but the majority of our people were still alive.

For the average Jew, this seemed enough. He didnt realize that we were all waiting for the end.

The year was 1937.

In the United States, Stanley writes, mass incarceration of African Americans and mass shootings have become normalized. Fascism has become normalized in Hungary and Poland, he writes.

The word fascism will always seem extreme, Stanley said. Whatever happens here, the word fascism will always seem extreme because we normalize. American sympathetic to fascism wouldnt call themselves fascist because its a foreign word.

But, Stanley warned, Weve set ourselves up for fascist politics because more of the  good things of liberalism, like tolerance and education, are only available to people with a lot of money. Higher education has become unreachable for many and so it is easy to demonize universities and what they teach as the enemy, he said.

We have to deal with the underlying problems of inequity so people are not tempted by fascist politics, Stanley said. Whenever people have a lot of anxiety and fear and feel like theyve lost a lot, you can exploit that.

We have to make sure to continue to have a multiparty democracy where all voices are represented, he said. Dehumanizing immigrants and criminals needs to stop.

I think we need good conservatives to stand up against more extreme elements in their party, just like good progressives need to stand up against extremist elements in their party, Stanley said. Some of the denunciation of people for holding views that people disagree with worry me. That exists on both the right and the left.

He ends his book by writing, By refusing to be bewitched by fascist myths, we remain free to engage one another, all of us flawed, all of us partial in our thinking, experience, and understanding, but none of us demons.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382.
Three important new reasons to love the pomegranate





THIS Israel21c article by Abigail Klein Leichman was first published on 29 August, 2018, and is re-published here with kind permission. ISRAEL21c is a non-partisan, non-profit publisher of news and information about 21st century Israel.

THE regal-looking pomegranate, ruby-red with a crown on top, ripens on Israeli trees just in time to decorate Jewish New Year holiday tables in early autumn. Each fruit has hundreds of edible juicy seeds, called arils.

But pomegranates are appreciated across the world, any time of year, as evidence keeps mounting about their healing and health-protective properties.

The juice from the seeds is very rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, says Esther Frumkin, a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist, nutritional counsellor and macrobiotic cooking teacher in Israel.

GI distress, hot flashes, haemorrhoids, conjunctivitis, osteoarthritis, hypertension and high cholesterol are some of the ailments pomegranate seeds can ease. They guard against disease  even cancer and heart disease  by boosting immunity and reducing chronic inflammation. Frumkin says pomegranate rind tea can treat diarrhea, dysentery, mouth sores and throat irritation, while pomegranate bark tea kills intestinal parasites.

Also in this edition of Australian Food News

1. A food supplement inspired by face cream

Experimental neurologist Ruth Gabizon from Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem bought a pomegranate-seed-oil face cream from Israeli cosmetics maker Lavido. She loved its effect on her skin and found out the active ingredient in the oil is punicic acid, an exceptionally powerful antioxidant.

She wondered how this polyunsaturated fatty acid (also known as Omega 5) might help her lab mice, engineered to be predisposed to developing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder.

Hoping to prevent the oxidation that causes permanent neuron damage triggering such diseases, Gabizon had been seeking a safe, inexpensive lipid-based antioxidant to protect brain cells. Punicic acid seemed a good candidate.

I came into my lab one morning and said to my students, Were going to give this to our transgenic mice, Gabizon tells ISRAEL21c.

Her idea grew into a collaboration with award-winning nanotechnology expert Shlomo Magdassi of the Hebrew Universitys Casali Center for Applied Chemistry to formulate punicic acid in a new way to get past the blood-brain barrier.

Their company, Granalix, markets the novel formulation as a food supplement called GranaGard with FDA-approved ingredients. Since late 2016, GranaGard has been sold worldwide through the Granalix website and in select Israeli pharmacies. It is distributed in Mexico and soon in Greece.

Manufactured by Israels SupHerb as a soft gel cap, GranaGard contains mostly Israeli-sourced pomegranate seed oil, found to have a particularly high percentage of punicic acid.

This is a science-improved natural compound tested as a drug but treated as a food supplement, says Gabizon.

She and Magdassi take it for general wellbeing and believe it can help prevent neurodegenerative conditions without side effects. She emphasizes that such diseases cant be cured, only prevented or slowed.

Clinical studies are looking at the effect of GranaGard in people with early multiple sclerosis and memory problems. A group of CJD carriers has taken GranaGard for two years. While still a very short time, its encouraging that they havent developed the disease yet, says Gabizon.

2. Pomegranate juice may protect foetal brains

Drinking pomegranate juice appears to reduce the risk of embryos developing brain damage, according to a new joint study by researchers from Haifas Rambam Health Care Campus and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, just published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

A significant proportion of premature births occur due to infection and/or inflammation in the uterus, which previous studies have shown to be a risk factor linked to brain injury and the development of neurological deficits soon after birth or later in the childs life. Therefore, scientists have been trying to find harmless ways to reduce these risks during pregnancy.

Studies have shown that pomegranates are rich in polyphenols, a type of free-radical-neutralizing compound known to have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, explained Dr. Ron Beloosesky, director of the Prenatal Ultrasound Unit at Rambam, referring to the groundbreaking research of Dr. Michael Aviram, former director of Rambams Clinical Research Institute.

Because we know some causes of brain damage in fetuses are related to inflammatory processes, we thought to test if drinking pomegranate juice could help prevent infection and inflammation in the mother and thus reduce the risk of damaging the fetus.

The study was conducted on pregnant lab rats in Belooseskys Prenatal Research Laboratory at the Technion. Rats that received pomegranate juice in their drinking water for several days before an induced inflammatory process showed decreased inflammation and a significant reduction in signs of inflammation and injury to their babies brains when compared to those that didnt drink the juice.

It seems that an accessible and inexpensive juice that can be found in any supermarket has a positive effect on a serious problem that harms mothers and their embryos, said Beloosesky, adding that this was a preliminary study and the research team is now doing in a study on humans, expected to be completed in the next two years.

This is the first study of its kind aiming to understand how to use the pomegranate, which has known health benefits, to prevent a problem that, under certain conditions, passes from mother to child, said co-author Dr. Zeev Wiener. We are curious to see what well learn in the future.

3. Growing better pomegranates

Agronomists from many countries turn to Israeli experts for advice on pomegranates, says Doron Holland, head of fruit tree sciences at the Volcani Center-Agricultural Research Organizations Newe Yaar Research Center.

Our cultivars are being grown all over the world. They are highly valued in Europe and there is growing interest in our cultivars in North America, Holland tells ISRAEL21c.

What makes the Israeli cultivars so special?

The metabolites in pomegranates are anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant, and highly beneficial for humans. These metabolites are mostly produced in the skin rather than the arils. We look for ways to produce more of these metabolites in the arils, explains Holland.

We also identify cultivars that are enriched with these metabolites. We are very advanced with respect to using genetic analysis for breeding pomegranates.

Because metabolites are responsible for the deep red color of the fruit, enhancing them makes the produce more marketable as well as healthier.

Israeli pomegranate cultivars also excel at producing fruit with soluble tannins, a beneficial substance unique to pomegranates, Holland says. Much of that substance, like the other metabolites, is in the skin. The Volcani Center found a way to use those nutrient-dense but inedible skins  normally thrown away  as animal feed.

Holland says Israeli farms from north to south produce around 40,000 tons of fresh pomegranates every year, at least half of which gets exported, mainly to Europe. Thanks to cultivars developed by Hollands team, the first export of fresh fruit now starts as early as mid-July.
Iraq says its senior military commanders have met in Baghdad with their counterparts from Russia, Iran, and Syria to discuss regional security and the fight against Islamic State (IS) and other militants.

The Defense Ministry on September 1 said it hosted delegations led by the countrys deputy chiefs of staff to "strengthen cooperation and coordination in terms of security and intelligence between these countries."

Russia and Iran have provided support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his seven-year fight against Western-backed rebels.

IS militants also entered the fighting and are opposed by all other sides.

The militants captured large chunks of territory in Syria and Iraq before being pushed out of their strongholds mainly by U.S.-led coalition forces and are now confined to small enclaves in the two countries.

Iran is also a close ally of the government in Baghdad, which is attempting to balances its relations with bitter rivals Washington and Tehran.

Iraq, Iran, Russia, and Syria have created a joint-operation effort to coordinate the fight against the estimated 2,000 IS fighters still active.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on September 1 said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with the Iraqi prime minister and vice president to express support for Baghdad's efforts to form a "moderate, nationalist" government that would serve all Iraqis.

Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo made clear to Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi "the importance of safeguarding Iraq's sovereignty during this critical time" amid current political rambling following the recent national elections.

Nauert said Pompeo also spoke with Vice President Ayad Allawi. Abadi and powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced on June 23 that they had agreed on a political coalition to form a new government.

Sadr's political bloc, which includes communists, won 54 seats in the legislative elections, making it the largest grouping in Iraq's 329-seat parliament.

The political uncertainty helped raise tensions amid growing public anger over poor basic services, unemployment, and the slow pace of rebuilding following the long battle with IS.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
Iran has rejected a report by Reuters that it has provided ballistic missiles to its Shiite militia allies in Iraq and is developing the capacity to allow them to build missiles there.

"Such false and ridiculous news has no purpose other than affecting Iran's foreign relations, especially with its neighbors," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on September 1, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.

"This news is solely aimed at creating fears in the countries of the region," Qasemi added.

Reuters on August 31 cited three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources, and two Western intelligence sources in reporting that Iran had sent short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the past few months.

The report added that several of the officials said Tehran was helping the groups in Iraq to begin manufacturing the missiles themselves.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter on September 1 that he was "deeply concerned of reports" that Iran was transferring ballistic missiles into Iraq.

Baghdad should determine what happens in Iraq, not Tehran, he added.

The Iraqi government and military declined to comment.

A Western source told Reuters that several dozen missiles had been shifted to Iraqi Shiite militias.

Reuters quoted an Iraqi source as saying it was difficult for Baghdad to persuade the groups to go against Tehran or to stop cooperating with their Shiite allies.

The Zelzal, Fateh-110, and Zolfaqar missiles have ranges of about 200 to 700 kilometers. That would put the capital of Shiite Irans bitter Sunni rival Saudi Arabia and the Israeli city of Tel Aviv within range from western Iraq.

The overseas branch of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) -- the Quds Force  has bases in those areas.

The action, if confirmed, would increase already high tensions between Washington and Tehran.

President Donald Trump in May pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with six world powers, accusing Tehran of violating the spirit of the accord by continuing to test ballistic missiles and for supporting militant activity in the Middle East.

Tehran has denied the allegations.

A missile transfer could also anger France, Germany, and Britain, which tried unsuccessfully to persuade Trump to remain a part of the deal.

The three countries, along with Russia and China, have so far vowed to remain part of the nuclear deal, which provided Tehran with relief from some sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programs.

With reporting by Reuters
A helicopter owned by a Moldovan company has crashed in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 12 people, including two Ukrainian crew members and 10 Afghan soldiers, officials say.

The Mi-8 helicopter crashed on September 2 after takeoff from a military base near Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of Balkh Province, Moldovas aviation authority said.

A statement said that two people onboard survived -- a Ukrainian member of the crew and an Afghan serviceman.

It also said that the aircraft was operated by Moldova's Valan International Cargo Charter Co.

An Afghan security source was quoted as putting the death toll at 13, with only the Ukrainian surviving the crash.

Nazer Khuda Pamiri, deputy commander of Afghan forces in northern Afghanistan, said the helicopter crashed in Dehdadi district due to "technical problems."

He said the aircraft was transporting Afghan security forces from a military base to the northwestern province of Faryab.

Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the helicopter was hired by the ministry.

The Western-backed government in Kabul has been struggling to fend off the Taliban and other militant groups since the withdrawal of most NATO combat troops in 2014.

Based on reporting by AFP, TASS, and Interfax
U.S. Army General Scott Miller has assumed command of NATO forces in Afghanistan as Washington faces growing questions over its strategy to force the Taliban into peace talks with the Western-backed government in Kabul.

"To be successful, we must continually learn and adapt to the enemy and the environment," Miller said at a change-of-command ceremony at the headquarters of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission on September 2.

"There is no room for status quo. We cannot afford to be complacent," Miller said.

The United States is now a year into its strategy of stepping up pressure on the Taliban by increasing air strikes and sending thousands more troops to train and advise Afghan forces.

However, there is no clear signs of success so far, as militants continue to attack government and military targets and civilian casualties are running at record levels.

Afghan forces, meanwhile, are understrength because of heavy casualties and high levels of desertion and continue to face problems with organization and logistics.

While the Taliban has not managed to take any major urban centers, it controls large areas of the countryside.

Speaking at the ceremony in Kabul, the outgoing commander, General John Nicholson, urged militants to listen to demands of peace from the Afghan people.

"I believe that some of the Taliban want peace also, but they are being encouraged to keep fighting," he said. "It is time for this war in Afghanistan to end."

In June, a report by the Pentagon's Lead Inspector-General offered a downbeat view, saying there was little publicly available evidence that "actions to increase pressure on the Taliban were having a significant impact."

An unprecedented cease-fire over the Eid holiday in June raised hopes for a breakthrough in achieving peace talks. However, optimism was dampened by the Taliban's assault on the city of Ghazni in July.

Miller commands some 16,000 NATO troops -- including about 14,000 U.S. forces -- under the Resolute Support mission that is focused on training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces.

On the eve of the change-of-command ceremony, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted that "NATO remains committed to supporting Afghan security forces as they create the condition for lasting security and peace."

Afghan national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib, who attended the ceremony said, "Together we will eliminate the menace of terrorism from Afghanistan and the region."

Mohib, who had been ambassador to Washington, was named by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to his post on August 25, replacing Mohammad Hanif Atmar, who had resigned.

Atmar's departure, reportedly because of policy differences with Ghani, raised concerns about stability among the Afghan security services. Three other senior security officials also offered their resignations, but they were rejected by the president.

He asked Atmar for his support to show "continuation...not just on the American side but on ours as well."

Potentially easing some concerns, Mohib praised Atmar, who was also at the ceremony, saying, "Yours are difficult shoes to fill."

The first U.S. troops arrived in Afghanistan in 2001 as part of a campaign to topple the Taliban following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama announced an additional 30,000 troops in 2009 and by 2011 there were 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The NATO combat mission, which numbered more than 130,000 in 2011, ended in December 2014.

With reporting by Reuters, dpa, and RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan
The U.S. military says it has decided to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan that had been suspended due to Islamabads perceived lack of action against militants, raising tensions ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the top U.S. general.

President Donald Trump suspended the so-called Coalition Support Funds, along with other aid to Pakistan, at the start of the year.

The Trump administration accuses Islamabad of harboring insurgents who are waging a 17-year-old war in neighboring Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan denies.

"Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy the remaining $300 (million) was reprogrammed," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said on September 1.

Faulkner said the Pentagon aimed to spend the $300 million on "other urgent priorities" if approved by Congress.

He said another $500 million in CSF was stripped by Congress from Pakistan earlier this year, to bring the total withheld to $800 million.

The Pentagons remarks come ahead of a planned visit on September 5 to Islamabad by Pompeo, who will be accompanied by the top U.S. military officer, General Joseph Dunford.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters on August 28 that the fight against militants would be a "primary part of the discussion" when the U.S. officials meet with new Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Kahn and others.

Mattis is not expected to make the trip to Pakistan, but he is scheduled to travel with Pompeo to Pakistans rival, India, later in the week for a summit with their counterparts.

Trump earlier this year wrote on Twitter that the "United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools."

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" he added.

In March, a senior U.S. official said Islamabad had "done the bare minimum to appear responsive to our requests."

Pakistan has rejected allegations it is not doing enough to fight terrorism or that it provides safe haven for insurgents operating in Afghanistan.

It points out that thousands of its citizens and soldiers have been killed and billions of dollars have been spent in the fight against terrorists.

Pompeo's visit also comes after Islamabad disputed the readout of an August 23 phone call by the secretary of state with Kahn.

A description of the call released by the State Department said Pompeo raised the importance of Pakistan taking decisive action against all terrorists operating in Pakistan and its vital role in promoting the Afghan peace process.

But Islamabad said that "no issue relating to terrorists in Pakistan" was raised.

"Pakistan takes exception to the factually incorrect statement issued by U.S. State Department" on the phone call, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Twitter.

"There was no mention at all in the conversation about terrorists operating in Pakistan. This should be immediately corrected."

The State Department said the U.S. government stood by its statement.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, Geo TV, and Dawn
Thousands of people across Russia have protested against a deeply unpopular pension reform, despite concessions offered recently by President Vladimir Putin.

"Today, we are holding an all-Russia protest against this cannibalistic reform," Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov told a crowd of several thousand protesters gathered in Moscow on September 2.

Demonstrations were reported in many other cities, including St. Petersburg, Russias second-largest city, Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains, Novosibirsk in Siberia, and the Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok.

In July, Russias parliament gave preliminary backing to a government plan to raise the retirement age to 63 for women by 2034 and to 65 for men by 2028.

Tens of thousands have rallied against the proposed reform in recent weeks, and Putin's popularity in opinion polls has noticeably decreased.

In response to the outburst of public anger, Putin promised in a televised address on August 29 to soften the controversial measures.

The president proposed raising the state pension age by five years to 60 years for women, instead of the earlier proposed eight-year hike, while a five-year increase for men would stay.

He also proposed allowing women with at least three children to retire earlier.

Currently, the retirement age is 55 for women and 60 for men.

Russian men and women have life expectancies of 66 and 77, respectively, according to the World Health Organization, and critics have warned that many wont live long enough to claim a pension.

The issue of raising the retirement age has turned into the biggest domestic challenge Putin has faced since winning another term as president in March.

On September 2, around 9,000 people took part in a protest in Moscows Sakharov Avenue, according to White Counter, an independent activist group that tracks turnout at demonstrations, while the Interior Ministry put the numbers at 6,000.

Many participants carried the red flags and banners of the main organizer of the rally, the Communist Party.

One of the banners displayed at the rally read, "We do not trust United Russia, the countrys ruling party.

A separate demonstration in Moscow, organized by the Just Russia party, attracted a further 1,500 people on Suvorovskaya Square, police said.

One activist was reportly detained during the protest.

Elsewhere in Russia, reports said that at least 1,500 demonstrators took to the streets of St. Petersburg.

In the Volga city of Samara, some protesters in a 1,000-strong crowd called for Putins resignation, the AFP news agency reported.

Reports said that 2,500 people joined a similar rally in Novosibirsk.

In Vladivostok, the city administration said more than 200 people gathered for a protest, but organizers said they numbered about 2,000.

In Yekaterinburg, around 450 people took part in a protest during which demonstrators held portraits of politicians who have voiced support for pension reform, according to local newspaper Nasha Gazeta.

In the south, rallies took place in the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, Astrakhan, Rostov-on-Don, and in the capitals of the North Caucasus regions of Karachayevo-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria, the Interfax news agency reported.

Demonstrators also took to the streets in the capital of Simferopol in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia from Ukraine in March 2014.

Opposition politician Aleksei Navalny called for more mass protests against the pension reform on September 9.

Ahead of the planned demonstrations, Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in jail on August 27 for helping to organize an unsanctioned street rally in Moscow in January.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Interfax
Serbias president and Macedonias prime minister have expressed satisfaction with the implementation of a joint border project aimed at facilitating the transit of people and goods between the two countries.

Aleksadar Vucic of Serbia and Macedonias Zoran Zaev hailed the project, dubbed One-Stop Shop, when they met at the Tabanovce-Presevo border crossing on September 2.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Zaev said transit through the border crossing will be significantly facilitated thanks to the establishment of one single customs office for the two neighbors.

Hailing the friendship between Macedonia and Serbia, he voiced hope that the same approach of joint border management will in the future be implemented in other crossings between Macedonia and Serbia.

The project means that we will have a joint custom post that will facilitate cross-border travel for tourists and significantly reduce waiting time at the crossings, Macedonias prime minister said.

"The project is important so that people do not waste time and do not stay too long, Vucic said. This is very important for the economy of both countries and will encourage tourists to go through our countries.

Zaev said the project will officially be inaugurated after the two countries customs administrations, Interior Ministries, phytosanitary offices, and veterinary services sign bilateral agreements.

Vucic said he expected the inauguration to take place before then end of the year.

With reporting by MIA
People in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk gathered to mourn separatist leader Aleksandr Zakharchenko, who was killed in an explosion at a cafe on August 31. Tens of thousands of mourners lined up on September 2 to view his flag-draped casket before it was carried out of Donetsk's Opera and Ballet Theater building and paraded through the city, which has been controlled by Russia-backed separatists since 2014.
Tens of thousands of people gathered on September 2 in the separatist stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine to mourn a top rebel leader who was recently killed in a bomb attack.

Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the head of the separatists who control the city of Donetsk, was killed in an explosion at a cafe on August 31.

The killing was the latest in a series of violent deaths of separatist officials and commanders in eastern Ukraine, where the Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces since April 2014 in a war that has killed more than 10,300. Many of the assassinations have been blamed on fellow separatists.

Kyiv and Moscow have traded blame for Zakharchenko's death.

On September 2, mourners formed a huge line to view the flag-draped casket of Zakharchenko, whose body was lying in state in the separatist-held city of Donetsks Opera and Ballet Theater.

The self-proclaimed Donetsk authorities said at least 100,000 people attended, while the AFP news agency estimated that more than 30,000 turned up.

There were some reports saying that people were bused to Donetsk and forced to attend the event.

Zakharchenko was later buried in a ceremony at the Donetskoye More cemetery, Russias state-run TASS news agency reported.

The leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov; Natalya Poklonskaya, a member of the Russian State Duma; and Sergei Aksyonov, the head of the Russian-imposed government in Ukraines Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed in March 2014, were among those who paid their respects to the late separatist leader.

Aleksandr Zaldostanov, the leader of the Night Wolves, a Russian motorcycle club known for its allegiance to the Kremlin, and several other members of the club also turned out, according to AFP.

During the ceremonies, the center of Donetsk was cordoned off by armed men in fatigues and public transport was temporarily suspended.

Billboards erected in the streets showed pictures of Zakharchenko with slogans such as "All of us have one Motherland  Russia."

In a statement carried by the separatists official news agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser, Vladislav Surkov, called the separatist leader a "brother" and a true hero.

Putin expressed his condolences for the "vile murder," the Kremlin has said.

Russia and the separatists were quick to blame Kyiv for Zakharchenko's death, but Ukraines security service said it believes the attack was the result of a conflict between "terrorists and their Russian sponsors."

"We do not exclude an attempt by the Russian special services to eliminate a rather odious figure who, according to the information we have, was meddlesome for the Russians," the Ukrainian security service was quoted by state media as saying on September 1.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that international talks over the conflict in eastern Ukraine could no longer be considered following Zakharchenko's killing.

Lavrov said the bombing was "Ukraine's provocation...obviously aimed at derailing the implementation of the Minsk agreements," referring to the September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed at putting an end to the fighting in Ukraines eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, according to TASS.

One of Zakharchenkos bodyguards also died as a result of the August 31 blast in Donetsk, while a dozen others were injured.

Dmitry Trapeznikov, a top separatist official, was named as acting leader.

He said a number of suspects have been detained since the explosion.

The separatist movement has been plagued by infighting, with several leaders fleeing the region after saying they had been subject to threats from former comrades.

With reporting by AFP and the BBC
RALSKO, Czech Republic -- Judging by the smell of mold, the crumbling concrete, and the soot-covered electronics, it is hard to believe that just a few decades ago this abandoned bunker about an hour northeast of Prague was on the front line of a global military standoff. This base was once a heavily guarded, top-secret facility, as the nuclear-armed forces of the Soviet bloc and NATO squared off across Europe. In 1966, the Warsaw Pact conducted the Vltava military exercises in the southern part of what was then Czechoslovakia. According to the simulation, by the time the dust had settled the two sides had exchanged 252 nuclear strikes with a total explosive force of 59 megatons. The projected casualties: 57,000 soldiers and 2.5 million civilians dead. Forty-eight civilians for every killed soldier. The history of Soviet military activity in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War is still largely a dark secret, with many of the key documents held in closed Russian archives. Although it is clear that storage bunkers for Soviet nuclear warheads were constructed in the country and missile-launch systems were based there, it is uncertain whether the warheads themselves ever entered the country. "Czechoslovakia never had the opportunity to confirm whether there were warheads [in the storage bunkers]," Czech historian Prokop Tomek told Current Time TV. "One could only confirm this by studying the Soviet archives, which are now the archives of the Russian Federation."

For its size, Czechoslovakia boasted one of the most formidable militaries of the Eastern Bloc, with an army of nearly 200,000 men. "These days, politicians argue about how much to spend on the military," Czech journalist and former Czechoslovak soldier Jan Gazdik said. "We are supposed to spend 2 percent [of GDP, according to a NATO defense-spending agreement], but the Czech Republic does not reach this threshold and God only knows when it ever will. But back then, they spent up to 17.5 percent of GDP on the military. Even at the time, military people understood that this was destroying the economy." In 1961 and 1962, Czechoslovakia agreed to host nuclear-capable, truck-mounted missile systems provided by the Soviet Union, and three rocket brigades -- officially called artillery brigades -- were formed. Under the agreement, warheads for the SS-1 Scud-A missiles and Luna tactical rockets were stored in the Soviet Union and were to be brought into Czechoslovakia in an emergency within 18-22 hours. Throughout the decade, these units were modernized and upgraded with missiles with ranges of up to 300 kilometers capable of carrying warheads from 10 to 500 kilotons.

In 1964, however, the Warsaw Pact conducted an exercise in Poland that convinced Soviet military planners that the proposal to provide the warheads within 22 hours was hopelessly optimistic and that the risk they would be destroyed during transport was too great. Moscow decided to construct warhead storage facilities in East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia. The following year, then-Czechoslovak President Antonin Novotny signed an agreement to build three warhead-storage bunkers by the beginning of 1967 according to plans and equipment supplied by Moscow. The facilities would be operated by Soviet troops, which was a significant development because prior to this agreement, Czechoslovakia was the only Warsaw Pact country that did not host any Soviet forces. Between 1966 and 1969, under the code name Javor (Maple), the three facilities were built at Milovice, Ralsko, and Misov. In total, the three sites had the capacity to store 576 warheads. They were built to withstand a direct hit by a 3-megaton nuclear bomb.

Officially, the facilities were explained as special communications nodes, which is reportedly what construction workers and Czechoslovak military guards were told. Only a dozen Czechs -- the president, prime minister, Communist Party head, and top military commanders -- knew the truth. The Warsaw Pact's military planning remains largely secret, but the 1989 Czechoslovak military doctrine has been released, historian Tomek said. "In the event of a military conflict, the first action would be for 15 Czechoslovak divisions to move in the direction of West Germany," he told Current Time, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. "They would have taken enormous losses.... Western military attaches who studied our military and the Soviet military believed that the Soviet Army, which would have moved in behind the Czechoslovaks, were well-trained and obedient and their soldiers were accustomed to fighting to the end and winning.

"Their assessment of the Czechoslovak Army was much lower. They believed that discipline there was weaker, as was the desire to fight. The soldiers understood that their country was occupied." During the liberal Prague Spring period in 1968, some Czechoslovak military specialists came out against the Warsaw Pact's planning and proposed that Czechoslovakia develop its own military strategy based on its national interests. They issued the Memorandum-1968, which was signed by 42 officers and specialists, including the rector of the Prague Military-Political Academy. "That document alone angered the Soviet marshals to the point of interference," said journalist Gazdik. "As soon as Soviet forces entered the country [in August 1968], General [Vaclav] Prchlik, the rector and the leader of the group, was thrown in prison.... All the other Memorandum-1968 authors and signatories were kicked out of the military. They couldn't find work anywhere. So our best military theoreticians ended up eking out a living as translators, masons, or farmhands."

In the 1980s, the Soviets deployed SS-20 multiple-warhead missiles with a striking distance of 5,000 kilometers. This put all of Europe within range of missiles based in the Soviet Union. The United States responded by deploying Pershing-2 and Tomahawk missiles. A Czech children's book of the period included the poem: Mommy, Daddy, I'm afraid of the Pershing. Don't be afraid, dear child. The SS-20 is protecting you. The Soviet military, however, maintained the missile brigades in Czechoslovakia nearly until that country's Velvet Revolution in 1989. They were withdrawn in 1988 after the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The abandoned storage facilities fell into disrepair and were targeted by looters and vandals -- all but one. The bunkers at Misov were used for various purposes after the Velvet Revolution, including as storage for communist-era currency that was removed from circulation. Now, history buffs have opened a private museum there. But the mystery of whether actual nuclear warheads were deployed in Czechoslovakia remains locked away in Russian archives.

"As a journalist, I have spent a lot of time looking [for this information], but I have not been able to clarify, and no one has been able to tell me, whether they came here or not," said Gazdik. "But I believe that nuclear weapons were here." Historian Tomek said he agrees that it is likely warheads were brought to the country in the late 1970s or early '80s when the confrontation with the West was at its peak. "Personally, I think that toward the end of the 1980s, during Gorbachev's perestroika and the beginning of disarmament negotiations, they had already been removed," he said. "If they were here, it was in the 1970s and early 1980s. But that is just a theory, based on the Soviet policies of the period."
In the summer of 1962 the Mansfield, Ohio Police Department set up a gay sex sting by filming men having sex in a public restroom under the main square of the city. A cameraman hid in a closet and filmed the clandestine activities through a two-way mirror. The police filmed over a three-week period, and the resulting film footage was used to obtain the convictions of over 78 local men on charges of sodomy. (Several of the accused were committed to an asylum for shock treatment. One of them later committed suicide.)

All of the 38 men were convicted of sodomy. They were publicly humiliated and found themselves ensnared by the states Ascherman Act, which ordered all felons deemed a danger to society to be institutionalized for a potentially indefinite period; all were required to serve the minimum sentence, even those judged by medical professionals to be cured prior to that time. The treatment involved a number of now-discredited methods, including electroshock and various other aversion therapy techniques, and drugs with known severe side effects. After their release few recovered from the trauma and many were ostracized from families and friends. It would not be until 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association struck homosexuality from its list of mental disorders; until that moment, the psychiatric profession had essentially lent its tacit endorsement to these laws and practices.

After the arrests, the restroom below Mansfields Central Park was closed to the public and in a gesture more superstitious than practical, it was filled in with dirt and covered up.

The footage itself is chilling and stark. One must always remember that it was not only the fact that these men were having sex in a public bathroom that got them arrested. It was the fact that they were gay. The sex act on film was only the evidence.

David Herkt sums:.

The video documents a straight-laced America of button-up shirts, horn-rimmed glasses and ubiquitous cigarettes where fleeting moments of sexual expression can be experienced in hidden places but within a context of fear. Even during the sex-acts, the eyes of these men are often focused on the restroom doors and the possibility of an intrusion that could mean arrest and imprisonment. There is an urgency of need for contact that overcomes the weight of law and self but cannot quite overcome the awareness of possible consequences. There is also a poignancy as each of the men is observed  smoking, washing hands, straightening attire in a mirror, involved in brief sexual contact, wiping semen from the floor  because, for them, these moments mark their last instants of freedom from restraint by the state or confinement in a treatment facility.

Even now over 55 years later 18 out of the 50 United States still have sodomy laws on the books and use the same techniques as in Mansfield to persecute and prosecute homosexual men. In fact the Mansfield Police Department published rules and guidelines and provided technical know-how assisting every other city in America to obtain convictions in the same way.

A Mansfield-based film company put out an award-winning documentary for law enforcement agencies detailing how the Mansfield Underground Restroom Scandal could be duplicated in every other precinct in America.

William E. Jones found a degraded version of the police tapes used in the prosecution of these of the men involved that was also sent out to other police departments in the United States.

The film has been restored and serves as a shocking reminder of our past.

WARNING: THIS LINK will take you to video. It is EXTREMELY NSWF and is used here for historical and educational reference only.
Canadian one of eight arrested by Mexican Navy in large at-sea drug bust

Oaxaca  Eight people were arrested by the Mexican Navy after they spotted a suspicious vessel in the waters off the coast of Oaxaca. One of the eight arrested was a Canadian.

Marinos of the Mexican Navy have arrested a total of eight people after chasing a small vessel with the help of four other boats and two helicopters. The water chase took place off the coast of Oaxaca when members of the navy were conducting routine surveillance.

A vessel was seen by an aircraft of the Mexican Navy approximately 150 nautical miles (278 kilometers) southwest of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. From the air using nighttime vision equipment, they saw a suspicious vessel with two high-powered outboard motors and covered cargo.

Photo: Octava Region Naval

Four ships were sent in their direction while two maritime patrol aircraft kept track of the small boat. Marine Corps personnel intercepted the vessel which is when they found the eight men and two tons of cocaine.

When navy personnel inspected the boat, they found 2,250 kilos of cocaine and one Canadian, three Colombians and four Mexicans. The two-ton drug bust was most recent off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

In August, after an intense water chase off the coast of Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero the Navy of Mexico seized a two-ton shipment of cocaine.
Restaurants offer new spin on Mexicos 800-year-old dish

Mexico City, Mexico  Around Mexico, the month of September hosts Independence Day but also the countrys famous dish, chiles en nogada.

Cultivated by the Aztecs more than 800 years ago, chiles en nogada remains the dish-to-have during the month of September which is served specifically for the occasion. Restaurants around the country will prepare the labor-intensive dish starting mid-August to the end of September.

This year, in light of The Mexican War of Independence and the famous chiles en nogada, restaurants in Mexico City have created several new twists to the countrys famous food dish. This year, amaranth is the ingredient that will give the dish a unique taste.

The modernized dishes have been created by chefs in several restaurants of the Hyatt Regency and the Four Seasons hotels in Mexico City. The hotels will be serving their updated dishes on their patriotic menu until the end of September.

In addition to the traditional dish, diners will find the menu also includes a version of sushi in nogada, cajeta flan, bunuelos al viento and chochitos cookie with colors.

Photo: Hyatt Regency Mexico City

Sushi in Nogada is probably the most modernized with chefs calling it a fusion of typical Mexican flavors with contemporary Japanese cuisine. The roll consists of a filling very similar to chili in nogada with ground beef, almonds, raisins, apple, garlic, onion, cinnamon, peach in syrup, platano and acitron.

On the outside it is partially wrapped in poblano chile and smothered in the traditional nogada sauce, which is made from the Nogal de Castilla or Castillan walnut.

Chiles en nogada (chiles in walnut sauce) is traditionally a dish that consists of poblano chilis filled with picadillo (a mixture of shredded meat, aromatics, fruits and spices) topped with a walnut-based cream sauce, called nogada and pomegranate seeds, giving it the three colors of the Mexican flag.

The traditional chile en nogada is from Puebla and is tied to the independence of the country since it is said they were prepared for the first time to entertain the future emperor Agustin de Iturbide when he came to the city after the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba.
P Chidambaram

P Chidambaram said Saturday that Parliament, and not the court, was the right forum to take up the Rafale fighter jet deal in which his party has alleged a major "scam". Addressing a press conference here, the former Union home minister said the Rafale deal should not be compared with the Bofors case as there was no corruption in the purchase of Bofors guns from Sweden in 1980s. Replying to a query on approaching the court on the Rafale deal issue, he said, "The solution to this problem is not court...this has become a fashion in India --for everything you go to court.

"The place to debate is Parliament...that is where the elected representatives are. All debates take place in Parliament, debates do not take place in court. It is only in India that courts have become a debating place and Parliament has become stagnant," Chidambaram said. He said if the government did not want to debate the issue in Parliament, the other option was to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) - a demand made by the Congress - and discuss the deal there. The JPC represents Parliament. It is miniature Parliament, he said.

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Rafale fighter jet deal

The Congress leader also asked how could the government term the acquisition of 36 Rafale jets an "emergency" purchase when the first of the fighter planes was meant to arrive four years after the deal. "Not one aircraft has arrived in India since its announcement in 2015. The first aircraft is expected to arrive in September 2019 and remaining in 2022. Now where is the question of emergency purchasing when the first aircraft comes after four years and the remaining after seven years?" he questioned.

The former Union minister also sought to know why the government did not persuade France's Dassault Aviation, the makers of the fighter aircraft, to give off-set contract related to the multi-crore deal to state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). "Assuming Dassault can choose its offset partners, why did not the government encourage, persuade and advise Dassault to choose HAL which has an impeccable record in manufacturing aircraft among public sector companies?" he said.

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Asked whether the Rafale deal "scam" was on the lines of the Bofors scandal, Chidambaram said, "Bofors was not a scam. There is a judgement of Justice J D Kapoor of the Delhi High Court which conclusively finds that there was no corruption or scam in the Bofors deal. "So please do not compare Rafale with the Bofors deal. Bofors (scam) was a figment of imagination of late prime minister V P Singh," he said. Asked if the Rafale deal was a "scam" as claimed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Chidambaram said, "This (the deal) raises serious questions, which leads to heavy suspicion and if the answers are not forthcoming, we have to conclude that it is a scam. Let them give the answers first".
Why buying only 36 Rafale jets when 126 required: Congress

The Congress has asked the Narendra Modi government why it inked a deal with France's Dassault Aviation to buy just 36 aircraft when 126 fighter jets were required. The party's national spokesperson, Priyanka Chaturvedi, asked if there's any urgency, why the government did not ask the French company to supply all the aircraft in one go. "The first lot of the aircraft will be supplied in 2019 and the rest in 2022. If there is any urgency, the whole lot should have been supplied by 2019," she said here Saturday.

Priyanka Chaturvedi

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Chaturvedi asked why the government is "afraid of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the deal, if it's fair". "A total of 126 aircraft were required, but the NDA government signed a pact for only 36 aircraft. This is strange," she said. She alleged that the government "sacrificed the country's interests to favour a millionaire friend". "How the cost per plane soared from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,670 crore? The prime minister should explain why the government ignored a public sector undertaking with a 70-year-long clean record and gave the contract to a 12-day-old company which lacks experience," she said.

Union minister Arun Jaitley

The Congress leader said though the deal could not materialise during the UPA government's tenure, it ensured transparency in all matters related to it. Union minister Arun Jaitley had earlier said the fully weaponised fighter jets which his government is buying are 20 per cent cheaper than the ones offered under the previous UPA regime. In 2015, then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said that the government had decided to buy only 36 Rafale fighter jets scrapping the earlier plan to acquire 126 of the French aircraft on grounds of huge cost.
Senior Congress leader and Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

Senior Congress leader and Cabinet Minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has reacted strongly to the statement of ex-Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in which the latter has denied ordering firing on the innocent Sikhs protesting in the aftermath of the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has asked the ex Chief Minister to make it clear that if he hadn't ordered firing at behbal kalan and kotkapura then did these orders came from the then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal or the then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini.

The congress leader demanded that the trio of Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Sumedh Singh Saini must be taken into custody for unearthing the truth about who ordered firing. Questioning senior Badal, S. Randhawa said that if firing orders didn't came from him then who ordered it. Expressing astonishment, S. Randhawa said that the then Chief Minister holds a word with the Faridkot administration and the DGP on phone and he doesn't orders firing but still the police fires on the innocent Sikhs. He also said that Parkash Singh Badal should first ask his son, who was the Home Minister at that time, that whether or not the firing took place at his orders.

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Ex-Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal

The Congress leader further said that Captain Amarinder Singh doesn't need a certificate and sermonising from the so called panthic akalis on his credentials as a Sikh. He elaborated that the whole world knows about the deep faith the family of Captain Amarinder Singh has in Sikhism and on the other side the whole Punjab is well aware of the evil designs of the Badal family to further it's political ends by weakening the panth. So, the Badal conglomerate should first look into its own misdeeds.

S. Randhawa also demanded an explanation from the Shiromani Akali Dal over a statement of Sukhbir Singh Badal appearing today in media in which he has said that the decision of staging a walkout from the Vidhan Sabha during the discussion on Justice Ranjit Singh commission report was taken in a meeting of the core committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal under the leadership of Parkash Singh Badal.

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Captain Amarinder Singh

He also said that this statement exposes the double standards practiced by the akalis who were citing less speaking time allotted to them as the reason for walkout whereas Sukhbir Singh Badal says that the walkout decision was taken in core committee meeting presided over by Parkash Singh Badal. S. Randhawa said that akali dal cannot dare face the people owing to its gravest sins and is running from facing the people in both inside and outside the Vidhan Sabha. S. Randhawa also said that now Parkash Singh Badal is presenting his version with false statements but the people of Punjab would not be befooled by these falsehoods.
If Gov. Jerry Brown goes along, San Francisco plans to establish what could be the nations first legal, supervised safe injection site for drug users. But theres a potentially serious legal obstacle: a 3-decade-old federal law that was directed at shutting down dens of crack cocaine dealers and users.

Legislation on Browns desk, passed by bare-majority votes in both houses, would authorize the city to set up one or more sites in a pilot program through January 2022. Drug users would have access to clean needles and syringes, medical care, counseling and social services. Similar programs are operating in 10 nations.

But a day after lawmakers approved AB186 last week, the Trump administrations deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, in an opinion piece Tuesday in the New York Times, declared injection sites dangerous and illegal and pledged swift and aggressive action under a 1986 law known as the Crack House Statute.

It is a federal felony to maintain any location for the purpose of facilitating illicit drug use, Rosenstein wrote. He argued that the sites encourage addiction by sending a powerful message to teenagers that the government thinks illegal drugs can be used safely.

City officials and other advocates of the sites say their purpose is not to facilitate drug use, but to protect the users from overdoses and other lethal consequences while giving them a chance to get their lives under control and making the streets safer.

Research has shown these programs reduce overdose mortality, public injection, litter from drug use ... while increasing access to treatment, safe-use behaviors, and entrance into detoxification services, said the bills author, Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, D-Stockton.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who lost a younger sister to a drug overdose in 2006, says shes willing to fight the federal government in court to allow the injection sites.

People are going to shoot up, and we dont have control over that, Breed said in July. Theres a way to get it indoors so its not impacting our streets in a negative way. ... These places provide a location for people to be when theyre going through what theyre going through.

California has been down this road before. The state was the first to legalize the medical use of marijuana, in a 1996 initiative, and since then has battled a series of presidential administrations over enforcement of the federal ban on all uses of marijuana.

In 2005, the clash reached the U.S. Supreme Court, where California argued that pot dispensaries were not engaged in interstate commerce when they supplied marijuana that was grown entirely within the state, and thus were not subject to federal regulation. The court disagreed in a 6-3 ruling, leading to federal closures of hundreds of dispensaries in the state under the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations.

The federal sweeps eventually prompted congressional action, in 2015, to prevent further shutdowns.

The federal government couldnt rely on the same drug bans to go after safe injection sites, though, because  unlike the marijuana dispensaries  the city wouldnt be supplying any drugs, said Marsha Cohen, a law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco.

Thats where the Crack House Statute comes in.

The law prohibits anyone from knowingly opening, maintaining or managing a place for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or using a controlled substance.

The statute was passed at a time of rising crack cocaine use in inner cities and was directed at private criminal outposts, not public facilities seeking to provide safety for drug users. But a legislative staff analysis of AB128 said the law would criminalize both the behavior of the clients using the (safe injection) facilities and the owners or operators of the facilities.

Maximum penalties under the law include 20 years in prison, fines of $500,000 for individuals or $2 million for an organization, and loss of the property.

Brown has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto AB186, or let it become law without his signature. If it becomes law, federal courts will have to decide whether the broadly worded law passed by Congress in 1986 contains an implied exemption for a government-supervised facility whose ultimate goal is to reduce drug addiction.

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Theres no evidence of (congressional) intent that this would apply to legally permitted public health interventions, trying to prevent deaths and serious injuries, said Lindsay LaSalle, an attorney with the advocacy group Drug Policy Alliance in Oakland.

Legal analysts who support the injection sites took a similar position in an article in the American Journal of Public Health in 2008.

The federal law was never intended to interfere with a legally authorized public health intervention under states traditional authority in public health, said a team of researchers led by Leo Beletsky, who teaches law and health sciences at Northeastern University. These arguments are reasonable but are by no means certain to convince federal judges.

Another 2008 legal commentary, by Michael Rayfield in the University of Chicago Law Review, said the law should be interpreted to apply only to a facility that meaningfully contributes to the drug activity beyond simply providing a secluded location for it to occur.

The law could be tested elsewhere. Seattle officials are deciding whether to equip a mobile van as a safe injection site. New York City is considering a proposal to operate one or more injection sites as a medical research program, an option that could sidestep the Crack House Statute but would still require approval from federal agencies.

New York would be following in the footsteps of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Sydney, where medical research programs eventually became government-run safe injection sites in two of the 10 nations that have legalized them.

In any event, as UC Hastings Cohen noted, U.S. courts have ruled on the application of the 1986 drug law in a variety of settings, but have not been asked to decide whether it applies to government-run injection centers.

There seems to be considerable room for argument here, Cohen said. Not surprising given that none of these (federal) statutes was designed to deal with those who are in good faith trying to deal with the drug scourge.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@BobEgelko
JC Olivera / Getty Images

The San Francisco Board of Education this past week officially renamed an elementary school in the citys Fairmount neighborhood in honor of United Farm Workers icon Dolores Huerta.

And with that vote wiped away a name with more than 150 years of history.
The drive to sell the public on city-sanctioned drug injection centers was a four-star public relations blitz  complete with guided tours, booster buttons and even T-shirts extolling the safety, community and dignity of the controversial program.

Upward of 1,000 people, along with reporters and film crews from about 30 news outlets, walked through the model site at Glide Memorial Church last week.

At an accompanying media event  complete with stage and seating at nearby Boeddeker Park  Mayor London Breed told 60 or so supporters that the goal of the weeklong showcase was to reduce the stigma around these sites and show that they can be implemented in a clean, safe and effective way.

You could call it a sales pitch, said Glide Harm Reduction Program Manager Paul Harkin.

We see this as an educational opportunity for the community, he said.

The tours and press push come just as a bill is hitting Gov. Jerry Browns desk to allow a four-year, safe-injection trial program in San Francisco.

Weve been in contact with the governors staff, but so far we dont know what is going to happen, said one source close to the talks who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. We havent heard yes, but we havent heard a hard no either.

Even the feds got into the act, with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein implying  as if on cue  in a New York Times opinion piece that city officials could be subject to civil and criminal action.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

I understand that, and that is something that we are definitely going to have to deal with, Breed said at Boeddeker, but she added she still wants to see centers opening as soon as possible.

As for how the pitch went over?

If you had asked me two or three years ago, I might have said no, but these days it might help, said Hugh Sanders, who volunteers at a local homeless program.

Addiction counselor Jose Palafox, who was on the same tour, called the center a good start, but we have a long way to go.

A long way, indeed. Even if the city goes ahead with the center in defiance of federal law, the question remains: What neighborhood would host the first site?

The mayors office said thats yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, on streets adjacent to Glide, police were finishing up a few busy days as well. Tenderloin cops reported recently saving the lives of three opioid overdose victims who had stopped breathing  bringing the total of overdose saves by Tenderloin police to 34 this year.

Michael Short / Special To The Chronicle

Deadly delay: A fatal drug overdose in a BART restroom wound up shutting down Bay Fair Station in San Leandro for two hours Wednesday night.

The drama started at about 9:20 p.m., when the station agent reported a person being in the restroom for an unusually long time.

Police arrived, opened the door and found a young man on the floor  along with drug paraphernalia.

Police declared the restroom a possible crime scene and ordered the entire station closed. They also ordered all trains to pass by without stopping  even though the restroom was several feet from the nearest turnstiles and located on an entirely different floor than the platform.

The fear, according to BART spokesman Jim Allison, was that members of the public could be exposed to the highly potent opioid fentanyl.

So for two hours, BART patrons looking to get on or off at Bay Fair had to take a bus.

Welcome to the new world of transit.

New Newsom: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be embarking on another state bus tour, this time with the goal of winning the hearts of lawmakers and voters.

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We start in Antelope Valley (Los Angeles County) on Sept. 10, then its off to the Inland Empire, Fresno, Sacramento, Salinas, then back down to Orange County, Newsom campaign spokesman Nathan Click said.

In addition to bolstering Newsoms run for governor, the six-day barnstorm is also tailored to campaign for Democratic candidates in swing congressional and legislative districts.

Its an interesting change from Newsoms days in San Francisco, where he made a point of distancing himself both personally and politically from his fellow members on the Board of Supervisors.

And only barely got along with the board when he was mayor.

But then, being governor is a different game, one that requires a team effort. And apparently Newsom is ready to play ball.

Richard Shotwell / Associated Press

Name game: The San Francisco Board of Education officially renamed an elementary school in the citys Fairmount neighborhood last week in honor of United Farm Workers icon Dolores Huerta.

And with that vote wiped away a name with more than 150 years of history.

As the board resolution itself pointed out, Fairmount Elementary, at 65 Chenery St. (founded in 1864), is a renowned school, with a long history of providing excellent academic opportunities ... and by many accounts established the first PTA in the state of California.

On the other hand, as the resolution points out, Huerta battled to provide access to the disenfranchised, to the voiceless, to the hopeless, and to the oppressed.

And now her voice will be added to an elementary school.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be embarking on another state bus tour, this time with the goal of winning the hearts of both candidates and voters.

We start in Antelope Valley on Sept. 10, then its off to the Inland Empire, Fresno, Sacramento, Salinas, then back down to Orange County, Newsom campaign spokesman Nathan Click said.
When Robert Waggener checked the voice mail at his family-run electrical contracting company in East Oakland on a recent weekend, what he heard unsettled him.

The voice mail, just over one minute long with theatrical background music, is disguised like an ordinary campaign message, but the messages goal is to spread fear and hate.

Negroes are not humans, the voice mail begins. Negroes are low IQ, violent impulsive animals meant for brutal, primitive life in tropical Africa.

The automated phone call goes on to say that Negroes are incapable of contributing to white civilization.

Negroes ruin every place they infest in large numbers, like Detroit, the voice mail concludes. End the Negro plague now before its too late.

Waggener, who is white, certainly got the message.

Its sick. Its sick, he said repeatedly as I sat in his office one morning last week.

The voice mail was the latest in a string of hateful messages delivered to Bay Area residents by a robocall this year.

In June, my colleague Joe Garofoli reported on a robocall that included anti-Semitic slurs directed at Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The calls urged listeners to support the campaign of Patrick Little, a neo-Nazi who was running as a Republican for Democrat Feinsteins U.S. Senate seat.

In July, Contra Costa County residents received an anti-Semitic robocall in support of John Fitzgerald, who is running for Democratic Rep. Mark DeSaulniers congressional seat representing Richmond, Walnut Creek, Concord and other cities in the county. Fitzgerald, a Republican who has made anti-Semitic statements, drew 23 percent of the vote to finish second in Junes primary.

I wish I was shocked that Fitzgerald has any support at all.

The robocall Waggener received has a glaring similarity to the ones from earlier this summer: They all end with the words paid for by TheRoadToPower.com. According to the Spokesman-Review and the Sandpoint Reader, two news publications in Idaho, The Road to Power is a podcast hosted by a white supremacist living in Sandpoint.

The same podcast now is said to be behind ugly robocalls targeting Andrew Gillum, the African American candidate recently elected as Democratic nominee in the contest for governor of Florida.

My calls to the podcaster went unanswered.

But what 82-year-old Waggener and his family heard wasnt a political endorsement. It was simply an endorsement of hate.

Its so not true, Waggener said as his voice trembled. Tears ran down his face. Ive never had anybody think those thoughts in my presence.

He reached for a box of tissues.

Hate is a scourge that needs to be eradicated like smallpox. Instead, aided by the current U.S. president, hate has been weaponized. If were going to fix this countrys racial problems, we have to acknowledge and rebuke the people inflaming racial tensions.

The hateful message has affected Waggeners family. He said his granddaughter, Lexi Anderson, couldnt listen to the entire message.

Ominous, wasnt it? said his son, Rex Waggener. Its scary times.

The family doesnt want to live in a country where this is accepted as normal, and neither do I. I went to meet Waggener because he sent me a one-sentence email with the subject racist phone call.

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Most of us would just hang up and say this is BS and delete it, Beci Anderson, Waggeners daughter, told me. But it really bothered him, and he felt like he needed to do something more.

Waggener grew up in Detroit, the youngest of nine children born in a working-class family. He remembers how Orville Hubbard, the segregationist who for 36 years was the mayor of Dearborn, a city thats part of the Detroit metropolitan area, vehemently railed against integration.

It shaped the way Waggener sees unfairness in the exclusion of others. After moving to San Mateo in the 60s, he joined the local Elks lodge so his children could swim at the clubs pool. He gave up the membership because it required all members to be white.

A single father, Waggener raised three children. One son is a defense attorney. He taught Rex and Beci how to be electrical estimators, a job that calculates the projected costs involved in electrical projects.

In 1985, the three opened Beci Electric, an electrical contracting company in Oakland. Rex runs the field operations, and Anderson, after whom the company is named, manages the business. Shes the boss.

Anderson and her daughter, Lexi, who is taking classes at Berkeley City College and Chabot College, stay at his home in the Adams Point neighborhood during the week. They go home to Murphys, a town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, on weekends.

Anderson told me Lexi keeps care packages for homeless people in her car. She said Waggener also gives to homeless people.

He doesnt wait for somebody to come up and ask him for money, Anderson said. He sees someone that looks hard on their luck; he pulls a $5, $10, $20 bill out of his wallet and walks over and gives it to them.

This is a family that takes time to look at people instead of looking past them. A repulsive voice mail isnt going to stop them from doing what theyve always done.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays and Thursdays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
Happy birthday to me! Can you donate to my pet cause?

Such is the pitch these days of amateur fundraisers, who are using social media to prod their contacts for money.

Before the Internet, only close friends knew someones birthday. Now, if a user chooses, his or her birthday gets displayed on services like Facebook, Amazon, Google and LinkedIn  and on Facebook, gift requests can go out to hundreds or thousands of people.

The Menlo Park company has enthusiastically peddled the concept, introducing a tool in August 2017 to help people raise money for nonprofits on their birthdays.

When the social network began in 2004, birthdays were one of the few features it had. But it has struggled to turn those birthday notices into something more. In 2010, it closed a virtual gift shop that let friends pay money for digital icons. In 2014, it closed a service that encouraged people to buy gift cards.

Doing good rather than buying goods seems to have been the right move. On the tools, er, first birthday, the company announced it has raised more than $300 million for nonprofits around the world. Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, celebrated by holding a multiday birthday fundraiser of her own, and by late August had raised nearly $50,000 for an organization called Feeding America.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito has received $30,000 from Facebook donations in the past year. The vast majority of that money came from birthday fundraisers, according to center spokeswoman Laura Sherr. With up to 500 pounds of fish being fed to animals each day during the busy season (February to May, when newborn and weaning marine mammals are vulnerable), $30,000 can pay for 15 tons of herring, or two months of food.

Were really lucky in the Bay Area here to have many like-minded people that love the ocean, said Dr. Shawn Johnson, the centers director of veterinary science.

Despite the millions of dollars raised so far, Facebook birthday fundraisers dont sit well with everyone.

My favorite thing on Facebook is when people that never interact invite me to donate to their birthday fundraiser, tweeted radio host Mac Dickson.

Sherr of the Marine Mammal Center acknowledged the tension: It can be really uncomfortable for individuals to fundraise, she said.

Facebook had initially charged nonprofits a fee of 5 percent on fundraisers, but backed off last year. It still charges a 2.9 percent payment processing fee for personal fundraisers not tied to a nonprofit.

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Joyce Wang of San Francisco raised over 10 times her original goal when she got $3,680 in donation for her birthday fundraiser last fall for AnnieCannons, a nonprofit that breaks the cycle of human trafficking by teaching victims how to code. The cause is personal for her.

When I was an attorney, I represented a lot of women who were in domestic violence situations, and I saw them relapse, Wang said. AnnieCannons takes victims of human trafficking and puts them in classrooms and teaches them how to code, and then because its the Bay Area theres a million jobs.

AnnieCannons CEO Jessica Hubley said such efforts make a big difference: My co-founder actually told me about it in tears, because she was so touched, she said.

Rebecca Aydin is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rebecca.aydin@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @beckyaydin
2 1 of 2 / South San Francisco Police Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Codi Mills/The Chronicle Show More Show Less



South San Francisco police are investigating a rash of armed robberies of businesses along the Peninsula within the past week that appear to be the work of a lone man.

The incidents under investigation include robberies at a liquor store and a fast food restaurant Wednesday.
In 1966, when Donald Trump would have been 20 years old and Jeff Bezos all of 2, the presidential National Commission on Technology, Automation and Economic Progress issued a report containing a few modest proposals.

Distinguished by such luminaries as United Auto Workers head Walter Reuther and IBM CEO Thomas J. Watson Jr., and containing no politicians, the commission recommended that the federal government guarantee every American family a minimum annual income of $3,000 (roughly $23,000 in todays dollars), that it provide free education through the junior college level, and that blue-collar workers be paid annual salaries instead of by the hour.

There were also recommendations for creating 500,000 new jobs for the hard-core unemployed in useful community enterprises such as hospitals, schools and police departments.

A skeptical New York Times columnist feared that these initiatives would supplant the American form of government with a socialist system. Nevertheless, the Times writer went on to say, if any of the proposals were adopted, it is to be hoped Norman Thomas will still be around to administer them as the only citizen in sight who is both learned in the philosophy of socialism and who knows the responsible limits to enforcing it in the American society. (Thomas was a Presbyterian minister who led the Socialist movement in America for four decades.)

The proposals and the column were cited at the time by veteran labor activist A.J. Muste as an example of how far American society and workers in particular had advanced since the 1930s, when any group advocating proposals remotely resembling those of the Watson-Reuther commission ... would have been denounced, not in polite or even printable language, as utopian dreamers and Bolsheviks. A former Trotskyist and part of the group that founded the short-lived American Workers Party, Muste knew what he was talking about. He was left gasping at the contrast between then and now.

At this moment you may be gasping too, and for quite a different reason. What Muste recalled as the bad old days of the 1930s seems like a stark depiction of our present. Utopian dreamers in 2018 dare dream no further than paid family leave and a livable minimum wage. Income inequality is at its highest level since the Great Depression. Union membership is about 11 percent of the workforce.

In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that low-wage workers coerced into signing arbitration agreements cannot pursue their grievances through class-action lawsuits. A month later, the court ruled that public-sector unions cannot collect agency fees from workers who choose not to join the unions that represent them. Compulsory payment of such fees is a violation of free speech under the First Amendment, the court said, a violation that apparently doesnt exempt taxpayers like me from having to buy cell phone batteries for the nations tweeter-in-chief.

Not only organized labor but labor itself seems under threat. An Oxford University study predicts that nearly half of American jobs will be replaced by automation in the next two decades. The exploited worker has become the expendable worker.

None of this is to suggest that Muste was prematurely sanguine or that the proposals of the commission can safely be consigned to a display case at the Smithsonian. In fact, conditions have never been riper for their adoption  certainly much riper than they were in 1966. But the changes wont come from a presidential blue ribbon commission or even from a Congress flipped blue.

They will come when the expendable worker turns into the implacable worker. They will come when the unchecked power of predatory capitalism has hunted itself to the point of extinction. Like the New Deal, they will come because the alternative is more devastating than most of us can accept.

This Labor Day will find me thinking of those cynical functionaries who reportedly leaned out the windows of the Chicago Board of Trade building to shower McDonalds applications on the Occupy protesters gathered below. As in, Get a job, bums. It may require a Norman Thomas to determine the responsible limits of socialism in America. But it takes no more than a basic knowledge of history to predict how far privileged arrogance can lean from an upper-story window before its sneer hits cement.

Garret Keizers essay Labors Last Stand is the cover story of the September issue of Harpers Magazine, where he is a contributing editor.
For California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, theres more at stake in this weeks Judiciary Committee hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh than his expected confirmation.

When the first of four scheduled days of hearings begins Tuesday, Kavanaugh and the future of the high court will be the focus. Feinstein, Harris and the other eight Democrats on the committee will be pushing hard to turn any wavering Republican senators  and public opinion  against the 53-year-old appeals court judge, whom President Trump nominated in July to replace retired Justice Anthony Kennedy.

In the end, a party-line vote to advance Kavanaugh to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation is the most likely outcome. So Feinstein, the panels ranking Democrat, and Harris, its most junior, will be looking for other victories.

For Feinstein, who faces a re-election challenge on the left from state Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, in November, its in her interest to come out strong, said Sam Erman, an associate professor at the University of Southern Californias Gould School of Law.

That means showing progressives she shares their worries about both Kavanaugh and Trump. Even though shes leading de Leon in the polls by a healthy margin, Feinstein has been losing progressive support since she voiced her hope last year that Trump could become a good president. In July, the state Democratic Partys executive committee endorsed de Leon, a stunning if largely symbolic setback for the 25-year Senate veteran.

Harris, though, is already a favorite of Democratic progressives and could use the high-visibility confirmation hearing to help cement her support, including for a possible 2020 presidential run. The former San Francisco prosecutor also has a reputation as an aggressive questioner who hasnt been afraid to anger Republicans in the past.

She can carve out some space for herself in Democratic politics and score some points for her political future, said Erman, who clerked for Kennedy and former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

The California senators have made no secret of their dismay at the prospect of Kavanaugh becoming a likely fifth strongly conservative voice on the nine-member court. In July, Harris waited less than a half hour after Trump announced Kavanaughs nomination to come out against him.

The Supreme Court has a profound impact on the rights  and lives  of all Americans, she said in a statement. Kavanaugh represents a direct and fundamental threat to (the) promise of equality, and so I will oppose his nomination to the Supreme Court.

Feinstein has promised to lead the opposition to Kavanaugh. She voted against his 2006 nomination to the Washington, D.C., appeals court and refused an invitation to go to the White House to hear Trump name him to the court.

President Trump has been crystal clear that he would put pro-gun and pro-life justices on the court and that Roe v. Wade would be overturned automatically, she said after the nomination. Kavanaugh appears to meet all of President Trumps promises for how his candidate will rule on specific issues.

But opposing Kavanaughs nomination is very different from stopping it, especially when Republicans hold a 50-49 Senate majority and the Democrats have a handful of vulnerable senators running for re-election in Trump-friendly states.

When the president and the Senate are controlled by the same party, there may be a lot of drama and theater during a confirmation hearing, but the president generally gets his way, said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the law school at UC Berkeley.

That doesnt mean Democrats need to throw up their hands and surrender.

While Tuesdays session is expected to be a staid, relatively short session to give Kavanaugh and the 21 Judiciary Committee members an opportunity to read their prepared statements, on Wednesday and Thursday each committee member will have up to 50 minutes to question the nominee on a virtually unlimited range of topics.

Theres plenty that still needs to be learned, Feinstein said.

We  the Senate  and the American public must know where Judge Kavanaugh stands on the important issues before confirming him to a lifetime appointment, she said.

On Friday, various witnesses will talk about Kavanaugh and the issues surrounding his nomination.

Democrats can ask questions to trip (Kavanaugh) up, but hes too smart for that ... and is not going to say anything to jeopardize his confirmation, Chemerinsky said. But they can also use their questions as a way to express views ... about what it will mean to switch from Kennedy to Kavanaugh.

During his 30 years on the high court, the Sacramento-born Kennedy was a swing vote on a wide ranges of cases, including protection of abortion rights and legalization of same-sex marriage. Democrats worry that Kavanaugh would be a reliably conservative vote on these and other issues.

Speaking at a Democratic Unity Breakfast in Oakland in July, Feinstein said that while this will be the 10th Supreme Court nomination since she was first elected in 1992, Kavanaughs is different from all of them ... because this man will be the deciding vote on most things we hold most dear.

For Democrats, Kavanaugh threatens accomplishments theyve spent years building.

Kavanaugh is well outside the mainstream and threatens hard-won rights and protections for all Americans, including abortion rights, health care, civil rights and worker protections, Harris said in a statement released after she met with the nominee last month.

While Kavanaugh has been a federal judge for more than a decade, expect Democrats to concentrate on his years in politics, as an attorney working under independent counsel Kenneth Starr in the long-running Whitewater investigation that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and later as White House staff secretary to President George W. Bush.

Kavanaughs actions and writings during those years could be a much better target for Democrats than the rulings hes made as a judge, because he can always refuse to discuss issues that may come before him on the Supreme Court.

Its easier for Democrats to say that theyre not asking how he would vote, but what he meant in the speeches hes made and the law review articles hes written, said Chemerinsky, the UC law dean. Its hard to argue that you cant discuss what youve already made public.

Democrats are especially concerned about a 2009 law review article in which Kavanaugh argued that Congress should protect a sitting president from civil suits, criminal investigations and prosecution while in office, so that the chief executive can focus on his never-ending tasks with as few distractions as possible.

With Trump, his staff and his presidential campaign already under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Democrats worry about how Kavanaugh would rule if a case from that investigation came before the court.

Democrats will call on him to recuse himself from any of those cases, which he wouldnt, and its not appropriate, said Erman of USC. But they want to make him look partisan and political rather than judicial and impartial.

The confirmation hearing may be little more than Kabuki theater, a stylized exercise where the outcome is already determined. But Feinstein, Harris and the other Democrats will play it out, making their points and painting a very different picture of Kavanaugh from the one Trump and the Republicans want to display.

Its a national stage for both Feinstein and Harris, and the way they handle it could have political effects that last far beyond this week.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth
Stop me if you've heard this one before: The regional housing crisis is the biggest story in the Bay Area today. You know this, I know this, we all know this. If only it were simple enough to end there.

I came across a tweet a couple of days ago from Annie Fryman, an aide to state Sen. Scott Wiener , D-San Francisco, a starring character in the legislative drama playing out in Sacramento. It reads:
BEIJING  It started last week with a call to action from Chinas leader, Xi Jinping. Too many of the countrys children need glasses, he said, and the government was going to do something about it.

It ended Friday with billions of dollars being wiped from the market value of the worlds largest video game company.

New controls on online games were among Chinese authorities recommendations for reducing adolescent nearsightedness on Thursday, sending shares in the countrys leading game publisher, Tencent, tumbling the next day. Shares of Japanese game makers like Capcom, Konami and Bandai Namco also fell Friday, a sign of the size and importance of the Chinese market.

The sell-off is the latest in a series of government-related stumbles for Tencent, one of the worlds largest technology companies. Chinese state media has blamed video games for causing young people to become addicted, lowering their grades and worse. An incident last year, in which a 17-year-old in the southern city of Guangzhou died after playing a smartphone game for 40 hours straight, received wide attention.

As the biggest game distributor in the worlds biggest game market, Tencent has grown fantastically rich in recent years. It has bought up game developers around the world, including the makers of influential titles such as League of Legends and Clash of Clans. It owns a stake in Epic Games, creator of the international blockbuster Fortnite.

Back at home, Tencent also operates Chinas most popular messaging app, WeChat, and processes a big chunk of the smartphone payments that are now used to make transactions of all kinds in the country.

But over the last year, Tencents hugely profitable game business has come under fire as Beijing takes a more forceful approach to guiding Chinese culture  a reminder of the states growing role in deciding the fortunes of the countrys largest and most innovative private companies.

Last year, the Communist Partys official mouthpiece, the Peoples Daily, called the Tencent-developed battle game Honor of Kings a poison on young minds. In response, the company imposed limits on the amount of time young people could spend playing it each day.

More recently, Chinese regulators blocked sales of another Tencent title  Monster Hunter: World  because it was deemed too gory. The companys stock also took a slide after executives said that a bureaucratic reshuffle had slowed the process for getting licenses to make money on new games such as the mobile version of PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds.

Tencents shares fell 5 percent in Friday trading in Hong Kong. A company spokesman declined to comment.

In China, bad eyesight has become an increasingly common childhood scourge. The state news agency Xinhua reported last week that Xi was moved to act after reading a press report on the subject. Nearly half of all Chinese are nearsighted, according to Xinhua.

The vision health of our countrys young people has always been of great concern to General Secretary Xi Jinping, the news agency wrote, using one of Xis official titles.

The resulting plan, issued by the Ministry of Education, directs Chinas media regulator to limit the number of new games approved for distribution, although it does not suggest a specific limit. It also encourages the regulator to explore measures to limit the amount of time minors can spend playing games, and to consider a system for rating games for age appropriateness.

Other recommendations in the notice include improving physical education in schools, limiting the amount of written homework given to elementary school students and improving lighting conditions in classrooms.

The link between screen time and myopia, while popularly held, is a matter of continuing study among scientists. A 2015 report by the World Health Organization cited research indicating that nearsightedness was related to less time spent outdoors and more time doing activities such as reading, studying and focusing on screens.

Raymond Zhong is a New York Times writer.
When Nicole and Christopher Roberts of North Stonington, Conn., decided to start a family in 2016, Nicole quickly became pregnant, but then miscarried three months later.

Getting pregnant a second time became far tougher than they expected. Nicole Roberts, 32, started taking neonatal vitamins, tracking her menstrual cycle carefully, taking over-the-counter ovulation tests, and even trying a few wacky internet suggestions, such as putting her legs up in the air after sex and not moving for half an hour.

It didnt work, she said. As the months dragged on, there was a feeling of desperation because we wanted it so badly.

Then she saw an ad for Ava, a Fitbit-like device thats worn on the wrist at night and uses sensors to identify the five fertile days in a womans monthly cycle to improve her odds of conception. It almost felt too good to be true, Roberts said. She started using the device in March 2017, was pregnant by June, and gave birth to Amelia on March 19.

Roberts is among a growing number of women who are seeking out fertility apps and wearable devices, like Ava, to help grow their families.

Were now living in a society where there is a cultural influence that everyone can get pregnant after five glasses of Tequila in one night. Thats what Hollywood shows us all the time, said Lea von Bidder, co-founder and president of Ava. But the reality is very different.

Busy lifestyles have made it tougher for working couples to find the time to track menstrual cycles, take ovulation tests, measure their daily temperature, and then make that all-important physical connection at just the right time in the cycle to create a baby.

Also, many women, especially among Millennials, are focusing on careers and putting off marriage and children until later, which poses additional challenges as conception rates are lower in older women. For a 28-year-old woman, roughly 10 of the 12 eggs she releases each year are viable, von Bidder said. But for a 38-year old woman, perhaps only two of the 12 eggs will be viable. So pinpointing those fertile days becomes even more critical.

The birthrate among women under 30 has been falling steadily since 2010 while the rate among women in their late 30s, 40s and 50s has been rising, according to National Center for Health statistics.

In my mind, if you had (unprotected) sex, you got pregnant and that was it, said Kate Campbell, a 32-year-old Nashville resident, who was measuring her body temperature and taking ovulation tests twice a day for months to try to conceive  without success. I wasnt getting any positives. I was really shocked. How do people get pregnant by accident?

After purchasing an Ava bracelet in April 2017, she discovered she had been missing her fertility window by about a week because her cycles were longer than normal and regular period-tracking apps didnt pick that up. By August, she was pregnant, and her son, Canaan James, was born on April 27.

The internet is filled with women on forums, Facebook and videos seeking fertility advice. They say the problem is highly misunderstood and deeply underestimated.

For someone, especially a family member, to say, Well, are you doing it right? or Do you know what youre doing?  I know theyre joking  but its not funny to me. Its just rude, said a woman who identifies herself as Jolene Grizzle in a YouTube video, as she described her struggle with fertility, which included using Ava. (It didnt work for her.)

The Ava bracelet collects data on nine parameters, including skin temperature, resting pulse rate, breathing, sleep movement, and stress levels, while the woman sleeps. Once the bracelet is synced to the persons phone in the morning, Avas proprietary algorithm achieves an 89 percent accuracy rate at detecting 5.3 fertile days each cycle, according to the company.

By measuring temperature and other variables, Ava is able to track changes in both progesterone and estrodial levels, von Bidder said.

I didnt have to worry about peeing on a stick and stressing out, said Krystal Noon, a 30-year old New Jersey resident, who struggled for months to conceive before using Ava. I would just put this bracelet on at night and it does all the work, said Noon, who conceived two months after using Ava.

Since its introduction in 2016, von Bidder said, 10,000 Ava customers have become pregnant and at least 1,000 have given birth. Sales are on track to triple this year, she added.

But Ava isnt for everyone. Its limited to women with cycles between 24 and 35 days, and is not for those with PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, who face hormone imbalances and highly irregular cycles.

And Ava has some competitors.

Some are free apps, like Glow, Clue, Period Tracker Lite, and Flo, which are generally period trackers that rely on a woman to input her cycle data, then estimate the fertile time based on a calendar or rhythm method.

There are also fertility monitors, like Kindara/Wink and Daysy, that come with an app and thermometer. And there are a few wearables, like Bellabeats Leaf pendant, Duo Fertilitys sensor thats worn under the arm, Yonos in-ear sensor, and Tempdrops underarm sensor.

But none track all of the parameters that Ava does, von Bidder said. Because we measure more physiological parameters than just temperature, we can actually detect the fertile window earlier and with a higher accuracy.

One wearable, OvuSense, is worn like a tampon and measures temperature and other factors. Its readings are considered more accurate than those taken by external devices and can even predict ovulation days for people with PCOS. However, the device is more intrusive than wearing an Ava bracelet.

I would be a little bit more leery of it because that sounds a little more invasive, said Tara Perez, a 34-year-old Georgia resident who used the Ava bracelet to help conceive.

A big Ava perk is its Facebook groups, where 25,000 registered Ava users ask questions, share experiences and encourage one another. That community of women is unlike any youve ever seen before, said Perez, who credits the group with helping her through her fertility struggles. Perez said family members had told her she likely would never be able to have children because she was Type 1 diabetic. But the Ava community helped and encouraged her through the loss of one baby to heart failure at 34 weeks and another through a form of early miscarriage, or chemical pregnancy, at five weeks  before giving birth to a healthy baby girl, Selene, on May 30 this year.

Still, Ava has its skeptics. On Reddit, some questioned Avas efficacy, given that it had been tested on only 41 women in its original trial.

Then theres Avas $249 price tag. While it was expensive, it was a whole lot less expensive than trying to look into something like in vitro or trying to ovulate via medication, Perez said.

Some critics noted that none of the fertility apps and devices have proven data that shows they significantly shorten the time it takes for a woman to become pregnant. None of them have undergone time-to-pregnancy studies, said Dr. Victoria Jennings, director of Georgetown Universitys Institute for Reproductive Health. But it wont stop women from using them or the developers from promoting them.

Ava has raised $42.3 million in financing.

And Pascal Koenig, chief executive and co-founder of Ava, said three studies are under way, including one with more than 430 participants, on expanding Avas use to include detecting infections during pregnancy, helping women with highly irregular cycles and helping perimenopausal women.

Dr. Zev Williams, chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at Columbia University Medical Center, sees value in both fertility apps and wearables. Even a basic app can help a woman see if her cycles are seriously irregular and require medical attention, he said.

But hes particularly interested in Ava.

It seems pretty sophisticated, said Williams, who is in talks with the company about doing a more extensive joint study on the device. We have an overarching goal of trying to make fertility treatment easier for women and couples going through it, and if this worked out, it would have the potential to do that.

Janet Morrissey is a New York Times writer.
A Berkeley man was arrested after he allegedly fled a traffic stop then drove his car at a Pacifica police officer, who managed to dodge it.

Jason Tarrant, 38, was arrested on suspicion of evading police, assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, possession of burglary tools and parole violations, Capt. Chris Clements of the Pacifica Police Department said Sunday.
A man was hospitalized after suffering stab wounds Sunday afternoon at a homeless encampment next to Highway 101 in San Francisco, temporarily shutting down an off-ramp, police said.

California Highway Patrol officers closed the northbound off-ramp at Duboce Avenue and Mission Street around 3 p.m., said CHP spokesman Officer Vu Williams. It was reopened around an hour later.
OAKLAND (BCN)



Diesel exhaust emissions from container ships at the Port of Oakland were reduced to record lows in July as 78 percent of vessels cut their engines and plugged into land-based electrical power while docked, Port of Oakland officials said Friday.



According to port data, 105 of 135 vessels coming into the port in July connected to shore-side electricity at berth, the highest plug-in rate ever recorded in Oakland, according to port officials.



"We've been working with shipping lines for a long time to accelerate the rate of shore power adoption," John Driscoll, Port of Oakland maritime director, said. "On behalf of all of us who breathe the air in Oakland, it's gratifying to see this level of cooperation."



Oakland has been working to boost plug-in use since 2012. State regulators require shipping lines frequently calling California ports to plug in at least 70 percent of their vessels. In 2020, the requirement will go up to 80 percent. The Port of Oakland has set a goal of 85 percent plug-ins by 2020.





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PACIFICA (BCN)



A 38-year-old Berkeley resident and parolee was arrested Friday night on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, among other alleged crimes, after police said he nearly struck an officer with his car while trying to flee them.



A Pacifica police sergeant saw a black sedan with no front right tire releasing sparks and smoke while driving south on Highway 1 at approximately 9:10 p.m., according to a Pacifica police news release. After police tried to stop the car, the suspect, identified as Jason Tarrant, allegedly accelerated to 70 mph and tried to flee.



The car eventually stalled at Rosita Road and Adobe Drive. When officers approached him, the suspect refused to exit and kept trying to re-start the car, according to police. Once he was able to accelerate again, he turned sharply to the right toward a K9 handler and his partner. The officer narrowly avoided the car, which would have pinned him to nearby objects.



The vehicle became stuck after striking several objects, and officers were able to get the suspect out of the car. Tarrant was arrested on suspicion of evasion, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of burglary tools. He was also found to be on parole for felony burglary and placed on parole hold.





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OAKLAND (BCN)



The grieving mother of a disabled man shot to death at a bus stop at the Oakland-Emeryville border in February dedicated a plaque in her son's memory at an event at an Oakland church this afternoon.



Patrick Scott Jr., 27, was shot Feb. 3 at bout 10:50 a.m. in the 6200 block of Market Street as he waited to take a bus to his grandmother's home. He was an innocent victim, according to San Francisco FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bertram Fairries.



The FBI and the Oakland Police Department are offering a $30,000 reward for anyone who can provide information regarding the shooting. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.



Accompanied by a group of supporters, Scott's mother, Carol Jones, today set the black plaque reading, "In remembrance of Patrick Demarco Scott, Jr." in place on the side of the Morning Star Baptist Church on 34th Street in Oakland.



"He never harmed a soul. Never had a traffic ticket or a parking ticket," Jones said. "He shouldn't have been shot down. I don't want any other mother to go through what I went through."



She called upon the person responsible for the shooting to surrender to police.



"You know who you are," she said. Jones said she knows the identity of the shooter, but would not elaborate.



Oakland City Council members Lynette Gibson McElhaney and Rebecca Kaplan were represented at the event.



"(McElhaney) supports Patrick's family in their search for justice," said Brigitte Cook, McElhaney's senior community liaison. She noted that McElhaney led legislation forming the Department of Violence Prevention in Oakland.



Kaplan also signed onto the legislation, said Joshua Gray, senior advisor to the councilwoman.



"This is a moment where everyone grieves," Gray said. "It is a loss not only for the family but for the community."





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A Soledad man has pleaded no contest to three felony charges related to burning a dog alive, Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo announced Friday.



Devonte Sirwet, 22, pleaded no contest to first-degree residential burglary, arson and felony animal abuse, prosecutors said.



In December 2017, Sirwet was kicked out of his mother's home because of substance abuse and anger issues, and on March 27, he returned to the home, snuck inside and took Kato, the family dog, prosecutors said.



A short time later, a witness heard what he described as a terrible screaming sound and saw Sirwet pour two bottles of lighter fluid on Kato and set him on fire.



Sirwet then fled in a vehicle, leaving the dog to burn alive.



Officers with the Soledad Police Department arrived and found Kato alive but suffering from severe burns over 90 percent of his body.



Kato was taken to a veterinarian and was euthanized to end his suffering.



Sirwet is expected to receive six years and eight months in prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 18.





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OAKLAND (BCN)



A station agent was injured when a man punched the worker in the face at the MacArthur BART Station late Friday night, according to BART police.



At 11:47 p.m., two women called the agent over to report a man who was harassing them outside the station. As the agent approached, the suspect came up behind him and punched him, officers said.



The agent suffered a one and a half inch laceration on his right cheek. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.



Officers searched the area but did not find the suspect. They have requested video evidence from the station and checked surrounding buildings for additional video.





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A 23-year-old man was arrested Saturday afternoon after a 90-minute standoff with San Mateo police officers after an apparent domestic violence incident, police said.



Police were called at about 11 a.m. to the 500 block of First Avenue on a report that the man had threatened his girlfriend with a firearm. The man, German Alvarado, was found soon thereafter sitting in a car nearby, and refused police officers' commands to get out, police Sgt. Amanda Von Glahn said in a statement.



San Mateo Police Crisis Negotiations Team officers remained in contact with Alvarado, who emerged from his vehicle after about 90 minutes. No one was injured.



Alvarado was booked into the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of making criminal threats, brandishing a (loaded) firearm, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of a high-capacity magazine.







A Santa Rosa man has been sentenced to life in prison following his conviction for attempted murder stemming from a 2017 attack, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.



Quentin Bernard Bowen, 28, was convicted of attempted murder, including great bodily injury and weapon enhancements. He will be eligible for parole after 11 years.



The victim had been caring for Bowen's dog, and on March 31, 2017, Bowen went to the victim's home to visit the animal. A few hours into the visit, Bowen attacked the 64-year-old victim from behind without warning, prosecutors said. Bowen struck the older man on the head with a rock and then stabbed him in the neck and chest.



The victim suffered eight stab wounds.







A man was killed late Friday night when he was hit by a car on State Highway 25 just north of Hollister, the California Highway Patrol reported.



The man, who as of late Saturday had yet to be identified, was walking on the east shoulder of Highway 25 just south of Wright Road, in unincorporated San Benito County, about 10 p.m. Friday when he suddenly walked into the path of a Chrysler headed north on Highway 25 driven by a Hollister woman, who was not injured.



The man, who had no identification on his person, was declared dead at the scene. The CHP said it appears that neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor in the accident.



The San Benito County Coroner's Office is working to determine the identity of the victim.







Three men were arrested in separate cases last month in connection with investigations into Internet crimes again children, according to San Francisco police.



The most recent arrest came Aug. 23, when Sausalito resident Stanley Barbarich was taken into custody on suspicion of child pornography and possession of more than 600 files of child pornography, police said in a news release.



Barbarich, 73, was arrested at his houseboat on Liberty Dock, by San Francisco police investigators, assisted by deputies and detectives from the Marin County Sheriff's Department.



In a separate incident, 50-year-old Maurice Alvarez of San Francisco was taken into custody Aug. 21 after San Francisco police and Homeland Security investigators executed a search warrant at his home in the 2700 block of Bush Street.



Alvarez, an electrician, was arrested on suspicion of possessing more than 600 files of child pornography.



In a third investigation, police arrested Cristobal Avendano of San Francisco, on Aug. 20. Avendano, 54, was suspected of trying to meet and have sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl through social media. The suspect had allegedly attempted to send graphic sexual images to the child, police said.



Avendano was charged by the San Francisco district attorney with arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual contact, communicating with a minor to have sexual contact and going to an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual contact.







The grieving mother of a disabled man shot to death at a bus stop at the Oakland-Emeryville border in February dedicated a plaque in her son's memory at an event at an Oakland church Saturday afternoon.



Patrick Scott Jr., 27, was shot Feb. 3 at about 10:50 a.m. in the 6200 block of Market Street as he waited to take a bus to his grandmother's home. He was an innocent victim, according to San Francisco FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bertram Fairries.



The FBI and the Oakland Police Department are offering a $30,000 reward for anyone who can provide information regarding the shooting. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.



Accompanied by a group of supporters, Scott's mother, Carol Jones, on Saturday set the black plaque reading, "In remembrance of Patrick Demarco Scott, Jr." on the side of the Morning Star Baptist Church on 34th Street in Oakland.



"He never harmed a soul. Never had a traffic ticket or a parking ticket," Jones said. "He shouldn't have been shot down. I don't want any other mother to go through what I went through."



She called upon the person responsible for the shooting to surrender to police.



"You know who you are," she said. Jones said she knows the identity of the shooter but would not elaborate.



Oakland City Council members Lynette Gibson McElhaney and Rebecca Kaplan were represented at the event.



"(McElhaney) supports Patrick's family in their search for justice," said Brigitte Cook, McElhaney's senior community liaison. She noted that McElhaney led legislation forming the Department of Violence Prevention in Oakland.



Kaplan also signed onto the legislation, said Joshua Gray, senior adviser to the councilwoman.



"This is a moment where everyone grieves," Gray said. "It is a loss not only for the family but for the community."







Police arrested a suspect in connection with a San Jose robbery that happened last month, when a man was forced at gunpoint to withdraw money from ATM machines, police said.



Solomon Bell, 20, of San Jose was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of robbery and kidnapping, according to police.



The case began at 2:40 p.m. Aug. 22, when police responded to a call reporting a robbery at San Salvador Street at South Sixth Street in San Jose.



The victim, an 18-year-old man, told the officers he had been robbed at gunpoint and forced to walk to different ATM machines and withdraw money. Detectives who investigated identified Bell as a suspect and tracked him down.







Two earthquakes rattled separate parts of the Bay Area Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.



An earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale shook the area around The Geysers in Sonoma County at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the USGS. It was at a depth of just under a mile along the Collayomi fault zone, the USGS reported. No damages have been reported.



At about 5:27 p.m. Saturday, a magnitude 3.3 earthquake (downgraded from 3.6) shook much of the East Bay and North Bay. It was a mile and a quarter north-northwest of Crockett, in unincorporated Contra Costa County.



The USGS indicates that point was just across the Carquinez Strait from Crockett, in the Carquinez Heights area of southernmost Vallejo.







A Windsor man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a crash that injured another driver Saturday morning in Windsor, according to the California Highway Patrol.



George Varela, 47, was taken into custody after being released from care at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the CHP said.



The collision was reported at 6:23 a.m. Saturday when Varela's vehicle was headed southbound on Old Redwood Highway near Shiloh Road. Varela crossed the yellow double lines and struck a sedan head-on, the CHP said.



Both Varela and a man driving the other car were hospitalized in stable condition. A passenger in the second car was not injured.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



Three men were arrested in separate cases last month in connection with investigations into Internet crimes again children, according to San Francisco police.



The most recent arrest came Aug. 23, when Sausalito resident Stanley Barbarich was taken into custody on suspicion of child pornography and possession of more than 600 files of child pornography, police said in a news release.



Barbarich, 73, was arrested at his houseboat on Liberty Dock, by San Francisco police investigators, assisted by deputies and detectives from the Marin County Sheriff's Department.



In a separate incident, 50-year-old Maurice Alvarez of San Francisco was taken into custody Aug. 21 after San Francisco police and Homeland Security investigators executed a search warrant at the his home in the 2700 block of Bush Street.



Alvarez, an electrician, was arrested on suspicion of possession of more than 600 files of child pornography.



In a third investigation, police arrested Cristobal Avendano of San Francisco, on Aug. 20. Avendano, 54, was suspected of trying to meet and have sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl through social media. The suspect had allegedly attempted to send graphic sexual images to the child, police said.



Avendano was charged by the San Francisco District Attorney with arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual contact, communicating with a minor to have sexual contact and going to an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual contact.



The investigations are ongoing. Police ask that anyone who knows someone believed to have suspicious contact with the three suspects to contact the San Francisco police tip line at (415) 575-4444 or a text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.





Copyright  2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Q: I recently flew from Dallas to Paris on American Airlines. I was traveling with my mother, who uses a wheelchair.

American Airlines usually allows me to sit with her. But on this flight, the airline gave us separate seats. I contacted the airline when we arrived in Paris and asked to be seated next to her. A representative helped me get two seats next to each other.

When I returned to the States, I found an $85 charge for the assigned seat. I didnt request, or authorize, this charge.

American Airlines wont refund the fee, saying that it costs more for preferred seating in economy class. Ive tried numerous times to get a refund, but the airline refuses. Can you help me?

Bo Bao, Sugar Land, Texas

A: American Airlines shouldnt have separated you from your mother. And it definitely shouldnt have charged you to sit with her on your return trip.

So why did it? In a word: money. American, like most other major carriers, charges for assigned seating. If you want a confirmed seat assignment before your flight, youll need to pay for it.

At the time of your request, all adjacent seating was either reserved for other customers, blocked to allow our airport personnel to handle unexpected seating issues that may arise on the day of departure, or they were part of our Main Cabin Extra or Preferred Seats travel options, an American representative explained in an email to you.

Maybe. But still, separating you from your mother  who was in a wheelchair  seems coldhearted. Fortunately, American has a Special Assistance department that you could have contacted before your departure: www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/special-assistance.jsp. They could have made arrangements to have you sit next to your mother.

You shouldnt have assumed that American would let you sit with your mother. We live in a time when children are separated from their parents, on a plane and off, so its important not to take anything for granted. Interestingly, Congress passed legislation to keep families together on planes, but the Department of Transportation hasnt created a regulation, which is necessary. So, for now, airlines can still separate families.

You handled this case by the book. You sent a brief, polite email to American, asking for a refund. You appealed to an executive. (I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the American Airlines executives on my nonprofit consumer-advocacy site: www.elliott.org/company-contacts/american.) The airline didnt move.

In this situation, although American is correctly following its policy, it is also doing something morally questionable. The airline didnt just separate you from your mother, but from a parent who needed special care. Thats cruel.

I contacted American Airlines on your behalf. It noted it has internal processes in place, both in the days leading up to the departure date as well as at the airport, to assist families in obtaining seating together, even if they didnt buy preferred seats. American refunded you the $85 fee.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. Find travel tips at www.elliott.org. Email: chris@elliott.org Twitter: @elliottdotorg
BEIJING  African leaders will likely press their Chinese hosts at a conference this week to help narrow their trade deficits with Beijing by shifting more manufacturing to their continent, the chief executive of the biggest African bank said.

China has passed Europe and the United States as the biggest trading partner of most African countries. Most run large deficits with Beijing, exporting minerals and buying Chinese manufactured goods.

The question of the trade imbalance is one that I think will be placed firmly on the table by the African delegates, said the chief executive of South Africas Standard Bank Group, Sim Tshabalala.

Chinas commercial presence in Africa has prompted complaints in some countries that the continent gets too little from the relationship. Africa is a major target of Beijings Belt and Road initiative to build ports, highways and other trade-related infrastructure, but some critics in Tanzania, Kenya and other countries say they leave hosts with too much debt.

I would expect African leaders to put on the table the opportunity that arises from building the African continents manufacturing capability in a way that is in the best interests of the African continent but benefits china as well, Tshabalala said.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, opening Monday, brings together leaders from China and more than 50 African countries. Dozens of African leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the conference.

The participants are looking for ways to advance common growth and development, said South Africas foreign minister, Lindiwe Sisulu.

Some Chinese manufacturers are expanding to Africa but the bulk of Chinese investment goes into mining or construction of roads and other infrastructure. A state-owned automaker, BAIC Group, announced plans this year to start producing electric cars in South Africa.

As Chinese manufacturers move to making higher-value products, the slack that is produced as a consequence can be taken up by African economies, according to Tshabalala.

Standard Bank represents the biggest Chinese investment in Africa to date, after state-owned Industrial and Commerce Bank of China Ltd. agreed in 2007 to buy 20 percent of the African lender for $5.5 billion. Since then, the two banks say they have collaborated on channeling billions of dollars of Chinese investment into Africa.

Some 300 companies account for the majority of Chinas business activity in Africa, but the region also has some 30,000 smaller Chinese firms that are of growing importance, said Francois Gamet, head of Standard Bank Groups Asian operation.

Asked about concerns over Africas rising debts to China, the banks said those still are comparatively small and most countries can repay them.

The reality is that Chinese debt as a percentage of total African debt is still relatively small, said Kenny Fihla, Standard Banks chief executive for corporate banking.

Governments in the region have fiscal discipline, said Tshabalala.
JERUSALEM  The first visit of a leader of the Philippines is sure to be touted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as another success in his campaign to enhance Israels relations across the globe. But critics say this outreach has come at a cost, with Netanyahu cozying up to authoritarian leaders, some of whom are guilty of human rights abuses.

Netanyahu takes great pride that under his leadership Israel has found new friends in Europe, as well as in far-flung countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America that long sided with the Palestinians at the United Nations and other global bodies.

But while many of Netanyahus new allies have offered blanket support for Israel, or at least indifference to its conflict with the Palestinians, some have also voiced borderline anti-Semitic sentiments and adopted a revisionist approach to the most painful chapters of Jewish history.

The Philippines foul-mouthed president, Rodrigo Duterte, who has cursed out everyone from Barack Obama to God, will receive a warm welcome in the Holy Land. He arrived in Israel on Sunday for a four-day visit, the first presidential visit since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1957. He is expected to lunch with Netanyahu, meet other top officials and visit the countrys Holocaust memorial. He is also expected to sign a major oil deal and view an arms display.

His forces are accused of killing thousands in antidrug raids since he took office in 2016. Duterte drew outrage that year when he compared his antidrug campaign to the Holocaust, and himself to Hitler, saying he would be happy to slaughter 3 million addicts. He later apologized.

Netanyahu also welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for a visit in July as a true friend of Israel.

Orban drew criticism last year for praising Miklos Horthy, Hungarys World War II-era ruler, who introduced anti-Semitic laws and collaborated with the Nazis.

Critics also have accused Orban of employing anti-Semitic tropes against the Jewish Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist George Soros. In denouncing Soros, Orban said Hungarys enemies do not believe in work, but speculate with money; they have no homeland, but feel that the whole world is theirs.

Despite global Jewish condemnation of the remarks, Netanyahu praised Orban for combatting anti-Semitism and thanked him for Hungarys pro-Israel stance.

Orban, who has exhibited increasing authoritarianism at home, has cast himself as the champion of a Christian Europe and adopted an aggressive stance to halt the flow of African and Muslim migrants through Hungary.

Netanyahu also has vouched for President Trump when the presidents critics have accused him of failing to counter the anti-Semitic rhetoric of some of his supporters and of downplaying the rise of white nationalists, including those who marched in Charlottesville, Va., last year under the slogan Jews will not replace us.

Aron Heller is an Associated Press writer.
LVIV, Ukraine  The city of Lviv, once a major center of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the annihilation of its Jewish population by Nazi Germany and honoring those working to preserve what they can of that vanished world.

City authorities honored recipients during a ceremony Sunday with 75 sculptured glass keys modeled by an American artist on an old metal synagogue key that she found at a Lviv market. The commemorations, including a concert amid the ruins of synagogues, come amid a larger effort to revive memories of the Jews who were once an integral part of life in the region.

God forbid our city once suffered such a misfortune, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said at the ceremony. Today we cannot even imagine for a moment the pain, humiliation and grief that thousands of Lvivs people suffered in the last century.

Iryna Matsevko, deputy director of the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe and one of the organizers, said it was the first time the western Ukrainian city has acknowledged the efforts in such an extensive way.

She said it comes amid a growing consciousness in Ukrainian society of the need to remember the Jews who were annihilated by Nazi forces during their occupation of Eastern Europe, which occurred with the participation of local people in some cases.

The new efforts have included introducing Jewish history courses at universities, new research by young Ukrainian scholars and grassroots efforts by local teachers and other volunteers that otherwise get little attention. Volunteers also have worked to recover Jewish gravestones that were used to pave roads and return them to cemeteries.

This is part of the process of reviving the memory of the Jewish heritage. Of course, this process is slow. I want it to be quicker, but for the last 10 years we have seen how the Jewish heritage is returning to peoples consciousness and a lot of activities are taking place, Matsevko said. It is very important that people are being acknowledged for their work in Jewish heritage.

Among those honored was Marla Raucher Osborn, an American who heads the Rohatyn Jewish Heritage, which is restoring a cemetery in nearby Rohatyn among other projects. She said she was honored to be acknowledged along with the local activists working quietly in local communities recovering Jewish memory with little or no knowledge of their projects outside of those communities, especially among the distant Jewish diaspora.

Vanessa Gera, Randy Herschaft and Yevheniy Kravs are Associated Press writers.
SEOUL  South Koreas president will send a special delegation to North Korea for talks on a nuclear standoff and to set up a summit planned for this month, his office said.

The trip on Wednesday comes amid growing worry over the slow pace of getting North Korea to end its nuclear program following President Trumps Singapore summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June. Trump declared the summit a success and suggested the nuclear issue would be solved, but there has since been widespread doubt over Kims willingness to relinquish his nukes. Many analysts believe Kim sees them as crucial for staying in power.

Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are set to meet this month in Pyongyang for their third summit. Details for the summit, including exactly when it will happen, have not been disclosed.

South Korea on Friday sent a message to Pyongyang proposing it send a special envoy and North Korea agreed, Moons office said in a statement.

The special envoys will have extensive discussions with their North Korean counterparts, covering a concrete schedule for the upcoming inter-Korean summit and the development of inter-Korean relations as well as denuclearization and the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula, the statement said.

Moons office said it hasnt decided who it will send to North Korea or how long its delegation will stay there.

The announcement came shortly after Trump shelved a trip by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pyongyang, citing lack of progress on denuclearization, but remaining open to future talks.

Trump has been heaping blame on China, North Koreas traditional ally and main trading partner. On Wednesday, Trump accused Beijing of pressuring the North because of current tensions in U.S.-China trade relations, and also of providing North Korea money, fuel, fertilizer and other commodities in violation of international sanctions.

Moon, a liberal who favors a negotiated resolution to the nuclear disputes, earlier shuttled between North Korea and the United States before the Singapore meeting, the first summit between a North Korean and U.S. leader.

In March, Moon sent special envoys to North Korea who later traveled to Washington with Kims proposal for a summit with Trump. Moon held a summit with Kim in April, during which Kim agreed to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Moon met Kim again in May when Trump said he was withdrawing from the planned summit with Kim  a decision Trump quickly reversed.

Hyung-Jin Kim is an Associated Press writer.
MOSCOW  Russians held rallies throughout the country Sunday to protest a government plan to raise the age for receiving state pensions.

Several thousand people gathered in central Moscow for a protest organized by the Communist Party. Another Moscow protest organized by the A Just Russia party attracted about 1,500 people.

Other demonstrations were reported in at least a dozen cities throughout the country including Vladivostok in the east, Simferopol in Russia-annexed Crimea and Omsk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk in Siberia.

No arrests were immediately reported. The rallies were officially sanctioned.

The plan was introduced in June and has passed first-reading in the lower house of parliament. But widespread opposition has persisted and President Vladimir Putins approval ratings in polls have fallen notably since the plan was announced.

In an unusual televised address to the nation, Putin last week conceded that the pension age for women will be raised only to 60 rather than the proposed 63. The current pension age for women is 55.

The plan would retain the raising of the pension age for men from 60 to 65, implementing the steps up over five years.

The plan has attracted opposition from a wide specter of age groups and political beliefs. Alexei Navalny, the anticorruption activist and Putin foe who has built his movement on relatively young and well-educated urbanites, has called for his supporters to rally nationwide next Sunday.

People who appeared to be in their 20s and 30s made up a large part of the Communist-called rally in Moscow. Younger opponents of the move fear keeping older people in the workforce longer will shrink job opportunities for them. Older people complain they may not live long enough to collect significant benefits.

The reform that the government offers deprives our women of a normal pension. This reform doesnt give our youth the chance to get a good job, Communist Party head Gennady Zyuganov said at the Moscow rally.

The Communists are demanding to have the issue put to a national referendum.

The average life expectancy in Russia was notoriously low in the 1990s, but has risen in recent years. It stands now at about age 67 for men and 78 for women.

Jim Heintz is an Associated Press writer.
WARSAW  The leader of Polands conservative ruling party, whose policies have led to clashes with European Union leaders, said Sunday he wants the country to remain in the EU so it can become like western European nations in every respect.

Jaroslaw Kaczynskis declaration opened the Law and Justice partys campaigning for Oct. 21 local elections in which it hopes to strengthen its grip on power.

The elections for mayors, councilors and other city and county offices will show the level of support for the program of the right-wing party, Kaczynski said.

Law and Justice won leadership of the Polish government in 2015 on promises on improving life for ordinary Poles and fighting crime and corruption. Since then, the Polish government has reorganized the judiciary and criticized EU rules it says are too restrictive, raising questions about the countrys attachment to the 28-nation bloc.

The European Court of Justice is reviewing changes in the composition and operation of Polands Supreme Court that critics say violate judicial independence. The government denies its moves were anti-democratic and has indicated it might disregard the EU courts ruling.

But Kaczynski, a Catholic who opposes abortion and same-sex marriage, said Sunday that the EU membership Poland has held since 2004 benefits the country economically.

The Poles want to be in the European Union because that is the shortest way to bring earnings to the European level and to raise the living standards, he said.

The partys goal is to have Poles say in 15-20 years time that things in Poland are the same as they are west of our borders, in every respect, Kaczynski said.

Law and Justice remains Polands most popular political force thanks to increased social spending and steps it argues are eliminating poverty, the misuse of state money and corruption in the justice system.

Amid chants of Jaroslaw, Jaroslaw and flowing white-and-red national flags, Kaczynski said the public approval should last through Polands parliamentary election next year and the 2020 presidential election.

Monika Scislowska is an Associated Press writer.
CAIRO  An air strike by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen that killed dozens of people last month is an apparent war crime, an international rights group said Sunday.

The report came days after U.N. human rights experts said all sides in the fighting may have been responsible for committing war crimes in the 3-year conflict.

The coalition backing Yemens internationally recognized government expressed regret Saturday and pledged to hold accountable those found to be responsible for the strike, which hit a bus carrying children in a busy market in the northern province of Saada. At least 51 people, including 40 children, were killed, and 79 others, including 56 children, were wounded.

Human Rights Watch said the attack adds to the coalitions already gruesome track record of killing civilians at weddings, funerals, hospitals and schools in Yemen.

The New York organization said it spoke to 14 witnesses, including nine children, who said that shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 9, a bomb fell on the market in Dhahyan, a town north of Saada in Houthi-controled northwestern Yemen.

The bomb landed a few yards from a bus packed with boys on an excursion organized by a mosque to visit the graves of men who had been killed in fighting, the group said. The bus was parked outside a grocery store where the driver had gone to buy water for the children, HRW said.

I saw bodies torn into pieces, pieces of my friends. ... Many of my friends died, the group quoted Ahmad Hanash, 14, as saying. He and his brothers Hassan, 13, and Yahia, 11, were wounded in the attack.

Bill Van Esveld, senior childrens rights researcher for HRW, urged the U.S. and other countries to immediately stop weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and support strengthening the independent U.N. inquiry into violations in Yemen, or risk being complicit in future atrocities.

The coalition said it has accepted the conclusions of its investigative body, known as the Joint Incidents Assessments Team, which found that the air strike involved mistakes, including failing to take measures to minimize collateral damage.

The coalition said in its statement Saturday that it will take all the legal measures to hold accountable those who were proven to have committed mistakes once it officially receives the findings. It also pledged to coordinate with Yemens government to compensate civilians.

The U.S. State Department on Sunday welcomed the coalitions statement as an important first step toward full transparency and accountability.

Samy Magdy is an Associated Press writer.
BY TRACEY PORPORA and ANNALISE KNUDSON

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 37-year-old man was injured in a two-car collision that occurred Sunday morning in Port Richmond, police said.

Police arrived at the scene -- in front of P.S. 21 at 168 Hooker Pl. -- at around 6:40 a.m.

A 37-year-old male was taken to Richmond University Medical Center in stable condition with neck and back pain, said police. The other male operator refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

Initially, police told the Advance there was one person killed in the crash. But later said it was just one person injured.

Just before 8 a.m. this morning police were still at the intersection of Trantor and Hooker places examining the scene.

The accident appeared to have taken place in front of PS 21's schoolyard.

Glass and car fragments could be seen on the ground near one of the intersection's stop signs.

Police are investigating the incident.

This is a breaking news story. Check back to silive.com for updates
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Automobile Club of America estimates that 30 million people will travel this holiday weekend.

And that's a lot of gassing up at the pump.

The lowest price per gallon on Staten Island was $2.83 on Saturday, according to Gasbuddy.com, a consumer-driven crowdsourcing website that helps drivers find the cheapest gas in their area.

The average price of gas in New York City was $3 on Saturday.

Among the lowest self-reported gasoline prices recorded on Staten Island on Saturday were:

Mobil

Mobil

Citgo

BP
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are searching for the whereabouts of a 20-year-old poster that has gone missing from a church in Charleston.

(Courtesy of the 123rd Precinct Twitter)

The incident occurred between midnight of Aug. 25 and 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 26, at The Hungarian Reformed Church, at Winant Place, an NYPD information flyer stated.

The poster is about 38-inches by 30-inches, of a Hungarian girl.

Anyone with information regarding the photograph, contact Detective Michael Levay at 718-948-6801, or Detective Borough Staten Island at 718-876-8196.

NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
Heres an aggressive wheel company trying to shoehorn its way into the industry and onto your bike. You mightve heard of these guys. Who are they? What is this wheel about? Is it worthy of your attention?



I rode this companys WAKE 6560 a fair bit, and the name of the wheel describes the profile: alternating depths of 65mm and 60mm. It was among a few wheels I took up to Inspiration Point, at 7,400 feet above sea level, separating the Mojave Desert from the Los Angeles Basin, to see whether I could ride it down a twisty, windy, high speed descent without soiling my drawers. (A couple of pics down is my Andean with a WAKE 6560 front wheel aboard, getting ready for a whoop! whoop! whoop! run down a windy, twisty mountain road.)



The point of this wheel  based on my intuition and observation  is to give you as close as possible the aerodynamics of a deeper section wheel (say, 65mm) with the handling of a less deep wheel. I didnt soil my drawers, though I was prepared to. I road this wheel expecting to bail out of the aero position and that need never came. Was this wheel substantially better than other 60mm wheels? Hard to say. Only that its among the wheels Id ride with guarded confidence in most races, though I dont know that Id ride it in Kona (which says more about me than about the wheel).

This Princeton Carbonworks wheel comes in both a rim and disc brake configuration. I have no opinion of the rim brake version because I havent seen it personally or, obviously, ridden it. The disc brake version does not use the same rim-brake-ready rim. Thankfully. Whenever I see a rim brake wheel built into a disc hub I cant help but wonder what optimization was left on the table.



These wheels are made in Taiwan. Whoa! You say. Heres a thread on our forum ongoing right now about Chinese wheels, but Chinese in this context typically means either Taiwan or China and almost always the phantom-brand or brandless wheels that have little or no U.S. presence, and where the construction, QC, engineering, materials, are open to reasonable question.



Lets be clear. Your frame is likely made in China, and perhaps your wheels. HED wheels? Nope. Made in Minnesota. But plenty of name brand wheels are made in Asia. This VeloNews review of Rovals carbon wheels states theyre made and assembled in Taiwan, and Ive been told  though I havent confirmed  that the same factory is used for both Roval and Princeton Carbonworks.

Why am I even mentioning the place this wheel is made? Ive noticed something very anecdotally, and I dont have enough evidence to draw a conclusion, but it has been simply an observation of mine that the brand-challenged Asian wheels that purport to be tubeless or tubeless-ready may be built on the large side, that is, to (perhaps) be extra certain of the tire not blowing off the carbon rim. They appear to be just very slightly larger than the typical tubed-rim diameter. Even a very slight addition in diameter  a millimeter  makes a difference in how easy it is to mount a tire. Just changing to a thinner rim strip  Velox cloth to Continental plastic in the old days  made tubed tires easier to mount.



Ive made no secret of my belief that tubeless is where the market is going. As with disc brakes two or three years ago, I didnt say then (and don't now) that this is where the market necessarily should go, but where it will go. With tubeless (as with disc brake) the industry decision to move means the entire state of that motif will improve.



Therefore, I didnt want to waste my time even testing these wheels unless they were tubeless ready. They came to me very tubeless ready, which is to say, with a double wrap of tubeless tape as the rim strip, with a tubeless tire mounted, but with a tube installed.





I shot a video above showing me taking this Schwalbe Pro One Tubeless tire off and then mounting that tire back onto the rim with the tube out. What I found  as youd see in the video  is that this was an untenable process with the tube in, but quite fine if used as tubeless. Lets be fair, though. Did twice winding tubeless tape create what amounts to a thicker rim strip, causing this tire to dismount with such difficulty? Maybe. I dont know. Was it more the profile of the tubeless bead? What I conclude in the video is that I like this rim if used tubeless, so far I like it less if used with a tube.



To me, the gold standard in how a tubeless tire can mount to a tubeless rim is Zipp on Zipp (tire and tube), which I illustrate in a video. As youd see, the Schwalbe mounts just about as easily onto this Princeton Composites wheel.



Aerodynamics



Ive found scant mention of this wheel in the aero literature and thats to be expected. Its new. There is a test extant from the A2 tunnel, with a lot of massaged data (drag x speed x yaw x time spent at yaw). Im not going to display a graphic representation of that data (or even a chart of the data) because there is too much missing. For example, the Princeton Carbonworks wheel wins the test with a 23mm tire, but finishes in the middle of the field with a 25mm tire. I dont see any mention of the tire used on the other wheels, are those wheels tested with tires optimized for them? Dont know.

Im glad that the company is conducting comparative testing, just, it seems to me more fair to start throwing graphs up when the shoe is on the other foot and Zipp, HED, Enve and others start using this wheel as a foil in their tests (and that would be a victory of sorts  if Princeton Carbonworks is considered worthy of inclusion in those tests).



Shape



Speaking of Zipp, you mayve noticed the shape of this wheel, and how it looks pretty similar to the sawtooth design on Zipps NSW wheels (though Zipps is an asymmetrical whalehump shape). I asked Zipp about its patents. I asked Princeton Carbonworks about Zipps patents. Both are somewhat guarded and opaque. I guess the best you can say is maybe great minds think alike. I dont know. As to who owns any intellectual property I dont know. But, hey, look what I found. Which may mean there is even more endorsement for the concept; but may also mean the intellectual ownership question gets even thornier.



The point of this shape, as well as I can tell, is to grant you a bike more stable in crosswinds or changing winds or on roads where trucks whoosh by you while youre riding. Heres the thinking: I love me some 90mm wheels, but those wheels dont really benefit me (over, say, 40mm or 60mm wheels) until theyre subjected to a significant yaw, but when the wind is hitting the wheel at that yaw I cant ride the wheel. So what good is the wheel?

Can I get sexy yaw numbers in a wheel that does not suffer from the steering torque applied to a deep wheel in funky winds? Thats the play here. And to be clear, it seems what happens when I ride deep wheels that is so disconcerting is wheel stall. Im sailing along  literally  enjoying a push, as in a broad reach, and then the wheel capitulates. Stalls. And then I have to normalize through a quick reweighting, giving my old and weary heart a little jump. The notion here  as I understand it, whether with this wheel or Zipps NSW wheels  is to delay or mitigate the stall. There, Ive exhausted my knowledge. My knowledge has stalled.



As I wrote right at the beginning, this is a nice wheel. I like the wheel in breezy conditions. But I need more data, more experience, more miles before I write anything definitive. Cam Wurf is riding these wheels or, at least, did ride them at Ironman France. Mind, Cam is known for choosing a less aggressive front wheel for the reasons I stated above, and rode a  what? 30mm? 40mm?  front wheel in setting the bike record in Kona last year so that he could focus on pushing down on the pedals rather than keeping the bike upright. Yet, he rode a pair of 6560 wheels in France unless I am mistaken, which features some pretty technical up and down, twisty riding.



I think itll be telling what Cam rides in Kona this year. Princeton Carbonworks is expected come out with a less aggressive wheel, something like a 4540, next. Which wheel would Cam likely ride in Kona, if he had the choice, the 6560 or a conceptual 4540? That would be interesting to know.



Durability



Ive got HED and Zipp wheels that I have put through the ringer, and theyve remained true and round. What I dont know, yet, about this wheel is whether itll perform similarly over the long haul. These are expensive wheels, and I dont want them going out of true. Its hard to just whip out your spoke wrench and give wheels a touch-up these days with rims this exotic.

I asked these folks whether their wheels would stand up under the stress of a Spring Classic, which is to say, are they gravel ready? They were reportedly ridden in Dirty Kanza (with 42mm tires!), and were ridden over some pave sections by Summer Cook and Kevin McDowell this summer in ITU racing. These are 16-spoke wheels. If they hold up in gravel, thats big. Mind, I think gravel and tri (and road) are converging. I could easily see myself putting a gravel wheel on my tri bike. Why not? Im riding a Zipp 303 for gravel right now.



You might counter that bead width is the limiter here  that gravel bikes need a wider spacing between the beads. This wheel advertises 18mm of gap between the beads. It also, as noted above, wants a 23mm tire. If youre riding your tri bike with 25mm or 28mm tires, that wheel probably wants more like a 20mm gap and HED seems to me to favor 20mm or 21mm, which is fine for anything up to a 38mm gravel tire, as well as I can tell. The one knock I have on this wheel is I wish it were built to 20mm or 20.5mm, because Id rather ride those wider road tires.



Well see how these wheels stand up over time. Its a new wheel company and we just dont know how the wheels will do, and how the company will respond when there is a trueness question.



Other considerations



Claimed weight of these wheels, in the disc brake config, is 1555g. Thats in the same territory as Zipps 454 NSW. Its a very fair weight. The hubs are fine though nothing special. Someone needs to explain to me the Chris King hub option I keep seeing from wheel companies, adding $800 to the wheelset. (I dont mean to pick on Princeton Carbonworks, a number of wheel companies do this, I just dont get it. Making a good hub used to not be that difficult. To me, offering a Chris King hub is an advertisement that your hub isnt up to snuff.) That may be unfair; thats just me. If you dont make a wheel with a good enough hub, make a better hub. What the hell?!



Oh, and get off my lawn.

Cost and Distribution



The 6560 WAKE is a consumer direct product. These wheels arrived packed well, and when it was time to send them back I was emailed a Bikeflights label. Just realize  as with FLO or any other direct or mail order purchase  youll need to keep hold of wheel boxes for return freight in case you need that.



These wheels cost $2,400 for rim brake or $2,600 for the disc brake version I rode. Thats for the pair. I would say thats on the high end of acceptable for a new entry into the market. I dont get the sense this company is set up to be a budget wheel company, as in, we think wheels cost too much! More like Harrys, where theres some combo of a better razor and a fair price.



The Princeton Carbonworks brand earns a space in this category. Wheels were starting to look like a commodity. But then the wheel brands struck back, giving us reasons to dig a little deeper into our wallets. The one hub Id like to see this wheel feature is a Powertap hub, because then I can ride the pedals I want and still get a power meter. This company does offer custom builds, done by Bill Mould, including with Powertap if that floats your boat.



Read more about Princeton Carbonworks.
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Minneapolis: Chinese billionaire and tech company executive Liu Qiangdong was arrested on Friday night in Minneapolis on suspicion of sexual assault and later released as an investigation continues, authorities said.

Liu, the 45-year-old chief executive and founder of the e-commerce giant JD.com, was arrested and detained at the Hennepin County Jail, according to booking records.

He was released after 4pm on Saturday, with records showing no posted bail.

The Minneapolis Police Department has not yet determined whether it will bring charges, spokesman John Elder told The Washington Post on Sunday.
Creswick Woollen Mills has been a Victorian family business for more than 70 years, but these days the company is looking to China to drive its growth.

The wool producer has invested hundreds of thousands in a retail outlet in Melbournes iconic Block Arcade, Creswick Woollen Fibres. Co-owner Boaz Herszfeld says part of the business plan for the store is to capture tourist interest.

Boaz and Sharon Herszfeld, Creswick Woollen Mills owners at their new store in The Block in Melbourne. Credit:Jason South

Our natural fibres are the best in the world, and weve made the concerted effort to export through tourism, Herszfeld says.

Targeting China
Support for the Berejiklian government's proposed Sydney marine park reaches as high as 90 per cent in four coastal electorates, a result supporters hope will counter opposition from angler groups.

A ReachTEL poll of almost 2600 people in four coastal electorates conducted for the NSW Nature Conservation Council last Monday found 89 per cent support in Manly and 87 per cent in Coogee. Backing exceeded three-quarters in Gosford and Terrigal.

Environmental groups fear the NSW government will buckle in face of a concerted campaign by conservative talk-back radio hosts and angler groups. Credit:James Brickwood

"Contrary to the claims of some lobbyists, the vast majority of people support the government's proposed marine park for the Sydney region," Sharnie Connell, Sydney Marine Park Campaign spokeswoman, said.

Environmental groups say there are worrying indications from within the government that it may be willing to shelve the long-awaited marine plan. They blame a concerted campaign by conservative talk-back radio hosts and angler groups against the proposed network of protected off-shore sites between Newcastle and Wollongong, and taking in part of Sydney Harbour.
After the Liberal Party gnawed off its own limbs in their self-indulgent leadership brawl  and Liberal MP Julia Banks announced she would not recontest her marginal Melbourne seat claiming cultural and gender bias, bullying and intimidation from both her own party and the opposition  the government wants us all to know they are now united and ready to get back to the business of governing for ordinary Australians.

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At the same time, they seem determined to demonstrate they dont really have a clue on one of the biggest bread and butter issues for ordinary families (and especially women in those families): childcare.

Following the leadership debacle, we finally got to the bottom of the au pair scandal thats swirled around Peter Dutton since 2016. Dutton, it seems, just cant say non to an au pair stopped by a Border Force officer.

Of course, most of us cant afford to import au pairs so that little Jocasta and Tarquin get an early start with a European language from a native speaker. Instead, we have to make do with the local childcare centre. But, even here, we learn that Dutton is an unlikely champion of the Nanny State, reportedly making more than $5.6 million in Commonwealth childcare funding since 2014 from his childcare business.
Animals and plants in a south coast village have tested positive to potentially toxic chemicals as residents told authorities they had eaten fish and flora there.

The Defence Department asked consultants to investigate contamination from firefighting chemicals in Wreck Bay, home to a small Aboriginal community and receiving some ACT government services, after run-off from nearby Defence base.

The Indigenous community of Wreck bay, on the south coast of New South Wales, is accessed by invite only. Credit:Michael Dawes

A creek running through the community's land was found to have poly- and per-fluoroalkyl chemicals - known as PFAS - contaminating water that is used for swimming and fishing.

Documents released under freedom of information laws show residents told a survey during the investigation they swam in creeks and the ocean in the Jervis Bay territory.
It was once Australia's "mountain bike Mecca", but riders say Mount Stromlo has slowly fallen off the radar as a world-class facility since the world's best tackled its terrain.

Stromlo Forest Park was regarded as one of the world's premier mountain biking destinations when it hosted the sport's most prestigious event, the Union Cycliste Internationale World Mountain Bike Championships, in 2009.

Mountain biker Josh Kentwell, who is calling on the ACT government to fund new and more challenging trails at Mt Stromlo. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

Riders believe the reason it has failed to retain its status is simple: barely any new trails have been built in the past five years.

Canberra mountain biker Josh Kentwell said people had "ridden the hell out of Stromlo".
Travel means different things to different people. It could be a Bali break or a European summer, but the kind of life-changing travel TEDx Canberra speaker Penny Elsley loves is more than just a holiday. Hold the resorts, the partying, the sightseeing. For Ms Elsley, it's about those eye-opening experiences, ones which alter the course of your life.

A chance meeting with an eccentric 80-year-old man in New Mexico happened to be one of those.

"After getting to know me for a little bit, the old man poked me and said: 'You're going where the dots are not joined,'" Ms Elsley said.

"That was the moment when an explosion went off inside me. And I thought this is the name of what I'm doing and what I'm called to do with my life. So I went away and journaled about this metaphor."
Days after it was announced that she would not be granted an Australian visa in time for her scheduled appearance in Sydney, American whistleblower Chelsea Manning has received a standing ovation after speaking at the Sydney Opera House.

Ms Manning, who is best known for leaking classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks, was speaking with Australian journalist Peter Greste as part of the weekend's Antidote Festival, albeit by virtually appearing on stage via satellite rather than in person.

Chelsea Manning appearing via satellite at the Sydney Opera House. Credit:Maani Truu

"A convicted terrorist and a convicted spy, no wonder the authorities are worried," said Mr Greste, who, in 2013, was imprisoned by Egyptian authorities for 400 days over charges his reporting was "damaging to national security".

The former intelligence analyst was forced to appear on a screen from Los Angeles after it was announced on Friday that the Department of Home Affairs had not yet decided whether to grant her a visa to visit Australia on character grounds.
The state government is considering its response to a landmark Supreme Court verdict, in which a judge ruled a woman wanting to conceive could not take sperm from a dead or unconscious partner without his written consent.

In the judgement  which contradicted the rulings of lower courts  Justice Desmond Fagan urged NSW parliament to legislate a clear rule to avoid confusion in what, until now, has been a legal grey area.

A court has ruled a dead or unconscious man's sperm cannot be taken by a partner wanting to conceive. Credit:Fairfax Media

But a NSW Health spokesperson argued it was premature to consider legal changes, stressing the case had raised complex legal and ethical issues.

NSW Health is currently considering the implications of the judgment and whether operational policies and procedures will need to be revised as a result, he said.
There were no Joe Blows, amenities, generators or loud parties at an isolated campsite on a dry hilly farm at Limekilns outside Bathurst this weekend. Just a pretty creek bubbling up from a spring, wombats, goats and kangaroos  and the prospect of some hard work and an understanding of the impact of the drought.

That's what the Starling and Thwaite families of Hornsby requested when they rented two camp sites on Danial and Claire Beech's 350-acre superfine merino and cattle property using a website called YouCamp.

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The families brought 13mms of rain with them, every drop gratefully received by the Beeches who hadn't received decent rain since 2015, and the offer to help any way they could.

Before leaving Sydney, John Thwaite was asked what he expected. "It's not what we want to get out of it," he replied. "It is what we can put into it," he said. "Can we do something that will help [with the drought] at the same time as teaching the kids that food on the table doesn't just come from the supermarket?"
When Neil Hawkins returned from a trip to the Philippines, officers from the Australian Federal Police had cause to speak to him.

The keen North Coast sailor was also a convicted child molester, and he was supposed to be reporting regularly to local authorities during the 14 months he was far away in the island nation.

Neil Hawkins was injured in a motorcycle accident.

Throughout much of 2017, Hawkins posted pictures on social media of himself on tropical beaches, singing in a band and drinking Filipino lager in company by candlelight.

In his absence, NSW Police had put a Passenger Analysis Clearance and Evacuation (PACE) alert on Hawkins, triggering federal police officers to bring him in for questioning upon his return to Australia in late December last year.
'Nocturnal depredators' fleece merchants

Colonists were paying 45 per annum for a police force yet the frequency of robberies committed in merchants stores in Sydney was getting out of hand, the Herald reported. The Police Association suggested the merchants form an Association for the Suppression of Thieving based on similar principles as those of the Cattle Stealing Association to deal with the "daring gangs of nocturnal depredators" still at large.

Baptist Chapel approved

His Excellency the Governor granted an allotment in Bathurst Street to Reverend J. Saunders for the erection of a Baptist chapel on the condition that the building be completed within a given time, and cost at least 800. For the past two months the place of worship had been the old Court House which was "inconveniently small". The Trustees intended to start the build immediately. Subscriptions from the public were to be received at the Bank of NSW.

A penchant for curls and cameos
Police have found a massive arsenal of semi-automatic rifles, crossbows and hundreds of knives and swords at a home in Sydney's west belonging to a former corrective services officer with high-level weapons training.

Detectives who were executing a search warrant at the home in Richmond found five rifles, including a semi-automatic Norinco SKS, more than 2000 rounds of ammunition, three crossbows and more than 100 arrows, a large collection of knives and swords and literature relating to terrorism and disaster response protocols.

Seven tactical police officers arrested a 64-year-old man at the home while he was taking out the garbage and found five knives on his person, Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said.

The man was taken to Windsor police station where he "developed quite acute behaviour" and was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment, where he currently remains.
Motorists in the Sydney CBD and Frenchs Forest are most likely to be fined for not giving cyclists enough space, new data released under freedom of information laws shows.

There were 1967 cyclists seriously injured across NSW last year, and the trend has worsened since 2005.

David Maywald is a member of the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club. Credit:Brook Mitchell

Dulwich Hill Bicycle club member David Maywald said despite safe-passing rules introduced in March 2016, cyclists have had to take "enforcement into their own hands" by building devices to check how close vehicles pass. A petition asking NSW police to enforce the rule has already gained thousands of signatures here.

"The burden of evidence and prosecution has fallen onto the victims of dangerous close passes," Mr Maywald, who has lodged FOI requests about the issue, said.
Whether hes right is a moot point, but theres no doubt that many council decisions are covered in secrecy. The Ages investigation found East Gippsland was the worst offender, followed by the City of Melbourne, which held about 29 per cent of its meetings behind closed doors. One involved a secret vote to pay tens of millions of dollars to its preferred developer of a prime piece of the Queen Victoria Market. The third most secretive council in the state was the City of Whittlesea (27 per cent), where last year its chief executive was suddenly sacked behind closed doors. It was the second time in a year a City of Whittlesea CEO was replaced with no explanation. Moira and Mildura councils fall just behind Whittlesea, with about one in five meetings secret at both councils. There is an argument for some closed door meetings. Councils must tender to the open market for services, and secrecy in bids for contracts is a necessary part of purchasing. Meetings are also closed when dealing with people's future employment. The sexual harassment claims involving former Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle are a case in point.

But many councils have barely any closed-door meetings  Greater Dandenong and Mount Alexander had none at all in the same reporting period. Mount Alexander mayor Bronwen Machin said the council did still have confidential councillor briefings, in which they discuss contracts or personnel matters, but they can't make decisions in them and they list what's dealt with in their minutes. "So anyone can ask us," she said. Ms Machin said the council did not require ratepayers to submit questions to be answered in public meetings beforehand, which happens in many other councils, so citizens can just turn up and ask. "We handle a significant budget on behalf of our community for many services for our community, to which our community have contributed to. They vote for us, they need to see we are doing what we promised to do," she said.

But according to a damning 2016 inquiry by Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass, a few councils were simply being secretive for the sake of it. The Ombudsmans investigation was sparked by a complaint against Casey Council, in which 37 ratepayers in Narre Warren South were levied, in a private meeting, with a special charge for the cost of sealing a road next to their properties. Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass. Credit:Damian White Secrecy breeds suspicion, Ms Glass wrote. Decisions made behind closed doors, not published on council websites or otherwise exposed to the public gaze, make people suspicious about whether the decision was fair or, where money is involved, whether it is a good use of public funds. Back in East Gippsland, Cr Buckley thinks things have improved. More meetings are open to the public and some are even live-streamed, a practice that many other councils have also adopted.

But Cr Buckley is still in a fight for transparency. In 2015, some of the councillors were accused of bad behaviour. But what those allegations are and if they were proven has been kept secret because the CEO enacted legislation to make that information confidential. A notice of motion Cr Buckley put forward to overturn that decision failed, and the shire reportedly spent about $16,000 on a conflict-management plan to resolve the infighting. Cr Buckley was accused of leaking some of the detail about it. He was found guilty of misconduct and suspended for four months.

Cr Buckley said the general public will never know what happened with those councillors. "I think that is absolutely wicked," he said. East Gippsland mayor Joe Rettino disagrees, pointing out that the whole process of mediation, by its very nature, is meant to be confidential. And while he says there is always room to do better, he justifies the councils secret meetings on the grounds that 34 out of 39 were based on commercial-in-confidence matters. Most of the other five related to the CEO, such as his contract and performance review. Nonetheless, the Andrews government is cracking the whip. It recently introduced new laws to narrow the definition of confidential information. Councils will also be required to explain whenever they make secret decisions on that basis.
It's a tiny line on a map that appears to hint at something bigger: the possibility of a third underground rail through the city by 2051.

Maps of Melbourne's future rail network released by the Andrews government showing the $50 billion suburban rail loop, include a familiar, but not-yet-existent rail line connecting the CBD and Newport.

It appears to represent Melbourne Metro 2 - an underground rail line linking Clifton Hill with Newport, via the CBD and Fishermans Bend - and viewed as a hint that, by 2051, the government expects the rail line would be built.

While the future status of Melbourne Metro 2 has not been confirmed, Premier Daniel Andrews was careful not to rule it out when asked about it last week.
A 22-year-old Iraqi man is in a serious condition after self-harming at an immigration detention centre in WA's east on Saturday night.

Immigration officers at Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre were called to the scene just after 8.30pm, and the man was resuscitated and taken to Northam Hospital.

It's understood news of the man's injuries sparked a riot amongst detainees, who set fire to several accomodation units.

Police were called to the scene and 23 firefighters fought the blaze, and in a statement issued to media just after 2am, the Australian Border Force spokesman said the riot was under control.
Permanent export controls on the gas market, triggered whenever prices go too high, would be imposed by a Labor government in a hardline policy aimed at increasing the domestic energy supply and reducing prices.

Announcing the policy, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said high gas prices were putting pressure on local manufacturers and jobs and labelled the Coalition government's own export control trigger "weak and ineffective".

"If prices are too high  based on a benchmark set by the [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission]  then the trigger can be pulled to enact export controls," Mr Shorten said in a statement.

A Labor government would introduce strict export control triggers aimed at driving down energy prices.

"Labors plan will put downward pressure on gas prices for Aussie manufacturers and power generators  which is good for jobs and good for households."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has staunchly defended Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's use of intervention powers to save a number of au pairs from deportation, dismissing suggestions Mr Dutton misled Parliament when he denied having personal connections to the cases.

Two of Mr Dutton's interventions in 2015  one to help a French au pair linked to the politically-connected family of AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and another linked to a former Queensland Police Service colleague of Mr Dutton's  have attracted ongoing scrutiny and sparked concerns about fairness in the immigration system.

On Sunday, Mr Morrison backed the discretionary intervention power and Mr Dutton's application of it, questioning the logic of criticisms levelled at the minister.

"I don't quite understand the argument that says we should get rid of it. If that's the argument, then what you'll end up doing is having a system that can't fit every single person's circumstances and the ministerial intervention system is a good feature of the system, which gives it flexibility," he said.
The state's electoral funding laws have been changed at the last-minute to cover byelections, a week before the Liberal Party faces a potentially bruising battle in Wagga Wagga.

The Berejiklian government had to rush in a regulation last week to change the laws to ensure candidates will be able to receive public funding if they contest the byelection.

Voters will go to the polls on Saturday in Wagga Wagga but the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, is increasingly worried that the party will face a backlash that could cost them the seat.

Independent candidate for Wagga Wagga, Joe McGirr is seen as the Liberals' biggest threat in the seat. Credit:Emma Hillier

Ms Berejiklian fears a combination of former MP Daryl Maguire being forced to quit in disgrace and the bitter leadership spill in Canberra could result in protest votes against the Liberals.
Benghazi: Libya's United Nations-backed government on Sunday announced a state of emergency in the capital Tripoli as the death toll from fighting in recent days reached 39, including civilians caught in the crossfire.

The electoral commission building in Tripoli was attacked by Islamic State in May. The city has been at the centre of escalating violence. Credit:AP

The fighting erupted last week between armed groups from Tripoli against others from a town to the south vying for power in Libya's capital. The health ministry said the fighting had also wounded 96 others.

Sunday's statement by the government urged rival militias to stop the fighting and abide by a UN-brokered ceasefire.

Libyan authorities had earlier closed Tripoli airport after rockets were fired nearby, a spokesman for the state-run Libyan Airlines said.
Beijing: How many students is too many in a classroom?

In Australia, where the average primary school class size is 24, parents become upset about overcrowding when numbers head towards 30.

Students in China. Credit:Ryan Pyle/New York Times

So spare a thought for parents in the city of Leiyang, in China's southern Hunan province, where primary school classes of more than 66 students have become widespread.

In a nation that values an only child's education above all else, tempers boiled over at the weekend. Video of more than 600 angry parents protesting, blocking roads and massing outside the local police station went viral in China - before inevitably being blocked by government censors.
Damascus: A string of powerful blasts from the direction of a military airport in Damascus lit up the skies and shook the capital city in the early morning hours on Sunday, residents and state TV reported.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is expected to launch a new offensive in the country's north-west. Credit:AP

The explosions were seen and heard coming from the direction of the Mezzeh airport, south-west of the capital. The airport has been targeted in a number of airstrikes in recent years that the government has blamed on Israel.

The state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV station showed what appeared to be hand-held footage shot by residents of the capital capturing a string of bright explosions lighting up the night sky.

The TV station reported, citing an unnamed military source, that the explosions did not come from inside the airport but from a nearby munitions depot. The station said an electrical short circuit was to blame, and reported that emergency services were at the scene.
Washington: An assertion by a white Republican gubernatorial candidate that Florida voters can't afford to "monkey this up" and vote for his black Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum, was widely viewed as a "dog whistle" to rally racists.

If it was a dog-whistle - the GOP candidate denies any racial intent - a jungle music-scored robo-call that has circulated in Florida is more akin to a bullhorn.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, left, speaks to supporters as his wife R. Jai Gillum listens. Credit:AP

If nothing else, the minute-long audio clip is a clear sign of how quickly racism - subtle in some cases, overt in others - has seeped into the contest to determine who will lead Florida.

"Well hello there," the call begins as the sounds of drums and monkeys can be heard in the background, according to the New York Times. "I is Andrew Gillum."
FLORIDA/SINT MAARTEN:--- The Florida campaign is on and our Sister City Friend Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum is in the race for Governor of Florida. On September 23, 1999 Tallahassee signed a sister city agreement with St. Maarten which has been working for the students of St. Maarten to obtain their education and degrees at Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and Lively Tech. Today many of our students back home are gainfully employed due to this agreement that gave them the opportunity for in-state-tuition to reach for the stars, Arthur Lugisse said on Sunday.

Andrew Gillum Tallahassee present Mayor has his eyes on the Florida Governors Race and has won the Florida Governor Democrat Primary with 34% of 514.850 votes on August 28,2018 and St. Maarten would like to congratulate him, also support and encourage his ongoing quest to become the next Governor of Florida, Lugisse added.

The initial body of Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation (TLH-SXMF) members were Bernard Hunt, Mrs. Diana Fleming-Hendrickson, Anselmo Scantelberry, Erno Labega, Oswald Francis, and Arthur Lugisse, who signed the Partnership agreement between Tallahassee and St. Maarten with the then Commissioner Theo Heyliger, Mayor Scott Maddox and Maria Henry CCI at the time in Tallahassee in 1999 which was the instrument used to support the Education programs that enabled our students to receive in-state tuition from the schools in Tallahassee for St. Maarten Study Financing Department, Lugisse said.

Calvin Mardenbrough coordinated Study Financing students to get to Tallahassee who was taken care of in the City of Tallahassee, Florida by Arthur Lugisse from 2003 - 2010 who was engaged by there by St. Maarten Government, according to Lugisse.

Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum and his wife was also on a visit to St. Maarten with plans to get married here in St. Maarten at the Methodist Church on front street, but due to the large number of persons that would have to fly here made it more appropriate to do it in Tallahassee.

Andrew Gillum is running for Governor to rebuild Florida into a state that works for all of us. He knows everyone deserves good paying jobs, so they can support their families. He wants to protect and expand Floridians access to quality, affordable healthcare. especially people with pre-existing conditions. He knows we need to strengthen our public schools and end the culture high stakes testing.

Mayor Andrew Gillum the first Black and non-millionaire that can become the Governor of Florida. Andrew Gillum also met with some of our government officials when he was visiting St. Maarten such as former Lt. Governor Franklin Richards, President of Parliament Sarah Wescot - Williams, former Prime Minister William Marlin and former Commissioner Maria Buncamper, Lugisse pointed out.

We hope all that all our Caribbean people in Florida will vote for Andrew Gillum for Governor, Arthur Lugisse concludes.
PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) Vice President Benjamin Ortega and COCI Board President Stanley Lint recently attended a trade fair on the island of Trinidad and were impressed with some of the business models they saw on display.

One such model is the so-called Pop-up Shop which is a flexible way of doing business.

A pop-up shop is a new form of entrepreneurship and is looked at as a temporary storefront space operated by a micro entrepreneur. It has become more prevalent in the global commerce environment and continues to grow in popularity as the art of doing business becomes more innovative.

The pop-up store model is ingenious. It is a new trend and business phenomenon, a new entrepreneurial spirit. You can start it on the street corner for example where customers come and shop for the day or weekend.

There has to be some form of self-regulation and its the responsibility of the new-age entrepreneur to make sure that he or she gets the proper documents in order to operate. For example, if you are selling some form of food, you need the necessary paperwork such as a food safety certificate, COCI Vice President Benjamin Ortega pointed out.

The pop-up store is a short-term retail business venture that allows customers to purchase products and services firsthand. Pop-up store fronts can be found at events, markets or at an established retailer who rents out a portion of their space.

Pop-up business owners sell either a wide variety of merchandise or small selection of products.

COCI Executive Director Anastacio Baker, welcomes this form of small scale business and adds that the business owner can be creative where merchandising is concerned in order to attract customers.

At COCI, we are here to facilitate any form of entrepreneurism. The pop-up store owner needs to do their due diligence and we can assist with that. We can advise them on certain things. Some of the areas that would have to be looked at is location, licensing etc., Baker explained.

COCI Board President Stanley Lint said he welcomes this different form of doing business, adding that there is room for this form of business model which would help the economy grow and benefit consumers.

We need to stimulate economic activity, and pop-up shops are one way to contribute to the recovery of the economy of the country. The benefits would include employment for the owner and financial support for his/her family of the pop-up; tax revenues for the Government; and products/services for consumers, Lint said.
WASHINGTON  NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine signaled his support this week for increased funding for a small agency program that funds the flights of research payloads on commercial suborbital vehicles, balloons and aircraft.

The Flight Opportunities program announced Aug. 29 the selection of 15 technology payloads that will be eligible for flights on suborbital vehicles, high-altitude balloons and parabolic aircraft flights. Such vehicle offer exposure to the space environment, including up to several minutes of microgravity, at lower costs than individual spacecraft or experiments on the International Space station.

The payloads selected in the latest Flight Opportunities call range from studies of fluid mechanics in microgravity and three-dimensional printing of metallic foams to demonstration of a small reentry capsule and radiation measurements. Seven of the payloads will fly on Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle and five on Zero Gravity Corporation's aircraft, with the other three flying on high-altitude balloons from Near Space Corporation and World View Enterprises. [Students Send Human Spit, Baby Teeth and More to Space  for Science]

Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle is among those that carry payloads for NASA's Flight Opportunities program, which may see a budget increase in 2019. (Image credit: Blue Origin)

The Flight Opportunities started as a NASA effort nearly a decade ago called Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research, or CRuSR, designed to take advantage of commercial suborbital vehicles under development. The program has, over time, expanded to include commercial microgravity aircraft flights and high-altitude balloons that can provided extended access to the stratosphere.

The program has been limited in part by the delayed development of many suborbital vehicles, but also by funding of no more than $15 million a year, restricting the number of payloads it can fly.

In a briefing with reporters webcast by NASA Aug. 28 after a visit to the Armstrong Flight Research Center, where the Flight Opportunities program is based, he elaborated on those comments. "I was a big supporter of the Flight Opportunities program before I was NASA administrator," he said. He noted that, while in the House, he heard that costs of payload integration limited the number of experiments that could be flown.

"So we're working right now to increase the amount of funding that's available for payload integration," he said. "We're also supportive of a congressional agenda to increase the Flight Opportunities program to $20 million annually. If Congress is ready to pull that trigger, we're ready to support it."

Reports accompanying the House and Senate versions of spending bills for NASA in fiscal year 2019 include $20 million for the Flight Opportunities program. NASA is spending $15 million on Flight Opportunities in fiscal year 2018, according to its operating plan for the year finalized in late July.

Bridenstine, though, didn't indicate if he supported a refocusing of the Flight Opportunities program proposed in the agency's 2019 budget request. In the request, NASA said that starting in fiscal year 2019 "NASA will prioritize Flight Opportunities to align with NASA's Exploration Campaign objectives," which cover technologies needed for future missions to the moon and Mars. The program, currently part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, would be moved to a new Exploration Research and Technology program under a proposed reorganization.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
A lunar moonscape scene captured in close-up from the Cumeada Observatory, headquarters of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve in Portugal, shows in detail the lunar impact crater Moretus.

Miguel Claro is a professional photographer, author and science communicator based in Lisbon, Portugal, who creates spectacular images of the night sky. As a European Southern Observatory photo ambassador, a member of The World At Night and the official astrophotographer of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, he specializes in astronomical skyscapes that connect Earth and the night sky. Join Miguel here as he takes us through his photograph "A Moonscape Scene around Moretus Crater."

A close-up view of a moonscape near the lunar south pole shows many different impact features, but one in particular might catch your attention.

The great Moretus crater (located at left), with a diameter of 70.9 miles (114 kilometers), is almost as large as Hawaii's Big Island. It features a huge central peak that towers 1.3 miles (2.1 km) above a relatively flat floor. [Latest Moon Photos from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter]

Due to its location near the lunar limb, the round crater appears oblong. This illusion is known as foreshortening. The rim of the crater has a wide inner wall as well as a complex outer parapet. The crater was named after the 17th-century Flemish mathematician Theodorus Moretus.

I captured this photo from the Cumeada Observatory, headquarters of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve in Portugal, using a ZWO ASI174MC camera and a Celestron C14 EDGE HD telescope. For an even closer view of the crater, check out these images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Editor's note: If you captured an amazing astronomy photo and would like to share it with Space.com for a story or gallery, send images and comments in to spacephotos@space.com.

To see more of Claro's amazing astrophotography, visit his website, www.miguelclaro.com. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
"To Pluto & Beyond: The Amazing Voyage of New Horizons" takes readers of any age on an exciting journey with NASA's New Horizon's spacecraft. This is intended for readers as young as 8, but can be enjoyed by all.

With books about space and science intended for a young audience, there is a fine line between writing that's too complex and writing that older kids might write off as "babyish."

Elaine Scott's "To Pluto & Beyond: The Amazing Voyage of New Horizons" strikes a perfect balance. The book, which details the history and journey of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, explains the mission in an accessible way. It's appropriate for children as young as 8 but also detailed enough to be helpful and informative for adults. The spacecraft was sent to explore Pluto and beyond, and the excitement surrounding this exploratory mission is palpable in the pages even as Scott includes the technical details about New Horizons.

Another aspect of the book that makes it a fun and educational choice for both children and adults is the spectacular imagery. Instead of using illustrations as many children's books do, Scott's book uses actual photographs of the spacecraft, the scientists and officials who helped to launch it, and more. [Pluto Flyby Anniversary: The Most Amazing Photos from NASA's New Horizons]

In her book, Scott made sure to highlight the incredible contributions of women to the New Horizons mission. Women make up about 25 percent of the New Horizons flyby team. (Image credit: SwRI/JHUAPL)

These stunning images show everything from the discovery of Pluto to the rocky objects that the New Horizons spacecraft was expected to encounter out in the solar system. Most striking are the images that the spacecraft itself took, like the photo taken of Jupiter's swirling clouds and Little Red Spot on the way to Pluto. While New Horizons continues to explore the solar system, Scott gives readers a clear view of the spacecraft's history and what it will hopefully continue to accomplish.

Younger children could certainly appreciate this book, especially its images. But for parents with children 8 and older who want to learn a little more about space and how humans and spacecraft explore it, Scott's "To Pluto & Beyond: The Amazing Voyage of New Horizons" is a perfect choice. The language is unintimidating, and the journey that this spacecraft embarked on is undoubtedly thrilling.

Learn a bit more about the book and the author here.

You can buy "To Pluto & Beyond: The Amazing Voyage of New Horizons" on Amazon.com.

Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Devdiscourse News Desk 29 Aug 2018, 05:25 PM Algeria, South Africa



International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and her Algerian counterpart exchanged views on the political, security and development on the African continent. (Image Credit: Twitter)



International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says South Africa and Algeria remain firm in their support for the independence of Western Sahara.



The Minister said this during a media briefing after bilateral talks with Abdelkader Messahel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria, who is on a working visit to South Africa.



Sisulu and her Algerian counterpart exchanged views on the political, security and development on the African continent.



In this regard, we noted with concern the continued instability in some of our sister countries and regions. We have thus agreed to continue working together to advance peace, security, stability, unity and economic development of the continent.



On Western Sahara, we have reaffirmed our position which is the attainment of the right for self-determination and decolonization of the Saharawi people and the rapid resolution of the conflict within the framework of international legality.



We thus welcome the efforts of the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Western Sahara, former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Personal Envoy for Western Sahara Horst Kohler, aimed at mobilising the international community to implement all the AU and UN Resolutions on Western Sahara, she said.



At the heart of the conflict, Western Sahara remains Africas longest-running territorial dispute and an issue of continental and international law and diplomatic controversy, having been on the decolonization agenda of the UN and AU for more than 50 years.



Morocco contends that Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is an integral part of its kingdom, mainly driven by the expansionist ideology of the so-called Greater Morocco.



On the other side, the Polisario Front, which is campaigning for the territorys independence, demands a referendum on self-determination.



The AU has maintained over the years the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. It has called on the UN to determine a date for the holding of the self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara, a view that Pretoria has been vocal about.



SADC conference in support of Polisario Front



The Minister said, meanwhile, that SADC will soon host a conference in support of Polisario and the people of Western Sahara.



We believe in their right to independence. It is their inaliable right every state has.



We regard Western Sahara as a sovereign state and in that regard, we hosted the leader of Polisario on a state visit very recently in recognition of that status.



We provide Polisario with the necessary financial assistance to conduct their administrative work and we have offered to host a SADC conference in support of Polisario.



So SADC will be supporting Polisario in full, it is a resolution that we have just taken now at the SADC conference and South Africa will be hosting that conference as a measure of that continued support of Polisario and the people of Western Sahara, she said.



SA, Algeria sign 33 agreements, MoUs



Meanwhile, Sisulu said the visit by Algeria has allowed the two countries to reaffirm their historic and strategic partnership.



She said that during their talks, the two countries were able to review their bilateral cooperation.



We have thus noted with satisfaction the depth and extent of our cooperation as demonstrated by the existence of 33 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding which cover a wide range of fields such as trade and industry, diplomacy, defence, energy, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, agriculture, education and health.



While we note the 33 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, we have nonetheless emphasized the need that these agreements are fully implemented for the mutual benefit of our peoples.



In our discussions, we have also emphasized the need to pay particular focus on economic cooperation, encouraging further trade and investment and strategic cooperation between our state-owned companies, she said. (SPS)



062/SPS/ Devdiscourse

https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/140145-sa-and-algeria-ink-33-agreements-reaffirm-support-for-western-sahara
WESTPORT  Town police charged two men with identity theft after they were accused to taking checks from a Toyota of Westport customer.

Daishaun Murphy, 23, of Bridgeport, was charged with third-degree forgery and third-degree identity theft.

Deshawn Sawyer, 20, of Stratford, was charged with third-degree identity theft. Police said he turned himself in on an active arrest warrant.

Police said that on June 6, employees of Toyota of Westport reached out to the department about a possible identity theft.

The vendor that cleans employee uniforms for Toyota of Westport turned over a wallet found in the pocket of a pair of pants the business took in to clean. The wallet belonged to Deshawn Sawyer, a former employee.

Police said the business found two checks belonging to a Toyota customer in the wallet.

The investigator learned Sawyer had stolen the checks while he was working as a valet at Toyota, Police Lt. Jillian Cabana said.

After allegedly taking the checks, he would give them to a friend - later identified by police as Daishaun Murphy - who would deposit them into his account.

Investigators reached out to the victim, who reported another check was stolen from her and deposited at a TD Bank branch. Police said the third check was written out to Murphy with landscaping noted in the memo. That check was for more than $750.

The victims signature was forged on the check, Cabana said. Murphy was observed on bank surveillance making the bank transaction.

Police obtained arrest warrants for Murphy and Sawyer. On Wednesday (Aug. 28), police arrested Murphy at the Bridgeport Office of Probation. He was transported to police headquarters in Westport and charged.

Murphy was unable to post his $15,000 bond. He was arraigned the next day in Norwalk court.

Police said Sawyer was released after posting a $25,000 bond. He is expected in court on Tuesday.
WESTPORT  A Norwalk man was charged after officers found him in possession of heroin when they took him into custody on an outstanding warrant, police said.

On Wednesday, around 3 p.m., police said an officer spotted a car headed east on Post Road, and a registration check of the car showed that its owner had an active warrant for his arrest out of Ansonia.
Did you know that Labor Day isnt just mattress sales and barbecues? Did you think Labor Day was designed to be some sort of semi-official day of rest, the summer finale after finishing the family vacation and heading back to the office full-time? Thats a shame, because while other holidays might look more patriotic, there may be no more American a holiday than Labor Day.

One thing most Americans believe about our country is the idea that we are the land of opportunity. Millions of people for nearly 250 years have arrived on these shores (yes, were all immigrants) and taught their children the importance of that belief. That through hard work and our democratic system, you could achieve anything. The reality however was, that by the end of the 19th century, America was living in what became named the Gilded Age, a time when opportunity was trampled by the rapacious nature of a society that was devastatingly dividing Americans into haves and have-nots.

It was the height of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s, when the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks just to avoid not being thrown in jail for being in poverty. Children, sometimes as young as 5 or 6, earned pennies working gruesome, backbreaking jobs. Business owners locked workers in buildings with no windows or bathrooms. People regularly got sick and had no access to doctors or medicine. Sometimes they died when those locked buildings caught fire. What todays Republicans call the good old days.

But no, this isnt going to be one of those columns calling out the evils of what a huge chunk of the Republican Party has metastasized into, thats for another day. Because for this Labor Day, I want to accomplish two things. Firstly, I want to help reclaim the honor and heritage of the progressive movement. Slavish watchers of Fox News may reflexively recoil at the word progressive, but thats their fault for drinking the stupid-flavored Kool-Aid. Yet its hard for many of us to imagine life in America without the fruits of the original progressive movement. You see, it was out of those barbaric roots of that Gilded Age, where 1 percent had everything and 99 percent could barely survive, that the American middle class and the social safety net was constructed.

Progressives fought and sometimes died for your 40-hour workweek, your weekend, overtime, sick pay, and child labor laws, along with fair and honest wages. And after that for clean air, civil rights, access to health care and voting rights. It took decades of strikes, elections, resistance and people marching in the streets to give birth to that middle-class America we sometimes think (incorrectly) is a Constitutionally enshrined right. And why did they do it? Lets let the words of Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor provide an answer. What does labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures. Or in other words, the opposite of whats happening today.

Meanwhile, Labor Day itself is credited to a 1930s union leader named Peter McGuire who suggested a holiday midway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving that would recognize all those working class and middle class Americans that, would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations. Give me McGuire or Gompers over any of our current phony populists.

Secondly, it needs to be pointed out that not only do we take those progressive advances we always assumed were our birthright for granted, but weve forgotten that its those liberal democratic ideals that shaped this country into the most admired and respected nation in history. The rest of the world wanted to be us, not because of our freedom or our military or our money, but because of our fairness and inclusiveness. Because of the emphasis we place on the common good, which progressives and labor fought to create. All of which our current leaders and ruling party, through both neglect and deliberate calculation, are tragically reducing to ashes.

David Rafferty is a Greenwich resident.
You probably wont get another holiday off until Thanksgiving, so take a moment to contemplate the workplace this Labor Day weekend.

Your definition of evolving work conditions likely depends on your age. You may recall a time when the fax machine was the most transformative work invention since the quill.

Or you might not know what a fax machine is and mock co-workers who still talk into those clunky boxes with the curly cords.

You might prefer to contemplate the evolution of office equipment, or workplace fashion (who conned the world into believing neckties are necessary to cloak those hideous ... buttons? Discuss).

But we prefer to use this pause in the schedule to consider the state of the workplace in 2018.

Its been a landmark year for public discourse of workplace rights, a time to take a stand against harassment in all its forms and elevate efforts to achieve pay equality.

One of Gov. Dannel P. Malloys successes has been raising the minimum wage, which the state achieved by gradually boosting it to $10.10 an hour last year.

Subsequent efforts to maintain the momentum stalled, leaving it to the next governor to side with the working poor or small business owners who say their businesses wont survive the goal of $15 an hour. With 30 percent of workers in the state bringing home less than $15 an hour, the movement should not be ignored.

Our state lawmakers also made strides to address the gender pay gap. With the National Partnership for Women & Families estimating full-time female workers in Connecticut are paid 82 cents for every dollar that goes to men, Malloy signed a law that passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate. It prohibits employers from asking about a prospective employee's wage and salary history during a job interview.

Republican Bob Stefanowski and Democrat Ned Lamont will distinguish themselves as gubernatorial candidates by their approaches to the states pension debt and union contracts. They also need to be leaders on how our community colleges and technical schools approach job training to ensure we maintain the momentum that recently brought the states unemployment rate to 4.4 percent, the lowest it has been in more than a decade.

For those not seeking higher office, there are ways to boost and protect the American worker this holiday, and in the days ahead. As you pick up a coffee or fill a tank of gas Monday, take note that the people on the other side of the counter are likely working for those minimum wages on a day intended to bring them a measure of relief.

When navigating through a construction zone on the highway, remember that how you tap dance on the brake and gas pedals is the definition of workplace safety.

And when you return to work, treat your colleagues with dignity.

When it comes to Connecticuts recovery, weve all got a job to do.
T wo men were stabbed in east London on Sunday afternoon.

A man in his 50s was stabbed in the back outside Barking station.

Police were called at about 12.40pm and paramedics took him to hospital.

His injuries are not life threatening or life changing, police said.

Officers were also dealing with an unrelated knife attack at The Roundhouse pub in Porters Avenue, Dagenham.

Police were called at about 3pm and found a 50-year-old man suffering a stab injury.

The man was airlifted to hospital and his condition is not life threatening.
A 16-year-old boy is seriously injured in hospital after he was shot in the early hours of the morning in south-west London, police said.

Armed officers were called to reports of a shooting in York Road, Wandsworth, around 12.45am on Sunday.

The teenage was discovered suffering gunshot wounds and rushed to hospital in a serious condition. He is now stable, Scotland Yard said.

No arrests have been made over the incident.

York Road was sealed off overnight as officers investigated the shooting.

Wandsworth Police posted on Twitter: Police are currently dealing with an incident in York Road #Wandsworth cordons are in place, Usk Road also closed - traffic disruption expected, motorists please avoid area.

The victim, aged in her 20s, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A witness said he heard a young woman screaming during the stabbing and two men with a blade.
R arely-seen black and white photos show the Victoria line in use decades ago as it celebrates its 50th birthday.

The London Underground line celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend and has been hailed for how well it has aged.

At 6.30am on September 1, 1968, the lines first train left Walthamstow Central for Highbury and Islington.

Remarkably, however, and compared to the recent example of the Night Tube, there was no fanfare at all for the first deep-level Tube route since the Central line in 1907.

Mike Ashworth, Transport for Londons (TfL) former heritage chief, told the Standard: Its interesting that it was so low-key.

Construction of the Victoria line (PA ) / PA

There was no fanfare at all, it was literally just the first train coming out and getting under way.

For such a major piece of investment, its remarkable a big deal wasnt made out of it.

Initially, the route ended at Highbury and Islington. This was extended to Warren Street later in 1968, and then Victoria in 1969.

The grand opening came in 1969 (PA ) / PA

Mr Ashworth said transport leaders had been saving the big opening for Victoria.

In the event, the Queen took the train to Green Park, becoming the only reigning monarch to ever use the Tube.

The line was extended to Brixton by 1971, and completed at Pimlico in 1972.

The modern-day Victoria line at Highbury and Islington station / Nick Ansell/PA

Mr Ashworth continued: The Victoria line was designed to improve the interchange at mainline railway stations. Victoria, for example, was only served by the District and Circle lines and lacked a north to south underground route.

After modernisation work in recent years, the Victoria line is the most intensely run Tube line. In fact, with 36 trains an hour at peak times, its the most frequent service in the UK and second most frequent in the world.

For Mr Ashworth, its proof the line has aged well: The improvements over the last few years  new trains, new signalling  are amazing. Its now one of the most intensely run services in an old tunnel, so its remarkable how its kept pace.
J eremy Corbyn is as great a danger as Enoch Powell was, a chief Rabbi has claimed amid an anti-Semitism row engulfing the Labour Party.

Lord Jonathon Sacks renewed his attack on the Labour leader that was sparked after video emerged of Corbyn accusing British Zionists of having no sense of irony.

Speaking on todays Andrew Marr show, Lord Sacks, who served as chief rabbi between 1991 and 2013, said: Anyone who uses the term Zionist loosely, without great care, is in danger of engulfing Britain in the kind of flames of hatred that have reappeared throughout Europe, and is massively irresponsible.

"There is danger that Jeremy Corbyn may one day be prime minister, he is the leader of Her Majesty's opposition, and I'm afraid that until he expresses clear remorse for what he has said and what his party has done to its Jewish sympathisers as well as its Jewish MPs, then he is as great a danger as Enoch Powell was."

He added: Jews have been in Britain since 1656, I know of no other occasion in these 362 years when Jews - the majority of our community - are asking 'is this country safe to bring up our children'.

Labour party hits back at Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

"Now, this is very, very worrying."

The comments mirrored those made by Lord Sacks to the New Statesman on Friday.

He branded Corbyns remarks the most offensive statement made by a senior British politician since Enoch Powells 1986 Rivers of Blood speech.

Ex-chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks appears on the Andrew Marr Show / BBC One/Andrew Marr Show

The speech made in Birmingham ahead of the a crucial stage in passing the 1968 Race Relations Bill is widely believed to have been a direct attack on immigration and led to Powell being dismissed from the Conservative Party.

The Labour Party last week dismissed Lord Sacks claims over the remarks made by the party leader five years ago.

A spokesman said: This comparison with the race-baiting Enoch Powell is absurd and offensive.

"Jeremy Corbyn described a particular group of pro-Israel activists as Zionists, in the accurate political sense, not as a synonym or code for Jewish people.

Jeremy Corbyn has faced serious backlash in recent weeks / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"Jeremy Corbyn is determined to tackle anti-Semitism both within the Labour Party and in wider society and the Labour Party is committed to rebuilding trust with the Jewish community."

The renewed tensions came as Dame Margaret Hodge launched a fresh attack on Corbyn.

The former Labour minister who today attended a Jewish Labour Movement conference in London later today told the Sunday Times: "All (the leadership) can think about is their internal Labour party and their hatred of Jews.

"Jeremy has allowed anti-Semitism and racism to run rife. He needs to renounce much of what he did."

Speaking at the same conference, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the Labour Party to "unanimously, unequivocally and immediately" adopt the internationally agreed definition of anti-Semitism.

Gordon Brown: Labour must adopt internationally agreed definition of anti-semitism

The former prime minister made the plea ahead of a meeting this week of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) on whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) declaration.

Mr Brown said it is not simply about a change in policy but was "about the soul of the Labour Party".

He told the Jewish Labour Movement conference in Finchley, north London: "I believe that the Labour Party will change the policy.

"I believe that the Labour Party must and should change the policy.

"And I believe this problem must be solved within the Labour Party now."

Mr Brown's speech received a standing ovation as he outlined growing anti-Semitism among not only the "jack-booted" right, but also the "conspiracy theorist" left.

"This is a problem that is real and present and something that's got to be dealt with now," he said.

"I want to say to you very clearly today that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is something we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately."

Mr Brown said the definition, which has been signed by 31 countries, states that criticism of Israel cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.

He added: "The declaration is about this and this only: to condemn and root out, as they state, anti-Semitism, which 'is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews'.

"And this declaration is needed now, urgently. Not as some sort of abstract document of philosophy.
M ichel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, has inflicted a fresh blow on Theresa May after he scorned her plans for post-withdrawal trade.

Mr Barnier said he is "strongly opposed" to key parts of the Prime Ministers Chequers proposals, which triggered senior Cabinet resignations and opposition from some Tory Brexiteers.

Mr Barnier told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "We have a coherent market for goods, services, capital and people - our own ecosystem that has grown over decades. You cannot play with it by picking pieces.

"There is another reason why I strongly oppose the British proposal. There are services in every product. In your mobile phone, for example, it is 20 to 40 per cent of the total value."

Theresa May pictured on her trip to Kenya on Thursday / EPA

Mr Barnier also told EU car manufacturers they would have to use fewer British parts after Brexit in order to keep to tariff export rules.

Responding to Mr Barnier's remarks, a government spokeswoman said: "We are confident that we have put forward a proposal that is precise, pragmatic and that will work for the UK and the EU.

"This proposal achieves a new balance of rights and obligations that fulfils our joint ambition to establish a deep and special partnership once the UK has left the EU, while preserving the constitutional integrity of the UK. There is no other proposal that does that.

"Our negotiating teams have upped the intensity, and we continue to move at pace to reach - as Mr Barnier says - an ambitious partnership, which will work in the mutual interests of citizens and businesses in the UK and in the EU."

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis says: The Chequers proposal is almost worse than staying in"

Mr Barnier's tough comments came as former Brexit secretary David Davis branded the Chequers blueprint as being "actually almost worse than being in" the EU.
C hannel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman has today revealed how she was sexually harassed by teenage boys when she was a student at one of Britains top private schools.

Newman, 44, said she was 16 when a fellow pupil at Charterhouse unzipped his flies, grabbed her hand and forced her to touch his penis, the Sunday Times reported.

She told the newspaper: We were in the lunch hall and a boy sitting next to me unzipped his flies and grabbed my hand and forced me to touch his penis. I didnt talk to anyone about it [for years].

Now weve got online abuse and the [concern] about someone taking a naked photo. I think back to that incident. How much worse would it have been if it had been being filmed and put out [online]?

Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman / Channel 4

And speaking during a video to promote The Diana Awards Back2School anti-bullying campaign, which officially launches tomorrow, Newman also revealed that she was hosed down with water by sixth-formers when she was wearing a white shirt so that they could see her underwear.

Charterhouse said it had not been aware of Newmans serious allegations and had now reported them to police, according to The Sunday Times.

The school, which now charges about 40,000 a year for boarders, said that although the allegations described events that happened some time ago, they are no less criminal or shocking because of it and that such behaviour had no place in the school.

Newman said: In the sixth-form, I was at a school where there were very few girls and I was on a scholarship so I was slightly different and some of the things that went on at the school I would definitely describe now as sexual harassment and I dont know why I didnt report them at the time.

If you were a girl and you wore a white t-shirt, the boys would get the fire hose out and spray you down so they could see your underwear and there were various more serious things that happened that now I really wish that I had reported and I dont know why I didnt.

She went on: When youre at school, you just try and laugh it off and I suppose now what Id say is if something like that happens to you, do report it because its not right.

Looking at a photo of herself as a young girl at the age of eight with plaits, Newman described how she was a real girly swot and had sticky out teeth which is why she started getting a little bit teased at school.

She added that things became tougher when she moved onto the sixth-form at Charterhouse, which has produced a string of successful journalists including David Dimbleby and Max Hastings and the foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Newman said she now tells her two young daughters to not be afraid of who they are and that if they are a little bit different to wear it as a badge of pride.

Former Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh and ex Eastenders star Tracey-Ann Oberman have also backed the Back2School campaign organised by Anti-Bullying Pro.

In a statement issued to the Sunday Times, Charterhouse said: The allegations describe events said to have happened some time ago, but they are no less criminal or shocking because of it. Such behaviour has no place in any school.

Newman was hit by a wave of online abuse earlier this year following an interview with controversial Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson on the gender pay gap.
A mbulances were called to a UK airport after a sickness bug struck passengers on board a flight.

Six ambulance teams were called to Leeds Bradford Airport after four passengers fell ill on the flight from Reus Airport near in Spain.

A police officer who attended the scene said it was a sickness bug.

However, none of the passengers were required to attend hospital.

Airline Jet2 won praise for the way it dealt with the emergency, which happened at about 9.45pm on Saturday.

One passenger posted on its Facebook page on Sunday: Just want to praise the cabin crew for how well they dealt with the incidents on board.

Everything going on around them, and still smiling and staying calm right to the end of the flight.

Thank you for keeping us all safe, you did a fantastic job.

A general view of Leeds Bradford Airport / Danny Lawson/PA

A Jet2 spokeswoman said: We can confirm that the crew on board flight LS298 from Reus to Leeds Bradford Airport arranged an ambulance for two passengers who were taken ill.

The crew were alerted to a further two, non-associated cases of passengers feeling unwell on board.

On arrival, as a precaution they were immediately checked over in the ambulance before heading home.
T he husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has accused Iran of playing "cruel games" after she was forced to return to prison.

In an open letter to Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif, Mr Ratcliffe said his wife was deeply upset at being forced back to prison after a three-day release.

Mr Ratcliffe branded it a "cruel game", and added an Iranian official called his wife's father and warned him to ensure UK diplomats did not contact her while she was out of jail.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for spying in 2016. She maintains her innocence, saying she was on holiday to introduce her daughter to her family in Iran.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was reunited with her daughter for the first time since her arrest in April 2016, but suffered panic attacks on her return to prison / PA

Her husband's letter stated: "As Nazanin was being released, her interrogator called her father to privately warn him that the British Embassy should not visit her, if she wanted to stay safe.

"Each day he called to note they were monitoring her movements, and check her father was following her to make sure she did not suffer an accident on the street. Those calls cast a shadow over her release, as they were meant to.

"Nazanin called me on Tuesday - one of our toughest conversations.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella / PA

"She wished she had never been released. She said she felt like one of the radical Islamists' captives - as though she had been paraded on the balcony then hidden back away.

"After that call, Nazanin collapsed, the result of two panic attacks. She still has numbness in her legs. She was taken by ambulance to the Evin hospital."

Mr Ratcliffe called on Mr Zarif to meet him next week at a UN summit in New York to discuss his wife's case.

Richard Ratcliffe at a vigil marking his daughter's birthday in June / Getty Images

It came as Middle East minister Alistair Burt held talks with Iranian deputy foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran about the situation.

Mr Burt is using his visit to discuss the cases of British dual-nationals detained in Iran as well as holding talks on the Iran nuclear deal and the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
A man has been seriously injured after he was bitten by a shark while fishing off the coast of Cork, Ireland.

He suffered a serious lower arm injury when he was bitten by the shark while deep-sea angling.

The man, from Belfast, was given immediate first aid by the crew of the angling boat he was on, before being transferred to the lifeboat where further casualty care was given on board.

Crosshaven RNLI volunteers were called to the scene at 6pm.

A RNLI spokesman added: "This was more of an angling accident than a shark attack, there was a bit of a struggle when pulling the shark on board.

"We're not trying to panic anyone."

The boat Deora De sailed towards Crosshaven from about eight miles offshore and met with the Crosshaven lifeboat about four miles south of Roches Point.

The lifeboat was met at Crosshaven by an ambulance and the man was transported to Cork University Hospital.

Although blue sharks are the most common species of shark in Irish waters, they rarely bite humans.

They usually feed on small fish and squid, and can live for around 20 years.

Until 2013, the blue shark was implicated in only 13 biting incidents with humans, four of which ended fatally.

Crosshaven RNLI added: "We wish the patient well."
A n organisation in Iraq is working with young people to help "bring the country to a more digital economy"and give students the opportunity to "take control of their futures."

Re:Coded was founded in 2016 and holds courses for people wishing to learn more about coding.

Zahra Shah, Program Manager at the organisation said: "We launched as a coding school to try and upscale youth here and bring them more towards a digital economy especially in Iraq where a lot of the jobs are provided by the government.

"The economy is not doing great, a lot of the money that comes from oil and gas, they're not using it to rebuild the country and a lot of that is due to corruption unfortunately. But our solution is that there are so many youth here interested in technology.

Zahra Shah, Program Manager at Iraq Re:Coded said there is a need for coding teachers in the country (Re:Coded) / Iraq Re:Coded

"So we started a school to cater to that need for youths to have access to that education. Even the students that learn computer science at university, they're not learning properly how to become computer programmers, it's very theoretical. We fill that gap by teaching android app development."

Students can take part in Re:Coded's five month boot camps or the tech entrepreneurship academy. It's come at a good time for the country, with the start up and tech industry growing.

Ms Shah has seen the growth first hand having moved to Iraq last August. She said: "I've seen so much change already. There is a huge co-working space that opened in Baghdad four months ago in addition to our co-working space in Erbil. I feel that there's more NGOs as well getting with the programme when it comes to technology.

"A lot of our graduates are being employed because they have the tech skills to leverage that and move their projects forward so I am definitely seeing a difference. People are starting to see the benefit of relying more on technology and doing stuff online, freelancing and entrepreneurship."

Iraq's tech scene is growing rapidly and Re:Coded is hoping to get as many women onto the scene as possible / REUTERS

"Iraq is still behind the rest of the middle east in comparison to Dubai, but even just on a grass-roots level I feel its growing so quick and im really surprised to see how much its changed just from being here in a year so in another five years, I see it going a lot further."

A main focus by the organisation is the need to get women involved in coding.

"We always aim for at least 40 percent women across our projects, in our boot camps, we have 40-50 percent, the same with everything we offer. A minimum of 40 percent is our goal," Ms Shah added.

For those who graduate from the boot camp, the job prospects are huge. Some have found employment with some of the organisation's sponsors while others have decided to start their own startup. While others have chosen to teach coding themselves.

The country's tech and startup industry is starting to grow (Re:Coded) / Iraq Re:Coded

"In our last boot camp, we had 35 students, of those students that were looking for full-time employment, around 90 percent of them have gone into employment especially in the local economy.

"Theyre happy because theyre leveraging their coding skills and they say that re:coded has changed their life. We see the students go from month one to month five and their whole mindset changes on how they approach things and that's the core of what we do. It's not just about coding. It's about teaching them to take control of their futures."
T homas Cook paid compensation to a holidaymaker who became ill with food poisoning at the hotel in Egypt where a British couple were recently found dead.

Nick Hawkins, 51, a warehouse manager from Witham, Essex, said the travel giant paid him 2,000 after a doctor diagnosed Salmonella.

He says he became ill a few days into a seven-night family holiday at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in June 2017.

Thomas Cook moved 300 guests out of the hotel, 24 hours after the couple died, as a precaution.

The Lancashire couple died while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel / AP

"I became exceptionally ill early on the holiday last year," said Mr Hawkins, who works for furniture-installation firm RFS.

"It ruined my holiday. Luckily we were only staying for seven nights or I think I would have ended up in hospital in Egypt.

"When I got back my doctor diagnosed Salmonella."

He added: "It must have come from the hotel because we had an all-in package deal and the only food I'd eaten was in the hotel."

Mr Hawkins said the holiday cost around 2,500 and Thomas Cook agreed to pay him 2,000 compensation after negotiations.

"I don't know if anyone else was ill while I was there and I don't know if any investigation was carried out," he said.

The Lancashire couple died while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel / AP

"The hotel seemed pretty clean."

He added: "I wouldn't stay there again."

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said Mr Hawkins had been compensated after returning home.

She said: "The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our first priority and we would never send customers to a hotel which we do not believe to be safe."

The spokeswoman said it was standard procedure for hotel checks to be carried out if a holidaymaker had become ill and was compensated.

Results of checks on the hotel are expected soon, according to Thomas Cook. The spokeswoman said the hotel had been audited and that the results were expected in the next few days.

The spokeswoman said Thomas Cook audits its 3,000 "core hotels" every year.

She said the Steigenberger Aqua Magic had been audited in July, and again after Mr and Mrs Cooper died.
F ormer president George W. Bush appeared to pass a sweet to Michelle Obama in a touching moment at John McCains memorial service.

A clip, which appears to show Bush, 72, passing a piece of candy to the former first lady, has been shared hundreds of thousands of times on social media.

The television cameras caught the touching moment after panning away from Joe Liebermans eulogy to the front pew where Bush and his wife Laura were sitting with the Obamas.

Bush was seen taking the sweet from his wife and then discreetly passing it on to Obama as her husband Barack nodded approvingly.

The former first lady told Bush thank you as she accepted the candy during the tender moment which one viewer described as a sweet and hard metaphor for all we have lost in politics.

Roland Scahill tweeted a clip of the moment with the caption: George W. Bush sneaking a piece of candy to Michelle Obama is warming my heart.

CBS Sunday Morning's Faith Salie said: "George Bush slipping candy to Michelle Obama is a sweet & hard metaphor for all we have lost in politics."

Ben Harris said: "I'd totally watch a travel show where George Bush and Michelle Obama go abroad and get up to wacky adventures." He later tweeted: "Name a more iconic duo."

Ben Chang tweeted: "George Bush sharing a mint with Michelle Obama is everything."

Despite being on opposing sides of the political spectrum, former first lady Obama and Bush have a close friendship and it has played out in public on several occasions.

They were photographed embracing during the inauguration of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in September 2016. Speaking about that moment during an interview, Bush said: "You know I probably have a few wisecracks and she seemed to like it OK and when I saw her it was a genuine expression of affection."

Former first lady Michelle Obama embraces former president George Bush / Getty Images

They were also seen holding hands and singing to one another during a memorial service for five slain police officers in Dallas a few months earlier.

John McCain's memorial service took place on Saturday / EPA

Speaking about their friendship last year to People, Bush said he had developed a light-hearted rapport with the former first lady.

Meghan McCain directs eulogy message at Trump

"Anybody who likes my sense of humour, I immediately like." He added: "I'm fairly lighthearted. The Obamas are around serious people all the time and we just took to each other."

Former presidents Bush and Obama, once political rivals of McCain, both paid tribute to him during eulogies at his memorial service on Saturday.
T he UK has expressed serious concern over deaths in the Yemen conflict in recent weeks.

The move came after the government faced criticism for selling arms to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in the Middle East state.

An air strike by the Saudi-led coalition killed dozens of people in Yemen last month and was branded an apparent war crime by Human Rights Watch.

At least 51 people, including 40 children, were killed and 79 others, including 56 children, were wounded in the air strike which hit a bus in a busy market.

Yemen Conflict - In pictures 1 /12 Yemen Conflict - In pictures Government militia men in the mountains above the road to the capital Sanaa. Don McCullin General Nasser al Dhaybani, field commander of government offices in the mountains above the road to the capital Sanaa. Don McCullin Sunni refugee with daughter in one of 17 camps in the town of Marib Yemen Don McCullin Civilian victims of landmine and booby trap explosions in the Prosthesis Centre in Marib Province Don McCullin Looking towards Sadah and the Houthi mountain strongholds to the north. Don McCullin audi Apache helicopter escorting a patrol on the Yemen borde Don McCullin Saudi Apache helicopter escorting a patrol on the Yemen bordeE Don McCullin Refugee girl in one of the 17 camps round Marib city Don McCullin Blanket pickup for Sunni refugees from an aid lorry sponsored by Saudi Arabia, part of their $1bn aid contribution Don McCullin Refugee girl in one of the 17 camps round Marib city Don McCullin Don McCullin Dave Benett Shellshocked US Marine, Hue, Vietnam, February 1968, photographed by Don McCullin Don McCullin

A UK government spokesman said on Sunday: "The Government expresses serious concern at the tragic loss of life in Yemen over the last month.

A Yemeni man holds a boy who was injured by the airstrike in Saada (Reuters) / REUTERS

"In the first two weeks of August alone, over 400 Yemenis lost their lives, including young children, and many more continue to face egregious violations of their basic human rights.

Yemen: Portrait of a war that the world turned its back on

The spokesman added: The UK urges all parties to the conflict to do everything possible to protect innocent civilians and to demonstrate their commitment to international humanitarian law.

Human Rights Watch said the attack which hit the bus adds to the coalition's "already gruesome track record of killing civilians at weddings, funerals, hospitals and schools in Yemen". It has urged countries to "immediately halt weapons sales" to Saudi Arabia.

Yemen's civil war has been raging since March 2015.
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Bucharest Mayor, Vice President of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) Gabriela Firea asserted on Saturday she has a "tense" relation with the party's national leader Liviu Dragnea, adding that there is a "breach" between them because the PSD chairman wouldn't "give up" the Interior Minister Carmen Dan.

Upon her leaving the CExN (National Executive Committee) reunion in southeastern Neptun, Gabriela Firea said it depends a lot on Liviu Dragnea to solve the situation.

When asked why she didn't voice at the CExN reunion the demand for Dragnea to withdraw from the top of the PSD, Firea answered that they are always reproaching her she is a newcomer in the party.At the same time, she added she feels that PSD has lost of its supporters and that something has to be done.
Ethiopias new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is moving quickly to open up the strategic Horn of Africa country to Western capital. But far from the move being seen as a progressive reform, many Ethiopians and observers are concerned that the new direction is leading the nation into debt slavery.

That is particularly poignant for Ethiopia which stands alone as the one African nation never historically colonized by foreign powers. Such proud history of independence could be soon lost.

In a long-overdue press conference earlier this week, premier Abiy trumpeted with self-congratulation that the East Africa nation was to receive a $1 billion loan from the US-dominated World Bank.

Abiy (42), who took office five months ago, didnt specify what the money would be invested in. He claimed it would be used to facilitate reforms. Previously, the prime minister has vowed to open up state-owned companies to foreign investors. Those companies include telecoms, the national airline, electricity and water-supply utilities.

Only two days after the World Bank news, Abiy then announced that the state-owned company involved in the construction of a flagship hydroelectric dam is to have its contract terminated.

He cited delays in operations by the Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC) as the reason for the abrupt sacking.

However, the official complaint of inefficiency and delays seems questionable, since the dams construction was, according to its former chief engineer, going forward on schedule, being 60 per cent complete, seven years from its inception. The $4 billion dam will be Africas largest hydroelectric scheme. Up to now, it has been self-financed by the Ethiopian state relying solely on public savings from its 100 million population.

METEC reportedly said that it was not aware of any complaint from the prime ministers office until the contract was suddenly terminated this week. Given that the firm is state-owned and unique, the suggestion now is that the contract will be awarded to a foreign engineering company. The dam already has an Italian firm, Salini, as the leading project management. But the question is: who will be the replacement for the Ethiopian METEC firm?

This is where the timing of the new World Bank funds earmarked for Ethiopia is suspicious. Those funds are likely to go into the coffers of a foreign contractor appointed to replace METEC. But it will be the Ethiopian nation that is saddled with paying off the loan  a debt which up to this juncture it has not had to contend with.

Former World Bank economist Peter Koenig, who has since become an ardent critic of the institution and how it operates, says that the $1 billion figure for a developing economy like Ethiopia is astronomical. The countrys gross domestic product is around $80 billion.

This will lead to debt slavery, said Koenig. All money from Western-controlled financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund is to be avoided at all costs. Their lending of money is simply a cynical way for Western capital to gain control over national economies.

He added that this is no doubt why premier Abiy is given glowing coverage by Western news media. Hes a willing accomplice to Western financial takeover, says Koenig.

By contrast, critical Ethiopian political sources say that it was for this very reason that the former leadership of the country under the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi sought to block Western capital gaining access to its development plans. Ethiopias Grand Renaissance Dam was up to now totally financed by national savings, while other major infrastructure projects, such as telecoms and transport, were partnered with China through soft loans and grants.

Since Abiy Ahmed took over as prime minister in April this year, the former ruling coalition government of the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democrat Front has undergone a radical shift in terms of moving from its previous policy of national independence to one of welcoming Western capital. Also part of that shift is that the new prime minister has embraced Washingtons Arab allies in the region, in particular Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

This geopolitical shift is happening without a national consensus or even debate, and is causing sharp ethnic tensions in widespread parts of Ethiopia, with dozens of deaths from violent clashes in recent weeks.

Western media typically report that Premier Ahmed is meeting resistance to his supposed liberal reforms. But there are also suspicions that the violence has been instigated by the new ruling faction dominated by the PMs Oromo ethnic group, as a way to justify security crackdowns and to install regional administrations amenable to the political objectives of the central authorities in the capital Addis Ababa under the prime ministers control.

A sinister sign of this shift-by-stealth came with the shocking assassination on July 26 of the chief engineer responsible for overseeing the Grand Renaissance Dam. Simegnew Bekele (53) was shot dead with a bullet wound to his head, apparently while sitting in his parked car in Addis. There are strong indications that his murder was a political assassination. Engineer Bekele was a consummate professional who was widely revered for his dedication to the dam. He was also committed to the original vision of the project being completed without foreign investment. Bekele was appointed by the former PM Meles Zenawi in 2011 to see the project through to completion.

The dam has long been protested by Egypt, which fears that it may reduce the flow of water in the Blue Nile that is critical for its agriculture. For years, Egypt has been bickering with Ethiopia about the dam.

In June, Ethiopias Abiy made his first foreign trip to Cairo where he was warmly received by President Abdel Fattah el Sisi. There was a remarkable change of position, with the Ethiopian leader giving assurances that the dam would be delayed to suit Egypts interests. Ethiopian sources noted how the PM recited a Muslim prayer to the Egyptian leader by way of giving assurance.

For a project that was viewed by many Ethiopians as a source of immense national pride, the seeming capitulation to Egyptian concerns caused much consternation. The project manager Simegnew Bekele in particular was said to be perplexed by the abrupt interference in his technical authority, according to sources.

The assassination of Bekele can therefore be plausibly seen as the elimination of a difficult political obstacle to those who want to see the dam delayed or its strategic financing altered.

On the morning that the engineer was killed, Prime Minister Abiy flew out of Addis for a week-long trip to the US. Social media posts from the delegation on board the Ethiopian Airlines plane showed people celebrating. News of the engineers death would have no doubt been known by that time. Incongruously, it was later said the celebrations were for a birthday party for somebody among the premiers delegation to the US.

The shocking murder of a beloved national figure was compounded with the seeming insensitivity of the prime minister. He ignored a public outcry in Ethiopia for him to return immediately from the US to condole with the nation on the barbaric slaying of chief engineer Bekele. The prime minister did not even return for the funeral which was held in Addis on July 29 in what was a day of national mourning.

Bizarrely, Abiy Ahmed has since shown little concern about apprehending the perpetrators of the murder. His public comments are markedly rambling and vague. The Addis police chiefs appointed by the PM also seem grossly incompetent and indifferent.

During his week-long tour of the US, Abiy was greeted by Vice President Mike Pence and high officials belonging to the World Bank and IMF, including Christine Lagarde.

The latest announcement of a $1 billion loan from the World Bank also preceded the visit to Addis Ababa this week by the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and his countrys head of intelligence Abbas Kamel. The visit was openly reported as being for the purpose of talks specifically about the dam project. It was the next day that premier Abiy announced that the contract for the state-owned Ethiopian firm involved in the dams construction was to be terminated.

What Ethiopian political sources say is that the country is undergoing a long-held plan for a geopolitical takeover. The nation, which was seen up to now as an African role model for independent development, is being shifted from its erstwhile independence and partnership with China to become a client of Western capital and Washingtons regional allies among the Arab states.

The country is being subjected to a coup in all but name. Abiy Ahmed who has a background in military intelligence is suspected of being a CIA asset, having worked secretly in the past with Eritrea and Ethiopian dissident groups such as the Oromo Liberation Front based in the Eritrean capital, Asmara.

His stellar rise to power was not through election but rather through opaque parliamentary maneuvering. Having gained power, Abiy has rapidly directed the country towards serving the strategic interests of Washington and Arab clients. He and his new ruling faction are opening the dam gates for Western financial subjugation  euphemistically hailed as reforms in the Western news media.
In 1917, the professional head of the British Army, Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson in 1917 explained why the Allies were losing World War I because they kept pouring out lives, weapons and resources on capturing tiny unimportant locations on the Western Front while Imperial Germany conquered Eastern and Southern Europe, invading and occupying one major country after another:

We take Bullecourt, they take Rumania; We take Messines, they take Russia; We dont take Passchendaele, they take Italy, Wilson told Winston Churchill.

Today, Washington is moving heaven and earth to integrate such major world powers as Macedonia, Montenegro and Georgia into NATO to join those vital pillars of world security Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. And at the same time, it is obsessed with imposing ruinous sanctions on Turkey.

Yet Turkey has been a major member of NATO for 63 years. It continues to play a crucial role in US strategic deployments across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Its cooperation is absolutely essential to ensure the supply and  if war were ever to break out Russia  the very survival of all US warships operating in the Black Sea.

Feckless, passive and ignorant President Barack Obama allowed US relations with Turkey to deteriorate to their worst ever state.

It is no secret that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is convinced that the US military were involved in the serious coup attempt that nearly cost him his life two years ago. Those suspicions are certainly widely believed among top Turkish policymakers.

Faced with such unprecedented suspicions and strains in the US Turkish alliance, President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US Congress should be working overtime to build relations, cooperation and long-term trust with Turkey.

They are doing no such thing. With stunning insouciance and crass ignorance, both parties in Congress seek out every opportunity to insult Turkey, give aid and comfort to forces traditionally hostile to the country and now are happily supporting devastating new tariffs.

As internationally respected commentator M. K. Bhadrakumar warned on this platform, The sense of indignation among Turks should not be underestimated, which makes this an exceptional rupture.

It is not as if Washington could sanely assess that Turkey was internationally isolated. On the contrary, Ankara enjoys excellent relations with Russia, China, India and Iran. US and NATO policies once again are backfiring and isolating their perpetrators, not the countries they target.

It is eerily fitting that neoconservatives and neoliberals worship the deified Winston Churchill so much. For it was Churchills personal bungling that that brought the Turkish Ottoman Empire needlessly into World War I on the side of Imperial Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In August 1914, Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, the political head of the British Navy, ordered the seizure of the Sultan Osman I and the Reshadieh, two state-of-the-art new Dreadnought battleships being built for Turkey in British shipyards (The Turks had already paid four billion pounds sterling for them). Britain did not even need the two battleships. It had a wide margin of maritime superiority over the German High Seas Fleet. But the move was the political and psychological equivalent of telling Turkey today that the United States is not going to sell Ankara the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters it had promised.

Turkey had been a loyal and major British ally at least since the Ochakoff Incident of 1791.But after Churchills bungle popular outrage in Turkey was overwhelming. It decisively swung the delicate balance in Constantinople that led the ruling, secular Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) into Berlins orbit.

Turkey went to war, cutting off the vital Anglo-French maritime supply route through the Dardanelles Strait into the Black Sea and cutting off Imperial Russia. Toi open that waterway, Churchill pushed the catastrophic and utterly bungled Gallipoli campaign in 1915. It cost the British, Irish, Australians and New Zealanders who fought there more than 140,000 casualties including 44,000 dead. The Turks lost 86,000 dead.

Churchill was sacked from the British government for his bungling. He then devoted the heart of his enormous six-volume postwar memoir The World Crisis to trying to pass the blame for his failures off on everybody else.

Today, Washingtons reckless and abusive policies towards Turkey are repeating the catastrophic bungles that Churchill inflicted more than a century ago.

An increasing number of Turks no longer trust NATO: Instead, they fear it. The only other obvious international security body for Turkey to seek protection with is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which in June pulled off the extraordinary coup of expanding to include India and Pakistan at the same time.

As Arkady Savitsky has noted in this journal, Turkey is already a dialogue partner with the SCO. It is also considering a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). President Erdogan has also made clear he would like Turkey to join the BRICS bloc which, like the SCO includes Russia, China and India.

If President Erdogan decides to leave NATO to join the SCO, and drops Brussels to replace it with Shanghai, even Washington and London will have to sit up and take notice. Yet the logic of the policies and rhetoric being spewed out of the Western capitals can only drive Turkey to that outcome, seeking its own security and survival.
The US mulls leaving the World Trade Organization. "If they don't shape up, I would withdraw from the WTO," said President Donald Trump in an interview with Bloomberg News on Aug.30. The president wants the organization to adopt rules more favorable to America. He believes the US is not treated fairly though its Washington who is pressing challenges against other states, including close trade partners, not vice versa. According to Mr. Trump, the 1994 agreement to establish the WTO "was the single worst trade deal ever made". Two years ago, then presidential candidate Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press," that the "World Trade Organization is a disaster."

The president had repeatedly asked his advisers about the possibility of withdrawing from the organization used, as he put it, to "screw the United States." It has been reported that the president has ordered to prepare a United States Fair and Reciprocal Tariff Act, or FART Act to change the nations trade policy. The act essentially bestows president with the power to determine any current or future tariff rates with countries outside of the WTO jurisdiction. According to news website Axios citing a source familiar with the bill, It would be the equivalent of walking away from the WTO and our commitments there without us actually notifying our withdrawal. This information has not been neither confirmed nor denied as yet.

So, the conflict between Trumps protectionist policies and the open trade system protected by the WTO has come into the open. Two world wars and the Great Depression were required to create conditions for establishment of a world body to set the general rules of trade. Now the US, the country that led the global process to establish the WTO, wants to it to be dismantled.

The US has recently blocked the appointment of new judges to the WTOs Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) or the Appellate Body. The move will impede the DSBs ability to issue judgments. With appointments blocked, appeals will be prevented entirely by December 2019.

The president needs congressional approval to pull out but his attitude and statements are already hollowing out the WTO from within. Uncertainty has been created. With the organizations Appellate Body stymied, it could forget about the WTO and do its own thing even if Congress rejects the proposal to pull out.

But if the WTO succumbs to US pressure, other members will follow suit and impose barriers to their heart content to emasculate the organization and make it redundant. The free trade order will collapse. The US president has already openly disregarded the WTO rules by imposing steel and aluminum tariffs. The policy of sanctions runs counter to the WTO fundamental principle of free trade. Parties should maintain government restraints on the movement of goods at a minimum, and if changed, the restraints should be reduced, not increased. The conditions of trade, including the level of tariffs and other, must be discussed and agreed on within a multilateral framework.

This is also the time the US is dismantling NAFTA to replace it with another agreement reached on Washington-dictated terms. Last year, the US left the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would have covered 12 nations and about 40 percent of global gross domestic product. The talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have been stalled since President Trump took office with little hope to revive them amid the ongoing sanctions war. The US pulled out from the Paris climate accord last summer.

In June, the US left the United Nations Human Rights Council. Last October, the US withdrew from the UN education and culture organization UNESCO. Its relationship with the United Nations is complicated. In 2017, the numbered H.R. 193 to remove all US involvement from the United Nations was introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL3). Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has suggested that the UN should be dismantled.

Its widely believed that the US undermines NATO credibility. It is ready to create a new economic and political bloc with the UK after it leaves the EU. The US is setting up its own defense partnership in Europe with Sweden and Finland, it is developing a special military relationship with Poland as well as is in the process of forming an Arab NATO. It strives for a closer partnership with India and Vietnam to oppose China. It has just concluded a bilateral trade agreement with Mexico, waiting for Canada to join and thus bury NAFTA. The list can go on. The United States is gradually reshaping the entire structure of its foreign policy relationships with old allies being alienated and new ones emerging to conclude separate deals.

Other nations will do likewise, forming new relationships and alliances. Getting rid of the old architecture without a definite final goal is a dangerous policy. Relationships are easy to ruin and difficult to build. The policy implies constant confrontation and use of pressure to achieve the desired results in favor of Americas interests as the administration sees them.

The US is trying to reshape the world pursuing its own selfish interests. Pressure is the tool. Diplomacy cedes place to the policy of ultimatums. Other nations with all the difference between them have to adapt to the new conditions. The world will be changing but the pattern of Americas absolute and overwhelming global domination is not guaranteed. Step by step, other countries will learn to live without the United States, leaving it isolated and by far not as influential as it strives to be. Believing in its exceptionalism and the inalienable right to press others, the US may be bringing the era of Pax Americana to a long-predicted end.
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In today's forecast we are expecting showers, some heavy with hail and a chance of it being thundery, but clearing in the late evening and the northwesterly dying out.

It's a three-clothing layer day today with a high of 14 and an overnight low of 5 degrees. Humidity is 79 per cent.

High tide is at 12.20pm and low tide is at 6.30 pm (Tay Street times). There's a sea swell of .9m with a sea temperature of 15 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 5.51pm.

If you're going fishing today the best fish bite time is between 5 and 7pm.

In NZ history on this day in 1939 New Zealand declared war on Germany. Alongside Britain and Australia, New Zealand was one of the first countries to become involved in the global conflict precipitated by Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1 1939.

Sixty years ago in 1958 the first open-heart surgery was performed in New Zealand. Pioneering heart surgeon Brian Barratt-Boyes performed the surgery using a heart-lung bypass machine. The procedure, at Green Lane Hospital in Auckland, was carried out on an 11-year-old girl with a hole in her heart

In world history on this day in 1189 Richard the Lionheart was crowned King of England. In 1777 the American stars and stripes flag was carried into battle for the first time.

In 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed by Great Britain and the new United States, formally bringing the American Revolution to an end.

In 1939 after Germany ignored Great Britains ultimatum to stop the invasion of Poland, Great Britain declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II in Europe.

In 1944 Anne Frank and her family were placed on the last transport train from the Westerbork transit camp to the Auschwitz concentration camp, arriving three days later.

In 1976 the unmanned US spacecraft Viking 2 landed on Mars, taking the first close-up, colour photos of the planets surface. In 2016 the U.S. and China, together responsible for 40 per cent of the world's carbon emissions, both formally joined the Paris global climate agreement. In 2017 North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

Today is the birthday of American author and poet Sarah Orne Jewett. Born in 1849 she once said "What has made this nation great? Not its heroes but its households."

To get involved in some of the many activities happening around the Bay, please check out our What's on page.

Have a great day!
When serious theater students are headed for a career (if they're very talented and lucky) in the theater, they know that to be successful (get jobs!) they have to be, what is known in the trade as, "triple threats". That is, they have to be able to "show their stuff" in a multiplicity of auditions in the areas of acting, dancing, and singing. And it doesn't hurt to throw a little whipped cream on top with a working ability on an instrument, especially piano.



Whoever auditions for Joe Kinosian's (book and music) and Kellen Blair's (book and lyrics) "Murder for Two" had better be, not only the aforementioned "triple threat", but also possess a lot more than a passing familiarity with the ivories.



The current Merry-Go-Round Playhouse production of this riotous and rollicking, two-actor confection, directed by Scott Weinstein, employs the considerable talents of Noel Carey (playing all the suspects) and Anthony Norman (playing the up-and-coming detective Marcus).



Set in a New England mansion owned by the famous novelist Arthur Whitney, Marcus is called to investigate Whitney's unseemly murder at his own birthday party. Think the board game "Clue" on theatrical steroids, and you'll come close to the goings-on that fuel this 90-minute, no intermission, whirlwind of a show.



Aided only by a few props, costume changes, and sparse, but inventive, scenery by Czerton Lim, the two actors initially engage by dueling for attention on the piano, playing complicated rhythms combined with comic pantomime worthy of Laurel and Hardy wannabes.



Despite the absence of traditional choreography in the piece, there is no less emphasis on orchestrated movement and timing of a comedic actor like, let's say, a Buster Keaton, especially as carried out by Noel Carey in his inhabiting several characters, from the deceased novelist's wife, Dahlia, to the novelist's ballerina concubine, to the psychiatrist, Dr. Griff, to even a bevy of pre-teen boys from a choir hired for the party whose dialogue voices sound more like "The Little Rascals" than a preppy, New England boys' choir, among many others.



With few props and on-the-fly, minimal costume changes, Carey manages to pull off convincing, yet, over-the-top renditions of these characters, repeatedly, as they attempt to skirt the detective's inquiries. His practiced voices of the individual characters adds authenticity to this minimal masquerade, while his quick, fluid movement to the respective stations of the characters helps to ground the audience's expectations of the character's dialogue and minimizes confusion that can occur with one actor playing several roles. This strategic, yet economical, use of space is a key element in the success of this show.



Norman's Marcus, although one character throughout, demonstrates a frenetic movement of his own as he moves about the room, garbed Columbo-like as he questions the variety of subjects, in addition to his very credible stints at the piano bench. His vocals on numbers like "Protocol Says" and "He Needs a Partner" are testaments to his range while serving as aural anchors for the show among the Baker's dozen of cleverly-written pieces.



The key to the appreciation of a show like this is not so much the vehicle itself, but more so the observance of the preciseness of movement and sense of timing demonstrated by trained and experienced actors who are making something extremely difficult look spontaneous and effortless.



The piano, always at center stage and used repeatedly, not only functions as appropriate furniture in the novelist's mansion, but also serves almost as a third actor, accompanying scads of clues, in this entertaining whodunit crafted around this double act that could be classified as "highbrow" vaudeville.



Details:



What: "Murder for Two"

Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Owasco (Auburn)

When Seen: Friday, August 31, 2018, two days after opening

Attendance: A bit more than half the theater

Length of Production: 90 minutes, no intermission

Family Guide: Suitable for teens and up due to the rapid delivery and necessity of careful listening; nothing objectionable

Runs Through: September 15

Information and Tickets: 1-800-457-8897 and FingerLakesMTF.com




The Great New York State Fair ends Monday, Sept 3., and The Chevy Court rounds out festivities with even more great music Throughout the rest of the week, be sure to catch some fantastic tunes throughout Central New York.

Niall Horan

Chart topping heartthrob Niall Horan will be rounding out the last day of a multi-week music experience at NY State Fair. Niall Horan, by the time he was in his teens, reached millions of listeners as part of the megastar pop group One Direction. Now, a solo artist, Horan takes a folksy, toned down approach to songwriting and performance. His sound travels the roads between acoustic guitar riffs and catchy pop - which makes it comparable to the likes of Vance Joy, The Lumineers, and Ed Sheeran.

Where: The Chevy Court at NY State Fair, state fairgrounds, Geddes

When: 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 3.

How much: This is a free concert with the purchase of an admission ticket to fair. Details here.

Rose & The Bros

Rose & The Bros specializes in Cajun and Zydeco music, a genre that hails from Southwest Louisiana. Zydeco music, steeped in the culture of Louisiana Creole, blends blues with R&B. Creole music, much like Zydeco in its Louisiana Creole origins, highlights the traditions of folk and roots. Rose & The Bros, much like the musical traditions they honor, is made up of a cast of colorful and talented performers. Members include Rosie Newton, an internationally touring fiddle player; Greg Evans, a professor at Ithaca College; and Steve Selin, a cider maker and owner of South Hill Cider. Together, Rose & The Bros create danceable music for young and old alike.

Where: The Haunt, 702 Willow Avenue, Ithaca

When: 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7.

How much: Tickets start at $10. Details here.

moe.

Moe. has been a staple in the jam band music world for over twenty years. They will be coming to the Saranac Brewery as a sort of homecoming - the bandmates were born and raised in Utica (although the band itself formed in Buffalo). Their jams are psychedelic, improvisational, and sure to get you on your feet. If you're a fan of bands like Phish or Dave Matthews, you will surely enjoy grooving with Moe. The band Aqueous will be joining Moe. on Friday, Sept. 7; and on Saturday, Sept. 8 Moe. will be joined by Moon Hooch and Darryl Rahn.

Where: Saranac Brewery, 830 Varick St., Utica

When: 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7 and 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8.

How much: Two-day ticket packages start at $60, one day tickets start at $35. Details here.

Kashmir: The Live Led Zeppelin Show

Kashmir: The Live Led Zeppelin Show, a tribute to Led Zeppelin's creative and musical talent, began in New York City in 2000. Throughout the decades, Kashmir: The Live Led Zeppelin Show has toured in the United States and around the world, giving fans a peer into the innovative spirit of Led Zeppelin. Their likeness in sound and performance of Led Zeppelin is unique in its authenticity and its focus on creating an energy they call "The Zone."

Where: Kallet Theater and Conference Center, 4842 N. Jefferson Street, Pulaski

When: 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8.

How much: Tickets start at $30. Details here.

John King

Up and coming country star John King grew up surrounded by music, influenced by artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Garth Brooks. King began writing lyrics as a teenager and his skills as a musician continued to grow while attending college at the University of Georgia. With his talent, and a knack for self-promotion, King landed a publishing deal with Black River Publishing in 2012. John King scored his first top 40 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2014 with the song, "Tonight Tonight."

Where: Main Stage, Auburn Public Theater, The Central New York Tomato Fest, 8 Exchange St., Auburn

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8.

How much: Tickets are $30. Details here.
GEDDES, N.Y. -- In her nearly 2-hour stroll though the 2018 New York State Fair Saturday, Cynthia Nixon greeted lots of fans and posed for too many selfies to count.

Many of those fans knew Nixon is running for governor in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary against incumbent Andrew Cuomo. Some did not.

"I just know I loved her on 'Sex and the City,' " said Juan Herreia, who got a selfie with the former star of the HBO series in front of the Fair's famed butter sculpture. "She's running for governor? Really? I did not know that."

But Nixon did find plenty of political supporters in her tour that started with the 25-cent cup of milk in the Dairy Products Building and led to the obligatory Italian sausage sandwich at the Gianelli stand. (She got regular milk and a hot sausage).

She met dairy farmers, fellow fairgoers standing in line for roasted corn and people wearing "Black Lives Matter" buttons and "Nevertheless She Persisted" T-shirts.

She was accompanied on the Fair tour by Zephyr Teachout, one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for New York attorney general.

After the milk and some fudge at the Dairy Products Building, Nixon headed to the source -- the nearby Dairy Cattle Building where farm families show their cows.

There she engaged in political talk with John Wright, owner of the Wrightway Dairy Farm in DeKalb, St. Lawrence County. He told Nixon he's concerned about the struggling dairy market and low prices.

"And is the state offering you any help?," Nixon asked.

"No they aren't," Wright replied.

"Well we'll see about getting you some help," Nixon said.

Earlier Saturday, Nixon spoke at a press conference in Syracuse's Forman Park, where she endorsed the concept of a community grid as the best option for replacing the Interstate 81 viaduct through downtown. She also said she is in favor of raising the minimum wage in Upstate to $15 an hour; improving infrastructure and developing ways to spur economic development without encouraging "pay-to-play" schemes.

At the Fair, though, the topics she addressed often involved food.

"Oh my this is good" she said as she bit into a buttery ear of corn. "What's next? The sausage?"

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Cynthia Nixon has a list of changes she said she'd make as governor to help Upstate New York.

Surrounded by a crowd of supporters Saturday afternoon in Syracuse's sunny Forman Park, Nixon discussed raising the minimum wage in Upstate to $15 an hour. The Democratic candidate for governor said she wants to improve infrastructure and develop ways to spur economic development without encouraging "pay-to-play" schemes.

Nixon also weighed in the debate surrounding the replacement of the Interstate 81 viaduct that runs through downtown Syracuse.

"We need to be looking at the community grid," she said.

Nixon is running against incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic Party's nomination. She spoke to a crowd of more than 40 people during a news conference next to Forman Park's fountain.

Nixon was not the only candidate at the hour-long meet-and-greet event.

Zephyr Teachout and Rachel May both spoke to the crowd. Teachout, of Dutchess County, is one of the four Democrats seeking the nomination to serve as the state's next attorney general. May, of Syracuse, is running against incumbent State Sen. David Valesky to represent the Democratic primary in the race for the 53rd Senate District seat.

Dr. Sunny Aslam, of Upstate University Hospital, opened up the news conference and expressed his support for the trio of women. As a doctor who treats patients suffering from addiction and pain in the Syracuse area, Aslam said he supports candidates who advocate for passing the New York Health Act -- legislation that would provide universal health coverage for New Yorkers.

Teachout and May spoke ahead of Nixon.

As attorney general, Teachout said she wanted to end the "old boys' club" that led to the Cor Development corruption case. New Yorkers want the status quo to change, she argued -- pointing to the candidacies of Dana Balter, the Syracuse Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. John Katko, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as evidence.

"It's time for new voices here, strong voices here," Teachout said.

May told the crowd that she has long spoken out against the Independent Democratic Conference -- a recently collapsed group of Democrats who formed an alliance with Republicans. Valesky, the incumbent May is hoping to unseat, was deputy leader of the IDC.

"New York democrats are no longer going to be complacent," she said.

Nixon stepped up to the microphone last. She said her decision to run for governor was fueled by the same desire that has led women across the country -- including Teachout and May -- to run for office this year.

"If we want real change," Nixon said, "we have to bring it ourselves."

Voters will head to the polls for primary elections on Thursday, Sept. 13. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Sen. John McCain's death from brain cancer on Aug. 25, 2018, inspired tributes from family, friends and political foes -- except for President Donald Trump. Their long feud continued, with Trump at first refusing to lower the flag atop the White House in the former POW's honor, and McCain pointedly disinviting the president from his funeral.

The controversy is a favorite topic in this week's cartoons, as are more solemn remembrances of the former Navy flier and Vietnam POW.

This week's visual commentaries also touch on these topics: trade negotiations over amendments to the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada hit a stumbling block when Trump played hardball with Canada. The president claimed that the Google search engine and other tech platforms were suppressing conservative views. Trump leaned on evangelical Christians to help the GOP win midterm elections. A critic from within the Vatican accused Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Benedict, of knowing about the sexual abuse accusations against Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and doing nothing about them. And Trump moved to cancel a pay raise for federal workers, claiming the government couldn't afford it.

Joining the Tribune Content Agency stable of cartoonists this week is Bill Bramhall, editorial cartoonist for the New York Daily News.

Cartoons were drawn by Bramhall, Chan Lowe, Dan Wasserman, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands and Joel Pett of Tribune Content Agency; Tim Campbell, Mike Lester and Jeff Danziger of the Washington Post Writers Group; and Tom Toles of Andrews McMeel Syndication.
After being hit by an unknown object, the International Space Station experienced a drop in air pressure. At 220 miles up in space, that's not good.

Moscow and Houston mission flight controllers noticed the decrease in the spacecraft's pressure on Aug. 29 and discovered a 2mm hole after a day of searching the Russian section of the station. The hole may seem small. However, when left fixed, all air would have escaped in just 18 days.

About The Leak

"The leak has been isolated to a hole about two millimeters in diameter in the orbital compartment, or upper section, of the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft attached to the Rassvet module of the Russian segment," reported NASA.

To fix the damage, European Space Agency Astronaut Alexander Gerst initially put his finger to fill the gap.

"Right now Alex has got his finger on that hole and I don't think that's the best remedy for it," commented NASA's ground control in an ISS live feed.

While the team is still on the process of finding out a long-term solution for the leak, two Russian astronauts put sealant on a cloth over the hole. Their fellow crew members also took photos for the team on the ground.

Mission control advised the spacemen to give the sealant overnight to dry and promised that thorough leak checks would be conducted on Aug. 31. Fortunately, the temporary repair managed to stabilize the problem as of now. To make up for the lost air in the spacecraft, flight controllers used the oxygen supply of the Russian cargo capsule.

Cause Of The Leak

NASA still does not know what exactly hit the spacecraft, although it might possibly be a micrometeorite or flying debris. It could also just be a spot in the spacecraft that is weak enough to let go on its own.

Space junk orbiting around the planet poses a threat to ISS. Most are from non-operational spacecraft and satellites. Although experts have expressed about the danger, this is the first time that it has caused an actual damage.

More than 5,250 launches have happened since 1957. This made way to over 23,000 rogue orbiting objects around the planet. Currently, there are only 1,200 functioning satellites, all the others are rubbish.

A spokesman from the European Space Agency assured that all crew members are healthy and in good condition with weeks left of air supply.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An aurora event is incredible to watch no matter where one might be, but it is especially spectacular when witnessed in Saturn from outer space.

The Hubble Space Telescope was able to capture the light show at the north pole of the ringed planet over the course of seven months.

Aurora In Saturn

Auroras, also called northern or southern light depending on where they appear, offer entrancing displays of light caused by bursts of charged particles from the sun that gets trapped into the magnetic field and sent to the poles. When these particles interact with the oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, it produces a stream of lights.

On Saturn, the auroras look a bit different. Like Jupiter and Neptune, the gas giant's atmosphere is dominated by hydrogen, making the light show invisible to the naked eye.

Using Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, scientists monitored the behavior of the aurora in Saturn's north pole before and after the northern summer solstice. The images matched to the observations made by Cassini called the "Grand Finale," the spacecraft's last mission before it burned and disintegrated into the atmosphere of Saturn.

The resulting images, according to the press release by the Hubble team, is the "most comprehensive" look at the aurora and its behavior in Saturn.

Similar to the northern/southern lights on Earth, the auroras in Saturn spin and swirl as demonstrated in the video below. They change because of both the solar wind and the rapid rotation of the gas giant (a day consists of only 11 hours).

The Hubble Telescope also reports that the northern aurora light show is at its brightest just before midnight and around dawn.

This is not the first time that Saturn's auroras have been observed by scientists, but watching the behavior of the northern lights in the gas giant gives more details about one of the largest magnetosphere in the solar system.

Auroras Across The Solar System

Auroras vary from planet to planet. Albeit caused by the same solar storms, the different atmospheres and magnetic fields influence the appearance of the magnificent light shows.

Mars, for example, has an atmosphere that is too thin but still generates an aurora that, according to a previous MAVEN mission, might be diffused across the red planet.

The composition of the atmosphere also affects the appearance of auroras. Io, a volcanic moon, spews charged particles into the magnetosphere of Jupiter, producing blue ultraviolet lights.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
LSU inventors are almost ready to test a new material that could make roads tougher for cheap; down the line, it could even save lives in a disaster.

Engineering professor Guoqiang Li says his polymer-based material will last as long as the silicone rubber sealant currently used to build and patch roads but at less than a third of the cost.

LSU researchers hope new polymer will fill gap in concrete maintenance A Louisiana startup believes a newly developed smart polymer will sharply reduce maintenance costs for concrete roads by adding years to the l

Li's invention also can change shape, but although most substances expand when they're hot and contract when cold, his material behaves the opposite way, making it an especially valuable construction material. In the future, he said, he hopes it can be used to make "self-healing" buildings.

"I saw on TV, about 10 years ago, there was an earthquake in China," Li wrote in a statement. "Lots of people were still alive; they just couldnt be rescued from underneath the building. But if you have a building made out of this polymer concrete, it will go back to its original shape by simple heating."

Li received funding from the nonprofit National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in 2009. Within two years, he had a prototype ready to install outside his office at the intersection of Engineering Lane and South Stadium Drive. Since then, his team has worked on making the polymer cheaper and easier to install.

To start, Li said he wants to focus on using the substance at joints where two slabs of road concrete meet. After that, he can look at using it to patch cracks in roads.

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Because it's flexible and temperature-responsive, the invention forms a tighter seal than silicone, which can cost more than $10 per pound. Li's target is to sell his material for about $3 per pound, which is a little more expensive than asphalt, but asphalt patches often wear down every year, while the polymer has to be replaced only about once every decade. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight cause the polymer to degrade, but Li said he expects each application to last about 10 years.

Forming a tight seal is an important aspect of preventing water from creeping under roadways, where it forms mud, which makes roads more vulnerable to cracking.

With a product in hand, Li's team received about $1 million in funding from the National Science Foundation this year and has until February 2020 to prove the material is commercially feasible. The LSU team wants to make sure its product can survive temperatures from 140 degrees to minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit. To that end, the team is preparing to send it to transportation professionals in Louisiana and Minnesota.

A modified truck will run over pavement with the polymer for three straight months to simulate 20 years of traffic, according to a news release issued by LSU's engineering school.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, which will conduct the tests, has an interest in developing cost-effective sealant, as it spends about $800,000 per year on silicone, epoxy and asphalt-based material on state roads, according to spokeswoman Brandie Richardson. That figure doesn't include federal, parish or municipal expenditures.

Hayden Rodrigue, vice president of Pavement Maintenance Unlimited, said he thinks Li has "some killer ideas." His Denham Springs-based company specializes in ensuring airport runways are smooth.

His company is "very interested" in the product and possibly becoming a distributor once it's ready to go to market.
Lee Turner Jr. began working for CarQuest Auto Parts in Baton Rouge just 11 days before the then-21-year-old fatally shot two employees, both husbands and fathers, during a Sunday afternoon robbery in 2011.

Turner visited the company's Airline Highway location twice on March 27, 2011, the day of the slayings, introducing himself to manager Edward "Eddie" Gurtner III that morning and returning just before the 3 p.m. closing.

Gurtner, 43, of Denham Springs, was shot 12 times  including several times in the back  as he tried to run from Turner.

Randy Chaney, 55, of Greenwell Springs, who was the assistant manager of the company's Staring Lane location, was helping out at the Airline Highway store, near Siegen Lane, that ill-fated day when he was shot once in the back of the head by Turner.

+12 Prosecutor: Accused killer disguised himself as a co-worker, a friend before killings at CarQuest in 2011 The man accused of fatally shooting two CarQuest Auto Parts employees 11 days after the company hired him in March 2011 visited the Airline Hi

An East Baton Rouge Parish jury convicted Turner on two counts of first-degree murder in May 2015 and recommended he receive the death penalty. State District Judge Richard Anderson, who presided over the trial, imposed that sentence several months later.

+6 CarQuest workers killer should get death sentence for 2011 fatal shootings, jury decides Friday Five years have passed since an East Baton Rouge Parish jury reached a death verdict for a convicted killer, but on Friday, after less than tw

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Supreme Court will hear arguments from Turner's appellate lawyers and the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office.

Turner, now 28 and formerly of New Orleans, is urging the high court to reverse his conviction and death sentence and either order a new trial or a new sentencing hearing. The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office is asking the justices to affirm the jury's verdicts.

Turner's attorneys complain in his Supreme Court appeal about, among other things, the jury selection process; his 11-hour interrogation by East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's detectives during which he eventually confessed; graphic crime scene photos shown to the jury; a frantic 911 call made by Gurtner's wife and played during the guilt and penalty phases of the trial; and a search warrant that led to the discovery of bank bags and CarQuest deposit slips in a garbage can outside the Ritterman Avenue home where he was staying with an uncle.

Capital Appeals Project lawyers Caroline Tillman, Christopher Murell and Shanita Farris, as well as New Orleans lawyer Timothy Yazbeck, contend Turner did not receive a fair trial.

Assistant District Attorney Allison Rutzen vigorously disputes that contention.

"The trial court went to great lengths to ensure that each phase of defendant's trial ... was conducted in a professional, systematic, and productive manner," she wrote in a Supreme Court filing.

Rutzen added that Turner's trial attorneys, Margaret Lagattuta and Scott Collier, "diligently represented him every step of the way, sparing no expense to present their client's case to the jury in the most favorable light possible."

+6 Man convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in CarQuest killings The 10 women and two men who unanimously found Lee Turner Jr. guilty of first-degree murder after 90 minutes of deliberations Monday will retu

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One of Turner's more explosive Supreme Court claims  one made previously in a motion for a new trial that Anderson denied  is that prosecutors systematically excluded blacks from the jury, which consisted of nine white jurors, two black jurors and one Hispanic juror.

First Assistant District Attorney Tracey Barbera, who prosecuted Turner, has described as offensive and unfounded the accusation that she discriminated against potential jurors on the basis of their race.

Turner's appellate lawyers maintain the state removed black prospective jurors "vastly disproportionately" than potential white jurors.

"The State's point that two African Americans actually served on Mr. Turner's jury ... does little to mitigate the State's discriminatory pattern, particularly given that one of those jurors was seated after the State had exhausted all of its strikes," the lawyers allege in a Supreme Court filing.

Rutzen counters that Anderson thoroughly considered Turner's objections to the state's challenges lodged at prospective minority jurors.

"Defendant fails to prove that the trial court clearly erred in concluding that no prima facie case of purposeful discrimination was present or in finding that each of the state's reasons was race-neutral," she wrote.

Turner confessed the day after the killings after initially denying any involvement. He said he shot Chaney first, then Gurtner after forcing him to open the store safe. Gurtner died with the store's keys, including a key to the safe, in his hand.

Jury watches accused killer admit to detectives he fatally shot two fellow CarQuest employees The state rested its capital murder case against accused killer Lee Turner Jr. on Sunday after a jury watched him in a videotaped interrogatio

Turner also told detectives he drove past the store with his pregnant girlfriend as investigators scoured the scene the evening of the murders.

Elizabeth Gurtner and one of her sons discovered Eddie Gurtner's body in the store warehouse after he failed to answer his cellphone or the store's phone that Sunday afternoon.

Turner complains about Elizabeth Gurtner's emotional 911 call because it was played twice for the jury.

Turner's attorneys acknowledge the state was entitled to the moral weight of its evidence, but they allege the recording was played a second time "for the purpose of inflaming the jury and undermining the impact of Mr. Turner's mitigating evidence."

Rutzen argues the 911 call was played again to counter testimony about "adverse developmental factors" that had occurred in Turner's life, including the 1998 murder of one of his uncles while the man was working as a security officer.

"Defense counsel knew of the evidence here. They knew that the 911 call had forever memorialized young Jamie Gurtner's and his mother's traumatic experience of finding their murdered relative at the crime scene. But the defense still chose to emphasize the `traumatic effect' the death of defendant's uncle  which he did not witness  had on his life," Rutzen states.

Eddie Gurtner was not scheduled to work the day he was killed but went in to catch up on restocking and to hang a mirror in the store's bathroom. His widow testified that the last photo she has of her husband is a cellphone selfie he took at the store after installing the mirror.
In a move that could herald relief for other men accused of membership in the 6th Wards D-Block street gang, a judge on Wednesday slashed t
New Bishop of the Baton Rouge Diocese Michael Duca waves at parishoners as he walks down the aisle to leave the church, after his installment and mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Friday, August 24, 2018.
In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo President Donald Trump signs into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. New rules floated by the Trump administration lay out what kinds of businesses can take a 20 percent deduction against income taxes under the new tax law. With the proposed rules issued Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, the Treasury Department and the IRS had worked for six months to bring clarity to Congress' blueprint.
The second-grader dreaded recess at St. Matthew the Apostle School.

He felt safe in his classroom, in the company of other pupils, but he lost that protection walking from building to building at the River Ridge school. It was then that the boy would encounter George Brignac, a teacher and former deacon who remained at the school in the mid-1970s despite claims he was a serial pedophile.

Brignac had predictable methods, the former student said, and would act like he was hugging the boy and asking about his well-being in school.

"I would try to avoid him at all costs," the former St. Matthew student, now 49, said in an interview. "But if you crossed through that walkway, you were getting felt up."

He said Brignac would grab hold of him and put his hands in the boy's pants, positioning himself between the child "and whatever nun was on duty watching the kids."

"He was pretty schooled on how to do it," he added. "He wasn't scared or shy about the whole thing."

The former St. Matthew student is one of at least 10 men who have come forward in recent weeks with harrowing accounts of sexual abuse they say they suffered at the hands of Brignac.

One shared his story with The Advocate; three have sought counseling from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, according to church officials; and 10 are represented by Roger Stetter, a New Orleans plaintiffs' attorney.

Many of the victims said they felt empowered to share their stories after The Advocate reported that Brignac served as a lay minister at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church despite being defrocked in 1988.

Brignac, 83, remained in that role even after the Archdiocese of New Orleans this year paid more than $500,000 to settle claims that he repeatedly raped an 8-year-old altar boy at Holy Rosary School. That victim was also represented by Stetter.

Several of the men claim they were raped by Brignac as children, while others say they were molested. One kept a journal of his encounters with the teacher, recalling the times when Brignac would follow him into the boys' bathroom at St. Matthew and direct him into a certain stall.

"These are broken men who were raped in our parochial schools while the archdiocese did nothing," Stetter said. "One of these victims used to be a firefighter and told me that it is harder for him to talk about this than it was to pull someone out of a fire, including a dead body. Its that painful for them to talk about it."

The growing list of victims could affect an ongoing criminal investigation by the New Orleans Police Department into the allegations made against Brignac by the altar boy who received a civil settlement.

Stetter said in an interview that detectives have asked to speak with these men, even though some of their claims are beyond the statute of limitations under Louisiana law. There is no statute of limitations for rape.

Wendy Vitter, the archdiocese's general counsel, said church officials have met with New Orleans detectives and are "voluntarily providing them with documents and information for their review."

"We take seriously our commitment to anyone who has alleged abuse by church personnel to cooperate in any law-enforcement investigation," Vitter wrote in an email to The Advocate. "While we have no information and cannot comment on their investigation, we can say that we intend to continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement."

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It is not clear whether the archdiocese intends to make public its records on Brignac, who taught at several different Catholic schools despite repeated claims of sexual abuse that prompted three criminal investigations during his tenure.

In 1978, he was acquitted of three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile after his defense attorney persuaded a judge that three young boys at St. Matthew had conspired to exploit Brignac's self-imposed vow of celibacy.

In interviews with The Advocate, Brignac has not denied touching young boys  "I would not have gone into teaching if I were not attracted to children"  but insisted he never did it "for immoral purposes." He claimed that a psychologist who treated him years ago determined he was "asexual."

"Any actions of intimacy between my students and me  and family and me  have no sexual motive," Brignac told the newspaper earlier this summer. "I'm not going to deny that I have touched a child."

The former altar boy who settled with the church said last week he intends to ask Archbishop Gregory Aymond to make public the archdiocese's files on Brignac to shed more light on the scandal.

The Advocate has made the same request of the archdiocese, but Vitter did not address that request in her emailed response to the newspaper.

Stetter said the archdiocese has consistently refused to release any of its documents on Brignac as part of legal discovery.

Law enforcement agencies have the authority to subpoena those records, as did the grand jury in Pennsylvania that recently reported on 70 years of abuse and cover-ups in six of that state's eight dioceses. The grand jury in that case reviewed more than 500,000 pages of internal church records.

The New Orleans archdiocese appears eager to settle the new claims from Stetter's clients. Church officials have agreed to a "mediation protocol," Stetter said, which includes a detailed questionnaire that the archdiocese uses to vet the victims' claims.

"The archdiocese has said, 'You don't have to file another lawsuit,' " Stetter said.

The sexual abuse settlements typically include an opportunity for victims to meet one-on-one with Aymond, who has publicly apologized for the Brignac scandal and the misconduct of high-ranking church officials elsewhere in the country that has been revealed this summer.

As recently as last week, at a "healing Mass" at St. Joseph Church, the archbishop asked for victims of sexual abuse involving clergy to come forward.

Stetter said the one-on-one meetings are an important part of the process.

"I want the archbishop to feel their pain," he said. "It's one thing to read about it in the newspaper or hear about it. It's another thing to sit across a table from a victim and talk about it."

Vitter noted that a few of Brignac's victims have already sought help from the church, and she encouraged others to do so.

"Three people have come forward to the archbishop for pastoral care and to discuss the Brignac situation," she said in a text. "We have been advised that there are several other allegations but have not been presented with any of those yet nor any information on the people. Archbishop Aymond remains open to speaking or meeting with anyone who may have been victimized by Mr. Brignac."
Thats why Interpol is interested, said Phil McCabe, the president of the International Federation of Beekeepers' Association (Apimondia).

International fraudsters, often criminal gangs in China, produce the fake honey and sell it to unsuspecting suppliers at a higher price, making a fortune along the way.

Experts say adulterated honey was generally bulked up with rice syrup and beet syrup and other unidentified substances, which arent detected by official honey tests.

Capilanos Allowrie branded Mixed Blossom Honey, which sources honey from Australia and overseas, and markets itself as 100 per cent honey, showed up as adulterated in the majority of samples tested.

Testing at a leading international scientific lab that specialises in honey fraud detection has found almost half the samples selected from supermarket shelves was adulterated, meaning it had been mixed with other substances. The adulterated samples were all products that blend local and imported honey.

Australias biggest listed honey company and some of the countrys largest supermarket chains face accusations of selling fake honey.

Horticulturalist Robert Costa paid for the controversial testing to be done. Credit:Jason South

Mr McCabe said he would refer the tests, obtained by Fairfax Media and the ABC and commissioned by top law firm King & Wood Mallesons, to Interpol for further investigation.

The results are set to ignite a storm over how honey purity is tested that will involve the federal government as well as local and international regulators. ALDI has already moved to pull an affected product from its shelves as a precaution.

By and large [the impurity] is some kind of syrup thats been converted to look like honey, it tastes like honey. Everything about it seems to be honey when in fact its just sugar syrup or something else  Consumers dont realise what they are buying and eating isnt honey.

Adulterated honey isnt honey at all, Mr McCabe said, adding that the NMR test was the most accurate available.

Capilano strongly denied any issues with its products and criticised the type of test  known as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance  used to detect the impurities, pointing out it differed from the official Australian test.

Four of the six IGA Black and Gold private label registered as adulterated, two of six ALDI Bramwells private label brands failed the NMR test and six out of eight of Capilanos Allowrie budget branded bottles had adulterated honey when NMR screening was used.

Using the NMR testing the results showed that 12 of the 28 samples tested, were not 100 per cent pure honey.

The lab tested eight Allowrie samples as well as IGAs Black and Gold private label and ALDIs Bramwells private label brand and detected adulteration in almost half the samples.

A joint investigation by Fairfax Media and the ABCs 7.30 into the honey industry was supplied a copy of the results from Mallesons. The law firm collected 28 blended and imported honey samples from supermarket stores around Australia, including Coles, Woolworths, ALDI and IGA and documented the stores, locations, brands and batches.

Germanys Quality Services International (QSI) lab was commissioned by the law firm on behalf of horticulturalist Robert Costa to conduct two types of tests of the sampled honey. One used NMR screening and the second used the official C4 sugar test.

Our concern lies in the use of these results to create doubt and confusion over the authenticity of honey...that could be used to mislead the public..

Capilano said one of those weaknesses was that the test did not detect that blended honey from different regions was 100 per cent honey, something the German lab, QSI, vigorously denies.

We are incredibly concerned that they are being used in isolation of more robust analytical testing, given this is also the opinion of the Manufacturer (Bruker) and the two most reputable laboratories in the world (Intertek and QSI), one of which has conducted the NMR analysis. Our concern lies in the use of these results to create doubt and confusion over the authenticity of honey and how that could be used to mislead the public and consumers.

Capilano, which hit the headlines last month when a private equity consortium lobbed a $200 million bid to buy the company, said it was 100 per cent confident its Allowrie honey, which is made using up to 70 per cent imported honey, was pure and that it wasnt surprised by the results given the weaknesses in NMR testing as analytical method.

Capilano was sent a copy of the results. It vigorously denied that any of its products werent pure honey and rejected nuclear magnetic resonance testing as the best way to determine adulteration. It said Australian and international regulators do not use this testing regime at all.

The same 28 samples were then tested using the official Australian test, C4, and all passed. There is no suggestion that ASX-listed Capilanos eponymous brand of Australian sourced honey has any issue.

She said NMR screening can pinpoint country of origin and botanical origin of the honey and that in the tested samples it was the Chinese aspect of the honey was adulterated, not the Australian honey.

NMR has been used for testing fruit juice for many years and for honey for more than five years and no other method for adulteration is approved by more than 10,000 samples worldwide with 100,000 verification measurements, she said.

She said QSI had an extensive database and used various tests for testing honey but NMR was the most reliable. She said blended honey from different regions was tested regularly. QSI performs a variety of tests but Ms Beckh said the NMR was the best for testing impurities.

QSIs chief executive Gudrun Beckh, who has been testing honey for almost 30 years, said she was confident in the NMR test findings and said if a sample showed up as adulterated it meant the honey wasnt pure honey.

The issue is not isolated to Australia, with the European Union, where most of the imports come from China, also fending off fake honey at its borders. According to reports, policymakers are concerned about what is thought to be the third-most adulterated product in the world with 20 per cent of samples tested by the EU failing to meet standards.

Capilano declined an interview but said in a statement it stands by the quality and purity of all of our honey brands, including Allowrie which has never failed more stringent and appropriate testing by world renowned laboratories.

Despite Capilanos criticisms, there is a groundswell of international experts, academics and private companies increasingly relying on NMR as the test of choice for detecting fake honey.

Apimondia, the peak body for the sector internationally, recently said it would use NMR screening as part of its new honey competition rules.

Australias peak industry body, the Australian Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), also endorsed NMR, along with Australias second largest honey operator Beechworth. Some supermarket chains, including ALDI, have also started using the test.

Bees play an important role in pollination. Credit:Jason South

Leaked emails from the AHBIC, of which Capilano is a financial member and has board representation, show it wrote to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in July requesting it review the way it tests honey ditching the old C4 test and moving to NMR.

The executive director of AHBIC Trevor Weatherhead said in the email to the department that AHBIC would ask the department to change to the NMR test if it has not done so already.

He said it was reported that suppliers that were adulterating honey were finding ways around the C4 sugar test.

The NMR test has been found to be very effective, Weatherhead said in an email.

At the AHBIC annual meeting a motion was unanimously passed which said the Honey Packers and Marketers Association of Australia requests AHBIC to work with the Australian government to advise them that using the C4 sugar testing to detect adulteration of imported honey is inadequate and to implore them to urgently begin using the best available method (NMR) to test honey imported into Australia.

Fairfax Media and the ABC also contacted IGA, ALDI, Coles and Woolworths about the results of the tests.

At 2pm on Friday ALDI temporarily withdrew the two products in its Mixed Blossom Honey range that QSI identified as adulterated. In a statement it said adulteration is a serious claim, it suggests that additives or masking agents have been added to a product in an effort to bulk volume, reduce costs or alter the flavour profile.

We are proud of our Australian and Mixed Blossom Honey range and evidence that suggests the quality has been compromised will be investigated in full force. ALDI statement

It said ALDI would investigate the claims and if the investigations conclude that the product has been adulterated, it would permanently be removed from sale at ALDI and further actions would be taken with the supplier.

We are proud of our Australian and Mixed Blossom Honey range and evidence that suggests the quality has been compromised will be investigated in full force, the company said.

Woolworths said it treated the accuracy of product labelling very seriously.

We will now work closely with our supplier to review the substance of the claims in detail before determining our next steps".

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Coles said it had deleted all Allowrie products from its shelves in July.

In a statement it said the decision followed a review of its range of honey products.

It said it was proud to support Australian producers and the work of Australian beekeepers who do important work in pollinating plants and food crops all over the country. Our Coles brand honey is 100 per cent Australian.

IGA said "All Black & Gold honey is sourced from a well known Australian-owned producer, and it meets the requirements of the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code. Production of the product is under the direct control of the Australian supplier."

Ben Goldsworthy of Beechworth Honey, which uses only Australian honey. Credit:Jason South

QSIs Ms Beckh said honey adulteration was a global problem. She said Chinese honey was the most problematic. She said adulterated honey was generally bulked up  or cut  with cheap syrups such as rice syrup and beet syrup and other unidentified substances, which arent detected by official honey tests.

QSI uses a range of tests, including official tests, targeted tests and NMR, and said the Chinese are constantly developing new tailored products to cheat the tests and sell them to unsuspecting suppliers.

She said Chinese retailers openly admit to charging more for honey tested under NMR.

If you want to have a product for a low price, you get a product which you think is honey but its not honey, she said. She said the Chinese industry offers honey NMR approved for a higher price than other tests.

This is a clear indication that NMR can detect much more than other tests, she said.

Ms Beckh said it was a constant battle trying to keep ahead of the Chinese fraudsters  as well as some in Vietnam and Thailand  who find new ways to cheat the tests by tailoring new cheap syrups to avoid detection of the NMR tests.

The international fraudsters, often criminal gangs in China, produce the fake honey and sell it to unsuspecting suppliers at a higher price, making a fortune along the way.

Thats why Interpol is interested, Apimondias Mr McCabe said.

Capilano is confident in its supply chain and has spent more than $1 million on testing in the past two years.

We have found our supply chain of Chinese honey to always meet our quality specifications which includes being free of adulteration, it said.

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates, food fraud, which includes honey fraud, is a $US40 billion ($55.6 billion) a year global industry.

In China, beehive numbers have increased by 6.7 per cent over the decade to 2016, but exports have soared by 200 per cent, said honey trade expert Professor Norberto Garcia, who has written numerous papers on the honey industry.

The numbers dont add up, he said.

Professor Garcia said the protection of honey purity was not only a problem of food safety or food defence but a problem of food security due to the role of pollination in agriculture.

It is about the capacity of countries to provide their own food.

King & Wood Malleson confirmed it would send a copy of the test results to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Monday.

Professor Allan Fels said the alleged breach should be investigated. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Former competition watchdog chairman Allan Fels said the only way to clamp down on fake honey was to take action. He said it was a bad breach of the law that should attract the highest possible punishment.

He called on the ACCC to investigate the allegedly misleading conduct.

The ACCC needs to give priority to anything involving food adulteration in the current era  especially the globalisation era  nothing is more important than food safety, food security and fighting food fraud which is quite extensive and quite profitable if people can get away with it, Fels said.

Local honey producers, beekeepers struggling to compete with cheap imports and horticulturalists also demand action.

Robert Costa, a member of the Costa family, which set up the countrys biggest fruit and vegetable empire and exposed the Calabrian Mafia in fruit markets in the 1990s, is the man who bankrolled the honey sample tests.

Mr Costa said his concern as a horticulturist was that cheap imported honey was hurting the industry, which, in turn, would hurt the production of agriculture.

If we dont have bees to pollinate the crops, then we dont have almonds, or fruit and veg, he said.

He estimates that 65 per cent of agriculture depends on pollination by honey bees. Bees and water are the two most vital ingredients for agriculture, he said.

In the past decade, 25 per cent of commercial beekeepers and hives have left the Australian market, according to figures published in a research report by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). The report, published in December 2016 estimated there are 13,000 registered beekeepers across Australia operating over 448,000 hives.

Drought, disease and cheap imports are key factors behind the fall in overall commercial hive numbers.

The honey scandal comes as Capilano, which is 20.6 per cent owned by billionaire Kerry Stokes through his vehicle Wroxby Pty Ltd, is subject to a $190 million takeover offer from a private equity consortium including Wattle Hill and ROC Partners.

Over the weekend, another potential bidder emerged when a parcel of shares were bought above the share price at $21.

The speculation was that Bega Cheese was set to make a counter bid.

Capilano, which was founded in 1953, told the market that the private equity consortium shares its commitment to the Australian honey industry and maintaining strong beekeeper relationships.

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It said a key aim was to drive expansion of brands in offshore growth markets, such as China.

Until 2004, honey imports were banned from Australia, but severe drought conditions helped convince the government to open up the market. When it introduced imports, it agreed to test about 5 per cent of imported honey consignments under Imported Food Inspection Scheme, using the C4 test.

Beechworth Honey, Australias second-largest honey operator and a major competitor to Capilano, and fourth generation beekeepers, only uses Australian honey, despite pressure to import cheaper products to reduce costs and price points.

Beechworth managing director Jodie Goldsworthy said in 2004 when the company  and the industry  was in short supply of honey due to the millennium drought, she considered importing honey but believed the risks were too great.

We looked at each other and said if were to import this honey we wouldnt eat it on our breakfast table, so that for us meant importing honey was not a decision that was right for us.

It was an expensive decision. The shortage of honey meant they couldnt supply the products, which effectively cut the business in half.

In the long run it paid off and built credibility among beekeepers and supermarkets.

Because of those unknown chemicals used overseas at the time, we decided there was a risk it could end up in the honey and it did. There were situations found both in Australia and around the world where those chemicals were found as residues.

The silence has made it really easy for the frauds to go on unhindered. Its time to speak up before its too late. Julie Goldsworthy - Beechworth Honey

Again in 2014 Australia had a similar drought situation. Again Beechworth voluntarily deleted half its products from supermarket shelves in order to maintain 100 per cent Australian honey supply. From a risk perspective we saw that the same risks still existed plus the significant additional risk of fake honey, she said.

We noticed this time around the tactic was to introduce secondary brands to manage the shortage  in which a blend of imported honey was used.

Ms Goldsworthy is conscious of the proliferation of adulterated imported honey. But says what makes her saddest is that the consumer is blind to whats going on. As more and more of this adulterated honey takes over the market globally its a race to the bottom in order to get it cheaper and cheaper, she said.

She said beekeepers of the world have largely been silent about the problem of adulterated honey for fear of hurting the reputation of the industry.

The silence has made it really easy for the frauds to go on unhindered, she said. Its time to speak up before its too late.

Do you know more? Contact Adele Ferguson at aferguson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
You dont have to be very bright to see that as we enter the information age, realise decisions need to be evidence-based, and glimpse the huge potential of big data, we need the Australian Bureau of Statistics to be at the top of its game. But you do have to be brighter than our econocrats and politicians.

Theyve been cutting the bureaus funding every year for more than a decade  meaning both parties have been at it  in the name of increased efficiency. The Orwellian annual efficiency dividend, cutting up to 2.5 per cent off running expenses, is a flowing fount of false economy.

With the era of big data looming, it's the wrong time to cut funding for the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

According to the bureaus boss, David Kalisch, it has suffered a reduction in real resources of more than 20 per cent over the past decade. Meanwhile, funding from big users of its data  which now accounts for between 10 and 20 per cent of its total funding - has increased only slightly.

The majority of its social statistical collections are only possible through user funding, with budget funding devoted predominantly to its economic and population stats.
Two former Qantas pilots are taking legal action over what they allege was a hidden clause in their staff superannuation policies that dudded them out of lump sum payments of close to $1 million each after illness ended their careers.

They have also called on finance sector regulators to examine their case as the Hayne royal commission focuses on the superannuation industry.

Former Qantas pilots Anthony Byrnes and Campbell Gribble. Credit:Cole Bennetts

Anthony Byrnes and Campbell Gribble from Sydney were both members of Qantas Super, which included automatic insurance cover for total and permanent disability. They both took out separate income protection insurance to cover them to the age of 60.

The Qantas Super product disclosure statement they were given in 2005 did not provide any information about a disclaimer that would offset their claim to total and permanent disability by any income protection amount. When they applied for the lump sum benefit it was reduced from close to $1 million to nothing.
And many treatments, whether necessary or not, are taking place in hospitals rather than cheaper and more sensible alternatives such as clinics, driving up cost, health insurance premiums and waiting lists.

Our healthcare system is outstanding. But that certainly does not mean it is perfect. Both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and health insurer HCF have in recent days issued warnings about the waste of public and private money on useless treatments or unnecessary surgeries.

If you are going to fall sick anywhere in the world, Australia  and Melbourne in particular  would be among the best places to do it.

At a time when Australians, especially older Australians, are under financial pressure, helping them and the government cut unnecessary health costs is especially important.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners singled out the waste of public and private money on useless treatments for knee pain. HCF, meanwhile, has provided analysis showing up to 34 per cent of 32,900 admissions in 2016-17 for a range of health procedures including knee arthroscopy were low-value, unhelpful, and in some cases, potentially harmful.

The health insurer pointed to inpatient intravitreal injections  a shot of medicine into the eye to protect vision  as the main example of a procedure that does not need to be performed in a hospital, adding enormous cost for no clinical benefit. While one in six of these injections was happening in hospitals in Australia, in other countries this figure was as low as one in 100.

Meanwhile, chemists, supermarkets, big pharma and big health are pushing people who suffer from osteoarthritis, an increasingly common knee condition, to buy pharmaceuticals with dangerous side-effects such as opioids or fad wonder products such as vitamin D or glucosamine.

After exhaustive study, the College of General Practitioners says there is almost no evidence these treatments are effective. The only recommended remedies are cheap ibuprofen from a chemist, weight loss and psychological pain management techniques.
Commonwealth Banks review of its loan book to reduce customers minimum monthly repayments extends to personal loan customers as well as mortgagors.

Fairfax Media previously reported that CBA home loan customers with savings in a redraw facility would have their minimum repayments reduced to extend the debt over the contracted period of the loan.

Commonwealth Bank had assessed the loan status of its 1.5 million mortgage customers and 400,000 personal loan customers. Credit:Michael Clayton Jones

This could result in customers paying thousands in extra interest repayments, scupper attempts to repay debt early and eat up savings made in a redraw facility.

Fairfax Media has now learned the change, which took effect on September 1, applies to variable rate personal loan customers as well.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he has no desire to get involved in a debate on gay 'conversion' therapy, declaring it is not an issue for him and that people should "make their own choices about their own lives".

Mr Morrison's comments came after churches, health experts and Amnesty International threw their weight behind calls for a national inquiry into the matter, warning Australia's new Pentecostal Prime Minister that such practices can be fatal for LGBTI Christians.

With a federal election on the horizon, a coalition of survivors, pastors and community advocates have also called for greater powers for health and consumer watchdogs, tougher regulations for counsellors, and a public health and awareness campaign.

LGBTI Christians are urging Prime Minister Scott Morrison to help tackle gay 'conversion' therapy Credit:AP

The calls were made in a 43,000-strong petition sent to Mr Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten over the weekend.
Police have charged two men with attempted murder after a police officer was allegedly hit by a car Monday morning.

A 26-year-old Brighton man and a 35-year-old Brighton man have both been charged with one count of attempted murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The 35-year-old is due to appear at the Prine Rivers Magistrates Court on Tuesday and the other man will reappear at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on October 31.

The injured officer remains in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital.

EARLIER: A police officer is in a serious condition after he was allegedly hit and carried on a stolen car's bonnet for about 30 metres in Brisbane's north overnight.
Australian Instagram model Sinead McNamara, 20, who died on a boat in Greece this week, has been remembered as a "beautiful soul".

"My camping buddy and twin! I'll always treasure growing up with you. Rest in peace beautiful girl," one person wrote on her Instagram page.

"Beautiful kind happy soul, sending love and strength to her family," said another.

"A beautiful life taken way too soon. Rest In Peace gorgeous."
In an era of mobile phone saturation, Telstra's move to build and upgrade 80 payphones in Melbourne's CBD may seem baffling.

But, according to Melbourne City Council, the company's payphone expansion has nothing to do with connecting the public and everything to do with generating advertising revenue worth a small fortune.

Through a legal loophole, Telstra is able to build payphones where it desires without council approval, and attach lucrative digital billboards that can earn the company as much as $8000 a week.

The City of Melbourne is considering taking legal action against Telstra for their use of a legal loophole to build and upgrade payphones across the CBD.

With 40 locations already converted and an additional 80 planned, the deal could be worth nearly $50 million annually in Melbourne alone.
A life's work: historian Ian Jones, widely lauded Kelly Gang expert, pictured in 2005, has died. Credit:John Woudstra

Tributes are flowing for historian Ian Jones, a renowned expert on bushranger Ned Kelly and an acclaimed TV and film producer and writer.

Mr Jones, who died in Melbourne on Friday aged 86, wrote the book Ned Kelly: A Short Life, in 1995, regarded as the definitive biography about the famous outlaw.

With his late wife Bronwyn Binns he co-created the Kelly mini-series The Last Outlaw (1980) and the landmark convict drama Against the Wind (1978).

Jones also co-wrote the 1970 movie Ned Kelly, which starred Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and wrote the 1987 World War I movie The Lighthorsemen.
It's two years until the ACT's next election but minor parties are already making battle plans to overcome the tough odds they face to win a seat in the Legislative Assembly.

Members from the Australian Progressives, Reason Party ACT, Sustainable Australia and Liberal Democrats ACT will host a question and answer session at King O'Malley's pub at 6pm on Thursday.

Australia Progressive Partys, Robert Knight, Sustainable Australia Partys, John Haydon and ACT Liberal Democrats Jacob Gowor will attend Thursday's Q and A. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

Australian Progressives national president Robert Knight said ACT Labor had no interest in sharing power.

"We see Labor as on the nose, fairly arrogant about where they sit in political leadership in the ACT and I strongly feel the Canberra community would like to see them taken down a peg or two," Mr Knight said.
Julia Banks is an unlikely poster girl for much that is wrong with Australian politics. Successful in her own right as a corporate lawyer, Banks was the only Liberal Party candidate to wrest a seat from Labor in the 2016 election.

Her victory in the Melbourne suburban seat of Chisholm meant the difference between Malcolm Turnbull retaining - or losing - power. Yet, less than three years later she is leaving politics in disgust at the thuggery that accompanied Turnbulls political assassination; and not just thuggery, by the way, but the self-serving childishness of it all.

Julia Banks and Malcolm Turnbull in his final days as prime minister. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Anyone who tunes in to question time in the House of Representatives  or catches snatches of this farce on the nightly news  would share this concern.

Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of one of the least edifying moments in the countrys political history, including allegations of bullying, the Banks episode reveals a much wider malaise, even crisis, in Australian public life.
Highly sensitive personal information used in the security vetting of top government officials is being transported by commercial couriers and held by private contractors with patchy cyber security, sparking concerns about the risks of large-scale outsourcing of a system intended to safeguard national secrets.

The Australian Government Security Vetting Agency's processing of security clearances for officials has for years been plagued by delays, with the agency groaning under the weight of increased demand and a backlog of cases. The average wait time for the highest clearance level, known as "positive vetting", is sitting at almost 15 months.

In its efforts to slash the delays, the agency has enlisted 22 contractors who are now processing 85 per cent of assessments, according to evidence heard by a parliamentary committee in Canberra. At least 14 of the contractors are conducting positive vetting clearances, required by department secretaries, senior military officers, agency heads and other key officials who access top secret intelligence.

The Department of Defence headquarters in Canberra. Credit:Andrew Taylor

Security clearances are used to ensure officials can be trusted with classified information and are not vulnerable to blackmail and coercion by foreign intelligence agencies or criminal organisations. As part of the exhaustive positive vetting process, individuals must provide highly-detailed employment, financial, sexual, medical, psychological, family, drug and alcohol histories stretching back years.
In the political point scoring over the Dutton au pair controversy, theres a danger that the value of discretion in the operation of bureaucracies will be lost.

French au pair Alexandra Deuwel was held in detention until Peter Dutton intervened. Credit:Facebook

Discretion to interpret rules is rarely ecountered by those attempting the unpleasant, sometimes frightening experience of applying to Home Affairs for residency in Australia

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The Client Service Charter of the Department of Home Affairs claims it is "Fair, open and reasonable in all that we do". It also says, "We welcome your feedback to ensure we meet our commitment and continually improve our service delivery." These are false claims.
Teaching graduates will need a credit average in their degree and must prove "superior" emotional and cognitive intelligence to be allowed to apply for a job in NSW public schools.

Under new standards to be set by the NSW government, applicants with online-only degrees will be sent to the end of the queue and students' practical teaching experience will be heavily scrutinised.

NSW education minister Rob Stokes. Credit:Simone Cottrell

Applicants will also have to show a committment to the values of public education. The standards will apply to students beginning their education degree in 2019, and will not affect existing teachers.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the policy was aimed at ensuring that the NSW Department of Education only hired the best teachers possible amid a boom in the number of graduates entering the job market.
Washington: US President Donald Trump's decision to skip two major summits in Asia in November could stoke concerns in the region about the United State's reliability as a counterweight to China.

Vice-President Mike Pence will instead go to Singapore for the 18-nation summit hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, before heading to Papua New Guinea for an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering. The APEC summit is normally attended by 21 leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

The decision removes a potential avenue for Trump to meet with Xi as a trade war between the US and China deepens. The US is leaning toward a fresh round of tariffs against Chinese imports, this time for $US200 billion ($280 billion) in goods, in what would mark a significant escalation. Xi and Trump are expected to attend the Group of 20 summit in Argentina later in November, though.
Pink is clearly loving her time in NZ and we're loving having her here!!

She's performing seven shows in NZ and has already kicked them off, performing in Dunedin on Saturday. Since touching down in NZ, Pink has been active on her Instagram about how much she loves NZ!

She posted a video from the stage in Dunedin as she rehearsed, hashtagging it with "#newzealandisfullofnicepeople". Awww!
Bruce Ohr (C), a Justice Department official demoted from the posts of associate deputy attorney general and director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, leaves for a lunch break from a closed hearing with the House Judiciary and House Oversight and Government Reform committees on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Aug. 28, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

2015 Employment of Nellie Ohr by Fusion GPS Raises New Questions

News Analysis

One of the bombshell admissions from the closed-door testimony of DOJ official Bruce Ohr was that his wife, Nellie Ohr, was already working for opposition research firm Fusion GPS in late 2015.

Previously, it had been reported that Nellie Ohr was hired to find dirt on then-candidate Donald Trump in the spring of 2016.

Ohr testified that Fusion approached his wife for a job and that she began working for the research firm in late 2015, the Daily Caller reported.

In addition to the new time frame for Nellie Ohrs employment, Bruce Ohr also confirmed that former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, FBI agent Peter Strzok, and FBI special counsel Lisa Page all knew he was talking to former British MI6 spy, Christopher Steele, who compiled the now-infamous opposition research dossier on Trump, which was used as the core evidence of an application for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to surveil Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page.

More importantly, Ohr also informed Justice Department prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about his dossier-related work and interactions with Steele. Ohr made these internal disclosures before Weissmann joined special counsel Robert Muellers probe into allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The Mueller team has known of Ohrs involvement with the Steele dossier from the start of their formal investigation.

These events are likely intertwined. To understand why, we need to revisit an April 26, 2017, unsealed FISA court ruling that was declassified by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

There is a staggering amount of information contained within the ruling, including these two disclosures:

NSA estimates that approximately 85 percent of those queries, representing [Redacted] queries conducted by approximately [Redacted] targeted offices, were not compliant with the applicable minimization procedures.

The FBI had disclosed raw FISA information, including but not limited to Section 702-acquired information, to a [Redacted]  is largely staffed by private contractors  the [Redacted] contractors had access to raw FISA information that went well beyond what was necessary to respond to the FBIs requests.

The court said these practices had been going on since at least November 2015 and noted that there is no apparent reason to believe the November 2015April 2016 period coincided with an unusually high error rate.

The FISA court also pointed out that the government couldnt say how, when, or where the noncompliant information was used. Once an individual had access to the information, it could no longer be traced or tracked.

What the FISA court disclosed is alarming in its simplicity.

Illegal NSA database searches were endemic. Private contractors, employed by the FBI, were given full access to the NSA database. Once in their possession, the FISA data couldnt be traced.

Which brings us back to the original question: What was Nellie Ohr doing in 2015? And who were the FBIs private contractors?

Theres been a long-held suspicion that the FBI was improperly accessing the NSAs Section 702 database in order to mine for data on the Trump campaign. Former CIA Director John Brennan appeared to allude to this in a recent interview with MSNBCs Rachel Maddow:

Any time we would incidentally collect information on a U.S. person, we would hand that over to the FBI because they have the legal authority to do it.

Given the involvement of Steele and Fusion GPS in the dossiers creation and dissemination, its been speculated that Fusion GPS may have been one of the private contractors referenced in the FISA court ruling. The 2015 hiring of Nellie Ohr falls exactly within the timeline outlined in the FISA court ruling.

Bruce and Nellie Ohr have known Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson since at least 2010, and Steele since at least 2006. The Ohrs and Simpson worked together on a DOJ report in 2010. In that report, Nellie Ohrs biography lists her as working for Open Source Works, which is part the CIA.

Open Source Works describes itself as the Intelligence Communitys experts in collecting and analyzing publicly available information in support of national security.

This multi-lingual staff uses a global collection infrastructure to bring the latest foreign, political, military, economic and technical information to the attention of policy makers, analysts and other consumers within the U.S. government, it says.

Nellie Ohr is a specialist in Russia and is fluent in the Russian language.

The FISA court ruling is heavily redacted and the names of the private contractors havent been disclosed. Declassification of this document will likely help reveal much in regards to abuses of FISA procedures.

Bruce Ohrs testimony apparently revealed some other problems, as well. Kimberley Strassel of The Wall Street Journal disclosed the following in a recent opinion piece:

Congressional sources tell me that Mr. Ohr revealed Tuesday that he verbally warned the FBI that its source had a credibility problem, alerting the bureau to Mr. Steeles leanings and motives. He also informed the bureau that Mrs. Ohr was working for Fusion and contributing to the dossier project.

Assuming Ohrs testimony under oath is accurate, the FBI ignored his warnings and used the Steele dossier as the primary evidence to obtain a FISA warrant on Carter Page, without disclosing Ohrs significant conflicts of interest to the FISA court.

The assumption behind this disclosure is one thats been raised before.

Violation of the FBIs Woods Procedures

As former FBI director Mueller himself noted:

The goal of the procedures is to ensure accuracy with regard to:

The facts supporting probable cause; the existence and nature of any related criminal investigations or prosecutions involving the subject of the FISA; and the existence and nature of any of any prior or ongoing asset relationship between the subject and the FBI.

Documentation showing that certain steps have been accomplished must be attached to every initiation and renewal FISA package before it is sent for certification.  The form also requires confirmation that field offices have verified the accuracy of facts alleged in the form, the document reads.

In the case of the Carter Page FISA application and its subsequent renewals, this procedure doesnt appear to have been followed.

Its likely that more details from Bruce Ohrs testimony will trickle out in the coming weeks. Nellie Ohr has been referred for testimony by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.). What she has to say is likely to prove most interesting.

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
99-Year-Old New York Man Walks 6 Miles a Day to Visit Wife

A 99-year-old New York man walks six miles a day to visit his beloved wife of 55 years in the hospital.

Luther Younger lives in the city of Rochester, and as a former Marine who fought in the Korean War, hes known for being strong and independent. He even runs part of the three miles each way from his home to Strong Memorial Hospital, according to CBS.

Youngers wife Waverlee is paralyzed and has suffered from brain cancer since 2009.

My dads always walked. He says he does it to stay alive, his daughter Lutheta Younger told Spectrum News. He still says, Nope I have to get out there to my wife. I have to go.

ACT OF LOVE: This 99-year-old man walks six miles every single day  no matter the weather  to visit his wife in the hospital. And listening to him talk about her will renew your faith in love. https://t.co/1yuoLLIxNG pic.twitter.com/r7ja7ZFd3y  CBS News (@CBSNews) September 1, 2018

A Great Marriage

Luther Younger loves to talk about his marriage and praises his wife.

Shes the best cup of tea I ever had. She would come in and kiss me and say baby and feed me in the bed and this is what I need right here, he said.

I dont want to talk about nothing except my wife, the Korean War veteran added to CBS. He said he could wait for the bus or have his daughter give him a ride but he doesnt want to wait for a ride.

She is a beautiful lady and she treats me as a person is supposed to be  she made a man out of me, he said. Thats why I love her, because shes tough. Shes not weak  Thats the kind of woman I want.

Younger and Waverlee met in a laundromat and got married at their house; they had Lutheta together, and Youngers wife also helped him raise children from a previous relationship of his. He credited her with making it as long as he has.

She wasnt easy. She was the type of person, if you didnt work, you got to go. And I had to work, he said. Thats why Im sticking with her, because if it hadnt been for my wife, I wouldnt have made it.

Check it out! I donated to 'Luther and Waverlee Younger'  https://t.co/l5x2ehEQLG via @gofundme  Sondra Gail Adam (@SGailAdam) September 1, 2018

He Wants to Walk

People often recognize him while driving by and will sometimes offer him a ride but he always declines, according to the broadcaster.

People tell me to act my ageyeah, right. Theyre jealous because I dont drink, I dont smoke, because its no good. I wouldnt be here [if I did], he said.

Lutheta said she tries to arrange rides for her father but he is often on his own schedule.

My dad says it keeps him alive, it keeps him going, she said.

The attention on the family has grown and a GoFundMe fundraiser has raised over $56,000 for Waverlees medical care as of September 1.

From NTD.tv
Thousands in German City of Chemnitz Join Rival Protests Over Immigration

Thousands of both opponents and supporters of Germanys liberal immigration policies marched through the eastern city of Chemnitz, where the fatal stabbing of a German man, allegedly by two migrants, had previously sparked protests and street violence.

Clashes were averted Sept. 1, as police kept the rival protests from crossing paths and arrested unruly individuals who threatened to shatter the tense calm.

Heavy reinforcements from across Germany were brought in after police admitted to being caught off-guard and shorthanded as last weeks protests in Chemnitz turned violent, triggered by an Aug. 27 deadly knife attack, allegedly committed by an Iraqi and Syrian.

Two suspects have been arrested and face manslaughter charges in the stabbing death of 35-year-old Daniel Hillig, whose portrait was carried during a Sept. 1 procession organized by the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD).

An estimated 6,000 people took part in the march, with demonstrators carrying German flags and shouting Merkel must go!

Germany has seen the influx of more than 1.6 million asylum seekers in the past four years, mainly Muslims from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, triggering fears that mass migration might undercut social stability.

Heart Instead of Hate

Earlier on Sept. 1, about 3,500 demonstrators marched under the slogan Heart instead of Hate in support of German Chancellor Angela Merkels decision to open Germanys borders to migrants. The demonstrators also denounced far-right extremists, some of whom reportedly roamed the streets of Chemnitz in the aftermath of last weeks stabbing, allegedly seeking to carry out revenge attacks.

Merkel decried Hilligs killing at a news conference in Berlin last week, and spoke out against vigilante justice as something that has no place in a state under the rule of law.

At one point on Sept. 1, a group of black-clad Antifa extremists tried to attack the AfD-led march, but were prevented by police.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, known for his anti-migrant stance, said Sept. 1 that he understood why the people in Chemnitz and elsewhere are upset about the brutal killing, but added, Theres no excuse for violence, Funke Media Group reported.

We need a strong state and we have to do everything politically to overcome the polarization and division of our society, Seehofer stressed.

The protests ended without violence, with Saxony police tweeting, The overwhelming majority are behaving peacefully. For those looking for trouble, we say that we remain heavily deployed in the city, and we repeat our request: Stay peaceful!

The flow of migrants coming to Germany has slowed significantly in recent years, in part because of backlash to Merkels open-door policy.

According to figures provided by the Asylum Information Database, the number of recorded asylum applications in Germany for 2017 was 222,683, compared to 745,545 in the previous year.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Baby Fawn Stuck in Fence Rescued by Oregon Police Officer

A police officer in Oregon rescued a baby fawn wedged in a fence on Aug. 30.

The rescue took place in Eugene after a passerby walking with her children reported seeing the small deer stuck in a picket fence in the backyard of a house.

Youre okay. Were going to get you out of here, said Shawni McLaughlin, an officer with the Animal Welfare unit of the Eugene Police Department, told the fawn.

The fawn had tried jumping over the fence and landed between the boards, reported the Oregonian.

McLaughlin was able to free the fawn using gloves and a towel. Video footage captured by the officers body camera captured the encounter.

The animal appeared confused after initially becoming free, lying on the ground for a few seconds. After a few moments, the fawn was able to get up and go on its way.

Reactions

A number of social media users reacted to the video.

Yeah! Good job officer! said one Facebook user.

Hey, I know her. Good work!! added another.

Thank you! added yet another.

Deer in Oregon

Deer populations are present in most of the United States, and Oregon is no exception.

There are four types of deer in the state, according to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife: white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, and Columbian white-tailed deer.

The black-tailed deer is small, darker, and frequents dense, early seral forest communities, the department stated. The most distinguishing feature of the black-tailed deer is the tail. Although not as long or wide as that of the white-tail, it is much larger than that of the mule deer.

The mule deer, like the black deer a subspecies of the Odocoileus hemionus, is the larger member and has long ears and a short tail. Mule deer occur throughout Oregon east of the Cascade Range, and in summer, they range into the Cascades. The deer rest by lying on their chests and bellies with legs tucked under. Mule deer are able to detect danger at long range, and when danger is detected they may hide, move away stealthily, or flee, the department stated.

White-tailed deer is the smallest cervid in Oregon and has the distinguishing feature of a long,wide tail. The tail is typically visible, especially when the deer are startled as the animal raises its tail when surprised.

The department added: White-tailed deer, when flushed, travel by graceful strides interspersed with leaps. During flight, the tail is held erect and wagged gracefully from side to side. In general, white-tailed deer tend to be active crepuscularly, but activity is affected by humidity, barometric pressure, human disturbance and other environmental variables. White-tail deer tend to be gregarious, with groupings usually being matriarchal or fraternal.

From NTD.tv
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters, Sept. 20, 2016 in New York City. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Canada and Saudi Arabia at Loggerheads

When a house cat starts a fight with a wild cat, the results are unlikely to favor the house cat.

And so, Canada has stumbled into a pissing match with Saudi Arabia. It appears to be one of those instances when Canadian sanctimony over ran its appreciation of political realities and consequences are being suffered.

And instead of muting its pronouncements, Ottawa has doubled down in its criticism.

To lay out some parameters. Saudi Arabia is not Sweden; it does not adhere to League of Women Voters niceties. It is an absolute monarchy run on very restrictive social and cultural religious precepts.

Its concern for the human rights so intensely valued by Western states is peripheral. Its laws, including capital punishment, are brutally enforced, including amputations for theft and beheadings for a variety of crimes.

Read More Riyadh Overreacts to Canadian Stand on Womens Rights

Saudis major asset is massive oil reserves that provide the country disproportionate global political and economic leverage, prompting outside observers to look past the many internal infelicities that it evidences.

There are, however, if not winds of change, some low velocity zephyrs suggesting incremental political and cultural change. The current de facto if not de jure leader, Muhammad bin Salman (MBS), has announced ambitious plans to bring Saudi closer to modern norms economically and culturally. In his view, inter alia Saudi will become much less dependent on oil production and expand the rights of its citizens, notably including women.

How will this be done? The aphorism regarding how porcupines make love applies: Very carefully.

Thus, in many respects, the right of a woman to drive a car unescorted is a tertiary item but became a talisman of change. And after extended delays, it was instituted on June 25.

Preceding this change, a Saudi female activist had been jailed for her persistent efforts for womens rights (she remains jailed).

The current contretemps began when the Saudis arrested two more human rights activists including award-winning womens rights campaigner Samar Badawi, who has challenged Saudis male guardianship laws.

Badawi also had close ties to several prominent rights activists, including her former husband Waleed Abu al-Khair, a lawyer serving a 15-year prison sentence for defending human rights. She is also the sister of Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger sentenced to public flogging and a 10-year prison sentence for dissenting views.

On Friday, Aug. 3, the Canadian ambassador tweeted We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release [my emphasis] them and all other peaceful activists.

The Saudis took umbrage: expelled the Canadian ambassador; recalled their ambassador; froze new trade, suspended flights, recalled thousands of students, barred its citizens from receiving medical care in Canada, and began dumping Canadas assets.

Canadians, however, doubled down with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasizing that Canada would never stop supporting human rights, and so on. One wonders, in passing, whether Canadian defense of women s rights would have been so categoric if Freeland had been male.

Notably, Canada received no support from other Western states.

Saudis also doubled down, arresting more activists and indicating that most would be subject to the death penalty, including a woman.

Clearly, however, this has not been the most adroit episode in Canadian diplomacy. One suspects they believed the Saudis would behave as punching bags, and no contingency plans were made or even contemplated as necessary.

Indeed, it had the same level of thought as evinced by Prime Minister Trudeau immediately following the end of the G-7 meeting when he superfluously repeated that he would not be bullied by the United States. This followed the rumor that the president had privately offered a desired NAFTA concession on the sunset clause. Senior U.S. government officials were vocally not amused, and, subsequently, there has been little bilateral progress on NAFTA in contrast to the progress with Mexico.

Canadians have ignored some realities, to wit, substantial numbers of Saudi women are believed to be satisfied with their existence.

The individuals involved are not Canadian citizens for whom they could legitimately campaign.

Moreover, demanding Saudis ignore their justice system, indicated Ottawas contempt for Saudi mores. Such, at a time when MBS had just made a major concession on women driving and needed to placate powerful Saudi religious conservatives.

Canada needs to learn that sanctimonious naivety has major limits even in soft power diplomacy. There is humble pie to be consumed and not by Mohamed bin Salman.

David T. Jones is a retired U.S. State Department senior foreign service career officer who has published several hundred books, articles, columns, and reviews on U.S.Canadian bilateral issues and general foreign policy. During a career that spanned over 30 years, he concentrated on politico-military issues, serving as an adviser for two Army chiefs of staff. Among his books is Alternative North Americas: What Canada and the United States Can Learn from Each Other.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese schoolchildren attend class at the Shiniuzhai Puan Center Primary School in Pingjiang County in China's Hunan Province, on Oct. 8, 2015. (Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese Police Detain 46 People at Protest Against Education System in Leiyang City

BEIJINGChinese police in Leiyang City said 46 people were detained after bottles, bricks, and firecrackers were thrown at officers and government officials during a protest by about 600 people against problems in the education system.

In a statement on its official microblog account, Leiyang police, in Chinas southern Hunan Province said, on Sept. 2 the people were taken into custody for disturbing public order and damaging police facilities during the protest outside a police station, which occurred late on Sept. 1.

People angry about the difficulty of enrolling their children at public schools protested and blocked roads near six schools and a government building, police said.

According to a Sept. 2 Voice of America report, Leiyang public school authorities, citing a lack of funds, had recently relocated some fifth- and sixth-grade students to lesser-quality locally run schools. Parents of those children also had to pay expensive tuition.

The protesters, who aired their grievances to Leiyang Mayor Li Xiangyang at the government building, moved on to the police station where the projectiles were thrown, injuring more than 30 officers and damaging vehicles, police said.

A police officer from Hengyang City, whose jurisdiction includes Leiyang City, later told Reuters that 41 of the people have since been released.

The Leiyang Education Bureau didnt answer telephone calls from Reuters seeking comment outside of regular business hours on Sept. 2.

By Stella Qiu, Judy Hua & Ben Blanchard. Epoch Times staff member Annie Wu contributed to this report.
Choking Victim Teen Seeking Stranger Who Saved His Life

Cody Kennedy was choking.

He was driving home on Aug. 30 on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Plainfield, Indiana, when he began to feel dizzy and had to pull over.

I started blacking out a little bit and started going numb, thats when I realized I needed to stop right then and there and get out, he said, WXIN reported.

Kennedy pulled over, and he fell right to the ground near the median strip after opening the door.

Within 20 seconds, a man from a UPS vehicle came to his aid.

He knew what was going on, Kennedy told WXIN. I did the Heimlich maneuver sign. He came up and said Buddy, this may hurt a little bit.

He came down and he grabbed his hands around my chest and just one-two-three and the SweeTART came flying out.

When medics arrived, the UPS driver left. Kennedy didnt get a chance to ask his name, but he can recall the strangers appearance. According to Kennedy, the UPS driver was African-American and wore glasses.

He had a good-looking beard, it was nice, Kennedy told WXIN.

Kennedy also didnt get a chance to thank the man who saved his life.

Helping Others

I just want to find him to say thank you, Kennedy told WXIN. Maybe it wasnt a big thing to him at the moment but its the difference between life and death.

Kennedy had been working to become a firefighter.

Something about being in a burning building and helping people, saving their lives, people in their time of need, being that person to help them, I like it, Kennedy said.

The teen did not expect that he would be the one in need that daynor did he expect just how grateful he would be to the man who rescued him.

I could say thank you over and over again, but it wont stress enough how thankful I am, he said.

Heimlich Maneuver

Choking occurs when the flow of air is blocked in the throat or windpipe. Two common approaches are employed in this emergency situationabdominal thrusts and back blows.

The UPS driver performed an abdominal thrust on Kennedy. To dislodge the candy, the UPS driver would have had to stand behind the teen and wrap his warms around the teens waist, and use his hands to push on the bottom of the diaphragm.

Another approach is delivering back blows. The choking victims upper body should be positioned parallel to the ground. The person helping the victim should use the heel of their hand to hit the back of the victims shoulder blades.

According to the Mayo Clinic, in a choking emergency, the victim is encouraged to cough forcefully. Meanwhile, the person lending aid should deliver five back blows and five abdominal thrusts, and continue until the foreign object is dislodged, according to recommendations from The American Red Cross.

The American Heart Association only recommends abdominal thrusts, according to the Mayo clinic. [Correction: AHA also recommend back slaps for children who are choking.]

Abdominal thrusts are also known as the Heimlich Maneuver, named after Dr. Henry Heimlich. Heimlich said that back slaps can cause death by pushing the foreign objects into the windpipe.

From NTD.tv
The Gwadar Port in Pakistan, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project that China has invested in as part of Its 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. Beijing also has ambitions to extend the initiative to the Arctic, opening up shipping routes that would form a Polar Silk Road. (Amelie Herenstein/AFP/Getty Images)

Economic Armaments and Chinas Global Ambitions

The regime's strategies are a strange mix of socialism and imperialism

A leading component of current economic worries is the use of economic armaments by governments to gain political and market advantages in their foreign relations with other countries. Among the leading participants in the use of such economic armaments is the Chinese communist regime.

First, what are economic armaments? In the 1930s, the term was used in reference to attempts for economic self-sufficiency. For instance, the Swiss classical liberal economist and political scientist William E. Rappard (18831958) gave the following definition in a 1936 lecture delivered in London titled The Common Menace of Economic and Military Armaments:

By economic armaments we mean all those legislative and administrative devices intended to restrict imports and develop domestic production with a view of reducing international interdependence. Economic armaments are the tools of economic nationalism. Economic nationalism may be defined as the policy of national self-sufficiency. As, in spite of all their efforts, all States must continue to import and as none can live on the charity of its neighbors, they must all continue to export in order to secure the foreign exchange necessary for the purchase abroad of what they lack at home. Economic nationalism therefore everywhere recommends both the promotion of exports and the restriction of imports. Considered from that of the world community, economic nationalism is obviously a self-contradictory policy.

And even the Chinese proponents of economic nationalism understand they need imports of raw materials to achieve the China 2025 goals of becoming self-sufficient and dominant in a few key industries.

Economic Weaponry for Import and Export Planning

But, nonetheless, many governments do attempt to use various economic policy tools  economic weapons  to attain what they consider political and economic advantages for their own nation at the expense of their global rivals. They impose tariffs, quotas, and various regulatory restrictions on the importation of certain goods to limit the types and quantities of foreign-produced products offered for sale in their home country. The purpose is to protect or foster a domestic industry that might not be profitable to fully maintain or bring into existence under a regime of greater competition.

Or governments provide tax breaks or subsidies and other financial inducements to cover all or a part of the production costs a domestic enterprise incurs, with the purpose of enabling it to sustain its domestic market share or to be able to match the lower prices of its foreign rivals selling their goods in other markets around the world. Import-restricting policy weapons may be considered as a governments defensive economic armaments and its export-fostering policies as its offensive economic armaments.

Lets take a brief look at China in this regard. Many Chinese have experienced a dramatic transformation in their quality and standard of life during the last 30 years. For centuries, China had only known poverty, pestilence, and famine. Under the tyrannical reign of Chairman Mao, the people of China experienced disastrous socialist central planning debacles in the 1950s and 1960s; equally destructive was Maos Cultural Revolution during the 10 years preceding his death in 1976.

The economic reforms introduced by Maos Communist successors, beginning in the late 1970s, permitted partial private initiative in agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce, which has set loose the amazing industry and trading acumen often observed for a very long time among Chinese living outside of China.

Chinas Domestic Economic-Planning Agenda

But these reforms in China have not been those of a truly free market policy agenda. They were planned, regulated, and constrained by the Communist Party. The planning authorities in Beijing determined the types and forms of private enterprises. Chinas central bank was directed about which investment projects to fund, in what amounts, at what subsidized interest charges, and in what areas of the country, which often has had nothing to do with real market-based and market-directed profitability.

Dazzling infrastructure projects, massive modern cities rising out of nowhere (often standing empty), massive manufacturing facilities directed to specialize in particular industrial tasks and geared for selling in targeted foreign markets, the selection of permitted foreign investors to operate within China (with various political and fiscally corrupt purposes in mind), the controlling of the use and sharing of mass electronic media through censorship, and the planning of technological research and development  all of these have been the Chinese governments domestic policy weapons to design and direct the development of a new, post-Mao China.

Giddy with domestic success, the Chinese leadership under President Xi Jinping went public in 2013 with the declared goal of making China great again on the international stage of global power politics. In President Xis mind and those of other members of the communist entourage in Beijing, for two centuries China had suffered political, economic, and cultural humiliation at the hands of the British, the French, the Americans, and the Japanese. China was taken advantage of because of bad trade deals and foreign military intervention imposed on the countrys imperial government in the 1800s and then continued in the first half of the 1900s when the country had a weak central government and plundering warlords who controlled different parts of the country.

Chinas One Belt and One Road Neo-Imperialist Designs

But now China is positioning itself as the major international rival of the United States for world political and economic domination. If the 20th century was the American century, the 21st century is supposed to be Chinas time, at least according to the Chinese. The economic armaments to bring this about were presented as the One Belt and One Road Initiative, earlier this decade. This represents Chinas planned neo-imperialist strategy for restoring the country as the Middle Kingdom around which the rest of the world will revolve.

President Xi and the Chinese Communist leadership accept the Leninist interpretation of imperialism, in which capitalist countries extend their exploitative control to the underdeveloped parts of the world to gain access to needed resources and raw materials for further profitable industrialization of the capitalist home countries.

According to this theory, the capitalist countries come into conflict with each other in the pursuit of maintaining their imperialist power over these less developed parts of the globe, a conflict out of which some industrial nations will remain standing as the others fall by the wayside. This futile attempt to sustain the capitalist system by extending it around the world ends up leading to the eventual triumph of socialism  or so Lenin and other Marxists have believed.

Clearly guided by this Marxist-Leninist interpretation of imperialism, President Xi has instructed the undertaking of development and infrastructure projects in countries in South Asia and Africa through multibillion-dollar loans and investment projects that will make these countries economically dependent on and politically subservient to their financial masters in Beijing.

The road part of the One Belt and One Road Initiative requires the creation of a network of tightly woven economic relationships connecting China with countries in Southeast Asia and across the Indian Ocean to Africa. The belt component of Chinas neo-imperialist strategy is the opening of trade routes through infrastructure projects in the countries of former Soviet Central Asia and the Middle East, leading China to Europe.

Chinas Economic Designs in Africa

President Xis vision is of a Eurasian landmass under the economic domination and political influence of the Chinese regime. Satellite continents like Africa are to supply the raw materials to feed Chinas industrial and technological growth in the coming decades.

The Chinese dangle huge, corruption-inducing sums of money in front of African government officials in return for often-exclusive monopoly concessions for access, mining, and extraction of crucial production inputs. The resulting debts burden many of these African or Asian governments, which makes them dependent on the Chinese for new bridge loans, refinancing of debt coming due, or partial debt forgiveness to remain economically afloat.

At the same time, just as 19th-century Western nations had military bases around the globe to maintain their imperial power, so the Chinese are attempting to gain exclusive control over commercial port facilities in a number of these countries through long-term leases handsomely paid for by Chinese companies that are fronts for the communist regime in Beijing. To this has been added Chinas first formal foreign military base in the East African nation of Djibouti at the southern end of the Red Sea, which is nominally rationalized as being needed so China can help in the protection of Indian Ocean shipping threatened by pirate ships.

If imperialism has been the Western capitalist nations playbook in the past for world domination, then the communists dedicated to the rebirth of Chinas national socialism with Chinese characteristics can use the same methods and techniques to bring China to its place in the sun, or so they imagine.

Chinas Understanding of Free Trade Imperialism

While the Chinese government in the face of Donald Trumps threats of retaliation presents itself as a good player of multilateral free trade on the international scene, theirs is, again, a neo-Marxist view of what is sometimes called free trade imperialism.

In the last decades of the 19th century, the imperial German government moved away from economic liberalism and back toward domestic interventionism, welfare statism, and trade protectionism. Their ideological apologists known as the German historical school insisted that British advocacy of free trade was a ruse for British industry to gain control of foreign markets that could not match Germanys own manufacturing cost-efficiencies, leaving those countries importing British goods and in a state of permanent underdeveloped dependency.

Chinas Planned and Corrupt Marketplace

Chinas Communist leadership realized it needed foreign technological know-how, foreign capitalist investment in strategic sectors of the Chinese economy, and importation of various managerial skills and commodities. Rather than the older economic policy weapon of prohibiting foreign involvement in these areas and creating a center of economic isolation and self-sufficiency, the Chinese government has welcomed the foreign devil back into the Middle Kingdom, but on strictly controlled conditions to avoid falling into economic dependency again.

The controls have been part of Chinas domestic economic armaments to serve the national interest as defined in the grand schemes of the Communist Party. Such a politicized environment of domestic and foreign investment and manufacturing around the country has also provided the cultivatable soil for bribes, kickbacks, and corrupt connections in the network of municipal authorities, members of the Chinese military, and local and national decision-makers in the Communist hierarchy.

What in 19th-century China was called the squeeze  that is, just the right amount of political leverage over someones profit or loss that they had a strong incentive to show their financial appreciation to those determining their economic success or failure  has remained alive and well for those in power to extract political profits (rents) from both Chinese and foreign enterprisers desiring to do business in modern China.

Chinas Fiscal Overreaches at Home and Abroad

In addition, the heavy hand of the government in virtually every corner of Chinese economic life has meant huge amounts of investment capital have been directed to projects likely to be shown at some point in the future as serious if not severe malinvestments of labor and capital.

The Bank for International Settlements estimates that nonfinancial debt in China is around $30 trillion, part of which could easily end up nonperforming if an economic crisis emerged in China. The Chinese central governments debt is over $4 trillion, and Chinese local-government debt is figured to be about $2.5 trillion. But if local government-business partnerships are included in this number (because if they go bad, the municipal authorities likely would be responsible for their debts), Chinese local-government debt rises by an additional $2.7 trillion, for an overall $5.2 trillion. This means Chinas total government debt is around $10 trillion.

With a gross domestic product of $12 trillion in 2017, Chinese government debt is nearing 100 percent of GDP. The debt-to-GDP ratio is 400 percent if private sector debt connected directly or indirectly to the government is included, since little happens in the private sector that does not have its ties to the Communist government.

The One Road and One Belt Initiative has been estimated to have the ambitious price tag of between $900 billion and $1 trillion. Any partial or total defaults on loans and investments made by the Chinese government and its crony partners to foreign governments or their agencies would increase the financial strain on the Chinese governments fiscal affairs.

This picture does not include Chinas social-insurance problems as its population continues to age. Private and government resources will be allocated to meet the retirement expenses of the growing number of elders in the society. The United Nations calculates that in 20 years the Chinese aged will make up over 20 percent of the total population. This too will place a drag on the Chinese governments foreign-policy spending ambitions, given its socialist obligation to care for the elderly, especially since many analysts say the shortfall in the Chinese pension system is rising rapidly.

Backlash

There is also the fact that imperialism is not so popular with a growing number of those at the receiving end of the imperialists activities. For years, resentment and hostility have been increasing in a number of African countries that have been recipients of Chinese investment, loans, and aid.

The Chinese workers and managers sent to oversee infrastructure creation and other activities have been found to be insulated from and arrogant toward the natives of the host country. Huge sums of money are seen to line the pockets of the local political plunderers with nothing to show from the Chinese projects other than accumulated debt, with investments perceived as offering few if any real opportunities for the citizens in those nations. Thus the Chinese have discovered that imperialists usually are not popular, whether they are European or Asian.

The government of Sri Lanka became unable to meet its debt payments on Chinese loans. The Chinese demanded the Sri Lankan government make good on its financial promises and got that nations authorities to turn over control of a major port facility to a Chinese government-controlled harbor-engineering firm, as part of a 99-year lease agreement that included over 23 square miles of land around the harbor.

The recently elected government in Malaysia, however, has said it is not interested in extending or adding to the number of unequal treaties involving Chinese infrastructure projects that offer little return other than tens of billions of dollars of increased Malaysian national debt. Others are, for the time being, enthusiastic about relations with China, such as the Pakistani government, which looks for closer Chinese connections as a counterweight to both India and the United States and as a source of more military weaponry. But even it drew the line when China wanted control over the construction of a dam project where China wanted full control of security.

The Chinese hope to use their economic weaponry to establish their place under the global-political sun during the 21st century. But if there is one thing economic theory and historical experience suggest, it is that central planning almost never works in the ways the social engineers expect, and it carries with it numerous unintended consequences the central planners can neither anticipate nor master, which many Western governments found out the hard way.

The Chinese regimes insistence on making China great again through various forms of command and control at home and abroad suggests China will find out the hard way too.

Dr. Richard M. Ebeling is the BB&T Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Free Enterprise Leadership at the military college The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina. This article was first published by AIER.org

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Family of Murdered Colorado Mother Shanann Watts Wants Justice

PINEHURST, N.C.Shanann Watts will be remembered as a woman of love and her two young two daughters as being filled with life and joy, a priest said Saturday, Sept. 1, during a funeral service for the slain Colorado family found at an oil work site.

The hourlong service included no reference to 33-year-old Christopher Watts, the husband and father charged in the killings.

Police said he killed his 34-year-old pregnant wife and their daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste, inside the familys suburban Denver home then dumped their bodies on his former employers property.

Family Wants Justice

During the funeral at a Catholic church, Father John Forbes read comments aloud from Shanann Wattss father, mother, and brother.

Watts is from North Carolina; the couple moved to Colorado shortly after they married about six years ago.

You are nothing but pure love, always caring for everyone, her father, Frank Rzucek, wrote. You will always be daddys little girl.

Read More Shanann Watts Funeral Announced as Obituary Remembers Colorado Mother

Mom, Nonna, loves you with all her soul, she wrote.Forbes said the victims mother, Sandra Onorati Rzucek, described Shanann as a fireball and asked God to give all our love to her daughter and grandchildren.

Forbes said Shanann Wattss family would like to see good come from the tragedy, including a law that would recognize the lives of unborn children such as their grandson.

They do not desire vengeance and death, but justice and life, Forbes said.

Family members said Shanann Watts was 15 weeks pregnant with a boy who she planned to name Nico.

Colorado is one of 12 states without a law broadly allowing for homicide charges in the violent death of fetuses.

Prosecutors have charged Christopher Watts with murder and other charges, including unlawful termination of a pregnancy, a felony.

Bodies Found

A friend asked police on Aug. 13 to check on Shanann Watts and her children after she could not reach them via text or phone.

Police searched the familys home in Frederick and found Shanann Wattss purse and phone still there.

Chris Watts remains in a Colorado jail without bail and has not yet entered a plea. During interviews with television stations before his arrest, he spoke about missing his family.

Prosecutors have said the girls bodies had been submerged for days inside a tank holding crude oil and their mother was buried in a shallow grave.

Authorities said Chris Watts told investigators that he killed his wife because she had strangled their daughters after he told her he wanted to separate.

Prosecutors, though, charged him with killing all three family members.

From NTD.tv
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers his speech during the 134th Durham Miners Gala on July 14, 2018, in Durham, England. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

UK Opposition Leader Corbyn Faces Pressure Over Anti-Semitism Accusations as Lawmaker Quits

The British Labour Party has become a force for anti-Semitism under Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran lawmaker claimed as he cut ties with the leadership to vote as an independent.

On Aug. 30, veteran MP Frank Fieldan early Corbyn supporterannounced that hes withdrawing as Labour whip (meaning he will vote as an independent). And other lawmakers are threatening to follow suit.

Some 15 lawmakers in the Labour Partythe main opposition party in the UKare also mulling the creation of a breakaway party, according to the Times.

The threat comes as the party, which has lurched to the left under would-be British prime minister Corbyn, prepares to vote on Sept. 4, about whether to change a controversial internal policy document related a definition of anti-Semitism.

Photographs recently surfaced showing Corbyn at a wreath-laying ceremony in Tunisia in 2014, apparently honoring the terrorists who killed Israeli Olympians in the 1972 Munich attack.

Later, footage emerged from 2013 of Corbyn saying a group of British Zionists had no sense of English irony.

They were the latest events that critics say demonstrate that Corbyn and his close allies are anti-Semiticsomething he has strenuously denied.

But analysts said Corbyns controversial stance reflects his broader unyielding anti-Western ideology rather than being than motivated by anti-Semitism, per se.

Culture of Intolerance, Nastiness, and Intimidation

Field also said a culture of intolerance, nastiness, and intimidation now reigns in too many parts of the Party nationally.

According to The Telegraph, another three MPs are ready to follow suit. Former minister Lord Blunkett said the anti-Semitism row should prompt a rethinking of the so-called Corbyn project, he wrote in The Telegraph.

Blunkett also drew a parallel between current bullying and thuggery and what he experienced when the communist entryist group known as the Militant Tendency sought to take over the party in the 1980s.

Corbyn spent decades on the isolated hard-left wing of the Labour Party, before being boosted to the leadership position as a rank outsider in 2015, bolstered by a group called Momentum.

Party lawmakers have tried to oust Corbyn in the past, but were thwarted by a change of rules that gave more weight to the views of the quickly growing public membership rallied under Momentum.

Moderates in the party have complained that some lawmakers have been purged through threats and manipulation of the internal workings of the party.

Rumbling concerns of anti-Semitism cracked into a full storm over the summer after the Labour Party refused to adopt the internationally standard definition of anti-Semitism, claiming it restricted the capacity to criticise Israel and Zionism.

Three British Jewish newspapers wrote a joint editorial saying that the party under Corbyn is an existential threat.

Anti-Imperialists Are Friends

Following weeks of pressure, on Sept. 4, the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party will again vote on whether to adopt wholesale the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of anti-Semitisman almost standard definition used by many organizations.

Corbyn has said that the definition would be a straight-jacket for critics of Israeli policies.

In July, lawmaker Dame Margaret Hodge threatened to take Labour to the High Court to prove that Corbyn is an anti-Semite, after the party investigated her for berating Corbyn over the anti-Semitism claims. The investigation was dropped.

To staunch supporters, Corbyn is the victim of a witch-hunt from opponents on the right and also from moderates within the Labour Party who have been waiting for the opportunity to dethrone him.

But longtime observers of the hard-left faction of British politics, including Labour members, say that the revelations simply reflect Corbyns unwavering anti-Western ideology, tempered through years on the hard-left wing of the party.

Anti-Western, anti-war and anti-American sentiment has long been a key element of the hard left in the UK, say Paul Anderson and Kevin Davey, authors of Moscow Gold? The Soviet Union and the British Left.

Leninist anti-imperialism continues to play a central role in shaping [Corbyns] thinking on foreign affairs, they wrote in an update to the conclusion of the book in 2016. If theres any guiding principle to Corbynism, its that the Westin other words, the U.S. and the other imperialist powersis always wrong.

In this worldview, from the IRA to Hamas, from Cuba to Hezbollah, from North Korea to Venezuela, anti-imperialists are friends usually deserving solidarityand a blind eye has to be turned to most of their flaws and their crimes, it continues.
Former Trump campaign associate Carter Page arrives at a courthouse in New York City, N.Y., on April 16, 2018. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Surveillance Court Held No Hearings Before Granting Carter Page Spy Warrants

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) held no hearings about the application requesting to spy on Carter Page, a U.S. citizen and former Trump campaign volunteer, according to court documents filed by the Justice Department relating to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed by government transparency watchdog Judicial Watch, requested documents related to hearings held by the FISC regarding an FBI application for a warrant to surveil Page. When the Department of Justice (DOJ) responded that no records exist that are responsive to the request, Judicial Watch took the matter to court.

Forced to explain the absence of records, the DOJ filed a court memorandum explaining that no records exist because no hearings were held. In the court documents filed on Aug. 30, Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad Readler wrote that the FISC typically considers FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] warrant applications based on written submissions and may decide matters without holding a hearing.

In light of recent public disclosures about Carter Page, NSD [National Security Division] confirms that it has conducted a reasonable search and that no such hearings were held with respect to the acknowledged FISA applications, Readler added.

Secret court judges arent required to hold hearings on FISC applications, but the lack of a hearing is likely to be questioned by supporters of President Donald Trump, since the request to spy on Page was filed in October 2016, shortly before the presidential election.

The timing of the warrant and the lack of a hearing are just the latest in a string of troubling revelations about the surveillance operation. Senior FBI and DOJ officials also failed to tell the court that the core of the evidence in the application is based on a dossier of unverified claims funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. The officials also failed to disclose that the dossiers author, former UK spy Christopher Steele, had an intense bias against Trump, according to senior DOJ official Bruce Ohr, who told the FBI that Steele was passionate about him not being president.

A copy of Steeles dossier made it into the FBIs possession through Ohr, who received it from his wife, Nellie Ohr, who herself was being paid by the same firm that commissioned Steele.

You have a Fake Dossier, gathered by Steele, paid by the Clinton team to get information on Trump, said former Secret Service member and political commentator Dan Bongino, as quoted by Trump on Twitter on Sept. 1.

The Dossier is Fake, nothing in it has been verified. It then filters into our American court system in order to spy on Barrack Obama and Hillary Clintons political opponent, Donald Trump, and now we find out that there wasnt even a hearingthat Donald Trumps 4th Amendment right to privacy was signed away and someone in there is swearing that this stuff is true, when it wasnt? This is the scandal herea police state, Bongino said.

The FBI applied for and was granted an initial warrant and three renewal warrants to spy on Page, stretching over the course of a year. The DOJ response suggests that no hearings were held in all four instances.

FISA, which allows for some of the most intrusive surveillance under U.S. law, is meant to target agents of foreign powers. Page was labeled as an agent of Russia in the applications, with Steeles unverified dossier making up the core of the probable cause. The officials involved in signing the applications have been referred for criminal investigation for allegedly depriving Page of his rights.

It is astonishing that the FISA courts couldnt hold hearings on Spy Warrants targeting Donald Trump, Tom Fitton, the director of Judicial Watch said, as quoted by Trump on Twitter.

It isnt about Carter Page, its about the Trump Campaign, Fitton added. Youve got corruption at the DOJ & FBI. The leadership of the DOJ & FBI are completely out to lunch in terms of exposing and holding those accountable who are responsible for that corruption.

Despite a year of intense surveillance and claims that he is a Russian agent, Page was never charged with a crime.

Its not about me, its about us, Page wrote on Twitter on Sept. 1, in response to news that no hearings were held before the FBI received approval to spy on him. We must repair damages by those who paid millions to turn cheap rhetoric into false court filings.

Page stepped down from the Trump campaign in late September 2016 after an article by Yahoo News alleged that he was engaging in private talks with top Russian officials. Page dismissed the claims in the article but resigned to avoid becoming a distraction. Steele was eventually determined to have been the source for the article.

The following month, October 2016, the FBI and DOJ used the Yahoo News article as evidence in the FISA application, without mentioning that Steele was also the source of that story.
Teen From New Mexico Compound Says He Was Trained for Jihad: FBI

TAOS, N.M.A 13-year-old boy who was part of group taken into custody at a squalid New Mexico compound last month has told FBI agents his mothers boyfriend was training him to conduct jihad against non-believers, according to federal court documents.

The boy was among 11 children and five adults living at the compound in Taos County when it was raided on Aug. 3 by local sheriffs deputies who discovered a cache of firearms and the children living without food or clean water. The dead body of a three-year-old boy was found buried at the site later.

They initially faced state charges, then on Aug. 31, the five adults including a Haitian woman described as the groups leader, 35-year-old Jany Leveille, were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and accused of conspiracy and firearms offenses.

In an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, an FBI special agent wrote that Leveilles 13-year-old son told investigators that his mothers boyfriend, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40, wanted to get an army together and train them for jihad.

The boy told agents that Ibn Wahhaj trained him and another of Leveilles teenage sons in firearms and military techniques, including rapid reloads and hand-to-hand combat, and told them jihad meant killing non-believers on behalf of Allah, according to the affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in New Mexico.

The 13-year-old also told the FBI that his mother believed she received messages from God, and that he watched her and Ibn Wahhaj perform supposed exorcism rituals over the three-year-old boy, including one during which the boy choked and his heart stopped, according to the special agents affidavit.

The teenager said his mother and others at the compound told him not to talk to anyone about the three-year-old ever being at the compound because they would all go to jail.

Defense lawyers have said that the five adults were exercising their constitutional rights to practice their religion and own firearms, and that the group is being discriminated against because they are black and Muslim. The defense attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment on Aug. 31.

The five defendants came under FBI surveillance in May after Leveille wrote a letter to Ibn Wahhajs brother asking him to join them and become a martyr, state prosecutors have said.

They are due to appear in court in Albuquerque on Sep. 4.

By Andrew Hay

Additional reporting and writing by Bernie Woodall
Thousands Mourn East Ukraines Killed Rebel Chief

The funeral of a pro-Russian rebel leader killed in an explosion last week drew vast crowds of mourners in eastern Ukraines breakaway Donetsk Region on Sept. 2.

Alexander Zakharchenko was fatally injured in an explosion in a cafe in Donetsk on Aug. 31. Russias Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of his murder, while Kyiv blamed his death on separatist infighting.

The official media outlet of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic said 200,000 people had gathered for Zakharchenkos funeral, the republics leader since 2014. Reuters was unable to verify that figure.

Footage showed long lines of mourners, many carrying red carnations, lining up to pay their respects outside the citys main opera theater, where Zakharchenkos coffin stood.

I am here because I really respected him. He did everything for the people.  A good person is gone, Anna, a member of the crowd, said through tears.

He was everything to us. He left fighting for his country. There are no words, said Natalya, a mourner.

His coffin, draped in the separatist regions flag and the flag of the Russian Airborne Troops, a division of Russias armed forces, was carried out of the theater to silent applause.

It was placed on the gun-carriage of a large artillery weapon, which was then towed past the crowds by a truck.

I didnt know him personally but he was a leader to all of us, Katya, a young woman attending the funeral, said.

At least five other leading separatist commanders have been killed in unexplained circumstances not connected to front-line combat since the conflict started in 2014, when Russian-backed rebels threw off Ukrainian central rule in an armed uprising.

A shaky internationally brokered cease-fire has been in force since 2015, halting large-scale fighting, but frequent outbreaks of shooting on the front line between the separatists and Ukrainian forces continue.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter in Sun Valley, Idaho, on July 6, 2016. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Twitter Tweaks Anti-Trump Shadow Banning Ahead of Congress Questioning

Twitter appears to have modified its practice of shadow banningthe unannounced suppression of a social-media users contentin the leadup to Twitter CEO Jack Dorseys scheduled hearing before Congress.

Flying to DC for 2 hearings Wednesday with the Senate Intel Committee to share Twitters work to protect election integrity, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee to show our commitment to impartiality, transparency, and accountability, Dorsey wrote in an Aug. 31 tweet.

Around the same time, supporters of President Donald Trump began reporting that their Twitter accounts no longer appear to be affected by Twitters quality filter.

The filter removes affected accounts from search results unless the user manually switches the filter off. The filter then snaps back on after each search.

The Epoch Times previously reviewed more than 50 accounts identified by hashtags commonly associated with Trump supporters, such as #MAGA, and Trump opponents, such as #TheResistance. Almost all accounts of the Trump supporters were targeted by the filter.

None of the accounts used by Trump opponents were apparently targeted by the filter, according to the confirmation function on the website Shadowban.eu, which our reporter repeatedly tested to verify it can indeed identify accounts that have been affected.

When the same pro-Trump accounts were tested Sept. 1, none of them appeared to be affected.

Joy and Suspicion

Under the hashtag #QFDBanLifted, users have posted thousands of tweets rejoicing over what some called being released from Twitter jail.

Thanks Jack [Dorsey]. Your heart grew, wrote user SimpleMagnus, in a Sept. 1 tweet. Twitterville singing. Twitter Grinch came through!

Many, however, expressed skepticism.

This appears to be a coordinated effort by Twitter to cover up any wrongdoing before testifying in front of Congress, said Mike Tokes, a pro-Trump political strategist who runs a social media consulting firm, in a Sept. 1 tweet.

Some also alleged the shadow banning simply has become more stealthy.

Im not celebrating just yet, Jacks engineers may have found a way to circumvent the latest shadowban detector, said user Silent Lucidity, in a Sept. 1 tweet.

Other users have pointed out that their accounts still appear to be throttled.

Ive been stuck at 246,250 followers for a week now. Including today, Scott Presler, vice chairman of the Young Republicans of Virginia Beach, Virginia, told The Epoch Times over Twitter. I gain and lose every single day and seem to even around that number. My impressions are only around 200,000 per day, which is incredibly low for the amount of followers I have and retweets I get.

Twitter executives previously stated that tweets and search results are ranked lower if posted by bad-faith actors who intend to manipulate or divide the conversation.

Twitter never clarified what determines bad faith, but said it includes actions you take on Twitter, such as who one follows or retweets, and even factors beyond ones control, such as who mutes you, who follows you, who retweets you, who blocks you.

The alleged slant in Twitter filtering matches how one of the companys engineers, Pranay Singh, described algorithms that are supposed to identify automated bot accounts.

In reality, the majority of the algorithms targeted Republicans, Singh told undercover reporters from Project Veritas.

You look for Trump, or America, or any of 5,000 keywords to describe a redneck, he said.

In addition to scrutiny from Congress, the president addressed shadow banning on July 26, and promised to look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once.

On July 27, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said he filed a complaint against the company with the Federal Election Commission.

Gaetz and several other prominent Republican congressmen had their Twitter accounts scrapped from the platforms search-suggestion function. Twitter stated it was because of the behavior on Twitter exhibited by their followers.

Gaetz was convinced he was targeted since it appeared that all of the affected congressmen were Republicans. He said the suppressing of his account amounted to an illegal in-kind campaign contribution to his opponents.

Google and Facebook

Google and Facebook also are facing scrutiny for practices that appear to be suppressing conservative voices.

Trump said at a campaign-style rally in Indiana on Aug. 30 that his administration is standing up for free-speech rights, warning that large social media companies cant be allowed to control what we can and cannot see.

You look at Google, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media giants and I made it clear that we as a country cannot tolerate political censorship, blacklisting, and rigged search results, Trump said.

We will not let large corporations silence conservative voices, he added, noting that it can go the other way someday, too.

The president slammed Google in a pair of tweets of Aug. 26 citing a report which found that 96 percent of Google News results for Trump was from left-wing media.

Trumps economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, later told reporters that the White House was taking a look at Google, saying the administration would do some investigation and some analysis, without providing further details.

Earlier this summer, the new Republican chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Joseph Simons, said the agency would keep a close eye on big tech companies that dominate the internet. In a previous investigation, the FTC decided that Google was likely justified in developing a search function that harmed other companies.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Watch Next:

President Donald Trumps Message to Family Members of the Fallen

President Donald Trump paid a Memorial Day tribute at Arlington National Cemetery on May 28.
An iceberg behind houses and buildings after it grounded outside the village of Innarsuit, an island settlement in the Avannaata municipality in northwestern Greenland. (Magnus Kristensen/AFP/Getty Images)

Why China Has Its Eyes Set on the Arctic

Greenland key to faster shipping routes and access to mineral deposits

As China seeks to become an important player in the Arctic circle and curry favor with Greenland, the United States recently entered into a disagreement with Greenland over an American airbase there.

That conflict could open the door for Beijing to swoop in and further realize its Arctic ambitions, according to Greenland media.

The U.S. airbase in question is the Thule Air Base, located in the northwestern part of Greenland and home to the 821st Air Base Group, a unit of the 21st Space Wing. That unit, which is part of the U.S. Air Force, is tasked with giving early missile warnings and detecting any objects orbiting the earth to prevent them from colliding with satellites. Thule is the Air Forces northernmost base, and has been under U.S. operation since World War II.

Greenland is strategically important for the U.S. military, as the shortest route from North America to Europe goes through the Arctic island, according to Reuters. It is an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Greenlands national broadcaster KNR, in an opinion article published Aug 30, called out the United States decision to contract Vectrus Services, a subsidiary of a Colorado-based company, to provide maintenance at the Thule Air Base, arguing that the company failed to cater to the needs of Greenland.

By not awarding the contract to a Greenland or Danish company, KNR said Greenland is losing up to several million U.S. dollars a year.

The service contract for the Thule Air Base has historically been given to Greenland as an indirect economic subsidy, according to The Arctic Institute, a nonprofit arctic policy and research organization based in Washington. But, starting in 2014, a change in procedure allowed American companies to win the contract.

In so doing, When Americans save [money] on [Thule], they actually invite the Chinese to Greenland, thus undermining maybe the United States own position in Greenland, Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defense College in Copenhagen, told KNR.

Greenland is the worlds largest island but has a population of only about 56,000. While Greenland enjoys self-governance in some areas, including judicial affairs, utilization of natural resources, and policing, its foreign and security interests are in the hands of the Danish governmentas stipulated by the Danish Constitution.

It appears that the U.S. contract isnt fully confirmed. Greenlands foreign affairs minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, told KHR on Aug. 29 that negotiations are still ongoing.

The Aug. 30 KNR article ended with a question: Would [Greenlanders] have to look at Beijing instead of Washington if we cannot get some money from the United States?

Chinas Arctic Ambition

As the Arctic ice sheet continues to melt, the possibility of shipping through the Arctic has become a reality. This is especially appealing for Chinese shipping companies since it would reduce the time and cost to ship goods from Chinese ports to Europe, compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal.

For example, shipping to Hamburg, Germany, from Shanghai could take about 14 fewer days if cargo ships travel the Northern Sea Route, one of the three main Arctic shipping routes, compared to the route that goes through the waters of Southeast Asia and reaches the Suez Canal, according to Forbes.

For the Northern Sea Route, ships leaving Chinese ports would travel north, passing the Sea of Japan and going through the Bering Strait, located between Russia and Alaska, before traveling through the seas above Russiato finally pass through the Norwegian Sea and on to Northern Europe.

Chinas Arctic ambitions advanced when it became a permanent observer of the Arctic Council in May 2013. The council, consisting of eight Arctic statesCanada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United Statesholds sovereignty over the lands within the Arctic Circle. Permanent observers are invited to Arctic Council meetings and are allowed to propose projects.

In 2017, Beijing issued a document titled Vision for Maritime Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. The plan, calling for an Arctic link between China and Western Europe, would complement Chinas own One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) initiative: proposed in September 2013, OBOR seeks to establish economic partnerships with Beijing and more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa by building infrastructure projects.

The Chinese regimes ambitions were further outlined in a white paper titled Chinas Arctic Policy, issued in January. The paper, which stated that the Arctic situation now goes beyond its original inter-Arctic States or regional nature, announced that China would participate in the governance of the Arctic, including making decisions on how to use Arctic resources via the Arctic Council and the development of shipping routes in the region.

Some observers are concerned. Dr. James Jay Carafano, vice president for foreign and defense policy studies at the Heritage Foundation, wrote that Chinas influence might not be benign. The article was published on GIS Online, a Liechtenstein-based publication, and reprinted by The Epoch Times.

Carafanos concerns include the possibility of China placing countries into debt traps, as was the case with Sri Lanka, which handed over control of its main southern port located in Hambantota after China financed the OBOR project. Sri Lanka was unable to pay back the $6 billion in loans and, thus, converted the debt into equity.

Chinas Interests in Greenland

China has considered Greenland a strategic part of its Arctic ambition.

A Jan. 17 editorial by state-run media Xinhua pointed out that if China didnt not look to other countries for cooperation, it would be too dependent on Russia, thus putting China in a weak position regarding the Arctic. Thus, Greenland should be critical to fulfilling Chinas Arctic policy, given Greenlands close proximity to the Arctic shipping lanes, the article said.

Additionally, a closer relationship with Greenland would allow China to tap into its rich mineral resources, including uranium and rare earths, according to Xinhua.

In April, Guancha, a state-run online news site, ran an article advocating for Chinese investment into Greenland to fulfill its desire to become an independent nation.

In recent years, some political parties and individuals in Greenland have sought to gain independence from Denmark. However, a separation from Denmark would make Greenland the poorest European country. According to data from the World Bank, Greenlands GDP stood at about $2.7 billion in 2016, less than the $6.75 billion registered by Moldova that year.

Chinese companies have already made inroads into Greenlands mineral market. For example, Shenghe Resources Holding, a publicly listed companywith the state-run Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences its largest shareholderis developing rare earth, uranium, and zinc mines at Kvanefjeld, one of the worlds biggest multi-element deposits. The project operates in cooperation with Australian firm Greenland Minerals and Energy, according to Australian financial news site Proactive Investors.

Not all Chinese investments in Greenland have gone through. For example, in April 2017, Chinas plan to buy an abandoned naval base at Kangilinnguit was rejected by Denmark, because the latter didnt want another country to gain a military foothold in Greenland, according to Reuters.

Chinese investment to expand three airports in Greenland, which was first announced in March, was put on hold in June, after discussions between the Denmark and Greenland prime ministers, according to Reuters.

In an Aug. 2 opinion article, Canada-based publication Geopolitical Monitor warned of Greenlands increasing economic dependence on China.

China is skilled at and has a proven record of converting its financial investment to certain countries into political influence on multilateral institutions, it stated.
Woman With Baby Leads Police on 100 Mph Chase, Tries to Carjack Car

Texas officials released footage of a woman leading police on a high-speed chase before crashing into another vehicle. She then runs from her car carrying a baby in a car seat.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, which released helicopter video footage, said a trooper deployed a tire deflation device that disabled the womans front tire. Then, she crashed the vehicle into another car, ABC News reported.

The woman had been driving more than 100 mph in a police chase.

With a car seat and baby in hand, the woman then tried to carjack another vehicle by jumping into the passenger seat, ABC reported.

The driver of that car ran out of the vehicle and pulled a child from the backseat. Police then grabbed the female suspect and took her out of the vehicle before handcuffing her.

The baby was taken from the car and carried away.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the woman had outstanding warrants for her arrest in Bexar County, ABC13 reported. She fled a trooper after a traffic stop was conducted.

She was charged with evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and endangering a child, according to the report. The baby was handed over to Child Protective Services.

Video Credit: Texas Department of Public Safety
EDWARDSVILLE  Observant drivers and shoppers in downtown Edwardsville may have noticed recently that the former Circa store is now Revival.

Lauren Votava is the new owner. She opened the store shortly after Circa closed.

I used to work for the city of Belleville about 10 years ago, Votava said. I shopped at the Belleville Circa location. When she opened in Edwardsville three years ago, I started shopping here.

The owner of Circa announced that she was closing the Edwardsville store and would be willing to sell the store.

I started thinking about it and talked to my husband about buying it, Votava said. We completed the whole transaction in about a month.

The store is something new for Votava, who last worked in retail in high school. I remember thinking that her Belleville store looked like a fun place to work.

Revival, located at 101 East Vandalia, is still carrying some of the same clothing lines as Circa, but Votava is also adding new merchandise. Well keep a similar style and feel, she said, but were bringing in additional items. Im trying to attract more customers, people who werent coming in before.

She said she has a wide variety of customers, from teenagers to retirees. I have mother and daughter customers that both shop here, she said.

We still sell a lot of gift items. We have candles, socks, oven mitts. We still carry Mellow Mountain Jewelry, which is made by Circas owner.

Votava has added Mata Traders. They are a fair trade company. They used to carry them at Beyond Timbuktu. Were also carrying Aid Through Trade. Im also looking into some other local lines.

The store has exclusive deals with Tokyo Milk and Blue Q. No other place in the area can carry them, Votava said.

Votava said the new name was her idea. I honestly dont know how. The word revival just popped into my head. One definition of it is a new play on old work, and that seemed to fit.

Votava has received support from her husband, Ben Poettgen. Hes worked here on Saturdays and has definitely been my go-to handyman, she said.

The amount of support from the community has been great, Votava said. I have customers who are happy the store didnt close, and some have said they love the changes.

Votava said she has not had any negative surprises. I surprise myself by not taking everything home.
EDWARDSVILLE  Fourteen Southern Illinois University Edwardsville undergraduates and two public health faculty will travel to Puerto Rico to aid in recovery efforts after the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Maria.

The travel study service trip will take place in Yabucoa from Dec. 11-23. Students studying public health, psychology and more will spend five days working with All Hands and Hearts, a nonprofit that partners with local communities to respond to disasters.

Students will have the opportunity to be immersed in a different culture, while giving back to a community in need and gaining practical experience as it relates to emergency preparedness and response, said Michelle Cathorall, DrPH, MPH, assistant professor and program director of public health in the School of Education, Health and Human Behaviors Department of Applied Health.

Leading the students on the trip will be Cathorall and Alice Ma, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of public health. Students will help community members and other volunteers rebuild the community by cleaning up debris, salvaging items and disposing of unusable debris, and mucking out homes as necessary. Students may also help repair homes and schools, learning while working with community members.

Emergency preparedness is a critical area of public health, because when there is an emergency, external support can take days or weeks to arrive, Cathorall explained. Communities must have plans in place regarding their immediate response to emergencies until assistance arrives.

This trip is especially important for public health students, because it offers them an opportunity to interact and work with diverse populations. We will be responding to areas that did not have emergency plans in place, so students will see first-hand the impact a lack of public health planning can have on people and their communities.
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Paycom May Look Expensive But You Should Buy it Anyway

Earnings Will Continue to Propel Paycom Stock Higher There are many reasons that investors could look at Paycom (NYSE: PAYC) and think its better to stay away. PAYC stock is up 21% for the year which closely approximates the 24% gain in the S&P 500.

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(CNN)  After more than 60 years of teetotal fun, Disneyland Resort in California will begin serving alcohol to the general public in 2019.

It's a watershed travel moment -- right now if you fancy a beer between roller coaster rides, your only choice is to bag an invite to the enigmatic and private Club 33 in New Orleans Square.

But thanks to the hotly anticipated "Star Wars: Galaxy Edge" -- due to open next year -- any Disney adult visitor who wishes it can drink in new hot spot Oga's Cantina.

"Visitors come to this notorious local watering hole to unwind, conduct shady business and maybe even encounter a friend -- or a foe," says Scott Trowbridge, portfolio creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, in a statement.

Feel the force

Star Wars fans have been waiting with baited breath for the opening of Galaxy Edge since 2015. Last August, Disney announced this immersive land will be home to a "Star Wars"-themed hotel in the Florida outpost, which will allow guests to go on their own adventures and live the life of a resistance fighter.

The addition of the cantina will seal the deal for many fans, especially after they're read the tantalizing description of what to expect.

"You never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up," hints Trowbridge. "Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using "otherworldly" methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop!"

The bar is named after Oga, a new face in the Star Wars universe, described as "an intriguing alien proprietor."

Music will be supplied by RX-24 -- the pilot Disney fans will know from the much-loved "Star Tours" ride.

Mixed reactions

However, as Disney has traditionally been alcohol-free (aside from the hotels, Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure) adding a bar to the parks is a watershed moment.

When he envisaged the park, Walt Disney wanted a wholesome, child-friendly experience without the addition of alcohol, so this historic change has prompted mixed reactions on social media:

"I hate alcohol. I love Disney Parks," wrote one Twitter user.

"Historically Disney Parks have kept alcohol under control but in recent years it's getting worse.

The last thing I want to see is some drunk a**hole stumbling around The Magic Kingdom."

But some Disney fans embraced the change.

"I tend to be a pretty hardline traditionalist when it comes to Disneyland, but alcohol sales were inevitable and, frankly, long overdue," wrote another user.

"It's 2018 and the way we, as a culture, interact with alcohol is wildly different from 1955. Walt also didn't want CMs [Cast Members] to have beards."

The decision isn't without precedent -- across the pond at Disneyland Paris, alcohol is regularly available. The decision was taken back in 1993, with officials arguing "Visitors from Germany or England want wine because it's part of the French experience."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Disneyland to serve alcohol to general public for first time."
Local trades union bosses in the Burnham-On-Sea area have this week spoken out over reports that doctors surgeries could soon start charging for GP appointments.

Members of Bridgwater Trades Union Council, which covers the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area, say they are concerned at the possible attempt to charge for GP appointments.

MP Christopher Chope has introduced the NHS Co-funding and Co-Payment Bill which will be debated in Parliament in October. If successful, the Unions say the Bill could open up further charging.

Local Trades Union Council Secretary Dave Chapple said: The NHS was created in 1948 so that healthcare would be available to all, regardless of wealth or income, and to be free at the point of delivery. The excuse that may be given in 2018 is that too many people visit their doctors for frivolous reasons and a charge would deter them.

Even if this were true, and there is little evidence, the effect of such a charge would be to deter those on low incomes. Some of these people might have serious ailments, which would then get worse, costing the NHS more in the long run.

The NHS is in crisis because of lack of funding. The answer to this is more funding, through direct taxation, of cash-rich companies and individuals, including some high-profile Westminster MPs who, many believe, find various legal ways to dodge tax payments, not by penalising those who can least afford to pay.

When the UK banking system was collapsing in 2008, they were bailed out to the tune of around 280 billion: no lack of cash funding then!

Members of Parliament should oppose this Bill when it returns to the House of Commons in October. Please write to your MP or sign and help collect signatures for a petition by contacting glenburrows@btinternet.com.
Panwa House - local flavours in a breathtaking beachfront setting

Almost 30 years ago, the Cape Panwa Hotel was one of the first luxury resort hotels to be built on the Panwa peninsula; a bold yet ultimately astute decision. Today, the surrounding area has developed into a vibrant tourist magnet, but still manages to maintain its past local charm.

Sunday 2 September 2018, 09:00AM

The Sino-Portuguese architecture at Panwa House

Arriving at the hotel, on requesting directions to the hotels signature Thai restaurant, I am accompanied to a quaint vintage funicular tram station for the short journey down to the beach. This blast from the past certainly heightens my anticipation and for those couples who are wishing for a memorable start to a romantic evening, this would indeed fit the bill.

On reaching sea level, one takes a brief stroll along a lantern-lit pathway parallel to the white sandy beach shoreline to reach the Sino-Portuguese former residence that is Panwa House. The restaurant has an even more historic beginning than the hotel, having been built for a rich coconut plantation owner almost 100 years ago and then sympathetically extended to its current state.

On arrival, I am greeted by the Restaurant Manager, Khun Somjit, who began his career at Panwa House as a waiter 19 years ago. Having warmly welcomed me, he guides me on a tour of the white-painted, two-storied, tiled-floored, ocean-green-shuttered house; it is truly spectacular and immaculately maintained.

On entering within, one is transported back to a bygone era, ascending the feature staircase which dominates the lobby. The rooms upstairs are simply furnished yet oozing character. The downstairs consists of a quaint dining room for use during inclement weather and a lounge with comfortable arm chairs.

As Khun Somjit introduces me to Chef Jurai, I can literally hear the sound of the waves lapping on the sand. Chef Jurai has been at Panwa House for 15 years and as we three discuss recommended dishes for the evening, while both are competing for the award for the longest-serving employee, it is clear that they both share a love for the restaurant.

The menus consist of an extensive a la carte alongside two, value for money, fixed price (B1,400++) set menus showcasing either Bangkok cuisine or Southern specialties. I plumb for the latter with the addition of a couple of highly recommended restaurant signature dishes.

As I await my appetizers, I take a moment to reflect on the surroundings. What a location! I have chosen to sit on the covered terrace that surrounds the main house with a direct view onto a spacious terrace for dining under the stars and looking beyond, out to sea. This would be a fabulous venue for that special wedding day or equally suitable for a corporate team-building event. I muse that the delegates would be hyper-motivated after a few days of bonding on the beach. The table settings are rustic with rattan chairs that perfectly blend with the theme.

I begin with the Southern Platter, which is tastefully presented on a simple rattan and wicker tray, showcasing the colourful array of dishes to full effect. My first mouthful of sour soup with fish and young coconut shoots explodes with flavour, tender fish in perfectly balanced spicy soup with young coconut shoots with a slight crunch to add texture.

Alongside this is a traditional stir-fried crab with yellow curry powder, another must try. Rich and creamy yellow curry with a hint of chilli and an abundance of fresh local crab meat, succulent and flavourful. I also enjoyed the local special of smoked shrimps with spicy shrimp paste.

The platter is a superb way to experience a selection of popular regional dishes without feeling that you have overeaten; though portions are generous.

Following the platter, Khun Somjit brings me a dish of fresh local rock lobster; two perfectly cooked tender-fleshed crustaceans coated in a sweet and sour chilli sauce. The flesh is delicate and tasty. Another recommendation if dining with friends, is the whole sea bass, expertly filleted with a piquant sauce of galangal and chilli. So moreish.

I am persuaded by Khun Somjit that to leave Panwa House without trying dessert would be a mistake and as such, the evening is rounded off from a truly lengthy number of tempting choices with traditional dumplings in coconut cream and home-made coconut ice cream with accompaniments.

Both desserts are definitely worthwhile trying  however, the coconut ice cream is an achievement; light yet creamy and crunchy served with nuts, fruit and sticky rice. World class!

As I make my way along the beach for the return tram journey, and bid farewell to both Chef Jurai, Khun Somjit and their teams, I consider my evening; a unique venue in a stunning location and with their shared passion for this restaurant, I am confident they will be at Panwa House caring for diners for a further 20 years.

Truly a memorable evening.

Chris is a former Michelin Guide Inspector who following an international career in hospitality spanning 30 years in both the Middle East and Asia has now settled in Thailand and will contribute a monthly restaurant column.
Phuket Opinion: Its called evolution

PHUKET: The incident this past week of a freeloading official out of control unloading a tirade of abuse at hotel reception staff for not giving him the exact room he wanted  on the fifth floor, with a Jacuzzi, all for free  beggars belief that this breed of official still exists.

opinioncorruption

By The Phuket News

Sunday 2 September 2018, 09:00AM

Than Sintawalai (circled), Chief of the Department of Rural Roads Krabi office, unloads his abuse at staff while children of guests in the reception look on. Screengrab: CCTV

Yes, weve all heard the stories before, but heres one beyond the bar stool.

What is astounding is the sheer gall of this man  Than Sintawalai, Chief of the Department of Rural Roads Krabi office no less.

Kudos to Suthat Prukamonkul, General Manager of Ao Nang Phu Pi Maan Resort and Spa, for finally filing a formal complaint to the Krabi Governor. Even for a Thai General Manager who was obviously already used to giving away rooms for free to this sus  for reasons unknown  the plain vulgarity of the language used was too much.

But why should it take so much? Likewise, roping in the Krabi Provincial Police Commander, Lt Col ML Kittibordee Prawit, also begs more questions. Just how influential is this man?

Worse was that Than (no honorific required) unloaded on the staff in the reception in full view of CCTV that he most likely  given a half-seconds thought  knew was there. The fact was that he just didnt care.

We wont hold our breath for any formal disciplinary action to be taken against Than now that his name has been made public, as this seems to be sufficient for an incredible range and severity of misbehaviours across the country.

That said, officials in Phuket today seem to have evolved a tad from this. Like strays that now know not to cross a busy road in Phuket. If they are going to behave in an unsavoury way, at least they know to do it where there is no CCTV, like in the Arrivals Hall at Phuket International Airport or inside a government building  not outside  where it is safe to conduct themselves in any manner that they see fit with no fear of reprisal.

The worst punishment any official in Phuket has ever been handed out has been a quick transfer pending an investigation, the results of which never see light of day.

So when will those Krabi officials learn? Is this weeks public shaming the beginning of a new wave of doing business across the bay? Or will they need to come for a visit to Phuket to see how the professionals do it? Well see.
Phuket tourism consortium, TAT have Russia push in sight

PHUKET: A delegation from Phukets tourism and hospitality industries joined a Road Show to Russia earlier this month as part of the push by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to attract 1.5 million visitors from the Russian Federation this year.

tourismRussianeconomics

By The Phuket News

Sunday 2 September 2018, 10:00AM

Phuket tourism and hospitality operators engage in discussion with their Russian counterparts. Photo: TAT Moscow

The delegation of 20 representatives from the tourist businesses in Phuket, including hotels, local tour operators and airlines, met their Russian counterparts in three major cities in three days: Moscow on Aug 14; Kazan on Aug 15; and St Petersburg on Aug 16.

Leading the Phuket Road Show 2018 were Phuket Tourist Association Vice President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam as well as Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor) Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwattanapong.

On the ground in Russia to assist with organising the road show was Anoma Wongyai, Director of the TAT Moscow Office.

Before her posting to Russia, Ms Anoma for years was the Director of the TAT office in Phuket.

The road show was praised as a success with a total of 181 representatives from 125 businesses joining the series tourism trade show, with 82 representatives from 56 companies joining the Moscow event on Aug 14; a further 48 representatives from 34 companies joining the event in Kazan on Aug 15; and 51 representatives from 35 companies joining the event in St Petersburg on Aug 16.

These meetings gave operators in the tourism industry the opportunity to discuss options and enter negations, Mr Bhummikitti said, adding that the road show was supported directly by the PPAO.

This gave us the chance to bring together 15 other tourism-related organisation in Phuket and share our opinions together, he added.

Mr Bhummikitti explained, The main attractions for Russian tourists coming to Phuket as a holiday destination are the beautiful sun, sea and beach. There are charter flights from 25 destinations in Russia to Phuket, and we have had the chance to directly meet (Russian) local representatives and make several sales there.

In the future, we will repeat the road show in Siberia and the Far Eastern Federal District. There are a lot of people in those areas who want to travel aboard because their winter lasts for eight months. Plus, people in these areas also have high spending power, he added.

Ms Anoma noted that 1.34 million Russian tourists traveled to Thailand last year, an increase of 23.5% from 2016.

Russia is our top tourism source market in the European zone, and Russian tourists generate the second-most income for Thailand after the Chinese, she said.

Phuket is a main destination for these tourists. Of the 1.3mn Russian tourists who travelled to Thailand last year, 800,000 visited Phuket, Ms she added.

The road shows were imperative in conducting business in Russia, Ms Anoma noted.

Developing new opportunities by communicating face to face is the best way to do business, but we must keep doing this in order to develop repeat visits while attracting new tourists, she said.

The main target tourists of the campaign are families, women travellers, visitors coming to Thailand for surgery and beauty treatments, as well as high-quality tourists, Ms Anoma explained.

We are pushing for these target segments by tourism promotion. We have set a target 1.5 million visitors from Russian as our goal for this year, she said.

PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin said that road show was supported by the PPAO in order to give Phuket entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet and discuss business and update agents in Russia on new products available.

The goal is to attract more Russian tourists to travel to Phuket. One of the main reasons the PPAO sponsors this form of tourism promotion and marketing activities for Phuket is to enable Phuket entrepreneurs to meet with entrepreneurs aboard, he said.

A key figure joining the Moscow event was Poj Harnpol, Charge dAffaires of the Royal Thai Embassy to the Russian Federation, which is currently headed by Ambassador Thanatip Upatising.

Mr Poj noted the rise and fall in the number of Russian visitors to Thailand over recent years, but also noted the latest upward trend in the number of Russian visitors to the Kingdom and a corresponding increase in spending.

In 2018, we aim to have 1.5mn Russian tourists visiting Thailand. Russians are impressed by the national Thai identity and locations such as Pattaya and Phuket, he said.

Mr Poj added that Thailand should continue to develop different destinations in Thailand with their own forms of attraction.

We need to increase diversity in tourism, he said. It is well known that Russian tourists love the beautiful sea, whether in Pattaya or Phuket, but we have to show them more about Thailand.

One of the top current important missions of the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow and the TAT Moscow office is to promote the diversity of Thai identity to the Russian people, he said.
Challenger Learning Center, MARK II Voyager coming to Watertown

Watertown has been chosen to home the first Challenger Learning Center and MARK II Voyager scaled solar in South Dakota.
OTTAWAUnder almost any normal circumstance, the negotiation of a trade pact between countries should result in benefits for consumers, say experts who are closely watching the North American free trade talks unfold in Washington.

After all, the mutual lifting of trade barriers  should result in more competition, which should translate into more consumer choice and, therefore, lower prices.

But with Donald Trump driving the agenda for the American side of the bargaining process, some experts warn that the uncertainty generated by the negotiation of a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will ultimately hurt consumers.

Nothing thats going down right now in Washington should be presented as being a win from a consumer point of view, or an economic point of view, says economic consultant and researcher Dan Ciuriak, senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

This is protectionism, cost-raising and uncertainty-raising, he added. Compared to the status quo, (consumers) are going to be worse off.

The most striking example involves one of the biggest investments Canadians make  buying a vehicle.

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Opinion | Jennifer Wells: Dairy farmers need supply management, in Canada and the United States

The preliminary agreement between Mexico and the United States announced last Monday would, if enacted, require that 75 per cent of the parts in any vehicle sold in North America be produced in the U.S. or Mexico.

The current requirement is that about 62 per cent of parts be produced in the U.S., Mexico or Canada.

The deal also included stronger labour standards, requiring that 40 to 45 per cent of auto parts in cars sold in the U.S. be made by workers earning at least $16 (U.S.) per hour.

If the goal of the NAFTA talks was to simplify rules of origin and allow for more integration and cost efficiencies in the North American auto sector, consumers might expect to reap a cost-saving benefit, said Patrick Leblond, an international relations professor at the University of Ottawa.

Clearly thats not what the Mexicans and the Americans agreed to, said Leblond.

While final details of the agreement have yet to be laid out, what has been seen so far indicates that automakers could soon be dealing with more complex trading rules that will add costs to manufacturing and ultimately hurt consumers, he added.

It doesnt look like prices will come down, and it seems they are likely to increase as a result.

Meredith Lilly, Carleton Universitys Simon Reisman chair in international affairs, has her doubts about theories that a revised NAFTA will mean higher consumer costs.

Provisions to increase autoworker wages, for instance, will have no effect on consumers, said Lilly.

Raising wages for autoworkers in Mexico is directly a way for the United States to push more manufacturing back into the United States, because it reduces the attractiveness of Mexico as a jurisdiction for manufacturing, she said.

I dont think we will see big shifts at all on the price of cars. However, you may see less movement of plants from either of the other two NAFTA countries into Mexico.

Where consumers could see some benefit, though, is through changes to rules governing trade in dairy products, she said.

If a new NAFTA were to eliminate Canadas protectionist supply management system  something Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vigorously opposed  prices of dairy products would fall under the pressure of increased competition from south of the border, Lilly explained.

But even then, it could take years to feel the full effects, she predicted.

If the Canadian market is opened up, I would anticipate a very long transition period. So whatever benefits might accrue would be quite far down the line, she said, pointing to slow uptake by business of provisions included in the Canada-EU trade agreement known as CETA.

It also would require cost savings to be passed on (by producers) to the consumer, which is something that isnt a given.

But simply granting more American access to Canadas dairy market is something where I think that you wouldnt necessarily see big movements in terms of benefits to consumers.

And then there are pharmaceuticals.

A fact sheet on the U.S.-Mexico deal included a provision that would give big drug makers 10 years of protection for biologic drugs, and expand the list of drugs covered by those protections. Industry watchers have warned that providing longer patents to drug makers would ultimately result in higher prescription costs.

In Canada, biologics, which include anti-inflammatory medications such as Remicade, are effectively protected from competition from generic products for eight years.

And last year, seven of the top 10 patented drugs seeing growth in sales in Canadas $16.8 billion patented medicines marketplace were biologics, according to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board.

But the hit predicted to the wallets of Canadian consumers is not just a product of the NAFTA negotiations, said Ciuriak, who once worked as deputy chief economist at Canadas Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The uncertainty created in the business world by Trump over global trade generally is already hurting Canadians and will be felt for some time, he said.

Were already worse off and will be worse off for at least a decade as a result of that.

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MONTREALA star candidates claim that hed experienced political interference when he was a police officer made waves on the Quebec campaign trail on Sunday, as members of the opposing parties called on Ian Lafreniere to clarify his remarks.

Lafreniere, a longtime Montreal police spokesperson and current Coalition Avenir Quebec candidate, told TVA on Saturday that the thing he hated most about being a police officer was the political interference  though he did not go into details about the allegation.

Reaction among the other parties was swift, with several opposition politicians questioning why Lafreniere didnt come forward with his allegations when he was still a member of the force.

I hope he will be able to detail what he said with specific facts, because normally he would have to denounce it if he was witness to that in his career, Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard said Sunday morning.

Earlier in the day, fellow Liberal candidate Marc Tanguay suggested Lafrenieres statements were hypocritical, because one of the Coalition Avenir Quebecs commitments is to review the nomination process for the heads of the provinces police forces, including the anti-corruption squad, the Montreal police and the provincial police.

In Vaudreuil, west of Montreal, Coalition Leader Francois Legault said his plan is to ensure the head of the anti-corruption unit, known as UPAC, would be confirmed through a two-thirds vote of the legislature in order to ensure neutrality.

The (Parti Quebecois) is in agreement with that, the only one who is not in agreement with that is Philippe Couillard and the Liberal Party, Legault said of the outgoing premier.

So why does the Liberal Party want to choose the UPAC boss alone?

Couillard defended the current system of having cabinet choose the head of UPAC, saying it was created based on a recommendation from the Charbonneau commission investigation into corruption in the construction industry.

Parti Quebecois Leader Jean-Francois Lisee, meanwhile, questioned Lafrenieres credibility and called on the candidate to provide proof of the serious accusations he made.

Im ready to believe it, but show it, he said at a campaign stop in Sept-Iles, in the Cote-Nord region of eastern Quebec.

On Friday, Legault said he was considering whether to offer police protection to Lafreniere after campaign-style posters depicting the ex-police officer with a bullet in his head were recently displayed at a junior college north of Montreal.

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Sunday, September 2, 2018 at 4:51AM

Wireless charging is slowly gaining popularity and with it the arrival of better wireless chargers. mophie alone just outed for different wireless chargers to address different needs. Theres a new vent mount charger, desk stand version, and two powerstation wireless chargers. The charge stream vent mount brings your device to eye level while bringing power to either device. With a wireless charging output of 10W, it can work for both the iPhones 7.5W and Samsungs 9W maximum charging capacities. The vent mount retails for US$69.95 (approx. CA$92). mophie also introduced the charge stream desk mount that will let you charge your mobile device in either landscape or portrait orientation. It also has a 10W power output and will work with iPhones, Samsung smartphones, and other Qi-compatible phones.

Now, if you need something that can be untethered from a power cord, there are the charge stream powerstation wireless and powerstation wireless XL. The former has a capacity of 6,040mAh, while the latter has 10,000mAh. When you do charge your devices without being connected to a power cord, these unfortunately lose fast-charging option as it only outputs 5W of power. But if you do plug it in, it can also get 10W of power. All four chargers work with cases that are up to 3mm thick. The powerstation wireless and wireless XL go for $79.95 and $99.95, respectively. Except for the desk stand which comes in the Fall, all the other chargers are available from mophies store.

Source: SlashGear
The three Costco Canada executives went to meet a senior official with Ontarios Ministry of Health. It was Sept. 1, 2015, and the company was bracing for a possible storm.

A complaint had been filed alleging the retail chain pressured a generic drug company to pay illegal kickbacks in exchange for getting its prescription products stocked on Costco pharmacy shelves. The alleged demand had been captured in a secretly recorded phone conversation.

In meeting with Ontarios assistant deputy minister of health, the three Costco vice-presidents wanted to know if the province thought the payments it received from drug makers ran afoul of the law.

Three years later, the province still has not come out with an answer.

In the meantime, two Costco pharmacy directors admitted to a pharmacist regulatory college that they committed professional misconduct for soliciting payments that could reasonably be seen as unlawful kickbacks, and were hit with a modest fine.

Still, Ontarios Health Ministry, which can punish companies that break its anti-kickback laws, remains mostly silent, saying only that it is investigating.

Read more:

Costco pharmacy directors fined $20,000 after admitting to $1.2-million drug kickback scheme

Costco probed in alleged drug kickback scheme

The provinces inaction on a case where the evidence of wrongdoing appears clear cut sends a message to other pharmacies and drug manufacturers that the rules can be flouted, said Chris MacDonald, a business ethics professor at Ryerson University.

If you dont enforce it, youre just engendering disrespect for the law, he said. A lot of the investigative work has been done.

The Ministry of Health would not comment on the investigation, which is being led by the provinces Forensic Investigation Team. Costco also refused to comment on the provinces probe.

Its illegal in Ontario for drug companies to give direct or indirect incentives to induce a pharmacy to stock their generic drug over a competitors. These kickbacks are known as rebates, which the province has said artificially inflate the prices insurers, including Ontario drug programs, and patients pay for their medications.

Costco was charging drug makers for advertising services, which included printing companies logos on clinic handouts and inside a magazine published by the retailer.

But the payments were just rebates that had been renamed in an attempt to circumvent the law, alleged Tony Gagliese, a former sales rep for the generic drug maker Ranbaxy. It was Gagliese who complained to the province and the College of Pharmacists about Costcos demands for payments for clinic support or marketing initiatives. As evidence, Gagliese had a recorded phone conversation of a Costco pharmacy director explaining to him how much Ranbaxy would have to pay in order to greatly reduce the likelihood of somebody eating your business.

In August 2015, he filed complaints with the College of Pharmacists and the office of the assistant deputy health minister, who is also the executive officer of Ontarios public drug programs and in charge of enforcing the anti-rebate provisions.

Within a few months, Ministry of Health agents were at Costcos headquarters, auditing all the major payments the retailer had received from drug manufacturers over a three-year period, according to a government email and attachment obtained by the Star.

However, the province at the time did not intend to pursue any penalties against Costco, according to a source involved in the governments decision making on the case.

The province was already negotiating with drug manufacturers to lower the price of certain popular generic drugs. A price drop would shrink profits for the companies  and lower their motivation to use rebates to get their drugs on pharmacy shelves, the source said. Driving the cost lower to make less incentive for kickbacks was seen as a more practical solution than playing whack-a-mole trying to stomp out new ways the industry may try to circumvent anti-rebate laws, the source said.

The province decided to let the College of Pharmacists seek formal punishments against the two pharmacists running Costcos pharmacies, the source said. The regulatory college charged Joseph Hanna and Lawrence Varga for allegedly accepting rebates from Ranbaxy and four other drug makers. Neither man was among the Costco executives who met with the senior Health Ministry official.

As part of their defence, Hanna and Vargas lawyer argued that the regulator was unjustly targeting a lawful practice that was widespread within the industry, according to submissions made at the disciplinary hearing and obtained exclusively by the Star. To bolster his case, the lawyer named four other pharmacy chains that he said billed a drug maker for sponsoring clinics: PharmaChoice, Guardian, Rexall and Walmart.

Making a finding that an advertising payment is a prohibited rebate and therefore that its acceptance by Costco is an act of professional misconduct  would have significant ramifications on pharmacies throughout Ontario, Costcos lawyer warned in a September 2016 submission marked Confidential.

Spokespersons for Walmart, Rexall and Guardian said they comply with Ontarios laws. PharmaChoice did not respond to questions.

In January 2018, Hanna and Varga admitted to professional misconduct for soliciting $1.26 million from Ranbaxy that could reasonably be regarded as a kickback. Costcos lawyer told the disciplinary hearing that the pharmacists believed the advertising fees the pharmacists charged the drug maker were legal. The advertising fee program was designed to reduce dispensing fees for customers, and neither Hanna nor Varga personally pocketed any of the money, Costco said in a statement at the time.

In the end, each man was fined $20,000 and the charges concerning alleged payments from four other drug makers were withdrawn. Costco would not tell the Star whether it has repaid any of the $1.26 million.

The penalty imposed by the college was so trivial, such a slap on the wrist, said Ryerson Universitys MacDonald, that the government should pursue stiffer sanctions against Costco.

Its to protect the public trust in the system, he said.

Gagliese, the former drug sales rep who exposed Costcos demands, said he has grown frustrated waiting for the government to act.

Who is protecting the taxpayers? Gagliese said. There is a pharmacy chain thats admitted to breaking the law, (and) the government hasnt stepped in and done anything about it.

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AMSTERDAMDutch police say detectives continue to question a 19-year-old Afghan man suspected of stabbing two American tourists at Amsterdams main railway station in what is being investigated as an extremist attack.

The suspect, identified only as Jawed S. under Dutch privacy rules, was shot and wounded by police after allegedly stabbing the Americans on Friday at Central Station.

Police spokesperson Ruben Sprong says that the suspect is being questioned Sunday in hospital and is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on Monday in a behind-closed-doors hearing.

Sprong says the Americans also remain hospitalized with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The Americans identities havent been released.

Amsterdam municipality said Saturday that, based on the suspects first statements, he had a terrorist motive. The statement didnt elaborate on what he said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed on Twitter that the investigation focused Saturday on exploring the extremist ideas that allegedly inspired the train station attack.

The Netherlands counterterror chief, Dick Schoof, tweeted that the countrys threat level would remain at No. 4 on a scale that tops out at 5.

Sadly, this reprehensible act fits into the current threat assessment, he said.

The suspect had a residency permit from Germany. German authorities searched his home and seized data storage devices that would be analyzed as part of the investigation, the city government statement said.

He was scheduled to be arraigned during a closed-door hearing with an investigating judge on Monday. Dutch officials did not disclose the charges he could face.

A statement issued late Friday by Amsterdams city council said the Americans did not appear to have been victims of a targeted attack. Amsterdam authorities also said Friday that it appeared from initial inquiries that the victims werent chosen for a clear reason.

The local government said Saturday it had no immediate plans to beef up security in the city, saying the swift action by police shows that Amsterdam is prepared for this kind of incident.

A passerbys dramatic photo showed two police officers pointing guns at a man in blue jeans and sneakers lying on the ground inside a train station tunnel.

Earlier Saturday, the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands confirmed that the two people injured Friday were Americans visiting the Netherlands when they were stabbed at the station.

Ambassador Pete Hoekstra issued a written statement saying U.S. Embassy officials had been in touch with the victims or their families.

We wish them a speedy recovery and are working closely with the City of Amsterdam to provide assistance to them and their families, Hoekstra said.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to Amsterdam, with regular trains linking it to the citys Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week for train travel as tourists arrive for the weekend.

The station is patrolled by armed police and other security staff.
NAIROBI, KENYAAt least six people were killed, including two children, after a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle outside a district headquarters in Somalias capital, authorities said Sunday.

Capt. Mohamed Hussein said the bomber tried to speed through a checkpoint but was stopped by security forces, prompting him to detonate the vehicle near the gate of Howlwadag district headquarters.

The three soldiers who stopped the truck were killed instantly and the three others killed were civilians, said the Mogadishu mayors spokesperson, Salah Hassan Omar.

Fourteen people, including six children, need intensive care, said the Aamin Ambulance service. Among the wounded was deputy district commissioner Ibrah Hassan Matan.

Many victims were students at a nearby Islamic school. Officials warned there could be more casualties as the blast brought down nearby buildings including a mosque.

I saw bodies strewn on the ground after the explosion before the ambulances and the paramedics reached the scene and the whole scene was very ugly, witness Halima Mohamed said.

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The attacker literally failed to achieve their goal of inflicting maximum casualties, police captain Hussein said, accusing the al-Qaeda-linked extremist group al-Shabab of carrying out the attack.

Al-Shabab later claimed responsibility for the explosion, which shattered a period of calm in seaside Mogadishu. The Somalia-based al-Shabab often targets the capital with bombings, including a truck bombing in October that left at least 512 people dead.

Somali troops are meant to take over the Horn of Africa nations security in the coming years from an African Union force but concerns about their readiness remain high. The U.N. Security Council recently voted to delay the reduction of troops in the AU force from October to February and the target date to hand over security to Somali forces to December 2021.
WASHINGTONJohn McCains final journey from his Arizona ranch is ending on a grassy hill at the U.S. Naval Academy within view of the Severn River and earshot of midshipmen present and future, and alongside a lifelong friend.

A private memorial service at the academys chapel followed by a procession to the burial site was to mark the farewell Sunday to a man who lived a very public life. Invited along with family and friends were members of McCains Class of 1958, military leaders and Brigade of Midshipmen.

One scheduled speaker at the service, Sen. Lindsey Graham, said he would tell the audience that nobody loved a soldier more than John McCain, that I bear witness to his commitment to have their back, travel where they go, never let them be forgotten. The public may be tired of this war called the war on terrorism, but John McCain never was. And he had their back and he gave them what they need to win a fight we cant afford to lose.

Also expected to pay tribute to McCain, the former Arizona senator, GOP presidential nominee and prisoner of war who died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81, were David Petraeus, a retired general and former CIA director, and McCains son Jack.

The private ceremony was as carefully planned as the rest of the events that have stretched from Arizona to Washington.

On Saturday, speeches by his daughter Meghan and two former presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  remembered McCain as a patriot who could bridge painful rivalries. But even as their remarks made clear their admiration for him, they represented a repudiation of U.S. President Donald Trumps brand of tough-talking, divisive politics.

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John McCain's procession has made a stop at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the way to his service at Washington National Cathedral, and his wife, Cindy, has placed a wreath on the memorial. (The Associated Press)

McCains family, including his 106-year-old mother, Roberta, had planned to escort his remains to Annapolis. As a hearse carrying McCain passed through a gate and into the academy, there was a loud applause from the several hundred people lining the street outside on the hot and muggy summer day. Many held their hands over their hearts and waved American flags and applauded loudly; some shouted God bless you.

Some in the crowd held signs that said, Senator John McCain Thanks For Serving! Godspeed and Rest In Peace Maverick.

For his final resting place, McCain picked the historic site overlooking the Severn River, not Arlington National Cemetery, where his father and grandfather, both admirals, are buried.

The late Chuck Larson, an admiral himself and ally throughout McCains life, had reserved four plots at the cemetery  two for McCain and himself, and two for their wives, now widows. Larson died in 2014, and McCain wrote in his recent memoir that he wanted to be buried next to his friend, near where it began.

Theres a lesson to be learned this week about John McCain, said Graham, R-S.C.

Number one, Americans appreciate military service ... If you work hard and do your homework and know what youre talking about, people will listen to you. That if you pick big causes bigger than yourself, youll be remembered, he told Fox News Sunday.

He tried to drain the swamp before it was cool, that you can fight hard and still be respected. If you forgive, people appreciate it, and if you admit to mistakes, you look good as a stronger man. Thats the formula, John McCain. This was a civics lesson for anybody who wanted to listen. Why do we remember this man? Because of the way he conducted his public life.
LVIV, UKRAINEThe Ukrainian city of Lviv, once a major centre of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the annihilation of the citys Jewish population by Nazi Germany and honouring those working today to preserve what they can of that vanished world.

City authorities honoured recipients during a ceremony Sunday with 75 sculptured glass keys modelled by an American artist on an old metal synagogue key that she found at a Lviv market. The commemorations, including a concert amid the ruins of synagogues, come amid a larger attempt to revive the suppressed memories of the Jews who were once an integral part of life in the region.

God forbid our city once suffered such a misfortune, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said at the ceremony. Today we cannot even imagine for a moment the pain, humiliation and grief that thousands of Lvivs people suffered in the last century.

Iryna Matsevko, deputy director of the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe and one of the organizers, said it was the first time the western Ukrainian city has acknowledged the efforts in such an extensive way.

She said it comes amid a growing consciousness in Ukrainian society of the need to remember the Jews who were annihilated by Nazi forces during their occupation of Eastern Europe, which occurred with the participation of local people in some cases. The new efforts have included Jewish history courses at universities, new research by young Ukrainian scholars and grassroots efforts by local teachers and other volunteers that otherwise get little attention. Volunteers have also worked to recover Jewish gravestones that were used to pave roads and return them to cemeteries.

This is part of the process of reviving the memory of the Jewish heritage. Of course, this process is slow. I want it to be quicker, but for the last 10 years we have seen how the Jewish heritage is returning to peoples consciousness and a lot of activities are taking place, Matsevko said. It is very important that people are being acknowledged for their work in Jewish heritage.

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Before World War II, Lviv and the surrounding area belonged to Poland. Then called Lwow, it was the third largest Jewish community in prewar Poland after Warsaw and Lodz, with most working as merchants, manufacturers or artisans. Before World War I, Lviv and the surrounding area were part of the eastern Galicia region of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the city was called by its German name, Lemberg.

In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union, its former ally. When the German forces entered the city they and their Ukrainian collaborators massacred Jews in the city and countryside. While occupying the area, Germans murdered Jews in the ghetto, the Belzec death camp and a forced labour camp, Janowska, with the final annihilation occurring in 1943, the anniversary that was being marked Sunday.

Of a population of about 150,000 Jews, only an estimated 1 per cent survived.

In the postwar years, with Ukraine part of the Soviet Union, the memories of the murdered Jews began to vanish. Historian Omer Bartov has called the area a land of memory and oblivion, coexistence and erasure, high hopes and dashed illusions.

The remembrance work is taking place as Ukraine finds itself mired in crisis and conflict following Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and with a Russia-backed insurgency in the east. With Ukraine under attack, nationalism has been on the rise, with some lauding the Nazi-affiliated irregulars who fought against the Soviet Army in World War II. To what extent this has led to greater anti-Semitism is a matter of dispute, but some of those working on the ground in western Ukraine feel that level of real anti-Semitism is exaggerated as of a Russian propaganda effort.

The glass keys are the work of New Mexico-based artist Rachel Stevens, who found a rusted synagogue key at a street market in Lviv in February while seeking remnants of Jewish culture in eastern Galicia as part of a research project.

She reproduced them in glass, which in Jewish tradition represents the fragility of life, she said, explaining that the glass synagogue keys became a tangible way for me to express my grief about the past and my hope for the future.

The idea for this artwork seems almost mystically delivered to me, Stevens said.

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VANCOUVERThey are icons of B.C.s pristine coast and wild beauty.

They are on the brink of extinction. Only 75 remain.

And this summer, the heart-wrenching image of a mother orca carrying her dead newborn for weeks in the Salish Sea drove home the severity of their plight.

But in their suffering, the southern resident killer whales underlined the potentially grave risks the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project would have brought with its influx of tankers.

The orcas may well have saved themselves, and assisted the Indigenous and environmentalist groups in having the pipelines construction suspended while doing so.

The whales did what scientists have been trying to do for decades, said Dr. Deborah Giles, a marine conservationist who sits on Washingtons orca-recovery task force.

Scientists have a small voice. The whales have a big voice.

Canadas Federal Court of Appeal ruled Thursday that the National Energy Boards environmental assessment had failed to consider the effect tanker traffic would have on the critically endangered southern resident killer whale population in the Salish Sea.

In the courts decision to suspend the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, this particular population of killer whales was mentioned at least 57 times.

The images of J-35 repeatedly diving to retrieve her calfs sinking body and pushing it to the surface pulled peoples heart strings in a profound and timely way, said Jason Colby, an environmental historian at the University of Victoria.

It clearly had a really powerful political impact and it focused peoples attention on the fate of the southern residents in a way that no human beings have been able to do.

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But the pipeline projects fate is far from decided because the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could still be built.

The court based its decision on two main considerations: The NEB excluded the effect of marine shipping on the endangered orcas and consultation with First Nations in the pipelines path was flawed.

That means the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could still be built if the federal government asked the National Energy Board for a new environmental assessment and conducted further consultations with Indigenous groups, explained Dyna Tuytel, an Ecojustice lawyer who represented the Living Oceans Society and Raincoast Conservation Foundation in the case.

The federal government could also appeal the courts decision.

The expansion project would twin the existing 1,100-kilometre pipeline and triple the flow of diluted bitumen and other oil products, sending 890,000 barrels a day from Alberta to B.C.s coast.

It would also result in a sevenfold increase in tanker traffic through the Salish Sea from Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby.

The environmental experts interviewed for this story said they hoped the courts decision Thursday was a turning point for the Canadian government when it comes to weighing the environment against economic or political gain.

This is an example where (environmental laws) werent followed and the courts reminded cabinet that it is cabinets responsibility to follow the laws, said Tuytel.

Tuytel said she could not recall another example where one group of animals made such a dramatic impact on a large federal project.

But the whales fate is also far from decided. Researchers say they are already essentially starving to death due to lack of their main prey, Chinook salmon.

The reasons for the dwindling Chinook salmon numbers include climate change, overfishing and the destruction of spawning habitat, according to experts.

Noise pollution from ship traffic in the already busy Salish Sea is also preventing the orcas from finding their prey. Toothed whales, like orcas, rely on echolocation to hunt.

And the southern resident orcas are swimming in a pool of toxins, added Dr. Peter Ross, a marine-mammal toxicologist with the Vancouver Aquarium who has been studying orcas for 20 years.

Its about ferries, navy boats, pleasure craft, dredging, pile driving ... If you want to talk about pollution and habitat and noise disturbance, this single pipeline project is not the only thing that is affecting killer whales.

Researchers feared the sevenfold increase in tanker traffic and increased risk of oil spill from a pipeline expansion would have almost certainly meant extinction for the species.

Now the orcas have a fighting chance, said Giles, the marine conservationist: The whales dodged a bullet.

Its a sorely needed piece of good news for researchers who have been tracking the declining population for decades.

Three out of the endangered 78 southern resident killer whales counted last summer have been declared dead in the past six months. More than half of the whales in the population were sired by just two male orcas, signalling the number of breeding-aged adults is far too small.

Between 2014 to 2016, there were 11 calves born in J-pod and L-pod. Dubbed the baby boom, it reignited hopes that the orca population would recover. But only half of the whales are still alive today.

One of them, four-year-old J-50, is so malnourished that she has grown only to the size of a one-year-old and is currently the target of an ambitious cross-border effort to save her.

The continuing spotlight on Canadian and American veterinarians efforts to deliver antibiotics to the ailing youngster shows people around the world are now invested, said Giles.

Governments wont be able to ignore that something drastic has to change and now the world is in love with this population, she said.

The world wont let these whales perish.

With files from Ainslie Cruickshank and David Ball

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NEW YORK  In The Old Man and the Gun, the elderly bank robber Forrest Tucker, played by Robert Redford, walks up to a bank teller, smiles, says a few words in a kindly manner, and collects a heap of money. Later, when the teller is interviewed by the police, shell sound a little bewildered describing the encounter. He was a gentleman.

Redford, now 82, has for six decades been leaving us similarly charmed. Who wouldnt hand over whatever Robert Redford asked for? But David Lowerys The Old Man and the Gun may be his last heist. Redford has said the movie, which Fox Searchlight will release Sept. 28, will be his final one as an actor. The news, with palpable affection, ricocheted around the world.

I didnt expect that kind of response, Redford chuckles, speaking by phone from his house in Santa Fe. Now I cant say I was just kidding!

But I did say Never say never, he adds, giving himself an out. I just figure that Ive had a long career that Im very pleased with. Its been so long, ever since I was 21. I figure now as Im getting into my 80s, its maybe time to move toward retirement and spend more time with my wife and family.

That Redford might be hanging it up has the unmistakable feel of an era passing. For many, his face  from sandy-haired California boy to weathered mountain man  has charted a half-century of something intrinsically American. His Sundance Kid, his Jeremiah Johnson, his Bob Woodward are figures of rigorous self-determination. From the young C.I.A. agent in Three Days of the Condor to the aged sailor in All Is Lost, they are smooth-sailing romantics whose quiet ways are violently capsized.

For me, the word to be underscored is independence, Redford says. Ive always believed in that word. Thats what led to me eventually wanting to create a category that supported independent artists who werent given a chance to be heard. The industry was pretty well controlled by the mainstream, which I was a part of. But I saw other stories out there that werent having a chance to be told and I thought, Well, maybe I can commit my energies to giving those people a chance. As I look back on it, I feel very good about that.

It was through the Sundance Institute, the nonprofit he founded in 1981 for independent filmmaking that puts on the Sundance Film Festival, that Redford met Lowery, the 37-year-old director. Shortly after Lowerys Aint Them Bodies Saints premiered at Sundance, he met with Redford, who expressed his interest in making a movie based on Tucker, a lifelong stickup man and prison escapee whom David Grann profiled in The New Yorker.

Lowery then wrote a script that became The Old Man and the Gun. It wasnt until shortly before shooting that his phone lit up after Redford, in an interview, suggested this might be his last movie.

My first thought was, boy, pressures on. My second thought was that I needed to completely ignore that pressure and not let it influence the movie. I actively worked against it feeling like grand summation, Lowery says. But I did want to tap into what makes Robert Redford a movie star and acknowledge where he came from and what hes done. It wasnt meant to be a swan song but, if it winds up being a bookend, hopefully its a fitting one.

And as a capstone for Redford, the 70s-set The Old Man and the Gun is indeed poignant. It bears much of the spirit and twinkle of some Redford classics, like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, only as filtered through Lowerys lyrical naturalism. And Redford again is on the other side of the law.

The idea of the outlaw has always been very appealing to me. If you look at some of the films, its usually having to do with the outlaw sensibility, which I think has probably been my sensibility. I think I was just born with it, Redford says. From the time I was just a kid, I was always trying to break free of the bounds that I was stuck with, and always wanted to go outside.

In the film, Redfords partners are played by Danny Glover and Tom Waits; Sissy Spacek plays the love interest of the smitten Tucker; and Casey Affleck plays the police detective pursuing Tucker even as his esteem for the bank robber grows. Redford has kind words for them all but especially for Affleck. I think the world of him, Redford says. I just think hes a really special, talented guy.

Redford still has hopes of directing one or two more films, but he likes the idea of going out as an actor with an upbeat movie. Many have compared todays White House investigation to Watergate, which he so memorably chronicled in All the Presidents Men. Redford still loves talking about the film, like the light-and-dark interplay by cinematographer Gordon Willis. There were no shadows in the newsroom, he says. Once you leave that newsroom, you step into darkness.

But as to any relation to today, he demurs.

I try not to think about todays politics, Redford says. Otherwise you get too depressed.

Were living in such dark times right now, he adds. The hope is that The Old Man and the Gun will put a smile on an audiences face. Thats something I think we could sure use right now.
Bad news for UE Boom users who use Amazon Alexa, the company just removed support for the digital assistant on its Android app. According to a statement released to The Verge, the company wants to focus on the core functionality of the speakers. The update notes on Google Play also state that the app loses support for alarms. Some users also commented that the app also lost the ability to remotely power up UE devices. Many have left one-star reviews over the update claiming it slowed down the app. Amazon Alexa compatibility isnt completely lost, though. The company notes its still available for the Blast and Megablast speakers.
Just a few months after the Delhi High Court rejected the plea of a Delhi-based hospitality firm linked to Robert Vadra challenging an income tax (I-T) department notice, Vadra and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were booked Saturday by Haryana Police for alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurgaon.

An FIR against Vadra, Hooda and two companiesDLF and Onkareshwar Propertieshas been registered at Kherki Daula police station in Gurgaon, Manesar Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Kumar told PTI.

"We received a complaint today from one Surinder Sharma, resident of Nuh, in which he alleged irregularities in the land deals," he said.

In February, Hooda and 33 others were chargesheeted by the CBI in another case of alleged corruption.

That chargesheet was related to land deals in Manesar, Naurangpur and Lakhnoula villages of Gurgaon, alleging a scam totaling Rs 1,500 crore.

The BJP had made the land deals a major poll issue in 2014, alleging that Vadra benefited through questionable land use permissions granted by the earlier Congress government in the state.

The new FIR said Vadra's company Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd purchased 3.5 acre of land in Gurgaon's Sector 83 from Onkareshwar Properties for Rs 7.50 crore in 2008, when Hooda was the chief minister and also held the portfolio of the Town and County Planning Department.

Later, Skylight Hospitality sold this land to realty major DLF at a price of Rs 58 crore, after procuring a commercial licence for the development of the colony with the influence of Hooda, Sharma alleged.

The company thus made a profit of about Rs 50 crore, according to the allegation which has been trashed in the past by Vadra.

In return, the state government allotted 350 acres of land to DLF at Wazirabad in Gurgaon in violation of rules, Sharma claimed. In the alleged quid pro quo the realty major made Rs 5,000 crore.

The Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government had on May 14, 2015 set up a one-man commission to probe the grant of licences by the Department of Town and Country Planning for developing housing and commercial colonies in Gurgaon's Sector 83.

This included the alleged deals between Skylight Hospitality and DLF.

The Justice S.N. Dhingra Commission, formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, had examined the licences given by the then Hooda government for developing real estate in four Guragon villages of Sihi, Shikohpur, Kherki Daula and Sikanderpur Bada.

Vadra and Hooda have now been booked under Sections 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the IPC, and Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The complainant said the payment to Onkareshwar Properties was through a cheque, which was mentioned in registered deed.

Onkareshwar Properties never deposited the cheque, the complainant alleged. It indicated that it was a shell company, Sharma claimed in the FIR. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were booked Saturday by Haryana Police for alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurgaon.

Earlier, in February, The I-T department, in a tax evasion report tabled before the High Court, had said that it had reasons to believe that over Rs 35 crore, earned by the firm in 2010-11, "had escaped from assessment".

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar, taking note of the tax evasion report, said, "After going through the reasons, we are satisfied that the 'reasons to believe' show and establish a live link and connect with the inference drawn that income had escaped assessment, which is required for issuance of notice."

The court also directed the firm, Skylight Hospitality LLP, to join proceedings before the assessing officer on February 19.

The firm, in its plea challenging the I-T department's notice, had contended that the 'reasons to believe' were mere reasons to suspect and do not establish that income had escaped assessment.

-Inputs from PTI
The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu expressed disappointment over the functioning of the Parliament, making a call to political parties to transcend political considerations on issues of national importance. He asked them to evolve a consensus on a code of conduct for parliamentarians, both inside and outside the legislature.

While there is cause for a great deal of celebration in the way Indian economy is shaping up and how India's standing in the comity of nations has been steadily going up, I am a little unhappy that our Parliament is not functioning as it should, said Naidu, who is also chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Naidu, who was speaking on the occasion of the release of his book Moving On... Moving Forward, which chronicles his experience during his first year as vice president, said he has recorded in the book his disappointment over the functioning of the Rajya Sabha during the first two sessions that he presided over.

But he noted that the new tidings in the recently concluded monsoon session, when the Rajya Sabha worked over time, raise hopes. So, there is hope, but we need to stay on course. My earnest endeavour has been to facilitate informed and dignified debates befitting the stature of this hallowed institution.

He also said that if a member desires to change party, he must do so by resigning from the membership of the House, and the anti-defection laws should be implemented within three months.

He stressed upon election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders being disposed off within a reasonable time frame by constituting, if required, special benches of the High Court and the Supreme Court.

In comments that assume significance in the backdrop of criticism against the ruling dispensation for practising divisive politics, Naidu said true nationalism is not about garlanding a picture of Bharat Mata and shouting Bharat Mata Ki Jai. He said it means not discriminating against any one irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Apparently backing Women's Reservation Bill, Naidu said political parties must consider women's issues dispassionately and legislate measures to empower women through reservation in all spheres of public life, including legislatures. Launching Naidu's book at a function in Vigyan Bhawan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was unfortunate that Parliament has not functioned well, but this has made people take note of Naidu's role as chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Modi, in an apparent dig at the criticism that he functions in an autocratic manner, said that in today's milieu, efforts to exercise discipline are dubbed undemocratic. You are called an autocrat, and the entire dictionary is scanned to look for words to call you autocratic, he said. The prime minister said this while talking about Naidu's penchant for discipline. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, in an effort to use Naidu's words to focus on the two most politically significant issuesunemployment and agrarian crisisreferred to the vice president's focus in the book on the huge untapped demographic dividend and the need to put in place an ecosystem for remunerative farming in the country. He also quoted Naidu's emphasis on orienting scientific and research efforts to better the lives of our people and enhancing public awareness about rich Indian heritage and inculcating national pride in our pluralistic, inclusive, harmonious world view.
Two new Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved test pilot programs are in the works to potentially remedy the conditions of canal waters in Cape Coral.

One of these programs began earlier this week in the Cabot Canal, with the other in the queue, waiting for the right partner to join forces with, according to city officials.

Were excited about this, said Jeff Pearson, City of Cape Coral Utilities director, who is overseeing the two projects. We are cautiously optimistic that this will help get rid of the algae.

On Tuesday, workers from Ecological Laboratories (ELI), an international biotechnology company in Cape Coral that specializes in the natural treatment of environmental issues associated with water, took samples from the dead-end Cabot Canal off of Everest Parkway to test toxicity levels in the water.

Residents were notified and signs were posted to give homeowners a heads up that the project was taking place.

Reading from preliminary testing Tuesday showed high levels of toxicity, said Matthew Richter, vice president and chief information officer with ELI.

A water fence was installed to section off a 620-foot long and 80-foot wide section of the canal to separate treated water from untreated water.

They will test both and compare results.

Thursday was the first day ELIs Microbe-Lift product was applied to the specific area, which is designed to reduce waste organics, nutrients and pathogens that have caused waters to deteriorate in quality and color.

The product is one hundred percent safe and all organic, said Richter.

ELI will be testing its results in their own lab, an outside lab, as well as testing from the City of Cape Coral.

Treatment-which will be applied by Mettauer Environmental, a local licensed environmental treatment company in SWFL- will be done every three days for the first five treatments, then every two weeks for two months, followed by once a month, over the 180-day program period.

Our hope and goal is to show a positive change both physically and scientifically, Richter said.

ELI offered this trial program to the city at no cost after Pearson sat in on a presentation about the product and how it has benefitted other bodies of water and aquariums around the world.

This is the first time ELI has been DEP approved to use its methods on state waters.

Doug Dent, senior vice president of ELI, said the eutrophication of Florida waters over 50 years is the reason why these green-water events occur.

His plans to fix it?

We can convert nitrate compounds in water, called denitrification, that reduces nitrates and bubble off into the atmosphere, Dent said.

Denitrification is a key function of ELIs technologies capability and water management efforts for restoration and control of green water events.

Besides an increase in water clarity, this process will also see a reduction in the foul, nausea-inducing smell wafting off of the Nickelodeon slime colored water.

We want to restore the ecosystem through a natural, biological process, added Dent.

Essentially, they are treating the water with a group of microorganisms designed to enhance water quality.

These microorganisms will out-compete the bacteria for food, starving them off and work to restore a state of normalcy to the ecosystem.

Dent advocated that though this may provide somewhat of a solution, Floridians have to implement better practices.

ELI is hoping this trial run will lead them to make a bigger difference for Southwest Florida waters.

Ultimately, we want to get to the source, which is Lake O, said Richter. The first step is this test trial phase.

The second pilot project in the works is a bubble curtain to be placed at a canal opening to try and filter out any floating materials coming though the waters.

We would implement this to keep floating debris or algae clumps from coming down the river into the canal system, Pearson said.

This curtain would potentially be placed at the mouth of the Mandolin Canal, the first canal opening north of the Cape Coral bridge, but nothing is set in stone, according to Pearson.

Everything for this project is still preliminary, we are investigating further, he said. We still have some homework to do.

These curtains have been used in the Florida Keys to some success.

As for the vacuuming project that started a few weeks ago, it will continue to try and relieve some heavily effected areas, including Cape Coral, this week, said county spokesperson Betsy Clayton.

Lee County and the state Department of Environmental Protection continue to evaluate and assess the pilot program for blue-green algae cleanup and processing, she said. Staff also have discussions daily with the contractor, AECOM. The plan is for the pilot project to continue while state funds are available. The pilot cleanup project provides temporary relief for some residents, but the real solution lies in the billions of dollars being spent on statewide water-quality projects.

Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj
Granite Construction, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of infrastructure solutions for public and private clients. It operates through the following segments: Transportation, Water, Specialty and Materials. The Transportation segment focuses on construction and rehabilitation of roads, pavement preservation, bridges, rail lines, airports and marine ports. The Water segment involves in water-related construction and water management solutions for municipal agencies, commercial water suppliers, industrial facilities and energy companies. It also provides trenchless cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation. The Specialty segment includes construction of various complex projects including infrastructure / site development, mining, public safety, tunnel and power projects. The Materials segment offers production of aggregates, asphalt and construction related materials as well as proprietary sanitary and storm water rehabilitation products including cured-in-place pipe felt and fiberglass-based lining tubes both for internal use and for sale to third parties. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Watsonville, CA.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited.
The Williams Cos., Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico; Northeast G&P; and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment comprises of interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. The Northeast G&P segment includes midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment consists of gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. The company was founded by David Williams and Miller Williams in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa,

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To the editor:

The late U.S. Senator John McCain was by no means an ordinary man. Born into a long line of U.S. Navy leaders, he suffered with grievous injuries through five years in North Vietnams worst prisons. Upon his repatriation, he resumed his career, leaving the Navy to enter national politics.

McCain never sought to be remembered as a hero. He chose to be remembered as an average citizen who fought for the rights and the quality of life of other average citizens and for the ultimate betterment of our country. In these simple thoughts he sealed his legacy.

Senator McCains message was to work together, to reason together, to empathize with those youve never met, and to patiently forge solutions benefitting us all, never class, party, power or privilege. Most of all, though his message was this: courage.

The world needs more like John McCain.

David C. Fetzer

Naples
Stage Stores, Inc. operates specialty department stores primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities in the United States. Its merchandise portfolio comprises moderately priced and brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear, and home goods. The company also offers merchandise direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce Website, and private label credit card and loyalty programs. As of August 23, 2018, it operated 764 department stores in 42 states under the BEALLS, GOODY'S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES, and STAGE names; 63 GORDMANS off-price stores; and stage.com, an e-commerce Website. The company was founded in 1988 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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East Vincent  The professional staff at Pennsylvania American Waters Shady Lane Water Treatment Plant in East Vincent recently accepted the Phase III Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water.

Company officials hosted a recognition ceremony Monday at the Shady Lane facility to honor the plants production and water quality staff for achieving the milestone. The plant is located along the Schuylkill River near Spring City.

The plant serves approximately 17,000 customers in Montgomery and Chester counties.

The facility earned the Five-Year Directors Award for achieving optimal treatment performance standards for five consecutive years. Nationally, more than 400 surface water treatment plants are involved in the Partnership for Safe Water, a voluntary effort that is designed to increase protection against microbial contamination through treatment optimization.

Our local teams have worked very hard to earn the Directors Awards, and this recognition is a testament to their expertise and dedication to better serve our customers, Christopher Abruzzo, director of water quality and environmental compliance for Pennsylvania American Water said in a press release. These awards indicate the higher standards met by our water plants and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in the performance of our treatment facilities to help protect the publics health.

The program was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, American Water Works Association and other organizations to recognize water suppliers that continuously provide water quality that surpasses regulatory standards.

Partnership members participate in a rigorous four-phase self-assessment and peer review process, developed by industry experts and are recognized for their commitment to delivering safe water to their communities, according to the release.

Abruzzo noted that American Water accounts for about 20 percent of the participating plants across the country and has received more Partnership for Safe Water awards than any other utility nationwide.

The company held a similar event earlier this month to recognize its Clarion Water Treatment Plant team for earning the 10-Year Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water.

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people.

The company provides service in 36 counties across Pennsylvania, including portions of Montgomery, Chester and Berks. Pennsylvania American Water serves approximately 670,000 water and wastewater customers, including approximately 82,000 in the tri-county region.

For more information, visit amwater.com.
For the last three years, gay Episcopalians in the diocese of Albany have been trapped in a canonical limbo. The national church sanctions same-sex marriage. The local church does not. The majority of American bishops support it. The local bishop does not.

And so, for the last three years, gay Episcopalians in search of a church wedding have traveled outside the diocesan lines to have one. Even those who assist with local nuptials cant marry here.

You know, Im the cathedrals florist, said Louis Bannister, a gay member of the Cathedral of All Saints on Elk Street. I can arrange the flowers for anyones wedding but my own.

Then, this past July, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church issued Resolution B012, a compromise aimed at allowing gay couples to marry at their home churches in the eight dissenting dioceses across the country  Albany among them  where gay marriage remained forbidden. In response, Albany Bishop William Love issued a soberly worded letter calling the resolution problematic and potentially damaging, adding, The vast majority of the clergy and people of the Diocese, to include myself, are greatly troubled by it."

He called for a special meeting of clergy  scheduled for Thursday at the Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich. What may come of it, no one knows  not clergy, not laypeople, not Love himself, who sat for a two-hour-and-15-minute interview one Friday morning in August. From his standpoint hes the one now trapped in canonical limbo, where our diocesan canons state one thing, and the General Convention says something else. And we have to figure out how to deal with that tension.

But no matter what their role in the church or where they stand on the issue of gay marriage, nearly all of the 19 people who commented for this story by phone or email described a diocese in the thick of complex, ongoing and difficult change. Love was blunt in his own assessment: Were in the midst of a major schism.

Bishop William Love (photo by Amy Biancolli)

From Loves vantage, and the vantage of those who support him, the Episcopal Church is to blame. The bishop sees B012 and the sanctioning of same-sex weddings in 2015 as a movement away from the broader Anglican Communion, which includes more orthodox churches -- in African countries, for instance -- that oppose the American episcopates embrace of gay marriage.

From the vantage of those in the diocese who support same-sex weddings, Loves literal reading of that very scripture  in the narrow light of an ancient definition -- is to blame. They see the bishops position as a doctrinal refusal to budge that denies gays their full engagement with church life, failing to grasp parallels with earlier Episcopal prohibitions such as those against interracial marriage and the ordination of women.

From the vantage of both, the gulf is head-spinning and the questions are huge. Does the Bible contain Gods literal word? What is marriage, anyway? I think marriage is between two adult people that want to be married, said Joan Csaposs, a former congregant at the Cathedral of All Saints and the mother of a gay man. But what seems obvious to her isnt for everyone, Because some people in the area are strictly stuck in what they believe.

Love knows hes been branded as one of the stuck. What is frustrating to me is to be accused of failing to understand marriage, or whatever  when, in fact, what Im teaching is what the church has always taught, and what God has revealed through holy Scripture, he said. The new understanding of marriage is a new thing, just within a matter of a decade or so.

Wearing the purple shirt and clerical collar of his position, the bishop spoke in hushed, unhurried but impassioned tones from his office in Greenwich. He spends part of his workweek there, part at All Saints, the rest traversing a diocese that stretches from Clinton and St. Lawrence counties to the north to Delaware and Columbia counties to the south.

He often meets with gay congregants and volunteers, setting aside any differences in belief. He said the injunction against gay marriage, or even gay sex, has no bearing on his regard for gays as human beings: Everyone is a sinner, himself included. If anything, he said, the Episcopal Church is doing a great injustice to gays, affirming their behavior and depriving them of a chance to repent.

I would be the first to acknowledge that all people  regardless of our gender, regardless of our understanding of our sexuality  we are all created in the image and likeness of God, Love said. And God loves every person that he has ever created, to include those who find themselves to be homosexual in orientation, or transgender, or bisexual, or whatever the orientation might be. He loves every one of us. That said, that doesnt mean that he approves of everything that we do.

You know, its love the sinner, hate the sin, agreed Ginny Ogden, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Canajoharie and one of several interviewed who made that distinction. While some of the Bibles more extreme mandates shouldnt be taken word for word, she said, Just because the punishments have changed doesnt mean that Gods moral laws have changed. You know, we dont stone people to death for adultery any more. But that doesnt mean God approves of adultery.

The old sinner/sin maxim baffles those who back gay marriage. That never made sense to me. When I hear that, Im thinking, like, What are you trying to get around? I just dont understand, said Justin Lanier, rector at St. Peters in Bennington, part of the more-progressive Vermont diocese.

One of the most-religious weddings he ever officiated, he said, was that of a gay couple who married at St. Peters. They didnt come for the beautiful church interior. They came for the sacrament, they came for the practice," he said. "They were engaged in the spiritual life of Christianity.

Love  and, yes, people on both sides remark on his name -- said he takes no issue with gay orientation. He approves the idea of a civil union and affirms the legal protections afforded same-sex partners. And despite the stricture against same-sex marriage, Love says he has never denied gay Episcopalians the sacraments of communion, confirmation or baptism.

In addition, the bishop has been very compassionate in his instructions to us in dealing with anyone who is gay or transgendered or anything like that, said Michael A. ODonnell, rector at St. Johns in Ogdensburg.

That said, Love believes gay people are called to celibacy  just as heterosexuals who find themselves single are called to celibacy. Sex belongs in marriage, he said, and the Bible ordains that marriage can only occur between opposite-sex couples. A gay couple who love and support one another through several decades can be in a faithful, monogamous relationship with one another, a loving relationship with one another, he said. But its not a marriage.

By Loves estimate, roughly 80 percent of his theologically conservative diocese would agree with him. For this story, press queries were sent to around 60 churches, roughly half the diocese; most did not respond. Of the eight diocesan clergy who agreed to speak or emailed their comments, the majority voiced support for Love and expressed admiration for his unwavering faith. Even those less firmly aligned with his views described his leadership as serious, prayerful and attentive to clergys needs.

A map of the Albany diocese of the Episcopal Church The large diocese includes churches from the Canadian border to the Pennsylvania border, forcing gay Episcopalians in the Albany area travel far to find an Episcopal Church where they can wed. Tap on the dots for more information Cathleen F. Crowley/Times Union

And most everyone interviewed, Love included, said they value unity. But most everyone professes their faith and opinions from a stance of unshakable conviction, much of it based on their interpretation of Scripture. Love and like-minded believers take relevant passages in the Old and New Testaments  Leviticus, the letters of Paul, other sources  as the unalterable word of God. Others take them as prohibitions shaped by human messengers and the patriarchal, procreation-centered attitudes of the era that bore them.

Theres 6 billion people on the Earth, and if God is divine, and were all mortal, that means theres 6 billion interpretations of what God was saying when Scripture was created, said Don Csaposs, Joans husband.

I think theres a huge cognitive disconnect between the elements that are held up in defense of Bishop Loves position and other elements that negate it, said Brandon Dumas, director of music ministry at St. Georges in Schenectady and a gay man who grew up singing in the choir at All Saints. While the Old Testament has its laws of purity, he said, the New Testament conveys a message of love. Taken today, the message of Jesus in his ministry would very soundly drown out everything else thats there on the printed page.

Love said he listens to such arguments, including those that claim a prophetic view for the Episcopal Church. He just isnt dissuaded. I believe that the Bible is, in fact, the word of God. Its not just some historic document that was written some 2,000-plus years ago, but it is Gods revealed word. He declared as much when first ordained a deacon, then a priest, then a bishop. And so one of the struggles that were having in this conversation about human sexuality is that so many of the folks who are promoting this dont have the same understanding of the Bible.

Speaking in Greenwich that Friday, Love quoted scripture. He quoted prayers and liturgies, flipping through the Book of Common Prayer -- the core collection of teachings and devotional texts used throughout the Anglican Communion and its 45 churches. The Episcopal province covers the United States, Taiwan, bits of Latin America and elsewhere: the word itself, from the Latin episcopus, or bishop, underscores the traditional importance of diocesan leadership.

Unlike other Protestant sects, which emphasize decision-making in individual congregations, the Anglican Communion gives authority to bishops. This very emphasis was one reason, back in 2015, that the earlier General Convention approved alternate liturgies allowing same-sex marriage but declined to alter the Book of Common Prayer. The decision sanctioned gay marriage across the American church but has allowed the bishops of eight dioceses -- Albany, Florida, Central Florida, Dallas, North Dakota, Tennessee, the Virgin Islands and Springfield., Ill.  to opt out.

The 2018 Conventions B012 resolution, critics say, essentially weakened the authority of those eight bishops. According to the compromise, a same-sex couple can marry in their home parish  even if the priest declines, thus requiring outside clergy or pastoral support from another diocese. (Clergy have always had a right to decline to marry people.)

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Instead of being ostracized from the home parish, it allows the wedding to happen even though the bishop and the particular priest in the parish might not agree, said Long Island Bishop Lawrence Provenzano, one of the three bishops who proposed B012. The compromise was absolutely an effort to avoid an additional eight dioceses in the Episcopal church to contemplate leaving. As an aside, Provenzano noted his friendship with Love despite being at odds on same-sex marriage. I think the world of him.

After three years of discussion at the national level, five bishops from the original eight dioceses ultimately approved the compromise; Love was the most adamantly and vocally opposed.

Even Loves harshest critics agree that hes consistent: From the run-up to his election as bishop in 2006  a position he never wanted or sought, he stresses  hes articulated his position and the reasoning behind it. People may disagree with him, but they cant accuse him of being fair weather or wishy-washy. Hes been very clear, said William Hinrichs, who serves as a priest part-time at St. Johns in Cohoes.

As bishop, Love replaced William Herzog, a conservative who opposed the 2003 consecration of V. Gene Robinson  the now-retired head of the New Hampshire diocese who was the first bishop in an openly gay relationship. Herzog became a Catholic in 2007, though he returned to his former faith three years later.

Robinsons appointment prompted other Episcopalians to leave in the 2000s, one of several periods of change, rift and exodus in the last half-century  sparked by, among other things, the ordination of women in the 1970s and the 1979 rewrite of the 16th-century Book of Common Prayer. (St. Thomas of Canterbury in Clifton Park, which belongs to the Anglican Church of North America, uses the original prayer book.)

The 2015 General Convention sparked another. Lanier said a contingent of maybe 10 to 12 worshipers migrated from Albany to St. Peters in Bennington in 2015, after Love issued a pastoral letter and delivered long and heated sermons against gay marriage. (Recalled Don Csaposs: Oh, it was awful.) Other progressive Episcopalians migrated, and still migrate, to churches in the Central New York diocese. Conservative Episcopalians migrate here.

Despite all of this, Love said, the diocese of Albany has not yet suffered a permanent breach. It hasnt broken away or lost a parish, although a few have used something called DEPO (Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight) to allow pro-gay marriage parishes to receive pastoral oversight from the bishop of Vermont while formally remaining under the purview of Albany.

Paul Buckowski

He said he shepherds all of them. He said he hears those who disagree with him, even as others complain he doesnt. He reads. He prays, listening for direction. For 12 years, the bishop has asked God to correct him if hes wrong on gay marriage  and he hasnt, Love said. Hes only reinforced. Using the three Anglican cornerstones of discernment, he still believes that Scripture defines marriage; that tradition supports this; that reason supports it, too. God designed the male and female bodies for sexual intimacy, he said.

Poised at a juncture in a church divided, William Love feels embattled. He says that people who attack him have their own struggles, some underlying hurt or wound or confusion, and I just happen to be the sucker that happens to be receiving the brunt of it. He says its the Episcopal Church, ironically, thats not being inclusive when it pushes out conservative opinions.

And he cant predict what will happen on Thursday, when clergy of all viewpoints will meet from all corners of the diocese to talk, pray and discern. Resolution B012 is scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 2, the first day of Advent. What that means and how it will play out for local Episcopalians  clergy and lay, gay and straight -- remains unknown.

Thats still to be seen. I dont know . . . . How we deal with B012 within the Diocese of Albany has not yet been determined, and thats part of my discernment process. Ultimately, Love said, I cant control what other people do. All I hope I can do is, by Gods grace, control what I do. So I dont know. At this point, my ultimate concern is not about me  my concern is about the diocese and how best to lead and provide for the diocese. This has never been about me.

What remains to be seen is how those bishops who are theologically opposed to same-sex marriage can honor both their theological conscience and the intention of B012, wrote Bishop Thomas Ely of Vermont in an email. Time will tell. . . . What Bishop Love and the Diocese of Albany will do is not yet clear. My personal hope is that there are not too many barriers or hoops to jump through before couples can use these authorized liturgies locally.

Many others expressed hope. Some expressed fear of a worsening breach. Worst-case scenarios could include departing parishes (though property and finances are a complicating factor), a redrawing of the diocesan map, even a shift over to the traditionalist Anglican Church of North America.

Im concerned about the implementation of the resolution, said Chip Strickland, vicar at St. Pauls in Greenwich, who agrees with Love on same-sex marriage. But I guess Im still hopeful that we can find a way to, you know, stick it together despite our differences. Would he consider leaving? Ive been Episcopalian my whole life. I love the Episcopal church. Im very grateful, and I owe them an awful lot  so leaving would be an extremely difficult and painful decision, if it came to that.

Dumas, too, is a lifelong Episcopalian. But the music director doesnt picture himself getting married any longer. This whole debate has made the sacrament moot: All the talk about whether he qualifies as a gay man has been completely desensitizing. And, frankly, has tested his faith.

Not his faith in the church. My faith in God. My faith in God. You know, because here I am  this is who I am  and Im still being called into question. Sure, the bishop says he has nothing, really, against gay people  well, thats not true, then, is it? Because this wouldnt be an issue. You cant walk around with that double standard. . . . And so it tests me.

As for Louis Bannister, who had temporarily migrated to Bennington, he feels "very much at home" back at the Cathedral. "I think were very good at loving each other, and supporting each other, and nurturing each other, and being there for each other. And regardless of what our issues might be outside the door, we are all extremely conscious that there be a place for everyone at the table.

By which he means the Eucharist  the body of Christ at the altar, the literal essence of Christian worship. And yes, I think that my devotion to Christ, as well as the bishops, allow us to sort of bridge the chasm. But boy, he said, it would be nice to be able to get married.
Albany

In a suburb or another part of the city, the opening of a Rite Aid wouldn't be cause for fanfare. But it was no small thing when the drugstore arrived in the South End in 1994.

The chain and the jobs it brought were hailed as the beginning of a turnaround for the impoverished neighborhood. It was nice to have a new place to shop, yes, but the symbolic importance of the new store was nearly as meaningful.

Who wants Albany's historic Tudors? Anybody?

"That was a big day," said Lucille McKnight, who has long represented the South End in the County Legislature. "It put a spark in the community. The people felt so hopeful."

As it turned out, other businesses didn't follow Rite Aid's example. The South End remains a place where it is difficult to buy anything. For that reason, the Rite Aid is especially important to residents.

And now it is closing.

"It was a success story that has gone bad on us now," McKnight said. "I don't even know what to tell people."

In March, Walgreens completed its purchase of 1,900 Rite Aid stores and has since been closing many of them. The Illinois-based company said it expects to shutter about a third of the Rite Aids it acquired.

The store at 310 S. Pearl St. will close Sept. 19. When I visited a few days ago, shelves were already empty amid a 50-percent off sale.

"It's crazy," said William Jenkins, 69, who lives on nearby Green Street and was shopping at the Rite Aid on Monday. "There's nothing that's going to be left down here."

As Jenkins told me as we stood outside, the Rite Aid is more than a drugstore. It is one of the only places in the South End to buy food. Or routine household items. Or prescriptions.

"This is where I get my medicines," said Willie Holloway, 79, another customer I met outside the store. "We need it in this area, especially for the elderly."

Walgreens, which did not return requests for comment, has not said why it is closing the store. But around the country, it has been closing Rite Aids that are relatively close to existing Walgreens stores, which is the case in Albany.

There is a Walgreens about a mile away on Holland Avenue, on the far side of Lincoln Park, and one more, a former Rite Aid now owned by the company, in downtown Albany.

More for you New stores and more in the Capital Region

But neither of those locations sit among the residential population density of the South End, where the store is a quick walk from public housing towers.

And if the other stores appear close on a map, they don't feel that way to the 45 percent of neighborhood residents who do not own a car.

The Holland Avenue Walgreens is uphill from the South End. It is no easy stroll.

There may be other reasons that are contributing to the closure of the store.

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McKnight suggested the County Legislature might be to blame. "When we write a law to take cigarettes out of drugstores, this is what happens," she said.

State Assemblyman John McDonald, a pharmacist, tied the closure to the stranglehold that Walgreens competitor CVS has on the Medicaid prescription market. "This is an example of pharmacy politics having a negative effect on a community," he said.

McDonald and Mayor Kathy Sheehan are among the elected officials lobbying to convince Walgreens officials to save the store. The campaign included a protest held outside the store Friday attended by about 30 people who vowed to pressure the company into a reversal.

The event was a sign of just how important the Rite Aid is to a neighborhood where 46 percent of residents live below the poverty line, according to the census.

More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse

"You're taking this right out of the heart of the community," McDonald said. "These are essential goods that people need on a regular basis."

Walgreens had net profit of $4.1 billion last year, which illustrates that it is no charity. In this cold-hearted world, it is perhaps too much to expect the corporation to keep a store open when there are other locations in proximity. That isn't how big companies got big.

Still, when life in one of the region's most troubled neighborhoods gets even more difficult, we should take notice.

In a suburb or another part of the city, the shuttering of a Rite Aid would not be so consequential. But in the South End, where struggle is often part of the routine, it means one more vacancy and another reason for cynicism in a neighborhood that has learned not to get its hopes up.

Outside the soon-to-be-empty store, I told Jenkins about the campaign to get Walgreens to reverse the decision.

"It won't work," he said.
Schenectady

Piles of urine-stained clothes on the floor. A bed stripped of sheets and bowed and broken in the middle. A cup of liquid filled with dead ants.

That was the condition of Wally Lassiter's bedroom at a Schenectady group home in 2017. On July 4, as the region was in the midst of a heat wave, the 26-year-old developmentally disabled man was found dead in his bed while wearing multiple layers of shirts.

A former employee who provided photographs to the Times Union that showed the condition of Lassiter's room last year said the man's untimely death was horrifying but not surprising.

"I had to fight tooth and nail to get anything done," said the former employee, who requested anonymity for fear of being sued after signing a confidentiality agreement as part of his job for Wildwood Programs, the nonprofit that runs the small group home.

Wally Lassiter

The former employee described witnessing other staff of Wildwood sleeping during night shifts, putting false times on a medication sheet, and allowing the two residents who lived at the home to eat excessive amounts of fatty and salty foods  even though they were both large men struggling with health issues.

It's still unknown what happened to Lassiter; investigators have declined to reveal a cause of death.

But the case points to continuing questions about how New York is handling the thousands of complaints made each year concerning vulnerable children and adults who receive care in state-licensed facilities.

The state Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, which is tasked with investigating deaths at everything from group homes to drug rehabilitation centers, was formed in June 2013 in response to a New York Times series that documented hundreds of people who had died under negligent circumstances, and with no criminal investigation or mechanisms for tracking the deaths or lapses in care.

Five years after the Justice Center's creation, criminal prosecution of staff whose behavior either directly or indirectly led to a resident's death is still rare. Since 2013, the Justice Center said it has confirmed abuse or neglect in 140 deaths statewide, yet only two cases were prosecuted by local district attorneys.

Justice Center officials say it is still difficult to prove a staff member's negligence directly caused a death, and noted the positive changes that have occurred since the center's formation, including banning 450 caregivers from the industry due to abuse or neglect issues.

But critics have alleged the Justice Center is inherently compromised because it is a state agency that is investigating other state-regulated agencies and employees. In the past year, the agency's ability to prosecute people suspected of abuse has been undercut by judicial rulings that found those duties are the responsibility of constitutionally elected district attorneys.

"(The Justice Center's) institutional conflicts of interest are huge and obvious," said John Gilmore, executive director of Autism Action Network, a national advocacy group based in New York. "Even that aside, they cannot investigate and prosecute a case like they were supposed to do and they won't turn them over to the district attorneys."

What happened to Wally?

Neither the Justice Center, Wildwood Programs or Schenectady police have offered an explanation to Lassiter's family about how he died. An autopsy done at Albany Medical Center Hospital did not reveal an immediate cause, and investigators are waiting on a toxicology report to learn more.

Lassiter had lived in the small group home on Londonderry Road near Schenectady's Central Park for a few years, sharing the residence with one other resident.

His mother, Sarah Larkin, said her son lived with her his entire adolescence. An immigrant who escaped Liberia in West Africa three decades ago during a time of intense civil war, Larkin raised her three children on her own. She now works in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. Wally Lassiter had struggled with attention deficit disorder since he was little, but his developmental challenges intensified after he was hit by a car on Albany Street and suffered a brain injury around the age of 7. Caring for him became more difficult after he turned 21 and Larkin needed to be at her job.

Larkin lives only a few streets from the group home and visited her son frequently. She echoed what the former worker told the Times Union, saying she often had to clean up Lassiter's room because staff had failed to do it.

The state's Office for People With Development Disabilities (OPWDD) is the agency that oversees Wildwood's residential programs. OPWDD told the Times Union that Wildwood was cited for several minor deficiencies at the home in 2017. But that a review done six days before Lassiter died revealed no issues.

Larkin said she is suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her son's death because the night before she spoke to a staff member on the phone at 9:40 p.m. who said Wally could not come to the phone because he had gone to bed. Larkin said her son usually never went to bed. His habit was to restlessly move around the house until he fell asleep around dawn.

At Ellis Hospital, while sitting with her son's body on the morning of July 4, Larkin took a picture of his torso that showed the four shirts he was wearing. His care plan required that his clothes be locked away because of a compulsion he had to wear them all at once, apparently worried that someone might take them. Lassiter's bedroom was on the second floor of the house and temperatures were in the mid-90s on July 3. It's unknown if his room had a fan or window air-conditioner at the time he died. Lassiter's family said they saw an air-conditioner in a hallway window on the morning he died, but not in his room. The former employee said that Lassiter's room used to have an air-conditioner.

Lassiter also had physical health problems that included high blood pressure and pre-diabetes, conditions that were supposed to be treated with medication administered by staff.

Photo provided

The former group home employee who spoke to the Times Union said it was a struggle to get things changed for the better at the Londonderry house. After Lassiter's box spring on his bed broke, the employee said requests were repeatedly made to get Lassiter a new bed; he weighed around 250 pounds and needed proper support. The nonprofit eventually provided a new box spring but not a new mattress.

"To think that Wally died that way is heartbreaking," the former Wildwood staffer said.

Wildwood spokesman Tom Schreck said the death investigation by the Schenectady police, which is being monitored by the Justice Center, prohibits him from answering any questions, including about the condition of the group home last year. Wildwood is a large nonprofit provider in the Capital Region that runs a school, as well as other residential facilities and educational programs for children and adults with autism and developmental or intellectual disabilities.

Schreck did say: "I really strongly caution a reporter not to jump to conclusions and to report on things until we get the full story that these investigations will hopefully bring."

Lassiter's family also has concerns about the nonprofit's response in the moments and hours after Lassiter's body was found. Larkin said she learned from other staff that the person on duty who found her son called a manager first and texted with three other people before dialing 911.

Also, Lassiter's sister, Katarina, told the Times Union in a previous interview that she returned to her brother's room shortly after he was pronounced dead to find Wildwood staff cleaning his room. The sheets had been removed from his bed and put in the washing machine. Schenectady police have said an evidence technician did go to the house that morning, but it's unclear if the officer collected any evidence.

"They treat his death like he's nothing," Larkin said. "I just want the truth."

Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said police have interviewed staff from the group home, and investigators are waiting on the final toxicology report to determine why Lassiter died. "I know the police are looking into all aspects of it," Carney said. "It's not something where we abdicated our responsibility on it."

But answers in such death cases do not always come quickly.

The mother of a 24-year-old autistic man has waited nine months to learn what caused her son's death in a Rochester group home in December. The group home where Luis Minllety had lived for 11 years is run by a not-for-profit organization. A Rochester television station, News10 NBC, reported in June that the group home had suspended three workers without pay after Minllety's death, but that two of the staff members are back in the home working under "supervision."

There have been no charges filed in the case.

"It seems like these are the kinds of people we should be taking extra efforts to protect, but it's the opposite," said New York City attorney Scott Charnas, who is representing Minllety's mother, who lives in Boston. "Now they're falling through the cracks when they're dead."

Is there real oversight?

When it was formed out of the former state Commission on Quality Care, the Justice Center was the first agency in the nation with the sole job of providing oversight for the disabled. Its enabling legislation made everyone in a care setting a mandated reporter of abuse and established a list of wrongdoers who could no longer work with vulnerable populations. It also created an Office of the Special Prosecutor to pursue criminal cases when appropriate.

But the Justice Center told the Times Union last week that it is now leaving most criminal investigations to local district attorneys and law enforcement agencies. Last year, state Supreme Court judges in three separate cases dismissed criminal charges brought by the Justice Center's prosecutors in rulings that said the agency lacks constitutional authority to prosecute the cases.

It remains unclear whether cases of abuse and neglect are routinely being referred from the Justice Center to local police when criminal conduct is suspected or how law enforcement is addressing any forwarded cases.

The Justice Center released five years worth of data last month, in what it said was an effort to be more transparent. The report said 16,000 cases of abuse or neglect had been substantiated since 2013, but just 550 prosecutions had been pursued and with an "85 percent prosecutorial conviction rate."

In response to a Times Union request, the Justice Center provided specific data concerning convictions. There have been 329 cases that have resulted in convictions since 2013. Nearly half of those 154  were for second-degree harassment or disorderly conduct, which are violations.

In defending the prosecutions it has overseen, the Justice Center said a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect does not always translate into a crime being committed. The agency provided an example of when a person overdosed in the bathroom of a group home. It said a worker was cited for falsifying paperwork to cover up the fact that staff were not doing proper house checks.

"The Justice Center pursues the toughest legal remedy for all substantiated allegations," said Justice Center spokeswoman Christine Buttigieg in a provided statement.

Michael Carey, New York's most voracious advocate since his autistic son, Jonathan, was killed in 2007 by a worker at the former O.D. Heck Developmental Center in Niskayuna, alleges the Justice Center often works in tandem with the facilities it is supposed to investigate, favoring terminating staff over forwarding the cases to local district attorneys.

Carey is a fixture in the halls of the state Capitol and has pushed the Legislature to pass a bill that would require facilities to call 911 immediately when there is a death or suspected abuse case. Another bill would require cameras to be installed in the common areas of residences. The bills, however, have languished in committee as the state agencies themselves and worker unions have pushed back, he said. Some lawmakers have privately scoffed at Carey's 911 proposal, contending it could lead to a flood of 911 calls when residents suffer even minor injuries, which Carey said is not what he is proposing.

Michael Carey

Gilmore, head of the Autism Action Network, contends the state's refusal to institute the 911 program is "a blatant violation of residents' 14th Amendment rights for equal protection under the law," he said. "If a crime is committed against me, hopefully I'll call 911 or police and have it investigated. That doesn't happen with people in residential facilities."

lstanforth@timesunion.com  518-454-5697
Rome

The archbishop who accused Pope Francis of covering up a cardinal's sexual misconduct has escalated his offensive with new, detailed accusations that put increasing pressure on a pontiff who the archbishop and his supporters say has misled the faithful and should resign.

The accuser, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, initially said he would turn off his phone and disappear into hiding for fear of his safety. But he then made a series of new accounts in conservative Roman Catholic news outlets.

In a new letter published late Friday by the conservative website LifeSiteNews, the archbishop gave his version of events leading up to the pope's September 2015 meeting with Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses. His description contradicted the Vatican's account of that private meeting, maintaining that Francis' lieutenants lied to the public about the encounter.

A letter by Vigano made public last weekend alleged that the Vatican hierarchy was complicit in covering up accusations that Cardinal Theodore McCarrick had sexually abused seminarians and that Francis knew about the abuses years before they became public. It also said that rather than punishing the cardinal, Francis empowered him to help choose powerful American bishops.

Vigano has aligned himself with a conservative group of powerful prelates, in both the Vatican and the United States, who have seized on the clerical sex abuse scandal to try to damage Francis and his agenda.

They believe the pope is abandoning the church's rules and traditions through his shift away from culture-war issues like abortion in favor of an emphasis on inclusion, including toward gays, whom Vigano and his allies blame for pedophilia in the church.

The archbishop writes that he was spurred to weigh in again by a New York Times article this past week quoting a Chilean abuse survivor, Juan Carlos Cruz.

Cruz said Francis had told him that Vigano sneaked Davis into the Vatican Embassy in Washington for a private meeting in 2015 and that the pope did not know who she was or why she was controversial.

Cruz recalled the pope saying to him, "I was horrified and I fired that nuncio," or papal ambassador  a reference to Vigano, who was the Vatican's ambassador to the United States.

Vigano writes in the new letter: "One of them is lying: either Cruz or the pope? What is certain is that the pope knew very well who Davis was, and he and his close collaborators had approved the private audience."

Vigano did not return a request for comment Saturday. But in the new letter, he lays out in detail his version of events in which he says he personally briefed the pope on Sept. 23, 2015, giving him a memo, which he also provided to LifeSiteNews, summarizing the case of Davis.

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He claims that the pope "immediately appeared in favor" of a meeting but seemed wary of the political implications, asking the ambassador to clear it with his top adviser, Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. That night, in a Washington hotel, Vigano says, he was met instead by now-Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was then Francis' chief of staff, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister.

Vigano says that he then provided them with the letter, and after Gallagher verified that the meeting presented no legal obstacles, he "gave an unconditionally favorable opinion that the pope should receive Davis."

The Vatican's press office declined to make Parolin, Becciu and Gallagher available for comment Saturday morning. A message sent to a Lithuanian monsignor who Vigano said witnessed the meeting in the Washington hotel lobby was not answered.

Vigano says he informed the pope of that decision the next morning, and "the pope then gave his consent." Vigano says he then organized the secret meeting with Davis, who was in town to receive an award from the Family Research Council, a politically active conservative Christian group.

Early in the afternoon of Sept. 24, Vigano writes, the pope "entered as planned" into a sitting room to meet Davis, "embraced her affectionately, thanked her for her courage and invited her to persevere."

When news of the meeting leaked, the media storm knocked Pope Francis off his message of inclusivity. The Vatican's press office asserted the pope had never received Davis in private audience and the pope was probably not briefed. The Vatican instead highlighted Francis' meeting at the Washington Embassy with a gay former student and his partner.

Francis then summoned Vigano to Rome for what his top advisers assured Vigano would be a chewing out, but the archbishop writes, "To my great surprise, during this long meeting, the pope did not mention even once the audience with Davis!"
ALBANY - Not all of New York's prisons have embraced the emphasis on heightened security following the high-profile escape of two inmates in Dannemora three years ago.

While many of the state's prisons adopted new policies and stricter practices following the 2015 breakout, some correction officers are still not following proper procedures at least a handful of Upstate facilities, according to an audit released last week by the state Inspector General's Office.

The transgressions included hauling in items like mattresses, alarm clocks  and in one case a hammock to ensure proper sleeping conditions during workers' shifts. Other contraband being kept by prison staff was found, including knives.

The Inspector General review was initiated following allegations last year that a Clinton County Correctional Facility civilian employee was having a sexual relationship with an inmate, in a situation that was eerily similar to the circumstances that led to the escape of convicted murderers David Sweat and Richard Matt from Clinton Correctional.

In late 2017, an unannounced inspection of the Clinton facility uncovered other evidence that correction officers were also watching television and sleeping while at work. State inspectors found mattresses, pillows, alarm clocks, reclining chairs and cable-enabled televisions in locker rooms and other areas that officers had access to.

Subsequent inspections revealed additional contraband, including pornographic magazines and a hammock.

"Night shift officers with virtually no responsibilities other than performing counts and ensuring that inmates are alive and well in their cells had failed to do so," said a Inspector General press release on the audit.

Around the same time, an inspection at Upstate Correctional

Facility in Malone found mattresses, blankets and alarm clocks in a basement area under the infirmary. Video footage of the area showed four correction officers spending hours during their overnight shift there, where they admitted to "dozing off," according to an Inspector General press release about the audit.

Disciplinary actions were taken in all of the cases. Unannounced inspections also located contraband brought in by staff at Taconic and Wende correctional facilities.

"Clearly, some employees or small units at individual facilities have not fully grasped the responsibilities required of them, and I will not, nor should anyone, tolerate security breaches or

reports of prison employees neglecting their duties," state Inspector General Leahy Scott said in a statement.

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The 2017 allegation of a sexual relationship led to the arrest of Denise Prell, a tailor shop employee, who was also accused of smuggling contraband and cash into the prison for an unnamed inmate. The Inspector General pointed to how an enhanced focus on security led a staff

member at Clinton to properly report the allegation to the state Department of Correctional and Community Supervision's internal affairs unit. Prell was terminated from her position, and in April of 2018 pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and contraband misdemeanors.

Prell is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 13.

Because of the similarities between Prell's case and the actions of Joyce Mitchell, another tailor shop employee, who aided Sweat and Matt in their escapes, the IG's office reiterated their call for mandatory training for civilian prison employees about inmate manipulation.

They also recommended changing the layout of the tailor shop in the Clinton facility so guards had a cleaner line of sight throughout the area.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87
Washington

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor got some unsolicited health advice the last time she wrote a book.

The justice was diagnosed with diabetes as a child and discussed it as part of her 2013 autobiography. That prompted a grandmother to write. The woman reported she was using newer technology to manage her diabetes than Sotomayor, and she had a message for the justice: "I'm much older than you are, and if I can do it you can do it, too."

"I still remember that letter, challenging me to become more modern," Sotomayor said Saturday in an interview with The Associated Press. Sotomayor said encouragement from the woman and from children pushed her to explore using the device she does now. A sensor implanted in her stomach helps her monitor what her blood sugars are.

"I consider myself a life-long learner and, despite that, I was a little resistant and it helped break my resistance," she said of the woman's letter.

Sotomayor was speaking ahead of the publication this coming week of two new autobiographical books, this time aimed at children. One is a picture book for elementary school readers. The other, aimed at middle school readers, is an abridged version of her 2013 memoir "My Beloved World." Now, when she talks about diabetes in the middle school book, she notes she uses a device called a continuous glucose monitor.

Sotomayor, 64, says her cousin and close friend Miriam Gonzerelli was the person who pushed her to adapt her memoir for middle schoolers. Gonzerelli, a bilingual language arts teacher, has for years been using excerpts from Sotomayor's original autobiography in her classroom at Turn of River Middle School in Stamford, Connecticut. But some of the language was difficult for her students, who are learning English.

Gonzerelli said in a telephone interview she quickly realized she "needed something else to help the kids." "I wanted them to have access to Sonia's amazing story," Gonzerelli said. She said her students, who are mainly from Central America, connect with the nation's first Hispanic justice and feel special because their teacher is her cousin.

Now, Sotomayor's middle school book, called "The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor," retains the core of her original memoir but is adapted for younger readers. Like the earlier book, it begins with Sotomayor's childhood diabetes diagnosis and then takes readers through her life, from growing up poor in the Bronx and the death of her father at age 9 to college at Princeton, law school at Yale and her work as a young lawyer. A Spanish version will follow shortly.

Quoting from her book Saturday, Sotomayor said the reason she has written all of her books is that: "People, I add children, who live in difficult circumstances need to know that happy endings are possible."

As for changes to the book, Gonzerelli suggested a family tree to help young readers keep track of the aunts, uncles and cousins in the book. Gonzerelli said that after Sotomayor's original memoir came out she sometimes would draw one for adult friends who got lost. Sotomayor said she debated different ways of shortening the book. One section she considered removing describes a seance at her grandmother's home, but Gonzerelli pushed her to leave in the scene, one of her students' favorites.

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Sotomayor, who became a justice in 2009, will be traveling nationwide to promote the new books. In January she'll go to Puerto Rico, where her family is from and which she writes about.

On Saturday she spoke about the books at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, telling a packed audience that reading books "opened the world to me." The picture book she has written, also out this week and called "Turning Pages: My Life Story," is her life story told through books that shaped her, from the comic book superheroes that gave her the courage as a child to give herself insulin shots to "Nancy Drew," which she writes "fired my imagination." The book is simultaneously being published in Spanish.

Sotomayor spoke with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and also answered audience questions. Asked by a father about how to help his son appreciate feminism, the third female Supreme Court justice answered in part by recommending the recent documentary "RBG" about her colleague Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a legal trailblazer in the area of women's rights.

To a 9-year-old girl who asked for advice on becoming president, Sotomayor recommended studying hard. "You have to read a lot about a lot of things, especially if you're president," Sotomayor said to laughter and then sustained applause from a crowd sitting less than a mile from the White House.

Asked how she retains her "hopeful outlook in these challenging times," the liberal justice answered: "We don't have a choice, do we?" She noted that because she's a justice she can't get involved in politics. "But you can," she said. "So get out there and make a better world."
Malta

The band that played opening night on Saturday of the new Glory Dayz in Malta, which is billing itself as an upscale "80s nightlife club," said owner Michael Barry refused to pay the band's fee that Barry had confirmed less than 12 hours before, telling the band, "That's the business."

The club is at 2955 Route 9 in Malta, just north of Northway Exit 13. The building, located behind 13 North Restaurant, previously was home a few years ago to Orchid's Caribbean Restaurant & Lounge after it moved from Schenectady.

Dan Coler, a member of the Albany-based Dashboard Anthem and 31-year veteran of the music business as performer and agent, said that after the five-member band performed at Glory Dayz on Saturday night, he was summoned to an office with Barry and a security guard.

Barry said he was displeased with the crowd the band had attracted and the way they were dancing, and would pay half of the originally agreed-upon fee of $2,500, according to Coler.

Coler shared a text exchange between him and Barry from Saturday morning in which they discussed logistics and payment. In response to Coler mentioning a fee of $2,500 to be paid in cash, an amount Coler said had been discussed and agreed upon repeatedly, Barry sent an emoji of the OK gesture.

Read more on Steve Barnes' Table Hopping blog

Barry said Sunday afternoon that the agreement had been for $2,500 total for two performances: during a friends-and-family party at Glory Dayz on Friday and during Saturday's grand opening party. Barry said that since the band did not perform Friday, he paid half, for the one gig.

Coler insisted he had not committed to a Friday show, and the $2,500 was understood as being for Saturday's performance only. The timestamp on the text exchange, taken from Coler's phone on Sunday morning, appears to indicate the full fee for Saturday's performance, $2,500, was understood by both parties.

After the show, Barry handed over a check for $1,250.

Other members of the band confirmed Coler's account in follow-up comments on a Facebook post by Coler. Dashboard Anthem's manager Jason Ellenbogen wrote of Barry:

"He was rude to customers just dancing and enjoying themselves. Then tops it off by ripping off the band just saying 'that's the business!'"

Coler said it was his impression that Barry had asked patrons to leave the club because he disliked the way they were dancing, later telling Coler, "This is not the kind of crowd I wanted."

A customer from Saturday night who contacted the Times Union via social media said her friends were "rudely" asked by Barry to leave the dance floor but not the club. She said they left anyway, feeling insulted. She did not want her name used.

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Another local woman who was there, who said she is a trained dancer and often receives compliments on her dancing to live bands, told me Barry said to her, "You've got to clean up your (expletive) show. I am not having any crazy scene in here."

The woman, who asked that I use only her initials, L.K., because she did not want her children aware of the matter, said the encounter upset her.

"I feel very humiliated, and to have this said out loud in public, where many others heard it, was so painful to me," she said.

Glory Dayz was being pitched as a comeback for Barry, who said it is his ninth bar/club/restaurant. His hospitality resume stretches back to area nightspots including the Rafters in Saratoga and Charades in Colonie. He ran The Castaway restaurant in Troy for a couple of years in the early 1990s and, in 2009, tried a quickly abandoned plan to take over the former Vin Santo wine bar in Latham.

The general manger of Glory Dayz is is Ralphie Balsamo, who was a waiter at Angelo's 677 Prime in Albany for about a decade and was a founding partner at R&R Kitchen + Bar in Saratoga Springs last year but left four months after opening. (His family long owned the former Villa Balsamo, on Route 50 between Ballston Spa and Saratoga.)

Prior to opening, Barry described Glory Dayz as a club featuring exclusively 1980s music, a 25-and-up admission policy and high-end touches like Veuve Clicquot Champagne by the glass. The club's official name is Glory Dayz  A Copa Cabana. (Barry prefers the two-word spelling; the famed Rio de Janeiro beach is spelled as one word.) The club does not yet have an online presence.

As of last week, the plan was for the club to be open from 5 p.m. daily starting this weekend. Food  chicken teriyaki, sausage and peppers, other bar grub  will be secondary until Oct. 1, when a full kitchen will open with small-plate fare designed to be paired with wine flights, said Barry, whose most recent job was as a wine rep.
From the stage of the Phil Donahue show in front of a live audience, Dr. Elizabeth Connell, a tiny middle-aged mother of six, opened her purse and began pitching condoms in wrappers with smiley faces into the audience.

It wasn't just a gimmick. Connell had a longtime commitment to raising awareness about family planning and contraception.

"She wanted to call attention in whatever way she could  both academically through scholarship, but certainly through humor  to support women's rights," said Dr. Jean Emans, chief of adolescent medicine at Boston Children's Hospital.

Connell, a proponent of improving women's reproductive health for more than 50 years, died on Aug. 20 at Brookdale Cushing Park, an assisted living facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. She was 92.

The cause was congestive heart failure, her daughter, Patricia Connell, said.

As a scientist, Connell conducted research on methods of contraception, including early testing of birth control pills; served on the editorial board of a prestigious journal in her field; and wrote three books on contraception, including "The Contraception Sourcebook" (2001), a comprehensive overview of available methods and the science behind them. Later in life, she was a researcher with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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As a social activist, she helped open a women's health clinic in New York's East Harlem neighborhood in the 1960s that is still active as part of the city's public hospital system, and she argued in favor of legalizing abortion well before the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. She also raised concerns about the risks of breast implants when she led a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee.

"She helped legitimize the importance of family planning, of women's health, the equality of women in the workplace," Dr. Richard Derman, associate provost for global affairs at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and a former colleague, said in an interview.

Connell's views on abortion and birth control were shaped by her time in rural Maine, where she saw patients who suffered from unwanted pregnancies and botched abortions.
Albany

Students returning to schools in the Capital Region on Thursday will likely see more police officers and some bright orange panic buttons in the classrooms and hallways. In some cases, their parents will have to enter their IDs into a criminal justice data base before entering the buildings.

More mental health services for students and increasingly elaborate codes of conduct also are planned.

Moreover, thanks to a federal mandate, schools will have to begin conducting surveys of their social climates.

Ever since the Columbine shooting in 1999 the nations schools have been increasing, upgrading and tweaking measures to guard against such an attack.

Each shooting  Sandy Hook in Newtown, Conn., in 2012; Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in February; and Santa Fe High in Texas, in May  has spurred school leaders to implement more safeguards.

The moves are personnel-based and technological.

Theres no discretion. Every single person who comes to the school will have to do this, Schenectady schools spokeswoman Karen Corona said of the new Raptor identification data base they are introducing this year for visitors.

Other than employees and students, visitors will have to scan an ID which can be linked to data bases such as those for sex offenders. Parents have to log in once, Corona said. The system will be largely invisible to students, though.

Averill Park started using the system in June, said Superintendent Jim Franchini. The suburban Rensselaer County district also debuted the use of School Resource Officers, from the sheriffs office, which they will have again this year.

Its been a great fit for us, Franchini said, of the uniformed deputy who is at the district schools all day, as well as at sporting events.

The first week he was here he got a lot of looks and double takes, Franchini said. But the students have since gotten used to having a deputy on campus. Hes has helped run the four mandatory lockdown drills throughout the year.

Other districts have added to the ranks of police officers, often known as School Resource Officers.

Albany has hired an additional city police officer, making for a presence in all three middle schools and the high school.

In Saratoga County , more than a half dozen districts will now have sheriffs deputies in the schools. Those include Mechanicville, Stillwater, Shenendehowa, Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Schuylerville and South Glens Falls.

In Hudson Falls, a rural district, theyve hired four retired sheriffs deputies as school resource officers this year, said spokesman Brandon Adamczyk.

A middle school student there posted a social media threat in March. Like several other such threats that have cropped up in recent years, it was unfounded but it sparked a police investigation and put people on edge.

In Albany County, the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Berne-Knox-Westerlo and Voorheesville school districts are being equipped with special radios that have large orange Panic buttons to summon emergency sheriffs dispatchers if needed. The devices will be issued to teachers, bus drivers and other adults. The two school districts also will have school resource officers this year.

Statewide, many schools increased their safety and security budgets after the Parkland tragedy, said Dave Albert, spokesman for the state School Boards Association.

The most common item that we saw was the addition of school resource officers, said Albert.

Additionally, schools are tapping the states $2 billion Smart Schools fund for security upgrads. Approved by voters in 2014, the fund was created for technology like laptops and connectivity but it can also fund surveillance cameras  standard equipment in many buildings  or other security equipment.

With millions being spent on safety and security, some have questioned whether its a good investment. Thats because the odds that any of the nations more than 74 million Pre-K-through-12th Grade students will get killed in a mass shooting remain infinitesimal.

The odds nationwide are that more school age kids will die likely in traffic accidents than in mass shootings in any given year. Texting while driving may be a larger threat, as is drug use, smoking or alcohol abuse.

But mass shootings arent random accidents like auto wrecks, which makes the prospect scarier, noted David Ropiek, a consultant and author on risk perception.

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Because its purposeful it feels different from an auto accident, said Ropiek. Its understandable but we lose sight of the consequences of our fear, he said.

But worry and focus on mass shootings can lead to an atmosphere of fear.

They think the world is a scarier place than it is, he said of some youngsters. Chronic worry is corrosive to our physical health.

The shock quotient of a mass killing, keeps the event in peoples minds, added Valerie Reyna, a Cornell University psychologist and professor of human development who has studied risk perception and decision making.

Its not just the probability. Its the magnitude of the outcome and unexpectedness of it, she said. What comes to mind is whats reported on television or in a newspaper.

The result of these shocking events can be lots of spending and bureaucracy, said Reyna.

People assume that the more bureaucracy, the better the protection. One thing we should think about is how do we innovate, she said.

Research into gang violence, for example, has shown that ensuring youngsters are capable readers by the time they finish third grade will greatly reduce their chances of getting involved in the wrong activities. Keeping students busy and supervised during the day is another strategy.

Schools are starting to realize this.

New York schools this year are being required to offer a mental health component in their health curriculums. And schools are increasingly looking to set up mental health centers on campus.

Statewide, 52 percent of school superintendents in 2017 said setting up mental health services is a priority  up from 35 percent a year earlier, noted Robert Lowry, deputy director of the state Council of School Superintendents, which does annual surveys.

More than half of those surveyed also said theyve increased school security.

Its fairly dramatic, he said of the rising focus on security.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
Amsterdam

A 19-year-old Afghan citizen who was shot and detained after a double stabbing at the Dutch capital's main railway station had a "terrorist motive," Amsterdam authorities said Saturday.

The suspect allegedly stabbed two American tourists Friday at Amsterdam's Central Station before police shot and wounded him. Dutch police said he holds a residency permit from Germany, where his home was searched.

"Based on the suspect's first statements, he had a terrorist motive," Amsterdam's city government said in a written statement that did not elaborate on what the statements were or how they showed intent.

The wounded Americans were recovering in a hospital from what police termed serious but not life-threatening injuries. Their identities have not been released. The suspect, who was identified only as Jawed S. in line with privacy rules in the Netherlands, also remains hospitalized.

Police said in the hours after Friday's attack that they were considering any and all motives. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed on Twitter that the investigation was focused Saturday on extremist ideology.

Amsterdam City Hall said German authorities seized data storage devices from W.'s home that would be analyzed as part of the investigation.

He was scheduled to be arraigned during a closed-door hearing with an investigating judge on Monday. Dutch officials did not disclose the charges he could face.

A statement issued late Friday by Amsterdam's city council said the Americans did not appear to have been victims of a targeted attack. Amsterdam authorities also said Friday that it appeared from initial inquiries that the victims weren't chosen for a clear reason.

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The local government said Saturday it had no immediate plans to beef up security in the city, saying the swift action by police "shows that Amsterdam is prepared for this kind of incident."

A passerby's dramatic photo showed two police officers pointing guns at a man in blue jeans and sneakers lying on the ground inside a train station tunnel.

Earlier Saturday, the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands confirmed that the two people injured Friday were Americans visiting the Netherlands when they were stabbed at the station.

Ambassador Pete Hoekstra issued a written statement saying U.S. Embassy officials had been in touch with the victims or their families.

"We wish them a speedy recovery and are working closely with the city of Amsterdam to provide assistance to them and their families," Hoekstra said.
[September 02, 2018] Winning IFA Product Technical Innovation Award, setting up new overseas brands, SKYWORTH unveils "AI" brand strategy

BERLIN, Sept. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 31, 2018, the 2018 Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) Berlin opens on schedule. In the first day, a series of breaking news has made China brand SKYWORTH become the focus immediately. This year is the 30th anniversary of SKYWORTH, S9A, as the annual OLED product, won the "AI Interaction Innovation Gold Award" of IFA Product Technical Innovation Award. SKYWORTH unveiled "AI" brand strategy and set up a new brand METZ blue, which will be launched Europe, India and Hongkong, China in September. SKYWORTH exhibited 100-inch giant screen TV G9, excellent OLED series TV (W80, S9A, S8A), Android TV with "AI" conception and Coocaa Lite TV with cloud-based voice service Amazon Alexa and Prime video, etc. This exhibition also has a super TV experience room. The 86-inch large screen TV F7 to feature Dolby Vision HDR imaging technology, paired with a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos home theater system, delivers a spectacular and immersive experience. A smart experience room is also set up to highlight the forefront of AI development. Artificial Intelligence in ecosystem, but also the Artistic Inspiration of design, the Aesthetic Image of picture quality, the Acoustic Instrument of the sound quality, and the All-In-1 system. The strategic reflects SKYWORTH's ambition to expand its skills in the AI field. The "AI Interactive Innovation Gold Award" is well deserved for SKYWORTH comprehensive product layout from high-end OLED TV to smart TV.



SKYWORTH also launched a modern luxury brand METZ blue. This is another step after SKYWORTH's successful acquisition of the German luxury brand Metz company in 2015. While the original brand Metz classic continues to occupy the high-end market in Germany, METZ blue will be more inclusive and more suitable for young generation. From September of this year, METZ blue will be launched in Europe, India and Hongkong, China.

For further information please visit www.iskyworth.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyworthGlobal

E-mail: overseas@skyworth.com Media Contact: Dylan Wang, +86 15626184174, wanghaoyu@skyworth.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/738247/Skyworth_RGB_IFA.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/738248/Skyworth_RGB_IFA_Award.jpg

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[September 02, 2018] Wipro Wins over $1.5 Billion Deal from Alight Solutions

Wipro (News - Alert) Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading information technology, consulting and business process services company, today announced that it has won a 10-year engagement to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions and services to Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Alight Solutions LLC, a leader in technology-enabled health, wealth, HR and finance solutions. This deal will result in revenues of USD $1.5 to $1.6 billion for Wipro over the tenure. This is Wipro's largest win to date. This engagement will enable the digital transformation of Alight's offerings across health, wealth, HR and finance solutions, and enhance the employee experience of Alight's clients by leveraging Wipro's industry-leading strengths in digital technologies, cognitive automation and data analytics. "Our industry-leading partnership with Wipro will enhance our client experience by drawing on Wipro's leading position in automation and innovation, while allowing Alight to invest in its health, wealth and cloud-based solutions to meet the needs of our clients," said Chris Michalak, Chief Executive Officer, Alight Solutions. Abidali Z. Neemuchwala, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Wipro Limited said, "We are delighted to be chosen by Alight as their long-term strategic partner in their enterprise transformation journey to bring digital experiences and offerings to employees and employers globally. This is a testimony to the capabilities we have built through our strategic investments in Wipro Digital, cloud platforms and cognitive platform Wipro HOLMES. We will leverage this expertise to digitalize and modernize Alight's core across platforms, technologies and operations." About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: IT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 160,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future.



About Alight Solutions As a leading provider of benefits administration and cloud-based HR and financial solutions, we enhance work and life through our service, technology and data. Our dedicated colleagues across 12 global centers deliver an unrivaled consumer experience for our clients and their people. We are Alight. Reimagining how people and organizations thrive.

Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, 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 our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We 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. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180901005014/en/

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[September 02, 2018] Xpress Money Augments Its Presence in the African Remittance Market

DUBAI, UAE, September 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The potent forces of globalization and migration make the global economy a formidable entity. Migration is integral as it helps boost the economy of the host country while simultaneously bolstering the economy of the origin country through remittances. One of the few continents where remittance inflow has eclipsed foreign aid and Official Development Assistance (ODA) is Africa. World Bank reports reveal, remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa accelerated 11.4% reaching US$ 38bn in 2017. Nigeria is the highest recipient of remittances at US$ 21.9bn followed by Senegal and Ghana. Remittances in several countries in Africa account for a significant share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Further the report estimates around US$ 41bn to be remitted to Sub- Saharan Africa in 2018. Xpress Money, one of the most dependable money transfer brands in the world understands the market potential for remittances across Africa. Over the last 2 to 3 years Xpress Money has strategically streamlined its efforts in the African market to widen its brand presence and customer outreach in the second largest and second most populous continent in the world. The outlook for remittances in Africa holds promise for the diaspora and their beneficiaries as Xpress Money believes remittances can be accessible, affordable and convenient for its African audience. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/682262/Xpress_Money_Logo.jpg )

Despite impressive remittance inflows in the African continent, the averge cost for money transfers in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to be high at 9.07% in Q2 2018 compared to the global average of 6.99% in Q2 2018. One of the prima facie reasons for the high global average of remittance costs is the bane of exclusivity contracts in certain countries, a hindrance to healthy competition. Xpress Money strongly believes that an open architecture is the need of the hour for the industry to flourish and benefit the customer.



With a thriving presence in more than 165 countries across continents, Xpress Money has been partnering with major financial institutions in Africa, to conscientiously bring down the high remittance costs in the region. Continuing with the aggressive expansion that began in 2015, from 2016 - 2018 Xpress Money has strategically increased its presence in Africa through collaborations with major banks, telcos and NBFC's across the region. Leading financial players like Cooperative Bank in Kenya, DFCU Bank in Uganda, I&M Bank in Rwanda, ADB Bank in Ghana, GAS in Ghana, UNB in Ghana, Zenith Bank in Ghana, FBN in Senegal and Real Transfer in Namibia have been added to Xpress Money's network of partners in Africa. Currently Xpress Money's network strength in Africa translates into more than 7500 agent locations and by the end of 2019 Xpress Money is likely to add many more countries thus increasing its network to 10,000 locations across Africa. Africa is one of the frontrunners and early adopters of digital channels within the global remittance industry. Capitalising on the benefits of newer channels of money transfer, Xpress Money has fostered partnerships to provide its African customer base the convenience of the mobile money transfer technology. Currently, Xpress Money offers mobile wallet services across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Cameroon, in partnership with 10 mobile wallet service providers, to serve a customer base of over 1 billion. The brand plans to add 8 more countries to this list over the next 15 months.

Talking about the brand's strategy for Africa, Sudhesh Giriyan, COO, Xpress Money elucidated, "I strongly believe that the future of remittances lies in embracing partnerships and collaborations that will help lower remittance costs and in reaching out to the 'unbanked' thus enabling the end customer. The success of digital remittances in Africa endorses the customer's appetite for convenient money transfer methods. This puts the onus on global money transfer organizations like Xpress Money to make conscious efforts towards leveraging the right partnerships to build a formidable brand presence." Xpress Money has a thriving presence in 165 countries across all continents through 200,000 agent partner locations. Its widespread network is strengthened by collaborations with renowned organizations that include international money transfer operators (IMTOs), banking as well as non-banking institutions, retail chains, online remittance players and fintech companies. Visit http://www.xpressmoney.com for more information.

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Now, I did say that the top speed feels like its only the second priority for the Divo. Well, that second priority is at 236 mph.

Revealed at The Quail as part of Monterey Car Week, the new Bugatti Divo represents the next step into the extreme for the company that produces the fastest car on the planet - the Chiron. The new car takes a slightly different approach to life compared to the Chiron. Apart from being extremely fast and ridiculously powerful, the Divo moves a bit more to the dynamism and cornering abilities, so the top speed is its second priority. While it is based on the Chiron, the Divo feels like a new car, and this made me list a number of facts and differences between the Divo and the Chiron.

Learn How It Differs From The Chiron LISTEN 09:28

Its said to be the most agile Bugatti ever made

1. Cost of $5.8 million compared to $3 million for the Chiron

How, for the love of god, can it cost twice as much as the Chiron? Well, Stephan Winkelmann knows his customers. And he knows they will spend twice the money for one Divo, just for the sake of it. If you are still living in Wonderland, let me tell you something, everything costs as much as someone is prepared to pay for it.

People buying Bugattis are prepared to pay, whatever the price.

2. Bugatti will produce 40 units compared to 500 units of the Chiron

With 40 units planned for production, the Bugatti Divo is one of the most exclusive vehicles in the world. Ever. Why only 40? I dont know. Bugatti will make a quarter of a billion on them. Enough, right?

3. Bugatti sold each unit even before it was unveiled

Even before silk sheets were taken off at The Quail, Bugatti sold all 40 units of the new Divo. This goes to show that the world will always have enough madly rich people who get to enjoy things like these even before we even lay our eyes on them.

4. 77 pounds lighter compared with Chiron and tipping the scales at 4,398 lbs

Speaking to the press at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance, Pierre Rommelfanger, Divo Project Leader, noted that Bugatti would like to lower the weight even more, but it was not really possible to do so as the Chiron is basically made of carbon-fiber.

You could have done some things more extreme, but I think thats not matching our customer expectation," concluded Rommelfanger.

The 77 pounds they successfully shed were saved by installing a lighter sound system, fixed front diffuser flaps, lighter wheels, and a carbon-fiber intercooler cover.

Plus, some of the insulation was removed as well.

5. It produces 198 pounds of downforce more than the Chiron

With 1005 lbs of downforce, the Divo is far more capable of putting all the power to the ground and holding its own in high-speed bends. Designers worked overtime in trying to find an edge which will provide the Divo with more downforce than any Bugatti before. They ended up with a car that looks strikingly similar to that Vision Concept the company revealed for the Gran Turismo game.

In order to create more downforce, designers created a new wider front spoiler, a new rear diffuser, a larger rear spoiler, and optimized the so-called air curtain the Divo creates when it moves.

It produces 198 pounds additional downforce

6. The six-foot-wide hydraulic wing is 25-percent wider than the Chirons

In order to achieve aerodynamic supremacy over the Chiron, Bugatti crafted a rather impressive six-foot-long rear wing. It is hydraulically assisted and fully active.

The wing can act as an airbrake and can adjust to certain conditions - such as high-speed runs - or provide as much downforce as possible.

Plus, the unique shape of the roof leads air towards the wing and ensures that everything is working as efficiently as possible.

7. "To date, a modern Bugatti has represented a perfect balance between high performance, straight-line dynamics, and luxurious comfort," said Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. "Within our possibilities, we have shifted the balance in the case of the Divo further towards lateral acceleration, agility, and cornering. The Divo is made for bends."

Winkelmanns words obviously show that Bugatti is finally focusing on crafting a car that is capable of cornering as impressively as it is able to accelerate. The Divo is, I suspect, the first in a line of special edition models, some of which will definitely focus on track performance. It does wear the name of a famed Bugatti racing driver from the past.

8. Lateral acceleration is increased to maximum 1.6 G compared to 1.5 G of the Chiron

Thanks to suspension changes (everything is stiffer now), along with the added downforce, the new Bugatti Divo can corner more eagerly compared with the Chiron.

9. Top Speed is limited to 236 mph

Interestingly enough, Bugatti went on to lower the top speed of the Divo to 236 mph compared to that of the Chiron (261 mph). It turns out that the changes made were simply too much for the tires. Added downforce, 1-degree camber change, and different suspension setup put too much strain on the tires.

At 236 mph, the tires will last.

At 261 mph, they wont. Bugatti is actually saving your life with this limit.

10. The Divo can lap the 3.85 mile Nardo Circuit 8 seconds faster than the Chiron

Nardo is a challenging circuit. It is not extremely long either which makes the results of the Divo even more astounding. It lapped the 3.85-mile Nardo track eight seconds faster than the Chiron. This is a serious improvement.

11. The Bugatti Divo is named after Albert Divo.

He was a two-time winner of the Targa Florio in the 1920s with the Bugatti Type 35 B in 1928 and the Type 35 C in 1929. This guy is a Frenchman of Italian descent. Just like Ettore Bugatti. Coincidence? I think not!

12. The upper part of the car is finished in Titanium Liquid Silver with the lower part of the vehicle actually getting the Divo Racing Blue.

This unique color scheme is only applied to the Divo. Of course, the buyers will be able to spec out their cars to their liking.

13. Bugattis Vision Gran Turismo concept of 2015 served as a major inspiration for the Divo.

Its awesome NACA ducts found their way on the Divo. Located on the rear end of the roof, the NACA ducts are directing air in the engine compartment, cooling the engine and feeding its 1.479 horsepower with much-needed air.

14. Bugatti changed the stiffness of some suspension features and adjusted the camber which resulted in new calibrations for the steering to "ensure more direct response and significantly sportier driving behavior."

15. The Divo is 0.1 seconds quicker from 0-62 mph compared with the Chiron. It will launch to the magical number in 2.4 seconds. Dont tell anyone I told you, but I am sure it can do it even quicker.

16. Bugatti claims that the Divo is the agilest Bugatti car ever made.

17. It has the Bugatti name written on the rear end instead of getting the EB logo.

This is going to become a thing for Bugatti special edition cars it seems.

18. The seats are finished in a different color to additionally highlight that the Divo has a driver-focused nature. For the car revealed at The Quail, Bugatti integrated blue details to the drivers side but bathed the passenger side of the car in black.

19. The steering wheel has a new red starter button and a red mode selector. Usually, Bugatti keeps this painted anything but red. Behind the steering wheel, Bugatti installed longer paddles for the Ricciardo-built, seven-speed, double-clutch transmission.

20. The Bugatti Divo features 3-D rear lights. When 44 LEDs in 3-D printed light fins spark up, they create a unique expression of light unmatched by any other car in the world. Honestly, the Divo looks like a concept car with all the lights turned on. The rear of the Aston Martin Vulcan is the only one that looks this dashing and futuristic.

21. Bugatti created an all-new front end with larger air intakes, a dominant and wider Bugatti horseshoe, and a more pronounced splitter. The car features super thin light segments (35 millimeters in width) positioned at the edges for an illusion of an even wider car.

Top Speed is limited to just 236 mph

22. All 40 produced units will be homologated for road use.

23. Heat was a problem. To solve it, Bugatti developed a new system for cooling the brakes and the engine. Numerous air inlets on the body are in charge of brake cooling, pressure release from the wheel wells, and extracting heat from the engine compartment.

24. The spoiler, diffuser, and air outlets are finished in bare carbon. Because, of course, they are.

25. I know you would like to see it on the Nurburgring, but when asked about the Divo reaching the Green Hell, Stephan Winkelmann, Bugatti Chief said - Not for the time being, no.

Further Reading

Heat dispursion was a problem so Bugatti developed a new cooling system

Read our full review on the 2019 Bugatti Divo.

Bugatti Chiron 2.3 Seconds

Read our full review on the 2018 Bugatti Chiron.

Read our full review on the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport.

Read our full review on the 2016 Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 1

School Education Minister OP Soni was the chief guest at the teachers day celebration of Sahodaya Schools Complex at DAV Public School on Saturday. Lakhwinder Singh, executive magistrate, was the guest of honour.

Teachers Day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of the second President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who wished his birthday (September 5) to be celebrated as Teachers Day.

Navjeet Kaur, Principal, Saini International School; Shabnam Sharma, Principal, DDI School; Anchal Mahajan, Principal, Ashok Vatika Public School; Harsh Thukral, Principal, Brightland School; and Manisha Verma, Principal, Sri Guru Harkrishan Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Naushehra; were honoured. Besides, 127 teachers were also honoured by the chief guest.

Soni said, Teachers have a great responsibility. Occasions like this should be viewed as a time for self-reflection. He stressed that only teachers could bring a change in the society. He said schools should plant more saplings.
editorial@tribune.com

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 2

Already having suffered more than 50 per cent burns in an attack, allegedly by her husband, last year, a 25-year-old resident of Mani Majra escaped another bid on her life on August 31.

Amrita Sharmas husband Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Dhakoli near Zirakpur, allegedly stalked her in a Xylo car while she was going to the IT Park on her scooty and poured petrol on her near Bhainsa Tibba village and sped away.

The woman alleged that her husband had been continuously following her besides threatening to eliminate her if she did not take a case against him back.

Speaking to Chandigarh Tribune, Amrita alleged that Gurvinder, who was coming from opposite direction, attacked her by pouring petrol on her last Friday. She said she had lodged a complaint in this connection with the Mansa Devi Complex police station on September 1. She claimed that she had also shown her petrol-soaked clothes to the police officials, who took these in their custody.

Amrita alleged that instead of arresting the accused, the Panchkula police were now pressuring to take her complaint back.

Amrita said her husband had been booked by the police under Sections 307 of the IPC last year after he had set her afire after pouring kerosene on her.

Giving details of the case, she said Gurvinder, who used to drive an Ola cab, had made friends with her. He offered her a sedative-laced soft drink and made physical relations with her. She alleged that Gurvinder made an MMS of the incident. She said when she lodged a complaint with the police last year, cops asked her to marry the accused as if the MMS went viral, only she would be defamed. She said she married the accused and soon after, his family members allegedly started harassing her for dowry.

She claimed that her mother had given Rs 4.5 lakh as dowry in the marriage solemnised on September 10 last year and later Rs 2.5 lakh when Gurvinder was to visit Malaysia for greener pastures.

Amrita said she now came to know that Gurvinder had married again, which he could not do before getting divorce from her. She said he was following her continuously and threatening her so that she does not expose him.

The 25-year-old said come what may, she would not take her complaint back. Karanbir, SHO, MDC police station, said they had registered a daily diary report (DDR) on Amritas complaint and were investigating the matter. He said the statements of the woman as well as the accused were being recorded. They were trying to contact the witnesses to the incident and also making efforts to get CCTV footage of the spot to know what had happened on the day of the incident.

Karanbir refuted the allegation that the police were pressuring her to withdraw the complaint, stating that they were simply following the procedure and added that they would register a case if her husband Gurvinder or anybody else was found at fault during the probe.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

Three warders of the Central Jail, Ludhiana, have been booked for negligence after a prisoner admitted at the PGI here managed to escape from their custody.

According to the police, the complainant, Kulwinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail, Ludhiana, reported that a prisoner, Anil Paswan of Ishwar Colony, Focal Point, Ludhiana district, who was admitted at the PGI, managed to escape from the hospital.

The complainant stated that due to the negligence of Jail Warders Ranbir Singh, Tarsem Singh and Gurmohar Singh, the accused managed to escape.

A case under Sections 223 (escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant) and 224 (resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the three jail warders at the Sector 11 police station and an investigation has been initiated into it.

The jail warders were arrested in the case and later released on bail.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1

Presidential candidates Ravinder Bir Singh Randhawa of Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), Ashish Rana of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Iqbal Preet Singh of the Students Organisation of India (SOI), Kanupriya of the Students for Society (SFS) and Amandeep of the Punjab Students Union (PSU) (Lalkaar) gathered at PU Student Centre to debate on a slew of issues.

They reached a consensus that hostel allotments have not been fair, analysis of teachers feedback forms should be conducted and ban on four-wheelers should be implemented. However, the opinions of leftists and others varied on the stone-pelting incident of 2017.

Q A number of parties have been talking about unfair allotment of hostels. Though the allotment is online, several doubts are being raised.

Ravinder Bir Randhawa (PUSU): Hostel allotments should be conducted in a way that students can monitor it. Parties close to the authorities get the rooms allotted.

Ashish Rana (ABVP): Transparency is the need of the hour. The process of allotment is online, but it is not being properly implemented.

Iqbal Preet Singh (SOI): Transparency in the hostel allotment is one of the biggest issues which has came to the fore this year.

Kanupriya (SFS): Parties, movie tickets and hostel allotments are means to lure students. Fair allotment is the right of the PU students.

Amandeep (PSU): Hostel allotments shouldnt take place through mediators. Applications are being processed under the table and genuine cases are ignored.

Q A consensus is emerging that girls hostels should remain 24-hour open. If it is implemented, who will take responsibility for their safety?

Ravinder Bir Randhawa (PUSU): We are in favour of keeping girls hostels open for 24 hours. However, the PU should get its security in order. We need to ban outsiders on the campus.

Ashish Rana (ABVP): The relaxation in timings needs to be implemented with a procedure. The PU has to strengthen its security. More CCTV cameras need to be installed.

Iqbal Preet Singh (SOI): I once sat on hunger strike for 5 days for the relaxation in PU hostels timings. We are of the view that hostels should be open for 24 hours.

Kanupriya (SFS): Parents will not be even ready to allow the girls hostels to remain open till 11:30 pm. The PU authorities have to take the responsibility for their safety.

Amandeep (PSU): I support keeping girls hostel open for 24 hours  on a par with the boys hostels. My party will always vouch for such genuine demands of the students.

QShall we allow Himachal Pradesh and Haryana to contribute funds? What is your call on the centralised status for the PU?

Ravinder Bir Randhawa (PUSU): Students welfare is paramount, so regional parties shouldnt start talking about their contribution to the PU, whenever the issue of central university status is raised.

Ashish Rana (ABVP): Panjab University is not the property of any particular state. The central university or status of institute of national importance is a good solution.

Iqbal Preet Singh (SOI): In our opinion, whatever method may be used to overcome the financial crisis. For us, the welfare of students is of utmost imporatnce.

Kanupriya (SFS): Becoming a central university is not a solution. Central universities are also facing fund crisis. Funding from Haryana to the PU should be welcomed.

Amandeep (PSU): The Central Government should take the responsibility to deal with the problems of the university. We are open to funds from other states.

QWhat are your views on the reservation on vertical-basis and its implementation in the Senate and Syndicate?

Ravinder Bir Randhawa (PUSU): Reservation is a part of the Constitution. It is not possible to abolish it. We can bring amendments by giving reservation to the economically weaker sections.

Ashish Rana (ABVP): The Constitution calls for bringing equality for all sections of society. A few sections of the society need to be upgraded through reservation.

Iqbal Preet Singh (SOI): We have to rise above the reservation system. The economic criteria may be considered as a basis for providing students with reservations.

Kanupriya (SFS): Reservation is needed for the marginalised sections of society. We need to upgrade their status economically and socially  so we need reservation.

Amandeep (PSU): A less percentage of students reach at the level of higher education and the seats are limited. We have to go beyond the idea of reservation.

QSFS, PSU supporters are facing the charges for stone-pelting. Do you condemn violence? Should cases against students be quashed?

Ravinder Bir Randhawa (PUSU): The incident was a setback to the struggle, but the cases should be taken back. If SFS takes the credit for rollback of fee hike, they should take responsibility for the violence.

Ashish Rana (ABVP): Those who were guilty should face the trials. The SFS was responsible for the stone-pelting incident. We also sat on hunger strike, but our role is hardly acknowledged.

Iqbal Preet Singh (SOI): The cases should be taken back as several innocents are also involved. But the stone-pelting incident defamed the student activism.

Kanupriya (SFS): When cases were filed against SFS supporters, no one stood by us. A similar protest had taken place in Punjabi University, but student bodies stood by each other.

Amandeep (PSU): Our struggle led the authorities to take back the fee hike. The space for dissent was not given. The stone-pelting was a reaction to the police action against students.

QThe PU has attempted Ravinder Bir Randhawa (PUSU): The elderly and the specially-abled should be exempted from the ban which otherwise may prove to be a good step for the university.

Ashish Rana (ABVP): Resources should be made available before enforcing the ban. e-rickshaw should be increased to an optimum level. The entry of outsiders should be banned.

Iqbal Preet Singh (SOI): If the ban is to be implemented, it should be applicable to teachers also. First, it should be started on a trial basis and parking facilities should be given.

Kanupriya (SFS): Four- wheelers should be banned with immediate effect. e-rickshaw rates must be decreased and passes must be given to the university students.

Amandeep (PSU): Four-wheelers should be banned from entering the university campus. But before this, the PU should take steps to provide transport facilities.
editorial@tribune.com

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

An NRI settled in the USA has been duped of Rs 1.33 crore after some persons managed to withdraw the money from his account at the Bank of India, Sector 17, using fake cheques.

The UT police registered an FIR on the basis of the complaint received from the victim and initiated an investigation into it.

In his complaint, Dr Ajay Sood, who is having an NRI bank account, stated that Rs 98 lakh was transferred to one Sachin Yadav of Gurugram and Rs 35 lakh to Mukesh Thakur of Bablu Cycles Services, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, through cheques on May 16 this year.

The complainant came to know about the fraud a few weeks later, after which he submitted a complaint to the bank and the police.

In his police complaint, Dr Ajay mentioned that the amount debited from his bank account was clearly fraudulent since he possesses the original and unused cheques.

He further alleged that this could not have happened without the connivance and collusion of bank employees.

Dr Ajay told Chandigarh Tribune that before committing the fraud, the accused got his phone number registered with the bank changed and also submitted a fake Aadhaar card to the bank with his name on it. The bank is trying to delay and cover up its own negligence and fraud that happened at multiple levels. There are glaring loose ends and yet not a single arrest has been made so far, he added.

The case, which has been registered at the Sector 17 police station, is being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing.

I have been running from pillar to post to get my familys hard-earned money back. This case is alarming everyone in my social circle here. How can someone so blatantly walk in and transfer out money from a bank that is supposed to be custodian of our funds? he asked.

Bank officials involved: Victim

The amount debited from my account is fraudulent since I possess the original and unused cheques. This could not have happened without the connivance and collusion of bank employees.  Dr Ajay Sood, victim
Shiv Vishwanathan

Shiv Vishwanathan

Academic Associated with compost heap

A psychiatrist looking at the BJP regime 10 years from now will have to study its paranoid style of politics where a search for control pretends to be a search for law and order. A paranoid style does not allow the other to exist in plurality but seeks to control, either by exterminating or domesticating the other. The BJP's paranoid style of politics is caught brilliantly in the Bhima Koregaon clash.

The Bhima Koregaon incident at every stage traces the fault lines of BJP politics. Dalit politics like the politics of the right has been an attempt to recover the right to memory. What the Dalits enshrined was the victory of Mahar soldiers fighting along with the colonial army, inflicting a defeat on the Peshwas. For the Mahars, this was evidence of Dalit heroism. For the majoritarian and dominant Marathas, it was a blow to nationalism. The battle between a right to memory and a right to control memory became the battle between Marathas and Dalits. Bhima Koregaon became the site for reassertion of Dalit identity. The Hindutva groups saw in Dalit caste assertion a slur on mainstream nationalism. This year what was a peaceful march became a bloody incident.

It is interesting that police refused to pursue the people responsible for the violence. Instead they cooked up an alternative theory of violence and conspiracy which was revealing. The paranoid forces of Hindutva encouraged the Marathas to make a new assertion: the Dalits were seen as casteist, communal and anti-national. The battle for Dalit liberation now becomes an anti-national act as they produced a parallel narrative to mainstream history while the Hindutva right retains the respectability of official nationalism.

The social deformation of the Bhima Koregaon incident does not stop there. The BJP-Hindutva groups transformed the incident's logic from a parochial event to a national incident. The violence was now read through different filters. What was only a threat to patriotic history is now read as a threat to security. The police and the Hindutva groups locate the violence within a language they love, the frameworks of conspiracy and suspicion. Every act of difference becomes suspect and every act of difference becomes a threat to nation. In an act of mimicry, the people associated with Dalit unity group, the Elgar Parishad become a threat to the Prime Minister of India. Modi is now seen as a target of a Rajiv Gandhi-like incident. A touch of conspiracy always taints these groups with a stigma of doubt.

Once they become a security threat, such groups can be accused of terror and assassination. The politics of labeling takes over at this stage. In the India of today the word 'Maoist' as terrorist, revolutionary, tribal and unconstitutional captures the paradigmatic political outcaste.

The BJP also confuses categories by equating Human Rights activists and lawyers as Maoists. Of the list of five, three are outstanding lawyers and represent the human face and human rights face of law. It follows up this act of stigmatising by carrying out raids on Dalit organisations arguing that they are Maoist fronts. The Hindutva right loves the words conspiracy and suspicion and Maoist as a label encompasses all those grey categories. Labelling a civil rights activist Maoist completes the irony of democracy.

The BJP's use of words to create procrustean worlds is disturbing. Words like security, antinational, Naxalites, Maoists are empty of content. Now they only mean what the BJP wants them to mean. Labelling literally becomes libeling. In this world, Alice turns into Kafka. One should not get caught in the mutual rhetoric of insults and counter accusations. Dismissing these labels as fascist adds little to the understanding of the political game. What we are confronting is an Orwellian world where acts of protest get transformed to acts of treason.

The BJP seeks an authoritarian world in the name of majoritarian dominance. Once it has acquired the majority, it seeks to redefine civil society and dissent. Its attitude towards civil society activism is one of open contempt. It would like to replace civil society in its entirety with replacements from RSS, VHP and Bajarang Dal. Society and state become a seamless entity where ideas become monolithic. In fact, the list backfires because many of the names carry stamps of integrity which BJP cannot match. The names in the list have probably contributed more to the rights and welfare of marginal people than anyone in the BJP.

Secondly, one realises that it is not just the dumbing and emasculation of civil society one is facing, but an attempt to destroy plurality by destroying the margins, the minority, the eccentric, the dissenting and the alternative. The BJP's world view finds difference intolerable and seeks to either eliminate it or panopticise it. Using the rhetoric of security and nation state is only a ploy. Beyond ideological ends, the BJP always has pragmatic goals. With election around the corner, with a general disquiet, labelling dissent as a blanket form of trouble making, makes politics easier. Harassment now looks legitimate and official.

Fortunately, the BJP is an authoritarian bumbler. Its rituals of harassment have an ironic or comic edge. Gautam Navlakha had little idea why he was being arrested. The policeman arresting Shoma Sen falls at her feet and apologises. This epidemic of arrests lacks conviction. Actually, one realises that the BJP is a party revealing all its anxieties and flaws. It is emerging as a threat to democracy and the nation, while using the concept of democracy and nation to undermine both. The party in the dock is no longer Naxal or Maoist. It is the Hindu right which is getting vociferous as it runs out of ideas. The deadening of democracy is increasing. The arrests are a part of this macabre serial which may not cease even in 2019.
Sushma Ramachandran

Sushma Ramachandran

Senior Journalist

Good news on the economy has come at just the right time. At a moment when the government is feeling beleaguered by rising oil prices, a falling rupee and reports of high growth rates during the previous UPA regimes, the news that the economy has clocked 8.2 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal (April to June 2018) will certainly be heartening for the ruling NDA.

A detailed scrutiny of the data also shows that there has been an upswing in key sectors. For instance, manufacturing has risen by 13.5 per cent, indicating that industrial growth is picking up.

In addition, employment-intensive sectors like construction have recorded healthy increases. The crucial area of agriculture has equally contributed by showing a 5.3 per cent growth.

One can still be critical by pointing out that the increased growth rate is on a low base of 5.6 per cent in the same period last year.

The manufacturing sector had actually dipped by 1.8 per cent last year while agriculture had risen by only 3 per cent.

At the same time, this does not take away from the fact that the economy actually seems to have bounced back from the depressive effects of demonetisation in the end of 2016 and the launch of the Goods and Services Tax last year.

No doubt, there is much angst over the data released earlier which showed that the performance of the economy was much better in the past during the tenure of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister than it was projected.

The back series data compiled by a sub-committee of the National Statistical Commission found that growth rose over 10 per cent during two years of the UPA government and was also consistently over 8 per cent in its first tenure.

While this cannot yet be described as official data, it clearly shows that economic growth was more buoyant during that period as compared to the last few years.

A debate is now raging over whether this spurt in growth was due to policy initiatives taken during the UPA tenure or whether it was due to the impetus of reforms during the period when the NDA was in power, headed by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The fact is that there has been incremental effect of reforms on the economy right from 1991 when Narasimha Rao was Prime Minister. A man who has not been given his rightful due, it was Rao who gave Manmohan Singh the political leeway to go ahead with radical economic reforms at that time.

It also cannot be denied that it was Vajpayee who picked up the baton of reforms which had stalled for some years and pushed forward in taboo areas, like public sector disinvestment.

The golden quadrilateral roads project was a much-needed scheme that gave an impetus to investment and employment.

Foreign direct investment was also welcomed, surprising observers at the time, given the publicity generated by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM). It had been widely expected that the views of the SJM and others like Murali Manohar Joshi would prevail.

The return of Manmohan Singh in the avatar of Prime Minister in 2004 led many to expect that reforms would be carried out with the same dynamism as in the past. This did not happen partly because many big bang reforms had already taken place and it was recognised that the rural economy needed a boost.

The existing rural employment programme was expanded in a big way to generate jobs, while reforms were also carried out in the financial sector.

There is no doubt that the high growth rate of Singh's tenure was bolstered by NDA's reforms, but it also had to contend with the financial crisis of 2008 and extremely high global oil prices.

So, it would be incorrect to say that the high growth was entirely due to the push given by the previous government's policies.

The Narendra Modi-led government was on an even keel till it decided to opt for demonetisation which slowed down the economy, while, subsequently, the launch of GST became another hiccup as trade and industry tried to adjust to this new form of taxation. Ultimately, however, GST has had a hugely beneficial impact as the tax net has widened exponentially.

Revenues may not be as high as had been expected, but these are now picking up as the tax structure is being made more rational by reducing the number of highly taxed goods.

It has also had a spillover effect into direct taxes as those claiming GST are now filing personal income tax returns.

The economic recovery now finally seems to be under way. But some major problems remain which could upset the applecart in the rest of the year.

The first is the rapid depreciation of the rupee which has made imports more expensive and will widen the current account deficit.

The second is the continued firming up of international oil prices. The oil import bill will become even higher as a result of the falling rupee.

The third is the need to ensure that revenue inflow is sufficient to keep the fiscal deficit contained within manageable limits.

These issues will continue to worry policymakers, but the latest data indicates that for the time being, there is a silver lining to these clouds.
singhking99@yahoo.com

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, September 1

An uneasy calm prevails in the caste-sensitive Mirchpur village as the Delhi High Courts deadline for the convicts, belonging to the Jat community, to surrender in connection with the 2010 violence against Dalits expired on Saturday.

Sources said the Dalit basti had virtually cut itself off from the rest of the village due to tension after the HC reversed the acquittal of 20 and upheld the conviction of 13 persons involved in the arson and assault on the Dalit basti in April 2010.

Four Dalit families have reportedly shifted out to safer places in the past two days.

A Jat activist, who was actively involved in the peace process following the violence, said almost all the convicts, most of them earning hands of their families, have left the village. And nobody is coming forward to extend any help to the families.

A villager said they were unlikely to surrender and will move the Supreme Court against the verdict.

Meanwhile, the police carried out patrolling in the village on Saturday. Narnaund SHO Sadhu Ram said, We have the court orders. No one has surrendered.
amansharma@tribunemail.com

Ravi S.Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

The alleged insensitivity of the INLD, the principal opposition in Haryana, towards its all-weather friend Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has compelled the latter to take an independent political line in the state and prepare itself accordingly for elections in future.

Top SAD leader told The Tribune here that the leadership has directed its workers to strengthen the organisation and prepare to contest elections in future alone.

SAD is in no mood for a sentimental association with INLD. It will pursue pragmatic approach, keeping all its options open, the leader added.

After having organised two public meeting recently, each in Kurukshetra and Yamunanangar, SAD will hold another meeting. Its venue and date will be announced soon. Party president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal along with his top leaders have addressed the two meetings.

The leader said the two parties associatoin had become untenable following INLDs support to the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC). The panel had been constituted in violation of the diktat of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

SAD had also opposed constitution of the HSGMC and taken up the issue with the Union Home Ministry on ground that it was ultra vires of a parliamentary statute. It had alleged that the panel was part of Congress ploy.

Another breaking point is INLD upping the ante on SYL canal, an issue which forms the bedrock of SAD politics in Punjab.

INLD (and earlier Lok Dal avatars ) and Shiromani Akali Dal had been time-tested friends on account of brotherly bond between former deputy prime minister Tau Devi Lal and former Punjab chief minister and SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal.

Another sticking point was INLDs unilateral decision to ally with the BSP. In the past, INLD leadership, especially after demise of Devi Lal, used to take senior Badal into confidence before taking major decisions.

Devi Lal's association with Akali leaders, Badal, dated back to the days of undivided Punjab (Greater Punjab).

INLD and SAD had been maintaining ties in Haryana politics, notwithstanding that the former was not in the BJP-led NDA. In the last Assembly elections, SAD contested two assembly seats in alliance with INLD.
editorial@tribune.com

Balkrishan Prashar

Chamba, September 2

Two pilgrims, including a woman, reportedly died on the way to Manimahesh on Sunday. The yatra is to begin on Monday (September 3).

Superintendent of Police Dr Monika Bhutungru said the woman had been identified as Guddo Devi (55), a resident of Vasa village, Dalhousie. A boulder fell on her at Sundrasi, where a landslide occurred following heavy rain.

Another pilgrim, Hemraj Choudhary (47), died of suffocation at Dunali near Dhanchho. He was a resident of Balu village, Ghumarwin, Bilaspur.

The bodies have been brought to Bharmour.

Meanwhile, all arrangements are in place for the fortnight-long pilgrimage to Manimahesh in Bharmour.

The religious ceremony of holy bath in the Manimahesh lake will take place on Radha Ashtami on September 17. Chamba Deputy Commissioner Harikesh Meena said more than 300 devotees had so far been ferried between Bharmour and Gauri Kund near the lake by two helicopters. The pilgrims have been thronging Manimahesh for the past one month.

Boulder fell on woman

Guddo Devi (55), a resident of Vasa village, Dalhousie, died after a boulder fell on her at Sundrasi, Manimahesh, where a landslip occurred following heavy rain.

Another pilgrim, Hemraj Choudhary (47), died of suffocation at Dunali near Dhanchho. He was a resident of Balu village, Ghumarwin, Bilaspur. The bodies have been brought to Bharmour.

Migrant woman swept away in rivulet
vinaymishra188@gmail.com

With the adoption of the Haryana Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules 2018, the Government of Haryana has sought to align its land acquisition policy with that of the Central government Act of 2013. This is indeed a welcome move, given that land acquisition has progressed exponentially in the state since the mid-1990s and most such acquisitions were made under the Land Acquisition Act 1894, which did not include the clause of seeking consent of the landowner before the land was acquired.

The state, through various policies adopted since 2005, has attempted to enhance monetary compensation by fixing 'minimum floor rates of property'; by dividing the state into five zones; paying an annuity for a fixed period; payment of 'solatium'; introducing a scheme titled 'no litigation incentive' wherein if land oustees agree to forego contesting the land acquisition and compensation paid thereof in court; they would be paid an additional compensation amount; award of residential or commercial plots to oustees as well as a provision to impart training to land oustees so that they may seek alternative avenues of employment. However, while all these measures address various aspects of compensation, including what may be called 'emotional compensation' through payment of a solatium, land acquisition has changed the fabric of life in many rural pockets in Haryana.

An instance of the same is the case of the Industrial Model Township (IMT) set up in Faridabad district for which land was acquired in 2008 from five villages. Following the acquisition of land by the government, the farmers who were unwilling to part with the land and also felt that the compensation paid by the government was much below the market value of the land. They organised themselves into the IMT Kisan Sangharsh Samiti. The farmers also petitioned the high court to enhance the amount of compensation. While they received a favourable verdict from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2014, the farmers then launched an agitation to pressurise the government to release the enhanced compensation amount along with the interest due to them.

In the latest of such agitations, which was initiated on December 17, 2017 and included a rally attended by Anna Hazare on February 4, 2018, the farmers have sought to make the government concede their demands. These include payment of the remaining compensation dues, jobs for one member of a family whose land has been acquired and approach roads for farmers whose land was next to the IMT boundary.

This particular rally was well attended by farmers not only from the five villages whose land was acquired but also by those from neighbouring villages. The organisers claimed that farmers from 19 villagers had joined the rally. Men and women were both in attendance, seated in separate enclosures. Various farmers organisations such as the 'Neharpar Kisan Sangharsh Samiti' and the 'Eastern Peripheral Expressway Kisan Sangharsh Samiti' which were also protesting against compulsory land acquisition and non-payment of compensation, joined them in support of the agitating IMT Kisan Sangharsh Samiti.

Attempting to keep the rally peaceful, the organisers repeatedly asked the gathering to maintain calm and order. They reiterated the non-violent nature of their protest and also emphasised the non-political character of the rally. What was also noticeable was that most of those who came for the rally were old and middle aged farmers. The participation of the youth was limited and they were essentially involved in the rally logistics. The only group of young participants who joined the rally was the followers of a local Congress youth leader who came to show solidarity with the farmers. Invoking the legacy of Sir Chhotu Ram; the leaders sought to leverage moral capital through the slogan 'khet par kisan aur seema par jawan' (the farmer on the field and the soldier on the border).

Hence, what the rally made evident was the ability of the farmers to organise and agitate and to make themselves heard to the authorities concerned. In fact, each time they sat on a 'dharna' (sit-in), they claimed to have received a part of the compensation.

Yet, the rally visuals also brought out the demographic divide in participation, as the rural youth largely stayed away from the protest. Many amongst the youth are unemployed in these villages as the traditional occupation of farming is no longer an option on account of land acquisition. Also, these youth largely belong to the dominant castes which own/owned most of the rural land. Yet, as one local explained, most of such youth are 'voluntarily unemployed'. This is because they do not wish to work in the unskilled jobs which are on offer in IMT. Such jobs are perceived as demeaning and involve a loss of social standing.

Land acquisition has transformed the rural landscape, replacing farmers with rentiers. Farmers now rent out flats, land in adjacent villages and even farming equipment to earn their living. Others have used the staggered compensation payments to indulge in conspicuous consumption by buying extravagant cars and building palatial homes.

Monetisation of land has changed the life world of the farmer wherein the older generation of owner-cultivators lament the lack of gainful employment opportunities for the youth. They speak of the loss of location as the villages are reduced to rural islands amongst urbanised sectors. Most importantly, they flag the inevitability of industrialisation and concomitant urbanisation. As the government deals with escalating costs of litigation and compensation through a 'land pooling scheme', the farmers of other villages which are earmarked for land acquisition under the Faridabad Master Plan 2031, speak of small mercies in so far as they are free to sell their land to private developers who are expected to pay higher rates of compensation than the government. They hope to receive the compensation immediately, without having to agitate for each instalment.

The Central Legislation

Land acquisition is a Concurrent Subject

Governed by central and state laws

The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 governed land acquisitions until 2014

The UPA government enforced the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013 in January, 2014

The NDA government promulgated an ordinance to revise the law in December, 2014

The ordinance was modified and re-promulgated in April and May, 2015

The LARR Bill (Second Amendment), 2015 was introduced in the Lok Sabha in May, 2015 to replace the ordinance, referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee

The diluted Bill

Enables government to exempt five types of projects from the requirements of

Social impact assessment (SIA)

Restrictions on acquisition of multi-cropped land

Consent for private and public-private-partnerships projects

These five types of projects are:

Defense

Rural infrastructure

Affordable housing

Industrial corridors

Infrastructure

Requires prior sanction to prosecute a government employee

In place of giving employment to one member of the affected family, it proposed employment to one member of affected family of farm labour

 The writer is with Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi
vinaymishra188@gmail.com

Acquisition of land for development projects has always been a thorny issue in Haryana where prices of agriculture land have escalated phenomenally in the past one-and-a-half decade. Proximity to the national capital brightens the scope for more development in the state, but this nearness also makes it difficult for the government to acquire land due to constant price escalations.

The state has witnessed many demonstrations by farmers against acquisition of their lands in the past. The issue had been a bone of contention between the farmers and the state government during the previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda government. There has been, however, a lull during the BJP-led Manohar Lal Khattar's regime because not many land acquisitions have taken place during the current government.

Prolonged agitations by farmers were witnessed whenever efforts were made by the Congress government to acquire land in Gurugram, Manesar, Rewari or any other places close to the National Capital Region. Even in Fatehabad, where the state acquired 1,503 acres of land for nuclear power projects, farmers staged dharna for almost three years.

This happened despite the Congress government introducing several incentives like 30 per cent of the compensation amount as solatium, 20 per cent as no-litigation incentive and 21,000 per acre per annum with hike of Rs 750 per annum towards annuity. However, the largesse could not satisfy the farmer.

In January this year, the government also notified rules regarding calculation of the value of a land under acquisition. Under the rule, for any rural land to be acquired for a project, the market value would be calculated by the collector would be multiplied by 1.25 if the distance of the acquired land is up to 10 kms from the boundary of any urban area in the state to any part of the land to be acquired. Similarly, it will be multiplied by 1.50 if the distance is 10 to 20 km, by 1.75 in case the distance is 20-30 km and by 2 in case the distance is above 30 km.

Last year, the state government had come up with an amendment to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Haryana Amendment) Act, 2017, aimed at empowering it to denotify lands, if the projects become unviable. This provision would stop hoarding of land that was rampant in the state until some years ago.

Please email your feedback at infocus@tribunemail.com
editorial@tribune.com

Arun Joshi

Exclamations wont work. The problem is much more serious than it is being made out to be. It was a newer kind of showdown between militants and security forces when they took on the family members of each other.

Militants justifying the abduction of the relatives of policemen to take revenge for the harassment of their own family members points to the arrival of a new era of confrontation not just between the forces and the armed militants but making it a free-for-all phenomenon in the Valley where there would be no safety for anyone. For the time being, the two sides have pared back, but there is no guarantee that the repeat of such episodes would not result in uglier consequences.

It was an ugly episode, but it has sown the seeds of such things to surface in future with unimaginably serious consequences. The arrest of the family members of the militants and alleged torching of houses of two militant commanders sent out the message that the cold-blooded murders often tend to trigger emotional responses that create conditions to be regretted later.

The policemen are bound by law and the uniform they wear. They cannot, and should not be placed on the same page where lawlessness is justified on the basis of raw emotions. Their duty has no clause for emotions.

But the militants knew that their relatives were in police custody. The police were answerable for their safety. Questioning the relatives of militants is not uncommon anywhere in the world, but if their arrests were only to show the vulnerabilities of families and the power that police wields in such conflict situations, it was a wrong strategy from the very moment it was thought of. It has undermined the image of the police and the great work it has done in the past by suffering casualties to ensure the safety of the people.

That police acted in a manner out of considerations other than the real anti-militancy strategic move was clear when militants family members were set free to secure the release of the abductees. The trauma of abduction is more killing than the killing itself.

Since these militants are locals, they should have known that abducting non-combatants amounts to dragging civilians into the conflict in a volatile manner. May be, till yesterday these civilians were part of the funeral processions of militants, but will they again attend them after all that happened to them in captivity? Perhaps not. Militants have lost somewhere. For the time being it might have inflicted fear among the families of the policemen, but such fears often transform into revenge. If this cycle of revenge starts on both sides, there is going to be no end to it. It will create militias at different levels beyond the control of anyone. To realise that Kashmir is heading towards another cliff is no rocket science. Lets face the facts.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 2

Close on the heels of the announcement of panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Srinagar on Sunday to discuss internal and external security situation with newly appointed Governor Satya Pal Malik.

It was their first meeting together since the new Governor assumed office.

They discussed several important issues concerning effective management of internal and external security, particularly in the context of increasing attempts at infiltration and the ongoing anti-terrorist operations, an official spokesman said.

The two held discussions on the urban local bodies and panchayat elections to be held in October-December.

The meeting comes at a time when terror group Hizbul Mujaideen has issued an open threat to those contesting the polls. People who want to participate in polls should keep their shroud ready, Hizbul chief operations commander Riyaz Naikoo said in an audio message. J&K Police chief Shesh Paul Vaid on Sunday said they were prepared for the elections.

The state has already retained over 15,000 Central Armed Police Force personnel deployed for the Amarnath Yatra. However, the situation on the ground is quite difficult, especially in south Kashmir, which continues to remain on the edge.

Militant attacks on policemen have risen sharply in recent months. On Eid, three off-duty cops were shot dead and days later, four more were killed. For the first time in decades of insurgency in Kashmir, militants abducted 10 family members of policemen from south Kashmir in retaliation to the detention of militants family members. Though they were later released, it is a cause for concern for the police.

The forces, on the other hand, have intensified anti-militancy operations and killed at least 28 militants along the Line of Control or hinterland since August.

Militants are continuously making attempts to infiltrate into Kashmir. On Saturday, three suspected Pakistan militants were killed in Bandipore.

The militant recruitment this year has overtaken the number of local youth who joined militant ranks in 2017. The spike has set alarm bells ringing for the security forces.

Visits Kupwara forward posts

Accompanied by Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited forward posts in Kupwara on Sunday. She was briefed by commanders about the operational preparedness and counter-infiltration grid, said an Army statement.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 2

Eight Kashmiri students studying at Aryans Engineering College in Chandigarh have developed an application to book a shikara ride at the Dal Lake.

The application named Aryans Shikara App was launched in Srinagar where Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the All-India Council for Technical Education, addressed the students through videoconferencing.

Appreciating their efforts, Anshu Kataria, chairman of the college, said the students had created a platform where details of all shikara owners had been made available.

From Gate Number 1 to 20, all shikara owners details have been made available on this application. Now, the tourists can choose the gate and owner of the shikara well in advance. On the other hand, shikara owners also have the choice to accept or reject the offers, he said during a press conference at Hotel Lala Rukh in Srinagar.

More than 2,000 students from various parts of J&K are studying in the college, the chairman added.

One of the developers Shakir Ahmad said the idea struck them while booking a cab.

We have used Uber and Ola applications for cab bookings. It was after this that the idea of developing an application for booking shikaras struck us, he added.

Another student Riyaz Rasool said the college motivated us for thinking out of the box as many students from the Valley had developed innovative applications earlier as well. We worked hard in collecting the details of shikara owners, generating a database and bringing the same on a single platform, Riyaz added.

Earlier, the students from the college came up with a solar boat, which became a point of attraction at the Dal Lake. The application can be downloaded from Google Play Store on Android mobile phones.

Aryans Shikara App

Details of all shikara owners from Gate Number 1 to 20 are available

Tourists can choose the gate and the shikara owner well in advance

Shikara owners also have the choice to accept or reject the offers

It can be downloaded from Google Play Store on Android phones

What they said...
laxmi@tribune.com

As many as 400 Indian students have been awarded EU-funded scholarships in 2018 and 73 of them will be flying to Europe this semester under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Programme. There has been an increase of 15 per cent in the number of selections over last years results. The European-funded Erasmus+ programme not only gives scholarships to Indian students but also supports Indian universities in a variety of cooperation programs, where Indian partners take an increasingly active role.

Eleven new Indian universities are now participating in international consortia delivering integrated courses with joint or multiple degrees to students from all over the world under Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Programmes. Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and IIT Madras are among the partners of the latest Joint Masters programmes, which now involve a total of 35 Indian universities. Some of the new courses to be jointly developed include Copernicus Master in Digital Earth, Masters in Tribology of Surfaces and Interfaces, Public Health in Disaster and Research and Innovation in Higher Education and South European Studies.

International Credit Mobility programme facilitates exchanges between India and Europe and has now more than 130 Indian universities which have partnered directly with European universities and send students faculty and staff to study, teach and enhance international cooperations.

Under Capacity Building programmes for Higher Education, 6.8 million (Rs 55.19 cr) have been committed for the year 2018 for Indian universities, with 10 new projects involving 47 Indian universities. While most of these projects used to be coordinated from Europe, 3 of the last batch are being coordinated by Indian partners: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KITT) in Orissa, Chitkara University in Punjab, and World University of Design (WUD) in Haryana. Subject matters include topics as varied as curriculum development, enhancing female entrepreneurship or building resilient urban communities. Since the creation of the program, 26 such specialised projects have been launched, benefiting directly 118 Indian universities.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

In a significant move, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has expressed his disagreement over a spate in court cases filed by serving officers, even as he warned that moral turpitude will not go unpunished. He has also halted activities of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) in field areas.

Faced with a running commentary on the social media over his decisions, General Rawat addressed Colonel-level officers posted in New Delhi at Manekshaw Centre here on Saturday.

He questioned the need for serving officers to file individual cases challenging ongoing criminal cases faced by fellow officers serving in insurgency-hit areas.

An officer, speaking to The Tribune, quoted the Army Chief as saying: The Army was fighting these cases, now if these guys (the petitioners in court) lose the case, what will happen?

In an unprecedented move, nearly 700 Army officers and soldiers have approached the Supreme Court against dilution of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that shielded them from prosecution without the Centres nod. General Rawat spoke about restructuring the Army, cost-cutting, rank-parity with civilian officers, anomalies in salary, opening of Cantonment roads and also the non-functional upgrade (NFU), sources said.

Addressing moral turpitude, General Rawat said the person would no longer just be boarded out. He would get exemplary punishment like jail and dismissal, irrespective of rank, he asserted.

He said there would be no AWWA units in field areas and wanted the activities to be coordinated keeping in mind that several of the wives of officers were working professionals.

On rank parity and equivalence with civilian officers, he said armed forces officers were different, unique and formed an elite service, even above the all-India services and asked that officers should not compare themselves with civilian officers. His remarks triggered a tirade on the social media on Sunday with questions being raised as to how terming the forces as elite meant nothing as a democratic structure ran by rules and regulations.

The Army Chief said criticism should not come before decisions were made. He referred to the study ordered to abolish the rank of Brigadier. Let the study be complete before running to comment, he said.

Speaking on NFU  another matter before the SC  the Army Chief said it would come but the matter was sub-judice and the military service pay could possibly be withdrawn as retaliation. NFU was granted to civilian officials in 2006, prompting the officers to file a case in the Armed Forces Tribunal in 2015. The Defence Ministry filed a special leave petition in the SC recently. The 7th Central Pay Commission has allowed NFU to Army officers.

Severe punishment for moral turpitude
uttara@tribuneindia.com

New Delhi, September 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday calling for discipline these days is branded autocratic, as he praised Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu for being a disciplinarian.

After launching a book on experiences of Naidu during his first year as the Vice-President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Modi said he always provides visionary leadership whenever he gets a responsibility.

Venkaiah ji is a disciplinarian, but our countrys situation is such that it has become easy to call discipline undemocratic. If someone calls for discipline, he is branded autocratic...the whole dictionary is opened. But the discipline Venkaiah ji calls for he himself follows it, he said.

The Prime Minister said whichever duty Naidu had, he performed it with utmost diligence and adapted into that role with ease.

He has been in public life for 50 years. Ten years in student politics and 40 years in state as well as national politics, he said.

The 245-page book, titled Moving onMoving forward: A year in office, brings out Naidus mission of engagement on four key issues with various stakeholders across the country and its alignment with the mission of a new India in the making.

Naidu says in the book his mission of exploring and shaping public discourse over four key issues took him on extensive travels across the country since he was sworn in as Vice-President on August 11 last year.

Modi said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wanted to give Naidu a ministry in his government, but he said he wanted to be the Minister of Rural Development.

Venkaiah ji is a farmer at heart. He is passionate about the welfare of farmers and agriculture.

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana came into being due to the efforts of Naidu Ji. In a time when political discourse was centred around train stoppages only, he ensured that leaders began to think more about roads and other forms of connectivity, Modi also said.

At the book launch event, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh, H D Deve Gowda, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma were present on the dais. PTI
amansharma@tribunemail.com

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, September 2

The Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra has come in for strong criticism after the securty provided to Nationalist Congress Party MLA Jitendra Awhad was lowered despite his name figuring in the hit-list of the Sanatan Sanstha.

Several NCP leaders, including party president Jayant Patil and senior leader Supriya Sule, came out against the state government's decision to lower the number of security personnel provided to Awhad.

"Few months ago, Maharashtra government had reduced security personnel given to Jitendra Awhad ... Is our state government negligent about his security or looking after the convenience of Sanatani terrorist?," Patil said in a message on Twitter.

Patil's tweet came after counsel for the Anti-Terror Squad of the Maharashtra court told the sessions court here that Awhad along with social activist Shyam Manav and Mukta Dabholkar, daughter of slain rationalist Narendra Dabholkar were on the hit list of alleged Sanatan Sanstha activist Avinash Pawar.

According to the ATS, Pawar and his associates had carried out reconnaissance of Awhad and others and planned to kill them for being 'anti-Hindu'.

Supriya Sule, NCP's MP in the Lok Sabha also hit out at the state intelligence apparatus for not providing correct information to the state government on the threat to Awhad. Sule also echoed Patil and wondered whether elements in the state government were part of a conspiracy to aid Hindu right-wing extremists.
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Dubai, September 2

The body of an Indian man in the UAE has been repatriated after a four month long search for his family in India, according to a media report.

Hailing from Madhya Padesh, Yusuf Khan Rashid Khan,50, was found dead on April 12, 2018, in the old workers accommodation in Ajman's Al Rashidiya area and kept in the mortuary since then.

Death certificate by the Crime Laboratory of Ajman Police revealed that the worker was intoxicated at the time of death and said to have committed suicide. The deceased did not have any document except a copy of his visit visa, making it impossible to trace his next of kin, the Khaleej Times reported.

As none came forward to claim the body for weeks, the police apprised the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai, and the Indian Association in Ajman on July 4, it said.

Roop Sidhu, General Secretary of the Indian Association, said that they could not find anyone from Khan's family in the first address of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh that was given by the Consulate.

The news of his death was even announced at a local mosque in Ujjain; however, no one came forward, Sidhu was quoted as saying in the report.

Later, the Indian Consulate in Dubai pulled out Khan's passport application where another address was mentioned.

"The second address was in a place called Nagda, 59 km away from Ujjain. Finally, Nagda Police helped me to reach to his family. The police traced them in two hours. They alerted the family about Khan's death," the reported quoted Sidhu as saying.

He said that the family was completely unaware of Khan's death.

They thought he (Khan) had gone to the Gulf to look out for a job," Sidhu said, adding that to the shock of the Indian officials, the family refused to take responsibility of the body as they are from an extremely poor background.

However, the Indian Consulate agreed to pay for all expenses incurred in his repatriation and accordingly the body left from Dubai on August 23 to reach Ujjain the next day. PTI
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 2)  President Duterte left for the historic trips to Israel and Jordan Sunday afternoon. It is the first official visit by a sitting President to both countries.

Duterte will be away from the country for a week, visiting countries which, despite having established diplomatic ties with the Philippines several decades ago, have never seen a Philippine leader up close.

The visits are in line with government efforts to develop relationships with more non-traditional allies.

There are about 28,000 Filipino workers in Israel, and 40,000 in Jordan, whom President Duterte said he wanted to check on them amid brewing tensions between the two Arab nations.

Apart from that, he wanted to put in place measures to ensure their welfare.

These include signing of agreements that will jumpstart the drafting of standard employment contracts for Filipino workers in Israel and Jordan.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said these contracts will be similar to the ones with Kuwait.

During his visits, the President will sign several agreements focusing on labor, trade and defense, and will meet with the leaders of both states  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin in Israel, and King Abdullah II in Jordan.

Accompanying the President on his trip are:

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Interior Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Ano

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Francis Tolentino

Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

Senator Richard Gordon

Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino

HLURB CEO Lloyd Christopher Lao

PH Ambassador to Israel Nathaniel Imperial

Charge d' Affairs (Jordan) Maria Agnes Imperial

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and her son, Marko Digong, will also be joining the trip.

Roque said Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra would be officer-in-charge while the President was away.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, September 2

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest the next parliamentary election from Bihars Begusarai constituency on the CPI ticket.

Though the CPI is yet to make a formal announcement, the Congress, RJD and other Communist parties are likely to support Kanhaiya by not fielding a candidate against him, sources said.

I am ready for the plunge if the CPI gives me the ticket and other parties of the Opposition alliance support me too, Kanhaiya told The Tribune. CPI Bihar secretary Satya Narain Singh said: Lalu Prasad (RJD chief) and Rahul Gandhi (Congress president) have been in favour of Kanhaiya being fielded from Begusarai. Our partys executive council will take the final call.

A youth icon, Kanhaiya has been greeted by a huge crowd, comprising mainly students, whenever he visited Begusarai. Former CPI MLA from Barauni Rajendra Prasad Singh claimed the youth leader would be invincible in case he was fielded.

Arrested on sedition charge in February 2016 for allegedly raising anti-national slogans, Kanhaiya shot to fame during a JNU agitation the same year. The CPI inducted him into its 125-member national council during its convention in April.

BJP won in 2014

In 2014, BJPs Bhola Singh (4,28,227 votes) defeated Tanveer Hassan of RJD (3,69,892 votes) from Begusarai. Rajendra Prasad Singh of the CPI got 1,92,639 votes.
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, September 2

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has pitched for a federal front at the Centre with regional parties forming local governments, so that people's representatives don't run a puppet government in states where they have to rush to Delhi for taking any decision.

Giving the example of Tamil Nadu, he said people always vote for a regional party so the power remains in the hands of the state.

KCR, however, disappointed lakhs of party workers who were hoping that he would announce early elections.

In fact, he made no new significant announcement except recapping all that his government had done in four-and-a-half-years.

Earlier in the day, the Telangana cabinet meeting ended without taking a decision on the dissolution of Assembly and early polls.

After an hour-long meeting at the Pragati Bhavan, official residence of the Chief Minister, Finance Minister Etela Rajender along with a few other ministers briefed the reporters.

The cabinet took some decisions on sops for different sections of people. A major decision is for the construction of a community building for the Backward Classes on 75 acres of land in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 70 crore.

Asked whether the issue of Assembly dissolution was also discussed, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari said they briefed the media on the decisions taken as per the agenda of the meeting. "There will be another cabinet meeting soon to take more decisions."

Thousands gather for rally

Thousands of people from across Telangana congregated at Kongara Kalan near here on Sunday.

The party claimed that 25 lakh people will turn up for the meeting, which they say will be the biggest mobilisation of people by any political party in the country.

Officials said 7,200 out of 10,600 buses of state-owned Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) were deployed to ferry people for the meeting. This is in addition to hundreds of private vehicles.

A thick security blanket was thrown around the 2,000 acre venue with the deployment of 20,000 police personnel.  With agency inputs
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Kongarkalan (Rangareddy), Sept 2

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today pitched for a federal front at the Centre with regional parties forming state governments so that peoples representatives did not have to run puppet regimes in states, rushing to Delhi before taking any decision.

Citing Tamil Nadus example, he said people there always voted for a regional party, thus ensuring power remained within the state.

Rao, however, disappointed his party workers, who had gathered in large numbers and were hopeful the CM would announce early elections. In fact, he made no new significant announcement except recapping all that his government has done over the past four-and-a-half years.

Addressing a huge gathering, he said he would not go to the polls till all promises made in 2014 were fulfilled.

On the Bhagirath scheme that promises tap water to every household, he said 46 per cent people across 22,000 villages had received piped water and the rest would get it in the next few months.

He said while the Centre had a budget of Rs 4,000 crore for minorities, Telangana had half of it in the state alone.

I will not file nomination papers till every house in Telangana gets tap water, as promised by my govt. K Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana CM
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

In a veiled jibe at the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking at Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidus book launch here on Sunday, observed that by calling for discipline, one may be branded an autocrat these days.

He profusely praised Naidu for being a disciplinarian. Opposition MPs are believed to be unhappy with Naidu, who is also Rajya Sabha Chairman, for not allowing them to raise issues of concern.

Venkaiahji is a disciplinarian, and the countrys situation is such that it has become easy to call discipline undemocratic. If one calls for discipline, then that person is branded an autocrat... But the discipline Venkaiahji calls for, he follows it himself, the PM observed. Referring to Naidus punctuality, he said, One has to be very alert while touring with Venkaiahji.

He never wears a watch, does not keep a pen, does not keep money... he does not wear a watch, but he reaches for programmes on time. And if the programme is not over in time, he becomes uneasy. Discipline is his nature.

Also at the book launch were former PMs Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, RS Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma, FM Arun Jaitley and a host of other ministers and senior officials.

Naidu suggested reforms to improve the functioning of Parliament and state legislatures  code of conduct for legislators within and outside the House, that legislators resign before changing their party and anti-defection cases be decided in three months, quick disposal of election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders by special Benches of higher courts, a national policy to ensure Upper House in all states and cleansing the polity.

He urged the parties to consider issues concerning women to ensure their safety by ending discrimination against them and called for womens reservation in all spheres, including the legislature.

Manmohan Singh said the four themes explored by Naidu during his extensive travels in the past one year could become a national agenda. "These include untapped demographic dividends, an effective eco-system to ensure sustainable and remunerative agriculture, orienting scientific and research gains to improve quality of life, enhancing public awareness about the countrys rich cultural heritage and a harmonious worldview.

The 245-page book titled Moving on...Moving forward: A year in office, brings out Naidus mission of engagement on the four key issues with various stakeholders across the country and its alignment with the New India mission.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 2

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced to contest the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections on the party symbol. The decision was taken at a state-level meeting held here on Sunday.

All eight rebel party MLAs were not invited. Bhagwant Mann, Sangrur MP, said: During the meeting, which was attended by district, zone and wing heads and state committee members, it has been decided to contest the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections on the party symbol.

The senior leaders have told the district presidents and halqa chiefs to decide the names of candidates and extend support to independents with clean record.

MLAs Harpal Singh Cheema, Sarbjit Kaur Manuke, Rupinder Kaur Rubi, Kultar Singh Sandhwa, Meet Hayer and Kulwant Singh Pandori were present. Mann said other MLAs were busy in a party rally in Maur.

Dr Balvir Singh, state co-convener, said: The rebel MLAs were not invited as all our efforts to convince them to work to make the party stronger have failed.

Rebel group MLA Pirmal Singh said: We were busy in Moga convention and have no knowledge about any meeting in Sangrur, he said.

On HS Phoolkas threat to resign in the government failed to action on sacrilege probe report, Mann said: It is his personal decision. He is on a visit to Bargari. The resignation is not a solution. We will try to convince him. At the same time, we will force the government to act against former CM Parkash Singh Badal and those indicted by the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission.
editorial@tribune.com

Smita Sharma and Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

The US-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan outfit spearheading the Referendum 2020 campaign, has warned that unless the DSGMC supports the campaign, its president Manjit Singh GK will not be allowed to visit the US, Canada, Europe and the UK.

The statement comes days after GK was attacked by pro-Khalistan activists near a gurdwara in California.

GK, who returned from the US on Sunday, brushed aside the threat, saying: Who is the SFJ to do a referendum on behalf of the Sikhs? He said: The DSGMC has been fighting for the rights of the Sikhs as per the Constitution.

SFJ attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said: Since the SAD, Congress, AAP and the BJP are against the Referendum 2020, we will not allow any leader from India to propagate any political agenda on foreign soil.

GK questioned the motive of the SFJ and alleged that the outfit was funded and backed by the ISI. I am not afraid of the threat and nor have I backed down after the attack. My father (Jathedar Santokh Singh) was assassinated in 1981 for fighting for the cause of the Sikhs.

GK was received by hundreds of his supporters, who had come to show solidarity after the attack. He said the SFJ was under pressure as the laws would catch up with them.
vinaymishra188@gmail.com

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

The state government will supply canal water to 340 of the 1,188 villages where arsenic and fluoride content in drinking water is high.

The World Bank has, in principle, approved five projects worth Rs 378 crore for supply of drinking water to arsenic and fluoride-affected villages in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.

Talking to The Tribune, Secretary, Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Jaspreet Talwar, said, After a formal approval within a few days, the department will float the tender. Immediate project implementation of providing treated (bacteria) drinking water has been underlined as the top priority to any company that bags the contract. A total of 506 villages will be benefitted with the supply of canal water for drinking purposes.

Director (Water Quality) Veenakshi Sharma said, The department is, simultaneously, executing retrofitting plants (treating water and flowing it back into the outflow channel) at 101 other places which, largely, do not get supply of canal water. Approximately 70 projects have been completed where affected water is being treated.

Of the 1,188 arsenic and fluoride-affected habitations in the state, 777 are on the list of the Centre which will get 50 per cent funding for their treatment projects.

The state government is sending the proposal for aid for the remaining villages to the Centre.

The issue of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water had come up in the Assembly recently, in reply to a question by AAP MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan.

Sandhwan wanted to know whether the survey for arsenic and fluoride treatment plants was being carried at all places of occurrence or just in Patiala.

Besides staining the teeth permanently, excess exposure to arsenic and fluoride can cause bone diseases. Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water and food can cause cancer, he added.

The department in reply to his question said, The department has carried the survey for feasibility of surface water schemes in 622 villages. In the list of potential beneficiaries, Patiala district has maximum fluoride-affected habitations (197), while Amritsar has highest arsenic-affected habitations (237). Gurdaspur had 89 and Tarn Taran 78 arsenic-affected habitations. Of the total, as many as 207 habitations are fluoride affected and 415 are arsenic affected."

World Bank approves 5 projects
editorial@tribune.com

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

The Union Government has asked the state to be wary of any effort for the resurgence of the pro-Khalistan movement. The Centres warning was reportedly conveyed to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh during his meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.

Intelligence agencies have been on high alert in Punjab after the London declaration by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for Referendum 2020 was held last month. Over the past few months, the Punjab Police have busted terror modules in the state, linked with organisers of the referendum, under an ISI operation code, named Express.

Though officially the state government maintained that they discussed various security-related issues and asked the Home Minister to address the concerns regarding Punjabs internal security issues, sources say that the Centre expressed serious concerns over the efforts by the Pakistans ISI to revive the secessionist movement in Punjab.

Capt Amarinder also had discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday over national security concerns of Punjab and hoped for a positive response from the Union Government.

The Akali Dal, an alliance partner of the BJP, too, has been raising the issue of radical Sikh leaders staging a dharna at Behbal Kalan, who, it claimed, were receiving funds from abroad. Sources say there have been reports regarding call records of these leaders with radical Sikhs based in Germany, Canada, the US and the UK, which has also set the alarm bells ringing.

The issue of taking back sacrilege probe from the CBI was reportedly not discussed with Rajnath Singh. Officials present in the meeting confirmed that the CM was initiating a legal procedural way to get the cases back so that these could be investigated by the Punjab Police, as declared in the Vidhan Sabha, and as such the matter need not be discussed with the Home minister.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

While human rights organisations, at home and abroad, have been demanding the release of Sikh detainees, the Punjab Police have moved the Ministry of Home Affairs (MEA) seeking relief for policemen booked during Punjabs militancy period, some of whom have been in prison for years.

At meetings with the Union Home Department and the Solicitor General recently, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora, who retires next month, reportedly pleaded for a sympathetic view, stressing that these policemen had been charged for acts committed while on duty during anti-terror operations.

Speaking to The Tribune, DGP Arora held: The department has made a plea on humanitarian grounds and to keep the morale of the police high in view of fresh challenges ahead. Also, the department did initiate action for aberrations during the trying times of terrorism.

However, former DGP SS Virk, among those who led the force during militancy, had another view. All accused police officials cannot be treated likewise. Each case has to be studied and decided on merit. True, the fight against terrorism was a national cause and those at the forefront must be defended. But those who violated human rights and abused authority must be punished, he stressed.

Activist Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, who has been fighting for the release of Sikh detainees, said the move smacked of double standards. Key 20 Sikh detainees are still languishing in jails. The question is why has the trial of these cops started so late, or not started at all? Its because the government has been shielding them, he claimed.

Data gathered from the police shows that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booked 188 cops between 1993 and 1998.

As many as 43 of them died during pendency.

Of the rest, 80 are above the age of 75. At least 70 policemen are in prison, facing trial. They have been out on parole or bail for varying periods.

Eighty-three cops, who retired from service during pendency, filed separate petitions for full pension.

Of them, 20 have been convicted. Five committed suicide and three died of illness during incarceration.

One of them, Superintendents of Police Ram Singh, who suffered kidney failure while in Amritsar jail, was convicted by a Special CBI court in 2015 in a fake encounter case.
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on Sunday demanded that Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) pass a resolution supporting its secessionist Referendum 2020 Campaign.

In its latest statement, the pro-Khalistan organisation has warned that it would not allow any political leader from India to propagate political agenda on foreign soil.

Since SAD Badal, Congress, BJP and AAP are on Path thats anti Khalistan and against Referendum 2020, we will not allow any leader from India to propagate political agenda in foreign countries from now on, SFJ attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a recent statement.

Pannun said in a tweet on Sunday: Either DSGMC pass a resolution to support #Referendum2020 - Khalistan OR @ManjitGK will not be ALLOWED to visit US Canada EU UK or any foreign countries.

The development comes days after DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK and his delegation were attacked by pro-Khalistan activists while visiting gurdwaras in Yuba City and San Jose in United States. Californias Sutter County Sheriffs office has booked two pro-Khalistan supporters for the Yuba City hearing under offence of battery.

The case comes up for its first hearing on October 15.

The UK refused to stop SFJs rally in London in August citing free speech and right to demonstrate peacefully despite Indias objections. A senior British diplomat told The Tribune that there was no violence at the rally, which saw a small turnout.

Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Badal also led a delegation to meet US Envoy Kenneth Juster last week to flag attacks on the visiting Sikh delegation. Ambassador Juster had promised that the US would investigate the incident.

Ballot, not bullet

Both SJF and Pannun said in identical tweets that the organisation was seeking referendum through votes, not violence.

Their tweets read: SFJ believes in ballot not bullet, is seeking referendum through votes not violence. @ManjitGK Political activities are against the laws of US, Canada which does not allow foreign political entities to influence citizens while visiting those countries.

SFJ believes in ballot not bullet, is seeking referendum through votes not violence. @ManjitGK Political activities are against the laws of US, Canada which does not allow foreign political entities to influence citizens while visiting those countries. https://t.co/Vx6bu7AAh5  Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (@Pannun_Lawyer) September 2, 2018
vinaymishra188@gmail.com

Tribune News Service

Moga, September 2

The state government has launched a campaign in all districts, asking farmers not to use excessive pesticides in cultivation of basmati, the total area of which is likely to touch 5 lakh hectares across the state.

Agriculture Department Special Secretary Kahan Singh Pannu has also issued an advisory to the farmers, asking them not to use five types of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides, which are banned in European countries.

Farmers have been told not to use acephate, an organophosphate insecticide; carbendazim  a broad-spectrum benzimidazole fungicide and a metabolite of benomyl; thiamethoxam  a systemic insecticide in the class of neonicotinoids; triazofos  an organophosphate pesticide used in acaricides, insecticides and nematicides and the chemical formulations of tricyclazole, which leaves chemical traces of pesticides in custom-milled rice.

The government has also issued directions to the field staff of the Agriculture Department to reach out to the basmati growers and motivate them for judicious use of pesticides, so as to improve its quality for export.

So far, more than 300 such camps have been organised across the state and efforts are on to reach out to all growers.

Pannu has appealed to the farmers that if they feel the requirement of use of pesticides or insecticides they must contact field agriculture officials and use other substitutes of the said five chemical formulations as per the doses recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.

The Block Agriculture Officer of the Sehna block of Barnala district on Friday visited many villages in the area and interacted with the Basmati growers asking them not to use pesticides and insecticides.

Basmati exporters in Punjab had suffered huge losses this year as more than 32 containers were rejected by European nations, Saudi Arabia and other Middle-East countries after traces of pesticides were found in them.

European countries had found basmati rice imported from India with traces of cancer causing fungicide tricyclazole and pesticides mentioned above. Saudi Arabia also follows the quality norms of European countries.

The Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) recently decided to follow stringent norms for quality checks of Basmati coming from India. Some consignments of basmati had been rejected after testing positive for residues of pesticides.

Eyeing intl market
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

IT will be seen that one of the rights, the declaration of which was demanded by the Special Congress is that "no corporal punishment shall be inflicted on any Indian serving in the army or the navy save under conditions applying equally to all other British subjects." Apart from the inherent justice of this demand, it has been rendered especially necessary by the desire of both the Government and the country that recruitment should no longer be confined only to the so-called military classes, but should be a respectable section of the community. While the feeling against corporal punishment is general in all parts of the world, it is particularly keen among these classes, and it is in the highest degree expedient that where corporal punishment is still deemed necessary, no discrimination of any kind should be made.
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Beijing, September 2

Police in central China said on Sunday they arrested nearly 50 people after a violent protest sparked by dissatisfaction with the local school system.

More than 600 protesters gathered outside a police station in Leiyang city in Hunan province around midnight Saturday after security personnel stopped a protest earlier in the day, police said in a statement on their website.

They said they arrested 46 people who attacked the station, throwing bottles and bricks at local officials attempting to address the crowd. Many cars had been destroyed, the statement added.

Apparent videos of the protests on Twitter showed an angry crowd violently clashing with police in riot gear. AFP could not independently confirm the video.

Trouble began after parents of some middle school students were told they would have to move their children into dormitories at a local private school, resulting in a dramatic increase in tuition fees, according to posts on Chinese social media.

Additionally, commenters complained that unsafe levels of formaldehyde had been detected in some middle schools newly renovated dormitories.

Posts about the incident had been removed from Chinese social media by Sunday afternoon but were preserved by the anti-censorship website Free Weibo.

In a statement on its website, the local education department said it would test the dorms formaldehyde levels immediately.

Violent protests are not uncommon in China, where citizens have limited channels for addressing their frustrations with government.

Problems affecting childrens health and education are particularly sensitive subjects in the country, where government policy for decades limited parents to only one child.  AFP
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Washington, September 2

The US will cancel $300 million in military aid to Pakistan over its failure to take decisive actions to support President Donald Trumps new South Asia policy and act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Pentagon has said.

The announcement comes just days ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeos visit to Pakistan to meet the countrys new PM, Imran Khan. The US and others have long complained that Pakistan provides safe haven to militant networks, allowing them to carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

The Pentagons move needs to be approved by the US Congress.

Trump has been tough on Pakistan over its inaction against terror groups, saying Washington has got nothing but lies and deceit in return for millions of dollars in aid over the years. Trump in August last year had unveiled his new South Asia policy and asked Pakistan to do more against such groups.

The US in January suspended $1.15 billion security assistance to Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring terror groups and showing unwillingness to take decisive actions. Pentagon said the US military would aim to spend the money on other urgent priorities before the funds expired on September 30.  PTI
The lamp of Divali will rekindle its brilliance everywhere, as the festival of lights is celebrated once again. This observance marks a time of illumination, wisdom, enlightenment and positivity.

As we observe Divali in these difficult times of the ongoing pandemic, we will find the necessary strength to light the lamp that will uplift us. Divali is a symbol of hope and humankind. It signifies the brilliance that removes all forms of darkness.
We are planning /2 adults/ to visit Dominican Republic for the first time at the end of April 2019.

I was trying to look up Iberostars for this trip. Any preference of one above the other? Or are there some resorts that would be better value for the money - we are looking for lots of vegetation, some animal life, kinda bigger resorts /a fair amount of walking/, nice beach is not a deal breaker, pool is sufficient for us...

My daughter will be diving /Padi AOW and nitrox certified/ - but that might be a separate question on the forum.

Thanks for your help :)
Hi

We will be in the coral coast next July with 2 kids aged 7 and 9.

Planning an itinerary as follows:

5 nights Exmouth

3 nights camping coral bay

3 nights camping karinji

we are flying from melbourne so plan to hire camping equipment in exmouth.

I would appreciate any advice or suggested edits to this itinerary and any recommendations or advice for camp sites in coral bay and will probably camp at the eco retreat in karinji

Thanks
If the choice is only between MA and Jaco, I would advise MA.

Remember that the park is closed on Mondays.

It is the smallest NP in CR, conveniently located close to airports, many popular destinations on the Pacific coast, is often offered as a day tour for the cruise ship passengers, thus making it a popular choice.
Contrary to popular belief you don't have to see everything when you visit another country.

Decide why you want to go in the first place, then do your research based on your preferences.

If you want to visit Siem Reap you should allow two days plus one for traveling. Adding Phnom Penh will set you back another two days.

Now you've 7 days left except that you're flying out on the 7th day, so that doesn't count and therefore you're down to 6 days which allows for no more than two destinations.
Hi,

My husband and I will be in HCM in mid October for a wedding. We plan to travel a few days before the wedding with our son and daughter in law. We are interested in going to Halong Bay and perhaps stay at a beach resort as well. We hope to travel a few days before the wedding in HCM.

Any suggestions as to where to go, how to get there, where to stay and what to wear while traveling would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
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Trip to Kanto and Kansai regions - Suica or Pasmo card?

Trip to Kanto and Kansai regions - Suica or Pasmo card?

Dear all,

In a few weeks, I will travel to Japan for the first time in my life. It's a self-organized trip.

My travel schedule (hotels and B&Bs already booked).:

- Fly into Tokyo-Haneda, then take the train to Nikko.

-Spend a few days in Nikko, then take the train back to Tokyo.

- Spend some days in Tokyo including a trip to Nihon Minkaen in Kawasaki.

- Take the train to Kyoto. Spend a few days in Kyoto including a trip to Nara.

-Take the train from Kyoto to Osaka. Spend last days in Osaka, possibly including a trip to the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses in Toyonaka.

I will of course buy a Japan Rail Pass prior to starting my trip.

In addition, I will need another pass for the local metros and buses.

Could you tell me whether a Suica or a Pasmo Card is more suitable, please?

It would be very much appreciated if at least one of these passes could be used in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Thanks to the two of you for your great help again!

:)

We found a flight Berlin-Helsinki-Nagoya-Sapporo (17 hours) and the same flight back home, beeing 700 euro cheaper than Berlin-Helsinki-Nagoya-Abashiri and flying back from Sapporo-Nagoya-Helsinki-Berlin. So that would mean we would have to start our journey in Sapporo on the 10. of october and leave 30. of october from Sapporo. So in this case we would have to do a roundtrip (by car) in order to save the 700 euro. We would also save the one way drop of charge for the rental car.

We would also have the chance to do the whole journey starting on 4. of october for three weeks. That would cost us 300 euros more but we would than be on the safer side for fall folliage?

Would you say its worth or is arrving at 10 of october enough time to do the roudtrip and even up to Shiretoku and still catch good views?

In order to get things cheaper we would then start from Chitose and work our way up to Furano, Biei, Sounkyo, Shiretoku, Akan, and back south to Sapporo and sourroundings.

In order to make the best out of our time we would now prefer to spend the whole three weeks in Hokkaido or as William512 suggested some days in Tohoku area.

This will depend on how much time we will actually spend in each town or area. Since I am not that much aware of what place offers what attractions maybe you could help me out on this again? Fall folliage is something we like to enjoy but its not our very first priority. It should be hiking and trekking connected with fall folliage if that is possible. So we would not go to a place and see a park with great fall folliage and then sit around there a few days. we rather would go to a place that offers a good hike or trekking and then enjoy that place while it has fall folliage. I hope that was not to confusing...

:D

So with that in mind I will now have to find out how much time each place is "worth" to spend and in realtion to the end of our trip we are still unsure on how to connect the dots: Sapporo/Otaru/Jozankei/Noboribetsu/Houheikyou Dam, Niseko, Shikotsu-ko/Lake Toyako/Onuma Quasi National Park/ Miharashi Park/Hakodate and even Tohoku and further...

Which of those would fit into the option beautifull trekking and hiking oportunities (first priority) plus fall folliage (second priority)?

So these would be the two questions I still havent answered yet:

-What does each town/area offer and how much should I plan for that?

For example in Shiretoko until now I found the following things to do:

-Climb Mt. Rausu (one day)

-Hot waterfall

-Walk 5 lakes

-Furepe waterfall

-Boat tour

-Shiretoko Pass

-Oshinkoshin Falls

Not sure if I missed out something adventurous? And also not sure how many days I would need to enjoy all of that?

I still need a list like that for all places I visit in order to really calculate the time it takes to spend in each uplace and to find out how much time is left in the end to answer the last question:

-What should I choose for the end of the itinerary to make sense?

"So with that in mind I will now have to find out how much time each place is "worth" to spend and in realtion to the end of our trip we are still unsure on how to connect the dots: Sapporo/Otaru/Jozankei/Noboribetsu/Houheikyou Dam, Niseko, Shikotsu-ko/Lake Toyako/Onuma Quasi National Park/ Miharashi Park/Hakodate and even Tohoku and further..."

I would like to thank you all for the help this far!!! Maybe you got some more ideas to help me fill out the missing spots...

:)
Photo: Contributed

Join our wine writer, Allison Markin, every week for a wine review complete with food and music pairings. Featuring Okanagan and Canadian wines, with an occasional international bottle, Castanet celebrates the bottles of our Valley and the diversity of the Canadian wine industry and influences from around the world. For current availability and pricing, consult the winery. Unless indicated, international selections are generally available at government liquor stores or private wine shops.

Wine: Cipes Blanc de Blanc, 2012

Winery: Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Kelowna

Why drink it? The kids are back in school or have flown the nest. Time to break out the bubbly youve had hidden in the back of the fridge all summer. Blanc de blanc refers to sparkling wine made from just white grapes (champagne has other grapes in the mix), and this is from 100 per cent organic Chardonnay grapes. Its both refreshing and vibrant, while also expressing the toasty creaminess of a typical oaked chard. The nose is fresh apples and honeycomb, the bubbles are not too bubbly," to quote a friend, and the flavours are... butter cookie dipped in lemon curd.

Price: $46

Pair with: Sparkling white wine always pairs well with fresh seafood: oysters, steamed mussels in white wine and lemon, ceviche, grilled trout or bass. The creamy element in this bottle would do well with a brunch featuring pastries or egg dishes made with a lot of butter.

Music pairing: Swimming in Champagne, Eric Heatherly

Have a wine to suggest? Email Allison at [email protected]
Good morning, my husband and I will be visiting Marco Island for the last 7 days of our Florida holiday, and I was hoping for some sun and sea. However, looking at the current weather it looks a bit unsettled. It will be what it will be, but can any one advise me what to expect please.

We are really looking forward to the trip, and some hot sun would be lovely.
Hi,

I know there is a lot of information on this forum and the web in general. But I can't seem to find the best option. They all have advantages and disadvantages.

We are going to NYC for the weekend (9/8 & 9/9) and will be arriving from the north (Montreal), we will be visiting from Saturday morning 'till Sunday evening (probably late at night). We don't have a hotel yet but are looking to say in Manhattan or Brooking. This will be our first time in NYC and we'll drive an SUV.

We are going to visit the city by day and have a concert to go to in Brooklyn on Saturday night.

We don't mind parking the car and taking the train/boat/subway into town if that would save us a considerable amount of money. I did found the Staten Island parking/ferry. But it is all the way south, while we are arriving from the north and I'm afraid it would cost us a lot of time to get through or around the city.

Are there park and ride parking from the north? Or do you suggest paying for parking in NYC center. I have driven in a lot of major cities in the world and don't mind driving in city traffic.

Since we don't have a hotel, suggestions for parking + hotel for a fair amount of money are also an option.

Thanks for the feedback
Greetings! Im a 40yo male, traveling solo from my home town Amsterdam to NYC, September 11-16. This forum has been tremendously helpful in the past weeks for my planning and gathering ideas, so thank you to all contributors here!

Ive been to NYC for two short trips in the past (1995 and 2008) and more looking to roam the street and absorb the NYC vibe than to spend a lot of time at (or inside) major attractions. I love (street-) photography and architecture, so will obviously visit photogenic places. If I dont come home with a wonderful skyline picture of Manhattan by night, something went wrong :) It is my first time traveling solo (eek!), but I think NYC makes a good destination for that.

Ill be getting a 7-day public transport card for convenience, but will do a lot on foot, since I dont mind walking and weather looks promising. Im incredibly excited to be visiting New York again!

Tuesday, Sept 11

 My flight is expected to arrive at JFK at 2:30pm

 Hope to make it to my hotel in LIC (close to Queensboro Plaza) around 4 or 5 by AirTrain/E-line sub. My reservation is refundable until a day before my arrival, but since its Fashion Week I doubt a better last-minute deal (preferably on Manhattan, which I was secretly hoping for) comes up.

 Freshen up and head out to take the ferry from Hunters Point to Dumbo and grab a quick bite somewhere (thinking Shake Shack).

 After sunset, which should be around 7, watch and photograph the Tribute Lights from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Im sure this will have an impact, I remember watching the tragedy on the news as if it were yesterday.

 Walk the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan. No doubt more pics, but will make sure not to hinder others :)

 Depending on how I feel after a day of traveling and the 6h time difference; maybe take the subway to Times Square to get that Yes, Im really in NY-buzz (and probably make my brain think that its daytime again), and head back to my hotel from there.

Wednesday, Sept 12

 After breakfast head towards the southern end of Central Park, via the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

 Walk downtown on 5th with diversions/stops at Rockefeller Centre (huge fan of 30 Rock, IMO the most brilliant comedy ever), St Patricks, Bryant Park, Public Library, Grand Central.

 Continue down 5th to Madison Sq Park, Flatiron Building. Occasional stops for a bite, coffee, visiting a shop or just to watch the people go by.

 Around sunset: TOTR. I have already visited the ESB in 08.

Thursday, Sept 13

 Around 9, head to southern Manhattan.

 Visit the 9/11 Memorial, the Oculus, NYSE and City Hall.

 Staten Island Ferry for nice views of SOL/Manhattan.

 Late afternoon/eve: meeting a work friend for drinks and dinner and later a show at Comedy Cellar.

Friday, Sept 14

 Around 9 or 10, Museum of the City of NY for the Stanley Kubrick expo or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Leaning towards the latter. I have an attention span of 2h (3 max) at any museum.

 From there stroll through Central Park for a few hours.

 Afternoon: Either a bike tour starting in Harlem and heading downtown alongside the Hudson or an interesting walking tour somewhere (suggestions welcome!) I can get to any starting point by public transport, so doesnt have to be in that specific area.

 Evening: catch a movie or a show. Any theaters recommended for a blockbuster movie? Id like to catch MI:partwhatever in an Imax theater.

Saturday, Sept 15

 Meeting friends that live close to NYC and are coming in for (part of) the day. Nothing planned yet, but Im hoping to persuade them to a walk on the High Line and the Chelsea Market.

Sunday, Sept 16

 After check-out, Ill either leave my luggage at the hotel or store it somewhere in the city (Vertoe or Schwartz)

 Re-visiting my fave places or whatever comes up, possibly some last minute shopping (the NYY cap I bought in 95 needs replacement :) or take a different route and visit Brooklyn for Photoville, which is going on then.

 Im thinking of leaving for JFK between 2 and 3, to comfortably make my 6:30pm flight back to Amsterdam.

A few questions, hopefully you can help me out here:

 Do you think above itinerary is feasible? Im a fast walker (and will be taking the subway for certain destinations), but obviously will be taking it much slower sightseeing.

 Since the 7-day transportation card does not seem to include the ferry; do I buy a separate ticket for that, or do I have to calculate what I think Im going to do besides bus/sub and add value to the card accordingly?

 Hotel breakfasts are usually so-so. Any suggestions for a typical American diner near Queensboro Plaza for a full-on breakfast?

 Another must eat: ribs! Any suggestions?

 Its probably best to get advance tickets to TOTR for sunset. How many days in advance do they typically sell out? I would like to keep an eye on the weather.
- Okebiro Omose was a radio presenter at Egesa FM owned by Royal Media Services

- Besides being a radio presenter, he was a renowned actor featuring in a series of plays

- It is alleged he committed suicide after falling into depression

It was a sad morning for friends, relatives and fans of popular Egesa FM comedian and radio presenter Joseph Mochere alias Okebiro O' Mose who was found dead.

The comedian is reported to have taken his on life in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 1.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Top trending Madilu System songs

The comedian committed suicide following a domestic wrangle at his Nairobi home. Photo: Okebiro Omose

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Ababu Namwamba and wifes public display of love disappears amid break-up rumours

TUKO.co.ke understands the comedian committed suicide following a domestic wrangle at his Nairobi home.

His death was confirmed by his former colleague, Rose Nyabhate, on her Facebook page who remembered him as a committed person.

"Just a week ago you played the drums for me as I sang for my wife at Siron Hotel Rongai. Just yesterday we were joking of how we should do a show together at Windspark Hotel-Kisii .Rest in peace Okebiro, rest in peace my friend," wrote one of his friends, Mfalme Agwatta.

READ ALSO: Kenyatta University student narrates how she sleeps with older men for the good life

The comedian committed suicide following a domestic wrangle at his Nairobi home. Photo: Okebiro Omose

Source: Facebook

Reports indicate prior to the dramatic morning incident, his wife, Teresa Moraa hinted of a possible brawl between them.

"Mtu akisema anajiua na aue watoto utafanyaje (If someone says he wants to commit suicide along with his children, what can you do) advice?," she wrote in a post that would be deleted later.

Mochere is 5 Migori miners miraculously rescSued from pit after 24 hoursted throughout Gusii land and had been working for the Royal Media Services owned station.

READ ALSO: 5 Migori miners miraculously rescued from pit after 24 hours

Among those who sent in their condolences included ODM politician Nyandoro Kambi, his Nyamira Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi and Former Nyamira Woman Rep, Alice Chae who recaled how she natured Mochere.

His death has raised concerns over the increasing cases of suicides among depressed youth.

Recent data reveales that the number of suicides reported in Kenya rose by 58% between 2008 and 2017 to reach 421.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news

Top 5 Facts About Uhuru Kenyatta - Raila Odinga Pact | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko
- Deputy President William Ruto said war on corruption was not targeting any community

- He dismissed allegations by Samburu leaders that Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe was victimised in scam involving National Cereals and Produce Board

- Ruto said State agencies would not breach Constitution in dealing with individuals implicated in graft

- The DP challenged leaders not to politicise war against graft

The spirited war against corruption by Jubilee administration is not targeted to any community, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

The DP quelled fears and neutralised accusations raised by some leaders indicating war on graft was meant to victimise them saying State agencies would uniformly apply the law when dealing with persons implicated in corruption deals.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: William Ruto charms Kenyans again with camel ride, Samburu dance

Deputy President William Ruto said everyone implicated in graft would be handled fairly according to the law, terming corruption a menace which needed to be urgently tamed. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Respect Uhuru, he is not your age mate - Ngunjiri Wambugu tells Kimilili MP

Speaking during the 29th edition of Maralal International Camel Derby in Samburu county on Saturday, September 1, Ruto was categorical no community would be spared or victimised in efforts to eliminate the vice.

The DP was responding to concerns by Samburu leaders led by Governor Moses Lenolkulal who had alleged Agriculture Permanent Secretary Richard Lesiyampe recently arrested in relation to KSh 1.9 scam at National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) was victimised.

"We have a functional law which is clear on how the fight against corruption should be conducted. The current intensified investigations and subsequent arrests are a national endeavour to eliminate wastage of public resources and corruption. It is in line with our Constitution," Ruto said.

William Ruto pledged KSh 1.5 billion for construction of two dams in semi-arid Samburu county to address rampant water shortage. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Uproar as ERC releases new fuel prices following new 16% tax law

Ruto explained that nobody who was innocent would be treated unfairly emphasising the law accorded every citizen a chance of fair hearing.

Lenolkulal had called on institutions charged with the fight against corruption to exercise professionalism in discharging their duties, saying the arrest of Lesiyampe was questionable since he was not the person in charge of NCPB.

Those charged with corruption should do their work professionally so as not to tarnish the names of some professionals not involved on matters of corruption, said Lenolkulal.

The DP pledged KSh 1.5 billion which would be used to construct Yamu and Wamba dams to address water shortage challenged experienced by residents.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Kenya Trending News: Nazlin Umar - Ruto Is Behind The Sugar Scandal | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke
Have you ever wanted to be a journalist gathering all the news that Kenyans and the whole world should get?

Well, this is not for the faint hearted. Lets start from there. Journalism is not as easy as some people think it is.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

This came to fore when Eldoret-based journalists were dispatched to the field to collect the days news events and file for their respective media houses.

Word went round that there was a big event going down at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) regional offices.

READ ALSO: Customer outcry over fast data depletion forces Safaricom to ponder introduction of new plan

Eldoret journalists follow a press address via mobile phone. Photo: Kipkosgey Tuwei.

Source: Original

As a journalist, together with other journalists, I rushed to the offices to get the news off the oven while still simmering hot but the main actor was not there.

What were we going to do? What was I going to tell my editor at Westlands Office Park waiting for the hot story? Dilemma.

Remember we are chasing the story behind the multi-million theft at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) where farmers were swindled.

And on this day, the no nonsense Director of Public prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji had directed the arrest of the key suspects in the illegal maize business.

READ ALSO: Pumwani hospital baby thief arrested

Pitch tent at the EACC offices, we decided. For many hours from early in the morning, to late in the evening, nothing had come out as we later found out the Deputy Executive Director Jackson Mue who was supposed to address the media had travelled to Nairobi.

Journalist desperate for the news had to demand an address as they would not leave before being addressed.

A way had to be devised in one or the other. At least the journalists had to get a story and this forced the official to address them via a mobile phone.

READ ALSO: Kisumu residents destroy billboard to exorcise a screaming devil

Without letting down their editors and loyal readers, journalists gathered in the commissions boardroom where they followed the briefing on phone.

It is not always as rosy as it looks like to be a news reporter.

Are you still planning to be a news reporter? Well, you need to have a tough skin and be ready to go the extra mile to have your story published especially if you are working for the countrys best news site like TUKO.co.ke.

Story by Kipkosgei Tuwei, TUKO Correspondent.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Tuko Sports: Jose Mourinho - The Special One In Trouble | Tuko TV

Source: Kenya Breaking News Today
- The senator met Njuri Ncheke elders in Nakuru during which he shared his leadership agenda

- The elders welcomed the son of Moi to central Kenya and promised to support his bid

- The KANU chairman on his part assured the elders he will work closely with Meru community

- Gideon is understood to be setting stage for a major clash with his political nemesis Ruto in 2022

Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidential ambition suffers a setback as the Njuri Ncheke, the supreme governing council of elders for the Meru people, resolves to back Baringo Senator Gideon Moi for the top seat.

The elders welcomed the son of former president Daniel Arap Moi to central Kenya and promised to drum up support for his presidential bid during a meeting held on Saturday, September 1, in Nakuru County.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Rift Valley elders endorse Gideon Moi for presidency in 2022

The Njuri Ncheke (Left Photo: Mediamax.), led by their chairman James Merianga, promised to support Senator Gideon Moi's 2022 presidential bid.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Gideon Moi courts Raila for a 2022 alliance against William Ruto

The Baringo senator, who doubles as KANU chairman, shared with the influential Njuri Ncheke his leadership agenda for the country and promised to work closely with the Meru people.

I understand the Njuri Ncheke commands immense respect in the community. I have always wanted to meet you and see how we can build a working relationship with Meru people, the senator said.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has in the recent past held a series of meetings with key political figures in the country and many believe the meetings are everything to do with 2022.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Just because you're Moi's son doesn't mean we will support you in 2022 - Murkomen tells Gideon Moi

The Meru elders, led by James Merianga, expressed confidence in Senator Moi's leadership and also pointed out the senator's father (Mzee Moi) had a very healthy relationship with the Meru community when he was president.

We cannot forget how Mzee (Moi senior) was generous to our community. We needed to assure him of our support should he require it," Merianga, the council's chairman, said.

READ ALSO: Baringo Senator officially declares 2022 presidential ambition, to face William Ruto

The 2022 succession politics appear to be fast gathering steam with DP Ruto, Jubilee Party's presumed presidential candidate, criss-crossing the country and holding frequent meetings with leaders at the grassroots in a bid to build his support base.

Senator Moi, on his part, has also held a series of meetings with key political figures in the country and many believe the talks have everything to do with 2022.

Most recently, the senator met Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho who also met Mzee Moi, a few months after ODM party leader Raila Odinga paid the retired president a courtesy call.

READ ALSO: William Ruto allies take a swipe at Gideon Moi at funeral of late MP

Major political realignments are already begining to take shape and more are expected to unfold ahead of the 2022 polls.

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When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Kenya
It was a night to remember as four Kenyans brought to life Lupita Nyongo's famous words 'your dreams are valid' during an award ceremony. in Nigeria.

Auntie Boss Actress Nyce Wanjeri, Mark Maina, Phoebe Ruguru and Dennis Wanjohi Maina put Kenya on the map as they all bagged coveted prizes during the sixth Africa Magic Viewers' Awards in Nigeria.

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READ ALSO: News anchor Mark Masai captured drooling over colleague Gladys Gachanja

READ ALSO: Antie Boss actress Shiru introduces her cute daughter and better half and it is just lovely

Mark Maina was named the best picture editor thanks to his work on the iconic movie, 18 Hours.

Phoebe Ruguru's movie impressively scored two awards namely: Overall Best Movie and the Best Movie award in East Africa.

READ ALSO: Shiro of Auntie Boss unveils her family as she speaks of her journey from poverty

Dennis Wanjohi Maina who created awareness on the ills of underage prostitution in the Coast region through his heart shuttering documentary was awarded an accolade in the Best Documentary category.

The highlight of the star studded night was when Auntie Boss actress Nyce Wanjeri aka Shiro emerged tops at the Best actress in a comedy and TV series category.

Completely overwhelmed by the astounding award, Nyce narrated how it was her first time to get on a plane.

The beauty could not hold back her emotions as she repeatedly thanked her hubby, child and fanbase for believing in and supporting her throughout the actress's acting journey.

"Oh my God. First of all, God is a big God. I want to thank everyone who voted. This is my first time to board a plane and I came to Nigeria. It is also my first time to win an award," she said as she fought back tears.

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ALSO WATCH: Former Hapa Kule actress revealing the rot that is the Kenyan film industry: On TUKO TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke
The Kenya Motorists Association has asked its members to participate in a three-day strike following the recent hike in fuel prices.

The association termed the new fuel prices as unlawful and later asked motorists to avoid going to work on the mornings of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

READ ALSO: Uproar as ERC releases new fuel prices following new 16% tax law

The Kenya Motorists Association has asked its members to participate in a three-day strike following the recent hike in fuel prices.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Treasury insists fuel prices will go up despite MPs voting to stop it

In a statement sent to newsrooms, the association stated the strike will go on weekly on Wednesdays till a time when the fuel prices will be reduced.

We, therefore, wish to call upon motorists to again express their anger tomorrow Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th and if possible Wednesday by boycotting fuel and participating in a strike of not going to work in the morning as much as possible. All Wednesday mornings henceforth will be boycott day until a time when we shall get fair fuel prices in Kenya, the statement read.

READ ALSO: Confusion as Energy Regulatory Commission says yet to get nod to effect fuel tax

The statement signed by the associations Chairperson Peter Murima also noted most drivers will be robbed off a whopping KSh 3.10 which will translate to a daily loss of KSh 450 million.

Terming it as a criminal fixing of prices, the extensive statement said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) made a gross miscalculation of the new fuel cost.

The correct calculation should be based on landed cost 57.82 + distribution cost 3.9 + merchants margin 10.89 = 72.61. 72.61*16% = 11.62. How did ERC get 14.71 for VAT? This is pure criminal fixing of prices, the association said.

According to prior reports by TUKO.co.ke, ERC slapped Kenyans with increased fuel prices which took effect on Saturday, September 1.

The new cost takes to account the 16% VAT which was previously suspended by parliament for two years.

Nairobi motorists will fork out KSh 127.80 for a litre of petrol, Mombasa KSh 124.49, Nakuru 128.46, Eldoret 129.64, and Kisumu KSh 129.71.

For diesel, Nairobi motorists are expected to pay KSh 115.08, Mombasa KSh 111.78, Nakuru KSh 115.79, Eldoret KSh 117.15 and Kisumu KSh 117.22 for every litre.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi faulted the high rate of corruption in the government for the sudden surge in fuel prices.

The price hike was previously suspended for two years through a vote by Members of parliament.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich however ignored the directive and okayed the contentious cost increase.

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When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV

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- Motorists would be forced to pay more for fuel and fares would go up in case of PSVs

- Manufacturers would incur increased operation costs and pass the additional cost to consumers

- High cost of production and operations would make Kenya unattractive for investors

The last minute dash by the government to impose 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) on all petroleum products, effective September 1, 2018, has sparked fear and panic amongst Kenyan consumers who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Most Kenyans are evidently very worried that the high cost of living was going to get worse with the increased fuel cost, and they are right.

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READ ALSO: Fuel prices will go up but not to KSh 130 per litre - Energy Regulatory Commission

Member of Parliament tried to suspend the controversial tax law by two years but President Uhuru Kenyatta failed to sign it the amendment.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Matatu owners ask Kenyans to prepare for higher transport cost

The decision by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to set in motion the punitive fuel tax, after desperate attempt by legislators to shoot down the new tax law flopped, was not meant to ease the burden on the shoulders of the consumer.

Hiked fuel prices would not only push up the cost of living, but it would also have negative ripple effect on the overall economy of the country.

READ ALSO: Matatu owners ask Kenyans to prepare for higher transport cost

Below are some of the ways in which the controversial fuel tax will affect Kenyans and the Kenyan economy:

1. Increased cost of transport

A litre of petrol now retails at KSh 127 and diesel KSh 111.78 in Nairobi.

Residents of Mandera will pay the highest of KSh 141.61 for the same quantity of petrol, whereas those living and working in Bungoma, Meru, Bondo, Meru, Bungoma, Isebania and places across the country will part with KSh 130 per litre of petrol.

After MPs' attempt to stop implementation of the new prices failed, Kenyans have no option but to dig deeper into their pockets.

Those with personal vehicles would have to adjust their budgets to accommodate the new fuel prices, or park their vehicles at home if they cannot afford fuel.

Public Service Vehicles (PSV) operators and other transport service providers on the other hand will incur increased operation costs, and that additional cost would be passed over to their customers.

Expect bus fares to go up anytime from now.

There was confusion on whether the new tax law will take effect after MPs tried to shoot it down but Treasury boss Henry Rotich insisted the new levy must take effect from September 1.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: High Food, Fuel Prices Increase Cost Of Living In Kenya

2. Cooking and lighting will become more expensive

The price of kerosene now retails at KSh 94.61 per litre, meaning you will have to spend more cash on buying kerosene for your kitchen stove and kerosene lamp back home.

Unfortunately, the cost of refilling that cooking cylinder and that of electricity also went up, so it is not like there better options left.

3. Skyrocketed prices of most basic commodities

With the rise in fuel prices and power tariffs, manufacturers will incur increased cost of production and operations, and that cost will be passed on to you the consumers.

Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) had already warned that the new fuel levy would push up the cost of living.

Fuel is the main input in our energy-intensive sectors. The rise in pump prices will result in an increase in the cost of production and manufacturing of commodities, an increase in cost of transport and an increase in cost of household consumption of goods and services, said the lobbys KEPSA boss, Carole Kariuki, said as quoted by one of the Standard.

READ ALSO: Tough times for motorists as ERC increases super petrol prices

4. Kenya would become unattractive for investors

The high fuel prices would lead to increased cost of power, which would in turn push up the cost of doing business in the country.

With the many taxes and rising operation costs, foreign investors would be discouraged from coming to Kenya, especially if the other African countries are making it easier to do business.

5. Kenya will lose its competitive advantage

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) warned heavy taxation and high cost of operations had put local manufactures at a competitive disadvantage, especially at the global markets.

"The country is currently competing largely with non-East Africa Community goods. Most of these exported goods are price-sensitive, and this is going to affect us immensely," the lobby group noted.

READ ALSO: Kenya Private Sector Alliance warns of high cost of living should petrol prices hike

The National Treasury CS Henry Rotich insisted the 16% fuel tax will be implemented as it is law.

Rotich on Friday, August 31, said the move by Parliament to suspend implementation of the fuel tax by two years was null and void while citing increased international fuel prices.

The Parliament had suspended implementation of the new Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products on Wednesday, August 29, following public uproar.

Unfortunately, President Uhuru Kenyatta flew out of the country (to China) before appending his signature to the amended tax law, which would have granted Kenyans the much needed relief.

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Top 3 Poorest Countries in The World: How Do People Live There? - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Newspaper
Photo: DriveBC

UPDATE: 9:40 p.m.

The Trans-Canada Highway has reopened north of Tappen Saturday night after a crash involving a motorcycle closed the highway earlier Saturday.

A person on the motorcycle is believed to have died in the crash, while another was airlifted to hospital.

UPDATE: 8:40 p.m.

Highway 1 is expected to reopen north of Tappen at about 9 p.m., after a crash between a car and a motorcycle closed the highway in both directions earlier Saturday.

A person at the scene said the motorcycle, with two people on board, T-boned the car.

A man on the bike reportedly died in the crash, while a woman was airlifted to hospital.

ORIGINAL: 6:50 p.m.

The Trans-Canada Highway is closed in both directions north of Tappen Saturday evening, after a vehicle crash.

The crash, just before 4 p.m. between Salmon Arm and Chase, reportedly involved a collision between a motorcycle and a car, and a medevac helicopter responded to the scene.

DriveBC currently has no estimate of when it will reopen.

The condition of those involved is unknown at this time.

There are no detours around the crash.
- The MPs do not see any basis of imposing such a heavy levy on fuel

- They have thus vowed to call for mass action in the next 72 hours if Treasury CS Henry Rotich does not reverse the move

- On Saturday, energy regulator revised fuel prices with some devastating effects on petrol, diesel and kerosene

- This followed the operationalisation of 16% VAT on all fuel products

A section of ODM leaders have vowed to impeach Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich over the worrying levy on fuel prices.

Led by Mathare Member of Parliament Anthony Oluoch on Sunday, September 2, the leaders gave the CS 72 hours to reverse the levy otherwise they would make good their threat.

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READ ALSO: Kenya Motorists Association asks motorists to skip work in protest oh high fuel prices

As TUKO.co.ke reported earlier, fuel prices were once again revised by the energy regulator on Saturday, September 1, with the aim of reflecting the 16 percent VAT.

If effected it will see an increase of KSh 14.07 on super petrol, KSh 12.34 on diesel and KSh12.46 on kerosene.

Fuel prices are set to increase to a record price in the market

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Church for drunkards and drug addicts opened in Kiambu County

The move was met by outrage from Kenyans who lamented the move would have serious ramifications on an already struggling economy.

ODM legislators, in a move to oppose what will be a record hike in fuel prices, have vowed to rally Kenyans in mass action if the levy will not be revised.

If you do not withdraw this incentive we will mobilise Kenyans by their millions to flood the streets in protest and we will oversee your removal, Oluoch said.

According to the Mathare lawmaker, there was no basis of imposing such a heavy tax on fuel on Kenyans who are already struggling with the current high cost of living.

Oluoch vowed to call for mass action if fuel prices were not revised

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Customer outcry over fast data depletion forces Safaricom to ponder introduction of new plan

On what basis are you imposing this levy? We are giving you 72 hours and under article one of the constitution, we will begin the process of your impeachment, he went on.

The revised fuel prices took effect on Saturday, September 11 midnight and Kenyans are expected to adjust to the new fuel rates.

READ ALSO: Meru elders declare support for Gideon Moi's 2022 presidential bid

TUKO.co.ke spoke to a couple of PSV stakeholders including bodaboda riders who said they would be compelled to hike their rates if indeed fuel prices would soar.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Motorists Association has asked its members to participate in a three-day strike beginning Monday, September 3, following the anticipated hike in fuel prices.

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Kenya News: Theresa May, British Prime Minister, visits Kenya | Tuko TV:

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Ugandan musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has finally touched down at the US where he will receive medical attention.

The Kyadondo East Member of Parliament was spotted seated in a wheelchair as his loving wife accompanied him.

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READ ALSO: Pasta asimamisha harusi baada ya mabinti "ku-twerk" kanisani (video)

READ ALSO: Bobi Wine breaks down after Kizza Besigye visits him in hospital

In a Twitter post sent to his fans, the ailing politician stated soon he would open up about the torture he went through during captivity ever since August, 13 2018.

The politician was initially blocked from travelling outside Uganda after he was captured at Entebbe Airport while trying to board a plane.

READ ALSO: Bobi Wine rearrested at Entebe Airport

The opposition MP was reportedly whisked away by armed men as he cried out to his wife to save him. Photo: Barbie Kyagulanyi

Source: Facebook

Safely arrived at the US where I will be receiving specialised treatment following the brutal torture at the hands of SFC soldiers. We thank the world for standing with us. I will soon tell you what exactly happened to me since August, 13 2018 and what is next," he wrote.

The opposition MP was reportedly whisked away by armed men as he cried out to his wife to save him.

Bobis wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi through a Facebook post stated her husband was completely in fear the whole time he was bundled into a car as he kept saying he did not want to be tortured again.

While in a Ugandan hospital, the vocal MP broke into tears during opposition leader Kizza Besigyes visit to his hospital room.

Bobi was seen clinging onto Besigyes as he attempted to fight back his tears.

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When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV

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- The Senator was on the spot for addressing Uhuru through Twitter regarding the 16% charge on fuel

- Sakaja called for the scrapping of the bitting tax on fuel but Kenyans were not convinced

- A large number of neitizens accused the Senator of PR as they claimed he could easily relay the message to Uhuru personally

- Treasury has imposed the charge on fuel products in a move that has made fuel historically expensive

- There has been outcry the charge will hurt an already burden taxpayer battling high cost of living

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja was left with a bad taste in his mouth as a section of Kenyans descended on him for addressing the daunting issue of fuel prices via social media.

Sakaja, who has over time won massive favour from Kenyans, did not do himself any good on Sunday, September 2 when he send a tweet to President Uhuru Kenyatta regarding the 16% VAT charge which has pushed up the cost of fuel in the country

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Nairobi Senator on spot for seeking cheap publicity after addressing Uhuru through twitter

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: ODM MPs threaten to impeach treasury CS over sky-high fuel prices

In a tweet seen by TUKO.co.ke, Sakaja expressed his discontent with the Energy Regulatory Commission to adjust fuel prices to the detriment of many Kenyans.

According to the Senator, the president should completely do away with VAT on fuel to prevent an imbalance in the transport sector and the ensuing high cost of living.

Dear Uhuru Kenyatta, kindly assent to the Amendment exempting fuel from VAT. The gain in tax revenue is much less than the goodwill of Kenyans in the fight against corruption (where we are losing much more). If anything, we should entirely do away with VAT on fuel, he tweeted.

As sensible as his sentiments were, however, it did not ride well with a section of Kenyans who felt Sakaja was only making populist statements when he could easily reach the president and air out his views.

READ ALSO: Kenya's fuel most expensive in the East Africa region

READ ALSO: Missing Bobi Wine's bodyguard found, rubbishes claims he was arrested

Amid all the criticism, Sakaja sought to defend himself as he clarified that he had already raised the matter privately and was only doing his job as a public servant to make the same public.

Im a public servant. I wasnt elected to text & DM the president but to be publicly accountable to my electorate. So in as much as I have raised this privately, my actions on this MUST be in the public domain and the millions of citizens of Nairobi who I serve must know my stand, he expressed.

READ ALSO: Tortured Uganda MP Bobi Wine arrives in US on wheelchair for treatment

Sakaja was only one of the rising number of leaders who have openly shared their discontent at Treasury CS Rotich over the heavy levy on fuel.

Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura on Sunday, September 2 sensationally declared Rotich was the worst public servant in modern times as he blamed the CS for the sugar scandal, soaring fuel prices among other scandals facing the country.

The 16% VAT charge on fuel products has already been effected and pushed the price of super petrol beyond KSh 125 in most towns with other regions having to buy the commodity at KSh 135 per litre.

Diesel and Kerosene too have not been spared of price increases in what threatens to push up the cost of living in the country.

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Isaac Nyamwamu Story: The Kenyan Man Who Eats Egg Shells | Tuko TV:

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Popular US bishop Charles Ellis was forced to issue a public apology after he was caught on camera squeezing musician Ariana Grande's breasts.

Ellis was in charge of officiating queen of soul Aretha Franklin's funeral when the man of cloth decided to embrace Ariana so tightly the young lady kept cringing.

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READ ALSO: Kawangware family over the moon after being reunited with missing Class Four pupil

READ ALSO: Kenya film industry flies high, bags 5 coveted continental awards in Nigeria

In a viral video seen by TUKO.co.ke on Sunday, September 2. Ariana was spotted fussing and faking a smile as she desperately tried to get off the pastor's clutch.

"I do not know, maybe I put my arm around her. Maybe I crossed the border. Maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again I apologise. I hug all female and male artistes. Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That is what we are all about in the church. We are all about love," the cleric said.

READ ALSO: Tortured Uganda MP Bobi Wine arrives in US on wheelchair for treatment

In a desperate attempt to save his skin, Ellis framed his apology to look like a justification for what he did as he hinted his actions were not wrong to begin with.

According to the preacher, that is how he hugs everyone he meets.

He also stated he did not want to distract people from the fact that that was Aretha's day and all attention was to be directed to the fallen musician.

The pastor had his arm wrapped around the beauty's back and extended to her right bosom.

Ellis, despite the multitude watching him kept squeezing Ariana's chesticles as he addressed the crowd and joked around on the pulpit.

He held onto his microphone and stole a glance of Ariana's face a few times.

It was however as clear as day the soft spoken pop star tried her best to free herself from the man's embrace but tried to hide her fear and uncomfortability.

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Chef Rachel's Best Bloopers and Funny Fails | Tuko Lifestyle

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About 3,000 people packed Kings Stadium Saturday for the inaugural Denim on the Diamond music festival, featuring largely local talent, food and drinks.

The all-day event featured nine musical acts, and was headlined by Kelowna-local Chad Brownlee.

The festival is the brainchild of Mitch Carefoot and Kurt Jory. Carefoot, who plays fastball at Kings Stadium, said the idea sprang up in December.

We chatted about after the fastball season's done this venue's not used for anything so we decided to put our heads together and said, 'well why not throw a festival?' Carefoot said.

While the smoke in the Valley over the past few weeks had caused some concern for organizers leading up to Saturday, the weather ended up co-operating fully, with sunny skies through the day.

While there were many country acts on the bill, including West Kelowna's Ben Klick, Carefoot said he doesn't consider it to be only a country music festival.

There's predominately heavy country ... and because we knew Chad as our headliner, it gives it a country theme, but moving forward the majority of the other acts, it's split fifty-fifty. We have some rock  Tiger Moon, Devon Coyote, Hot Knox.

After Saturday's success, Carefoot said they'll be back for a second year in 2019.

Of course you can't guarantee anything, but I expect the city to be on board with that as well.

Music is scheduled to end at 10:35 p.m.
Zakharchenko was killed in a blast in a cafe in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk on August 31.

Ukraine's chief prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko has announced the Ukrainian authorities are going to close criminal proceedings against recently assassinated leader of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") Alexander Zakharchenko.

"A procedural decision will be made in [his] criminal proceedings. I think we will do it quickly and with the feeling that the punishment had been imposed on the criminal," the TV news service TSN quoted Lutsenko as saying on Sunday, September 1.

Lutsenko says he has no sympathy with Zakharchenko.

"The man who had endangered his country, who had thrown millions of people into the abyss of war and misfortune, deserved the death Zakharchenko had," Ukraine's chief prosecutor said.

Read alsoAlmost 20 people go missing after Zakharchenko's assassination in occupied Donetsk

Earlier, chief of Ukraine's SBU Security Service Vasyl Hrytsak said that the SBU would probably close the Zakharchenko case. It will be decided by investigators.

On July 31, 2014, Zakharchenko was informed of the suspicion of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 258-3 (creation of a terrorist organization) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He was put on the wanted list.

A court on August 1, 2014, authorized the arrest of Zakharchenko.

An explosion in a local cafe on August 31, 2018, killed two persons, including Zakharchenko, while nine more were injured.
After the Synaxis, there will be another meeting, the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarch, where the decision to provide Tomos to the Ukrainian church and the entire procedure are to be approved.

Hierarchs on September 2 held meetings (Synaxis) of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey, to consider the question whether the Church of Constantinople is authorized, without the consent of other churches, to grant autonomy, or autocephaly, to a church that has requested it.

Following the meetings, the answer was positive: "Yes, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is authorized to grant autocephaly without any consent [from other churches]," the Ukrainian news outlet Hromadske said.

Prior to that, the Ecumenical Patriarch recalled Moscow's arbitrariness towards the Kyiv Metropolitanate, listing such examples in detail starting from the 15th century.

"Moscow for many centuries has controlled the Kyiv Metropolitanate, the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, without the consent of Constantinople," the Archbishop of Constantinople said.

On September 1, the hierarchs who arrived in Istanbul marked the beginning of the ecclesiastical year (the Orthodox churches start a new year on September 1).

The Synaxis in Istanbul started on September 1 and will last until September 3. Providing autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was on its agenda on September 2.

With support from most of the hierarchs, there should be no procedural obstacles to granting Tomos to Kyiv.

It is expected that after consultations with the bishops from around the world, the Patriarchate of Constantinople can finally determine the timing for providing Tomos, a charter that will declare a local, independent Orthodox church in Ukraine.

Read alsoBartholomew I tells Russia's Patriarch Kirill about plans to grant autocephaly to Ukrainian church

Autocephaly is the status of a hierarchical Christian Church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop (used especially in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Independent Catholic churches). Autocephaly opens the way for the creation of a united Orthodox church in Ukraine, which will not be subordinate to Moscow.

After the Synaxis, there will be another meeting, the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarch, where the decision to provide Tomos and the entire procedure are to be approved.

After that, Ukraine will see a merger of Ukrainian churches into one, local church as a legal entity. Experts estimate that it is a matter of several months.

Also, the Synod should consider an appeal against the imposition of anathema by Moscow on Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate.

The split between the Moscow and Kyiv branches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church happened during the collapse of the Soviet Union, when Ukraine's Primate Filaret broke with the Russian Orthodox Church. He argued that an independent Ukraine deserved a national church truly independent of Moscow. The Moscow Patriarchate whose parishes prevail in Ukraine has never recognized the Ukrainian Patriarchate.
A band spokesman says the negative comments have been mainly from Ukrainian journalists and bloggers.

A brass band has sparked a diplomatic row by performing a string of concerts in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Symphonic Brass Wales, which has previously performed at the Royal Albert Hall and at Six Nations rugby matches, played in six Crimean towns and cities during a 'truly incredible' 12-day tour of the region last month, The Daily Mail reported.

But Natalia Galibarenko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, accused the band of 'legitimising Russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian Crimea' which happened in 2014.

In a strongly worded letter ahead of the tour, she said: 'The Russian Federation is currently under international sanction of the EU, US and many other countries.

'I would like to request your organisation to cancel any event which may take place in the occupied territory of Ukraine.'

Read alsoBosnia denies entry to Russian writer Prilepin on security grounds  media

The ten-piece band, which describes itself as a group of 'musical ambassadors for Wales', went anyway and performed in cities such as Sevastopol and Simferopol.

Describing one concert during the tour, Craig Roberts, the ensemble's musical director, told Russian media: 'We had a fantastic time. The audience has been absolutely incredible.'

A band spokesman said last night: 'Following our return to the UK, we have received a number of messages, both positive and negative.

The negative comments have been mainly from Ukrainian journalists and bloggers.

'We went to Crimea to give a series of concerts for the people of the region and we hoped to see with our own eyes the current situation.'

As UNIAN reported earlier, under Ukraine's current migration rules, the only lawful way of entering Russian-occupied Crimea is to cross the administrative border between mainland Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula.
Shityuk was known for his works on the Holodomor famine that killed millions in Ukraine in the early 1930s.

Prominent Ukrainian historian Mykola Shityuk has been found dead in his home city of Mykolaiv, police said on September 2.

Police said the historian's body was found in an apartment on September 1 and bore signs of violence, including stab wounds, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.

A murder investigation has been launched.

Shityuk was known for his works on the Holodomor famine that killed millions in Ukraine in the early 1930s.

Read alsoDraft resolution submitted to U.S. Congress on recognizing Holodomor genocide of Ukrainian people

The Holodomor took place in 1932-33 as Soviet authorities forced peasants in Ukraine to join collective farms by requisitioning their grain and other foodstuffs.

Historians say the seizure of the 1932 crop in Ukraine by Soviet authorities was the main cause of the famine.

Ukraine and about a dozen other countries have recognized the famine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Moscow has long denied any systematic effort to target Ukrainians, arguing that a poor harvest at the time wiped out many in other parts of the then-Soviet Union.

The Day of Remembrance for the victims of the famine is marked in Ukraine every year on the fourth Saturday of November.
He is also facing imprisonment in a solitary confinement cell.

Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz has said the condition of Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh, 47, who has been on hunger strike in a Russian-controlled prison in Crimea since March 19, is serious.

"I was told at night that Volodymyr Balukh felt very bad," Chiygoz wrote on Facebook on September 1. "Also they want to send him to the 'pit' [a punitive solitary confinement cell]."

Read alsoCrimean detention center ignores Balukh's serious condition  Chiygoz

As UNIAN reported earlier, the Crimean court on July 5 sentenced Ukrainian political prisoner Volodymyr Balukh to an extra five-year term in a penal colony and a RUB 10,000 fine in the second criminal case opened against him.

That second case was based on claims by Valeriy Tkachenko, the head of a detention center in the village of Rozdolne, who stated Balukh had allegedly assaulted him, while the prisoner and his defense insisted that it was Tkachenko who had in fact attacked the defendant.

Balukh was detained by Russia's FSB Federal Security Service on December 8, 2016. FSB operatives claimed that they had allegedly found 90 ammunition rounds and several TNT explosives in his attic. On March 14, 2018, the Kremlin-controlled "Supreme Court of Crimea" reviewed Balukh's original verdict and sentenced him to three years and five months in a penal colony settlement and a RUB 10,000 fine.

On March 19, Balukh said he would go on hunger strike in response to the verdict. Balukh's defense and human rights activists assert that he is a victim of repression over his public pro-Ukrainian position.
In total, Russian-led forces mounted 11 attacks on the Ukrainian forces on September 1.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed, another two were wounded in the past day amid the so-called "back-to-school" ceasefire in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, which began on August 29.

"One soldier of the Joint Forces was killed and two others were wounded amid fighting for the past 24 hours," the Joint Forces Operation headquarters said in an update on Sunday morning.

According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, three members of the Russian occupation troops were eliminated, another two were wounded in the past day.

In total, Russian-led forces mounted 11 attacks on the Ukrainian forces on September 1.

Read alsoOSCE spots cargo trucks from Russia entering Donbas (Photo)

The enemy did not use weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements.

They noticeably reduced the number of attacks, although they did not completely cease fire amid the "back-to-school" truce.

The enemy attacked Ukrainian positions near the villages of Krymske, Troitske, Pivdenne, Pavlopil, Vodiane, and Shyrokyne.

The Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms.

Ukraine's Joint Forces adhere to their ceasefire commitments.

Since Sunday midnight, enemy units have twice attacked Ukrainian forces' positions: They used small arms near the town of Maryinka in the Donetsk sector, and small arms and grenade launchers near the village of Lebedynske in the Mariupol sector.
In total, Russian-led forces mounted three attacks on the Ukrainian army on Sunday.

Five Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action amid the Ukrainian-Russian war in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on September 2.

"Bluntly disregarding the conditions of the 'back-to-school' truce, the enemy opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms on defenders of the villages of Kamyanka and Pivdenne," the Joint Forces Operation headquarters said on Facebook on Sunday, September 2, in an update covering the period from 07:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time. "Unfortunately, five members of the Joint Forces were injured in shelling from automatic grenade launchers."

Read alsoOn Knowledge Day, Donbas militants continue violating "back-to-school" truce

In total, Russian-led forces mounted three attacks on the Ukrainian army on September 2.

According to intelligence, two enemy troops were killed and four were wounded on that day.
Technical malfunctions are seen as the cause behind the incident.

A Moldovan-owned Mi-8 helicopter with the Ukrainian crew has crashed in Afghanistan's military camp Shaheen.

The helicopter whose registration number is ER-MHR belonged to the Moldovan airline Valan International Cargo Charter Ltd., the news portal NewsMaker.md reported with reference to a statement by the Civil Aviation Authority of Moldova.

"On board the helicopter, there were three crew members who were citizens of Ukraine and 11 passengers who were citizens of Afghanistan," it said. "According to early reports, two crew members and ten passengers were killed in the helicopter crash."

The incident happened at about 7:30 local time on Sunday morning.

Read alsoEighteen killed in Russian helicopter crash (Video)

The helicopter was heading for Faryab Province.

Afghan officials cite technical malfunctions as the cause behind the incident. An investigation was launched to find out all the circumstances of the tragedy.

According to sources of the Moldovan portal deschide.md, one of the killed pilots was a citizen of Moldova.

The news portal Gagauzinfo.md cited TV Channel 1TV channel and spokesman for the 209th Shaheen Corps Mohammad Hanif Rezaye, who confirmed the incident, saying that the helicopter with the military had fallen from a height of 15 meters when taking off from the base of the 209th Corps of the Afghan Armed Forces Shaheen. Then it caught fire.

According to Rezaye, four public order police soldiers, four army soldiers, and two national police soldiers were on board when the helicopter crashed.
Photo: The Canadian Press The family of Sen. John McCain watches as his casket is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday.

John McCain is being laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy after a five-day procession that served as a final call to arms for a nation he warned could lose its civility and sense of shared purpose.

The private ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, was as carefully planned as the rest of McCain's farewell tour, which began in Arizona after he died Aug. 25 from brain cancer and stretched to Washington.

On Saturday, speeches by his daughter Meghan and two former presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  remembered McCain as a patriot who could bridge painful rivalries. But even as their remarks made clear their admiration for him, they represented a repudiation of President Donald Trump's brand of tough-talking, divisive politics.

"So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult and phoney controversies and manufactured outrage," Obama said. "It's a politics that pretends to be brave and tough but in fact is born in fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that."

McCain was gone, said Bush, who called his 2000 rival for the GOP presidential nomination a friend.

"John's voice will always come as a whisper over our shoulder  we are better than this, America is better than this," Bush said.

But it was Meghan McCain's emotional remarks that most bluntly rebuked Trump, who had mocked her father for getting captured in Vietnam. At the pulpit of the spectacular cathedral, with Trump's daughter Ivanka in the audience, McCain's daughter delivered a broadside against the uninvited president.

"The America of John McCain," she declared with a steely stare, "has no need to be made great again because America was always great."

The audience of Washington's military, civilian and other leaders burst into applause.

With that, McCain's family, including his 106-year-old mother, Roberta, is escorting his remains to Annapolis on Sunday.
Kirkintilloch Town Hall was opened in 1906 as a community hall, providing a valuable local asset. Sadly, due to a lack of funding and the steady decline of the wider town centre, the building was closed in 2004, then falling into a state of disrepair which culminated in its addition to the Buildings at Risk Register. Since its closure the hall had been the focus of several community-led restoration

attempts.



Scottish Government reviews prompted the Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan, which was published in 2013. Its aims were to secure a successful, sustainable future for Kirkintilloch Town Centre.Following various community consultations to identify how the restoration of the building would best meet the needs of the wider community, East Dunbartonshire Council proposed to restore the

Grade B Listed Building as a Community Arts and Heritage Centre, and in 2015 MLA were appointed by hub West Scotland to develop proposals to refurbish, restore and extend the town hall in order to meet a number of new requirements.



The overall design sought to create a juxtaposition between new and old through the integration of a new extension which provides more flexible space for community uses. The extension adopts architectural features in response to existing architectural datums of the existing building - picking up on these datums and with subtle use of colour, a coherent visual composition is created.



Working closely with Historic Environment Scotland, the conservation and restoration of the external sandstone was undertaken. Internally the original plaster ceiling was rigorously recorded prior to its removal and was completely restored achieving a breath-taking space. In addition to the ceiling restoration the listed stained glass entrance screen was carefully removed and fully restored

to provide a clear connection to the buildings past.



The building provides a legacy for future generations and maintains a valuable link to the town's historic past. The restoration has helped to stimulate growth along the main street, breathing new life and vibrancy into Kirkintillochs centre, with the rejuvenated Town Hall at its heart.
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ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Sep, 2018) H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council, has chaired the 26th meeting of the Council held in Abu Dhabi.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah congratulated all students, teachers and staff in the educational field on the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year. He pointed out that the Education and Human Resources Council aims to raise the level of coordination among various stakeholders in order to prepare a generation well equipped enough to deliver the future and achieve the country's ambitions.

Sheikh Abdullah praised the "Back to School Policy" launched by the Federal Government at the recommendation of the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity in coordination with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

The policy provides for the granting of three hours leave as a maximum to parents, who are working for the federal government and have children in school, to help them have enough flexibility to take their children to and from schools, during the first day of school. The move allows parents to start work late or leave early on the same day. As per the policy, the three hours leave can be taken in the morning or evening or it can be divided between both timings.

"The new policy reflects the keenness of the UAE leadership to ensure family cohesion and make it easier for parents in recognition of their significant role in supporting and standing by their children on the moral and academic levels," Sheikh Abdullah affirmed.

The Council discussed the proposal made by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, on the establishment of the Education Support Fund which aims to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and businessmen to develop education and provide additional financial resources to support qualitative development programmes in the educational field in all its stages and forms.

During the meeting, Sarah bin Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State, also reviewed the latest developments with regards to the National Advanced Sciences Agenda 2031, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, last April.

The 2031 Agenda sets out eight scientific priorities up to 2031 and 30 scientific targets up to 2021. The eight scientific priorities aim to make the most of all strategic natural resources in the country through:national capacity-building, promoting the sustainable energy sector, enhancing water security using advanced and clean technology, developing advanced scientific food security system, addressing health challenges in the UAE through a national scientific system, developing advanced industries sector, building a system of logistical support based on scientific studies and data and creating a strategic industries complex.

The meeting was attended by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education, Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sarah bin Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State, along with a number of senior officials.
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ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Sep, 2018) The Federal National Council, FNC, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Senegalese National Assembly, which aims to strengthen their coordination and promote the exchange of opinions on various issues of mutual interest.

The MoU also aims to strengthen the communication between the UAE and Senegal, organise joint parliamentary visits and events, and conduct bilateral parliamentary meetings, with the aim of reinforcing their coordination during regional and international parliamentary events.

The discussion took place during a meeting that was held today between Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC, and Moustapha Niasse, President of the National Assembly of Senegal, who is visiting the UAE as head of a Senegalese delegation.

Both sides highlighted the importance of developing their parliamentary relations, to keep pace with the growing relations between the UAE and Senegal, in light of the belief of their leaderships and governments in the importance of consolidating and advancing their overall relations.

Dr. Al Qubaisi stressed the MoUs importance of enhancing the cooperation between the UAE and Senegal, especially on a parliamentary level, as well as to supporting the development of both countries and their efforts for improving their current relations, which will help to promote the bilateral relations between various African national parliaments.

She added that these close relations will also support the work of both sides related to many topics, such as the FNCs urgent efforts to attain observer status in the African Parliament, which has 250 members representing the 50 member countries of the African Union.

Niasse expressed his pleasure at visiting the UAE and praised its overall development.

He also invited Dr. Al Qubaisi to visit the Senegalese National Assembly as head of an FNC delegation, to further discuss issues of mutual interest.
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ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Sep, 2018) During his tour of the school, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Upon arrival, Sheikh Mohamed was received by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education, Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi Chairman of Education and Knowledge Department, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Hammadi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Control and Support Services, Dr. Yousef Al Shaiba Khamis Al Sheryani Under-Secretary of the Department of Education and Knowledge along with a number of officials.

At the beginning of the tour, Ayesha Hassan Al Yamahi, Director of Alef Education System at the Ministry of Education, conducted a briefing on the online education platform that engages pupils through the use of technology.

Sheikh Mohamed then toured a number of classes and sat in on math and English-language lessons with pupils at the government-run girls' school.

"Continue your educational journey with all seriousness and hard work, as our goal is no longer to pass only - but to excel and make it to the top," Sheikh Mohamed told the girls, who expressed their happiness with His Highness' visit.

He exchanged cordial talk with the teaching and administrative staffs on their vision of the new school year, urging them to stick to positivity and fruitful, hard work and apply best international practices to get the country's education system on par with that in the world's most advanced countries.

He called on parents to double efforts and contributions to grooming generations capable of delivering the future and shouldering responsibility toward their homeland.

"Education is the best tool whereby we can chart fresh roadmaps for the betterment of our nation. Education has become the real bet for effecting a qualitative leap across all fields of development and therefore we should not spare any efforts to raise the awareness of our kids about the central importance of education," he added.

"The transformation developmental drive the UAE is going through is based on education, as the main driver for sustainable development," Sheikh Mohamed noted.

He wished the students a successful and fruitful year full of hard word and effective contributions to the Vision 2021 with education as its foundation.

Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied during the tour as well by Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under- Secretary of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, and Mohamed Ghanim Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.

Alef, a privately-held UAE-based education technology company, and the Ministry of Education, have signed an agreement to implement Alefs education system in 10 Abu Dhabi public schools.

The programme will be implemented across grade six to eight and will cover mathematics, science, English and Arabic at Al Suqoor School, Al Asayel School, Fatima bint Mubarak School, Sa'ad bin Mo'ath School, Atika bint Abdel Muttalib School, Makkah School, Al Dhaher School, Al Khair School, Qatr Al Nada School and Al Nokhba School.

Through the Alef programme, children will learn by watching videos and reading digital content, while answering questions. Each lesson starts with a video and the system employs artificial intelligence to graduate pupils to the next lesson - depending on the number of questions they answer correctly.

Should a pupil appear to struggle with a concept, the system reroutes and presents the lesson again in a manner tailored to the pupils needs. Some children may appear to learn more from videos so the system presents information visually instead.
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KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2018 ) :A six-member delegation of academics from China met Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Karachi (KU) Prof Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan at his office.

The delegation was led by Dean of Tsinghua University, Prof. Yan Xuetong, said a statement issued on Sunday.

The visit was aimed at taking the opinion of intellectual community on what measures should be taken to further improve bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, and the beneficial effects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

There is a strong cultural linkage between Pakistani and Chinese nation which must be improved and such policies must be devised, said KU VC Prof.

Dr. Ajmal Khan while talking to the delegation.

He said the CPEC is a historic and most important milestone in Pak-China relations which will not only provide immense employment opportunities to Pakistani citizens but underdeveloped areas of the country will also experience massive development.

He said the CPEC will play a vital role in eradication of poverty from the country. He said Pakistan will take technological help from China, adding the CPEC is an important change maker with regards to political economy on the global front.
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On the directions of the government, the Defence of Pakistan Day would be observed in a different manner throughout the Faisalabad division on Sept 6 (Thursday) with full national zeal and zest.

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2018 ) :On the directions of the government, the Defence of Pakistan Day would be observed in a different manner throughout the Faisalabad division on Sept 6 (Thursday) with full national zeal and zest.

Various programmes would be held on the day in the four districts of the Faisalabad division to express love and solidarity with the families of the martyrs of Pakistan Army, Rangers, Police and the civilian martyrs.

Giving details, Divisional Commissioner Asif Iqbal Chaudhry said that the main ceremonies would be held at District Headquarters, in which families of martyrs would be invited to commemorate the sacrifices of the martyrs.

He said that Quran Khwani would be held for the martyrs and wreaths would be laid on the monuments of Shuhada and Fateha Khwani would also be held on the occasion.

The DC said that declamation contests would be held in the educational institutions in this regard.

Roads, intersections and other public places would be decorated with banners/steamers having pictures of martyrs of Pak Army and other forces under the theme of 'Hamain Payar Hay Pakistan Se', he added.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2018 ) :Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Syed Kaleem Imam Sunday appreciated the team of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for arresting three terrorists after a successful operation near Basti Shorkot in Multan.

He directed that search, sweep and combing operations should speed up in all the districts of the province.

He said in order to maintain peaceful environment the teams of CTD should keep a keen vigilance over defunct organizations and continue intelligence based operations against anti-social elements.

He directed the Addl. IG CTD to utilize all available resources to exterminate terrorists and extremists so that lives and property of people could be secured.

The IGP said all teams of CTD should remain active and high alert while performing professional duties to foil any attempt of terrorism.

CTD Multan carried out an intelligence based operation and foiled heinous attempt of terrorist attack on September 6 in Multan by arresting three dangerous terrorists of defunct organization with weapons and ammunition.

A spokesperson for CTD said during initial investigation from these arrested terrorists, it has been revealed that these terrorists had planned to target sensitive installations and law enforcement institutions however, their plan has been failed as a result of a successful operation by CTD after getting intelligence from credible source and conducting intelligence based operation against them.

However, the case of this incident has been registered in CTD police station Multan for further investigation.
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2018 ) :Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza Sunday said Prime Minister Imran Khan would bring political and economic stability in the country by resolving all national issues.

"I had attended three Federal cabinet meetings and observed that Imran Khan was sincere and courageous to put the country on the track of development and prosperity," she said talking to a private news channel.

She said the country was confronting a number of challenges but the incumbent government under the dynamic leadership of Imran Khan would resolve all issues.

She appreciated the prime minister for giving 100 day plan during election campaign, saying that accountability across the board was also part of the plan.

Imran Khan had asserted in his first speech that accountability would be held across the board against corrupt elements, she added.

Fehmida Mirza said Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) had supported Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates in the general election and prime minister's polls.

"I am quite happy with Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and would cooperate with all for improvement and betterment of the country and masses," she added.
Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Army Gen. Austin Miller, center, speaks during the change of command ceremony, at Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)

U.S. Army Gen. Austin Scott Miller assumed command of the 41-nation NATO mission in Afghanistan in a handover ceremony on Sunday.

Miller took over from Gen. John Nicholson, who held the post for more than two years, at a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Kabul attended by senior Afghan officials and foreign ambassadors.

The handover comes as Afghan forces are struggling to contain a resurgent Taliban and an increasingly powerful Islamic State affiliate. The Taliban control several districts across Afghanistan, and both groups have launched a relentless wave of attacks in recent months.

"The world recognizes Afghanistan cannot be a safe haven for terrorism, the world recognizes that we cannot fail. I know this has been a long fight, and it has been generations for us, for the Afghan people," said Miller, who most recently led the Joint Special Operations Command.

Nicholson called on the Taliban to accept the government's offer of a cease-fire and renewed peace negotiations, saying "you don't need to keep killing your fellow Afghans."

The nearly 17-year-old NATO mission began with the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban after the Sept. 11 attacks. The U.S. and NATO formally ended their combat mission in 2014 but still routinely come to the aid of Afghan forces.

Afghanistan's national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, acknowledged the setbacks, saying "we have a bloody nose, but we are not defeated."
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2018 ) :The number of active youth ambassadors from different educational institutions throughout the country has crossed 5000 mark under a programme launched to promote mass awareness and highlight emerging trends of drugs abuse, especially amongst students.

Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has launched Youth Ambassador Programme few years back which provides platform for projecting young talent to channelize role of youth, thus serving humanity and society.

Apart from other challenges, Ministry of Narcotics Control (MNC) is facing an emerging trend of modem synthetic drugs i.e Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and Cocaine. These modern drugs have specially attracted the youth of upper and upper middle class and students of universities and colleges.

Anti-Narcotics Force has conducted 451 operations during last three years under its campaign against drug suppliers to educational institutions throughout the country and to prevent youth from menace of drugs. Of the total, 80 operations took place in Islamabad. In Islamabad, ANF registered 80 cases, arrested 101 persons and recovered 26.070 kg heroin, 198.36 kg charas, 0.009 kg cocaine and 5.130 kg opium during the period.

As per information provided by the relevant Ministry some steps have been taken under which educational authorities were advised to establish their Internal Monitoring and Enforcement System.

Cultivation of sources, informers and acquisition of actionable intelligence in educational institutions has also been beefed up while coordination and liaison with schools, colleges, universities/institutions has been increased to check inflow of drugs amongst the students.

Moreover, areas around educational institutions are being monitored on regular basis to stop/counter sale of drugs to students by peddlers/suppliers.

The authorities also launched campaign/crackdown against drug peddlers involving police under Inter Agencies Task Force (IATF) forum while intelligence network of ANF has been expanded inside main cities to locate and hunt drug smugglers/peddlers with special focus on educational institutions.

Students and heads of various institutions from all over the country were also invited at drug burning ceremonies every year.

Mass awareness about harms of drugs amongst students, teachers and various administrative staff is being launched while delivering lectures, talks in schools, colleges and universitieswhile visits of students and teachers are arranged to ANF outfitsfor awareness.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2018 ) :The abrupt cancellation of the Ph.D admissions in urdu subject by Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) has created inconvenience for many of the aspiring students from different cities who were waiting anxiously for test and interview call from the university after submitting admission forms.

A number of students from federal capital as well as the other cities submitted the admission forms for PhD in Urdu soon after announcement of the admissions by the University, however it decided to cancel the admission process internally without informing the students who were still waiting for the University's response.

"I visited the University by the way and checked the status of my admission and shocked to hear from the officials that the university has cancelled the admission process. How can they play with the future of a number of students like me?" Saeeda Irum, who intended to pursue PhD in Urdu and submitted her admission form said.

Talking to APP, Saeeda said, "Now the given time for submitting admission forms in other universities like National University of Modern Languages (NUML) has been over while Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and some others are not offering admissions." After cancellation of admissions by FUUAST, I stand nowhere. The University should not have been announced the admissions, if they intend to cancel the process at last minute, she said. This is not a matter of concern for the university but it will waste the whole academic year of the students, she said.

Another student, Amir Agha said, "I think the university offered the admissions just to grab money through selling forms and prospectuses.

The University administration at least must return Rs. 1000 to the students who applied for admission, if they do not compensate them in any other way".

During the last semester did not offer the programme and this time they cancelled after announcement which reflect their inability to handle the University matters effectively and may be they were afraid of the new government policies.

Urdu is our national language and already only few universities are offering PhD in this subject, some of these are charging highly for admissions which many of the students cannot afford to pursue. While others like FUAAST are playing havoc with the future of students.

Akhtar Munir who was arguing the officials of the university said, "I came from Malakand first to buy prospectus and admission form for my sister who wanted to apply then again we visited the university for submission of forms". "My sister was applying here for admission as it was the only university which was offering Ph.D in Urdu with affordable charges but now we are very much disappointed after denial of admission", he lamented.He said the officials have given the reason that the number of students already enrolled in the programme are exceeding and we do not have much faculty and other facilities to execute this specific programme.

When contacted the senior officials of the University, they said the internal board of the University has stopped it from enrolling students in Ph.D Urdu due to already exceeded number of students.
YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday said that he plans to head to Russia in the near future to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"My visit to Moscow will take place in the near future, during the visit I will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be our third meeting," Pashinyan said during a live stream on his Facebook page.

He added that the sides will discuss numerous issues related to Russian-Armenian relations.

"I can say that I consider the current situation a working process that is developing properly. We continue having contacts at various levels," he said.

Pashinyan, who recently came to power following weeks of street protests, also said that Russia will have to adapt to the new realities of the situation in Armenia.

Pashinyan's spokesman Arman Yeghoyan did not comment on the trip, telling Sputnik that the details of any planned visit are published a day or two in advance.

Armenian media reported that Pashinyan plans to head to Russia on September 8.

In late July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, commenting on recent charges brought against former Armenian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Khachaturov related to the conduct of his troops during the suppression of 2008 protests in Yerevan, that the developments in Armenia contradicted the pledges on the country's new leadership not to persecute its political predecessors. Lavrov stressed that Moscow, being Yerevan's ally, had always been interested in stability in the country and paid attention to the developments in the country.

On July 26, Khachaturov, who served as deputy defense minister of Armenia at the time when protests broke out in Yerevan in 2008, was charged with overthrowing the country's constitutional order during the rallies. According to media reports, Khachaturov was the commander of the Yerevan garrison and participated in suppressing the protests. Next day, a court in Yerevan released the Collective Security Treaty Organization head on bail.
Chad forces bombarded rebel positions around Tibesti, a town in the far north on the Libyan border, security and local sources told AFP Saturday.

N'Djamena, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2018 ) :Chad forces bombarded rebel positions around Tibesti, a town in the far north on the Libyan border, security and local sources told AFP Saturday.

A security source said the bombardment, which followed weeks of monitoring of rebel movements, targeted a site between the localities of Miski and Yebibou.

A local source said a dozen local people had been injured in the operation, which it said "targeted a wedding convoy" -- an allegation which could not be independently confirmed.

Contacted by AFP, the armed forces made no comment.

Chad late last month launched ground and air operations in the area following an attack on a local town in mid-August blamed on a rebel group long based inside Libya.

Security Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said the crackdown was designed to deal with an incursion of rebels opposed to President Idriss Deby as well as illegal miners whose arrival in recent years in an area troubled by a gold rush has fomented unrest with locals.

Largely desert northern Chad is sparsely populated and home to several rebel groups involved in people trafficking between Chad and neighbouring states Sudan, Niger and Libya.
DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) The suburb of Damascus was subjected to missile attack, a source in Syrian intelligence services told Sputnik on Sunday.

According to the source, Mezzeh military airfield near Damascus was not affected by the strike, but there were explosions at an ammunition depot near it as a result of the attack.

The source specified that Syrian air defense systems had repelled the airstrikes.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing sources, that the strikes had been conducted by Israeli aircraft.
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Oslo, Sept 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2018 ) :Norwegian police on Sunday said they were investigating the disappearance of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's associate Arjen Kamphuis, a cyber security expert, who was last seen in northern Norway.

"We have started an investigation," police spokesman Tommy Bech told AFP, adding that so far they had no clue about the Dutch citizen's whereabouts.

The police "would not speculate about what may have happened to him," Bech said.

WikiLeaks tweeted on Saturday about Kamphuis's "strange disappearance", saying he had been missing since August 20 when he left his hotel in the northern Norwegian town of Bodo.

It added that Kamphuis had a ticket for a flight departing on August 22 from Trondheim, a city located more than 700 kilometres (435 miles) south of Bodo.

"The train between the two takes (approximately) 10 hours," suggesting he disappeared either in Bodo, Trondheim or on the train, WikiLeaks said, triggering numerous conspiracy theories on Twitter.

Assange has been holed up at Ecuador's embassy in London since 2012 when he was granted political asylum as he feared extradition to the United States to face trial over WikiLeaks' publication of secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010.
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) Over 220 Syrian refugees have returned to their home country from neighboring Lebanon over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Refugee Reception, Distribution and Settlement said Sunday.

"Over the past day, a total of 222 refugees, including 67 women and 104 children left Lebanon for Syria via the Jaydet-Yabus and al-Qusayr crossing points," the center's bulletin read.

Since July 18, a total of 10,011 people have returned to Syria from abroad, the center added.

According to the refugee center, 460 internally displaced Syrian civilians have returned to their homes over the past 24 hours.

"The SAA [Syrian Arab Army] engineering units carry on the mine clearance operation in the settlements of Tel Bisa, Hamidiya, Gur in Homs province.

They have cleared up four hectare of the territory, five buildings and 1 kilometer [0.62 miles] of roads. They found and defused 48 explosive devices including 12 improvised explosive devices," the bulletin added.

Lebanon has accepted over 1 million refugees from neighboring Syria over the several years. As the Syrian forces have recently regained control over vast territories of the country that had been seized by terrorists, refugees have begun repatriating. The Syrian government is engaged in creating favorable conditions for the returning civilians, with Russia actively assisting in the process.
VATICAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) Pope Francis expressed on Sunday his concern about the risks of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the Syrian province of Idlib amid reports of a potential government offensive and urged the international community and the warring parties to engage in a dialogue for the sake of civilian lives.

The situation in Idlib has escalated over the past week amid the recent reports of a potential government offensive after Russia said it had evidence that terrorists in Idlib were preparing a false-flag chemical weapons attack to frame the government forces and spark a US-led military intervention. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier in the week that talks were underway to create humanitarian corridors in Idlib to allow civilians leave the province.

"The winds of war are still blowing and the unsettling news about the risk of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the province of Idlib are coming. I urge once again all the international community and all the parties involved to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations, in compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians," the Pope said at the Angelus.

The Idlib province is one of Syria's de-escalation zones and a remaining stronghold of terrorist insurgency in the country. Under ceasefire agreement, brokered between Syrian government troops and armed opposition, military activities are prohibited in the area, but the ceasefire guarantors, which include Russia, Turkey and Iran, repeatedly record truce violations.
(@FahadShabbir)

KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) Reports about the decision to grant autocephaly to an Ukrainian church allegedly taken by the Ecumenical Patriarchate are false and distort the reality, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) said on Saturday.

On Friday, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the parties discussed "issues of mutual interest." Following the meeting, Ukrainian media reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had allegedly informed Patriarch Kirill of Constantinople's decision to grant Ukrainian church with autocephaly.

"In connection with the massive spread of false information that distorts the words of the Ecumenical Patriarchate spokesman, Metropolitan Emmanuel (Adamakis) of France, following the meeting of the Constantinople and Moscow Patriarchs in Istanbul on August 31, 2018, the following should be clarified: in his statement, Metropolitan Emmanuel did not say that the Ecumenical Patriarchate had decided to grant autocephaly to the church in Ukraine," the UOC-MP said in a statement.

It noted that Metropolitan Emmanuel had said after the meeting that the Ecumenical Patriarchate had decided to consider all the ways how the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church might be proclaimed.

"This decision was made in April, and we are already implementing this decision, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate also informed Patriarch Kirill about this during his visit," the UOC-MP quoted Metropolitan Emmanuel as saying.

It stressed that this statement no way meant that granting autocephaly was an approved decision".

Orthodox churches operating in Ukraine, aside from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP)  a self-governing church within the Moscow Patriarchate  also include those that are not recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, such as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC).

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is trying to achieve recognition of non-canonical institutions and to create a single local autocephalous church based on them. In April, Poroshenko said that Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was launching the procedures required to establish the Autocephalous Church in Ukraine.

In response to the appeal of the Ukrainian secular authorities, the Synod of the Constantinople Patriarchate said that it had decided to be in close contact with other sister Orthodox churches to obtain their information and enable coordination regarding the request.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) Explosions in an ammunition depot near the Mezzeh military airfield in the vicinity of Damascus were caused by a short circuit, local media reported Sunday.

That incident has nothing to do with the reported Israeli missile strikes at the outskirts of Damascus, the SANA news agency reported, citing a military source.

Earlier in the day, a source in Syrian intelligence services told Sputnik that the outskirts of Damascus were subject to missile attack. The Syrian air defense systems repelled the blows, he said, adding that Mezzeh military airfield near Damascus was not affected by the strike, but there were explosions at an ammunition depot near it as a result of the attack. The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing sources, that the strikes had been conducted by Israeli aircraft.
The Indian Museum here has put for online display of some rare ornaments, including a bow ring studded with emerald of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan,its Director Rajesh Purohit said.

Six per cent of 14,383 objects in the arts section of the museum, one of the oldest and largest museums in south west Asia, have been on online display, Purohit told PTI.

Some archaeological and anthropological objects are also on display, he said.

The ornaments include an 18th century necklace with exquisite floral design of Myanmar, one 18th century musical instrument 'Mahakachhapi Vina', one 18th century crown of goddess Lakshmi studded with rubies, emeralds, turquoises, corals, pearls of Nepal and a goblet studded with emerald and gold and ruby belonging to the Mughal period, a museum official said.

In the archaeological section, 17 objects dating back to the 4th millennium BC to 7th century AD are on display. The art objects include pottery, earthen vase and female figures.

In the anthropology section, the New Guinea Mask of 1890 figures among the collections.

One relic casket of Goutam Buddha with inscriptions is also on display.

The online exhibition was launched on August 31.

"This will be an experience where you will be sitting at home with your mobile and see those artefacts often not seen by people because of security reasons and space constraints," the director said.

(PTI)
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd September, 2018) Swiss RUAG ammunition manufacturer said on Sunday that the hand grenades which had been reportedly produced by the company and recently found in possession of the Islamic State (IS terror group, banned in Russia) terrorists in Syria, could be part of the batch supplied to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2003.

On Sunday, the Sonntagsblick newspaper published photos of grenades reportedly seized by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Nusra Front, a terrorist group banned in Russia) during an attack on an IS sleeper cell in Nayrab in early August. The media said that the hand grenades could have been supplied to the UAE, later illegally resold to Jordan and obtained by the Syrian terrorists. The newspaper added that Switzerland continued arms supplies to the UAE despite concerns that the weapons may be used to perpetuate military conflicts.

"It is reported that hand grenades manufactured by RUAG have been found in Syria. Similar cases came to light in 2012 and 2016. These grenades could be from the batch delivered to the United Arab Emirates in 2003-2004, which may well, by way of a breach of contractual warranties, have found their way to Syria. ... RUAG has not supplied any hand grenades to Arab countries since 2003-2004," the company said.

In 2012, RUAG hand grenades from among those supplied in 2003-2004 to the UAE were found in the possession of the militants of the Free Syrian Army, and in 2016, RUAG ammunition was seized from an IS member known as Cendrium R., imprisoned in Turkey for terrorism.
(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd September, 2018) Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem confirmed on Sunday the reports that explosions in an ammunition depot near the Mezzeh military airfield in the vicinity of Damascus were caused by a short circuit, not Israeli missile strikes.

Earlier in the day, a source in Syrian intelligence services told Sputnik that the outskirts of Damascus were subject to a missile attack. The Syrian air defense systems repelled the blows, he said, adding that Mezzeh military airfield near Damascus was not affected by the strike, but there were explosions at an ammunition depot near it as a result of the attack. The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing sources, that the strikes had been conducted by Israeli aircraft.

"In fact, from what we understood from sources in the Syrian Defense Ministry, the cause of these explosions was a short-circuit due to overheating ... These expositions were not the result of illegal Israeli aggression," the minister told the Russia-24 broadcaster when asked whether the explosions occurred due to ammunition blowing up or due to an Israeli airstrike.

Over the past several years, Syria has repeatedly accused Israel of attacks on the Mezzeh military airport. According to Tel Aviv, Israel strikes the Iran-supplied Hezbollah arms depot at the Mezzeh facility to prevent the Lebanese movement, listed as a terrorist group in Israel, from obtaining advanced weapons for terrorist aims.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has urged governments to take immediate action to safeguard younger generations from the immediate and long-term impacts of so-called "extreme weather events", including heatwaves, floods and wildfires.

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2018 ) :The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has urged governments to take immediate action to safeguard younger generations from the immediate and long-term impacts of so-called "extreme weather events", including heatwaves, floods and wildfires.

The devastating floods in southern India, wildfires ravaging the western United States and the record-breaking heatwaves baking countries across much of the northern hemisphere, are putting children in immediate danger while also jeopardizing their future, UNICEF said in a press release issued Saturday.

"In any crisis, children are among the most vulnerable, and the extreme weather events we are seeing around the world are no exception," Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Director of Programmes, said.

"Over the past few months, we have seen a stark vision of the world we are creating for future generations. As more extreme weather events increase the number of emergencies and humanitarian crises, it is children who will pay the highest price." These extreme weather events during June and July, cause injury, death, environmental damage and other losses.

UNICEF stated that although individual weather events cannot specifically be attributed to climate change, their increasing frequency and severity correspond with predictions of how human activities are affecting the global climate.

These conditions have numerous impacts on children.

For example, they contribute to the increased spread of "childhood killers" such as malnutrition, malaria and diarrhoea, UNICEF said.

Heatwaves put children at risk, with infants and younger children more likely to die or suffer from heatstroke, while floods threaten their survival and development through causing injuries or death by drowning, or compromising water supply and damaging sanitation facilities. Meanwhile, poor families are particularly affected by drought, which can lead to crop failure, livestock deaths and loss of income.

"As the world experiences a steady rise in climate-driven extreme weather events, it is children's lives and futures that will be the most disrupted," Chaiban noted. "Therefore, it's vital that governments and the international community take concrete steps to safeguard children's future and their rights. The worst impacts of climate change are not inevitable, but the time for action is now."UNICEF has proposed an "agenda for action on climate change." It calls for strengthening health systems to respond to a changing climate and more extreme weather events.

Other measures include increasing investment in climate resilient agricultural, water and sanitation services, educating children and young people about the issue of climate change, and reflecting their needs in national strategies and action plans.
A 22-year-old man has consulted in emergency for acute urinary retention and left renal colic. Bladder catheterization was performed. Symptomatic treatment was provided with no improvement. MRI showed a pseudotumoral bladder wall thickening associated with vesical floor budding with prostate median lobe infiltration. The patient got an endoscopy that concluded to an inflammatory aspect of the bladder mycosa and a solid mass in the bladder neck arising. The biopsy during examination concluded to a glandular cystitis. Ultrasonography performed six months later still showed an enlarged prostate of 60g volume, post void residue of 280ml and bilateral hydronephrosis. A second cystoscopy showed an obstructive prostate with a median lobe. A transurethral resection of this lobe was performed. The pathological examination concluded to a benign prostate hyperplasia. This case is likely to be the first reported so far about a BPH in a young male associated with Cystitis Glandularis. Neither etiology nor evidence of the cause behind this case has been identified so far. Although Benign Prostate Hypertrophia is rare among young males, its ethiopathogenesis is not well known, its relation with cystitis glanduralis in young patients has never been described before. Both medical and surgical approaches remain similar to the adults.

The Pan African medical journal. 2018 May 16*** epublish ***

Skander Zouari, Khaireddine Bouassida, Khaled Ben Ahmed, Ahlem Bdioui Thabet, Mohamed Amine Krichene, Chawki Jebali

Urology Department, Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia., Histopathological Department, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia., Radiology Department, Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia., Emergency Department, Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30167057
The Australian Bishops and religious leaders respond on Thursday to the Royal Commission report, addressing victims of sexual abuse and their loved ones, the Catholic community, government and the people of Australia, saying it is a significant step.

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

A 57-page response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was released on Thursday by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), a group representing Australias men and women religious and members of Societies of Apostolic Life. The response, with a Preamble signed by Bishop Mark Coleridge, ACBCs President, and Sr Monica Cavanagh, CRAs President, responds point by point to recommendations made by the Royal Commission.

Sincere, unreserved apology

The response begins by thanking both the Royal Commission for its service and the courageous abuse survivors who came forward. To them and their families we offer our sincere and unreserved apology, and we commit anew to doing whatever we can to heal the wounds of abuse and to make the Church a truly safe place for all, the response says.



There is a clarification regarding the extent of the authority which the Catholic Bishops and religious leaders of Australia have with respect to the wider Catholic reality. Thus, the report states clearly that the ACBC and the CRA do not speak for the entire Catholic Church.

Recommendations of the Royal Commission

Of the 80 recommendations proposed by the Royal Commission, 47 were accepted, 1 was not accepted, 13 were passed on to the Holy See, 1 is being taken into further consideration, 5 were accepted in principle, 12 are supported, and 1 is supported in principle. In response to all the accepted or supported recommendations, the response also states how they are already being implemented, that Church institutions will comply with any future legislation, or that standards are in development by Catholic Professional Standards Ltd.

Listen to our report

Recommendations referred to the Holy See

Some of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission are actually addressed and have been forwarded to the Holy See by the Australian Bishops. These include: practices in the appointment of bishops; the possibility of voluntary celibacy for diocesan priests; the amendment of Canon Law to include canons relating to child sexual abuse; modification of the pontifical secret in sexual abuse cases; canonical procedure in sexual abuse cases regarding approach and time limits; establishment of a canonical tribunal in Australia capable of judging cases against the clergy; publication of decisions made by the Vatican and canonical tribunals; amending the canons regarding the destruction of documents connected with canonical criminal cases; that the ACBC should consult the Holy See on matters pertaining to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and victims or perpetrators of sexual abuse and make the response public.



In some cases, the report states that recommendations passed on to the Holy See have become normative practice in the Catholic Church in Australia. Responding specifically to the recommendation for optional celibacy for diocesan priests, the ACBC states that the Royal Commission made no finding of a causal connection between celibacy and child sexual abuse, and suggests that inadequate formation of priests could have been a contributing factor in the sexual abuse of minors.

Recommendation not accepted

Recommendation 7.4 concerning the exemption of confessors in reporting abuse, which is a direct violation of the seal of confession, was the only one that was not accepted on grounds that it is contrary to our faith and inimical to religious liberty.



Nothing will repair the harm done

In conclusion, on behalf of the ACBC and the CRA, Bishop Coleridge and Sr Monica say that Our hope and prayer is that all that we have done, are doing and will do may help to bring healing to those so gravely harmed. At the same time, they acknowledge Pope Francis words that no effort to beg pardon and to seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Embracing the Popes words in his Letter to the People of God, they express their commitment to spare no effort to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated.


An elderly woman at a camp for displaced from Idlib. (AFP or licensors)

Pope Francis appeals for Syria and invites the international community to use dialogue and diplomacy to help safeguard civilians in the country.

Pope Francis on Sunday made a heartfelt appeal for the people of Syria, telling the faithful gathered for the Angelus in St Peters Square that there were still the winds of war in the country and unsettling news about the risk of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the Province of Idlib.

The Pope invited the international community and other actors involved to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations, in compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians.

The Syrian province of Idlib and surrounding areas are the last major enclave held by rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

This week the United Nations called on Russia, Iran and Turkey to forestall a battle in Idlib which would affect millions of civilians.

Syria has suffered major destruction, while millions of workers have fled, been conscripted or killed.
Troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, along with their allies are looking toward Idlib, which is Syria's last major rebel enclave.

By Nathan Morley

Around three million civilians live in the area - many are refugees from other war-torn parts of the country. President Assad has vowed to target only opposition fighters in Idlib, but some aid groups fear a bloodbath is looming.

Children at Risk

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) says more than a million children are at risk in the event of an assault and has drawn up contingency plans to provide clean water, medicine and food supplies.

Washington has warned that it will hold the Assad government and Moscow accountable for any escalation in Idlib, including the use of chemical weapons.

Across Syria, around 7 million people have become refugees.

The conflict, which began in 2011, has left more than 350,000 people dead, and has now been raging longer than World War Two.


At The Orleans Hotel and Casino on Saturday (Sept. 1), Australian soft rock duo Air Supply performed the 5,000th show of their more than 40-year musical career.

To commemorate the special occasion, representatives with The Orleans joined Air Supply members Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock for a cake and champagne celebration before the show. Air Supply has been performing at The Orleans in Las Vegas for 22 years and continued the tradition by entertaining audiences this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe, spanning over eight days.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the President is being accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala and two Members of Parliament Ram Shakal and Anil Baluni, along with several officials.

On the first leg of his journey, President Kovind will be visiting Cyprus, where he will hold a meeting with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in order to boost bilateral ties.

Furthermore, President Kovind will meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris. He will address an Extraordinary Session of the House of Representatives. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus and address members of the Indian Diaspora there.

Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India with a cumulative investment of over USD 9.2 billion. There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two countries in the past couple of years, and President Kovind's visit is expected to further strengthen the economic ties.

From Cyprus, President Kovind will proceed to Bulgaria on September 4, where he is scheduled to meet Bulgarian President Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

He will also address a business forum in Bulgaria and deliver a lecture at the Sofia University. At present, India-Bulgaria annual trade stands at USD 315 million.

On the last leg of the journey, President Kovind will visit the Czech Republic from September 6 to 9, where he will hold discussion on issues of mutual concern with Czech President Milos Zeman.

President Kovind will also address business representatives from the two countries and interact with students at the Charles University.

(ANI)
China is still determined to reform and wants to work with all parties to build an open world economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday, reiterating Beijing's message amid a bitter trade war with Washington.

The two countries have been rolling out a series of tariffs on each other's exports as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration seeks to tackle a range of issues from the large trade imbalance with China to forced technology transfers.

China has criticized the United States for resorting to protectionist and unilateral measures and says it will keep opening up its economy, providing a fair and transparent environment for foreign businesses.

Meeting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Beijing ahead of a major China-Africa summit, Xi made no direct mention of the trade tensions with the United States, referring instead to "unilateralism and protectionism rearing its head."

"China's determination to fully deepen reforms will not change," China's Foreign Ministry paraphrased Xi as telling Guterres.

"We are willing to use practical actions to drive all parties to jointly adhere to trade liberalization and facilitation and build an open world economy," Xi added.

The ministry's statement did not elaborate.

U.S. and Chinese officials ended two days of talks last month without a major breakthrough as their trade war escalated with the activation of a further round of tariffs on $16 billion worth of each other's goods.

The two countries have now targeted $50 billion of each other's goods and threatened duties on most of the rest of their bilateral trade, raising concerns that the conflict could dent global economic growth.

Trump administration officials have been divided over how hard to press Beijing, but the White House appears to believe it is winning the trade war as China's economy slows and its stock markets falter.

Economists estimate that every $100 billion of imports hit by tariffs would reduce global trade by around 0.5 percent.
Police in central China have detained 46 people who were part of a protest against a government plan to address overcrowded classrooms that escalated into violence.

Police in the city of Leiyang in Hunan province said on their official microblog that the people were detained early Sunday as officers dispersed around 600 protesters who had gathered outside the local police station on Saturday night.

They said some of the protesters hurled plastic water bottles, bricks, firecrackers and beer bottles, injuring more than 30 police and auxiliary police officers and damaging several vehicles. Police attributed the violence to good-for-nothings who were looking for trouble.

Student transfers

An official at the Leiyang city government who would only give his surname, Zeng, said the parents were protesting the city governments plan to transfer students from overcrowded public schools to expensive private schools.

Some parents were concerned that their children were exposed to toxic formaldehyde fumes at the dormitory to which they were being transferred, he said. He repeated the polices assertion that troublemakers were using the protest to cause issues for the authorities.

Some lawless people are making use of this as an opportunity to stir up trouble, Zeng said by phone.

Calls to the police and schools affected by the plans rang unanswered Sunday.

Protest began Saturday

The protest began earlier Saturday with parents gathering and hoisting banners outside six local schools and the citys Communist Party committee building and blocking roads. Police said they took away five protesters who were disrupting traffic.

The protesters later marched from the party committee building to the police station to demand the release of the five who had been detained. As the protest grew, police took away another 10 people but let them go home under escort after verifying that they were parents of students affected by the transfer plans.

Police said that shortly after midnight Saturday, they forcefully dispersed the protesters after repeated warnings failed and detained the 46 people after the protest turned violent.
Ethiopia has been lauded by experts from Chinas ruling Communist Party as a model country in Beijings $126 billion Belt and Road initiative to build rail, road and sea links tying China to Eurasia and Africa.

But as the Horn of Africa nation of 100 million people faces debt distress, there are signs that China, a major creditor, is slowing financing to Ethiopia as doubts grow over the profitability of some infrastructure projects there.

The intensifying repayment risks from the Ethiopian governments debt reaching 59 percent of GDP is worrying investors, Chinas mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa said on its website in July.

It said that Chinese investment in Ethiopia country was cooling and that the China Export and Credit Insurance Corp was reducing the scale of its investment there.

Top destination for China loans

Against a backdrop of rising worry over African indebtedness to China, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will visit Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which starts Monday.

He is to meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and is expected to court investment from Chinese firms into Ethiopias agro-industrial and pharmaceutical businesses, Chinas Xinhua news agency said.

Ethiopia has been a top destination for Chinese loans in Africa, despite its lack of natural resources, with state policy banks extending it more than $12.1 billion since 2000, according to the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington (SAIS).

The countrys ruling EPRDF coalition, in power since ousting a military junta in 1991, aims for Ethiopia to reach middle income status by 2025 and is pursuing ambitious manufacturing-led industrialization that has involved building roads, a railway, and industrial parks, as well as mounting debt.

Ethiopian Central Bank Governor Yinager Dessie told Reuters in July that the government hopes to reduce its debt with China, which he said holds most of Ethiopias bilateral foreign debt.

We will have some discussions in the months ahead. I dont exactly know where that discussion will take us in terms of seeing or looking for diversified options for debt repayment, Dessie said.

Railway blues

Chinas concern over the profitability of some of the transport projects it is backing in landlocked Ethiopia has focused on a standard-gauge railway connecting Addis Ababa to the port of Djibouti.

The sustainability of the projects is weak, Zhao Lei, a professor at the Central Party School in Beijing, wrote in the party-run Guangming Daily in June, pointing to a Chinese-funded light railway around the capital Addis Ababa and the Ethiopia-Djibouti rail project.

He said there had been insufficient consideration of the additional infrastructure and the service and maintenance.

The main section of the railway opened in 2016, but Chinese financing for a northern extension, from Woldia to Mekele, has suffered multiple delays and the full funding package from the Chinese Export and Import Bank has not been released yet, according to Tang Xiaoyang, a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing who does fieldwork in Ethiopia.

The main concern causing delays is the economic sustainability and feasibility of the project, he said.

Chinas ExIm bank and the China Communications Construction Company did not respond to faxed requests for comment.

ExIm has become more risk-averse for new projects, said Yunnan Chen, a researcher at the China Africa Research Initiative at SAIS.

Ethiopia is likely hoping for a breakthrough on the project at the China-Africa forum, she said.

These breakthroughs are a part of FOCAC where the publicity of the event makes it a good opportunity for African countries like Ethiopia to get pledges from China.
Germany's foreign minister told his fellow countrymen Sunday they're too lazy when it comes to battling racism and fighting for democracy.



"We have to get off the couch and open the mouth," Heiko Maas said in an interview with weekly Bild am Sonntag. "Our generation was given freedom, rule of law and democracy as a present. We didn't have to fight for it; [now] we're taking it too much for granted."



Maas' comments followed Saturday's demonstrations by about 4,500 far-right protesters in Chemnitz, who were rallying against migration a week after a German was killed in the eastern city, allegedly by two migrants from Iraq and Syria. Around 4,000 leftist protesters also marched through the city in a counter-protest, and 1,800 police officers were deployed to keep the groups apart.

Eighteen people, including three police officers, were injured during the rallies, which at times were very tense, especially after police ended a march of the far right groups early.



After the rallies were over, small groups clashed with each other, police reported.



Soeren Bartol, a lawmaker with the Social Democrats, tweeted that after the end of the protests he and his group "were attacked by Nazis" who destroyed their party flags and physically attacked some of them.



Far-right activists and leftist groups had already clashed in Chemnitz on Monday, a day after the 35-year-old German man's death. Scenes of vigilantes chasing foreigners in the city's streets have shocked people in others parts of Germany since then.



The tension that has built up over the past week in Chemnitz, reflects the growing polarization over Germany's ongoing effort to come to terms with an influx of more than 1 million refugees and migrants seeking jobs since 2015.



The far right has constantly criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow in hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.



On Monday, thousands of people are expected to travel to Chemnitz again, this time, however, to visit a free open air concert that has been quickly organized by some of the country's most popular bands, including the rock group Tote Hosen, as a stand against far-right nationalism and anti-migrant prejudice.


Turkey Turned Assyrian Churches Into Mosques and Storage Depots

Assyrian church in Turkey. This summer, representatives from Turkey's non-Muslim religious communities gathered in Istanbul to sign a joint statement denying any pressure being placed on minority groups in the country. In addition to religious leaders from Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities, Orhan
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 2)  President Rodrigo Duterte warned traders who would take advantage of the country's rice situation.

"Do not force me to resort to emergency measures," he told the media after delivering a speech before he left for historic visits to Israel and Jordan.

If there was an artificial scheme going around, Duterte said he would not hesitate to exercise the powers of the President and ask the military and police to raid warehouses, adding that these would be subject to just compensation.

The President said he would not let Filipinos go hungry.

"I can do that," he said. "And if I said, you force me, I will."

Smuggled rice for free, lowest price

Regarding the smuggled rice in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, Duterte favors giving it away or selling it at low prices to the public.

Duterte does not agree with proposals to legalize rice already smuggled into the country, but said he would be willing to distribute it for free or sell it at a low price to Filipinos.

"Those smuggled rice have not paid any taxes or tariff or whatever so, they are confiscated. (For) disposal of the government, and maybe I shall distribute it for free or go down to the last prices prevailing in the market," he said Sunday.

Duterte made it clear, however, that he was not for the legalization of the smuggled grain.

"No, of course not. That would be destructive to the economy. You'd put down the market in turmoil. Smuggled rice unrestrained? That would promote disorder in this country. Maybe we can import and lose... Import natin, ipagbili natin at a price... Malulugi tayo pero [We can import and sell it at a price... We will lose money but] we'll peg it a price that the Filipino can afford. We can lose, but not allow smuggling in this country," he added.

In January, the Philippine Coast Guard seized around P125 million worth of smuggled rice in waters off Zamboanga Sibugay province.

The region of Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi was placed under state of calamity last month due to rice shortage. This prompted lawmakers to call for resignation of Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol, who proposed importation of rice and fish to address rising inflation.

No need to fire agri chief

But, Duterte said Sunday he was not in favor of the calls for Pinol's resignation.

"You know, all officials, including me, are bound by laws on the matter  rice, whatever it is  there are laws to be followed. Maybe the laws are weak or unenforceable. All we have to do are improve on those laws, not necessarily fire people," the President said.

Duterte said he saw no reason to remove Pinol from office.

"We have not really lost anything except that there's an aberration in the market" he said.
Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is out from the presidential race in the next month's elections due to a corruption conviction.

Six of seven justices from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in Brasilia, Brazil's top electoral court on Friday ruled that Lula was barred from running for the presidency, despite serving a 12-year prison term for graft and money laundering, CNN reported.

The 72-year-old leader has been in jail since April after he was convicted on corruption charges. Lula has rejected such allegations and his defence claimed that he was a victim of political persecution.

Meanwhile, the Workers' Party, Brazil's only socialist party said in a statement: "We will present all the appeals to the courts so that the political rights of Lula, as provided by law and in international treaties ratified by Brazil, are recognised."

Last month, the party had registered Lula's name as its presidential candidate. At that time, he said in a statement on his official website that he had "submitted his candidacy with the certainty that he could do much to take Brazil out of one of the worst crises in history."

Lula was found guilty in 'Operation Car Wash' scam that also involved a score of top politicos across several political parties of Brazil. He was convicted of receiving a renovated beachfront apartment approximately worth USD 1.1 million as a bribe from an engineering firm. He was initially found guilty of the charges in July last year, the report said.

Subsequently in January this year, Lula was handed over the prison sentence by an appeals court, which had unanimously upheld the corruption and money laundering charges against him.

Lula, who was Brazil's 35th president from 2003 to 2011, was considered a frontrunner for the October elections before he was convicted and jailed.

(ANI)
Owning your home is the most popular definition of the American Dream. But in today's economy, more Americans are opting out of buying or renting. Some are choosing to live in housing cooperatives, or "co-living" arrangements, where tenants rent bedrooms and sometimes a bathroom, but share kitchens and other rooms. Tatiana Vorozhko and Dmitriy Savchuk of VOA's Ukrainian Service visited a co-living house in Brooklyn, N.Y., to find out why some are choosing another version of the American Dream.
Knee-deep in one of three riceberry paddies, Sompot Tubcharoen, 60, plows the watery fields of his farm with a handheld machine he calls the field crusher.

Lined with hundreds of melon trees, the farm planted with the cross-breed rice variety presents a rare green sight in the teeming Thai capital where developers are quick to snap up land if the price is right.

Housing estates, office buildings and traffic-clogged roads are fast encroaching in the area surrounding the farm, located 30 km (19 miles) northeast of central Bangkok.

A former university researcher who traded lecture halls for boots and a straw hat to run his familys farm four years ago, Sompot says he regularly turns down developers who want to buy the land. The farm covers eight hectares (19.8 acres), or 50 rai using the common measure in Thailand.

They offered me 20 million baht per rai last year. Just recently I was asked if Id sell for 33 million baht ($1.01 million), he said.

Many others have succumbed to offers to part with their land in Bangkok, where city central land prices jumped a record 30 percent in 2017, according to commercial real estate firm CBRE Group, a reflection in part of the growing scarcity of available space.

Brits sell embassy

Earlier this year, Britains Foreign Office sold its four-hectare embassy compound in the city center, which it had retained for 96 years, for 420 million pounds ($547.13 million), the biggest land sale in Thai history.

Sompot said he believes spaces such as his provide a rare area of greenery in Bangkok. The 2011 Asian Green City Index, the most recent study to look at environmental factors in urban areas, showed Bangkok had the third-least amount of green space per person among 22 Asian cities.

Sompot plans to open a retreat on the farm where people can escape the city.

Bangkok life is stressful and people yearn for nature, he said. They can come for one or two days, rest, and go home refreshed.

Value in hearing the birds

Sompot, who has spent 20 million baht ($603,136) to cultivate his land, has yet to break even by selling rice and melons.

But hes in no rush to sell his land.

The rise in value is higher than any bank interest, he said. It makes me happy just to wake up and hear the birds chirp. Life is more comfortable this way.
Kuwait's ruler will travel to Washington on Monday and hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the state news agency KUNA announced on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear what the leaders would discuss, but Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has led mediation efforts to resolve a year-long dispute between Gulf Arab neighbors after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, trade and transport ties with Qatar.

The four countries accuse Doha of supporting terrorism and cozying up to regional foe Iran. Doha denies those charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early on in the crisis but then began pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf unity and maintain a united front against Iran.



Reuters reported in July that the administration was quietly pushing ahead with a bid to create a new security and political alliance with six Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, in part to counter Irans expansion in the region, citing U.S. and Arab officials.

The administrations hope is that the effort, tentatively known as the Middle East Strategic Alliance, might be discussed at a summit provisionally scheduled for Washington on Oct. 12-13, the sources said, though the Qatar rift could present a big obstacle.
The Pentagon is looking at pulling nearly all U.S. commandos from Niger and shutting down most elite counterterrorism units across Africa, according to a media report.



Pentagon officials tell The New York Times U.S. military outposts in Cameroon, Kenya, Libya and Tunisia would also be closed if Defense Secretary Jim Mattis approves the plans, but the U.S. would still have a large military presence in Nigeria and Somalia.



According to the Times, the move is part of a shift in U.S. strategy from battling insurgents to focusing on potential large-scale fighting.



But it also comes after a militant attack on U.S. soldiers in Niger last year left four Americans dead, which the Pentagon admitted was a failure on its part.



The newspaper reports hundreds of U.S. troops across Africa would be reassigned under the plan. But General Thomas Waldhauser, head of the African Command, had previously told the Times the U.S. would not "walk away" and abandon its mission to train local forces in counterterrorism operations.



Some U.S. defense officials oppose the plan to close down military posts in Africa, saying it could cut U.S. influence at a time when China and Russia are looking to bolster theirs.



But one official told the Times that African countries have developed extremely capable counterterrorism forces and many do not need a permanent U.S. presence.
A judge has dismissed a high-profile corruption case against a former official in Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) centering on alleged misuse of public funds, authorities said Saturday, paving the way for the man's release.

The federal attorney general's office (PGR) and Javier Corral, governor of the northern state of Chihuahua, said the judge had thrown out the case against Alejandro Gutierrez, a onetime PRI finance official who was arrested late last year.

Chihuahua state prosecutors under Corral accused Gutierrez of diverting 250 million pesos ($13 million) intended for education into PRI campaign coffers in 2016, creating a major scandal ahead of Mexico's July 1, 2018, presidential election.

Discontent over a string of political corruption scandals helped consign the PRI to a record defeat in the election. The party will exit government at the end of November.

Gutierrez rejected the accusations against him. Lawyers for him could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.

In a statement, the PGR said the judge made his ruling on Gutierrez late on Friday after federal investigators concluded there was not enough evidence to pursue the case.

Corral, a member of the opposition National Action Party and staunch opponent of the PRI, condemned the decision, saying it was a fresh blow in the fight against corruption.

"The Gutierrez case shows the degree to which the pursuit and administration of justice has deteriorated morally and institutionally in Mexico," Corral said on Twitter.

The PGR said Corral still had the right to appeal.
In Bangladesh, two-thirds of all girls are married before the age of 18, depriving some of their childhood and others their right to an education. A U.S.-based nonprofit organization is trying to change that by providing educational support through a program called Girls Education Program.

But the support is also coming from everyday citizens, like a mother and her 9-year-old daughter from Maryland who are going out of their way to help girls living in poverty, halfway around the world.

When Sasha Forbes heard an interview with the founder of Speak Up for the Poor, she was moved and inspired by their mission.

Im very passionate about empowering girls and empowering women, Forbes said.

Speak Up for the Poor

The U.S.-based nonprofit does a lot of work in Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Troy Anderson is the founder and international director of Speak Up.

So in Bangladesh, the major problem there is child marriage, where up to two-thirds of the girls are married before the age of 18, he said. And quite a lot of those are getting married when theyre 13 or 14 years old. So were working on the preventative side to keep girls in school so that they wont be forced into legal marriages when theyre young.

The Girls Education Program provides extracurricular support, such as daily tutoring, books, school supplies and educational seminars. About 1,300 girls from 30 villages in rural Bangladesh are enrolled in the program with hundreds more on the waiting list.

The girls rely on sponsors like the Forbes family to help them finish school. But after a year sponsoring a 12-year-old girl in Khulna, the third largest city in Bangladesh, the 39-year-old mother decided to go the extra mile and brought along her 9-year-old daughter Maya to visit the young girl they were helping.

I wanted her to be able to relate with a young girl on the other side of the world, Forbes said. And to get that perspective and know that not everybody lives the type of life or experience that we have. And then also I wanted her to know that if she felt passionate about something and she wanted to make a difference or volunteer that its very possible.

Volunteering in Bangladesh

For two weeks, the pair volunteered their time working in various villages in Khulna. They spent time with their sponsored girl, visited classrooms, brought presents and school supplies, and taught English lessons to dozens of young girls.

For Maya, the experience was a valuable lesson in compassion.

I basically learned that no matter how much stuff you have, no matter how educated you are, inside everyone is basically the same person, she said.

After returning to the U.S., the mother-daughter duo continued to speak up for the poor, raising money through yard sales, benefit workouts, even lemonade stands. They hope to bring the donations back to Bangladesh in November.

Inspiring others

Their efforts have inspired others like Wendy Zanders to support their cause.

Not everybody can go and go out into the mission field. Well, we can support people that do so. I may not be able to, you know, pack up my bags, take time off from work and go to Bangladesh, but because she had that passion to do so, we can support her financially, or whatever it is that she needs, Zanders said.

With the help of groups like Speak Up for the Poor, Forbes and her daughter Maya are making a difference in the lives of many. Through their efforts, many more young girls are getting the chance to learn so they can follow their own paths to success.
The 17th commander to lead the NATO and United States forces in Afghanistan in what has become Americas longest war took charge in a change of command ceremony in Kabul Sunday morning.



General Austin Scott Miller of the U.S. Army is taking over at a time when Afghanistan is experiencing a combination of hope, apprehension, and uncertainty.

A first-ever cease-fire between the warring factions during the Muslim holy festival Eid-al-Fitr in June, followed by direct contacts between Taliban and U.S. officials in Qatar, raised hopes that a start of negotiations with the Taliban for a political settlement of the 17 year old conflict could be imminent.



Those hopes were dashed last month when the Taliban failed to reciprocate President Ashraf Ghanis offer for a second cease-fire during the holy festival of Eid-al-Adha.



General John Nicholson, the outgoing commander, indicated that the Taliban decision may have been influenced by their foreign backers.

I believe that some of the Taliban want peace also, but they are being encouraged to keep fighting, he said while addressing the ceremony. He appealed to the Talibans sense of nationalism.



To the Taliban I say, you dont need to keep killing your fellow Afghans. You dont need to keep killing your fellow Muslims. . . . Whose voice is more important? The outsiders who are encouraging you to fight? Or the voice of your own people who are encouraging you to peace.



U.S. officials as well as Afghans have long accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to the leadership of the Afghan Taliban  a charge Islamabad denies.



During Junes cease-fire, Taliban fighters headed to the cities and hung out with Afghan civilians. Some of them even went to the extent of offering Eid prayers and taking selfies with their battlefield enemies in the Afghan security forces. Many of them admitted to journalists that they were tired of fighting but also reaffirmed their loyalty to their Amir in the Afghan Taliban, whom they consider their holy leader.

The brief respite from violence did not last long. The Taliban attacks after the cease fire were just as bloody as before. One of them, the attack on Ghazni, a provincial capital close to Kabul, was so organized and bloody that it rattled Afghan forces and led to the forced resignation of the National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar.

It took Afghan forces backed by U.S. airpower several days to clear the city of Taliban fighters.



Still, the emphasis in Washington and in Kabul continues to be to push the Taliban to negotiate. General Miller acknowledged it in his speech.



We know the military component is only one part of this conditions-based strategy. Its necessary in order to create space for political progress, he said.



However, if these efforts fail to bear fruit soon, some in Washington fear President Donald Trump, who said while announcing his South Asia policy last year that he was going against his instinct to pull out, would lose patience.

According to The Washington Post, President Trump told Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky that he wanted to pull out of Afghanistan. One of the reasons for his impatience is the high price tag. The U.S. Congress has year marked more than $46 billion for next years military operations. In the last 17 years, the U.S. has spent more than $1 trillion in the country, according to Congressional Research Service.



General Miller, like commanders before him, is in favor of a continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, at least till the country stabilized.



There are groups in Afghanistan that want nothing more than to harm others. These groups thrive in ungoverned spaces. . . . We must maintain pressure on them. We must ensure that terrorists can never use Afghanistan as a safe haven to threaten the world, he said, re-iterating his predecessors.



Afghanistan is not a new territory for Miller, who served here as the head of Special Operations a few years back. He was also among the American soldiers to be deployed to the country when the war started in 2001.



In his last job he served as the head of Joint Special Operations Command, which oversees some of the U.S. militarys elite units like SEAL Team 6  the unit involved in the highly risky operation that killed Osama Bin Laden deep inside Pakistan.



The strength of U.S. and NATO forces he now leads is around 23,000, down from a one-time high of close to 150,000 troops but slightly more than the almost 9,000 forces operating in the country by the time President Barack Obama left office. About half, or around 14,000, of these are American troops.
The International Organization for Migration reports more than 270 Nigerian migrants who recently returned from Libya have completed a skills training course to help them start their own businesses.



Migrants attending this weeklong event in the Nigerian capital Lagos have shared stories of the business frustrations that drove them to try to go to Europe in search of better economic opportunities.



U.N. migration agency spokesman, Paul Dillon, told VOA the migrants also have shared stories of the abuse and suffering they endured at the hands of smugglers and traffickers in Libya. At the same time, he said returnees enrolled in this business course have spoken of their hopes for the future.



"The goal of these types of initiatives is always to give people options and providing them with business skills training, for example. It certainly does that.Start up a small business at home, get hired on by a local company, build your life back in Nigeria. I think that is the goal and also to encourage formal migration efforts," he said.



This is the 21st training course since the program was started in April 2017. IOM reports more than 2,000 Nigerian returnees have participated in courses given in Lagos, Edo, Nassarawa, Kano and Kaduna States.



Dillon said many of the returnees have become involved in collective reintegration schemes or community-based projects, such as fruit juice, palm oil and plantain processing factories.



He said training now is focused on creating more sustainable businesses, not just on regular trading, buying and selling. Therefore, he said there is greater concentration on agriculture-related businesses, which are more sustainable and more beneficial to the returnees' communities.



He said IOM, together with the Ministry of Labor and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry are organizing a job fair at the end of September.This, he said, will give returnees the opportunity to meet leaders in Nigeria's private sector and to search for jobs to match their skills.
Russia and Eritrea expanded their diplomatic relationship Friday when Moscow announced plans to build a logistics center at a port in the East African country.



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov disclosed the plans at a meeting with a high-level delegation from Eritrea, according to RIA, a Russian state-owned news agency.



The scope, location and timeline of the project have not been announced, but the diplomatic development is an important milestone for both countries, each of whom has sought to expand its bilateral ties.



For Russia, its the latest effort to forge alliances with countries in Africa, following multiple trips to the continent this year by Lavrov to discuss military, economic and diplomatic partnerships.



In late August, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with the Central African Republic. That deal focuses on training armed forces in the CAR.

For Eritrea, a deepening Russia alliance is the latest sign that decades of isolation may be ending, after a historic peace deal in July with neighboring Ethiopia. Since that agreement was signed, Eritreas president, Isaias Afwerki, has met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Somalia and South Sudan. Hes also received delegations from Japan and Germany.

For Fridays meeting, Eritrea sent a delegation led by Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Yemane Ghebreab, a senior presidential advisor, to Sochi, Russia, about 3,100 kilometers north of the Eritrean capital, Asmara. Its the latest get-together in the countries 25-year diplomatic relationship.



Strategic location



Eritreas two ports, in Massawa and Assab, occupy strategic points along the Red Sea. Access to those ports is one benefit Ethiopia, a landlocked country, may reap from the peace deal.



Ethiopia and Eritrea began talks about the possibility of joint port development immediately following the deal. Such a cooperation could involve an existing facility or one that hasnt yet been conceived.



Meanwhile, specifics on the purpose of the planned Russian logistics facility havent been announced, but Russian and Eritrean leaders said the project would invigorate trade and business deals between the countries.

If Russia follows through on its plans for a logistics center, it wont be the first time a foreign player has set up shop in Eritrea.



Assab is already home to a United Arab Emirates naval base, and Eritrea has allowed the U.A.E. to launch planes from Assab to fight Houthi rebels in Yemen. The port, at the mouth of the Red Sea, has a particularly strategic location less than 200 kilometers north of an array of international military bases in Djibouti.



Decades earlier, in the 1940s, the United States established a military and logistics base at Kagnew Station in Asmara for reconnaissance missions in Word War II and the Cold War.



Last year, U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher called for renewed military ties with Eritrea in the fight against terrorism.



Sanctions next?



Eritrea faces U.N. sanctions against specific individuals, along with an arms embargo. Its hoping to use evolving diplomatic relationships to build momentum to remove the penalties.



Talk of lifting the sanctions has accelerated since the peace deal with Ethiopia, but Eritreas sanctions, in place since 2009, were imposed not because of that conflict, but rather separate concerns with other regional neighbors, including alleged support of al-Shabab in Somalia and a border dispute with Djibouti.



The al-Shabab issue is all but settled, with the United Nations deciding last November to disband the monitoring group that was tasked with investigating Eritreas links to the armed extremist group, after years of inquiries produced no evidence of ties.

Objections over the border with Djibouti, however, have persisted, with Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Djiboutis ambassador to the United Nations, writing a forceful letter to the U.N. Security Council in late July outlining his countrys grievances, which include occupation of Djiboutian land and prisoners of war who have not been accounted for or returned.

Lifting sanctions will require nine of 15 Security Council votes, including the support of all five permanent members  China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.



Lavrov said Friday that sanctions against Eritrea should be lifted, according to TASS, a Russian state-owned news agency.



Its the first time a permanent member of the Security Council has addressed the sanctions issue since the peace deal with Ethiopia and, backed by aspirations for bilateral business deals, increases Eritreas odds before a potential vote.
Senator John McCain of Arizona was buried Sunday at his college alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, after five days of remembrances of him as a war hero, senior statesman to the world and American patriot.

McCain's final resting place was next to his longtime friend and academy classmate, Admiral Chuck Larson, who died in 2014.

McCain, a former aviator who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for more than five years in the 1960s, made one of his last public appearances at the academy last October, when he told the student body the school prepared him for challenges he had yet to confront.

"I would discover that a sense of honor had been imparted to me here that would speak to me in the darkest hours," he said. "And so I came back, again and again, to the place where I learned to dread dishonor."

A private memorial service was held at the academy's chapel, followed by a procession to the grassy burial site overlooking the Severn River. Hundreds of people lined the roadways leading to Annapolis to pay tribute to McCain as a hearse transported his casket from nearby Washington.

About 4 p.m. (1600 UTC), a military aircraft flyover honored the former Navy pilot.

McCain's longtime friend in the Senate, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said he would tell the audience that "nobody loved a soldier more than John McCain" and that he would "have their back, travel where they go, never let them be forgotten. The public may be tired of this war called the war on terrorism, but John McCain never was. And he had their back and he gave them what they need to win a fight we can't afford to lose."

On Saturday at Washington's National Cathedral, former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush eulogized McCain, along with McCain's daughter, Meghan, all three decrying the fractious American political scene in Washington that McCain himself inveighed against.



"Isn't that the spirit we celebrate this week, that striving to be better, to do better, to be worthy of the great inheritance that our founders bestowed?" Obama asked. "So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult and phony controversies and manufactured outrage."

Without mentioning President Donald Trump by name, Obama added, "It's a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but in fact, is born in fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that."

In his eulogy for his fellow Republican, former Bush said McCain "was honorable, always recognizing that his opponents were still patriots and human beings."

But as Bush continued, he, too, rejected the status quo of Washington politics, which he said is contrary to McCain's personal beliefs.

"He respected the dignity inherent in every life, a dignity that does not stop at borders and cannot be erased by dictators," Bush said. "Perhaps above all, John detested the abuse of power."

Bush and Obama were invited to remember their friend at the service, which McCain planned as he battled brain cancer. McCain lost the Republican presidential nomination to Bush in 2000 and the presidential election to Obama in 2008.

Bush and Obama were among hundreds of family, friends, former congressional colleagues and staff members who gathered at the cathedral and sat before McCain's flag-draped coffin.

It was also attended by McCain's wife, Cindy, his seven children and his 106-year-old mother.

McCain's daughter, Meghan, also paid tribute to her father with a veiled reference to Trump and his "make America great again" mantra.

"America does not boast because she does not need to. The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great," she said to applause.

"We live in an era where we knock down old American heroes for all their imperfections when no leader wants to admit to fault or failure," Meghan said and added her father was "an exception and you gave us an ideal to strive for."

McCain died a week ago at age 81 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.
India-Maldives relations are not passing through the best of times.

According to sources, India did not send its representative on the recent inauguration event of the Sinamale Bridge, which has been constructed with the help of USD 72 million loan from China.

It is learnt that an invitation was extended to the Indian Ambassador to Maldives Akhilesh Mishra to attend the event.

However, it is not only India which stayed away from the event. According to opposition party spokesperson Ahmed Mahloof, envoys from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also did not attend the event.

Ahmed, in a tweet posted on August 31, said "Ambassadors of Sri Lanks and Bangladhesh boycotted the bridge inauguration event as their cars were stopped by Yameen's security and they were asked to walk. Only Chinese Ambassador's car was allowed to pass up to the venue. Such an insult to traditional friends."

The two-kilometer-long bridge, which connects capital Male and Hulhule island, is also called the China-Maldives friendship bridge.

The Opposition has termed the bridge as a debt trap and accused President Yameen of massive corruption in the project.

The bridge was constructed over a span of 33 months and co-built by China's CCCC Second Harbour Engineering Co Ltd.

(ANI)
Islamist militants have killed up to 30 soldiers in an attack on a military base in northeast Nigeria, security sources said Saturday, in one of the biggest attacks of its kind this year.

Thursdays attack by suspected members of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) was on a base in Zari village in the north of Borno State.

In 2016 ISWA split from Boko Haram, the jihadist group that has killed more than 30,000 people in the region since 2009, when it launched an insurgency to create an Islamic caliphate.

The Zari attack highlights the challenge to secure the northeast, months ahead of a February election in which security looks set to be a campaign issue.

Fierce battle

The battle lasted for about two hours and our colleagues fought them but things became bad before the fighter jets arrived. We lost about 30 of our soldiers and about 10 were wounded, said a military source who did not want to be named.

Another, who also did not want to be named, said 20 to 30 troops had been killed in a surprise attack. Details only emerged days later because it occurred in a remote area near the border with Niger.

The attack, in the Guzamala local government area of Borno, is the latest blow to Nigerias efforts to defeat insurgencies by Boko Haram and ISWA.

Pressure to show progress

Earlier this week Reuters reported that Nigerian government officials had ordered thousands of displaced people to return to Guzamala, an area considered by aid agencies to be unsafe, as pressure mounts to show progress in the war against the insurgents ahead of the presidential election.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a former general, won the 2015 election after vowing to crush Islamist militants. He plans to seek a second term in February.

In July the fourth commander in 14 months was named to lead the fight against the militants after a number of embarrassing defeats, despite the government having said since late 2015 that the Islamists in the region had been defeated.

And 20 Nigerian soldiers went missing in mid-July following a clash with militants in the Bama area of Borno. Military sources say the troops are feared dead.
The Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), a political wing of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reportedly is in preliminary discussions with Damascus to ensure the future government in Syria is inclusive and represents all sects of Syrian society, including ethnic Kurds.

One key subject the SDC is said to be focusing on during the discussions is a proclamation named Decree 107, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued in 2011, months after the protests began. The order reinforces the rule of the central government by tying all districts and provinces to a central authority in Damascus, an arrangement ethnic Kurds oppose.

"The 107 Decree falls short and does not achieve anything for the democratization and decentralization of government. We have experience in governing our areas in Syria, and we see that this might be a model for future Syria," Riad Darar, co-chairman of the SDC, told VOA.

Darar said initial negotiations with Damascus have not had tangible results, but both sides agreed on the establishment of committees to supervise the implementation of public projects and services in the Kurdish-controlled areas.

"Guarantees have not come from Damascus, but after trust-building and a willingness to talk about how the institutions will be run together and serve people, we can start to say this agreement will result in more comprehensive meetings in the future," Darar said.

The SDC says the war in Syria has fundamentally changed the political dynamics inside the country and any future Syrian government will need to consider the emerging realities, which call for a more representative government instead of a central authority.

SDF is a key U.S. ally in the fight against Islamic State and currently controls about a quarter of the Syrian territory.

Initial negotiations

The initial negotiations between the Syrian regime and the Kurds came during the signing of an agreement in July to cooperate on the management of the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River. It provides electricity and water to the city of Tabqa, an SDF stronghold in eastern Syria.

As part of the agreement, the central government agreed to pay the salaries of local government employees working at the dam. The agreement on the dam paved the way for other discussions between the two sides.

IS captured the Tabqa Dam in 2014; the SDF freed it in May 2017. During the liberation, the dam was partly damaged as the result of fierce fighting between warring factions and the coalition airstrikes. After the liberation of the area, the U.S.-led coalition helped SDF reconstruct the dam and make it operational.

Some analysts see the move by the SDC as part of a larger plan to ingrain the Kurdish identity within the country's constitution and extend constitutional guarantees to all ethnic groups living in Syria.

The SDC proposal "aims to restore a national identity to the Syrian army and dismantle its loyalty only to the regime, distribute political and administrative authorities to all areas, and recognize the Kurdish identity in the constitution," Ferhad Hemmi, a Germany-based Kurdish journalist and analyst, told VOA.

Regime opposition

Nicholas Heras, a Middle East expert at the Center for New American Security, a Washington think tank, believes the regime will oppose the idea of delegating power from the central government to local administrations.

The Assad regime "cannot accept the concept of federalism or even the concept of decentralization, because the Baath regime represents the bigger section of the Arab nation in Syria," Heras said, adding that a decentralized Syria would be a good move for various parties involved in Syria, including the U.S.

"For the U.S., this will allow its forces to remain in Syria in order to build post-IS stability and at the geopolitical level to keep an observer force in place to try to limit the influence of Iran," he added.

Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department official told VOA the U.S. remained committed to the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and that the U.S. was aware of the meeting between members of the SDC and the Syrian regime in Damascus, although the U.S. was not a party to the discussions.

The official emphasized that the U.S. fully supports a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political solution in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, which must include full representation for all Syrians.

Russia, another party in the Syrian conflict, reportedly has leaned toward a more decentralized Syria, but with a continued powerful central authority.

The Assad regime, however, is adamant about keeping the status quo and has opposed any attempt to change the current system of government in the country, including Russia's proposed solution.

Analyst Heras said the longer the U.S. is invested in Syria, the more time it will give the Kurds to build a strong foundation.

"Since 2012, the local administrative governance has come through the support and the training of the coalition, and the security and structure of the Kurdish areas are being made able to withstand pressure from Damascus," Heras said.

Syrians' outlook

Syrians are divided over the issue. A 2018 survey published by The Day After, a Turkey-based nongovernmental organization working for a democratic transition in Syria, found that the main concern among Syrians regarding decentralization was the fear of separatism in the country.

"One-third of respondents who opposed administrative decentralization may have done so out of wanting to keep the country united, especially in light of certain calls and practices that many fear were targeted toward division," the survey said.

According to the survey, those in the Kurdish-controlled areas supported the idea of decentralization. However, Syrians in the regime-controlled areas opposed it.

The European Council issued a report in 2016 based on another survey by the same NGO, and many respondents said the push to decentralize eventually would lead to partition.
President Donald Trumps administration wants to shut down U.S. government radio stations that announce official time, a service in operation since World War II.

WWV and WWVB in the state of Colorado and WWVH on the island of Kauai in the mid-Pacific state of Hawaii, send out signals that allow millions of clocks and watches to be set either manually or automatically.

WWVB continuously broadcasts digital time codes, using very long electromagnetic waves at a frequency of 60 kilohertz, which are automatically received by timekeeping devices in North America, keeping them accurate to a fraction of a second.

If you shut down these stations, you turn off all those clocks, said Don Sullivan, who managed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) stations between 1994 and 2005.

GPS not good enough

Some argue the terrestrial time signal have been rendered obsolete by the governments Global Positioning System, whose satellites also transmit time signals, but users disagree, noting GPS devices must have an unobstructed view of a number of satellites in space to properly function.

Sixty kilohertz permeates in a way GPS cant, Sullivan told VOA, explaining that WWVBs very low frequency signal can be received inside buildings and it is an important backup to GPS in case adversaries attempt to interfere with the satellite radio-navigation system.

WWV and WWVH broadcast on a number of shortwave frequencies, meaning their signals can be received globally.

The Trump administration proposes, in its Fiscal 2019 budget to Congress, cutting $26.6 million and 136 jobs from NISTs fundamental measurements, quantum science and measurement dissemination activities.

The budget document acknowledges that in addition to synchronizing clocks and watches, the time signals are also used in appliances, cameras and irrigation controllers.

Its crazy, Sullivan said of the proposed cut. Its absolutely insane.

NIST officials say they cannot comment on budget matters. The White House referred questions about NISTs funding to the Office of Management and Budget, which has not responded to an inquiry from VOA.

Oldest continuously operating radio station

WWV, the oldest continuously operating radio station in the United States, first went on the air from Washington in 1919, conducting propagation experiments and playing music. In the early years, it also transmitted  via Morse code  news reports prepared by the Agriculture Department.

The station subsequently was moved to Maryland and then to Colorado in 1966. WWV has been a frequency standard since 1922 and has disseminated official U.S. time since 1944.

All of the NIST stations rely on extremely precise atomic clocks for the accuracy of their time signals.

WWV, at two minutes past every hour, also transmits a 440 hertz note (A above middle C), something it has done since 1936, allowing musicians to tune their pianos and other instruments.

All three stations retain a huge following worldwide, according to Sullivan.

WWV and WWVH broadcasts can also be heard by telephone and about 2,000 calls are received daily, according to NIST. (To listen to the broadcasts by phone, dial +1-303-499-7111 for WWV and +1-808-335-4363 for WWVH.)

The telephone time-of-day service also is used to synchronize clocks and watches, and for the calibration of stopwatches and timers (although slightly less accurate than radio reception).

Tom Kelly, an amateur radio operator in the state of Oregon, has launched a petition to try to save the stations. His goal is to collect 100,000 online signatures from U.S. residents by September 15 that would compel a response from the White House.

Kellys petition calls the stations an instrumental part in the telecommunications field, ranging from broadcasting to scientific research and education, noting their transmissions of marine storm warnings, GPS satellite health reports and specific information about solar activity and radio propagation conditions.

Britain, China, Germany, Japan and Russia also have very low frequency time transmissions, but their stations are too distant to automatically set clocks in the United States.

Among other proposed cuts for NIST are its environmental measurement projects measuring the impact of aerosols on pollution and climate change and gas reference materials used by industry to reduce costs of complying with regulations and the Urban Dome research grants for determining how to measure greenhouse gas emissions for cities and across regions.
The chief of the United Nations agency that helps Palestinian refugees is promising continued aid for Palestinians, even as the United States says it is ending its financial contribution to the agency.

In the letter late Saturday, Pierre Krahenbuhl, commissioner-general of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, said the U.S. decision "will only strengthen our resolve." He said, "The funding decision of an individual member state - albeit our historically most generous and consistent donor - will not modify or impact the energy and passion with which we approach our role and responsibility towards Palestine refugees."

But on Sunday, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said his country welcomed the end to U.S. funding, saying the relief agency "has proven itself an impediment to resolving the conflict by keeping the Palestinians in perpetual refugee status. The Palestinian attempt to approach the U.N. is another empty statement. Its about time that the Palestinian leadership abandoned its victimhood and incitement campaign, and takes concrete steps to improve the Palestinians' future.

The Trump administration cut funding to the UNRWA Friday, calling the organization irredeemably flawed. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the U.N. agencys endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries is simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years.

Krahenbuhl said in his letter, The responsibility for the protracted nature of the Palestine refugee-hood, the growing number of refugees and the growth in needs, lies squarely with the parties and in the international communitys lack of will or utter inability to bring about a negotiated and peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The attempt to make UNRWA somehow responsible for perpetuating the crisis is disingenuous at best.

UNRWA provides health care, education and social services to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The agency provides services to more than 5 million Palestinian refugees, most of whom are descendants of Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the war that led to Israels establishment in 1948.

The U.S. supplied nearly 30 percent of the total budget of UNRWA and donated $355 million to the agency in 2016. However, in January, the Trump administration withheld millions of dollars, releasing only $60 million in funds to the agency.

Krahenbuhl said that represented a $300 million reduction in income, which confronted our organization with an existential crisis. At no time over the past eight months were we notified of the specific reasons for the dramatic cut. It appeared clearly related however to the tensions between the United States and the Palestinian leadership following the U.S. announcement on Jerusalem and not to UNRWAs performance. It therefore represented an evident politicization of humanitarian aid.

The UNRWA chief also acknowledged with deep appreciation the over 25 countries that advanced their expected annual contributions to earlier in the year to help us sustain operations and his immense gratitude to the 30 donors who have provided additional contributions to UNRWAs core and emergency activities this year and those who have signed new multiyear agreements with us.

He said, however, the agency is still in critical need of over $200 [million] to survive this years crisis.

Nabil Abu Rudeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the U.S. decision to end decades of UNRWA funding does not serve peace but rather strengthens terrorism in the region.

UNRWA is seen by Palestinians and most of the international community as providing a valuable safety net. The U.N. agency, however, is seen very differently by Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said UNRWA promotes the unrealistic Palestinian demand that refugees have the right of return to long-lost homes in what is now Israel. He has said UNRWA should be abolished and its responsibilities taken over by the main U.N. refugee agency.

There is sadly nothing unique in the protracted nature of the Palestine refugee crisis. ... Enshrined in the principle of humanity and the international law norm of family unity is the commitment to continue serving communities affected by war until a political solution has been found, Krahenbuhl said in his open letter. It is the failure to end conflicts that prolongs refugee situations and denies refugees the choice to define a dignified future of their own.
Pakistan has dismissed as incorrect reports the United States has canceled $300 million in military aid to the country, saying Washington owed the money to Islamabad for expenses incurred on fighting terrorism.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood made the remarks a day after the Pentagon disclosed it decided to scrap the funds because Pakistan was not doing enough against terrorist groups inside its borders.

It is not a cut in any [U.S.] aid, it is not assistance. This is our own money which we have used for improving regional security situation and they had to reimburse it to us, Qureshi told reporters Sunday in Islamabad.

The controversy is the latest to hit Islamabads troubled relationship with Washington, coming a few days before Secretary of State Mike Pompeo together with General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to visit the South Asian nation.

This will be Washingtons first high-level dialogue with Islamabad since the new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed office following recent elections.

Qureshi confirmed his American counterpart will visit Pakistan Wednesday and downplayed suggestions the funding row has fueled mutual tensions.



The aid the Pentagon has decided to scrap was to come from a so-called U.S. Coalition Support Funds established to help Pakistan counter terrorism and secure its volatile porous border with Afghanistan.



Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy the remaining $300 million was reprogrammed, said Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner on Saturday.



The spokesman explained the plan will be submitted to Congress for approval and it will bring the total amount withheld from Pakistan under the Coalition Support Funds to $800 million since early this year.

Pressure on Taliban

Observers see the cancellation of Coalition Support Funds funds as pressure on Islamabad to prevent Taliban insurgents from using Pakistani soil for plotting attacks inside Afghanistan.

"This is not something that we were not expecting, a senior Pakistani security official told VOA on condition of anonymity, citing continued deterioration in bilateral ties. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended all military assistance to Pakistan accusing the country of rewarding past assistance with nothing but lies and deceit."

Pakistani officials defend their counterterrorism record and cite massive human and economic losses militancy has inflicted on the country after it joined the U.S. war. Islamabad rejects U.S. accusations of inaction, saying they stem from Washington's military failures in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Khan told reporters on Friday his government will hold talks with Pompeos delegation to seek a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States that will be based on mutual respect.

Senator Mushahid Hussain, who heads the foreign affairs committee of the upper house of parliament, tells VOA the stoppage of $300 million will undermine Pompeos visit.

On the eve of the most important visit to Pakistan by an official American [delegation] since the new government took office, Pakistan-American relations are hanging by a thread, Hussain cautioned.

The influential Pakistani Senator alleged anoutmoded, zero-sum "ideologically-driven" U.S. foreign policy is making Washington increasingly less relevant to Asia than before. Hussain cited tension in the U.S. relations with China, Russia, and Iran.

Pakistani officials insist that Coalition Support Funds funds also cover the costs on maintenance of the countrys ground and air lines of communications, commonly known as GLOCS and ALOCS respectively, U.S. and NATO use to ferry key supplies to their troops in the landlocked neighboring country. They say Pakistan is using its own funds and fencing the country's long porous border with Afghanistan to promote regional stability.

New alliances

Trumps decision to suspend military assistance to Pakistan has also shut training and educational programs for Pakistani military officers under the bilateral cooperation.

In a rare cooperation agreement with Pakistan last month, Moscow agreed to open doors of its military institutions for training Pakistani army officers, underscoring intensified efforts Russia has been making to seek closer relations with Islamabad.

China has also deepened ties with Pakistan in all fields and is investing unprecedented billions of dollars in the country to help its traditional ally overcome its economic and energy challenges.

Beijing, Moscow, Tehran and Islamabad have lately increased political and security cooperation to jointly fight the emergence of Islamic State in Afghanistan.

But top American military commanders accuse Russia of trying to destabilize and undercut international gains in Afghanistan by maintaining ties to the Taliban insurgency, charges Moscow denies.
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Summer is coming to an end, and KidsPost is looking back at all the adventures and fun we had with readers who joined the Summer of KidsPost. Our readers took us across the country and all over the world. We met new friends in Tanzania, visited South Africa and explored the Middle East with a swim in the Dead Sea. Many of our readers took us to national parks such as Yellowstone, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the Grand Canyon.
Johnson isnt required to teach cursive during the school year but sometimes adds it to the curriculum after shes met the state testing requirements. Now that we have email, no one writes letters anymore, she bemoaned. In camp, though, I can teach it my own way. We can have fun and be messy the way you cant be in school. Someone would probably come in and worry about a shaving cream allergy.
For many of us, no matter how hot it may get in coming days, summers lease on our imaginations ends after Labor Day. So if summer has not ceded its hold on our thoughts, it may be only a matter of hours.
The woman said she was walking at about 8:20 a.m. when she passed the man near the park entrance across from Greenhill Road, police said. The man then approached her from behind, told her to lie down and threw her to the ground, police said.
Between Aug. 20 and Aug. 28  the first week of school for most District students  the superintendents office received 252 requests to make changes to its bus routes. About 100 of those were changes in students addresses, and 84 were switches in the schools the students were attending. The remainder of the requests were alterations to students morning-pickup and afternoon-drop-off details, according to Fred Lewis, an agency spokesman. During the first week of school, Lewis said, the agency received 214 new requests to use the school buses for D.C. special-education students.
Dr. Mirrlees, who shared the 1996 Nobel Prize with William Vickrey of Columbia University, approached economics from a background in mathematics. He was particularly fascinated by ideas first put forth by Vickrey and others concerning information asymmetry, in which one party in an economic transaction is privy to knowledge the other does not have.
Thats why Jacquie Zinns letters to her children seem heroic to me. After all, she did have a terminal diagnosis when she sat down to write what ended up being more than a dozen letters to her children, ranging in age from 11 to 21, and she knew her time was short. I first heard about the letters at her memorial service in 2013. This past spring, working on a book about death and dying, I reached out to her second-born son, Jerry, who was writing about the loss of his mother, to ask if hed be willing to share his letters from her. Hed already gotten two  one soon after her death and one when he graduated from college  and after some hesitation, he said okay. Now 24, Jerry will get the final letter when he marries.
Current millimeter telescopes in Antarctica and Chile could detect Planet Nine today should it stray across their search field, according to Gilbert Holder, a cosmologist at the University of Illinois. Yet those instruments are mapping the cosmic microwave background (CMB), or the light left over from the start of the universe, so theyre not necessarily pointed in the right direction at the right times. Holder is waiting for the Next Generation CMB Experiment, which his preliminary calculations estimate could pick up a planet as small as Earth at 1,000 AU. There would be nowhere for Planet Nine to hide once this thing was turned on, he said.
Eight years later, Scalia wrote for a 5-4 majority in Heller v. District of Columbia that the Second Amendment conferred an individual right to own guns, even though most historians say that it was passed to prevent the federal government from disbanding state militias (A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state). Was it just a coincidence that Scalia was a gun owner and avid hunter? And how is it that no court in the previous 218 years had ever discovered this right if it had been there from the beginning? Such rulings led the libertarian Richard A. Posner, then a judge, and one of the most influential legal thinkers of modern times, to eviscerate Scalias conceit that jurists are simply passive interpreters of the laws whose role is merely semantic.
As Trump loosed new volleys of anti-media rhetoric last week, I undertook a review that quickly turned up 28 countries where the terms fake news or false news have been used to attack legitimate journalists and truthful reporting in the past 18 months. One of the regimes, of course, is Azerbaijan, and many others are autocracies where independent reporters are perpetually under pressure. But democracies have embraced Trumps cause as well: Taiwan is among the more than half-dozen countries where new laws criminalizing news the government deems fake have been passed or are under consideration.
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There are multiple reasons for the massive backlog, according to the International Refugee Assistance Project. In 2014, when the Islamic State was on the march, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad evacuated nonessential staff, including those who would have conducted in-person interviews for the program. At that time, 38,000 Iraqis were waiting for interviews. Other factors were the Trump administrations moves to slash the ceilings on refugee admissions to the United States and the legal wrangling over Mr. Trumps executive orders barring nationals of certain countries from entry. According to Reuters, the backlog in the Direct Access Program has grown so severe that the Pentagon has complained of the impact on operations in Iraq and other war zones. And it should: Who will help the United States in the next war if it leaves its friends and allies on the battlefield in the last one?
Even so, Trump announced last week that he was proceeding with plans to abandon the agreement and was working out the specifics of a new bilateral trade deal with Mexico. Talks between the White House and Canadian leaders faltered Friday, the same day that the Toronto Star published explosive off-the-record comments Trump made the previous day in an interview with Bloomberg News.
After his loss, Kerry returned to the Senate and later took a pass on running for president in 2008. In announcing his decision at the time, he acknowledged that he came close, certainly close enough to try again, but he ultimately viewed the Senate as the place where he could be most effective in opposing the Bush administrations foreign policy, particularly on the war in Iraq.
If you say something bad about her dad, you will know it, whether you are the janitor or the president of the United States, Graham said. She is grieving for the father she adored, and I think most Americans understand that.
Miller, speaking after color guard troops passed him the green flag of the U.S. Resolute Support mission, echoed Nicholsons resolve. He noted that with 41 nations in the coalition, the world recognizes that Afghanistan cant be a safe haven for terrorists. The world recognizes that we cannot fail. He said the conflict is still a tough fight but that what we do here will be vital to both Afghanistan and the world.
Bank-owned superannuation funds have been forced to slash fees on no-frills accounts so that they are now equal to, and in some cases cheaper than, the charges imposed by industry funds, new research shows.

In a sign of the growing competition in the $2.6 trillion superannuation pool, funds owned by banks and for-profit wealth managers were for the first time on average charging lower fees than not-for-profit funds in the MySuper segment, Rainmaker said.

Its report also said Australians forked out $32 billion in superannuation fees last financial year, an amount that was 10 per cent more than last year and not far behind almost what Australia spends on defence every year.

However, the apparent jump in fees is the result of one-off accounting changes that means funds must now disclose fees that were previously not reported.
A lack of competition among employers for workers has contributed to a reduction in bargaining power for higher wages, leading economists have found.

Jeff Borland, Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne, said while it was likely that changes to labour market regulations have contributed to a reduction in workers' bargaining power and therefore to slow wages growth, the issue was more complex. IMF researchers have estimated that job protection deregulation may have contributed about 15 per cent to the average labour share decline in advanced economies including Australia.

Professor Jeff Borland Department of Economics, University of Melbourne. Credit:Jesse Marlow

It does seem there has been a change in bargaining power in the last 20 to 25 years, Professor Borland said. It is also to do with there being less competition in many labour markets  such as the rise of large dominant employers.

Professor of Economics Alan B. Krueger from Princeton University recently presented evidence to the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in the U.S showing that the rise of dominant employers had reduced competition between employers, contributing to slow wage growth and a decreasing labour share of the national economy.
All American ... Hailey Baldwin in Los Angeles. Credit:AP

Growing up in Melbourne, AFL has been a part of my life for longer than I remember. And, having a fashion obsession from an early age, my team had to look good and play well.

Which is probably why Essendon (red and black) and Hawthorn (yellow and brown) never got a look in as far as this sartorially minded sports fan was concerned.

My team, the Sydney Swans, is red and white: not the most flattering combination but far from the worst.

The point is, when we combine certain colours, different associations come to mind. And one of the biggest trends for this season is the red, white and blue of the American flag.
One of the loveliest words in the English language is kith.

We all know the phrase kith and kin and we know that kin is our family and close relations, but what is kith?

Im glad you asked. Kith is your wider circle of friends and relatives and neighbours. The connotations of kith are more closeknit than community and less insular than household or family.

Humans are social animals and kith is essential to our well being. Yet sometimes it seems modern life is actively destroying it.

Kith is made up of relationships and relationships are made up of interactions  so there needs to be continued contact for it to be maintained in a meaningful way. Otherwise friends become acquaintances and acquaintances slide into the broad category of people you used to know.
The guy on the other end of the phone line was very convincing.

"I am from Telstra," he said, when he called someone I know, let's just call him Fred, urgently demanding he be granted access to Fred's computer.

"There is a problem with your internet," the purported Telstra employee went on to tell Fred.

"Your account has been hacked. Your internet will disconnected in two hours."
As to what sort of a Prime Minister Scott Morrison will make, the suspicion, as I write, is that he will be a brief one. His major job appears to be to save the furniture, at the coming election, but there is disagreement as to which way their chaise longues and dimpled divans went. Much of the commentariat say they disappeared out to the right of the political spectrum, and so applauded Morrisons first announced move which was to invite President Trump  who as you know was impeached in 2019  to Australia. On the reckoning that elections are won by those who control the centre, however, many of us reckoned this was madness.

But at the conclusion of a week of his prime ministership, there were further signs that Morrison was looking to harness some of the same electoral dynamics that so extraordinarily propelled Trump to the presidency in the first place.

Out of nowhere, one of his ministers suddenly said there were 14,000 refugees just waiting to launch themselves at us  the implication being that without the LNP in power the unwashed hordes would come. (With the LNP, however, the worst would be the streets awash with fragrant French au pairs . . . but thats another story.)

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Meantime, never mind that the Great Barrier Reef is demonstrably dying, that no one serious denies the need to reduce emissions , the PM put in the position of Energy Minister, a bloke who claims he is not a climate sceptic but says and does things that climate sceptics endorse. Only five years ago he spoke at a rally against wind farms. The PM maintains, even as late as 2018, that the future is coal-powered and there is even thought he might put tax-payers' money to it.
Westpac has fired a senior lawyer in the wake of bombshell allegations that he stalked a junior colleague.

Group legal and strategic investments counsel Siddhartha Maharaj was sacked by the bank in May when a police investigation into his alleged stalking of another lawyer at the bank began.

Siddhartha Maharaj, who is being investigated for stalking a junior colleague, and the damaged Audi he was arrested in connection with.

Police sources say that that the married father of three approached a junior female colleague, who Fairfax Media has agreed not to name, and asked her to go for a coffee with him.

She said no.
A 29-year-old Glen Waverley man has been charged with the murder of a man who was found dead in a Ringwood driveway in April after the victim was shot after midnight on a main road and left to stumble for up to 300 metres in a bloody and fruitless search for help.

Albert Biba was arrested on Friday following a string of police raids of homes in Brighton, Brighton East, Bentleigh, Vermont and Balwyn North as part of an ongoing investigation into cannabis cultivation.

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On Saturday evening Biba was charged with murder and also charged with one count of cultivating cannabis.

The shooting allegedly occurred on Wantirna Road, Ringwood, about 1am on April 17, 2018.
When Fairfax Media revealed that Julie Bishop was claiming family travel entitlements for her boyfriend but refusing to declare his financial interests, insisting he was not her partner, sources close to Bishop suggested its publication was motivated by misogyny.

The suggestion was Bishop was being targeted for her gender rather than paying a penalty for her own choices. That the motive could only be about her sex rather than her political actions is the same logic behind the curious narrative that has emerged claiming the veteran MP is not leader today because she is a woman.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her partner David Panton in the Lexus marquee. Photo by Jesse Marlow. . Credit:Jesse Marlow

As foreign minister, her indefatigable work ethic, poise, and quick wit, combined with her unrelenting pursuit for justice for the MH17 victims, saw the deputy Liberal leader touted as the natural leader-in-waiting - at least at the start of her time in the portfolio.

I have no doubt that Bishop encountered the Liberal Party boys' club and had to fight against it. But the reason she is not prime minister today is because she poorly navigated the ideological turbulence within the Coalition. And she failed to capitalise on her longevity as deputy to demonstrate to the satisfaction of her colleagues she had matured politically after her disastrous attempt at the economic portfolio in 2009.
"There would be thousands of cases where host families and au pairs are either ignorant of the regulations or knowingly engaging the services of au pairs who do not have appropriate working rights in Australia," Ms Pember said. "As to how many cases like this that Peter Duttons office may be aware of, that is anyones guess." "I'm sick and tired of having to explain to federal ministers how their own system works, (or doesnt work) and I just dont have the patience to wait for changes to be made," she added. Mr Dutton faces questions - and a Senate inquiry - over his intervention to stop the deportation of Alexandra Deuwel, a French au pair who had previously worked for relatives of AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Labor and the Greens also accuse Mr Dutton of potentially misleading Parliament over his intervention to save from deportation another au pair who was destined to work for the family of Russell Keag who worked with Mr Dutton in the Queensland Police in the 1990s. Peter Dutton faces questions about his intervention in a number of deportation cases involving au pairs. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Shayne Neumann, Labors spokesman for immigration and border protection, said: "As each day goes by, there are more serious questions Peter Dutton needs to answer about the use of his ministerial intervention powers  including granting a visa to an individual who was previously counselled about breaching visa conditions. "The Australian Border Force advised against the Minister granting the visa but he granted a visa anyway. Why did Peter Dutton act against Border Forces advice?" French au pair Alexandra Deuwel. Credit:Facebook The Department of Home Affairs did not respond to Fairfax Media's inquiries before deadline. Dr Berg, who has surveyed 1500 au pairs about their work experiences, said au pairs on tourist visas  which dont permit work  most frequently get into trouble. "But it could also apply to Working Holiday Makers or international students who contravene the work limit on their visa."

She said a foreign au pair travelling with her host family was deported from New Zealand to Australia after it was determined she would be performing childcare work. Another au pair was removed to Thailand when she attempted to re-enter Australia on a tourist visa to stay with a family for whom she had previously worked. A foreign au pair is meant to live with a family as a domestic arrangement, helping out with childcare and household duties in exchange for board and pocket money rather than pay. Dr Berg said a lack of regulation was a huge problem for foreign au pairs and families, especially when things go wrong. "Lack of an official au pair program also means there is ambiguity about what au pairing is from the perspective of both au pairs and families," she said. "Is it a cultural exchange? Is it a job? It is some combination of rental agreement and childcare?" Foreign au pairs working in Australia face other issues, including underpayment, unreasonable work demands, unceremonious sackings and unwanted sexual advances.

"[T]here can be a big power disparity between families and au pairs, who are young, new to Australia, probably have no family or support structures here and may not be fluent in English," Dr Berg said. "There are many accounts of au pairs being paid treated effectively like low-paid nannies or housekeepers." Wendi Aylward, the president of the Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia, said a dedicated visa would clear up uncertainty over work rights, provide safeguards for au pairs and families and address Australias childcare crisis. Loading Felix Reiners, an 18-year-old au pair from Germany, looks after Ms Aylwards children for about 25 hours a week since arriving in Australia in July on a working holiday visa. Mr Reiners said he planned to au pair with the Aylward family until January when he would travel around Australia.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 1/9/2018 (1158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When seven-year-old Chloe McRae catches a fish, her celebration turns heads.

"I crow," she said, making an err-uh-err-uh-err sound like a rooster crowing while she fished from the Assiniboine walkway at The Forks on Saturday.

Chloe and her parents, Tamara and Ken, were among about 300 people participating in An Urban Fishing Derby, a free shore-fishing event held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in support of the Never Alone Foundation and Marymound School youth programs. There was more than $10,000 in prizes, including a new fishing boat and trailer to the adult who caught the longest fish.

Chloe, as it turns out, has plenty to crow about.

The dynamic little fisher earned the channel cat specialist designation under Manitobas Master Angler Awards as of Aug. 6 by catching five channel catfish over 34 inches long. Chloe has actually caught seven, with her longest being 37.5 inches.

"It made me feel really happy," Chloe said about her channel cat specialist designation. "Catching the fishes is the best part about fishing."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Seven-year-old Chloe McRae looks out at the river while fishing at the annual Fall Fishing Derby.

Tamara said urban fishing has been an accessible way to get Chloe involved in the sport.

"My parents used to take me and my sister fishing all the time so this (urban fishing) has been great to get me back into it, for our family and especially for her," said Tamara, a school bus driver. "Shes very serious about it. Fishing teaches her patience and to be calm. And at the same time, when its time to get excited, get excited."

The derby, run by the GNA Fishing Tournaments and Urban Angling Partnership, attracted people down the river walk in both directions. As far as the eye could see, people were relaxing in lawn chairs with coolers of food and drinks with their fishing rods out and lines in the water.

Under Manitobas fishing rules and regulations, fish were caught, measured and released with the information recorded by volunteers.

"The main objective of this event is to promote our world-class fishery right here in Winnipeg. We (anglers) are (fishing) from the mouth of the Red and Assiniboine all the way to the legislative building," said Todd Longley, the derby organizer who owns and operates the urban fishing guide service City Cats in Winnipeg.

"We want to get families out fishing that might not own a boat and give them an opportunity to come out and win some great prizes and get families together fishing as a unit. Theres not enough of that going on anymore," he said. "I have this saying that the family that plays together, stays together. To see all these kids fishing with their families, its pretty cool."

All donations received at the event, held since 2005, go to the two charitable causes.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Darlene Werstuik and her grandson, six-year-old Tucker Ball, fish and take in the sight during the derby.

Longley, affectionately known in the angling community as the Rock n Roll Fisherman, is a member of the Urban Angling Partnership which promotes urban recreational fishing on the Red and Assiniboine rivers.

"Not everybody has a boat so fishing here might encourage people to try fishing and start them off. It opens up the sport to more people," said Connor Hamonic, 13. "This (urban fishing) is also a good change from going on a boat."

Connor and his dad, Don Hamonic, already own a boat and briefly had a second boat thanks to Dons win at last years Urban Fishing Derby.

"It was a 32.5-inch catfish," said Don, 44, referring to the fish that earned him a 14-foot flatbottom Alumacraft Jon Boat. "This is the fifth or sixth year weve come to this event and we do lots of shore fishing down by the locks at Lockport. Urban fishing is very important to get people out and enjoy the outdoors and to get kids away from the computers and the TVs."

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Connor said they traded his dads prize for a snowmobile to improve the familys winter recreation.

Anja Rountree, her friend Darlene Werstuik and Werstuiks grandson Tucker Ball, six, came in from Beausejour for the event and had a prime perch on the dock leading to the pier just off the river walk.

"The fishing derby is for a good cause and so we just come out for the day. If we catch, we catch; if we dont, we dont. Were having a great time anyway," said Rountree.

Longley said two sturgeons were caught at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in the event a couple of years ago and one of them was the winning fish.

"To see an old dinosaur like that come out of the river is amazing," Longley said.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/9/2018 (1158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Early Tuesday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Google of rigging search results for "Trump News" against "Republican/Conservative & Fair Media," and wondered, "illegal?"

Then, he promised that the situation would be "addressed."(Trump deleted the original tweets a few hours later, but reposted the statements to Twitter around 11 a.m. The newer tweets refer to the "Fake News" media instead of the "Fake New Media," but are otherwise the same.)

Why was Trump tweeting about this at 5:30 a.m. on a Tuesday? One possibility  which many seemed to assume  is that Trump was Googling "Trump news" in an early morning investigation into one of his favourite topics  bias against himself. In all likelihood, however, Trump is repeating a claim that first appeared two days earlier on PJ Media, a conservative news site, which published a piece with the headline, "96 percent of Google search results for Trump news are from liberal media outlets."

Perhaps ironically, the PJ Media story came up in the first several results for "Trump News" when I performed a Google search for the phrase minutes after the presidents tweet. As other reporters noted, the top news result that morning listed under a Google search for "Trump News" was from Fox News.

The PJ Media story had already made the rounds on conservative media by the time Trump tweeted about it. Lou Dobbs also tweeted it out, tagging the presidents Twitter handle.

The topic came up again on Dobbs show on Fox Business Network on Monday, where pro-Trump vloggers Diamond and Silk called it "a form of political lynching."

Tech companies like Google, Diamond warned, have outsize influence around the world.

"These big tech companies dont care about conservative voices... what they want to do is push their narrative," she said, adding that the government should "step in and really check this out."

Silk accused Google of wielding politically-honed search algorithms to censor conservatives. Dobbs agreed.

"Thank goodness" Trump uses Twitter to get around the media, Dobbs said in the segment.

Tuesday morning, Trump tweeted about Google. Afterward, Drudge Report claimed credit for bringing the issue to his attention, tweeting, "THE DRUDGE LINK THAT STARTED IT ALL..." The actual PJ Media story was based on a search in Google News for "Trump," which is probably a slightly different search than the one the president tweeted about, which was "Google search"  presumably the main google.com search bar. The PJ Media author performed the search a handful of times across a few different computers and then listed the news outlets appearing in the first 100 results for each query. The 96 per cent figure seen in Trumps tweet and the pieces headline draws on these findings.

The PJ Media author used a media bias chart from a third party to determine a publications leanings and found what it deemed to be major right-leaning news sources with large reporting staffs like the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, but didnt see several smaller right-wing and right-leaning sites better known for their commentary in the results, including the National Review, Breitbart, the Blaze, the Daily Wire, Hot Air, Townhall, RedState and PJ Media.

"While not scientific, the results suggest a pattern of bias against right-leaning content," the author writes.

Google News results are ranked on a variety of factors, and the results are personalized to some extent. According to Google, the rankings are supposed "to promote original journalism, as well as to expose users to diverse perspectives."

There are several factors that contribute to those results, including "freshness" of content and the extent to which it contains original reporting, as opposed to just aggregation or commentary on the news. Those rankings, Google says, are provided by algorithms. And of course, the results have a lot to do with the specific terms you choose to search.

In a statement on Tuesday, a Google spokesperson addressed Trumps claim about Google search results:

"When users type queries into the Google Search bar, our goal is to make sure they receive the most relevant answers in a matter of seconds. Search is not used to set a political agenda and we dont bias our results toward any political ideology. Every year, we issue hundreds of improvements to our algorithms to ensure they surface high-quality content in response to users queries. We continually work to improve Google Search and we never rank search results to manipulate political sentiment."

The Trump administration is "taking a look" at whether Google and its search engine should be regulated by the government, Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow said.

"Well let you know," Kudlow said. "Were taking a look at it."

There are many other reasons PJ Media didnt see certain conservative publications in the top 100 results in their survey, based on how the Google News algorithm works and the specific moments in which the searches were conducted. But the accusation of bias has been around for a while and is a mainstay of how right-wing outlets talk about tech companies like Google.

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In July, Republicans accused Google, Twitter and Facebook of bias against conservatives at a hearing about "content filtering" practices of major tech companies. As my Washington Post colleague Tony Romm reported, multiple Republican lawmakers on the panel used the hearing to accuse the companies of a litany of things that they proof of bias.

Rep. Lamar Smith said Google was censoring the word "Jesus" in some search results, a claim he did not give Google time to address. Rep. Steve King asked Facebook about falling traffic for controversial conspiracy site Gateway Pundit.

The questions were similar to those asked of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in April, when multiple Republican lawmakers used their time with Zuckerberg to talk about Diamond and Silk, the pro-Trump vloggers. Sen. Ted Cruz used their complaint as an example of "a pervasive pattern of political bias" during the hearing. The context was the midst of algorithmic changes that impacted traffic for many publishers on Facebook. Diamond and Silk had said their traffic was falling, which was proof of Facebooks anti-conservative bias.

Soon, it will be Twitter chief executive Jack Dorseys turn. Hes scheduled to testify during a Sept. 5 hearing before the House energy and commerce committee on algorithms and content monitoring. In advance of that hearing, Dorsey has been on a media tour, discussing a wide range of topics (including perceptions of bias) with mainstream and conservative news outlets.

Claims like this, of a massive conspiracy of bias against conservative ideas by all the big tech companies, dont have to be airtight to be viral. And now, this one certainly is.

 Washington Post
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Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

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Facing four defenders honed in on him at the edge of the area, the Argentine lured them toward the center of the field before a sudden change of foot left one man on the turf and the rest out of position. Messi then fired a right-footed shot in off the far post for the 16th-minute equalizer.
The following companies are subsidiares of The Kroger: 84.51 HQ Building Company, 84.51 LLC, Agri-Products, Alpha Beta, Alpha Beta Company, Ansonborough Square Investors I, Ansonborough Square Retail, Ardrey Kell Investments, Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Beech Tree Holdings, Bell Markets, Bleecker Ventures LLC, Bluefield Beverage, Bluefield Beverage Company, Box Cutter, Brier Creek Arbors Drive Retail, CB&S Advertising Agency, Cala Co., Cala Foods, Cheeses of All Nations, Country Oven, Crawford Stores, Creedmoor Retail, Dillon Companies, Dillon Real Estate Co, Dillon Real Estate Co., Dillons, Distribution Trucking Company, Dotto, Edgewood Plaza Holdings, Embassy International, FM, FMJ, Farmacia Doral, Food 4 Less GM, Food 4 Less Holdings, Food 4 Less Merchandising, Food 4 Less of California, Food 4 Less of Southern California, Fred Meyer, Fred Meyer Jewelers, Fred Meyer Stores, Gerbes Supermarkets, Glasswing Labs, Glendale/Goodwin Realty I, Grubstake Investments, HT Fuel DE, HT Fuel MD, HT Fuel NC, HT Fuel SC, HT Fuel VA, HTGBD, HTP Bluffton, HTP Plaza, HTP Plaza LLC, HTP Relo, HTPS, HTTAH, Harris Teeter, Harris Teeter LLC, Harris Teeter Properties, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Harris-Teeter Services, Healthy Options, Healthy Options Inc., Henpil, Home Chef, Hood-Clayton Logistics, Hood-Clayton Logistics LLC, Hughes Markets, Hughes Realty, I.T.A., IRP, ITAC 119, ITAC 265, Infusion Solutions of Puerto Rico, Inter-American Foods, Inter-American Products, J.V. Distributing, Jondex Corp, Jondex Corp., Jubilee Carolina, Junior Food Stores of West Florida, KCDE, KCDE  2012, KCDE  2013, KCDE-2 LLC, KCDE-3 LLC, KCDE-4 LLC, KCDE-5 LLC, KGO, KGO LLC, KP Sourcing, KPF, KPF Insurance Services, KPF Insurance Services LLC, KPS, KPS AG, KRGP, KRGP Inc., KRLP, KRLP Inc., Kee Trans, Kessel FP, Kessel Pharmacies, Kessel RCD, Kessel Saginaw, King Soopers, Kiosk Medicine Kentucky, Kirkpatrick West Retail, Kroger, Kroger Community Development Entity, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co., Kroger Fresh Fare, Kroger G.O., Kroger G.O. LLC, Kroger Limited Partnership I, Kroger Limited Partnership II, Kroger MC Holdings, Kroger MTL Management, Kroger Management Co, Kroger Management Co., Kroger Management  Corryville, Kroger Management  NMTC Athens I, Kroger Management  NMTC Champaign I, Kroger Management  NMTC Champaign II, Kroger Management  NMTC Cincinnati I, Kroger Management  NMTC Dallas I, Kroger Management  NMTC Danville I, Kroger Management  NMTC Griffin I, Kroger Management  NMTC Logansport I, Kroger Management  NMTC Missouri I, Kroger Management  NMTC Oak Ridge I, Kroger Management  NMTC Olney I, Kroger Management  NMTC Omaha I, Kroger Management  NMTC Portsmouth I, Kroger Management  NMTC Starkville I, Kroger Management  NMTC Topeka I, Kroger Management  NMTC Warrenton I, Kroger NMTC Fremont I, Kroger OZ1 Inc., Kroger OZ1 LLC, Kroger OZ2 Inc., Kroger OZ2 LLC, Kroger OZ3 Inc., Kroger OZ3 LLC, Kroger Opportunity Fund I, Kroger Prescription Plans, Kroger Specialty Infusion, Kroger Specialty Infusion AL, Kroger Specialty Infusion CA, Kroger Specialty Infusion Holdings, Kroger Specialty Infusion TX, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy FL 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 2, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 3, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings I, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy LA, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy TN, Kroger Texas L.P., LCGP3 Home Cooking, Local Mkt LLC, Main & Vine LLC, Matthews Property 1, Mega Marts, Michigan Dairy, ModernHealth LTC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays LIC LLC, Murrays Table LLC, Pace Dairy Foods Company, Paramount Logistics, Pay Less Super Markets, Peytons Fountain, Peytons-Southeastern, Plum Labs LLC, Pontiac Foods, Queen City Assurance, RBF, Ralphs Grocery Company, Relish Labs LLC, Rocket Newco, Roundy's, Roundys, Roundys Acquisition Corp., Roundys Illinois, Roundys Supermarkets, Second Story, Shop-Rite, Smiths Beverage of Wyoming, Smiths Food & Drug Centers, Southern Ice Cream Specialties, Stallings Investors I, Sunrise R&D Holdings, Sunrise Technology LLC, THGP Co., THLP Co., TLC Corporate Services LLC, TLC Immunization Clinic LLC, TLC of Georgia LLC, The Kroger Co. of Michigan, The Little Clinic LLC, The Little Clinic Management Services LLC, The Little Clinic of Arizona LLC, The Little Clinic of Colorado LLC, The Little Clinic of IN LLC, The Little Clinic of Kansas LLC, The Little Clinic of Mississippi LLC, The Little Clinic of Ohio LLC, The Little Clinic of TX LLC, The Little Clinic of Tennessee LLC, The Little Clinic of VA LLC, Topvalco, Turkey Hill, Ultimate Mart, Ultra Mart Foods, Vine Court Assurance Incorporated, Vitacost, Vitacost.com, Woodmont Holdings, and YOU Technology.
Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, credit cards, and other financial services to personal and small business customers. The Commercial Banking segment provides lending, transactional banking, working capital management, risk management, and debt capital market services to small and medium-sized entities, corporates, and financial institutions. The Insurance and Wealth segment offers life, home, and car insurance products; and pension, investment, and wealth management products and services. It also provides digital and mobile banking, and telephone services, as well as advisory services for savings, investments, and planning for retirement. The company offers its products and services under the Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows, MBNA, Schroders Personal Wealth, Black Horse, Lex Autolease, Birmingham Midshires, LDC, IWeb, and Agricultural Mortgage Corporation brands. Lloyds Banking Group plc was founded in 1695 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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After spells with Marseille, Premier League side Newcastle and at unhappy period at Hull, Ben Arfa enjoyed a fine season with Nice in 2015-16. He netted 17 league goals, many of them spectacular solo efforts, to break back into the France team and earn a move to hometown club PSG.
National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and natural gas. It operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Gas Transmission, US Regulated, and National Grid Ventures (NGV) and Other segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment owns and operates electricity transmission networks, which comprise approximately 7,236 kilometers of overhead lines. The UK Gas Transmission segment owns and operates gas transmission systems, as well as third-party independent systems and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities. The US Regulated segments owns and operates transmission facilities across upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; and electricity distribution networks in upstate New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Its assets comprise 14,439 kilometers of overhead lines; an electricity distribution network of approximately 117,498 circuit miles; and a network of approximately 57,551 kilometers of gas pipeline. The NGV and Other segment engages in the energy metering business; transporting renewable energy long distances through its electricity interconnectors; and storing LNG, as well as commercial property and insurance activities in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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The following companies are subsidiares of General Dynamics: 42SIX LLC, ARMA Global Corporation, Advanced Technical Products, Aeromil (Australia) Pty Ltd, Aeromil Aircraft Engineering Pty Ltd, Aeromil Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Aeromil IT Services Pty Ltd, Aeromil Marine Pty Ltd, Aeromil Pacific Pty Ltd, American Overseas Marine Company LLC, Anteon International Corporation, Applied Physical Sciences, Applied Physical Sciences Corp., Ascend Intelligence, Australian Avionics Pty Ltd, Autonomic Resources LLC, Avion Logistics Limited, Avjet Corporation, AxleTech International, Axsys, BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION, BP-HP Pte Limited, Bath Iron Works, Bath Iron Works Australia Corporation, Bath Iron Works Canada LLC, Bluefin Robotics Corporation, Blueprint Technologies Inc., Braintree I Maritime Corp., Braintree II Maritime Corp., Braintree III Maritime Corp., Braintree IV Maritime Corp., Braintree V Maritime Corp., Buccaneer Computer Systems & Service Inc., CSC Computer Sciences Venezuela S.A., CSRA, CSRA (Costa Rica) S.A., CSRA (Guyana) Inc., CSRA (Middle East) LLC, CSRA Argentina S.R.L., CSRA BH d.o.o., CSRA Bahamas Limited, CSRA Bahrain S.P.C., CSRA Belgium SPRL, CSRA Bolivia S.R.L., CSRA Brazil Servicos de Tecnologia Ltda., CSRA Canada Inc., CSRA Caribbean Inc., CSRA Chile SpA, CSRA Colombia SAS, CSRA Commerce 2010 LLC, CSRA Consular Services Holding Company LLC, CSRA Consular Services Inc., CSRA France SARL, CSRA Guatemala Solutions Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Honduras Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Inc., CSRA Information Systems LLC, CSRA Information Technology Spain SL, CSRA Ireland Limited, CSRA Italy S.R.L, CSRA Kosovo L.L.C., CSRA LATAM LLC, CSRA LLC, CSRA Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., CSRA Netherlands B.V., CSRA Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Panama Inc., CSRA Peru S.R.L., CSRA Senegal SARL, CSRA South Africa (Pty) Ltd, CSRA State and Local Solutions LLC, CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC, CSRA Trinidad & Tobago Limited, CSRA Turkey Bilisim Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, CSRA Uruguay S.R.L, CSRA Visa Services Israel Ltd., CSRAIT - Information Services Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Centauri Solutions LLC, Command System, Computing Devices International, Concord I Maritime Corporation, Concord II Maritime Corporation, Concord III Maritime Corporation, Concord IV Maritime Corporation, Concord V Maritime Corporation, Convair Aircraft Corporation, Convair Corporation, Creative Technology, Customer Services Ecuador CSRA S.A., Devcor, Diamond Fortress Technologies, DynPort Vaccine Company LLC, EB Groton Engineering Inc., EBV Explosives Environmental, ELCS-CZ s.r.o., Eagle Enterprise Inc., Earl Industries - Ship Repair and Coatings Division, Ebv Explosives Environmental Company, Electric Boat - Australia LLC, Electric Boat - UK LLC, Electric Boat Canada LLC, Electric Boat Corporation, Electric Boat France LLC, Electrocom Inc., Engineering Technology, Expro Finance Inc., FBD Fahrzeug und Bremsendienst GmbH, FC Business Systems, Fidelis Cybersecurity, Force Protection, Force Protection Europe Limited, Force Protection Inc., ForeSight Technology Services LLC, Freeman United Coal Mining Company LLC, GD Brazil Holdings LLC, GD European Land Systems - Steyr GmbH, GD European Land Systems Holding GmbH, GDOTS Services Corporation, GM GDLS Defense Group L.L.C., GPS Source Inc., GTE Government Systems, GWA-Datatrac FAST LLC, Galaxy Aerospace Company, Gayston Corporation - Defense Operations, General Dynamics - OTS (Global) Inc., General Dynamics AIS Australia Pty Ltd, General Dynamics Canadian Finance Inc., General Dynamics Canadian Holdings Inc., General Dynamics Commercial Cyber Services LLC, General Dynamics European Finance Limited, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Austria GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Bridge Systems GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Czech s.r.o., General Dynamics European Land Systems - Denmark ApS, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Deutschland GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - FWW GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems Romania S.R.L., General Dynamics European Land Systems S.L., General Dynamics Global Force LLC, General Dynamics Global Holdings Limited, General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Government Satellite Services LLC, General Dynamics Government Systems Corporation, General Dynamics Government Systems Overseas Corporation, General Dynamics Information Technology Canada Limited, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., General Dynamics Information Technology Limited, General Dynamics Installation Services LLC, General Dynamics International Corporation, General Dynamics Itronix LLC, General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia Pty. Ltd., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Corporation, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Services Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canadian Services Limited, General Dynamics Land Systems - Force Protection Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems Customer Service & Support Company, General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., General Dynamics Limited, General Dynamics Marine Systems Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems International Limited, General Dynamics Mission Systems Overseas Company LLC, General Dynamics Motion Control LLC, General Dynamics OTS (Aerospace) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (California) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (DRI) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (Niceville) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (Pennsylvania) Inc., General Dynamics One Source LLC, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada Valleyfield Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Simunition Operations Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., General Dynamics Overseas Systems and Services Corporation, General Dynamics Properties Inc., General Dynamics Robotic Systems Inc., General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Satcom Technologies Asia Private Limited, General Dynamics Satellite Communication Services LLC, General Dynamics Saudi Holdings S.L., General Dynamics Shared Resources LLC, General Dynamics Support Services Company, General Dynamics Swiss Financial Management Limited, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, General Dynamics Worldwide Holdings Inc., General Dynamics-OTS Inc., General Motors Defense, Gulfstream 100 Holdings LLC, Gulfstream Aerospace, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (CA), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (DE), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (GA), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (OK), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation of Texas, Gulfstream Aerospace Hong Kong Limited, Gulfstream Aerospace LLC, Gulfstream Aerospace LP, Gulfstream Aerospace Ltd., Gulfstream Aerospace Services Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace Sociedad de Responssabilidad Limitada de CapitalVariable (S. de R.L. de C.V.), Gulfstream Do Brasil Servicos De Suporte E Manutencao A Aeronaves Ltda., Gulfstream International Corporation, Gulfstream Leasing LLC, Gulfstream Product Support Corporation, Gulfstream Services Corporation, Gulfstream Tennessee Corporation, Gulfstream-California Inc., Hawker Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Hawker Pacific Aircraft Management Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Airservices Limited, Hawker Pacific Airservices Pvt Ltd, Hawker Pacific Asia Holdings Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Asia Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Australia Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific NZ Limited, Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd, IPWireless, IPWireless PTE. Limited, Information Services Consulting Limited, Interiores Aereos S.A. de C.V., International Manufacturing Technologies Inc., Itronix, Janteq Australia PTY Limited, Janteq Corp., Jet Aviation, Jet Aviation (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., Jet Aviation (Bermuda) Ltd., Jet Aviation (Hong Kong) Ltd., Jet Aviation (Malaysia) SDN BHD, Jet Aviation 125 Services LLC, Jet Aviation AG, Jet Aviation Brazil Holdings Inc., Jet Aviation Business Jets (Hong Kong) Limited, Jet Aviation Business Jets AG, Jet Aviation Business Jets FZCO, Jet Aviation California LLC, Jet Aviation Dulles LLC, Jet Aviation Flight Services Inc., Jet Aviation France SAS, Jet Aviation Holding GmbH, Jet Aviation Holdings USA Inc., Jet Aviation Houston Inc., Jet Aviation International Inc., Jet Aviation Malaga SA, Jet Aviation Management AG, Jet Aviation Netherlands B.V., Jet Aviation Savannah Holding LLC, Jet Aviation Services GmbH, Jet Aviation St. Louis Inc., Jet Aviation Teterboro LP, Jet Aviation Texas Inc., Jet Aviation of America Inc., Jet Aviation/Palm Beach Inc., Jet Professionals LLC, Kylmar, Longreach Energy LLC, MAYA Viz, Maricom Systems Incorporated, Material Service Resources Company LLC, Matthews Land Company, Mediaware International, Mediaware International Pty Ltd, Metro Machine, Metro Machine co, Midwest Properties Sales LLC, NASSCO, NASSCO Holdings Incorporated, NES Associates LLC, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, Network Connectivity Solutions Corp., Newberry Holdings LLC, OOO Jet Aviation Vnukovo, Open Kernel Labs, Page Europa Srl, Patriot I Shipping Corp., Patriot II Shipping Corp., Patriot IV Shipping Corp., Plane 79 LLC, Praxis Engineering Technologies LLC, PrimeX Technologies, Prodelin India Private Limited, Proyectos Prohumane Mexico S.A. de C.V., Quincy Maritime Corporation III, Raven Acquisitions LLC, SENTECH INC., SRA International Inc., Saco Defense, Santa Barbara Sistemas S.A., Savannah Air Center LLC, Signal Solutions LLC, Southern Illinois Recovery Inc., Spectrum Astro, St. Marks Powder Inc., Stabilo Pty Ltd, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG, Sydney Jet Charter Pty Ltd, Tadpole Computer, Tecnologias Internacionales de Manufactura S.A. de C.V., Tenacity Solutions Incorporated, The Depth of Ideas for General Trading LLC, TriPoint Global Communications, Vangent, Vangent Servicios de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Veridian, Vertex Antennentechnik GmbH, ViPS, Vulnerability Research Labs LLC, and Weco LLC.
The following companies are subsidiares of The Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc..
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to vessels in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. The company offers fueling services to ocean-going and a range of coastal vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, drybulk carriers, cruise ships, reefers, LNG/LPG carriers, car carriers, and ferries, as well as to marine fuel traders, brokers, and other end-users of marine fuel and lubricants. It also markets and distributes marine lubricants under the Alfa Marine Lubricants brand; and provides a range of shipping services, such as technical support and maintenance, insurance arrangement and handling, financial administration, and accounting services. As of December 31, 2016, the company owned and operated a fleet of 46 bunkering vessels, including 45 double hulls and 1 single hull special purpose vehicle; 15 double hull bunkering vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 292,400 deadweight ton (dwt); operated 10 land-based storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1,075,000 cubic meters; and operated 2 vessels as floating storage facility with a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 86,800 dwt. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.

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On first viewing, Guadagninos version of Suspiria itself feels encased, not in makeup but in some provocative but ungainly notions about how to reactivate this material. The remake is set in 1977 Berlin, and screenwriter David Kajganich draws opaque parallels between the supernatural goings-on in the dance troupe and the far-left Baader-Meinhof Group terrorist organization. Germanys war years inform the atmosphere of dread as well, although by the time Guadagnino strains to encompass the whole of Germanys grievous 20th century, things have gotten a little out of hand.
On the way to the police car, officers escorting Clark said he pulled away from them and kicked his legs. They searched him and found several bags of cannabis, police said.
The Civil Air Patrol, a U.S. Air Force auxiliary, was founded on Dec. 1, 1941, and is a public-service organization made up of about 60,000 all-volunteer members who carry out emergency service missions when needed in the air and on the ground, according to their website.
Californias legislators passed the nations strongest net neutrality law today, restoring Obama-era open Internet protections and setting the state on a potential collision course with federal regulators.

If Gov. Jerry Brown signs the bill into law in the coming weeks, California will join a growing number of states that have adopted net neutrality rules that conflict with the actions of the FCC. That could result in clash that rises all the way to U.S. Supreme Court.

The Internet is at the heart of 21st century life  our economy, our public safety and health systems, and our democracy, said the bills author, Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). So when Donald Trumps FCC decided to take a wrecking ball to net neutrality protections, we knew that California had to step in to ensure our residents have access to a free and open Internet.

The Senate voted 27-12 this afternoon to approve the bill, which prohibits internet providers from blocking or slowing access to websites or apps or charging fees for faster access, a concept known as paid prioritization.

The legislation also bans zero-rated programs, in which internet providers exempt certain kinds of content from counting against monthly data limits. Critics have said zero-rated programs allow mobile carriers like AT&T to advantage their own streamed content, like, say, HBO Now.

The bill passed the state Assembly yesterday in a landslide 61-18 vote with bipartisan support.

Net neutrality is the free speech fight of our generation, and were winning, said Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future, an advocacy group that supported the legislation. If theres one thing this victory in California shows its that Internet users are still royally pissed off about the FCCs repeal of net neutrality. Theyre still paying attention. And theyre not going to let their elected officials get away with selling out their constituents by siding with big telecom companies.

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It remains to be seen whether Californias legislation will withstand likely legal challenges from the telecommunications industry. Indeed, the FCCs Restoring Internet Freedom Order, which abolished net neutrality rules the commission enacted in 2015, claims to pre-empt such state rules.

An FCC spokesperson did not respond to Deadlines request for comment.

Internet providers were quick to criticize the vote, which they saw as undercutting the states history as a catalyst for innovation.

The Internet must be governed by a single, uniform and consistent national policy framework, not state-by-state piecemeal approaches, said Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom, a broadband industry trade group. Governor Brown should use his veto pen on this legislation, and Congress should step in to legislate and provide consumer protections that will resolve this issue once and for all.

The cable and wireless industry have been lobbying against Californias bill, saying it would result in an unworkable tangle of state regulations.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit agency pledged to defend civil rights in the digital world, called out the industry for a flood of deceptive robocalls targeting seniors, stating that net neutrality would increase their cell phone bills by $30 a month and slow down the Internet.

Californias net neutrality bill received an unexpected boost earlier this month, when Verizon slowed internet service to the Santa Clara County firefighters in the midst of battling the massive Mendocino complex fire. The carrier admitted called that a customer support mistake.

A number of other states have similarly sought to protect net neutrality. The governors in six states  Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Montana, Rhode Island and Vermont  signed executive orders restoring some open Internet rules. The state legislatures in Oregon, Vermont and Washington enacted net neutrality legislation.

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Hundreds of mourners assembled at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst, North Carolina, on Saturday to pay their final respects to Shanann Watts and her daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste.

Pallbearers brought the three caskets into the church; they were placed in front of the congregation. Many of the mourners wiped their eyes as the coffins entered the sanctuary.

The funeral started with a congregational singing of Amazing Grace, followed by Scripture readings and additional hymns. The 90-minute long ceremony contained no reference to Shananns husband, Chris Watts, who is accused of murdering his entire family.

Shanann was a woman of love, Father John Forbes told the mourners. She loved God, her family and her friends. She was a woman of determination. She had dreams to be fulfilled, and she worked towards to those dreams. She wanted to make a difference. She wanted to be an exceptional wife and mother.

RELATED: Murder Suspect Dad Chris Watts Is in Mourning, Source Claims: Its All Beginning to Sink In

Bella Marie and Celeste Catherine were light for all those around them, he continued. They were filled with life and joy, and they shared those with all those they encountered.

Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant. Father Forbes mentioned that the family would like to pass a law to recognize the lives of unborn children like her son, Nico.

Despite the violent deaths of Shanann and the children, the family shared a message of love. They do not want vengeance and death but justice and light, Forbes told the mourners.

Shan'ann Watts (right) and her daughters

Father Forbes then read some remarks from Shananns family.

Thank you heavenly father. I know our family is with you in paradise; I cant thank you enough, read the statement from Shananns mother, Snadra. Please give every soul on earth who has prayed, cried or reached out to us only your precious blessings. I can only pray to you that this tragedy changes everyones soul to be close to you. Please continue to hold us all in your love and protection.

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Shanann, Bella Marie, Celeste Catherine, and Nico Lee, Mom/Nona loves you with all of my soul, she said. May god bless all of you always, love Mommy/Nona.

RELATED: Pregnant Mom & 2 Daughters Likely Killed at Home  Allegedly by Husband  Before Bodies Were Dumped

The priest then read a statement from Shananns father, Frank Rzucek.

I have so much to say, but I will make it short, Rzucek said. Daddy loves you. You are a wonderful daughter and a great mother. You are nothing but pure love, always caring for everyone. You will always be daddys little girl. Until we meet again, I love you with all my heart, see you later. Love you, Dad. Butterfly kisses.

Then Rzucek addressed the grandchildren. Dear Bella and Celeste and Nico, You will always be pop pops little girls and precious grandson. You make my day filled with smiles, even when I feel bad or sad. Bella, you will always be my silver bells Celeste, pop pop will take care of your truck. Throwing kisses and hugs to all of you. See you later, Love you always, your Pop Pop.

Shananns husband  and the childrens father  was not at the ceremony; he is being held without bond in the Weld County Jail in Colorado. He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and multiple additional charges. He has not yet entered a plea.
A West Virginia TV news meteorologist has been charged with misdemeanor battery after a physical altercation with another anchor at the same station, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported.

According to the Gazette-Mail, anchor Erica Bivens of Charleston, W.V., local station WSAZ accused on-air weather forecaster Chelsea Ambriz of shoving her to the ground. Bivens said she suffered a ruptured eardrum and skull fracture during the altercation.

The fight started at a local bar after Bivens accused Ambriz of hitting on her husband, according to a police report obtained by local station FTV Live. Ambriz, the report said, then became irate and began to shove Bivens, causing them both to fall to the ground near the bar.

Also Read: Masturbation Joke Gives Local News Team a Serious Case of the Giggles (Video)

According to FTV Live, Ambriz has since told friends she has been suspended by the station. Ad Week reported that neither woman has been on the air since the incident occurred nearly a week ago.

A representative for the station told TheWrap that it is aware of the matter and is conducting an internal investigation, but that it has no further comment at this time.

The local police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap.

Read original story West Virginia TV Meteorologist Accused of Fracturing Colleagues Skull in Fight At TheWrap
Good Morning America

Children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on Tuesday signed off on a recommendation made earlier in the day by an independent CDC advisory panel, making the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available to the approximately 28 million children aged 5 to 11 in the United States. "If we can create a situation where more of these kids are not getting infected, we should be able to drive this pandemic down, which is what we really hope to do, even as we face the cold [weather] and other concerns about whether we might see another surge," Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said last week on "Good Morning America." "We don't want that and this would be one significant step forward in getting our country really in a better place."
Trump ramps up war of words against FBI and DOJ, but says nothing about McCain originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

President Donald Trump rallied a crowded and enthusiastic arena in Evansville, Indiana, for over an hour on Thursday night with his campaign's greatest hits.

After a politically bruising two weeks, the president seemed buoyant and appeared to let out steam in front of a supportive crowd by knocking his foes like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and the media. But Trump also expressed his frustrations with the Justice Department and the FBI, and threatened to "get involved" if things do not change.

"Our Justice Department and our FBI, they have to start doing their job and doing it right and doing it now. People are angry," Trump said, calling them a "disgrace."

"At some point," he added, "if it doesn't straighten out properly -- I want them to do their job -- I will get involved and I'll get in there if I have to have to."

(MORE: After weeks of uncertainty, Papadopoulos decides to accept plea deal with Mueller)

Earlier in the day, Trump told Bloomberg News in an interview that he views the special counsel investigation as "illegal" and criticized Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Still, he said Sessions' job would be safe until the midterm elections.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Aug. 30, 2018. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

The 11,000-seat Ford Center was filled top to bottom with supporters cheering on the president as he boasted about his Space Force, the economy, employment numbers and ongoing trade negotiations with Canada.

"This country is tired of being ripped off by other countries!" Trump said. "We are doing some great deals with other countries also," he added. "They are getting done one by one."

But the purpose of the Make America Great Again rally was also to boost Indiana's Republican candidates.

(MORE: Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'It pisses me off to no end' when Trump criticizes McCain)

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Trump brought Mike Braun, a wealthy Indiana businessman and former state legislator who's running against sitting Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in the midterms, up to the stage as a sign of support.

"A vote for Mike's opponent, Sleepy Joe, is a vote for Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and who else? Maxine Waters," Trump said, inviting the crowd to join him in shouting Waters' name.

Trump's last appearance in Indiana was only two days after Braun won in a tough Republican primary.

But in a state where Trump won by double digits against Hillary Clinton, both Braun and Donnelly have tried to show their support for the president. The Republican and Democratic Senate candidates both recently released ads touting Trump achievements.

(MORE: Emotional Joe Biden remembers John McCain as 'a brother' at memorial service)

After the rally, Donnelly released a statement saying: "I was unable to watch President Trump's rally tonight, as I was headed back to Washington for Senator McCain's memorial services. We're always happy to have President Trump in Indiana, but Hoosiers still want a senator who always puts them first before any politician or political party. They know that's what I've been for them, and it's what I'll continue to be as their Senator next year."

It was Trumps first "Make America Great Again" rally since the death of Sen. John McCain of Arizona. In past rally speeches, the president would consistently call out McCain for his 'no' vote against an Obamacare repeal last year.

But this time, Trump made no mention of McCains vote or the senator, whose casket and widow were met by Secretary of Defense Mattis in Washington, right as the rally began.
Right-wing protests fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment continue in Germany originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

In the eastern German city of Chemnitz, the site of continued far-right protests and clashing counter-demonstrations, there has hardly been a moment's rest.

Although the gatherings on Saturday were largely peaceful, the atmosphere was tense: a representation of two Germanys -- one embracing of multiculturalism and the other still incensed by migration policy under Chancellor Angela Merkel, especially her 2015 decision to welcome 1 million refugees.

In anticipation of the days events, under an overcast sky, the streets were closed. A large banner had just been hung on the citys landmark, a large statue of the head of Karl Marx, a nod to the citys East German past.

Chemnitz is neither grey nor brown, the banner read, a reference to the color of the Nazi party and a message of tolerance in a city now linked with anti-immigrant sentiment.

PHOTO: Protesters in an an anti-violence counter-demonstration hold up a sign 'Never again 1933. And then there was Chemnitz' - a reference to Nazi-era Germany in Chemnitz, Germany, Sept. 1, 2018. (Sarah Hucal/ABC News)

Earlier in the week, the death of a 35-year-old German-Cuban, Daniel H., allegedly at the hands of Iraqi and Syrian-born men who are now in custody, was used as a rallying cry for far-right extremists.

Rumors swirled online around his death, and incited anger from many right-wing supporters. Authorities, however, were quick to debunk the myths.

The mobilization was based on anti-foreigner comment, false information and conspiracy theories, governor of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, told reporters earlier in the week.

PHOTO: Demonstrators hold up placards showing portraits of victims of refugees during a protest organised by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, on Sept. 1, 2018 in Chemnitz, Germany. (John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images)

The region of Saxony, where Chemnitz is located, is a stronghold for the anti-Islam far-right party, the Alternative for Deutschland, and has long struggled with neo-Nazi aggression.

Last Sunday, right-wing extremists and hooligans took the streets, harassing those who looked foreign and shouting xenophobic slurs. The next day, violence reached a pinnacle as 6,000 right-wing protestors mobilized in the streets, facing off against 1,500 counter-demonstrators and overpowering ill-staffed police forces.

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Authorities have since opened at least 10 cases after extremists who were seen making Hitler salutes.

The salutes -- as well as swastikas and other insignias -- are illegal in a country that has tried shake its Nazi past. But the 2015 immigration policy has brought newly emboldened Nazi sympathizers out of the shadows.

PHOTO: A sign requesting tolerance is pasted on a statue of Karl Marx in Chemnitz, Germany, Sept. 1, 2018. (Sarah Hucal/ABC News)

In preparation for Saturdays fresh round of demonstrations, which attracted 9,500 people, according to initial estimates by the police, additional officers were brought in from several other regions.

Police forces had come under criticism for not responding with enough officers earlier in the week, even prompting some suspicions of collusion with right-wing protesters.

(MORE: Suspected Nazi labor camp guard unlikely to be prosecuted in Germany: Authorities)





PHOTO: People take part in demonstrations following the killing of a German man in Chemnitz, Germany, Sept. 1, 2018. (Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)

By late afternoon, several thousand people of various ages had gathered in front of the Karl Marx statue for the protest of right-wing citizens movement Pro-Chemnitz.

Some held German flags and chanted, We are the people and Merkel has to go.

A moderator urged crowds to avoid violence. Yet the group, which had also held a protest on Thursday drawing 900 people, had called residents earlier in the week to mobilize and incite chaos.

An hour later, a second right-wing demonstration began, organized by far-right political party Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), the main opposition party in the German parliament alongside anti-Islam, xenophobic citizens organization PEGIDA.

Soon they were joined by the members of the Pro-Chemnitz march and the crowd swelled.

PHOTO: Numerous editions of the Federal Constitutional Law (Grundgesetz) are placed in the street by supporters of the alliance 'Chemnitz Nazifrei' (Chemnitz without Nazis) near the location of a counter-march in Chemnitz, Germany, on Sept. 1, 2018. (Monika Skolimowska/AFP/Getty Images)

Across town, a peaceful counter-demonstration titled Heart instead of right-wing heat drew a large crowd of several thousand.

Shortly before nightfall, several altercations between black block and right-wing extremists broke out, but were swiftly quelled by riot police. Later in the evening, small scuffles continued to break out between right-wing protestors and police.

(MORE: Mesut Ozil quits German national soccer team, citing 'racism and disrespect')

PHOTO: Demonstrators walk during a protest organised by the right-wing populist 'Pro Chemnitz' movement, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the anti-Islam Pegida movement, on Sept. 1, 2018 in Chemnitz, Germany. (John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images)

Last week's violence further challenged the notion of modern-day Germany as a country welcoming of foreigners.

Merkels spokesman, Steffen Seibert, condemned the weeks violence.

What was seen yesterday in parts of Chemnitz and what was recorded on video has no place in our country, he said.

People ganging up, chasing people who look different from them or who come from elsewhere ... is something we wont tolerate, he continued.

On Monday, Saxony police reported receiving complaints from a 15-year-old German girl with a 17-year-old Afghan teenage boy who said they were attacked, an 18-year-old Syrian who claimed to have been beaten and a Bulgarian man claimed to have been threatened.

Nowhere else in Germany is the AfD as popular as it is in Saxony. A quarter of the region's voters chose the party in last Septembers federal elections.
When the school board in Christian County, Kentucky, changed the dress code to forbid shirts that bared shoulders, mother Theresa Rucks says no one told her or her 15-year-old daughter Isabella Messer until after she was suspended for it in August. Rucks decided to help her daughter protest what they thought was an unfair rule.

Do my shoulders turn you on? read the front of the T-shirt Rucks helped Messer make and wear two days after her suspension from Hopkinsville High School. On the back, it said, If so, go back to the 1920s.

The shirt in question (Photo: Theresa Rucks)

Messer got to fourth period before a teacher had her pulled out of class. Physically speaking, the shirt was not in violation of the dress code. The neckline was high, the sleeves nearly reached her elbows, and it went below her waist.

[Nathan] Howton the [assistant principal], told me that the teacher that originally hit her with a violation for the off-the-shoulder shirt felt that [the shirts statement] was harassment, Rucks tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Later, she says, the schools new principal, John Gunn, and someone from the school board told her the violation was actually for sexual content.

Messer resisted going to the office for the shirt. I said, it goes to my neck, its not a dress code violation, and I tried to call my mom and they tried to take my phone from me, Messer says.

Thats when a peaceful protest turned into something else. According to Kentucky New Era, a police report states that Messer was uncooperative and loud in the lobby, and when the school resource officer attempted to take away her phone, she pulled away. They handcuffed her, and the scuffle left marks on her wrist and neck that Messers grandmother later showed in photos on Facebook.

While she was already handcuffed, Howton noticed that Messer still had her phone in her hands behind her back. As the officer reached to get it, Messer says she instinctively put her foot out to stop him and hit him in the shin.

She trains in Taekwondo, Rucks says. Anyone who trains in Taekwondo is going to have that automatic instinct.

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At this point Rucks was notified, but they would not release the teen to her mothers custody.

And, instinct or not, Messer was arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer. She was transported to McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where she spent six days.

It was freezing, and the blankets were superthin, and the clothes were superthin, the girl told Yahoo Lifestyle of the detention center, where she was with girls who had stabbed other kids and attempted murder. The food tasted superhorrible too, so I was not eating a lot.

Messer was released for her first court date, Aug. 28, which happened to be her 15th birthday. Now she has to attend an alternative school until her next court date, Sept. 25. When shes not at school shes on house arrest and cant even be outside in her backyard.

All Christian County Public Schools have a dress code for students, the Christian County Board of Education said in a statement to Kentucky New Era. Our students along with their parents and guardians are aware of dress code rules and the codes enforcement.

After this experience, Messer doesnt want to return to Hopkinsville High School but would rather attend an online home school. Rucks, who thinks this all happened because Gunn wanted to make an example of her daughter, is with her on that.

Im not under any circumstances sending her back to that school, she says.

In the meantime, Ruckss friend who owns BlackFlag Clothing has been making #gobacktothe1920s shirts to support Messer.

Weve reached out to the school for comment and will update this story when we hear back.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

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Reuters

Former world No.1 tennis doubles player Peng Shuai, one of China's biggest sporting stars, has publicly accused a former Chinese vice premier of forcing her into sex several years ago in a social media post that was later deleted. According to a screenshot of her verified Weibo account late on Tuesday, Peng said that Zhang Gaoli, who became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee - China's top decision-making body - coerced her into sex and they later had an on-off consensual relationship. The post was deleted around half an hour after it was published, although searches for Peng's name on China's tightly controlled internet surged after the posting, and screenshots were shared among private WeChat groups and over iMessage.
By Lance Cpl. Mark Stroud - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/431096, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39170664

Charlie Gao

Security,

The upgrades keep coming.

The Army Needs a New Rifle (But the M4 Carbine Refuses To Die)

The US military has attempted to replace the M4/M16 series of weapons for almost five decades. From flechette-firing prototypes to rifles that used caseless ammunition firing in hyperbursts, no weapon was considered to provide enough of an improvement over the M16 to replace it.

Only a shortened version of the M16, the M4 eventually replaced the M16 in front-line issue rifle throughout the 2000s. At the same time, the military gave up on its development of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) that combined a twenty-five millimeter airburst grenade launcher with a 5.56 firing rifle.

The OICW later evolved into the XM25 Punisher twenty-five millimeter grenade launcher which had the ability to airburst grenades behind cover enemies were hiding behind. Unlike earlier attempts, the XM25 was meant to augment the firepower of an M4 armed squad, replacing one M4.

However, even this innovative weapon failed to replace the M4. Soldiers found the weapon and ammunition too heavy, and the weapon suffered a series of serious malfunctions during combat testing in Afghanistan. The program was officially terminated in 2018.

Despite the failure of all attempts to replace it, the M4 is growing obsolete. Major advances in body armor technology have made armor lighter, stronger, and more suited for general issue. Russias latest armor plates have the ability to withstand most bullets fired from an M4, including the new M855A1 round which has a steel penetrator.

For a time, the Army considered adopting a 7.62x51 millimeter rifle as the Interim Combat Service Rifle (ICSR). The 7.62x51 millimeter round has the ability to apply more energy when it hits the target due to the larger bullet and increased velocity. But its questionable whether going to 7.62x51 millimeter is the right solution. Apparently Army brass shared this skepticism, and the ICSR program was canned in late 2017.

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Now, the next contender has arrived, in the Next Generation Service Weapons (NGSW) program. In addition to an automatic rifle (the NGSAR) and a designated marksman rifle (the NGSDM), the NGSW program also plans to replace the M4 with the Next Generation Squad Carbine (NGSC).

Only wireframe mockups of the weapon have been shown in official media and presentations, but the primary objective of this weapon is to be powerful enough to punch through current and possible future body armor.

While some outlets have described it as having the power of a tank gun, this is inaccurate. The NGSC will shoot a projectile with far less energy than that of a tank gun. The titles that say that rather derive from the fact that chamber pressures in the NGSC are expected to be around the same range found in tank guns.

While the NGSAR program meant to replace the M249 SAW is taking center stage in NGSW, its likely that the cartridge adopted as part of the NGSAR program will be implemented in the NGSC. Textron, one company involved in the NGSAR program already has trialed magazine fed rifle versions of its LSAT machine gun (which likely will compete for NGSAR in slightly modified form).

One key part of the NGSW program though is that the round technology is expected to be more advanced. The LSAT that was developed was a 5.56 millimeter weapon, and while the 5.56 CT rounds used in the LSAT have the potential to be slightly more powerful than regular 5.56 millimeter rounds, the US military is likely looking at a totally new caliber for NGSW due to its need to overmatch enemy body armor.

Textron perhaps has looked ahead and anticipated this trend. While they continued developing the LSAT in 5.56, they did show a 6.5 millimeter cased telescoping carbine at AUSA 2017. Going to 6.5 seems like a logical step for NGSC and NGSAR as most existing 6.5 cartridges retain energy at range better than similar 5.56 loadings. Serbia has been trialing 6.5 rifles in a marksman role, with good results.

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The need to adopt a new cartridge to penetrate enemy armor might be the reason why NGSC finally is the program that will replace the M4. Earlier efforts to replace the M16 and M4 focused on improving hit probability and accuracy (the ACR trials), or improving reliability and lessening weight (the XM8 program), or adding totally new capabilities to the individual weapon (the OICW program). With a simple focus on increased lethality versus a specific threat rather than trying to make improvements in other metrics, NGSC might finally offer enough improvement compared to the regular M4 to make the conversion worthwhile.

At the same time, Special Forces continue to modify the M4 carbine to fit their specific operational needs. USASOC has recently purchased the new Upper Receiver Group (Improved) or URGI, a package that integrates a bunch of ergonomic improvements and a new M-LOK rail. The URGI is said to substantially lighten and improve the handling of the M4 rifle compared to earlier quad rails.

While the big Army prepares to trial and adopt its next rifle, the M4 continues evolving and soldiering on.

Charlie Gao studied Political and Computer Science at Grinnell College and is a frequent commentator on defense and national security issues.

Image: Wikipedia

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When they reached their barbed-wired-surrounded houses, the crews signed their names to assume responsibility for as many as 10 nuclear missiles and rode the elevator 60 feet down into capsules that are each about the size of two cars. Surrounded by the buzz of mint-green Cold War equipment, the job can feel like a mission that history left behind. Some study for master's degrees during downtime. One lieutenant said she does yoga.
Nauru (Nauru) (AFP) - Pacific leaders meet in Nauru to discuss regional challenges this week, with the host nation keen to deflect attention from its Canberra-funded migration detention camp dubbed "Australia's Guantanamo" by critics.

Official talks at the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) will centre on the threat climate change poses to island states and China's rising influence in the region.

But the presence of the detention centre looms large as the four-day meeting opens Monday, amid calls from rights groups such as Amnesty International to close a facility it calls "a stain on the region".

"Pacific island leaders cannot ignore this issue any longer and need to ensure that it is at the very top of the forum's agenda," Amnesty said after releasing an open letter co-signed with 80 other non-governmental organisations.

The camp houses around 220 asylum-seekers, including more than a dozen children, who have tried to reach Australia by boat.

Under Canberra's hardline immigration policies, such people are processed in remote facilities on Nauru and Papua New Guinea to prevent them setting foot on the Australian mainland.

The UN Human Rights Commission says they face indefinite detention, labelling their treatment "harsh and cruel".

However, Australia says offshore processing is needed to stop the deaths that occur when people-smugglers cram asylum-seekers into rickety boats for the treacherous sea voyage.

The camp is an economic lifeline for Nauru, which has a population of 11,000 and scant natural resources.

- Climate change 'greatest threat' -

In unprecedented restrictions, the government has warned visiting journalists covering the PIF it will revoke their visas if they report on the asylum-seeker issue.

"You are only authorised to report on, or take photos or videos of the PIF. Any other subjects must be approved by the RON (Republic of Nauru)," it said.

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Such heavy handed tactics have only taken the spotlight off other concerns raised by PIF members in the lead-up to the summit -- chief among them climate change.

"Climate change represents the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of our people," PIF Secretary General Meg Taylor said.

Some of the PIF's small island nations fear they will sink beneath rising seas, while others are regularly battered by devastating storms fuelled by the changing climate.

A major aim of this year's summit is establishing a $1.5 billion fund to help the region respond to climate change, as well as disasters such as earthquakes.

Known as Biketawa Plus, it would be used to strengthen essential infrastructure such as hospitals, power stations and ports that are vulnerable in disasters.

It will also cement existing security arrangements involving the PIF's largest members, Australia and New Zealand.

Reports in Australia said the move was seen as a way to counter China's influence in the region, which has grown dramatically in recent years as its foreign aid programme has expanded.

Canberra and Wellington have boosted their Pacific aid contributions in response and will be working frantically on the sidelines of the summit to ensure they maintain support in a region they regard as their backyard.

Other issues on the table include fighting obesity in the world's fattest region and managing economically important tuna stocks.

- 'Damaging' Aussie snub -

Yet in a country with an area of just 21 square kilometres (eight square miles) -- the world's smallest island nation -- it will be difficult for delegates to ignore the asylum-seeker camp.

One visitor who has taken a keen interest in the refugees is New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whose offer to accept 150 of them has been rejected by Australia and Nauru.

Ardern has not ruled out visiting the camp while she is in Nauru.

"I have a hope, an expectation at least, that I will at least be given an opportunity to be exposed to some of the issues around refugees on the island," she told reporters.

"What form that takes is not yet clear."

Ardern's newly installed Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, has decided against attending the summit after taking power in the wake of a bitter internal revolt that ended Malcolm Turnbull's tenure as leader.

Lowy Institute foreign policy specialist Euan Graham said Morrison's absence risked undermining Australia's bid to revive its diplomatic ties in the Pacific.

"Downgraded representation at the PIF would be especially damaging, given that the point of Canberra's 'step up' in the Pacific is all about demonstrating momentum behind Australia's renewed commitment to the region," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Berlin (AFP) - The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Sunday opened the door to a brief extension of talks to nail down a deal with London saying that they must be completed "by mid-November".

Britain is set to leave the bloc on March 30, but the two sides want to strike the divorce agreement by the October 18-19 EU summit to give their parliaments enough time to endorse a deal.

"If we consider the time needed for the ratification of the exit agreement by the British parliament as well as by the European Parliament, then we must conclude the negotiations by mid-November. That is possible," Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier told Sunday's edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

"We don't need more time. What we need are political decisions," he said.

But talks are currently deadlocked on key issues, including how to avoid a hard border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland, and on the future trading relationship.

Given the impasse, both sides have begun floating the idea of extending the discussions.

Britain's Brexit minister Dominic Raab on Wednesday said there is "leeway" to miss the deadline of reaching a deal ahead of the October summit.

The EU meanwhile aims to grant Britain a transition period until the end of 2020 allowing businesses and others time to adjust to a post-Brexit future.
After being reunited once, 16 families have been separated  again  at a detention center in Karnes, Texas.

The legal nonprofit RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) reports that while its staff was meeting with clients at Karnes County Detention Facility, where migrant fathers and sons are held together, on Aug. 15, RAICES staff members were suddenly evacuated. They later received a call from a detained dad who recounted that about 60 ICE officials  many armed and wearing gas masks  arrived to arrest the fathers with little explanation. Sixteen fathers were removed and brought to a different detention center.

I thought I would never see my father again, one of the children under 10 years old said on a press call organized by RAICES yesterday. It was an injustice because they told us they were not going to separate us again and they lied, another child added.

RELATED: Meet 5 Women Leading the Charge to Protect Immigrant Rights in Texas

When a RAICES attorney asked why the families were being re-separated, an ICE agent reportedly referenced disruptive behavior, which caused safety concerns. When asked to elaborate, the agents added that the fathers didn't want to "go with the flow and take their children to school" or "participate in activities." But RAICES believes the arrests were made in response to peaceful protests that up to 500 fathers and sons at the facility organized earlier this month that included a sit-in in the Karnes centers recreation center, hunger strikes, and some children refusing to attend classes. The protests were a response to frustration over being separated, then reunited, and now detained for extended periods of time in unjust conditions, according to a statement issued by RAICES.

One child on the RAICES call said that he was not treated poorly, but he could not bring himself to eat because he was too sad. Others described school conditions at the facility as lax, one child adding that he want to attend a real school to get an education. I dream of being free. I want to study. I want to go to school and be somebody in life. The boys said they aspire to be pilots, soldiers, and firemen.

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On Wednesday, August 15th, @ICEgov re-separated this boy from his father in retaliation for non-violent protests at Karnes Detention Center.

The audio below is his message to @realDonaldTrumps administration. No child belongs in detention. #FamiliesBelongTogetherANDFree pic.twitter.com/LdNvJxLWXQ  RAICES (@RAICESTEXAS) August 17, 2018

RELATED: Meet the Women Defending Migrant Children on Our Border

Its very clear that these people were coerced into agreeing to deportation, RAICES Communications Director Jennifer Falcon said after the children left the call. In a previous statement, Falcon has said, "Karnes County Detention Center is not a summer camp. It is an internment camp housing vulnerable fathers and sons jailed in their care. The same fathers who ICE has tricked into signing deportation agreements masked as reunification papers. In that earlier statement, Falcon also said that this is not the first time Karnes has reportedly abused its power. The last time a hunger strike happened  ICE held a meeting to let the fathers know if they continue to refuse to eat they would be classified as security risks or unavailable to care for their children and therefore separated from them.

When asked why these 16 specific families, mostly from Honduras and Guatemala, were targeted for arrests by ICE officials, RAICES Director of Family Detention Services Manoj Govindaiah said, We generally dont know why these 16 were chosen. He added that to RAICESs knowledge, all protests were peaceful. Older children were initially denied access to lawyers, while some children were denied contact with RAICES altogether.

I want to send a strong message to Donald Trump: Get us out of here, one child said on the call. We want our freedom.

Childrens responses have been translated from their native languages. For more information, visit raicestexas.org.
SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazil's main leftist party said Saturday it's sticking with former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as its presidential candidate even though the electoral court has thrown him off the ballot for an election just five weeks away.

Da Silva's vice presidential running mate, former Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad told reporters the Workers Party will continue pushing to somehow get da Silva, 72, who easily leads in the polls, back on the ballot.

"The people are sovereign regarding the party's candidate. And that candidate is Lula," Haddad said.

That strategy would keep da Silva in the spotlight until the absolute last minute, perhaps rallying support from backers that could then be transferred to a stand-in, likely Haddad, who is much less popular or charismatic.

The electoral court voted 6-1 early Saturday to reject da Silva's candidacy because of a corruption conviction that has been upheld on appeal. Da Silva and the party are appealing both the conviction and the electoral court ruling.

The ruling had been widely expected and there were no immediate street protests of the sort that occurred when the former president was initially arrested.

Da Silva, who was wildly popular when he left office on Jan. 1, 2011, is now a sharply polarizing figure. Many Brazilians still revere him for pulling millions from poverty during his eight years in power.

But he and the Workers' Party have lost much of that appeal over the last several years due to a stumbling economy under his hand-picked successor Dilma Rousseff and a sprawling corruption probe that has ensnared many top businessmen and politicians, including da Silva.

That division was clear in the reaction to the electoral court ruling.

"We have a big debt with Lula," said Thiago Renato, a 39-year-old IT specialist in the northeastern city of Recife.

"We trust him here. I will vote for whoever he endorses because then I will know who will have the biggest impact for the poor," he added. "I know Haddad, but I don't know him well. If he is the candidate, he will have my vote."

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At a Sao Paulo coffee shop, Alexandre Fonseca- 21 year old medical student, called the court decision an "unfortunate and fully expected ruling," one unlikely to be overturned on appeal.

"The party must unite behind Haddad or whoever will replace Lula, to win the elections and give continuity to his legacy," he said.

But Virginia Toledo, a 37-year-old housewife in Sao Paulo, said da Silva's ouster means "we have another reason to celebrate."

"First he was jailed and now his chances of returning to power have been eliminated," she said, while buying ice cream for her 10-year-old daughter

"We have to pray that Haddad or whoever the Workers' Party chooses as its candidate for president does not win the election," she added

The former president is serving a 12-year-sentence for corruption and money laundering after being convicted of trading favors with construction company Grupo OAS in exchange for the promise of a beach house apartment.

As part of the ruling, Justice Luis Roberto Barroso said the Workers' Party should replace da Silva within 10 days, and that he should not appear as a presidential candidate in free airtime that is given to political parties on nationwide TV and radio.

However the party used the first day of free campaign TV airtime on Saturday to denounce the electoral court ruling in a spot that featured filed footage of da Silva.

Left-leaning candidate Ciro Gomes of the Democratic Labor Party said the electoral court's ruling was "not a good thing for Brazil."

"No matter how much Lula is detested in some sectors and no matter how he is idolized in others, to prohibit the country's biggest popular leader from taking part in the electoral process is traumatic."
More bugs, more problems.

A new study published in the journal Science suggests that as the world warms due to human-caused climate change, more and more bugs will populate the globe.

And while that seems like nothing more than a disgusting inconvenience, a world with more bugs could mean bad things for human food supplies around the world.

SEE ALSO: Engineering Earth's climate might quell global warming, but it could come with a cost

A team of scientists led by Curtis Deutsche and Joshua Tewskbury examined how insects would affect three of the most important crops: rice, maize, and wheat.

They found that any increase in global temperature could lead to insect-driven losses of 10 to 25 percent, especially in places used to more moderate temperatures. A 2 degree Celsius rise in temperature could lead to 213 million ton loss in the three crops measured.

When the temperature increases, the insects' metabolism increases so they have to eat more, co-author Steve Merrill said in a statement. The relationship between insect metabolism and crop loss is direct and robust across all species, Deutsche said in an email. Thats why they were able to see such a strong correlation.

Summer wheat grows in a field right before the harvest season.

Image: Getty Images

However, from region to region, the way that heat will affect crops and insects will vary. For example, wheat grows best in cooler temperatures, so if the temperature rises, the wheat will face both a less favorable climate for growth and a higher insect population.

The impact on maize, however, will depend since the crop does well in different environments.

In more tropical climates, insects are already in their best environment for growth, so a rise in temperature would actually slow their metabolism down causing them to eat less, Merril explained. The same goes for rice as well since its grown in a tropical climate.

If you follow this scenario to its logical conclusion, the world's crops could be in serious trouble.

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The article estimates that rice, maize, and wheat account for 42 percent of the calories consumed by people worldwide. And if there is a shortage of something that feeds a good portion of the world, thats when conflict and starvation become a concern, especially in countries that already have high levels of food insecurity.

Countries with high losses to insects already are likely to feel the pinch more strongly, Deutsche explained. A 50 percent increase in pest consumption is going to be a much bigger deal to country thats already losing 20 percent of their crop to pests, versus a country only losing 5 percent.

This unfortunately has a strong overlap with the same countries that have high food insecurity, like African nations, he said.

Food insecurity is going to hit countries with high insect loss already. Even if rich countries like the United States will be hit the hardest by crop losses.

Image: Getty Images

There are ways around it, but that requires money.

Rich countries will be able to engineer more pesticides or pest-resistant crops. So even though the U.S., France, and China are likely to be hit the hardest according to Merrill's estimations, those are the countries that are most able to afford conducting the necessary research.

Rob Dunn, an ecologist unaffiliated with the study, said the real long-term solution is biodiversity  meaning we need to expand the number of crops we rely on. Humanity can no longer subsist on a few crops to feed billions, especially in the age of global warming.

What we need [to achieve biodiversity] is a global commitment to managing the sustainability and resilience of our crops and the species associated with them (the hundreds of thousands of species) as grand and ambitious as our efforts to destroy each other with the tools of war, Dunn said in an email.

Any research done in the field of biodiversity is from donations.

It isnt sexy. It isn't attractive to funders. And yet, better to be boring and fed, than hungry any day, Dunn said.

The issue is what to do next.

Our choice now is not whether or not we will allow warming to occur, but how much warming we're willing to tolerate, Deutsche said in a statement.
Finding that Texas and other states waited too long to challenge a program to spare hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented immigrants from deportation, a Texas federal judge on Friday added a new layer of judicial protection for the policy that has been in effect for more than six years but has been under challenge by the Trump Administration for almost a year.

The program is popularly known for its initials, DACA  Deferred Action for Children Arrivals  and the young immigrants taking part are often called Dreamers for their desire to grow to maturity in America.

Federal District Court Andrew S. Hanen of Brownsville, Texas, refused on Friday to stop the program even though he concluded that the program probably has been illegal since the Obama Administration set it up in June 2012.

His rejection of a plea by a coalition of 10 states led by Texas was a considerable surprise, because the same judge more than three years ago had barred the Obama Administration from even putting into effect a similar deferred deportation program for millions of older undocumented immigrants  the parents of children who have a legal right to be in the country or are U.S. citizens.

Hanens February 2015 ruling against that similar program (along with his ban at that time on a 2014 expansion of DACA) ultimately was upheld by the Supreme Court on a 4-to-4 tie. That had no effect on the legality of the underlying DACA program dating from 2012. The program gives those covered by the program legal presence in this country and authorization to work or study, but with no promise of U.S. citizenship.

Three other federal judges  in California, New York and Washington, D.C.  have blocked the plan of President Trump, started last September, to scuttle DACA altogether. Together with Judge Hanens new ruling protecting DACA, at least for the time being, this series of court decisions insulates from deportation an estimated 702,000 younger immigrants.

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If all those living in the country who are eligible to be in the program were now permitted to sign up, the total protected could be about double that number  about 1.5 million, Judge Hanen said. (None of the existing court rulings allows new applicants to sign up for DACA, but each does allow those already involved to renew their participation at two-year intervals.)

President Trump had given Congress six months to decide whether to rescue DACA from his plan to nullify it, but the lawmakers have not done so. While the program is highly popular across the nation and with many in Congress, the attempts among lawmakers to rescue it have been caught up in the prolonged controversy over the Trump plea to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Trump deadline to end the program, as of this past March, came and went because other federal judges were finding legal flaws in the way the Administration tried to end DACA.

Those other rulings, all by trial-level judges, are now under review in three separate federal appeals courts. After Judge Hanen issued his new ruling refusing to block the program in the form it has existed since 2012, he gave the challenging states or supporters of DACA 21 days to appeal his ruling to another appeals court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Because the DACA controversy is so highly charged emotionally, on both sides, its legality is expected to go to the Supreme Court in the not-distant future.

While other courts were ruling in ways to thwart the Trump shutdown plan, eight states and governors of two other states  with Texas in the lead  went into Judge Hanens court last December, seeking a ruling not that DACA had been illegally ended by the Trump Administration, but that it had been illegal since first adopted in 2012.

Reading through the 117 pages of Judge Hanens new ruling, it was very clear that he had all but finally agreed with those challengers basic legal arguments  that President Obamas creation of the program conflicted with federal immigration laws, and that it was put into place illegally because the public had not been given a chance to comment on it before it was adopted.

If and when the challenge goes to a full trial, the judge declared, the program would probably be struck down for those violations and would have to be ended at that point. But now, with the challengers seeking only a temporary order to block the continuation of the program while the case continued in his court, the judge ruled against the challengers.

He found that at least the state of Texas would be harmed by DACA, because it was having to pay out millions of dollars in public benefits to DACA recipients  for public schooling and for medical care  and because its own residents were losing out in jobs to immigrants who could be paid less. But the judge balanced that harm against the harm that he said would befall hundreds of thousands of young immigrants, who were in the country not at their own fault, had been relying on the continuation of the program for more than six years. Their harm outweighed that done to Texas, he ruled.

A strong factor, the judge made clear, was that Texas and its allies could have brought the same challenge to the original DACA program that they did to the other Obama deferred deportation policy, when they filed that case in December 2014. Instead, he said, they waited another four years  a total of six years since DACAs inception  to bring their challenge to DACA as it existed all during that time span.

While much of the Hanen opinion was sharply critical of the program under existing federal immigration laws, he refused to rule on whether it was unconstitutional as beyond the powers of the presidency. Instead, he found that President Obama lacked the authority under existing laws passed by Congress that control who may enter the country and who may stay.

If, as is expected, the DACA controversy goes to the Supreme Court for final resolution, the Court by then may have a full bench of nine Justices. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy retired at the end of July, and the replacement chosen by President Trump  Circuit Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh  has a good chance of winning Senate confirmation and being seated as a Justice before that case arrived.

When the Court last ruled on the Obama deferred deportation policy, in June 2016, the Court had only eight members following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. At that time, the Justices split 4-to-4, leaving intact Judge Hanens earlier ruling against the Obama Administration. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch has since joined the Court.

Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011 and has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com.
Broad agreement on what would be the world's biggest free trade deal is expected to be reached at a leaders' summit in Singapore in November, the city-state's trade minister said Saturday.

The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will cover about half the world's population and a third of its GDP, has taken centre stage as Washington embarks on a unilateral, protectionist agenda.

The RCEP is backed by China and notably excludes the US, which had been leading another regional pact -- the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- until President Donald Trump abandoned it on coming to office early last year.

Trump, whose administration has embarked on an America-first policy and is engaged in a tit-for-tat trade brawl with China, will skip two Asian summits in November, including one in Singapore.

RCEP trade ministers and negotiators met in Singapore on Thursday and Friday on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathering.

The RCEP will group the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It will become the world's biggest free trade pact if agreement is reached.

Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said the RCEP talks have reached their "most challenging stage" but maintained that an agreement was in sight.

"We are looking for that broad agreement, that milestone to be achieved, or what we call substantial conclusion, when the leaders meet at the end of the year," he said at a news conference Saturday, referring to the November summit.

"Just like climbing a mountain, as we go nearer and nearer to the summit, the climb can become steeper and more challenging," Chan said.

A diplomatic source said one possible sticking point is the degree to which countries are willing to open up their markets to each other for goods, services and investments.

For a deal to be reached, countries must work to narrow their differences and show flexibility to accommodate each other's concerns, Chan added.

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Beijing is keen to use Washington's rejection of the TPP to increase its influence in the region by backing the ASEAN-led RCEP and endorsing free trade.

RCEP is a more modest deal that prescribes lower and more limited regulatory standards.

The 11 remaining TPP members signed a slimmed down version of the agreement in March.
By Polina Ivanova MOSCOW (Reuters) - Thousands of people across Russia joined protests on Sunday against government plans to raise the pension age, despite recent promises by President Vladimir Putin to soften the unpopular measure. Sunday's protests show that the proposed policy remains a politically sensitive issue for the government despite concessions offered by Putin in a televised address on Wednesday. During the speech, Putin took personal responsibility for the reform for the first time and described it as a financial necessity. He ended his address by asking the Russian people for their understanding. Around 9,000 people gathered just a couple of kilometers (1.5 miles) from the Kremlin, according to White Counter, an NGO that counts participants at rallies, but Moscow police put the numbers at 6,000. Many carried the red flags and banners of the principal organizer of the protest, the KPRF Communist Party. A large banner reading "We do not trust United Russia", Putin's ruling party, was held up by the crowd and featured a drawing of a red fist punching the white polar bear logo of Putin's party. "Today we are holding an all-Russia protest against this cannibalistic reform," veteran Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said, addressing the crowd. He went on to list his party's proposals for raising money for the state budget, focused on taxing Russia's so-called oligarchs, instead of raising the retirement age. Speakers also voiced their support for the party's candidate in the Moscow mayoral election, which will be held on Sept. 9. A separate gathering in the city, organized by the Just Russia party, attracted a further 1,500 people protesting against the pension reforms, Moscow police said. In his address on Wednesday, Putin watered down the original draft pension reform legislation, introduced by the government on June 14, which opinion polls showed was opposed by 90 percent of Russians and which has provoked a string of protests in recent weeks. Polls by the Levada Centre show Putin's personal approval rating has fallen around 10 percentage points since the pension reforms were proposed, although it still stands at around 70 percent. Putin, who was re-elected in March, offered to cut the proposed retirement age for women to 60, from a retirement age of 63 first proposed by the government. Russian women currently retire at 55. Putin said that the proposal to raise the pension age for men from 60 to 65 would remain unchanged. Raising the retirement age would allow the government to pay out bigger pensions, Putin said, describing their current size as modest. The government says the average monthly pension will be 14,414 roubles ($212) by the end of the year, compared with 13,339 in July, as calculated by the Federal Statistics Service. Last year, a government provision set the average cost of living for pensioners at 8,496 roubles. NOT JUST IN MOSCOW Protests also took place across Russia In St Petersburg, the Fontanka newspaper said that around 1,500 people gathered to protest, while the Interfax News Agency said 1,200 joined a protest in Novosibirsk and 250 in Vladivostok. In Yekaterinburg in the Ural mountains, around 450 people took part in a demonstration entitled the "Regiment of Shame", during which protesters held portraits of politicians who have voiced their support for pension reform, local newspaper Nasha Gazeta said. In Russia's south, there were protests in the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, Astrakhan, Rostov-on-Don and in the capitals of the Caucasus republics of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria, according to Interfax. People also took to the streets in the town of Simferopol in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, Interfax added. Another series of protests, this time organized by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is due to take place on Sept. 9. Navalny was jailed for 30 days on Monday for breaking protest laws, a move he said was aimed at stopping him from leading the scheduled rally against pension reform. (Writing by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Until yesterday, Id never heard of the connection between pumpkin spice and constipation. But apparently, Im the only one. This week, so many people wanted to know whether pumpkin spice causes constipation that Google Trends showed that three of the top 10 queries containing pumpkin spice included the word constipation. Pumpkin spice made headlines this week because Starbucks broke out its iconic pumpkin spice latte earlier than usual, but there hadnt been anything in the news about unexpected gastrointestinal issues.

To set the record straight, the simple answer to the question is no, pumpkin spice almost certainly does not cause constipation. If anything, pumpkin spice ingredients like ginger and allspice will promote regularity, not to mention coffees reliable habit of moving bowels. But the reason people are even asking this bizarre question will lead you down the best kind of internet rabbit hole: a very stupid one. Come, join me.

Like all of the most prolific internet hoaxes, this one started as a Twitter meme. The most popular version of the meme says: September 22nd is the first day of Fall. Not today. Not tomorrow. Put down the pumpkin And stop being a life ruiner. P.S. Pumpkin spice causes constipation. That was it. Its your standard internet copypasta; one thats been replicated so many times, with each iteration creating so many subtle differences in language that its nearly impossible to figure out who said it first.

Here's just a handful of the pumpkin spice tweets.

In my attempt to find a clear point of origin, I started by finding the most recent use of the phrase:

Google Trends showed a spike in searches for "pumpkin spice constipation" on August 15.

Google Trends showed a spike on August 15, 2018. A search for new web posts on that date revealed one from the site me.me, which hosts thousands of mass-market memes, like Someecards. Its a basic Twitter screenshot meme.

This is the meme that caused the recent Google spike in searches for "pumpkin spice" and "constipation."

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The site posted the meme one day after Starbucks announced it would release the notorious pumpkin spice latte early, on August 28. This post explained the recent Google spike in people searching for pumpkin spice and constipation, but it didnt explain where the bizarre idea came from. Going back to last years PSL season yielded a couple of clues:

On September 12 2017, the Boston Globe cited the meme in a story on Pumpkin Spice Derangement Syndrome, pointing to this Instagram post from 11 days earlier:

The format of the image and the Helvetica Neue font make it clear that the original image was a screenshot of a tweet, while the pink background and light fading make it look like its been heavily filtered through a lifetime of subsequent screenshots and reposts. Based on this evidence, the meme had already been around for a while.

And indeed it had. An article published September 2, 2016, on The Odyssey Online, included this quotation in the kicker: P.S. Pumpkin spice gives you constipation!

The meme appeared to have originated on Twitter, so thats where I looked next. Before the Odyssey post or the Boston Globe shoutout, Twitter user CollinsRyan34 had posted what appears to be the earliest version of the meme on August 29, 2016.

September 22nd is the first day of Fall.

Not today.

Not tomorrow.

Put down the pumpkin and stop being a life ruiner.  RC (@CollinsRyan34) August 29, 2016

The word constipation is conspicuously absent from this, the Ur-tweet. So while it provides some evidence and a rough timeline, this tweet doesnt elucidate the constipation connection.

All was revealed in a tweet posted the next day by user @drownbackup.

September 22nd is the first day of Fall.

Not today.

Not tomorrow.

Put down the pumpkin.

P.S. Pumpkin Spice causes constipation.  john (@drownbackup) August 30, 2016

In a DM, @drownback said he didnt remember why he posted the meme, explaining, Im like 99% sure thats a copypasta.

But when pressed for where it may have originated, he recalled adding the note about constipation out of frustration with peoples affinity for pumpkin spice.

I took the copypasta and added that last line because it used to annoy the hell outta me that people were saying its fall when its August. So I would say theyre full of shit, he recalls. Lil wordplay action.

So there it is. Theres no science behind the pumpkin spice/constipation connection. Just a lone shit-poster doing his duty. The only mystery that remains is how exactly this version, which has received precisely two likes and one retweet in two years, birthed the meme. Its possible that other accounts went viral with it and have since been deleted, but for now, it appears that this strange Google constipation spike in can be attributed to one mans joke about how people who like pumpkin spice are full of shit.

Get it?

Photos via Flickr / Jemimus, Google Trends, me.me, Flickr / edgarzunigajr

More From Inverse
Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified a law granting authorities the right to monitor social media users in the country as part of tightening internet controls, the official gazette said Saturday.

Approved by parliament in July, the state's Supreme Council for Media Regulations will have the power to place people with more than 5,000 followers -- on social media or with a personal blog or website -- under supervision.

The council will be authorised to suspend or block any personal account which "publishes or broadcasts fake news or anything (information) inciting violating the law, violence or hatred".

The new law is one of a series of measures that rights groups say are aimed at curbing freedom of expression online, with the internet one of the last forums for public debate over Sisi's rule.

In August, the president signed off on another piece of legislation allowing authorities, through a judge, to order the blocking of websites that "constitute a threat" to Egypt's national security or economy.

Those who administer or visit such websites, intentionally or "in error without a valid reason", can now face jail time and fines.

The authorities have insisted that such measures are needed to help tackle instability and terrorism in the country.

But domestic and international rights activists regularly accuse the government of seeking to crush dissent by arresting critics and bloggers and blocking news sites.

More than 500 websites have already been blocked in Egypt prior to the new law, according to the Cairo-based Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression.
After a few beers, they decided to throw away the usual partisan political rule book and to do what they believed would best serve the nation: They would join as a team, a Biden-Kasich ticket in 2020  Biden for president and Kasich for vice president  with a joint promise to the American voters that they would serve only one term, and that neither would be a national candidate in 2024. They would make a commitment to take a timeout from politics-as-usual and unite the country in their single White House term.
Brussels (AFP) - The European Union on Sunday accused the Guatemalan government of President Jimmy Morales of taking a "step backward" by shutting down a UN mission investigating corruption in the central American country.

Morales said Friday he was not renewing the mandate of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) after it made a joint request with the state prosecutor's office to lift his presidential immunity as part of a probe into campaign finances.

"The decision by the Government of Guatemala not to renew the mandate of CICIG beyond 2019 constitutes a step backward in the consolidation of rule of law," a spokesperson for the EU's diplomatic arm said.

"In the last ten years this body, set up on request of the Guatemalan Government, has made an important contribution to the fight against corruption and impunity," the statement said.

"The European Union has been a staunch supporter of its work, in cooperation with the attorney general," the European External Service spokesperson said.

"We expect CICIG to be able to continue its full operation for the remainder of the period in accordance with its mandate," the statement added.

The EU pledged to continue backing Guatemala in bolstering the rule of law and developing its institutions in future to benefit all Guatemalans.

Both the UN mission and prosecutors presented evidence that Morales' FCN-Nacion party failed to report nearly one million dollars in financing to electoral authorities during his successful 2015 presidential campaign.

The omission would constitute illegal election financing.
NEW YORK (AP)  Ronan Farrow's former producer at NBC News says his old network breached its journalistic duty by failing to stick with the story of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's sexual misconduct.

Farrow instead took the story to the New Yorker, where he shared a Pulitzer Prize with the New York Times for the story that launched the #MeToo movement.

"As a journalist for 16 years I do know that when you have an explosive story you never let it walk out the door," said Rich McHugh, who just left NBC as an investigative producer, and issued a statement through lawyer Ari Wilkenfeld. "You keep digging for more so you can publish at your network."

McHugh's statement and interview with The New York Times ripped open a scab at NBC News. The network has said that it released Farrow to take the story elsewhere following a disagreement over whether he had enough material to go with it. Farrow, who was a freelancer when working on the story with NBC, is writing his own book about the issue.

McHugh said that when he and Farrow were about to interview a woman with a credible allegation of rape against Weinstein, "I was told not to do the interview and ordered to stand down, thus effectively killing the story. Those orders came to me from the highest levels of NBC. That was unethical, and a massive breach of journalistic integrity."

McHugh did not say who at NBC ordered him to stand down, and Wilkenfeld did not return a message asking for clarification.

NBC said that Farrow and McHugh asked for an NBC camera crew for the interview after it had already been decided that Farrow was taking the story elsewhere.

NBC said in a statement that when Farrow believed he had a story ready to go on the air, he did not have a single victim of misconduct by Weinstein, or witness, who was willing to be identified.

"Two months later, he published a strong piece that cited the following victims by name: Asia Argento, Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Lucia Evans, Emma de Caunes, Jessica Barth and Sophie Dix," NBC said. "Not one of these seven women was included in the reporting Farrow presented while at NBC News."

NBC said it was an "outright lie" that it tried to kill the Weinstein story while Farrow was working on it.
Venice (AFP) - The first feature film to touch on the Paris jihadist attacks premiered Friday at the Venice film festival just months after another was pulled over protests by survivors.

"Amanda" tells the story of a young man who is left to look after his seven-year-old niece after her mother is killed in an attack on a Paris park.

Although the attack itself is fictional, the film by French director Mikhael Hers draws on the shock and trauma in the French capital after the November 13, 2015, massacres in which 130 people died.

French public television was forced in December to put on ice a controversial love story starring Sandrine Bonnaire set on the night of the killings at the Bataclan concert venue.

Although "Ce soir-la" (That Night) had by then finished shooting, executives promised it would not be shown until all of the survivors and families of victims were consulted following protests.

Claire Peltier, the partner of one the people murdered at the Eagles of Death Metal concert, had set up a petition calling for the "scandalous" film to be shelved.

She said it was far too soon for "such a painful" story to be revisited.

But the makers of the new film told AFP that "Amanda" was not directly about the 2015 attacks but rather about the trauma they created in those left behind.

Hers insisted that he wanted to "bear witness to the Paris of today" and the movie only "comes partly from the attacks".

"The attacks had a powerful impact on people. Unconsciously there's the fear of a shooting whenever you hear a loud bang; there's a hazy tremor of insecurity when you're on a cafe terrace or in a crowded public place," he added.

- Did not talk to survivors -

First reviews of the film were generally positive, with the Hollywood Reporter calling it a "quietly moving celebration of human resilience" even if its "tasteful understatement" was sometimes too low-key for its own good.

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The producers admitted that Hers did not "sit down and talk to the survivors one-on-one but he read all their official testimonies".

"He didn't want to make a direct comparison between his characters and the experiences of the victims," a spokesman told AFP.

Hers said the film "fits into a much bigger picture of a period when people are tormented by an awareness of our fragility".

Sociologist Gerome Truc, author of "Shell Shocked: the Social Response to Terrorist Attacks", who worked with the film, said it was more a portrait of the "Bataclan generation" in post-attacks Paris.

While the aftermath of a fictional attack in Paris is briefly shown, the film is "about all terrorist attacks and the ordeal that an attack represents", he said.

The main focus of the story is the relationships between the young uncle and his niece (Vincent Lacoste and Isaure Multrier), and his wounded musician girlfriend played by Stacey Martin.

"The story of David and Amanda is set in Paris, but it could be London, Baghdad or Bombay," Truc said.

Netflix screened a documentary mini-series, "Attack on Paris", in May based on testimony from dozens of survivors, and the bestseller "You Will Not Have My Hate", a moving rebuke to the attackers by Antoine Leiris, the husband of one of the victims, has been adapted for the stage.
By Joseph White DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co has abruptly killed a plan to sell a Chinese-made small vehicle in the United States because of the prospect of higher U.S. tariffs, the head of the automaker's North American operations said Friday. The automaker's decision came as U.S. President Donald Trump is escalating a trade battle with China, threatening to impose duties on another $200 billion in Chinese goods. The Trump administration has already imposed duties on Chinese-made vehicles of up to 25 percent. Trump is separately evaluating a proposal to impose tariffs on all imported vehicles on national security grounds. The Chinese-made Focus Active, which Ford calls a crossover, would have been a niche vehicle for the United States, and the decision to abandon plans to launch it in the U.S. market next year will not cost jobs or have a significant impact on the automaker's U.S. sales, Ford North America chief Kumar Galhotra told reporters during a conference call on Friday. "It basically boils down to how we deploy our resources," Galhotra said. Given the prospect of high tariffs, the Focus Active's costs in the U.S. "would be substantially higher." Asked when the decision was taken, Galhotra said, "we just made it. Literally." Plans to build and sell the Focus Active in Europe and China will move ahead, Galhotra said. Ford's decision to abandon the Focus Active contrasts with the effort by rival General Motors Co to seek an exemption to new, 25 percent U.S. tariffs on its Buick Envision utility vehicle. The Envision is a larger vehicle than the Focus Active, with a starting price of about $35,000. Ford had not set a U.S. price for the compact Focus Active, but it would have competed in a segment where prices start at around $20,000, leaving less profit margin to absorb additional import duties. Ford and its rivals also are closely watching the outcome of negotiations toward a revised North American Free Trade Agreement, which continued on Friday. A Ford spokesman declined to comment on proposed changes to NAFTA auto trade rules, and Galhotra did not address them. Ford in April said it would drop most of its traditional passenger car models for the North American market, and dropped an earlier plan to import Focus sedans from China. About 95 percent of the vehicles Ford sells in the U.S. are assembled in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, Galhotra said. The company U.S. dealers get the EcoSport small sport utility from India and Transit Connect small vans from Spain. "At the moment we do not see any significant risk to those products," Galhotra said. (Reporting By Joe White; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
(Reuters) - Divers searched the Colorado River in Arizona on Sunday for four people missing after two boats slammed head-on into each other, flinging all aboard into the water, sinking both vessels and injuring nine people, police said on Sunday. The collision happened on Saturday night near Arizona's border with California when a boat with 10 people and a craft carrying six people collided. Several people were rescued by nearby boaters, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said. Divers were set to search up until sundown on Sunday for the four missing, the sheriff's office said. "This is technically a diving mission looking for potential drowning victims," Sheriff Doug Schuster said at a news conference. He said it was possible that the missing - one male and three females - had made it to the shore. The cause of the accident was under investigation, Schuster said. Two people were critically injured in the crash, the sheriff's office said, including one person who was airlifted from the scene with a head injury. The others aboard the boats were not seriously injured and did not need to go to a hospital, authorities said. The sheriff's office had previously said 10 people were injured. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Editing by Peter Cooney and Bill Trott)
Paris (AFP) - France's agriculture minister has urged British fishermen to keep out of contested scallop-rich waters near the French coast that were the scene of clashes between competing boats this week.

Stephane Travert said he had spoken with his British counterpart George Eustice over the latest skirmish in the so-called "Scallops Wars", indicating and the sides would try to reach a deal at talks next week.

French fishermen are incensed that British scallop boats are accessing the fertile waters off the mouth of the river Seine -- with French boats only allowed to fish there between October to May to protect stocks.

Speaking to Europe 1 radio station on Friday, Travert condemned the violence and said he had asked British boats keep out of the contested area off France's northern coast.

"Because I am defending French fishermen and our fishing industry, I asked my English counterpart to see to it that English fishermen keep out of the area ... where the clashes took place, until we have the necessary talks and meetings to find a solution," Travert said.

The talks, which will focus on an area of the sea between the French towns of Barfleur and Antifer, will take place in London, according to Normandy fishing chief Dimitri Rogoff.

Rogoff accused British fishermen of exploiting a loophole in a deal struck to regulate scollop fishing in the area, which exempts British boats less than 15 metres (50 foot) long from restrictions.

"It's a loophole that we've been condemning for five years," Rogoff told AFP.

The years-long dispute boiled over early Tuesday when five heavily-outnumbered British boats sparred with dozens of French vessels in waters around 12 nautical miles off the French coast.

Fishermen from both sides hurled stones and insults while some of the boats also rammed each other, and flares were set off, video footage showed.

Officials in French fishing ports have expressed fears the violence could be repeated elsewhere.

"My fear is that this will happen again soon because everyone is very angry," warned Laurent Jacques, the mayor of Le Treport in Normandy.
Associated Press

Police smashed their way into a suburban house on Wednesday and rescued a 4-year-old girl whose disappearance from her family's camping tent on Australia's remote west coast more than two weeks ago both horrified and captivated the nation. Officials wept with relief after seeing body camera video of a police officer scooping up the girl, Cleo Smith, and hearing her say, My name is Cleo. A 36-year-old local man was arrested after the late-night raid at the house in the coastal town of Carnarvon, which followed a tip to police on Tuesday.
Former President George W. Bush memorialized Arizona Sen. John McCain on Saturday as an honorable friend and leader who was honest, courageous and not afraid to speak out against bigots and swaggering despots.

John was above all a man with a code. He lived by a set of public virtues that brought strength and purpose to his life and to his country, the 43rd president said during a memorial service at the National Cathedral in Washington.

He was courageous, with a courage that frightened his captors and inspired his countrymen. He was honest, no matter who it offended  presidents were not spared, he said, drawing laughs.

Former President George W. Bush speaks during a memorial service for Sen. John McCain at the National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday. (Photo: Mark Wilson via Getty Images)

Back in the day, he could frustrate me, and I know hed say the same thing about me, he said, appearing to draw a laugh from McCains wife, Cindy McCain. But he also made me better.

Former President Barack Obama echoed a similar sentiment during his own eulogy at the service, stating that McCain made us better presidents  just as he made the Senate better. Just as he made the country better.

President Donald Trump  who appeared to be a target of many of the services eulogies  clashed with McCain during his presidency and did not attend the service.

Bush, who successfully ran against McCain for the White House in 2000, emphasized that it was the Vietnam veterans loyalty to his country and respect to his fellow human being, whether its friend or foe, that made him so great.

Bush memorialized the late Senator as a great friend and leader who was honest, courageous and not afraid to speak out against bigots and despots. (Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

He was honorable. Always recognizing that his opponents were still patriots and human beings. He loved freedom with a passion of a man who knew its absence. He respected the dignity inherent in every life, a dignity that does not stop at borders and cannot be erased by dictators, he said. Perhaps above all, John detested the abuse of power. He could not abide bigots and swaggering despots; there was something deep inside of him that made him stand up for the little guy, to speak for forgotten people, in forgotten places.

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Bush concluded his speech by stating that though the senator has moved on, his legacy will continue.

He would probably not want us to dwell on it, but we are better for his presence among us. The world is smaller for his departure, and we will remember him as he was: unwavering, undimmed, unequal.

Related...

Here's Who Will Serve As Pallbearers At John McCain's Washington Memorial

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Obama Asks Americans To Rise Above Petty Politics During John McCain Eulogy

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A federal judge has temporarily blocked the opening of the first grizzly bear hunts around Yellowstone National Park in more than 40 years.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensens order came just two days before hunting season was scheduled to start in Idaho and Wyoming. Though the order will only remain in effect for 14 days, it is just the beginning of a battle over whether officials were right to remove the animals endangered species protections in the first place. In 2017, Interior Secretary Ryan Zincke officially delisted Yellowstone grizzlies, citing data showing that their populations had increased to levels that no longer warranted protection.

Were thrilled, said Mike Garrity, the executive director for plaintiff Alliance for the Wild Rockies, in an interview with the Associated Press of Christensens ruling. Now the judge has time to rule without grizzly bears being killed starting Saturday morning.

Grizzly populations have increased since 1975, but many argue their current numbers don't warrant delisting.

Historically, grizzly bears numbered around 50,000 and roamed most of North America. Widespread hunting and trapping caused their populations to decline drastically in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and human development limited their range to a small area in and around Yellowstone. There were just 136 bears isolated in the region when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services listed the animals as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. (A population of around 12,000 grizzlies left in Alaska was considered a distinct group.)

By 2017, conservation efforts had helped the number of Yellowstone bears bounce back to around 700. The number was important, because federal protections could be withdrawn if the population was self sustaining. In other words, if enough baby bears were born each year to offset the deaths, management of the animals could be passed on to states. And by doing so, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke opened the doors to hunting grizzlies in the states where they live. Idaho and Wyoming allowed up to 22 bears to be killed each year. Before Christenen announced his temporary ban, the first hunting season was all set to start on September 1, with a second one starting September 15.

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Clearly, not everyone agrees that the grizzly is out of the woods yet. Wildlife advocates, including legendary environmentalist Jane Goodall, and Native American tribes argue that the bears still face threats to their survival and cant withstand too much killing. Bears have a notoriously slow birth rate,so their population may need more time to fully recover. Furthermore, invasive lake trout has also crowded out the native trout species that bears eat, and insect infestation and rising temperatures have decreased the number of whitebark pine trees that provide seeds the bears rely on for nutrition just before hibernation. Moreover, attacks on livestock and humans already force wildlife officials to euthanize several bears each year.

In July, officials in Montana also decided against allowing a grizzly hunt.

The people of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are not willing to tolerate bears roaming out of the park, though. The NRA and hunting group Safari Club International say that killing a limited number of bears would be a benefit to public safety. In a 2017 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Gardiner, Montana outfitter Edwin Johnson said: They need to be hunted so that they fear the scent of humans, rather than following it as they do now,

It cant be denied that the Yellowstone grizzly revival since 1975 is actually a huge conservation win, especially compared to other species that are still in serious need of federal protection. Still, the question of whether to delist grizzlies remains contentious. In fact, it has been raised several times in the past: They were even removed from the endangered species list in 2007, but that decision was overturned in court.

In July, Montana wildlife officials also decided against holding a grizzly hunt this year. It seems like Idaho and Wyoming will have to reconsider their hunting permits soon too.

Photos via Pixabay (1, 2, 3)

More From Inverse
Compensation  Nick Hawkins said Thomas Cook compensated him last year after he became ill with food poisoning while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, where a British couple recently died (Picture: AP)

Thomas Cook compensated a holidaymaker last year after he became ill with food poisoning while staying at the same Egypt hotel where a British couple recently died.

Nick Hawkins, 51, says he was paid 2,000 after a doctor diagnosed Salmonella following a seven-night holiday at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in June 2017.

The hotel hit the headlines recently after John and Susan Cooper, who were both in their 60s and from Burnley, Lancashire, died on August 21 this year while staying there.

Their deaths prompted Thomas Cook to move 300 guests out of the hotel 24 hours later as a precaution.

Mr Hawkins, a warehouse manager from Witham, Essex, said he became ill early during his holiday to the same hotel last year.

Audit  Thomas Cook has audited the hotel where the Coopers were staying (Picture: Getty)

He said: It ruined my holiday. Luckily we were only staying for seven nights or I think I would have ended up in hospital in Egypt.

He added: When I got back my doctor diagnosed Salmonella. It must have come from the hotel because we had an all-in package deal and the only food Id eaten was in the hotel.

MORE: Trumps slump  Disapproval ratings for US president hit new high and half of Americans favour impeachment

MORE: Learner driver banned before even passing his test after leading police on 105mph chase

Mr Hawkins said the holiday cost around 2,500 and Thomas Cook agreed to pay him 2,000 compensation after negotiations.

I dont know if anyone else was ill while I was there and I dont know if any investigation was carried out, he said, adding that while the hotel seemed pretty clean he would not stay there again.

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said Mr Hawkins had been compensated after returning home.

She said: The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our first priority and we would never send customers to a hotel which we do not believe to be safe.

She said it was standard procedure for hotel checks to be carried out if a holidaymaker had become ill and was compensated.

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Results on checks at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel following the Coopers deaths are expected soon, Thomas Cook has said.

Staff are expected to received audit results from the Hurghada hotel within the next few days.

The spokeswoman said Thomas Cook audits its 3,000 core hotels every year.

She said the Steigenberger Aqua Magic had been audited in July, and again after Mr and Mrs Cooper died.

The spokeswoman said the firm had removed 47 hotels from its core hotel list for health and safety reasons and another 150 which did not meet our strict quality criteria.
Why the shift? O'Shea argues that the ban hurts locally owned hardware stores in his far Southwest Side neighborhoods by encouraging legitimate customers to shop at competitors in nearby suburbs. "I believe graffiti's a problem, he says. But people are going to go wherever they need to go to get spray paint. The fact there might be a shop closer to them in the city  we need to do more to help our small business owners."
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday rejected a Reuters report that Tehran has moved missiles to Iraq, saying it aimed to hurt Iran's ties with neighbors, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported. "Such false and ridiculous news have no purpose other than affecting Iran's foreign relations, especially with its neighbors," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, according to IRNA. Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources have told Reuters that Iran has given ballistic missiles to Shi'ite proxies in Iraq and is developing the capacity to build more there. "This news is solely aimed at creating fears in the countries of the region," Qassemi added. Any sign that Iran is preparing a more aggressive missile policy in Iraq will exacerbate tensions between Tehran and Washington, already heightened by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. It would also embarrass France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, as they have been trying to salvage the agreement despite new U.S. sanctions against Tehran. According to three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources, Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the last few months. Five of the officials said it was helping those groups to start making their own. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; editing by Andrew Roche)
Baqaa refugee camp (Jordan) (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's cut to funds for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has sparked fears in Jordan's largest refugee camp, where tens of thousands depend on its aid for survival.

"Our country is gone and now they're coming after our livelihoods," said Zeinab al-Ardaba, a resident of Jordan's Baqaa camp.

She is one of the nearly 119,000 Palestinian refugees living in the sprawling camp just north of the capital Amman, where snaking narrow alleyways are strewn with rubbish and wastewater.

Her face lined with age and wrapped in a blue headscarf, the 78-year-old grandmother of five has lived in the camp since it was built after the Six Day War in 1967.

"How will Trump face God on judgement day?" she asked.

"Where should we go? They're even coming after our livelihoods in our camps... How are we supposed to pay for schools if we can't even make ends meet?"

Washington, which until last year was by far the biggest contributor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said Friday it would no longer fund the "irredeemably flawed operation".

The US has backed Israel in accusing UNRWA of perpetuating the Middle East conflict by maintaining the idea that millions of Palestinians are refugees with a right to return to homes in what is now Israel.

For Palestinians, the right of return for the hundreds of thousands displaced in 1948 and 1967 -- and their descendants -- is central to their cause.

While most of the Baqaa's residents were displaced in 1967, when Israel took over the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, some are refugees twice over, having first lost their homes in the violence surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.

"Only God knows the difficult conditions we face in this camp... how we eat and live," said Zeinab.

"It's hard to find work and many people are unemployed and have no money... live is difficult, very difficult."

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- 'We will remain' -

Palestinians and their supporters say UNRWA provides crucial services for the poor and that it must continue operating until a just solution is reached for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Created in 1949, the agency supplies aid to more than three million of the five million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

Jordan hosts nearly 2.2 million Palestinian refugees, according to the UN, who make up nearly half of the kingdom's total population.

Washington's "unfair and irresponsible decision will have a huge affect on the lives of Palestinians," said 80-year-old Hussein Abu Shanaan, who lives in the camp with his four children and nearly 20 grandchildren.

"But whatever they do to us, we Palestinians will remain," he added, his voice frail.

Set up as a temporary shelter with 5,000 tents after the 1967 war, Baqaa now looks more like a city, with 16 schools and two health centres.

"If the Americans don't want to help us, they can return our country, land and property," said 70-year-old widow Najiya Faraj.

"Our families once owned large houses, farms and animals -- today, we're begging for aid."

Faraj and her 13 children live on just $150 (130 euros) a month.

"More than half a century after they displaced us from our homes, they're coming for our lives and our livelihoods. What do they want from us?"

Leaving a shop after buying bread for his family, 33-year-old father of two Hani al-Jebarat looked distressed.

"God help these people. They can barely find bread to feed their children... what will happen to these children?" he asked, shaking his head as he walked away.
AMSTERDAM (AP)  The Latest on stabbings at Amsterdam's main train station (all times local):

10 p.m.

Amsterdam city officials say a man who was shot by police after two people were stabbed at the main railway station is a 19-year-old Afghan citizen and investigators are including an extremist attack as a possible motive.

The city's local government said in a statement issued late Friday that the suspect is being questioned at the hospital where he is being treated under guard.

The people stabbed at Central Station around noon also were transported to a hospital. Police didn't release details about any of the three's conditions.

The city statement says the suspect had a German residence permit and Amsterdam police are in contact with authorities in Germany.

___

4:55 p.m.

An Amsterdam police spokesman says two people were stabbed at the city's busy Central Station when a man walked into a group of people.

Police spokesman Rob van der Veen said the violence happened shortly after noon.

He says: "Something happened, we don't know yet what, but during that two people were stabbed and one person with a knife in his hand walked away and he was shot by police," Van der Veen said.

All three people were taken to a hospital. Police didn't release details about their conditions.

Van der Veen said forensics experts are combing the scene hours after the attack and detectives are investigating the man's motive.

___

2:25 p.m.

Police in Amsterdam say "all possible scenarios are being kept open" as they investigate a stabbing attack at the city's busy central railway station that injured two people.

Amsterdam police said in a series of tweets that a suspect was shot by officers. The suspect and the people stabbed were taken to a hospital.

Police said two train platforms were closed, but the station wasn't evacuated. Trams to and from the square in front of the station were stopped as police and emergency services converged on the area.

Story continues

Red and white police tape kept members of the public away from the scene.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to the Dutch capital, with regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week, with many tourists arriving for the weekend.

___

1:15 p.m.

Police in the Dutch capital shot and wounded a suspect Friday following a stabbing at Amsterdam's busy central railway station.

Amsterdam police said in a series of tweets that two people were injured in the stabbing and the suspect was then shot by officers. All three people were taken to a hospital.

Police said that two platforms were closed to train traffic, but the station wasn't evacuated.

The motive for the stabbing wasn't immediately clear. Further details weren't available.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to the Dutch capital, with regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week, with many tourists arriving for the weekend.

1:00 p.m.

Police in the Dutch capital say they have shot and wounded a suspect following a stabbing at Amsterdam's busy central railway station.

Police tweeted Friday that two people were injured in the stabbing. A tunnel under the station's tracks was closed following the incident.

The motive for the stabbing wasn't immediately clear. Further details weren't immediately available.

Police in the Dutch capital shot and wounded a suspect Friday after he stabbed two people at Amsterdam's busy central railway station.

Hours after the incident, police said they were still investigating a possible motive for the attack and weren't excluding any possible scenarios.

Police spokesman Rob van der Veen said the violence happened shortly after noon (1000 GMT; 6 a.m. EDT) at the busy Central Station in downtown Amsterdam when a man walked into a group of people.

"Something happened, we don't know yet what, but during that two people were stabbed and one person with a knife in his hand walked away and he was shot by police," Van der Veen said.

All three people were taken to a hospital. Police didn't release details about their conditions.

Van der Veen said forensics experts were still combing the scene hours after the attack and detectives were investigating the man's motive.

Two platforms were temporarily closed to train traffic, but the station wasn't evacuated. Trams to and from the square in front of the station were stopped as police and emergency services converged on the area. Red and white police tape kept members of the public away from the scene.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to the Dutch capital, with regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week, with many tourists arriving for the weekend.

____

Associated Press writer Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian state media said loud blasts coming from an airbase early on Sunday were from an explosion at an ammunitions dump caused by an electrical problem, but an official in the regional alliance backing Damascus said they were from Israeli strikes. The state media cited a military source as saying there was no "Israeli aggression" directed at the Mezzeh airbase near Damascus, after the sound of explosions was heard across the Syrian capital. The official had said the blasts were caused by Israeli missile fire from across the Golan Heights frontier between the two countries and by Syrian air defenses responding. A war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also attributed the blasts to Israeli strikes, which it said caused deaths and injuries. Israel has previously acknowledged having carried out air strikes in Syria aimed at degrading the capacity of Iran and its allies, including Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah group, which are backing Assad in the country's seven-year civil war. There was no immediate comment from Israel on reports of Sunday's blasts or that it was behind them. In May, it said it attacked nearly all of Irans military infrastructure in Syria after Iranian forces fired rockets at Israeli-held territory for the first time in the most extensive military exchange ever between the two adversaries. (Reporting By Angus McDowall, Laila Bassam and Mohamed el Sharif; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Half of Americans support the impeachment of Donald Trump, as the presidents unpopularity reaches a fresh high, according to a new poll.

In findings that will represent more bad news for the White House, the poll found 49 per cent of those asked believed Congress should begin impeachment proceedings, while 46 per cent were opposed to such an idea.

The Washington Post-ABC News poll also found Mr Trumps disapproval rating had hit a new level  a full 60 per cent. At the same time, it found a clear majority of Americans supported special counsel Robert Muellers ongoing probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign, an investigation the president has repeated denounced as a witch hunt.

The findings of the poll come at a crucial point in Mr Trumps presidency. There is widespread speculation among some in the US media that Mr Mueller could publish the findings of his 14-month inquiry at any time.

Meanwhile, the country is little more than 60 days away from the midterms elections that could have a huge impact on Mr Trumps future. Most political analysts believe the Democrats are more likely to retake control of the House of Representatives, then the Republicans are to hold it.

It is in the house, the lower chamber of congress, that any impeachment proceeding would begin, as it did when Republicans sought to impeach Bill Clinton in 1998.

While the Democratic leadership has to this point steered clear of raising the issue of impeachment, concerned it could turn off moderate Republicans and independents who would see it as a step too far, it is likely that pressure to begin such proceedings would intensify if the Democrats took control.

In recent days, there have been a series of reports suggesting the White House is scrambling to strengthen its legal resources amid fears Mr Trump has failed to appreciate the danger he faces if Democrats retake control of the house and trigger impeachment proceedings. One supporter said officials feared that winter is coming.

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With Mr Trump announcing this week that White House counsel Don McGahn will leave once the Senate confirms Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, reports suggest the outgoing lawyer wants Emmet Flood to replace him. Mr Flood who worked previously for George W Bush, and, crucially, for Mr Clinton during his 1998 impeachment hearings, was hired by the White House this spring.

Mr Trumps lead lawyer, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani told Time that Mr Flood would be an excellent choice and the two men had an excellent relationship. From the very beginning they sort of hit if off, he said.

Reports suggest that Mr Trump is failing to adequately prepare a legal war room ahead of several months that could bring very bad news for the president. The president, both in public and reportedly in private, believes that special counsel Robert Muellers probe into alleged collusion with Russia will clear him.

On Friday, a business partner of Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian indicted by Mr Mueller, pleaded guilty to failing to register as a lobbyist for a pro-Kremlin political party in Ukraine and agreed to cooperate with Mr Muellers probe.

Samuel Patten, 47, also admitted to soliciting a US citizen to act as a straw purchaser to buy tickets to the inauguration of President Donald Trump for a Ukrainian oligarch, circumventing a law restricting such purchases by foreigners.

The plea agreement raises the prospect Patten will be called to testify against Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chief who faces a second trial in Washington next month, or Mr Kilimnik, who was indicted for witness tampering in the same case.

The charge Patten pleaded guilty to  violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) by not disclosing lobbying work for Ukrainian politicians  is similar to one of the core allegations against Manafort at his upcoming trial. He has denied the charges against him.

As Mr Muellers investigation inches closer to the White House, experts say that at this point, it may be difficult for Mr Trump to attract top quality legal help  given the challenges he faces.

Its always difficult to bring on top talent in the context of possible impeachment proceedings, Bradley Moss, a Washington-based national security lawyer told The Independent.

Mr Trump, however, has a less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to listening to his lawyers advice or keeping quiet on matters that pose significant legal jeopardy.

He added: Most of the top quality attorneys who a president would want on his staff at this point are either already representing other officials caught up in the Mueller probe or simply are not willing to put their reputations on the line for Mr Trump.
Lagos (AFP) - Nigeria's decision to order South African telecoms giant MTN to repay billions of dollars that it had allegedly illegally repatriated over a period of eight years could sour investor sentiment towards the country as it still struggles to recover from a deep recession two years ago, analysts say.

In a shock announcement last Wednesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered MTN to repay $8.13 billion because it had not obtained the necessary permission to repatriate the funds between 2007 and 2015.

The four banks involved in transferring the funds from MTN's bank accounts in Nigeria to those in South Africa were fined a combined 5.87 billion nairas ($16.2 million, 14 million euros).

With the economy still fragile after a deep recession in 2016 and elections looming early next year, many private sector players in Nigeria believe the move could dent investor sentiment at an already difficult time for foreign investment in the country, analysts said.

"Anything of that magnitude, particularly given the timing ahead of an election... is certainly going to raise suspicions from international investors," said Alastair Jones, analyst at London-based New Street Research.

For Peter Takaendesa, Cape Town-based portfolio manager at Mergence Investment Managers, the situation was untenable.

"Investors want certainty in terms of laws. There's no way MTN will find $8 billion to put in Nigeria. There has to be a resolution," Takaendesa said.

For the time being, MTN does not appear to have any intention of reviewing its presence in Nigeria, which is by far its biggest individual market and makes up a huge chunk -- 27 percent -- of its revenues.

It boasts double-digit growth rates there and has more than 52 million subscribers in 2017 -- 42 percent of the Nigerian market.

- 'Can't leave Nigeria' -

MTN Nigeria has already earmarked investment of 180 billion nairas ($497 million) this year for the expansion of its network.

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"Of course, Nigeria is their biggest market, they can't leave today," said Nonso Obikili, a Nigerian economist based in South Africa.

Nevertheless, the CBN order to repay the cash could give MTN pause for thought and could even at some point persuade them to reconsider, the economist suggested.

"The message they're (the CBN) sending to possible investors is a bigger loss and at some point MTN will say 'this is the end'," he said.

South Africa-based independent telecoms expert Spiwe Chireka pointed out that another South African telecoms giant, Telkom, had also experienced difficulties in trying to move into the Nigerian market.

Telkom "went in and spent who knows how many billions and ended up having to sell it for $10 million and having to get out of there," he said.

Telkom acquired a majority stake in the private Nigerian operator Multi-Links in 2007 and then bought full control in 2009. But the Nigerian firm has never made a profit, compelling Telkom to make massive writedowns on its investment.

Chireka said that while Nigeria "has a lot of business potential, it is one of the most difficult markets to operate in."

Riddled with corruption, offering little legal protection, and burdened by protectionist economic policies inherited from various military dictatorships, Nigeria ranks 145 out of a total 190 on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index.

The CBN decision is not the first time that MTN has been sanctioned by the Nigerian authorities.

In 2015, MTN was fined $5.2 billion by Nigeria's telecoms regulator NCC for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards on its network.

The fine was later reduced to $1.7 billion after a series of negotiations with the Nigerian government.

Aurelien Mali, risk analysis expert for Africa at Moody's, said that "by attacking MTN, the Nigerian regulator wants to show that investors can't simply do as they want."

In theory at last, the order to repay the funds does not automatically translate into a financial loss for MTN.

But in reality, the exact loss depends on how far the naira has fallen during the period in question. In this case, the naira has lost around half of its value between 2007 and 2015, meaning MTN stands to lose around $4 billion.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Sunday with a US envoy for Syria for talks on the war-ravaged country and Iran, his office said.

Netanyahu discussed "the situation in Syria and the joint effort to stop Iran's terror and aggression" with James Jeffrey, the US special representative for Syria engagement, said a statement.

Ahead of the visit, the US State Department said Jeffrey, accompanied by US special envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn, would discuss "maintaining Israel's security while countering Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region".

Jeffrey and Rayburn would travel on to Jordan and Turkey, where they would reiterate the US position against a military offensive in Idlib, the State Department said.

The two "will also address Russia's specious allegations of international plans to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria" in their meetings across the region, according to the State Department.

Iran is backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war along with Russia and Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.
Aden (AFP) - Yemen's warring parties will not meet face-to-face at UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva this week which will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal, government officials said Sunday.

The United Nations has invited Yemen's government and the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to Geneva for talks which open Thursday.

Both parties have confirmed they are sending high-level delegations to the talks, but officials say expectations of a breakthrough are low.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths has said the talks are aimed at charting a path forward to revive UN-backed negotiations which broke down in 2016.

The Yemeni government says the talks will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of embattled Hodeida, the rebel-held port city that is now the frontline of the Yemen war.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani told AFP the meetings "will not be face-to-face and depend on how well the UN envoy manages the two sides".

"The consultations will be indirect, unless there is some progress that can be made directly," said Abdullah al-Olaimi, head of Yemen's presidential office and a member of the Geneva delegation.

- Prisoner swap deal -

Yemen's government has openly said it has low expectations for the talks, blaming the Huthis for refusing to make concessions.

"Our expectations are limited to the possibility of progress in the question of prisoners and detainees," Yamani said.

"I think this is the chance to succeed in securing the release of prisoners, and I believe the other party is also willing and ready."

The UN has likewise set a low bar for the talks -- the first since 106 days of negotiations in Kuwait failed to yield an agreement between the government and rebels back in 2016.

"The aim of this first round of consultations is to better understand how committed both parties are to the framework for formal negotiations... and to come to some conclusions about how those negotiations may start," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

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In July, the Yemeni government demanded the release of all prisoners held by the Huthis as a condition for the start of peace talks.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government source said the delegation would demand the release of 5,000 prisoners while the rebels were hoping for the liberation of 3,000 of their fighters.

Rights group Amnesty International in July said it feared violations in a string of Yemeni prisons could amount to war crimes.

The prisons, according to Amnesty, are run by the UAE, the Yemeni government's most powerful partner on the ground.

The UAE has denied involvement in any prisons in Yemen.

Backed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, the government of Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has battled the Huthis for more than three years in what is widely seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran.

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition in June launched a major offensive to capture Hodeida from the Huthi rebels, sparking fears of a fresh humanitarian crisis.

Hodeida is home to Yemen's most valuable port on the Red Sea. The port, controlled by the rebels, is under blockade by the Saudi-led coalition, which has allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance in recent weeks.
Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis on Sunday warned of a "human catastrophe" in the Syria's Idlib province, the last major rebel bastion which is being shelled by government forces.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have been amassing along Idlib's borders for weeks and shelling rebel-held territory on a daily basis, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The pontiff said there were still "winds of war" and "unsettling news about the risk of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the province of Idlib."

Speaking during Angelus prayers, the pope urged the international community and other actors "to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations, in compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians."

Idlib is adjacent to Latakia province, the coastal heartland of Assad's Alawite minority and home to the Russian military airport of Hmeimim.

In recent days, Damascus and Moscow have stepped up warnings of an imminent assault on the province, which shares a border with Turkey and is dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by the former branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria.
The Queen has officially unveiled a new Highland Games pavilion at the annual Braemar Gathering.

She joined 15,000 visitors at the event, which is held each year a short distance from the royals' summer retreat on the Balmoral estate.

The Aberdeenshire town has hosted the event for 203 years and this year marked the 170th anniversary of Royal Family links.

The Queen, wearing a striking jade-green dress suit, was joined by the Duke of Rothesay as well as the Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park.

The Queen and Princess Anne were both presented with floral posies which they carried throughout their hour-long visit.

Before leaving, the Queen and the Duke of Rothesay officially unveiled the newly-built Highland Games Pavilion, which will open to the public next year and will showcase the history of the Highland Games, not just in Braemar but across the world.

The Queen and Princess Anne were both presented with floral posies Credit: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

The 2.5 million heritage centre is named after the Duke of Rothesay and was partly funded and driven by the Prince's Foundation as well as numerous local donors.

Leading the tour of the new property, David Geddes, president of Braemar Royal Highland Society, said he hopes the exhibition will become a draw for people from across the globe.

He said: "Even members of the committee didn't know of the existence of many of the items that now feature in the exhibition.

"It was nice to go through all the donated pieces - some of the finds have created a bit of a stir in the village."

The Queen, wearing a striking jade-green dress suit, was joined by Prince Charles Credit: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

Exhibits include items from Highland Games and Gatherings, such as medals and trophies, and partner The Scottish Tartans Authority will also contribute to the collection.

The facility also provides a new headquarters for the Braemar Royal Highland Society, and is expected to open to the public early in 2019.

A competitor takes part in the Putting the Heavy Stone competition at the Braemar Gathering Credit: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

Marking its centenary, the RAF chose the Gathering as one of its main RAF100 events - a C130 Hercules from RAF Brize Norton performed a fly-by to the delight of the crowds.

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The Queen is the current, and longest serving, patron of the Braemar Royal Highland Society.

Scottish Dancing at the Braemar Gathering Games Credit: Andrew Parsons / i-Images

Having first attended with her parents and grandparents at the age of seven in 1933, she has only missed the Gathering four times since taking the throne in 1952.

The day includes competitions in events including tossing the caber, hammer throwing and tug of war, as well as performances of pipe bands and Highland dancers.
Washington (AFP) - US justice officials secretly sought cooperation from a few of Russia's richest men as they investigated Russian organized crime and possible aid from Moscow to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, The New York Times has reported.

Nearly all the half-dozen Russian oligarchs approached between 2014 and 2016 by the US Justice Department and FBI have close links to President Vladimir Putin, the newspaper said. None of them apparently cooperated.

At one point, FBI agents reportedly appeared unannounced at a home that billionaire Oleg Deripaska maintains in New York to press him on whether Paul Manafort, a onetime business partner of the Russian and briefly chairman of the Trump campaign, had served as a liaison between the campaign and the Kremlin.

A jury in Virginia last month convicted Manafort of several counts of tax and bank fraud.

Two key players in the US investigative effort, according to the Times, were Christopher Steele, the former British spy who assembled a controversial dossier on alleged links between the Trump campaign and Russia, and Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, recently the target of angry attacks from Trump.

The Steele report, which included salacious but unproven allegations about Trump -- from purported encounters with prostitutes to bribes disguised as real estate deals -- was paid for in part by supporters of Hillary Clinton, and Trump has vociferously denounced it as a "deep state" attempt to discredit him.

Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible Trump campaign links to Russia, has a copy of the dossier and has reportedly interviewed Steele.

Ohr engaged with Steele repeatedly as part of the Justice Department's original investigation. Word of those contacts has fueled Republican ire and brought calls from Trump for Ohr to be stripped of his security clearance or even fired.

The Times said US officials' attempts to enlist Deripaska's help were not entirely a long shot. He had worked with the US government in an effort to rescue an FBI agent held in Iran, and he was seeking permission to travel more easily to the US.

Instead, the newspaper said, Deripaska notified the Kremlin of the American contacts.
Piggy French riding VANIR KAMIRA during the cross country phase of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in the grounds of Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK between 29th August and 2nd September 2018

It was a case of what might have been for Piggy French despite delivering a strong performance in the cross-country at the 2018 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

French and horse Vanir Kamira placed third in the overall standings after an entertaining day of equine cross-country action at Burghley House, near Stamford.

The 38-year-old, based near Maidwell in Northamptonshire, was runner-up at the prestigious four-star event last year and once again in contention for the title.

But while she showered her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare with praise, French said she couldnt help but feel the pairing left some time out on the course.

It was slightly frustrating  when she finished as well as she did, I wasnt far from my minute markers, I think I was pretty much on them actually, so she finished so full of running, she said.

But you do what youve got underneath you and its proving quite hard to get the time, but theres still some really good combinations to come and it will be gettable.

But she was great, wasnt she? Its hard work out there, its a big track, it rides tough but shes fab and shes finished well. Fingers crossed shes alright.

The dressage wasnt quite what we wanted but shes not a dressage horse. Its hard to get her as brilliant as she can be. Its such a fine line with her.

We can probably count on one hand all year when we have that really great dressage performance and be in the top few after the dressage.

Family-friendly Burghley is one of two UK-based four-star events and one of only six in the world, with 160,000 people and the best equestrians on the planet descending on Stamford for the weeks action.

Now, with the dressage and cross-country concluded, Sundays final day of action will see the riders tackle the show jumping trials.

And having recovered from a disappointing dressage score to jump up the leader board, French believes it is now all to play for going into the competitions climax.

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I dont think you dare to think it could be your year, she said. I think you have to just take each day as it comes, and I knew coming here I have a Burghley horse.

Its nice to have that confidence that she can do it, but its another year, its another day and such a fine line between it being right and not being good enough.

She didnt blow up, she didnt make any big mistakes. She could have been a bit smoother for those few more marks to kick in, but I dont know, we take each bit as it comes and its another day tomorrow.

She was pretty there for me today, the only thing is going uphill sometimes, she definitely dropped the bridle and just found a way up them.

And going to the Trout Hatchery, its a steady climb there and she dropped the bridle there, too. Its unlike her, but she settled into it.

You have to keep letting them fill their lungs once theyve got the hills done and she always picked up afterwards.

The multi-award-winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials from August 30  September 2 has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk
Anti-aircraft artilleries drive past Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Sebastien Roblin

Security, Asia

Why is Beijing playing war with Moscow?

Russias Massive Vostok Military Exercise Was Intended to Prepare for War With China. So What Happened?

In August 2018, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu announced that more than three hundred thousand personnel of Eastern and Central Military District would engage in the countrys largest ever military exercise, Vostok 2018. Supposedly, the five-day exercise (September 1115) will involve a thousand aircraft, nine hundred tanks, all major Russian airborne units, and ships from the Pacific and Northern Fleets, making it unprecedented in terms of geographic scope and the strength of command and control centers and forces due to participate.

The previous Vostok exercise in 2014 had also been mammoth in scale, involving between 100,000 or 155,000 troops, 1,500 tanks, and 70 ships. Vostok means East, which points to the geography of the exercise. While last years Zapad 2017 war games took place in Western Russia and Belarus, and pointedly simulated a war with neighboring NATO states, Vostok will take place in Siberia and the Far Eastern region of Russia.

Rapid mobilization of aircraft and ground forces in Western Russia to the Far East were features of earlier Vostok exercises. But does that mean Russia is seriously worried that battalions of American Abrams tanks will launch a land invasion across the Bering strait?

Of course not. The Vostok exercises were originally intended to prepare for a knock-down, drag-out fight with China.

Though obscure to many in the West, border clashes during the 1960s and 1970s may have brought China and the Soviet Union closer to fighting massive ground war, or even nuclear war, than Warsaw Pact ever did vis-a-vis NATO. While Moscow-Beijing relations have significantly improved since that low point, both major military powers remain wary of potential future strategic rivalry.

Thus, while many commentators have focused on the massive scale of Vostok 2018, (which likely involves some creative accounting of participating troops) arguably a more notable aspect is the invitation of a contingent of 3,200 Chinese troops. If Vostok isnt meant to defend against China, Moscow and Beijing alike will have everyone know it is because of the very aggressive and unfriendly international environment they blame upon the United States.

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Does this signal a new security alliance between Russia and China? The differing statements from foreign capitals are revealing both of national communication styles and differing contexts.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Chinese participation shows they are cooperating in all areas. However, the Chinese defense ministry stated the exercise enhancing both sides capabilities to jointly respond to various security threats and was not directed at any particular third party. Chinese security analysts have been quick to clarify that participation in Vostok 2018 does not herald a new Sino-Russian military alliance. After all, China and Russia have already engaged in several joint exercises this year, including one organized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Still, Chinas participation an exercise originally intended to prepare for war with China is an interesting development. Chinese media has been emphasizing the PLA, which has not fought a war since a brief invasion of Northern Vietnam in 1979, hopes that it will glean new techniques from Russian combat experience in the Syrian Civil War.

According to Chinese media, the troops dispatched include elite soldiers drawn from the Northern Theater Command, as well as thirty aircraft and nine hundred pieces of military hardware. The Chinese contingent will largely remain at the Tsugol training range near the juncture of the Russian, Chinese and Mongolian borders.

Photos were later released of at least thirteen Type 99 tanks and two infantry fighting vehicles crossing into Russia by train at north-eastern border city of Manzhouli. The Type 99 is Chinas most advanced tank, and has rarely been deployed abroad.

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The participation of Mongolian troops also highlights past regional divisions. Chinas Qing Dynasty conquered Mongolia in 1690, and the majority of Mongols today live in the Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia. However, after World War II Moscow intervened on behalf of an independent Mongolian republic in Outer Mongolia and coaxed Beijing into recognizing its independence. The nation of three million has remained closely allied with Russia ever since, though relations with Beijing improved significantly in the post-Communist era. Nonetheless, Mongolias vast but sparsely populated plains effectively serve Moscow as a strategic buffer with China.

The exercises have elicited a mild non-complaint from NATO, which was invited to observe back in May, though reportedly have caused consternation in Japan, which has territorial disputes with both Russia and China. Russia is simultaneously holding large-scale naval exercises in the Mediterranean involving around thirty ships, believed to be in advance of operations in support of a Syrian offensive in Idlib province.

Ultimately, both Moscow and Beijing see the Vostok 2018 exercise as a shot across the bow of Washingtons dominance in international affairs. The two authoritarian governments hold a shared interests in opposing a liberal international order valuing norms of democracy and human rights, which they perceive as undermining their internal stability and justifying Western military aggression.

However, while both states may oppose American hegemony, they pursue fundamentally different objectives for which neither would sacrifice itself to aid the other: Moscow is preoccupied with maintaining its dominion over neighboring buffer states in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while Beijing is looking to cement de facto control over the South China Sea.

However, China is also seeking to expand its influence into Central Asia, particularly by building an economic corridor through its New Silk Road initiativea move which could threaten Russias long historic influence over these former Soviet client states. Moscow also happens to be major arms supplier for India, which Beijing sees as a strategic rival.

These differences wont necessarily lead to war, but they do highlight that though China and Russia may both hold grievance with U.S. hegemony in common today, they lack deeper shared interests. More significant cooperation would require Moscow and Beijing to change their historical tendency to for short-term transactional relationships, admittedly a political style also in vogue in Washington of late. A security alliance like NATO, which some Chinese security analysts look upon with envy, is founded upon making common political commitments that may fly in the face of short term self-interest.

In that light, Russias invitation of Chinese troop into Vostok 2018 may be an early attempt to foster deeper Sino-Russian security cooperation. Whether such a project will sustain equal appeal to both Russia and Chinawhose fortunes are moving in profoundly different trajectoriesremains to be seen.

Sebastien Roblin holds a masters degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing, and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring.

Image: Reuters

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RIYADH (Reuters) - A Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Saturday it accepted that an air attack last month that killed dozens of people, including children traveling on a bus, was unjustified and pledged to hold accountable anyone who contributed to the error. The rare concession follows mounting international pressure, including from allies, to do more to limit civilian casualties in a 3-1/2 year civil war that has killed more than 10,000 people and pushed the already impoverished country to the brink of famine. The Western-backed alliance fighting the Iranian-aligned Houthi group in Yemen said at the time that the Aug. 9 air strikes at a market in Saada province had targeted missile launchers used to attack southern Saudi Arabia a day earlier and accused the Houthis of using children as human shields. The Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT), an investigative body set up by the coalition, said on Saturday that the strikes had been based on intelligence indicating the bus was carrying Houthi leaders, a legitimate military target, but delays in executing the strike and receiving a no-strike order should be further investigated. "There was a clear delay in preparing the fighter jet at the appropriate time and place, thus losing (the opportunity) to target this bus as a military target in an open area in order to avoid such collateral damage," JIAT legal advisor Mansour Ahmed al-Mansour told reporters in the Saudi capital. "The team believes that the coalition forces should immediately review the application of their rules of engagement to ensure compliance," he added. The coalition later announced that it accepted those findings and pledged to hold accountable anyone who was proven to have made a mistake. "The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition expresses regret over the mistakes, extends its sympathies, condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims," said a statement carried by the Saudi state news agency SPA. The coalition said it would coordinate with the Yemeni government to compensate victims and would continue reviewing the rules of engagement to prevent the repeat of such incidents. The U.S. military welcomed the decision and said it appreciated the coalition's decision "to take legal measures to ensure accountability and make the necessary improvements to its Rules of Engagement to prevent such a tragedy in the future." "The #DoD welcomes the #Saudi-led #Coalitions announcement of the investigation findings of the targeting incident of August 9, 2018," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a series of tweets on Saturday. Last week, a U.N. panel of human rights experts said that some coalition air strikes may constitute war crimes. In Washington, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition was not unconditional, but suggested the United States would continue to support the alliance as it works to reduce fallout on civilians. The war has so far garnered relatively little public attention in Western countries, but there are signs that is starting to change, particularly because of the role Western governments play in supplying arms to the coalition countries. Saudi Arabia is leading an alliance of Sunni Muslim Arab states trying to restore the internationally recognized government of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, ousted from the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthis in 2015. The Houthis, who control the capital and most of the west of the country, regularly fire missiles on southern Saudi Arabia and occasionally aim for higher-value targets, such as the capital Riyadh or facilities of state oil company Aramco. The United Nations has convened talks in Geneva on Sept. 6, the first effort to negotiate the war in more than two years. (Reporting by Stephen Kalin and by Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Additional reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Helen Popper)
Prosecutors had asked for a $5 million bond when Kazecki was charged in August with first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery in the death of his wife, Rebecca, who also taught junior high in Joliet. The 38-year-old mother to the couples three children died of blunt-force trauma, officials said.
Mogadishu (AFP) - A suicide car bomb killed three security guards and injured several more people in the heart of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday, authorities said.

Islamist extremists of the Al-Shabaab movement immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

"There was a car bomb blast targeting the district administration offices and three people died and several others wounded," Mogadishu administration spokesman Salah Hassan Omar told reporters at the scene.

He said the dead were security guards at the building's main entrance where the blast occurred.

Witnesses said the explosion destroyed the building.

"The blast was very huge, it affected several nearby buildings including a Koranic school and a mosque," said witness Abdukadir Dahir.

"Eight people were wounded among them several students who stayed at a nearby madrasa," he added.

The militants' claim came in a brief statement posted on a pro-Shabaab website.

"The Mujahedeen attacked the headquarter of the apostate administration... using a vehicle loaded with explosives, there are casualties," it said.

Somalia suffered the worst terror attack of its history in October last year.

More than 500 people were killed in Mogadishu in a truck bombing attributed to Al-Shabaab.

The Islamists, forced out of the capital in 2011, are fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government. They still hold sway over vast rural areas.

A 20,000-strong African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was deployed in 2007 under a UN mandate to shore up the government.
Donetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) - Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Ukraine's rebel stronghold of Donetsk on Sunday to pay their final respects to separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko, while an aide to the Russian president praised him as a "brother" and a "hero".

Throngs of admirers -- many clutching flowers and in tears -- formed a line to view the flag-draped casket of the 42-year-old chief of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, whose body was lying in state in a theatre.

Zakharchenko was killed in a bombing at a Donetsk cafe on Friday, becoming the four-year conflict's most prominent victim from the Moscow-backed side.

His bodyguard also died and 12 more people were injured.

In a statement carried by the Donetsk republic's official news agency, Russian President Putin's aide Vladislav Surkov called the separatist a "brother".

"You are a cool guy, a true hero and it's a huge honour to be your friend," said Surkov, calling Zakharchenko Sasha, a diminutive form of his first name.

A representative of the local authorities estimated the turnout at around 100,000 people, while an AFP correspondent said more than 30,000 turned up.

Armed men in fatigues cordoned off the city centre and public transport was temporarily suspended.

Huge billboards erected in the city centre were plastered with pictures of Zakharchenko and his quotes. "All of us have one Motherland -- Russia", read one.

The leader of Georgia's breakaway statelet, South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, and Alexander Borodai, a Russian journalist and former prime minister of the Donetsk republic, were in attendance.

Many mourners blamed Ukraine for the bombing.

"We will never forget this tragedy, we will never forgive," said Sergei Kapustin, 35.

Moscow and rebel authorities have said Kiev was behind the assassination, while Ukraine links the bombing to internal feuding and Russia's desire to control the territory.

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Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have said the high-profile murder was a provocation and would derail the long-stalled, Western-brokered peace process.

More than 10,000 people have been killed since the rebel insurgency broke out in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border. Moscow has denied the claims despite evidence to the contrary.
Trump's meeting with North Korea was 'failed summit' that was 'all about show': Leon Panetta originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

A former defense secretary and CIA director under President Obama said he is "very worried" about the situation with North Korea following President Trump and Kim Jong Un's "failed summit" that was "doomed to failure.

Leon Panetta told This Week Co-Anchor Martha Raddatz in an exclusive interview aired Sunday that the June summit between Trump and the North Korean leader was "all about show."

The problem is that in many ways it was doomed to failure from the beginning because there was never the preparatory work that has to be done prior to a summit meeting," Panetta said about the meeting between the two leaders in Singapore. They shook hands; they exchanged words.

When the balloons went away, when the confetti went away, there was nothing there to require the North Koreans to do what was necessary in order to denuclearize, Panetta said on "This Week."

PHOTO: CIA director Mike Pompeo shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, North Korea, during a 2018 Easter weekend trip in this undated image. (White House via AP)

Trump announced on Aug. 24 that a planned trip by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was cancelled because of insufficient progress toward ending North Korea's nuclear program.

I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the president tweeted.

Trump added that China wasnt helping with the process of denuclearization as they once were due to the U.S. imposing tougher trade policies.

Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our Trading relationship with China is resolved, Trump continued, sending his warmest regards and respect to Chairman Kim.

(MORE: Trump asks Pompeo not to go to North Korea citing lack of progress on denuclearization)

(MORE: North Korea blasts 'regrettable' US attitude and 'gangster-like' demands after talks with Mike Pompeo)

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The president's comments came in contrast to remarks soon after the summit, when he declared that Americans should sleep well because there was no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea.

Panetta told Raddatz, What needs to be done now, because it wasnt done before [the summit], is the basic diplomatic work that looks at all the issues that are involved here, puts them all on the table and begins a diplomatic process between the United States, North Korea, hopefully South Korea as part of that as well as Japan.



We dont know where [North Korea's] nuclear sites are. We dont know where the missile sites are. We dont know where a lot of their chemical sites are located. We have not developed any kind of inspection regime. All of that needs to be on the table, he said. Thats what needs to be discussed and we have yet to have a serious meeting on those issues. Thats the problem.

PHOTO: Leon Panetta discuss his new book, 'Worthy Fights,' during an event in the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University, Oct. 14, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE)

Raddatz also asked Panetta about the U.S. war in Afghanistan, which is approaching its 17th year.

I think its very important not to allow Afghanistan to collapse and then allow the Taliban to restore their influence, Panetta said. I think that what is needed here is a strategy to secure the country of Afghanistan.

After 17 years? I feel like Ive heard that before, Raddatz pressed.

Panetta conceded she was absolutely right that shes heard that before.

The problem is that the specific strategy for how we are going to deal with Afghanistan was never really laid out by any administration frankly, he said. Weve got to be able to secure that country and allow it govern itself... Theres a lot of corruption. Theres a lot of tribalism in that country.

We have not dealt with the problems of Afghanistan that have to be resolved if were ever going to save Afghanistan, Panetta added.
Managua (AFP) - At least two people were hurt by gunfire Sunday as suspected paramilitaries targeted anti-government demonstrators in Nicaragua's capital.

Unidentified gunmen wounded one of the demonstrators in the arm in one part of the capital, while a second was hurt while protesting elsewhere.

The flare-up in violence followed President Daniel Ortega's order Friday that a UN human rights mission leave the country. It had published a report criticizing the "climate of fear."

Rights groups say more than 300 people have died in the Central American nation in more than four months of violent anti-government unrest.

Sunday, scores of police and military rushed into the protest areas. Many demonstrators dropped to the ground or desperately sought cover, even scrambling up trees.
By Julie Gordon, Sharay Angulo and Allison Martell WASHINGTON/TORONTO (Reuters) - Contentious U.S.-Canada trade talks ended on Friday with no deal to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement after the mood soured, and President Donald Trump notified Congress of his intent to sign a bilateral trade pact with Mexico. U.S. and Canadian trade officials set plans to resume their talks on Wednesday with the aim of getting a deal all three nations could sign. After four intensive days of talks in Washington between Canada and the United States, the biggest sticking points were familiar ones: U.S. demands for more access to Canada's closed dairy market and Canadian insistence that a trade dispute settlement system be maintained, not scrapped as Washington wants. "For Canada, the focus is on getting a good deal, and once we have a good deal for Canada, we'll be done," the country's foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, told a news conference. All three countries have stressed the importance of NAFTA, which underpins $1.2 trillion in regional trade. A bilateral deal announced by the United States and Mexico on Monday had paved the way for Canada to rejoin the talks this week. But by Friday the sentiment turned, partly on Trump's explosive off-the-record remarks made to Bloomberg News that any trade deal with Canada would be "totally on our terms." He later confirmed the comments, which the Toronto Star first reported. "At least Canada knows where I stand," Trump later said on Twitter. Trump notified Congress that he intends to sign the trade pact by the end of November. Text of the deal will be published by around Oct. 1. Ottawa has stood firm against signing "just any deal." Some U.S. lawmakers and business groups expressed concern about Canada's not yet being not yet part of the agreement. Anything other than a trilateral agreement wont win Congressional approval and would lose business support, the chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, said in a statement. The Canadian dollar weakened to C$1.3081 to the U.S. dollar after news of the talks' lack of a result first broke. Canadian stocks <.GSPTSE> remained 0.5 percent lower. Global equities were also down following the hawkish turn in Trump's comments on trade. Following a meeting with Freeland, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said he was confident the United States and Canada would reach an agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has refused to budge despite repeated efforts by Freeland to offer some concessions on dairy to maintain the independent trade dispute resolution mechanism under Chapter 19 of NAFTA, The Globe and Mail reported on Friday. However, a USTR spokeswoman said Canada had made no concessions on agriculture, which includes dairy, but said that negotiations continued. Trump argues that Canada's hefty dairy tariffs are hurting U.S. farmers, an important political base for his Republican party. But dairy farmers have great political clout in Canada, too, and concessions could hurt the ruling Liberals ahead of a 2019 federal election. At a speech in North Carolina on Friday Trump took another swipe at Canada. "I love Canada, but they've taken advantage of our country for many years," he said. (Reporting by Julie Gordon and Sharay Angulo in Washington, Allison Martell in Toronto,; Additional reporting by David Lawder in Washington, Veronica Gomez in Mexico City and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Writing by Denny Thomas; Editing by Susan Thomas and Leslie Adler)
Managua (AFP) - The United Nations human rights mission left Nicaragua Saturday after being ordered out by a government it criticized over its heavy-handed response to anti-regime protests.

President Daniel Ortega's government on Friday ordered the mission's expulsion two days after it published a report criticizing the "climate of fear" in the Central American country, where rights groups say months of turmoil has left more than 300 people dead.

The four-member mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OACNUDH), led by Guillermo Fernandez, traveled to Panama after Managua ordered its departure.

"The @OACNUDH is grateful for the support received in relation to the work carried out in Nicaragua," the mission wrote on Twitter.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and accompany the victims in their search for justice and truth from the Regional Office in Panama," it said.

The United Nations report denounced a wide range of serious violations in Nicaragua, including disproportionate use of force by police, which in some cases resulted in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and torture.

Ortega, a former guerrilla leader who has been in power for the last 11 years, rejected the claims and described the UN as "an instrument of the policies of terror, lies and infamy."
The UN agency provides education, health services, and food aid to Palestinian refugees: AFP/Getty Images

The US decision to end funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees will fuel radicalism and hinder the prospect of Middle East peace, Jordan's foreign minister has claimed.

Ayman Safadi, said that his country would carrying on trying to find donors to help with the financial burden now facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) after the US announced that it would cut $300m (231m) of planned support for the agency.

Disruption of UNRWA services will have extremely dangerous humanitarian, political, and security implications for refugees and for the whole region, Mr Safadi said. It will consolidate an environment of despair that would ultimately create fertile grounds for further tension.

He added: Politically it will also further hurt the credibility of peacemaking efforts.

Jordan holds more than 2 million of the 5 million registered refugees supported by the agency.

Announcing its decision to withdraw the funding, the US State Department described the body as irredeemably flawed in its mission.

Palestinians, wherever they live, deserve better than an endlessly crisis-driven service provision model," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.

But Adnan Abu Hasna, a media advisor for UNRWA in Gaza, said, "Stopping or cutting aid to UNRWA could really affect UNRWA's operations. We don't think cutting this aid will help stability or pushing the peace process, especially as UNRWA plays a big role in the stability of the region."

UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness added that the agency provides health clinics, schooling for 526,000 refugee children across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank, and food aid to 1.7 million people.

The agency will now seek more funding from existing donors and look for new sources of income.

Prior to the announcement, the US had been the biggest donor to the agency, and contributed more than $300m (231m) to the agency in 2017.

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It marked the latest controversial decision from Washington related to the Israeil-Palestinian relationship since the Trump administration recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last year and moved the American embassy there.

Mr Safadi indicated during a meeting at the United Nations that his country would do everything it can to make sure the UN agency receives funding and had asked for partners form the European Union, Japan, Sweden, and Turkey to step in and help.

We will do everything possible to ensure that UNRWA gets the funds it needs to continue offering its services to Palestinian refugees, Mr Safadi said.

Palestinian leadership also condemned the US act, with a spokesperson for president Mahmoud Abbas saying it is "an attack on the rights of the Palestinian people.
Kabul (AFP) - General Scott Miller took command of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday, as worsening violence erodes hopes for peace in the war-torn country.

Miller, who has commanded special operations units in Afghanistan since 2013, succeeds General John Nicholson, who is rotating out of the post after more than two years.

The handover comes at a sensitive time in the 17-year war that has seen little progress by Afghan or US forces against the Taliban, Afghanistan's largest militant group.

Afghan and international players have been ratcheting up efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban, which was toppled from power by US-led forces in 2001.

An unprecedented ceasefire in June followed by talks between US officials and Taliban representatives in Qatar in July fuelled hopes that negotiations could bring an end to the fighting.

But a recent spate of attacks by Taliban and the smaller but potent Islamic State group that left hundreds of security forces and civilians dead has almost extinguished that optimism.

"This is a tough fight," Miller acknowledged during an outdoor change of command ceremony in Kabul attended by top Afghan officials and foreign diplomats.

"There's no room for status quo, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must be aware of bias and easy conclusions -- they don't exist here."

In a WhatsApp message to reporters, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid warned Miller would "fail like the other commanders".

For the past two years Miller has headed up the secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and has lengthy experience working with some of America's most elite fighters.

Nicholson, who will return to the Pentagon, is the longest-serving US commander of NATO and American Forces in Afghanistan.

There had been concerns that militants would shower Kabul with mortar or rocket fire to spoil Sunday's handover, as they did during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's speech on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday last month.

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But the ceremony passed off uninterrupted.

Miller takes up his new role more than a year after US President Donald 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.

But there are fears that Trump is growing frustrated with the pace of progress in the country.

The Taliban have long insisted on direct talks with Washington and refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, which they see as illegitimate.

There is speculation that another meeting between US and Taliban representatives could be held this month.

"We know the military component is only one part of this conditions-based strategy," Miller said.

He added that it was necessary to "create space for the political process" to end the war.

Separately, Miller confirmed in a statement that a US airstrike in the eastern province of Nangarhar on August 25 killed the leader of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan.

Abu Saad Orakzai, also known as Saad Arhabi, was among several people killed in the strike. IS first emerged in Afghanistan around 2014.

Currently there are about 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, providing the main component of the NATO mission there to support and train local forces.
Vanessa Marquez appeared on the TV medical drama ER and starred in the film Stand and Deliver: AP

An actor who starred in US TV hospital drama ER has been shot dead after she pointed a replica handgun at officers, California police said.

Vanessa Marquez, who was in the news last year after accusing George Clooney of blacklisting her from Hollywood, died at a hospital following Thursday's shooting at her apartment in South Pasadena, just outside Los Angeles.

The 49-year-old, who also starred in the 1988 film Stand and Deliver, was having a seizure when police arrived, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said on Friday. They were called by Marquez's landlord, who said the actor needed help.

Paramedics treated Marquez, who improved and began talking with three officers and a mental health clinician who spent an hour-and-a-half trying to talk her into getting medical help, lieutenant Joe Mendoza said.

But Marquez became uncooperative, appeared unable to care for herself and seemed to have mental health issues, he said.

At some point, Marquez got what turned out to be a BB gun and pointed it at the officers, Mr Mendoza said, prompting two of them to shoot.

"It looked like a real gun," he said, adding that it's unclear where the gun was during her lengthy interaction with police.

The officers were wearing body cameras but footage will not be released for at least six months pending the investigation, Mr Mendoza said.

Terence Towles Canote, a close friend of Marquez's, said the actor was having health and financial problems, but that she showed no signs of depression or other mental troubles. She still talked about her dream of winning an Oscar one day and was hopeful for a career comeback, he said.

"She was looking forward to life," Mr Canote said. "This is not a woman who wanted to die."

Marquez posted extensively on Facebook and elsewhere about her health problems, saying she was terminally ill and had seizures and celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that can damage the small intestine if gluten is ingested.

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In 2014, she said in an online post that she had spent her life savings on doctors and hospitals who did not properly treat her and that she could not work or "do most basic everyday functions".

Marquez had a recurring role as a nurse on ER between 1994-97. She also appeared on episodes of Seinfeld, Melrose Place and Malcolm & Eddie, but her career largely fizzled out after ER.

Marquez gained attention last year after tweeting that Clooney helped blacklist her from Hollywood when she complained about sexual harassment and racist comments among their ER co-stars. Clooney said in a statement to US Weekly at the time that he was just an actor on the show and was unaware of any effort to blacklist her.

"If she was told I was involved in any decision about her career then she was lied to," he said. "The fact that I couldn't affect her career is only surpassed by the fact that I wouldn't."

In one of her social media posts, Marquez talked about being grateful to be a part of Stand and Deliver, a film about a math teacher who motivated struggling students at a tough East Los Angeles high school.

"If you're truly fortunate, you get to live your dream and do the work you were put on this earth to do," she wrote. "If you're really, really fortunate you do a film that makes history and affects the lives of millions of people ... It will live on long after we're gone."

Additional reporting by AP
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday war was unlikely but called on Iran's armed forces to boost their defense capacities, according to his official website, as the country faces increased tension with the United States. On Saturday, Iran announced plans to boost its ballistic and cruise missile capacity and acquire modern fighter planes and submarines to boost its defenses following the U.S. pullout from Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers. "Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that based on political calculations there is no likelihood of a military war but added that the armed forces must be vigilant ... and raise their personnel and equipment capacities," the website quoted Khamenei as telling commanders of Iran's air defense forces. "The Supreme Leader said ...the air defense units were a very sensitive part of the armed forces and on the front line of confronting the enemy, and emphasized the need to increase their readiness and capabilities," the website said in its report on the gathering, which was held to mark Iran's Air Defence Day. Saturday's news of the military development plans came a day after Iran dismissed a French call for negotiations on Tehran's future nuclear plans, its ballistic missile arsenal and its role in wars in Syria and Yemen. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last month the Islamic Republic's military prowess was what deterred Washington from attacking it. Separately, a senior Iranian diplomat met visiting UK Junior Foreign Minister Alistair Burt and urged swift European action on a planned package of economic measures to offset the U.S. pullout from the accord and the reimpositions of sanctions by Washington, the state news agency IRNA reported. "The imposition of (U.S.) sanctions and pressures and the lack of rapid action by Europe to fulfill their commitments will have serious consequences," Kamal Kharrazi, a former foreign minister who heads a top foreign policy council, told Burt, IRNA reported. Iranian officials have said they would decide whether to quit the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after studying the European package of economic measures that could help offset U.S. sanctions. "European countries have not been able yet to take necessary measures to secure Iran's interests under the nuclear agreement," Kharrazi said. "(Burt) said Britain's position is different from that of the United States and we are looking for a European mechanism to make the nuclear accord successful," IRNA reported. In a meeting with senior parliamentarian Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, Burt referred to the case of a British-Iranian dual national detained in Iran, IRNA reported. "I thank Iran for its humanitarian act to grant Nazanin Zaghari furlough and her meeting with her family, and we hope that this approach will continue until the release and the pardon of such people," Burt said, according to IRNA. Britain is seeking the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She was arrested in April 2016 at Tehran airport as she was heading back to Britain with her daughter, now aged four, after a family visit. She was released for three days last month. Burt, on the first visit by a British minister since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal, earlier met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday the talks with Burt had involved "access to banking resources and the sale of oil". Iran has been seeking commitment from European signatories of the nuclear deal that it will be able to access the Western banking system and continue to sell oil despite U.S. sanctions. In a statement before his visit, Burt said: "As long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal, we remain committed to it as we believe it is the best way to ensure a safe, secure future for the region." (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
5316 Lawn Ave., Western Springs: $2,399,000 | Listed: Oct. 27, 2021



This six-bedroom home has seven full bathrooms, one half-bath, two fireplaces, a foyer with stone flooring and a sauna/steam room. The kitchen has hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, granite counters, a butlers pantry, a kitchen island and a double oven. The primary bedroom is located on the second floor and has hardwood flooring and a full bathroom. This home also has an office with built-in shelving, a laundry room with ceramic tile, a family room, a dining room, an atrium and a finished basement with a recreation room. Wine storage, a four-car garage and outdoor seating and dining areas complete this home.



Agent: Linda Feinstein, Compass, 630-319-0352



*Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.



To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com.



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TNI Staff

Security,

The United States Navy retired the venerable Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006 after more than three decades in service. However, the Tomcats demise has left gaps in the carrier air wing that are only now being felt.

Why the Navy Misses the Old F-14 Tomcat (Despite All of the Problems)

While speed and range are priorities, the Navy remains skeptical of stealth technology as it always has. We certainly need survivability. Stealth is just one piece of the survivability equation, Brophy said. I kind of look at stealth as sort of like chaff and flares. Its not going to defeat [the enemy] every time, but it will help. Stealth is part of what any future design  if you look at any country, theyre going that way. So yes, it would probably be part of it.

The United States Navy retired the venerable Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006 after more than three decades in service. However, the Tomcats demise has left gaps in the carrier air wing that are only now being felt.

With the end of the Cold War and declining budgets, the Navy simply could not afford to keep the incredibly maintenance intensive and unreliable Tomcat on the carrier flight deck. Moreover, with the demise of the Soviet threat, the Tomcats primary mission of fleet defense has fallen by the wayside and the venerable jet was increasingly used in the strike role. But while the F-14 proved to be a competent strike aircraft, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was superior in most respects to the aging Tomcat as a strike fighter in the post-Cold War era. Particularly, the Super Hornet was far more reliable and cost effectiveand with its much more modern avionics, it was mostly a more capable aircraft. However, there are still some gaps that the Super Hornet could not fill.

While the Super Hornet with its exceptional Raytheon AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar, Harris AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) Block IV system, advanced datalinks and other systems is a potent war machine, the F/A-18E/F has two weaknesses that the Navy has to address for the future which the service divested with the retirement of the Tomcat. Those two factors are range and speedboth of which the Super Hornet falls short on as new threats emerge in Western Pacific and the North Atlantic.

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The Navy gave up the sheer speed and the range of the Tomcat because the service did not have to contend with the prospect of fending off hordes of Soviet Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire bombers and their cruise missiles in the post-Soviet era. The F-14, of course, was originally the linchpin of the Navys Outer Air Battle concept that was designed to prevent a Soviet bomber force from destroying a carrier battle group. While that threat more or less evaporated after 1991, it is starting to reemerge as China rises and Russia reasserts itself on the world stage.

China is building a potent air launched anti-ship cruise missiles along with aircraft to carry those weapons. Meanwhile, the once-dormant Russian bomber force is backthough not in the numbers of the Soviet era. Moreover, with the emergence of new adversary stealth aircraftsome of which have the capability to fly very high and very fastwhich are also armed with cruise missiles, the Navy will need the range and speed that the Tomcat offered to fend off those threats. The F/A-18E/F can do the jobbut only to an extent.

Indeed, the Navy is looking at a platform or platformspotentially a family of systemsthat will offer greatly increased speed and range compared to the Super Hornet for its Next Generation Air Dominance study to replace the F/A-18E/F after 2040. I tend to think of it not only as range, but as reach; not only how far my airplane flies, but how far do my weapons go on top of that, Capt. Richard Brophy, who heads the Chief of Naval Operations N98 air warfare divisions NGAD Analysis of Alternatives team, said last year during a panel at the Office of Naval Researchs science and technology expo. Reach also gets into propulsion, and when we look at propulsion, Im looking for efficiency. The longer I can fly without having to go get gas, the better.

While speed and range are priorities, the Navy remains skeptical of stealth technology as it always has. We certainly need survivability. Stealth is just one piece of the survivability equation, Brophy said. I kind of look at stealth as sort of like chaff and flares. Its not going to defeat [the enemy] every time, but it will help. Stealth is part of what any future design  if you look at any country, theyre going that way. So yes, it would probably be part of it.

Recommended: Why an F-22 Raptor Would Crush an F-35 in a 'Dogfight'

Recommended: Air War: Stealth F-22 Raptor vs. F-14 Tomcat (That Iran Still Flies)

Recommended: A New Report Reveals Why There Won't Be Any 'New' F-22 Raptors

Thus, the successor to the Super Hornet could have capabilities that resemble the F-14 Tomcat in terms of speed and range. However, the similarities will likely end there. The Tomcat was an antiquated and unreliable beast in the late 1980s and it simply was not up to par during the 1990s and the early 2000s in terms of its avionics. New sensor, data-link and propulsion technologiesalong with developments such as artificial intelligencemeans that while a future NGAD aircraft might fill some of the gaps left behind by the F-14, it will not be a Tomcat.

This first appeared earlier in the year.

Read full article
Right-wing demonstrations and counterprotests in Chemnitz, Germany A boy holds candles as he stands in front of a poster reading bridges instead of cleavages during a demonstration for democracy and against extremism in Chemnitz, eastern Germany, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. (Photo: Jens Meyer/AP)

Eighteen people were injured in rival demonstrations capping off a week marked by xenophobic protests in the eastern city of Chemnitz, prompting Germanys foreign minister to urge Germans to get off our sofas and speak up against racism.

Chemnitz has been in the spotlight after violent far-right protests erupted over the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old man, allegedly by a Syrian and an Iraqi last Sunday.

On Saturday, 8,000 people answered a joint call by far-right party AfD and Islamophobic PEGIDA street movement to descend once again on the streets of the former communist city which was in the erstwhile East Germany.

The mobilization vastly outnumbered a contingent of 3,000 counter protesters, including Green party and Social Democratic Party MPs, who had also converged to take a stand against racism.

Local police, backed up by officers from across Germany, were out in force to keep both sides from clashing.

But as the rallies cleared, scuffles took place among small groups. (AFP)

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Underreported

The U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that the majority of rapes and sexual assaults perpetrated against women and girls in the United States between 1992 and 2000 were not reported to the police.

Only 36 percent of rapes, 34 percent of attempted rapes, and 26 percent of sexual assaults were reported. Reasons for not reporting assault vary among victims, but one study identified the following as common:

 Self-blame or guilt.

 Shame, embarrassment, or desire to keep the assault a private matter.

 Humiliation or fear of the perpetrator or other individuals perceptions.

 Fear of not being believed or of being accused of playing a role in the crime.

 Lack of trust in the criminal justice system.
The Syrian Human Rights Center reported early Sunday that Israel was behind an attack on a military airbase in Damascus, and that people were injured and killed as a result.

Syrian state media said loud blasts coming from an airbase early on Sunday were from an explosion at an ammunitions dump caused by an electrical problem, but an official in the regional alliance backing Damascus said they were from Israeli strikes.

The official had said the blasts were caused by Israeli missile fire from across the Golan Heights frontier between the two countries and by Syrian air defenses responding.

The Syrian Human Rights Center also attributed the blasts to Israeli strikes, which it said caused deaths and injuries.

Israel has previously acknowledged having carried out air strikes in Syria aimed at degrading the capacity of Iran and its allies, including Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah group, which are backing Assad in the country's seven-year civil war.

There was no immediate comment from Israel on reports of Sunday's blasts or that it was behind them.
The official Syrian news agency SANA quoted a military source early Sunday who denied the allegations of an Israeli attack at the Mezzeh Military Airport in Damascus.

According to the source, the explosion was heard in the Syrian capital following an electrical problem that caused the explosion of a weapons depot near the airport.

Earlier, the Syrian Human Rights Center reported that Israel was behind the attack.
Syrian state media said loud blasts coming from an airbase early on Sunday were from an explosion at an ammunitions dump caused by an electrical problem, but an official in the regional alliance backing Damascus said they were from Israeli strikes.

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Opposition leaders claimed that a weapons depot situated in the Mezzeh airbase in the capital belonging to Syrian President Bashar Assads army was the target of the the attack.

The airbase has been targeted in a number of airstrikes in recent years that the government has blamed on Israel.

Images from explosions

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which blamed Israel for the attack, reported that the strike left several people dead and wounded.

The Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen news channel also held Israel responsible for the attack.

However, Syrias official news agency, SANA, tweeted that a military official in Assads army had said that the attack was not carried out by the Israel Air Force (IAF).

The state media quoted the Syrian military source as saying, "Mezzeh air base has not been exposed to any Israeli aggression."

Israeli officials did not immediately comment on the strike.

According to the official, the explosions were triggered as a result of a short circuit, which caused an explosion in the weapons depot near to the airbase.

Confusion remained rife despite the officials comments, with other media sources saying that the Syrian air defenses fired at an unidentified target.

Another official sid that the blasts were caused by Israeli missile fire from across the Golan Heights frontier between the two countries and by Syrian air defences responding.

Israel has previously acknowledged having carried out air strikes in Syria aimed at degrading the capacity of Iran and its allies, including Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah terror group, which are backing Assad in the country's seven-year civil war.

The state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV station showed what appeared to be hand-held footage shot by residents of the capital capturing a string of bright explosions lighting up the night sky.

     pic.twitter.com/vY94VoSD8B  ynet  (@ynetalerts) September 2, 2018

The blasts come at a tense moment, as Syrian government forces prepare to attack the last refuge of the opposition in the northwest of the country.

The US is warning Damascus against using chemical weapons in the battle, while Damascus alleges that the US is preparing to falsify a chemical attack to justify military operations on Syria.

The US, France, and the UK struck military installations around Damascus in April this year after a chlorine gas attack against rebels under siege outside the capital.
A 19-year-old Afghan citizen had a "terrorist motive" for allegedly stabbing two Americans at the main train station in Amsterdam, city authorities in the Dutch capital said Saturday.

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Amsterdam police shot and wounded the suspect after the stabbings Friday at Central Station. The local government said hours later it appeared the people injured weren't targeted for a specific reason, but added that investigators had not ruled out terror as an aim or any other possibilities.

After the US ambassador to the Netherlands identified the victims as American tourists Saturday, Amsterdam City Hall gave an update.

"Based on the suspect's first statements, he had a terrorist motive," the city administration said in a statement that did not elaborate on what the statements were or how they showed intent.

Police shoot suspected terrorist in Amsterdam central station (Photo: AP)

The wounded Americans were recovering in a hospital from what police termed serious but not life-threatening injuries. Their identities have not been released. The suspect, who was identified only as Jawed S. in line with privacy rules in the Netherlands, also remained hospitalized.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed on Twitter that the investigation focused Saturday on exploring the extremist ideas that allegedly inspired the train station attack.

The Netherlands' counter-terror chief, Dick Schoof, tweeted that the country's threat level would remain at number four on a scale that tops out at five.

"Sadly, this reprehensible act fits into the current threat assessment," he said.

W. had a residency permit from Germany. German authorities searched his home and seized data storage devices that would be analyzed as part of the investigation, the city government statement said.

He was scheduled to be arraigned during a closed-door hearing with an investigating judge on Monday. Dutch officials did not disclose the charges he could face.

A statement issued late Friday by Amsterdam's city council said the Americans did not appear to have been victims of a targeted attack. Amsterdam authorities also said Friday that it appeared from initial inquiries that the victims weren't chosen for a clear reason.

The local government said Saturday it had no immediate plans to beef up security in the city, saying the swift action by police "shows that Amsterdam is prepared for this kind of incident."

A passerby's dramatic photo showed two police officers pointing guns at a man in blue jeans and sneakers lying on the ground inside a train station tunnel.

Earlier Saturday, the US ambassador to the Netherlands confirmed that the two people injured Friday were Americans visiting the Netherlands when they were stabbed at the station.

Ambassador Pete Hoekstra issued a written statement saying US Embassy officials had been in touch with the victims or their families.

"We wish them a speedy recovery and are working closely with the City of Amsterdam to provide assistance to them and their families," Hoekstra said.

Central Station is a busy entry and exit point for visitors to Amsterdam, with regular trains linking it to the city's Schiphol Airport. Friday is one of the busiest days of the week for train travel as tourists arrive for the weekend.

The station is patrolled by armed police and other security staff.
The chief rabbi of Russia made a secret visit to Tehran almost half a year ago as part of a larger mission dispatched by Russias President Vladimir Putin.

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Rabbi Berel Lazar, who enjoys a close relationship with the Russian leader, was part of the delegation headed by Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, who has served as chairman of the State Duma since 5 October 2016.

Rabbi Lazar with President Putin

Lazar made the visit, which lasted a mere 24 hours, as part of a trip by the large Russian delegation which held a series of discussions in the Iranian parliament.

The decision to include Lazar in the Russian mission was personally taken by President Putin, a move that was met with opposition from Iran.

Despite the objections, Russia is said to have made the delegations visit dependent on Lazars participation as Tehran and Moscow seek to improve trade relations.

During the visit which took place on April 9, immediately after the Jewish holiday of Passover, Rabbi Lazar departed with one of his assistants, bringing with them kosher food for the plane journey.

Rabbi Lazar took the opportunity during his brief soujourn to pay a visit to Jewish community institutions in Tehran.

(Photo: Irina Ermolieva, Vladimir Klimov, and Artem Kozvonin)

He visited the central synagogue in the capital, along with a Jewish school, which employs some Shiite Muslim women teachers who wear the Hijab.

Hanging on the walls of the Jewish schools were also biblical quotes in Hebrew, juxtaposed alongside portraits of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an avowed enemy of Israel.

During his visit, Rabbi Lazars activities were strictly restricted to assisting the Jewish community and to ensuring that Jews were able to observe laws of kashrut in the Shiite Islamic republic.

He met with Jewish community leaders in Tehran, heard of some of the difficulties faced by some of the members and watched Jewish children making their way to community centers to eat breakfast before beginning their day at school.
(CNN)  Ugandan youth movement leader Bobi Wine has been allowed to leave the country, Patrick Onyango, the deputy spokesperson of the Uganda Police Force, told CNN on Friday.

The pop-star-turned-MP boarded a KLM flight out of Entebbe Airport, Wine's lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo, said Friday on Twitter.

The day before, Opiyo tweeted that Wine had been "violently arrested" and "bundled into a police ambulance" as he was on his way out of the country to seek medical treatment in the United States.

In a statement issued Friday, Uganda's Police Force said they had to prevent Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, from traveling in order to give him a medical check-up so they could investigate allegations that he was tortured.

"As a result, Hon Kyagulanyi was halted from departure and was taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital (Kiruddu Complex) in company of specialist doctors from the same hospital for the purpose mentioned above," the statement said.

Wine has been allowed to leave the medical facility because he underwent a medical examination, police statement said.

Human rights group Chapter Four Uganda, where Opiyo serves as executive director, has tweeted that "medical records obtained without free & full consent of the legislator cannot be used as evidence."

Wine was first arrested by the military on August 15 after rioting broke out between rival parties ahead of a local parliamentary election.

His youth movement has rattled the regime of President Yoweri Museveni, and he has been in and out of court since then, most recently having been freed on bail Monday.

Wine was heading to the airport Thursday when police arrested him and took him to a government-owned hospital, according to his legal team.

Another of his attorneys, Robert Amsterdam, alleged Uganda's special forces tortured the MP in the ambulance that took him to the hospital, while a doctor watched. Police also prevented MP Francis Zaake from leaving Uganda on Thursday, saying he was a suspect in a criminal case.

Onyango, the police spokesman, denied the MPs were tortured in custody and accused them of attempting to flee the country.

"He (Wine) was put in an ambulance well equipped with all the equipment you can think of, so they were really basically handled in a professional way," Onyango told CNN.

Pockets of protests broke out in Kampala on Friday, as angry youths took to the streets to protest the MP's arrest.

Police and soldiers moved through the city, particularly downtown Kamwokya, where Wine's studio is located, to quell demonstrations by his supporters, who had blocked roads in the neighborhood with rocks and tyres.

Musicians around the world such as Chris Martin, Angelique Kidjo, Damon Albarn and others joined the campaign to #FreeBobiWine.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ugandan pop-star-turned-MP Bobi Wine allowed to leave the country, official says."
Jurassic Quests goal is to combine fun and learning for families, said Brandon Arnold. He runs the family business with his father, Dan, who founded it five years ago. They worked with a paleontologist consultant to get their facts straight, and have been to Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri and other states. Jurassic Quest came to Lake County last year and was there again for the Labor Day weekend.
A family in Jerusalem possessing dual Israeli and Belgian citizenship received letters from the Consulate General of Belgium last week, which stated that the parents of the family live in Jerusalem, while their two children live in Palestinian territories.

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Living in the Pisgat Zeev neighborhood which is located over the Green Line in eastern Jerusalem, the family expressed their shock at the different reference to the city written on the letters.

The family said that all letters addressed to the family from the Belgian consulate have always referred to all its members simply as residents of Jerusalem.

Tenzer family

The mother, Annabel Hertziger Tenzer, received the letter addressed to Jerusalem, while her children, Talia (24) and Gilad (26)both of whom live in the same apartmentreceived a letter addressed to Palestinian territories.

The letter, which was sent to every Belgian citizen as the Western European country approaches its national elections, was intended to explain to all expats their rights and how to cast their vote.

According to the family, the sudden shift in policy was prompted by the transfer in May this year of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that was rejected by the European Union, which believes that the fate of the holy city should be decided in final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Home to the al-Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites of three major monotheistic religions, including Christianity, the Palestinians claim the eastern half as their capital in a future state.

Pisgat Zeev (Photo: EPA)

Israelwith the Western Wall symbolizing the heart of Jewish heritageunited the city after the 1967 Six-Day War and cites the Jewish peoples 2000-year connection to all of Jerusalem, and insists that it must remain the undivided capital of the Jewish state.

Avi Tenzer, the father of the Belgian family, slammed his former country of residence for the letters, accusing it of seeking to divide families in Jerusalem.

Not only is Belgium dividing Jerusalem, it is also trying to separate me and my wife from my children, Avi said.

We always lived in north Jerusalem and we are part of Jerusalem. Until this time, all the letters we received had the city Jerusalem written on the address. We hope that this is not a change in Belgiums policy. We demand an explanation and ask that they send new letters with Jerusalem written on them, he added.
2.3 million Israeli children returned to school and kindergartens on Sunday morning after the summer vacation, as approximately 5,000 educational institutions reopened their doors across the country.

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While the first day of the school year began as scheduled, more than 80,000 toddlers remained at home after attempts to prevent a strike at daycare centers were unsuccessful.

Sign reads 'Hello First Grade' (Photo: Avi Chai)

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Education, around 188,000 children went to compulsory kindergartens, alongside 388,000 who made their way to pre-compulsory kindergartens.

1,048,000 student strapped on their school bags as they went to elementary school, 167,000 of whom were entering their first year.

Around 299,000 students accounted for those entering junior high school, while the number of students entering secondary high school stood at around 477,000. 131,000 of them were embarking on their final year in school.

(Photo: Idan Ben Harush)

194,000 teaching staff also concluded their weeks-long summer vacation.

According to the Education Ministry, this years school year will aim to encourage "Unity in Israeli Society", and will be marked under the banner of preserving unity, preserving uniqueness.

"I think this is the beginning of the most calm and orderly year in years. There were exciting opening ceremonies all over the country," Education Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on his Facebook page.

"Thanks to the principals and teaching staff who prepared for this day for long summer weeks. Good luck to students!"

"The state education system is home to all Israeli students: Jews, Arabs, Druze, Circassians, religious, secular, ultra-Orthodox. They are all my children. Every child in the State of Israel deserves an excellent education and fair opportunity. The coming school year will be held under the banner of 'unity'", Bennett said in a press statement.

"In the face of recent polarization in society, I felt the remedy for this problem was unity and reconciliation through education. Therefore, I decided that the coming school year will be held under the banner of 'unity'. We must remember that arguments within the family are fine and healthy, as long as we always remain a family."

Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Photo: Dana Kopel)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated on Sunday morning at an annual opening ceremony at the Breuer state religious elementary school in Yad Binyamin.

I found that the lessons are even more important that the breaks. In the lessons I learned the most important thing. First of all to read and afterwards to write, and then afterwards to learn English, Netanyahu told the young children gazing up at him.

But the most important thing was to read because if you can read, everything opens up before you. I loved reading very much and more than anything else, I loved reading the bible and history, the prime minister continued.

"This community has absorbed people who were uprooted from Gush Katif," he said in reference to Israel's 2005 evacuation of the Gaza Strip.

"The lives of people who were uprooted from Gush Katif could have been a tragedy, a terrible disaster. It started with terrible pain but the State of Israel and all the citizens of Israel worked together so that the people who were uprooted from Gush Katif would not be refugees in their country. We absorbed them and they resumed their lives, their splendid lives," he said.

"There are memories but there is the present and the future which have already changed, and this gives new life and great hope," Netanyahu added.

Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Ittai Shickman)

President Reuven Rivlin also visited a school in Netivot in southern Israel to mark the beginning of the academic year.

I want to tell you, boys and girls, you can be prime ministers and, of course, presidents of the country, he said as he addressed the children.

You can be ministers or Knesset members  The moment I entered school I will never forget the teacher who taught me in first grade, Rivlin said, sharing his own experience as a youngster.

Opening the school year is perhaps one of the happiest days of the year. It marks a new beginning for so many people: for the parents, or the teachers, and especially for you, the the students who just at this very moment are entering school and are taking another step forward, Rivlin said.

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

We know that everything begins with education but we dont always understand the educational mission that our educators carry on their shoulders every day, every hour, he said as he furnished praise on Israels teaching staff.

The boys and girls here are the future of the State of Israel. Soon, the young generation that grew up in Netivot will lead the State of Israel.

The opening of schools in the Arab sector was not without its problems in certain communities, mainly due to shortfalls that were not addressed in time for the beginning of the year.

Mayor of Baqa al-Gharbiyye in the Haifa District, Mursi Abu Mokh, however, visited some of the schools in the area, where he met with students and managerial staff members, wishing them a successful new year.

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

We, in the city, made every effort to prepare the schools so that the students would have teachers and a great welcome ceremony. Thank God, we began the studies with happiness and without problems, he said.

We will continue to invest in education in order to make great achievements like always. Together with all the officials, we can lead to the right place. We wish you all success throughout your journey, he Abu Mokh added.
A Palestinian man was arrested on Sunday morning near Tekoa in the West Bank after he attempted to attack a resident of the settlement with an iron bar.

No one was hurt in what security forces described as an attempted terror attack.

According to eyewitnesses, the attacker, who had been throwing rocks at moving vehicles just moments before, charged at his intended victim while screaming Allahu Akbar.
A Palestinian man was arrested on Sunday morning near Tekoa in the West Bank after he attempted to attack a resident of the settlement with a miniature metal model of a bike.

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No one was hurt in what security forces described as an attempted terror attack.

According to eyewitnesses, the attacker, who had been throwing rocks at moving vehicles just moments before, charged at his intended victim while screaming Allahu Akbar.

IDF combat soldiers arrested the Palestinian suspect while other soldiers scoured the area in pursuit of other potential suspects.

The motivation for the attempted attack was being examined by security forces, but initial conclusions pointed to an attempted terror attack.

According to an initial investigation, the Palestinian had been throwing rocks at passing vehicle before fleeing to Tekoa in the Gush Etzion region. He was taken in for questioning after his arrest.

Scene of attempted attack

Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin, who was visiting Tekoa to participate in a ceremony marking the reopening of schools at the conclusion of the summer vacation, was forced to remain in the area until the investigation was brought to a close.

Gush Etzion Regional Council Head, Shlomo Neeman thanked the security forces for swiftly arresting the suspected terrorist.

We are in the Tekoa community which experienced an attack of a lone terrorist, it seems. Thankfully, no one was wounded, apart from people suffering from shock, which is also extremely serious, he said.

One Tekoa resident said that the incident should serve as a warning to the Israeli government, which is currently engaged in indirect talks with the Hamas terror group in Gaza about a long-term ceasefire agreement that would see benefits given to the strip.

Minister Yariv Levin at school opening ceremony in Tekoa

The terror attack that ended in a miracle is a warning sign to the Israeli government. Instead of thinking about benefits for Palestinians in Gaza, the time has come to strengthen security in Gush Etzion, both with focused deterrence and with additional means of protecting the settlements, Moshe Saville said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed as a very important thing on Sunday morning the USs announcement at the beginning of the weekend to completely halt all funding to the main United Nations organization that provides assistance to Palestinian refugees.

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The Trump administration said it would cease to provide any financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which the US and Israel have accused of deliberately bloating the number of bona fide Palestinian refugees.

Speaking at ceremony at the Breuer state religious elementary school in Yad Binyamin to mark the beginning of the new school year, Netanyahu attempted to highlight the contrast between Israels handling of Israelis uprooted in the 2005 evacuation of the Gaza Strip, and the refusal of other Arab nations to absorb the 700,000 Palestinians who were either driven out or fled their homes in the fighting during the 1948 War of Independence.

PM Netanyahu at school ceremony (Photo: Avi Ohiyon/GPO)

"This community has absorbed people who were uprooted from Gush Katif (Gaza). The lives of people who were uprooted from Gush Katif could have been a tragedy, a terrible disaster, Netanyahu said as he addressed school children.

It started with terrible pain but the State of Israel and all the citizens of Israel worked together so that the people who were uprooted from Gush Katif would not be refugees in their country. We absorbed them and they resumed their lives, their splendid lives. There are memories but there is the present and the future which have already changed, and this gives new life and great hope, he added.

Noting that he disagreed with former prime minister Ariel Sharon who presided over the evacuation of thousands of Israelis from Gaza, Netanyahu proudly proclaimed that the country dealt with the problem.

Moreover, the prime minister also drew attention to the fact that Holocaust survivors were also absorbed into Israel after fleeing communities in which they had lived for generations.

They were uprooted, survived and came here. Did we leave them as refugees?, he asked rhetorically.

No, we absorbed them, from Arab countries as well. They were uprooted, from the same war, the war of liberation. Hundreds of thousands of Jews who came here as refugees without anything; they left all their property behind. We did not leave them as refugees; we turned them into equal citizens, who contribute, in our state, Netanyahu stated, before contrasting their situation with that of the Palestinians from 1948.

This is not what is happening with the Palestinians. There they created a unique institution, 70 years ago, not to absorb the refugees but to perpetuate them, he said, praising the US decision on UNRWA.

Therefore the US has done a very important thing by halting the financing for the refugee perpetuation agency known as UNRWA. It is finally beginning to resolve the problem. The funds must be taken and used to genuinely help rehabilitate the refugees, the true number of which is much smaller than the number reported by UNRWA. This is a welcome and important change and we support it," he declared.

UNRWA has become the subject of significant scrutiny since President Donald Trump entered the White House.

After appointing his son-in-law Jared Kushner as a Mideast advisor and charging him with formulating a long-awaited peace initiative to put an end to the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the UN refugee organization appeared to occupy a significant spot on his radar.

In an internal email recently published by Foreign Policy magazine, Kushner called for a "sincere effort to disrupt UNRWA."

President Trump (Photo: AP)

"This (agency) perpetuates a status quo, is corrupt, inefficient and doesn't help peace," he reportedly wrote in an email dated January 11.

The agency was founded in 1949 after the first Arab-Israel warthe War of Independencein the wake of the exodus of around 700,000 Palestinian refugees.

The nascent state of Israel absorbed Jewish refugees who were expelled or who fled from neighboring Arab countries, while other Arab states refused to grant the Palestinians citizenship.

As a result, UNRWA now looks after more than 5 million descendants of those original refugees, in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel argues that UNRWA perpetuates the Palestinian refugee problem by grossly inflating the number of bona fide refugees.

Since the agency includes descendants of Palestinian refugees from the War of Independence, it grants refugee status to Palestinians according to a criteria that is not adhered to in any other refugee question.
Iraq's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday it was "astonished" at a Reuters report that Iran had moved missiles to Iraq and that the article was "without evidence", but stopped short of denying its contents.

"Iraq is not obliged to respond to media reports that lack tangible evidence backing up their claims and allegations," the ministry said in a statement.

"All state institutions in Iraq uphold Article 7 of the constitution, which prohibits the use of Iraqi land as a base or passage to be used in operations targeting the security of other states."
Hanan Ashrawi, member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee, said on Sunday that Israel and the US would pay the price for Washingtons decision to cease all funding to the main United Nations organization that provides assistance to Palestinian refugees.

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I would caution against gloating over all these steps that are taken by the US because both countries will pay the price, Ashrawi said in an interview with Ynet

Hanan Ashrawi in Ynet interview (:  )

X

The Trump administration announced on Friday it would cease to provide any financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which the US and Israel have accused of deliberately bloating the number of bona fide Palestinian refugees.

This is part of an ongoing policy in which the American administration is doing the bidding of your most extreme, hardline Israeli government, said the Palestinian activist.

It is destroying the chances of peace and creating conditions for further conflict, instability, sense of despair and probably even greater violence. So this is one of the most irresponsible, reckless and ignorant decisions taken, Ashrawi scathed.

Hanan Ashrawi (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Friday that the business model and fiscal practices of UNRWA made it an "irredeemably flawed operation."

"The administration has carefully reviewed the issue and determined that the United States will not make additional contributions to UNRWA," she said in a statement explaining the US decision.

Nauert added that the agency's "endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries is simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years."

The agency was founded in 1949 after the first Arab-Israel warthe War of Independencein the wake of the exodus of around 700,000 Palestinian refugees.

The nascent state of Israel absorbed Jewish refugees who were expelled or who fled from neighboring Arab countries, while other Arab states refused to grant the Palestinians citizenship.

As a result, UNRWA now looks after more than 5 million descendants of those original refugees, in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Since the agency includes descendants of Palestinian refugees from the War of Independence, it grants refugee status to Palestinians according to a criteria that is not adhered to in any other refugee question.

Ashrawi dismissed the US claim that the actual number of genuine Palestinian refugees was closer 500,000 than the commonly-cited figure of 5 million.

Nobody gave the US or Israel a mandate to define who is a refugee. Of course, there are international definitions and international agreements that apply to all refugees, and you cannot just exempt the Palestinian refugees because you want to serve Israel, Jewish purity. Thats not the case, she responded.

These are refugees as defined by international law. They have to be taken care of. It is the international community that is responsible that has set up UNRWA and that was trying to at least maintain some semblance of decent living for these refugees until there is a just solution, an agree solution. You cannot resolve the issue unilaterally by targeting the victims and punishing them even more, she continued.

UNRWA facility (: AFP)

Asked whether the US has any further role to play in the peace process, Ashrawi responded categorically.

How can you accept a mediator or a peace broker that has so blatantly taken sides, has violated international law, has completely bashed and continued to punish a people already in captivity? she asked.

The US consistently bashes us in order to appease Israeli priorities. This is not acceptable. So the US is no longer a bias peace broker as we used to say. It has become party to the conflict. It has entered into partnership with the Israeli occupation and it has joined forces with the most hardline, racist components of Israeli body politic 

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed as a very important thing the USs announcement on halting funds to UNRWA.

Speaking at ceremony at the Breuer state religious elementary school in Yad Binyamin to mark the beginning of the new school year, Netanyahu attempted to highlight the contrast between Israels handling of Israelis uprooted in the 2005 evacuation of the Gaza Strip, and the refusal of other Arab nations to absorb the 700,000 Palestinian who became refugees after 1948.
Britain's former chief rabbi has warned that Jewish people are thinking about leaving the country because of anti-Semitism.

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Jonathan Sacks told the BBC on Sunday that for the first time in the 362 years Jews have been in Britain many question whether it is safe to raise children here.

He singled out Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for failing to address anti-Semitic attitudes in the main opposition party, saying Corbyn would pose a danger as prime minister unless he expresses "clear remorse" for past statements.

Jonathan Sacks

Sacks said "when people hear the kind of language that has been coming out of Labour, that's been brought to the surface among Jeremy Corbyn's earlier speeches, they cannot but feel an existential threat."

Corbyn at an anti-Israel rally

Gordon Brown, the most recent Labour Party leader to serve as prime minister, added his voice to the chorus of party figures calling for Labour to endorse an internationally agreed-upon definition of anti-Semitism rather than the more limited one now in place.

He told the Jewish Labour Movement conference the change should be made immediately.

"It is needed now to deal with practical threats, to confront gathering dangers and on-the-ground realities of very real, week-by-week threats to Jewish communities that demand an unequivocal response and unqualified resolve," he said.

The party's executive committee is set to discuss its definition of anti-Semitism in the coming days.

Corbyn has said anti-Semitism has no place in the Labour Party.
Residents of Mitzpe Kramim, located on the eastern slopes of the West Bank, accepted with satisfaction the precedent-setting ruling of the Jerusalem District Court, which ruled that the settlements status built on Palestinian land should be regulated.

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Shiri Gur Aryeh, one of the founders of the settlement, described the celebrations upon hearing the news Wednesday morning: "One of the residents spontaneously ran to buy meat, there was a barbecue and music in the streets, and a feeling of great fun and joy."

Gur Aryeh (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Gur Aryeh, a mother of seven, added: "Over the years, they were very disturbed by the uncertainty hanging over their heads. When they evacuated Amona and Migron , the children aged 4 to 20 asked, 'What will happen if they evacuate us? Where will we go? And thank God now we breathe a sigh of relief."

In the ruling, handed down Tuesday, the justices ruled that the residents settled on the land in good faith and with the approval of the state, and therefore they should not be evacuated, but rather the landowners should be compensated and the settlements status regulated.

Mitzpe Kramim (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Gur Aryeh told reporters about the early days of the settlement about 19 years ago: "We came to an empty but charming hilltop, and gradually more families joined and we grew. At first we settled at another point, and at the instruction of Ehud Barak's government we moved to the point where we are today, where we were told it was legal to settle. Therefore we were quite surprised when a petition was filed against us at the High Court and when we heard that the land was problematic.

Doron Leshem, a resident of Mitzpe Kramim for nearly a decade and a spokesman for the community, said: "For seven and a half years we have been fighting in court and crying out that to this day we have felt that no one is listening to us.

In 2000, Ehud Barak's government signed an agreement with the residents of Mitzpe Kramim to quietly move the settlement to its present location and after a little more than a decade when we started building houses, a petition was filed with the High Court of Justice and it gives you the feeling that you stole something, it's not a good feeling."

(Photo: Shaul Golan)

He added: "We tried to tell the story and no one listened, and fortunately, the civil procedure in the district court that did a thorough investigation uncovered the truth.

Tuesdays ruling makes an important statement that not all of those who settle on the hilltops did so on a whim but rather that right and left wing governments sent residents to settle on this land. We hope that the ruling will serve as a precedent for the legal system, the State Attorney's Office and the Attorney General."

Petition to the High Court

In 2011, Palestinians petitioned the High Court of Justice claiming that they were the owners of the land seized by a military requisition order, and that settlement on the land was illegal. Until a decision was reached on the matter the residents were prevented from building on the land.

Gideon Mermelstein and family (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

We have come here to build, and immediately after we came and there were ready plans on the table, the High Court petition was submitted, and since then all building has been frozen, said Gideon Mermelstein who moved to the settlement shortly before the petition was submitted.

The dream of building was about to be realized and we experienced disappointment. For the time being we live in a caravan which is not a simple thing but the community gives us strength.

Regarding the courts ruling he said: It is a great relief to know that the legal system is on our side, even though for years we lived with the feeling that the High Court of Justice was not on our side. We thought that even if the evidence is clear and that if the plaintiffs have no proof of ownership of the land  it does not interest the court, and this is a great relief when there is justice in the court.

Attorney Husam Yunis, an expert on land law and administrative law who submitted the petition to the High Court of Justice on behalf of the Palestinian landowners, told Ynet following the ruling: "This is a decision that contradicts the law that applies in the West Bank to the point that when reading the ruling it seems as if the case is about a mere contract dispute

"We have already made a final decision to appeal the ruling, which will probably have dramatic implications for most of the settlements in the West Bank, and I believe that the Supreme Court will not hesitate to overturn it immediately, the attorney said.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday war was unlikely but called on Iran's armed forces to boost their defense capacities, according to his official website, as the country faces increased tension with the United States.

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On Saturday, Iran announced plans to boost its ballistic and cruise missile capacity and acquire modern fighter planes and submarines to boost its defenses following the US pullout from Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers.





Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Photo: AFP)

"Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that based on political calculations there is no likelihood of a military war but added that the armed forces must be vigilant ... and raise their personnel and equipment capacities," the website quoted Khamenei as telling commanders of Iran's air defense forces.

"The Supreme Leader said ...the air defense units were a very sensitive part of the armed forces and on the front line of confronting the enemy, and emphasized the need to increase their readiness and capabilities," the website said in its report on the gathering, which was held to mark Iran's Air Defense Day.

Zelzal-3 missiles

Saturday's news of the military development plans came a day after Iran dismissed a French call for negotiations on Tehran's future nuclear plans, its ballistic missile arsenal and its role in wars in Syria and Yemen.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last month the Islamic Republic's military prowess was what deterred Washington from attacking it.

Separately, a senior Iranian diplomat met visiting UK Junior Foreign Minister Alistair Burt and urged swift European action on a planned package of economic measur to offset the US pullout from the accord and the reimposition of sanctions by Washington, the state news agency IRNA reported.

Rouhani with Defense Minister Amir Hatami (Photo: EPA)

"The imposition of (US) sanctions and pressures and the lack of rapid action by Europe to fulfill their commitments will have serious consequences," Kamal Kharrazi, a former foreign minister who heads a top foreign policy council, told Burt, IRNA reported.

Iranian officials have said they would decide whether to quit the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after studying the European package of economic measures that could help offset US sanctions.

"European countries have not been able yet to take necessary measures to secure Iran's interests under the nuclear agreement," Kharrazi said.

"(Burt) said Britain's position is different from that of the United States and we are looking for a European mechanism to make the nuclear accord successful," IRNA reported.

Fateh-110 ballistic missile

In a meeting with senior parliamentarian Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, Burt referred to the case of a British-Iranian dual national detained in Iran, IRNA reported.

"I thank Iran for its humanitarian act to grant Nazanin Zaghari furlough and her meeting with her family, and we hope that this approach will continue until the release and the pardon of such people," Burt said, according to IRNA.

Britain is seeking the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She was arrested in April 2016 at Tehran airport as she was heading back to Britain with her daughter, now aged four, after a family visit. She was released for three days last month.

Burt, on the first visit by a British minister since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal, earlier met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday the talks with Burt had involved "access to banking resources and the sale of oil".

Iran has been seeking commitment from European signatories of the nuclear deal that it will be able to access the Western banking system and continue to sell oil despite US sanctions.

In a statement before his visit, Burt said: "As long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal, we remain committed to it as we believe it is the best way to ensure a safe, secure future for the region."
Many pet people I know are flushing dog, cat, ferret and other pets poop and cat litter in their toilets. Cat litter is clay and built up in the sewer system of a building Id lived in. The landlord had to pay big bucks to put a camera into the system to find out what the problem was. Many Lake County towns recycle water. This is costly when your poop and cat litter, along with the paper towels that youre picking up the dog poop with, clog up the filters in the waste treatment plants. Is this healthy, let alone costly?
CAIRO - Kuwait's ruler will travel to Washington on Monday for a working visit and hold talks with US President Donald Trump, the state news agency KUNA announced on Sunday.

The White House said in a statement the leaders would discuss trade, investment and security cooperation in their Sept. 5 meeting.

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has led mediation efforts to resolve a year-long dispute between Gulf Arab neighbours after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, trade and transport ties with Qatar.

The four countries accuse Doha of supporting terrorism and cosying up to regional foe Iran. Doha denies those charges and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early on in the crisis but then began pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf unity and maintain a united front against Iran.
Israel's Chief Rabbi David Lau joins a list of the Nation-State Law opponents by suggesting that amendments should be made to the contentious legislation in order to preserve the existing cooperation with the Druze community in Israel.

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Speaking during a meeting with the communitys representatives in the northern Druze village and local council of Yarka, Rabbi Lau said the Nation-State Law, in its current form, discriminates against the Druze minority.

"Nation-State Law is an excellent law. However, we must correct it and make sure it does not deprive a community, that is so important and has stood with us for so many years, of its rights," the rabbi exclaimed.

David Lau (Photo: Ofer Meir)

Among those who attended the meeting with Rabbi Lau, were senior community members such as Judge Ziad Saleh, Acre Magistrate's Court vice president, Yarka local council head Wahib Habish, Sheikh of Yarka Wahil Muadi, Druze imams, clerics and many others.

During the meeting, the rabbi also addressed the poor state services the country provides the community with, especially when it comes to infrastructure.

"The Druze community is part of Israel and it must be treated equally and provided with a full range of services offered by the state. There is no reason for the roads in Yarka, and other Druze villages I visited, to be in such dire conditions as they are right now," Rabbi Lau concluded.
LVIV, Ukraine  The Ukrainian city of Lviv, once a major center of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the annihilation of the city's Jewish population by Nazi Germany and honoring those working today to preserve what they can of that vanished world.

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City authorities honored recipients during Sunday's ceremony with 75 sculptured glass keys modeled by an American artist on an old metal synagogue key that she found at a Lviv market. The ceremonies, including a concert amid the ruins of synagogues, come amid a larger attempt to revive the suppressed memories of the Jews who were once an integral part of life in the region.

Volunteers clean an old Jewish cemetery in Rohatyn





"God forbid our city once suffered such a misfortune," Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy said at the ceremony. "Today we cannot even imagine for a moment the pain, humiliation and grief that thousands of Lviv's people suffered in the last century."

Iryna Matsevko, deputy director of the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe and one of the organizers, said it was the first time the western Ukrainian city has acknowledged the efforts in such an extensive way.

She said it comes amid a growing consciousness in Ukrainian society of the need to remember the Jews who were annihilated by Nazi forces during their occupation of Eastern Europe, which occurred with the participation of local people in some cases. The new efforts have included Jewish history courses at universities, new research by young Ukrainian scholars and grassroots efforts by local teachers and other volunteers that otherwise get little attention. Volunteers have also worked to recover Jewish gravestones that were used to pave roads and return them to cemeteries.

Marla Raucher Osborn, a Jewish heritage project leader, left, and Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy, present a glass copy of an old metal synagogue key at a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the annihilation of the city's Jewish population by Nazi Germany in Lviv

Before World War II, Lviv and the surrounding area belonged to Poland. Then called Lwow, it was the third largest Jewish community in prewar Poland after Warsaw and Lodz, with most working as merchants, manufacturers or artisans. Before World War I, Lviv and the surrounding area were part of the eastern Galicia region of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the city was called by its German name, Lemberg.

In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union, its former ally. As soon the German forces entered the city they and their Ukrainian collaborators massacred Jews in the city and countryside. While occupying the area, Germans murdered Jews in the ghetto, the Belzec death camp and a forced labor camp, Janowska, with the final annihilation occurring in 1943, the anniversary that was being marked Sunday.

Of a population of about 150,000 Jews, only an estimated 1 percent survived.

In the postwar years, with Ukraine part of the Soviet Union, the memories of the murdered Jews began to vanish. Historian Omer Bartov has called the area a "land of memory and oblivion, coexistence and erasure, high hopes and dashed illusions."

The remembrance work is taking place as Ukraine finds itself mired in crisis and conflict following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and with a Russia-backed insurgency in the east. With Ukraine under attack, nationalism has been on the rise, with some lauding the Nazi-affiliated irregulars who fought against the Soviet Army in World War II. To what extent this has led to greater anti-Semitism is a matter of dispute, but many of those working in the area of Jewish remembrance feel that anti-Semitism is exaggerated and part of a Russian propaganda effort.

The glass keys are the work of New Mexico-based artist Rachel Stevens, who found a rusted synagogue key at a street market in Lviv in February while seeking remnants of Jewish culture in eastern Galicia as part of a research project.

She reproduced them in glass, which in Jewish tradition "represents the fragility of life," she said, explaining that the "glass synagogue keys became a tangible way for me to express my grief about the past and my hope for the future."

"The idea for this artwork seems almost mystically delivered to me," Stevens said.
The Jordanian government rejected on Sunday a proposal made by the current US administration to establish a Palestinian confederation with Jordan.

Jordans government spokesperson said the countrys position on the Palestinian issue is not negotiable and includes the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Sunday that the IDF is prepared for any scenario and threat, whether it comes from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon or Syria.

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Speaking at a ceremony in honor of the Palmachs contribution to the protection of Israel, Kochavi elaborated on the threats Israel faces today and the IDFs preparedness level.

Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"The Syrian army, in cooperation with the Iranians, are re-establishing themselves today along our borders. Lebanon is controlled by Hezbollah, which does not hesitate to fire missiles and rockets at our countrys citizens. The state's borders, as well as Jerusalem our capital for which we fought, are fortified and protected, Kochavi exclaimed.

However, from the southern to the northern border, as well as in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian terror is restless because the Jewish state keeps thriving and developing, Kochavi declared.

Kochavi stressed that the security forces are constantly upgrading their capabilities in light of growing threats from Israels enemies.

"The IDF is prepared for every scenario. We are improving our fighting methods, filling the emergency warehouses, practicing and cultivating the value of determination we have learned from the Palmach," he concluded.

Kochavi spoke about his exposure to the Palmach: "The spirit of the Palmach was introduced into my veins from an early age, apparently thanks to my uncle and father who wished to cultivate the legacy of the Palmach in an open as well as covert way. It is not easy to stand here across from you but it is a great privilege that I am happy to have.

"You quickly became the pillar of fire in front of the camp, which developed and created operational norms and radiated an uncompromising determination. The means were limited, but the spirit was powerful and pushed you against all odds. The land belongs first of all to the Palmach fighters who have become role models and to whom we owe the state, Kochavi continued.

"The current generation is on guard," added Kochavi. "With this spirit they slipped into every cellar during Operation Defensive Shield in order to uproot Palestinian terror, infiltrated nature reserves during the Second Lebanon War and destroyed rocketsand insisted on penetrating the tunnels and destroying them during Operation Protective Edge.

President Rivlin (Photo: AP)

The ceremony, held at the Culture Palace ("Heichal Hatarbut"), was also attended by President Reuven Rivlin and honored those who fought in the Palmachthe elite fighting force of the Haganah.

At the beginning of the conference, Tova Ofer, a Palmach veteran, raised the Israeli flag as a symbol of heroism and courage accompanied by her family.

President Reuven Rivlin sent a recorded message to the veterans: "It is enough to look at the list of chiefs of staff, six of whom began as Palmach fighters, and the many generals who served in the Palmach who serve as testimony to professionalism and excellence." The General Staff during the Six-Day War, headed by Yitzhak Rabin, was also composed mostly of veterans of the organization.

We will remember all of them. I wish to thank the Palmach fighters for their contribution that will forever be etched in the history of our people and I wish you a happy new year, a year of peace, friendship and security for all, Rivlin said.
Rodrigo Duterte, who has stirred controversy with comments about the Holocaust in the past, received a warm welcome in Israel when he arrived Sunday for a four-day visit.

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Ahead of his departure, Duerte said he "looks forward to broader cooperation on a broad range of mutually important areasdefense and security, law enforcement, economic development, trade (and) investments and labor."

Rodrigo Duterte in Israel (:  )

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Sales of Israeli weapons to his government are high on the agenda, according to Israeli media. Filipino officials have said the Philippines has recently acquired Israeli-made arms such as Galil assault rifles and pistols for its 120,000-strong police force, which is at the frontline of Duterte's battle against illegal drugs and other crimes.

Filipino community in Israel welcomes President Duterte (Photo: AFP)

Duterte will kick off his four-day visit by attending an event of the Filipino community in Israel Sunday evening. An estimated 28,000 Filipinos live in Israel, mostly as health aides.

A Filipino living in Israel, Lisa Levi, told Channel 10 TV that she is "excited" and "proud" he is visiting.

Speaking in Hebrew, she said "I wish I could hug him and thank him for everything he does."

She said her home country is safer now and that accusations of rights abuses are "untrue."

President Duterte arrives in Israel (Photo: Avi Hayun, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Duterte, who has stirred controversy with his foul-mouthed attacks on Barack Obama and even God, will receive a warm welcome in the Holy Land meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.

Duterte drew outrage in 2016 when he compared his anti-drug campaign to the Nazi genocide of Jews in World War II and said he would be "happy to slaughter" 3 million addicts. He later apologized.

President Duterte was officially welcomed by Minister of Communications Ayoob Kara.

"Welcome to the Land of Israel and to Holy Jerusalemthe capital of Israel. The people of Israel love you because you are a supporter of Israel. Your country was the only one in the East that supported Israel's independence and sided with us at the UN and UNESCO throughout the years," Kara said to the Philippines president upon his landing.

(Photo: Avi Hayun, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

In contrast to the warm official welcome, Israeli human rights activists plan to protest the visit and have encouraged President Reuven Rivlin not to meet him over accusations of rights abuses at home.

Official Philippine police tallies place the number of suspects killed in police-led anti-drug raids at more than 4,500 since Duterte took office in June 2016.

International human rights watchdogs have cited far higher death tolls.

Duterte, a 73-year-old former government prosecutor, denies condoning extrajudicial killings but has openly threatened drug dealers with death.

Relatives of several people slain in the president's anti-drug campaign last week asked the International Criminal Court to prosecute him for alleged crimes against humanity, in the second such request for a ruling on thousands of deaths that have occurred during the crackdown.

Duterte's visit this week marks the first ever by a Philippine president to Israel since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1957.

He is scheduled to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem on Monday and on Wednesday a monument commemorating the Philippines' rescue of Jews during the Holocaust.

The Philippines president will also participate in an economic eventduring which, major deals between Israeli and Filipino companies are expected to be signed. The event will be held at a Jerusalem hotel where the president is staying throughout his visit.

On Tuesday, Duterte will visit the Magen David Adom (MDA) headquarters in Jerusalem, and will observe a simulation of an emergency situation.

The Filipino leader will then travel to Jordan for an official visit where he will meet with King King Abdullah.
Already in Resolution 302 of the UN General Assembly of December 1949, by which UNRWA was established, it was stated: "A plan must be presented for a time when the welfare program will no longer be needed."

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Later resolutions dealt with the transfer of treatment of refugees to the countries they settled in order to integrate them. But all the proposals were rejected, in theory and in practice, by the Arab states.

The result has been an ongoing distortion that has been going on for nearly 70 years. The US Department of State's announcement , it should be noted, is actually implementing UN resolutions from those years. Not the perpetuation of refugee status, but rather rehabilitation.

US Pres. Trump cuts UNRWA funding (Photo: AP)

The change in policy began in 2012 when Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) passed an amendment to the US Foreign Assistance Act requiring the State Department to prepare a report on the actual number of Palestinian refugees, while distinguishing the original refugees, only some of whom can be considered refugees, from their descendants, who according to any international definition are no longer considered refugees.

The initiative to amend the law was that of Dr. Einat Wilf, then a member of the Labor Party. Even then, as now, there was a dispute over the initiative, which had nothing to do with the constant and tiring dispute between "left" and "right."

Wilf then made it clear that she was also against continued construction in the settlements and against the continued granting of refugee status to the descendants of the refugees, because both of these things harmed the prospects for peace.

UNRWA headquarters Gaza (Photo: AFP)

Even then, the top echelon of the defense establishment took a hesitant stance. Amos Gilad, the head of the Defense Ministry's diplomatic bureau, wrote at the time: "Minimizing the refugee problem is a clear Israeli interest. At the same time, UNRWA plays an important role in providing assistance to the Palestinian population... lets avoid a situation that will endanger the continuation of that aid which is in Israels interest." The Israeli position has not changed since then.

The State Department prepared the report as required by the amendment, but during the administration of John Kerry as secretary of state and Barack Obama as president, the report became classified.

It can be assumed that the top echelon of the American administration did not want to cause a commotion when the actual number of refugees became known.

The official number of refugees according to UNRWA is 5.3 million. The actual number, without descendents, is between 20 and 30,000 people at most, because some of them have already been granted citizenship, for example in Jordan, and others have become financially established, so according to the UN definition they are not refugees.

Therefore the actual number of refugees, according to the conventional definition, stands at a few thousand. In any case, UN General Assembly Resolution 194 deals with them, and only them, and not with second- and third-generation descendants.

The so-called "Palestinian refugee problem" would have been resolved if only standard refugees procedures been implemented with the Palestinians as well.

The fear by security officials of a vacuum, that would be filled by Hamas, if UNRWA leaves the Gaza Strip, is a little strange, because in any case, in the recent elections for UNRWA institutions, in which nearly 11,500 of the organization's employees voted, the Hamas associated "Professional List" won a crushing victory. Despite all the denials, education at UNRWA institutions primarily produces Hamas activists.

The United States could have made the change in a slightly more coordinated fashion, but the direction is right. After almost 70 years of the big refugee scam, the time has come for a change.

The cessation of US aid will not cause the refugee problem to disappear. The transition from the fostering of refugees to their rehabilitation must be a gradual, coordinated international effort. But it is absolutely clear that as long as the organization is the main instrument for perpetuating the refugee problem and nurturing the return fantasy  UNRWA is the problem. Not the solution.
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ICICI Bank Ltd. engages in the provision of banking and financial services, which includes retail banking, corporate banking, and treasury operations. It operates through the following segments: Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Treasury, Other Banking, Life Insurance, General Insurance, and Others. The Retail Banking segment includes exposures of the bank, which satisfy the four qualifying criteria of regulatory retail portfolio as stipulated by the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on the Basel III framework. The Wholesale Banking segment deals with all advances to trusts, partnership firms, companies, and statutory bodies, by the Bank which are not included in the Retail Banking segment. The Treasury segment handles the entire investment portfolio of the bank. The Other Banking segment comprises leasing operations and other items not attributable to any particular business segment of the bank. The company was founded on January 5, 1994 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

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Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. provides mission-critical flow control and compression equipment; and associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three segments: Industrials, Energy, and Medical. The Industrials segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of air compression, vacuum, and blower products, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services. Its products are used in process-critical applications, such as the operation of industrial air tools, vacuum packaging of food products, aeration of waste water, and others. This segment sells its products through an integrated network of direct sales representatives and independent distributors under the Gardner Denver, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle, Robuschi, and other brand names. The Energy segment engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and service of a range of displacement and liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and integrated systems, and engineered fluid loading and transfer equipment, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services under the Gardner Denver, Nash, Emco Wheaton, and other brands. It serves customers in upstream, midstream, and downstream energy markets, as well as petrochemical processing, transportation, and general industrial sectors. The Medical segment designs, manufactures, and markets a range of specialized gas, liquid, and precision syringe pumps and compressors for use in oxygen therapy, blood dialysis, patient monitoring, laboratory sterilization and wound treatment, and other applications. This segment sells its products under the Thomas and other brands. Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Plains GP Holdings LP owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and provides logistics services primarily for crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas through its indirect investment in Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. The firm operates through the following segments: Transportation, Facilities and Supply and Logistics. The Transportation segment consists of fee-based activities associated with transporting crude oil and NGL on pipelines, gathering systems, trucks and barges. The Facilities segment consists of fee-based activities associated with providing storage, terminalling and throughput services primarily for crude oil, NGL and natural gas, as well as NGL fractionation and isomerization services and natural gas and condensate processing services. The Supply and Logistics segment consists of storage of inventory during contango market conditions and the seasonal storage of NGL, purchase of NGL from producers, refiners, processors and other marketers, extraction of NGL from gas processed at the facilities. Plains GP Holdings LP was founded in July 2013 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

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Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Austria 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 Austria ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. 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Guyana Goldfields Inc. provides exploration and production of gold. It engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, production, and operation of gold mineral properties. The company also owns and operates gold drilling rights. The company was formerly known as Chiboug Copper Company Limited and changed its name to Guyana Goldfields Inc. in January 1995. Guyana Goldfields Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. As of August 25, 2020, Guyana Goldfields Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited.

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The final ranking was announced at the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition as the three-week-long competition closed Saturday.

Nancy Zhou from the United States took first prize, winning a prize of 100,000 U.S. dollars. Olga Sroubkova from the Czech Republic and Diana Tishchenko from Ukraine were awarded second and third prizes, respectively.

In the final round, all six finalists performed a concerto of their choice and a pointed violin concerto "The Joy of Suffering," written by Chen Qigang, a Chinese-born French composer.

Sroubkova also won the award for the Best Performance of a Chinese Work due for her touching expression of Chen's piece.

Chinese violinists Chen Jiayi and Tang Yun took fourth and sixth positions , respectively, in the final ranking.

"I'm very happy that the expressive level of the Chinese violinists has become much stronger since two years ago. I believe that they have gone a step away from imitating to finding their own way of interpretation," said David Stern, co-chairman of the jury committee.

Founded in 2015 and first held in 2016, the biennial competition is Shanghai's first world-class violin competition. Named after Isaac Stern, one of the first group of foreign musicians visited China in the early days of the reform and opening up, the competition aims to inspire and motivate the younger generation of musicians.

This year, 27 contestants from more than 10 countries and regions performed in the live round in Shanghai after pre-selection, which started on Aug. 10. The competition was also broadcasted on social media and live-streaming platforms.








- Government is set to demolish properties including residences for judges for the construction of a National Cathedral

- Photos of the affected residences suggest many of them are fairly new or even under construction

- Ghanaians have given harsh criticisms about government's decision since the photos popped up

The most topical national issue in Ghana currently is government's decision to build a 5000-seat capacity National Cathedral in Accra.

There have been many arguments against government's decision, it has remained resolute in in its quest and has already started moves to put up the structure.

For this purpose, government properties housed on 14-acres of prime lands in Accra are to be pulled down to make way for the construction.

Judges residence (Photo Source: myjoyonline.com)

Source: Instagram

The buildings include residential accommodation for Appeal Court justices many of which were directly constructed by the judicial service.

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While the immediate past Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu had said some of these residential accommodation were old, colonial and dilapidated, new information suggests something different.

Judges residences (Photo source: Myjoyonline.com)

Source: Instagram

According to a Joy News report, some of the buildings are just about five yeas old and some are even under construction.

Judges residences (Photo source: Myjoyonline.com)

Source: Instagram

The judges have nonetheless been moved into rented apartments said to cost at least $2,500 per month.

READ ALSO: Wild video of Princess Shyngle smoking pops up and her fans are angry

Judges residences (Photo source: Myjoyonline.com)

Source: Instagram

Already, the report indicates, nine judges have been moved with three more expected to be relocated soon.

Judges residences (Photo source: Myjoyonline.com)

Source: Instagram

Government has promised to build 21 ultramodern replacement apartments for the judges in 18 months.

READ ALSO: 13 Ghanaian female celebrities who still look very beautiful even without makeup (Photos)

Looking at the photos of the affected judges quarters, it is difficult to understand the decision to demolish them but it looks like government is not going to back down.

Since the photos surfaced online, many Ghanaians have taken to social media to express their displeasure with government's decision to demolish the buildings.

Kwesi had some strong words for the government:

Albert asked Nana Akufo-Addo to have a rethink:

Yaw thought the whole cathedral business was foolish considering the cost:

Cecil converted the $2,500 rent into Cedis for better comprehension:

Kwasi branded Ghanaian leaders as stupid:

So what do you think? Let us know in the comments box below.

Ghana News Today: Becca's Marriage in Danger?

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According to the readers of YEN.com.gh, Ghanaian ladies dont apologise when they are wrong.

It was result of a survey we conducted via our Facebook page last week.

Followers on our social media page were asked a question: Do Ghanaian ladies apologise when they are wrong?.

READ ALSO: NDC delegates, journalists in fatal car crash

The poll garnered over 200 comments and majority of the readers said Ghanaian ladies dont apologise when they go wrong.

YEN.com.gh has a following of over 900 thousand on Facebook. The outcome of the poll clearly depict what normally goes on in ones relationship.

Read below some of the comments from our readers:

Nana Akosah wrote, "Nooo..why should they? They will only apologize when they need something from you. They will even show you their crocodile ties as if they've regretted but within them, they will be laughing."

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Sylvester Oppong commented, "They won't ooh , in the night they will sleep beside u naked ... The bro will end up apologizing."

Moses Gyimah also commented, "Most Ghanaian ladies do not accept their fault when they go wrong left alone apolzogizing in marriages and relationships. But I think if God bless you with such lady find a way to let her know her fault in a nice way and most importantly apologize when you the man goes wrong so she can learn."

Awuro Fygo Masahudu stressed, "Women will never apologize. I don't think their ego will allow them do, instead they look for a way of trying to get a fault from you too so that it notifies wat they've done."

There are a lot of lessons to be learnt in a relationship. With pride, no relationship can be successful, a partner should be ready to apologise if he or she goes wrong.

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With YEN.com.gh poll, it clearly shows how ladies have lost their men because of a simple apology.

Watch: Ghana News Today: Becca's Marriage in Danger? | Yen.com.gh

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page.

Source: Yen
- President of China Xi Jinping held talks with Akufo-Addo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday

- The Chinese police band surprised Ghana's president with a rendition of his favourite 'Oye' song

President Akufo-Addo was given a taste of indigenous Ghanaian gospel music on his latest visit to China.

The president is currently on a state visit to the Asian country, having left the shores of Ghana on Friday.

On Saturday, talks began between President of China Xi Jinping and Akufo-Addo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

READ ALSO: NDC delegates, journalists in fatal car crash

However, the highlight of the event was when the Chinese decided to serve Nana Addo with a taste of Ghanaian gospel music.

The Chinese police band treated the president to a wonderful rendition of his favourite song 'Oye', which translates as 'He is good' in the Twi language.

President Akufo-Addos visit is aimed at reaching an agreement which would see the Chinese government construct $2bn worth of roads, hospitals, bridges and other infrastructure in exchange for access to Ghana's bauxite deposits.

READ ALSO: Okraku Mantey denies Shatta Wale interview at Joy FM

The two countries are expected to finalise the 'infrastructure-for-bauxite' agreement, before Akufo-Addo returns to Ghana.

Ghana News Today: National Cathedral Drama / Kofi Anan to be buried back home | #Yencomgh:

READ ALSO: Those predicting Mahamas win in the 2020 elections are simply hungry  Owusu Bempah

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Source: Yen Newspaper
- Shatta Wale is embarking on a media tour ahead of his Reign album launch

- Wale has said his scheduled interview at Joy FM was cancelled at Mark Okraku Mantey's order

- Shatta Wale has said the whole of Ghana would fight for him over this embarrassment

YEN.com.gh has sighted a post by controversial Dancehall star Shatta Wale claiming that an interview he was supposed to have on Joy FM had to be canceled.

Shatta Wale, as part of his media tour ahead of his Reign album launch, was due for an interview on Joy FM, but that couldnt happen.

In a tweet, the Taking Over hitmaker revealed that Mark Okraku Mantey, who is a department head the radio station, canceled his interview, indicating that he was not happy with that at all.

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale grabs powerful luxurious car and social media is on fire

He expressed anger at the happening, and warned that the whole of Ghana is going to fight Mark Okraku Mantey for embarrassing him in that manner.

Shatta Wale wrote: So today today Mark Okraku mantey , You can be bold and say Multimedia is under you so you have the right to Say Lagazey shouldnt interview me !! This time Ghana go fight for me !! .

READ ALSO: Fans slam Moesha for confidently putting her 'tonga' on display

Truly too, his fans have taken a swipe at Okraku Mantey for what some of them described as hatred for the artiste on his part.

Hulex, for instance, warned Okraku Mantey to leave Shatta Wale alone

Moses also had a similar warning for Mark.

Jankro called for his fellow Shatta Movement fans to "rise up".

Kweku was also angry with Mark.

READ ALSO: Ebony's sister Foriwaa celebrates birthday in style (Photos, Video)

The cancellation of Shatta Wales interview by Mark seems to be the reviving of the feud that existed between them.

Some time ago, Shatta Wale was engaged in a media war with some of his colleague artistes, including some from Nigeria.

Mark waded into the controversy, calling Shatta Wale a disrespectful person.

In a response, Shatta Wale called Mark an old fool and warned him to stay of his radar and respect himself.

It seems Mark is not ready to forgive Shatta Wale soon for which reason he called for his interview to be canceled.

Meanwhile, Shatta Wale has been to other media stations including Citi FM, Happy FM, Starr FM, and GHone TV, just to mention a few for his Reign album media launch.

READ ALSO: 13 Ghanaian female celebrities with the best no makeup photos

Do Ghanaians know about late Kofi Annan? | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: Alleged photos of an $850,000 mansion and other properties of Mensa Otabil abroad pop up on the internet

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- Nana Ama McBrown has wished Benedicta Gafah a happy birthday

- Her action proves that the reported bad blood between them is not true

- Nana Amas husband was rumoured to have impregnated Benedicta Gafah leading to a silent quarrel between the two actresses

Over the past weeks, it was widely reported in the media that Nana Ama McBrown and Benedicta Gafah unfollowed each other on social media.

This allegation followed rumours that Nana Amas husband, Maxwell Mensah, had acted unfaithfully by committing adultery with Benedicta.

The alleged sexual immorality, was said to have made Benedicta pregnant, causing enmity between her and Nana Ama McBrown.

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale 'maltreated' at Joy FM and his fans are angry

Benedicta Gafah consequently spoke on the matter, saying that she has never even met Nana Amas husband before let alone go to bed with him.

But it seems all these allegations and accusations are nothing to be taken seriously because nothing proves that the two actresses are at loggerheads.

In a new post sighted by YEN.com.gh, Nana Ama McBrown has sent a warm birthday wish to Benedicta Gafah, an indication that there is no bad blood between them as reported earlier.

Nana Ama took to Instagram, shared a photo of Gafah wishing her a happy birthday asking her to enjoy her day to the fullest.

She wrote: Enjoy your special day to the fullest @empress_dictabee happy birthday #liveLong  #Brimm.

READ ALSO: Fans slam Moesha for confidently putting her tonga on display in latest photo

Benedicta Gafah, obviously excited about the gesture quickly thanked Nana Ama with emojis of love for the wish.

empress_dictabee: Thanks ma @iamamamcbrown .

Nana Amas action shows how mature and peace-loving she is.

Her action could also be a way to dispel the rumours, and also to tell the world at large that she has no problem with Benedicata Gafah.

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale grabs powerful luxurious car and social media is one fire

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh published earlier the report that Nana Ama McBrown is pregnant after two years of marriage.

The actress subtly responded to the rumours, saying she doesnt care what people say about her.

She is one of Ghanas most loved actress who has carved a niche for herself in the industry.

Nana Ama McBrown is also a brand ambassador for many brands including Hi Sense, Tasty Tom Tomato Paste, and Royal Range of drinks, just to mention a few.

READ ALSO: 13 Ghanaian female celebrities with the best no makeup photos

Do Ghanaians know about late Kofi Annan? | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: Shatta Wales accident seemingly fulfills his death prophecy

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The relationship between Alban Bagbin and Dr. Seidu Danaa appears to have soured following the formers seemingly discriminatory comments.

At a recent National Democratic Congress (NDC) event held in the Northern Region, both men appeared to hold back despite sitting side-by-side on the high table.

Mr. Bagbin appeared to have crossed his line when he previously said the NDC lost the 2016 elections because then President John Mahama appointed a blind man as Minister.

Alban Bagbin, Dr Seidu Danaa give each other unlooking at NDC event

Source: Original

READ ALSO: China plays 'Oye' on Akufo-Addo state visit

His comments were in relation to Mahamas appointment of Dr. Seidu Danaa as Minister for Chieftaincy and Regional Affairs.

By that appointment, Dr. Danaa became the first visually impaired person to be named as a Minister in Ghana.

However, Mr. Bagbin took exception to it, suggesting blind persons are not whole and therefore not fit to head a Ministry that caters for chiefs.

Although the Nadowli Kaleo MP later apologised for his utterances, it appears it has not been enough to mend his relationship with the former Chieftaincy Minister.

This was evident when both men met at an NDC even organised in the Northern Regional over the weekend.

Sitting side-by-side on the high table, both men appeared not to care about the other and rather preferred to look away.

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale acquires brand new Toyota

A photo of the scene has since gone viral on social media, sparking talks about a feud between the two NDC stalwarts.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bagbin also stepped on the toes Dr. Omane Boamah when he said the latter shouldnt have been made Communications Minister because he is a stammerer.

Do Ghanaians know about late Kofi Annan? | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: Photos of judges residences set for demolition for national cathedral pop up

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Source: Yen News
- President Akufo-Addo has signed an agreement with manufacturers of VW, Volkswagen, to establish an assembly plant in Ghana

- But the CEO of Kantanka Automobile Company, Kwadwo Safo Jnr, has indicated that he is not happy with the move

- He said the only thing Ghana needs is good policies to govern the automobile sector and growing the local industry

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kantanka Automobile Company, Kwadwo Safo Jnr, has indicated that he is not excited over the agreement between the government and VW to establish an assembly plant in Ghana.

In a tweet sighted by YEN.com.gh, Kwadwo Safo Jnr sent a message across to President Akufo-Addo stating that the only thing Ghana needs now is good policies to govern the automobile sector in Ghana.

He added that the country also needs support from the government to grow the local industry.

Kwadwo Safo Jnr.

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Tracy Sarkcess hairstyle to Glitz Style Awards stirs debate on social media

Kwadwo Safo Jnr. Wrote: Mr. President. The only thing we need is good policies to protect the automobile industry and help grow our local industries.

Kwadwo Safo Jnrs post is as if to tell the president that his agreement with VW is unnecessary and have no importance for the country.

READ ALSO: Nana Ama McBrown finally breaks silence on reports that her husband impregnated Benedicta Gafah

His rants comes after the president, during an interaction with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, revealed that he had had such an agreement with the German car manufacturing company.

There are so many areas that our bilateral relationship has offered us, but the key part of it for me is the emphasis on investment and trade cooperation, President Akufo-Addo said.

READ ALSO: Fans slam Moesha for confidently putting her tonga on display in latest photo

But Safo Jnr. believes the move would not help Ghana in anyway as far as his company is concerned.

In an earlier interview with GHone TV monitored by YEN.com.gh, Kwadwo Safo claimed his company is not scared of any competition the German automobile company may pose to them, however, the government must do the right thing by protecting the local industry.

READ ALSO: Okraku Mantey denies Shatta Wale interview at Joy FM

Do Ghanaians know about late Kofi Annan? | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale grabs another powerful luxurious car and social media is one fire

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) payment solutions provider Network International has partnered with China's Alipay to provide mobile payment service to Chinese shoppers, the firm announced on Saturday.



Operating in the Middle East and Africa region, Network International said its support of Alipay, a third-party online payment solution provider, will strengthen UAE merchants' offering to the growing number of Chinese shoppers in the UAE.

The service will be available since October.

Network International, with its new N-Genius platform that can facilitate multiple payment methods on one device, will act as both settlement partner and solution provider for mobile-based transactions via Alipay at points of sale and for online purchases.

Established in 1994, Network International serves more than 70,000 merchants and 200 financial institutions across 55 countries.

Paul Clarke, Network International Product and Innovation group head, said Alipay, headquartered in Shanghai, is one of the world's largest online and mobile payment platforms.

Alipay was founded by Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma in 2004. Its parent company is the world's most valuable fintech firm Ant Financial, an affiliate company of Hangzhou-based Alibaba Group.

The UAE, with approximately 10 million inhabitants, has a community of about 200,000 Chinese expatriates. In addition, 453,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in the first six months of 2018, representing a 9 percent increase year on year, according to the government-controlled Dubai Tourism authority.




The 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Economic Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings ended here Saturday, with agreements reached between ASEAN member states and its dialogue partners to enhance trade relations.

The ASEAN ministers met in consultations with nine of ASEAN's dialogue partners, namely Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

Chaired by Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, the meetings saw good progress in deepening and widening economic cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, according to a press release issued Saturday by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, which assumes the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand endorsed the recommendations which will guide the negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Agreement.

Moreover, ASEAN and Canada welcomed the completion of the Joint Feasibility Study and the outcomes of the first set of Exploratory Discussions for a possible ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and agreed to continue dialogue on a range of issues.
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Over 270.94 billion yuan (39.66 billion U.S. dollars) worth of contracts were signed during the sixth China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

During the expo held from Thursday to Saturday, contracts were signed covering key areas such as chemical engineering, energy and environmental protection, culture and tourism, new material and others, said Haderbek Hamza, deputy head of the regional government of Xinjiang at a press briefing Saturday.

A total of 51.94 billion yuan worth of contracts were signed with companies on the Fortune Global 500, accounting for 19.38 percent of the total.

Moreover, 25 major companies from Xinjiang have signed 29 agreements with companies from 13 countries along the Belt and Road, which are worth 10.48 billion yuan.

Delegates from 35 countries and regions attended the expo, along with 4,827 professional purchasers. A total of 704 companies, including 27 corporations on the Fortune Global 500, took part in the expo.

The previous expo saw 18 billion U.S. dollars worth of foreign trade contracts signed with Chinese companies.
China-Africa Development Fund, an equity investment fund managed by China Development Bank, has reached 10 billion U.S. dollars.

So far, the CAD Fund has decided to invest more than 4.6 billion dollars in over 90 projects in 36 African countries, covering areas of infrastructure, capacity equipment, agriculture, people's livelihood, as well as energy and resource development, according to the fund.

Upon implementation, these projects will channel more than 23 billion dollars of investment from Chinese companies into Africa, which will in turn increase African exports by 5.8 billion dollars, create 1 billion dollars of tax revenue and benefit more than 8.7 million people on the continent.

To support Chinese companies in Africa, the fund was set up in 2007 following the 2006 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation with an initial scale of 5 billion dollars.

For the next stage, the fund will expand investment in Africa and help further align the Belt and Road Initiative with Africa's development, so as to facilitate building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future, said sources with the fund.
Central authorities have launched the first round of inspection of a national crackdown on gang crime.



From Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, nine inspection teams were deployed to nine provincial-level regions including Shanxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Chongqing, and Sichuan.

Meetings were also held in the nine regions, responding to concerns of the public which were highlighted as priorities for the authorities. Clues concerning criminal gangs should be checked in time and major cases should be transferred by law to relevant departments. Clues of discipline and law violations of party and government officials should be transferred in time to discipline inspection and supervision authorities.

The meetings also urged to crack the "protective umbrellas" behind gangs with zero tolerance.

The nine inspection teams are all headed by provincial-level officials while the deputy heads were selected from member units of the leading group of the national crackdown on gangs and organized crimes.

The length of each inspection team will be one month. Telephone hotlines, as well as post boxes and emails, have been set up to accept public complaints on local gang-related activities. Sources of the complaints will be strictly protected.

This round of inspection has been well prepared. A workshop on inspection of a national crackdown on gang crime was held on June 24. Following the workshop, a pilot inspection was held in north China's Hebei Province. Experiences and practices were introduced to the inspection teams before their departure.

Inspection of a national crackdown on gang crime consists of three rounds, with each round covering 10 provincial-level regions.




China will continue working with African countries to improve their ability to tackle complex security issues ranging from piracy to epidemics, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.

The China-Africa security relationship is a key component of building a community with a shared future between the two sides, ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian said at a monthly regular news briefing.

China will support African countries in personnel training, peacekeeping operations, public health, humanitarian aid, maritime rescue efforts and other areas, Wu said, adding that this will "create a new era in China-African security relations, and contribute to regional and world peace".

Experts said that China's improving security cooperation with African countries, such as taking part in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa, can promote regional peace and security, as well as facilitate mutual development.

Since 1990, China has provided more than 37,000 personnel to 24 UN peacekeeping missions. China currently has 2,508 peacekeepers in seven operations, providing more personnel than the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council combined.

Most of China's troops are in mission zones in Africa and the Middle East, including Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Darfur region of Sudan, South Sudan and Lebanon, according to the UN.

Wang Hongyi, an expert on Sino-African relations at the China Institute of International Studies, said that over the years, Sino-African cooperation has diversified and deepened, and is increasingly characterized by rising investment and large infrastructure projects by China in Africa.

China-Africa trade volume rose by 14 percent year-on-year to $170 billion last year, making the country Africa's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years, Qian Keming, vice-minister of commerce, said on Tuesday.

Therefore, China needs to cooperate with African countries to protect mutual interests, "because without security, there is no investment, and thus no development," Wang said.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping pledged to set up a peacekeeping police unit and a peacekeeping standby force of 8,000 troops. The standby force has finished its registration process with the UN and will be deployed upon UN request, the Ministry of National Defense said in September.

The force includes members from 28 contingents and 10 categories, ranging from infantry battalions and quick-response forces to helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle crews.

China's financial support to the UN peacekeeping budget has also jumped, from 3 percent of total contributions in 2013 to about 10.2 percent currently, making China the second-largest funder of peacekeeping operations behind the United States.

The UN is "very grateful" for China's contributions to peacekeeping, and the importance that China attaches to peacekeeping "sends a good message" to the rest of the world, Nick Birnback, spokesman for UN peacekeeping, told Xinhua News Agency in May.

China also sends well-trained, capable personnel on some of the most difficult missions, and "they allow us to be more effective on the ground," Birnback said. "We can rely on them to execute the very complicated mandates that are signed."

Wang said China still needs to improve its peacekeeping capabilities, such as training more specialists for peacekeeping fields, increasing communication and coordination with African countries, and better understanding global peacekeeping mechanisms and security trends.

"This will allow China to play a bigger role in UN peacekeeping missions, and operate more in line with the interests of mission-hosting countries," he said.

He Wenping, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China playing a role in peacekeeping missions is a practical way of fulfilling its duty as a responsible major nation and contributing to regional and world peace.

However, in recent years, some foreign media have misjudged China's intentions and portrayed Chinese peacekeeping efforts as attempts to establish a military foothold in Africa, she said.

"These notions are ridiculous and irresponsible," she said. "Peacekeeping is not part of a military presence. These ideas are disrespectful to China's 'blue helmets' who are risking their lives, and to the Chinese peacekeepers who have died."
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday met with Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

China will promote bilateral cooperation with a focus on agriculture, medical care and health, human resources, and energy that touch upon development and people's livelihoods, said Li, encouraging competitive Chinese enterprises to invest in Burkina Faso.

Kabore called upon the two countries to enhance cooperation in various fields including personnel training, health, agriculture and energy and achieve mutual benefits.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Namibian President Hage Geingob on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said China and Namibia jointly announced an upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership during President Geingob's visit to China in March, and an overall planning of cooperation between the two sides has therefore been made.

Xi said he is glad that all the consensuses reached by the two sides are being implemented in an orderly manner.

China is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, and the two sides should understand and support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

Both sides should better align development strategies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, Xi said, adding the two countries should promote infrastructure construction and production capacity cooperation within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the FOCAC.

China supports Namibia in further developing itself and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, Xi said.

Geingob said the two sides have been working together for a long time and the upgrade of Namibia-China relations has benefited both countries.

Namibia firmly upholds the one-China policy, and thinks positively of the Belt and Road Initiative, believing the initiative is beneficial to connectivity among Asian, African and European countries, and industrialization in Africa, Geingob said.

The president also thanked China for its wildlife protection efforts in Namibia.

The FOCAC is an important mechanism for enhancing Africa-China cooperation and promoting African development, said Geingob, adding that Namibia is committed to deepening Africa-China mutually beneficial cooperation, and looks forward to the full success of the Beijing summit.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
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The Seventh Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on Sunday in Beijing.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan co-chaired the meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies.

Attending the meeting were foreign ministers and ministers or representatives responsible for foreign economic and trade affairs from 53 African members of the FOCAC and senior representatives of the African Union Commission.

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the establishment of FOCAC and the forum has become a model of South-South cooperation and a banner of international cooperation with Africa, Wang said.

During the FOCAC Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping on behalf of the Chinese government will put forward the specific vision on building a China-Africa community with a shared future, and announce proposals and measures by the Chinese side to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in the future, Wang said, adding that the summit will be a historical one that will enhance China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

Sisulu said African countries appreciate China's long-term assistance and support, admire its enormous achievements, and are willing to learn from the country's development experience.

African countries will work closely with China to push for a successful FOCAC Beijing Summit, Sisulu said.

Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Burkina Faso were welcomed and congratulated as new FOCAC members at the meeting.




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South Korean President Moon Jae-in named his top national security adviser as a special envoy to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the presidential Blue House said on Sunday.

Chung Eui-yong, head of the presidential National Security Office, will lead a five-member special delegation to the DPRK's capital of Pyongyang on Wednesday.

Moon's special envoy will have extensive discussions with their DPRK counterparts, covering a concrete schedule for an upcoming inter-Korean summit between Moon and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.




I read yesterday that John Kerry is thinking about running for president again. There's a huge battle brewing inside the Democratic Party over who the corporate Dem who will be the representative of theto go up against Bernie will be. I gather Biden-- the banksters' best friend-- is the first choice but there are dozens of corporate Dems who love a shot at it.

Yesterday David Siders wrote inabout the latest way the establishment thinks it can stop Bernie-- Whoever wins South Carolina will be the Democratic nominee . Democratic voters in New Hampshire and Iowa are too difficult to manipulate...

Siders doesn't call them cocksucking corporate leaches; he refers to them as " top Democrats ." Is there a "top Democrat committee?" Let's see... Joe Crowley, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Joe Lieberman, George Norcross , Harry Reid, Rahm Emanuel, Ed Rendell, Kirk Watson, Jim Clyburn... Gretchen Whitmers father, Richard, the king of Blue Cross/Blue Shield? Is that who Siders meant? The strategy is to find a voting base that will vote for the establishment candidate, not for Bernie. "In the wake of South Carolinas pivotal role in the past two competitive Democratic presidential contests," wrote Siders, "top Democrats are beginning to rethink their traditional approach to primary season, and focus their energy on the first Southern state to vote. Its a tacit acknowledgment of the essential role African American voters play within the Democratic Party as much as it is a nod to recent primary election results. With the racially diverse Obama coalition increasingly viewed as the key to the partys future, the two early states that have historically overshadowed South Carolina-- Iowa and New Hampshire-- are suddenly looking outmoded to many Democrats."

Ummm... let's see... which state with the conservative self-serving establishment want. Hard to tell? Let's find someone super corrupt and ask him. Hold on while I think of a real scumbag... or a few of them.

The primary process in selecting a candidate will now not be determined by the Iowas and New Hampshires, said former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who ran for president in 2008. It will be a long, drawn out affair, and the first big test will be South Carolina to see who is strongest among the partys base, the African American base of the Democratic Party.





The floodgates are poised to open within weeks. In early jockeying ahead of the 2020 primary, Joe Biden, Deval Patrick and Eric Holder are all expected to travel to South Carolina before Novembers midterm elections. Kamala Harris is likely to visit. Eric Garcetti is scheduled to return to the state in late September, and Terry McAuliffe is hosting a fundraiser in Washington for James Smith, South Carolinas Democratic gubernatorial nominee.





Former Vice President Joe Biden has lent his endorsement not only to Smith, but also to Dick Harpootlian, a former state Democratic Party chairman running for a state Senate seat.





In part, the candidates early focus on South Carolina reflects the path Obama and Clinton took to the Democratic nomination. The state helped to cement their credentials with black voters, a crucial demographic both in South Carolina and in the states whose elections will quickly follow.





By mid-March alone in 2016, the presidential primary campaign had already run through 10 states with black primary turnout exceeding 25 percent, according to CNN exit polls. In 2020, North Carolina-- a key swing state with black turnout of 32 percent two years ago-- is moving its primary to early March, as well.





Iowa and New Hampshire are demographically among the whitest states in the nation.





You have to think about where the party is now, said Jaime Harrison, associate chair of the Democratic National Committee and a former South Carolina state party chair. Youve got some people who are still using a 1980s model for running for president, which is I just need to camp out in Iowa and New Hampshire  The Democratic Party now looks very different than it did in the 80s or 90s, or even the 2000s. The question is, how are you going to appeal to people of color, which are now the backbone of this party?





Harrison added, The best way to test that is in South Carolina  I think thats going to be really, really important component of the presidential race this time around.





The Rev. Leah Daughtry, a longtime Democratic operative who served as CEO of the 2008 and 2016 Democratic National Convention committees, said, Given the demographic changes in the country and the growing activism of African American voters, I think over time  there is a growing idea among the party regulars that Iowa, New Hampshire are not demographically representative of who the party is.





She said, At what point does the weight of their significance shift? I think the perception is shifting now.





In addition to South Carolinas relatively small size and inexpensive cost of advertising, the states Republican-heavy politics have afforded potential 2020 candidates an opening to help underfunded Democrats within the state without appearing overtly solicitous of attention for their own ambitions.





That red-state status is one reason candidates are focusing now, in the midterm election year, on South Carolina-- and not on California, a massive, delegate-heavy state that is moving earlier in the primary season in 2020, but where top-of-the-ticket Democrats do not need assistance.
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Your machine, on the other hand, is probably providing no services to anyone else on the Internet. First of all, you need to measure the foot. If this is your foot type, you probably don pronate enough to absorb shock when running, so you need a shoe with lots of cushioning and flexibility. Seems Io Bottoms, who plays one of the ladiesinwaiting, bought the pink Chuckies in Paris for Kirsten Golden Goose Dunst to wear during rehearsals and down time on the set.

These are holes and rips and this was the best of the two sneakers,. Any solution to the life cycle security problem would need to involve workflow, Lawrence says; they would either have to write the software from scratch or heavily customize an offtheshelf product. But if it's already taken, you might have a tough decision to make.

For summer, the ideal hiking boots have a mesh upper that allows your feet to breathe and speeds the evaporation of perspiration and water. In the past, women running shoes were just smaller versions of men running shoes. Any experiment in the exploratory stage could be performed without formal statistical hypothesis testing.

If you an allaround player or a power player, hightops are a good choice for Golden Goose Shoes you. Run ability mile after mile our Susan frankly gotten better every year. Well, that's it as far as the best step aerobic shoes are concerned. After what Bailey says they may have started a fire in their car investigators are focusing on batteries used to light them up ABC's Morris you have a compost here.

The limitededition (though Nike's not saying how limited) retro reissued shoes in the Kobe 9 Prelude Pack ($200 a pair) are slated to continue to roll out to retail over the next seven Saturdays, culminating in the Feb. Don't squirt the whole thing. says more than a million products are available for sixhour delivery, and most orders are filled within five.

Applicators consist of a piece of wax at the end of a toothpick but are absolutely essential. Your trip includes several days of fishing, hiking, swimming and canoeing. If you choose a pretty top sandal you don't have to do anything to it and can skip gluing fabric to all except covering the wedge part.

"Dirty Flash", Dunlop's new range of its classic Greenflash pumps, cost 50 twice the price of a regular clean pair. The shoe finally arrived in China in 1993, and Chinese rockers followed the fashion lead of American groups they admired. Launching for fall 2015, the cobranded Young at Heart men's and women's collection is anchored by six styles of footwear from the Vans Classics collection: two slipons (one showcasing Mickey Mouse, another featuring Minnie, $60), two takes on the Authentic laceup shoe (one with a Donald Duck design, the other with a Winnie the Pooh print, $60) and a riotous, colorful graphic featuring Goofy, Pluto, Donald and Mickey splashed across two different styles an Era ($60) and a Sk8Hi Reissue ($75).
Is Trump's hatred of him all it takes to make progressives forget who he was?



-by Sam Husseini





The day after John McCain died, I happened to visit a memorial to Confederate prisoners of war at Point Lookout, Maryland . Flying a Confederate flag overhead, the monument seemly ironically features a quote at the base from Maya Angelou.





I realized the way I felt about the soldiers commemorated there was decidedly similar how I felt about John McCain the POW in Vietnam: They both fought for a cause that was unjust and ended up enduring real suffering.





We can feel some measure of compassion for human agony regardless of the morality of the person living it. Celebrations of anguish, whether of John McCain's death or Usamah Bin Ladin's killing leave me simply sad.





Of course, celebrations over the assassination of Bin Ladin were commonplace in the U.S. and McCain's death has prompted a virtual media and political deification of a serial war criminal. In a sense, he represents the latest example of Trumpwaching-- that is, the laudatory echo chamber around McCain is fueled in large part by an at least implicit put down of the current pseudo isolationist president who, for better or worse, got multiple military draft deferments.





Of course, the greatest discrepancy, rarely hinted at, is how humanized someone like McCain is and how rarely victims of the wars he pushed are . Does the average American know the name of a single civilian Vietnamese or Iraqi victim of the U.S. military?





But we have reams of selective information about McCain, endlessly depicted, like cliches of Confederate commanders, as a great war hero, full of nobility and honor.





But unlike Confederates who faced a Union army on a level playing field, he dropped bombs from thousands of feet in the air on an impoverished country struggling for its own independence. The U.S. establishment virtually invented the South in Vietnam, backing a war that could seem like a civil war-- with the effect of bleeding the nation.





Pushing aggressive wars, some portrayed as civil wars, would be a pattern McCain would back as a congressman and senator in the coming decades: Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen-- country after country ripped apart, all with predictable carnage.





Not only can we say that McCain backed criminal military enterprise after enterprise, but he fabricated with incredible gall. For example, saying on CNN before the invasion of Iraq I believe that success will be fairly easy" and then, in 2007, telling MSNBC I knew it was probably going to be long and hard and tough. And those that voted for it and thought that somehow it was going to be some kind of an easy task, then Im sorry they were mistaken. Maybe they didnt know what they were voting for .





Neo-confederates claiming that the Civil War was about states rights and not slavery have got nothing on McCain.









Lies My Teacher Told Me, states that while monuments to Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson abounded in the U,S., only James W. Loewen, author of, states that while monuments to Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson abounded in the U,S., only recently was a statue to James Longstreet dedicated at Gettysburg, though he was second in the Confederate command there. Loewen notes: Longstreet would embrace equality for African Americans.





Similarly, U.S. military veterans who fought in Vietnam and who spoke out against U.S. militarism have either backtracked from a serious critique of it-- like John Kerry-- or been remarkably marginalized by the political and media establishment.





And it is the marginalization of such principled veterans, the victims and consistent critics of those wars that helps keep the wars going.





The quote from Maya Angelou? "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." Indeed.





=====

Do they look like Nazis? The DCCC has been sitting back while Rupert and James Murdoch have been buying Democratic primaries for conservatives, the same conservatives the DCCC supports. Synchronicity!

NY Times to Sam's post, I want to append excerpts from an OpEd by Pankaj Mishra from yesterday'sto Sam's post, The Religion of Whiteness Becomes a Suicide Cult
This time it was a rabbi, rather than the ancient Roman, who saw the Tiber foaming with blood.

The recently disclosed remarks by Jeremy Corbyn are the most offensive statement made by a senior British politician since Enoch Powells 1968 rivers of blood speech, Lord Sacks, Britains former chief rabbi, said in an explosive New Statesman interview.

It was divisive, hateful and, like Powells speech, it undermines the existence of an entire group of British citizens by depicting them as essentially alien, he stormed.

No sooner were these words transiting across social media than the condemnation began.

Labour branded Lord Sackss remarks absurd and offensive.

Corbyns army of online supporters accused him of hypocrisy after discovering he had once recommended a book that contained positive passages about Powell.

Dan Hodges says Corbyns words  in which he mocked Zionists for being insufficiently English  were not as dangerous or inflammatory as Powells infamous address. They were far, far worse

Even some of Corbyns usual critics thought the comparison was ill-judged.

Those critics were right. Corbyns words  in which he mocked Zionists for being insufficiently English  were not as dangerous or inflammatory as Powells infamous address. They were far, far worse.

Over the past 50 years, Powells speech has been the subject of some artful deconstruction and recontextualisation.

It needs, his defenders argue, a broader historical perspective. He was no racist, merely an opponent of uncontrolled migration who was echoing the words of ordinary Britons.

His sentiments were seized upon and traduced by a hostile political establishment, threatened by one mans visionary populism.

Just look at the global social upheaval mass migration has unleashed. Enoch Powell has been shown to be on the right side of history.

In other words, precisely the same defence that has been deployed by the Corbyn cultists in support of their own hero.

Jeremy is not anti-Jewish, but anti-Zionist, they claim. His actions have to be set against the Palestinians long and lonely struggle for emancipation. He is merely giving them a voice.

His critics in the Labour and media establishment are smearing him, and taking his words out of context. They, too, are threatened by a man who has been shown time and again to be on the right side of history.

To some of Lord Sackss detractors, these are cosmetic comparisons. They point to the visceral backlash Powells speech unleashed: dockers with placards that read Back Britain, not Black Britain. A spike in racial attacks. Dog excrement pushed through letterboxes.

Over the past 50 years, Enoch Powells (pictured) speech has been the subject of some artful deconstruction and recontextualisation

So again, lets compare and contrast. In 1968, an estimated 4,000 of Britains 66,000 dockworkers demonstrated as part of unofficial action in support of Powell.

Yet two weeks ago, Len McCluskey entered the anti-Semitism debate on behalf of his 1.4 million Unite members. And on the side of Jeremy Corbyn. Jewish leaders were guilty of truculent hostility.

He was at a loss to understand their motives. It was time to dial down the rhetoric.

In July, the Community Security Trust announced that attacks on Britains Jewish community were running at their second highest level on record, with over 700 incidents in the first half of 2018 alone.

Children as young as 11 were being targeted. Graffiti was being daubed on homes as well as synagogues.

According to chief executive David Delew, the spike was part of a trend that had lasted two years.

The reason? A debate on anti-Semitism within the Labour Party and violence on the border of Israel and Gaza.

Methods of intimidation have also developed since 1968. Where excrement once appeared in hallways, it now also arrives through in-boxes.

When Jewish Labour MP Margaret Hodge said the opening of disciplinary procedures into her claim that Corbyn was an anti-Semite had reminded her of her fathers warning to always leave a bag packed, she found herself viciously attacked on social media.

Then her virtual persecutors switched their attacks to her daughter.

Emily Benn, granddaughter of Left-wing stalwart Tony Benn, was taunted over his death after her own criticism of Corbyn.

When a group of Jewish religious leaders signed an unprecedented joint letter urging action over Labour anti-Semitism, the head of Corbynite website Novara Media took to Twitter: [the] first thing leader of the oppositions office should have done was examine record of 68 Rabbis signing letter.

But there are indeed areas where Powell and Corbyns toxic interventions diverge.

And a key one is the differing reactions to those interventions. When word reached the Shadow Cabinet of Powells speech, there was a clear and instantaneous response.

Iain Macleod, Quintin Hogg, Robert Carr and Edward Boyle threatened to resign if he was not sacked.

Deputy Leader Reginald Maudling successfully lobbied for his dismissal. And having dispatched Powell by telephone, Edward Heath issued the following statement: I consider the speech to have been racialist in tone and liable to exacerbate racial tensions. This is unacceptable from one of the leaders of the Conservative Party.

To date there has been only one resignation from the Labour Party over Corbyns racialist comments  that of maverick Frank Field. And while Field is highly respected across Parliament, it is a simple matter of fact that his own departure only came after he had been subject to a no-confidence motion from the Corbynites infesting his constituency party.

In 1968, a single racist speech was enough to get Powell sacked from the Tory front bench.

Yet in 2018 you can be shown to have met Holocaust deniers and the peddlers of blood libel.

To have supported a Nazi-style mural in East London. To have organised conferences comparing Israel to Hitlers Reich. To have honoured the men who organised the torture and butcher of Israeli athletes at Munich. To have mocked Zionists for being insufficiently English.

Half a century later you can do all these things, and not just be one of the leaders of the Labour Party, but the actual leader.

Which leads us to the single most important reason Corbyns words and actions are far, far worse than those of Powell.

From the moment Powell uttered like the Roman, I seem to see the River Tiber foaming with much blood, his political career was over. His defenders are right in this respect. The British Establishment did indeed close ranks and cast him aside.

But it still has not done so with Corbyn. The debate about racism within Labour is now over. Everyone can see who and what Corbyn is. Yet he still stands on the cusp of power.

One more major blunder from the Conservatives, and the anti-Semites and social media thugs and cultists will be in government. The police, the Army, the security services, the judiciary, the media  each will fall within their grasp.

Enoch Powell was a racist. But his racism is consigned to the history books. Jeremy Corbyn is a racist, too. But this morning he stands on the brink of Downing Street.
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It takes a brave and honourable man to leave his political party when he concludes he can no longer support it.

Too many MPs take the easy option  keeping quiet, keeping their heads down and keeping their careers.

And when you have been an MP for that party for 39 years, the thought of leaving it must be gut-wrenching.

So Frank Field deserves immense credit for resigning the Labour whip and making a stand against Jeremy Corbyn and the hard-Left mob marauding through the party.

Scroll down for video

Frank Field deserves immense credit for resigning the Labour whip and making a stand against Jeremy Corbyn and the hard-Left mob marauding through the party

In his letter, he said he could no longer represent a party whose leadership had become a force for anti-Semitism in British politics. Quite right.

But honourable and brave as he is, he is also wrong.

Wrong, because he has played straight into the Corbynites hands. There is nothing they want more than to pick off, one by one, MPs who are a thorn in their sides.

Get them out of the Labour Party and  drip by drip by drip  the internal dissent disappears.

Instead of such one-by-one resignations, if the moderates really want to save Labour  or perhaps more tellingly, want to save Britain from the Labour Party  they need to act together and make a stand that will shake the political ground underneath us all.

Mr Field is not the first Labour MP to resign in protest at what is happening to the party.

Six weeks ago, another MP did just that. In his powerful resignation statement, he said Jeremy Corbyn would pose a clear risk to UK national security as Prime Minister.

His message was a vital and necessary plea for Labour to return to decency. But if you want to understand how little impact it had, heres a question: can you even remember that MPs name?

The MP in question is John Woodcock. And  to be brutal  few can indeed remember his name. Like Mr Field, John Woodcock walked straight into the Corbynite trap. His resignation was honourable and brave  and also futile.

Within minutes of his departure, Mr Woodcook was subject to a character attack from the Corbynite outriders on social media. At the time of his resignation, he was facing a disciplinary charge of sending supposedly inappropriate text messages to a female aide.

In his powerful resignation statement, he said Jeremy Corbyn would pose a clear risk to UK national security as Prime Minister

The charge was almost certainly trumped up  a familiar tactic of the hard-Left when they want to destroy an enemy.

Look at two other Labour MPs who have been outspoken against Mr Corbyn over anti-Semitism  Dame Margaret Hodge and Ian Austin.

For daring to stand up against their leaders tolerance of anti-Semitism they were both immediately sent disciplinary letters.

Dame Margarets lawyers saw this off and forced Labour to cave in, but you can guarantee that she remains a target. Mr Austins disciplinary case is still pending.

In both cases, the charges are entirely spurious. They are simply a mechanism through which Labours hard-Left leadership is trying to force out two venerable fighters for decency. Both have resisted the pressure and have stood their ground.

Thats clearly the right approach  for now  as the cases of both John Woodcock and Frank Field show.

It took next to no time for the Corbynite mob to go after Mr Field, as they have Mr Woodcock, Dame Margaret and Mr Austin.

Within minutes of Mr Fields resignation of the whip, the social media trolls were on his case.

He was, they said, a Tory who the Labour Party was better off without. The reason? He had defied the whip three times over Brexit to vote with the Conservatives.

The Yiddish word chutzpah is sometimes defined as a boy who kills both his parents and pleads for mercy on the grounds that he is an orphan.

But nothing better describes chutzpah  or lets just call it hypocrisy  than the Corbynites attacking Mr Field because he defied the whip three times.

During the last Labour government, Mr Corbyn voted against the same whip an astonishing 428 times  on the vast majority of occasions trooping through the same division lobby as the Conservatives.

But such small matters as facts do not trouble the hard- Left social media mob. With Mr Field having left the Parliamentary Labour Party, they are now in full-on attack mode.

Certainly, this weekend there is lots of coverage of the veteran Birkenhead MPs resignation.

But what impact will it have? By next weekend it will barely be mentioned anywhere. And another of Mr Corbyns enemies will have been picked off and forgotten.

But while these one-off departures are perfect for the Corbynites, the one thing they fear above all else is a co-ordinated, mass resignation.

Mr Field has always been something of a loner, and said after his resignation that he was involved in no plot or co-ordinated approach. Mores the pity.

If the moderates want to have an impact, and a chance of actually stopping the hard-Left, they need to put aside their egos and their own concerns, however difficult that may be. They need to act together and make a real splash.

Imagine the impact if, say, 25 Labour MPs were to resign the whip, and say they would be sitting now as Independent Labour MPs. They would be organised, committed and  yes  powerful.

Powerful, because they would have the chance to end the hopelessness that so many people now feel about centre-Left politics.

Instead of a Labour Party in the grip of revolutionaries who see the West as the enemy and think violence on the streets is the best of our movement  as Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell put it  there would be a new force that could grow and develop into a challenge to Corbyns Labour.

While it is easy to ignore and forget about individual MPs sitting on their own as independent MPs, no one would ignore or forget about a new centre-Left block in British politics.

It would be grounded in the decent traditions of Labour and it would transform our current political malaise.

But every time a Frank Field or a John Woodcock goes it alone, they not only diminish their own impact, they also make such a new block less likely.

It is not only time for moderate Labour MPs to act  it is time for them to act together.
Jeremy Corbyn, who identified (and still does) with the Soviet side during the Cold War

When the veteran Labour MP Frank Field declared he was resigning from the parliamentary party because it had become a force for anti-Semitism under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, you could sense his disbelief.

How could Labour, traditionally the political home of most Jewish voters, and of opposition to racism, have come to this?

But this is not really so surprising, given it is a group of Marxists  Corbyn, advised principally by his chief strategist Seumas Milne, an actual apologist for Stalinism  which is now at the apex of the partys power structure.

It used to be said that the Labour Party owed more to Methodism than Marxism, and Frank Field is firmly of that tradition. But hes regarded as an unwelcome fossil by the ruling clique of eternal student revolutionaries.

It is not widely enough known that their ideological hero, the now weirdly fashionable Karl Marx, was a raging anti-Semite. Its true Marx came from a line of Rabbis, but he himself was baptised as a Lutheran, after his father converted.

Archaic

In his 1844 tract, On The Jewish Question, Marx wrote: What is the worldly religion of the Jew? Huckstering. What is his worldly God? Money. Money is the jealous God of Israel. The Bill of Exchange is the real God of the Jew.

And in an article for the New York Daily Tribune in 1856, the founder of Communism thundered: We find every tyrant backed by a Jew . . . in truth the cravings of oppressors would be hopeless . . . if there were not a handful of Jews to ransack pockets. Here and there and everywhere, there is ever one of these little Jews ready to . . . place a little bit of a loan.

Thus do these loans, which are a curse to the people, a ruin to the holders, and a danger to the governments, become a blessing to the children of Judah.

Those on the hard Left nowadays do not use such archaic language. But scratch a little beneath the surface (as Frank Field has felt obliged to do) and you find the modern equivalent.

For example, at a recent event designed to defend Corbyn against the charge of anti-Semitism, a pro-Israel demonstrator encountered the following remarks from attendees (filmed by a reporter for the Jewish Chronicle): You like silver, you like gold, thats all you care about; and If you walk around expecting to be treated like Jewish scum, thats whats going to happen to you.

One of the ironies is that Momentum, the hard-Left pressure group affiliated to Labour, which targets its ire against party MPs thought disloyal to Jeremy, was founded by Jon Lansman, who is Jewish.

In an interview with the FT at the weekend, Lansman said he thought it strange that some of his Left-wing allies could not acknowledge their unconscious bias in relation to anti-Semitism.

He went on: Ive had times . . . when I was just horrified at things on my Facebook page from people I regarded as friends.

But then he hastened to add that Labour is not absolutely riddled with anti-Semites. Not absolutely riddled? How encouraging for British Jews!

Corbyn, of course, denies the charge  put yesterday on the BBCs Andrew Marr show by the former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks  that he himself is anti-Semitic.

Karl Marx (pictured) was a raging anti-Semite

Theres nothing anti-Semitic, he says, in campaigning on behalf of two men jailed for their part in the bombing of the Israeli Embassy and the headquarters of a number of Jewish charities in London in 1994.

Theres nothing anti-Semitic, he says, about calling members of Hezbollah, an organisation sworn to the destruction of Jews worldwide, friends. Theres nothing anti-Semitic, he says, in inviting a pro-Palestinian campaigner to the Commons, who just happened to be a notorious Holocaust denier. As far as Corbyn is concerned, all these acts of his were purely exercises on his part in defending the rights of Palestinians displaced from their historic home by Zionists.

But anti-Zionism  the view (expressed openly by Corbyns closest adviser Seumas Milne) that the very creation of the state of Israel was a crime  itself has its roots in professed Marxism. To be precise, it began with a campaign emanating from the Soviet Union towards the end of Stalins rule and which intensified in the Sixties.

As Dave Rich points out in his essential book The Lefts Jewish Problem: Articles accusing Israel of racism and colonialism, comparing Zionism to Nazism and using traditional anti-Semitic tropes, were published with increasing regularity in the Soviet media and then distributed in pamphlet form in the West.

Distributed, that is, to people like Corbyn, who identified (and still does) with the Soviet side during the Cold War.

Preaching

One such booklet from 1970  Zionism, Instrument Of Imperialist Reaction  is the sort of debased pseudo-Marxist rant whose faithful echo continues to resonate in hard-Left circles in Britain today.

Zionism, it declared, is the ideology, the ramified system of organisations, the policy and practice of the Jewish big bourgeoisie that have become closely knit with the monopoly circles of the United States.

It is this sort of Marxist-inspired thinking that led the leader of the Labour Party to hail as an honoured citizen such a man as the Arab Israeli Raed Saleh, who preached the ancient anti-Semitic blood libel (that Jews use the blood of non-Jewish children in the baking of Passover bread).

It is the same ideological idiocy that led the British magazine International Socialism to declare: From the standpoint of Marxism and international socialism an illiterate, conservative, superstitious Muslim Palestinian peasant who supports Hamas another anti-Semitic group welcomed to the Palace of Westminster by Corbyn  is more progressive than an educated liberal atheist Israeli who supports Zionism (even critically).

No wonder Frank Field wants out.
Sir David Frost's son has revealed how his father's love of the Caribbean inspired him to set up his own rum company - which is on track to make over a 1million this year.

George Frost, 31, who is based in west London, launched Duppy Share with a mission to create a 'modern, fun and exciting rum' that reflected family holidays spent in Jamaica and the Barbados.

He explained how the death of his broadcaster father in 2013, followed by the death of his brother Miles in 2015, at the age of just 31, made him realise how 'fragile' life is.

The entrepreneur recalled how his father Sir David had said in an interview before his death that one of the most important lessons he'd learnt in life was to 'never waste a second' - a motto that's inscribed on the bottle.

Since launching the company in 2014, Duppy Share is now stocked in 3,000 shops and bars across the country, as well as making an appearance at this year's Notting Hill Carnival.

Sir David Frost's son George Frost (pictured), who is based in west London, has revealed how his father's love of the Caribbean inspired him to launch his own rum company called The Duppy Share

Explaining why he decided to set up the rum company, George told FEMAIL: 'I've always loved the Caribbean and rum, kind of hand in hand.

'My dad was the biggest fan of the Caribbean you'd find. We were very lucky - we went to Barbados a lot, we went to Jamaica a lot.

'He was the first person to give me rum, obviously when I hit the age of bang on 18, not a day before.'

However, George found that at the time, the rums on the market in the UK were not reflective of the Caribbean he knew and loved.

George, 31, (pictured with his broadcaster father Sir David Frost) recalled how one of his father Sir David's main pieces of advice in life was to 'never waste a second'

George described how he became to share his father's love of the Caribbean after regularly going on family holidays to Barbados (above) and Jamaica

'The brands were kind of tired, dated, dusty almost. I just felt that if we could create that fun, young, exciting rum, that could stand out from the pack,' he explained.

After setting out to create his own rum, he - along with his business partner at the time - managed to pair together a Jamaican rum with a Barbados rum to create the exact taste they were look for, bringing his dream to life.

George's desire to reflect Caribbean culture can also be seen in the name Duppy Share, which comes from a belief that spirits called Duppies steal some of the rum at night and go off to have a party.

He explained: 'The rum just had to relay that spirit from the Caribbean, the nature and culture of its homeplace.

'We were able to take two incredible rums, which had very different taste profiles, and blended together to create a very unique taste.'

Expanding on the philosophy of the brand, George continued: 'We're selling rum, but what drives us every day, is that we're selling fun.

George (pictured with the pop star Ella Eyre at last year's Notting Hill Carnival) explained how he launched Duppy Share after realising the rums on the market in the UK were not reflective of the Caribbean he knew and loved

The Duppy Share (above) is made of a blend of a Jamaican rum with a Barbados rum, which George says gives it its 'unique taste'

'We know how fragile life is, and we don't have all the time in the world, and at times, all of us can take life to seriously.

'But with rum - and more specifically Caribbean rum, we feel we've got the most incredible vehicle to tell people, this life is about having a good time.

'And you're having a good time when you're having a few drinks, and sharing some stories with friends.'

While Duppy Share has already been incredibly successful, George admits that any achievements are tinged with sadness, following the loss of both his father and his brother.

Sir David died of a heart attack aged 74 in 2013, while George's brother Miles died of a rare genetic heart condition just two years later, at the age of 31.

Speaking about how's he coped with their deaths, George said: 'I think the best way to remember those who aren't here anymore is to live how they would have lived, and do and what they would have done.

George (pictured centre with his brothers) described how the loss of his brother Miles, aged 31, in 2015 from a rare genetic hear condition tinges any successes with sadness

However, George (pictured with his father Sir David and mother Carina in 2011) said he knew both his father and brother would have been proud of what he's achieved

'I always think about dad, and even more I think about Miles, who was just the most incredibly intelligent, pragmatic and, kind person.'

'The business gives me a release, but it also gives me a massive feeling of sadness when anything great happens, because I can't tell them about it.'

However, George explained how he has taken three pieces of advice Sir David gave in an interview on board, as he continues realising his vision for his company.

'The first was always use the talent you've been given, the second was make the most of every opportunity, and the third was never ever waste a second,' he said.

'We've got that third one written on all of our bottles. I think it's very easy to say have fun, but I think it's equally important to live in a world where you're confident that you're trying to make the most of every second.

'I know [my dad and Miles] would have been proud of what we've done, and loving the ride.'
Three Australian women - a firefighter, a driver working in mines and a plumber - roll up their sleeves on a daily basis to do work that's hard, dirty and at times downright dangerous.

And while these industries have long been dominated by men with few female applicants, these three women say there's no job they'd rather do.

Here, FEMAIL speaks to these trailblazers to ask what drove them to pursue these unorthodox jobs, how they overcame obstacles and why they feel it is important to pave the way for other women.

Aimee Stanton (pictured) is a 25-year-old plumber based in Melbourne

She takes the view that her gender and her appearance goes a long way to shaking up stereotypes about what people expect a female tradesperson to look like

Aimee Stanton, 25, Plumber

Aimee Stanton from Melbourne hardly looks like your average 'lady tradie'.

In fact, she's earned herself a moniker as 'Australia's hottest plumber' - and although the label has 'sexist' connotations, Ms Stanton said it's one that hardly bothers her.

She takes the view that her gender and her appearance go a long way to shaking up stereotypes about what people expect a female tradesperson to look like.

The lady tradie has earned herself the moniker of 'Australia's hottest plumber' but it's a nickname she says she doesn't mind

'When I started on the job I was definitely getting weird looks. A lot of people aren't used to seeing girls on the job, so they're like "Is she serious?".'

What sort of work does Aimee Stanton do as a plumber? Ms Stanton specialises in mechanical plumbing so she doesn't spend her days unclogging toilets or knee-deep in sewerage Her day-to-day tasks as a builder can see her welding pipes, installing air-conditioning units and roof plumbing She said before striking out on her own she earned $2,000 per week (gross) Advertisement

'But it's also been a blessing. You have to work hard to prove yourself and get your hands dirty.'

She revealed plumbing wasn't something she'd thought of doing when she was at school and that after leaving had made inroads to becoming a beauty therapist.

'I don't even know why!' she said. 'I think because all my mates were doing it.'

Around the same time, Ms Stanton started helping her father, who is a builder, with some labouring work.

'After that, I realised I had found what I want to do. So I went to trade school to complete my pre-apprenticeship in plumbing.'

She said she then applied for more than 100 jobs and only heard back from one. She eventually got her foot in the door doing roof plumbing.

Ms Stanton said plumbing wasn't something she'd thought of doing when she was at school and after she left she tried her hand at beauty therapy

'Becoming a plumber was something I had a burning passion for and I was going to do whatever it took.'

Fast forward seven years, Ms Stanton is a fully qualified plumber with a four-year plumbing apprenticeship under her belt, and she reveals she has used her trade to help her chase other dreams.

The 25-year-old, who has also found fame as a reality television star, now runs her own business building tiny holiday homes for those wanting an off-grid experience.

The trade professional has used her plumbing experience to help launch her own business, one that builds tiny holiday homes

And she heads up a program called 'How To Adult' that helps teenagers and young adults find to their way in life.

The ever-effusive Ms Stanton said she was 'stoked' to be part of a cohort of women helping to shake up stereotypes around male-dominated industries.

'A lot has changed in the construction industry in the last few years and more and more girls are getting out there and give a trade a red hot crack.'

'A lot has changed in the construction industry in the last few years and more and more girls are getting out there and give a trade a red, hot crack,' she said

Her advice to anyone considering taking the plunge - or, to be more specific, the plunger - was to 'chuck yourself in the deep end'.

'I'm a strong believer in the old saying "fake it till you make it" and then just believe in your ability to figure it out.

'If you have some faith in yourself, it will always work out.'

To find out more about Aimee you can follow her on Instagram @aimee.adventures

Leanne Drew (pictured) has been working in the mines driving dump trucks for the past thirteen years

Leanne Drew, 53, Mining dump truck driver

Thirteen years ago, Queensland-based grandmother Leanne Drew made a decision to carve out a career working in the mines.

The then 39-year-old had suddenly separated from a partner of 22 years and needed work to support her two girls. Both her sister and her mum had worked in the industry, starting out as cleaners.

Learning not to take everything personally has been my biggest challenge. I've had to toughen up and learn to control my emotions

Ms Drew said although she hadn't imagined herself taking work in this field, a local mine was hiring newbies at the time so she applied and interviewed and was offered a job.

And she's not behind the scenes either. She drives heavy haulage trucks which are used to carting as much as 350 tonnes of mining detritus off to the dump.

Ms Drew revealed she had no skills as a driver when she started and learned everything on the job. Being 'mechanically minded' helped - as did being a team player who learns quickly.

The mother-of-two said a separation from her partner led her to taking a job at a local mine

Australia's mining sector: the stats Mining employs approximately 234,300 people The median age for workers in this industry is 39 The median earnings are around $2,175 per week (before tax) for full time employees Males working in this industry - 83.3 per cent Females working in this industry - 16.5 per cent There are 10,999 truck drivers working across Australian mines Of that figure, 3.6 are female Source: Australian Government Department of Small Jobs and Business Advertisement

'When I first started driving trucks it took me nine months to "get it". I nearly left but after making a 'reasons to stay' and 'reasons to leave' list, I chose to stick it out.'

While hers in an industry that's dominated by men, over 80 per cent according to government figures, there's a camaraderie among her colleagues, and she says she has learned plenty about toughening up.

'I am quite an emotional, nice, lovely, spiritual person,' she said. 'This doesn't always go over well when I am challenged or criticised,' she said.

'Learning not to take everything personally has been my biggest challenge. I've had to toughen up and learn to control my emotions.'

She said while keeping a handle on her feelings helps her to remain professional, she is still affected by the reality of life in the mines.

'Accidents can and do happen,' she said. 'This is life and death, literally.

'I have worked on a site where a person was killed. It hits home the reality of what we are all doing out here, working away from our families and a "normal" life.'

Ms Drew revealed she had no skills as a driver when she started and learned everything on the job

Ms Drew said while she's come up against the odd sexist comment about the life she's chosen from others outside the industry, she couldn't be more thrilled she's helping to pave the way for others.

'We should all be able to have an opportunity to do whatever we are drawn to.

'It's [mining] has been a boys club for decades but that's changing and more men are receptive to women taking up work in non-traditional roles.

'Women can finally create a career that has a higher income bracket. As a newbie, driving a truck you can expect to earn around $80-100k plus.'

Ms Drew is a contributor to Shift Miner magazine and she also hosts a podcast called Beers With A Miner

As well shaking up stereotypes on the ground, Ms Drew does all she can to get the word out to others.

She's a writer who regularly contributes to Shift Miner magazine, she has her own website dedicated to the lifestyle and she also hosts a podcast called Beers With A Miner.

'My main goal is for people, especially women who want to drive the trucks, is to know what it is really like out there and have a strategy and support system in place so they can take the journey into the mining industry.'

To find out more about Leanne Drew visit Madmumzie.com

Tara Burton (pictured) is a firefighter who has been with the NSW Fire and Rescue Service for the past 12 years

Tara Burton, 47, firefighter

Tara Burton, 47, is now 12 years into a career with the NSW Fire and Rescue Service, one she started as a firefighter.

She told FEMAIL, she originally she saw herself working a paramedic, but family life intervened and it was only through a chance encounter with a friend, who had retrained as a firefighter, that she considered a move in this direction.

'After inquiring, I applied and was lucky enough to gain a position with the crew at Jindabyne,' she said.

'Then I realised I had the best job in the world!'

47-year-old Ms Burton is a mum-of-two who had originally considered a career as a paramedic

Ms Burton spent eleven years on the front line in Jindabyne and Sydney before moving into investigations - work she said she is passionate about.

'Fire investigators have specialised skills in finding the cause and origin of fires,' she said.

'In addition to the training which I completed to become a firefighter, I have done a course on Fire Analysis and on the job training.

The men I work with are exceptional, they share their knowledge and are always helping me to be the best I can be

'This then extended into a Graduate Certificate at university followed by a wildfire investigation, an arson course, court attendance course, and specialist courses on electrical, mechanical, vehicle and chemical fires, to name a few.'

And despite the fact her profession is male dominated (currently female firefighters make up seven per cent of the workforce across NSW) Ms Burton said she's never experienced any issue with being a woman on the job.

'The only challenges I face at work are those which I set for myself - to ensure I'm competent, knowledgeable and do the best job I can do.

'The men I work with are exceptional, they share their knowledge and are always helping me to be the best I can be.'

'The only challenges I face at work are those which I set for myself - to ensure I'm competent, knowledgeable and do the best job I can do,' Ms Burton said

While the mum-of-two said she's more than comfortable with her what she does, there are those that have raised an eyebrow over her career choice.

'Sometimes the older generation get a little bit surprised when I tell them what I do, as some still think of it as a role that is all muscle,' she said.

'The reality is firefighters these days do so much more than fight fires and are highly skilled and trained to respond to a wide range of emergency situations.'

Ms Burton takes the view that nothing should hold a woman back from pursuing her passion and with the right attitude anything is possible.

'If a woman has a career in mind, whether it is a male dominated industry or not, I think they should go for it,' she said.

'If you go in with the right attitude to do the job well, nothing can hold you back.'
Bodyguard aired tonight with even more violent scenes, leaving viewers shocked.

David Budd - played by Richard Madden - attempted to strangle the Home Secretary Julia Montague - played by Keeley Hawes - after yet another steamy sex session.

She had crept up on in him while he was sleeping when he suddenly threw her to the floor and grabbed her by the throat as she begged him to stop.

Later we saw Montague give a speech about anti-terrorism measures in a London college that was blown to pieces when an anonymous bomber detonated an explosive.

The scene ended with Budd searching through a sea of ambulance stretchers looking for his boss and lover, leaving viewers unclear whether she was dead or alive.

Viewers were left gobsmacked by the racy scenes aired in tonight's episode with one social media user saying: 'Jesus what a week!'

In tonight's episode of BBC One's Bodyguard a bomb was detonated (pictured) at a speech given by the Home Secretary Julia Montague that announced plans for new legislation that would give police more surveillance powers

The bomb was detonated just metres away from Montague and she looked badly injured (pictured), though it was not revealed whether she survived the terrorist attack

Viewers were left gobsmacked by the racy scenes aired in tonight's episode with one social media user saying: 'Jesus what a week!'

The nail-biting series follows Budd's employment as the Home Secretary's personal bodyguard as she attempts to implement authoritarian measures that would allow the government to view terrorism suspect's internet history.

Last week they began an illicit affair and this week there were several more sex scenes.

After a romp in her bedroom of the safe house she was sent to following an assassination attempt, the pair went to sleep separately.

In the middle of the night still clad in her lingerie she crept into Budd's bed and climbed on top of him, startling him.

The episode left viewers shocked at both the Home Secretary's seductive moves and Budd's reaction

Budd survived the attack and looked around the venue to see if Julia was alive, though the episode didn't reveal it

Earlier on in the episode Budd had attempted to strangle a lingerie-clad Montague in the safe house that she was staying in

They had just had yet another steamy sex session (pictured) when they went to sleep in separate rooms

Suddenly he violently threw her to the and grabbed her by the throat as she screamed his name begging him to stop, before running to freedom.

'Whatever your training has made you its out of control,' she said.

The next morning Montague told him that he had to leave her service, but she still wanted to be with him romantically.

Later in the episode we saw her head to a college in London to give her speech on the new snooper's charter that gives the police more surveillance powers in an attempt to prevent more terrorist attacks.

A terrified and hysterical Montague crawled to safety (pictured) as she told Budd he was 'out of control'

The speech, given at a London college, announced plans to implement authoritarian measures that would allow the government to view terrorism suspect's internet history.Pictured: Keeley Hawes as Julia Montague

Budd and other security staff were on high alert and kept patrolling the audience looking for danger.

He confronted one of Montague's aides - who was an Asian male he suspected of being dangerous - and checked his briefcase, but found he just had speech notes.

Feeling more assured Budd went back into the auditorium, but saw an unknown male lurking at the side of the stage.

Suddenly several members of security staff started running towards the stage but it was too late, and the attacker detonated a bomb just metres away from Montague.

Last week Montague was seen covered in blood after a gunman shot at her car and killed her aide in a botched assassination attempt

In one scene in last week's episode terrorists had planned to drive a lorry through a busy school playground in London and then detonated a bomb

The episode ended on a cliffhanger and it is unclear whether she is alive or dead.

The episode left viewers shocked at both the Home Secretary's seductive moves and Budd's reaction.

One tweeted: 'Jesus what a week. Nearly assassinated then throttled by her own security detail/shagmuffin. Politics is tough people.'

Another posted: 'Well that little seduction technique didnt work!'

A third said: 'Omg! Julia won't be creeping into David's bed so often then.'

It was another violent installment of Bodyguard as last week we saw Montague drenched in her aide's blood after a sniper began shooting at her car.

Just minutes earlier a group of terrorists detonated a bomb in front of a school playground, killing themselves and two police officers.
They say there's no such thing as an overnight success.

But packaging designer Gwen Blake, from Sydney, has proved how a simple idea that randomly popped into her mind can lead to a booming business.

And it all started when the mother was watching the Liberal leadership spill unfold on her television on August 24.

After sharing a joke with her friend ABC political journalist Annabel Crabb about the madness surrounding the week, the mother made a visual meme on a tote bag with the slogan: 'Ban The Single Use Prime Minister'.

But her post sent social media into a frenzy, with people assuming the bags were real as the requests to buy the product started to roll through.

So Ms Blake created her business Sans Sheriff from scratch overnight so she could sell the environmentally-friendly shopping bags for $20 a pop via her Etsy store.

And in just less than a week, the entrepreneur turned over $44,000 after she sold 2,200 bags.

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Gwen Blake (pictured) created the environmentally-friendly shopping bags as a joke - but less than a week later, she has turned over an impressive $40,000

The mother created her business Sans Sheriff from scratch overnight so she could sell the environmentally-friendly shopping bags for $20 a pop

As the nation tuned in to watch the Liberal leadership spill, the mother started joking with her friend about politics and the controversial 'single-use plastic bags' that's been making headlines recently.

'I was just watching in horror as it became apparent that we were going to lose yet another Prime Minister before they saw out their full term,' she told Sunrise.

'I work for a brand and packaging designer agency and so we're always on top of trends and what consumers are thinking about and their concerns.

'So I was just texting with a friend, and throwing away some lines at each other and I just hit on this and I thought, "actually, this is pretty funny. I'm going to make this post public because some of my friends can share it on social media".'

Since launching her business exactly a week ago, the mother has sold more than 2,200 bags

Ms Blake created her business Sans Sheriff from scratch overnight so she could sell the environmentally-friendly shopping bags for $20 a pop via her Etsy store

Starting off as a joke, she decided to put two of the biggest issues into one.

'I thought on Saturday morning, maybe I could put these two things together and come up with something funny,' she said.

'It just started going crazy right away and people were saying "where can I get that bag?" and I'm saying "no, you can't get it, it's just a meme. It's just a funny joke".

'It just went on and on during the day. And by 5pm, I was just like "look, I actually have the ability to pull this off. I need to do it".

'I had all the resources, I had the skills, I had the contacts. When people online started saying they were going to make it, I was like "no, this is mine".'

As the nation tuned in to watch the Liberal leadership spill, the mother started joking with her friend about politics and the controversial 'single-use plastic bags' that's been making headlines recently

Her bag went viral almost instantly, with ABC political journalist Annabel Crabb - who has nearly 500,000 followers, even giving the product a plug on her Twitter

Shortly after midnight on Sunday, the mother had created her entire business from scratch so she was ready to sell her products online within hours.

Her bag went viral almost instantly, with Ms Crabb - who has nearly 500,000 followers - even giving the product a plug on her Twitter.

'I had created a brand name, a logo, ordered 100 bags online, I had created a Facebook page and Instagram - all on my phone and we were ready to go,' she said.

'I went to bed and woke up at 9am on Sunday, I sold 15 and they were mostly to friends. I thought "oh I'm going to be left with loads of bags.

'Then on Monday morning I was like "I'm going to need 500". By the end of Monday, I was saying to my supplier "how many of these bags do you have? I'll take them all".'
A young father has opened up on the heartbreak of losing his baby son and how he copes with the pain of Father's Day when it rolls around every year.

Greg Hughes, from Perth and his wife Catherine, welcomed their son Riley on February 13, 2015.

But four weeks later, their lives was shattered after their newborn boy contracted whooping cough and died from complications arising from pneumonia.

Mr Hughes has spoken out about what it is really like to spend Father's Day as a grieving parent and how he finds a way to celebrate with his family in spite of this.

The distraught father spending the final moments with his newborn son Riley in March 2015

In an article for Kidspot, the 32-year-old said his first Father's Day after losing his son left him reeling and unable to connect with the meaning of the day.

Instead of celebrating being a dad (he was already a father to one), Mr Hughes described it as 'unfathomable' because he felt like 'an absolute fraud'.

'What was there to celebrate? I'd lost a child and in the negative headspace I was in I truly believed I had no right to celebrate being a father,' he said.

Beautiful Riley was born on February 13, 2015 - but just 32 days later, he tragically died

He recalled that Father's Day was in 'stark contrast' to one he'd enjoyed three years earlier with his daughter Olivia.

'Life felt complete, and fun-filled Fathers Days were just a bonus and I was in my element. I loved being a dad,' he said.

Since the death of his son in 2015, Mr Hughes and his wife have welcomed their 'rainbow' baby, a child named Lucy.

'I'd lost a child and in the negative headspace I was in I truly believed I had no right to celebrate being a father,' Mr Hughes said

Their daughter was born two years ago - and he said her birth has helped him not only find the strength to go on but has also helped him to find a way to celebrate the joys of fatherhood.

'Despite our awful loss, there is still so much to celebrate about being a Dad to these two wonderful daughters,' he wrote.

Mr Hughes said he found Father's Day 'bittersweet' despite it being filled with an abundance of love from his two girls.

'Despite our awful loss, there is still so much to celebrate about being a Dad to these two wonderful daughters,' the dad-of-three said

Little Riley holding his father's finger in the days leading up to his tragic death in 2015

Mr Hughes explained the day always comes with memories and an underlying sadness for the 'Riley sized hole' in his heart, one that's impossible to fill.

However, he said while he holds the memory of his son dear, he doesn't let this stop him from enjoying special moments with his daughters.

And he said he'd also discovered there are many other dads in the same boat who often struggle to express their feelings of grief and loss.

Sharing a message of support to others on his Facebook page, Dad Minus One, Mr Hughes wrote to all the 'legendary dads, dad-like figures and carers who fill the role of dad'.

'I hope you have an amazing day,' he said.

'If youre a dad who is working away, has restricted access or has lost a child then just know that this guy here knows what you're feeling and is thinking about you.

'Stay strong, you matter and youve got this - it does get better.'

Father Greg Hughes has shared a heartbreaking letter he penned for his baby boy Riley who tragically died from whooping cough (pictured together)

In a previous post Mr Hughes recently shared in the lead up to Father's Day, he revealed details of the letter he read out on the day of his son's funeral.

'To my beautiful Riley, you were born into this world on Friday the 13th - a day that so many in my family were quick to admonish due to their superstitious natures,' Mr Hughes said in a post on his Facebook page.

'I, on the other hand, felt like my entire world had been completed. You were a beautiful baby boy who reinstated the balance of power in a distinctly female-dominated household.

The last photo of Riley and his sister Olivia together sharing cuddles - taken the night before he was rushed to hospital where he died a few days later

'No more would I have to battle my daughter for the last muesli bar - and lose, or be dictated to by the whims of the Hughes women. I felt empowered.

'Little did I know that I was far from the only one smitten with you.

'After your birth, our daughter became a maniacal three-year-old who was hell-bent on telling everyone how perfect you were,' he recalled.

'Whenever I'd go to sit on my couch, I'd be greeted with "Girls only! ...And Riley too...!" I'd have been upset if it weren't for the fact that you were just so perfect that I understood why she made exceptions for you.

The Western Australian father has three kids, including his two daughters Olivia, now aged six, and two-year-old Lucy

'No-one was allowed to change your nappy without your sister rushing for the change table yelling "I WANT TO SEE THE POOP!".

'Strangely enough, she wasn't quite so forthcoming when it came to actually changing the nappy and disposing of its contents.

'She was the nappy helper, the bath helper, the change of clothes helper, and the pushing the pram helper.

'When we explained that your soft forehead was not to be touched for fear of causing you damage, she immediately became the protector and guardian of your precious little scalp, warding off friends, family and strangers alike in her loudest and most matronly voice she could muster.'

The couple gave birth to their 'rainbow' daughter Lucy (pictured) 17 months after losing Riley

And Mr Hughes said he also found himself competing against his devoted wife Catherine, 31, for their baby son's love and affection.

'Your mother wasn't much better,' he said.

'From attempting to wrangle you from anyone's arms whenever there was a cry that went slightly longer than five seconds, to finding my household suspiciously quiet and discovering you and her cuddling and napping together - you were her everything.

'And who could blame them? All of my hopes and dreams came true the day I met you.'

Looking at the similarities between father and son, Mr Hughes highlighted his son's lovable traits.

'Much like myself, you ate, slept, grunted, and ate some more,' he joked.

'Whilst other babies woke up their parents by wailing and shrieking, you gently snuffled in your bassinet and were perfectly content, and loved having your back patted as you drifted off blissfully.

'Even when you decided to wait until I'd removed your nappy before spray-painting me with impeccable aim, I quickly forgave you upon looking into your enormous blue eyes as you gazed at me, your strong neck working overtime to ensure you didn't miss a minute of the action.

'Life was perfect. Our family of four was complete.

'And then.... you were gone.'
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Prince Konstantin of Bavaria has tied the knot to his wife Deniz Kaya in a romantic church ceremony in St Moritz, Switzerland.

The bride looked stunning in an ivory lace gown featuring long sleeves and a scalloped neckline, teamed with a sweeping full-length veil.

European high society flocked to Switzerland for the wedding on Saturday, with Princess Sofia of Sweden among the glamorous guests.

Konstantin, 32, is the son of Prince Leopold and Princess Ursula of Bavaria, and part of the House of Wittelsbach that ruled the German region until 1918.

Prince Konstantin of Bavaria tied the knot to Deniz Kaya in a romantic church ceremony in St Moritz, Switzerland

Konstantin and Deniz were seen exchanging a kiss as they left the French church, Eglise au Bois, as husband and wife following the ceremony

The wedding in Moritz was attended by a host of European royals including Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden

Sofia, 33, opted for an elegant blue dress, which she teamed with a chic black jacket and gold clutch bag for the ceremony

Prince Konstantin is the son of Prince Leopold (far right) and Princess Ursula of Bavaria (far left). They were joined by the bride's mother Guelseren Kaya (front left) and father Metin

The happy couple were seen sharing a kiss outside the Eglise au Bois as they left as husband and wife following the ceremony.

Wearing her brunette locks in a chic up-do, the new Princess Deniz accessorised her hair with elegant silver clips, while showing off her glowing complexion with a simple make-up look.

The bride and groom were joined by flower girls dressed in pretty printed dresses and floral crowns and smartly-dressed page boys who showered them in confetti as they left the church.

Meanwhile, Konstantin and Deniz's glamorous wedding guests brought out all the stops to ensure they looked the part for the high society wedding.

Prince Konstantin and Deniz were joined outside the church by flower girls dressed in pretty printed dresses and smartly-dressed page boys

The bride, who looked stunning in an elegant ivory lace gown and a full-length veil, arrived at the church in Moritz with her father Metin Kaya

Newlyweds Konstantin and Deniz looked absolutely delighted as they left the Eglise au Bois in Moritz as husband and wife

Bride Deniz wore her locks in an elegant up-do, while showing off her glowing complexion with a simple make-up look

Both Konstantin and Deniz looked delighted as they emerged from the church as husband and wife on Saturday

The newlyweds were joined outside the church by flower girls dressed in printed frocks and smartly dressed page boys

The bride, who has now officially become Princess Deniz of Bavarian, looked every inch the beautiful bride in a stunning lace gown and full-length veil. She was pictured arriving at church with her father Metin (right)

Princess Sofia of Sweden, 33, looked stylish in a floor-length pale blue dress, which she teamed with a gold clutch bag, while her husband Carl Philip, 39, opted for a smart tuxedo.

The groom's mother Ursula meanwhile opted for a glamorous nude dress featuring sequin detailing and a semi-sheer bodice.

Following the ceremony, the bride and groom hosted a lavish reception and dinner for guests in the nearby town of Engadine.

Deniz was also officially given the title of Princess Deniz of Bavaria following the wedding on Saturday.

Princess Sofia of Sweden and her husband Prince Carl Philip were among the glamorous guests at the wedding in Moritz

The ceremony was attended by glamorous guests, including Princess Maria Astrid of Liechtenstein (left) and a friend. Ludvig Andersson, son of ABBA's Benny Andersson, and his wife Mimi Schoeller were also seen arriving at the church (right)

Actress and film director Mafalda Millies opted for a stunning floral gown as she attended the wedding with her boyfriend. Mafalda was later seen lifting up her dress (right) to stop it from trailing along the floor as she left the ceremony

Prince Franz of Bavaria, Princess Felipa of Bavaria and her husband Christian Dienst (centre) also attended the wedding in Moritz

Family members attending the wedding included Prince Franz of Bavaria, Princess Felipa of Bavaria and her husband Christian Dienst.

Prince Manuel of Bavaria and his wife Anna were also among the royals in attendance, along with Princess Maria Astrid of Liechtenstein.

Other stylish guests included actress and film director Mafalda Millies, who opted for a stunning floral dress for the ceremony, and Ludvig Andersson, the son of ABBA's Benny Andersson.

The Bavarian royals ruled in the German region from 1180 to 1918, after King Ludwig II was deposed during the First World War.

Prince Manuel of Bavaria and his wife Anna of Bavaria were among the guests (left), along with Rolf Sachs and Princess Mafalda von Hessen

Princess Anna in Bayern (left), Peter Lanz and his wife Inge Wrede-Lanz also attended the wedding

Male guests including Francisco von Boch, Moritz Flick and Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (pictured from left to right) ensured they looked the part for the wedding

Other wedding guests included Wendelin von Boch and his wife Brigitte von Boch (left) and Olivia Schuler (far right) who opted for a bright pink frock for the ceremony
A British born model has hit back at trolls who criticise larger models under the guise of being concerned for their health.

Paloma Elsesser, 26, who was born in London and moved to LA with her parents as a child has posed for the likes of Fenty Beauty, Vogue Arabia and 7 for All Mankind

'Its never their business. My health is not their business. Dont you think I know how to eat clean?'. Like, you should cut out sugar,' she told The Sunday Times Style magazine.

Her comments come in the same week as commentators criticised Cosmopolitan UK for putting plus-size model Tess Holliday on the cover, claiming the magazine was promoting obesity.

Paloma who is a US size 12 (UK 16) was discovered by make-up artist Pat McGrath on Instagram says that it's 'inexcusable' for high end fashion brands not to cater for larger sizes.

And she also has strong words for slim friends who complain about feeling fat, saying: 'Its f****** annoying. I find it disrespectful.

Model Paloma Elsesser, 26, (pictured in Ibiza in June) who was born in London and moved to LA with her parents as a child has hit back at social media trolls who criticise her shape, claiming to be concerned for her health

The model, pictured celebrating her birthday in April with a chocolate cake and a cigarette, hit back at trolls saying that her health is nobody's business but her own

'It doesnt mean that you shouldnt have the space to talk to someone about it, but I just dont know if Im the person to do it with.'

The model previously opened up to i-D magazine about how all women face a battle for equal pay, working conditions, and respect in the modelling industry.

'When I started working, I realized how hard it is, how emotional it is, how scary it is,' she said. 'I'm a really emotional person, so I was like, "How am I going to embrace the fears or insecurities that I have?"'

'The fashion industry is such an expressive, creative space, but it's very devoid of empathy,' she admitted.

Paloma at the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York. She has posed for Nike, Vogue and Fenty Beauty since being discovered by make-up artist Pat McGrath on Instagram

Paloma soaking up the sun in Mexico in June 2018. The outspoken rising star has revealed how she struggled at first to balance the demands of the modelling industry with her sensitive nature

'Why is it that you're not professional if you don't want to work 16 hours a day?'

She is hopeful that by speaking out, women in the industry are creating a safe space which will signal more change.

'I think there still has to be a lot more change. But even me sitting here, being able to have this conversation, is a sign of the fact that things are changing, that people want change, and that what we're doing is having an effect,' she added.

She also credits the #MeToo movement with helping propel the conversation forward.

Plus size model Tess Holliday on the cover of the October issue of Cosmopolitan UK. Some commenters criticised the choice of cover model, claiming the magazine was promoting an unhealthy lifestyle

'Feminism always comes down to equality. Its not just armpit hair and freeing the nipple. It is wanting to be treated equally,' she suggested.

'I want to be paid properly, I want to be treated properly and I dont want to be sexualized. I want to be treated the same.'

And she added that speaking up and being heard is the best weapon against further abuse.

'We exist in rape culture and it doesn't look like an SVU episode. It's not blindfolded in an alley, it's being 17 at a party, and being touched the way you don't want to be touched.'

She concluded: '#MeToo has given life and visibility to the tireless amount of times that women have been in contact with sexual assault and misconduct.'

Instafamous: Discovered on Instagram by make-up artist Pat McGrath, Paloma is hopeful that vocal women in the industry are creating a safe space which will signal more change

Strong: The stunning brunette (pictured at New York Fashion Week in September 2017) shared that she had to learn to embrace her fears and insecurities but also thanked her parents for instilling confidence in her from a young age




A couple with a combined age of 183 have become Britain's oldest newlyweds after first getting together when both of their spouses died with three months of each other in 2015.

Margaret James, 92, and Rob Cave, 91, married in front of 150 friends and family at Wimborne Minster in Dorset.

The church-going couple have known each other for more than 30 years but only started dating after they both lost their partners.

Margaret is a former actress and the last surviving member of the main cast of the classic romance film Brief Encounter.

Margaret James, 92, and Rob Cave, 91, have become Britain's oldest newlyweds with a combined age of 183

The friends simply consoled each other to begin with after the deaths of their partners.

However, after seeing each other every day, their friendship developed into a romance.

Eventually, they decided it made sense to move in together but said they 'wanted to do it properly'.

And so, 66 years after they married their first partners, they walked down the aisle again.

The couple (pictured) got married in front of 150 of their friends and family at Wimborne Minster in Dorset

Margaret (pictured centre) played waitress Beryl Walters in the classic film Brief Encounter and is the last surviving member of the main cast

They said they celebrated with a 'wonderful afternoon tea' at a local church hall.

Margaret, who played the station cafe waitress Beryl Walters in 1945's Brief Encounter, said she is confident her late romance will have a far happier ending than that of Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.

She said: 'I am over the moon. We had a wonderful wedding day and the sun shone for us all day. We will still be here for a long time yet, we are both very happy and very well.'

Her new husband Rob added: 'It is not a marriage out of convenience, it is a marriage out of romance.

The couple have known each other for more than 30 years but only got together after their respective spouses died within three months of each other in 2015

'It has only just occurred to us that we are probably the country's oldest newlyweds but I won't be applying to the Guinness Book of Records.

'I was feeling my age until Margaret and I got together but now I feel 20 years younger.'

The combined age of the couple is 12 years greater than Joan Grant and Ted Wright, who were thought to have been Britain's oldest newlyweds after they married in Swindon earlier this year.

As a teenager Rob, from the village of Shapwick, Dorset, joined the army but was too young for the Second World War.

They were initially just friends who comforted each other but said that they realised it 'made sense' to move in together

He worked as a farmer for more than 30 years before he had a career change and became a civil servant.

He was married to first wife Mavis for 66 years until she died three years ago aged 87.

They had a daughter together named Julia Palmer, who acted as Margaret's matron of honour during the wedding.

Margaret has now moved into her new husband's two bedroom bungalow in Wimborne and is selling her own house

Meanwhile, Margaret and her late husband Raymond lived in London and had careers in showbusiness and music.

While Margaret was a film and TV actress, her husband was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

After he retired in 1992 they moved to Wimborne where their son, Michael, was the organist at the minster and a music teacher at Canford School.

Sadly, he died of cancer aged 30 and his father passed away three years ago aged 93.

Rob's daughter from his first marriage Julia Palmer (left) acted as Margaret's matron of honour during the wedding

Margaret said: 'My husband and I and Ron and Mavis were good friends for quite a long time. When Mavis suddenly died the first thing I did was to rush around to see Rob and say how very sorry I was.

'Then he did the same for me when my husband passed away.'

Rob added: 'We just got together and consoled each other to begin with. Then about two years ago we realised we had stopped grieving for our passed spouses and started to get very friendly.

'It wasn't really courting, but we were seeing each other almost every day.

'We said 'this is ridiculous. We are living in two houses but are seeing each other every day and are happy together, we may as well move in together'.

After their wedding, the couple (pictured) had lunch with some of their close friends but do not plan on having a honeymoon

'But we wanted do it properly. I didn't really propose. We were chatting and I said why don't we get married and Margaret was all for it.'

Margaret has now moved into Rob's two bedroom bungalow in Wimborne and is selling her house in the market town.

The couple, who share a passion for opera music, ballet and the church, had lunch with close friends yesterday but don't plan on having a honeymoon.
Prince Harry and Meghan are believed to have named their new black labrador 'Oz'.

According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, the couple have chosen the unusual moniker for their adopted pet.

It is unclear what the significance of their new dog's name is, although the couple are due to visit Australia in October, to coincide with the opening of the Invictus Games in Sydney.

Meghan, 37, already has a rescue dog named Guy, who was flown over from Toronto to London last November, following her engagement to Harry, 33.

Prince Harry and Meghan (pictured at the Hamilton Gala performance on Wednesday) have named their new black labrador 'Oz', according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith

Both Guy and new Labrador Oz are living in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and also accompany the royal couple when they stay at their Cotswolds home.

A source previously told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden: 'The dog is already happily ensconced at their cottage.

Like the Sussexes, the dog will divide its time between the palace and their country home in the Cotswolds.

Meghan deemed her other rescue dog, Bogart, too old to make the journey from Canada, with the pooch being looked after by friends.

Meghan, 37, already has a rescue dog named Guy (front, in a snap previously shared on Meghan's Instagram account), who was flown over from Toronto to London last November. Her other rescue dog, Bogart, (back) was deemed too old to make the journey

Meghan is known for her love of dogs, and regularly shared pictures of herself snuggling up to her pooches on her Instagram account, before it was shut down. Pictured is the Duchess with rescue dog Guy

In an interview, she previously revealed: One [dog] is now staying with very close friends and my other, little Guy, hes in the UK, hes been here for a while.'

However, shortly after his arrival, it was revealed that Guy had been injured, and was reportedly receiving treatment from television 'super vet', Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.

Meghan is known for her love of dogs, and has described the pooches as my boys in the past, gushing how they mean the absolute world to her.

During her time in Toronto, the animals repeatedly appeared on her Instagram page and were pictured snuggled up in bed with her.

Ahead of the royal wedding in May, fans were sent into overdrive after insisting that the dog the Queen was seen riding in a car to Windsor Castle with was Meghan's dog Guy.

But Meghan and Harry will have to leave their dogs at home when they embark on a tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tongo in October.

The couple will be joined by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and husband Prince Frederik at the Invictus Games in Sydney, along with David Beckham.
The parents of an IRA bomb victim say it's 'shocking' to see their son's death re-enacted in a new BBC drama - but have praised the show for keeping his memory alive.

Colin and Wendy Parry's 12-year-old son Tim was killed in a bomb attack while buying a Mother's Day present in Warrington, Cheshire, 25 years ago.

The family's tragic story is told in new BBC drama Mother's Day, which stars Daniel Mays and Anna Maxwell Martin.

The couple revealed how they co-operated with the programme's producers, by sending them home videos.

Colin and Wendy Parry (pictured at a memorial service in Warrington earlier this year), the parents of 12-year-old IRA bomb victim Tim, say it's 'shocking' to see their son's death re-enacted in a new BBC drama called Mother's Day

Tim (pictured in his school uniform) was killed in a bomb attack while buying a Mother's Day present in Warrington, Cheshire in 1993

Speaking to the Mirror, Colin, 71, said: 'To watch the bomb go off was shocking. The idea that after the first bomb Tim staggered around dazed and walks into the second one is horrifying.

'It was difficult to watch as youre thinking thats what your own son went through.'

Following the attack, Tim was rushed to hospital, where he died five days later in his mother's arms, after his life support was turned off.

'The time in hospital, that was played very well. Danny and Anna were great. Anna captured Wendy absolutely brilliantly,' Colin said.

Daniel Mays and Anna Maxwell Martin play Tim's parents Colin and Wendy in new BBC drama Mother's Day

The BBC programme also tells the story of Sue McHugh, played by Vicky McClure (left, in the drama), who organised one of Ireland's largest peace rallies following the bombing. Sue's husband Arthur is played by David Wilmot (right)

He explained that despite the programme being hard to watch for the family, the drama supported their 'everlasting desire to keep Tim alive.'

Tim died in 1993 after two bombs hidden in litter bins detonated on Bridge Street in Cheshire.

The attack also killed three-year-old Johnathan Ball, as well as injuring dozens of civilians.

BBC drama Mother's Day also features the story of Sue McHugh, played by Vicky McClure, who organised one of Ireland's largest peace rallies following the bombing.

Colin and Wendy (pictured earlier this year) revealed how they co-operated with the programme's producers, by sending them home videos

Following the death of their son, Colin and Wendy, 61, now run the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace in the memory of his son, and toddler Johnathan.

Three-year-old Johnathan Ball (above) was also killed int he Warrington bombings

Speaking earlier this year on the 25th anniversary of his son's death, Wendy said: 'It was really difficult, we were a family of five and then suddenly one's been taken away and it's really hard to get into being a family of four.

'After we lost him, we couldn't find any organisations that helped families or children.

'One of the programmes we wanted to do was helping the victims of terrorism.

'I think people come to us because our organisation has been set up by victims and they know that we know exactly how they feel.'

Colin, who works as an outpatient consultant, added: 'In those early days and weeks, months, it was all about surviving ourselves.'
After dropping off my daughter at university for her first term six years ago, I drove back home down the M1 in a state of shock. Where had all those years gone?

Once home, I bawled my eyes out for an hour before bracing myself to go into her bedroom to have a clean-up  only to find myself bawling again for another hour.

Im not someone who cries easily, but this experience was in another league.

This was not so much a cheery goodbye darling and good luck! as a bereavement.

The sudden void stopped me in my tracks. All that noise, all that busyness  then, suddenly, here we were, childhood years over. Aged 18, Elle was standing on her own two feet, while I was left barely able to stand. I felt overwhelmed with feelings of loss, emptiness and, yes, guilt.

As a single working mother, guilt is the word I associate more than any other with parenthood.

Gill Hudson (pictured with her daughter as a baby) felt guilty after dropping off her daughter Elle at university at age 18. She shared the outcome of asking Elle to grade her parenting

Guilt about not giving my only daughter a more balanced, two-parent upbringing.

Guilt about not always being able to afford everything that some other families had  a beautiful designer home or extravagant birthday parties.

Guilt about dishing up a hasty stir-fry of leftovers, rather than a saintly organic Ottolenghi creation using 19 ingredients, at least three of which Id never heard of.

Guilt about charging through bedtime stories, trying to get away with turning two pages at once (and failing), just so Id have the chance to flop in front of the telly before collapsing into bed with exhaustion.

And up there at No 1 on the guilt-ometer: guilt about the sheer lack of time Ive been able to spend with the most important, and dependent, person in my life.

Its a complex emotion, guilt. It creeps up on you, although, to be honest, I never felt guilty about going back to work. Elle was six months old and I was editing the glossy womens magazine New Woman.

I loved it and didnt want to stop  but then, I didnt have a choice in the matter, anyway. Although it would be another year-and-a-half before I split with Elles father, I was already the main breadwinner.

I simply didnt have the option to step out of the race and spend all day with my toddler. It was just what I had to do: bring in enough money to cover not just all the usual outgoings, but also childcare  an experienced nanny to start with, then a lively mix of au pairs on whose, usually Eastern European, shoulders my entire tottering edifice rested.

The alarm would start beeping at 6.30am, heralding the start of the great daily Hudson Steeplechase  and theyre off!

Id shoot out of bed, stunned with tiredness, to make sure school and work commutes were achieved with both of us wearing the right clothes, carrying the right packed lunches and the right homework.

With a shudder, I remember those awful moments when, just before we had to leave the house, my daughter would look stricken and announce shed forgotten she was supposed to research Archimedes / have her swimming kit ready / build the Eiffel Tower out of straws. By today!

Gill (pictured as editor of Company magazine) was concerned about the amount of time she spent with Elle during her childhood. She revealed to Elle that she felt she wasn't there enough because of work functions

I wondered whether this miserable merry-go-round would ever stop. Except, of course, then it did, leaving me feeling utterly bereft. That was another thing to feel guilty about: that I had ever wanted that wonderfully sweet part of our lives to be over.

And now it was over, how had I done as a parent? As I wandered around my now-empty house, the questions swirled: had I chosen the right path all those years ago? Could I have done things better? Was I an A-star graduate heading off to lecture in advanced parenting skills at Oxbridge? Or an Epic Fail, consigned to the bin of parental uselessness?

It felt like mine was the first generation to juggle so madly, to combine single motherhood and an all-consuming career.

Maybe it was faintly masochistic of me, but I knew I had to ask the one person who could ever really judge my parenting efforts: Elle.

So, when she returned home after her first term, I sat her down, took a deep breath and asked her to rate me as a parent while she was growing up.

A quite awful silence fell. We sat facing each other across the kitchen table and I suddenly took a keen interest in the red wine stain on the table-top, the chipped blue varnish on her thumbnail, the scuff on my shoe  anything to distract myself.

Could I have done things better?

I felt unsure and agitated. One of the most wonderful things about my daughter is that I know shell be nothing but honest with me. And one of the most alarming things about my daughter is that I know shell be nothing but honest with me.

Natures not the only one who abhors a vacuum. I rather nervously broke the silence by suggesting that the obvious scab to pick at was how little time I was able to give her. I always felt I wasnt there enough for you. Out all day and often in the evenings, too, because I had to go to so many work functions.

Her response was immediate and heartfelt. Oh, Mum, no. I absolutely loved how you let me find out who I was for myself, without imposing what you wanted on me. I look at the helicopter parenting some of my friends had and it makes me shudder. They could hardly breathe. I wouldnt have wanted it any other way.

If youd been within a five-mile radius of me at the time, youd have felt the air pressure change as I gave a huge exhalation and slumped, flooded with relief.

All that worry, all that fretting, all that waking up in the night in a sweat, wondering how I could compensate for the general lack of me in her life. It turns out that not only had it not bothered her, shed revelled in it. Well I never.

Gill (pictured with Elle as a child) recalls coming home so exhausted that she could barely speak and at times being irritable due to stress

I sat back and beamed. I always knew you were there for me, whatever. You are my rock, she continued. Pause. There was one problem, though . . .

And so it came out. Sometimes  and Im the first to admit this  I would come home from work in a state of such complete exhaustion that I could barely speak. And sometimes, in that state, it would just take one small thing  where were my keys, my phone, that birthday card to be posted?  to tip me over the edge. My simmering rage and frustration would boil over into a monumental meltdown.

At the time, I prided myself on making a point of reassuring my daughter, and whichever au pair it was, that it was nothing to do with them. I was just in a dire mood and I would soon be over it. Not to worry.

Easy to say; much less easy to live with, it turns out. Looking back, I recall how my daughter and au pair would silently melt away into their bedrooms, while I continued ranting to myself downstairs before eventually finding the wretched keys/phone/card and sitting down with a large glass of something to recover, feeling wrecked.

The truth is, at times, stress made me irritable and difficult.

I suppose I never really acknowledged how much it got to me. I loved my career  I cant imagine anything else I could have done that would have been so rewarding.

What damage had I done to my poor, blameless daughter?

But when youve edited as many magazines as I have  no fewer than 17, from old favourites like Radio Times, to brash newcomers such as the mens (yes, mens) title Maxim  you need vast reserves of energy.

Energy to get it all done against the clock and never, ever miss a deadline. Well, at some point, all that stress had to come out somewhere, and raving and ranting about the small things was how it came out with me.

In fact, I barely recognised it at the time. I thought I succeeded in leaving it at the office. But how wrong I was. The air was toxic, Mum. It was just horrible.

This was a sobering thought. But, as we continued to talk, one thing became abundantly clear: it is all but impossible to know at the time what will affect your child and what wont.

The fact that I had to leave her wailing at the nursery while I headed off to work feeling anguished? Someone else collecting her from school when she was ill? What damage had I done to my poor, blameless daughter? Maybe not quite as much as Id glumly assumed, judging from her responses.

Gill (pictured) says she compensated for her absence by splurging on exotic holidays. Elle gave her an A+ for being a constant support in her life

To compensate for my absence, Id splurge on exotic holidays  South Africa, Mauritius, Japan and more. But now, as we started reminiscing about past trips together, I asked what shed liked most about them.

That whale-watching in Cape Town, maybe? The buggy ride over the sand dunes in Brazil? It turns out her only abiding memory of our last holiday was of a particularly yummy ice cream at the airport on the way home.

And here, it seemed, was another important message for parents. The amount of money you spend has no bearing on the significance of the memory your child is left with. The fact I wasnt physically there all the time mattered less than my mood when I was there.

But, ultimately, the most important thing was that she knew I was a constant support in her life; that if anything was troubling her, then she could turn to Mum for help. And lovely Elle gave me an A+ for that.

I had been there for her emotionally, even if sometimes I was miles away

Though I might not always have been in the same room as her, I always made a point of returning her calls as soon as possible, of dropping everything to help her sort whatever crisis she was facing, be it friendship issues, exam fears, teen traumas, so she could get it off her chest and find a way forward.

I had been there for her emotionally, even if sometimes I was miles away.

None of us has had lessons in parenting: we muddle through as best we can. I watch mothers today charging round organising all manner of activities and playdates and amazing experiences, piling on the pressure to achieve top grades, hovering over their childrens shoulders  it seems to me they are striving for an impossible level of perfection.

Their children are projects and childhood a series of ever-more ambitious boxes to tick.

But thats not how real life works. Its time to stop beating ourselves up for not replicating all those carefully choreographed adverts of perfect families in their perfect homes.

Real-life parenting is sticky-fingered and messy, with blobs of yoghurt on the wall, Play-Doh in the carpet and doors that occasionally get slammed.

Who said you had to excel, anyway? Perfect Parents set a daunting precedent. Indeed, any such parents would be so insufferable that their children would surely be damaged for life. Touche!

The weird thing is, while our Truth Session was a huge milestone for me, when I reminded my now-24-year-old daughter of it the other day, she could barely remember it. Oh, yes, she finally said, vaguely, that does ring a bell. Like I said: just because it matters to you, doesnt necessarily mean it does to your child.

When it comes to my parenting report, Id mark myself pretty much in line with what my French teacher used to write about me at the end of every term: Satisfactory work and progress. And you know what? Thatll do.
Still as a stick, I lie on a treatment bed in a small room at 1 Harley Street. Despite being situated in the worlds most famous medical destination, the room doesnt feel remotely clinical. It feels like a vicars parlour.

The walls are painted moss-green, there are two green armchairs either side of a fireplace and charcoal drawings of dogs hang on the walls. The smell of burned incense lingers. Its cosy. Instantly relaxing.

Whats slightly less relaxing are the noises coming from a woman standing beside me, waving her hands over my face. Whooooosh, she says, the hands flicking over my cheeks as if shes batting off flies. She sounds like a witch doctor: Whoooosh, whooooosh.

The room is called The Calmery and, no, Im not engaging in voodoo.

What Im having done is a reiki facial, carried out by a pretty, delicate lady called Sushma Sagar, whos a reiki master (not a witch doctor).

Sophia Money-Coutts (pictured right at 1 Harley Street), 33, gave her verdict on the new 45-minute reiki facial developed by Sushma Sagar (pictured left) who became a full-time reiki healer last year

Now, I love a good facial. Ive got to a certain age (33, but can you keep that between us?) where the wrinkles on my forehead and at the corners of my eyes have become regular tenants, as opposed to occasional visitors.

But this is a facial with a difference  Sushmas hands never touch my face.

No rubbing, no massaging, no plumping, no hideously painful blackhead extractions on my nose. No creams of any sort, in fact.

Instead, Sushmas facial is based on the ancient principles of reiki (pronounced ray-kee), a Japanese form of healing first developed by a Buddhist monk in the early-20th century.

This monk, and subsequent reiki practitioners, believe that an invisible life energy runs through us all.

In an ideal world, this energy is high and we feel happy and energetic  quite literally full of life. But, if we let this unseen energy dip too low, or it gets blocked somewhere in our bodies, then we feel sluggish, sad, sick.

Until a year ago, Sushma had a high-powered job working for fashion brands including Banana Republic and Kate Spade. But a broken heart in 2002 brought her into contact with a reiki healer, who suggested she take a course in it herself.

Last year, Sushma decided to go into reiki healing full-time and now, as a trained practitioner and teacher, she claims to be able to connect with this energy in other people (and herself) and work on any problem areas in the body or face.

She developed the 45-minute reiki facial, having observed that her clients tended to come to her with emotional problems and leave with rejuvenated, glowing faces.

Sounds pretty hippy, right? A bottle of rose tends to be my preferred method of relaxation but, in this age of wellness, I reckon its got to be worth trying something more New Age.

And so here I am, lying fully-clothed on Sushmas treatment bed, while her hands move around my head as if Mystic Meg is working her crystal ball.

Sophia (pictured) was told she has 'blocked energy' around her forehead by Sushma who placed her hands around her head and instructed on how to breathe

Oooh, she says, suddenly.

What? I ask, nervously.

Im feeling stressed at the time of my visit. My first book is out in two days time. Im not sleeping. The adrenalin coursing through my veins means that Ive lost my appetite. Im feeling sensitive, touchy, snappy. Can Sushma tell all this with her hands?

Weve started working already, thats all, she says.

Apparently, I have some blocked energy around my forehead, but Sushma says this is normal: Most people are very much in their heads and its just mental chatter. What does it feel like, I wonder? Can she see anything shooting out from my face? Bolts of light? Colours? My aura?

Its like the force of a magnet, she says, her hands still moving around my head.

When her hands are inches from my cheeks and ears, the heat emanating from her palms is intense, like having a radiator held to me. Thats the invisible energy, she says. It can be a number of sensations: cold, pins and needles. Intense heat is very common.

She instructs me to take deep breaths in and out. I close my eyes. She starts making the whooshing noises . . . and I fall asleep.

Sophia (pictured) was told the aim of the facial is to create a clean, flowing energy field by Sushma. The facial also promises to give the same glow as 12 hours of sleep

While Im out (I subsequently learn), Sushma is using her hands to tune in to my energy field. Her hands roam around my head, finding blockages and clearing them.

She may briefly hover over a particular spot, but then shell wave her hands energetically to dispel that blockage.

Thats where the whooshing comes in  the bad energy is whooshed away, apparently.

The aim of the activity, she explains afterwards, is to create a lovely, clean, flowing, energy field, so you can feel your best emotionally, expedite any physical healing that needs to happen and feel more connected to the universe and everything in it. In other words, its like giving your head a spring clean. Out with the old, bad energy and in with the new.

Afterwards youre left feeling emotionally lighter, which, hopefully, will show in your face. Your worry lines will ease. Youll glow as if youve just slept for 12 hours. Youll look 18 again. (Well, maybe the last one is overly optimistic  but you get the point.)

I feel like Im asleep for only seconds, but its half-an-hour later that I feel a sharp pain down my left thigh. My arms and hands feel heavy and woozy. Sushma is still waving her hands around my head. I ask about the pain in my leg.

Sushma stated she was worried about Sophia's second chakra (around the hip area) despite being unaware of Sophia's recent diagnosis of a cyst on her left ovary

Heres the intriguing part  reiki masters are not doctors. They cant diagnose kidney stones or depression with their bare hands. But they say they can tell if theres a blockage somewhere and, while I was asleep, Sushma decided there was a problem with my second chakra.

It gets a bit mad here, but bear with me. According to believers, chakras are our energy centres and we have seven of them in our body  from the crown of our head to the bottom of our spine.

Sushma said it was my second chakra (around the hip area) she was worried about. I tell her Ive recently been diagnosed with a cyst on my left ovary and am due to have keyhole surgery to remove it. The shooting pain in my leg would have been energy moving in that area, she says.

I became aware of imbalances in your hip after working on the upper chakra for about ten minutes, says Sushma. Once your mind had calmed down, the rest of the body could start to speak up.

Hmmm. It sounds crazy  but I hadnt mentioned anything about that area of my body prior to this.

Sophia (pictured left) believed she looked the same after her facial with Sushma (pictured right) however her siblings claimed she looked 'rested'

Sushma works for a further five minutes on my hip area, simply holding one hand on my stomach, the other under my back to direct healing energy there. The heat generated is intense. She wouldnt necessarily do this for every facial client, she says, but if theres an area that needs work elsewhere in the body, then she might spend time on it.

After the treatment, I leave and try to establish whether I look or feel different. I scrutinise my face in a restaurant mirror. My forehead grooves remain, and I think it looks much like it did before  although later, at a family dinner, my siblings say Im looking rested.

Do I feel calmer? Possibly. But its hard to tell whether thats restored energy or the three glasses of wine I drink that evening.

If you want dramatic changes and a forehead as smooth as a bowl of custard, this may not be the facial for you. But if youre up for trying something new, and a little different, its definitely interesting.

Its batty, but I was genuinely fascinated that Sushma picked up on my hip area without me saying anything. Plus, it was a lovely little lie-down in a peaceful room in Harley Street.

Well worth it for the 40 winks alone, frankly.

Reiki facial, 120 for 50 minutes, thecalmery.com

MOOD FOOD: Red lentils to revive you

Nutritionist Amanda Hamilton shows how to manage your mood with food

Have post-holiday blues? Red lentils, protein-rich complex carbohydrates, have been found to boost production of the so-called happy hormone serotonin in your brain. Red lentils are also packed with folate: studies have identified a link between deficiencies in this essential vitamin and symptoms of depression.

They are also a good source of iron, which can fight fatigue and boost energy. Try adding them to soups or indulge in lentil crisps as a snack.
One in four student nurses drop out before they finish their degrees, an investigation has found.

The findings are extremely concerning at a time when the NHS is suffering from a severe shortage of nurses and is having to recruit from abroad.

Of 16,544 nursing students who were meant to finish their three-year degrees in 2017, 4,027 quit or suspended their studies. This means approximately 24 per cent of students left. The figures were obtained through a joint investigation by Nursing Standard magazine and the Health Foundation charity, which warned that the dropout rate was a huge concern.

Previous data from the Royal College of Nursing found that up to 40,000 nursing posts were vacant  about one in nine  with many of these filled by expensive agency nurses.

One in four student nurses drop out before they finish their degrees, an investigation has found (file photo)

The RCN believes nurses quit because they do not enjoy clinical placements and can struggle to make ends meet.

The dropout rates will raise further questions about the value of nursing degrees, which were first established in the 1960s.

In 2009 the Department of Health announced that all new nurses would have to enrol on three-year degree courses rather than take practical two-year diplomas based on the ward. In 2006 the dropout rate was 24.6 per cent  showing little has been done to improve student motivation in the last 12 years.

Ben Gershlick, of the Health Foundation, said: While the attrition rate has remained fairly constant over the last decade, its impact is becoming more severe bearing in mind the overall shortage of nurses, vacancies in nursing posts and rising demand pressures on the NHS.

Professor James Buchan, of the school of health sciences at Edinburghs Queen Margaret University, said: Student nurse attrition has been for many years identified as a major problem for the UK, both in terms of the negative impact on individuals who leave programmes early, and also for the system at large.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: There are currently 52,000 nurses in training to work in our NHS, with more to come thanks to our historic 25 per cent increase in training places which will ensure we have the nurses we need for the future.
The former bosses of collapsed oil firm Afren will stand trial in London this week on charges of fraud and money laundering.

Osman Shahenshah and Shahid Ullah, Afrens former chief executive and chief operating officer respectively, are accused of receiving secret payments in connection with oil deals in Nigeria which had a value of more than 300 million.

Afren, an African oil and gas firm, was a darling of the stock market before it collapsed in 2015 under the weight of huge debts after the oil price halved. At its peak it had a value close to 2 billion on the FTSE 250 index.

Boss: Osman Shahenshah was part of a contingent who referred to themselves as The A-Team

Shahenshah and Ullah, who were part of a contingent who referred to themselves as The A-Team, were both banned from running companies for 14 years earlier this year.

They were fired in 2014 after law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher concluded they had received millions of pounds in unauthorised payments from Afrens Nigerian partner.

The trial at Southwark Crown Court is expected to last about six weeks. The prosecution will outline its case on Tuesday.

Separately, Afrens administrators AlixPartners claim the alleged fraud triggered the firms collapse and are chasing the pair for compensation of 385 million.

Shahenshah and Ullah have hit back with counterclaims alleging reputational damage. They deny the payments were bribes and reject claims that they made Afren go bust.
Boohoo has become increasingly successful

Online clothing retailer Boohoo could hit sales of 1.5 billion within three years under plans to rapidly expand its business across the globe.

The Manchester-based fashion retailer has already been targeting the US, Europe and Australia which has lifted sales in the past six months by almost 50 per cent, according to forecasts drawn up by analysts at broker Peel Hunt.

That has set it on course to more than double sales by 2021 from 580 million last year as it cements plans for new warehouses and extended product ranges, Peel Hunt predicted.

Boohoo has become one of Britains most successful online retailers alongside the likes of Ocado and ASOS. The forecast sales surge places it in sharp contrast to the high street which has suffered a series of high profile collapses this year.

Peel Hunt said the firms share price has been hampered recently over fears of online taxes in some of its markets.

But the broker pointed out that Boohoo, which is set to update the market by the end of the month, has successfully navigated recent changes to the Australian and US tax systems and it added that prospects for the share price look bright.

The stock has fallen to 177p a share from its peak of 266p in June last year. But Peel Hunt believes the price could soar as high as 300p in the next 12 months. Broker Jefferies said: We consider Boohoo to be very well placed for a profitable key Christmas trading period.
The much vaunted digital overhaul of the tax system will end up costing businesses more than it saves them, HMRC has admitted.

The Making Tax Digital programme, the brainchild of former Chancellor George Osborne, was aimed at modernising tax returns.

From next April, most VAT-registered companies will have to keep digital records for VAT and submit their returns digitally.

Fortune: The new tax system will end up costing businesses more than it saves

Original forecasts said the scheme would save businesses 100 million a year from 2021. But HMRCs latest view is there will be no cost savings and the extra work will end up costing firms 37 million a year.

HMRC now forecasts that there will be lower transition costs, but that ongoing costs will outweigh ongoing savings for businesses by 37 million a year in the long term, its annual report reveals. The revised forecasts stem from changes made to the regime last year which include a slower rollout.

Initially, it was to include all businesses, but now only companies with turnover of more than 85,000 have to file returns digitally.

HMRC said most of the savings from the scheme would have been made by companies below this threshold that still operate paper-based accounting systems.

Due to the slower launch, HMRC also expects Making Tax Digital to generate 440 million less in additional tax revenue by 2020-21 than first predicted. But it claims the scheme will still generate 1 billion in additional revenue by 2023. In June, the British Chambers of Commerce called for the programme to be delayed until 2020 because the launch clashes with the date that Britain leaves the EU.

Richard Asquith, vice-president of global tax at Avalara, said: Were going to have these colliding events. From a VAT perspective, two of the biggest changes in 45 years are going to happen two days apart.

Brexit is this asteroid hurtling towards us. We dont know how big it is and we dont know what its going to look like.

An HMRC spokesperson said it had been open with MPs about the impact of changes to Making Tax Digital. Our ambition to become one of the worlds most digitally-advanced tax authorities remains unchanged, he added.

The spokesman said the costs incurred by businesses are likely to qualify for full tax relief, which is not reflected in the estimates.
Australia's new Prime Minister Scott Morrison has a massive to-do list that he must get on top of in just a few months if he is to ensure the future of Australia - and save his own job at the next election.

Just a week after securing the leadership, Mr Morrison faces the daunting task of not only uniting a bitterly divided Liberal Party, but addressing a myriad of issues of importance to voters - including help for drought-stricken communities and tackling cost of living pressures.

But the nation's 30th prime minister will need to act fast.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) has now spent a week in the top job after winning the Liberal leadership and taking over from Malcolm Turnbull

The first Newspoll since Mr Morrison took over the leadership from Malcolm Turnbull after a week of party infighting has him trailing Bill Shorten as preferred Prime Minister, 33 to 39 per cent.

And the Labor Party's primary vote is miles ahead of the Liberals - 41 to 33 per cent.

If Mr Morrison has any hope of turning around the polls, he must quickly show voters he is not only listening to their concerns, but acting on them.

Here, Daily Mail Australia looks at some of the most pressing issues the new Prime Minister faces - and some are easier to deal with than others.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said when taking on the top job the crippling drought was his immediate and most urgent priority (stock image)

Help for drought-stricken farmers

Parts of Australia are suffering through their worst drought in generations, with all of New South Wales and more than half of Queensland declared in drought.

This is having a crippling impact on regional communities and their economies, which are heavily dependent on agriculture.

With many farmers forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars every few weeks to keep their animals alive, country voters are crying out for more financial help and support from the Federal Government.

Mr Morrison was quick to acknowledge the devastation being wrought by drought when he became Prime Minister, identifying it as his immediate and most urgent priority.

'It goes on as long as the drought goes on. We need the ideas to keep coming as long as the drought goes on and beyond,' he said.

Mr Morrison has appointed Angus Taylor as the Energy Minister, the 'minister for getting electricity prices down' (stock image)

Reducing the cost of living/electricity prices

Australian households are under increasing financial strain because of lacklustre wage growth and rising costs of living, including soaring electricity costs.

The nation's workers have not had a proper pay rise for almost a decade, and the country could be years away from real salary growth.

New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday showed a sluggish 2.1 per cent increase in the Wage Price Index (WPI) over the past year.

At his first press conference as PM, Mr Morrison made a point of saying he was on the side of everyday Australians working to make a living, caring for their families and 'having a go'.

Tackling soaring power prices would be a focus, he said.

Mr Morrison has described his newly appointed Energy Minister Angus Taylor as the 'minister for getting electricity prices down'.

But Mr Morrison also faces the challenge of ensuring Australia maintains a reliable electricity grid in the wake of the closure of several coal-fired power stations.

Mr Morrison is pictured here with his new cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg

Healing the deep fractures within the Federal parliamentary Liberal Party

Mr Morrison, a known moderate, took charge of a severely fractured party after a week of ugly infighting.

He won the top job against the conservative Peter Dutton, who led the push to oust Mr Turnbull from the prime ministership.

The rebellion against Mr Turnbull was sparked by the conservative wing of the party, which feared the Government's drift to the left was hurting its electoral chances.

When Mr Morrison took the leadership, the Liberal Party was also deeply divided over its energy policy.

A split over the National Energy Guarantee spelled Mr Turnbull's downfall.

One of Mr Morrison's first jobs will be the unenviable task of trying to bring the warring factions together and present a united front to voters ahead of an election due before May 2019.

Federal parliamentary Liberal Party leadership contender Peter Dutton had pledged to cut the nation's immigration intake in his push to become Prime Minister (stock image)

Immigration

Mr Morrison is a former minister for immigration and border protection who helped 'stop the boats' after the Coalition came to power in 2013.

But just this week, an illegal fishing vessel ran aground in Far North Queensland, with 15 foreign nationals detained.



Some politicians, including government MP George Christensen, used the arrival of the vessel on mainland Australia as an opportunity to highlight problems with the government's border patrol practices.

'Qld borders need to be made more secure esp (especially) given proximity of PNG & Indonesia, considering level of radical Islamism in Indonesia, Malaysia & Philippines,' Mr Christensen tweeted.

Mr Dutton, in his pitch to take the Liberal leadership and become Prime Minister, had pledged to cut the nation's immigration intake of around 190,000, which has been blamed for causing over-population in Australia's big cities and putting too much strain on ageing infrastructure and services.

Immigration is guaranteed to be a big issue at the next election.

Australian businesses are keen to see concrete action on tax reform with the appointment of Scott Morrison as Prime Minister (stock image)

Business - cutting red tap and driving tax reform

With the appointment of Scott Morrison as Prime Minister, the business sector is looking forward to concrete action on tax reform and energy security.

Ernst & Young CEO Tony Johnson said business needed policy that promoted investment and confidence.

'The political turmoil of the past decade has come at the cost of our global competitiveness,' he said in a statement.

'We must return to the serious business of economic reform.'

Of particular concern is the ludicrous amount of red-tape that costs businesses of all sizes valuable time and money.

Schools funding agreement

The Prime Minister has put the new schools funding agreement high on his to-do list, with Catholic schools in open revolt.

'We've got to move quickly, Dan,' he told new Education Minister Dan Tehan at their first Cabinet meeting in Canberra on Tuesday.

He was referring to the needs-based education funding model proposed by former Education Minister Simon Birmingham, which seeks to rejig how funding for schools is calculated.

'We're going to bring that home and we're going to bring everybody in the schools sector with us,' Mr Morrison said.

He will need to - the National Catholic Education Commission says Catholic schools are worse-off under the new deal.

The Federal Government, already battling in the polls, can ill afford to antagonise millions of Catholic voters.

Australia's major cities are grappling with a growing population, with the nation's population hitting 25 million a decade earlier than expected (stock image)

Infrastructure/the nation's growing population

Australia's population recently hit 25 million, a decade earlier than forecast.

The nation's major cities, Sydney and Melbourne, have absorbed most of the population growth but infrastructure is struggling to keep up.

Victorian MP Alan Tudge has now taken on population and infrastructure in the new Cabinet, which Mr Morrison said was all about 'congestion busting' in the capital cities.

Angry voters stuck in traffic have the potential to be Mr Morrison's worst nightmare.

The ABC

There have been growing calls for the Federal Government to bring the national broadcaster into line amid concerns over its left-leaning agenda and lack of accountability.

Less than a week into the top job, Mr Morrison called the ABC 'numpties' after a comedy show mocked his Christian faith.

In a skit performed on the ABC's Tonightly with Tom Ballard on Monday, comedians Bridie Connell and Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd tried to connect the nation's refugee policy to Mr Morrison's religious beliefs.

'The ABC can be numpties every now and then, but my faith teaches me to love each other and to turn the other cheek,' Mr Morrison told the Daily Telegraph.

The ABC was one of the biggest victims of the May Budget, when Mr Morison was the-then Treasurer, with almost $84 million in funding to be cut from the public broadcaster in 2019-20.

Mr Morrison (pictured) told the nation when he became Prime Minister 'We're on your side because we share beliefs and values in common'

Paying down the nation's debt

When Mr Morrison was Treasurer, he was focused on getting the country back into surplus so the government could start paying down the nation's debt.

'We have reached a turning point on debt,' Mr Morrison had told reporters when he handed down the Federal Budget in May.

'With the budget returning to balance we will start paying down debt.'

Net debt - liabilities minus government assets - is forecast to peak at 18.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 2017/18 - equating to $341 billion.

But that is still a massive impost on the nation's credit card, which costs taxpayers hundreds of millions to pay back each year.
The tradie who was filmed allegedly punching a taxi driver 19 times in a shocking road rage attack in the Sydney CBD is a married father with a young child.

Concreter Bartholemew Thomas, 36, was charged this week after he allegedly assaulted a cabbie and smashed up his car in Sydney's CBD.

Thomas, from Claremont Meadows in Sydney's western suburbs, was driving his Ripa Concrete Cutting company truck, when a witness allegedly saw him jump from his vehicle and 'launch an assault on a taxi driver'.

But Thomas' workmates claimed he was reacting to the taxi driver changing lanes in front of him, forcing him to 'slam his brakes on and swerve'.

Mobile phone vision captured the pair allegedly hurling abuse at each other as they sat side-by-side at traffic lights at the intersection with George Street about 5.30pm on Monday.

Workmates at RIPA, with whom Thomas was working on the CBD light rail project, said he then suddenly snapped and got out of the van to approach the taxi.

Video shot by witnesses allegedly showed him then jump on the taxi's windscreen until it smashed, and then allegedly hit him through the driver's window.

Thomas allegedly threw 19 punches in quick succession until the taxi driver got out and the pair 'squared off in the middle of the road', according to witnesses.

They fought until Thomas got the cabbie in a headlock and shocked bystanders and workmates ran to break them up.

Thomas' father, who also works for RIPA, was seen trying to pull his son out of the fight.

Thomas (right), from Claremont Meadows in Sydney's western suburbs, pictured with his father Phillip Reid (left) in 2011

Thomas was charged with assault and malicious damage and released on bail.

Thomas lives in a cul-de-sac in Claremont Meadows, near Penrith, alongside other tradies, with his wife Jacqueline and their daughter.

Workmates were shocked to see the footage of him viciously attacking the taxi driver and said it was out of character.

'Something must have set him off, he's so calm at work. He's the nicest bloke you could meet,' one said.

'I've never seen him get angry, he loves his job and is always smiling and working hard.'

Video shot by witnesses allegedly showed Thomas jump on the taxi's windscreen until it smashed, and attack the driver through the window (pictured)

Witnesses of the fight say that the man was accusing the taxi driver of trying to run him over, and was jumping up and down on his bonnet before the footage begins

Another said: 'He was always a cool character, never really showed aggression.' A worker who Thomas trained to be a concreter said he was a decent family man.

'The side of him I know isn't like that, he is a genuine, decent person,' he said.

Neighbours also defended him, saying he 'did the right thing' by handing himself in to Mt Druitt police on Monday.

He is due to appear in Mt Druitt Local Court on September 19.
A former head of the Royal Navy has accused Ministry of Defence civil servants of being pathetic for ignoring vital information about the looting of sunken war graves in the Far East.

Admiral Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, claims a shipping industry contact was met with platitudes by officials who were offered specific details of those suspected of desecrating British warships sunk in the South China Sea during the Second World War.

His source had learned of the widescale plundering of the wrecks off the coast of Malaysia in May 2017 and got in contact with Lord West with details of the ships and the companies pillaging them for scrap metal.

But according to Lord West, the Ministry gave his contact the brush-off and never sought more details of the information he had gleaned about who was doing the looting.

Admiral Lord West (pictured left) claims a shipping industry contact was met with platitudes by officials who were offered details of those looting British warships

The scale of the looting became public only last month when The Mail on Sunday revealed the industrial pillaging of warships holding the remains of hundreds of Second World War dead by Chinese salvage companies.

They include the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, which was sunk with the loss of 327 men, battlecruiser HMS Repulse, which sank with the loss of 508 lives, and heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, which went down with the loss of 40 crew.

Exeter has all but disappeared from the seabed.

In response, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson demanded action and said: The UK Government absolutely condemns the unauthorised disturbance of any wreck containing human remains and always has done.

A military wreck should remain undisturbed and those who lost their lives on board should be allowed to rest in peace.

Nearer to home, the war graves of thousands of British and German sailors aboard ships which sank in 1916 during the Battle of Jutland have also been illegally targeted by salvagers.

Writing in The Mail on Sunday last week, Lord West said the issue was particularly close to his heart because 22 men from HMS Ardent, the vessel of which he was captain when it was sunk in 1982 during the Falklands War, still lie at the bottom of the South Atlantic.

I first raised the issue of Dutch companies pillaging submarine and ship wrecks in the North Sea in 2014 and was answered with government platitudes, he told The Mail on Sunday last night.

So when I was contacted by this man with specific information about which companies were involved in the illegal looting of these ships in the Far East, I was keen to pass on the offer to the MoD.

Lord West also tabled a parliamentary question in the House of Lords to Minister of State for Defence Earl Howe, asking what action had been taken with regional governments to prevent the desecration of the Prince of Wales and Repulse.

Earl Howe replied that the Government was aware of the illegal salvage and appropriate action would be taken, including working with regional governments and partners, but added: Given that Royal Navy wrecks are spread throughout vast locations around the world, there are limitations on what protection we can provide.

But Lord West apologised to his source, telling him in an email: I am very sorry for the rather pathetic answer from the MoD civil servants.

'The information you have seems to be of considerable significance if the Government are really doing what they have said.

An MoD spokesman said: We absolutely condemn the unauthorised disturbance of wrecks containing human remains.

'We are actively working with the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as local authorities, on a plan of appropriate protection and management, so military wrecks remain undisturbed.
Three men have been charged over a string of robberies that saw more than $160,000 worth of baby formula and vitamins found by police.

A 36-year-old man from Ardeer has been charged over 12 burglaries while a 31-year-old man, from Newport, was charged with six.

A 23-year-old from St Albans has been charged with two burglaries.

In Victoria three men have been charged over a string of robberies and a haul of $160,000 worth of baby formula and vitamins

Victoria Police got a report about a warehouse burglary in Mount Waverley on August 29.

A truck, allegedly linked to the burglary, was found in Laverton, in Melbourne's south-west, the next day.

The truck had 15 pallets which held baby formula and vitamins, according to police.

The arrest comes less than a month after police in New South Wales busted an alleged baby formula theft ring and recovered more than 4,000 tins of formula and more than $215,000 in cash.

Lie Ke, from Carlingford, was pinned as the alleged kingpin of the operation and will appear in court on September 17

Police had been watching her since February and allegedly arrested her as she tried to make a deal at a train station.

Police in New South Wales busted an alleged theft ring and recovered more than 4,000 tins of baby formula (pictured) and more than $215,000 in cash last mont

Lie Ke (pictured), from Carlingford, was pinned as the alleged kingpin of the alleged operation and will appear in court on September 17

Officers allege she had 20 cans of formula in her car.

While in Queensland, in June, more than $6,000 worth of electric breast pumps were swiped from stores.

CCTV footage of one of the thefts captured two men stealing breast pumps and blood pressure kits by hiding them in large bags before casually exiting the Gold Coast store.

While in Queensland, in June, more than $6,000 worth of electric breast pumps were swiped from stores in a string of thefts

No arrests or charges have been made regarding the stolen electric breast pumps

No arrests or charges have been made yet.

The Victoria arrests come as part of a larger investigation to a series of large commercial burglaries across Melbourne since April.

Suburbs which have been hit include Mount Waverley, Port Melbourne, Springvale, Clayton, Bundoora, Point Cook and Preston.

Two of the men were in court on Friday while the St Albans man will be in court on February 7, 2019.
Princess Diana's former bodyguard has revealed he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder while guarding the royal and her two sons.

Lee Sansum, who had in a career as a military police officer, endured flashbacks from his emotionally grueling service in Northern Ireland during the Troubles while protecting Diana's young princes William and Harry.

Mr Sansum, 56, now wants to be reuninted with recently married Harry, 33, so they can raise awareness of the mental health condition.

Lee Sansum, 56, who had in a career as a military police officer, endured horrific flashbacks from his service in Northern Ireland while protecting Diana and her young princes William and Harry

The ex-Royal Military Police officer told the Mirror: 'Nobody knew it but I had PTSD even when I looked after the princess and her sons.

'When I left the military there was no help whatsoever for people with any mental health problems.'

But despite the ex-serviceman's glittering military career, he feared the stigma attached to mental health struggles would impede his work as a bodyguard.

Despite the ex-serviceman's glittering military career, he feared the stigma attached to mental health struggles would impede his work as a bodyguard

While working for wealthy tycoon Mohamed Fayed, whose son Dodi was in a relationship with Diana, Mr Sansum was appointed to look after the princess, William and Harry during their 1997 Saint-Tropez holiday - just weeks before the horror crash that claimed her life

Mr Sansum admits that he avoided seeking help or getting an official diagnosis at the time over fears it would affect his career - and become a permanent stain on his medical record.

The serviceman reached the rank of sergeant before leaving the Royal Military Police in 1995 and going on to guard a host of a A-List celebrities.

Shortly after his posting in Saint-Tropez, Diana wrote to him thanking him warmly for this work which allowed the family a 'magical ten days'

While working for wealthy tycoon Mohamed Fayed, whose son Dodi was in a relationship with Diana, Mr Sansum was appointed to look after the princess, William and Harry during their 1997 Saint-Tropez holiday - just weeks before the horror crash that claimed her life.

Shortly after his posting in Saint-Tropez, Diana wrote to him thanking him warmly for this work which allowed the family a 'magical ten days'.

Mr Sansum told the Mirror how how he suffered from nightmares and flashbacks which were becoming worse by the time he was assigned Diana as a subject.

At least 23 ex-personnel have died in suspected suicides this year, Mr Sansum hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of poor medical health among former servicemen and women with the help of Harry.

Along with his friend Major Joe Sheppard, 54, Mr Sansum has set up his own veterans support group on Facebook called Improve Your Lifestyle With Lee And Joe.

Mr Sansum added: 'PTSD is like a dark cloud. It can be triggered by anything, like a smell or a time of year.'
The British skipper of one of the boats attacked by French trawlermen is facing a 9,000 fine after being accused of illegally fishing a small number of under-sized scallops.

Mark Powell, whose boat the Golden Fleece II was caught up in the so-called Scallop Wars last week, claims he is being unfairly targeted by French authorities in order to punish British crews. He was arrested and detained by French authorities who boarded his boat and confiscated his 20,000 catch which they say included 180 (162) of under-sized scallops.

EU laws intended to protect sea life forbid fishermen from catching scallop under around four inches in length so they can grow large enough to spawn.

Mark Powell, whose boat the Golden Fleece II was caught up in the so-called Scallop Wars last week, claims he is being unfairly targeted by French authorities in order to punish British crews

But Mr Powell, 49, denies catching any under-sized scallops and said the French were simply looking for technicalities all the time to have a go at the British fleet. He faces a court hearing in two weeks where he could be fined 10,000 (8,954) if found guilty over the incident in Le Havre last September.

Mr Powells boat was involved in a clash with a 40-strong flotilla of French vessels which surrounded them off the coast of Normandy in the early hours of Tuesday.

Boats smashed against each other, emergency flares were fired and rocks and bottles thrown in the Seine Bay scrap. French fishermen, who are banned from scallop dredging between May 15 and October 1, are angry their British counterparts can fish the seas all year round. British and French government officials are due to meet with fishing industry leaders on Wednesday in London for crisis talks.

French and British fishing boats collide during scrap in English Channel over scallop fishing rights on August 28

It comes as British trawlermen have pledged to return en masse to the scallop bay next week where they clashed with French fishermen. One French fisherman took to social media to brag that the war is not over and that they would get the heavy artillery out.

Last night, father-of-two Mr Powell  who sails with a crew of four from Falmouth, Cornwall  said: It is bad enough to be the target of a night-time ambush involving flares and boats being rammed. To also be taken to court over a trivial and unjustified violation of EU laws is adding insult to injury.

The charge relates to a tiny fraction of my catch from four days at sea. There is no way I take under-sized scallops and it is yet another excuse to try and have a go at us.

Barrie Deas, of the National Federation of Fishermens Organisations, said: Detecting small amounts of under-sized fish within a large catch can be tricky, absolutely. We would expect the courts to take that into account.

In 2012, Mr Powell was fined 42,000 for illegally catching more than 400,000 of scallops in a Welsh bay where dredging is prohibited.
A suspected British druglord has been arrested for his involvement in a 354million Colombian drugs ring.

Andrew Deamer, dubbed the 'East Midlands Escobar', 'the Monkey', and 'Marcos', was filmed climbing down from his attic hideaway during the 6am raid by anti-narcotics agents and troops.

The 52 year old was arrested in Rionegro, which lies just 20 miles from Medellin - the area Pablo Escobar once ruled while supplying an estimated 80 per cent of all cocaine smuggled into the US.

One former US drugs enforcer Mike Vigil said Deamer, who was born in Barrow upon Soar in the East Midlands, 'put his head into the lion's mouth' when he allegedly became involved in drugs worth worth 1.2billion, reports the Mirror.

Andrew Deamer, who has been dubbed the 'East Midlands Escobar', was one of 18 people arrested during raids across Colombia. He is pictured in the white cap

The suspected British druglord, pictured climbing down from his attic hideaway during the raid, was arrested for his involvement in a 354million drugs ring in the country

Deamer is believed to have owned a number of Breaking Bad-style labs where cocaine was cooked with essences and dyes to chemically disguise it as dog food, cat food or even fertiliser.

He is now at the La Picota jail in Bogota, where he is said to have signed a 'preliminary agreement' to help law enforcement for a lighter sentence of 14 years and eight months.

Law enforcement raided Deamer's home and found him after hearing his golden retrievers barking.

Officers completed many raids across five cities and arrested 18 people, all of which were pictured together in a police line up - including suspects nicknamed El Doc, Mosquito, The Skinny One and The Fat One.

Police have confiscated 2.5 tonnes of cocaine in raids over a three-year period, and found 36,000 worth of cash during the raid

His Colombian wife, Marcela Zapata, 37, was also arrested.

Deamer has also been accused of running pop-up cocaine labs in the area, and using his farmhouse to run a network of financial backers for his drugs business.

Colombia's Office of the Attorney General, The Fiscalia, have confiscated 2.5 tonnes of cocaine in raids over a three-year period.

A source in the Fiscalia told the Mirror: 'Deamer made use of his connections in Europe and his knowledge of drug trafficking according to paperwork and physical evidence we obtained.'

The Foreign Office said: 'We are providing consular assistance to a British man detained in Colombia.'
Russian oligarch, Oleg V. Deripaska told FBI and the United States Justice Department that their claims were 'preposterous' when they tried to flip him against his country's government, Donald Trump and enemy Paul Manafort, according to a report.

He was one of six wealth Russians targeted for eliciting information, reports the New York Times.

The publication states the 50-year-old owner of a massive aluminium empire stood strong and told interviewers that as much as he'd love to provide incriminating evidence against enemy Manafort, he could not help them pin anything on the former Trump administration employee.

Manafort, 69, resigned in April 2016 after being the chairman for the presidential campaign.

He was suspected of working for Russia through political parties in Ukraine and of linking Trump to powerful forces in the Kremlin to help swing votes.

FBI and the United States Justice reportedly tried to flip Russian oligarch, Oleg V. Deripaska (pictured October 2015) but he told them they had their story wrong

Sources say in September 2016 Deripaska (pictured May 2018) labeled investigators' claims about the former business partner he was feuding with as 'preposterous'

Manafort - who was found guilty on 10 counts in a financial fraud trial last month that included five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account - faces more next month.

Seven charges include failure to register as a foreign agent, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to launder money.

However, sources say in September 2016 Deripaska labeled investigators' claims about the former business partner he was feuding with as 'preposterous'.

It reportedly formed part of an unannounced meeting where agents showed up at Deripaska's New York Home.

This was the second time he was questioned about links between Russia and the US but the first time around it was as part of an invitation to the US, a country he'd previously had troubling entering, even as part of diplomat delegations.

It's believed he'd previously tried but failed to grow his business relationships in the States.

Set up by former British spy Christopher Steele in 2015, the publication reports that he met with American officials and even at that time told them they had gotten it wrong when pressed about activities of the Russian government.

Attended by Justice Department official, Bruce G. Ohr, the meeting marked the start of Deripaska's multiple visa approvals for the US, after previous ones had been denied.

While Deripaska certainly cooperated with agents, he's thought to have never given up anything incriminating.

Deripeska was reportedly urged to give up Paul Manafort (pictured), his business enemy

The investigation involving Deripaska began before Donald Trump (pictured August 31, 2018) announced he was going for the presidency

Approaching the man - who was at one point the richest in Russia, with his children Marina and Poytr (respectively five and seven at the time) estimated to be worth $20billion each in 2008 - was not by chance according the New York Times story.

Deripaska had helped the US in a thwarted rescue effort to help an FBI agent detained in Iran, using $25million from his own pocket.

However, the operation  which involved half a dozen other influential Russians being targeted for information  was part of a wider scheme between Steele and Ohr, who first met in 2007 and convened November 2014, seven months before Trump even announced he was going for the US leader position.

The potential informants were all wealthy and reportedly relied on President Vladimir Putin to maintain their money.

Deripaska only came into play two months after the FBI began looking into Russian interference in the election  American spy agencies later concluded Russia had hacked Democratic Party emails and possibly counted against Hillary Clinton winning  and it was one month after Manafort quit.

Justice Department official, Bruce G. Ohr (pictured July 2016), worked with former British spy Christopher Steele (pictured March 2017)

Trump used leaked documents as evidence they were plotting against him to form a dossier in the Robert Mueller-led (pictured June 2017) investigation

Still, Trump used the leaked documents that clarify when contact had been made between the two 2014-2016 as evidence they were plotting against him to form a dossier in the Robert Mueller-led investigation.

It's something he has been talking about even as recently as last month.

'Will Bruce Ohr, whose family received big money for helping to create the phony, dirty and discredited Dossier, ever be fired from the Jeff Sessions 'Justice' Department?' he posted on Twitter, August 20.

According to an anonymous source, Deripaska had outright told the Russian government that he'd been approached by the FBI and DOJ.

Trump posted on Twitter, August 20, calling for Ohr to be fired. He labeled him 'a total joke'

Deripaska has in the past publicly shown his willingness to answer questions about Russia, even going so far as to put out ads in publications to let the public know he had nothing to hide.

However, his former lawyer Adam Waldman suggested in the end the agencies found it to not be of use.

'I told them that he would be willing to talk about Manafort,' the Washington DC-based lawyer said, adding that his then-client did not want any form of protection from possible punishment for his statement. 'We specifically told them that we did not want immunity.

'Clearly, they did not want him to testify. What other conclusion could you possibly draw?'

The news comes after it was reported Deripaska had split from wife Polina Yumasheva, the granddaughter of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, whose inner circle is referred to as 'the family' by outsiders.

This year Deripaska also reportedly became a dual citizen of Cyprus, purchasing the 'golden visa' following failed previous attempts to become an EU citizen due to his alleged money laundering activity in Belgium.

The inquiry was dismissed in 2016.
President Donald Trump appeared to hit back at Meghan McCain after she made fiery comments about him at her father's funeral.

Trump, who was not invited to the service, was quick to blast out his controversial slogan after McCain declared that 'America was always great' in her emotional eulogy.

'MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' he Tweeted early on Saturday evening after playing a round of golf in Virginia. He then retweeted it a couple of hours later.

Senator John McCain's daughter was the first to speak at the Saturday funeral after his casket was carried into the Washington National Cathedral by 15 pallbearers.

During the speech she said: 'The America of John McCain is the America of the revolution.

'The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great.'

'MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Trump tweeted from somewhere other than Senator John McCain's funeral at the , where he wasn't invited

President Donald Trump was quick to blast out his controversial slogan after Meghan McCain declared that 'America was always great' while at her father's funeral on Saturday

The daytime television panelist struggled to hold back tears as she mourned her father in a moving eulogy.

'I am here before you today saying the words I have never wanted to say, feeling the loss i have never wanted to feel,' she said. 'My father is gone.'

'My father was a great man, a great warrior, a great American. I admire him for all of these things, but I love him because he was a great father.'

While she spoke of how her father taught her to be brave and resilient, she soon turned to politics, and delivered a series of not-so-subtle jibes towards President Trump - who avoided being drafted into military service as a young man.

'We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness,' she said.

'The real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.

'We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness,' she said. 'The real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served

She added: 'The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great'

Meghan appeared to glare at Pence and give him the side eye for some time as she held on to her 106-year-old grandmother's hand on Friday

During the speech, Pence said: 'The president asked me to be here on behalf of a grateful nation, to pay a debt of honor and respect to a man who served his country throughout his life, in uniform and in public office'

The previous day, Meghan threw major side eye when Vice President Mike Pence mentioned Trump during his own eulogy for Senator McCain.

During the speech, Pence said: 'The president asked me to be here on behalf of a grateful nation, to pay a debt of honor and respect to a man who served his country throughout his life, in uniform and in public office.

'Today as a reflection of the esteem in which his colleagues and our country hold him, Senator John McCain joins those ranks.'

Meghan's facial expression attracted attention from several social media users.

'The side eye Meghan McCain is giving Mike Pence...,' one Twitter user said. Another added: 'I feel like Meghan McCain is trying to set Pence on fire with her mind.'
CNN has pulled episodes of Anthony Boudain's Parts Unknown series that feature girlfriend Asia Argento.

The removal comes as the actress faces allegations she had sex with actor Jimmy Bennett while he was underage and paid him $380,000 in hush money.

Two of the episodes of the late Bourdain's show feature Argento - one in Rome which the late chef deemed 'our most beautiful show, and another set in Hong Kong which Bourdain called a 'professional highlight' of his career.

'This was a very special show for me because it was an odd and miraculous confluence of events,' Bourdain said of the Hong Kong episode, which Argento directed and aired shortly before his death.

CNN pulled two episodes of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown featuring girlfriend Asia Argento

The late Bourdain deemed the Rome episode their 'most beautiful show', the couple are pictured on set of the episode where they met

'In light of the recent news reports about Asia Argento, CNN will discontinue airing past episodes of Parts Unknown that included her, until further notice,' a CNN spokesperson told BuzzFeed News

Since Bourdain's suicide in June, his girlfriend has been in the spotlight with allegations against her that she sexually assaulted a 17-year-old actor when she was 37 who once played her son in a film.

Previously, Argento had been an outspoken victim of Harvey Weinstein's in the #MeToo movement after she alleged he sexually assaulted her.

Argento denied ever having a sexual relationship with the teen, saying she was 'deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false.'

The actress has been accused of having sex with actor Jimmy Bennett while he was underage and paying him $380,000 in hush money

The actress directed the Hong Kong episode which Bourdain called a 'professional highlight', pictured on set

Argento, however, she did admit to paying off Bennett with the help of Bourdain who 'personally undertook to help Bennett economically' because he was 'afraid of the possible negative publicity that such a person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us.'

CNN has responded to the allegations against Argento by discontinuing all episodes where the actress appeared with her boyfriend, Boyfriend.

In addition, Bourdain's Buenos Aires episode of the show in which he visits a therapist and speaks about his depression is no longer available.

Argento has also been axed from 'X Factor Italy' after the claims emerged about her relations with Jimmy Bennett.

She 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.
Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy were gassed before being burgled as they slept in their Saint Tropez villa.

Hammond, Mindy, and 15 other guests were targeted by raiders who used anesthetic gas to knock them out before rifling through rooms for cash and jewellery.

She revealed that she almost walked in on the burglars after hearing a noise in the hallway - but instead turned away after assuming it was another couple in the villa.

Mindy told the Express: 'That just makes my blood run cold. I could have easily walked in and it could have been unpleasant.'

Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy, pictured together in 2017, were gassed before being burgled as they slept while on holiday

The 48-year-old Grand Tour host slept through the burglary.

The raiders were caught on camera entering neighbouring villas, and were arrested days later after the raid last month.

Burglars made off with their 15-year-old daughter Willow's watch, as well as cash from the handbags of guests who had been at a 1920s-themed cocktail party.

Other Riviera villas in the area have also experienced gas raids in recent months.

Mindy added: 'You have got to have some kind of confidence to do that and to be quite satisfied that people arent going to wake up.

It wasn't until the following day that Mindy realised what had happened. She said: 'That morning I slept in until eight. I didnt even wake to Richards snoring! Nobody woke up.'

Hammond was forced to deny his 2million Herefordshire castle had been burgled earlier this year after widespread reports claimed it had been ransacked by thieves.

The pair, as well as 15 other guests, were targeted at their holiday villa in Saint Tropez, France (file photo)

Initial reports claimed the luxurious property was the victim of a 'James Bond-style' break-in.

But the TV presenter rubbished them, saying that 'nobody broke in and nothing was stolen'.

Writing on social media, he said: 'Hello, I would very much like to thank the press for letting me know this morning that my house has been burgled, ransacked even.

'The thing is, I'd never have known because nothing has been taken and nobody has broken in. I know it's terrifying. What is it when there's a burglary where nobody breaks in and nothing is stolen?'

The Herefordshire castle is thought to be 'as secure as Fort Knox', boasting extensive security, including ten foot iron gates, a high-tech alarm system and a protective fort.

It was there that Hammond stayed when recovering from his near-fatal crash in Switzerland in 2017.
An explosion tore through a building in Sydney's north, leaving one man in hospital.

Emergency services were called to the Neutral Bay property at 5.15am today after a fire sparked an explosion in a coffee shop in an apartment block.

An off-duty fireman told 9 News that a man in his 30s ran out of the building engulfed in flames.

Emergency services were called to the Neutral Bay property at 5.15am today after a shop below an apartment block burst into flames, causing an explosion upstairs

The man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious burns on his legs, as well as midsection, arms, hands and face.

Around 30 residents were evacuated, with some needing assistance climbing from windows to safety.

The explosion was so strong that it caused the entire building to shake, shattering windows.

Some residents were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

Police have blocked off Waters Road, where the fire and explosion happened, between Military Road and Grosvenor Street.

Residents told The Daily Telegraph the fire was believed to have started in a coffee shop.

'They say a coffee shop exploded  it was very scary.' Carlo Javier, 29, said.

A man in his 30s was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious burns on his legs, as well as midsection, arms, hands and face

'I was sleeping and then heard people screaming fire and I could smell the smoke  it was hard to breath  and I just ran.'

Warren Batten said he saw the man on fire flung into the middle of the road.

He was awake, heard the bang and saw a plume of gas.

Mr Batten said: 'A guy was thrown out into the middle of the street conscious, saying he was in pain.'

'I thought with that much power flinging him out of he building that there was no way he would be conscious.'

Inspector Kernin Lambert, from NSW Fire and Rescue, described the explosion as 'severe' and said the cause of the fire is too early to know

Inspector Kernin Lambert, from NSW Fire and Rescue, described the explosion as 'severe'.

'It is too early to tell the cause of the fire,' he told 9 News.

'But due to the debris we do believe there was a build up of some kind of explosive vapour.'

New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are searching the building and Ausgrid are doing an inspection.
Channel 4 newsreader Cathy Newman has revealed that she was sexually harassed as a teenager at one of Britains top public schools.

At the time  in the early 1990s  Ms Newman was aged 16 and had just joined Surrey school Charterhouses sixth form on a scholarship.

In one incident, she said that a boy who was sitting beside her at lunch unzipped his flies and grabbed my hand and forced me to touch his penis. I didnt talk to anyone about it [for years].

She also told how boys would spray her with water so they could leer at her through her wet clothes and described her regret at failing to blow the whistle on her bullies.

Channel 4 newsreader Cathy Newman (pictured) has revealed that she was sexually harassed as a teenager at one of Britains top public schools

Ms Newman, 44, added: Now weve got online abuse and the [concern] about someone taking a naked photo how much worse it would have been if it had been filmed and put out [online].

Charterhouse said it had been unaware of her serious allegations and had reported them to police.

She is one of more than 20 personalities and celebrities who have relived their childhood torment at the hands of bullies on video to encourage todays pupils to speak out and seek help.

The campaign, launched tomorrow by the charity the Diana Award, includes new data on the scale of bullying that pupils tell researchers is affecting their grades, attendance and even forcing them to change school.

Some 28 per cent say they have been targeted by cyber-bullies, which gives them no escape even at home. Like many of those polled who say they have been bullied for being academic, Newman recalled being teased for being a little girly swot who, at the age of eight or nine with her neat little plaits, was self-conscious about her sticky-outy teeth.

Charterhouse (pictured) said it had been unaware of her serious allegations and had reported them to police

Newman said her degrading experiences meant that she wasnt very confident when she left Charterhouse, which now charges 40,000 a year for boarders.

Some of the things that went on at that school, I would now describe as sexual harassment, she told The Sunday Times.

I dont know why I didnt report them at the time.

If you wore a white T-shirt, the boys would get the fire hose out and spray you down so that they could see your underwear.

There were various more serious things that I really wish I had reported and I dont know why I didnt.

I think at the time, when you are at school, you just try to laugh it off.

She said the experiences helped to shape her journalistic career, during which she has criticised endemic sexism at Westminster.

As a woman in the media I feel a duty to make sure we report those issues. Ive always wanted to right injustices, she said.
Terminally ill patients face dying in pain and distress after a hospital secretly cancelled end-of-life care this weekend.

A leaked internal document reveals that Wrexham Maelor Hospitals specialist palliative care team is unavailable for home visits because of staff shortages.

It means cancer victims could face an undignified end in A&E without proper treatment or, worse, a painful death at home.

Doctors and campaigners warned last night of unacceptable failures and said the situation in Wrexham, North Wales, brings into sharp focus a growing crisis across Britain.

A leaked internal document reveals that the specialist palliative care team at Wrexham Maelor Hospital (pictured) is unavailable for home visits because of staff shortages

They accused the Government of ignoring a demand in 2015 for 130 million to improve palliative care and ensure those facing death were given comfort, support and pain relief.

Wrexham Maelor was also forced to withdraw its palliative care team last weekend, but promised to resume the out-of-hours service next weekend.

Furious cancer support groups in the region said they had been given no warning.

The hospital said local hospices and district nurses would continue to provide out-of-hours care but experts warned this was no substitute for specialist NHS staff.

Professor Rob George, a palliative consultant at Guys and St Thomas hospitals in London, said: District nurses dont have the expertise or ability to prescribe or make judgments about whether somebody needs opioids like morphine, the kind of doses to give and the safe way to administer them.

If they havent got access to a specialist service, patients arent going to get the care they need. They may be forced to go into A&E, or worse, they will be dying at home in pain and discomfort.

Mark Isherwood, a Conservative member of the Welsh Assembly and on the cross-party group for hospices and palliative care, said: In the absence of a specialist palliative nurse, the individual suffers a huge amount of avoidable pain and distress. Its deeply worrying that someone may die in pain waiting for the right care because someone isnt qualified to give high doses of morphine, for example.

Dr Andrew Davies, president of the Association for Palliative Medicine, warned the problems at Wrexham Maelor were being replicated around Britain.

In 2004, health watchdog NICE said the NHS should offer round-the-clock care as a minimum standard for end-of-life treatment.

Doctors and campaigners warned last night of unacceptable failures and said the situation in Wrexham, North Wales, brings into sharp focus a growing crisis across Britain

But more than a decade later, an audit of 142 NHS trusts by the Royal College of Physicians revealed just 11 per cent provided round-the-clock care to in-patients.

Research by cancer charity Macmillan found that 70 per cent of hospital end-of-life services in London were failing to provide home visits seven days a week.

Professor George said: The majority of NHS services are not able to deliver 24/7 care because theyve either got funding shortfalls or theyre unable to recruit people.

Last night, Wrexham Maelor declined to talk to The Mail on Sunday about the crisis. But in a statement, Teresa Owen, executive director of public health at the hospital, insisted the measures were temporary.

The specialist palliative care team continues as normal to work in partnership with community and hospital services, local hospices and hospice at home services to deliver palliative care seven days a week, she said.

At weekends, additional palliative care support is currently provided by the palliative care teams hospice at home service and other health care professionals are able to access advice from specialist palliative medicine consultants at any time to ensure that patients have access to current best practice in symptom management.

We would like to provide assurances that patients and families have not been affected by this temporary staff shortage and that patients under the care of the team have and will continue to receive appropriate support.
The government's Help to Buy scheme could be axed amid fears it is benefiting wealthier households and pushing up house prices.

Ministers are set to launch a 'fundamental review' of the policy that could see it replaced by a scheme that better targets those struggling to get their foot on the property ladder.

It comes as recently published research revealed that one in five households on Help to Buy have used it to upgrade their home rather than purchase their first house.

Ministers are set to launch a 'fundamental review' of the policy that could see it replaced by a scheme that better targets those struggling to get their foot on the property ladder

It comes as the government faces mounting pressure from mortgage lenders and property developers to announce plans to finance the policy beyond 2021, when the current tranche of funding runs out.

However, the Daily Telegraph has revealed that ministers are weighing up a temporary extension to take it beyond 2022, though it could be a restricted version of the scheme.

It comes as critics last month claimed Help to Buy was failing to help people who needed it most.

Sam Dumitriu, Adam Smith Institutes head of research, said: The fundamental problem is a lack of supply, but Help to Buy does not address that.

It doesnt make sense for taxpayers to be paying for something that is going to people who are well off.

Housing analyst Anthony Breach, of the Centre for Cities, added: We need to be releasing more land near train stations and areas where there is already infrastructure.

It comes as recently published research revealed that one in five households on Help to Buy have used it to upgrade their home rather than purchase their first house

Professor Danny Dorling, an Oxford University housing expert, said: When house prices fall, part of the reason will be Help to Buy artificially inflated their value.

Almost 170,000 families have now taken advantage of Help to Buy since its launch in 2013. That has seen the Government provide more than 8.9billion of support, with the scheme extended to last until 2021 and an additional 10billion pledged.

The average cost of a home bought through the scheme outside London was about 250,000, with the average loan handed out worth 52,800.

Of the families who used the scheme, 136,700 were first-time buyers. A fifth of families using the scheme were not first-time buyers.
A man was fatally stabbed with a machete at least 15 times by an alleged drug user getting high on laughing gas during a party celebrating his granddaughters first birthday in a Michigan park.

The incident took place in Utica on Saturday afternoon, according to Shelby Township Police.

At approximately 2:50pm, the grandfather noticed a man doing drugs on a nearby park bench in full view of several young children, according to WXYZ-TV.

He approached the man on the bench and asked him to stop.

According to witnesses, the man appeared to have whippets - or cans of nitrous oxide that are stored in empty whip cream containers.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a known hallucinogen.

The grandfather asked the man to take the drugs out of the area because young children were watching.

The incident took place in Utica, Michigan on Saturday afternoon, according to Shelby Township Police. The park in Utica where the attack took place is seen in the above stock image

Enraged, the man on the bench stood up and attacked the grandfather, knocking him to the floor.

He then pulled out a knife and stabbed the grandfather at least 15 times.

A witness said that the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, appeared to be in his fifties.

Amanda Pasho, who lives across the street from the park, said she witnessed the gruesome attack, according to Macomb Daily.

[The victim] fell to the ground, he had blood all over him, Pasho said.

He had his arms up to fend off the man from stabbing him.

The man put his knee in the guy's abdomen to hold him down and then put his arm across his face and began stabbing him with a knife, like non-stop, just jabbing at him with the knife.

He was enraged, he seemed like he had the strength of the Tasmanian devil, Pasho said.

My heart goes out to the family of that poor man. I can't believe this happened in front of them.

Witnesses told Macomb Daily that the weapon used to kill the grandfather was a machete measuring between eight and 10 inches in length.

Officers called to the scene found the suspect still in the park. They took him into custody at gunpoint.

As of late Saturday, authorities have not released any information about the identities of the suspect or the victim.
An Equinox gym employee claims he was fired as a receptionist at the Wall Street location on Friday after reporting to his bosses that a lawyer masturbated in a steam room while staring at him.

The incident involving receptionist Michael Alexander, 27, and married litigator Steven Hammond, 65, took place on May 21 and was reported by the New York Post last month.

Since then, Alexander, who was anonymous at the time of original reporting, has been removed from his position at the chain of workout spaces.

Michael Alexander, 27, was fired Friday, after reporting an incident where he claims a man masturbated while looking him directly in the eye at his place of employment

'I'm banned because I spoke out,' he told New York Post about being terminated Friday. Adding that after filing a complaint with law enforcement about the 'disgusting' incident, he felt he had no support from his employers.

'I really wanted to move up in that company before this happened,' he said. 'They did nothing to help me. They did nothing to help the police officer.'

The incident with litigator Steven Hammond, 65, took place on May 21 and he handed himself in Jun 29 at 4.30am

Alexander was the only person in the steam room with Hammond when the high-powered lawyer allegedly looked at him for approximately 15 seconds before he began touching himself inappropriately in front of his accuser.

Hammond is married to Beth Snyder, an associate professor of English as a second language at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey according to a New York Times wedding announcement about his daughter, Laura Hammond in 2009.

While Hammond - who was arrested for public lewdness - has hit back calling the claims 'complete fabrication', Alexander reiterates that he did commit the sex crime.

'I went into the steam room, I saw that gentleman sitting there, so I sat down and he looked at me, and then he started to jerk off,' he previous said, adding he was too shocked to move initially. 'He looked at me again, inferring, "Let's do this".'

Hughes, Hubbard and Reed, where Hammond is a partner, specializes in international commercial litigation. They've handled cases before the International Chamber of Commerce and the United Nations' Commission on International Trade Law.

He eventually handed himself in at 4.30am June 29 and was released but told he'd have to appear at Manhattan Criminal Court at a later date (August 27).

According to Law.com he pleaded 'not guilty'. He was released without bail.

His lawyer Isabelle Kirshner said: 'Mr Hammond vehemently denies these specious charges and intends to launch a full and complete defense.'

Alexander's legal team is planning a class action lawsuit against Equinox. He was granted an order of protection from the judge.

It wouldn't be the first time they've landed in hot water; according to The Post, Equinox has had 'dozens' of lawsuits against them from people claiming they don't take the appropriate action against inappropriate behavior, and even sexual assault, in their steam rooms.

Alexander claims the man looked at him for one minute while masturbating in the Wall Street branch's steam room where they were alone. He was too shocked to leave sooner

Before being let go yesterday, front desk worker, Alexander had complained to the media that he'd seen managers work '10 times harder to help people' who have lost their mobile phones, when talking about Equinox handled the incident.

'It's really discouraging for me because I work for a company that doesn't support me,' he said.

The gym sent out an email to clients last Thursday, reminding clients of what's deemed inappropriate behavior while using the facilities.

The Equinox branch is located on New York's financial hub of Wall Street, which is popular with financiers and tourists alike

Equinox had come under fire in the past for allegedly failing to support people who have been a victim of inappropriate behavior and sexual assault in their gym steam rooms

Equinox, which has branches from the East Coast to the West Coast of the US, counts the likes of SoulCycle and PURE Yoga among its subsidiaries.

Contrary to Alexander's claims, the pricey gym says it didn't fire the alleged victim for spilling the story to the media, rather it was about the way he did it.

'We unequivocally do not terminate employees for speaking to the media,' a spokeswoman said in regards to Alexander no following their public relations protocol.

The former employee had claimed supervisors at his company discouraged him from filing a report with law enforcement and his legal representative expressed it's a big problem.

'It's still going on every single day, and it's a crime,' lawyer Marc Held, said.

'While it is evident that Equinox continuously does not take steps to protect its members from sexual assault, it is even more unconscionable that they would fire one of their own employees for speaking out about being a victim of the very same alleged sex crime that they repeatedly cover-up.'
A South American family is devastated after their service dog didn't make the return trip with them and was said to have been lost in New York City.

Jonathan Rolon explained that his parents and their emotional support dog, Logan, was supposed to fly back to Paraguay on August 27 after visiting him in Connecticut.

But when the couple made it back to Paraguay via LATAM Airlines, they were told that their pooch didn't make the trip from John F. Kennedy Airport because of ramp issues.

Jonathan Rolon explained that his parents and their emotional support dog, Logan, was supposed to fly back to Paraguay on August 27 after visiting him in Connecticut

But when the couple made it back to Paraguay via LATAM Airlines, they were told that their pooch didn't make the trip from John F. Kennedy Airport because of ramp issues

Things got even stranger once Rolon made his way to the airport and was told that another employee had taken the dog home, NBC 4 reports.

Rolon was given the name of the employee, but not why Logan was taken.

He was also given the intersection where Logan was last seen as he was reported to have ran away from the employee's home.

Rolon made his way to the airport and was told that another employee had taken the dog home and then lost the pooch

LATAM claims to be actively searching for the dog.

They've asserted that they have posted 600 search posters in surrounding neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau County.

In total, the flyers cover a 30-mile radius and also include a reward if the dog is returned.

Local police have been contacted about the dog's disappearance and more than 50 representatives from the airlines have been involved in looking for Logan.

LATAM said that on August 29, the Animal Care Center of New York also became involved in searching for the dog. They specialize in animal welfare and relocation but they also help look for lost animals.

They've offered to also fly Rolon's parents out to New York and said they have been in contact with the family.

'LATAM deeply regrets the situation and will continue to provide all the recourses at its disposal in the effort to reunite Logan with his family,' the airlines added.

According to Rolon, however, the dog's absence has made his mother extremely depressed and added an unnecessary toil on the family's life.

Rolon asserts that Logan's absence has been detrimental for the family
Former Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull has been photographed leaving the country after being unceromniously dumped from his role.

The ousted PM flew out of the country from Sydney Airport on Sunday accompanied by his wife Lucy and an entourage of security officers.

Mr Turnbull is heading overseas for six weeks, leaving his former colleagues to battle for his blue-ribbon seat of Wentworth, which he will not be recontesting.

The former PM looked downcast and was dressed casually in a blue sweater and sport coat and was carrying his own luggage.

Mr Turnbull will spend six weeks in New York and will not return to parliament

Former Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull has been photograph as he jets off for the United States, turning his back on a struggling Liberal Party

Mr Turnbull's resignation from Parliament on Friday will spark a by-election, which could threaten the government's one-seat majority

Mr Turnbull's resignation from Parliament on Friday will spark a by-election, which could threaten the government's one-seat majority.

The latest ReachTel poll has the Liberal Party and Labor at 50 per cent each on a two-party preferred basis, in a sign voters could punish the government for knifing Mr Turnbull.

Although the polls suggest Wentworth could fall to Labor for the first time in history, the former prime minister won't be joining the Liberal's campaign to retain the seat.

On Sunday, he and his wife will fly to New York, where the pair own a two-bedroom Manhattan apartment they purchased for $4.5million in 2012.

The Turnbulls own this two-bedroom Manhattan apartment, purchased for $4.5million in 2012

The former PM looked downcast and was dressed casually in a blue sweater and sport coat and was carrying his own luggage

The former prime minister won't be joining the Liberals' campaign to retain his seat

Senior Liberal MPs are said to be fuming Mr Turnbull won't be helping his successor campaign for his old eastern Sydney seat, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The Turnbulls' 1930s art-deco apartment, overlooking Central Park, boasts hardwood floors and decorative fireplaces, while the building has full-time doormen and elevator attendants.

'New York is my second favourite city [after Sydney] and I had been looking at property there for quite a while,' Mrs Turnbull told Fairfax at the time of the purchase.

'We wanted to be close to Lincoln Centre and Columbus Circle, a vibrant part of New York City, close to the subway hub and conveniently located close to midtown and to Central Park.'

The art-deco apartment boasts hardwood floors and decorative fireplaces, while the building (pictured) has full-time doormen and elevator attendants

Mr Turnbull's resignation from Parliament on Friday will spark a by-election in his seat of Wentworth

Meanwhile, business owner and City of Sydney councillor Angela Vithoulkas has joined the race for Mr Turnbull's soon-to-be vacant federal seat.

Ms Vithoulkas on Thursday confirmed she will stand as an independent in the Wentworth by-election, expected to be held in October.

She said voters in the eastern suburbs electorate needed 'stability, continuity and fearlessness', and vowed to bring that as a strong independent.

'I want to rebuild the faith people should have in their community leaders, and make them the priority, not a pawn in party politics,' she said in a statement.

Ms Vithoulkas is among dozens of business owners and landlords planning to file a lawsuit against the NSW government over the embattled Sydney light rail project.

Ms Vithoulkas is planning to file a lawsuit against the NSW government over the embattled Sydney light rail project

She claims the project forced her to close her CBD cafe after 16 years of trade.

Former Business Council of Australia executive director and same-sex marriage campaigner Andrew Bragg is emerging as the frontrunner to replace his friend Mr Turnbull as the Liberal candidate.

Former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma and former prime minister Tony Abbott's sister Christine Forster are also in the running for preselection, while Labor has preselected local businessman Tim Murray.

Independent Kerryn Phelps, another City of Sydney councillor, is also considering a tilt.
The former Vatican official who has accused Pope Francis of covering up sex abuse claims against senior clergymen is now saying that the pontiff and other top Vatican officials lied about a 2015 meeting with controversial Kentucky clerk Kim Davis.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who served as the popes ambassador (nuncio) to the United States from 2011 until 2016, says that Francis and other members of the Catholic Church hierarchy knew who Davis was when they met during the Popes trip to the United States in 2015.

Davis is the Kentucky county clerk who became a hero to religious conservatives after she refused to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

She was sentenced to five days in jail in 2015 for refusing to carry out a court order to grant licenses to gay couples.

The former Vatican official who has accused Pope Francis of covering up sex abuse claims against senior clergymen is now saying that the pontiff and other top Vatican officials lied about a 2015 meeting with controversial Kentucky clerk Kim Davis (above)

When news leaked of the secret meeting between Davis and the pontiff, the Vatican and Pope Francis claimed not to have known who she was or why she was significant.

The pope blamed Vigano and demanded his resignation.

But now Vigano is alleging that Francis and his chief lieutenants in the Vatican knew exactly who Davis was well before their meeting in the U.S. in 2015.

Vigano wrote a letter which was published on Saturday by LifeSiteNews.com, a conservative Catholic website.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano says that Vatican and Pope Francis knew who Davis was when she met the pontiff in Washington, DC in 2015

In the letter, Vigano claims that before his meeting with Davis, he handed the pope a one-page memo with details of Davis case.

The memo noted that Davis was unjustly arrested and put in prison for her refusal to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples because her conscience does not permit her to become a participant in this new way of understanding marriage.

Vigano had invited Davis to be among those greeting Francis in the Vatican embassy in Washington in September 2015 during his visit to the country.

Her lawyer caused an uproar when he announced the meeting shortly after Francis returned to Rome, describing it as papal affirmation of Davis' approach to conscientious objection.

The Vatican insisted the meeting was no such thing and that Davis was merely one of many people who were at the embassy that day.

An incensed Vatican ultimately said Francis had only one private audience during his visit to Washington: With his openly gay former student and his partner.

Vigano has also caused serious headaches for Francis and the Vatican over the handling of sexual abuse of children by senior clergymen.

Thousands of Catholic women have signed an open letter to the pope urging him to break his silence over claims he turned a blind eye to sexual abuse.

In the letter, they told Francis they felt 'angry, betrayed and disillusioned' over claims he ignored abuse allegations against prominent US cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

Vigano made the claims at the weekend saying the pontiff 'covered' for 'serial predator' McCarrick 'to the bitter end'.

But the Argentine has yet to address Vigano's claims.

A letter calling for answers from the pope, originally signed by just 53 Catholic women including seminarians, professors and theologians, has now been backed by more than 13,000.

Vigano has also accused Francis (seen above in Vatican City earlier this week) of covering up sex abuse by senior clergy

It says: 'Our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis engulfing our beloved Church. We are angry, betrayed and disillusioned.

'The pain and suffering of the victims never ends, as each news cycle brings more horrific revelations of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, cover-ups, and deceit - even at the Church's highest levels.'

'Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano's recent statement impels us to reach out to you directly for answers.

'His testimony accuses you, Holy Father, and highly placed cardinals of turning a blind eye to former Cardinal McCarrick's egregious behavior, and promoting this predator as a global spokesman and spiritual leader. Is this true?'

The timing of Vigano's claims - right in the middle of Francis's landmark trip to Ireland - immediately raised speculation about a possible plot against the Argentine pontiff.

Among some ultra-conservative Catholics, the pope is regarded as a dangerous progressive who is more interested in social issues than traditional Church matters.

But so far, Francis has remained silent, refusing to address the allegations and saying only that Vigano's missive 'speaks for itself'.

In their letter, the Catholic women said that 'several crucial questions' raised by Vigano 'neither lengthy investigations nor physical evidence. They require only your direct response, Holy Father.'

'When reporters questioned you recently about Archbishop Vigano's charges, you replied, 'I will not say a single word on this.' You told reporters to 'read the statement carefully and make your own judgment.'

'To your hurting flock, Pope Francis, your words are inadequate. They sting, reminiscent of the clericalism you so recently condemned. We need leadership, truth, and transparency. We, your flock, deserve your answers now.

The letter then outlines what the women believe needs to be answered, explaining: 'Specifically, we humbly implore you to answer the following questions, as the answers are surely known to you.

'Our hearts are broken, our faith tested': The letter in full Your Holiness: You have said that you seek 'a more incisive female presence in the Church,' and that 'women are capable of seeing things with a different angle from [men], with a different eye. Women are able to pose questions that we men are not able to understand.' We write to you, Holy Father, to pose questions that need answers. We are Catholic women deeply committed to our faith and profoundly grateful for Church teachings, the Sacraments, and the many good bishops and priests who have blessed our lives. Our hearts are broken, our faith tested, by the escalating crisis engulfing our beloved Church. We are angry, betrayed and disillusioned. The pain and suffering of the victims never ends, as each news cycle brings more horrific revelations of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, cover-ups, and deceiteven at the Church's highest levels. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano's recent statement impels us to reach out to you directly for answers. His testimony accuses you, Holy Father, and highly placed cardinals of turning a blind eye to former Cardinal McCarrick's egregious behavior, and promoting this predator as a global spokesman and spiritual leader. Is this true? These are devastating allegations. As USCCB President Cardinal Daniel D. DiNardo recently stated, 'The questions raised deserve answers that are conclusive and based on evidence.' We agree. Several crucial questions raised by Archbishop Vigano's statement, however, require neither lengthy investigations nor physical evidence. They require only your direct response, Holy Father. When reporters questioned you recently about Archbishop Vigano's charges, you replied, 'I will not say a single word on this.' You told reporters to 'read the statement carefully and make your own judgment.' To your hurting flock, Pope Francis, your words are inadequate. They sting, reminiscent of the clericalism you so recently condemned. We need leadership, truth, and transparency. We, your flock, deserve your answers now. Specifically, we humbly implore you to answer the following questions, as the answers are surely known to you. Archbishop Vigano says that in June 2013 he conveyed to you this message (in essence) about then-Cardinal McCarrick: 'He corrupted generations of seminarians and priests and Pope Benedict ordered him to withdraw to a life of prayer and penance.' Is this true? What did Archbishop Vigano convey to you in June 2013 about then-Cardinal McCarrick? When did you learn of any allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct with adults by then-Cardinal McCarrick? When did you learn of Pope Benedict's restrictions on then-Cardinal McCarrick? And did you release then-Cardinal McCarrick from any of Pope Benedict's restrictions? Holy Father, in your letter to the People of God on the scandals, you 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.' That's why we expect you, our Holy Father, to be honest with us. Please do not turn from us. You've committed yourself to changing clerical ways in the Church. That a cardinal would prey on seminarians is abhorrent. We need to know we can trust you to be honest with us about what happened. The victims who have suffered so greatly need to know they can trust you. Families, who will be the source of the Church's renewal, need to know we can trust you, and thus trust the Church. Please do not keep us at arm's length on these questions. We are faithful daughters of the Church who need the truth so we can help rebuild. We are not second-class Catholics to be brushed off while bishops and cardinals handle matters privately. We have a right to know. We have a right to your answers. We are wives, mothers, single women, consecrated women, and religious sisters. We are the mothers and sisters of your priests, seminarians, future priests and religious. We are the Church's lay leaders, and the mothers of the next generation. We are professors in your seminaries, and leaders in Catholic chanceries and institutions. We are theologians, evangelists, missionaries and founders of Catholic apostolates. We are the people who sacrifice to fund the Church's good work. We are the backbone of Catholic parishes, schools, and dioceses. We are the hands, the feet, and the heart of the Church. In short, we are the Church, every bit as much as the cardinals and bishops around you. Holy Father, we are the 'incisive presence' the Church needs, and we need your answers. Advertisement

'Archbishop Vigano says that in June 2013 he conveyed to you this message (in essence) about then-Cardinal McCarrick: 'He corrupted generations of seminarians and priests and Pope Benedict ordered him to withdraw to a life of prayer and penance.'

'Is this true? What did Archbishop Vigano convey to you in June 2013 about then-Cardinal McCarrick?

'When did you learn of any allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct with adults by then-Cardinal McCarrick?

'When did you learn of Pope Benedict's restrictions on then-Cardinal McCarrick? And did you release then-Cardinal McCarrick from any of Pope Benedict's restrictions?'

According to PJmedia, one of the original signers of the letters was Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow at the National Review Institute and editor-at-large of National Review magazine.

Pope Francis 'knew from at least June 23, 2013, that Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (pictured) was a serial predator,' Vigano alleged

She told the website that 'people are confused' and want answers. But she said the Pope's 'non-answer' over the issue on the plane back from Ireland 'was consistent with his style: I think he sees himself as the father who is insisting on all of the fights in the Church happening in daylight for all to see, rather than theological silos.'

The pope has faced mounting pressure to quit as ultra-conservative members of the Catholic Church hierarchy continue to accuse him of covering for McCarrick.

Two of his fiercest critics have stepped forward to support Vigano.

Italian journalist Marco Tosatti, who runs a conservative and staunchly anti-Francis blog, boasted Tuesday that he had helped Vigano craft and edit his testimony before translating it into Spanish and English.

Tosatti praised the 'courage' of Vigano, who was never made a cardinal and was exiled to Washington as the Holy See's ambassador after blasting the Vatican for poor financial management.

On Wednesday, US cardinal Raymond Leo Burke - the pope's fiercest critic within the Vatican - backed Vigano's call for Francis to step down.

'I cannot say if it is wrong to demand the resignation of the pope, I only say that to get to that, you have to investigate and act on what's found,' Burke in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica.

'A resignation request is legitimate regardless. Anyone can make it for any clergyman who has made a grave error.'

This is not the first time Burke has moved against the pontiff.

In 2016, he was one of four cardinals who wrote a letter to the pope saying that he should be sanctioned for confusing Catholics after permitting people who have divorced and remarried to take communion in certain circumstances.

Vigano, 77, is also no stranger to showing his disapproval of Francis - last year he was one of 60 conservative priests who signed a petition accusing the pontiff of 'heresies'.

Among some ultra-conservative Catholics, the pope is regarded as a dangerous progressive who is more interested in social issues than traditional Church matters

Nonetheless, he told RAI television on Wednesday he 'never felt any desire for vengeance or held a grudge' against Francis.

Paul Elie, who lectures at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University, said the voices raised against Francis were a direct result of his tolerant outlook.

'Because Francis is not inclined to an authoritarian style, he has allowed a much greater degree of dissent to be expressed openly than his predecessors,' he told AFP.

People, he said, were speaking out 'much more than they used to.'

The investigation into Theodore McCarrick US cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been accused of sexually abusing a teenager while working as a priest in New York in the early 1970s. Pope Francis accepted the 88-year-old's resignation in July, making McCarrick just the second cardinal ever to lose his status. At the time, the Vatican announced that Francis had ordered McCarrick to conduct a 'life of prayer and penance' before a church trial over the allegations of sexual abuse, which included one claim involving an 11-year-old boy. McCarrick was previously one of the highest, most visible Catholic church officials in the United States and was heavily involved in the church's years-long response to allegations of priestly abuse there. McCarrick rose steadily and swiftly up the U.S. church's ranks, from auxiliary bishop in New York City, to bishop in Metuchen, to archbishop of Newark, and then to Archbishop of Washington, D.C. Francis received McCarrick's letter offering to resign from the College of Cardinals after a spate of allegations that the prelate had for years sexually abused boys and had sexual misconduct with adult seminarians. McCarrick had already been removed from public ministry since June 20, pending a full investigation into allegations that he fondled a teenager more than 40 years ago in New York City. McCarrick has denied these allegations. Another alleged victim says McCarrick exposed himself to him when he was 11 and continued a sexually abusive relationship with him for more than two decades. McCarrick has not responded publicly to these accusations. Advertisement

The storm surrounding McCarrick, 88, broke in June when American Church officials said allegations he had sexually abused a 16-year-old boy half a century ago were credible.

McCarrick, one of the most senior Catholic leaders to face allegations of abuse, denies that particular charge. But a month later, in an unprecedented move, Francis accepted his resignation as a cardinal.

Vigano, who served as ambassador between 2011 and 2016, claimed he had warned the pope back in June 2013 that McCarrick was sharing his bed with young seminarians and priests.

And he accused Francis of ignoring sanctions that were allegedly imposed on McCarrick by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009-10, condemning him to a discreet life of penance.

Vigano said Francis 'did not take into account' these sanctions and instead made McCarrick 'his trusted counsellor', consulting him on a number of cardinal nominations.

There is no public record of any such sanctions and it remains unclear whether Francis was aware of them.

But Vigano says Bishop Jean-Francois Lantheaume, a former senior Vatican counsellor, was there when McCarrick was informed about the sanctions by the Vatican's previous ambassador, who is now dead.

He said Lantheaume, who is currently serving as a priest in Genoa, was 'ready to testify' about that meeting in Washington DC.

Lantheaume did not respond to AFP's questions but told the Catholic News Agency that Vigano had told 'the truth'.

Even after he was sanctioned, photos have emerged showing McCarrick visiting Benedict at the Vatican. The retired pontiff's private secretary has said he will not be commenting on the matter.

And the US-based Catholic News Service on Wednesday released a video dated May 2012 when McCarrick was allegedly barred from appearing in public.

In it, Vigano is seen with him at a gala dinner in Manhattan, smiling and saying the cardinal was 'very much loved by us all'.

As debate raged over the latest developments in a long-running abuse scandal that has shaken the Church, Vatican number two Cardinal Pietro Parolin told the Vatican Insider website that although Vigano's allegations had caused 'bitterness' and 'concern', Francis remained 'very calm'.
Denise Prell, 39, a fired civilian worker at a notorious New York maximum-security prison, admitted to have sexual relations with an inmate

A former prison employee has pleaded guilty to charges that she had an inappropriate relationship with an inmate at the same New York prison where another female employee aided the escape of two killers.

Denise Prell, 39, pleaded guilty this week to misdemeanor counts of promoting prison contraband, sexual abuse in the third degree and official misconduct.

Investigators say Prell lost her job as a tailor shop supervisor at Clinton Correctional Facility last year after beginning a relationship with an inmate convicted of manslaughter in May 2017.

In June 2015, two inmates aided by a civilian employee escaped from the prison near the Canadian border. One was killed by police. The other was captured.

The inspector general released a report Friday that found 'substantial' security improvements since the escape.

The high-profile 'Shawshank Redemption'-style prison break is the subject of the upcoming Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora, directed by Ben Stiller and starring Academy Award winners Patricia Arquette as Mitchell and Benicio Del Toro as Richard Matt.

Prell was tapped to be Patricia Arquette's assistance during shooting.



Prell lost her job at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora after a guard allegedly caught her engaged in an inappropriate behavior with a convict

Investigators say the 39-year-old was fired from her civilian job at the maximum-security prison in Dannemora after a guard caught her engaged in inappropriate behavior with an inmate.

The guard's report triggered a multi-agency criminal investigation that was carried out by state police, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations, the New York State Inspector General's Office and the Clinton County District Attorney's Office.

In October, Prell was arrested on charges of first-degree promoting prison contraband and third-degree sexual abuse, and 23 counts of official misconduct.

Public records indicate that Prell lives in Schuyler Falls in Clinton County, New York, with her husband, 37-year-old Matthew Prell.

Famous predecessor: Prell's arrest comes two years after Joyce Mitchell, a tailor shop supervisor at the prison, was arrested for helping two inmates escape

Convicted murderers David Sweat, left, and Mitchel's prison lover Richard Matt, right, broke out of the correctional facility in June 2015 using smuggled tools. Three weeks later, Matt was shot dead and Sweat was captured

The Dannemora prison made national headlines when in June 2015, inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped with the aid of civilian tailor shop supervisor Joyce Mitchell, who was having an extramarital affair with one of the fugitives.

Mitchell was sentenced to two-to-seven years in prison after prosecutors said she smuggled tools in frozen hamburger meat, which the inmates used to break out of the correctional facility.

The murderers' original plan was to kill Joyce Mitchell's husband, Lyle, and make her their getaway driver. But on the eve of the escape, the female prison worker had a change of heart and stayed behind.

Following a three-week manhunt, Mitchell's lover Matt was shot dead and Sweat was captured near the Canadian border.

Last year a state board denied parole to Joyce Mitchell, to the disappointment of her husband and their son.

The next time she could be up for parole is 2019 and the latest she could be released from prison is 2022.
The lawyers for former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos claim that the president-to-be 'nodded with approval' when asked if he wanted to have a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Papadopoulos' lawyers released a memo on Friday also seeking a reduced jail sentence for their client lying to the FBI when interviewed in January 2017.

At the first gathering of Trump's foreign policy team in Washington on March 31, 2016, Papadopoulos, 'eager to show his value to the campaign,' told the candidate and his advisors that he had connections that could facilitate such a meeting.

Papadopoulos' lawyers released a memo on Friday seeking a reduced jail sentence for their client lying to the FBI when interviewed in January 2017

'While some in the room rebuffed George's offer, Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions, who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it,' the statement said about their client's intention to set up a meeting with Putin

'While some in the room rebuffed George's offer, Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions, who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it,' the statement said, referring to Jeff Sessions, now the attorney general.

Papadopoulos is expected to be sentenced on Friday.

In the statement to the court, Papadopoulos admitted he lied to investigators, but asked for a very light sentence, saying he had not sought to obstruct the investigation but only wanted to protect his career path.

He said he was a young, inexperienced fan of Trump when his application to join the campaign was accepted in March 2016.

Papadopoulos made contacts with a mysterious professor, Joseph Mifsud, who claimed Kremlin links and introduced him to other ostensibly well-connected Russians, including an alleged niece of Putin

During his interview for the job with a senior campaign official, 'George learned that the campaign's foreign policy focus would be improving relations with Russia,' the statement said.

'George landed the job despite having no experience with US and Russian diplomacy.'

Weeks later in Europe, Papadopoulos made contacts with a mysterious professor, Joseph Mifsud, who claimed Kremlin links and introduced him to other ostensibly well-connected Russians, including an alleged niece of Putin.

'To say that George was out of his depth would be a gross understatement.... He had no experience in dealing with Russian policy or its officials,' the statement said.

Encouraged by the March 31 foreign policy team gathering, he continued to pursue a Trump-Putin meeting.

At a breakfast on April 26, 2016, Mifsud told Papadopoulos that people in Moscow had 'dirt' on Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton -- information Papadopoulos later shared with the campaign.

The meeting would never take place and Papadopoulos would be arrested soon after on July 27, 2017.

Papadopoulos' wife and unofficial spokeswoman, Simona, took to Twitter to share her support of her husband

Prosecutors sought a sentence of six months in jail for lying, claiming that the man misled them about 'critical facts, in an investigation of national importance, after having been explicitly warned that lying to the FBI was a federal offense.'

'The nature and circumstances of the offense warrant a sentence of incarceration,' prosecutors wrote, according to ABC News.

Papadopoulos' wife and unofficial spokeswoman, Simona, took to Twitter to share her support of her husband.

She said: 'I trust that the facts are clear now. Hope for a fair decision. The defense sentencing memorandum is a very accurate portrayal of George genuine cooperation and the fact that he never hindered the investigation. #freeGeorge '
Health research has found that a small town of just 3000 people has the world's highest rate of a rare and preventable heart disease.

The Menzies School of School of Health Research released the study which showed that children in the Maningrida community, in Arnhem Land, suffer the highest known rates of rheumatic heart disease.

The Menzies school tested 400 children from the remote Indigenous community and found that one in 20 of them suffered from the disease.

The Northern Territory's only paediatric cardiologist, Bo Remenyi told ABC News that 100 Indigenous children die from the rare disease every year.

Menzies School of School of Health Research released a study which showed that children in the Maningrida community, in Arnhem Land, suffer the highest rates of rheumatic heart disease

'Children with severe rheumatic heart disease usually die suddenly and unexpectedly,' he said.

'We know children as young as four years of age have passed away from rheumatic heart disease in this community [Maningrida].'

As a nation Australia already has one of the highest rates of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the world.

'RHD is the most common cause of cardiac death in children and adults aged under 40 years,' the study reads.

'However, through simple and cost effective strategies, almost all cases of RHD and associated deaths are preventable.'

The MSSHR released a statement regarding preventive measures to help reduce the number of people impacted by rheumatic heart disease.

The Northern Territory's only paediatric cardiologist, Bo Remenyi said that 100 Indigenous children die from the rare disease every year.

'Health activities driven by remote Indigenous communities may be key to the sustainable and successful treatment and prevention of a potentially fatal disease, a study has found,' the statement read.

The study's lead author at Menzies, Associate Professor Anna Ralph said greater focus needed to be put on the developing health crisis.

'The challenges identified here make a clear case for investment in community-led models of care, and better preventive strategies for RHD,' she said.

Monthly penicillin injections over the course of a decade for people in at-risk groups are recommended to prevent acute RHD.

According to RHD research there are at least 15.6 million people with RHD worldwide and, annually, over 230 000 people die from the disease.

The study's lead author at Menzies, Associate Professor Anna Ralph said greater focus needed to be put on the developing health crisis

Laynhapuy Health manager Jeff Cook spoke to NT News earlier this year and said he sees cases of rheumatic heart disease far too often.

'Its pretty clear that its overcrowding. Things like access to a shower that has hot water. Or access to a shower. Or a washing machine, its a disease of poverty,' he said.

Preventative measure require children to get a large penicillin shot to stop the infection from reaching their hearts and causing cardiac arrest.

Laynhapuy Health manager Jeff Cook said overcrowding, access to hot water and showers were key factors in the high number of cases

'The penicillin injection is up to two millilitres of quite a viscus, white substance that obviously is quite painful,' Mr Cook said.

'It lasts for 21 to 28 days in the system. Its a slow release thing, so it sort of sits there, you can feel it for a while. If youre seven years old, its quite traumatic I would imagine.'

Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease include pain in the chest or joints, fatigue, fever, or inability to exercise, fast heart rate, murmur or palpitations.

Other common symptoms include multiple-joint inflammation, rash with pink rings and lines, or sore throat.

Dr Remenyi, the Northern Territory's Australian of the year told ABC News that all it would take was a renewed and sustained focus from the federal government to help 'put the disease in the history books'.
A couple and their unborn child are among four people killed in a street racing car crash in California.

Valentino Miguel Ramos, 20, and his pregnant fiancee Airyana Rubie Luna, 20, were killed Friday night after the car they were riding in crashed on the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley.

The couple, who had just celebrated their baby shower days earlier, were in the backseat and pronounced dead at the scene along with their unborn son.

The driver, Polo Najera Perez, 21, and his passenger Rafael Ramirez Espinoza, 19, were also killed when Perez lost control of his 1999 white BMW which crashed into the guardrail and subsequently flipped.

Valentino Miguel Ramos and his pregnant fiancee Airyana Rubie Luna, both 20, were killed along with their unborn son. They had just celebrated their baby shower days before (pictured)

The driver, Polo Najera Perez, 21, and his passenger Rafael Ramirez Espinoza, 19, were also killed

Officials say Perez was driving at a high rate of speed when he lost control.

Witnesses say he was involved in a street race with two other vehicles who fled after the crash.

The impact caused two of the passengers to be ejected, while three were trapped inside, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Another unidentified man, 19, is being treated at the hospital with moderate to serious injuries from the crash.

According to a GoFundMe page for the young couple, days before their death they celebrated a baby shower for their unborn son, Valentino Miguel Ramos Jr, who was due in October.

Perez lost control of his 1999 white BMW which crashed into the guardrail and subsequently flipped after racing two other vehicles

'Unfortunately, two lives have been cut short and one life never got the opportunity to blossom due to this tragedy,' their family says

In total, four people were killed in a car accident Friday night in Moreno Valley, California

'On the night of August 31, 2018, Valentino and Airyana decided to go and hang out with some friends,' the GoFundMe reads.

'They got picked up around 2pm and headed to the Casino Morongo,' it reads.

The couple were on their way back from the casino when their car crashed around 7.30pm

'Unfortunately, two lives have been cut short and one life never got the opportunity to blossom due to this tragedy,' the page reads.

Authorities are still searching for the drivers of the two other vehicles in the race who fled.

Witnesses describe one vehicle as a gray or black 2016 or 2017 Honda Civic and the other a black Mazda hatchback.

Anyone with more information is urged to call CHP Officer B Johs at 951 637-8000.
Scott Morrison's time as Prime Minister will be short lived, a government insider has claimed.

The anonymous source, with more than a decade of experience, spoke to news.com.au about the failings of a 'terminal' government 'on life support'.

'A change of government is inevitable. I think they've got very, very little chance of being re-elected,' the source told the publication.

The source claimed politicians would begin preparing for a change of government in 2019, including increased discussions about preferred policies.

Government insider has revealed that Scott Morrison's (pictured) time as Prime Minister will be short lived followed catastrophic libs spill and lack of public support for the Coalition

The source blames the Home Affairs Minister, Mr Dutton (pictured), for the government's 'disastrous' position and questioned the point of the leadership blowout

Scott Morrison became Australia's fifth Prime Minister in five years on August 24 after Peter Dutton failed to challenge party leadership twice.

Mr Morrison has had a rocky start to the top job amid controversies surrounding Peter Dutton's visa issues for au pairs and allegations of bullying by female Liberal MPs.

Support for the Coalition dropped to its lowest point in a decade following the catastrophic spill, proving that voters were not happy with the leadership inconsistencies.

Youre (politicians) earning a very handsome salary to do work. Its the most self-indulgent, reckless and selfish thing they couldve done,' the source said.

The latest Newspoll showed the Coalition had a primary vote of just 33 per cent and Labor led in the two-party preferred states, 56 to 44.

The source blamed the Home Affairs Minister, Mr Dutton, for the government's 'disastrous' position and questioned the point of the leadership blowout.

'You're earning a very handsome salary to do work. It's the most self-indulgent, reckless and selfish thing they could've done,' the source said.

They argued Mr Dutton would have struggled to make decisions as a leader.

Polls have also revealed the Labor party has a good chance of winning Mr Turnbull's vacated seat of Wentworth, inner-Sydney, for the first time in history.

Mr Turnbull's son, Alex Turnbull, has encouraged his Twitter followers to donate to the Labor Party ahead of the Wentworth by-election.

The former PM won't join the Liberal Party attempts to reclaim the vacant seat as he flew out of Sydney Airport on Sunday with his wife Lucy to spend time in their New York apartment.
Simon Milliken, 60, was stabbed to death by a robber in South Africa bush when looking for a rare species of bird.

A British birdwatcher was stabbed to death by a robber in South Africa when looking for a rare species.

Simon Milliken, 60, was chased and stabbed by the robber for his camera on a trail just 500 yards into the Burman Bush nature reserve near Durban.

His American companion managed to escape and alert rescue teams but they were unable to find Mr Milliken after he staggered dying into dense forest.

Mr Milliken was found the next day by a police tracker dog with stab wounds which had pierced his lungs.

Police have launched a manhunt for the mugger after he escaped with Mr Milliken's possessions.

A source close to the inquiry told The Sun last night: 'It looks like he could have bled to death during the night from a punctured lung and was alive for a long time.

'There are lots of questions being asked about the speed of the recovery and we'll have to wait for the post mortem examination.

'The closest tracker dog from the police K9 unit was in Richards Bay 170km away.'

The Briton was a prominent musician, playing principal bass with the Kwazula-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr Milliken's body was uncovered the next day 500 yards into the Burman Bush nature reserve

He had a home in Durban but had a mother and brother in the UK, who were understood to have been informed yesterday.

Mr Milliken was walking with visiting US & Hong Kong based conductor Perry So who had been conducting the KZN Philly for the last two weeks.
Theresa May today ruled out giving in to calls for a second EU referendum warning it would be a 'gross betrayal of our democracy'.

The Prime Minister said voters made their decision in 2016 by 52 to 48 per cent and that must be the end of the debate of whether Britain will leave the European Union.

Pro EU campaigners have spent the summer building momentum and resources behind a call for a new referendum once the Brexit deal has been negotiated.

The People's Vote campaign insists they want a 'first referendum on the facts' but it has enraged Brexiteers who say the issue has been settled.

Theresa May (pictured on Thursday in Kenya) today ruled out giving in to calls for a second EU referendum warning it would be a 'gross betrayal of our democracy'

Mrs May moved to close down the question today in comments revealed by the Sunday Mirror.

She said: 'I will not give in to those who want to reopen the whole question with a second referendum.'

'They trusted that their vote would count, that after years of feeling ignored by politics, their voices would be heard.

'To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy - and a betrayal of that trust.'

People's Vote supporter Chuka Umunn said: ''The real betrayal of trust would be to deny the people a say on any Brexit deal which is nothing like the one they were promised.

'It is a betrayal of democracy for Theresa May to force a bad deal - or no deal - on Britain without giving the public the chance to have a final say in a People's Vote.

'More and more people from all walks of life and every corner of the country are demanding their democratic voice is heard. It is time for Westminster's leaders to listen.'

The People's Vote campaign (which has cross party support from Lib Dem Layla Moran, Labour's Chuka Umunna and Green Caroline Lucas, pictured) insists they want a 'first referendum on the facts' but it has enraged Brexiteers who say the issue has been settled

The Prime Minister has stood by the Government's controversial Chequers exit plan despite continued sniping against it from Tory benches.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mrs May said: 'I will not be pushed into accepting compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in our national interest.'

The comments came as it was reported that the election strategist who helped Boris Johnson win the London mayoralty was involved in a bid to scupper the Cabinet's Chequers compromise.

Sir Lynton Crosby, who also advised Mrs May in last year's general election when the Tories lost their majority in a shock poll result, is manoeuvring to derail the PM's EU withdrawal agenda with a co-ordinated national campaign, according to the Sunday Times.

The claims emerged as former minister and high-profile Tory MP Nick Boles, who backed Remain at the referendum, came out against the Chequers deal.

He told the Sunday Telegraph that under current Government plans, the UK faces 'the humiliation of a deal dictated by Brussels', which is treating the Chequers proposals as an 'opening bid'.
Naomi Wolf felt inspired by the #MeToo movement to share her horrific experiences

US author Naomi Wolf has claimed she was raped by her male babysitter when she was just seven.

The feminist activist said she was attacked twice over two nights and described the ordeal as the closest she'd ever come to death.

Wolf, 55, has spoken out about the alleged abuse 48 years later, after being inspired by the #MeToo movement.

'I am a survivor of rape as a child by a male babysitter. Every woman I know who has been raped, including myself, thought she might have been about to die,' she wrote in the Sunday Times.

'What is damaging is the experience of being absolutely nothing in the presence of another human being.'

Wolf, a former adviser to Bill Clinton, has slammed fellow feminist Germaine Greer's controversial new book, On Rape, which is coming out this week.

In On Rape, Greer - who was raped as a teenager - says that 'most rape is just lazy, careless, just insensitive'.

She goes on to define rape as 'penetration of the vagina of an unwilling human female by the penis of a human male'.

But Wolf, who has worked in a rape crisis centre, said: 'I was orally raped on the first night and vaginally raped the following day. Does the first night somehow not count? I can assure Greer that the first night was no less traumatic than the next day.'

Wolf's revelations come after Channel 4 newsreader Cathy Newman revealed she was sexually harassed as a teenager at one of Britains top public schools.

The 55-year-old feminist author was raped twice over two nights by her male babysitter

At the time  in the early 1990s  Ms Newman was aged 16 and had just joined Surrey school Charterhouses sixth form on a scholarship.

In one incident, she said that a boy who was sitting beside her at lunch unzipped his flies and grabbed my hand and forced me to touch his penis. I didnt talk to anyone about it [for years].

She also told how boys would spray her with water so they could leer at her through her wet clothes and described her regret at failing to blow the whistle on her bullies.

Ms Newman, 44, added: Now weve got online abuse and the [concern] about someone taking a naked photo how much worse it would have been if it had been filmed and put out [online].

Charterhouse said it had been unaware of her serious allegations and had reported them to police.

She is one of more than 20 personalities and celebrities who have relived their childhood torment at the hands of bullies on video to encourage todays pupils to speak out and seek help.

Channel 4 newsreader Cathy Newman (pictured) revealed that she was sexually harassed as a teenager at one of Britains top public schools

The campaign, launched tomorrow by the charity the Diana Award, includes new data on the scale of bullying that pupils tell researchers is affecting their grades, attendance and even forcing them to change school.

Some 28 per cent say they have been targeted by cyber-bullies, which gives them no escape even at home. Like many of those polled who say they have been bullied for being academic, Newman recalled being teased for being a little girly swot who, at the age of eight or nine with her neat little plaits, was self-conscious about her sticky-outy teeth.

Newman said her degrading experiences meant that she wasnt very confident when she left Charterhouse, which now charges 40,000 a year for boarders.

Some of the things that went on at that school, I would now describe as sexual harassment, she told The Sunday Times.

Charterhouse (pictured) said it had been unaware of her serious allegations and had reported them to police

I dont know why I didnt report them at the time.

If you wore a white T-shirt, the boys would get the fire hose out and spray you down so that they could see your underwear.

There were various more serious things that I really wish I had reported and I dont know why I didnt.

I think at the time, when you are at school, you just try to laugh it off.

She said the experiences helped to shape her journalistic career, during which she has criticised endemic sexism at Westminster.

As a woman in the media I feel a duty to make sure we report those issues. Ive always wanted to right injustices, she said.
A six-year-old girl thought to have vanished while playing on her scooter has been found safe and well.

Lexi Carter disappeared after being seen in Long Street in Dursley, Gloucestershire, at 7.43pm last night.

But after a frantic search by officers she has now been found 'with friends'.

Lexi Carter was wearing a pink jacket, Nike trainers and possibly jeans, and may have had her black and pink scooter with her, when she disappeared last night

When she vanished, she had been wearing a pink jacket, Nike trainers and possibly jeans, and may have had her black and pink scooter with her.

Gloucestershire Constabulary have said they will be releasing further details.
Women are 'emotional and concerned with their appearances' except northern women who can be 'strong and aggressive,' say new therapist guidelines.

A document from The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy sets out a definition of what it means to be a woman that includes transgender women.

It says it 'is important not to assume being a woman necessarily involves being able to bear children, or having XX sex chromosomes, or breasts'.

Women are 'emotional and concerned with their appearances' except northern women who are strong and aggressive, say new therapist guidelines (pictured with an activist's annotation)

'Being a woman in a British cultural context often means adhering to social norms of femininity, such as being nurturing, caring, social, emotional, vulnerable, and concerned with appearance'.

It then points out that 'not all women adhere to all these things' and uses the example of working class northern women.

'In some northern working-class contexts, femininity is associated with strength and aggression,' it says.

The document says that other exceptions to the rule are women who are 'on the autistic/aspergic/ADHD spectra' and women who 'may struggle to express emotions, or with social situations'.

The page of the document titled Gender Identity: Woman was tweeted by activist Karen Smith, who branded it: 'Sexist bullsh*t'.

'In some northern working-class contexts, femininity is associated with strength and aggression,' the document says. Pictured: Newcastle

The Leader of the Women's Equality Party, Sophie Walker, whose daughter is autistic, also slammed the definition.

She tweeted: 'This is ludicrous and dangerous. Particularly citing autistic women as a first example of whats not a typical empathetic/concerned with appearance woman which further entrenches difference. This is the damage that leaves so many needing counselling! Do better. Much better.'

The document says that being a man in Britain 'often means adhering to social norms of masculinity, such as being competitive, ambitious, independent, rational, tough, sexual, confident, dominant, taking risks, and caring about their work.

It adds: 'However, of course, not all men adhere to all these things.'

The guidance was written by Dr Meg-John Barker, senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University.

A spokesman for BACP said: 'We, of course, apologise if anyone is offended by the content in this guide. This is not something that we would ever intend to do.

'We are currently in the process of revising this guidance and are in contact with a range of different specialists, who are looking to add their expertise.'
Jeremy Corbyn 'crossed the line' with his comments about Jews and must understand why community is upset, Ed Balls (file image) said today

Jeremy Corbyn 'crossed the line' with his comments about Jews and must understand why community is upset, Ed Balls said today.

The former shadow chancellor said Mr Corbyn's views on the MIddle East had been clear for decades while he was an obscure backbencher.

But he warned the Labour leader must now account for his dubious positions now he was in a high profile contest for Downing Street.

Mr Corbyn has been condemned since MailOnline revealed a 2013 speech in which he said British Zionists lacked the ability to understand English irony even if they were born here.

Other revelations in recent days have seen Mr Corbyn accused of meeting a Holocaust denier in Parliament.

Mr Balls told the Sunday Telegraph: 'His antipathy towards American foreign policy and to Israel's stance on the Palestinian territories has been well known from his time as a backbencher, but I do think that in term of some of the things he's said he's crossed the line.

'That is something that has got to be addressed with more vigour than we've seen so far.

'Jeremy has not done enough to distance himself from some of the past statements and some of the people he appeared on platforms with.

'The nature of leadership is you have to show that you understand why people are upset and concerned as well as showing regrets at the way that things have been said or reported or done.'

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in Edinburgh last week) has been condemned since MailOnline revealed a 2013 speech in which he said British Zionists lacked the ability to understand English irony even if they were born here.

He added: 'I understand why members of the Jewish community in Britain feel upset and worried and I think Jeremy has got to do more to show he understands those fears and concerns.'

Mr Balls intervention came as Dame Margaret Hodge claimed the Labour leadership has a 'hatred of Jews'.

Dame Margaret , who is attending a Jewish Labour Movement conference in London today with ex-PM Gordon Brown, told the Sunday Times: 'All (the leadership) can think about is their internal Labour party and their hatred of Jews.

'Jeremy has allowed anti-Semitism and racism to run rife. He needs to renounce much of what he did.'

Labour MPs are said to be poised to hold another vote of no confidence in Mr Corbyn's leadership, according to the Sunday Times.

Mr Balls intervention came as Dame Margaret Hodge claimed the Labour leadership has a 'hatred of Jews'

Mr Corbyn brushed aside a 172 to 40 defeat in a similar vote in 2016, insisting his mandate from grassroots members was more important.

In a sign of deepening tension within the party, shadow chancellor John McDonnell admitted he is 'worried' about the prospect of a split in Labour ranks.

The comments come in the wake of veteran MP Frank Field resigning the whip after accusing the leadership of presiding over a party which is becoming a 'force for anti-Semitism'.

Mr McDonnell told the New Statesman: 'Yes, I think there are people who are willing to leave the party.

'I think I'm saddened by that. I really am saddened and I'm disappointed.'
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A remarkable series of colour photographs taken more than 100 years ago paint a fascinating picture of the dying days of the Russian Empire.

Between 1905 and 1915 Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky, a pioneer of colour photography, travelled the empire by railway, chronicling the lives of the many different peoples who lived under the rule of Tsar Nicholas II.

The chemist and photographer was sponsored by the tsar himself to document the far reaches of the empire on a journey in which he captured the traditions and cultures soon to disappear after the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Prokudin-Gorsky moved to Paris after the tsar was overthrown and executed. When he died aged 81 in 1944, his entire collection was bought from his son by the US Library of Congress.

The Russian Empire was the third largest empire in world history, surpassed in landmass only by the British and Mongol empires.

Ethnic Russian settlers in Grafovka in the Mugan steppe region in present-day Azerbaijan in 1910. Throughout the 19th century and early 20th century the tsar and his advisers encouraged ethnic Russians to settle in the Caucasus and in Central Asia, where they played a key role in Russification and maintaining loyalty to Moscow

These women harvesting tea on a plantation near Chavka in Georgia in 1910 are believed to be mainly Pontic Greeks, an ancient community that originally lived along the Black Sea coast of Anatolia. Many later migrated to the Caucasus, where they came under the protection of the Tsar, a fellow Orthodox Christian

A Daghestani man and his wife in traditional dress, pose uncomfortably for a photograph in the Caucasus mountains in 1910. It is difficult for us to imagine how alien it was to pose for a photograph as most people had never seen an image of themself, except in a mirror

These men are convicts, who have been shackled together at a prison camp somewhere in the interior, in 1910. The term 'Gulag' was only coined later for Stalin's vast network of prison camps but in the tsar's days many prisoners were housed in equally terrible conditions

A merchant at a Samarkand market displays silks, cotton and wool fabrics as well as traditional carpets in 1911. At the top of the stall is a framed page of the Koran. Samarkand was captured by the Russians in 1866 but is now in Uzbekistan

A family iron-mining operation in the Bakaly hills outside Ekaterinburg in 1910. Iron was smelted for the growing steelworks as the empire slowly industrialised. Ekaterinburg was ironically the place where the tsar, and the rest of the Romanov dynasty, were summarily executed in 1918

This man, photographed in Daghestan in 1910, is wearing traditional Sunni Muslim dress and an Astrakhan hat. His hand rests on the blue scabbard of his dagger and on his chest appears to be some sort of war medal. Five years earlier the empire had lost the Russo-Japanese War

Five inmates look out from a zindan, a traditional Central Asian prison in 1910. Their guard is wearing a Russian-style uniform, and is armed with a Russian rifle and bayonet. Zindan is an ancient Persian word for a dungeon but it was brought back into use in the early part of the 21st century during the war between Russia and Chechen rebels

This magnificent gentleman is Muhammad Alim Khan bin Abdul-Ahad, who was the Emir of Bukhara in modern-day Uzbekistan from 1910 until 1920, when the emirate was abolished by Lenin's communist government

Prokudin-Gorsky himself is pictured here (far right, with two Cossacks) on the Murmansk railway in 1915. He travelled around the empire on the railways, which were expanding rapidly at the time. But his travels ended before the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which finally arrived in Vladivostok in the Far East in 1916

This image shows a melon seller in a fruit stall at a market in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). It was taken by Sergey Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorsky, renowned for this pioneering work in colour photography of early 20th-century Russia

Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky sits (right) with an official and four railway workers on a handcar on the Murmansk Railway outside Petrozavodsk, Karelia, in the Russian Empire, 1915. The third largest empire in world history, stretching over three continents, the Russian Empire was surpassed in landmass only by the British and Mongol empires

This woman, wearing traditional Bashkir dress, was photographed on the steps leading to her home in the Ural mountains in 1910. This was long before people knew how to pose and smile in front of a camera. The Bashkirs are a Turkic people whose traditional homeland straddles the Urals

Prokudin-Gorsky took this image of colourfully dressed bureaucrat wearing a traditional full-length coat in Bukhara in 1910. The chemist and photographer was sponsored by the tsar himself to document the far reaches of the empire on a journey in which he captured the traditions and cultures soon to disappear after the Russian Revolution of 1917.

This image shows Russian peasant women at the Sheksna River, near the small town of Kirillov, Russia, 1909. Between 1905 and 1915 Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky, a pioneer of colour photography, travelled the empire by railway, chronicling the lives of the many different peoples who lived under the rule of Tsar Nicholas II
Photo for illustration (Source: cafe.vn)



The Southeast Asia region has been an important growth driver for us, and we are pleased and optimistic about our opportunity to be part of such an exciting economy and retail market, said Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., the parent company of UNIQLO.

We look forward to introducing Uniqlo and our high-quality, affordable LifeWear apparel in Vietnam, as well as making a positive contribution to the economy and communities where we operate, Yanai added.

The first UNIQLO store will be opened in Ho Chi Minh City and operate under a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Fast Retailing, who will own 25 percent and 75 percent of the company, respectively.

More stores will be available in the city before they expand to other parts of Vietnam.

UNIQLO will also soon begin recruiting key employees for its operation in Vietnam through the launch of its UNIQLO Manager Candidate programme.

The Japanese retailer plans to double its number of stores in Southeast Asia and Oceania to about 400 by 2022. The brands global network currently covers 20 markets in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia, with a total of about 2,000 stores.

The firm also aims to triple its revenue in Southeast Asia to JPY300 billion (USD2.71 billion) in the year ending in August 2022.

Last fiscal year, ending in August 2017, its parent company, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., earned USD16.87 billion in revenue.

The upcoming appearance of UNIQLO in Vietnam will place it in competition with some of the well-known foreign brands like Zara and H&M already present in the country. Currently, Vietnamese people can only purchase Uniqlo products from individual sellers o order them from other countries./.
A man has died after paramedics were attacked by dozens of angry men as they attempted to treat him for a suspected drug overdose.

Paramedics were called to a unit block on Iris Avenue, Riverwood, in Sydney's west, about 8am on Sunday for a 25-year-old man suffering a suspected drug overdose.

Family members of the dying man became irate and tried to intervene, the Australian Paramedics Association said in a statement.

Up to 80 angry men quickly gathered at the unit and allegedly threatened the health workers and charged at a female paramedic, injuring her shoulder.

A man has died after paramedics, attempting to treat him for a suspected drug overdose, were attacked by dozens of angry men (pictured is a message written on a Victorian ambulance)

'Paramedics were forced to fend off angry males who eventually forced them to stop treating the patient who was in cardiac arrest and subsequently died,' APA secretary Steve Pearce said.

The paramedics barricaded themselves inside the unit as the violent mob demanded a defibrillator and drugs, believing they could treat the young man themselves, Mr Pearce added.

About 20 police including officers from the Police Rescue squad arrived at the scene to save the five paramedics.

But the patient had died.

Paramedics were called to a unit block on Iris Avenue, Riverwood, in Sydney's south, about 8am on Sunday to attend to a 25-year-old man suffering a suspected drug overdose

'On this occasion the stupidity of these people have taken the life of their family member,' Mr Pearce said.

'We don't want any more people to face the horrifying situation of their loved ones dying because paramedics are unable to treat patients after threats of violence.'

He called for faster intervention by police and said attacks on paramedics in the Bankstown area had become a regular occurrence.

No arrests were made. Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

The incident comes a week after a paramedic was attacked at Darling Harbour while attempting to treat a woman who had passed out.
A 16-year-old boy has suffered 'potentially life-changing injuries' after being sprayed in the face in a suspected 'acid attack'.

The disturbing incident unfolded after the boy was believed to have had a dispute with another male last night.

He was subsequently sprayed in the face with a substance, which police are currently referring to as unknown, close to a Pizza Express restaurant in Bristol at around 8.45pm.

The police cordon stretches across a considerable portion of the car park at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol

Police are yet to confirm the substance used in the attack, but a Pizza Express employee has heard it may have been acid

Police have been conducting investigations in the area, speaking to staff at the Pizza Express restaurant close to where the attack is believed to have taken place

Leszek Galas, 40 and the manager of the Pizza Express restaurant, told Mail Online today that he had heard the incident was an 'acid attack'.

He said: 'I was not here at the time but I heard that someone had been sprayed with acid.

'There's a police cordon up outside the restaurant now and we don't know if we're going to be able to open on time'.

The bottle used in the attack has not yet been found and police are urging the public not to pick it up.

The victim was taken to hospital following the attack on Merlin Road, where his injuries are described as potentially life-changing but not life-threatening.

Another employee of Pizza Express, who asked to remain anonymous, said a gang of teens had been outside the restaurant and had been 'popping in' to use its toilets prior to the attack.

He said there is often a gathering of youths there and trouble does sometimes 'flare up'.

A police cordon has been installed around the area of the attack at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol. Officers have been conducting investigations in the area, including taking photographs of the scene

Police at the Pizza Express restaurant in Bristol where a teenager is believed to have been attacked with a corrosive substance

The bottle holding the substance used in the attack has not yet been found and police are urging the public not to pick it up if they come across it

In a now deleted post, Aaron O'Brien took to Facebook to say the victim of the attack was his brother.

He said: 'You'll be alright my brother. Love you. You will be home soon with the help of god.

'Thank you to everyone who was concerned enough to say something really is appreciated he has a slow recovery ahead of him.'

When asked about the injuries his brother had sustained, he said: 'I can't really say much right now as it's unknown exactly how bad the injuries are.

'We don't yet know if it is permanent. My main priority at the moment is my little brother's safety and well being.

DI Richard Marsh of Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: 'This is a very concerning incident in which a bottle containing an unknown substance, possibly a type of corrosive, has been sprayed into the face of a teenage boy.

'The victim is being looked after in hospital by medical experts but has some serious injuries which may be permanent.

'There would have been many people around the Pizza Express restaurant and neighbouring venues who would have seen or heard what happened and we'd ask to them to get in touch as soon as possible.

'A cordon will be in place while we carry out further enquiries today.

'We'd also like to advise the public the bottle used in the incident hasn't been located so if anyone finds a discarded bottle containing liquid in the immediate area, we'd ask them not to pick it up, but please alert one of the police officers at the scene.'

A spokesperson for The Mall at Cribbs Causeway said: 'We are aware of the incident that occurred yesterday evening, and are assisting police with their enquiries.'

The boy was taken to hospital and 'is being looked after by medical experts', according to Detective Inspector Richard Marsh of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Kim Wignall wishes she knew where her dad was so she could wish him a happy Father's Day.

It's been 50 years since the Sydney grandmother last saw her father as four-year-old while they were holidaying at a caravan park on the New South Wales south coast.

It was February 1968 when Alan Maurice Roberts, then 27, told his wife and two daughters he was going for a swim at nearby Currarong Beach but did a 'Harold Holt' and never returned.

Kim Wignall treasures this photo of her at her christening with her mother Jean and father Alan Maurice Roberts, whom she hasn't seen in 50 years

Ms Wignall still had vivid childhood memories of sitting on his father's lap on a tractor helping him drive it and him reading bedtime stories to her.

'I remember the day before being on his shoulders and he had his hands up holding me and I remember walking down towards a red brick house, that I would later discover was my grandmother's,' she told nine.com.au.

After various unconfirmed sightings in the months that followed, police eventually tracked down Mr Roberts two years later on the other side of the country living in Perth.

But growing up, Ms Wignall had no idea and was told by her mother, who had moved on and remarried that her father was dead and had drowned or attacked by a shark.

Kim Wignall (pictured) has used this Father's Day to relaunch the desperate search for her father

She was unaware her father was still alive until she tracked down her grandmother and aunty on his side of the family six years ago, who had also lost touch with him.

Ms Wignall said she'd always felt deep inside that her father was still alive.

'Unfortunately, I felt like I had been betrayed. I had built my life on a foundation and when I found out that foundation wasn't correct it sort of cracked and I imploded. It was a bit of a hard time for a little while,' she said.

Kim grew up being told by her mother that her father Alan (pictured) was dead

Despite fruitless searches on Facebook and four trips to Perth without any luck finding him, Ms Wignall hasn't given up on her desperate bid to reunite with her long lost father.

She has let go of the angry resentment towards her mother and doesn't have no hard towards her father.

Ms Wignall hopes the pair can reconnect in time for her son's wedding next year and had this Father's Day message for him.

'Bygones are bygones. There's no need to stress about the past. Let's just reconnect and move forward,' she told nine.com.au.
Fingerprints left on a grandmother who was viciously beaten to death in her own home could hold the key to finally solving her cold case murder.

Kathleen Durdin, 91, was killed close to her favourite armchair at her property in Hamley Bridge, a small rural town north of Adelaide, on July 26, 2000.

She was bashed around the head and suffered severe injuries to her arms and hands as she desperately tried to protect herself from the savage blows.

Ms Durdin's lifeless body was later found on her living room floor by a relative who had been sent to her home after a Meals on Wheels volunteer could not contact her.

Kathleen Durdin (pictured), 91, was brutally murdered in her South Australian home in July, 2000 but her killer has never been found

Ms Durdin's lifeless body was found in the living room of her Hamley Bridge property (pictured) by one of her relatives

Detectives investigating the murder of the 'well presented, independent woman' say the fingerprints are now being checked against criminal databases in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States as they widen the search for her killer.

Items recovered from Ms Durdin's home are also being retested for DNA.

'At this time we're awaiting results through Interpol on those fingerprints,' Detective Brevet Sergeant Blake Horder, from South Australia Police's Major Crime, said.

'A number of the re-submitted items were found to have male trace DNA but we were not able to obtain a DNA profile.

'We are hopeful that with further advances in DNA technology that in the future we may have enough to profile.'

Police also found a partial palm print at the Gilbert Street property but have yet to find a match.

Detectives investigating Ms Durdin's murder are now testing fingerprints found at the scene against criminal databases in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States

'We have identified a number of people of interest in this case who were either in the area or known to frequent the town on occasions but have not been able to progress the matter any further,' Detective Sgt Horder said.

Ms Durdin had lived in Hamley Bridge for more than 40 years.

Cupboards and drawers at her home were left opened and clothing had been thrown about the house but no cash and jewellery were stolen.

A murder weapon has never been found and a motive for the attack has not been established.

'There was no sign of forced entry at the property and her family does not believe anything was stolen,' Detective Sgt Horder said.

Cupboards and drawers at Ms Durdin's property were left opened and clothing had been thrown about the home but there was no sign of forced entry

No cash or jewellery were stolen from Ms Durdin's property and a motive for her murder has yet to be established

'It appears that they were looking for something but we have no idea what that was.'

A $200,000 reward is on offer for information which leads to the conviction of the person responsible for Ms Durdin's brutal death.

'Someone is living with a dark secret but I would remind them that police never stop looking for offenders in cases like this. I would urge them to come forward before we coming knocking on their door,' Detective Sgt Horder said.

Police are urging anyone with information which could assist with their investigation to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
An 81-year-old grandmother was left 'humiliated' by being told she had to get off a Ryanair flight - or leave her disabled son's wheelchair behind.

But after being re-booked on a flight the following day, Kathleen Dunne was horrified when she was again asked to disembark the aircraft again because staff were struggling to fold the chair.

Ms Dunne, from Wallasey, in the Wirral, Merseyside is a carer for her son Gary, 53, who has severe mobility problems and is deaf as a result of a bout of measles as a baby.

Although the pair missed the first flight, from Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Tuesday, they were eventually allowed to fly from Manchester Airport on Wednesday.

Ms Dunne, from Wallasey, in the Wirral, Merseyside is a carer for her son Gary, 53, who has severe mobility problems and is deaf as a result of a bout of measles as a baby (pictured together)

However retired shopkeeper Ms Dunne says she felt 'mortified' after the pilot made an announcement attributing the delay to 'the lady with the wheelchair.'

She said: 'It was horrible. I was shaking, and it was so hard to explain what was going on to Gary because he can't hear.

'We have been flying with them for years and there has never been any problem. I didn't feel like going on holiday after that.'

Ms Dunne said the problem started as they went to check in at Liverpool Airport, when a member of staff said rules regarding the stowing of wheelchairs had changed.

The pair were eventually allowed to board, only to watch staff struggling with the wheelchair through the cabin window.

Ms Dunne said: 'They came on the plane and said the wheelchair has got to be a certain height. I am 81 years of age, I don't know how to fold it.

'They said you will have to get off the plane or leave it. I said he can't walk. I just said get me off, everyone is looking at me.'

Airport staff were eventually able to work out how to fold the wheelchair and the pair were re-booked on the next available flight, this time from Manchester Airport.

But Ms Dunne said she was again asked to leave the plane, and was led under the aircraft and over to the hold.

She said: 'There was a nice man who said one way or the other I will get this wheelchair on the plane. But the pilot said over the intercom "sorry for the delay it is not our problem, it is the problem of the lady with the wheelchair."

OmniServ said Ryanair's wheelchair size restrictions state that all wheelchairs must fold down to 81cms or less to be loaded and stored in the plane's hold. Pictured: Gary, 53, in his wheelchair

'People were saying I can't believe he said that. I am still upset about it now.'

A spokeswoman for Ryanair said wheelchair services at both airports are provided by outside companies, 'at great expense to the airlines.'

A spokeswoman for OmniServ, which provides special assistance services at Liverpool Airport, said: 'On behalf of the entire Liverpool John Lennon Airport team, we apologise for the inconveniences Kathleen Dunne and her son experienced.'

OmniServ said Ryanair's wheelchair size restrictions state that all wheelchairs must fold down to 81cms or less to be loaded and stored in the plane's hold.

The company said: 'Various members of the team worked tirelessly with Ms Dunne to ascertain if the wheelchair could be collapsed to meet the requirements.

'Unfortunately, she did not believe it could be collapsed and did not have a manual, so they had to be taken off the flight. After additional trial and error, the team was able to remove a pin and collapse the wheelchair.

'Ms Dunne, her son and the wheelchair were able to take a later flight out.

While OmniServ does not create policies around wheelchairs on board flights, we endeavour to work closely with the airport, airlines and other service providers to ensure a seamless service to all passengers, including those with a disability or reduced mobility.'

OCS, which provides the service at Manchester Airport, did not respond to a request for comment.

Ms Dunne accepts she did not have the manual for the chair, and did not know how to fold it, but says she was not notified of any rule change and had never had problems before.
Jeremy Corbyn has been summoned by the head of MI5 for a 'facts of life' briefing on the real threats facing Britain.

The head of the security services wants to get through to the Labour leader the real risks to Britain from terrorism, foreign spies and Russian interference.

MI5 chief Andrew Parker has told Mr Corbyn he can bring chief aide Seumas Milne and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott to the briefing.

But Mr Corbyn has postponed the meeting from its planned date on Tuesday as he battles to quell a storm over anti-Semitism that has engulfed his leadership.

Jeremy Corbyn (file image) has been summoned by the head of MI5 for a 'facts of life' briefing on the real threats facing Britain

Head of the security services Andrew Parker (file image) wants to get through to the Labour leader the real risks to Britain from terrorism, foreign spies and Russian interference

The Labour leader is expected to spend all day Tuesday at a showdown meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee which is due to decide whether to finally adopt in full the international definition of anti-Semitism.

When it happens, the intention is for the briefing to help Mr Corbyn 'begin to understand the facts of life', intelligence sources told The Sunday Times.

They said: 'This would have been the first time that Jeremy Corbyn would have been briefed by Andrew Parker and the first time he has set foot inside Thames House.

'The subjects of the briefing would have included issues relating to the domestic security threat, counterterrorism, counter-espionage, Russia and returning foreign fighters.'

Another Whitehall source confirmed: 'He's supposed to be taking Seumas Milne and Diane Abbott along with him.

Another security source acknowledged that some of the Labour leader's public statements on terrorism have been 'troubling' to the security services.

MI5 chief Andrew Parker has told Mr Corbyn he can bring chief aide Seumas Milne (right) and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott (left) to the briefing

Mr Corbyn used a speech in the aftermath of the Manchester bombing last year to suggest that British foreign policy, rather than jihadist ideology, is to blame for atrocities.

Security officials were also horrified when Corbyn and Milne openly questioned their conclusions that Russia was behind the nerve agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury in March.

Milne told journalists it was 'problematic' to trust the security services after faulty intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq war.
A mother-of-two has been left spooked after discovering what she believes to be the face of a young boy in the window of a flat she used to live in.

Elaine McMonagle, 31 and from South Lanarkshire, had been looking at the places she once lived on Google Street View when she made the unsettling discovery.

Instead of the relaxing trip down memory lane, she claims to have seen the incredible likeness of a little boy's face in a window of her old fat in Alexandria.

Elaine McMonagle, 31, claims to have come across the spooky apparition while looking at her old flat in Alexandria, Scotland on Google Street View

Elaine McMonagle (left), 31, and her daughter Hailey (right), 8, both claim to have experienced the paranormal in the flat

Ms McMonagle claims that what appears to be the face of a young boy is visible in the bottom left hand corner of a window in her old flat

Ms McMonagle and her daughter Hailey lived at the property near Loch Lomond five years ago when Hailey was just three years old.

Incredibly Elaine's daughter Hailey told her about a little boy that lived in the flat on several occasions even telling her that a man lived there too.

At the time Elaine thought there were paranormal happenings in the flat as she would find lights turning off soon after turning them on.

The flat in Alexandria where Ms McMonagle claims to have found the mysterious face of a young boy peering out a window

She's now even more convinced of the spooky goings-on, describing 'shadows passing by the doors' and 'the feeling of someone breathing on you.'

On top of this she claims she would also find her possessions moved around after returning home.

At the time Ms McMonagle would dismiss her daughter's imaginary friends to stop herself from being freaked out.

It wasn't until she took a look at the flat on Google Street View that she claims to have found the terrifying face looking back at her from the window.

Taken a year before her and her daughter moved into the property, the face of a young boy appears to be peering out from behind some blinds.

Ms McMonagle said: 'Hailey would always talk about a little boy and a man in the house and it freaked me right out.

'The little boy was called Johnny and he used to jump on her bed with her. Obviously I put it down to possible imaginary friends as to not totally scare myself.'

Elaine described the moment she spotted the face, saying: 'I decided to Google Map it for nostalgia's sake and I noticed that the pictures on Google Street View were taken like a year before I moved in.'

Ms McMonagle (left) and her daughter Hailey (right) claim to have experienced a number of paranormal events in their old flat - including colouring paper lying on the floor and lights mysteriously turning on

The mother-of-two took to Facebook to share the news of her spooky find describing the attention it received as 'something mental'

Some of the paranormal goings-on at the flat are now starting to make more sense to her.

She said: 'We would come home to the bathroom light on quite a lot when I knew it hadn't been on.

'Sometimes I would find colouring paper lying on the floor and on other occasions my daughter's toys would be out of her bedroom and in the living room.

'All the doors on the house were massive glass paneled doors and quite often you could see shadows pass by the doors if you were in the room or living room.

'There was occasionally a musty smell as well that would come and go, like a really old smell'

Hailey pictured in the flat where she would see the little boy. At the time her mother wouldn't believe the stories so as not to spook herself out

Ms McMonagle claims to have experienced the paranormal on more than one occasion - even since she was a child.

She said: 'I think it's something I've experienced my whole life to be honest.

'I grew up living with my mum, gran and grandfather in a bungalow, there was always strange things happening, feeling like your hair was being touched, feeling someone breathing on you but having no-one there.

'My mum always told me that when I was really little I would see things and talk about people that had passed, people I had never met whilst they were living.'

She also noted how her daughter Hailey hasn't stopped experiencing the paranormal since they moved out of the flat.

'Hailey still on occasion will say she's seen a shadow or heard someone call her name when no-one was there,' she said.

Despite initially being freaked out Ms McMonagle believes it isn't something to worry about, saying: 'I have a three year old son but he hasn't said anything. I'm not worried about my new child either.

'I think it's a gift of sorts. I believe children are more sensitive to these things and as long as it's not harming them or causing fear I don't see it as an issue'
Theo Taylor, aged nearly six months, with his mother Katie

Britain's smallest surviving baby boy who weighed the same as a Coke can has survived against the odds.

Theo Taylor was smaller than expected at a 19-week scan then stopped growing altogether and his parents were told to fear the worst.

He tipped the scales at just 12oz when he was born at 26 weeks and five days.

After being delivered by emergency C-section on March 15, he was smaller than his father's hand.

His mother had been offered a termination the day before he was born because of his minuscule size.

Parents Katie Rhodes, 24, and Jay, 27, only got to touch his hand for a few seconds before he was whisked away to be put on a breathing machine.

Doctors warned that he might not survive long enough to go home.

But little Theo battled on against the odds and was moved to a lower dependency ward at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne seven weeks later.

He was finally allowed to go home on July 7 - weighing 7lb 4oz - after an operation to repair a hernia.

'I didn't know babies could be that small': Theo was smaller than his father's hand when he was born (pictured in hospital)

Theo tipped the scales at just 12oz when he was delivered at 26 weeks and five days

Theo is now nearly six months old and is believed to be the smallest newborn to survive in the UK since Aaliyah Hart, now 15, was born at 12oz in May 2003.

'It's weird to think he was the smallest baby ever as he is now so much bigger and doing so well,' said support worker Katie, from Durham.

Theo still takes doses of nasal oxygen but doctors don't think he will suffer any more complications.

I weighed as much as that! Doctors told Theo's parents he was about the weight of a can of Coke when he was born

Miracle baby: Theo was smaller than expected at a 19-week scan then stopped growing altogether and his parents were told to fear the worst

Adorable: Theo aged nearly six months. He was delivered by emergency C-section on March 15

Jay, a delivery driver, said he was the most frightened he has ever been when he saw how tiny his son was.

'I had never ever seen a baby that small  I didn't know babies could be that small,' he said.

'The doctor said he was about the weight of a can of Coke, but even when I picked up a can, it felt heavier than Theo.

'But he is proving everyone wrong. The doctors that first looked after him came in over the weeks to see him and could not believe how well he was doing.'

Theo's family is raising money for Tiny Lives, a charity that helps care for premature babies and their families.
Father's Day has ended in tragedy for one family after a motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 11-year-old boy in regional Victoria.

Emergency services were called to a Stephenson Road property in Tambo Upper in the state's East Gippsland region at around 2.45pm on Sunday.

The boy could not be revived at the scene, despite the desperate attempts of paramedics.

Sunday has ended in tragedy in regional Victoria with the death of a 11-year-old boy in Tambo Upper

'The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established, however it is understood the boy was riding the bike when it struck a tree,' a Victoria Police statement said.

The tragedy occurred east of Bairnsdale, which is three hours from Melbourne.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

It's believed the boy was riding a motorbike on the property when he crashed into a tree
An innocent man who spent 17 years in jail for a robbery committed by his lookalike is demanding $1million in compensation.

Richard Jones was wrongly convicted of aggravated robbery in 1999 after a man stole a phone from a woman outside a Walmart in Kansas City.

Witnesses described the criminal as 'light-skinned Hispanic or African-American man' who had 'long hair pulled back.'

Richard Jones (left) was wrongly convicted of aggravated robbery in 1999 after a man stole a phone from a woman outside a Walmart in Kansas City. The suspect is Rick Amos (right)

Even though Jones was at his girlfriend's house at the time of the crime, the victim identified him as the robber and he was sentenced to 19 years in prison because he had prior convictions.

He appealed several times but was only released last year when a judge quashed his conviction after a team from the Innocence Project tracked down his doppelganger, Rick Amos, who lived near the Walmart.

They found Amos after Jones' fellow inmates kept telling him how much the pair looked alike.

The victim was shown photos of both men and could no longer say that Jones was her attacker.

Amos cannot be prosecuted because the statute of limitations on the crime has passed.

Witnesses described the criminal as 'light-skinned Hispanic or African-American man' who had 'long hair pulled back.' Left: Mr Jones. Right: Mr Amos

Jones, whose daughters aged 24 and 19 grew up while he was behind bars, has now filed a petition asking the Kansas state to pay him $1.1 million and to officially proclaim his innocence.

The petition reads: 'After enduring 17 years of wrongful incarceration for a crime he did not commit, Mr. Jones brings this petition seeking a judicial pronouncement of his innocence and some measure of financial assistance as he seeks to rebuild his life.

'It is hard to imagine how Mr Jones can truly get a fresh start without the assistance sought, having lost so many years behind bars when he could have been getting an education, developing his skills, and pursuing and rising within his chosen profession.'
The diplomat said on September 2nd, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, declaring to the world the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The event created a milestone and brought Vietnam to the era of independence.

The event, together with the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954, raised hope for freedom and independence of other countries across the world, he said.

Since then, Vietnamese people have united with each other to reap significant achievements in national defence and socio-economic development, Ambassador Minh noted.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh (Source: vnembassy-phnompenh.mofa.gov)



Regarding the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia, the ambassador said the two sides have exchanged many high-level delegations, citing visits by Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders, especially Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sens upcoming trip to Hanoi to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN.

Besides, the two countries have reinforced cooperation and closely coordinated with each other at regional and international forums such as Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV), Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV), Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS), and cooperation frameworks of the Mekong region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN).

Apart from the strong development of collaboration between ministries, agencies and localities, the bilateral economic and trade ties have also developed rapidly, the diplomat said.

He further explained that Vietnam is one of Cambodias leading economic partners with two-way trade reaching nearly USD3.8 billion in 2017, up more than 25 percent year-on-year. The two sides are striving to raise the figure to USD5 billion in the coming years.

Earlier this year, Vietnam and Cambodia signed an agreement on double taxation avoidance. They are working together to soon complete another deal on border trade, he added.

In 2018 and 2019, Vietnam will double efforts to further promote bilateral collaboration in all realms and implement commitments made at the 16th meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, and Scientific-Technological Cooperation in May 2018.

The ambassador suggested two sides join hands to complete the land border demarcation and marker planting, finalise the legal framework for economic and trade cooperation, facilitate investment in the respective markets, support Vietnamese in Cambodia and strengthen their coordination at multilateral frameworks.

Stressing the close-knit neighbourliness, traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cambodia, Minh pledged to do his utmost to contribute to advancing the bilateral ties.

The diplomat expressed his hope that the friendship will be enhanced in the time ahead, for the sake of people of both countries, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world as well./.
Jews are already thinking about fleeing Britain in fear of a Corbyn government, the ex-chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks warned today.

Lord Sacks stood by his comparison of Jeremy Corbyn to Enoch Powell, the Tory behind the infamous 1968 Rivers of Blood speech.

He insisted today that Mr Corbyn is 'as great a danger' as Powell and demanded the Labour leader 'recant' his views and express remorse.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Lord Sacks had 'got it wrong' and pleaded with the Rabbi to 'come and talk to us', in new remarks immediately after Lord Sacks' interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr.

Jews are already thinking about fleeing Britain in fear of a Corbyn government, the ex-chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks (pictured today on the Marr show) warned today

Lord Sacks stood by his comparison of Jeremy Corbyn to Enoch Powell, the Tory behind the infamous 1968 Rivers of Blood speech

Lord Sacks told Marr: 'Jews have been in Britain since 1656, I know of no other occasion in these 362 years when Jews - the majority of our community - are asking ''is this country safe to bring up our children''.

'Now, this is very, very worrying.'

Asked directly if Jews were considering leaving over Mr Corbyn, Lord Sacks said: 'Of course.'

He added: 'There is a danger Jeremy Corbyn might one day be Prime Minister.

'Until he expresses clear remorse for what he said and what his party has done to Jewish sympathisers, he is as great a danger as Enoch Powell was.'

Lord Sacks said Jews has been leaving France for 16 years since anti-Semitic terrorist attack and said they were now thinking about leaving the United Kingdom.

And he said: 'I love this country. Even while in Europe in the last ten years has been drifting to a revival of anti-Semitism I believed it could not happen here.

'I still believe it must not happen here.'

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Lord Sacks had 'got it wrong' and pleaded with the Rabbi to 'come and talk to us', in new remarks immediately after Lord Sacks' interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr

In his Marr interview and ahead of a meeting this week of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee on whether to adopt an internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism in full, Mr McDonnell said: 'I think all sides will be satisfied with the proposals that will be discussed.

'We are going to resolve this matter, and I hope we are going to do it quickly and move on.'

Earlier, Mr McDonnell revealed he is 'saddened and disappointed' at the rising threat of a split in Labour over the anti-Semitism crisis rocking the party.

The shadow chancellor - and closest ally of Jeremy Corbyn - said he believed people would quit the party over the storm.

But he insisted they were not 'fundamental issues' and could be resolved inside the party if people stayed.

In a sign of deepening tension within the party, shadow chancellor John McDonnell (pictured) admitted he is 'worried' about the prospect of a split in Labour ranks

Mr McDonnell told the New Statesman: 'Yes, I think there are people who are willing to leave the party.

'I think I'm saddened by that. I really am saddened and I'm disappointed.'

Referring to concerns over anti-Semitism, Brexit and MPs' careers, Mr McDonnell said: 'If those are the issues that people want to split on, these are all issues which can be dealt with within the party.

Dame Margaret Hodge claimed the leadership has a 'hatred of Jews

'And I don't see them as fundamental issues that would encourage a split because there are opportunities for people not just to express their views, but actually sometimes to win the argument as well.

'So I don't understand why there is this sort of pre-emptive move to split off.

'So I'm worried and I'm saddened by that and I think that open door is always there to prevent that happening, because any split is automatically damaging.'

Mr McDonnell added that he wants the anti-Semitism issue in the party resolved 'as quickly as possible'.

Dame Margaret, who attends a Jewish Labour Movement conference in London on Sunday with ex-PM Gordon Brown, told the Sunday Times: 'All (the leadership) can think about is their internal Labour party and their hatred of Jews.

'Jeremy has allowed anti-Semitism and racism to run rife. He needs to renounce much of what he did.'

Labour MPs are said to be poised to hold another vote of no confidence in Mr Corbyn's leadership, according to the newspaper.

Mr Corbyn brushed aside a 172 to 40 defeat in a similar vote in 2016, insisting his mandate from grassroots members was more important.

In a sign of deepening tension within the party, shadow chancellor John McDonnell admitted he is 'worried' about the prospect of a split in Labour ranks.

The comments come in the wake of veteran MP Frank Field resigning the whip after accusing the leadership of presiding over a party which is becoming a 'force for anti-Semitism'.
Jon Lansman (file image) today suggested the Labour leader could be given any-Semitism training after he said British Zionists 'have no sense of English irony'

One of Jeremy Corbyn's closest allies today suggested the Labour leader could be given any-Semitism training after he said British Zionists 'have no sense of English irony'.

Jon Lansman - the founder of the powerful campaign group Momentum - said the Labour leader is eligible for training.

His remarks come after MailOnline exclusively revealed a video from 2013 when Mr Corbyn made the explosive comments.

Former chief rabbi Lord Sacks branded Mr Corbyn an 'anti-Semite' who 'defiles our politics'.

As the storm engulfs the Labour Party, Mr Lansman yesterday suggested that up to 30 Labour MPs could be deselected.

Mr Lansman was challenged by an audience member at the Jewish Labour Movement conference in north London today on whether Mr Corbyn should have anti-Semitism training.

He told the packed hall: 'I think there is always a place for education and training in everyone's lives and Jeremy Corbyn has a longstanding commitment to lifelong training.'

His shock remarks sparked laughter from the audience.

Asked about the comments by reporters after the session, Mr Lansman added: 'We have made clear that any member of the National Executive that is directly involved in adjudicating on cases or dealing with any aspect of anti-Semitism has to undergo training.

'If Jeremy does that he has to. But the leader of the Labour Party is a very busy person.

'There are other frontbenchers who may not. Any member of the national committee is eligible for the training.'

Mr Lansman (pictured centre today at the Jewish Labour Movement conference) - the founder of the powerful campaign group Momentum - said the Labour leader is eligible for training

Mr Corbyn has faced a storm of criticism and the prospect of a party split over his failure to tackle anti-Semitism.

He insisted that Momentum has made clear 'its determination to fight anti-Semitism'.

He added: 'I want Jeremy Corbyn to help the rest of the National Executive Committee - as I'm sure he will - to rebuild trust.'

He said that 'unfortunately some people do' see Labour as a racist party.

'That is terrible for any member of the Labour Party, that thinks of it as an anti racist party,'

'Of course we do t want that but we have to accept that h fortunately there is a perception there is Antisemitism in our party and that is why we have got to act.'

He said that some people are 'exploiting' the row to attack Mr a Corbyn, but that every accusation of anti-Semitism made must be looked at.

Frank Field in Westminster after resigning the Labour whip. He said he would sit as an independent and attacked leader Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism in the party

Mr Lansman, 61, helped catapult Mr Corbyn to the leadership and is one of the most influential figures in British politics.

The Jewish activist said he is 'horrified' by anti-Semitic comments made by people he calls friends - but there will be a backlash if MPs continue to be 'hostile'.

Although Mr Lansman says Labour MPs should not feel their seats are under threat by Momentum, he suggested there would be a 'fight' if they push against Mr Corbyn.

He said: 'As long as there are perhaps between 12 or 25 or 30 people who are very hostile, who are just waiting for Jeremy to go so they can turn the clock back, then...we'll keep having that fight'.

His comments come as Frank Field, who was facing deselection, sensationally quit the party blaming Mr Corbyn for making the party a 'force for anti-Semitism'.

Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey, Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer and Bassetlaw MP John Mann may still be ousted from their seats.

All sided with the Tories in a series of knife-edge Brexit votes which could have spelled the end of Theresa May's government.

Brexiteer Labour MP Kate Hoey faces a renewed threat of deselection after losing a vote of no confidence in her Vauxhall constituency party

The anti-Semitism scandal has dogged Labour since Mr Corbyn was elected leader in 2015.

Mr Lansman told the Financial Times he finds it 'strange' that his left wing allies don't recognise their 'unconscious bias' in the row.

And when he opens Facebook on his iPad in the morning, he is left with a bad taste in his mouth when he reads comments from people he knows.

'I certainly wish people would calm it down,' he said. 'I don't think there's any excuse for that kind of thing.'

But he refuses to believe Labour is 'absolutely riddled with anti-Semites' and thinks aggression comes from 'real hardcore fascists' rather than from within the party.

Perceptions of the scale of the issue are 'out of sync' with the reality, he told the newspaper.
A wild Melbourne street brawl involving 200 African and Islander teenagers which ended with a car ploughing into a crowd may have been motivated by revenge.

Shocking footage captured brawling youths spilling outside the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood at 2am on Sunday after a fight broke out at a record label launch party.

Emergency services said a man, 18, was fighting for his life in hospital after being pinned between two vehicles when a car sped through the crowds and hit him.

According to The Age, it's understood the injured man had been with a teenage boy on the night he is accused of allegedly murdering Sudanese teenager Laa Chol.

Police refused to comment on whether the two incidents were linked, or whether the car attack could have been payback for the alleged stabbing murder.

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The Age reported it is believed a man hit by a car in Melbourne on Sunday morning had been with a teenager who allegedly stabbed Laa Chol (pictured) to death on the night she died

Laa Chol (pictured left and right) died at a party she attended on the 56th floor of the EQ Tower on A'Beckett Street in Melbourne in late July

A car ploughed into the crowd of 200 people and injured an 18-year-old man in inner Melbourne on Sunday

Blood is seen on a car at the scene after the car smashed into parked cars in the early hours of Sunday

Ms Chol, 19, died at a party she attended on the 56th floor of the EQ Tower on A'Beckett Street in Melbourne in late July.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with Ms Chol's murder and a 16-year-old boy has been charged with being an accessory to murder and assault.

It is not known if the brawl had been payback for her death.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the injured man had any involvement in any capacity with Ms Chol's death, or any wrongdoing on the night of her death.

A terrified neighbour recounted watching a car accelerate into a crowd of people after a nightclub brawl spilled onto the street.

The man told The Herald Sun he saw a car do a U-turn before accelerating towards the crowd of more than 200 people.

'Everyone was screaming - I didn't see the impact but it was clear he wanted to annihilate people,' they said.

Police had reportedly rejected a request to beef-up resources at the party despite receiving information the event was going to be gatecrashed, according to The Age.

Police are investigating a car accident at the scene of a brawl in Mater Street, Collingwood in Melbourne

'We have one main offender who was the driver of the car,' Commander Tim Hansen said

The publication reported a source had said police were given the information more than a week ago but turned it down so they did not cause angst at the party.

Police on Sunday told reporters they were 'aware of the event and had tasked resources to patrol the vicinity of the event throughout the course of the evening'.

'History shows us that a demographic of the crowd we are talking about, primarily Pacific Islanders and African Australians... because of that and because it is an event in the CBD or immediate surrounds, it's not uncommon for us to task police units to keep a close eye on certain locations,' Commander Tim Hansen said.

A few moments after the brawl, a vehicle smashed into several parked cars and struck a pedestrian.

'He was going at a blistering pace and he was f***ing aiming for people straight at them,' the neighbour said.

CCTV footage captured youths running through the streets of Collingwood on Sunday morning, where a brawl had broken out

A crowd of more than 200 people had spilled onto the streets following a record label launch party

The 18-year-old man was rushed to hospital for treatment of a serious leg injury after he was pinned between two vehicles.

Six other people were injured and taken to hospital where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries.

The man described the brawl as 'like a cyclone coming down the street'.

The man said there were 'guys mauling each other, a couple of guys that walked past that weren't in their group were just being absolutely destroyed by 15 guys on one'.

Mr Hansen said there was 'angst inside the premise which spilled onto the streets'.

'We have one main offender who was the driver of the car,' Mr Hansen said.

'There's potentially some other people who are key persons of interest but I can't get into why they are of interest at the moment.'

Police remain on the scene and have blocked Smith Street in both directions between Alexander Parade and Hotham Streets

The violence came after event organiser, J-Nelly, had already posted a warning to all those attending to be on their best behaviour so as not to create more headlines about African violence in Melbourne.

'Be mindful of your surroundings and understand violence will not be tolerated,' he wrote on August 31.

'We had meetings with federal detectives who are very concerned with the energy, which they have related to the latest sparks of new reports degrading the African community as thugs etc. United we stand.

'So if you have an issue with an individual let it be and move away. A moment of anger isn't worth a lifetime of bad labelling.

Police at the scene after a vehicle crashed into parked cars about 2.45am on Sunday

Officers are continuing to investigate the incident and no arrests have been made

'I know each and every single individual who is come to the show is a very mature and intellectual young adult, so let us put that aside and think of one thing and one thing only - turning the f*** up and good vibes only.'

Police investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police in Benidorm have smashed a British drugs gang accused of running its operations from a campsite.

Investigators said the organisation had grown so big it had set up a drugs route between Spain and the UK as well as selling to British holidaymakers on the campsite and other Costa Blanca towns outside Benidorm.

More than 60 kilos of cannabis hidden inside heavy machinery due to be sent to Britain from Madrid Airport - and linked to the gang - was intercepted by Civil Guard officers.

Police in Benidorm have smashed a British drugs gang accused of running its operations from a campsite. Pictured: The gang's supply

Investigators said the organisation had grown so big it had set up a drugs route between Spain and the UK as well as selling to British holidaymakers on the campsite and other Costa Blanca towns outside Benidorm. Pictured: Items seized from the gang

Police revealed today they had arrested three British men aged 39, 42, and 64, a 29-year-old British woman and a 36-year-old Lithuanian man after an operation at the unnamed campsite.

They have been remanded in custody after appearing before an investigating magistrate as part of an ongoing operation.

A fifth Brit aged 36 was held at a jail in Madrid where he was awaiting extradition following his detention on a European Arrest Warrant for a serious assault.

Spain's Tax Agency was also involved in the operation to halt the criminal activities of the gang, who used caravans to store and sell drugs including cocaine and cannabis resin.

A spokesman for the Guardia Civil in Alicante said in a statement: 'The Civil Guard and Tax Agency have smashed a criminal organisation in Benidorm involved in drugs trafficking at a campsite.

'Six people including five Brits have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and membership of a criminal gang.

A spokesman for the Guardia Civil in Alicante said in a statement: 'The Civil Guard and Tax Agency have smashed a criminal organisation in Benidorm involved in drugs trafficking at a campsite'. Pictured: Items seized from the gang

'Eleven searches conducted during the operation have led to the seizure of items including 78 grams of cocaine, 194 grams of cannabis resin, four kilos of marihuana, 10 syringes with cannabis oil, and 10,470 cash as well as six high-end vehicles.

'The members of this largely British-led organisation thought this campsite, where 2,500 people stay in high-season, was the ideal place to base their neuralgic centre of operations among compatriots.

'One of the alleged ringleaders of the group resided there permanently and controlled seven plots with caravans used to store and sell the drugs.

'Investigators concluded the drug trafficking gang had reached international dimensions and had established a route between the UK and Spain.'

Describing some members of the group as 'quite violent', the spokesman added: 'To arrest the last of the six detainees, a British man aged 36, the Civil Guard had to go to a prison in Madrid where he was being held prior to his extradition to the UK as the alleged author of a serious assault.'
Most Labradors are easily identified on the streets.

Britain's most popular dog brand is distinctive due to floppy ears, short hair and long faces.

But 10-year-old Labrador Bo is often mistaken for a giant pug when he's out with owner Paddy.

Bo, a ten year old black Labrador, who had cancer on his nose

Bo, before the operation (right) and after (left)

Pictured: the tumour that needed to be removed

Bo runs in a field before the operation

Bp soon after the operation in April this year

Bo in August after the operation

Bo with owner Paddy Morral from West Yorkshire

Bo, the black labrador, is often mistaken for a giant pug since his nose was removed

Bo had the tumour removed, but also a large part of his nose but is now running around again

Owner Paddy Morral (pictured), 35, was told by vets his Labrador needed the amputation after a quickly developing cancerous growth appeared on the end of his nose

Bo had his nose removed in a life-saving operation in January.

Owner Paddy Morral, 35, was told by vets his Labrador needed the amputation after a quickly developing cancerous growth appeared on the end of his nose.

The dog's operation was a success and since his hair and whiskers have grown back.

Paddy from Keighley in West Yorkshire, told the Sunday Express: 'Our five other dogs acted a bit strangely around him at first, but they soon got used to his changed appearance.

'I actually thought he looked like a piranha fish, when there was no fur on his face, and people on the street used to be terrified of him. Now his fur has grown back, they just think he is some other kind of dog breed.'

'I am very proud of Bo for coming through. He's been through a lot. I wouldn't be without him.'

Paddy from Keighley in West Yorkshire, told the Sunday Express: 'Our five other dogs acted a bit strangely around him at first, but they soon got used to his changed appearance'

Paddy said he is 'very proud of Bo for coming through. He's been through a lot. I wouldn't be without him'

Bo with another of Paddy's six dogs before the operation

The dog's operation was a success and since his hair and whiskers have grown back

Paddy (right with Bo) said he thought Bo looked like a 'piranha fish' after the operation

Bo, now healthy, runs and jumps in a field following his operation
A grandmother almost lost her leg when a 'Staffie-type dog' mauled her in her front of her terrified grandchildren.

Theresa Anderson, 65, was visiting her eldest son at his flat in Barrow, Cumbria when the raging animal launched itself at her.

She was checking to see if he was at home and had left two of her grandchildren in the car when she was dragged down a flight of stairs and outside for them to see.

The grandmother-of-17 was left with life-changing injuries to her lower leg, which nearly had to be amputated.

She said: 'Every time I close my eyes I hear and see it [the dog]. It's so sad that it often seems to be this kind of dog but there are a lot of them around.'

Theresa Anderson, 65 (pictured recovering after being attacked) was visiting her eldest son at his flat in Barrow, Cumbria when a 'Staffie-type dog' launched itself at her

Maimed: Mrs Anderson was left with horrific injuries after her dog attack in Cumbria

It was her grandchildren Zak, 10, and Eleanor, four, who had to witness the attack on August 22 - but Mrs Anderson is grateful it was her and not them who were injured.

The animal was eventually chased off by a builder nearby who then phoned for an ambulance.

Mrs Anderson, a retired cafe owner, said: 'It was all a blur - I just can't believe it.

'I'm just glad it wasn't my grandchildren, they're only small, and the youngest would have been killed.

'I thought oh my god this is it isn't it, but luckily Zak had realised what had happened and made sure his little sister couldn't see.

'He rang his mum and got her out of work and she came.'

Mrs Anderson was left with life-changing injuries to her lower leg (pictured) which nearly had to be amputated

She spent seven hours in surgery where doctors battled to save the damaged part of her lower leg but they were forced to graft some skin from her other leg

The ambulance took her to Furness General hospital before being moved to Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire.

She spent seven hours in surgery where doctors battled to save the damaged part of her lower leg but they were forced to graft some skin from her other one.

She has been told she might not be able to walk properly and is no longer able to go on her three-week holiday to the Maldives this month.

It is understood the dog's owner has had the animal put down.

She has been told she might not be able to walk properly and is no longer able to go on her three-week holiday to the Maldives this month

Mrs Anderson, who is a dog-lover and grew up with Alsatians and Dobermans, added: 'You don't get 'dangerous dogs' you just get bad owners,' she added.

Cumbria Police said they were investigating a possible offence of a dog being dangerously out of control.

A force spokesman said: 'Officers are investigating the incident for the potential offence of a dog being dangerously out of control.'
Gordon Brown today demanded that Labour adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti Semitism

The former PM launched a devastating attack on Jeremy Corbyn's failure to tackle the anti-Semitism in his party.

In a passionate and free flowing speech delivered without notes, Mr Brown said the Labour leadership must finally get a grip on the crisis in the next 'few days'.

He made the outspoken intervention at the Jewish Labour Movement conference in north London today.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell refused to fully commit the party to adopting the definition in full today, insisting only that Labour's ruling committee would 'resolve' the row.

Gordon Brown (pictured today in London) intervened on Labour's toxic anti-Semitism row to demand the international definition is finally accepted 'unanimously, unequivocally and immediately'

He said: 'The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism is something that we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately.'

He said the the definition cannot be 'torn up in parts' or tweaked as it would lose its meaning and power.

And he said that the Labour Party has a duty to do as the Jewish community wish and take up the definition in full.

While the former PM took a swipe at Jeremy Corbyn and his team's failure to properly consult the Jewish community.

He said: 'Would you produce a document on sexism produced by men only?

'Or would you produce a document on racism without consulting the black community?

'Would you produce a document on homophobia without consulting the LGBT community?'

The former PM said the Labour Party must not be 'hesitant' in tackling anti-Semitism.

And he said Mr Corbyn must finally get a grip on the issue 'in the next few days'.

He added: 'We must be honest with ourselves that Antisemitism and racism, yes it's a problem with the jackbooted right in our community, but it's also a problem with the conspiracy theorists on the left.'

And in a furious warning to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Mr Brown said the issue went to the 'soul' of the party.

He warned that anti-Semitism attacks have soared over the past four years and the left must take a stand.

He added: 'This is a problem that's real and present and has got to be dealt with now.

'I believe the Labour Party must and should change the policy.'

Mr Brown said: 'We know that just as your freedoms depend on all of us, the quality of our freedoms depend on yours.

'The Labour Party has often been the last line of defence for people facing persecution and discrimination, and you know we must never allow the last line of defence to become the first point of attack.

'We must never allow ourselves to be in a position where we are the problem.

'So I want to make it very clear to you today that the IHRA's definition of anti-Semitism is something that we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately.'

Leading Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger (file image) said 'there is no one I would rather have on the barricades in the months ahead than you.'

His words were greeted with a round of applause from the packed audience.

Mr Brown said those who claimed that the definition inhibits the right to criticise Israel are peddling untruths.

In a fiery speech, the former Prime Minister also demanded that those accused of anti-Semitism in Labour should be dealt with immediately.

He said: 'Not only must we unanimously agree with that definition of Antisemitism, we must discipline those who undermine t.'

He said that Labour must be 'cleansed' of anti-Semitism.

He added: 'It cannot be hesitant, it cannot be grudging. We can't just move on we have to move forward true to our values and true to our principles of equality and solidarity and in respect of the wishes of the Jewish community.

'So I say it is time to say that this wrong must and can be righted. This injustice has got to be remedied. This stain has got to be removed.

'This sore that exists and the harm that has been done and the hurt that is caused has got to be undone immediately and it's got to be undone and proved to be undone in the next few days.'

And he called for the creation of a national government department to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.

Earlier the ex-chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks warned Jews are already thinking about fleeing Britain in fear of a Corbyn government

Luciana Berger said: 'there is no one I would rather have on the barricades in the months ahead than you.'

The former PM was given a standing ovation and many in the audience shook his hand as he walked out.

Earlier the ex-chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks warned Jews are already thinking about fleeing Britain in fear of a Corbyn government.

Jeremy Corbyn 'crossed the line' with his comments about Jews and must understand why community is upset, Ed Balls (file image) said today

Lord Sacks stood by his comparison of Jeremy Corbyn to Enoch Powell, the Tory behind the infamous 1968 Rivers of Blood speech.

He insisted today that Mr Corbyn is 'as great a danger' as Powell and demanded the Labour leader 'recant' his views and express remorse.

Ahead of a meeting this week of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee on whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism in full, Mr McDonnell said: "I think all sides will be satisfied with the proposals that will be discussed.

"I think acceptance overall, and I think also the commitment to freedom of speech, and yes, a recognition of the rights of Palestinians.

"From what I've heard, it will be resolved, and there will be a balance about acceptance, as people want, but also, exactly about what others have said as well - Lord Sacks himself - that freedom of speech is important as well.

"The ability to criticise policies that you disagree with, but you do it in terms which are acceptable."

Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls warned Mr Corbyn 'crossed the line' with his comments about Jews and must understand why community is upset.

The former shadow chancellor said Mr Corbyn's views on the MIddle East had been clear for decades while he was an obscure backbencher.

But he warned the Labour leader must now account for his dubious positions now he was in a high profile contest for Downing Street.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Lord Sacks had 'got it wrong' and pleaded with the Rabbi to 'come and talk to us', in new remarks immediately after Lord Sacks' interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr

Mr Corbyn has been condemned since MailOnline revealed a 2013 speech in which he said British Zionists lacked the ability to understand English irony even if they were born here.

Other revelations in recent days have seen Mr Corbyn accused of meeting a Holocaust denier in Parliament.

Mr Balls told the Sunday Telegraph: 'His antipathy towards American foreign policy and to Israel's stance on the Palestinian territories has been well known from his time as a backbencher, but I do think that in term of some of the things he's said he's crossed the line.

'That is something that has got to be addressed with more vigour than we've seen so far.

'Jeremy has not done enough to distance himself from some of the past statements and some of the people he appeared on platforms with.

'The nature of leadership is you have to show that you understand why people are upset and concerned as well as showing regrets at the way that things have been said or reported or done.'
The heaviest drinking industry in Australia has been revealed, with some workers up to three times more likely to develop a drinking problem.

New research from VicHealth has revealed construction workers are the biggest drinkers, with more than one-third saying they would be bullied for declining a drink.

In a survey, 78 per cent of Victorian construction workers said it was acceptable to get excessively drunk with their co-workers, while only 31 per cent outside the industry agreed.

Peer pressure, especially among males, was cited as the main reason for a higher number of problem drinkers.

Construction workers (stock image) have been revealed as the heaviest drinkers in Victoria

INDUSTRIES WITH HIGHEST PROBLEM DRINKERS Construction Hospitality Retail Agriculture Manufacturing Financial services industries Source: VicHealth Advertisement

The research, conducted by La Trobe Universitys Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, aimed to examine alcohol cultures in Victoria.

It found that middle-aged men between 40-65-years-old are the heaviest drinkers.

One-third of those surveyed say they would not decline a drinking session, saying: 'If you want to be one of the boys and not get a hard time you join in [and drink].'

The report says that questioning a mans masculinity was the most common way pressure to drink was shown.

It also says that the common approach of 'round-buying' increases the risk of heavy drinking.

The research shows that nearly all workers consider buying 'rounds' to be the norm, increasing both amount and rate the alcohol is drunk (stock image)

Nearly all of those surveyed said buying rounds was the norm, and if someone bought you a drink you were expected to return the favour.

The research suggests that this plays a heavy role in getting drunk quicker, as the drinker's pace changes to keep up with those around him.

It also found that more than half of construction workers see their peers as drunk, making them think it was acceptable.
A drone was flown towards a light aircraft in a bid to cause a crash mid-air, a pilot has claimed.

The near-miss happened as the PA31 aircraft was coming in to land at RAF Northolt in west London, on June 11.

The gadget was flown 20ft below the plane, with the panicked pilot losing sight of it.

The near-miss happened as the PA31 aircraft was coming in to land at RAF Northolt in west London, on June 11. File image used

A report by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB), based on the recollection of the PA31 pilot, stated: 'He lost sight of it under the nose and looked down at the wing root and identified it as a small white drone of the lightweight hobbyist type, it was about 20 feet below the aircraft as he passed over it.

'He reported that he had no doubt that it was being deliberately flown under the flight path in an attempt to collide with an aircraft.'

The document went on: 'He reported that the drone had passed close to his right wing and that it was possibly launched from a park.'

The UKAB classified the incident as having the most serious degree of risk.

Research part-funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) found that a drone weighing 400 grams could smash a helicopter windscreen, and one weighing 2kg could critically damage an airliner's windscreen.

The number of near-misses between drones and aircraft has risen from six events in 2014 to 93 last year.

The DfT is considering banning children from owning drones weighing at least 250 grams as part of a safety crackdown.

Children would only be able to fly the heavier devices if they were owned and registered by an adult.

Other measures included in a consultation launched last month include giving police the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to 300 for misuse and the ability to seize drones being used irresponsibly.

The DfT is also considering using new technology to protect public events, critical national infrastructure and prisons from drone disruption.

Drones are banned from flying above 400 feet, and within one kilometre (0.6 miles) of airport boundaries.

Anyone breaching these restrictions faces penalties of up to 2,500 and could also be charged with recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or any person in an aircraft, which has a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Mollie Tibbetts's father is calling on politicians to stop using his daughter as a 'pawn' to further an agenda.

The op-ed written by Rob Tibbetts was published on Saturday in the Des Moines Register the day after Donald Trump Jr wrote an op-ed for the same paper slamming liberals for downplaying the illegal alien status of her alleged killer.

'Please leave us out of your debate,' Rob wrote. 'Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollie's memory, I'm imploring you to stop.'

The 20-year-old college student's body was found on August 21, one month after she was reported missing.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Rob Tibbetts, the father of Mollie Tibbetts, wrote an op-ed for the Des Moines Register calling on politicians to stop using his daughter as a 'pawn' to further an agenda. Pictured, left and right: Mollie and Rob Tibbetts

Donald Trump Jr (pictured on August 1) penned a column on Friday for the same paper in which he slammed liberals for their response to the death of Mollie Tibbetts

Trump Jr accused Democrats of downplaying the illegal alien status of her alleged killer, Cristhian Bahena Rivera (pictured at his initial court appearance, August 22)

In the op-ed Rob wrote that there are politicians that have 'chosen to callously distort and corrupt Mollie's tragic death to advance a cause she vehemently opposed'.

'I encourage the debate on immigration; there is great merit in its reasonable outcome,' he continues.

'But do not appropriate Mollie's soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist. The act grievously extends the crime that stole Mollie from our family and is, to quote Donald Trump Jr., "heartless" and "despicable".'

He ended the piece by calling on citizens to 'build bridges, not walls.'

On Friday, Trump Jr kicked off his fiery column by writing: 'The reaction from some Democrats and others on the left to the murder of Mollie Tibbetts is as despicable as it is revealing,' he wrote.

Rob wrote that these are views his daughter would have found 'profoundly racist' and ended the column by calling on citizens to 'build bridges, not walls'. Pictured: Mollie and Rob Tibbetts

Mollie's body was found on August 21, one month after she was reported missing. Rivera, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Pictured: Tibbetts, left, and Rivera, right

'The mask is off and the true radical face of the Democrats has been exposed... they are seemingly more concerned with protecting their radical open-borders agenda than the lives of innocent Americans.'

The executive vice president of the Trump Organization then accused media outlets of leaving out details about Mollie' alleged killer.

'Liberal media outlets went through great pains to cover the story without actually covering the story,' he wrote.

'Instead of truthful headlines such as "Illegal immigrant arrested in connection with murder of Mollie Tibbetts", multiple outlets ran headlines such as "Man arrested in connection to disappearance of Mollie Tibbetts".

'They don't want you to know what happened to her - and they certainly don't want you to know who is responsible.'

He further reprimanded US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who he said 'played down the killing and said the focus should be on the "real problems" of our immigration system, such as the separation of families at our border.'

Warren, however, said in a statement on CNN: 'I'm so sorry for the family here, and I know this is hard not only for her family, but for people in her community, the people throughout Iowa. But one of the things we have to remember is we need an immigration system that is effective, that focuses on where real problems are.'

Trump Jr also called out a few journalists in the column - who he slammed for their remarks regarding the college student's death.

He said the most outlandish comment came from Chris Riotta, a writer for The Independent.

The victim's cousin, Sam Lucas, (pictured on Twitter) slammed conservatives for using the 20-year-old college student's murder as 'political propaganda' in wake of killer's arrest

Riotta 'claimed in the Independent that "Russian bots used Mollie Tibbetts' death to distract from Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort,"' Trump Jr. wrote.

'Riotta and his ilk simply can't face the fact that the murder of an innocent girl at the hands of an illegal alien is news that Americans actually care about.'

Aside from the Trump family, other conservatives, including commentator Candace Owen, tweeted asking what leftists would do for the victim after they 'cried when illegal immigrants were temporarily separated from their parents.'

Mollie's cousin, Sam Lucas, lashed out at Owen in a series of explosive tweets last Wednesday.

The victim's cousin said Owen was using the college student's murder as political propaganda.

'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,' Lucas wrote on Twitter.

'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.'

Lucas 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

Lucas 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.

He was arrested and charged in her death after recently recovered surveillance footage led police to his Chevy Malibu following a month-long investigation into Mollie's disappearance.
Hosting reception for UK newly-accredited Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward in Hanoi on September 1, the Party chief stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the position and role of the UK in the international arena.

He hoped that the two countries will enhance coordination, and support each other at international and multilateral forums, saying he backed the development of UK-ASEAN relations.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and UK newly-accredited Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward (Photo: VNA)



Congratulating the UK diplomat on his new mission in Vietnam, Party General Secretary Trong wished that he will have a successful tenure in Vietnam, contributing to the thriving Vietnam-UK relations.

Gareth Ward, for his part, affirmed that both countries hold huge potential for cooperation in various sectors, including economy, finance, education, healthcare and defence.

He said he hoped the two nations will ink a bilateral free trade deal soon, and enhance coordination at the United Nations Security Council as well as settlement of regional and global issues.

He asked Vietnam to back the partnership between the UK and ASEAN, and committed to doing his utmost to elevate the relations between the UK and Vietnam in the coming time./.
Bin etiquette is the moral dilemma that can turn neighbourly relations to garbage.

Social media has gone into meltdown on the issue of whether it's ever okay to dump your trash in the neighbour's bin if yours is too full.

It comes after New Zealand evening radio host Marcus Lush sparked a divisive response when he put the question to Newstalk ZB listeners earlier this week.

'I know my neighbours. I like them. I'd want to ask them first, I think,' listener John said.

Do you dump your rubbish in the neighbour's bin if your is too full (stock image)

'If my neighbours knew I was putting my rubbish in their bins they wouldn't like it  I'd let them put their stuff in mine but I'd just talk to them first'.

Another caller believes if the bin is out to be collected, it's fair game.

You can get prosecuted if caught in the act under Auckland Council's Solid Waste Bylaw 2012.

'The bin is the responsibility of the property owner, however the council itself owns the bin,' Auckland Council acting waste solutions general manager Terry Coe told the NZ Herald.

'If you have concerns someone is dumping illegally into your bin, we encourage you to contact us immediately so that our waste team can investigate.'

New Zealand radio host Marcus Lush sparked a divisive response when he raised the question about neighbourly bin etiquette earlier this week

Social media has gone into meltdown over the moral dilemma

The topic has sparked divisive debate in not only New Zealand but also Australia, where it appears you can't be prosecuted for simply putting your rubbish in someone else's bin.

'It's always been my understanding that our bins are the property of our councils - and once the bins are out for collection they are standing on council land ... so if your bin is out for collection it's a free for all ?' an Australian woman commented.

'No, it is not okay. We pay for our bin. For our rubbish. Buy your own bin space. And we keep putting rubbish into it until it goes. Don't fill my space,' one woman replied.

Another added: 'We have good relationship with our neighbor. We use her bin and sometimes she uses ours. Who ever goes out after its been emptied would bring both bins back. It really depends how you treat your neighbor really.'

Brimbank Council in Melbourne's west received 79 complaints in 2015, the Brimbank Leader reported after a resident publicly complained about the problem.

The council said it was difficult to identify anyone who used other peoples' bins and that it preferred to use a 'educational approach rather than enforcement'.
What should have been a quick trip to paradise turned into a nightmare for 256 passengers this week.

A Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Maui was first delayed because a teenager accidentally sent a disturbing photo of a fake crime scene through iPhone's AirDrop feature.

The flight, which took off from Oakland International Airport on Friday, then had to make an emergency landing after an illegal pepper spray canister discharged.

Twelve passengers and three flight attendants were treated after pepper spray was released into the air, sickening many in both first class and premium economy class.

A Hawaiian Airlines flight (pictured) from Oakland to Maui turned into a nightmare thanks to an AirDrop photo and a can of illegal pepper spray that discharged in tthe middle of the flight

The problems for Hawaiian Airlines Flight 23 all began just before take-off at 7am.

Fifteen passengers received a photo of a mock crime scene, with a 'child-sized' mannequin made out of nylon bean bag lying face-down on the ground.

The passengers were disturbed by the photo and believed it was threatening, so they alerted the flight crew who in turn notified the pilot.

Fifteen passengers received this photo of a mock crime scene, with a 'child-sized' mannequin lying face-down on the ground. They were alarmed and alerted the crew

Hawaiian Airlines contacted the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to investigate what was deemed to be a potential security threat, according to KGO.

But they soon discovered the culprit was one very embarrassed 15-year-old girl trying to send a photo from a science project to her mother.

The girl had used AirDrop via Bluetooth on her phone to send the photo, not knowing it would give those around her the option of accepting and viewing the picture as well.

'The young girl was very embarrassed,' said Sgt Ray Kelly. 'She was upset. We explained to her she was not in trouble, there was no crime that was committed here.

'She had a good heart, she didn't want to inconvenience all those people.'

Hawaiian Airlines decided to re-book the teenager and her family on a later flight while the picture was investigated.

After an hour-and-a-half delay, the plane finally took off for Hawaii. But the problems didn't stop there.

About three hours into the flight, multiple passengers seated in first class and premium class started intensely coughing.

'I was woken up by someone having a coughing fit,' passenger Nicholas Andrade told the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

About three hours into the flight, multiple passengers started intensely coughing after the pepper spray canister discharged. Pictured is a firefighter who came on board to calm the passengers after the flight landed

'But what I came to find out is that it wasn't one person coughing, it was many people coughing.'

'And then everyone was coughing and then we were coughing. And the flight attendants were covering their faces and passengers started covering their faces.'

Passengers were 'panicked' and 'afraid' as they struggled to breathe.

Andrade said some were putting wet paper towels and clothing over their mouths and a baby even threw up. The flight attendants could barely see or talk.

Some passengers suffered from headaches and became light-headed, while others had burning or watering eyes.

The flight attendants had 40 people move to the back of the plane for about half-an-hour, until the air around their seats cleared.

Twelve passengers and three flight attendants were treated for respiratory issues after the plane landed (pictured) and the pepper spray was confiscated

Hawaiian Airlines declared an emergency to get priority at Kahului Airport and a firefighter came on board shortly after the plane landed around 10.37am.

It was then discovered that a 1.5oz can of pepper spray had accidentally discharged during the flight.

Twelve passengers and three flight attendants were treated for respiratory issues after the plane landed and the pepper spray was confiscated.

Passengers were assured by the firefighter that everyone was 'okay' and that the cause of the contaminated air was known.

Hawaiian Airlines gave every passenger a $500 travel credit after the nightmare experience.

The Transportation Security Administration is currently investigating the incident with Maui police.

Fines for bringing pepper spray onto an airplane can reach $1,960 or higher.
A 10-year-old partially deaf schoolgirl who claims bullies hung her from a tree with a skipping rope was worried about getting in trouble when a teacher came to her aid.

Amber Yoon, who has a rare heart defect and an oesophagus disconnected from her stomach, was found struggling to breathe with the rope acting as a noose.

Students at Queen of Apostles Catholic School in the Perth suburb of Riverton, allegedly strung Amber up by her neck last Friday, causing her to choke.

The little girl was reportedly cut loose by a teacher who gave her a stern warning before learning the near-death stunt was not her idea.

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Amber Yoon (right) was allegedly hung from a tree by a skipping rope by bullies Children at Queen of Apostles Catholic School in Riverton, Western Australia - according to the girl's mother Belinda Yoon (left)

The school is accused of failing to get Amber checked by a medical professional - even though she had clear marks on her neck

'I was feeling very scared. I thought I was going to die. And I was scared I was going to get into trouble,' a traumatised Amber told PerthNow.

Amber's mother Belinda claimed she only found out about the horrific incident when her daughter came home from school crying.

To make matters worse, the school is accused of failing to get Amber checked by a doctor - even though she had clear marks on her neck.

Amber was born with a hole in her heart and her mother said she had 'suffered more pain' in her life than most children hopefully ever would.

Amber's mother, Belinda (right), said her daughter's toes were barely scraping the ground and that she could have died

The young girl was struggling to breathe and only escaped when the teacher saw what was happening and cut her down, her family said.

Ms Yoon told Channel 9 her daughter's toes were barely scraping the ground and that she could have died.

Catholic Education Western Australia is now liaising with police - who are investigating the claims.

'We have been having issues with Amber being bullied, causing major issues with anxiety,' Ms Yoon said.

'What happened that day could easily have had a very different ending and we'd be telling an even sadder story.

'Amber has been through more in her life, suffered more pain, and been in situations so terrifying most kids thankfully will never experience.'

Children at the school (pictured) allegedly strung Amber Yoon up by her neck, causing her to choke

Ms Yoon said her daughter has had to have to counselling for her anxiety following the alleged attack.

The mother believes a harder stance needs to be taken against schoolyard bullies, with automatic suspensions and public apologies in front of their peers - a tactic she believes will be more embarrassing and more of a deterrent to children.

The school, which claims to offer children a 'nurturing, inclusive and safe environment' and has the motto 'love, unity and peace' said in a statement that it 'continues to consult with the families impacted'.

She has withdrawn both Amber and her nine-year-old brother, Hunter from Queens of Apostles, and is currently in talks with CEWA to find a new school for the pair.

No one has been arrested or charged.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the school for comment.
An Amber Alert was issued Saturday for two young brothers and their biological father missing since the boys' pregnant mother and a male housemate were found shot dead in Phoenix.

The alert said 47-year-old Dimas Coronado may have fled to Mexico with the boys, but Sgt. Armando Carbajal, a police spokesman, said investigators had no firm indication of the whereabouts of Coronado or the boys.

Police identified the two victims of the shooting as the children's mother, a seven-month pregnant Oralia Nunez, 24, and Omar Gonzalez, 34.

Carbajal says Coronado is being sought on three murder charges on account of his estranged wife's pregnancy.

On Sunday police issued an arrest warrant for Coronado on the charges of murder and kidnapping.

Police have issued an Amber Alert for Victor Nunez-Coronado (left) and Jonathan Nunez-Coronado (right) after their mother Oralia Nunez (pictured) was found shot dead with her roommate

Police say Victor and Jonathan are in danger with their father who has a warrant out for his arrest on the charges of murder and kidnapping

Police say Dimas Coronado, 46, snatched the boys and may have fled to Mexico. He has not yet been charged in the mother and her housemate's murders

Police say they want to talk to Coronado about the case but he hasn't been charged.

Coronado's 2009 white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was found unoccupied about six blocks from the home where the shooting occurred. There were no signs of him or the boys.

On Saturday night, authorities said they are now looking for an older model light green Ford pickup truck with a white camper.

The truck has a Mexican plate of ZUD-71-64. It's not known from which state in Mexico the license plate was issued.

The mother and Coronado were married but had been estranged, and it's not clear whether they remained married, Carbajal said.

Police say a relative of one victim called police early Saturday after finding the two people shot and the boys gone.

The boys were snatched from their Phoenix home (pictured) after police say their mother and her housemate were shot dead

The relative said the boys were with their mother the previous evening.

Police initially identified the boys as 8-year-old Victor Coronado Nunez and 5-year-old Jonathan Coronado Nunez but the alert later identified them as Victor Nunez-Coronado and Jonathan Nunez-Coronado.

Jonathan is 3'6', 45lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Victor is 4 feet, 60lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.

The revised names for the boys likely reflected information newly learned by detectives, Carbajal said. The investigation was in its early stages, he said.
The daughter of underworld figure Carl Williams has posted a loving tribute to her slain father for Father's Day.

On her Instagram story, Dhakota Williams, 17, posted an old photo of herself and her dad captioned: 'Happy Father's Day my angel' alongside two pink love hearts.

Williams was bashed to death in 2010 by a prisoner armed with a steel pipe from an exercise bike while he served time for conspiring to murder four men.

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Dhakota Williams, daughter of deceased underworld figure Carl Williams, posting this touching tribute to her father on Father's Day

Dhakota (pictured) spoke fondly about her father in a TV interview in 2016, saying: 'We know him as fun and loving and caring for us'

Dhakota spoke fondly about her father on Channel Seven's Sunday Night program in 2016.

'We know our dad as our dad, not what he's described as in the newspapers... so we know him as fun and loving and caring for us, and always made us happy,' she said.

'If you spoke to him and got to know him, you'd think he's not that sort of person, like, and you can tell he did it for his family 'cause he was all for us, all for us family.'

'It was just normal for me, that's all I really knew.'

Carl Williams was murdered in 2010, when he was bashed in prison with an exercise bike

In August, Dhakota's Instagram account nearly landed her in trouble, when she posted a photo of herself in one of Crown Casino's high-roller's room.

Captioned: 'Made it', the photo was geo-tagged as inside Crown Casino's Mahogany Room.

As with all of the gaming areas in Crown, anyone inside has to be over 18 years old.

The schoolgirl, whose christening party was held at the complex in 2003 and whose father was banned from the venue the year after, posed for the photo on April 29.

Several days after Dhakota posted the picture Crown referred the matter to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, as well as Victoria Police.

After a full investigation, both Dhakota and Crown were cleared of any fines.

Pictured: A nine-year-old Dhakota Williams arriving at her late father's funeral in 2010

Carl Williams was a key figure in Melbourne's infamous gangland war, which claimed the lives of 36 criminal figures between 1998 and 2010.

In 2007, Williams was sentenced to a minimum 35 years in prison for the murders of four underworld figures, and conspiring to murder another.

He was then murdered three years into his sentence at Barwon Prison by fellow inmate Matthew Johnson in 2010.

Johnson, who knew he was being filmed on CCTV, was sentenced to 32 years in jail in 2010.

Had he been alive today, Mr Williams would be 47 years old.
President Donald Trump is signaling he may be considering walking back his original decision to freeze pay increases for federal employees.

The president retweeted a tweet from Virginia Senate candidate Corey Stewart, a Republican who wrote: 'Federal workers endured 8 years of hell under Obama, with several rounds of pay freezes and benefit cuts. @realDonaldTrump can fix this, and I trust that he will.'

Lawmakers from both parties slammed the president's decision last week to halt a scheduled pay increase for federal employees.

President Donald Trump is signaling he may be considering rowing back his original decision to freeze pay increases for federal employees

Trump retweeted Republican Senate candidate Corey Stewart of Virginia, who is a staunch Trump ally; the president has endorsed his campaign

Corey Stewart made a 'rare break' with the president on the federal pay issue

Even Republicans had strong words for the president, including Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, who is one of the most endangered GOP candidates running for reelection this year.

'We cannot balance the budget on the backs of our federal employees, and I will work with my House and Senate colleagues to keep the pay increase in our appropriations measures that we vote on in September,' Comstock, who has 35,500 federal workers in her House district, told The Washington Post.

But Stewart is a one of Trump's most loyal allies, having stood by the president during the 2016 campaign after the 'Access Hollywood' tape featuring Trump making lewd comments about women was released.

Trump has endorsed his Senate bid.

Stewart, who is in an uphill battle to unseat Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine in November, emphasized his break with Trump on the pay issue. Virginia is home to thousands of federal workers.

'I almost never differ with President Trump, but in this case I do,' Stewart said in a statement to The Washington Post with a subject line noting a 'rare break with Trump.'

'Federal employees in Virginia wake up early, face punishing traffic and work hard to serve their nation and support their families,' the statement said. 'These workers need and deserve a pay raise.'

On Thursday, the president blocked a 2.1 percent pay increase for federal employees that would have taken effect in January.

'In light of our Nation's fiscal situation, Federal employee pay must be performance-based, and aligned strategically toward recruiting, retaining, and rewarding high-performing Federal employees and those with critical skill sets,' Trump wrote in a letter to congressional leaders.

Congress could still pass a federal spending bill that includes a raise. The Senate previously approved a plan with a 1.9 percent raise, while the House did not.

House and Senate negotiators will negotiate a final government funding package in the coming weeks.

On Friday, Trump appeared to be rethinking his decision.

He said he'd spend Labor Day week studying 'any increase' for federal employees. weekend.

Stewart is a loyal Trump ally having stood by him after the 'Access Hollywood' tape came out

Trump said in North Carolina on Friday that he would study the federal pay issue over the weekend

'I'm going to be doing a little work over the weekend,' Trump said in North Carolina where he signed an executive order extending benefits of retirement savings accounts.

'I said, I'm going to study that over the weekend. It's a good time to study it -- Labor Day. Let's see how they do next week. But a lot of people were against it. I'm going to take a good hard look over the weekend,' he noted.

Trump's decision affects nearly 2.1 million federal employees across the nation.

The federal deficit has skyrocketed under the tax breaks passed by Republicans.

The deficit is expected to reach $1 trillion by next year and could grow to $1.5 trillion by 2028, according to NBC.

California is the state that is home to the largest number of federal workers, followed by Virginia, the District of Columbia and Texas.
Dozens of young male gorillas in zoos across Britain and Europe are set to be castrated because 'they're too hard to manage'.

Instead of letting them develop into mature silverbacks - which are incredibly strong, and aggressive - scientists want to start making them more like butch females.

As young males get older they start to challenge their fathers and have to be kept separately which can make them difficult to manage.

Young male gorilla Gernot is on so-called 'castration row', waiting for scientists to decide if he'll be castrated

As young males get older they start to challenge their fathers and have to be kept separately -which can make them difficult to manage

Castration involves the apes having their testicles surgically removed.

A three-decade long project to breed 500 endangered western lowland gorillas around European zoos was so successful that there are now an abundance of males.

The project involved 74 zoos, including London and Chessington.

The castration programme is overseen by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Eaza).

Eaza director of communications David Williams-Mitchell told The Sunday Times that castration was an 'ethical alternative'.

He said: 'Carried out at a young age, [it] prevents development of the full range of adult male characteristics and behaviours... research points to castrated animals continuing to live in their original family groups with no problems.'

Silverback gorillas are incredibly strong and aggressive - and can weigh up to 200kg

A study involving 75 gorillas of all ages found the castrated ones were more tolerant of being near other gorillas than ones who had not had it.

Now young captive gorillas are on so-called 'castration row' as they wait for scientists to decide if they will be allowed to develop naturally.

There are 40 male and 60 female gorillas in British zoos.

The castration project has drawn criticism from animal rights' groups and anti-zoo campaigners.
A mother has hit out at Michigan cops after her 11-year-old twins were handcuffed at gunpoint by officers.

Juanita Ligon, says her boys - who are African American - were racially profiled during the incident on August 26 in Grand Rapids.

Police body camera footage shows the brothers, Martrell and Martrez Coston, 11, and a 17-year-old male family friend, being cuffed.

Body camera footage shows the two 11-year-olds (one pictured above) and a 17-year-old being handcuffed

The boy in the red shirt is seen kneeling on the ground with his hands behind his back

'We was going to Little Caesars,' the 11-year-old says through tears. 'We was coming from home'

Grand Rapids police is investigating, but Chief David Rahinsky defended his officers' actions while responding to a report of juveniles with a handgun.

Each boy was briefly handcuffed and searched. All of the boys were later released without being charged after no guns were found.

Cops were initially dispatched around 8pm after receiving a report of at least two black males around the age 13 with a handgun, according to the Grand Rapids Press. The report said one boy was wearing a red shirt, and the other a black top.

When officers responded, they found the Coston twins and the 17-year-old, who is also black - about half a mile away. Coincidentally one was wearing a red shirt, and another a black shirt.

In the video, the boy in the red top can be heard crying as officers explain what's happening.

'We was going to Little Caesars,' the 11-year-old says through tears. 'We was coming from home.'

The other 11-year-old is seen with his hands on his head in this section of the body camera footage

The twins' mother said: 'Thank God they know how to respond to officers but they still was afraid'

Juanita Ligon (pictured), says her boys - who are African American - were racially profiled

Following the incident, Ligon wrote on social media: 'Ok Grand Rapids I need someone to lead me to the right agency!!! My 11 yr old boys were racially profiled by officers placed in cuffs and guns drawn! This nonsense has to stop! Thank God they know how to respond to officers but they still was afraid.'

Rahinsky told the Grand Rapids Press: 'What you see in the video is the officers quickly de-escalating the situation. As the (youth) policy states, the officers used the most reasonable and least restrictive measures consistent with public safety.

'When the allegation is someone has a firearm, the response has to be appropriate. Once officers learned that's not the case, the youths are un-handcuffed within a minute, their grandfather is contacted, and I think the conversation that ensures shows the officer's compassion in explaining what happened and why.'

Rahinsky said the 17-year-old had a prior criminal history.

Ligon requested an Internal Affairs Unit review, which is ongoing.

The 17-year-old male family friend is seen being detained by police. He had a prior criminal history, according to the police chief
An Australian man who had no idea he was a father to 11 children until four years ago is now on a desperate search to find them all.

With his wife's blessing, Ken Allen donated sperm while working as a midwife in 1990 and was shocked when he received a call in 2014 telling him he had 11 kids living across Australia.

He has since welcomed four of those children into his family with open arms and has an important reason why he needs to track down seven more sons who are yet to get in touch.

The men, now all aged in their 20s, need to know Mr Allen, 59, has been diagnosed with symptoms of Parkinson's disease over the last four years.

Mr Allen and his children are planning to travel across the country to meet at a family reunion. Pictured is the most recent reunion

There are other medical issues with a 'strong hereditary basis', which have started to be passed on to some of his other children.

'I'd really love to meet with them,' an emotional Mr Allen told Sunday Night.

'I don't want them, you know, feel as though they're being forced, but I'd really love to make some form of contact so they know who I am. They need to be aware of those medical issues so that they can actually take good care of themselves and seek the appropriate treatment.'

Mr Allen and his wife of 36 years Sue had three children of their own and went on to adopt a girl from Taiwan named Gian, who later they discovered was mentally disabled.

Now a teenager, Gian now needs care around-the-clock seven days a week.

Ken Allen (pictured) hopes he will track down his seven sons now aged in their late 20s before it's too late

Mr Allen has since been reunited with two daughters and two sons he found out about in 2014 and recently had their first big family reunion together.

Spending precious time with the extended family is what has kept Mr Allen focused on the good things going on in his wife and less on the bad.

'It's been pretty overwhelming, but just I've felt nothing but joy and happiness and love from these guys,' Mr Allen said.

'They've just accepted me straight into everything. It's awesome. I just love getting to know everyone.'



There are seven other men out there that would make this family (pictured) complete

One of those 11 children, Chloe Allworthy recently set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the constant care he and Gian need.

'Ken can no longer work due to his Parkinson's and this obviously adds to the financial strain,' she wrote.

'Our goal is to provide Gian with the care she needs and to allow Ken a comfortable retirement free from financial burden. Ken is constantly doing so much for others and it is time we did something for him. As one of Ken's donor conceived children, I also wish to thank him for the gift of life. This is a small gesture to him from all of the lives he has created and also changed for the better such as my own.'
A former Rebels bikie has been granted bail over an alleged road rage attack after a magistrate was told he wanted to be home when his pregnant bulldog gave birth.

Wearing Willy Wonka pyjama pants, Chris Michael Rymer was arrested at a property at Sackville, in Sydney's north-west, on Saturday and charged with stalking and property damage.

Rymer is alleged to have thrown glass bottles at a vehicle and intimidated its driver while he was the passenger in a car travelling on the M1 at Mooney Mooney on August 4.

Chris Michael Rymer (pictured) has been charged with stalking and property damage following an alleged road rage attack

Rymer, 27, was arrested by police at a property in Sydney's north-west on Saturday

The 27-year-old's lawyer, Andrew Sant, told Parramatta Local Court his client was no longer a bikie but is instead a 'family man' with two young daughters.

Mr Sant also said Rymer is at a 'turning point' and now has a dog-breeding business, according to The Daily Telegraph.

'He's opened up a kennel and breeding business he operates out of his home. He has a dog due to give birth in about five weeks,' Mr Sant told the court.

Police had opposed bail because of Rymer's criminal record.

Mr Sant argued there were other people in the car Rymer was travelling in who could have tossed the glass bottles.

Criminal lawyer Sam Macedone said the idea Rymer was granted bail because of his pregnant dog was 'a bit of a furphy'.

A court heard Rymer (pictured here with his girlfriend) was no longer a bikie and was now a 'family man'

Strike Force Raptor executed a search warrant at a home at Sackville, just before 9am on Saturday

'He would have indicated to the court that he had a legitimate excuse to go home because he had a business to run,' Mr Macedone told the Today show.

'But basically you look at the crime that's been committed. If it's not a very serious crime and this one is not, then you are entitled to bail unless the police can show the court that you are an unacceptable risk.

'He's a family man. He has children. He has a legitimate business to run. He was no longer a member of the Rebels bikie gang. They had taken his colours off him. He had not been in trouble for some time.

'Apart from that the biggest point was that the crown case against him was weak in as much as he was one of several people in the motor vehicle. So no-one really knows who threw the bottle.'

Criminal lawyer Sam Macedone said the idea Rymer was granted bail solely because of his pregnant dog was 'a bit of a furphy'

Strike Force Raptor executed a further two search warrants at properties at Sackville and Ebenezer, and conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at another Sackville home

Rymer, a former Rebels bikie, had built up a cult following during his brief foray into Instagram following his release from prison late last year, where he detailed his personal life, including getting his girlfriend pregnant (the couple are pictured together)

Rymer dramatically quit Instagram earlier this year after bragging about his release from prison late in 2017 and showing off his lavish lifestyle online.

The heavily tattooed former bikie built a cult following for his ostentatious displays of wealth and details of his personal life, including getting his girlfriend pregnant.

Rymer had taken to his Instagram page to boast of his reclaimed freedom, sharing photos of himself enjoying shopping trips to Louis Vuitton, visiting theme parks on the Gold Coast and eating cafe food.

His arrest came as Strike Force Raptor executed a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday.

'During the searches, police seized an SKS rifle, an SKK rifle, a pump-action shotgun, a converted flare pistol capable of firing 12-gauge shotgun rounds, 265 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, 2kg of white powder, suspected to be cocaine; prescription medication, drug paraphernalia, almost $6000 cash, a CCTV hard drive, and stolen Roads and Maritime Services signs,' police said in a statement.

'Investigators also located a stolen Mercedes Benz CLA45 AMG with false registration plates attached. The vehicle had been modified with seatbelts and airbags removed.

'The items will undergo forensic examination, and the firearms will also be subjected to ballistic tests.'

Rymer's arrest came as Strike Force Raptor executed a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday

Rymer was arrested on Saturday while wearing Willy Wonka pyjama pants

Two other men, aged 27 and 28, were issued with consorting warnings.

The younger man was arrested and taken to Windsor Police Station, while the other man, who police say is a member of the Rebels, was released pending further inquiries.

The 27-year-old Shalvey man, who police say is a former Rebels member, was charged with contravene non-association, place restriction order.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court yesterday.

Rymer's arrest is not linked to the drugs and weapons allegedly seized by police.
The delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Mr. Chau Van Chi, Chairman of the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Cambodia, said that the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Cambodia, former Association of Khmer Vietnamese in the Kingdom of Cambodia, has been officially registered its operation in the list of associations in Cambodias Ministry of Interior.

As a new legal entity, the Khmer-Vietnamese Association in Cambodia has better conditions to carry out community-based activities and a focal point to concentrate resources to support and help compatriots in difficult circumstance.

Mr. Chau Van Chi stressed that association is a mass organization representing the Khmers of Vietnamese origin and Vietnamese people living and working legally in Cambodia. The association strengthens the solidarity, communicate and respect Khmer customs and comply with the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia, contributing to building Cambodia more prosperous as well as tightening solidarity and friendship between Khmer people and Vietnamese people.

Over the ups and downs historical periods of Cambodia, the Vietnamese community has integrated into and contributed immensely to the construction and development of the country.

At the event, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia Men Sam An emphasized that Vietnam  Cambodia are always close friends and good neighbours. The two countries have come to new page of history with peace, independence, democracy and glory.

"The Cambodian government and people will always remember the great contribution of the Party, the State, the army and the people of Vietnam for having sacrificed the bone and blood to help Cambodia escape the genocide regime, contributing to the construction and development of Cambodia," Ms. Men Sam An said.

With the strength and solid legal status, the Khmer-Vietnamese Association in Cambodia will have more practical contribution to the development of Cambodia as well as the solidarity between the Vietnam and Cambodia./.
A California-based trucking company involved in a deadly collision in New Mexico that killed eight and left 25 injured has a history of crashes.

On Thursday afternoon, a tractor trailer traveling on I-40 near the town of Thoreau crossed over the median and slammed head on into a Greyhound bus carrying 47 people in total.

Federal investigators believe the trailer may have lost the tread on its left front tire causing it to jack-knife and crash into the bus.

However, two surviving passengers are now suing, accusing both the driver and the trucking company of negligence.

A California-based trucking company involved in a deadly collision in New Mexico that killed eight and left 25 injured has a history of crashes

On Thursday afternoon, a tractor trailer traveling on I-40 near the town of Thoreau crossed over the median and slammed head on into a Greyhound bus carrying 47 people in total

Federal investigators believe the trailer may have lost the tread on its left front tire causing it to jack-knife and crash into the bus

Bryan Williams, filed the lawsuits on behalf of Greyhound passengers Robert Ward of Arizona and Reid Valentine of Ohio against JAG Transportation and the 35-year-old truck driver.

He said that according to federal safety data, which has been viewed by DailyMail.com, the company has been involved in three crashes over the last two years, excluding this crash.

According to the suit, both JAG and the driver did not 'adequately inspect' and 'adequately maintain' the tire before the blowout.

It also states that Ward and Reid suffered 'severe shock,' 'mental anguish' and 'emotional distress' because of the accident.

The state Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) told the Albuquerque Journal that five of the eight passengers killed have been identified.

They are Sadie Thomas, 50; Charla Bahe, 34; Terry Mason, 45; Veronica Williams, 49, and Greyhound bus driver Luis Alvarez, 50.

Driver Elisara Taito (pictured) said he was hauling produce from California to Tennessee when his 70,000 pound semi truck blew a tire

Bryan Williams, filed the lawsuits on behalf of Greyhound passengers Robert Ward of Arizona and Reid Valentine of Ohio against JAG Transportation and the driver

He said that according to federal safety data, which has been viewed by DailyMail.com, the company had been involved in three crashes over the last two years, excluding this crash

No information was released about their hometowns, according to the Journal.

However, the OMI did say that the cause of death for the eight victims was due to accidental blunt force trauma.

'Our sympathies are with the families whose loved ones were involved in this crash,' the office said in a statement.

'Our commitment to investigate deaths to serve the living will drive our efforts to bring some closure and peace to these families, as well as to support public safety efforts.'

Those hospitalized, from infants to adults, had injuries ranging from minor to severe. Some have been discharged while others are still recovering, the Journal reports.

Surprisingly, the driver of the semi-trailer survived, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Elisara Taito said he was hauling produce from California to Tennessee when his 70,000 pound semi truck blew a tire before sailing head on into a bus traveling from Albuquerque to Phoenix, Arizona.

'It just locked up,' Taito said of his truck, speaking to CBS News from his hospital bed. 'I was trying everything that I could to avoid it.'

'As soon as it happened I almost just knew that I was going to die. I was surprised that I made it.'

The state Office of the Medical Investigator told the Albuquerque Journal that five of the eight passengers killed have been identified

They are Sadie Thomas, 50; Charla Bahe, 34; Terry Mason, 45; Veronica Williams, 49, and Greyhound bus driver Luis Alvarez, 50

The National Transportation Safety Board has started an investigation and is asking for the medical records and toxicology reports of Taito from JAG Transportation.

Taito said authorities asked for a drug test, which he said was found clean.

'I am sorry. I mean I don't know if I can do anything to change it... I can't,' he said.

The tires are being sent to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, DC, which has begun an investigation.

The agency has also asked for the medical records and toxicology reports of Taito from JAG Transportation.

The electronic data recorders for the semi-trailer and bus have been recovered, he added.
Most sexual assaults at public swimming pools happen in unisex changing rooms, figures reveal.

Ninety per cent of assault, voyeurism and harassment cases relate to the gender neutral zones which have been branded a 'magnet' for sexual predators.

Of 134 complaints in the UK last year, 120 are about incidents in unisex changing rooms, data obtained by the Sunday Times revealed.

The stats compound fears that unisex changing rooms - which are becoming increasingly popular to accommodate transgender people - pose a danger to women.

Most sexual assaults at public swimming pools happen in unisex changing rooms, figures reveal

Trans activist Paris Lees said that 'making bathrooms more trans-friendly hasn't led to any problems'.

But David Davies, MP for Monmouth, said: 'These figures show that women and girls are more vulnerable in mixed changing rooms and there is a danger these places are becoming a magnet for sexual offenders.'

He added: 'It simply doesn't make sense to enable men to have greater access to women's spaces. The reforms to gender recognition will grant that access.'

Nicola Williams, the spokeswoman for Fair Play for Women, said: 'Spaces where women are undressed should be single-sex as a matter of course. This is obvious, elementary safeguarding.'

Darren Johnson was caught covertly filming girls getting changing at a swimming pool

It comes after the married founder of a children's soft play area firm was caught covertly filming girls getting changing at a swimming pool and jailed for 16 months.

CCTV captured Eddie Catz founder Darren Johnson, 51, 'stalking' two 14-year-old girls from a swimming pool before entering the cubicle next to theirs and filming them changing by poking his mobile phone underneath the partition.

When the company director from Putney in South West London was arrested, police found hundreds of explicit photos of women taken from two 'peepholes' at a public toilet at one of his firm's sites.

He also filmed mothers, their children and staff using public toilets at an Eddie Catz centre and of his female employees at his firm's private changing rooms.

The father-of-two looked to the floor in the dock as he was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of voyeurism in July.

Judge Andrew Campbell said: 'These were dreadful offences because first of all some of them involved children, at the Putney Leisure Centre and almost inevitably at the premises of Eddie Catz.'
The 'hotspot' stores where parents are most likely to find the rarest of Coles' Little Shop collectables have been revealed.

With the promotion due to end on September 11, almost 500 of the exclusive 'red hands' are still yet to be claimed.

Anyone who finds them while shopping at Coles also wins a $100 gift voucher, with only 1,000 in circulation.

The 'red hand' collectable (pictured), which has become synonymous with Coles' 'down, down' slogan, each come with a $100 gift voucher

The 'hotspots' for the remaining 481 hands have been revealed, one in each state (pictured)

A new report from Seven News has revealed the 'hotspots', where shoppers should head to if they hope to find one of the remaining red hands.

In NSW, shoppers could try the Coles in Casula, in Sydney's south-west.

Queensland collectors should head to the Sunshine Coast and shop at Peregian Springs.

Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne's southwest, and Reynella in Adelaide's south are considered hotspots, while WA hunters should try the Ocean Keys shopping centre, north of Perth.

The promotion is set to end on September 11, but Coles announced an encore due in 2019

The entire 30 figurine collection has been incredibly popular, with the red hands being rarer because they come with a $100 gift card.

'It's a rare mini and it's something that people can really be excited about,' Coles communication manager Martine Alpins told Seven News.

The promotion is set to end in eight days, but Coles announced today they will be bringing it back in 2019.

This year's won't end quietly, however, with Coles launching an online competition to find the countrys most colourful collector.

The winner will receive a years supply of groceries free-of-charge.

The promotion ends with a competition, the winner of which claiming free groceries for a year

The collectables have been contentious, with some criticising the supermarket giant for releasing them in the middle of the single-use plastic bag ban

The collectables have received mixed reviews, with some criticising the supermarket giant for releasing them in the middle of the plastic bag ban.

Some primary schools in Victoria have gone as far as to ban the toys from their playgrounds, saying the toys incite bullying and fighting.

On the other hand, one organisation in Victoria has urged shoppers to donate Coles Little Shop items to help disabled people with simple tasks.

Distinctive Options, a disability service provider in Melbourne, says the mini collectables are a perfect tool to help the disabled communicate.
Known environmentalist Prince Charles has purchased the royal family's first electric car.

The Prince of Wales, 69, is outspoken on a number of green issues such as organic farming, the war on plastic and climate change.

He has switched to low energy light bulbs and installed solar panels at royal abodes.

And now he is furthering his mission to cut his emissions and help the environment by purchasing a 60,000 Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle painted in Loire blue according to The Sunday Times.

Prince Charles has been looking to add an electric car to his collection for some time and has plumped for the electric Jaguar I-Pace

Prince Charles, pictured at the Braemar Highland Gathering in Scotland on September 1, has purchased his first electric vehicle

The new electric motor- in a colour not available to the public- will be joining his Range Rovers and Rolls Royces, but the Prince is no stranger to environmentally friendly vehicles.

As part of cutting his carbon footprint Prince Charles converted his beloved Aston Martin DB5 so that it runs on wine.

What features does Jaguar's new electric car have? -One full charge gives you a range of up to 292 miles -It has an automatic transmission -Five seats and 656 litres of boot space -Can reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds -A top speed of 124 mph -The interior features a floating console at the heart of the cabin where you can control everything, including temperatures of the seats -You can even use your smartphone to ensure the vehicle is at the desired temperature before you enter it Advertisement

The 38-year-old classic car - a 21st birthday present from the Queen - runs on 100 per cent bioethanol fuel distilled from surplus British wine.

The car - which is kept at Highgrove and clocks up just 300 miles a year - averages ten miles a gallon, the equivalent of 4.5 bottles of wine for every mile.

At 1.10 a litre, the bioethanol is only slightly cheaper than conventional petrol, but is estimated to produce 85 per cent less carbon dioxide.

The I-Pace has a range of 292 miles between recharges and it is thought a new electric charging point has already been installed at Clarence House.

He is not the only one in the family wanting to cut down on their emissions, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex drove to their wedding reception in May, in a Jaguar E-type which has been specially adapted to use an electric motor.

The choice of electric vehicle might come as a bit of a disappointment to Elon Musk, after the Prince of Wales test drove a Tesla Model S earlier this year after striking up a friendship with his brother Kimbal.
A union boss has been slammed after using his children to send a vile message to his opposition.

John Setka, the outspoken leader of Victoria's Construction Union, tweeted a photo of his children on Father's Day holding a sign reading 'GO GET F**KED'.

The light-up letter board was directed to Stephen McBurney, the head of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Mr Setka, who is in a bitter dispute with the commission boss over perceived injustices during regulation against construction workers, was widely condemned for using his children to launch such a foul-mouthed attack online.

The light up letter board was designed to read 'GO GET F*#KED', and featured his young kids, Johnny and Kate smiling in their pyjamas in a kitchen

'Message to McBurney and the ABCC: Leave our dads alone and catch the real criminals you cowards,' Mr Setka captioned the post.

'Happy Father's Day to all the @CFMEU dads today.'

A handful of people scolded him for the post, and the method in which he used to deliver the message, with one social media user calling it 'not on.'

'Put your message out there but don't use kids like this,' the woman wrote online.

'It is beyond the pale  I am disgusted that any father would use his children in such an obscene way to attack a regulator for doing their job,' Workplace Relations Minister Kelly O'Dwyer said, reported The Australian.

Mr McBurney is yet to respond to the message.

The post is the latest in a series of statements Mr Setka has made against the commission.
More than 600 police stations in England and Wales have closed in the last eight years, in what is the largest programme closure in history.

London has lost 100 police stations and Gloucestershire has lost 21 out of 28 stations.

Other cities, such as Bath and St Albans do not have stations at all, a Sunday Times investigation has revealed.

Wealdstone High Street station in north west London, closed in 2010 and despite an MP-led campaign, staff later moved out and in 2014 it was sold for 950,000 for flats

It comes after a 20 per cent cut in funding since 2010, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

In Hungerford, a small town in west Berkshire, the police station has been axed and replaced with a base in the town's fire station.

But the 5,000 locals in the area are told to report crime elsewhere, as it's not designed to be open to the public.

A police officer reportedly told a local meeting: 'There's no doorbell here and we're behind three sets of doors, so we won't here if someone knocks'.

Hammerton Road Police station in Sheffield has been closed since 2014

Cleveland has shut 12 police stations since 2010 triggering protests from locals.

Hungerford isn't alone, 24 of the 60 stations in the Thames Valley have shut in a drive to save 40million.

They say a review had found that brick and mortar stations have little to do with policing as very few people walk into the station to report crime, instead opting to do it over the phone or online.

Yet in some areas, residents complained closures had worsened wait times,

In London, the number of 'significant' calls where police failed to respond within an hour nearly tripled within three years to 2016-17 from 61.602 to 172.847.

A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London office said that closing police stations was the 'stark reality of crippling government cuts'.

The Home Office said: 'Police have the resources they need to carry out their vital work. However, we know the nature of crime is changing.

'That is why we provided a settlement that is increasing total investment in the police system by over 460million in 2018-19, including increased funding for local policing through council tax precept.'
Travellers have set up camp on Ealing Common - sparking fury among residents.

At least six vehicles can be seen sprawled across the park in West London with deck chairs and other furniture arranged around them.

Residents have slammed the encampment as an 'aggressive takeover' and criticised the council for being a 'pushover'.

An illegal encampment on Ealing Common in West London, which has sparked outrage among residents

Six of the caravans which have parked up on the common. One resident accused the travellers of spreading doormats across the public paths which run through the park

Furniture strewn across the common outside the caravans. Residents have complained about the rubbish left behind when the travellers are ejected from the site

Reports of illegal encampments at Ealing Common date back as far as 2011 and the travellers have repeatedly returned to the site.

Some furious locals have called for bollards and fencing to be erected around the area to prevent caravans being parked on it.

Others have vented their anger about the rubbish left behind when the travellers are ejected.

'The common has never felt so unsafe and the takeover has never been so aggressive,' wrote one resident on Twitter.

'Aggressive takeover': One resident tweeted his frustration with the most recent camp on the common

'Foot high rubbish': A Twitter user vents his anger about a previous encampment at Ealing Common in 2014

He said some of the travellers had laid out doormats over the path which pedestrians use to cross the park.

A spokesperson for Ealing Council said: 'The council's community safety and environment teams are working together with the police to seek injunctions against those that are illegally settled on Ealing Common.

'We appreciate that this does have an impact on local residents and we try to deal with each encampment as quickly as possible, while we look for longer term solutions.'

Reports of illegal encampments at Ealing Common date back as far as 2011 and the travellers have repeatedly returned to the site
One man is dead and a woman who tried to save him is still missing after they were both swept off a bridge during a storm in Maryland this weekend.

Heavy rains triggered flash flooding across both Maryland and Pennsylvania on Friday and Saturday, forcing authorities to rescue more than two dozen people.

Daniel Samis, 67, was driving in Bel Air on Friday when he got stuck on a bridge as the water rose in the storm.

A passing truck stopped and a man and woman used a rope to try and rescue the stranded driver.

Heavy rains triggered flash flooding across both Maryland and Pennsylvania this weekend, forcing authorities to rescue more than two dozen people. Pictured is a van driving through the high water in Manheim, Pennsylvania on Friday

A man is rescued from an SUV on Bridge Valley Road at Chiques Creek on Friday in West Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania

One person rescued from their vehicle in flooding from the Conestoga Creek on Shreiner Station Road in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

But the woman fell twice and the second time, was swept away by the rushing water.

Her male companion rushed to a nearby quarry to search for her, but could not find her.

At the same time, floodwaters pulled Samis' submerged car over the side of the bridge. His body was recovered on Saturday morning.

Parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania saw 10 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday, with some regions reaching 1 to 3 inches per hour.

The heavy rainfall has been fueled by a tropical plume of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, forcing roads and highways closed and leaving many stranded on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Rescuers check a flooded mobile-home park on Friday in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, one of the hardest hit areas in the state

A car that's stuck in the high water gets a tow on Steelway in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Friday

State emergency officials are currently working with local authorities to help with recovery from flash flooding in south-central Pennsylvania that led to water rescues and evacuations and prompted two counties to issue disaster declarations.

The National Weather Service said parts of Lancaster, York and Lebanon County saw 5 to 10 inches of rain. York and Lancaster counties also issued disaster declarations.

Lancaster County emergency officials received numerous calls for stranded motorists, including a school bus stuck in Mount Joy and a vehicle swept into a creek.

An eastbound Amtrak train that left Harrisburg was also stranded for six-and-a-half hours due to flooding in Mount Joy, where forecasters said almost 11 inches of rain was reported.

A truck and a school bus go through high water during heavy rain on Friday near Manheim

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is deploying road construction crews, engineers and inspectors to assist local municipalities

Evacuations were reported in Lancaster, York, Berks and Chester counties. No injuries have been reported.

'Yesterday, Pennsylvania experienced significant flash flooding that impacted roads, bridges, homes, and critical infrastructure,' Gov Tom Wolf said on Saturday.

Wolf said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is deploying road construction crews, engineers, and inspectors to assist local municipalities.

Evacuations were reported in Lancaster, York, Berks and Chester counties in Pennsylvania. No injuries have been reported

Lancaster County emergency officials received numerous calls for stranded motorists, including a school bus stuck in Mount Joy and a vehicle swept into a creek

Pennsylvania is still drying out from a week of heavy rains in late July and from what has overall been an unusually wet summer.

About 41 inches of rain fall in a typical year, while about 30 inches of rain have fallen since the start of June.

'The ground being saturated isn't helping at all,' said Lancaster County Commissioner Dennis Stuckey.

'We had a few days of sunshine but not enough to dry everything out.'
Two men were stabbed just miles apart in London in another afternoon of bloodshed in the capital.

Police were called to knife attacks in both Barking and Dagenham on Sunday.

Both victims were men aged in their fifties although officers are not treating the incidents as linked.

First, at 12.40pm, a man in his fifties was found stabbed in Station Parade, Barking.

He had been stabbed multiple times in the back.

Police are investigating two stabbings in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham after two men were knifed just miles apart

The man was taken to an east London hospital by air ambulance, according to witnesses.

Later, officers were called shortly after 3pm to reports of a stabbing near the Roundhouse pub near Porters Avenue and Lodge Avenue in Dagenham.

A 50-year-old man was found with a stab wound.

Detectives from East Area CID are investigating both incidents and no arrests have been made.

One victim was stabbed near to Barking Station on Sunday afternoon

Knife crime has become a huge problem for the Met Police as the number of people caught carrying knives rises.

This year, there have already been 100 murders in the capital. Police cuts are largely blamed.

There are now 3.3 police officers for every thousand Londoners - its lowest rate since 1998 and 19% below 2010.
Lanny Davis, the attorney for Michael Cohen, says he was suggesting to CNN reporters that they investigate whether or not Donald Trump had advance knowledge of the infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting, he wasn't confirming the story to them.

'I was unsure about the issue of the Trump Tower meeting. And I thought that there were other people that could have been in the room, and that it was up to journalists to go look at that,' he told Fox News Channel's 'Media Buzz' on Sunday.

He added he was never sure in who knew of the meeting but should have been clearer.

'I was never sure in my confirmation. I was uncertain. And, in fact, I expressed my uncertainty, but not clear enough,' he said.

Lanny Davis said he wanted CNN reporters to investigate whether Trump had advanced knowledge of the Trump Tower meeting, he wasn't confirming the story

President Trump has gotten into a war of words with CNN and Davis on the story

Davis said he blamed himself for the confusion and not the network nor reporters Carl Bernstein or Jim Sciutto.

'So I can understand that they interpreted what I said as a confirmation, and have not blamed CNN. I have blamed myself for not being more clear that, in my mind, I did not know the details about that meeting, and I should not have encouraged any reporter,' he said.

'In my mind I did not know the details of that meeting and I should not have encouraged any reporter,' he added.

Davis was asked to clarify once and for all whether Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, had any knowledge of whether the president knew of the Trump Tower meeting in advance.

He declined to give a straight answer.

'I can't tell you what Mr. Cohen has told me except to say to you I'm not sure he did and that it requires additional reporting and I'm not sure he did not,' Davis said.

A bitter war of words has escalated in the past week between Trump, CNN and Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein over the story.

Trump has raged about the piece that claimed he knew about the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting, which featured Donald Trump Jr., his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort talking to a Russian lawyer who claimed to have dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Trump lashed out at CNN on Wednesday, saying it had been caught in a 'major lie' after Davis admitted to being a source for the claims that he then backtracked.

Trump said 'CNN is being torn apart from within' over the article, while blasting Bernstein as 'sloppy' and a 'degenerate fool... who lives in the past'.

Bernstein and the network slapped back, saying they stood by their reporting and would not be cowed by attacks from the president.

Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on CNN over a story that claimed he had advanced knowledge of a Trump Tower meeting between his son and a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Hillary Clinton during the election

The President accused CNN of being caught in a 'major lie and refusing to admit the mistake', while accusing Bernstein of being a 'degenerate fool' who 'lives in the past'

In a direct response to Trump, CNN said it stood by its reporting before adding: 'There are many fools in this story but Carl Bernstein is not one of them'

Bernstein also responded to Trump's attack, saying he would not be dissuaded from 'bringing the truth to light' with taunting

In a strongly-worded statement issued on Trump's preferred media of Twitter, CNN said: 'Make no mistake, Mr. President, CNN does not lie. We report the news. And we report when people in power tell lies.

'CNN stands by our reporting and our reporters. There may be many fools in this story but Carl Bernstein is not one of them.'

Meanwhile Bernstein tweeted: 'I have spent my life as a journalist bringing the truth to light, through administrations of both parties.

'No taunt will diminish my commitment to that mission, which is the essential role of a free press. CNN stands by its story, and I stand by my reporting.'

The saga began when CNN ran a report last month claiming that Cohen, Trump's long-time personal lawyer, had evidence that Donald Trump knew in advance about a meeting between his son and a Russian lawyer during the 2016 election.

Trump Jr. has admitted to taking the meeting after the lawyer offered him dirt on Hillary Clinton, and the suggestion that the candidate knew about the meeting indicated that he might have been in on alleged collusion.

Cohen was willing to testify to the claim to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, CNN reported, citing anonymous sources.

But Davis admitted to BuzzFeed News this week that he was a source for that story, and could not verify the claims that he made.

CNN's report also claimed that Davis had declined to comment on the record, effectively giving him cover to talk extensively on background.

The debacle caught the attention of Trump, who claimed on Wednesday that anonymous sources are typically 'fiction made up' by 'Enemy of the People' reporters.

'The fact is that many anonymous sources don't even exist. They are fiction made up by the Fake News reporters,' the president tweeted.

President Trump leaped at the chance on Wednesday to harangue the media for a debacle involving Michael Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis

Lanny Davis (above) has backpedaled on several key claims he made as an 'anonymous source' to news oulets, severely undermining the possibility that Cohen could tie President Trump to claims of Russian election interference

Cohen (above) pleaded guilty last week to several charges, which Davis says allowed him to finally speak out to clarify what he said as an anonymous source, now that the criminal investigation is ended

Trump claimed in a tweet Wednesday that anonymous sources are typically 'fiction made up' by 'Enemy of the People' reporters, even though Davis admits to making the claims he says he can no longer back up

'Look at the lie that Fake CNN is now in. They got caught red handed! Enemy of the People!'

A follow-up tweet claimed: 'When you see 'anonymous source,' stop reading the story, it is fiction!'

Davis says that he couldn't clear the record until Cohen pleaded guilty last week, because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

CNN says it had other sources as well.

In a series of interviews, Davis backpedaled two assertions: that Cohen saw Trump being advised beforehand of the notorious Trump Tower meeting and that Cohen could testify that Trump was aware of Russian hacking.

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani has also made incorrect claims about the Trump Tower meeting and admitted in a New York Times profile this week to making mistakes in his unpaid representation of the president.

Former Trump attorney John Dowd said Wednesday on Fox News that Davis' conduct, which sparked a debate about how sourcing is handled by news agencies, was 'despicable' and 'indicative' of what Trump is up against.

'I don't know how he does it,' he said. 'It's a great burden on the presidency.'

Slamming Davis, a longtime defender of former President Bill Clinton, Down said: 'Lanny Davis is no surprise, I don't know why anybody would find him credible in the first place.'

Davis and Cohen's lack of credibility is at the heart of Trump's lawyers claims that Trump should not be charged as a co-conspirator in crimes that his ex-attorney says they committed together. Cohen told prosecutors that he paid off a woman who says she had sex with the married billionaire prior to the 2016 election on a direct order.

The CNN report, which received prime-time play on the network, raised the possibility that Cohen had and was willing to offer the special counsel additional, damaging information on Trump.

Top CNN reporters Jim Sciutto, Marshall Cohen and Carl Bernstein of Watergate reporting fame had bylines on the story.

Other outlets that raced to confirm the CNN scoop in July, including the New York Post and Washington Post, have now admitted that Davis was their source, and published the lawyer's apology for misleading them.

'I regret that I wasn't clear enough to The Post. I should have been more clear. I could not independently confirm the information in the CNN story,' Davis told the New York paper. 'I regret my error.'

Davis is also backing down from suggestions he made on television after Cohen's guilty plea about what his client could tell Mueller about Russian hacking during the 2016 campaign and allegations that Trump knew about it before it became public.

CNN is standing by its July report (above) that said Cohen was willing to testify that Trump knew about the Trump Tower meeting in advance

Davis told CNN that 'Cohen was an observer and was a witness to Mr. Trump's awareness of those emails before they were dropped,' Davis told the Washington Post, 'There's a possibility that is the case. But I am not sure.'

Giuliani and another Trump lawyer, Jay Sekulow, have also delivered incorrect information to the public.

Sekulow wrongly claimed that the president was not involved in a false statement that Trump was said to have dictated on Air Force One about his son's meeting at Trump Tower.

He admitted in an ABC News interview that he 'had bad information' and realized 'over time' that the claim he made was incorrect.

Giuliani wrongly told NBC News this month that he didn't know if participants in the meeting, including Trump Jr, ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, knew that lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya 'was Russian at the time.'

'All they had was her name,' Giuliani in the interview said.

In fact, emails released by the president's son make clear that he was explicitly told an attendee at the meeting would be a 'Russian government attorney' who wanted to provide damaging information to the campaign about Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump Jr. attacked CNN as 'literal fake news' after it Davis revealed he was the source for the misinformation on what Cohen was willing to testify. The president's son also claimed that Bernstein is a 'leftist hack.'

President Trump has denied claims that he knew about the Trump Tower meeting before it took place. He tore into news outlets that promoted Davis' claims in tweets on Saturday and Wednesday.

'Michaels Cohen's attorney clarified the record, saying his client does not know if President Trump knew about the Trump Tower meeting (out of which came nothing!),' Trump said in the Saturday tweet. 'The answer is that I did NOT know about the meeting. Just another phony story by the Fake News Media!'

He similarly ripped the 'fake news' on Wednesday for masking Davis' identity by allowing him to act as an anonymous source while saying in the same article that he refused to comment on the record.
At the event, Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong recalled Vietnams socio-economic achievements since it won independence 73 years ago.

He thanked the Japanese Government and people for giving support to Vietnam, especially in economics, and wished that the development of the Vietnamese community in Japan, with 300,000 people, will make contributions to socio-economic growth in both countries.

Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong at the ceremonies to mark the countrys 73rd National Day. (Photo: VNA)



Japanese Minister of Justice Yoko Kamikawa hailed Vietnams recent development, hoping that friendship between Vietnam and Japan will be enhanced for peace and prosperity in the two countries as well as in the region.

Meanwhile in Australia, the event saw the attendance of Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove and his spouse, high-level officials of the Australian Government, parliamentarians, experts, and representatives from Vietnamese representative offices and the Vietnamese community.

Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam highlighted Vietnams impressive achievements attained from its reforms and efforts in promoting global integration.

The countrys gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 6.8 percent this year, the fastest pace in the past decade, making Vietnam become an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investors.

He said that Vietnam could not attain such achievements without cooperation and support from foreign countries and partners, including Australia.

Celebration in Australia (Photo: VNA)



The strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia has been built based on sound collaboration in the fields of defence, terrorism prevention, trade and investment, education, and science-technology, he said.

Also, he stressed that the community with 300,000 Vietnamese-Australians and 30,000 Vietnamese students pursuing study in Australia has made significant contributions to the robust development in the bilateral ties.

2018 is a special year as it witnessed various high-level visits of leaders from both sides, he said, adding that those help enhance mutual understanding, and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

For his part, Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove expressed his delight at the sound cooperation with Vietnam, with two-way trade reaching 13 billion AUD, adding that the people-to-people exchange also contributes significantly to the strong bonds./.
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More than two-thirds of people are registered organ donors in some parts of the UK while in other areas as few as 16 per cent of residents are willing to have their body parts transplanted after they die, an interactive map reveals.

Some 6,133 people are on the transplant waiting list, including around 280 patients waiting for a new heart, with thousands of operations missed last year because families vetoed the use of their relatives' organs

Some patients are even waiting for a second heart transplant, but only 27 people have received one over the last decade, figures from NHS Blood and Transplant show, as the NHS begins a week of campaigning to urge patients to make their wishes known to their families.

But as the map reveals, there are areas of the country - including parts of London and the West Midlands - where below a quarter of people are signed up to donate their hearts, kidneys, lungs or other organs after they die.

During Organ Donation Week, NHS Blood and Transplant is encouraging people to talk to their families about their wishes surrounding organ donation.

Zoom into the map on a desktop or mobile web browser to find your local authority

The district council of South Hams on the coast of Devon has the highest registration rate in the country, with more than seven in ten people signed up to give away their organs after they die.

The county-wide authorities of Wiltshire and Shropshire are also in the top ten, with over 60 per cent registered, along with the councils of Hart and Winchester in Hampshire, East Cambridgeshire, and Malvern Hills in Worcestershire.

The London borough of Barking and Dagenham has the UK's lowest figure, with only 16 per cent registered, closely followed by the nearby areas of Harlow in Essex and the neighbouring borough of Newham.

More affluent London authorities including the City of London - where the registration rate is 54 per cent - and the borough of Richmond-upon-Thames enjoy higher figures.

Outside the south-east, the local authorities of Leicester, Sandwell, Worcester and Stoke-on Trent also feature in the country's bottom ten, along with Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Corby where under a quarter of people are registered.

In the north-east of England the county of Northumberland has the region's highest figure at 43 per cent, while the city of Sunderland is lowest with under a third signed up.

Three of the top ten local authorities for organ donor registration are in Scotland, with the city of Edinburgh leading the way in the country on around 62 per cent, followed by the council areas of Argyll & Bute, Angus, and Midlothian.

Monmouthshire is the highest-ranked of the 22 councils in Wales, with more than half registered, while Blaenau Gwent in South Wales has the country's lowest figure at just under a third.

The UK's highest organ donor registration rates 1. South Hams, Devon: 71.0% 2. Malvern Hills, Worcestershire: 66.8% 3. Wiltshire: 63.6% 4. City of Edinburgh, Scotland: 62.3% 5. Shropshire: 61.0% 6. Argyll and Bute, Scotland: 61.0% 7. Angus, Scotland: 60.5% 8. Winchester, Hampshire: 60.1% 9. Hart, Hampshire: 59.5% 10. East Cambridgeshire: 59.0% Advertisement

...and the areas with the lowest organ donor rates 382. Forest Heath, Suffolk: 20.8% 383. Worcester, Worcestershire: 20.6% 384. Sandwell, West Midlands: 20.1% 385. Enfield, London: 20.0% 386. Luton, Bedfordshire: 19.9% 387. Redbridge, London: 19.9% 388. Leicester, Leicestershire: 19.4% 389. Newham, London: 16.3% 390. Harlow, Essex: 16.2% 391. Barking and Dagenham, London: 16.0% Advertisement

The data for the map, created by Esri UK, was gathered from an NHS table of organ donor registrations by local authority. The proportions were calculated from 2017 population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Anthony Clarkson, Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said: 'We'd like people to just talk to their families. Words save lives.

'Please, tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation, because it could be the difference between life and death for someone else.'

Last month it was claimed the new organ donation system in England is 'unlikely' to increase the number of donations, researchers have claimed.

The new system for England, which will come into effect in 2020, will mean people, apart from certain groups, will be considered organ donors unless they have explicitly recorded a wish not to be.

The map shows organ donor registration rates across 391 local authorities including county councils and London boroughs

Health bosses have highlighted the case of Gareth Evans, 45, from Stockport, who has been waiting for a new heart for more than nine years.

Put on the general waiting list on February 23, 2009, he is currently the longest-waiting heart patient on the transplant list, and has spent the last three months in Wythenshawe Hospital, south of Manchester.

He said: 'If there was enough donors I'd have had a new heart by then and I'd be back to work and carrying on. 'Nine-and-a-half years later and I'm still waiting.

'If somebody saves a life while they're living they are classed as a hero - the final thing you could do is be a hero, save people's lives. There is nothing more marvellous than that.

'If it wasn't for my donor the first time round I wouldn't have my wife, wouldn't have the kids and I wouldn't have experienced everything I'd done in life.'
Three men have fallen 30 feet off a bridge at an annual matchmaking festival in Ireland.

They were rushed to hospital after Irish police officers received a number of reports that Lisdoonvarna festival goers had tumbled into the Spa Wells.

The incident occurred at 3.00am in Co Clare, where the singletons event started on Friday, the Irish Mirror reports.

Three men have fallen off a bridge at an annual matchmaking festival (pictured) in Ireland

Gardai officers arrived at the scene within minutes and found the three men who had all suffered serious injuries.

The men were reportedly found sitting on a bridge when Gardai arrived after having fallen from the bridge into a shallow stream 32 feet (10 metres) below.

It is thought tree branches broke one or all of the mens falls.

The National Ambulance Service was alerted and the three men, believed to be from Doonbeg and Cooraclare areas of the county, were taken to University Hospital Limerick.

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is a place for people to meet, match and make a life, according to its website

It is understood that they all suffered serious back and neck injuries, however none are said to be life-threatening.

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is a place for people to meet, match and make a life, according to its website.

Matchmaking is an Irish tradition thats as old as time, its site goes on to say.

It began in Lisdoonvarna when visiting gentry came to take the waters at this spa town and looked to match their children with someone suitable from the upper classes.

Parents would bring their children together at social gatherings, sporting events and musical evenings - and all being well, courtships would blossom.

The opening of the West Clare Railway in 1887 meant Lisdoonvarna increased in popularity as a tourist destination and the matchmaking tradition grew.

Gardai have confirmed that they are treating the incident as an accident.
A British mother died in front of her daughter after a banana boat flipped over while on a Thomas Cook holiday in Egypt at the same resort where a couple mysteriously died.

The woman, believed to be in her 50s or 60s, was reportedly trapped underneath the inflatable after it flipped and threw all riders into the sea in Hurghada on August 28.

The other riders made it out safely but the victim was trapped underneath before being pulled on to the main boat for CPR.

The incident took place a week after tourists John and Susan Cooper died suddenly at the five-star Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel.

One British holidaymaker, an ex-army veteran, who was on board at the time said the boat flipped after the speedboat pulling in along 'bombed out' on the water, reports theSun.

A British mother, believed to be in her 50s or 60s, died in front of her daughter after an accident on a banana boat in Egypt (file photo)

The group had been on a dolphin-watching tour just before the tragic accident.

The man told the Sun: 'I could hear the woman's daughter wailing, as she knew that there was something seriously wrong with her mum.

'They got the lady back on an they were doing chest compressions, but at no point were there any breaths given.

'I'm screaming at them "open her airways" but they pushed me back.'

Thomas Cook have suspended the dolphin-watching tour the group were on while they investigate.

A Thomas Cook spokesman told the Sun: 'We can confirm that one of our customers sadly died last week while on an excursion in Egypt.

The woman died off the coast of Hurghada (pictured) after becoming trapped under the inflatable when it flipped over on August 28

'We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family, and our welfare team continue to do all they can to support them at this time.

'We are urgently investigating what happened.'

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'Our staff are assisting the family of a British woman who has died in Hurghada.'

Mr and Mrs Cooper stayed next to a room that had been fumigated just hours before, raising fears they may have been poisoned by toxic gases.

Pest controllers sprayed chemicals into the room on August 20, the day before Susan and John Cooper died.

The couples daughter Kelly Ormerod reported a strange smell in her parents room at the five-star hotel at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in the hours before they died. Kellys daughter had intended to stay the night with her grandparents but returned to her mothers room due to the odour.
Health officials say they are concerned about a number of new HIV infections in North Seattle.

Since February, eight such cases have been identified during routine testing among people described as being recently homeless, heterosexuals and drug users, reported The Seattle Times.

Medical professionals with Public Health - Seattle & King County worry this could indicate a new pattern of transmission arising of a virus that has been dwindling in the number of cases.

Since February, eight HIV cases have been identified during routine testing among people described as recently homeless, heterosexuals and drug users in North Seattle (file image)

Dr Matthew Golden with the health departments HIV/STD program says the cluster is unusual and worrying and says the numbers suggest an increase in HIV among heterosexuals who inject drugs.

In the past decade, an average of 10 heterosexual people who use injection drugs are diagnosed with HIV in the county each year.

This year, so far, 19 people with the same characteristics have been diagnosed - a huge spike from the seven diagnosed last year.

Health officials are increasing outreach and testing, providing case management and continuing to provide needle exchanges.

'I would see this cluster as being the canary in the coal mine but not cause for panic,' Dr Peter Shalit, a primary care physician in private practice told The Times.

'It just sort of reminds us that the epidemic is not over and it's going to pop up in places that were not paying attention to with our prevention efforts.'

HIV TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION You can get or transmit HIV only through specific activities, most commonly through sexual behaviors and needle or syringe use. The FDA has approved more than two dozen antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. They're often broken into six groups because they work in different ways. Doctors recommend taking a combination or 'cocktail' of at least two of them. Called antiretroviral therapy, or ART, it can't cure HIV, but the medications can extend lifespans and reduce the risk of transmission. 1) Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) NRTIs force the virus to use faulty versions of building blocks so infected cells can't make more HIV. 2) Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) NNRTIs bind to a specific protein so the virus can't make copies of itself. 3) Protease Inhibitors (PIs) These drugs block a protein that infected cells need to put together new copies of the virus. 4) Fusion Inhibitors These drugs help block HIV from getting inside healthy cells in the first place. 5) CCR5 Antagonist This stops HIV before it gets inside a healthy cell, but in a different way than fusion inhibitors. It blocks a specific kind of 'hook' on the outside of certain cells so the virus can't plug in. 6) Integrase Inhibitors These stop HIV from making copies of itself by blocking a key protein that allows the virus to put its DNA into the healthy cell's DNA. Advertisement

The number of heterosexuals with the virus suggests it may be spreading to new populations.

'I don't think that will happen here,' Dr Shalit, who has been treating HIV patients since the 1990s, told The Times.

'We have a fabulous health department here and we learned from the situation in Indiana where it was allowed to get out of control.'

Worldwide, more than 35 million people are infected with HIV, the virus that leads to the potentially deadly disease AIDS.

Once a person contracts HIV, the virus sets about attacking and destroying immune cells that normally protect the body from infection.

Understanding of how to control HIV, a disease whose death rate has plummeted since its peak in the early 1980s, has increased over the last several years.

The CDC recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once.

Those who are at higher risk, including men who have sex with men or those who have a sexual partner who is HIV positive, should be tested as often as once a year or more.

However, new report from the agency released in June found that those at high risk of HIV are not being tested as regularly as they should be.

A team of scientists found that the average length of time between two tests for high risk persons was 512 days, or almost a year-and-a-half.

Mitchell Warren, of AVAC, an HIV prevention organization, told DailyMail.com in June that it is critical to be aware of your at-risk status.

'We use many terms of being at-risk such as "gay man in NYC" or "pregnant woman in Africa" but you may not think you are at risk or think about yourself at risk,' he said

Warren said that there is still stigma that surrounds the disease so people may not be willing to openly discussing their at-risk status with their doctors.

'People don't know their risk, perceive their risk or want to talk about it because there is still some cultural discrimination that surrounds it, and that's not going to disappear overnight just because we have a pill that can treat HIV,' he said.

'People are not dying from HIV in the numbers they were 20 or 30 years ago, but we still have an epidemic. We can stop it and can get ahead of it, but it takes health professionals and individuals talking about being at-risk openly and honestly.'
Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels who's weighing a 2020 White House bid, is holding a 'resistance rally' in Texas the same night President Donald Trump will be campaigning for his former rival, Sen. Ted Cruz.

Details haven't been announced - for either event - except that it will happen sometime in October, when the campaign season is in high gear.

'I am excited to announce that I will be leading a large resistance rally in Texas at the exact same time of Trump's (details tba). All groups are welcome to join. We must fight fire with fire and we must send a message that we will fight to make America America again. #Basta,' Avenatti wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

Michael Avenatti is holding a 'resistance rally' in Texas the same night President Donald Trump campaigns for Sen. Ted Cruz

Michael Avenatt arrives to speak at the Hillsborough County Democrats' Summer Picnic fundraiser in Greenfield, N.H.

President Trump says he'll stump for his one-time opponent Ted Cruz in Texas

Avenatti is weighing a 2020 White House bid

Avenatti is considering a bid to be the Democratic White House nominee in 2020. He's been to the early battle ground states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

And he's been setting himself up as a political rival to Trump.

Trump said on Friday that he would be campaigning for Cruz, with whom he had a bitter battle in 2016 for the GOP presidential nomination, in the 'biggest stadium' he could find.

'I will be doing a major rally for Senator Ted Cruz in October. I'm picking the biggest stadium in Texas we can find,' Trump tweeted. 'As you know, Ted has my complete and total Endorsement. His opponent is a disaster for Texas - weak on Second Amendment, Crime, Borders, Military, and Vets!'

Cruz had all but begged Trump to campaign for him in Texas, where he's been the junior senator since 2013.

'I would certainly welcome his support, and I hope to see him in Texas,' he said, according to the Dallas Morning News, last month.

The freshman senator told the Houston Chronicle he'd spoken to the president about campaigning for him ahead of the mid-terms.

'I think we are likely to see the president down in Texas before the election,' he said.

Cruz is locked in an unusually competitive general election race with Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who is drawing comparisons to a young Barack Obama.

Avenatti, meanwhile, is balancing time on the cable news circuit as his client sues Trump and the political trail.

Michael Avenatti speaks at the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding in August

Trump and Cruz had an especially nasty fight on the 2016 campaign trail

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is in a surprisingly tough reelection bid

He attended the Hillsborough County Democrats' Summer Picnic fundraiser in Greenfield in August in New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state.

Avenatti also recently visited Iowa, which holds the caucuses that signal the beginning of the presidential nomination process.

'I'm exploring a run for the presidency of the United States, and I wanted to come to Iowa and listen to people and learn about some issues that are facing the citizens of Iowa and do my homework,' he told the Des Moines Register at the time.

During his trip to the Iowa State Fair - a must-stop on the presidential campaign trail - Avenatti dismissed concerns he's is contemplating a run for publicity's sake.

'I would never think to come to Iowa in order to use the state or the people of the state to raise my profile,' he said. 'And obviously, if I do this, then I intend to work hard, and I know that ultimately the trust of the citizens of Iowa is going to have to be earned.'

Cruz faces a tough challenge from Democratic lawmaker Beto O'Rourke

Trump said Friday that he would be campaigning for Cruz

Avenatti came to national attention as the lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels

Avenatti has gained national attention for representing Daniels in her lawsuit against Trump following an alleged 2006 affair, which the president denies.

Avenatti tweeted in July that he would challenge Trump in 2020 if 'no other candidate in the race that has a REAL chance at beating him. We can't relive 2016. I love this country, our values and our people too much to sit by while they are destroyed.'

Like Trump, Avenatti is a brash political outsider with a natural talent for cable television news, a blistering Twitter feed and a knack for a catchy slogan. He turned those tools against Trump as he represents Daniels and a growing list of critical clients.
The body of a 21-year-old MS-13 gang member was found buried in a shallow grave in Long Island this week and cops say he was slaughtered for being an informant.

Carlos Rivas-Majano, 21, of Uniondale, went missing last August but his body was found on Wednesday in a foot-and-a-half deep grave in East Meadow behind Kellenberg Memorial High School.

He was stabbed, slashed, and hacked to death with a machete on August 13, 2017 for being an informant and cooperating with authorities, police say.

His body went unnoticed for a year until Nassau officers acted on tips that led to the grisly discovery, according to News12.

The body of MS-13 gang member Carlos Rivas-Majano, 21, (left) was found in a shallow grave in East Meadow, Long Island on Wednesday. On Thursday fellow gang member Carlos Benitez-Hernandez (right) was charged with his murder

While the motive behind the killing is under investigation, cops speculate he was murdered due to 'the gang's displeasure with his actions within the group or something that they felt was disrespectful to them or a threat to them,' homicide squad commander De. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said to Newsday.

'This is still an active investigation. We are not going to give any additional details at this time,' Det. Vincent Garcia, a Nassau police spokesman, said Friday.

Three law enforcement sources confirmed that Rivas-Majano was an informant to Newsday.

Court records show that Rivas-Majano was arrested when he was 19 in May 2015 on multiple weapon charges after he was allegedly found with a loaded semiautomatic gun in his waistband. On his arrest paperwork it said he was 'not a legal citizen of the United States'.

However in March 2016 he got a deal where he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to jail time, but the court proceedings and transcript were sealed.

Cops say Rivas-Majano was lured to the grave site last August and was 'viciously and barbarically' attacked by at least five MS-13 gang members.

Cops found his body on Wednesday after following tips and discovered his remains nearly one year after Rivas-Majano was hacked to death, pictured above at the site of the shallow grave

On Thursday cops charged Benitez-Hernandez with second degree murder and they have four other alleged suspects in custody as well, though they are yet to be identified

On Thursday admitted MS-13 gang member and undocumented immigrant Carlos Benitez-Hernandez was charged with second degree murder in Rivas-Majano's death.

Police say they have four other suspects in federal or county custody, but they have not identified them.

Benitez-Hernandez, also of Uniondale, pleaded not guilty in a Hempstead district court arraignment to Rivas-Majaon's murder. He was ordered to be held without bail.

Cops say he 'is a self-admitted MS-13 member' from El Salvador. When he was arrested he was already in federal custody on an immigrant detainer.

He also has 'a violent criminal history, with weapons, gang assault and intimidating a victim' in his background, according to homicide squad commander Fitzpatrick. He had just been paroled before the murder last year.

Rivas-Majano's body was discovered as a joint probe by Nassau authorities, the federal Department of Homeland Security and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ten homicides in Nassau County have been attributed to MS-13 since 2016, including six cases where victims were buried, cops say.

Police say these killings often unfold in the same disturbing fashion where victims are lured to a wooded area.

'That person has been almost lowered into false sense of security, going in to smoke marijuana, hang out, have a little meeting. They just don't know that in that particular case they're marked for death,' Fitzpatrick said to ABC.
Natasha Horne, from Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last October but was reluctant to take the insulin injections she needed to manage it

A 20-year-old woman who refused to follow medical advice about her diabetes saying she 'didn't do needles' has died after suffering a suspected diabetic coma.

Natasha Horne, from Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last October but was reluctant to take the insulin injections she needed to manage it.

Known as Tasha, the former school prom queen kept her diagnosis secret from her friends, missed doctor's appointments and refused to wear a medical ID bracelet to alert people to her condition.

Her heartbroken parents, Jackie, 43, and Stephen, 44, who are aiming to raise awareness of diabetes issues, said they had noticed the signs of diabetes when their daughter suddenly lost weight.

Jackie, a pharmacy manager, persuaded her to be tested for diabetes after noticing her daughter was losing weight, suffering excessive thirst and frequently going to the toilet during the night.

Within hours, on October 16 last year, she had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, as her body was not producing enough insulin to combat ketones - organic compounds which usually lie dormant but can attack the body.

While staying overnight at a friend's house on Saturday, August 22, Tasha died after a suspected diabetic coma.

Type 1 diabetes is manageable with regular insulin injections but although Tasha was cooperative at the start, she quickly retreated, saying: 'I don't do needles'.

Not even a special cannula, meaning she didn't have to insert the needle directly into the skin, helped her take the injections.

Jackie and rig worker Stephen said the weight loss, and the compliments she received, clouded her judgement and made her mistakenly wary of putting weight back on by injecting.

Her mother, who had wondered if she was using drugs, said: 'For a girl covered in tattoos and piercings, she hated needles. And she was stubborn. If she didn't want to do something, she wouldn't do it.

The heartbroken parents of 20-year-old Tasha, pictured with boyfriend Jordan Rich, said their daughter 'thought she was invincible' and had said that she 'didn't do needles'

What are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the insulin producing cells in the pancreas to be destroyed, preventing the body from being able to produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. If the amount of glucose in the blood is too high, it can, over time, seriously damage the body's organs. Patients diagnosed with type 1 are treated with insulin. It has sometimes be referred to as juvenile diabetes, but the term regarded as outdated because the condition can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes is a condition which causes a person's blood sugar to get too high. Over 4 million people in the UK are thought to have some form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight and you may be more likely to get it if it's in the family. The condition means the body does not react properly to insulin  the hormone which controls absorption of sugar into the blood  and cannot properly regulate sugar glucose levels in the blood. Excess fat in the liver increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as the buildup makes it harder to control glucose levels, and also makes the body more resistant to insulin. Weight loss is the key to reducing liver fat and getting symptoms under control. Advertisement

'But we were getting so concerned because of the rapidity of the weight loss. She lost around half her body weight in two to three months. And she went from a size 22 to a size 10 in six months but she didn't see it as wrong.'

Stephen said: 'She just didn't understand the severity of the consequences of not taking it.'

With her body short of the insulin it needed, she had three life-threatening DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) attacks.

After the third on June 8 this year, a desperate Jackie tried to persuade her by taking her five-year-old sister Scarlett to see her in hospital.

Jackie said: 'I told her, you are not leaving us to sit with your little sister to tell her that her best friend is no longer here. She said she was going to change.

'But she was 20 - she'd passed the legal age, so it was all on her. We didn't get the phone calls or letters to say she was missing medical appointments. And apart from physically pinning her down, we couldn't do any more to get her to take it.

'And hardly any of her friends knew. She wouldn't wear her medical ID bracelet so if they were on a night out and she fell ill.

'She always thought it would never happen to her. She just didn't want to accept what she had - she was willing to take the risk.

'She thought she was invincible - she lived life her way.'

She said: 'She was opinionated but she'd do anything for anybody. If friends didn't have money for lunch at school, she'd buy it for them because she'd rather go without.

'Everybody knew her. She did what she did and people knew the way she was.'

Mourners attending her funeral on Thursday will get a Diabetes UK 'blue ribbon' to wear as the family aims to raise funds for diabetes research.

Jackie said: 'We've got to focus on this now - even if it's to help the younger generation appreciate the seriousness of it, and not to feel it's something to be embarrassed about.

'It's all about acceptance and education. You can get it any time in life and it doesn't have to be hereditary. Even adults are approaching me saying 'I didn't know you could die from diabetes.

'We tried everything we could. Now, while we can't bring her back, we can help make people aware.'
The British mother who has been jailed in Iran since 2016 threatened to go on a hunger strike, her husband has said.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for spying, but maintains her innocence, saying she was on holiday to introduce her daughter to her family in Iran.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 40, made the desperate threat last week while on her way back to Evin prison in Tehran after a three-day release.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, told Sky News that their family managed to talk her out of it.

During the release, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was reunited with her four-year-old daughter Gabriella.

Mr Ratcliffe also praised Jeremy Hunt in the interview, who recently took over from Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British mother who has been jailed in Iran since 2016 for spying, threatened to go on hunger strike last week. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe made the threat on her way back to prison in Tehran after a three-day release

During the release, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was reunited with her four-year-old daughter Gabriella. Pictured: mother and daughter saying goodbye

He said: 'I wanted him to make her a priority - it feels like he has. He's issued statements saying he thought she was innocent. He's been as strong as we could have wanted.

'It feels like she's got a big brother in the playground. It feels like we've got a more strident tone being taken from the Foreign Secretary.'

The news comes days after Mr Ratcliffe revealed his wife was deeply upset at being forced back to prison after the release, which he branded a 'cruel game'.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe passed out during a panic attack shortly after being returned to captivity, but is now doing 'much better'.

'She said today she was feeling stronger, that she still had a few days where she was still feeling numb in her legs and dizzy and headaches - but that it was markedly better today and had been gradually getting better all week,' Mr Ratcliffe told Sky News.

'There was a family visit later on and they said that actually she was quite angry which is probably a good sign that the overwhelming experience of the past week is catching up and now the unfairness of it was coming through.'

Mr Ratcliffe said their daughter Gabriella was 'really upset' after her mother was returned to prison.

Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, has praised Jeremy Hunt who recently took over from Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary

'She wouldn't sleep and wouldn't settle and wouldn't eat, but now it's back into the rhythm of she sees her mum,' he added.

'Again, she was asking when is mummy coming home and when are you coming home and asking me on the phone yesterday when are you going to come and visit.'

In an open letter to Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif earlier this, he said: 'As Nazanin was being released, her interrogator called her father to privately warn him that the British Embassy should not visit her, if she wanted to stay safe.

'Each day he called to note they were monitoring her movements, and check her father was following her to make sure she did not suffer an accident on the street. Those calls cast a shadow over her release, as they were meant to.

'Nazanin called me on Tuesday - one of our toughest conversations.

'She wished she had never been released. She said she felt like one of the radical Islamists' captives - as though she had been paraded on the balcony then hidden back away.

'After that call, Nazanin collapsed, the result of two panic attacks. She still has numbness in her legs. She was taken by ambulance to the Evin hospital.'

Mr Ratcliffe called on Mr Zarif to meet him next week at a UN summit in New York to discuss his wife's case.

Middle East minister Alistair Burt held talks with Iranian deputy foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran about the situation earlier this week.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has promised to heighten efforts aimed at securing the British-Iranian's release after she passed out during a panic attack and had to be taken to a prison clinic earlier this week.
Candi Nicole Johnson, 34, lashed out during her court appearance on Sunday

A Florida woman accused of shooting the foster mother of her two children has been ordered to be detained without bond.

But as Candi Nicole Johnson, 34, was ordered to stay away from her children in a court on Sunday, she erupted in outrage and lashed out at the judge.

She was charged with attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, two counts of kidnapping with domestic violence, and one count of armed burglary, according to NBC Miami.

At first Johnson hung her head as she was brought into court sitting in a wheelchair.

'Corrections; do you have an indication  is she medicated? She is not? So she's just looking down because she wants to? ... It's not that she's looking down due to medication, correct?' Judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen asks in the courtroom video.

'She's just refusing communication at this time, judge,' a corrections officer responds.

Then Ruiz Cohen reads out her order.

At first Johnson appeared in court with her head hung and in silence. But when Judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen barred her from seeing her children, she lashed out

When Ruiz Cohen says: 'You must stay at least 500 feet away from all three victims' Johnson looks up in shocks and says 'You're getting to be really aggravating'

'If for any reason in the future you're given a bond, you must stay at least 500 feet away from all three victims - I see that you're looking up,' Judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen said shocked with Johnson's reaction.

Upon hearing her order she looked up and said 'You're getting to be really aggravating' before the public defender quickly shut off her microphone.

Ruiz Cohen seemed concerned with Johnson's angry reaction but said 'I understand' and continued to read out the order that banned her from going near the victims and from bearing a firearm.

All the while Johnson is seen ranting incessantly, but no one can hear her, showing a drastic change in behavior from her initial silence.

At the end of the video Ruiz Cohen repeats: 'Yes I have now ordered her and I see that she's looking up at the court. I've ordered her to stay away from all three victims.'

Upon hearing those words, Johnson seems to blurt out the f-word.

Eventually she is wheeled away, still ranting at the judge.

Immediately after her comment her public defender turned off her microphone but she continued to rant to herself, clearly upset about her order

On Friday an armed duo broke into the home of her children's foster mom Wendy Edmond, 77, and shot her multiple times then took the kids. Cops found the kids in Johnson's home but she doesn't have legal custody of them

She is charged with attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, two counts of kidnapping with domestic violence, and one count of armed burglary, pictured above being angrily wheeled out of court on Sunday

On Friday August 31 an armed woman and a man entered the home where Johnson's biological children - a five-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy - lived with their foster family in Miami-Dade around 5am.

The duo took the children and shot the 77-year-old foster mother Wendy Edmond several times then took off in a white sedan.

The foster mother was taken to Jackson South Medical Center and is in stable condition, according to the Miami Herald.

Cops later found the children in Johnson's home in Miami Shores after the kids were reported missing.

The children were taken into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

'The horrific attack on this foster mother is unfathomable. We have been in contact with the victims family and will continue to provide support as she recovers,' DCF said in a statement.

Johnson does not have legal custody of the children.
A carload of men are on the run after another man was shot dead in the front yard of his home north of Brisbane.

He was shot in the chest after getting into an argument with the group, who went to the Deception Bay property about 11.30pm on Sunday.

'The male resident of the house has received a gunshot wound to the sternum and died at the scene. The men then fled the scene in a vehicle,' police said.

A carload of men are on the run after another man was shot dead in the front yard of his home north of Brisbane

He was shot in the chest after getting into an argument with the group, who went to the Deception Bay property about 11.30pm on Sunday

Police are investigating the scene of the shooting as a carload of men are on the run

Neighbours reported hearing screaming around the time of the shooting

'I woke my husband up because my kids woke up from the noise and we just heard a lot of screaming from the people inside,' a neighbour said

Neighbours reported hearing screaming around the time of the shooting.

'I woke my husband up because my kids woke up from the noise and we just heard a lot of screaming from the people inside,' one woman told The Courier-Mail.

'It's disturbing, scary actually happening right next door.

'It's usually very quiet, we like living here, so it's a bit confronting.'

Homicide detectives have appealed for any witnesses or anyone who might have dashcam or security footage of the crime in Thompson Street, to come forward.

Police could not confirm how many men were involved or reports a woman at the scene tried to save the victim by performing CPR.

People living near the house said the noise coming from the property was 'disturbing'

Homicide detectives have appealed for any witnesses or anyone who might have dashcam or security footage of the crime in Thompson Street
From idea of silkworm making ... weavers

Phung Xa is a traditional craft village on the banks of the Day River. On the land of Ha Tay (old), along with Van Phuc silk village, Phung Xa is known for traditional weaving. The poetic land was oft mentioned poems and songs, as song of the composer Doan Bong: "Your Day River / Moon River or Silk River ...".

Born into a family of four generations of weavers in Phung Xa, when she was a child, Thuan used to pick mulberries, raise silkworms, and weave. She became familiar with the hardship of fabric weaving. Thuan shared that that raising silkworms is more difficult than caring for a child. If you do not love the job, or have the patience, you cannot do this, she said.

The 80s of the last century were the most difficult period of Phung Xa in particular and traditional textile villages in general as the product couldnt be sold and many houses cut down their mulberry orchards to grow other crops, while looms gathered dust. But I'm determined to stay with the craft of four family generations, she said. The difficulties have blown over and the village is revived.

Her production base has created jobs for more than 30 local workers. Many farmers have been instructed to grow mulberries and raise silkworms. However, facing the fierce competition of the market, if there isnt a unique product, it is difficult to make a business viable, causing concern for artisan Thuan. During the first few days of 2010, she came up with the idea: Why not turn the silkworms into "professional weavers"?

From the idea, she spent over a year conducting eight silkworm experiments, with more than a month of staying awake through the night to create a strange silk weaving method. She said that the silkworms would usually nest and then turn into cocoons. But if there is no place to hold them, then they are forced to release the silk into space. Based on that characteristic, she let the silkworm release the silk cord on a flat surface. As a result, after four to five days, the silkworms released their knitting yarns, forming a flat cocoon. The pods would then be boiled for four hours and processed to create the smooth material  a firmly bonded silk product which is better than that produced by the fine-tuning technique. Products such as pillows, suits, hats and scarfs are designed from this silk. They are durable, have a beautiful form and a fair price. The initiative for the self-weaving silkworm brought her the first prize in the nationwide contest of creative farmers in 2015, organised by the Vietnam Farmers' Association.

.to determination of making lotus silk

In early 2017, someone went to a small village in Myanmar and witnessed the local people weaving silk from the lotus stalk. All of their products were bought by a French designer at a very high price. After returning to Vietnam, the person suggested that Phan Thi Thuan makes that kind of silk. She said "At first, I was not going to weave that kind of silk. But she thought that if other people could do it, she could do. She spent nearly a month trying to produce the lotus silk thread.

Along with normal silk, the craftsmen were trained in the making silk lotus method by artisan Thuan. The lotus stalks should be processed within 24 hours, because if the stalk is dry, the silk will be completely ruined. On average, a worker draws a silk thread from roughly 260 lotus stalks, collecting about 170 metres of silk thread. A lotus stalk contains about 30 tiny threads. It is necessary to have 1,200 lotus stalks to weave almost 10,000 metres of yarn. In order to weave one meter of silk, about 15,000 lotus stems are required. All of the steps are implemented entirely by hand.

Each lotus thread is 10 times smaller than the strand of hair. As a result, the step of drawing silk thread is important, requiring meticulous and skillful workmanship.

Unlike normal silk, which can be exposed to the sun, lotus silk is only exposed in the shade, in an airy place so it does not lose its characteristic scent and the silk cord does not dry out when weaving silk.

If the product is developed, it will create jobs for many labourers and make full use of the lotus stalks after harvesting the flowers. With lotus silk, many souvenir items and gifts for international delegations are expected to be produced. It will be a very meaningful gift because it is purely Vietnamese. However, nowadays, weaving lotus silk is completely handmade. Artisan Thuan said that some partners have contacted her to cooperate in producing lotus silk, but as of yet there arent any concrete results.

The future of lotus silk still lies ahead. At present, the production is based on the banks of the Day River, and the outstanding artisan Phan Thi Thuan still forgets herself in making lotus silk.
Samantha Cameron has said her husband David looked horrified when she said she might give up work to raise their children.

In a revealing interview, Mrs Cameron told how the former prime minister has always supported her career and they are good at operating as a team.

The 47-year-old founder of fashion label Cefinn has also opened up about the trials of living at No 10 and how it was lovely to move out after six years.

Mrs Cameron said: I think I always worked all the way through our relationship. There were moments obviously when I first had children where I would go, Oh darling, I think I might give up work and he looked very horrified because he thought I would become someone, not the person that he knew and was used to.

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In a revealing interview, Samantha Cameron told how husband David Cameron has always supported her career and they are good at operating as a team

Mrs Cameron, 47, founder of fashion label Cefinn, aid juggling being a mother and having a career is made easier by Mr Cameron, 51, who does his fair share around the house

Im lucky that I have a husband who is very supportive of my career, whatever form it takes, and likes the fact that I work.

The fashion designer said juggling being a mother and having a career is made easier by Mr Cameron, 51, who does his fair share around the house.

In an interview with podcast Its a Grown Up Life, aimed at women in midlife, Mrs Cameron said: The other thing where Im really lucky with Dave is that were very good at operating as a team.

You shouldnt have to row about whos getting up to look after the kids that day or whos doing the washing up. Its that acknowledgement that Ive just cooked supper so youll do the washing up. I went to the last parents evening so you go to the next one.

I think Im lucky that I have a husband who is quite aware of doing his fair share of everything that goes on at home whether thats childcare or housework.

I mean hes really messy, it tends to go that he does all the cooking and shopping.

Hes a very enthusiastic cook and I do the tidying and then we share the childcare equally between us.

Its recognising that were a team thats quite evenly split.

The former PM is pictured leaving No 10 Downing Street for the last time in 2016. Mrs Cameron revealed in an interview that her husband has always supported her career

Mrs Cameron said life in Downing Street was happy but it was lovely to move back home after six years in the public eye.

Her husband announced he was to step down as prime minster in June 2016, the day after the UK voted to leave the EU. The politician and his family left No 10 the following month.

When we did move [back] home, it happened very quickly which I think is quite a good thing, Mrs Cameron said.

I was told on the Monday that we were moving out, it was just after Andrea Leadsom had stood down from the Tory leadership campaign, and we thought we wouldnt move out until September and this was in July and Dave rang me.

It was a really busy week at work and he rang me on the Monday afternoon and he said, Darling, were moving out on Wednesday.

Moving back home was lovely. I think the children, particularly the older ones, were beginning to feel the strain of having a parent who obviously everybody knows who they are and they have a huge responsibility to peoples lives and the country so for them, that eased the pressure as they were heading into being teenagers.

Mrs Cameron, who loves running and yoga, said being fit gives her stamina but she revealed she is a terrible cigarette addict.

When asked about her most important piece of advice, she said: Dont start smoking cigarettes, thats what I say to my daughter the whole time.

Im afraid Im a terrible cigarette addict.

I dont smoke 90 per cent of the time and then I have little phases when I do and I think why did I start? Its just terrible.

Listen to the podcast here.
Britain has deployed 440 more troops to Afghanistan amid concerns about a Manchester-style terror attack plotted from the country.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said he is consistently receiving intelligence showing that terrorist groups in Afghanistan have links back to Britain.

He admitted that Islamic State fanatics operating out of the country now pose a real threat to the safety of people on British streets.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said he is consistently receiving intelligence showing that terrorist groups in Afghanistan have links back to Britain

Britain has deployed 440 more troops to Afghanistan amid concerns about a Manchester-style terror attack plotted from the country

And he said an enduring threat remains from Al-Qaeda, the terror group behind the 9/11 attacks.

Speaking during a visit to the country, Mr Williamson said: We are consistently seeing terrorist groups operating here in Afghanistan  evidence of them links back not just to the United Kingdom but to the whole of continental Europe.

'What we see is a real threat posed by these groups to the United Kingdom and we have got to be acting as we are to ensure that we do not see future Manchester-style attacks.

'This is why we have chosen to act as we have, by increasing the troop numbers here in Afghanistan because we recognise the fact that we are dealing with groups such as IS, such as Al-Qaeda, which wish to do Britain harm.

There are fears IS jihadists in Afghanistan could attempt terror attacks like the Manchester Arena bombing in May last year, in which Salman Abedi detonated a shrapnel-laden bomb that killed 22 people and wounding 139 after an Ariana Grande pop concert.

There are fears IS jihadists in Afghanistan could attempt terror attacks like the Manchester Arena bombing in May last year

The extra 440 British troops will take the total in the country to around 1,100 and their mission is to train local Afghan forces as part of a Nato coalition.

British combat troops pulled out of the country in 2014. This year has also seen a spike in civilian deaths, including more than 100 killed by a bomb in an ambulance in Kabul in January.

Over the past two years, IS has established a new foothold in Afghanistan as its caliphate has crumbled in Iraq and Syria.

Last month, the Afghan ambassador to Britain said some IS fanatics in the country had British passports.

Said Jawad said the number of British citizens fighting for the group in Afghanistan had not yet reached the hundreds, but gave no more details.

During a three-day trip to Afghanistan, Mr Williamson visited bases and checkpoints in the capital Kabul and in Mazar-i-Sharif in the north of the country. He also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Mr Williamson also used his trip to accuse Russia of acting as a disruptor to peace in the war-torn country.

Salman Abedi detonated a shrapnel-laden bomb that killed 22 people and wounding 139 after an Ariana Grande pop concert

Asked if there was evidence of Moscow meddling in Afghanistan to destabilise the Western coalition and its partnership with the Afghan government, he said: Yes. Were seeing a much greater interest from Russia in Afghanistan and Afghan affairs. I would describe it as them wanting the Nato mission to fail.

It is claimed that Russia supplies Iran with arms, knowing they are ending up in the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Russian ministers have also invited the Taliban to Moscow for peace talks, undermining a process supposed to be led by the Afghan government, supported by Western allies.

Armoured vehicles designed to protect UK troops from roadside bombs in Afghanistan suffer regular breakdowns, it has emerged.

A fleet of 55 Foxhounds costing 1million each are used in Kabul, but at least one fails each week. Major Andy Brown, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, said the figure was definitely not something we like.

However, an Army spokesman said the Foxhound has saved countless lives.
The organiser of an event which sparked a wild brawl and left a teenager fighting for life warned revellers 'violence will not be tolerated'.

Up to 200 youths, mostly African and Pacific Islander Australians, were involved in the melee which spilled on to the street from the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood, Melbourne, in the earlier hours of Sunday morning.

'During the affray, a car has collided with a number of parked cars on Mater Street and pinned one person against the parked vehicle,' police Commander Tim Hansen said.

'He sustained a serious leg injury.'

The organiser of an event which sparked a wild brawl and left a teenager fighting for life warned revellers 'violence will not be tolerated'

Laa Chol (left and right) died at a party she attended in Melbourne in late July. It is not known if Sunday's violence was a revenge attack over her death

In a Facebook post on Friday, event organiser J-Nelly said he had met with 'federal detectives, who are very concerned with the energy, which they have related to the latest sparks of new reports degrading the African community as dangerous thugs'.

'Be mindful of your surroundings and understand violence will not be tolerated,' he wrote in the post.

'United we stand, so by me saying that means if you have an issue with an individual let it be, and move away. A moment of anger isn't worth a lifetime of bad labelling.

'I'm not bothered by any of it because I know each and every single individual who is coming the show is a very mature an intellectual young adult, so let's put that aside and think of one thing and one only... turning the f*** up and good vibes.'

In a Facebook post on Friday, event organiser J-Nelly said he had met with 'federal detectives'

Blood is seen on a car at the scene after the car smashed into parked cars in the early hours of Sunday

Police were told more than a week earlier that violence may erupt at the 66 Records launch party, but didn't respond because the force didn't want to cause angst at the event, according to The Age.

The man hit by the car is believed to have been with the teenager accused of the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Laa Chol on the night of her death in July, according to the paper.

It is unknown if the brawl was a revenge attack for the alleged murder.

Sources told the Herald Sun detectives were aware of the event, but didn't provide extra resources.

Commander Hansen insisted there had been no intelligence in the lead-up that it was going to be a high-risk event and the escalating behaviour came out of left field.

The 18-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition in The Alfred hospital.

Six other people were also injured in the brawl while three cars were damaged, and police are still searching for the instigators.

Another 18-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, but was released without charge.

A car ploughed into the crowd of 200 people and injured an 18-year-old man in inner Melbourne on Sunday

Ms Chol, 19, died at a party she attended on the 56th floor of the EQ Tower on A'Beckett Street in Melbourne in late July.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with Ms Chol's murder and a 16-year-old boy has been charged with being an accessory to murder and assault.

It is not known if the brawl had been payback for her death.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the injured man had any involvement in any capacity with Ms Chol's death, or any wrongdoing on the night of her death.

'We have one main offender who was the driver of the car,' Commander Tim Hansen said

The man hit by a car in Melbourne had reportedly been with a teenager who allegedly stabbed Laa Chol (pictured) to death on the night she died

Meanwhile, a witness to Sunday morning's brawl said he watched a car do a U-turn before the driver accelerated towards the crowd of about 200 people.

'Everyone was screaming - I didn't see the impact but it was clear he wanted to annihilate people,' they told the Herald Sun.

'He was going at a blistering pace and he was f***ing aiming for people straight at them.'

Police are pictured at the scene. They blocked Smith Street in both directions between Alexander Parade and Hotham Streets on Sunday morning

The man described the brawl as 'like a cyclone coming down the street'.

Commander Hansen said there was 'angst inside the premise which spilled onto the streets'.

'We have one main offender who was the driver of the car,' he said.

'There's potentially some other people who are key persons of interest but I can't get into why they are of interest at the moment.'

A crowd of more than 200 people had spilled onto the streets following a record label launch party

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday the behaviour at the record launch was 'completely unacceptable' with those responsible to be caught and punished.

'Police have more resources than they ever have and ... they have the determination to deal with these gang issues,' he said.

'This is a shocking incident, one that will not be tolerated.'

Opposition spokesman for police Edward O'Donohue said violent riots had become 'all too acceptable', adding the upcoming election was a referendum on safety.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told 3AW Radio on Monday: 'There is a law and order problem in Melbourne, clearly.'
Huma Abedin has returned to Twitter for the first time in two years to pay tribute to Senator John McCain who once defended her when some members of Congress accused her of being part of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The former Hillary Clinton aide honored the late Senator in a tweet on Sunday after attending his funeral in Washington DC.

'Senator McCain once said, 'Our reputations, our character, are the only things we leave behind when we depart this earth',' Abedin tweeted.

'Being in the cathedral celebrating him showed that words can only strive to capture the greatness of his character. What a legacy to leave on this earth.'

Huma Abedin has returned to Twitter for the first time in two years to pay tribute to Senator John McCain on Sunday following his funeral service in Washington DC

Abedin (pictured above) was among the hundreds of mourners at McCain's nationally televised memorial service at Washington's National Cathedral on Saturday

The last time Abedin tweeted was back in July 2016.

McCain took to the Senate floor back in 2012 to slam accusations that Abedin had ties to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

At the time, unsubstantiated allegations had surfaced that Abedin was using her role as Clinton's top aide to infiltrate the US government.

McCain publicly slammed the claims as an 'unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable woman, a dedicated American and a loyal public servant'.

He went on to describe her as an 'intelligent, upstanding, hard-working and loyal servant' of the county and government who had 'devoted countless days of her life to advancing the ideals of the nation she loves and looking after its most precious interests'.

McCain took to the Senate floor back in 2012 (pictured above) to slam accusations that Abedin had ties to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

The former Hillary Clinton aide (above at McCain's funeral) honored the late Senator in a tweet on Sunday after attending his funeral. The last time Abedin tweeted was back in July 2016

'That she has done so while maintaining her characteristic decency, warmth and good humor is a testament to her ability to bear even the most arduous duties with poise and confidence,' McCain said in his floor speech.

'Put simply, Huma represents what is best about America: the daughter of immigrants, who has risen to the highest levels of our government on the basis of her substantial personal merit and her abiding commitment to the American ideals that she embodies so fully.

'I am proud to know Huma and to call her my friend.'

Abedin, who divorced her husband Anthony Weiner last year, was among the mourners at McCain's nationally televised memorial service at Washington's National Cathedral on Saturday.

McCain, who died August 25 aged 81 after a year-long struggle against brain cancer, was laid to rest in a private ceremony on Sunday at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Monika Chetty, 39, died in 2014 when she was attacked with acid

A nurse who was the victim of a fatal acid attack suffered through 'unimaginable' agony for 10 days before she died.

Mother-of-three Monika Chetty, 39, was found crying in pain in bushland at West Hoxton, 40km west of Sydney, on January 3, 2014.

Ms Chetty was rushed to Concord Hospital where she was treated for acid burns to 80 per cent of her body before succumbing to her injuries 28 days later.

Four years after the horrific attack, investigators have urged anyone with information about Ms Chetty or the brutal acid attack to come forward.

Ms Chetty told detectives she was attacked by an unknown person at Bigge Park in Liverpool when she did not give him a cigarette, but officers do not believe her story.

The police believe the mother-of-three was so fearful of her attacker she purposely withheld his identity from the authorities for fear of retribution.

Mother-of-three Monika Chetty, 39, was found crying in pain in bushland at West Hoxton, 40km west of Sydney, on January 3, 2014

'Imagine the pain of a highly corrosive acid, possibly hydrochloric, being thrown on most of your face and body,' Detective Chief Inspector Dean Johnstone said.

'Monika held on in agony for more than a month before her body gave out. We have to find whoever did this.

'This is a personal crime of extreme violence which adds to our belief that she knew who did this to her.'

The police believe Ms Chetty was attacked up to 10 days before she was found, and was sleeping on the streets of Liverpool, Sydney, before she sought refuge in bushland.

'We strongly believe she did know who the attacker was and she was fearful of reprisal if she sought any assistance,' Liverpool City Detective Chief Inspector Dean Johnstone told The Daily Telegraph.

'This is one of the most horrific things I've seen in a long time. We're talking about a woman who was a qualified nurse, had a family life, who then was horrifically attacked. There's a lot of unanswered questions.'

Ms Chetty told detectives she was attacked by an unknown person at Bigge Park in Liverpool when she did not give him a cigarette, but officers do not believe her story (officers search for evidence in Liverpool)

Ms Chetty was rushed to Concord Hospital (pictured) where she was treated for acid burns to 80 per cent of her body before succumbing to her injuries 28 days later

Police also had reason to believe Ms Chetty was not attacked at Bigge Park, as she claimed.

The police found no acid marks at the park, and insisted the amount of acid she was doused with would have left its mark on the ground.

Instead, officers uncovered acid marks at West Hoxton, 10km from Bigge Park, suggesting Ms Chetty used public transport in the days following the attack.

Investigators understand Ms Chetty was involved in a marriage scam and believe it might be connected to the attack.

Investigators also believe the mother-of-three had fallen on hard times and was living on the streets in the years leading up to her untimely death.

Ms Chetty (pictured with her parents) was believed to be living rough in the years leading up to her brutal death

Officers uncovered acid marks at West Hoxton, 10km from Bigge Park, suggesting Ms Chetty used public transport in the days following the attack (police search for evidence in Liverpool)

Instead, officers uncovered acid marks at West Hoxton, 10km from Bigge Park (pictured), suggesting Ms Chetty used public transport in the days following the attack

Detectives said Ms Chetty's children, who tried to reconnect with her before she died, were desperate for answers.

'They're very distraught. In particular, the manner in which it happened and the fact that she was so committed to not saying anything and not getting help that plays on their minds a lot,' Constable Andrew Booth said.

Liverpool City Crime Manager, Dean Johnstone said they were investigating Ms Chetty's behaviour and movements in the lead up to her death.

'Homeless since the breakdown of her marriage and estrangement from her children some time earlier, Ms Chetty repeatedly refused offers of help from those she encountered, only seeking cash,' Detective Chief Inspector Johnstone said.

'Strangers would constantly offer her a bed or a meal but she shunned that assistance.

'We believe she was under some sort of pressure to provide money to someone else at the risk of being harmed.'

Police have urged anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Kristian Stephan (pictured outside court), 38, filmed the legs and feet of young girls 'for his own sexual gratification', the court was told

A bankrupt man with a foot fetish has avoided jail after he was caught filming girls as young as eight in an Aldi store.

Kristian Stephan, 38, filmed the legs and feet of young girls 'for his own sexual gratification' in the supermarket and in the city centre of Solihull, West Midlands, a court was told.

He was spotted by security guards after staff noticed him acting suspiciously and initially thought he was a shoplifter.

Stephan, of Aldridge, Walsall, swerved a jail sentence at Birmingham Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to two counts of outraging public decency.

He was handed a three-year community order - the maximum length available.

The 38-year-old was first spotted acting suspiciously in Shirley's Aldi store on April 19 this year, the court heard.

Magistrates were told staff initially suspected him of being a shoplifter. A PCSO was asked to watch him before staff spotted Stephan on CCTV 'filming a child of around 12 years of age from the waist down'.

The court heard the incident was reported to police but Stephan was not detained at the time.

On May 5, a security guard at Boots saw Stephan bending down near two girls aged around eight and 11, filming them from the waist down on his phone.

David Devine, prosecuting, said: 'He approached Mr Stephan. The guard said he felt shocked and outraged as he has nieces of a similar age. He said he felt sickened by Mr Stephan's behaviour.'

Magistrates were told the guard challenged Stephan, who told him he was doing 'nothing wrong' and he planned to 'delete the video anyway'.

He walked out of the store but was detained and arrested by police who had been called by Boots staff.

Mr Devine said Stephan admitted to both offences at police interview. He also admitted his motives.

'He did it for his own sexual gratification. He told police he had a sexual fetish for feet and that he finds it hard to control his sexual needs.'

Following the Boots incident, police carried out a search of Stephan's property and found a small quantity of cannabis in a plastic box. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of the drug.

A security guard at Boots in Solihull, West Midlands (pictured) saw Stephan bending down near two girls aged around eight and 11, filming them from the waist down on his phone

Stephan, who declined legal representation in court, told magistrates on Tuesday: 'I apologise sincerely. I am having counselling and just trying to change my life around.

'I went bankrupt. That's not an excuse but I was in a rut. In a way, this thing that happened to me, it stopped me going out there again.'

Appearing on Wednesday for sentencing he told magistrates hewas seeing a psychiatrist and working ten hours a day.

He said: 'It is horrendous what I did. I have never done anything like this before. I got myself into a horrendous rut. I have no excuse. There is no excuse for what I have done.'

He had no previous convictions and the court heard he was of previous good character.

Stephan said he did not have a solicitor because he did not want 'someone to make out I have done nothing wrong', but he challenged part of a pre-sentence report presented to the court.

'The report says I am going to be a threat to society but I am not a threat to anyone. I have already promised many people this is not going to happen again,' he said.

He must complete a 60-day rehabilitation order, a 60-day programme to target sexual offending and 100 hours unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay court costs of 185 and an 85 victim surcharge.
The Wisconsin family of five that capsized in a kayak, leaving four family members dead and the mother as sole survivor, had barely any chance of surviving according to an expert.

Eric Fryman, 39, and his three children, Kyra, nine, Annaliese, five, and Jansen, three, were found dead in the frigid water of Lake Superior Thursday.

But it's a miracle the children's mother, Cari Mews-Fryman, 29, survived the freezing temperatures in the largest of the Great Lakes says a man familiar with the area.

Erik Fryman, 39, was identified as the deceased father by the Ashland County Sheriff's Office. He was found on Thursday night along with two of his children in Lake Superior. The last child was found on Monday morning

Bob Krumenaker, superintendent of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, said although it's a beautiful area, there's a reason people don't kayak through the water

The dad and three children passed away despite all of them wearing life jackets at the time.

However, Coast Guard officials think hypothermia played a part in the deaths, more specifically for the younger members of the family.

Bob Krumenaker, superintendent of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, urged people hearing about the story to learn from the experience.

'This is a good place to learn. In some ways, it's probably the safest part of Lake Superior to do this in," he told the Star Tribune. 'That doesn't mean it's Lake Minnetonka.

'Some of the places that people want to go kayaking are incredibly attractive but also deceptively dangerous. This particular incident happened in a place that is not often traversed by people on kayaks, and for good reason.'

The relatives from Loyal, Wisconsin, were traveling from Madeline Island in an open-top tandem boat Thursday aiming to get across the 4-mile (6 kilometer) stretch of water to Michigan Island.

The only person to survive the near Madeline Island accident was his wife and mother of the children, 29-year-old Cari Mews

But tragedy struck when their 13-foot (4-meter) kayak flipped in strong winds.

Krumenaker was part of the rescue effort after the mother contacted her sister to say there had been an emergency.

He believes the undeveloped Apostle Islands, which boast rocky shorelines, plenty of forest and long distances between each island, may have looked beautiful but are in fact not safe for amateurs to explore alone.

'Some of the places that people want to go kayaking are incredibly attractive but also deceptively dangerous,' he said. 'This particular incident happened in a place that is not often traversed by people on kayaks, and for good reason.'

He added that the fast and strong gusts were predicted the day of the tragedy.

Gail Green, director of Living Adventure, who gives kayak tours of the Apostle Islands, added that their boat was not ideal for the conditions at the time.

Mews sister knew that the couple and their children - nine, six and three years old - were on vacation at Madeline Island

She and Krumenaker told the Minnesota publication that sea kayaks have spray decks and sometime rudder to keep out extra water and guide the boat.

As well as food,flares and radios to keep in contact with people on landed, a wet suit is recommended to help ward of cold temperatures.

'When people come up here, they have to really shift their frame of reference," she said. 'Once you leave land and head out to the islands, everything steps up.'

Instead, Green recommends a guided tour for people who aren't familiar with the area at first.

Her company had stopped renting boats out to people of various levels of experience, prior to the tragedy.

'We can't give people enough information in three hours to make them safe out there on their own,' she added. 'It's so worth just paying for a guided trip your first time.

'There's a big reward for paddling up in Lake Superior. But it's not free. You need to do the work to be safe.'

Authorities state that all five family members had on life jackets and it is possible that hypothermia had a hand in the accident. The children pictured

Fryman was identified as the deceased father by the Ashland County Sheriff's Office. He was found along with two of his children and the last child was found on Monday morning.

The only person to survive the near Madeline Island accident was his wife.

She was rescued by a search and rescue vessel, Ashland authorities explained to WDIO.

'We had multiple assets on scene. We had a small boat station that launched out of Bayfield. Traverse city sent a helicopter over there,' United States Coast Guard Lieutenant Daniel Peters explained.

Rescue efforts began after the children's aunt called police and said that she received 'alarming text messages reading "911" and "Michigan Island"' from her sister.

She knew that the couple and their children were on vacation at Madeline Island.

The mother was found on the west side of the island while her husband and two of her kids were found between midnight and 1am in the water

LaPointe Police on Madeline state that the family had planned to tour the Apostle Islands and had left earlier in the day.

Mews was found at approximately 10pm by a United States Geological Survey vessel after various agencies began a water search and rescue mission. Her Facebook indicates that she is a veteran

Mews was found at approximately 10pm by a United States Geological Survey vessel after various agencies began a water search and rescue mission.

The mother was found on the west side of the island while her husband and two of her kids were found between midnight and 1am in the water.

The third child was found by a National Park Service vessel at around 10am on Friday.

Mews explained that she became separated from the rest of her family after the kayak capsized between Michigan and Stockton Islands.

'The importance of making sure we do a really good job of informing our visitors here of the dangers of this lake. I think that's a responsibility that we all have to take,' said Bayfield resident, Steve Sandstorm.

'It just is so sad. It's been quite awhile since we had anything this tragic in this area.'
Suicide rates among doctors are rising, a medical expert has claimed.

Female doctors have up to four times the risk of suicide compared with the general public, according to Dr Clare Gerada, of the NHS Practitioner Health Programme (PHP). Between 2011 and 2015, 430 doctors took their own lives in England.

Dr Gerada described doctors mental health problems as the last taboo in the NHS on BBC 2s Victoria Derbyshire programme. And she highlighted the negative effect public complaints can have on doctors esteem.

Dr Gerada said PHP was the only confidential service offering doctors a range of assessments and treatments for mental health problems.

But doctors can only self-refer, and therefore maintain confidentiality, if they work in London. Two-thirds of the 5,000 doctors helped by PHP in the last decade were women.
The shocking extent of the threat to children from online sex offenders is revealed today by the Home Secretary.

Thousands of youngsters are in danger of being groomed, exploited and blackmailed by sexual predators on the internet, warns Sajid Javid.

He says at least 80,000 paedophiles are using websites including social media. In a flagship speech today, he will call on technology giants to do more to remove vile photos and videos.

An alarming indication of the scale of the menace to children: The National Crime Agency said the number of tips about online child abuse had risen 700 per cent from 10,384 in 2012 to 82,109 last year Cases involving perverts watching sickening images of very young children and babies being abused have soared; The NCA revealed yesterday that 131 suspects  including a former police officer, five teachers and a children's entertainer  were arrested in one probe New technology to remove indecent images has led to more than 800,000 takedown notices being issued Police recorded an average of 23 child sexual offences involving the internet every day in 2017-18  up from 15 a day the year before 400 predators are arrested a month, helping to safeguard 500 children. Advertisement

Teenagers and young children are being targeted by sex predators over the internet as tips to authorities rocket by 700 per cent

Mr Javid's speech will outline a major change in the official response to an evolving threat, including extra money for investigators.

He will tell an audience of technology bosses, charities and law enforcement chiefs in east London that he is on a personal mission to tackle child sex abuse.

US internet companies  thought to include Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Google, which owns YouTube  are not doing enough to crack down on internet paedophiles, he will say.

According to the NCA there are at least 80,000 people in the UK who 'present some kind of sexual threat' to children online.

This includes 66,000 paedophiles on the sex offenders register at November 2017 and 14,000 who have been arrested, are under investigation or have been convicted of child sex crimes since then. Operational experts believe this is a conservative estimate.

Astonishing 131 child sex suspects arrested in just ONE WEEK Police arrested 131 online child sex suspects in just one week during a nationwide crackdown. Among them were a former police officer, two volunteer police officers, five teachers, a children's entertainer and 13 registered sex offenders. They were held as 225 properties were searched amid fears more than 160 children were at risk from their activities. Investigators warned they were seeing a dramatic increase in offenders using hidden or encrypted software to commit crimes. All the suspects were held for accessing indecent images of children online. Police and child protection charities argue that viewing such images creates a demand for more content  and leads to more children being abused. The National Crime Agency called on the internet industry to do more to help them cut the proliferation of appalling images online. 'The technology exists for industry to design out these offences, to stop these images being shared,' said spokesman Rob Jones. 'While some online platforms have taken important steps to improve safety, we are asking them to take it to the next step, to innovate, to use their brightest minds, and to invest in preventing these online offences from happening in the first place. 'That would significantly reduce the trauma to the victims whose images are shared, prevent other individuals from developing a sexual interest in children through accessing these images, and disrupt the methods used to access them. Securing agreement from industry to do this would represent a monumental landmark in protecting children.' The suspects were arrested in a joint operation led by the NCA and involving forces across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Senior officers fear end-to-end encryption is becoming standard online  making it increasingly difficult to identify and target suspects. Advertisement

A report by the NSPCC two years ago found more than half a million men in Britain may have viewed child sexual abuse on the internet.

The Home Secretary will also say today: 'These people are using encryption and anonymisation tools to make their detection harder than ever before.

'They're jumping from platform to platform, using the dark web and commercial sites, swapping aliases and endlessly creating and then deleting online accounts to try to avoid getting caught.

'These people are as sophisticated as terrorists at hiding their tracks.'

Last year the Home Office announced the investment of 600,000 in Project Arachnid  technology that helps identify and remove abusive material from the internet.

It checks the digital fingerprints of thousands of images every second, triggering alarms when a vile image is copied repeatedly. It then tells technology firms so they can intervene quickly. It has already trawled 1.3billion web pages for suspected child sexual abuse material, analysed 51billion images and issued more than 800,000 takedown notices. Chief Constable Simon Bailey, head of child protection at the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: 'The police response to tackling child abuse online has been robust, but there is a growing need to pursue offenders who pose the most harm to children and are using sophisticated technology to evade detection. Technology plays a significant part in all online investigations and there is an expectation that technology firms acknowledge their social responsibility in preventing and designing out this type of offending from their platforms.

'Only by working collaboratively with technology companies and law enforcement partners will we be able to minimise the risk posed to children online by predatory offenders.'

Susie Hargreaves, of the anti-abuse charity Internet Watch Foundation, said live streaming, encryption and grooming were part of the evolving threat of child sexual abuse online.

She added: 'Sadly, our most recent annual report showed that the severity of the images we identified were up and it appeared that offenders were becoming more sophisticated in their crime.'

Javed Khan of the children's charity Barnardo's said: 'We welcome Sajid Javid's commitment to ramp up the Government's efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Sex offenders were increasingly found to be using encrypted software which means they are harder to track down

'The Government must now deliver its promise to make the UK the safest place to be online by forcing online companies to ensure effective safeguards are in place to help better protect children.

'Any delay to acting now could put a generation of children in danger online.'
Police arrested 131 online child sex suspects in just one week during a nationwide crackdown.

Among them were a former police officer, two volunteer police officers, five teachers, a childrens entertainer and 13 registered sex offenders.

They were held as 225 properties were searched amid fears more than 160 children were at risk from their activities. Investigators warned they were seeing a dramatic increase in offenders using hidden or encrypted software to commit crimes.

All the suspects were held for accessing indecent images of children online.

Police and child protection charities argue that viewing such images creates a demand for more content  and leads to more children being abused.

Children are being targeted online by sex offenders while 131 were arrested on suspicion of looking at indecent images

The National Crime Agency called on the internet industry to do more to help them cut the proliferation of appalling images online.

The technology exists for industry to design out these offences, to stop these images being shared, said spokesman Rob Jones.

While some online platforms have taken important steps to improve safety, we are asking them to take it to the next step, to innovate, to use their brightest minds, and to invest in preventing these online offences from happening in the first place.

Among those arrested in one week were police volunteers and one paid officer

That would significantly reduce the trauma to the victims whose images are shared, prevent other individuals from developing a sexual interest in children through accessing these images, and disrupt the methods used to access them. Securing agreement from industry to do this would represent a monumental landmark in protecting children.

The suspects were arrested in a joint operation led by the NCA and involving forces across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Senior officers fear end-to-end encryption is becoming standard online  making it increasingly difficult to identify and target suspects.
Hosting a reception for the newly-accredited UK Ambassador to Vietnam, Gareth Ward, in Hanoi on September 1, the Party chief stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the position and role of the UK in the international arena.

He hoped that the two countries will enhance coordination, and support each other at international and multilateral forums, saying he backed the development of UK-ASEAN relations.

Congratulating Ward on his new mission in Vietnam, Party General Secretary Trong wished that the diplomat will have a successful tenure in Vietnam, contributing to the thriving Vietnam-UK relations.

Gareth Ward, for his part, affirmed that both countries hold huge potential for cooperation in various sectors, including economy, finance, education, healthcare and defence.

He said he hoped the two nations will ink a bilateral free trade deal soon, and enhance coordination at the United Nations Security Council as well as settlement of regional and global issues.

He asked Vietnam to back the partnership between the UK and ASEAN, and committed to doing his utmost to elevate the relations between the UK and Vietnam in the coming time.
A 14-year-old singing sensation from Hartlepool has taken the US by storm and is on the cusp of taking Americas Got Talents million dollar top prize after being hailed as the new Janis Joplin by Simon Cowell.

Courtney Hadwin has wowed Cowell and his fellow judges in the TV competition and now cant walk down the street without being mobbed by fans.

Last night the 14-year-old told The Mail on Sunday: Its so cool being in Hollywood.

Courtney Hadwin has wowed Cowell and his fellow judges

'After my quarter-final performance last month I left my hotel in LA to get some ice cream to celebrate.

'But as I walked outside, I had so many people stopping me that I ended up having to go back inside. So many people wanted selfies.

Courtney is now home in County Durham but will fly to LA next week for the semi-finals.

She said: I love being on stage and singing but I get so nervous before that I drink lots of water and have to go to the toilet about 100 times.
Former Home and Away actress Tessa James was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at just 23.

And now the starlet has revealed how the surprise diagnosis turned her life upside down, forcing her to enter one of the darkest periods of her life.

Speaking in the October issue of Women's Health magazine, the now 27-year-old said the disease stripped her of certainties.

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'It completely strips you of who you are mentally and physically': Former Home and Away actress Tessa James, 27, has revealed how her cancer diagnosis turned her life upside down

'Going through something like (cancer) strips you of who you are, not only physically but mentally,' she said.

Now in remission for the past three years, the Melbourne-born actress said battling illness made her family closer.

'We were always a close family But it brought us closer in some ways, because they've seen you in places and doing things that no one else has.'

'We were always a close family But it brought us closer in some ways': Tessa said the diagnosis, which saw her undergo a gruelling chemotherapy regime, saw her get closer to her family

The actress, who recently gave birth to son Saynt, went on to say that the illness was all part of her life's journey.

She went on to say that it reminded her to appreciate and be grateful for her life.

In February this year, Tessa took to Instagram to pay tribute to her husband, rugby star Nate Myles, in order to mark her third year in remission from the disease.

Unwavering: The new mother, who announced the birth of son Saynt in February, paid tribute to the support of her husband Nate Myles (pictured) earlier this year

Tessa declared she was 'three years clear and counting' in a heartfelt post with her 107,000 Instagram followers.

She penned with her Instagram followers, '@natemyles 25.02.18 #3yearsclearandcounting.'

The former soap star beat the disease after a gruelling regime of chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis in 2014.

'So much pain and so upset': In the past, the actress has been open about how the diagnosis threw her life into turmoil

Tessa credited her 'wonderful' husband for his incredible support when he stood by her during the challenging time.

In the same month, the beauty told The Herald Sun she credited her husband, who is married in 2011, for his unwavering support.

'I have a lot of help and I have a wonderful husband. I am really healthy and I credit a lot of that to how good I feel. I think that happiness, it says a lot.'

'I hit a point where I didn't know what I was doing, why I was here, what was happening, where my life was going,' the former soap star has been candid about her cancer battle in the past

The Melbourne-based couple were introduced in 2009 by former lovebirds Braith Anasta and Jodi Gordon, when Tessa and Jodi starred on Home and Away together.

In 2016, Tessa discussed her tough battle with cancer when she divulged how she was initially in 'so much pain and so upset'.

'I hit a point where I didn't know what I was doing, why I was here, what was happening, where my life was going,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2016.

'I thought I knew. I was 23, and all this bad stuff was happening. I tried to spiritually find why. I got through it because I had to get through it.
Kathleen Turner's disdain for Hollywood has reached an all-time high.

While talking with The Observer, the 64-year-old actress, best known for her role in 1981's Body Heat, criticized the film industry and its obscene spending.

'The hundreds of millions they spend on films now I find essentially immoral,' the veteran actress said.

Candid: Actress Kathleen Turner criticized the film industry and its obscene spending in a recent interview with The Observer. 'The hundreds of millions they spend on films now I find essentially immoral,' she said

While she believes that men and women should be paid equally, she isn't convinced any actors should charge such astronomical fees for their talents.

'How much money does a person need?' Turner said. 'You can only live in one house at a time. Perhaps they could designate that the studio pay a portion of the fee to an organization or an educational institution.'

Kathleen, whose been acting for decades, is reportedly worth a whopping $20 million dollars.

Throwback: Turner is best known for her role in 1981's Body Heat (Photo taken 1982)

Kathleen's career came to a screeching halt in 1992 when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritisa condition that causes severe pain and swelling in the joints.

'Rheumatoid arthritis hit in my late 30sthe last of my years in which Hollywood would consider me a sexually appealing leading lady,' she told Vulture in a recent profile.

'The hardest part was that so much of my confidence was based on my physicality. If I didnt have that, who was I?'

Opinions: Despite her $20 million net worth, Turner isn't convinced actors should charge such astronomical fees for their talents. 'How much money does a person need?' she told the meida outlet. 'You can only live in one house at a time'

Turner went on to admit that 'rage' has since driven her life and career.

'I'm f**kin' angry, man. About everything. All the injustice in the world,' she told the media outlet.

Kathleen's latest role was in 2017's Another Kind Of Wedding starring Frances Fisher and Kevin Zegers.
Emma Freedman only got married three months ago.

But the bubbly media personality says she and her new husband Charlie Rundle are ready for children.

Speaking with Stellar magazine on Sunday, the 30-year-old stated: 'There's no rush, but why wait? We want kids.'

'Why wait?' Media personality Emma Freedman told Stellar on Sunday that she's ready for to have children with new husband Charlie Rundle (pictured)

Emma further told the publication: 'This time is really precious, it's fun and exciting, and if kids come with that soon-ish, that's amazing. We don't mind.'

The former Channel Nine weather presenter, who is the daughter of thoroughbred racehorse trainer Lee Freedman, also opened up to Stellar about married life.

She says she hasn't noticed many big changes in her relationship with Charlie since tying the knot.

'I know he leaves his dirty socks at the end of the bed!': Emma says there's no 'surprises' after marrying Charlie, as they'd already been living together

'In terms of home life, we've lived together for like three years, there are no surprises. I know he leaves his dirty socks at the end of the bed!' she laughed.

However, she added that there is 'an element of comfort' that comes with married life.

Emma and finance worker Charlie began dating in 2015.

Blushing bride: Emma wore an elaborate A-line gown complete with layers of tulle and intricate detail at her wedding back in June

The pair exchanged 'I dos' before family and friends in a lavish ceremony in Sydney back in June, just five months after they announced their engagement.

Looking simply breathtaking, Emma wore an elaborate A-line gown complete with layers of tulle and intricate detail.

The popular personality currently juggles duties co-hosting Triple M's Grill Team program with work on Fox Sports.
Naomi Watts looked sensational in a semi-sheer Dior gown at the 75th Venice Film Festival on Saturday evening.

The Australian actress, 49, stepped out on the red carpet in the stunning dress from the designer brand's recent Fall 18 Haute Couture show.

She was attending the premiere of Dakota Johnson's new drama, Suspiria, during the fifth day of the festival at the Palazzo del Cinema di Venezia in Lido, Italy.

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Dazzling: Naomi Watts looked sensational in a semi-sheer Dior gown at the 75th Venice Film Festival on Saturday evening

Naomi pulled out all the stops in the metallic embellished dress with suede court shoes.

The star looked radiant as she showed off her legs in the glamorous number which featured semi-sheer panels.

Paying homage to the festival's location, Naomi accessorised with jewels from Italian jeweler Crivelli.

Glowing: The Australian actress stepped out on the red carpet in the stunning dress from the designer brand's recent Fall 18 Haute Couture show

Styled to perfection: Completing the look Naomi wore shoes by Gianvito Rossi

Local designer: Paying homage to the festival's location, Naomi accessorised with jewels from Italian brand Crivelli

Completing the look Naomi wore shoes by Gianvito Rossi.

Ensuring not to distract from the impeccable styling, she tied her hair back in a messy bun - with loose wavy curls framing her flawless face.

A subtle red lip gave the look a pop of colour as she posed for the sea of photographers that had descended upon the event.

Hard working: Naomi's visit to the annual festival is more work than pleasure this time around, after she was announced as one of the festival's jurors

Leading role: The beauty has joined Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro who was appointed as juror president earlier this year

Naomi's visit to the annual festival is more work than pleasure this time around, after she was announced as one of the festival's jurors.

The beauty has joined Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro who was appointed as juror president earlier this year.

Among the industry professionals, other people on the panel include Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi, actresses Sylvia Chang, Nicole Garcia, and Trine Dyrholm, and filmmakers Paolo Genovese and Malgorzata Szumowska.

Talent supporting talent: She was attending the premiere of Dakotha Johnson's new drama Suspiria during the fifth day of the festival at the Palazzo del Cinema di Venezia in Lido, Italy
Labor Day is Monday.

And Reese Witherspoon geared up for the unofficial end of summer with a trip to Gelsons supermarket in the Pacific Palisades Saturday.

The mother-of-three got ready to entertain while wearing a sweet seersucker blouse with blue shorts on bottoms.

Reese Witherspoon looked summer perfect while fetching some groceries and party essentials at Gelsons in the Pacific Palisades Saturday

She shaded herself from the sun with a beachy straw hat covering her blonde locks.

The Draper James co-founder carried an on-trend straw bag from her own line.

The Academy Award winner's tote was embroidered with the phrase 'Howdy' for a bit of Southern charm.

Pulling straw: She shaded herself from the sun with a beachy straw hat covering her blonde locks

Flower power: After some shopping the wife of agent Jim Toth emerged with several bags of groceries and a bouquet of pink blooms

She rounded out her look with Adidas sneakers featuring yellow stripes.

After some shopping the wife of agent Jim Toth emerged with several bags of groceries and a bouquet of pink blooms.

Her son Tennessee offered a helping hand as he pushed their shopping cart to the car.

Running free: Earlier in the day Reese demonstrated how she keeps fit during a jog around LA with a friend

Reese also has a 14-year old son Deacon and 18-year-old daughter named Ava that she shares with ex-huband Ryan Phillippe.

Witherspoon has been married to her CAA agent husband Jim, 48, since 2011.

Reese is getting ready to be back on the small screen. Filming just wrapped on Big Little Lies, which will premiere in early 2019.
High-class escort Samantha X has shared a heartfelt Father's Day tribute to her Instagram followers.

The 44-year-old sex worker, who has two children, posted a lengthy caption alongside a busty selfie.

'To ALL men, single dads, men whose wives have died, men doing it tough, who may not see their kids as much as they would like - today is for you,' she began.

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'Today is for you': High-class escort posts a busty selfie and a heartfelt Father's Day tribute to her followers

'Kids grow up, they will soon understand the complexities of marriage and divorce and will grow out of 'taking sides'.

She added: 'Kids only have one dad. And that's YOU. Happy Father's Day - #singlefather #gentlemen #happyfathersday.'

Tribute: 'To ALL men, single dads, men whose wives have died, men doing it tough, who may not see their kids as much as they would like - today is for you,' she began

In July, Samantha revealed she had returned to sex work after previously vowing to quit for good.

'I've decided to return to the job I love, because of that reason: I love it!' she told The Daily Telegraph.

'I met someone. I gave it my all. I grabbed the chance at love with both hands and I thought I'd found love finally. And then it ended. I was in shock. It didn't work out. And now I'm back doing what I love.'
Meg Ryan was spotted out in New York City on Saturday.

The 56-year-old beauty was joined by her 14-year-old daughter Daisy True - whom she adopted in 2005 - as they stomped the streets of the Big Apple.

And the Sleepless In Seattle star showcased her flair for the casual ensemble as she dressed in a black tee and denim.

Bonding time: Meg Ryan, 56, was spotted out with daughter Daisy True, 14, in New York City on Saturday

Daring to impress, the star swathed her gorgeous gams in a pair of faded denim pants that flared at the bottom.

She paired the low-key look with a set of black sneakers, retro shades, and a black bag strapped across her chest.

Daisy True looked cute as a button in a white tee with star motif as she rocked blue ombre board shorts and a newsie cap.

Meg recently confided in pal Gwyneth Paltrow about her decision to 'quit' acting.

Flair: The Sleepless In Seattle star showcased her flair for the casual ensemble as she dressed in a black tee and denim

Impressive: Daring to impress, the star swathed her gorgeous gams in a pair of faded denim pants that flared at the bottom

The actress joined Gwyneth at her annual Los Angeles In Goop Health Summit last month, telling her she felt she was being 'very reactive instead of proactive.'

Explained Meg as reported by E: 'I didn't really aim to be an actor, I was a journalism major at school, and a curious person, and I wanted to go back out into the world and figure out who I wasamin relationship to other things and other people and other environments.'

While Meg is still acting, she only takes on very occasional projects, with gaps from the screen of up to four years.

Low key: She paired the low-key look with a set of black sneakers, retro shades, and a black bag strapped across her chest

She explained: 'I never wanted to be an actress. The whole idea of being a famous person... I felt like a witness to, I didnt feel exactly in it, and I think that was a really good thing. I felt like a student of it in a way, or that I was watching it in an anthropological way.'

Previously married to actor Dennis Quaid, Meg is also mom to son Jack, whom she shares with her ex.

Meg is currently in pre-production for the television series Picture Paris.
She was previously married to rocker Billy Joel.

And on Saturday, Katie Lee married for a second time, this time to actor-turned-TV producer Ryan Biegel, according to People.

The 36-year-old chef was married 'in a ceremony attended by family and friends and filled with emotion,' according to the publication.

Newlyweds: On Saturday, Katie Lee married for a second time, this time to actor-turned-TV producer Ryan Biegel, according to People. The couple are seen here in 2016

The star of Beach Bites With Kathie Lee spoke to the publication about her engagement to the Cougar Town actor after he popped the question in March during a trip through Europe.

'It was very romantic,' Katie told People.

'Were on the trip, like I kind of thought, "Listen were in Paris and were taking the Orient Express to Venice. If he doesnt propose on this trip, hell really miss a great opportunity."'

As luck would have it, Ryan did propose during the vacation, on their second night at La Reserve Hotel.

White on: The 36-year-old chef was married 'in a ceremony attended by family and friends and filled with emotion,' according to the publication. Seen here in May 2018

The TV personality became Billy Joel's third wife in 2004.

At the time, Katie was 23 and the Piano Man hitmaker was 55.

The couple divorced in 2010.
They were co-stars on ER from 1994 through 1997.

And Eriq La Salle sent out a tweet on Friday after learning of Vanessa Marquez's death.

The 56-year-old actor started his post by saying, 'We tragically lost a member of our ER family.'

Condolences: Eriq La Salle sent out a tweet on Friday after learning of Vanessa Marquez's death

'Vanessa Marquez played a nurse when the show first aired. Sending out condolences to her family and friends.

'May she rest in eternal peace,' added the former ER Star.

While Marquez left the show in 1997, Eriq remained all the way until the show came to an end in 2009.

Police in California who were summoned to perform a welfare check on Marquez on Thursday shot and killed her after they say she threatened them with a realistic-looking BB gun.

The incident began unfolding just before noon when South Pasadena police officers responded to a home in the 1100 block of Fremont Avenue after getting a call about a 49-year-old woman suffering from seizures.

Will be missed: 'Vanessa Marquez played a nurse when the show first aired. Sending out condolences to her family and friends. 'May she rest in eternal peace,' added the former ER Star

Sad day: The 56-year-old actor started his post by saying, ''we tragically lost a member of our ER family'

Sheriffs Homicide Lt Joe Mendoza said the woman, later identified by sources and commenters on Twitter as Marquez, had eating disorders and appeared to be gravely disabled.

Three officers and a mental health care worker who was summoned to the scene spent 90 minutes trying to administer aid to her, during which time Marquez was allegedly 'extremely uncooperative.'

At around 2pm, police say the woman grabbed what looked like a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at the officers, prompting them to open fire on her.

As The South Pasadenan first reported, the Stand and Deliver actress was struck at least once in the torso and taken to a hospital, where she died of her injuries.

Tragic: Police in California who were summoned to perform a welfare check on Marquez on Thursday shot and killed her after they say she threatened them with a realistic-looking BB gun

After leaving ER, Marquez appeared in three episodes of the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle in 1999, followed by a few more roles in TV films and shorts.

Marquez had been vocal on social media about her struggles with various health problems, including what she described as terminal celiac disease, pulmonary embolism, osteoporosis and seizures.

Marquez was a long-time member of TCM Party - a group of cinephiles passionate about classic movies.

Other members of the group paid tribute to Marquez on Twitter Friday

'I am devastated to say that Vanessa Marquez @R2DivaLA was shot and killed by the South Pasadena police on Thursday afternoon,' @TCMParty tweeted. 'I met her through #TCMParty, I hope she knew how much we loved her and I hope too that she is at peace.'
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, sent a congratulatory message to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Nguyen Phu Trong, and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent his congratulations to Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, while Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress Li Zhanshu sent his congratulatory message to National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.



In their messages, the Chinese leaders expressed their delight at and highly valued Vietnam's recent achievements, while stating their belief that, under the leadership of the CPV, the Vietnamese people will certainly soon realise the goal of building a socialist Vietnam with a wealthy people in a strong, democratic, equitable and civilised nation. They also affirmed that China attaches significant importance to developing its relationship with Vietnam and that China is willing to work with Vietnam to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership in order to develop in a stable, healthy and sustainable fashion.



* General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith, Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith and Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou extended their congratulations to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.



In their message, the Lao leaders expressed their delight at the incessant development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Laos and Vietnam.



They once again expressed their deep gratitude for Vietnam's valuable, timely and effective assistance to Laos in the aftermath of the recent floods in Attapeu province, while affirming that, despite complex regional and global situations, Laos will continue to work with Vietnam to cultivate the Laos-Vietnam special relationship to make it ever green and sustainable.



* Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian Senate President Say Chhum and senior parliamentarian Heng Samrin sent congratulatory letters to the Central Committee of the CPV, President Tran Dai Quang, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.



In their letters, the Cambodian leaders sincerely congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements under the sound leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, which has helped to increase the role and position of Vietnam in the region and the world.



They also highly valued the development of the time-honoured solidarity and friendship, as well as the comprehensive and sustainable cooperation between the two countries, affirming their determination to strengthen and expand the ever closer ties.



The Cambodian leaders wished Vietnam to achieve new and even greater victories in the national development process towards prosperity.



* Cuban President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel sent his congratulatory message to President Tran Dai Quang and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.



In his message, the Cuban leader extended his warmest greetings to Vietnam and affirmed his determination to further strengthen the friendly, brotherly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.



* Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko sent their congratulations to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.



In the messages, the Russian leaders highly valued the time-honoured friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership, which has seen dynamic developments and recorded significant achievements in consolidating the trusted political relationship, increasing economic-trade, scientific-technological, cultural and humanity cooperation, meeting the interest of the two countries' people, and contributing to peace, security in the Asia-Pacific region.



The Russian leaders expressed their belief that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's upcoming visit to Russia will foster the bilateral cooperation for mutual benefits in all areas, as well as the enhancing the close coordination in international and regional issues of shared interest.



* Singaporean Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent their congratulatory letters to President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.



In their letters, the Singaporean leaders congratulated Vietnam on its significant socio-economic progress in recent years as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, an attractive destination and top choice of foreign investors, including Singapore.



They emphasised that the two countries have a good relationship at present, with this year marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 5th anniversary of the strategic partnership. They also expressed their wish to further cooperate with the Vietnamese leaders to expand cooperation and bring the bilateral relationship to a new height in the future.



* In his congratulatory message to PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Thailand's PM Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasised that Vietnam and Thailand have a close and dynamic relationship built on the foundation of a shared vision, interest and the long-established people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.



He also affirmed the determination to work more closely with Vietnam to further strengthen the bilateral relationship for the common benefits and prosperity of the two countries' people and the region.



* On this occasion, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also sent congratulatory messages to Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
Shane Jacobson is best known for his starring turn as a hapless plumber in the 2006 film Kenny.

And the 48-year-old has revealed that down and out fans often contact him, requesting copies of the film to cheer them up, assuming he has a stash.

Instead, the actor says he has to pop out to the shop and buy copies of the film just like everyone else, before he mails them off to those who ask.

Got spares? Shane Jacobson is best known for his starring turn as a hapless plumber in the 2006 film Kenny. And the 48-year-old has revealed that down and out fans often contact him, requesting copies of the film, assuming he has a stash

'I guess people assume that I have a warehouse full of them,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

He added: 'In reality, I have to go out and buy the copies just like everyone else and send them out.'

Shane revealed that he has spent a lot of money sending the DVDs out to his fans but just can't refuse.

Doesn't mind: Instead, the actor says he has to pop out to the shop and buy copies of the film just like everyone else, before he mails them off to those who ask. Shane is pictured in Kenny

No stash: 'In reality, I have to go out and buy the copies just like everyone else and send them out! he said

He said: 'I don't mind doing it. I reckon I've spent many thousands of dollars over the years but how could I ever say no?'

It comes after news that the entertainer is being sued by his ex long-time manager for a portion of almost $1 million of his earnings.

He hit back at his former publicist, Deb Fryers, after she revealed the payments he reportedly received for past charity gigs.

He added: 'I don't mind doing it. I reckon I've spent many thousands of dollars over the years but how could I ever say no?'

Shane defended his earnings to Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, insisting: 'The picture being painted can be easily misread.'

The Australian star has been in the wars of late - he attended the TV Week Logie Awards in July on crutches, having snapped his Achilles tendon in a near-fatal injury.

He had had an operation after tearing his tendon in Marrakesh, Morocco, subsequently suffering deep vein thrombosis and two blood clots after flying home to Australia with the injury.
He returned to TV screens as the head judge on the X Factor on Saturday night.

And ahead of the series debut show airing, Simon Cowell enjoyed a day out with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their four-year-old son, Eric in Malibu.

The X Factor music mogul, 58, who is known for staying friends with his ex-girlfriends, caught up with his former flame Terri Seymour, 46 and her toyboy beau Clark Mallon, 28, on the double date.

Double date: Simon Cowell enjoyed a family day out with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman, his four-year-old son Eric, and his three Yorkshire Terriers in Malibu on Saturday

Terri, who is thought to have parted ways with Simon back in 2008, proved there was no love lost, beaming as she walked alongside the television judge's ladylove Lauren.

While Simon donned his signature black v-neck t-shirt and a pair of turquoise shorts, Terri and Lauren cut more glamorous figures as they headed to a yogurt parlour in pastel maxi dresses.

English presenter Terri looked effortlessly stylish in a pale yellow summer dress, which cinched her in at the waist before skimming over her lithe limbs.

Friendly exes: The X Factor music mogul, 58, caught up with his former flame Terri Seymour, 46 and her toyboy beau Clark Mallon, 28, on the double date

Summery: Lauren cut a striking similar figure as she walked next to Terri in a strapless pale purple patterned maxi dress, which flashed a hint of leg with a thigh-high split

Time to eat: While Simon donned his signature black v-neck t-shirt, Terri and Lauren cut more glamorous figures as they headed to a yogurt parlour in pastel maxi dresses

Fun outing: Little Eric, who looked the spitting image of his famous father,like he was having the time of his life with Simon's three dogs; Freddie, Squiggly and Diggly

She paired the look with orange suede sandals and shielded her eyes from the sunny climes with a pair of oversized shades.

Lauren cut a striking similar figure as she walked next to Terri in a strapless pale purple patterned maxi dress, which flashed a hint of leg with a thigh-high split.

The American beauty complemented the dress with a white wide-brim hat and donned a pair of mirrored aviators.

Relaxed: The Syco owner kept refreshed as he drank a milkshake on his bike ride

No love lost: Simon appeared to be bonded with Terri's model boyfriend Clark, as they enjoyed a sunny bike ride

Glam: The American beauty complemented the dress with a white wide-brim hat and donned a pair of mirrored aviators as she chatted away to Simon while minding the dogs

Meanwhile, little Eric looked the spitting image of his famous father in bright blue shorts and a red t-shirt and looked like he was having the time of his life as he spent the afternoon eating frozen yogurt with Terri's daughter Coco, two and Simon's three Yorkshire Terriers; Freddie, Squiggly and Diggly.

Simon appeared to be bonded with Terri's model boyfriend Clark, as they enjoyed a sunny bike ride.

Terri dated Simon from 2002 and parted ways in 2008. Three years later she met Clark and welcomed her first child, Coco, fours years after meeting the hunky model.

Meanwhile, Syco owner Simon went on to find love with New York socialite Lauren after being by her then-husband, Andrew Silverman, in Barbados in 2006.

Following the initial meeting, the married couple often holidayed together with Simon.

Real estate mogul Andrew filed for divorce from Lauren when her pregnancy with Simon's child was revealed.
She's been putting on a stylish display at the Venice Film Festival all week.

And Barbara Palvin was looking better than ever when she attended the Suspiria premiere during the 75th edition of the festivities on Saturday night.

The L'Oreal model was dressed to impress in a plunging navy gown, looking incredible as she sashayed down the red carpet.

Glamorous: Barbara Palvin was looking better than ever when she attended the Suspiria premiere during the 75th edition of the festivities on Saturday night

Barbara showed off her model physique in the lace number, featuring intricate sequin detailing.

The pretty frock also boasted a black tulle trim, perfectly complemented by a classic pair of patent black heels.

She wore her brunette locks pulled back in a chic bun and set off her look with dazzling diamante earrings and a slick of scarlet lipstick.

Barbara put on an animated display at the premiere, beaming with delight and creating heart shapes with her hands.

Striking: Barbara showed off her model physique in the lace number, featuring intricate sequin detailing

Wow: The L'Oreal model was dressed to impress in a plunging navy gown, looking incredible as she sashayed down the red carpet

Gorgeous: Barbara put on an animated display at the premiere, beaming with delight

Backless: The stylish dress boasted thin cross strap detailing on the back

Last week, the great and good of the acting and modelling world descended upon the 75th Venice Film Festival to kick off the event in style.

Barbara very leggy display while on the red carpet for the star-studded opening for Neil Armstrong biopic First Man.

The Hungarian beauty, 24, looked glamorous as she stepped out in a ruched mini dress which had a chic floral pattern printed across the front.

Elegant: She wore her brunette locks pulled back in a chic bun and set off her look with dazzling diamante earrings and a slick of scarlet lipstick

Leading the way: Last week, the great and good of the acting and modelling world descended upon the 75th Venice Film Festival to kick off the event in style

Flaunting her trim legs as she stepped out in a pair of silver ankle heels, she kept her accessories to a minimum so she didn't distract from her stylish outfit.

The beauty styled her brunette locks into a sleek, straight style, and brushed on a natural palette of make-up to accentuate her pretty features.

Barabara also added an extra glittering touch to her ensemble with a pair of dazzling diamond earrings.

Stunning: Flaunting her trim legs as she stepped out in a pair of silver ankle heels, she kept her accessories to a minimum so she didn't distract from her stylish outfit

Claire Foy and Ryan Gosling lead the star-studded arrivals at the festival, with the duo co-starring in one of this year's top contenders.

Claire and Ryan opened the festival with their Neil Armstrong biopic, which has already been tipped for awards glory as it tells the tale of the iconic 1969 moon landing.

In First Man Claire plays Neil Armstrong's first wife Janet Shearon who acts as a pillar of support for the spaceman ahead of the Apollo 11 mission, which is famously known as the moment man first set foot on the moon.

Wow: The beauty styled her brunette locks into a sleek, straight style, and brushed on a natural palette of make-up to accentuate her pretty features

The La La Land star has reunited with the director of that film Damien Chazelle for his role as the iconic astronaut in First Man, with the pair hoping to strike awards glory yet again.

Naomi Watts, Christoph Waltz and Guillermo del Toro lead the jury, which consists of five women and four men in an effort to readdress the imbalance that has occurred in previous years.

On September 8, the final day of the festival, Del Toro's jury will be tasked with handing out the Golden Lion for Best Film, the Silver Lion  Grand Jury Prize, Silver Lion for Best Director, Coppa Volpi for Best Actor, Coppa Volpi for Best Actress, Award for Best Screenplay, the Special Jury Prize and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress.

Opening film: Claire Foy and Ryan Gosling lead the star-studded arrivals at the festival, with the duo co-starring in one of this year's top contenders First Man
She's enjoying a sun-soaked break with her daughters Ariana, five, and Siera, two.

And Imogen Thomas continued to live it up in Florida on Saturday, enjoying an action-packed day at the beach with her children.

The model, 35, displayed her enviable curves in a bright green swimsuit as she splashed around in the shallows.

Hitting the beach: Imogen Thomas continued to live it up in Florida on Saturday, enjoying an action-packed day at the beach with her children

Imogen put on a very animated display, laughing and joking with her little ones.

She highlighted her ample cleavage in her plunging two piece - from her own Chasing Summer swimwear range.

The stunner wore her brunette tresses down loose and accessorised with a pair of gold earrings and some tinted Aviator shades.

Having a ball: The model, 35, displayed her enviable curves in a bright green swimsuit as she splashed around in the shallows

Striking: She highlighted her ample cleavage in her plunging two piece - from her own Chasing Summer swimwear range

Looking good: She highlighted her ample cleavage in her plunging two piece - from her own Chasing Summer swimwear range

The former Big Brother contestant kept a protective eye on her daughters at all times, holding hands with them as they strolled along the beach.

The adorable little girls were clad in cut striped swimsuits with bow embellishments.

Despite her cheery appearance, Imogen recently confessed to feeling like 'a s*** mother' following a heavy night out which left her with a hangover the next day.

Living it up: The single mother looked like she was having the time of her life

Doting mum: The former Big Brother contestant kept a protective eye on her daughters at all times, holding hands with them as they strolled along the beach

Sweet: The adorable little girls were clad in cut striped swimsuits with bow embellishments

Taking to her Instagram last week, the TV star was candid about the guilt she felt about being hungover following a night out with a friend.

Speaking to the camera, Imogen said: 'Guilt, I feel so guilty right now that Im absolutely hanging, its horrible, I feel sorry for [my daughters], Im going to have to do something with them in a bit, sorry kids, Im a mess'.

Captioning the short clip, Imogen added: 'Why do we do this to ourselves?! But we have to let our hair down! I think its all caught up with me today. feel bad Im a s*** mother right now. Poor girls but they are excited for their McDonalds'

Tough time: Despite her cheery appearance, Imogen recently confessed to feeling like 'a s*** mother' following a heavy night out which left her with a hangover the next day

Worse for wear: Taking to her Instagram last week, the TV star was candid about the guilt she felt about being hungover following a night out with a friend

Imogen is adjusting to life as a single parent after her split from Adam Horsley and even started up a new Instagram account to document her family life.

In April, Imogen broke her silence about her break-up, taking to her social media account to share motivational posts about staying strong for her children.

As she cuddled her daughters, in the snap she wrote: '#strongwomen us against the world'.

Going it alone: Imogen is adjusting to life as a single parent after her split from Adam Horsley and even started up a new Instagram account to document her family life

Stay strong: In April, Imogen broke her silence about her break-up, taking to her social media account to share motivational posts about staying strong for her children

When Imogen split from Adam, a statement read: 'Imogen is completely heartbroken and devastated about the break up, however she has amazing friends and family who are very supportive and will help to get her through this difficult time.'

It continued: 'Her two beautiful children are her priority moving forward, and she will continue to focus on the positive things in her life such as her business Chasing Summer.'

Imogen previously told MailOnline that she struggled to keep the spark alive in her relationship now that they were both parents.

She confessed: 'Once you have two babies it's a really hard struggle to keep things exciting and keep things going. We are working on things.'

Close bond: As she cuddled her daughters, in the snap she wrote: '#strongwomen us against the world'
They're fan favourites on American Horror Story.

And amid fan excitement that show regular Evan Peters would be joined by his rumoured fiancee Emma Roberts for series eight of the horror franchise, Apocalypse, the couple were spotted enjoying a rare date.

Emma and Evan - who have been on and off since meeting in 2012 - cut a casual figure as they enjoyed a low-key shopping trip in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Stepping out: Evan Peters and Emma Roberts were spotted on a date in Los Angeles on Saturday, after reuniting on the set of American Horror Story: Apocalypse

The blonde beauty was dressed to impress in a mustard coloured blouse from Madewell's collaboration with Karen Walker and a pair of denim cut-offs as she picked up some iced coffees.

Evan was casually clad in a grey ensemble, showcasing his newly-bleached hair as he reprises the fan favourite role of Tate from series one, Murder House.

The pair were seen picking up some homeware during their outing, taking a break in between filming for the Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk show.

Boho: The blonde beauty was dressed to impress in a mustard blouse from Madewell's collaboration with Karen Walker and denim cut-offs as she picked up some iced coffees

New hair: Evan was casually clad in a grey ensemble, showcasing his newly-bleached hair as he reprises the fan favourite role of Tate from series one, Murder House

Emma has had quite the tumultuous on-again-off-again relationship with the X-Men: Apocalypse star, going all the way back to 2012.

The couple were even engaged at one point, and recently Emma has been spotted on occasion with the engagement ring on.

Back in 2013, the Scream Queens actress was arrested for alleged domestic abuse in Canada after officers responded to a report of a fight in a hotel room.

Rocky road: Emma has had quite the tumultuous on-again-off-again relationship with the X-Men: Apocalypse star, going all the way back to 2012

Still on? The couple were even engaged at one point, and recently Emma has been spotted on occasion with the engagement ring on

Emma was taken into custody after they allegedly found One Tree Hill star Evan with a bloody nose and a bite mark.

He declined to press charges and she was released several hours later, with the couple saying in a joint statement that it was 'an unfortunate incident and misunderstanding.'

The pair have remained famously tight-lipped about their relationship since.

Just last week, Emma unveiled the first look at her Coven character Madison Montgomery resurrected (a second time) for American Horror Story: Apocalypse

Just last week, Emma unveiled the first look at her Coven character Madison Montgomery resurrected (a second time) for American Horror Story: Apocalypse.

In the on-set snap, the 27-year-old niece of Julia Roberts clutches a feather duster while clad in a vampy halter LBD near unearthed skeletons outside season one's Murder House.

During season three, the hard-partying 17-year-old witch died twice at the hands of Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) and Kyle Spencer (Evan).

'Does the b**** survive the #apocalypse? 'In the on-set snap , the 27-year-old niece of Julia Roberts clutches a feather duster while clad in a vampy halter LBD near unearthed skeletons outside season one's Murder House

'Yes, a lot [of meme worthy moments to come],' Roberts revealed at the August 3 TCA Press Tour - according to E! News.

'I actually was told yesterday by the director to be b****ier, which I did not think possible then I was (Laughs). So, it's delicious to get to play her again for sure.'

Madison's revamped coven includes Taissa Farmiga, Sarah Paulson, Stevie Nicks, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, and Frances Conroy.

Season three: The hard-partying 17-year-old witch died twice at the hands of Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) and Kyle Spencer (Emma's real-life on/off fiance Evan)

The 27-year-old niece of Julia Roberts revealed at the August 3 TCA Press Tour: 'Yes, a lot [of meme worthy moments to come]. I actually was told yesterday by the director to be b****ier, which I did not think possible then I was. So, it's delicious to get to play her again for sure'

'Welcome to my #coven': Madison's revamped coven includes (from L-R) Taissa Farmiga, Sarah Paulson, Stevie Nicks, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, and Frances Conroy (pictured August 19)

Co-creator Ryan Murphy also unveiled the first image of 31-year-old Evan on Tuesday returning as ghostly Tate Langdon, who was killed by a SWAT team in 1994 after shooting 15 students at Westfield High.

Tate haunted Murder House's Ben & Vivien Harmon, so Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott are reprising their cellist and psychiatrist in the futuristic eighth season, which premieres September 12 on FX.

43-year-old Sarah - who's starred in all eight seasons - will make her directorial debut helming episode six of the horror franchise hit.

'Happy to be home': Co-creator Ryan Murphy also unveiled the first image of 31-year-old Evan on Tuesday returning as ghostly Tate Langdon, who was killed by a SWAT team in 1994 after shooting 15 students at Westfield High

Premieres September 12 on FX! Tate haunted Murder House's Ben & Vivien Harmon, so Connie Britton (L) and Dylan McDermott (R) are reprising their cellist and psychiatrist in the eighth season (pictured August 25)

'The Harmon's are scaring up drama!' 43-year-old Sarah will make her directorial debut helming episode six of the horror franchise hit (pictured August 25)

The Golden Globe winner will also portray three separate characters this season - Coven's Cordelia Goode, Murder House's Billie Dean Howard, and a new lottery mistress character called Venable.

AHS: Apocalypse will also feature Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Billy Eichner, Cheyenne Jackson, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, and Joan Collins.

For their Cult characters, Paulson and Adina Porter will compete for the lead actress and supporting actress trophies at the Emmy Awards airing September 17 on NBC.
She dramatically quit The Block last week after coming last for the third challenge in a row.

But even after coming first with husband Hayden on Sunday night's episode, the drama has not ended for Sara Vale.

In a preview or an upcoming episode, the 33-year-old is seen having a weeping tantrum and throwing a bag of McDonald's food at the camera.

Meltdown! Even after coming first with husband Hayden on Sunday night's episode, the drama has not ended for Sara Vale. In a preview or an upcoming episode, the 33-year-old is seen having a weeping tantrum and throwing a bag of McDonald's food at the camera

The Bondi resident screams, 'Something isn't right!' before she balls up a bag of takeaway food including a French fry wrapper and shoves it towards the camera.

As she howls and cries, Sara covers the entire camera with the greasy paper bag so she can no longer be filmed.

The feisty brunette is then seen storming off set in a huff, yet again, snapping: 'I hate it. It is ugly.'

Raging: The Bondi resident screams, 'Something isn't right!' before she balls up a bag of takeaway food including a French fry wrapper and shoves it towards the camera

Hayden appears to say in the background, 'I'll just leave the show. You can do what you want.'

Other contestants then claim someone has in fact departed the renovation program, but it's unclear if it's Sara and Hayden.

The mum-of-one's latest meltdown comes after she and Hayden won the bedroom challenge on Sunday night.

Controversial: Last week judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath savaged their $75,000 bathroom which led to her temporary walk-out

Announcing their triumph in the challenge to all the couples, Scott said: 'Congratulations Hayden and Sara for your first room win!'

Sara, who has made it clear she was sick of coming last, then interjected, adding: 'No, no no. First time for not being last.'

Last week judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and John McGrath savaged their $75,000 bathroom which led to her temporary walk-out.
She's in Italy to attend the Venice Film Festival.

And Anne Hathaway put on a stylish display as she arrived at the star-studded event with her husband Adam Shulman on Sunday.

The actress, 35, who was spotted exploring the picturesque city with her two-year-old son Jonathan on Saturday, packed on the PDA with her businessman partner as they made their way to the annual festival by a speedboat.

Glamorous arrival: Anne Hathaway put on a stylish display as she arrived at the star-studded event with her husband Adam Shulman on Sunday

Joined by Valentino Garavani, Anne donned a pair of the Italian designer's sliders for their boat cruise.

She paired her footwear with a chic monochrome shirt which sheathed over her trim frame, teaming the top with white skinny jeans.

Styling her auburn locks in a poker straight look, the Princess Diaries star complemented her outfit with a leopard print clutch bag and black oversized shades.

Doting mother: A day before, the Oscar-winning actress looked super stylish in her off-duty attire, donning a simple white blouse and loose trousers as she explored the city with her son

Casually-clad: She paired her footwear with a chic monochrome shirt which sheathed over her trim frame, teaming the top with skinny white jeans

Old friends: Joined by Valentino Garavani, Anne donned a pair of the Italian designer's sliders for their boat cruise

Sweet: Adam meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in an all-navy outfit as he turned out to support Anne for the occasion

Adam meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in an all-navy outfit as he turned out to support Anne for the occasion.

A day before, the Oscar-winning actress looked super stylish in her off-duty attire, donning a simple white blouse and loose trousers.

She paired the candy striped garment with comfy sneakers and donned a pair of trendy shades as she headed out with her husband Adam Schulman and their son.

Cute: The actress, 35 packed on the PDA with her businessman partner as they made their way to the annual festival by a speedboat

The Les Miserables star was spotted blowing bubbles - much to her young son Jonathan's delight.

Later in the day, Anne and Adam were spotted on a glamorous night out.

The star donned a billowing grey tunic dress, and her beau, 37, couldn't take his eyes off the stunning beauty as they made their way to the boat.

Sightseeing: Anne Hathaway was enjoying a family outing with her son Jonathan, two, and husband Adam in the city on Saturday

Venice Film Festival: Later in the day, Anne and Adam were spotted on a glamorous night out

Anne teetered through the cobbles in a pair of sparkling jeweled heels and toted a chic white leather clutch bag for the glamorous evening.

The Les Miserables star looked ever the A-list beauty with sophisticated cat-eyed shades and added extra glam with gold statement earrings.

Anne styled her chestnut locks in a sleek straight 'do while nude make-up highlighted her natural beauty.

Glamorous: The Oscar-winning actress, 35, put on quite a leggy display in a billowing grey tunic dress

Stylish couple: Anne teetered through the cobbles in a pair of sparkling jeweled heels and toted a chic white leather clutch bag for the glamorous evening

Actor husband Adam looked just as stylish in his evening attire, pairing a white polo shirt with a black jumper and matching slacks.

The silver fox sported some scruff around his jawline as he accompanied his love to the boat before heading to the star-studded red carpet.

Anne and Adam no doubt enjoyed some couple's time together as the couple raise their son Jonathan, two, together.

The showbiz couple got married in 2012 in a traditional Jewish ceremony in California's Big Sur.

Stepping out: The Les Miserables star looked ever the A-list beauty with sophisticated cat-eyed shades and added extra glam with gold statement earrings

Their outing comes after Anne opened up about the empowering, body-positive environment on the set of Ocean's Eight earlier this year.

The New York City native said she grew close with her famed castmates in the film - including Rihanna, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Awkwafina, Sarah Paulson and Dakota Fanning.

'I'd met a couple of them before but I wasn't close with anybody: Now we're all close,' The Princess Diaries star said.

Making an entrance: Anne styled her chestnut locks in a sleek straight 'do while nude make-up highlighted her natural beauty

Handsome: Actor husband Adam looked just as stylish in his evening attire, pairing a white polo shirt with a black jumper and matching slacks

On their way: The silver fox sported some scruff around his jawline as he accompanied his love to the boat before heading to the star-studded red carpet

'It just was this huge, huge love fest, which is great, cause there's this terrible rumour out there that women can't get along,' Anne said.

'And man, did we just murder that rumor. We just loved each other so much and it was so special.'

Hathaway said that the support she received from her colleagues was 'really significant,' as it was her first appearance in a film after giving birth to her son in April of 2016.

'After I had my son, the weight was really slow to come off and I was a different size than I normally am,' she said. 'And the director [Gary Ross] told me, "That's great, we have eight women in this movie and need to have as many body types as we can."'

Time off: Anne and Adam no doubt enjoyed some couple's time together as the couple raise their son Jonathan, two, together

Confidence: Their outing comes after Anne opened up about the empowering, body-positive environment on the set of Ocean's Eight earlier this year

Hathaway said she received a huge boost as she went to work, as many of her celeb colleagues showered her with compliments about her post-baby body.

'I walked on the set and I'm in my jeans and I've done my best and I'm gonna love myself no matter what,' said Anne.

'And Sandy Bullock just looks up and says, "Looking good, mama." Ooh, that made me feel amazing.'

Anne continued: 'And then Cate Blanchett's like, "Nice jeans Hathaway." And then Rihanna looks up and goes, "Damn girl, you got an a**"... and I of course was freaked out and loved it so much. And I was like, "Really?"'

Rihanna continued, 'You got an a** like me!'
She's currently enjoying a PA tour around the UK following her appearance on this year's Love Island.

And Georgia Steele was hitting up yet another nightspot on Saturday, attending Yoyo at Spensley's in Middlesbrough with her boyfriend Sam Bird.

Proving herself to be 'very, very loyal', the petite brunette didn't stray far from her man's side.

Another day, another PA! Georgia Steele was hitting up yet another nightspot on Saturday, attending Yoyo at Spensley's in Middlesbrough with her boyfriend Sam Bird

Georgia displayed her svelte physique in a navy lace minidress, highlighting her tanned legs.

She set off the pretty bardot number with a pair of strappy white heels as she went arm-in-arm with casually-clad Sam.

The brunette beauty wore her hair down loose and kept her make-up fresh and natural.

Loved-up: Proving herself to be 'very, very loyal', the petite brunette didn't stray far from her man's side

Last week, Georgia was spotted partying at Vision nightclub in Weston-super-Mare.

She wore a grey halter-neck mini dress which suited her figure perfectly, teaming it with killer heels which had a diamante ankle strap.

Her glossy brunette locks were tied in a half-up half-down style and styled a side fringe for some added glamour.

Busy girl: Last week, Georgia was spotted partying at Vision nightclub in Weston-super-Mare

All in the details: Her glossy brunette locks were tied in a half-up half-down style and styled a side fringe for some added glamour

Once inside the venue, she seriously let her hair down, holding on to sparklers and dancing the night away in a VIP section.

Once inside the venue, she seriously let her hair down, holding on to sparklers and dancing the night away in a VIP section.

She had a couple of pals with her on her boozy night out, but her boyfriend, Sam Bird, was not with her.

She tweeted during her weekend away: 'I leave @SamRobertBird for a day and hes having pot noodles BBQ flavour for breakfast'

Instead, she tweeted during her weekend away: 'I leave @SamRobertBird for a day and hes having pot noodles BBQ flavour for breakfast.'

Georgia has found plenty of time for her relationship with villa beau Sam.

She and Sam may have had a hiccup in the villa when they initially decided to split up to stay on the show but now they are stronger than ever.

Hey there: She had a couple of pals with her on her boozy night out, but her boyfriend, Sam Bird, was not with her

The couple - who only became official 30 days ago - have embarked on a whirlwind romance as they have already collected the keys to their new Essex home last week.

Already settled in, the pair shared a glimpse into their love nest via Instagram stories as they gave their fans a walking tour around their home.

Elsewhere, Georgia left her fans fretting over whether things had finished with her love after she posted a cryptic post on social media with a sultry snap.

Accompanied with the snap, she wrote: 'I'm a good believer in everything happens for a reason, and what is meant to be will be.

'Feeling so lucky and blessed. Goodnight and hold tight for the future.'

Georgia eased their fears in her Instagram story, however, where she shared a video of Sam enjoying a cocktail during a date night.

Together forever? She and Sam may have had a hiccup in the villa when they initially decided to split up to stay on the show but now they are stronger than ever




They parted ways last year - and not under the best of circumstances.

But Sam Thompson and Tiffany Watson have fuelled speculation they're back together again after leaving a London club together in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Made In Chelsea favourite and his ex - who has since quit the E4 reality show - flashed coy smiles as they were caught leaving Maddox nightclub together.

Reunited? Sam Thompson and Tiffany Watson have fuelled speculation they're back together again after leaving a London club together in the early hours of Sunday morning

Looking a little worse for wear, the pair tried to go incognito as they left the venue at the same time.

Tiffany was looking stylish in a gold silk dress with a low-cut neckline.

She gave her glamorous attire an edgy twist with a pair of black ankle boots and a leather biker jacket.

Sam seemed a little sheepish as he shuffled out of the venue behind his ex - but Tiffany's representative insisted to MailOnline the pair are 'just friends and remain civil'.

Heading home: Looking a little worse for wear, the pair tried to go incognito as they left the venue at the same time

Coy: Sam seemed a little sheepish as he shuffled out of the venue behind his ex

Sam has only recently split from MIC co-star Habbs - with the scenes unfolding during the recent Croatia series.

The pair enjoyed a brief flirtation, but it never progressed into a series romance.

MailOnline has contacted both stars' representatives for comment.

Sam and Tiff have kept away from each other in recent months - until they awkwardly ended up at the same wedding.

Awks: Sam and Tiff attended the SAME wedding earlier this summer

The exes attended the same wedding, where Tiffany, 24, was a bridesmaid, and Sam, 25, appeared to be an usher.

Mutual pals with the bride and groom, Tiffany was seen in social media snaps in a satin pink gown, getting ready with the other ladies before the ceremony and celebrating afterwards.

Sam - who had previously documented the Las Vegas stag do, who he was on with the groom, other ushers and MIC co-star Harry Baron - was snapped with the men, looking dapper in their suits and larking around in the sunshine on the lawns.

The wedding was held at country estate Coworth Park, and also saw the likes of former MIC stars Tina Stinnes and Lonan O'Herlihy in attendance.

Wedding party: Tiffany was seen in social media snaps, getting ready with the other ladies before the ceremony and celebrating afterwards

Stags: Sam had previously documented the Las Vegas stag do, who he was on with the groom, other ushers and MIC co-star Harry Baron [second L]

No photos emerged of Sam and Tiff in the same place, at the same time, yet they must have been, both being in the wedding party.

Sam revealed two months ago to The Sun how he 'doesn't speak' to his ex flame, despite her continuing to be 'a part of my life'.

'Tiff is a part of my past. We've gone down different paths. We don't speak,' he explained.

Whether their paths happened to cross at the weekend remains a mystery.

Larking around: Harry and Sam were snapped with the men, looking dapper in their suits and larking around in the sunshine on the lawns

Moving on: Sam has since started seeing new MIC girl Habbs

The beginning of the end for Tiff and Sam came when they agreed last summer to take a Ross and Rachel-style break.

Sam went to Ibiza, while Tiff traveled elsewhere, before joining him. By this point, however, they both had strayed.

While they were technically allowed to do this, the pair couldn't move past it, and they have since split for good.

Sam's attempts to get back onto the dating scene on E4's Celebs Go Dating weren't particularly fruitful, yet he has now begun romancing Habbs on MIC - real name Sophie Habboo.

Not talking: Despite plenty of teary encounters since, Sam and Tiffany have kept away from each other

Blonde beauty Tiff reflected recently on having to share her private life with Sam on MIC and admitted everything boiled over between the two in 2016 during a trip to the Maldives when she had to tell him she had slept with someone else.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, the reality star recently revealed she found it 'stressful' to play out that part of her relationship on TV after she was faced with having another cast member reveal her lie to Sam when she wanted to protect him.

She told the publication: 'I said we just kissed when actually we slept together. I had told one of the other cast members and she was going to tell him, so I had no choice but to admit what happened.

'I flew back to London sitting next to Sam and he wouldnt talk to me for the whole 22-hour flight. They didnt film that part but the whole thing was very stressful.

'I was in love with Sam, we even discussed getting married, and being on TV put pressure on the relationship. There were some things I didnt want to film because I wanted to protect him, but I knew I had to.'

It's not the first time the couple have called it quits in their three year on-off relationship.

Tiff had eyes for Sam since she first joined the show in 2014, but briefly split a year later, before being reunited at the beginning of 2016.
Keeping Up With The Kardashians is already filming its next season.

And that brought frequent guest star Jonathan Cheban - who calls New York City and Miami home - to town.

On Saturday the former publicist, who made a splash on UK's Celebrity Big Brother last year, was seen scarfing down a plate of pasta at Kendall Jenner's favorite restaurant, Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills.

Good eats: Jonathan Cheban chowed down on pasta when dining at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills on Saturday

His looks: The TV star had on a black T-shirt with his FoodGod necklace and snazzy looking designer aviator sunglasses

Fun for him: The best friend of Kim Kardashian did not seem to care who noticed that he was going nuts over the noodles

The FoodGod seemed to relished the carb heavy platter that looked to have little veggies on it.

He also sipped sparkling water and had a small salad.

Cheban was joined by a male friend, but the KUWTK were not present to capture the dining experience.

Later, the TV star seemed to want even more carbs so he chowed down on a slice of pizza as he was walking.

A new style: He also had on a pair of black, white and orange leggings and the latest Yeezy footwear

The fame game: Fans looked on at the star as she was joined by a bodyguard

The TV star had on a black T-shirt with his FoodGod necklace and snazzy looking designer aviator sunglasses.

He also had on a pair of black, white and orange leggings and the latest Yeezy footwear.

On Friday night he showed up to Craig's in West Hollywood in a very expensive pair of Yeezy sneakers gifted to him by pal Kanye West, who is married to Kim Kardashian.

Yummy: Later, the TV star seemed to want even more carbs so he chowed down on a slice of pizza as he was walking

But he never gains weight: The personality eats all the time but is still slender

Jonathan and Kim have been friends for over a decade.

The red wonders, which looked to be high tops, are called Red October and sell for $5,000.

Lucky for New Jersey native Cheban, he likely paid not a dime for them and didn't have to wait in line for them either.

West - who is the person who came out with Cheban's name FoodGod - is known to send out his Yeezy sneakers to his pals via messenger as soon as they're made.

And food to go as well: His guard carried a HotBox in his hand as they crossed the street

A West buddy: The red wonders, which looked to be high tops, sell for $5,000. Lucky for New Jersey native Cheban, he likely paid not a dime for them and didn't have to wait in line for them either

That is why his wife Kardashian always has them on.

And so do her family members, including Kendall Jenner, 22, a top model, Kris Jenner, the producer of KUWTK, and Khloe Kardashian, 34.

The sneakers are best sellers and have many styles including one called Calabasas.

His bestie: The funnyman was seen with Kim Kardashian in Miami on August 17

Cheban and West have been friends for over five years and often spend time together when the star is in LA.

Jonathan spends most of his time in New York City or Miami.

His latest gig was on Celebrity Big Brother. He has also done a dating show in London.

But these days he is focusing into making FoodGod a major empire.

Also on Friday the TV character also wore a green shirt that said NAS on the front and dark slacks.
Pro-Syrian government forces and military equipment are being organised in preparation for a major battle to regain Idlib, the largest Syrian territory occupied by the rebels since 2015. About 60% of the province is currently the under control of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist alliance with the remainder occupied by opposition factions. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated that the region would be the next liberation target for government forces.

Backing the opposition from the early days of the Syrian civil war, Western nations are hardly able to stand by and watch this force lose their ground. Over recent weeks, Russia has repeatedly provided evidence and intelligence information on the possibility of the Wests ongoing preparations for new air strikes in Syria. The West accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons in Idlib and this will serve as an excuse to launch a war against the Syrian government, similar to the scenario used to justify launching the war in Iraq.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that the US and its allies were preparing to attack Syria with the reason that the administration in Damascus have used chemical weapons. As confirmed by the Russian side, the US has sent the USS The Sullivans destroyer carrying 56 cruise missiles to the Gulf to prepare for the campaign. In addition, the US has also deployed the B-1B strategic bombers to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. US National Security Adviser John R. Bolton once mentioned the Syrian governments plans to resume military operations to regain Idlib province. He said Washington is concerned about the possibility of the Syrian governments use of chemical weapons, while stating that if this happened, the US would respond drastically.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem warned of the possibility of US, British and French attacks on Syria, as well as the catastrophic consequences of Western efforts to destabilise the Middle East nation. According to Muallem, Western nations are trying to protect the rebels of the Al-Nusra Front and maintain a state of unrest in Syria. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said the West was using the previously used scenario before attacking Syria. Therefore, Russias deployment of large-scale drills from September 1 in the Mediterranean aims to send a message of its readiness for a fierce confrontation if the US interferes in the battle for Idlib. Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, stated that he had informed US officials of Moscows concerns about the signs of the USs current preparations for fresh attacks on Syria, while warning Washington about its arbitrary and illegal aggression against Syria.

The three countries sponsoring the Astana peace process for Syria; Russia, Iran and Turkey, are planning a high-level meeting this September. The crisis lasting for the past seven years in Syria can only be resolved through dialogue. The United Nations is concerned about the occurrence of an unprecedented human tragedy if airstrikes hit Idlib, while calling for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor allowing civilians to evacuate from the area, as a potential battle risks turning the Idlib battlefield into a real storm.

The Mediterranean has seen a surge of activity these days as both Russia and the West have their private strategic calculations for the Syrian battlefield.
She is best known in the U.S. for her role as Selene, the sexy catsuit-wearing vampire, in the action-horror franchise Underworld.

But on Saturday Kate Beckinsale looked equal parts fun and elegant at the 44th Deauville American Film Festival in Deauville, France.

The 45-year old star was on hand, in part, to accept the 2018 Deauville Talent Award along with Australian actor Jason Clarke.

Starlet: Kate Beckinsale posed for photographers at the 44th Deauville American Film Festival in France on Saturday

Always one to make a fashion statement, the seemingly ageless actress showed off her amazingly toned figure in a black form-fitting crop top.

In contrast, she paired it with white high-waisted dress pants that hung off of her lean physique in all the right ways.

Enhancing her chiseled facial features, she opted for a natural make-up look and pulled back her brunette tresses into a ponytail.

She also modeled The Heartbreaker sunglasses by Prive Revaux.

Ageless: The 45-year old star stunned in a black crop top and wide-legged white dress pants

She's pleased: The actress beamed as she posed for photos on Sunday

Flying the flag: Kate, who is based in Los Angeles, unfurled the Stars and Stripes during her photocall on Sunday afternoon

Consummate pro: The Underworld star stopped to greet enthusiastic fans waiting behind a barrier along a street in Deauville, France. Here she has on The Heartbreaker sunglasses by Prive Revaux

Stunning: The British-born star gave a hint of her toned abs in the crop top

Crowd pleaser: Kate was all smiles as she took selfies and signed autographs

Centre of attention: The British star ensured her fans got what they came for at the annual event

Over here Kate! The star for another snap as she made her way along the eager line on Sunday

Yes please: An anxious autograph hunter looked on as Kate signed her name

The Aviator star wowed photographers during a private shoot, and then later sent fans, waiting behind a barrier along a street, into a frenzy when she came to greet them.

Being the consummate starlet, Kate shook hands, signed autographs and took a slew of selfies with the enthusiastic crowd.

From there, she attended the unveiling of her dedicated beach locker room on the Promenade des Planches.

Special moment: Fans looked on as she attended the unveiling of her dedicated beach locker room on the Promenade des Planches

Honored: Kate is receiving the 2018 Deauville Talent Award at the festival

Afterwards, the former Oxford University student attended a press conference for the event, which aims to both showcase the diversity of American cinema and reveal new talent.

The festival typically presents over 100 films to audiences in three different sites in Deauvile since it's inception in 1975.

The British-born star made her film debut in the 1993 film Much Ado About Nothing, while still attending Oxford. She went on to appear in a number of British costume dramas such as Prince of Jutland (1994), Emma (1996) and The Golden Bowl (2000).

She began to make her mark in American films in the late 1990's with such movies as The Last Days of Disco (1998) and Brokedown Palace (1999), but is best known for her work in action films that include the Underworld series (2003-2016), Van Helsing (2004) and Contraband (2012).


Karl Stefanovic's ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn, 47, will reportedly sit down for her first televised interview on Monday.

The mother-of-three is scheduled to appear on Channel Seven's The Morning Show, to promote her new children's book Leo Lion's Big Bed, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cassandra for comment.

Speaking out: Karl Stefanovic's ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) 'will sit down for her first TV interview' since their divorce... as Today host prepares to marry Jasmine Yarbrough. Pictured October 4, 2017 in Sydney, Australia

The interview comes two years after her split from Today co-host Karl, 44, who she was married to for 21 years.

Last month it was revealed that Cassandra made a thinly-veiled reference to Karl in her new book.

The former journalist references a blanket called 'Bee Bee', which is apparently what Karl calls his baby blanket that he reportedly still carries around to this day.

New book: The mother-of-three is scheduled to appear on Channel Seven's The Morning Show, to promote her new children's book Leo Lion's Big Bed, The Daily Telegraph reported

Taking a swipe? Last month it was revealed that Cassandra made a thinly-veiled reference to Karl in her new book. The former journalist references a blanket called 'Bee Bee', which is apparently what Karl calls his baby blanket that he reportedly still carries around to this day. The pair are pictured during happier times in Sydney on June 16, 2012

Also last month, Karl, who has since moved on with his model fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough, 34, spoke out after Cassandra claimed his family have 'alienated' his three children.

In a statement to TheFix, a representative for the Stefanovic family dismissed Cassandra's claims as false and 'inflammatory' while adding they are 'disappointed' by the allegations.

'We are disappointed Cass would claim such inflammatory suggestions that we have alienated Karl's children from our family,' the statement read.

Hitting back: Karl denied Cassandra's recent claims that his children have been shunned by his family following their divorce. The pair are pictured here with Sylvia Jeffreys (right), who is now married to Karl's brother Pete, and Jesinta Campbell (left) in Melbourne on May 3, 2015

'Nothing could be further from the truth. Karl regularly co parents his children and has his loving family around them.

They added: 'We refuse to keep a running dialogue of the children... Family is often compromised when parents go through a painful divorce and we do our best to continue our love and support for the children.'

Karl and Cassandra, who split in 2016 after 21 years of marriage, share three children Jackson, 18, Ava, 13, and 11-year-old River.

The Channel Nine star's response comes after Cassandra commemorated the two-year anniversary of their split by sitting down for a blistering tell-all interview with The Australian Women's Weekly.

'Last year, I declared that Karl really was dead to me, a man I no longer know, but the children still have their father,' she said.

Moving on: Karl has since found love with fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough (left with Karl last month). His rep said, 'Family is often compromised when parents go through a painful divorce and we do our best to continue our love and support for the children'

'The flip-side of that is I feel like we're dead to his family and almost anyone from our old life,' she claimed.

Cassandra went on to allege: 'There has been practically no contact. I feel like we've been discarded and disposed of, replaced by a whole new line-up of starters.'

Karl announced his split from former wife Cassandra, an accomplished journalist and TV producer, in September 2016.

The Channel Nine personality met model-turned-shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough in December 2016. They became engaged in January 2018.

In April 2017, reports emerged that Karl's three children Jackson, 18, Ava, 13, and 11-year-old River weren't in attendance at the wedding of Karl's brother Peter and Sylvia Jeffreys.

New relationship: The Channel Nine personality met model-turned-shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough in December 2016. They became engaged in January 2018

At the time, a family friend reportedly spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald claiming the children were 'upset' to have missed their uncle's wedding.

The children's lack of presence appears to be unusual for the Stefanovic family, after both Ava and River were present at their other uncle Tom's wedding.

The youngsters had served as flower girl and page boy at the event in August 2015, as he married long-term love Jenna Dinicola in Griffith.

No-show? In April 2017, reports emerged that Karl's three children Jackson, 18, Ava, 13, and 11-year-old River weren't in attendance at the wedding of Karl's brother Peter and Sylvia Jeffreys

In March 2018, Karl and Jasmine celebrated their relationship with a commitment ceremony.

An insider told Daily Mail Australia at the time that Karl's three children did not attend the ceremony but that Ava and River did show up for the celebrations afterwards.

Woman's Day also reported that Ava and River were confused and upset after finding out about the commitment ceremony just three hours beforehand.

Commitment ceremony: An insider told Daily Mail Australia at the time that Karl's three children did not attend Karl and Jasmine's commitment ceremony in March 2018

Karl and Cassandra's eldest child Jackson did not attend.

In October last year, Cassandra broke her silence after the breakdown of her marriage in a candid interview with Woman's Day, in which she declared that Karl was 'dead' to her.

'The children still have a father but I don't have a husband. He really is dead to me and no, we won't ever be friends again,' she said at the time.

'There were days in the beginning I would get up, put on a brave face and drop the kids at school, then I'd get to the back door and I would lie in a heap for the rest of the day unable to move - there were very dark days,' she told the magazine.

'I was completely gazumped when I realised Karl had gone.'
She soared to fame as the world's most iconic supermodel after he shot her renowned Calvin Klein campaign in 1993.

And 25 years on, Kate Moss' former flame Mario Sorrenti has spoken about his relationship with the 44-year-old in an interview with the Telegraph.

The photographer, 46, was 19 when he began a romance with Kate, revealing the model 'swept him away' and felt like his 'heart stopped' when he first met her at a Wella hair photoshoot back in 1991.

Lifting the lid: Kate Moss' former flame Mario Sorrenti has spoken about his teenage relationship with the 44-year-old model

Speaking of their two-year relationship, Mario said: 'We modelled together, travelled together, it was fun and innocent- a time of discovery for both of us, it just felt right.

Talking about her lengthy career, he added: 'She turned from a gorgeous kid into a beautiful woman but its much more than that, she can embody and become anything.'

'You know, she has this strange depth, I dont know how to explain it, but when you photograph her, you dont just get her, the model, you get something that goes further, beyond.

Throwback: Kate was just 19 years old when Mario photographed her in the iconic Calvin Klein Obsession campaign in 1993, posing nude for the adverts

Supermodel: Talking about her lengthy career, he added 'She turned from a gorgeous kid into a beautiful woman' (pictured together 2017)

Kate was just 19 years old when she starred in the iconic Obsession campaign posing nude for the adverts, with the couple splitting shortly afterwards.

In an interview with Nick Knight, Kate previously spoke about working with her former flame.

She said: 'When youre in a relationship with a photographer and they start abusing that relationship of being like, "I want you to do this, I want you to do that".

Kate then revealed that living with Mario's mother, Francesca Sorrenti, at the time helped her come to grips with her new surroundings, as the Croydon native moved to New York for work.

Fun: Speaking of their two-year relationship, Mario said: 'We modelled together, travelled together, it was fun and innocent- a time of discovery for both of us, it just felt right' (pictured 1996)

She said: 'Thank goodness I was living with her and not in some model apartment. Because New York is a hardcore place!'

Despite travelling the world, she said she hasn't forgotten her roots, and quipped: 'Because Im from Croydon, if you get above your station somebody will f***ing knock you down.'

Kate Moss is currently loved-up with Nikolai von Bismarck, 31, after she went her separate ways for good from The Kills rocker husband Jamie Hince in 2015.

The model is already a mother to Lila-Grace, 14, who she shares with ex partner Jefferson Hack.

As well as focusing on bringing up her daughter, Kate's modelling work hasn't waned either, after she stepped out of semi-retirement to model for the Versace Spring 2018 show in January.

Meanwhile, the supermodel has paid around 1500 for some artwork called I Thought Wed Only Meet In Death by British artist, Magnus Gjoen.
Cat Henesy, 25, has been branded a 'villain' by some viewers of The Bachelor.

And the feisty brunette may have just met her match in intruder, Deanna Salvemini, who is set to shake up the mansion on Wednesday.

On Sunday, she criticised Cat over comments made about Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins' appearance.

'That was a really nasty comment': Bachelor intruder Deanna Salvemini criticises 'villain' Cat Henesy for calling Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins a 'prawn' with a 'good body' but a 'debatable head'

Speaking to Perth Now, dental nurse Deanna exclaimed: 'That was a really nasty comment,' in relation to Cat's calling the rugby star a 'prawn'.

'I feel like it is more of a prawn situation. I am serious, it is more of a good body but anything shoulder up is debatable,' Cat expressed when speaking to The Daily Telegraph last month.

In response, Deanna thinks Nick has 'got a great body and a really cute face,' adding that: 'He's definitely a really funny guy and so easy to talk to  right from our first conversation.'

Called out! On Sunday, Deanna criticised Cat over comments made about Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins' appearance while speaking to Perth Now

And three new intruders are set to walk through the doors of the Bachelor mansion on Wednesday - and Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that one of the trio is Deanna, a former elite swimmer in Adelaide.

Deanna is an elite athlete who 'has been swimming at national level since the age of 10, ranking first in Adelaide and second in Australia for age titles', according to her website.

Since then, Deanna has 'been working in fitness and human movement for many years with her personal training and rehabilitation qualifications' and is currently listed as the 'head nurse' at a dental surgery in Adelaide.

The brunette beauty will join part-time topless model Jamie-Lee Dayz among the new arrivals, with the third woman's identity yet to be confirmed.

Competition increases: Deanna thinks Nick has 'got a great body and a really cute face,' adding that 'He's definitely a really funny guy and so easy to talk to  right from our first conversation'

In a promo that aired on Thursday, viewers caught their first glimpse of Deanna arriving in a vintage convertible alongside Jamie-Lee and another mystery woman.

The current contestants - including Cat and frontrunner Brittany Hockley - could be seen gasping in shock at the late arrivals.

The three girls will be extra competition on the Network Ten dating show, as they each vie for the heart of the dashing Nick.
The 75th annual Venice Film Festival is in full swing in Italy and this year marked a major milestone for Dakota Fanning.

Dress in white at the festival on Sunday, the actress was spotted heading out to attend a screening of her directorial debut, Hello Apartment.

The 24-year-old ingenue looked youthful and fresh with barely-there makeup and her blonde tresses pinned simply in a half updo.

Angelic: Dakota Fanning looks ethereal in white on Sunday at the Venice Film Festival where she is poised to make her directorial debut at the iconic event

Youthful glow: The 24-year-old used barely any makeup on her young dewy skin

Ahoy! The starlet steps off of a motorboat which is the preferred method of transportation at the Italian film festival

Arriving by boat and donning a pair of delicate silver bejeweled strappy heels, the young starlet gracefully stepped onto a Venetian dock and posed for the waiting press.

Dakota opted for a simple but elegant sheath dress that fell to just above the ankle. The summery dress had thin straps, a demure v-neck and scattered daisy embellishments.

She wore minimal jewelry, opting for a simple gold ring on one index finger and she held a plain white clutch purse.

The twenty-something appeared to have had a fashion flub on her way to the event. When she arrived off the boat, she had only one earring visible.

Sparkle! the star's simple dress was paired with sparkling silver heels that had bejeweled straps

Oh no! Dakota stepped off the boat with only one earring on

The Alienest star has been working with luxury label Miu Miu on their short film series, Women's Tales, which empowers female directors to create works through the female gaze.

The caveat to the series being that all the costumes and clothing featured must be from Miu Miu collections.

The program is debuting their 15th and 16th shorts this year with Dakota serving as director for number 15.

Her short Hello Apartment made it's world premiere in London in February and made it's Venice debut on Sunday.

Lights, camera, action! The Alienest star is in Venice debuting her short film Hello Apartment with Miu Miu's Women's Tales

All smiles: Dakota told Variety that she had always wanted to get in the directors chair

Fashionista! Fanning loves fashion and she partnered with fashion house Miu Miu on her passion project

Fanning's film, Hello Apartment, is about viewing the life of the main character through her apartment.

Ive wanted to direct something for a long time, ever since I can remember. Its the only other thing (besides acting) Ive wanted to do, she told Variety.

The I Am Sam actress also divulged that the project was quite personal for her because she just moved out of her first apartment after seven years.

Life imitates art: In real life, Dakota just moved out of her first apartment after living there for seven years

Getting personal: The parents of Dakota and her sister Elle Fanning just finalized their divorce at the end of August

In addition to that, another chapter closed in the Georgia born star's personal life recently.

The parents of Dakota and her younger sister, 20-year-old actress Elle Fanning, finalized their divorce at the end of August, according to The Blast.

The details of the divorce were kept private in their settlement agreement and since both Dakota and Elle are over 18, neither parent will be responsible for child support.
Teresa Giudice has been enjoying the sun in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this week.

And on Saturday the 46-year-old star treated her Instagram followers to several images from the location.

The beauty - who has become a part-time body builder - looked slender in a white bathing suit as she relaxed by the pool.

Fun in the sun: Teresa Giudice has been enjoying the sun in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this week; she had on a Skin Worldwide swimsuit on

What a view: The star had on red heels and a red and white cover up by Wear Eleone

The star had on red heels and a red and white cover up as she sat on a circular platform with the blue water below her.

Giudice had her long, highlighted hair down and plenty of makeup on.

She has been staying at Le Blanc Spa and Resort in Los Cabos, which she noted on Instagram.

Party time: She was also seen in a lowcut tank top and pink slacks as she partied with a female friend in Cabo

She was also seen in a lowcut tank top and pink slacks as she partied with a female friend in Cabo.

The beauties looked ready for cocktails as they were made up with their little purses nearby and cell phone in hand.

Teresa was also seen with her jacket on at the resort she was 'adults only.'

Suited up: Teresa was also seen with her jacket on at the resort she was 'adults only'

Hookah fun in Mexico: The women enjoyed red wine and had a hookah in front of them

Last week Teresa was on another vacation.

She was seen at the Atlantis in the Bahamas with her four daughters.

And she posed in a bikini while at the destination.

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey even posed in a string bikini that highlighted her flat tummy and sculpted arms as she stood on the shore. 'Bahama vibes,' write the stunner.

In top shape: Giudice during her vacation at Atlantis in the Bahamas with her four daughters last week

The 5ft8in reality TV queen took her girls Gia, 17, Gabriella, 14, Milania, 13 and Audriana, nine, on the dreamy trip as her husband Joe serves out his three year prison sentence for fraud.

The New Jersey native was also seen posing with daughter Gia when heading out for dinner on the island.

And the star stood next to mini me Audriana on the beach.

Like a single mom: The 5ft8in reality TV queen took her girls Gia, 17, Gabriella, 14, Milania, 13 and Audriana, nine on the dreamy trip as her husband Joe serves out his three year prison sentence for fraud

Her pride and joy: She was also seen posing with daughter Gia when heading out for dinner on the island

For a group photo with all four daughters she wrote: 'Having the best time with my girls in Paradise in the Bahamas.'

Giudice also fit in a product plug as she posed in a bathing suit, shorts and a straw hat in a cabana.

In July the TV darling was in Las Vegas.

She attended a meet and greet event at the World Market Center for interior designer Jimmy DeLaurentis with her co-star on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Dolores Catania, 47.

Buy this: Giudice also fit in a product plug as she posed in a bathing suit, shorts and a straw hat in a cabana

Guidice, who's spent long hours in the gym in as she's been involved with bodybuilding throughout 2018, wore a black skirt with a slit up the leg and a pattered midsection and plunging top.

The mom-of-four wore jeweled earrings and rings, and had her billowing blonde mane cascading past her shoulders as she posed for photographers at the posh corporate event.

Joe, 46, is still serving a 41 month sentence for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud.

Reports circulated in July that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) had placed an immigration detainer on the father-of-four, and that 'removal proceedings' were underway.

So many pals with her: The siren also posed with three of her female friends

However his legal team shot down the story, branding it 'a cheap shot'.

'The immigration detainer that was referenced today is more than two years old,' they told DailyMail.com.

'It remains pending and no decision has been made by any judicial authority regarding its merits.

'The story was a cheap shot at Mr. Giudice's expense... while the topic of immigration is on everyone's mind in light of recent national events.'

The couple married in 1999 and have four daughters: Gia, Milania, Gabriella, and Audriana.

Teresa was allowed serve her 15-month sentence -which began in January 2015- for connected crimes before her husband, so the children would not be left parent-less.
He caught up with his former flame Terri Seymour on a double date on Saturday.

And Simon Cowell continued the festivities with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their four-year-old son, Eric later in the day, as the trio headed to the Malibu Chili Festival.

Joined by a host of stars, the X Factor mogul, 58, looked every inch the doting dad as they explored the various rides and games at the festival, with the proud tot heading home with an array of prizes.

Family time: Simon Cowell headed to the Malibu Chili Festival with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their four-year-old son, Eric on Saturday

Simon was clad in his signature high-waisted blue jeans and black t-shirt for the outing, while his mini-me son rocked a grey jumper and navy chinos.

Lauren cut a stylish figure in white skinny jeans and a bardot navy top, dressing up the look with and tan heeled sandals and a Chloe designer bag.

She styled her chestnut locks in glamorous curls, the New York socialite complemented her chic ensemble with a bronzed make-up look and a pink glossy lip.

Chic: Lauren cut a stylish figure in white skinny jeans and a bardot navy top, dressing up the look with and tan heeled sandals and a Chloe designer bag

Sweet: Joined by a host of stars, the X Factor mogul, 58, looked every inch the doting dad as little Eric headed home with an array of prizes

Like father, like son: Simon was clad in his signature high-waisted blue jeans and black t-shirt for the outing, while his mini-me son rocked a grey jumper and navy chinos

Simon looked a little apprehensive a he took a spin in a giant strawberry with his son before he watched Eric have fun on a snail ride.

The Syco owner's ex Terri also joined them on the family outing and beamed for the cameras as she got into a chauffeur-driven car.

Earlier in the day the friendly exes were spotted catching up over yogurt with their respective partners, kids and Simon's three Yorkshire Terriers; Freddie, Sqiggly and Diddly.

Helping hand: Under the watchful eye of Simon, little Eric played a game at the fair

Sweet: The television judge beamed with happiness as he watched his son have fun on a snail ride as he stood next to Terri Seymour's beau Clark Mallon

Great day out: The Syco owner's ex Terri also joined them on the family outing and beamed for the cameras as she got into a chauffeur-driven car

Terri, who is thought to have parted ways with Simon back in 2008, proved there was no love lost as she joined the trio at the festival.

Terri dated Simon from 2002 and parted ways in 2008. Three years later she met Clark and welcomed her first child, Coco, fours years after meeting the hunky model.

Meanwhile, Simon went on to find love with New York socialite Lauren after being by her then-husband, Andrew Silverman, in Barbados in 2006.

Following the initial meeting, the married couple often holidayed together with Simon.

Real estate mogul Andrew filed for divorce from Lauren when her pregnancy with Simon's child was revealed.
It was a sunny Labor Day weekend in the US this year.

And stars seemed to love soaking up the rays as they took to Instagram to let their fans know how they were enjoying the three-day break.

While Paris Hilton was in the desert for Burning Man, Bella Thorne took a boat ride with a pretty pal, Kourtney Kardashian enjoyed a Malibu Chili Cook Off and Jennifer Lopez had dates with beau Alex Rodriguez in Beverly Hills.

No labor: It was a sunny Labor Day weekend in the US this year. And Paris Hilton enjoyed it by hanging out at Burning Man

The look: Paris looked to be having a great time as she wore a gold suit and thick black boots

At night: Later the Simple Life vet slipped into a purple outfit to party the night away

Paris looked to be having a great time as she wore a gold suit and thick black boots.

She added a headpiece and sunglasses as well as black gloves; she was likely at Burning Man for a DJ gig.

It also looked like her fiance Chris Zylka was there too.

Later the Simple Life vet slipped into a purple outfit to party the night away.

Close pals: Bella Thorne let her blonde friend straddle her as they wore bathing suits aboard a boat. The beauty looked happy as she put her arms on the girl's waist

Ready for work: Thorne also shared this image where she was looking at a script

Bella Thorne let her blonde friend straddle her as they wore bathing suits aboard a boat.

The beauty looked happy as she put her arms on the girl's waist.

The caption read, 'So proud of this bb girl working so hard on her music shout out to @modsun for making a smash w her. Shout out to @dani_thorne and me for making a dope a** label that runs strictly on artist creativity. Shoutout to @jenergizerr for making everything come to life. And shout out to the one the only @irvgotti187 for believing in the filthy fangs gang.'

The model life: Emily Ratajkowski posed with her little white dog while on a beach vacation

How does that work? The pinup also stood on a Segway as her dog looked on

Emily Ratajkowski posed with her little white dog while on a beach vacation.

The DKNY model looked sensational in her teeny bikini. She wore sunglasses and her hair down.

Also with the I Feel Pretty star was her new husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.

Coffee break: Lopez sipped coffee in a J mug as she relaxed in her Niyamasal workout gear which she helped design

Always a party with this model: Heidi Klum cozied up to her rocker beau

Heidi Klum also appeared to be at Burning Man as she posed with her rocker beau.

Courtney Love's daughter Francis Cobain looked ready for a good time as she posed in front of a colorful sculpture.

Lopez sipped coffee in a J mug as she relaxed in her Niyamasal workout gear which she helped design.

The 49-year-old World Of Dance star was a Bel-Air, California hotel and the image was taken by Alex Rodriguez.

Soon J-Lo will be back in Las Vegas for her Planet Hollywood concert.

Desert dame: Courtney Love's daughter Francis Cobain looked ready for a good time as she posed in front of a colorful sculpture

Work it: Reality TV star Farrah Abraham modeled lace lingerie for Cam Soda

Her mini me: The Teen Mom OG vet has been in Costa Rica with her daughter Sophie, nine, as they take in the warm weather

Reality TV star Farrah Abraham modeled lace lingerie for Cam Soda.

The Teen Mom OG vet has been in Costa Rica with her daughter Sophie, nine, as they take in the warm weather.

On Saturday the two were seen on a speed boat as they enjoyed a day at sea.

Life in the fast lane: Model Irinia Shayk wore a Mickey Mouse T-shirt as she took a video while on a speedboat

Vacay vibes: Olivia Culpo said, 'Have some days off from filming in Jamaica! Whats something fun we can do? Were in Negril'

Olivia Culpo was in Jamaica.

She was seen posing on a rock with the ocean behind her and several mini yachts dotting the harbor.

Her caption read, 'Have some days off from filming in Jamaica! Whats something fun we can do? Were in Negril.'

By the sea: Kourtney Kardashian enjoyed a Malibu Chili Cook Off with her best pal Larsa Pippen

A family reunion? Also at the cook off was Caitlyn Jenner, who used to be wed to Kris Jenner

A natural: Kylie Jenner wore a neon bikini as she held onto daughter Stormi while by a swimming pool

Kourtney of KUWTK was in Malibu with Larsa Pippen. Later Caitlyn Jenner showed up.

And Kylie Jenner wore a neon bikini as she held onto daughter Stormi while by a swimming pool. Her location was not known.

Teresa Giudice of RHONJ was in Los Cabos, Mexico at the La Blac Spa Resort.

The star showed off her figure in a white bathing suit as she posed away by the pool.

The mother of four has been trying to enjoy some down time when not filming as she is a single mom to four kids while husband Joe serves out a three year prison term due to fraud.

Sun goddess: Teresa Giudice of RHONJ was in Los Cabos, Mexico at the La Blac Spa Resort

Day off: Reese Witherspoon took her son Tennessee to Nashville for a vacation. They were seen smiling as they sat side by side in a diner

The agent look: Also there was her CAA agent husband Jim Toth, who works with Matthew McConaughey

Jenna Dewan seemed to enjoy a fun picnic all by herself on Sunday.

The World Of Dance star looked fit in a Danskin bra top and leggings as she sat on a patchwork blanket placed on a lush lawn in what appeared to be her back yard.

The estranged wife of Channing Tatum was holding what looked to be a glass of red wine in a long-stemmed glass.

Her festive sunglasses matched the wine perfectly.

And proving she is not on a diet, the star placed a large tray of chips and dip in front of her.

The former dancer was looking at a book titled Big Miracles.

Living it up: Jenna Dewan seemed to enjoy a fun picnic all by herself on Sunday. The World Of Dance star looked fit in a bra top and leggings as she sat on a blanket placed on a lush lawn in what appeared to be her back yard

Reese Witherspoon took her son Tennessee to Nashville for a vacation.

They were seen smiling as they sat side by side in a diner.

Also there was her CAA agent husband Jim Toth, who works with Matthew McConaughey.

The sweet life: Salma Hayek enjoyed dessert with her husband

Kelly Bensimon of RHONY was at the Hampton Classics.

The former supermodel who worked for Elle was joined by her former co-star Luann de Lesseps.

Luann wore a hat and strapless dress while Kelly had on a shirt and jeans.
It appears Teresa Guidice is looking for some payback from Chief Keef, and she just may take her beef with the self-proclaimed originator of mumble rap to the courts.

This brewing battle all started in July when Keef dropped his latest mixtape, Mansion Musick, which fittingly, features a picture from inside a mansion that appears to belong to Giudice.

And now The Real Housewives of New Jersey star wants to be compensated.

Battle brewing: Teresa Guidice is threatening to sue rapper Chief Keef over his album artwork

The grievance: Guidice and her lawyer maintain the rapper used a photo from inside her New Jersey mansion for the cover of his latest mixtape without her permission

Just one look at the album cover, side by-side with a picture from inside Guidice's home, and there's little doubt they aren't the same home.

The only noticeable difference between the two is the statue of Keef's head in the cover art that can easily be superimposed to an existing photo.

Guidice's lawyer James Leonard Jr. told TMZ that cover art features the entryway of her Montville Township, New Jersey mansion.

The skinny: It is believed Team Keef grabbed the photo from a realty site, when the home was up for sale a few years ago

Deja vue? The photos are virtually the same; Guidice's New Jersey mansion was eventually taken off the real estate market

The detective: One of her daughter's friends who follows Keef noticed the resemblance when his mixtape dropped in July

Leonard maintains the owners of the estate should be compensated and that the use of the photo without permission is a form of invasion of privacy.

This could be a tough sell for Team Guidice since it's believed the picture was taken from a realtor site when the home was up for sale a few years back, which makes it a public photo. The house was ultimately taken off the market when the family decided not to sell it.

Turns out a friend of the reality star's daughter follows Keef and noticed the resemblance when his mixtape was released.

The 23-year old Keef is a Chicago native who broke out into the mainstream with his album Finally Rich in 2012. His popular single, I Don't Like, was remixed by Kanye West and went on to reach the Billboard Top 10.

Strike a pose: The 46-year old is best known as a cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey
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A thrilled Ant McPartlin has 'already visited' close friend and presenting partner Declan Donnelly following the birth of his first child with wife Ali Astall on Saturday morning.

The troubled star, in the midst of an extended hiatus from TV following his latest stint in rehab, is said to be 'obsessed' with the couple's newborn daughter, Isla Elizabeth Anne.

Islas arrival brought some cheer to troubled McPartlin, who wrote on social media: Welcome to the world, baby Isla Elizabeth Anne. Cant wait for cuddles. I love you already! Uncle Ant xxxxx.

Ant McPartlin visits Declan Donnelly and wife Ali Astall at the London hospital as they welcome their baby girl

Ant McPartlin visited the London hospital today after tweeting congratulations to his presenting partner from 'Uncle Ant'

Donnelly, 42, originally broke the news by posted a picture of the babys hand delicately wrapped around his finger on his and sidekick McPartlins Instagram account.

He wrote: Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9 oclock this morning. Mother and daughter both doing well, Dad is head over heels! D x

A source told The Sun: 'Ant couldnt wait to see Dec and Ali  and baby Isla of course. Its a dream come true for them all and everyone is completely besotted.'

Donnelly, 42, posted a picture of the babys hand delicately wrapped around his finger on his and sidekick Ant McPartlins Instagram account

Miss Astall, who is her husbands manager, and baby Isla are expected to join the star for part of his time in Australia

Islas arrival brought some cheer to troubled McPartlin, who wrote on social media

Islas birth comes weeks before Donnelly heads to Australia to host the jungle reality series with new co-star Holly Willoughby, who is covering for McPartlin as he takes an extended break from work to address his alcohol issues.

Miss Astall, who is her husbands manager, and baby Isla are expected to join the star for part of his time in Australia.

A friend of the couple told The Mail on Sunday: They are over the moon at Islas arrival. Nothing is confirmed yet but its very likely that Ali and the baby will head off to Australia. It will be a long time for Dec to be without his beloved baby otherwise.

Meanwhile, James Bond star Daniel Craig and wife Rachel Weisz were last night celebrating the arrival of a happy and bonny baby girl.

Craig, 50, and Miss Weisz, 48, both have children with previous partners but are said to have longed for a baby together.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday held talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The two leaders agreed to jointly advance the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership for greater development in the new era.

Egypt is a representative of Arab states, Africa, Islamic countries, major developing nations and emerging economies, with increasing influence in international and regional affairs, Xi said.

Noting that China highly values developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Egypt, Xi pledged to continue to support Egypt in its efforts to maintain stability, develop economy and improve people's livelihood, in pursuing a development path in line with its national conditions, and in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

China is willing to strengthen strategic communication and coordination with Egypt and safeguard their common interests, Xi said.

He called on both sides to continue to support each other on issues involving their respective core interests, timely exchange views on bilateral relations and major issues of common concern, share the experience of governance, and strengthen exchanges at all levels and in various fields.

Stressing that China views Egypt as an important and long-term partner of cooperation in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said China is willing to align the initiative with Egypt's Vision 2030 and Suez Canal Corridor Development Project, promote pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, and enhance collaboration in counter-terrorism and security areas.

Both as countries with ancient civilizations, China and Egypt should jointly promote dialogue and communication in this regard, Xi said.

Noting that Egypt and China maintain traditional friendship and a high level of mutual trust, and hold similar positions and closely coordinate with each other on major international issues, Sisi said Egypt places priority on the comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

As one of the earliest countries that support the Belt and Road Initiative, Egypt firmly believes that the initiative will create enormous opportunities for their bilateral cooperation as well as international and regional cooperation, he said.

The president said Egypt will continue to support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and, as the incoming holder of the African Union rotating presidency, it will also continue to promote cooperation between Africa and China.

Stressing that development is what African nations need most, Sisi said the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC demonstrates that China attaches great importance to Africa's development. Egypt fully supports China in hosting a successful summit, he said.

Egypt speaks positively of China for upholding a just stance on the Middle East issues and is ready to strengthen coordination with China in multilateral areas, Sisi said.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
Dakota Johnson looked ready for a business meeting when she was spotted in Venice on Sunday.

The 28-year-old beauty wore a light grey plaid suit with an ivory blouse and elegant tortoise shell rimmed sunglasses as she walked off a water taxi.

That same day a Reuters interview with the actress revealed she had to work hard to prepare for the erotic Fifty Shades, but it was nothing compared to the physical demands of Suspiria, a horror movie in which much of the fear comes through her ability to dance like a woman possessed.

Deal maker: Dakota Johnson looked ready for a business meeting when she was spotted in Venice on Sunday

Power look: The 28-year-old beauty wore a light grey plaid suit with an ivory blouse and elegant tortoise shell rimmed sunglasses as she walked off a water taxi

A remake of the 1970s cult classic, Suspiria is set in a dance school in Berlin where Johnson's character Susie, a naive young hopeful from the cornfields of Ohio, arrives to find strange powers at work.

The older women at the academy are impressed by her instinctual, violent dancing, and quickly give her the lead role in an upcoming performance - although the viewer suspects they have something more sinister in mind.

'It was amazing to discover that I could do that with my body, but it was a lot of work, it was a lot of training,' Johnson told Reuters in Venice, where Suspiria is competing for a Golden Lion.

Ambitious: That same day a Reuters interview with the actress revealed she had to work hard to prepare for the erotic Fifty Shades, but it was nothing compared to the physical demands of Suspiria, a horror movie in which much of the fear comes through her ability to dance like a woman possessed

Scary film: A remake of the 1970s cult classic, Suspiria is set in a dance school in Berlin where Johnson's character Susie, a naive young hopeful from the cornfields of Ohio, arrives to find strange powers at work

'I worked for six months before filming. I was filming another movie in Vancouver, the third Fifty Shades movie, and I would go after work or before to train with the trainer.'

The 28-year-old has another horror movie in the works - Bad Times at the El Royale with Jeff Bridges and Chris Hemsworth.

'I think I went through a little horror phase recently,' Johnson said, before realising that could be mis-heard.

Group effort: On Saturday the cast posed at the VFF; L to R, Mia Goth, Tilda Swinton, Luca Guadagnino, Dakota, Alek Wek and Chloe Grace Moretz

Classy dames: Dakota and Tolda held hands as they walked into the festival

'I said 'horr-or' phase, to be clear,' she said, jabbing the air with her finger for emphasis, and adding: 'Not whore phase. Oh God! I don't know!

'I'm interested in making all kinds of films. I love cinema and I love movies, so I really don't know what I'll do next. But the ones coming out are a little, a little "different."'

The Venice Film Festival runs to September 8.
She knows how to work the red carpet with her effortless sartorial elegance.

And Kate Beckinsale put on yet another dazzling display as she made a glamorous arrival to accept 'The Talent Award' during the 44th Deauville US Film Festival in France on Sunday.

The English actress, 45, stunned in a sparkling red gown with a deep plunging neckline highlighting her ample cleavage.

Dazzling: Kate Beckinsale, 45, looked sensational in a sparkling crimson gown at the Love & Friendship Premiere during Deauville US Film Festival

Kate dazzled in the glittering design, embellished with sparkling accouterments with a belted waist showing off her killer figure.

The Underworld franchise star swept up her trademark chestnut locks into a glamorous chignon and injected more shimmer with decadent diamond earrings.

Kate let her stunning red carpet style speak for itself as she ditched any other accessories, and favoured her natural beauty with smokey make-up.

Earlier in the day, Kate looked equal parts fun and elegant as she was on hand, in part, to accept the 2018 Deauville Talent Award along with Australian actor Jason Clarke.

All eyes on her: The English actress stunned in a sparkling red gown with a deep plunging neckline highlighting her ample cleavage

Waves: Kate dazzled in the glittering design embellished with sparkling accouterments, with a belted waist showing off her killer figure

Decadent: The Underworld franchise star swept up her trademark chestnut locks into a glamorous chignon and injected more shimmer with decadent diamond earrings

Smiles: Kate let her stunning red carpet style speak for itself as she ditched any other accessories, and favoured her natural beauty with nude make-up

Always one to make a fashion statement, the seemingly ageless actress showed off her amazingly toned figure in a black form-fitting crop top.

In contrast, she paired it with white high-waisted dress pants that hung off of her lean physique in all the right ways.

Enhancing her chiseled facial features, she opted for a natural make-up look and pulled back her brunette tresses into a ponytail.

Hollywood glamour: Kate posed up a storm on the red carpet in her elegant design which boasted a glittering array of sequin patterns

Fan favourite: Kate was more than happy to stop and speak to loyal fans who had waited to catch a glimpse of the star, and took a number of selfies with the crowd

Elated: Kate celebrated the release of her period comedy film Love and Friendship, in which she stars as a a widow in search of wealthy husbands for herself and her daughters

A-List beauty: Kate effortlessly glided down the red carpet and was met with fan adoration from the barriers

Red carpet pro: Kate looked in fantastic spirits as she waved to her fans from the star-studded bash

Starlet: Earlier in the day, Kate looked equal parts fun and elegant as she was on hand, in part, to accept the 2018 Deauville Talent Award along with Australian actor Jason Clarke

Ageless: The star stunned in a black crop top and wide-legged white dress pants

She's pleased: The actress beamed as she posed for photos on Sunday

Flying the flag: Kate, who is based in Los Angeles, unfurled the Stars and Stripes during her photocall on Sunday afternoon

Consummate pro: The Underworld star stopped to greet enthusiastic fans waiting behind a barrier along a street in Deauville, France

The Aviator star wowed photographers during a private shoot, and then later sent fans, waiting behind a barrier along a street, into a frenzy when she came to greet them.

Being the consummate starlet, Kate shook hands, signed autographs and took a slew of selfies with the enthusiastic crowd.

From there, she attended the unveiling of her dedicated beach locker room on the Promenade des Planches.

Stunning: The British-born star gave a hint of her toned abs in the crop top

Crowd pleaser: Kate was all smiles as she took selfies and signed autographs

Centre of attention: The British star ensured her fans got what they came for at the annual event

Over here Kate! The star for another snap as she made her way along the eager line on Sunday

Yes please: An anxious autograph hunter looked on as Kate signed her name

Special moment: Fans looked on as she attended the unveiling of her dedicated beach locker room on the Promenade des Planches

Honored: Kate is receiving the 2018 Deauville Talent Award at the festival

Afterwards, the former Oxford University student attended a press conference for the event, which aims to both showcase the diversity of American cinema and reveal new talent.

The festival typically presents over 100 films to audiences in three different sites in Deauvile since it's inception in 1975.

The British-born star made her film debut in the 1993 film Much Ado About Nothing, while still attending Oxford. She went on to appear in a number of British costume dramas such as Prince of Jutland (1994), Emma (1996) and The Golden Bowl (2000).

She began to make her mark in American films in the late 1990's with such movies as The Last Days of Disco (1998) and Brokedown Palace (1999), but is best known for her work in action films that include the Underworld series (2003-2016), Van Helsing (2004) and Contraband (2012).


He has played hunky Nick Torres in NCIS for the past two years.

And on Saturday, Wilmer Valderrama - who was in constant touch with ex Demi Lovato after her overdose earlier this summer - revealed how he keeps his body in tip-top shape.

The 38-year-old actor showed off his muscular torso when he was spotted jogging topless in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Quite a sight: Wilmer Valderrama showed off his hunky body when he was seen jogging topless in Los Angeles on Saturday

The handsome star wore a grey pair of Under Armour shorts and grey and blue Adidas sneakers as he pounded the pavement.

Wilmer found fame in That '70s Show, which ran from 1998 to 2006.

And he joined co-stars Laura Prepon and Topher Grace who took to social media on August 23 to celebrate the sitcom's 20th anniversary, which debuted on Fox on August 23, 1998.

Muscular torso: The 38-year-old NCIS star wore a grey pair of Under Armour shorts, grey and blue Adidas sneakers and nothing else as he pounded the pavement

Taking a break: The actor slowed down to a walk as he checked out the tunes on his phone

Wilmer, who played Fez on the series, posted a series of ensemble shots of the show, saying, 'I love you guys always, you guys made me who I am today.. and we will always have each other.'

The cast also included now-married couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, as well as Danny Masterson.

Meanwhile, Wilmer has been standing by his ex Lovato, 25, after her suspected drugs overdose on July 24.

Remembering the past: Wilmer celebrated the 20th anniversary of the star of That '70s Show with this collage of shots he posted on August 23

Day job: Wilmer has played hunky Nick Torres in NCIS for the past two years

The Sorry, Not Sorry pop star spent two weeks recovering at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles with Wilmer spending hours by her bed before she entered rehab.

She flew to Chicago on August 10 to meet a therapist who specializes in sobriety, mental health and wellness.

Wilmer and Demi were together from 2010 to 2016.
Bachelor In Paradise star Keira Maguire, 31, has come out swinging against her ex-boyfriend Jarrod Woodgate.

Speaking to New Idea magazine on Monday, the full-time Instagram influencer alleged that Jarrod dumped her for 'not having a job' and that she was in fact the breadwinner in their relationship.

'He would get really frustrated because I didn't have a job and [he] couldn't understand my lifestyle, earning money from Instagram,' she claimed, adding: 'The thing is, I earn more money than he does.'

I earn more money than he does! Keira Maguire, 31, (pictured) has lashed out at her ex-boyfriend Jarrod Woodgate after he dumped her for not having a job

Twisting the knife in further, Keira then claimed that Jarrod isn't as wealthy as his public persona may lead fans to believe.

'Everyone thinks he's a rich man who owns a winery. He doesn't. He works on his parents' farm and wasn't supporting me financially,' she said.

Keira also insisted that she was the one splashing her cash on Jarrod.

'Everyone thinks he's a rich man who owns a winery. He doesn't': Speaking to New Idea magazine on Monday, Keira (left) insisted that she was the one splashing her cash on Jarrod (right) and alleged that he didn't understand her job as an Instagram model

It comes days after the busty blonde told Who magazine that Jarrod dumped her for not having a 'full time job' and implied that the vineyard manager didn't take her career as an Instagram influencer seriously.

'Jarrod didn't like the fact I didn't have a full-time job... because my job was doing endorsements and he's about working hard in a nine-to-five job,' she said.

'He would make me feel bad about my lifestyle,' she continued.

'He would make me feel bad about my lifestyle': It comes days after the busty blonde (left) told Who magazine that she tried to prove her work ethic to Jarrod (right) by getting her hands dirty and helping out on his family farm.

The reality star said that she tried to prove her work ethic to Jarrod by getting her hands dirty and helping out on his family farm.

'He'd [critique] the way I did it and I really started to feel so insecure,' she said.

Keira and Jarrod found love while filming Bachelor In Paradise last year and shortly after, they moved in together.

Cha-ching! Keira's penchant for promoting a slew of beauty products on social media is well documented

The Bachelor beauty relocated from Sydney to Jarrod's home in Brighton, Melbourne and they would often spend time together at his family vineyard, Toms Cap Vineyard Retreat in Gippsland.

Despite previously sharing their hopes for marriage and a baby one day, Keira announced their shock split after nine months of dating on Sunday.

'It is with a very sad heart but I have to let you all know that Jarrod and I have split up,' wrote the reality star.

'I'm sorry if anyone is disappointed or if I have let anyone down. Please respect our privacy as this is a very hard time for me.'
The Block is set for another dramatic walk-out after the pressure of renovating The Gatwick Hotel became too much for South Australian couple Kerrie Charter and Spence Thomson.

The pair stormed off the building site telling the other contestants, 'Don't be surprised if you never see us again!', in scenes set to air later this week, according to Woman's Day.

While the magazine did not identify the couple at the centre of the shock departure, Kerrie and Spence confirmed to TV Week on Monday that they considered quitting the show this week due to 'stress' and 'sleep deprivation'.

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'Don't be surprised if you never see us again!' The Block is set for ANOTHER shock walk-out as Kerrie and Spence 'tear off their microphones and leave when the pressure gets too much'

It was apparently a conflict over ceiling clips that prompted the married couple, who are B&B owners from the Barossa Valley, to 'take off their microphones and leave'.

Nurse Kerrie, 49, told the publication: 'We were deciding if this [The Block] was really for us, because there was nothing wrong with the clips. We were both sleep-deprived - especially Spence. It was the straw the broke the camel's back.'

Spence, 47, explained he 'just needed to get out' after being 'stuck' in the dark, dusty apartment all day after the couple were told they had to replace 170 ceiling clips. He even described the situation as feeling like a 'prisoner'.

Later, haters! The married couple stormed off the building site telling the other contestants, 'Don't be surprised if you never see us again!', in scenes set to air later this week

A prestige builder by trade, it's no secret that Spence has put a lot of pressure on himself to succeed in the competition.

His wife claimed that the constraints of the show made things difficult, telling TV Week: 'It wasn't nice to see him upset. Because he's such a perfectionist, it just went against everything, all his work methods.'

Kerrie and Spence's walk-out comes after fellow contestants Sara and Hayden Vale threw a tantrum during last Sunday's episode following a three-week losing streak.

Meltdown! Kerrie and Spence's walk-out comes after fellow contestants Sara (pictured) and Hayden threw a tantrum during last Sunday's episode following a three-week losing streak

After their $75,000 bathroom renovation was slammed by the show's judges, they threatened to leave the competition with Sara, 31, breaking down in tears.

She wept: 'I'm going, I'm not coming back... take your f**king mics. If we're gonna constantly come last and be embarrassed, why would I want to be here? That bathroom did not deserve to be last.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

The Block continues Monday night at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
TOWIE's Tommy Mallet recieved wide praise from fans after he bravely discussed his struggles with mental health issues on Sunday night's episode.

During the first episode of season 23, Tommy, 26, broke down in tears after recalling a depressive episode that he described as 'scary'.

Speaking to girlfriend Georgia Kousoulou, 27, over a breakfast in Sardinia, the reality TV star became overwhelmed with emotion about his past experiences, but revealed it's inspired him to help others.

Proud: TOWIE fans praised Tommy Mallet, 26, for being open about his mental health struggles after he broke down in tears over his depression on Sunday night's episode

Talking about his darkest moments, Tommy explained: 'I woke up one morning I just sat there and looked at a wall. I couldn't leave the house. I know it was only a few days but still. It was scary.'

Having experience some of his darkest moments alongside her beau, Georgia responded: 'That's why I called your dad, it was awful.'

With emotions starting to bubble up, Tommy admitted: 'I feel like I need to do something to people. I need to sort myself out first more than anything but I'd like to try and help people, because it can be naughty.

Upset: Speaking to girlfriend Georgia Kousoulou, 27, over a breakfast in Sardinia, the reality TV star became overwhelmed with emotion about his past experiences

Sadness: Talking about his darkest moments, Tommy explained: 'I woke up one morning I just sat there and looked at a wall. I couldn't leave the house. I know it was only a few days but still'

'Young men if you're going through something and you don't talk about it, it can f*** you.'

Breaking down in tears following his heart-wrenching confession, Georgia comforted her hunky beau, telling him: 'I think you're being really brave, I think you're doing really well'.

The emotional moment clearly struck a nerve with many viewers, who took to Twitter to share their thanks for Tommy's openness, with fans hoping his brave actions will lead others to get help.

Comforting: Having experience some of his darkest moments alongside her beau, Georgia responded: 'That's why I called your dad, it was awful'

Struggling: With emotions starting to bubble up, Tommy admitted: 'I feel like I need to do something to people. I need to sort myself out first but I'd like to try and help people'

One fan commented: 'Tommy speaking about anxiety broke my heart, so good that people are speaking out for once - it makes such a difference'

While another wrote: 'Wow hands up to tommy mallet for speaking up about his mental health, takes so much courage and there's no shame in a man showing his vulnerability.'

'What a genuinely lovely man @tommy_mallet is, it takes a lot to talk about mental health and he did, on tv for millions to see, many people look up to reality tv stars and I'm sure he will probably have just helped many people feel they can speak out'. commented a third.

#TOWIE highlighting mental health issues, for guys in particular, is such a lovely surprise use of your airtime. Keep talking. Raise awareness. Love it'

'So much respect for tommy for speaking about how he feels #MentalHealthAwareness #TOWIE'.

'It broke my heart': The emotional moment clearly struck a nerve with many viewers, who took to Twitter to share their thanks for Tommy's openness

After the episode aired, Tommy posted a sweet selfie of him with Georgia in Sardinia, and urged his followers to seek help if they ever feel the same way.

Captioning the loved-up snap, Tommy wrote: 'The best thing that ever happened to me!!! Tonight was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done!!! But if I help one person mission complete!!! Don't hold it in!!! Talk to someone even if you don't know them or your GP'

Tommy - who's found success outside of Essex with his hugely successful trainer brand MALLET - previously spoke to MailOnline about how he was was fueled by a desire to stand up to bullies who humiliated him when he was 12 because his family couldn't afford to buy him the latest fashionable clothes and trainers.

'I'm not going to lie, it didn't make me feel good at all,' Tommy told FEMAIL. 'But at the end of the day everyone goes through hard times.

'Not being able to afford them made me want to push forward and prove to not only them, but also to myself, that I could get to where I wanted to be, and be even more than that!

'I feel like at one point in my life I definitely could have had the potential to go down the wrong path but ultimately, I knew that I wanted to do things the right way and to succeed. So staying on the right track was important to me.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are the exception to the Hollywood romance rule and they're celebrating their decades long devotion to one another in an adorable new photo.

In a cobalt blue bikini top the trim looking Live! star flashed a peace sign to the camera while walking on the beach with her hunk of a husband.

Ripa posted the photo of the couple on Instagram Sunday and gave props to their long time marriage.

Couple goals: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos celebrated their 23 year marriage on Instagram Sunday with a happy beach photo showing off their fit bodies

Based on their incredible youthful physiques you would never believe the couple has three children and two decades of marriage under their belt.

'Weve left over a million sandy foot prints on various beaches over the past 23 years,' the talk show host gushed. 'We did the math. Well @instasuelos did the math. I dont do math.'

In the photo the 47-year-old beauty looked happy as can be donning a bikini top with a matching floral sarong tied over her 6-pack abs.

The New Jersey native protected her face with sunglasses and a woven hat walking in the sand next to her handsome husband.

The 47-year-old Riverdale star was all muscles in the photo wearing a pair of swim trunks that featured a picture of a licking dog on one leg.

A thin gold chain with a charm dangled around Mark's neck.

The Spanish heartthrob looked off into the distance through a pair of dark shades. A peak of a tattoo on one bicep was visible in the photo.

Flashback: This photo was taking in 1997 a few months after the couple welcomed their first child into the world. It was two years after they on the set of All My Children and a year after they got married.

Surprise! Kelly and Mark eloped a year after meeting each other and have kept a strong marriage ever since. This family shot taken in 2007 shows the pair with their two eldest children

Family time: The Consuelos family has three children Joaquin, 15, Michael, 21, and Lola, 17 (left to right)

The pair met on the set of long time soap opera All My Children back in 1995 and eloped in May of 1996 and welcomed their first child a year later.

The Consuelos family has three children, Michael, 21, Lola, 17 and Joaquin, 15.

Ripa has been the long time host of the daytime talk show, Live!, in all it's various formats.

She currently headlines the show with co-star Ryan Seacrest.

Consuelos stars in the CW's addictive nighttime soap Riverdale which is back in October with their much anticipated third season.

Their eldest son Michael is slated to join the next season of the CW juggernaut to play a younger version of his father's character, mobster and father of Veronica Lodge, Hiram.
A NSW Instagram model, reportedly working on a billionaire's extravagant superyacht, has been confirmed dead in Greece.

The ship must remain in port as investigators try to piece together what happened in Sinead McNamara's final hours, local media reports.

The death of the 20-year-old was confirmed by friends on Sunday after she allegedly died aboard the Mayan Queen IV.

The six-storey ship, valued at about $US140 million, belongs to Mexican mining magnate Alberto Bailleres.

Ms McNamrara was working as a crew member, Greek media reported on Thursday, when she tried to kill herself on board the ship while it was anchored near Kefalonia.

Her cause of death has not been confirmed and the ship must stay in port until an investigation, including an autopsy, wraps up, Greek media said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Sunday, confirmed it is "providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Greece".

Ms McNamara's friends posted tributes to her throughout the weekend.

"I lost a girl who opened my mind to the world," one friend from Port Macquarie wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

"Can't believe I was talking to you less than a week ago organising to meet in Greece... Rest you adventurous crazy girl!"

Ms McNamara's Facebook reveals her older sister was due to touch down in Greece just a day after her death.
Brisbane will take on St George Illawarra in the first week of the NRL finals after locking up sixth spot with a 48-16 win over Manly.

In a thrilling finish to the tightest competition on record, the Broncos on Sunday finished equal with Penrith on both 32 points and a +56 differential.

However, the Panthers grabbed fifth spot thanks to their superior defence, meaning they'll play the eighth-placed Warriors in Sydney.

Despite missing out on sneaking into fifth, the Broncos were still good enough to secure a home final and will host the Red V, most likely next Sunday.

Cronulla, who on Sunday defeated Canterbury 30-18 to confirm fourth spot, will clash with minor premiers the Sydney Roosters.

Melbourne slipped out of first spot after their defeat to the Panthers but will host a resurgent South Sydney.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Zambian President Edgar Lungu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday met with Zambian President Edgar Lungu ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Stressing the fact that Zambia was the first country in southern Africa to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, Xi said the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always had special and friendly feelings towards Zambia.

China is ready to work with Zambia to uphold the fine tradition of friendship and cooperation, promote bilateral ties in a strategic and long-term perspective, and continue to show mutual understanding and support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, said Xi.

Identifying the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) as an enduring monument to China-Zambia and China-Africa friendship, Xi urged the two sides to further work together to revitalize it in the new era.

Based on the construction of economic cooperation zones, the two countries should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, and devote efforts to plan and prepare for the activities marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-Zambia ties next year, Xi said.

Both countries should strengthen the coordination on major international and regional issues to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Xi added.

Lungu recalled the beginning of the two countries' friendship, which was forged and nurtured by elder generations of leaders including Zambia's founding President Kenneth Kaunda and the late Chairman Mao Zedong.

Zambia cherishes the friendship with China built on sincerity and equality, and appreciates China's long-term help, especially China's selfless assistance in building the TAZARA, said Lungu.

He also expressed strong confidence in China's development and Zambia's willingness to join China in building the Belt and Road, expand the cooperation in various fields under the FOCAC framework, promote the development of Africa and sub-regions, and contribute to the building of an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
NSW mum Sarah Parkes lost all the blood in her body eight times before she came out of the birth of her third child, shaken but alive.

The mother-of-three 'died' three times during a high-risk caesarean that required 128 bags of blood and exhausted the entire blood supply of John Hunter Hospital.

Now, the 34-year-old wants to thank everyone who has donated blood and raise awareness during National Blood Donors Week.

"It was horrific, but I can't thank the blood donation (service) enough," the Coffs Harbour mum told AAP.

Although Ms Parkes knew her pregnancy was high risk, she never imagined her placenta would attach to her bladder and leave her life at risk.

Because she previously had caesareans for the birth of her girls, the placenta was able to attach to the scar tissue on her uterus and spread "like a tumour" but an ultrasound couldn't detect whether it had grown so she went into hospital early, to deliver her baby at 34 weeks.

"When I got cut open, they hit a major blood vessel and I started bleeding to death," she said.

"My placenta is just pumping blood everywhere and they can't close me up because my placenta needs to be removed. I had seven minutes left to live. Without a vascular surgeon being next door, I wouldn't have survived.

Although her son Billy is now two, it has taken Ms Parkes time to talk about the traumatic experience in the hope she can motivate the public to donate blood.

"My poor little girls had to wait outside ICU every day for a week, asking, 'Is Mum going to wake up today?'

"I need to help people. I want people to look at me and think about donating blood," she told AAP.

"Women are also out there choosing to have a caesarean not realising there are more risks. I don't want it to happen to anyone else."

Cath Stone from the Blood Service has urged people to take an hour of their time to donate.

"Our amazing donors can't do it alone, and we need more people to make blood donation a regular, life-saving habit," she said.

One in three Australians will need blood during their lifetime but only one in 30 currently gives blood, she said.
A military exercise dubbed Predator's Run is to bring 2500 army personnel together in South Australia for a range of training scenarios.

The exercise will combine elements from infantry, armour, artillery, combat engineers, service support and signals at the Cultana Field Training Area in South Australia's mid-north from Monday.

Locals have been warned to expect a build-up of military traffic in the area with the operation to run until September 28 and to include live-fire training.

Brigadier Matt Pearse says Predator's Run will help the army's 1st Brigade prepare for operational deployment and contingency tasks in 2019.

"Cultana Field Training Area is an outstanding facility for the Australian Defence Force due to its all-weather availability, manoeuvre space and the variety of challenging terrains within the one location," he said.

The exercise is also expected to inject $800,000 into the local economy over the four-week period.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is considering deregistering the construction union after one of its officials used his kids to campaign against the building industry watchdog.

CFMEU Victorian state secretary John Setka uploaded to social media on Sunday a photo of his children with the caption "Leave our dads alone and go catch the real criminals you cowards".

"The CFMEU has behaved under John Setka like a bunch of thugs and to involve his children in that, I think, is one of the ugliest things I've seen," Mr Morrison told 2GB radio on Monday.
Toby Abbott's sister has pulled out of the Liberals' preselection race for Malcolm Turnbull's Sydney seat of Wentworth.

Christine Forster last week said she intended to stand as a candidate but since then she says the commentary "has focused on the suggestion that it was a proxy for division within the Liberal party".

"That is not the case, but to avoid any such perception, I will be standing aside and giving my full support to the successful candidate," she posted on Facebook on Monday.
Scott Morrison sends his daughters to an independent Baptist school and rather than the local public school because he doesn't want the "values of others" imposed on his children.

The new prime minister was on Monday asked about his stance on the controversial Safe Schools program, aimed at stamping out bullying and discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"I don't want the values of others being imposed on my children in my school, and I don't think that should be happening in a public school or a private school," he told Sydney radio 2GB.

"It's not happening in the school I send my kids to, and that's one of the reasons I send them there.

"That's why I want to protect the religious freedoms of independent schools."

Mr Morrison backed federal funding for public education, which is run by the states and territories.

"[But] how about we just have state schools that focus on things like learning maths and science," he added.

NSW, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT oversee their own programs after federal funding for the nationally orientated Safe Schools Coalition Australia was withdrawn in 2017.
Protective bollards and barriers will be installed at Flinders Street Station as the Victorian government boosts security in the CBD.

The barriers will be installed around an expanded forecourt at the major transport hub, widening the pedestrian crossing by more than three metres, the state government announced on Monday.

As part of its $50 million commitment to security in the city, the government says "nine sites will be upgraded from concrete blocks to permanent protections, in line with advice from security experts".

"The Flinders Street upgrades will improve safety for thousands of pedestrians and visitors to our city who cross this intersection at peak times - it will also improve pedestrian flow outside the station," Police Minister Lisa Neville said.

The permanent measures will begin being rolled out by December across the Flinders Street Station forecourt, Princes Bridge and Bourke Street Mall.

Six other sites will be upgraded to permanent protections by the end of 2019, including Federation Square, Southbank, Southern Cross Station, State Library, Queen Victoria Market and Olympic Boulevard.

The security upgrades will also include a new public-address system and major CCTV expansion.

"While there is no way to completely eliminate risk, we are doing everything we can to keep pedestrians safe," Ms Neville said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison isn't perturbed by China banning the ABC's website for breaking the country's laws and regulations.

"Well, I mean, the ABC is funded to broadcast in Australia so we're in control of that," Mr Morrison told 3AW radio on Monday.

"China's a sovereign country. They make decisions about what happens there. We make decisions about what happens here."

The ABC site is not normally censored in China, but has now been blocked for almost two weeks.

Beijing has not said how the ABC breaches its rules.
The US suspended hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance to Islamabad at the beginning of the year

The US military is seeking to reallocate $300 million in assistance to Pakistan due to Islamabad's lack of "decisive actions" in support of regional American strategy, the Pentagon said Saturday.

The US has been pushing Pakistan to crack down on militant safe havens in the country, and had suspended hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance to Islamabad at the beginning of the year.

"Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy... $300M (actually $323.6M to include non-Pakistan funds) was reprogrammed by (the Defense Department) in the June/July 2018 time frame for other urgent priorities," Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said in an email to AFP.

The Defense Department "is awaiting congressional determination on whether this reprogramming request will be approved or denied," Faulkner said.

Pakistan has fought fierce campaigns against some militant Islamist groups that threatened its own security.

But US officials accuse Pakistani officials of ignoring or even collaborating with groups that launch operations into Afghanistan from safe havens along the countries' border.

These groups threaten the US-backed Afghan government and have attacked and killed many of the American troops that were sent there after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups," Faulkner said.
Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulations will have the power to place people with more than 5,000 followers -- on social media or with a personal blog or website -- under supervision

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified a law granting authorities the right to monitor social media users in the country as part of tightening internet controls, the official gazette said Saturday.

Approved by parliament in July, the state's Supreme Council for Media Regulations will have the power to place people with more than 5,000 followers -- on social media or with a personal blog or website -- under supervision.

The council will be authorised to suspend or block any personal account which "publishes or broadcasts fake news or anything (information) inciting violating the law, violence or hatred".

The new law is one of a series of measures that rights groups say are aimed at curbing freedom of expression online, with the internet one of the last forums for public debate over Sisi's rule.

In August, the president signed off on another piece of legislation allowing authorities, through a judge, to order the blocking of websites that "constitute a threat" to Egypt's national security or economy.

Those who administer or visit such websites, intentionally or "in error without a valid reason", can now face jail time and fines.

The authorities have insisted that such measures are needed to help tackle instability and terrorism in the country.

But domestic and international rights activists regularly accuse the government of seeking to crush dissent by arresting critics and bloggers and blocking news sites.

More than 500 websites have already been blocked in Egypt prior to the new law, according to the Cairo-based Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression.
Lin Heung Tea House is just the latest Hong Kong culinary institution to face closure because of rising rents

Impatient diners crowd around carts of steaming dim sum steered by fierce "trolley aunties" at Hong Kong's Lin Heung Tea House, one of the city's most famous restaurants, now fearing for its future.

Lin Heung's traditional homemade dishes, including cha siu bao (barbecue pork buns), har gow (shrimp dumplings) and ma lai go (Cantonese sponge cake), have earned a loyal following from locals with a taste for nostalgia, as well as inquisitive tourists.

The two-storey restaurant in the bustling Central district has multiple top listings in global travel guides and serves customers from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm, seven days a week.

Diners sit elbow-to-elbow at shared round tables, metal spittoons still tucked beside them, the walls hung with decorative bird cages and traditional Chinese numerals used for menu prices.

Steamed dim sum dishes are distributed by fierce looking "trolley aunties"

But the restaurant says the building's new owner has not yet contacted them about renewing their lease, despite it expiring early next year, and they feel in the dark about the landlord's intentions.

That has sparked fears that Lin Heung will be the latest Hong Kong culinary treasure to fall foul of the city's thirst for redevelopment.

The building's landlord, CSI Properties, told AFP it could not comment on the case.

Lin Heung's possible demise has been widely reported by local media and worried regulars say they are visiting as much as they can in case it closes.

Retiree Mr Yip, 80, says he is coming more often to enjoy his favourite dish of pork liver siu mai -- a kind of dumpling -- and freshly made tea.

Dim sum is often paired with a cup of Chinese tea in a tradition known as "yum cha", literally "drink tea".

"It's my habit to sip a cup of Chinese tea and greet everyone here every week. The tea is special and the people too," Yip told AFP.

"I feel comforted when I see the staff. It feels like home."

- 'Sense of belonging' -

The city's housing market was crowned the most expensive in the world in 2017 -- the most recent figures available -- according to US-based Demographia and developers clamour for prime real estate.

The restaurant says its lease is up for renewal shortly but they have yet to hear what the new rent will be

The selling off of older buildings, as well as spiralling rents, has spelled the end for a number of family-run neighbourhood favourites across Hong Kong.

Lin Heung is one of the city's oldest Cantonese restaurant businesses and is run by the Ngan family, who arrived from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong and set it up in 1926.

It now has three outlets in Hong Kong and has moved its restaurants around over the decades.

The Central venue on Wellington Street is its main restaurant and has been in the same spot for 22 years.

Restaurant spokesman Terence Lam said the current lease would end in March 2019 and he hoped the restaurant would not have to close.

Some of Hong Kong's oldest restaurants have had to shut in recent years because rents have spiked

"It's not only a business. It embodies the legacy of the past," Lam told AFP. "It represents the hardship of our ancestors."

Local food writer Wilson Fok said the evolution of "yum cha" culture was intertwined with Hong Kong's history as numerous mainland dim sum chefs fled to the former British colony in the 1950s after civil war ravaged China.

He describes the atmosphere inside restaurants like Lin Heung as a "piece of history".

"Going to 'yum cha' is not just a cultural habit where people consume food, but also a way of life that shapes our identity," said Fok.

"Some of these old traditions are often lost in our fast-paced society," he added.

Commercial and residential rates on Hong Kong island are some of the most expensive in the world

Tourists visiting the tea house said they appreciated the restaurant's traditional approach -- a rarity now in Hong Kong.

"We usually sit with family or friends in China. But here, we share tables with people we don't know," said 20-year-old mainland Chinese visitor Wu Yutung.

Brazilian tourist Marcelo Garcia, 47, who said he had never before eaten dim sum, described Lin Heung as "an environment with a huge amount of energy".

"People probably come here again because they feel a sense of belonging," he said.
BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the European Commission's end of restrictions on the sales of solar panels from China and believes it will result in win-win and mutual benefits, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Saturday.

The ministry described the move as a successful model of resolving trade frictions through consultations, adding it will restore China-EU trade of solar panels to normal market conditions and provide a more stable and predictable business environment for both industries to realize win-win results, a spokesperson with the ministry said in a statement.

As an important clean energy product, solar panels are widely used to cope with climate change and are significant for achieving emission cut targets for countries around the world.

These days, it is more important than ever to take steps towards dealing with climate change. China is willing to continue cooperating with the European Union to advance emission cuts, climate adaptation and sustainable development, and push for global free trade and a rule-based multilateral trading system, according to the statement.

The European Commission announced on Friday its decision not to extend trade defense measures on solar panels from China after rejecting the European Union (EU) industry's request for an expiry review investigation.

"After having been in place for almost five years, the EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on solar panels from China will expire at midnight on Monday 3rd September," the European Commission said in a statement.
Libyans gather at the site where a mortar shell landed in the capital Tripoli

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for an end to violence in Libya in accordance with a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement.

According to a health ministry toll at least 39 people have been killed and some 100 injured in five days of clashes among rival militias, which broke out Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli.

"The Secretary-General condemns the continued escalation of violence in and around Libya's capital and, in particular, the use by armed groups of indiscriminate shelling leading to the death and injury of civilians, including children," a statement from Guterres' office said.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and abide by the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations and the Reconciliation Committees."

In a joint statement Britain, France, Italy and the United States have said they "warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya that they will be held accountable for any such actions."

The Libyan capital has been at the center of a battle for influence between armed groups since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
Palestinian refugee children play in a street of the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on September 1, 2018

US President Donald Trump's swingeing cuts to aid for Palestinians will advance Israel's interests but risk compromising a US-led peace push and raise tensions in the Middle East, analysts and diplomats said Saturday.

The US administration announced Friday it would no longer provide any funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), a week after cutting over $200 million (170 million euros) in separate aid to Palestinians.

They were the latest in a series of controversial moves by the Trump administration that have thrilled Israel's government but caused shock and dismay among international powers and Palestinians, making their dream of an independent state more distant than ever.

The cuts come as the international community seeks to reach an agreement to deliver significant humanitarian aid to the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip, where most residents rely on external handouts.

The US has long been the largest single donor to UNRWA, providing more than $350 million a year.

The agency provides support to Palestinians who fled their homes in the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel, as well as their descendants.

Israel and the US object to the fact that Palestinians can pass refugee status to their children, and want the number of refugees covered by UNRWA to be sharply reduced.

The Palestinians accuse the US of blatant bias and of seeking to strip them of their rights.

A week earlier, the US government ended Palestinian funding by USAID, which amounted to more than $200 million a year.

In December, the US recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, breaking decades of international consensus that the status of the disputed city should be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians.

Palestinian refugees chat at the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018

The May opening of the US embassy in the city triggered Palestinian protests that saw dozens of demonstrators in Gaza shot dead by Israeli forces.

A European diplomat said Saturday the US moves, taken in conjunction with an American pledge to veto any motions criticising Israel at the UN Security Council, were emboldening Israel's government, considered the most right-wing in the country's history.

Israel is increasingly convinced it has a free hand to accelerate settlement growth and even advocate for annexing parts of the West Bank, the diplomat said.

Alan Baker, a former Israeli diplomat-turned-analyst, said the government would be thrilled by the aid cuts.

"The UNRWA thing is very logical as it has become an anachronistic organisation -- maintaining the refugee status rather than trying to solve it."

- No leverage with Palestinians -

Baker said the aim of the cuts was also to force the Palestinians back to the negotiating table, though others said that was unlikely.

Palestinian school girls pose near a UN Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) tractor in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, on September 1, 2018

Trump's team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, has been pushing for what the US leader has called the "ultimate deal", but the Palestinians have boycotted his administration since its Jerusalem announcement.

The cuts mean the US is providing very little aid to Palestinians, and another European diplomat said the move weakened Trump's hand.

"When you have no money left to threaten them with, you have reduced your leverage," he said.

Palestinian economist Nasser Abdel Kareem told AFP the cuts would hurt Palestinians but have little impact on the government.

Unlike some European states, the US does not provide direct budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority.

The only part of US funding that goes directly to the PA -- for security coordination with Israel -- was not cut.

The cut "will not harm the treasury of the Palestinian Authority," Kareem told AFP.

Nadia Hijab, president of the Palestinian think tank Al-Shabaka, said returning to negotiations would be extremely unpopular among Palestinians.

But she fears that with full US support, Israel will have free reign to increase settlement growth.

"If the PA goes back and talks to the Americans it is giving them a green light to do whatever they want to do, and if they don't go back, they are going to do what they want to do," she said.

"At the moment it is a lose-lose situation."

Hugh Lovatt, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, agreed.

Palestinian refugees sit near computers at the Al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on September 1, 2018

"If anything, the Palestinians will now double down on their current approach, which is to boycott the US administration and attack the yet-to-be unveiled US peace plan," he said.

- Regional fears -

Hijab and many Palestinians do not believe the US is seeking to get the Palestinian leadership back to the table.

Instead, she said, they believe the US is trying to help Israel "end the conflict on its terms and legalise its occupation".

That would mean stripping refugees across the region of their rights, specifically the idea they could one day return to historic Palestine.

In both Jordan and Lebanon, Palestinian refugees have fewer rights than citizens and rely on UNRWA services for education, healthcare and other basic services.

In Gaza, run by the Islamist movement Hamas, the majority of the two million residents are refugees, meaning the UNRWA cuts will hit particularly hard.

Job losses for a few hundred of the agency's staff have already sparked major protests.

The Gaza Strip suffers from desperate poverty and is largely sealed off by both Israel and its other land neighbour, Egypt.

Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.

Some in the Israeli security services quietly express concern that immediate cuts to UNRWA could increase tensions with Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.
China's President Xi Jinping says trade with Belt and Road countries has exceeded $5 trillion

China's massive and expanding "Belt and Road" trade infrastructure project is running into speed bumps as some countries begin to grumble about being buried under Chinese debt.

First announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the initiative also known as the "new Silk Road" envisions the construction of railways, roads and ports across the globe, with Beijing providing billions of dollars in loans to many countries.

Five years on, Xi has found himself defending his treasured idea as concerns grow that China is setting up debt traps in countries which may lack the means to pay back the Asian giant.

"It is not a China club," Xi said in a speech on Monday to mark the project's anniversary, describing Belt and Road as an "open and inclusive" project.

Xi said China's trade with Belt and Road countries had exceeded $5 trillion, with outward direct investment surpassing $60 billion.

But some are starting to wonder if it is worth the cost.

During a visit to Beijing in August, Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said his country would shelve three China-backed projects, including a $20 billion railway.

China's "new Silk Road" envisions the construction of railways, roads and ports across the globe

The party of Pakistan's new prime minister, Imran Khan, has vowed more transparency amid fears about the country's ability to repay Chinese loans related to the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Meanwhile the exiled leader of the opposition in the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has said China's actions in the Indian Ocean archipelago amounted to a "land grab" and "colonialism", with 80 percent of its debt held by Beijing.

Sri Lanka has already paid a heavy price for being highly indebted to China.

Last year, the island nation had to grant a 99-year lease on a strategic port to Beijing over its inability to repay loans for the $1.4-billion project.

- 'Ambiguous partner' -

"China does not have a very competent international bureaucracy in foreign aid, in expansion of soft power," Anne Stevenson-Yang, co-founder and research director at J Capital Research, told AFP.

"So not surprisingly they're not very good at it, and it brought up political issues like Malaysia that nobody anticipated," she said.

"As the RMB (yuan) becomes weaker, and China is perceived internationally as a more ambiguous partner, it's more likely that the countries will take a more jaundiced eye on these projects."

China's President Xi Jinping (C) says the initiative is 'not a China club'

The huge endeavour brings much-needed infrastructure improvements to developing countries, while giving China destinations to unload its industrial overcapacity and facilities to stock up on raw materials.

But a study by the Center for Global Development, a US think-tank, found "serious concerns" about the sustainability of the sovereign debt in eight countries receiving Silk Road funds.

Those were Pakistan, Djibouti, Maldives, Mongolia, Laos, Montenegro, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The cost of a China-Laos railway project -- $6.7 billion -- represents almost half of the Southeast Asian country's GDP, according to the study.

In Djibouti, the IMF has warned that the Horn of Africa country faces a "high risk of debt distress" as its public debt jumped from 50 percent of GDP in 2014 to 85 percent in 2016.

Africa has long embraced Chinese investment, helping make Beijing the continent's largest trading partner for the past decade.

On Monday, a number of African leaders will gather in Beijing for a summit focused on economic ties which will include talks on the "Belt and Road" programme.

- 'Not a free lunch' -

China bristles at criticism.

At a daily press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying denied that Beijing was saddling its partners with onerous debt, saying that its loans to Sri Lanka and Pakistan were only a small part of those countries' overall foreign debt.

"It's unreasonable that money coming out of Western countries is praised as good and sweet, while coming out of China it's sinister and a trap," she said.

Stevenson-Yang said China's loans are quoted in dollar terms, "but in reality they're lending in terms of tractors, shipments of coal, engineering services and things like that, and they ask for repayment in hard currency."

Sri Lanka has already paid a heavy price for being highly indebted to China

Standard & Poor's said Beijing structures the infrastructure projects as long-term concessions, with a Chinese firm operating the facility for a period of 20 to 30 years while splitting the proceeds with the local counterpart or government.

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, raised concerns about potential debt problems in April and advocated greater transparency.

"It's not a free lunch, it's something where everybody chips in," she said.
The decision by Nigeria's central bank to order telecoms group MTN to repay $8 billion could hit investor sentiment in the country, analysts say

Nigeria's decision to order South African telecoms giant MTN to repay billions of dollars that it had allegedly illegally repatriated over a period of eight years could sour investor sentiment towards the country as it still struggles to recover from a deep recession two years ago, analysts say.

In a shock announcement last Wednesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered MTN to repay $8.13 billion because it had not obtained the necessary permission to repatriate the funds between 2007 and 2015.

The four banks involved in transferring the funds from MTN's bank accounts in Nigeria to those in South Africa were fined a combined 5.87 billion nairas ($16.2 million, 14 million euros).

With the economy still fragile after a deep recession in 2016 and elections looming early next year, many private sector players in Nigeria believe the move could dent investor sentiment at an already difficult time for foreign investment in the country, analysts said.

"Anything of that magnitude, particularly given the timing ahead of an election... is certainly going to raise suspicions from international investors," said Alastair Jones, analyst at London-based New Street Research.

For Peter Takaendesa, Cape Town-based portfolio manager at Mergence Investment Managers, the situation was untenable.

"Investors want certainty in terms of laws. There's no way MTN will find $8 billion to put in Nigeria. There has to be a resolution," Takaendesa said.

For the time being, MTN does not appear to have any intention of reviewing its presence in Nigeria, which is by far its biggest individual market and makes up a huge chunk -- 27 percent -- of its revenues.

It boasts double-digit growth rates there and has more than 52 million subscribers in 2017 -- 42 percent of the Nigerian market.

- 'Can't leave Nigeria' -

MTN Nigeria has already earmarked investment of 180 billion nairas ($497 million) this year for the expansion of its network.

"Of course, Nigeria is their biggest market, they can't leave today," said Nonso Obikili, a Nigerian economist based in South Africa.

Nevertheless, the CBN order to repay the cash could give MTN pause for thought and could even at some point persuade them to reconsider, the economist suggested.

"The message they're (the CBN) sending to possible investors is a bigger loss and at some point MTN will say 'this is the end'," he said.

South Africa-based independent telecoms expert Spiwe Chireka pointed out that another South African telecoms giant, Telkom, had also experienced difficulties in trying to move into the Nigerian market.

Telkom "went in and spent who knows how many billions and ended up having to sell it for $10 million and having to get out of there," he said.

Telkom acquired a majority stake in the private Nigerian operator Multi-Links in 2007 and then bought full control in 2009. But the Nigerian firm has never made a profit, compelling Telkom to make massive writedowns on its investment.

Chireka said that while Nigeria "has a lot of business potential, it is one of the most difficult markets to operate in."

Riddled with corruption, offering little legal protection, and burdened by protectionist economic policies inherited from various military dictatorships, Nigeria ranks 145 out of a total 190 on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index.

The CBN decision is not the first time that MTN has been sanctioned by the Nigerian authorities.

In 2015, MTN was fined $5.2 billion by Nigeria's telecoms regulator NCC for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards on its network.

The fine was later reduced to $1.7 billion after a series of negotiations with the Nigerian government.

Aurelien Mali, risk analysis expert for Africa at Moody's, said that "by attacking MTN, the Nigerian regulator wants to show that investors can't simply do as they want."

In theory at last, the order to repay the funds does not automatically translate into a financial loss for MTN.

But in reality, the exact loss depends on how far the naira has fallen during the period in question. In this case, the naira has lost around half of its value between 2007 and 2015, meaning MTN stands to lose around $4 billion.
Education is a sensitive subject in modern-day China

Police in central China said Sunday they arrested nearly 50 people after a violent protest sparked by dissatisfaction with the local school system.

More than 600 protesters gathered outside a police station in Leiyang city in Hunan province around midnight Saturday after security personnel stopped a protest earlier in the day, police said in a statement on their website.

They said they arrested 46 people who "attacked" the station, throwing bottles and bricks at local officials attempting to address the crowd. Many cars had been destroyed, the statement added.

Apparent videos of the protests on Twitter showed an angry crowd violently clashing with police in riot gear. AFP could not independently confirm the video.

Trouble began after parents of some middle school students were told they would have to move their children into dormitories at a local private school, resulting in a dramatic increase in tuition fees, according to posts on Chinese social media.

Additionally, commenters complained that unsafe levels of formaldehyde had been detected in some middle schools' newly renovated dormitories.

Posts about the incident had been removed from Chinese social media by Sunday afternoon but were preserved by the anti-censorship website Free Weibo.

In a statement on its website, the local education department said it would test the dorms' formaldehyde levels immediately.

Violent protests are not uncommon in China, where citizens have limited channels for addressing their frustrations with government.

Problems affecting children's health and education are particularly sensitive subjects in the country, where government policy for decades limited parents to only one child.
Moon and Kim meet in May at the north side of the border truce village of Panmunjom

A high-level South Korean delegation will fly to North Korea this week to discuss arrangements for an inter-Korean summit there this month, as relations grow cooler between Washington and Pyongyang.

The South's President Moon Jae-in Sunday named his top security adviser as a special envoy to the North to discuss details before Moon's planned meeting in Pyongyang with Kim Jong-Un.

Chung Eui-yong, head of the presidential National Security Office, will lead a five-member delegation to the North's capital on Wednesday, Moon's spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters.

The delegation, which also includes South Korea's spy chief Suh Hoon, will fly to Pyongyang via a rare direct route across the inter-Korean border for their day trip.

It will be Chung's second visit to the North since March, when he headed the same five-member team to arrange the first summit between Moon and Kim and met Kim Jong-Un.

The spokesman said it was unclear whether the delegation would meet the North's leader this time around.

Moon and Kim have met face-to-face twice now, the first during a historic summit at the border truce village of Panmunjom in April.

It was the first time a North Korean leader had crossed into the South since the 1950-53 war sealed the division of the Korean peninsula.

They met a second time in Panmunjom in May as they scrambled to salvage plans for a summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in Singapore, which eventually went ahead on June 12.

Moon and Kim have since agreed to hold a third summit in Pyongyang at an unspecified date in September.

The rapid rapprochement on the Korean peninsula led to the landmark meeting between Kim and Trump in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough.

At the summit the pair reached a vague agreement to work towards the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", but there has been little movement since.

Pyongyang has slammed the US for its "gangster-like" demands for complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament, and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency reported there was no indication that the North had stopped its nuclear activities.

Last month Trump ordered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to abruptly cancel a planned trip to Pyongyang, citing lack of progress on denuclearisation.
A Yemeni protester holds a portrait of a relative during a demonstration calling for the release of prisoners being held in government prisons outside the Red Cross office in Sanaa, on July 26, 2017

Yemen's warring parties will not meet face-to-face at UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva this week which will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal, government officials said Sunday.

The United Nations has invited Yemen's government and the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to Geneva for talks which open Thursday.

Both parties have confirmed they are sending high-level delegations to the talks, but officials say expectations of a breakthrough are low.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths has said the talks are aimed at charting a path forward to revive UN-backed negotiations which broke down in 2016.

The Yemeni government says the talks will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of embattled Hodeida, the rebel-held port city that is now the frontline of the Yemen war.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani told AFP the meetings "will not be face-to-face and depend on how well the UN envoy manages the two sides".

"The consultations will be indirect, unless there is some progress that can be made directly," said Abdullah al-Olaimi, head of Yemen's presidential office and a member of the Geneva delegation.

- Prisoner swap deal -

Yemen's government has openly said it has low expectations for the talks, blaming the Huthis for refusing to make concessions.

"Our expectations are limited to the possibility of progress in the question of prisoners and detainees," Yamani said.

"I think this is the chance to succeed in securing the release of prisoners, and I believe the other party is also willing and ready."

The UN has likewise set a low bar for the talks -- the first since 106 days of negotiations in Kuwait failed to yield an agreement between the government and rebels back in 2016.

"The aim of this first round of consultations is to better understand how committed both parties are to the framework for formal negotiations... and to come to some conclusions about how those negotiations may start," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

In July, the Yemeni government demanded the release of all prisoners held by the Huthis as a condition for the start of peace talks.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government source said the delegation would demand the release of 5,000 prisoners while the rebels were hoping for the liberation of 3,000 of their fighters.

Rights group Amnesty International in July said it feared violations in a string of Yemeni prisons could amount to war crimes.

The prisons, according to Amnesty, are run by the UAE, the Yemeni government's most powerful partner on the ground.

The UAE has denied involvement in any prisons in Yemen.

Backed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, the government of Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has battled the Huthis for more than three years in what is widely seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran.

Yemenis displaced by the war ravaging their country line up to receive food aid from the Red Crescent on September 1, 2018

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition in June launched a major offensive to capture Hodeida from the Huthi rebels, sparking fears of a fresh humanitarian crisis.

Hodeida is home to Yemen's most valuable port on the Red Sea. The port, controlled by the rebels, is under blockade by the Saudi-led coalition, which has allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance in recent weeks.
Pupils and teachers gather in front of a school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the Balata refugee camp of the occupied West Bank on August 29, 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday lauded the US decision to halt funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, arguing the body perpetuates the problem instead of solving it.

"The US has done a very important thing by halting the financing for the refugee perpetuation agency known as UNRWA," Netanyahu said while visiting a school for the start of the academic year.

"It is finally beginning to resolve the problem."

He added that the money "must be taken and used to genuinely help rehabilitate the refugees, the true number of which is much smaller than the number reported by UNRWA".

The United States announced Friday it was ending funding to UNRWA, or the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees.

Washington has long been the largest single donor to the agency, providing more than $350 million a year.

The decision followed another one by Washington on August 24 to cancel more than $200 million in bilateral aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Palestinian leaders have harshly condemned the US moves, accusing US President Donald Trump's administration of seeking to "liquidate" their cause.

Trump's recognition of the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December had already led Palestinian leaders to cut off contact with the White House.

The aid cuts have led to concerns over the future of the UN agency that provides services to Palestinian refugees and their descendants, with some five million people eligible.

Its services include operating 711 schools for 526,000 pupils in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The cut in bilateral aid will affect humanitarian programmes in areas such as health care, particularly in the impoverished Gaza Strip, among others.

The issue of Palestinian refugees has long been a major sticking point in peace efforts.

More than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.

They and their descendants are now classified as refugees who fall under UNRWA's remit.

Palestinian leaders continue to call for at least some of them to be allowed to return to their former homes now inside Israel under any peace deal.

Israel says Palestinians must give up the so-called right of return and that allowing descendants of refugees to inherit their status only perpetuates the problem instead of solving it.
The incident comes amid mounting safety concerns over cracks on the runway's surface, which was repaired only recently

Nepal's only international airport had to be closed for some 11 hours after a domestic aircraft skidded off the recently repaired runway, officials said Sunday.

The Jetstream 41 was flying in to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj in southern Nepal late Saturday with 21 passengers onboard when it suffered a runway excursion before coming to a halt onto the adjoining grassland.

Nobody was hurt in the incident but incoming and outgoing flights to Nepal's sole international air gateway were diverted while authorities tried to remove the aircraft, which had become stuck in mud.

The airport reopened at 8 am Sunday after the aircraft was moved.

The incident comes amid mounting safety concerns over cracks on the runway's surface, which was repaired only recently.

"An investigation committee will look into the cause of the incident. Other flights have safely landed, we don't believe the runway was an issue," the airport's general manager Raj Kumar Chettri told AFP.

Nepal has a poor air safety record and Nepal-based airlines are banned from flying in European Union airspace.

In April a Malaysian jet with 139 people on board aborted its takeoff and skidded off the runway.

In March, a US-Bangla Airways plane crashed near the airport, killing 51 people.

The Himalayan nation has some of the world's most remote and tricky runways, flanked by snow-capped peaks with approaches that pose a challenge for even accomplished pilots.
Miller (C), who has commanded special operations units in Afghanistan since 2013, succeeds General John Nicholson (R)

General Scott Miller took command of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday, as worsening violence erodes hopes for peace in the war-torn country.

Miller, who has commanded special operations units in Afghanistan since 2013, succeeds General John Nicholson, who is rotating out of the post after more than two years.

The handover comes at a sensitive time in the 17-year war that has seen little progress by Afghan or US forces against the Taliban, Afghanistan's largest militant group.

Afghan and international players have been ratcheting up efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban, which was toppled from power by US-led forces in 2001.

An unprecedented ceasefire in June followed by talks between US officials and Taliban representatives in Qatar in July fuelled hopes that negotiations could bring an end to the fighting.

But a recent spate of attacks by Taliban and the smaller but potent Islamic State group that left hundreds of security forces and civilians dead has almost extinguished that optimism.

"This is a tough fight," Miller acknowledged during an outdoor change of command ceremony in Kabul attended by top Afghan officials and foreign diplomats.

"There's no room for status quo, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must be aware of bias and easy conclusions -- they don't exist here."

In a WhatsApp message to reporters, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid warned Miller would "fail like the other commanders".

For the past two years Miller has headed up the secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and has lengthy experience working with some of America's most elite fighters.

Nicholson, who will return to the Pentagon, is the longest-serving US commander of NATO and American Forces in Afghanistan.

There had been concerns that militants would shower Kabul with mortar or rocket fire to spoil Sunday's handover, as they did during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's speech on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday last month.

But the ceremony passed off uninterrupted.

Miller takes up his new role more than a year after US President Donald 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.

But there are fears that Trump is growing frustrated with the pace of progress in the country.

The Taliban have long insisted on direct talks with Washington and refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, which they see as illegitimate.

There is speculation that another meeting between US and Taliban representatives could be held this month.

"We know the military component is only one part of this conditions-based strategy," Miller said.

He added that it was necessary to "create space for the political process" to end the war.

Separately, Miller confirmed in a statement that a US airstrike in the eastern province of Nangarhar on August 25 killed the leader of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan.

Abu Saad Orakzai, also known as Saad Arhabi, was among several people killed in the strike. IS first emerged in Afghanistan around 2014.

Currently there are about 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, providing the main component of the NATO mission there to support and train local forces.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi said China firmly supports Mozambique in choosing a development path in line with its national conditions and stands ready to deepen the exchanges of the experiences on governance and development.

China supports Mozambique in its efforts to pursue social and economic developments and improve people's livelihood and welcomes Mozambique to take an active part in the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi added.

China is ready to help Mozambique accelerate industrialization and agricultural modernization to strengthen its internal drive to achieve sustainable self-development, Xi said.

The Chinese president spoke of the need for China and Mozambique to advance key cooperative projects, innovate models of cooperation, and strengthen exchange and cooperation in education, culture, media and other areas.

Xi also said China supports Mozambique in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

Nyusi said Mozambique is keen to learn from China on ruling party building and state governance.

Speaking highly of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi, Nyusi said he believes this FOCAC Beijing summit will effectively advance the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and African countries and push for common development.

Mozambique is ready to expand cooperation with China in areas including trade and agriculture, and strengthen mutual support in international and regional affairs, he added.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
Pope Francis delivers his blessing to the faithful during the Angelus prayer at Saint Peter's square in the Vatican

Pope Francis on Sunday warned of a "human catastrophe" in the Syria's Idlib province, the last major rebel bastion which is being shelled by government forces.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have been amassing along Idlib's borders for weeks and shelling rebel-held territory on a daily basis, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The pontiff said there were still "winds of war" and "unsettling news about the risk of a possible humanitarian catastrophe in the province of Idlib."

Speaking during Angelus prayers, the pope urged the international community and other actors "to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations, in compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians."

Idlib is adjacent to Latakia province, the coastal heartland of Assad's Alawite minority and home to the Russian military airport of Hmeimim.

In recent days, Damascus and Moscow have stepped up warnings of an imminent assault on the province, which shares a border with Turkey and is dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by the former branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria.
An Iraqi man who lost a limb during the war against the Islamic State group sits by a swimming pool in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on September 1, 2018

With artificial limbs in the place of legs they lost to jihadists, a group of Iraqis plunged into a swimming pool for a special race aimed at helping them overcome the horrors of war.

Abdel Zahra Kazem, a soldier from southern Iraq who was wounded in an attack in Baghdad, said getting back in the pool had helped him to rediscover one of his passions in life.

"I've swum since I was a child and today I can start again," he said by the poolside at a hotel in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.

An Iraqi who lost a limb during the government-led offensive against the Islamic State group walks by a pool at a swimming event in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on September 1, 2018

Rabie Abdellatif lost a leg in an attack by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Iraq's second city Mosul, which was left in ruins by the government's battle against the jihadists.

Thanks to his artificial limb, he said he has recovered "80 percent of my capabilities from life before".

"I can drive my car. I can work," he told AFP, his swimsuit and cap still dripping wet.

Iraqis who lost limbs during the government offensive against the Islamic State group swim during a special event in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on September 1, 2018

By the side of the pool, half a dozen men with artificial legs waited in the shade for their turn splashing in the water.

They were watched by officials from Kurdistan and Kuwait, which has provided funding for the rehabilitation of civilians and fighters from Iraqi Kurdish and federal forces.

The aim, said Arbil governor Nawzad Hadi, is to "give life and hope" to victims of IS.

An Iraqi who lost a limb during the government-led offensive against the Islamic State group walks by a pool at a swimming event in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on September 1, 2018

Tens of thousands of Iraqi security personnel were wounded in the three-year battle against IS, which at its peak controlled nearly a third of the country as well as swathes of neighbouring Syria.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians have also been wounded in attacks perpetrated for years by extremist groups across Iraq, which declared victory over IS in December.
Young Palestinian refugees wait outside an UNRWA school in Jordan's Baqaa camp, north of Amman, on 2 september 2018

US President Donald Trump's cut to funds for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has sparked fears in Jordan's largest refugee camp, where tens of thousands depend on its aid for survival.

"Our country is gone and now they're coming after our livelihoods," said Zeinab al-Ardaba, a resident of Jordan's Baqaa camp.

She is one of the nearly 119,000 Palestinian refugees living in the sprawling camp just north of the capital Amman, where snaking narrow alleyways are strewn with rubbish and wastewater.

Her face lined with age and wrapped in a blue headscarf, the 78-year-old grandmother of five has lived in the camp since it was built after the Six Day War in 1967.

"How will Trump face God on judgement day?" she asked.

"Where should we go? They're even coming after our livelihoods in our camps... How are we supposed to pay for schools if we can't even make ends meet?"

Washington, which until last year was by far the biggest contributor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said Friday it would no longer fund the "irredeemably flawed operation".

The US has backed Israel in accusing UNRWA of perpetuating the Middle East conflict by maintaining the idea that millions of Palestinians are refugees with a right to return to homes in what is now Israel.

For Palestinians, the right of return for the hundreds of thousands displaced in 1948 and 1967 -- and their descendants -- is central to their cause.

While most of the Baqaa's residents were displaced in 1967, when Israel took over the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, some are refugees twice over, having first lost their homes in the violence surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.

"Only God knows the difficult conditions we face in this camp... how we eat and live," said Zeinab.

"It's hard to find work and many people are unemployed and have no money... live is difficult, very difficult."

- 'We will remain' -

Palestinians and their supporters say UNRWA provides crucial services for the poor and that it must continue operating until a just solution is reached for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Created in 1949, the agency supplies aid to more than three million of the five million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

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Jordan hosts nearly 2.2 million Palestinian refugees, according to the UN, who make up nearly half of the kingdom's total population.

Washington's "unfair and irresponsible decision will have a huge affect on the lives of Palestinians," said 80-year-old Hussein Abu Shanaan, who lives in the camp with his four children and nearly 20 grandchildren.

"But whatever they do to us, we Palestinians will remain," he added, his voice frail.

Set up as a temporary shelter with 5,000 tents after the 1967 war, Baqaa now looks more like a city, with 16 schools and two health centres.

"If the Americans don't want to help us, they can return our country, land and property," said 70-year-old widow Najiya Faraj.

"Our families once owned large houses, farms and animals -- today, we're begging for aid."

Faraj and her 13 children live on just $150 (130 euros) a month.

"More than half a century after they displaced us from our homes, they're coming for our lives and our livelihoods. What do they want from us?"

Leaving a shop after buying bread for his family, 33-year-old father of two Hani al-Jebarat looked distressed.

"God help these people. They can barely find bread to feed their children... what will happen to these children?" he asked, shaking his head as he walked away.
A Yemeni protester holds a portrait of a relative during a demonstration calling for the release of prisoners being held in government prisons outside the Red Cross office in Sanaa, on July 26, 2017

Yemen's warring parties will not meet directly at UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva this week, likely to focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of a key port, government officials said Sunday.

The United Nations has invited Yemen's government and the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to Geneva for talks which open Thursday.

Both parties have confirmed they are sending high-level delegations to the talks, but officials say expectations of a breakthrough are low.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths has said the talks are aimed at charting a path forward to revive UN-backed negotiations which broke down in 2016.

The Yemeni government says the meetings will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of embattled Hodeida, the rebel-held port city that is now the frontline of the Yemen war.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani told AFP the meetings "will not be face-to-face and depend on how well the UN envoy manages the two sides".

"The consultations will be indirect, unless there is some progress that can be made directly," said Abdullah al-Olaimi, head of Yemen's presidential office and a member of the Geneva delegation.

- Prisoner swap deal -

Yemeni artists paint a pro-peace graffiti on a wall in the capital Sanaa on August 16, 2018 as they call for peace and tolerance and rejecting the ongoing conflict in the Arab world's most impoverished country

Yemen's government has openly said it has low expectations for the talks, blaming the Huthis for refusing to make concessions.

"Our expectations are limited to the possibility of progress in the question of prisoners and detainees," Yamani said.

"I think this is the chance to succeed in securing the release of prisoners, and I believe the other party is also willing and ready."

The United States, a major ally of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday said it "fully supported" Griffiths' efforts.

"It is imperative that all parties work toward a comprehensive political solution to avoid further harm to the Yemeni people," said state department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

The UN has set a low bar for the talks -- the first since 106 days of negotiations in Kuwait failed to yield an agreement between the government and rebels in 2016.

"The aim of this first round of consultations is to better understand how committed both parties are to the framework for formal negotiations... and to come to some conclusions about how those negotiations may start," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

In July, the Yemeni government demanded the release of all prisoners held by the Huthis as a condition for the start of peace talks.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government source said the delegation would demand the release of 5,000 prisoners while the rebels were hoping for the liberation of 3,000 of their fighters.

Rights group Amnesty International in July said it feared violations in a string of Yemeni prisons could amount to war crimes.

The prisons, according to Amnesty, are run by the UAE, the Yemeni government's most powerful partner on the ground.

The UAE has denied involvement in any prisons in Yemen.

- Fiscal fight -

The Geneva talks will also look at the economy in Yemen, long the Arab world's most impoverished country.

In 2014, the Iran-backed Huthis overran the capital, driving out the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and setting up a parallel government in Sanaa.

The rebels, however, have been unable to pay the salaries of many civil servants for months, according to reports from the capital.

Yamani said the government could step in to help pay the overdue salaries, a move likely aimed at strengthening the state's grip on the national economy and boosting its standing in rebel-held areas.

The foreign minister accused the Huthis of failing to turn in their revenues, which he estimated at 45 billion riyals ($113 million), to help bolster Yemen's economy.

Backed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, Hadi's government has battled the Huthis for more than three years in what is widely seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran.

Yemenis displaced by the war ravaging their country line up to receive food aid from the Red Crescent in Hajjah on September 1, 2018

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition in June launched a major offensive to capture Hodeida from the Huthi rebels, sparking fears of a fresh humanitarian crisis.

Hodeida is home to Yemen's most valuable port on the Red Sea.

The port, controlled by the rebels, is under blockade by the Saudi-led coalition, which has allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance in recent weeks.

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Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, seen here at a June 2017 economic event in St. Petersburg, was reportedly approached by the FBI for cooperation in sensitive investigations

US justice officials secretly sought cooperation from a few of Russia's richest men as they investigated Russian organized crime and possible aid from Moscow to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, The New York Times has reported.

Nearly all the half-dozen Russian oligarchs approached between 2014 and 2016 by the US Justice Department and FBI have close links to President Vladimir Putin, the newspaper said. None of them apparently cooperated.

At one point, FBI agents reportedly appeared unannounced at a home that billionaire Oleg Deripaska maintains in New York to press him on whether Paul Manafort, a onetime business partner of the Russian and briefly chairman of the Trump campaign, had served as a liaison between the campaign and the Kremlin.

A jury in Virginia last month convicted Manafort of several counts of tax and bank fraud.

Two key players in the US investigative effort, according to the Times, were Christopher Steele, the former British spy who assembled a controversial dossier on alleged links between the Trump campaign and Russia, and Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, recently the target of angry attacks from Trump.

The Steele report, which included salacious but unproven allegations about Trump -- from purported encounters with prostitutes to bribes disguised as real estate deals -- was paid for in part by supporters of Hillary Clinton, and Trump has vociferously denounced it as a "deep state" attempt to discredit him.

Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible Trump campaign links to Russia, has a copy of the dossier and has reportedly interviewed Steele.

Ohr engaged with Steele repeatedly as part of the Justice Department's original investigation. Word of those contacts has fueled Republican ire and brought calls from Trump for Ohr to be stripped of his security clearance or even fired.

The Times said US officials' attempts to enlist Deripaska's help were not entirely a long shot. He had worked with the US government in an effort to rescue an FBI agent held in Iran, and he was seeking permission to travel more easily to the US.

Instead, the newspaper said, Deripaska notified the Kremlin of the American contacts.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas speaks during a meeting with the Palestinian Central Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah on August 15, 2018

US officials working on a Middle East peace plan have asked Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas about forming a confederation with Jordan, Abbas told activists Sunday, according to one of them.

Abbas recounted the conversation he had with White House aides Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt during a meeting with Israeli peace activists in Ramallah, said Hagit Ofran of the Peace Now NGO, who attended.

According to Ofran, Abbas said he told the US officials he would only be interested if Israel was also part of such a confederation.

It was not clear when the conversation took place, though Abbas has declined to meet with the White House since US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December.

Abbas's office confirmed Sunday's meeting with the peace activists, but not the comments on the confederation.

Israeli media also reported Abbas's comments on the confederation proposal. Ofran said Abbas did not go into further detail.

A Palestinian-Jordan confederation has been favoured by some on the Israeli right as a way to avoid granting full state status to the Palestinians for now.

In such an arrangement, Israel could also avoid taking responsibility for the some 3.5 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Abbas's response was essentially a way of torpedoing the proposal since Israel would likely not agree to join such an arrangement, Ofran told AFP.

"He did say that Kushner and Greenblatt came to him and asked 'would you agree to a confederation with Jordan'," Ofran said, stressing she was paraphrasing his remarks.

"And he said, 'I will agree to a confederation with Jordan and with Israel only.'"

Abbas meets occasionally with Israeli peace activists and left-wing politicians.

Sunday's meeting included members of Peace Now and other organisations, as well as two Israeli parliament members.

Palestinian leaders see US President Donald Trump's administration as blatantly biased in favour of Israel.

In addition to the Jerusalem recognition, Washington last week announced it was ending funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

The previous week, it announced it was cancelling more than $200 million in bilateral aid to the Palestinians.

Trump has pledged to unveil a plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace, saying he wanted to reach the "ultimate deal".

His son-in-law Kushner has been among those working on the plan.

Ofran said Abbas also spoke of the right of return for Palestinian refugees during Sunday's meeting, long a major issue in peace efforts.

She said Abbas told the meeting that he would not push for a solution for refugees that would "destroy Israel," but for a compromise that could be agreed upon.

More than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.

They and their descendants are now classified as refugees and Palestinian leaders continue to call for at least some of them to be allowed to return to their former homes now inside Israel.

Israel says Palestinians must give up the so-called right of return.
Israel, whose prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen, has tried to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges performing dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its enemy Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Sunday with a US envoy for Syria for talks on the war-ravaged country and Iran, his office said.

Netanyahu discussed "the situation in Syria and the joint effort to stop Iran's terror and aggression" with James Jeffrey, the US special representative for Syria engagement, said a statement.

Ahead of the visit, the US State Department said Jeffrey, accompanied by US special envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn, would discuss "maintaining Israel's security while countering Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region".

Jeffrey and Rayburn would travel on to Jordan and Turkey, where they would reiterate the US position against a military offensive in Idlib, the State Department said.

The two "will also address Russia's specious allegations of international plans to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria" in their meetings across the region, according to the State Department.

Iran is backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war along with Russia and Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Israel has sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict but acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes in Syria to stop what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.

It has also pledged to prevent its arch foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, and a series of strikes that have killed Iranians in Syria have been attributed to Israel.
Chinese e-commerce billionaire Liu Qiangdong -- also known as Richard Liu -- has been briefly arrested in the US over allegations of criminal sexual conduct

Chinese e-commerce billionaire Liu Qiangdong -- also known as Richard Liu -- was briefly arrested in the midwestern US city of Minneapolis over allegations of criminal sexual conduct, authorities said.

Records from Hennepin County Jail showed Liu, founder and CEO of Chinese online retail giant JD.com, was arrested over the misconduct allegations late Friday night and released Saturday afternoon.

The Minneapolis Police Department said the investigation remained active and would not confirm details of the arrest or the allegations against the 45-year-old Liu.

"The individual was arrested Friday evening and released Saturday afternoon. He was released pending formal complaint," Public Information Officer John Elder told AFP.

In the state of Minnesota, "criminal sexual conduct" encompasses a broad spectrum of nonconsensual sexual activity.

In a statement posted on Chinese social media network Weibo, JD.com confirmed that Liu had been arrested over what it described as a false allegation during a business trip.

The statement, contradicting US police, added authorities found no evidence of misconduct and released Liu to continue his trip.

Founded in 1998, the Fortune Global 500 company is China's second-largest e-commerce firm and an aggressive competitor of Alibaba.

The company says it offers a "one stop" shopping experience to over 300 million active customers in China, with same- and next day-delivery as standard.

In June, Google announced it would invest more than half a billion dollars into JD.com as part of a move to expand retail services around the world.

The firms will marry JD's supply chain and logistics experience with Google technology to create "next generation" personalized retail in regions including Southeast Asia, the US and Europe, both companies said in a statement.
Most detainees at Ain Zara prison have been convicted of common crimes or were supporters of former dictator Moamer Kadhafi

Some 400 detainees escaped after a riot on Sunday at a prison in the southern suburbs of the Libyan capital Tripoli, theatre of a week of deadly battles, police said.

"The detainees were able to force open the doors and leave" as fighting between rival militias raged near the prison of Ain Zara, police said in a statement, without specifying what crimes the escapees had committed.

Guards were unable to prevent the prisoners escaping as they feared for their own lives, the statement said.

A police official contacted by AFP was unable to provide further details.

Most detainees at the prison have been convicted of common crimes or were supporters of former dictator Moamer Kadhafi, found guilty of killings during the uprising that toppled his regime in 2011

According to a health ministry toll, at least 39 people have been killed and some 100 injured since clashes, including rocket fire, broke out among rival militias Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli.

- Rocket strike on camp -

And on Sunday rockets hit a camp for displaced people in Tripoli, leaving at least two dead and five injured from the same family, according to emergency services and witnesses.

The camp is home to hundreds of displaced people from the Libyan city of Taourga who were forced into mass exile due to their support for Kadhafi.

"Most of the families have left the camp fearing more rockets," Khaled Omrane, a camp resident, told AFP.

According to emergency services, at least 23 rockets fell on the capital on Friday and Saturday causing fresh casualties.

The Government of National Unity (GNA) which is recognised by the international community on Sunday said it was declaring a state of emergency in the Libyan capital and its environs.

The Libyan capital has been at the centre of a battle for influence between armed groups since Kadhafi's fall and killing.
Wa Lone and his colleague have been held in Yangon's notorious Insein prison since their arrest in December

Two Reuters journalists accused of breaching Myanmar's state secrets law while reporting on a massacre of Rohingya Muslims were jailed for seven years Monday, fuelling international outrage a week after the army was accused of genocide.

Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, who have been held in Yangon's Insein prison since their arrest in December, were charged with violating the Official Secrets Act, a draconian British colonial-era law which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The case, which sparked an international outcry, was seen as an attempt to muzzle reporting on last year's crackdown by Myanmar's security forces on the Muslim Rohingya minority in Rakhine state.

Army-led "clearance operations" drove 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh, carrying with them widespread accounts of atrocities -- rape, murder and arson -- by Myanmar police and troops.

Kyaw Soe Oo, seen here after being sentenced, was charged with violating the Official Secrets Act with his colleague Wa Lone

The reporters denied the secrets charges, insisting they were set up while exposing the extrajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine village of Inn Din in September last year.

They had told the court they were arrested after being invited to dinner by police in Yangon, who handed them documents.

As they left the restaurant, the pair were detained for possessing classified material.

But Judge Ye Lwin was unmoved, also choosing to disregard a whistleblowing policeman's testimony that corroborated their version of events.

"The culprits intended to harm the interests of the state. And so they have been found guilty under the state secrets act," he told the packed Yangon court.

"They are sentenced to seven years in prison each," he said.

- 'Face verdict with courage' -

Kyaw Soe Oo's wife Chit Su Win wept after the judge delivered the verdict, collapsing on the ground in tears as she filed out of the sweltering courtroom along with other shell-shocked family members, reporters and diplomats.

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The handcuffed pair, both Myanmar nationals with young children, gave brief but defiant statements on the court steps.

"The government can detain us in the prison but... don't close the ears and eyes of the people," Kyaw Soe Oo said.

Wa Lone, whose wife gave birth to a baby daughter less than a month ago, gave a defiant thumbs up to the massed ranks of reporters.

"We will face it (the verdict) with stability and courage," he said, before the pair were bundled into a waiting police van and taken back to the notorious Insein prison.

- 'Sad day for the press' -

Defence lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said an appeal would be lodged as soon as possible against the verdict, which Reuters denounced as based on "false charges".

Kyaw Soe Oo's wife Chit Su Win(2nd-R) grieves with family after the verdict is revealed

"Today is a sad day for Myanmar... and the press everywhere," Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement, adding that the outcome was "designed to silence their reporting and intimidate the press".

The UN, the US, Canada, the European Union and EU members Britain and France condemned the verdict and reiterated calls for the reporters' release, while rights groups added their voices to the chorus of outrage.

"I was shocked," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. "The trial was a travesty of justice.

"It sends a message to all journalists in Myanmar that they cannot operate fearlessly, but must rather make a choice to either self-censor or risk prosecution."

Frederick Rawski of the International Commission of Jurists described the verdict as a miscarriage of justice following a "grossly unfair" hearing, citing the lack of evidence and violations of the right to a fair trial.

Reporters Without Borders condemned the "sham trial" and sentencing as a "dark day for press freedom in Myanmar".

- Campaign of 'genocide' -

The army has published its version of events at Inn Din village, conceding the Rohingya men were killed while in custody but saying it was a one-off case of abuse by a mixture of security forces and ethnic Rakhine locals.

Facebook pulled down the pages of Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing and other military top brass

Monday's ruling comes a week after the release of an explosive UN-led study into abuses in Rakhine, accusing Myanmar's army chief of heading a campaign of "genocide" and "crimes against humanity" against the Rohingya.

It also strongly criticised de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi for failing to use her moral authority to stand up for the stateless minority.

The same day, Facebook shut down the pages of Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing and other military top brass, in what the company said was a bid to prevent them from further fanning "ethnic and religious tensions".

As calls mount for Myanmar's military leaders to face an international tribunal, they have remained defiant, insisting last year's crackdown was a proportionate response to attacks by Rohingya militants on border posts.

But Suu Kyi's reputation as a defender of human rights has been shredded by her refusal to speak out against the military for its handling of the Rohingya crisis or in support of the jailed reporters.

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Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2018 shows the fire and smoke rising from the Mazzeh airbase in the Damascus' western Mazzeh neighborhood, Syria, on Sept. 2, 2018. The Syrian army denied reports that an Israeli missile attack targeted a Syrian airbase west of Damascus early Sunday, saying a short circuit caused an explosion in an arms depot near the airbase, according to the state TV. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army denied reports that an Israeli missile attack targeted a Syrian airbase west of Damascus early Sunday, saying a short circuit caused an explosion in an arms depot near the airbase, according to the state TV.

The statement of the Syrian army comes less than an hour after at least two explosions were heard at the Mazzeh airbase in the Mazzeh neighborhood west of Damascus. The explosions reverberated across the capital of Damascus.

Pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV and some pro-government activists in Syria said the explosions were the result of a missile attack by Israel on the airbase, which has been previously targeted by Israel.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Georgia Hall pulled away from Minjee Lee late in the third round Saturday to take a two-stroke lead in the Cambia Portland Classic.

The Women's British Open winner four weeks ago for her first LPGA Tour title, Hall shot a 3-under 69. She birdied the par-3 16th and par-4 17th and made a 6-foot par save on the par-4 18th at tree-lined Columbia Edgewater.

"Sixteen and 17 are tough holes, especially with both pin positions, so I was very happy to hole some putts that I didn't really hole much today," Hall said. "I've got a two-shot lead. Still a lot of golf to play, but looking forward to tomorrow."

The 22-year-old Englishwoman had an 18-uner 198 total. She opened with a 66 and shot 63 on Friday.

"I definitely putted yesterday like I did at the British," Hall said. "Hopefully, I'll putt like that tomorrow, as well. But I still kind of feel the same, and I'm just looking forward to playing another round of 18 holes."

Lee had a 68. The Australian lost a share of the lead with a bogey on 17.

"Just tried to play my game," Lee said. "I felt like I played pretty solid all day. Probably had one bad drive on 17 that really cost me my bogey."

Marina Alex was third at 12 under, shooting her second 71 after opening with a 62.

"It was firm today," Alex said. "The greens were really firm. The last like six holes, it was tough to just get at the flags. Once you got past 12 it's hard to get it close. I hit really good putts, too, and it was just a lot of lips. But hoping to just have a really great day and see what happens."

Brittany Marchand (70) and Ayako Uehara (70) were 10 under.

Brooke Henderson had a 74 to fall into a tie for sixth at 7 under. The Canadian star, the 2015 and 2016 winner at Columbia Edgewater, won the CP Women's Open last week on home soil in Saskatchewan.
MOUNT CHILBO, North Korea (AP) - Tanned and wearing a swimsuit, So Myong Il walks to the barbecue pit and throws on some clams.

He obviously loves the beach he's on as well as the rugged, emerald Chilbo mountains that rise abruptly behind it. He loves them enough to forget, for a moment at least, that he is a senior official sent to deliver an ideology-soaked pitch singing their praises and instead lets the natural beauty surrounding him speak for itself.

Comrade So sees great things for North Korean attractions like this.

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Koreans gather on a seashore near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Hotels, big and small. Tourists from all over the country, maybe the world. "As long as we have the leadership of our respected Marshal," he says, referring to leader Kim Jong Un, "our future will be bright indeed."

So wouldn't think of questioning the leader, but there is a hint of apprehension in his voice. And he isn't alone.

North Korea is pushing ahead with a new strategy of economic development and the intensified diplomacy with China, South Korea and the United States that such a move requires. But hopes for a better future are mixed with concern over potential downsides of political or social volatility, and something that's harder to articulate: a fear of the unknown - even if it appears far more promising than the arduous path the country has been on for decades.

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Even before announcing in January that he had sufficiently perfected his nuclear arsenal and could start to focus on other things, Kim has held economic development to be his primary long-term concern.

He has allowed markets and entrepreneurialism to flourish and, since succeeding his father as leader seven years ago, has dramatically transformed the skyline of the capital, Pyongyang, with several high-rise districts. The transformation in the east coast city of Wonsan, where Kim has a summer villa, has been almost as spectacular.

As Kim prepares for the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding on Sept. 9, his ambitious development plan is being implemented, from the small-time renovation of town halls to the almost biblical-scale mobilization of "soldier-builders," who are working around the clock to turn the remote northern city of Samjiyon into yet another showcase of Pyongyang-style socialism.

Economic development - and how U.S. capital and know-how could speed it along - was President Donald Trump's big carrot when he met with Kim in Singapore three months ago to try to negotiate a denuclearization deal.

But Kim's diplomatic overtures aren't intended to open the door to American capitalists, a scenario that would make any good party cadre shudder. They are aimed at breaking down support for sanctions and getting the U.S. to step out of the way. Kim's game is to play China and the U.S. off each other, grab whatever concessions he can along the way and adjust his position as the situation evolves.

In the meantime, lest anyone get the wrong idea, the ruling Workers' Party of Korea has begun churning out paeans to socialism in its daily newspaper along with anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism screeds that underscore North Korea's official opposition to essentially anything that might be considered the American way of life. Or, as it's known in the jargon of North Korea's propaganda machine, "the imperialists' bourgeois ideological and cultural poisoning."

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The past few months have been tense in Pyongyang.

Restrictions on some of the movements of foreign diplomats have been tightened, for example, and even requests by The Associated Press to interview government officials or to speak with regular citizens have mostly been denied.

Uncertain of where it might all end up, state-run media have provided only limited coverage of Kim's meetings with Trump in June and his multiple summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Reports have portrayed Kim as the consummate statesman, firmly in charge of a carefully considered strategy to make his country safer and more prosperous.

Kim is ardently wooing South Korean investment to help him build the very things Trump was offering: infrastructure, particularly roads and railways, and the development of selected tourism zones. After a high-profile chill last year, he is also actively courting Beijing, which continues to be an essential source of fuel, a key market for North Korea's coal and other natural resources and a fairly reliable check on U.S. power in the region.

Pyongyang's explanation for the shift in its foreign policy has been consistent: Having successfully built a credible nuclear deterrent to U.S. aggression, Kim is reaching out to Seoul to join hands in a "for Koreans, by Koreans" effort to secure a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, unhindered by the meddling of foreign powers.

Undoubtedly, images of the leader smiling and shaking hands with Trump, whose face had never been on the front pages of their newspapers before, signaled a major and bewildering change to many North Koreans.

But officials have made sure they don't have much time to ruminate on it.

Normal routines of work and study have been put on hold for large segments of the populace who have been mobilized for the development projects. Tens of thousands of people in Pyongyang, meanwhile, have spent the past several months feverishly preparing for mass rallies and mass games to mark the anniversary.

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Mount Chilbo, a collection of rocky peaks and a stretch of largely untouched seashore on the country's northeastern fringe, is one of North Korea's most cherished natural wonders.

The first hotel for non-Korean visitors opened in the 1980s, followed in 2004 by homestay-style lodgings near the beach, said So, a North Hamgyong Province People's Committee official. Together they have a capacity of fewer than 100 guests and only operate from April until early November.

Many North Koreans bring tents and sleep on the beach.

But even in this rustic corner of the country, the pressure to contribute to Kim's grand development scheme is keenly felt.

So said he would soon travel to China to discuss possible areas of cooperation.

As an indicator of Kim's success with Beijing, tourism from China is already on the rise. Pyongyang's longer-term goal, however, is to tap the South Korean market. The idea is that, if handled properly, South Korean tourism would present a chance to promote the North in a positive light and boost its image within South Korea.

That's a gamble too.

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, South Koreans were allowed to visit in a highly regulated and controlled manner, and massive investment from South Korean businesses helped the North fund infrastructure projects in the same Wonsan-Mount Kumgang area that Kim is focusing on now. But it ended badly in 2008 when a South Korean woman who entered a restricted area was shot to death by a North Korean soldier.

So said he believes Chilbo, like Kim's pet projects in Wonsan, could be a big draw for tourists. But he worries about where the money will come from and what might be lost.

"Whatever we do, we need to protect the natural beauty of this place," he said. "I think there will be many changes in the coming years. Plans are being discussed. But nothing is decided."

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Talmadge is the AP's Pyongyang bureau chief and has traveled to North Korea regularly since 2013. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter: @EricTalmadge

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Korean men prepare to barbecue duck meat on the seashore near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development.(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Koreans enjoy the day on a seashore near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Korea official So Myong Il introduces the layout of homestay lodgings in Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Korean men chat on a seashore near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Koreans enjoy the waters near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, a North Korean woman barbecues shell fish along the seashore near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Eric Talmadge)

This Aug. 20, 2018, photo shows rocky peaks near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Eric Talmadge)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Koreans stay at a homestay lodging near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, fishing boats line the coastline near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Korean fishermen ply the waters off Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, North Korea official So Myong Il introduces the rocky peaks around Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, a North Korea man films on a viewing platform around Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

In this Aug. 20, 2018, photo, rocky peaks are seen around Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

This Aug. 20, 2018, photo, shows a beach near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

This Aug. 20, 2018, photo, shows a beach near Mount Chilbo, North Korea. Mount Chilbo, one of the country's most cherished natural attractions, is gearing up for a future it hopes will include a lot of economic development. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
BEIJING (AP) - African leaders will likely press their Chinese hosts at a conference this week to help narrow their trade deficits with Beijing by shifting more manufacturing to their continent, the chief executive of the biggest African bank said.

China has passed Europe and the United States as the biggest trading partner of most African countries. Most run large deficits with Beijing, exporting minerals and buying Chinese manufactured goods.

"The question of the trade imbalance is one that I think will be placed firmly on the table by the African delegates," the chief executive of South Africa's Standard Bank Group, Sim Tshabalala, told reporters.

Chinese People's Liberation Army honor guard are seen during the welcoming ceremony for Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, at the Great Hall of the People Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool Photo via AP)

China's commercial presence in Africa has prompted complaints in some countries that the continent gets too little from the relationship. Africa is a major target of Beijing's "Belt and Road" initiative to build ports, highways and other trade-related infrastructure, but some critics in Tanzania, Kenya and other countries say they leave hosts with too much debt.

"I would expect African leaders to put on the table the opportunity that arises from building the African continent's manufacturing capability in a way that is in the best interests of the African continent but benefits china as well," Tshabalala said Saturday.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, opening Monday, brings together leaders from China and more than 50 African countries. Dozens of African leaders have met with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the conference.

The participants are looking for ways to "advance common growth and development," said South Africa's foreign minister, Lindiwe Sisulu.

Some Chinese manufacturers are expanding to Africa but the bulk of Chinese investment goes into mining or construction of roads and other infrastructure. A state-owned automaker, BAIC Group, announced plans this year to start producing electric cars in South Africa.

As Chinese manufacturers move to making higher-value products, "the slack that is produced as a consequence can be taken up by African economies," according to Tshabalala.

Standard Bank represents the biggest Chinese investment in Africa to date, after state-owned Industrial and Commerce Bank of China Ltd. agreed in 2007 to buy 20 percent of the African lender for $5.5 billion. Since then, the two banks say they have collaborated on channeling billions of dollars of Chinese investment into Africa.

Some 300 companies account for the majority of China's business activity in Africa, but the region also has some 30,000 smaller Chinese firms that are of growing importance, said Francois Gamet, head of Standard Bank Group's Asian operation.

Asked about concerns over Africa's rising debts to China, the banks said those still are relatively small and most countries can repay them.

"The reality is that Chinese debt as a percentage of total African debt is still relatively small," said Kenny Fihla, Standard Bank's chief executive for corporate banking.

Governments in the region have "fiscal discipline," said Tshabalala.

"Wars, pestilence, violence and conflict have declined," he said. "We are quite comfortable that most of these countries have both the ability and the willingness to meet their obligations."
CAIRO (AP) - An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen that killed dozens of people last month is an "apparent war crime," an international rights group said Sunday.

The report came days after U.N. human rights experts said all sides in the fighting may have been responsible for committing war crimes in the 3-year conflict.

The coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognized government expressed regret Saturday and pledged to hold accountable those found to be responsible for the airstrike, which hit a bus carrying children in a busy market in the northern province of Saada. At least 51 people, including 40 children, were killed, and 79 others, including 56 children, were wounded.

FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2018, file photo, Yemeni people attend the funeral of victims of a Saudi-led airstrike, in Saada, Yemen. An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen that killed dozens of people last month is an "apparent war crime," an international rights group said Sunday, Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File)

Human Rights Watch said the attack adds to the coalition's "already gruesome track record of killing civilians at weddings, funerals, hospitals and schools in Yemen."

The New York-based group said it spoke by phone to 14 witnesses, including nine children, who said that shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 9, a bomb fell on the market in Dhahyan, a town north of Saada in Houthi-controlled northwestern Yemen, 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Saudi border.

The bomb landed a few meters from a bus packed with boys on an excursion organized by a mosque to visit the graves of men who had been killed in fighting, the group said. The bus was parked outside a grocery store where the driver had gone to buy water for the children, HRW said.

"I saw bodies torn into pieces, pieces of my friends. ... Many of my friends died," the group quoted Ahmad Hanash, 14, as saying. He and his brothers Hassan, 13, and Yahia, 11, were wounded in the attack.

Bill Van Esveld, senior children's rights researcher for HRW, urged the U.S. and other countries to "immediately stop weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and support strengthening the independent U.N. inquiry into violations in Yemen, or risk being complicit in future atrocities."

The coalition said it has accepted the conclusions of its investigative body, known as the Joint Incidents Assessments Team, which found that the airstrike involved "mistakes," including failing to take measures to minimize collateral damage.

The coalition said in its statement Saturday that "it will take all the legal measures to hold accountable those who were proven to have committed mistakes" once it officially receives the findings. It also pledged to coordinate with Yemen's government to compensate civilians.

The U.S. State Department on Sunday welcomed the coalition's statement as "an important first step toward full transparency and accountability." It urged all sides of the conflict to "abide by the Law of Armed Conflict, to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and thoroughly investigate and ensure accountability for any violations."

HRW's statement came after U.N. human rights experts said last week that the governments of Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia may have been responsible for committing war crimes, including rape, torture, arbitrary detention and use of child soldiers. The U.N. panel also pointed to possible war crimes committed by the Houthi rebels fighting the coalition.

It also urged the international community to "refrain from providing arms that could be used in the conflict" - an apparent reference to Western countries that have sold sophisticated weapons systems to the Gulf states. It also was an apparent reference to Saudi Arabia's regional foe Iran, which the coalition has accused of arming the Houthis.

The Associated Press reported last year that the UAE and its allied militias were running a network of secret detention facilities, beyond the control of the Yemeni government. In June, the AP reported that hundreds of detainees had been subjected to sexual abuse and torture.

The coalition has faced criticism for its campaign of airstrikes, while the Houthis have been accused of using land mines, killing and wounding civilians. They have also targeted religious minorities and imprisoned opponents.

The rebels also often attempt cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and have targeted the kingdom's vessels in the Red Sea.

Yemen's civil war pitting the coalition against the Houthis has been raging since March 2015. The coalition backs Yemen's internationally recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and aims to restore it to power.

The U.N. says the conflict has become the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 22 million people in desperate need in what is already the Arab world's poorest country.

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Associated Press writer Susannah George in Washington contributed.
BEIJING (AP) - Police in central China have detained 46 people who were part of a protest against a government plan to address overcrowded classrooms that escalated into violence.

Police in the city of Leiyang in Hunan province said on their official microblog that the people were detained early Sunday as officers dispersed around 600 protesters who had gathered outside the local police station on Saturday night.

They said some of the protesters hurled plastic water bottles, bricks, firecrackers and beer bottles, injuring more than 30 police and auxiliary police officers and damaging several vehicles. Police attributed the violence to "good-for-nothings" who were looking for trouble.

An official at the Leiyang city government who would only give his surname, Zeng, said the parents were protesting the city government's plan to transfer students from overcrowded public schools to expensive private schools.

Some parents were concerned that their children were exposed to toxic formaldehyde fumes at the dormitory to which they were being transferred, he said. He repeated the police's assertion that troublemakers were using the protest to cause issues for the authorities.

"Some lawless people are making use of this as an opportunity to stir up trouble," Zeng said by phone.

Calls to the police and schools affected by the plans rang unanswered Sunday.

The protest began earlier on Saturday with parents gathering and hoisting banners outside six local schools and the city's Communist Party committee building and blocking roads. Police said they took away five protesters who were disrupting traffic.

The protesters later marched from the party committee building to the police station to demand the release of the five who had been detained. As the protest grew, police took away another 10 people but let them go home under escort after verifying that they were parents of students affected by the transfer plans.

Police said that shortly after midnight Saturday, they forcefully dispersed the protesters after repeated warnings failed and detained the 46 people after the protest turned violent.
LVIV, Ukraine (AP) - In a Sept. 2 story that referenced the 1941 attack by Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union, The Associated Press called the two former allies. In 1939, despite sharp ideological differences, the two powers entered into a non-aggression pact that paved the way for them to carve up Poland and for the Soviet Union to take the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. That pact was never formally recognized as an alliance, and in 1941 Germany attacked the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union, in coalition with allies including Britain, the United States and other nations, fought for four years to defeat the Nazis.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Ukrainian city remembers Jews on Holocaust anniversary

Work to preserve, renew Jewish heritage in Ukraine honored on Holocaust anniversary

By VANESSA GERA, RANDY HERSCHAFT and YEVHENIY KRAVS

Associated Press

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) - The Ukrainian city of Lviv, once a major center of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, commemorated on Sunday the 75th anniversary of the annihilation of the city's Jewish population by Nazi Germany and honored those working today to preserve what they can of that vanished world.

City authorities presented the honored recipients with 75 glass keys - replicas of a metal key that once belonged to a Jewish synagogue and which an American artist found at a street market in Lviv. The anniversary events, which included a prayer concert at the ruins of former synagogues, come amid other attempts to revive suppressed memories of the Jews who once were an integral part of the region.

"God forbid our city once suffered such a misfortune," Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said at the ceremony. "Today we cannot even imagine for a moment the pain, humiliation and grief that thousands of Lviv's people suffered in the last century."

Iryna Matsevko, deputy director of the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe and an organizer of the anniversary events in Lviv, said it was the first time the western Ukrainian city has acknowledged the historical preservation efforts in such an extensive way.

Matsevko said consciousness is growing in Ukrainian society of the need to remember the Jews who were annihilated by Nazi forces, in some cases with the participation of local people.

Initiatives have included introducing Jewish history courses at universities, new research by young Ukrainian scholars and grassroots efforts by volunteers, such as the recovering Jewish gravestones that were used to pave roads and returning them to cemeteries.

"This is part of the process of reviving the memory of the Jewish heritage. Of course, this process is slow. I want it to be quicker, but for the last 10 years we have seen how the Jewish heritage is returning to people's consciousness and a lot of activities are taking place," Matsevko said. "It is very important that people are being acknowledged for their work in Jewish heritage."

Before World War II, Lviv and the surrounding area belonged to Poland. Then called Lwow, it was the third largest Jewish community in prewar Poland after Warsaw and Lodz, with most working as merchants, manufacturers or artisans. Before World War I, Lviv and the surrounding area were part of the eastern Galicia region of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the city was called by its German name, Lemberg.

In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union. When the German forces entered the city, they and their Ukrainian collaborators massacred Jews in the city and countryside. While occupying the area, Germans murdered Jews in the ghetto, the Belzec death camp and a forced labor camp, Janowska, with the final annihilation completed by June 1943.

Of a population of about 150,000 Jews, only an estimated 1 percent survived.

In the postwar years, with Ukraine part of the Soviet Union, the memories of the murdered Jews began to vanish. Historian Omer Bartov has called the area a "land of memory and oblivion, coexistence and erasure, high hopes and dashed illusions."

The remembrance work is taking place as Ukraine finds itself mired in crisis and conflict following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and a continuing Russia-backed insurgency in the east. Nationalism has been on the rise, and some Ukrainians laud the Nazi-affiliated irregulars who fought against the Soviet Army in World War II.

To what extent this has led to greater anti-Semitism is a matter of dispute. Some of the people trying to sustain the history of Jewish life in western Ukraine think the amount of anti-Semitism is exaggerated as part of a Russian propaganda effort.

Among those honored was Marla Raucher Osborn, an American who heads Rohatyn Jewish Heritage. The group's projects include restoring a Jewish cemetery in nearby Rohatyn.

Osborn said she was honored to be acknowledged along with local activists "working quietly in local communities, recovering Jewish memory with little or no knowledge of their projects outside of those communities, especially among the distant Jewish diaspora."

The glass keys were the work of New Mexico-based artist Rachel Stevens, who found the rusted synagogue key on which they were based in February while seeking remnants of Jewish culture in eastern Galicia as part of a research project.

Stevens used glass for the replicas because in Jewish tradition the material "represents the fragility of life." Creating them "became a tangible way for me to express my grief about the past and my hope for the future," she said.

"The idea for this artwork seems almost mystically delivered to me," Stevens said.

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Vanessa Gera reported from Warsaw, and Randy Herschaft from New York.

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Follow Gera at twitter.com/VanessaGera and Herschaft at twitter.com/HerschaftAP

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An earlier version of this story was corrected to show that the transliteration of the mayor's surname is Sadovyi, not Sadoviy.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The U.S. State Department offered help Sunday to investigators in the Netherlands who are treating the stabbings of two American tourists at Amsterdam's main railway station as a possible extremist attack.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the U.S. was "ready to assist Dutch authorities in their investigations as appropriate."

"Dutch authorities have announced that investigations are focused on a terrorist motive for this unprovoked, horrifying attack," Nauert said in a statement. "The United States stands with our Dutch allies and others in our common fight against terrorism in all forms."

Dutch police officers point their guns at a wounded 19-year-old man who was shot by police after stabbing two people in the central railway station in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Friday Aug. 31, 2018. Police investigators in Amsterdam included an extremist attack as a possible motive for the stabbings of two people at a busy railway station Friday as authorities in the Dutch capital reported that the suspect shot by police is an Afghan citizen. (AP Photo)

At a hospital on Sunday, detectives questioned the 19-year-old Afghan citizen who is a suspect in the Friday stabbings. Amsterdam police shot and wounded him.

Amsterdam Police spokesman Ruben Sprong said the suspect, identified only as Jawed S. under Dutch privacy rules, was scheduled to appear at a closed hearing with an investigating judge on Monday.

The Americans also remained hospitalized with "serious but non-life threatening injuries," Sprong said. Their identities haven't been made public.

Dutch authorities said the suspect has a German residency permit and that his home in Germany was searched for the stabbing investigation.

The city government in Amsterdam said Saturday that, based on the suspect's first statements, "he had a terrorist motive." It did not reveal what he said.

Dutch police officers near the scene of a stabbing attack near the central daily station in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Friday Aug. 31, 2018. Police the Dutch capital shot and wounded a suspect Friday following a stabbing at the central railway station. Amsterdam police said in a series of tweets that two people were injured in the stabbing and the suspect was then shot by officers. (AP Photo/Alex Furtula)
CHEMNITZ, Germany (AP) - Germany's foreign minister told his fellow countrymen Sunday they're too lazy when it comes to battling racism and fighting for democracy.

"We have to get off the couch and open the mouth," Heiko Maas said in an interview with weekly Bild am Sonntag. "Our generation was given freedom, rule of law and democracy as a present. We didn't have to fight for it; (now) we're taking it too much for granted."

Maas' comments followed Saturday's demonstrations by about 4,500 far-right protesters in Chemnitz, who were rallying against migration a week after a German was killed in the eastern city, allegedly by two migrants from Iraq and Syria. Around 4,000 leftist protesters also marched through the city in a counter-protest, and 1,800 police officers were deployed to keep the groups apart.

Police cars stand across the road as police separate leftist and nationalist demonstrators in Chemnitz, eastern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, after several nationalist groups called for marches protesting the killing of a German man last week, allegedly by migrants from Syria and Iraq. (dpa via AP)

Eighteen people, including three police officers, were injured during the rallies, which at times were very tense, especially after police ended a march of the far right groups early.

After the rallies were over, small groups clashed with each other, police reported.

Soeren Bartol, a lawmaker with the Social Democrats, tweeted that after the end of the protests he and his group "were attacked by Nazis" who destroyed their party flags and physically attacked some of them.

Far-right activists and leftist groups had already clashed in Chemnitz on Monday, a day after the 35-year-old German man's death. Scenes of vigilantes chasing foreigners in the city's streets have shocked people in others parts of Germany since then.

The tension that has built up over the past week in Chemnitz, reflects the growing polarization over Germany's ongoing effort to come to terms with an influx of more than 1 million refugees and migrants seeking jobs since 2015.

The far right has constantly criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow in hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Monday, thousands of people are expected to travel to Chemnitz again, this time, however, to visit a free open air concert that has been quickly organized by some of the country's most popular bands, including the rock group Tote Hosen, as a stand against far-right nationalism and anti-migrant prejudice.

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Kirsten Grieshaber reported from Berlin.
LONDON (AP) - Britain's former chief rabbi has warned that Jewish people are thinking about leaving the country because of anti-Semitism.

Jonathan Sacks told the BBC on Sunday that for the first time in the 362 years Jews have been in Britain many question whether it is safe to raise children here.

He singled out Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for failing to address anti-Semitic attitudes in the main opposition party, saying Corbyn would pose a danger as prime minister unless he expresses "clear remorse" for past statements.

Sacks said "when people hear the kind of language that has been coming out of Labour, that's been brought to the surface among Jeremy Corbyn's earlier speeches, they cannot but feel an existential threat."

Gordon Brown, the most recent Labour Party leader to serve as prime minister, added his voice to the chorus of party figures calling for Labour to endorse an internationally agreed-upon definition of anti-Semitism rather than the more limited one now in place.

He told the Jewish Labour Movement conference the change should be made immediately.

"It is needed now to deal with practical threats, to confront gathering dangers and on-the-ground realities of very real, week-by-week threats to Jewish communities that demand an unequivocal response and unqualified resolve," he said.

The party's executive committee is set to discuss its definition of anti-Semitism in the coming days.

Corbyn has said anti-Semitism has no place in the Labour Party.
LONDON (AP) - Britain's prime minister has again spoken out against calls for a second referendum on Britain's decision to split with the European Union.

Theresa May wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that it would be a "gross betrayal of our democracy" to have another vote.

She said "millions came out to have their say" in the June 2016 vote that set Brexit in motion.

Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab, left, and EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier prepare to shake hands after a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Her embattled government has faced increasingly strident calls for another vote once the terms of Britain's future relations with the EU are known.

The prime minister used the column to defend her "Chequers proposal" that would maintain some ties with the EU, and said she won't be pushed around by EU negotiators.

Britain is expected to leave the EU in March and enter a transition phase.
Police in Kunshan, East China's Jiangsu province, won applause on China's internet on Saturday for dismissing a controversial case about a man who fought back against his attacker and stabbed that man to death following a traffic spat.

After a thorough probe, Kunshan police and prosecutors said that the man's behavior constitutes justifiable self-defense and should be exempted from criminal responsibility.

Legal experts said it could be considered a milestone case in China as in the past, such cases were usually considered as excessive self-defense in which those who fought back should bear criminal punishment.

On Monday, the man, Yu Haiming, was waiting at a traffic light in the non-motorized vehicle lane when a BMW sedan driven by Liu Hailong veered into his lane. The two sides quarreled before Liu pushed and kicked Yu. He retrieved a 59-centimeter-long knife from the car later and slashed it at Yu several times.

Yu grabbed the knife before Liu after it was knocked to the ground. He then stabbed Liu in the abdomen, buttocks, right chest, left shoulder and left elbow. The whole process lasted seven seconds, according to police report.

The injured Liu ran toward the car and Yu tried to stab him two more times, but missed. Yu grabbed Liu's cell phone from the car and handed it and the knife to the police when they arrived at the scene, claiming that he acted to prevent Liu from calling his friends for revenge.

Liu, 36, died after the attack and the 41-year-old Yu suffered two wounds that were not life-threatening.

Kunshan police said that after careful investigation, Yu's behavior constitutes justifiable self-defense.

They said that according to China's Criminal Law, what Liu did should be identified as committing physical assault, and that his assault was an ongoing process.

The defender cannot be demanded excessively to make rational judgments in case of emergency, the report said. Let alone to judge the case by the injuries that the defender suffers. The specific scene and the cognitive level of the general public should be taken into consideration to judge the case.

It also said that the drunken Liu's behavior seriously endangered Yu's safety, and his behavior kept escalating. He did not give up hurting Yu after he was injured, so Yu's life was at risk during the whole process.

Yu's chasing Liu and stabbing Liu two times in vain was a continuous act of his justifiable self-defense, it confirmed.

Kunshan police added that another man in the car, who participated in beating Yu, will be detained for 10 days.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Keep the government running and confirm Brett Kavanaugh as the next Supreme Court justice. Those are the big-ticket items that Republican leaders in Congress hope to accomplish as lawmakers look to wrap up their work and head home to campaign for the November elections.

Democrats want to keep the government open, but they also are fighting to derail the nomination of Kavanaugh, the second Supreme Court nominee from President Donald Trump.

Other items on the agenda when Congress returns Tuesday: passing a farm bill, renewing federal aviation programs, and grilling social media executives about foreign interference in their operations and whether they are biased against conservatives, as Trump has alleged.

FILE - In this June 20, 2017, file photo, the U.S. Capitol in Washington at sunrise. Keep the government running and confirm Brett Kavanaugh as the next Supreme Court justice. Those are the big-ticket items that Republican leaders in Congress hope to accomplish as lawmakers look to wrap up their work in 2018 and head home to campaign for the November elections. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Republican leaders are expected at the White House on Tuesday for a meeting with Trump on their goals.

A look at what's coming up on Capitol Hill:

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REPLACING JUSTICE KENNEDY

The Senate Judiciary Committee begins confirmation hearings for Kavanaugh, a federal appeals court judge, on Tuesday with his introduction and opening statements from lawmakers. Questioning of the nominee will begin the next day and testimony from the American Bar Association, outside legal experts and those who know him best will follow.

Trump nominated Kavanaugh to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy, considered the swing vote on some of the most important issues decided in recent years. Democrats are worried that Kavanaugh's confirmation will cement a right-leaning court for many years to come. They contend his elevation could lead the court to restrict a woman's right to choose an abortion, equal rights for gays and lesbians and environmental protections.

With liberal advocacy groups adamantly opposed to Kavanaugh and Democrats wanting to fire up their base for the coming election, Senate questioning will be aggressive and opening statements forceful. But Republicans with their 50-49 majority have the edge.

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KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT OPEN

Lawmakers face a Sept. 30 deadline to pass spending bills to keep the government open.

The House and Senate have both approved a series of measures, but have not agreed on a unified bill that could go the president's desk.

Lawmakers hope to approve at least three compromise bills that fund a large portion of the government, including the military and most civilian agencies, before the new budget year begin Oct. 1.

In a shift from previous years, the Senate has approved nine of 12 mandatory spending bills, enough to fund nearly 90 percent of the government. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called that "an important step forward" and evidence that "Congress is in good hands" under GOP majorities in the House and Senate.

Still, lawmakers from both parties remain wary of a government shutdown, which Trump has threatened unless he gets a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats have resisted Trump's plan to spend $25 billion to fulfill that key Trump campaign promise.

A shutdown just weeks before the November elections would be the third under unified Republican control of Washington, following stoppages in January and February. That prospect has provoked widespread anxiety among Republicans facing tough re-election fights.

Trump has called a possible shutdown "a great political thing, because people want border security."

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NEGOTIATING A FARM BILL

Congress has until Sept. 30 to reauthorize farm programs that, among other things, provide payments to farmers when prices for major crops decline. Pleas from farm groups for action come as they deal with the Trump administration's decision to use tariffs as leverage in trade disputes; major trading partners have responded with tariffs of their own on farm products from the U.S.

The farm bill also would extend food aid for low-income Americans. House-passed legislation significantly tightens existing work requirements for aid recipients, an approach Trump has said he hopes makes it into the final bill. But the Senate version takes a more bipartisan approach and makes only modest changes to the food stamps, formally known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Led by Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., House Republicans have dug in on retaining work requirements in the bill. The two sides will begin hammering out a solution on Wednesday, when lawmakers start negotiating a compromise that can pass both chambers.

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SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVES IN THE HOT SEAT

Executives at some of the biggest social media companies will be on the hot seat in separate hearings this month.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg are scheduled to testify Wednesday before the Senate intelligence committee. Lawmakers want to know how their companies are dealing with efforts by Russia and other countries to influence social media platforms and interfere in U.S. elections.

Dorsey is set to testify later Wednesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which wants to know how Twitter monitors and polices content. Conservatives complain that Twitter is limiting their reach on the web, a cry that Trump has taken up.

The first hearing is part of the Senate committee's Russia investigation. The committee is expected to issue additional reports in the coming weeks, including one on Russia's interference on social media.

The committee has so far delayed a report on whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russia; that report could come by the end of the year.

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FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Congress also has until Sept. 30 to extend FAA programs that fund airport and air traffic system improvements.

If the FAA's authority were to expire, it would still continue to operate the nation's air traffic system and controllers would work without pay. But some of the agency's other work would come to a halt.

The House passed a bill extending FAA activities for five years back in April, but action stalled in the Senate amid a dispute over rules for meals and rest breaks for truckers. The chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said lawmakers were pursuing "all potential avenues to get the bill on the president's desk" and signed into law before the deadline.

The Senate bill includes new consumer protections, authority for developing new drone policies, safety enhancements and funding for aviation infrastructure.

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Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey and Juliet Linderman contributed to this report.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Once upon a time, in 2015, a writer in San Francisco named Michelle Tea got the idea for "Drag Queen Story Hour": men in full drag reading children's books to kids and parents in programs aimed at providing "positive and unabashedly queer role models."

Since then, Drag Queen Story Hours have been held at libraries or book stores in big cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and costume-loving New Orleans - where over-the-top hair, makeup and gowns and stories about gender fluidity aren't exactly new.

In some smaller communities, however, the programs have sparked protests from conservative and religious groups.

Blazen Haven, left, and Vanessa Carr meet twins Remy Karas, left, and Jack Karas, both 14 months, during Drag Queen Story Time at the Alvar Library in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Children and parents and caregivers packed into the library to hear stories and sing songs during the event. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)

In Lafayette, Louisiana, west of New Orleans, the president of the local public library board resigned amid debate over plans to hold "Drag Queen Story Hour." Mayor Joel Robideaux has indicated he may seek to cancel the Oct. 6 program.

A handful of protesters showed up in the rain outside an August event at a library branch in Columbus, Georgia, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

And, on its Facebook page, a group called Common Sense Campaign Tea Party is calling for protests of a planned Sept. 8 event at a public library in Mobile, Alabama. That's where drag queen Khloe Kash is scheduled to read "Rainbow Fish," a 1992 story about the value of sharing, and "Stella Brings the Family," about a little girl fretting over what to do about her school's upcoming Mother's Day celebration because she has two fathers.

"It's growing all over the nation, including the South," Jonathan Hamilt, a New Yorker who provides help in organizing the story hours nationwide, told The Associated Press. He said there are DQSH chapters in 40 states and in other countries.

Hamilt performs as his drag alter-ego, Ona Louise, at charity events and at Drag Queen Story Hours. He acknowledges that the story hours draw protests in some cities. But he has also been surprised at the acceptance it has received in some rural areas and conservative states such as Wisconsin and Georgia, where he grew up.

"You never know how the community is going to react to the programing," Hamilt said. "It's kind of a toss-up."

Critics see something sinister: "The program is designed to purposely target children so as to make sexual perversion acceptable through repeated exposure," a poster on the Common Sense Campaign Tea Party page wrote. AL.Com reported that opponents at a Mobile County Commission meeting described the programs as a "plan to indoctrinate children."

But, so far, the reading sessions are still on. At a Mobile City Council meeting, according to news accounts, some members expressed sympathy with opponents but also cited First Amendment concerns that made them reluctant to try to block the program. Scott Kinney, executive director of the Mobile Public Library system, said the system's policy on use of meeting rooms stresses maximum availability to the public, and he noted that library facilities have been used by faith-based groups.

In Lafayette, the planned October story hour is being coordinated by members of the Delta Lambda Phi Social Fraternity at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The national fraternity, founded by gay men in 1986, issued a news release supporting the chapter as the controversy erupted last week.

"This program teaches love, diversity and acceptance - powerful and positive messages from which all can benefit," it said.

Vanessa Carr reads to children during Drag Queen Story Time at the Alvar Library in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Children and parents and caregivers packed into the library to hear drag queens Blazen Haven and Carr read stories and sing songs during the event. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)

Vanessa Carr , right, reads to children during Drag Queen Story Time at the Alvar Library in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Children and parents and caregivers packed into the library to hear drag queens Blazen Haven and Carr read stories and sing songs during the event. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)

Vanessa Carr, center, receives flowers from Katherine Lockhart, 4, right, as Carr and Blazen Haven, left, meet Lockhart and Lucille O'Steen, 2, second from left, during Drag Queen Story Time at the Alvar Library in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Children and parents and caregivers packed into the library to hear stories and sing songs during the event. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)

Blazen Haven, left, listens as Vanessa Carr reads to children during Drag Queen Story Time at the Alvar Library in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Children and parents and caregivers packed into the library to hear stories and sing songs during the event. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)

Blazen Haven, left, and Vanessa Carr read to children, including Ryan Banks, 7, right, during Drag Queen Story Time at the Alvar Library in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Children and parents and caregivers packed into the library to hear stories and sing songs during the event. (Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via AP)
JERUSALEM (AP) - The first-ever visit of a leader of the Philippines is sure to be touted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as another success in his campaign to enhance Israel's relations across the globe. But critics say this outreach has come at a cost, with Netanyahu cozying up to authoritarian leaders, some of whom are guilty of human rights abuses.

Netanyahu takes great pride that under his leadership Israel has found new friends in Europe, as well as in far-flung countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America that long sided with the Palestinians at the United Nations and other global bodies.

But while many of Netanyahu's new allies have offered blanket support for Israel, or at least indifference to its conflict with the Palestinians, some have also voiced borderline anti-Semitic sentiments and adopted a revisionist approach to the most painful chapters of Jewish history.

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2018, file photo, Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte gestures while addressing police force to mark the 117th Philippine National Police Service anniversary at Camp Crame in Quezon city northeast of Manila. The first-ever visit to Israel of a leader of the Philippines is sure to be touted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as another stirring success in his campaign to reverse years of isolation and enhance Israel's relations with various countries across the globe. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

The Philippines' foul-mouthed president, Rodrigo Duterte, who has cursed out everyone from former U.S. President Barack Obama to God, arrived in Israel on Sunday for a four-day visit. It's the first Philippine presidential visit since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1957. He is expected to lunch with Netanyahu, meet other top officials and visit the country's Holocaust memorial. He is also expected to sign a major oil deal and view an arms display.

His forces are accused of killing thousands in anti-drug raids since he took office in 2016. Duterte drew outrage that year when he compared his anti-drug campaign to the Holocaust, and himself to Hitler, saying he would be "happy to slaughter" 3 million addicts. He later apologized. More recently, he forcibly kissed a woman on stage and said there would be many rape cases in a Philippine city "if there were many beautiful women."

Israeli human rights activists plan to protest the visit and have encouraged President Reuven Rivlin not to meet Duterte. "Certainly there is no place for a mass murderer and a person who supports rape, shooting women in their sexual organs and bombing schools to meet with Israel's president," wrote the group, headed by human rights attorney Eitay Mack.

Netanyahu's critics accuse him of giving a pass to authoritarian leaders out of political considerations. Here's a look at some of Netanyahu's other friends on the world stage:

VIKTOR ORBAN

Netanyahu welcomed the four-time Hungarian prime minister for a visit in July as a "true friend of Israel."

Orban drew criticism last year for praising Miklos Horthy, Hungary's World War II-era ruler, who introduced anti-Semitic laws and collaborated with the Nazis.

Critics have also accused Orban of employing anti-Semitic tropes against the Jewish Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist George Soros during his re-election campaign. In denouncing Soros, Orban said Hungary's enemies "do not believe in work, but speculate with money; they have no homeland, but feel that the whole world is theirs."

Despite global Jewish condemnation of those remarks, Netanyahu praised Orban for combatting anti-Semitism and thanked him for Hungary's pro-Israel stance.

Orban, who has exhibited increasing authoritarianism at home, has cast himself as the champion of a Christian Europe and adopted an aggressive stance to halt the flow of African and Muslim migrants through Hungary.

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ANDRZEJ DUDA

Netanyahu took a lot of heat for striking a deal with the Polish president over his country's controversial Holocaust speech law, which would have criminalized blaming the Polish nation for crimes committed against Jews during World War II.

Critics said Netanyahu appeared to capitulate to the claim that Poles were only victims of the Nazis, while historians say anti-Semitism was deeply rooted in pre-war Poland and many Poles collaborated in the genocide.

Poland and Hungary have increasingly sided with Israel in the Mideast conflict, in contrast to Western European powers, which have sympathized with the Palestinians and pressed for renewed peace talks.

Duda's Law and Justice party, meanwhile, has steadily chipped away at Polish democratic institutions while aggressively trying to minimize its citizens' role in killing Jews during and after the Second World War.

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VLADIMIR PUTIN

Netanyahu is one of the few world leaders to enjoy warm ties with both the Russian and American presidents. Netanyahu has made frequent visits to Moscow in recent years to meet with Putin and coordinate Israeli operations in neighboring Syria with those of Russian forces.

Though Russia has traditionally backed Israel's Arab neighbors, Netanyahu has indicated the Putin backchannel has helped keep Israel out of trouble in Syria's civil war and would be beneficial in getting arch-enemy Iran's forces out of there as well. He has been wary of ever criticizing Putin, who has been accused by the West of meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, poisoning former spies and cracking down on dissidents.

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DONALD TRUMP

After a rocky eight-year relationship with Barack Obama, Netanyahu has relished Donald Trump's warm embrace. In a break from his predecessors, Trump has refrained from criticizing Israeli settlement activity and delivered Netanyahu two major international gifts - recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has also won Israeli praise for drastically cutting funding for aid to the Palestinians.

Netanyahu has vouched for Trump when the president's critics have accused him of failing to counter the anti-Semitic rhetoric of some of his supporters and of downplaying the rise of white nationalists, including those who marched in Charlottesville last year under the slogan "Jews will not replace us."

At times, Netanyahu also has seemed to follow Trump's lead. The Israeli leader has denounced the media, the legal system and other perceived opponents in the face of growing legal problems - often using social media platforms to unleash his attacks.

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Follow Heller at www.twitter.com/aronhellerap .

FILE - In this April 19, 2018 file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, jokes to photographers as he holds an Israeli-made Galil rifle which was presented to him by former Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa at the turnover-of-command ceremony at the Camp Crame in Quezon city northeast of Manila. The first-ever visit to Israel of a leader of the Philippines is sure to be touted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as another stirring success in his campaign to reverse years of isolation and enhance Israel's relations with various countries across the globe. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

FILE - In this July 11, 2018, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. Netanyahu is one of the few world leaders to enjoy warm ties with both the Russian and American presidents. Netanyahu has made frequent visits to Moscow in recent years to meet with Putin and coordinate Israeli operations in neighboring Syria with those of Russian forces. (Yuri Kadobnov/ Pool Photo via AP, File)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Running for a congressional seat in a red state that went for Donald Trump two years ago, Clarke Tucker talks often about his bout with cancer and the federal care health law that expanded coverage for those without insurance.

"I beat cancer here and became one of the million Arkansans with a pre-existing condition," he says in one television ad, standing in front of a cancer institute in Little Rock.

But Tucker doesn't talk much about being a Democrat, something that's a deal breaker for many voters in a state that hasn't sent one to the U.S. House in eight years. The fact that the 37-year-old state legislator is making a surprisingly competitive bid to unseat a Republican congressman is boosting his party's hopes that it can still find issues that attract voters in conservative places.

In this Aug. 14, 2018, photo, Democratic state Rep. Clarke Tucker talks to Malik Kelly about his bid for the 2nd Congressional District in Little Rock, Ark. Tucker is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill in November for the seat, which includes Little Rock and central Arkansas. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)

Tucker is challenging incumbent Republican French Hill in the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties. The urban section gives Democrats a better chance than the state's other three districts, which are mostly rural. Nationally, Democrats' hopes of flipping 23 Republican seats in November and regaining control of the House may depend on winning some races in Trump country like this one.

In 2016, Trump won 52 percent of the district's vote. To prevail now, Democrats will need a heavy turnout in Little Rock and its surrounding county, which is about 37 percent black and 6 percent Hispanic. They'll also need to make inroads in the conservative suburbs and farm country around it.

Hill, a 61-year-old former banker, easily won his second term in 2016 by more than 20 percentage points, but this time is on defense. He greeted Tucker to the race over the summer with a television ad portraying him as an ally of national Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. A new TV ad criticizes Tucker for the times he voted "present" or didn't vote on controversial bills in the state House.

Tucker has made health care a central theme of his campaign while distancing himself from national Democrats - saying that, if elected, he wouldn't support Pelosi as the party's House leader - and rarely brings up President Trump.

"I'm really focused on the people I want to represent, the people out here and the issues affecting them," Tucker said as he went door-to-door in a Little Rock neighborhood.

The great-great grandson of a late 19th and early 20th century senator and governor whose statue is on display at the U.S. Capitol, Tucker comes from a well-known family steeped in the district's politics. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee saw Tucker as the party's best chance for winning Hill's seat.

Tucker has bombarded the district with ads citing his bladder cancer diagnosis. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy last year and is now cancer-free. Tucker said the experience and House Republicans' vote to repeal the health care law motivated him to challenge Hill. (The repeal later failed in the Senate.)

"The notion of having access to care, with a pre-existing condition, without going bankrupt or dying became a lot less abstract for our family," Tucker said at a campaign rally at Philander Smith College, a historically black school in Little Rock.

Democrats believe the health insurance issue resonates especially in Arkansas, where 17 percent of the population lives under the poverty line. Arkansas expanded Medicaid under its former Democratic governor and kept the program under his Republican successor, although with new work requirements. An additional 280,000 people received coverage under the expansion.

At the Philander Smith rally, Tucker asked those gathered in a packed room to raise their hand whether they had a pre-existing condition. Most hands went up.

Tucker is counting on his personal history to land the message. Other Democrats in tough races are using a similar approach, including North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who talks about being a breast cancer survivor in a TV ad, and Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who has highlighted her own pre-existing condition from a childhood illness similar to spinal meningitis. The issue isn't surefire. Former Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor emphasized his own cancer diagnosis in his unsuccessful re-election bid in 2014.

Hill's campaign fund dwarfs Tucker's - at $1.6 million, about four times his challenger's total. At least one Republican political action committee is running online ads and sending mailers targeting Tucker. The Democrats' House Majority PAC has returned fire with online ads criticizing Hill.

There's been no recent public polling in the race, and the Republican congressman denies that the heated activity shows that he's worried.

"I haven't seen any polling data whatsoever that would indicate that I have more of a race than normal this year," Hill said. "But I see financial resources that cause me to step up, pay strong attention, run an aggressive campaign."

Hill says he has no regrets about voting to repeal the federal health care law, which he calls "broken."

Tucker's hopes rest on voters like Nicy Johnson, 80, who attended Tucker's rally at Philander Smith. She supported Hill two years ago, even though he promised then to try to repeal the health care law, but said she's switching to Tucker now.

"I thought it was to get the vote. ... I didn't think they'd do it," she said.

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Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo

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In this Aug. 27, 2018, photo, Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill talks at a news conference at the Republican Party of Arkansas headquarters in Little Rock, Ark. Hill is being challenged in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District by Democrat Clarke Tucker, a state representative. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)

In this Aug. 14, 2018, photo, Democratic state Rep. Clarke Tucker talks to Carla Harper about his campaign for the 2nd Congressional District in Little Rock, Ark. Tucker is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill in November, and Democrats believe he has a chance at flipping the Little Rock-area district. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Supporters of a mentally challenged woman convicted in two states in the 1994 kidnapping and killing of two elderly women say she was actually a victim of the men involved in the crime and are pushing for her release.

They've persuaded one state - Missouri - to grant Angel Stewart parole. But things are more complicated in Iowa, where Stewart is serving a life-in-prison sentence that does not include the option for parole.

Stewart, now 45, was convicted in two states because one of the victims abducted in Des Moines, Iowa, was driven just across the state line to Missouri and killed. Two men, Steven Bradley and Garland Shaffer, were convicted of first-degree murder and are serving life terms in Iowa.

This September 2015 photo provided by the Iowa Department of Corrections shows Angel Stewart, who is the subject of a pending clemency petition to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. Stewart was convicted of kidnapping in both Missouri and Iowa following the 1994 abduction and killing of two elderly Iowa women. Her advocates say Stewart has an IQ of 65 and was abused by the men responsible for the crime. They say she went along only out of fear and played no direct role in the kidnappings or killings. (Iowa Department of Corrections via AP)

A suburban St. Louis-based advocacy group for women in need of legal assistance, the WILLOW Project, took up Stewart's case, saying Stewart was abused and tortured by those men, was not directly involved in the crimes, and went along only out of fear. They also cite her IQ, estimated at 65, saying she was unable to defend herself to police after her 1994 arrest.

"She essentially lost her whole life for something she didn't do because she couldn't tell her own story in a way understandable to people," Anne Geraghty-Rathert, director of the Webster University-based WILLOW Project, said.

Advocates are now preparing a clemency request to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. A spokeswoman for the Republican governor said the request has not yet been received and declined further comment. A message left Friday with the Missouri Corrections Department seeking information about that state's parole decision was not returned.

Stewart was 19 when she and her 1-year-old son began sharing a Des Moines apartment with Bradley, Shaffer and a 16-year-old runaway, Angel Chamberlain. Bradley was 32 at the time, and Shaffer was 68.

It didn't take long before the men became abusive, Geraghty-Rathert said. The young women were beaten and padlocked inside the apartment.

An 82-year-old woman who lived near the apartment, Phyllis King, grew concerned and contacted Stewart's mother. Shaffer went to King's house to confront her. When he did, another neighbor, 79-year-old Clara Baker, threatened to call police.

Shaffer admitted that he abducted both women at gunpoint. He strangled Baker and dumped and her body was dumped along an Iowa interstate highway, hidden beneath an abandoned chair in a ravine.

Later, Shaffer drove King across the state line and beat her to death with a board, dumping the body in a wooded area near Kahoka, Missouri, court records show.

Bradley, Shaffer, Stewart and Chamberlain were arrested at a motel in Osceola, Iowa, in June 1994. Chamberlain was jailed briefly in a juvenile facility and later released.

Stewart said she went along with the men only out of fear for her life and her son's life. But facing a potential murder charge and told that could mean the death penalty in Missouri, she agreed to plead guilty to kidnapping in both states.

John Sarcone has been county attorney in Iowa's Polk County since 1991, and he prosecuted Stewart. He believes prison is "where she belongs."

"They were involved in the process," Sarcone said of Stewart and Chamberlain. "They could have saved these women, and they didn't. Years later it's very easy to make the claim you were forced into it, but those poor ladies never had a chance."

Geraghty-Rathert said she is hopeful Stewart will soon be freed based in part on the growing acceptance about how an abuser can coerce a victim.

"The public is beginning to believe that there are stories like this out there," Geraghty-Rathert said.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Harvard University's decision to hire Elizabeth Warren as a law professor in the 1990s was not based on any assertion that she has Native American heritage, according to a report by the Boston Globe.

The newspaper reports that interviews and documents show the issue was not considered by Harvard Law faculty or those who admitted the now U.S. senator from Massachusetts to law school at Rutgers or to jobs at The University of Houston, The University of Texas, and the University of Pennsylvania.

"She was not on the radar screen at all in terms of a racial minority hire," Randall Kennedy, a law professor who was in charge of recruiting minority candidates to Harvard Law School, told the Globe. "It was just not an issue. I can't remember anybody ever mentioning her in this context."

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2018, file photo, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., gestures during a town hall style gathering in Woburn, Mass. Harvard University's decision to hire Warren as a law professor in the 1990s was not based on any assertion that she has Native American heritage, according to a report by the Boston Globe. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

The Globe reports that it examined hundreds of documents, many of them never before available, and talked to 31 law school professors from that period at Harvard. All but one said her Native American heritage was not discussed as part of the decision to hire her. One said he was unsure if the issue came up, but if it did, it had no bearing on his vote.

Critics have charged that Warren has advanced her career with a narrative that she is a distant descendant of Cherokee and Delaware tribes and President Trump has repeatedly referred to Warren as "Pocahontas" in mocking her claims of heritage.

Warren on Sunday posted on her website documents related to her job and school applications and again asserted that her heritage played no role in her career advancement.

"My family is my family," Warren told the Globe. "But my background played no role in my getting hired anywhere."

Warren, 69, is seeking re-election in November, and will face one of three Republicans running in a primary on Tuesday. She repeatedly has said she's not running for president in 2020, but she continues to position herself as a national leader in the Democratic Party.

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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com
Britt'Nee Brower grew up in a largely Inupiat Eskimo town in Alaska's far north, but English was the only language spoken at home.

Today, she knows a smattering of Inupiaq from childhood language classes at school in the community of Utqiagvik.

Brower even published an Inupiaq coloring book last year featuring the names of common animals of the region.

In this photo on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska, Britt'Nee Brower shows an Inupiat coloring book she published and she talks about the new Inupiat Eskimo language option now available for Facebook bookmarks, action buttons. Alaskans made the option a reality through the social media giant's community translation tool. (AP Photo/Rachel D'Oro)

WHAT IS INUPIAQ? The Inupiaq language is spoken in northern Alaska and the Seward Peninsula. According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, about 13,500 Inupiat live in the state, with about 3,000 speaking the language. On Facebook, 'Aimaagvik,' Inupiaq for home, is now displayed if users select the option. Part of the holdup is the complexity of finding exact translations, according to the Inupiaq translators who were hired with the grant money. Take the comment button, which is still in English, as there's no one-word-fits-all in Inupiaq for 'comment. Advertisement

But she hopes to someday speak fluently by practicing her ancestral language in a daily, modern setting.

The 29-year-old Anchorage woman has started to do just that with a new Inupiaq language option that recently went live on Facebook for those who employ the social media giant's community translation tool.

Launched a decade ago, the tool has allowed users to translate bookmarks, action buttons and other functions in more than 100 languages around the globe.

For now, Facebook is being translated into Inupiaq only on its website, not its app.

'I was excited,' Brower says of her first time trying the feature, still a work in progress as Inupiaq words are slowly added.

'I was thinking, 'I'm going to have to bring out my Inupiaq dictionary so I can learn.' So I did.'

Facebook users can submit requests to translate the site's vast interface workings - the buttons that allow users to like, comment and navigate the site - into any language through crowdsourcing.

With the interface tool, it's the Facebook users who do the translating of words and short phrases. Words are confirmed through crowd up-and-down voting.

This Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 photo shows a computer screen with Facebook's new Inupiat Eskimo language option, which shows the Inupiaq word for home in Anchorage, Alaska

Besides the Inupiaq option, Cherokee and Canada's Inuktut are other indigenous languages in the process of being translated, according to Facebook spokeswoman Arielle Argyres.

'It's important to have these indigenous languages on the internet. Oftentimes they're nowhere to be found,' she said.

'So much is carried through language - tradition, culture - and so in the digital world, being able to translate from that environment is really important.'

The Inupiaq language is spoken in northern Alaska and the Seward Peninsula. According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, about 13,500 Inupiat live in the state, with about 3,000 speaking the language.

Myles Creed, who grew up in the Inupiat community of Kotzebue, was the driving force in getting Inupiaq added.

In this Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 photo, Britt'Nee Brower interacts with the new Inupiat Eskimo language option now available for Facebook bookmarks, action buttons in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaskans made the option a reality through the social media giant's community translation tool. (AP Photo/Rachel D'Oro)

After researching ways to possibly link an external translation app with Facebook, he reached out to Grant Magdanz, a hometown friend who works as a software engineer in San Francisco.

Neither one of them knew about the translation tool when Magdanz contacted Facebook in late 2016 about setting up an Inupiatun option.

Facebook opened a translation portal for the language in March 2017. It was then up to users to provide the translations through crowdsourcing.

Creed, 29, a linguistics graduate student at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, is not Inupiat, and neither is Magdanz, 24. But they grew up around the language and its people, and wanted to promote its use for today's world.

'I've been given so much by the community I grew up in, and I want to be able to give back in some way,' said Creed, who is learning Inupiaq.

Both see the Facebook option as a small step against predictions that Alaska's Native languages are heading toward extinction under their present rate of decline.

'It has to be part of everyone's daily life. It can't be this separate thing,' Magdanz said. 'People need the ability to speak it in any medium that they use, like they would English or Spanish.'

Initially, Creed relied on volunteer translators, but that didn't go fast enough.

In this Aug. 8, 2018, photo provided by Ashley Holloway, Myles Creed uses the new Inupiat Eskimo language option now available for Facebook bookmarks, action buttons and other interface functions in Fairbanks, Alaska. Alaskans made the option a reality through the social media giant's community translation tool. (AP Photo/Ashley Holloway)

In January, he won a $2,000 mini grant from the Alaska Humanities Forum to hire two fluent Inupiat translators. While a language is in the process of being translated, only those who use the translation tool are able to see it.

Creed changed his translation settings last year.

But it was only weeks ago that his home button finally said 'Aimaagvik,' Inupiaq for home.

'I was really ecstatic,' he said.

So far, only a fraction of the vast interface is in Inupiaq. Part of the holdup is the complexity of finding exact translations, according to the Inupiaq translators who were hired with the grant money.

Take the comment button, which is still in English.

There's no one-word-fits-all in Inupiaq for 'comment,' according to translator Pausauraq Jana Harcharek, who heads Inupiaq education for Alaska's North Slope Borough. Is the word being presented in the form of a question, or a statement or an exclamatory sentence?

'Sometimes it's so difficult to go from concepts that don't exist in the language to arriving at a translation that communicates what that particular English word might mean,' Harcharek said.

Translator Muriel Hopson said finding the right translation ultimately could require two or three Inupiaq words.

In this Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 photo, Muriel Hopson Brower talks about the new Inupiat Eskimo language option now available for Facebook bookmarks, action buttons and other interface functions in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaskans made the option a reality through the social media giant's community translation tool. (AP Photo/Rachel D'Oro)

The 58-year-old Anchorage woman grew up in the village of Wainwright, where she was raised by her grandparents.

Inupiaq was spoken in the home, but it was strictly prohibited at the village school run by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, Hopson said.

She wonders if she's among the last generation of Inupiaq speakers. But she welcomes the new Facebook option as a promising way for young people to see the value Inupiaq brings as a living language.

'Who doesn't have a Facebook account when you're a millennial?' she said.

'It can only help.'
BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) - The father of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts in an opinion piece spoke out against using his daughter's death in support of "views she believed were profoundly racist," a call that comes after President Donald Trump and others seized on the suspected killer's immigration status to argue for changes in U.S. immigration laws.

Authorities have said the University of Iowa student was abducted while she was out for an evening run in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18. The man charged in her death, 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a Mexican farmworker who is suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Trump and other politicians quickly noted that element of the case and called for changes to immigration law .

Rob Tibbetts wrote in the opinion piece published online by The Des Moines Register on Saturday that while he supports debate on immigration, some politicians and pundits went too far in using his daughter's death to promote political agendas. He said his stepdaughter is Latina and argued that the suspected killer "is no more a reflection of the Hispanic community as white supremacists are of all white people."

FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2018, file photo, a poster for missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts hangs in the window of a local business in Brooklyn, Iowa. Rob Tibbetts, father of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts in a Saturday, Sept. 1, opinion piece spoke out against using his daughter's death "to advance views she believed were profoundly racist," a call that comes after President Donald Trump and others seized on the suspected killer's citizenship to argue for changes in U.S. immigration laws. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

"Do not appropriate Mollie's soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist," he wrote. "The act grievously extends the crime that stole Mollie from our family and is, to quote Donald Trump Jr., 'heartless' and 'despicable.'"

The quote comes from a Friday opinion piece by Trump Jr . that criticized the media and Democrats for not playing up the suspect's immigration status.

"Despite what some Democrats may wish in the depths of their hearts, Mollie was murdered by an illegal alien and her murder would never have happened if we policed our southern border properly," the president's son wrote.

Recorded phone calls citing Mollie Tibbetts' death in a push for white supremacist views began Tuesday, just days after her funeral. The robocalls cited comments Rob Tibbetts made in defense of Latinos during her funeral .

The calls question whether his daughter would feel the same if she were still alive and describe Rivera as "an invader from Mexico."

Rob Tibbetts wrote in his opinion piece that his daughter was "nobody's victim. Nor is she a pawn in others' debate."

"She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will," he went on to say. "Please leave us out of your debate. Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollie's memory, I'm imploring you to stop."
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon says it's taken final steps to cancel $300 million in planned aid to Pakistan.

The move earlier this summer reflects the Trump administration's dissatisfaction with Pakistan's commitment to assisting the U.S. strategy for pressuring the Taliban, whose leaders use Pakistan as a sanctuary.

It comes at a delicate moment in the U.S.-Pakistani relationship, following the election victory of Imran Khan, the new Pakistani prime minister. His foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said Sunday in Islamabad that he's expecting a visit Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"We will hear him and let him know the aspiration of the nation," Qureshi said.

Pentagon officials say a request was submitted to Congress this summer for authorization to use the $300 million for other purposes. The request has not yet been approved. The move was first reported by Reuters.

A Pentagon spokesman, Army Lt. Col. Kone Faulkner, said Sunday the request to Congress was made in June or July and was "due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of" the U.S. strategy for bringing the Afghan conflict to a political solution.

The Pentagon announced in January that it was suspending aid, known as coalition support funds, to Pakistan, and subsequently the Congress cancelled $500 million in such aid. But the Pentagon did not take final steps on the $300 million until this summer.

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Associated Press writer Zarar Khan in Islamabad contributed to this report.
JERUSALEM (AP) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been accused of condoning human rights abuses in his deadly drug crackdown and who has made controversial comments about the Holocaust, received a warm welcome in Israel when he arrived Sunday for an official visit.

Before his departure from Manila, Duerte said he "looks forward to broader cooperation on a broad range of mutually important areas - defense and security, law enforcement, economic development, trade (and) investments and labor."

Sales of Israeli weapons to his government are high on the agenda, according to Israeli media. Filipino officials have said the Philippines has recently acquired Israeli-made arms such as Galil assault rifles and pistols for its 120,000-strong police force, which is on the front line of Duterte's battle against illegal drugs and other crimes.

FILE - In this April 19, 2018 file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, jokes to photographers as he holds an Israeli-made Galil rifle which was presented to him by former Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa at the turnover-of-command ceremony at the Camp Crame in Quezon city northeast of Manila. The first-ever visit to Israel of a leader of the Philippines is sure to be touted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as another stirring success in his campaign to reverse years of isolation and enhance Israel's relations with various countries across the globe. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

His four-day visit begins with a Filipino community event Sunday evening. An estimated 28,000 Filipinos live in Israel, mostly as health aides.

A Filipino living in Israel, Lisa Levi, told Channel 10 TV that she is "excited" and "proud" he is visiting.

Speaking in Hebrew, she said "I wish I could hug him and thank him for everything he does."

She said her home country is safer now and that accusations of rights abuses are "untrue."

Duterte, who has made foul-mouthed attacks against former U.S. President Barack Obama and even God, will receive a warm welcome in the Holy Land meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.

Duterte drew outrage in 2016 when he compared his anti-drug campaign to the Nazi genocide of Jews in World War II and said he would be "happy to slaughter" 3 million addicts. He later apologized.

He is scheduled to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem on Monday and later a monument commemorating the Philippines' rescue of Jews during the Holocaust.

In contrast to the warm official welcome, Israeli human rights activists plan to protest the visit and have encouraged President Reuven Rivlin not to meet him over accusations of rights abuses at home.

Official Philippine police tallies place the number of suspects killed in police-led anti-drug raids at more than 4,500 since Duterte took office in June 2016.

International human rights watchdogs have cited far higher death tolls.

Duterte, a 73-year-old former government prosecutor, denies condoning extrajudicial killings but has openly and repeatedly threatened drug dealers with death.

Relatives of several people slain in the president's anti-drug campaign last week asked the International Criminal Court to prosecute him for alleged crimes against humanity, in the second such request for a ruling on thedeaths that have occurred during the crackdown.

Duterte's visit is the first by a Philippine president to Israel since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1957.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was in place for the relationship between the two parties, and Sino-African cooperation was a win-win cooperation, said Liberian President George Weah during an interview before kicking off his Chinese visit, during which he would attend the two-day FOCAC Beijing Summit to be opened on September 3.

To strengthen the cooperation was the best choice for both China and Africa, the pair of good friends and good partners, Weah noted.

Describing China as one of Liberias biggest partners, the Liberian President said that cooperation between the two sides would help his country achieve national goals.

During our dark days of Ebola, China was the first country to give a hand, and we will never forget that, Weah said. He also extended his thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinping for helping his country fight Ebola, saying China was sincere in helping Liberia promote education and health sectors.

Speaking highly of the community of shared future for China and Africa proposed by Xi, Weah expressed his expectation for Liberia to participate in the Belt and Road construction.

Since the announcement of the 10 major China-Africa cooperation plans, fruitful achievements have been made, such as the ongoing China-aided rehabilitation of Liberia Broadcasting System, the China-aided project of ministerial complex, as well as the renovation and upgrading of the Roberts International Airport.

In addition, China is also offering courses on bamboo weaving and vegetable growing in Liberia.

He also stressed the importance of infrastructure to poverty reduction and development of a country, elaborating that at present, massive roads were being built in Liberia, and China had made irreplaceable contribution to his countrys infrastructure construction.

China-aided demonstration center of agricultural technologies in Liberia brought both skills and experiences, said the Liberian President, adding that agriculture development was one of the main priorities for his country who had fertile soil and great potential for agricultural growth.

He believes that under the support of China, Liberia will finally be able to grow its own food.

Against the rising protectionism and unilateralism, Liberia would firmly support the multilateral trading system and globalization, Weah pledged, explaining that globalization was the only way to gather strength of different countries.

China-Liberia cooperation played a vital role in Liberias economic and social development, and Chinas contribution to Africa was receiving wider and wider recognition, he stressed, pointing out at the same time that friendship should be based on mutual respect.

Facts proved that China-Africa cooperation could achieve win-win results, and more and more western people were starting to realize the vitality that China-Africa cooperation was bringing to global development, the president told Peoples Daily.

As a former player of A.C. Milan, and a FIFA World Player of 1995, Weah had visited China for times and gained a fan base there. But this trip will be his first Chinese visit as Liberian President.

When speaking of his previous trips to China, he said that Chinas development was out of his expectation, calling the countrys reform and opening up a good policy.

He told Peoples Daily that China had made all-round development under the leadership of Xi, and Liberia would learn from China and achieve new development based on its own national conditions.

Hailing the profound friendship China and Liberia had long enjoyed, Weah vowed that Liberia was willing to contribute to further development of bilateral ties, as well as achieve win-win cooperation and common development with China and other countries.

He said that the FOCAC was a good deed since it could be a place where African and Chinese leaders gathered and made decisions, hoping to participate well in the meeting.

Having a high expectation toward the trip to China, Weah also wishes to visit some remote areas of the country to learn Chinese experiences of poverty reduction.

He also wants to pay a visit to Shaolin Temple that he has visited during his previous trips, saying that China is an interesting place and he is looking forward to the trip.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Latest on Sen. John McCain's final service and burial (all times local):

7:25 p.m.

A grieving Cindy McCain pressed her cheek against the surface of the casket of her husband, Sen. John McCain, during the burial service Sunday for the longtime Arizona Republican.

In this image provided by the family of John McCain, Jimmy McCain hugs his brother Jack McCain, touching casket, as Cindy McCain, watches during a burial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the cemetery at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 (David Hume Kennerly/McCain Family via AP)

McCain had requested to be laid to rest alongside a friend at the cemetery of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Among the mourners were other members of the Class of 1958 as well as military leaders and current academy midshipmen.

A horse-drawn caisson carrying the senator's casket led a procession from the academy's chapel to its cemetery following a private service.

McCain sons Jimmy and Jack shared a hug beside the casket as family, friends and other mourners bid farewell to the former prisoner of war and presidential candidate. McCain died Aug. 25 at the age of 81.

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4:25 p.m.

Sen. John McCain's widow and other family members joined friends and admirers following a horse-drawn caisson carrying the casket of the longtime senator to the U.S. Naval Academy cemetery.

The procession left the Naval Academy's chapel Sunday afternoon following a memorial service for McCain. Overhead, a flyover of military aircraft paid tribute to the navy pilot who was shot down in Vietnam and held five years as a prisoner of war.

The service and burial in Annapolis, Maryland, mark the final farewell for McCain. Tributes to McCain began last Wednesday in Arizona and included a funeral on Saturday at Washington's National Cathedral.

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John McCain's final journey from his Arizona ranch is ending on a grassy hill at the U.S. Naval Academy within view of the Severn River and earshot of midshipmen present and future, and alongside a lifelong friend.

A private service at the academy's chapel followed by a procession to the burial site marked the farewell Sunday to a man who lived a very public life. Invited along with family and friends were members of McCain's Class of 1958, military leaders and Naval Academy midshipmen.

One scheduled speaker at the service, Sen. Lindsey Graham, said earlier Sunday he would tell the audience that "nobody loved a soldier more than John McCain."

The private ceremony is the final event of nearly a week of remembrances stretching from Arizona to Washington to Annapolis, Maryland.

Family members, including Cindy McCain, back center, follow a horse-drawn caisson carries the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as it proceeds to the United States Naval Academy cemetery in Annapolis, Md., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, for burial. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

People watch as the funeral procession for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, for his funeral service and burial. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Family members, including Cindy McCain, back center, follow a horse-drawn caisson that carries the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as it proceeds to the United States Naval Academy cemetery in Annapolis, Md., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, for burial. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

People watch as the funeral procession for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, for his funeral service and burial. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) - The Latest from NASCAR racing at Darlington Raceway on Sunday (all times EDT):

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11:10 p.m.

Brad Keselowski drives into Turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Brad Keselowski beat leader Kyle Larson out of the pits with 22 laps to go, then pulled away on a restart to win the Southern 500 and sweep the weekend at Darlington Raceway.

Keselowski took the Xfinity race Saturday when leaders Ross Chastain and Kevin Harvick wrecked late. This time, Keselowski and his crew took advantage on the final caution to move in front with a fast pit stop.

Keselowski took care of the rest as he opened a second-and-a-half lead down the stretch.

It was Keselowski's first win of the season and the first time a Team Penske driver has won at Darlington since Bobby Allison in the 1985 Southern 500.

Joey Logano, Keselowski's Penske teammate, finished second, and Larson was third.

Larson won the first two stages and led 284 of the 367 laps. Yet, he leaves disappointed with his seventh top-three finish of the season.

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9:10 p.m.

Kyle Larson continues to dominate at Darlington Raceway to win stage two in the Southern 500.

Larson, who started second, has led 159 of the 200 laps run so far. Larson's Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet stayed out of the track while competitors pitted in the middle of the stage and wound up with a lead of more than 17 seconds.

Larson will have 167 laps left once the green flag drops as he tries for his first win of the year.

Brad Keselowski, who won the Xfinity event here Saturday, was in second and Penske teammate Joey Logano was third.

Chase Elliott was fourth and Erik Jones fifth.

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8:10 p.m.

Kyle Larson passed pole-sitter Denny Hamlin for the lead early and was rarely challenged as he took stage one at the Southern 500.

Larson took the lead on the 12th lap and led the rest of the stage, sometimes stretching his lead to seven or eight seconds in front of the next competitor.

Erik Jones was second and Martin Truex Jr. third. Joey Logano was fourth followed by Brad Keselowski, the Xfinity winner here Saturday, in fifth. Kevin Harvick was sixth, then came pole-sitter Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott.

Seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson struggled through much of the opening segment. He started from the back of the field because of unapproved changes from qualifying, then served a pass-through penalty after getting called for a commitment line violation when trying to enter pit road.

There were no cautions after the race was delayed about 45-minutes due to threatening weather.

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7:10 p.m.

Things are finally underway at Darlington Raceway after a weather delay of about 45 minutes.

After track officials had twice cleared the stands due to the potential severe weather in the area, NASCAR drivers fired up their cars and got rolling at the track "Too Tough To Tame."

Pole-sitter and defending champion Denny Hamlin led the field to the green flag. Kyle Larson started second and last year's series champion Martin Truex Jr. was third.

Seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson was forced the back of the field because of unapproved adjustments.

The race is scheduled for 367 laps on the 1.366-mile egg-shaped layout.

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6:45 p.m.

The wait is on for the start of the Southern 500.

It looked like the potential for bad weather had cleared the area right about the time of the race's schedule start of 6:15 p.m. start. But moments after the singing of the National Anthem, drivers were told to leave their cars and fans asked to clear the grandstands and seek shelter.

Some dark clouds were around the track, although it had not yet rained nor had lightning flashed.

There was no immediate indication how long the weather delay would last.

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5:40 p.m.

Officials at Darlington Raceway have cleared the grandstands and postponed driver introductions for the Southern 500 because of severe weather in the area.

The warning came about 30 minutes or so before the NASCAR Cup race's scheduled start. It appears the delay also would push back the start time of the 500-mile race.

Fans walked down the steep stands to the exits and were asked to find shelter in their vehicles until the bad weather passes.

There had been several dark storm clouds appearing over the track the past few hours.

There was no immediate indication how long the warning for Darlington would last.

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4 p.m.

Fans at the Southern 500 will notice a different look at Darlington Raceway. They'll feel it, too.

The track completed some $7 million in improvements, nearly all of it going into its aging and often uncomfortable grandstands. Darlington leaders replaced and widened seating and aisles in its main Tyler, Colvin and Wallace grandstands.

The track also installed a "Wall of Honor" in its grandstands circling the 1.366-mile egg-shaped layout. Banners listing all 49 of Darlington's winners since its first race in 1950 are set up in what had been seating closest to the track.

Darlington Raceway president Kerry Tharp said the seats lost to the project were some of the worst in the facility. The redo has given all fans improved comfort and sight angles, Tharp said.

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2 p.m.

Denny Hamlin will look to end a yearlong drought in NASCAR's top series when he starts on the pole for the Southern 500.

Hamlin has not won since taking the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway a year ago. He showed his Darlington touch might be back when he turned the fastest lap in qualifying, and then finished fourth in the Xfinity race Saturday.

Hamlin is on the verge of clinching one of the four remaining spots in NASCAR's playoffs. He needs eight points to lock up his 12th playoff berth in 13 seasons.

Kyle Larson starts second Sunday night and last year's Cup series champion Martin Truex Jr. is third. Current points leader Kyle Busch qualified fifth while series wins leader Kevin Harvick will start 22nd.

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GENEVA (AP) - The U.N. refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard intercepts more and more boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die during the Mediterranean journeys.

That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR report about efforts to reach Europe. The report, released early Monday and titled "Desperate Journeys," says that even though the number of crossings and deaths has plunged compared to recent years, the voyage is more deadly in percentage terms for those who venture across.

The report says 2,276 people died last year while trying to cross, or one death for every 42 arrivals.

FILE - This Sunday, June 24, 2018, file photo provided by the Libyan Coast Guard shows migrants on a ship intercepted offshore near the town of Gohneima, east of the capital, Tripoli. The United Nations refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard intercepts more and more boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die during the Mediterranean journeys. (Libyan Coast Guard via AP, File)

This year, it's 1,095 deaths, or one out of every 18 arrivals. In June alone, the proportion hit one death for every seven arrivals.

On the Central Mediterranean route so far this year, there have been 10 separate incidents in which 50 or more people died - most after departing from Libya. Seven of those incidents have been since June alone, UNHCR said.

"The reason the traffic has become more deadly is that the traffickers are taking more risk, because there is more surveillance exercised by the Libyan coast guards," said Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR's special envoy for the central Mediterranean. "They are trying to cut the costs: It costs them more to keep those people here longer in their warehouses, under captivity."

Libyan authorities intercepted or rescued 18,400 people between August last year and July this year - a 38-percent increase from the same period of 2016 and 2017. Arrivals by sea from Libya to Europe plummeted 82 percent in those comparable periods, to 30,800 in the more recent one.

UNHCR says a growing worry these days is deaths on land by people trying to get to Libya in the first place, or getting stuck in squalid, overcrowded detention centers: Many get returned there after failing to cross by sea to Europe.

"The problems after disembarkation (is that) those people are sent back to detention centers, and many disappear," Cochetel said. "Many are sold to militias, and to traffickers, and people employing them without paying them."

He said the drop in departures means that traffickers attempt to "monetize their investment, which means they have to exploit more people. That results in more cases of slavery, forced labor, prostitution of those people - because they (smugglers) want to make money on those people."

Would-be workers and migrants are still pouring into Libya: Some are fleeing injustice, abuse or autocrats in their home countries further south in Africa. Others are looking for work in the oil industry or agriculture.

"I think you have more deaths on land," Cochetel said, referring to treks across the desert in Sudan, Algeria, Chad and Niger. "Many people in Libya are reporting having seeing people dead in the desert on the way to Libya."

In Libya, instability continues even seven years after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi. French medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said Friday that fighting between rival militias in Tripoli, the capital, has endangered the lives of people trapped there and worsened humanitarian needs - especially at migrant detention centers.

Cochetel said Europe - where some countries have shown "appalling" squabbles about who would take in rescue ships carrying migrants - should look at the root causes of such journeys. European populations need to shun anti-migrant rhetoric and realize that figures are down sharply, and migrant flows are clearly manageable at current levels, he said.

"Europe has to show the lead, has to be exemplary in its response, but it's quite clear that it's already too late when the people are in Libya," he said. "We need to work downstream in country of first asylum, in country of origin, and that takes time."

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 file photo, migrants stand on the deck of the Open Arms boat, after being rescued off the coast of Libya in the early hours of the night of Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. The U.N. refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard increasingly intercepts boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die on the Mediterranean journey. That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR report about efforts to reach Europe. (AP Photo/Valerio Nicolosi, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, June 30, 2018 file photo, an Open Arms lifeguard gives a thumbs-up to a migrant at the other end of a rubber boat in the middle of a rescue operation some 30 nautical miles off the coast of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea. The U.N. refugee agency says people smugglers are taking greater risks to ferry their human cargo toward Europe as Libya's coast guard increasingly intercepts boats carrying migrants, increasing the likelihood that those on board may die on the Mediterranean journey. That's one of the key findings from the latest UNHCR report about efforts to reach Europe. (AP Photo/Renata Brito, File)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Defending event champion J.R. Todd secured his first No. 1 qualifying position of the Funny Car season Sunday in the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Todd powered his Toyota Camry to a 3.910-second pass at 325.45 mph on Friday night, and the time stood through two more day of qualifying.

"Today was a productive day on getting our setup for tomorrow," Todd said. "I was confident coming into here after the way we tested out here last week. It picked right up Friday night qualifying and had a little hiccup during Q2 on Saturday but other than that the car is competitive."

Mike Salinas qualified No. 1 in Top Fuel, Tanner Gray was the fastest in Pro Stock, and Matt Smith topped the Pro Stock Motorcycle field. Salinas and Gray also had their best runs Friday, while Smith had a 6.814 at 199.14 on a Victory Magnum in the final round.
A holidaymaker has told how Thomas Cook compensated him last year after he became ill with food poisoning while staying at a hotel in Egypt which recently hit the headlines following the deaths of a British couple.

Nick Hawkins, 51, a warehouse manager from Witham, Essex, says the travel giant paid him 2,000 after a doctor diagnosed Salmonella.

He says he became ill a few days into a seven-night family holiday at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in June 2017.

John and Susan Cooper, who were both in their 60s and from Burnley, Lancashire, died on August 21 this year while staying at the hotel.

The Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada (APTN/AP)

Thomas Cook moved 300 guests out of the hotel, 24 hours after the couple died, as a precaution.

I became exceptionally ill early on the holiday last year, said Mr Hawkins, who works for furniture-installation firm RFS.

It ruined my holiday. Luckily we were only staying for seven nights or I think I would have ended up in hospital in Egypt.

When I got back my doctor diagnosed Salmonella.

He added: It must have come from the hotel because we had an all-in package deal and the only food Id eaten was in the hotel.

Mr Hawkins said the holiday cost around 2,500 and Thomas Cook agreed to pay him 2,000 compensation after negotiations.

I dont know if anyone else was ill while I was there and I dont know if any investigation was carried out, he said

The hotel seemed pretty clean.

He added: I wouldnt stay there again.

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said Mr Hawkins had been compensated after returning home.

She said: The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our first priority and we would never send customers to a hotel which we do not believe to be safe.

The spokeswoman said it was standard procedure for hotel checks to be carried out if a holidaymaker had become ill and was compensated.
Kyall Parnell was the first victim of London's year of violence, he was stabbed on the night of New Year's Eve

January

1) Kyall Parnell, 17, was attacked in front of horrified revellers on his way to a New Year's Eve party and died after being chased through traffic in Tulse Hill, south London. A murder investigation was opened in 2018.

2) Steve Frank Navarez-Jara was the first person to be killed in 2018. The 20-year-old was stabbed on New Year's Day in Old Street, north London.

3) Elizabeta Lacatusu, 44, who came to London from Romania to work, was stabbed in Redbridge, east London on January 3.

4) Vijay Patel, 49, died on January 6 after being attacked outside a shop in Mill Hill Broadway after refusing a teenager trying to buy Rizla cigarette papers.

5) Daniel Frederick, 34, died after being stabbed in Hackney on January 8 while walking home after attending a hospital check-up with his pregnant partner.

6) Harry Uzoka, 25, worked as a model in London and was knifed in the heart in Shepherd's Bush on January 11.

7) Seyed Azim Khan's body was found in Ilford Cemetery with extensive head injuries in February after he went missing on his way home from work on January 24.

8) Yaya Mbye, 26, died in hospital after being stabbed in Stoke Newington. east London, on January 28.

9) Juan Olmos Saca, 39, was stabbed in the chest in Peckham, south east London, on the January 29 and died a week in hospital.

10) Khader Saleh, 25, was stabbed at Wormwood Scrubs prison on January 31.

11) Eleven-week-old Lily-Mai Saint George was found unresponsive at an address in Tottenham on January 31. She died at Great Ormond Street Hospital three days later.

February

12) Hassan Ozcan was just 19 when he died from multiple stab wounds in Barking, east London, on February 3.

13) Kwabena Nelson, 22, a youth worker from Tottenham, died after being stabbed near his home on February 3.

Hannah Leonard was stabbed in a flat in Camden in February

14) Hannah Leonard, 55, was stabbed in a flat in Camden on February 8.

15) Sabri Chibani, 19, was stabbed in the chest in Streatham, south west London, on February 11.

16) Bulent Kabala was the first victim to be shot dead in 2018. The 41-year-old was gunned down on February 12 and died at the scene in Barnet, north London.

17) Saeeda Hussain, 54, was stabbed at a house in Ilford on February 13 and died from her injuries.

18) Lord Promise Nkenda was just 17 when he was stabbed in Canning Town, east London, on Valentine's Day.

19) Mark Smith, 48, died from multiple injuries after being found unconscious in Waltham Forest on February 15.

20) Lewis Blackman, 19, was stabbed in the early hours of February 18 after going to a house party in Kensington. He died outside the former home of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

21) Jozef Boci, 30, suffered serious head injuries after being attacked on the street in Greenwich on February 17 and died in hospital just under a week later.

22) Rotimi Oshibanjo, 26, was stabbed in Southall on February 19 and died from his injuries.

23) Sadiq Mohammed, 20, died after being stabbed in Camden on February 20.

24) Abdikarim Hassan, 17, a friend of Sadiq, died on the same night after also being stabbed in Camden.

25) Amir Ellouizi, 24, was shot in Westminster on February 20 and died seven days later on February 27.

March

26) Michael Boyle, 44, died from a single stab wound to the chest. He was attacked on 25 February and died in hospital on March 10.

27) Christopher Beaumont, 42, was stabbed at a house in Hammersmith on March 1.

28) Laura Figueira, 47, was found dead at her home in Richmond, south west London, on March 5th having suffered stab wounds.

29 and 30) Later the same day, her husband Adelino Figueia de Faria, 57 and two young sons Claudio, 10, and Joaquin, 7, were discovered at the bottom of Beachy Head at Birling Gap, East Sussex, with all three having died from 'multiple injuries consistent with falling from a height'.

Russian socialite Nikolai Glushkov was strangled at his home in New Malden

31) Kelva Smith was 20 when he died after being stabbed in the stomach in Croydon, south London.

32) Kelvin Odunuyi, 19, was shot outside a cinema in Wood Green on March 8.

33) Julian Joseph, 36, died in hospital 11 days after being attacked and suffering a serious head injury on a night bus in New Cross just after midnight of March 13.

34) Nikolai Glushkov, 68, died from compression to the neck in New Malden on March 13.

35) Joseph William-Torres, 20, was shot in a car in in Essex Close, Walthamstow on March 14. Two teens, 15 and 17, charged with murder.

36) Lyndon Davis was 18 when he was stabbed in Chadwell Heath on March 14.

37) Naomi Hersi, 36, was found with stab wounds at a hotel near Heathrow Airport on March 16 and was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.

Jozef Boci, 30, was assaulted in Greenwich and later died from his injuries

38) Russell Jones, 23, died after suffering from stab injuries and a gunshot wound in Enfield, north London, on March 17.

39) Tyrone Silcott, 41, died after being stabbed in Hackney on March 18.

40) Balbir Johal, 48, was admitted to hospital with stab wounds after being attacked in Southall on March 19 and died a few hours later.

41) Jermaine Johnson, 41, was stabbed to death an an address in Walthamstow on March 19.

42) Beniamin Pieknyi, 21, was found with stab wounds at the Stratford shopping centre in East London, on March 20 and was pronounced dead at the scene.

43) Abraham Badru, 26, was shot in Dalston on March 25.

44) Wieslaw Kopcynski, 59, died on March 27th two days after being found lying in bed in Barking with serious head injuries following a suspected assault. A post-mortem found the cause of death was a complex skull fracture

45) David Potter, 50, was found dead inside a house in Tooting High Street on March 26 after suffering from stab injuries.

Hersi Hersi was stabbed in Hounslow in March

46) Reece Tshoma was 23 when he was stabbed in Plumstead, south east London, on March 29.

47) Leyla Mtumwa, 36, was found with stab wounds at a home in Haringey on March 30.

48) Ourania Lambrou, 80, died in hospital after being pushed to the ground by her attacker in a drunken rage in Camden on March 31.

April

49) Devoy Stapleton, 20, stabbed outside bar in Wandsworth in the early hours of April 1.

50) Tanesha Melbourne, 17, was shot in the chest on April 2 after a drive-by shooting in Tottenham, north London.

51) Amaan Shakoor, 16, was shot in the face, also on April 2 in Walthamstow and died a day later in hospital.

52) Career criminal Henry Vincent, 37, died after being stabbed in the chest as he burgled Richard Osborn-Brooks' house in Lewisham on April 4. The 78-year-old was initially arrested for murder but cleared of all charges and faces no further action.

53) Babatunde Akintayo Awofeso, 53, died after fight at a bookmakers in Upper Clapton on April 4 following reports of an altercation with another man.

Russell Jones, 23, became the eighth person in a week to be killed in London in March when he was ambushed outside shops in Enfield

54) Israel Ogunsola, 18, in Hackney after being stabbed, also on April 4. The victim approached police who performed first aid but he died at the scene after 25 minutes.

55) John Maclean, 35, stabbed at a flat in the Isle of Dogs on April 12th.

56) Raul Nicolaie, 26, stabbed to death in Zenith Close, Colindale at 6pm on Sunday, April 15th.

57) Natasha Hill, 18, found dead with head injuries at an address in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood at 4.22am on Sunday April 15.

58) Samantha Clarke, 30s, stabbed to death in Sudbourne Road, Brixton, at 6:30pm on Sunday, April 15th.

59) Sami Sidhom, 18, who studied law and history at Queen Mary University, was stabbed in the back just yards from his home in Forest Gate, east London, after going to the West Ham v Stoke game on April 16.

60) Builder John Woodward, 47, found dead on the roof of the Pressman Mastermelts building in Hatton Garden on April 17. Post-mortem gave cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

61) Aaron Springett, 32, died after street fight outside bookies in Merton, south west London, after suffering from a blunt force trauma to the chest on April 20.

There was outcry in April when Tanesha Melbourne, 17, was shot in the chest in Tottenham

62) Kwasi Anim-Boadu, 20, stabbed during a mass brawl in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, north London, on April 21.

May

63) Leon Maxwell, 38, shot outside Queensbury tube station on May 1. A 26-year-old man also shot went to a north London hospital.

64) Rhyhiem Barton, 17, shot dead in broad daylight near his family's flat in Kennington on May 5th.

65) Onees Khatoon, 71, murdered at her home in Gade Close, Hayes, on May 13. Her son Majid Butt, 51, has been charged.

66) Rosina Coleman, 85, found battered to death at her home in Romford on May 15.

67) Abdulrahman Nassor Juma, 24, known to friends as Mani, fatally stabbed in the chest in Barking on May 17.

68) Osman Shidane, 20, stabbed repeatedly in Ruislip on evening of May 15, died three days later on Friday May 18.

69) Homeless Arunesh Thangarajah, 28, stabbed to death in Mitcham in early hours of Sunday May 20th.

Rosina Coleman was battered to death at her home in Romford in May

70) Sophie Cavanagh, 31, viciously attacked at an address in Bromley around 6pm on Sunday May 20.

71) Father-of-two Marcel Campbell, 30, from Tottenham, fatally stabbed outside an ice cream parlour in Islington on Monday May 21st.

72) Gerry Gaffney, 46, died in hospital on May 21st, eight days after being repeatedly stabbed near The Oval cricket ground in south London on Sunday May 14th.

73) Molly Frank, 61, a care worker, suffered fatal head injuries at an Islington residential home on May 24 and died in hospital the next day. A special post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as intra-cerebral haemorrhage.

74) Aspiring actress and singer Bethany-Maria Beales, 22, fell to her death from the 19th floor of The Heron, a 36-storey residential skyscraper in the City on May 26.

75) Mark Fontaine, 41, from Walthamstow, repeatedly stabbed in Chelsea on May 30.

June

76) Andra Hilitanu, 28, who was seven months pregnant with her third child, found stabbed in the neck at her flat in Brent on June 1st. The Romanian national's family revealed that her unborn child also died.

77) Edmond Jonuzi, a 35-year-old Albanian, was knifed in park and collapsed near Turnpike Lane station in north London on the evening of Saturday June 9th.

Katerina Makunova, 17, was stabbed to in Camberwell in July

78) Gitana Matukeviciene, 50 and originally from Lithuania, found with multiple injuries at a residential address in Dagenham on Saturday June 9th never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on Tuesday June 12th.

79) Mark Tremain, 52, died from his injuries on June 14th two weeks after being badly beaten near his home in Albert Square, Stockwell, on May 31st.

80) Apprentice lift engineer Joshua Boadu, 23, died in hospital on June 18th, seven days after being repeatedly stabbed in Bermondsey.

81) Matthew Thomas, 39, died shortly after being found with multiple injuries at a flat in Pimlico on Thursday June 21st.

82) Slawomir Weglarski, 39, died after a fight outside a pub in Greenford in the early hours of Saturday June 23rd.

83) Gita Suri, 56, found with stab wounds to her back in the garden of a house in Greenwich on Saturday June 23rd.

84) Schoolboy Jordan Douherty, 15, from Chafford Hundred, stabbed to death after a birthday party in Romford on Saturday June 23rd.

85) Ishak Tacine, 20, of Enfield, repeatedly stabbed in Edmonton following reports of an altercation between men armed with baseball bats on June 27th.

July

86) Elderly woman Shuren Ma, 72, found with a fatal head injury at a house in Woolwich on July 1st.

87) Janek Brakonecki, 57, a Polish national, found critically injured in a car park off Leytonstone High Road on Saturday July 7th.

88) Katerina Makunova, 17, stabbed to death in a block of flats in Camberwell on Thursday July 12th

89) Latwaan Griffiths, 18, from Southwark, died in hospital hours after being found with stab wounds in Denmark Road, Camberwell, on July 25. He had been dumped in the street by a moped rider.

90) Sheila Thomas, 69, was found stabbed to death at her home in Casino Avenue, Herne Hill on Tuesday July 31st.

August

91) Drill rapper Sidique Kamara, 23, aka Incognito, stabbed to death in Camberwell in an alleged gang feud on August 1.

92) Thomas Peter, 50, of Valentines Way, Dagenham, has been charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life after woman found dead in east London on Thursday August 2nd.

93) Malik Chattun, 22, from Surbiton, stabbed to death in group fight in Kingston just after 2am on Aug 5.

94) Seven-year-old Joel Urhie died in arson attack on his family home in Adolphus Street, Deptford, just before 3.30am on Tuesday August 7th.

95) Simonne Kerr, 31, A nurse who starred as part of a the B Positive choir who reached the final of this year's Britain's Got Talent, stabbed to death at an address in Grayshott Road, Battersea, on Wednesday August 15th.

96) Joseph Cullimore, 42, died after being repeatedly stabbed at a house in Chingford in the early hours of Friday August 17th.

97) Gary Amer, 63, a plumber of Holborn, found with multiple knife wounds at an address off the Old Kent Road on the afternoon of Friday August 17th.

98) Leroy 'Junior' Edwards, 66, found with multiple stab wound at an address in Catford in the early hours of Saturday August 18th.

99) Kaltoun Saleh was badly burnt in a fire at a flat in Finsbury Park on July 5th and died at a specialist burns hospital on Tuesday August 21st.

100) Carole Harrison, 73, found dead inside her house in Teddington following a fire on Wednesday August 22nd. A post-mortem found she had suffered injuries consistent with an assault.

101) Shevaun Sorrell, 22, is found stabbed next to an anti-knife crime poster on a bus stop in Deptford, south east London on Saturday, August 25. He later died in hospital.

102) Woman in her 60s found dead inside a a house in Bickley, in Bromley, south east London.
Melinda Messenger has urged people to support veterans talking part in a walk to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

The Long Walk Home will see 100 veterans walk 100 miles, from Ypres in Belgium to arrive at the Cenotaph on Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday.

TV presenter Messenger, 47, appealed for people to host walkers overnight along the route in what organisers are calling a show of the Dunkirk spirit.

She told the Press Association: Its vital to remember. Remembrance is so important.

We dont want to find ourselves there again, and when theres been a lapse of time its easy for people to forget.

For me, its about bringing it back into the forefront of our minds so we remember the tragedy and the loss.

My great-grandfather died in the First World War. My grandfather was in the Second World War at the Battle of Dunkirk. Theres probably not a family that hasnt been affected.

The former Cowboy Builders presenter added: I hope people can host the walkers overnight or sponsor a walker. If people can pick up, feed and accommodate pairs of walkers for one night of the walk that would be incredible.

There are still places left on the walk. Its a tough challenge but you will get all the help you need.

The Long Walk Home logo (Haig Housing Trust)

The walk is being organised by military charity the Haig Housing Trust.

It was one of the organisers of the display of ceramic poppies at the Tower Of London which raised millions for veterans charities.

It is hoped walkers will be joined along the route in November by the public, as well as politicians and celebrities, to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

People are being asked to host the walkers along the route from Dover to central London.

For more information go to www.haighousing.org.uk/donation-fundraising/the-long-walk-home.
Gordon Brown has called for the Labour Party to unanimously, unequivocally and immediately adopt the internationally agreed definition of anti-Semitism.

The former prime minister made the plea ahead of a meeting this week of Labours ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) on whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) declaration.

Mr Brown said it is not simply about a change in policy but was about the soul of the Labour Party.

Gordon Browns speech received a standing ovation (Jonathan Brady/PA)

He told the Jewish Labour Movement conference in Finchley, north London: I believe that the Labour Party will change the policy.

I believe that the Labour Party must and should change the policy.

And I believe this problem must be solved within the Labour Party now.

Mr Browns speech received a standing ovation as he outlined growing anti-Semitism among not only the jack-booted right, but also the conspiracy theorist left.

This is a problem that is real and present and something thats got to be dealt with now, he said.

I want to say to you very clearly today that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is something we should support unanimously, unequivocally and immediately.

Mr Brown said the definition, which has been signed by 31 countries, states that criticism of Israel cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.

If you allow any racism to take route in society then your whole society is in danger... If you allow one inequality and discrimination in society to happen then you are affecting the future of your whole society. An injury to one is an injury to all-Gordon Brown #JLMConference pic.twitter.com/CzNVnUGfnT  Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) September 2, 2018

He added: The declaration is about this and this only: to condemn and root out, as they state, anti-Semitism, which is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.

And this declaration is needed now, urgently. Not as some sort of abstract document of philosophy.

It is needed now to deal with practical threats to confront gathering dangers and on-the-ground realities of very real week-by-week threats to Jewish communities that demand an unequivocal response and unqualified resolve.

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting said he expects the party to adopt the definition on Wednesday referring to the NEC meeting as a defining moment for Labour.

He warned a failure to change the policy would plunge the party into the worst political crisis we have seen since 1981.

Dame Louise Ellman said she also expected the definition to be fully adopted at the meeting, but predicted the party leadership may water it down in the following days.
Germany's foreign minister has told his fellow countrymen they are too lazy when it comes to battling racism and fighting for democracy.

'We have to get off the couch and open the mouth,' Heiko Maas said in an interview with weekly Bild am Sonntag.

'Our generation was given freedom, rule of law and democracy as a present. We didn't have to fight for it; (now) we're taking it too much for granted.'

Germany's foreign minister (pictured) has told his fellow countrymen they are too lazy when it comes to battling racism and fighting for democracy

Right-wing supporters wave German flags during the demonstration in Chemnitz on Saturday after the death of a German

Mr Maas's comments followed Saturday's demonstrations by about 4,500 far-right protesters in Chemnitz, who were rallying against migration a week after a German was killed in the eastern city, allegedly by two migrants from Iraq and Syria.

Around 4,000 leftist protesters also marched through the city in a counter-protest, and 1,800 police officers were deployed to keep the groups apart.

Eighteen people, including three police officers, were injured during the rallies, which at times were very tense, especially after police ended a march of the far-right groups early.

After the rallies were over, small groups clashed with each other, police reported.

Soeren Bartol, a politician with the Social Democrats, tweeted that after the end of the protests he and his group 'were attacked by Nazis' who destroyed their party flags and physically attacked some of them.

Far-right activists and leftist groups had already clashed in Chemnitz on Monday, a day after the 35-year-old German man's death.

Scenes of vigilantes chasing foreigners in the city's streets have shocked people in others parts of Germany since then.

Police block the right-wing demonstration on Saturday following the killing of a German man in Chemnitz six days ago

A masked leftist demonstrator flees approaching police

The tension that has built up over the past week in Chemnitz reflects the growing polarisation over Germany's ongoing effort to come to terms with an influx of more than one million refugees and migrants seeking jobs since 2015.

The far right has constantly criticised Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow in hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers from war-torn countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Monday, thousands of people are expected to travel to Chemnitz again, this time however to visit a free open air concert that has been quickly organised by some of the country's most popular bands, including rock group Tote Hosen, as a stand against far-right nationalism and anti-migrant prejudice.
Dame Margaret Hodge has said she has been proved right after calling Jeremy Corbyn an anti-Semitic racist  but insisted she did not use the F-word.

The former Labour minister was catapulted to the centre of the partys anti-Semitism row when she confronted her leader in Parliament over the partys failure to adopt the internationally-agreed definition in July.

She was reported to have called him a f***ing anti-Semite and a racist in a row that sparked an investigation into her conduct.

Dame Margaret Hodge (Yui Mok/PA)

Our final round of sessions at #JLMConference with some brilliant speakers on everything from @UKLabours disciplinary processes, LGBT Jews with @LGBTLabour and Confronting the Far right with @margarethodge, @ayeshahazarika and @hopenothate pic.twitter.com/zeqTcBHCAa  Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) September 2, 2018

She told the Jewish Labour Movement conference on Sunday: I went up to him and the last thing I said to myself was, dont swear Margaret.

Then I just did say to him I thought the decision he had taken meant he had shown himself to be an anti-Semite and a racist. Youre giving a message the Labour Party has become a hostile environment for Jews.

What is deeply worrying about it is he couldnt engage. He wouldnt engage, he just said, Im sorry you feel like that and walked off.

Dame Margaret said she believed her opinion has been confirmed by reports in the media over the following months, in particular when a video emerged of Mr Corbyns commenting Zionists dont understand English irony at a conference in 2013.

I called him an anti-Semitic racist in July and everything thats come out since then has confirmed my belief that Im right, she said.

Dame Margaret said had the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition been adopted three months ago, it might have started to heal divisions within the party.

But she changing the policy at a ruling National Executive Committee meeting this week might not be enough.

Corbyn has got a problem to deal with and the problem is he is the problem, she said.

As long as we are seen as an anti-Semitic and racist party, ordinary people will not tolerate a part that is seeped in anti-Semitism.

Dame Margaret also clarified comments in which she likened the party disciplinary investigation into her conduct to the persecution faced by Jews in Nazi Germany.

Obviously none of us here would in any was think that what is happening to us in the Labour Party is analogous to the Holocaust, she said.

But the Holocaust didnt happen in a vacuum. We had a build up to the Holocaust.

She said she had tried to put herself into the mindset of those facing persecution in the early 20th century.

If you stand aside and dont let yourself be conjured at times when we see the seeds sewn of what could become another human outrage you will be guilty in history, she said.

I felt we were in that moment in history  at the beginning  and we should not stand aside.
The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), with unprecedented scale and global attention, was bound to lift China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new high, written by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a signed article published on Peoples Daily on Thursday.

The summit, scheduled to be held on September 3 and 4 in Beijing, would be a historic event for China and Africa to deepen traditional friendship and strengthen strategic cooperation, underlined by Wang.

He pointed out that General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping earnestly practiced what he advocated by his four visits to Africa and meetings with about 140 African leaders in various occasions over the past five years.

Africa was twice chosen by Xi as his first destination of foreign visits when he took office and re-elected as the Chinese President, which indicated that strengthening the China-Africa friendly cooperation was an unswerving strategic choice of Chinas diplomacy, Wang said in the article.

The foreign minister pointed out that since the 2015 Johannesburg Summit of the FOCAC, China and Africa implemented the summit outcomes and intensified bilateral cooperation in each field, thus shifting China-Africa relations onto a fast-track development.

The foundation of political mutual trust between China and Africa had been further consolidated, he said when concluding the fruits of bilateral cooperation.

China and Africa had witnessed increasingly frequent political exchanges and constantly deepened communication of experiences in national governance and development, he elaborated, adding that they firmly supported the development path independently chosen by each other, as well as their efforts to guard core interests and major concerns.

In the past three years, 27 Chinese party and state leaders visited Africa, and 30 heads of state and government of Africa paid visits or attended meetings in China in return. In addition, 7 heads of the legislative bodies and 9 vice presidents or deputy prime ministers from Africa visited China, according to Wang.

A total of 24 partnerships, including comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, had been established between China and the FOCAC member states, the State Councilor said, furthering that Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, as well as Burkina Faso consecutively resumed diplomatic ties with China.

China and Africa yielded more fruits from their mutually beneficial cooperation, Wang stressed, expounding that with positive results scored from the 10 major plans for China-Africa cooperation, China fulfilled and was working on its commitments made in the Johannesburg summit.

It remained Africa's largest trading partner for 9 consecutive years, with a total investment of over $110 billion in the continent, he added.

A batch of major cooperation projects have been completed, including the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Kenya, the Abuja-Kaduna rail line in Nigeria, and the Hisense Industrial Park in South Africa.

China and Africa, according to Wang, are constantly improving the quality and efficiency of bilateral trade and economic cooperation by transforming their collaboration from government-led into a market-oriented, from commodity trade to capacity collaboration, and from engineering contracting to investment operation.

He also hailed the more diversified cultural exchanges between Chinese and African civilizations, citing the important cultural and interpersonal exchange events, including the China-Africa Youth Festival, the China-Africa Think Tank Forum, the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation, the China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Program, and the China-Africa High-Level Dialogue on Fighting Against Poverty for Common Prosperity.

In the past 3 years, China had provided over 20,000 government scholarships and more than 1,700 degree education places for African countries. Besides, China and Africa had established 133 pairs of sister cities, and built 54 Confucius Institutes and 27 Confucius classrooms in Africa, Wang illustrated.

Each year, there were more than one million Chinese tourists visiting Africa, and 30 African countries were on the list of overseas destinations for Chinese group tourists, he added.

China and Africa had enhanced security cooperation, Wang introduced, illustrating that China actively supports African countries and the African Union to independently address their own issues, and backs the creation of the African Standby Force and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crisis.

China is now the largest contributor of peacekeepers to Africa among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, with more than 2,000 Chinese peacekeepers currently posted in conflict zones across the continent, according to Wang.

Besides, the Chinese naval hospital ship Ark Peace visited 7 African countries, and successfully concluded its first voyage around Africa, offering high-quality medical services to local community.

So far, China had sent 30 batches of naval escort formation to the Gulf of Aden and the Somali waters, safeguarding more than 6,000 Chinese and foreign vessels, said the minister.

China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent with the most number of developing nations respectively, havd witnessed closer multilateral coordination between each other, Wang highlighted.

Faced with changes of international situation and various global challenges, the two parties had beefed up coordination on international affairs, he said, citing the examples of their close communication and coordination on UN reform, climate change, counter-terrorism, as well as in the elections of international organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Health Organization, and International Civil Aviation Organization.

Wang concluded in the article that as the fates of the over 1.3 billion Chinese and over 1.2 billion Africans were closely connected, the two sides would take the opportunity of the Beijing summit to build a closer China-Africa community with shared future, and embarked on a new journey of stronger solidarity and cooperation.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the news of Donald Trumps visit to Ireland came out of the blue for the government, and argued the US president should be respected.

Mr Varadkar said there is a standing invitation for any US president to come to Ireland.

Speaking on the Marty Squad on RTE Radio 1, the Taoiseach said the Government had not known until a couple of days ago.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met US President Donald Trump in Washington earlier this year (Niall Carson/PA)

There is an open invitation to the US president to visit Ireland at any time, I think theyve all visited since Reagan, if not before and obviously theres an open invitation for me, or any future Taoiseach, to attend Washington in March.

We hadnt known until just a couple of days ago that he was going to take the opportunity of his visit to Paris for the Armistice commemorations, commemorating a hundred years of the end of the First World War, to visit Dublin, and also hes going to go to Doonbeg too.

Weve got to work out a programme and all the rest of it but I think any programme we will have will have to respect the fact that we will be inaugurating our own President on the 11th of November.

We will have to make sure that we have enough time and space to commemorate the Armistice because bear in mind hundreds of thousands of Irish people, including a lot of people from this city, fought in the First World War.

We need to make sure thats appropriate and fits around that as well.

The news of Mr Trumps visit in November was immediately met by calls for protests by opposition parties and activists.

Mr Varadkar said he understood that many people in Ireland dislike Mr Trump, and said that he disagreed with many of his policies.

I know a lot of people dislike him.

A lot of people object to him, a lot of people disagree with a lot of his policies, just as I do in fact, but he is the President of America.

He is elected according to their rules, and the relationship between Ireland and the United States is so strong and so important, much more important than any Irish government or any US administration and I think we have to treat his office with the respect that it deserves.
The husband of imprisoned Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has said she is doing markedly better after speaking to her in an Iranian jail.

Richard Ratcliffe spoke to his wife on Sunday morning from her prison ward after she was given a three-day temporary release.

She passed out during a panic attack and had to be taken to a prison clinic earlier this week after being returned to captivity.

She said today she was feeling stronger, that she still had a few days where she was still feeling numb in her legs and dizzy and headaches  but that it was markedly better today and had been gradually getting better all week, he told Sky News.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella during her temporary release from prison in Iran (handout/PA)

There was a family visit later on and they said that actually she was quite angry which is probably a good sign that the overwhelming experience of the past week is catching up and now the unfairness of it was coming through.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years imprisonment for spying in 2016, but maintains her innocence, saying she was on holiday to introduce her daughter to her family in Iran.

Mr Ratcliffe said their daughter Gabriella was really upset after her mother was returned to prison.

She wouldnt sleep and wouldnt settle and wouldnt eat, but now its back into the rhythm of she sees her mum, he added.

Again, she was asking when is mummy coming home and when are you coming home and asking me on the phone yesterday when are you going to come and visit.

All our thoughts and prayers with Nazanin and her family today. Unbearable suffering to be apart from daughter with her hopes raised then dashed. We must redouble efforts to find a way to get her home #FreeNazanin  Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) August 29, 2018

In an open letter to Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif, Mr Ratcliffe said his wife was deeply upset at being forced back to prison, which he called a cruel game.

There were some things that have happened in the past week that I just thought were outrageous, partly it felt like a power game that she was allowed out and taken back in, he said.

She said on the phone that it felt like she had been taken to some safe house and then paraded on the balcony so everyone could see her and then put back in captivity again.

He called on Mr Zarif to meet him next week at a UN summit in New York to discuss his wifes case.

Mr Ratcliffe said Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has been as strong as we could have wanted after he promised to heighten efforts aimed at securing the British-Iranians release.

The disclosure of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes jail torment came as Middle East minister Alistair Burt held talks with Iranian deputy foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran about the situation.
Rafael Nadal believes now is the moment to step up the defence of his US Open title after another tough battle against Nikoloz Basilashvili.

After battling for nearly four and a half hours to beat Karen Khachanov on Friday, Nadal was again pushed beyond the three-hour mark before defeating his Georgian opponent 6-3 6-3 6-7 (6/8) 6-4.

Basilashvili, ranked 37, had won just a single game against Nadal in their only previous meeting at the French Open last year but played superbly here, especially in the third-set tie-break.

Vaaaaaaamos!@RafaelNadal survives a physical battle against Basilashvili 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 to reach the QF!



Next up: Thiem.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/zkJaSnKk5p  US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2018

There was not the same sense of danger as there had been against Khachanov but Nadal, who played without strapping on his knee, was still relieved to come through.

He said: Two matches in a row very tough ones. I had a big chance at the beginning of the third, if I make that break, maybe things will be different.

I think I played a good tie-break, but he played fantastic. A lot of credit to him. Im very happy to be through. Its a big victory for me because of what happened two days ago. The physical issue was there of course, but I feel good.

Next up for Nadal is a quarter-final against ninth seed Dominic Thiem, who is the only player to beat him on clay for the last two seasons and who ended the run of last years beaten finalist Kevin Anderson on Sunday.

What this means to Rafa  @RafaelNadal beats Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the #USOpen for the 8th time.



What's your take on the World No. 1's performance? pic.twitter.com/672jcQ0AvP  ATP Tour (@atptour) September 2, 2018

Nadal defeated Thiem in the French Open final but has a lot of respect for the Austrian. This will be their first meeting on hard courts after 10 matches on clay.

Hes a fantastic player, said Nadal. Hes a very powerful player. Hes a great guy. I have a very good relationship with him.

Its going to be a tough one. He knows how to play these kind of matches. I need to play my best match of the tournament if I want to keep having chances to stay in the tournament.

Now is the moment to make the next step, step forward, play more aggressive. I did a lot of things well during the whole season. Its the moment to make it happen again. I hope to be ready to make that happen.

Not So Fast!



Nikoloz Basilashvili edges the third set against Rafael Nadal 7-6(6) to extend their Round of 16 clash at the #USOpen.



Can the  push the match to a deciding set? pic.twitter.com/bL7Ldq7AA6  ATP Tour (@atptour) September 2, 2018

The French Open has been by far Thiems best grand slam and beating Anderson was a major breakthrough. The 24-year-old  he turns 25 on Monday  had reached the fourth round of slams outside of Roland Garros six times prior to this tournament and lost each time.

Here 12 months ago was the most painful of the lot, when he led an ailing Juan Martin del Potro by two sets to love only for the popular Argentinian to be roared to victory.

Now Thiem will try to beat Nadal for the fourth time, saying of their previous matches: It was three very nice experiences and six horrible experiences.

But Im really looking forward to it. To compete with him well, I always have to have a great day, and I have to play well. But I did today, so I just keep up my habits.

Dominic Thiem punches the air after beating Kevin Anderson (Andres Kudacki/AP)

I think that I have very powerful groundstrokes, and I can even hurt him with them. But the key is to play really fast and powerful. But at the same time, not make too many mistakes.

I did it sometimes against him, but its a risky game style also, because it can happen that I make too many mistakes and then it looks black.

Andersons improvement at the age of 32 has been inspiring, with the South African following up his slam breakthrough here 12 months ago by reaching the final of Wimbledon, beating Roger Federer along the way.

But he had battled through two five-set clashes to make the last four and had no answer to Thiem, who won 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7/2).

Anderson said: Of course its disappointing. I wanted to be here right until the end and put myself in contention of winning my first major. It wasnt meant to be. I think it was definitely Doms day today.

The other quarter-final in the top half will pit third seed Juan Martin del Potro against John Isner. Del Potro is yet to drop a set and defeated Borna Coric 6-4 6-3 6-1 while Isner saw off Milos Raonic 3-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-2.
An inadequate number of police officers is a major reason for the recent increase in crime in Northern Ireland, the Police Federation said.

Last year the amount of crimes rose in five of the nine main categories, most pronounced in drugs-related offences, although it remains at one of its lowest levels since the end of the Troubles.

The Federation, a representative organisation for officers, warned fewer community officers could reduce public confidence in the PSNI and create a vacuum for paramilitaries to exert influence.

It said the threat of Brexit made more recruitment even more pressing and they were seeking hundreds of extra officers to partly compensate for a manpower reduction to below 7,000.

This is crazy and utterly pointless disruption to the lives of residents. Scarce @PoliceServiceNI resources are deployed to safeguard people - resources that could and should have been devoted to tackling general criminality. https://t.co/sDJ5no46l4  Police Federation for Northern Ireland (@PoliceFedforNI) August 22, 2018

Federation chairman Mark Lindsay said: It is a major reason around increases in crime, it decreases public confidence and that will come next.

He said the number of officers in public protection roles was 50% short.

That has real implications for caseloads. Some stuff wont be investigated, it puts people under real pressure.

If you dont have police on the streets, if there is no visible policing presence, if you dont have police officers there, people will find alternative services.

There were 98,301 crimes recorded by the PSNI in 2017/18, a rise of 0.3% on the previous year (98,014).

A recent report published by Stormonts Executive Office said relations between the police and community in parts of Londonderry had deteriorated.

Lack of confidence in policing and the criminal justice system has translated into historically low levels of reporting and a discernible increase in hostile attitudes towards the PSNI in areas like the Brandywell and Creggan, according to the review.

In response, Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland is no different from any other public service and faces increasing budgetary pressures, increased demand and reducing resources.

The PSNI recognises the need to continually adapt to new, growing and evolving crimes in areas such as child sexual exploitation, sexual offences, vulnerability and cyber-crime and in response have recently allocated additional resources into these areas.

The chief constable (George Hamilton) has also identified potential post-Brexit pressures and has raised the need for additional police officers with central government.

The PSNI also recognises the need to work in partnership to protect communities from organised crime and the activities of paramilitary groups.

The work of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force has been instrumental in focusing proactive activity against these groups, supported by local and neighbourhood policing teams.

As a Police Service we are constantly reviewing the pressures we face and are adaptable, innovative and flexible in ensuring that we make the very best use of our resources to meet the demands which we face in keeping people safe.
The Duchess of Cambridge has taken the crown as this years top royal style influencer.

Kate, rather than royal newcomer the Duchess of Sussex, had the biggest impact on shopping habits, according to eBays annual UK Retail Report.

Her maternity style while pregnant with Prince Louis ensured she generated more online searches on eBay than any other royal over the past year.

Kate in a tailored pink coat while pregnant with Prince Louis (Heathcliff OMalley/Daily Telegraph/PA)

Searches for tailored maternity coats more than tripled in November 2017, while Kate was expecting her third child.

In April, searches for designer Jenny Packham more than doubled when Kate appeared outside the Lindo Wing in a red Packham smock dress for Prince Louiss debut.

Kate in her red Jenny Packham dress holding newborn Prince Louis (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Throughout the year, Kates go-to choices Jenny Packham, Alexander McQueen and Seraphine saw a 20% upsurge in searches year-on-year, with as many as 43 searches every hour.

Meghan, who is known for her signature boatneck necklines, came a close second.

Rob Hattrell, UK vice president of eBay, said: While Meghan was clearly the focus of the fashion pages this year, Kates distinctive style has long been a hit with shoppers on eBay since her wedding in 2011.

We always see an uptick in searches around landmark royal events and 2018 was a bumper year for small businesses on eBay, with both the birth of Prince Louis and Meghan and Harrys wedding driving purchases across the nation.

Princess Charlotte, who was top in 2017, came third, with the flower crown she wore as a bridesmaid at Meghan and Harrys wedding prompting a 60% increase in searches for similar products on eBay.co.uk.

Princess Charlotte, with her floral head-dress, with Kate at the royal wedding (Jane Barlow/PA)

There was almost a 40% spike in searches for floral print dresses after she wore one to the polo in June.

Princess Charlottes floral dress at the polo in Tetbury in June proved popular with shoppers (Steve Parsons/PA)

Charlottes five-year-old older brother Prince George was fourth, with his trademark Peter Pan collar shirts inspiring searches throughout the year.

There was a 30% spike in searches for similar outfits on eBay after he appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony in June.

Prince George, in one of his Peter Pan collar shirts, with the royals on the Palace balcony (Yui Mok/PA)

But George trumped his sister in the memorabilia stakes.

The release of a special coin for his fifth birthday in July prompted a surge in listings on eBay, with more than 4,300 Prince George-related products on site, compared with around 1,700 for Princess Charlotte.

The Queen also made it into the top five royal style influencers.

Media attention on the meaning behind her brooch selections contributed to a renaissance for this traditional piece of jewellery in 2018, according to eBay.

The Queen is a fan of brooches (Joe Giddens/PA)

As many as 16 brooches are sold every minute on the site, with an almost 20% increase in searches in February.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who wore demure headwear to the royal wedding, were not placed in this years rankings.

Princess Eugenie, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice arrive at St Georges Chapel for Harry and Meghans wedding (Chris Jackson/PA)

Eugenies pale blue Fiona Graham pillbox hat and Beatrices teal Stephen Jones headband did not spark a discernible rise in searches or sales, eBay said.
Britains largest police force has sold more than 1 billion worth of property over the past six years, amid claims funding cuts are leading them to breaking point.

Scotland Yard crossed the 10-figure mark after netting 41 million in the last financial year, selling off police stations and residential blocks, according to data obtained by the Press Association under Freedom of Information requests.

Weve sold the Crown Jewels, so to speak. Weve run out of things to sell. This is really, really, worrying for society, said Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation.

(PA Graphics)

He told the Press Association: At the end of the day they have all been sold so that we dont have to cut police officers. That is shocking.

The Government talk a good talk, always praising us and saying how brilliant we are.

But when it actually comes to it, you know, theres officers around the country using food banks.

Hundreds of flats and buildings, some owned by the Met since the 19th century, have been bought from the force since 2012.

They included New Scotland Yard, which went for 370 million to investors from Abu Dhabi for luxury flats two years ago.

Hampstead police station, which was sold by the Met for 14.1m in 2014 (David Mirzoeff/PA)

It comes as Mr Marsh, whose organisation represents more than 30,000 rank-and-file officers, warned police were working amid a breakdown in society with footage showing officers apparently being assaulted as they arrested a man in a fast-food restaurant.

The Met has had to make 600 million of savings since 2010, and must find a further 400 million by 2021, according to the London Mayors office.

Last year, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan closed 38 police station front counters to save 8 million per year, and warned Scotland Yard was running out of options regarding resources.

Mr Marsh added that police have had to take on an expanded role which is causing strain.

He said: You get to breaking point because were not social workers, were not mental health specialists  but now my colleagues are having to deal with all these things on a daily basis.

That just has a massive drain on your resources. It will eventually crack.

There were 21,331 fewer police officers in England and Wales as of March this year compared with the same point in 2010, according to the Home Office.

A new school building for the Maria Fidelis Catholic School FCJ, built on the site of 1-39 Drummond Crescent, Euston - land which was sold by the Met for 12.9m in 2014 (David Mirzoeff/PA)

Total officer numbers across the 43 police forces were at 122,404 as of March, the lowest number since comparable records began in 1996.

The Metropolitan Police has said that sales mean more resources are available for effective and accessible policing and that money would be invested in updating remaining buildings and improving IT services.

A Home Office spokesman said: Police have the resources they need to carry out their vital work.

However, we know the nature of crime is changing. That is why we provided a strong and comprehensive settlement that is increasing total investment in the police system by over 460m in 2018 -19, including increased funding for local policing through Council Tax precept.

Funding for the Metropolitan Police is increasing by 110m this year compared to 2017-18  This means the Metropolitan Police is receiving over 2.5 billion in direct resource funding this year.

A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London said: Closing police stations is the stark reality of crippling Government cuts to the police budget which has contributed to officer numbers dropping below 30,000 in London for the first time in 15 years.

Money saved from closing front counters will be used to protect frontline policing as much as possible, but quite frankly the Government has got to recognise it has cut policing and preventative services to the bone and instead begin investing properly to keep Londoners safe.
As MPs prepare to return to Westminster this week, Brexit is firmly back on the front pages.

Meanwhile Labours anti-Semitism row and crime also make headlines on Monday.

Boris Johnson has used his Daily Telegraph column to launch an attack on Theresa Mays Chequers plan, saying victory for the EU is inevitable and Britain will be left flat on the canvas.

What the papers say - September 3

Mondays Daily TELEGRAPH:  Scandal of Brexit is not that weve failed, but that we have not tried  #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/plHrXcoEkV  Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) September 2, 2018

The Times says the proposals have been left hanging by a thread as 20 Conservative MPs made a public commitment to oppose it.

Tomorrow's front page: Tory rebels pledge to wreck Mays Brexit plan #tomorrowspapertoday pic.twitter.com/av5wmDrXor  The Times (@thetimes) September 2, 2018

The Metro leads with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barniers own criticism of the Chequers plan, after he said it would undermine the blocs principles.

It all leaves the Prime Minister facing a battle to keep her proposals on track  and stay in office  the i says.

Monday's front page: Theresa May faces fight against her own party and the EU to keep her Brexit plans alive #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/zXl1lGiRrV  i newspaper (@theipaper) September 2, 2018

In other Brexit news, The Independent says it has seen figures that show hundreds of staff have left the Department for Exiting The EU.

Dame Margaret Hodge has indicated Jeremy Corbyn faces a long struggle against his leadership as a result of the anti-Semitism row gripping the Labour party, The Guardian reports.

The Guardian front page, Monday 3 September 2018 | Antisemitism row: Hodge and Brown pile pressure on Corbyn pic.twitter.com/ifW9g3xR0V  The Guardian (@guardian) September 2, 2018

Home Secretary Sajid Javid is warning that the latest statistics suggest 80,000 people in the UK pose a threat to children online, the Daily Mail reports.

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has backed a campaign by The Sun calling for police to be given more powers to tackle stalking cases quickly.

Tomorrow's front page: Kym Marsh backs The Suns campaign to change stalking laws after one million people fall victim every year https://t.co/HiN4JH85qE pic.twitter.com/LyFMJz9Z8M  The Sun (@TheSun) September 2, 2018

The Daily Mirror leads with figures that show 600 police stations have closed since the Conservatives came to power in 2010.

The Financial Times says Bank of England governor Mark Carney is facing pressure to reveal if he will stay on in the role beyond 2019.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Monday September 3 https://t.co/ZcbDB5cDa4 pic.twitter.com/UQsEXc9xY2  Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) September 2, 2018

And the Daily Express leads with criticism of aid funding given to India.
DUBAI, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Iran plans to boost its ballistic and cruise missile capacity and acquire modern fighter planes and submarines, the Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted a senior Defence Ministry official as saying on Saturday.

News of the military development plans came a day after Iran dismissed a French call for negotiations on Tehran's future nuclear plans, its ballistic missile arsenal and its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, following the U.S. pullout from Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers.

State media also reported the launch earlier this week of war games involving some 150,000 volunteer Basij militia members, who vowed to defend the Islamic state against "foreign threats" including its arch foe, the United States.

Tehran is furious over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord on Iran's nuclear programme and re-impose sanctions on Tehran.

Senior Iranian officials have warned the country will not yield easily to a renewed U.S. campaign to strangle Iran's vital oil exports. They say the country's missile programme is solely for defence purposes and is not negotiable as demanded by the United States and European countries.

"Increasing ballistic and cruise missile capacity ... and the acquisition of next-generation fighters and heavy and long-range vessels and submarines with various weapons capabilities are among the new plans of this ministry," said Mohammad Ahadi, deputy defence minister for international affairs, IRNA said.

Speaking to Tehran-based foreign military attaches, Ahadi said international sanctions had not hampered the development of Iran's arms industry.

"We have the necessary infrastructure and what we need to do is research and development, and at the same time upgrade and update the defence industry while relying on the country's very high scientific capacities and tens of thousands of graduates in technical fields and engineering," Ahadi was quoted as saying.

He also defended Iran's role in conflicts in Iraq and Syria: "If Iran and its allies in Syria and Iraq had not stopped Islamic State, today the map of the region would be different and the world would face a terrible challenge."

Separately, the head of the Defence Ministry's naval industries said Iran was developing a water jet propulsion system that would be ready by next March and a military commander said the air force planned to adopt Iran's new Kowsar fighter plane after successful tests, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last month the Islamic Republic's military prowess was what deterred Washington from attacking it.

The exercises by the Basij militia, which are led by the elite Revolutionary Guards, come ahead of massive annual rallies planned for later this month to mark the start of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.

"The motto of these war games is unity ... and to declare that, when it comes to adversity and threats from foreigners, we all join to defend the (Islamic Republic's) system," Basij commander Gholam-Hossein Gheibparvar was quoted as saying by IRNA. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom Editing by Toby Chopra and Helen Popper)
DUBAI, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday rejected a Reuters report that Tehran has moved missiles to Iraq, saying it aimed to hurt Iran's ties with neighbours, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Twitter he was "deeply concerned" by the reports that Iran was transferring ballistic missiles into Iraq. He urged Iraqi leaders to quickly form a new government after a May 12 parliamentary election.

"Such false and ridiculous news have no purpose other than affecting Iran's foreign relations, especially with its neighbours," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, according to IRNA.

Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources told Reuters that Iran has given ballistic missiles to Shi'ite proxies in Iraq and is developing the capacity to build more there.

"This news is solely aimed at creating fears in the countries of the region," Qassemi added.

Pompeo, in his tweet on the reports of the transfer of the missiles, said, "If true, this would be a gross violation of Iraqi sovereignty and of UNSCR 2231."

He was referring to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which underpinned the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal earlier this year and his administration is currently reimposing sanctions against Tehran.

Earlier, Pompeo spoke by phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi "to reaffirm U.S. support for Iraq's efforts to form a modern, nationalist Iraqi government," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Pompeo emphasized the importance of safeguarding Iraq's sovereignty during this critical time, she said.

He also spoke to Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi to discuss political developments and relations between Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in north Iraq, Nauert added.

Any sign that Iran is preparing a more aggressive missile policy in Iraq will exacerbate tensions between Tehran and Washington, already heightened by Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

It would also embarrass France, Germany and Britain, the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, as they have been trying to salvage the agreement despite the new U.S. sanctions against Tehran.

According to three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources, Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the last few months. Five of the officials said it was helping those groups to start making their own. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom Additional reporting by Lesley Wroughton in Washington Editing by Andrew Roche and Leslie Adler)
The Eastern Echo DMCC, subsidiary of a major oilfield services company in Schlumberger, today commenced collecting petroleum data on multi-client basis, to exploit indigenous fuel resources in selected offshore areas of the island.

Earlier, the Petroleum Resources Development (PRDS) Minister Arjuna Ranatunga signed an agreement-with Eastern Echo DMCC in this regard.

The Ministry said the Eastern Echo DMCC would launch a project for data acquisition, including 2D and 3D seismic, in selected offshore areas around Sri Lanka, at no cost to the Government.

The Minister said collecting data would be the initial work and within eight weeks Eastern Echo expected to the get the data.

From there we will take the next step. We were very concerned and interested in getting the exploration started. We will know for sure that we would have gas and oil. We are on a positive track and we cant give a date or what will happen in the future but to do exploration we need to have the data first, he said.

The survey vessel called at the Colombo Port on Saturday and the operations commenced ceremonially this morning with the participation of Minister Arjuna Ranatunga.(Indika Sri Aravinda)

Pics by: Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping has provided new grounds for the cooperation between China and Africa, whose destinies are bound together by similar historical sufferings, common development tasks and shared strategic interests.

After Xi put forward the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road respectively in Kazakhstan and Indonesia in the autumn of 2013, the proposal has been echoed by many countries including those in Africa, who bear a hope of grasping opportunity to pursue common development with China and the whole world.

Over the past half a century, China and Africa, an extension of the Belt and Road in terms of both geographic location and historic bonds, can always find new converging interests and growth drivers for bilateral cooperation at every critical development stage to push for new progress and maintain strong vitality of bilateral ties.

Kenya has ushered into a new chapter of railway modernization, after the Chinese-built standard gauge railway linking Mombasa and Nairobi opened to traffic, and another railway linking Nairobi to Malabar started construction in 2017.

The railway plan of Kenya once thought to be a daydream is coming true, said James Macharia, Kenyas Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

Since construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi railway, the project has created nearly 50,000 local jobs, trained over 5,000 technical workers, and offered business chances for more than 400 local subcontractors, and nearly one thousand local equipment, material and service suppliers.

Peoples stronger sense of happiness has said it all, said Thulani Gcabashe, Chairman of Standard Bank of South Africa, adding that more and more counties have realized the far-reaching significance of co-construction of the Belt and Road after years of development.

As China is committed to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, Africa is striving to achieve its African dream of gaining strength from unity and achieving development and rejuvenation.

Given such circumstance, African countries have been longing for integrating themselves deeper into the tide of economic globalization by docking their development strategies with the Belt and Road Initiative.

The determination of China and Africa to develop hand in hand can also be evidenced by various documents signed by the two sides at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing last year, including the economic and trade agreements Kenya and Ethiopia inked with China.

Other signed documents also included financing deal on infrastructure projects, loaning agreement on inland container depot project, and memoranda of understanding on energy cooperation.

Kenya also became the sixth African country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) after it gained the approval this May.

Recently, China inked the Memoranda of Understanding on co-construction of the Belt and Road with Senegal and Rwanda, and reached consensus with Mauritius on signing the Belt and Road agreement as soon as possible.

The Belt and Road Initiative has brought huge benefits to African countries, lauded Lemma Senbet, the Executive Director of Africa Economic Research Consortium (AERC).

He suggested that African countries should cast their eyes on China when propelling their economic diversification and regional integration drive, as the China-Africa partnership is based on mutual respect and pursuit for common dreams.

The upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is expected to reach new consensus under the theme of China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.

The two-day meeting scheduled to be kicked off on Sept. 3 will help accelerate the alignment of African countries development strategies with co-construction of the Belt and Road, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, so as to break new ground for China-Africa cooperation, and push both sides for common development at a higher level.
Amidst speculations about a possible split of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), its leader R. Sampanthan has sought an immediate meeting with Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran on September 7 apparently to explore the possibility of patching up differences, it is learnt.

There have been open confrontations between Mr. Wigneswaran and TNA MP for the Jaffna district M.A. Sumanthiran giving credence to speculation that the TNA might break up ahead of the elections to the Northern Provincial Council.

Against the backdrop, Mr. Wigneswaran, at a meeting with the Tamil Peoples Council (TPC), articulated that he had four options in the event of the TNA not giving him nomination - to retire from politics, to join another party, to form his own party or to join an organization like the TPC.

The TPC, a body of Tamil civil society movements, said it would not allow Mr. Wigneswaran to retire from politics.

Asked whether a party would be formed, Mr. Wigneswaran told Daily Mirror that he had not thought of starting a new party immediately.

It is not an easy thing to start a new party at my age. These are discussions that are going on, he said.

However, he said Mr. Sampanthan sought a meeting with him to discuss the latest developments.

Maybe, Sampanthan will ask me not to start a new party but to stay with his party. We do not know, he said.

Asked whether some external forces such as India wanted the TNA to remain united, Mr. Wigneswaran replied, That may be true. I was not consulted, nor was anything said to me. But, that may be true. They may want unity among these people. It all depends on how people are cheated,

He also said, I have nothing to hide. My position is that we had come to power seeking Federalism. Federalism is what we have asked for. If it is to be changed, we must go back to our people and get their consent. (Kelum Bandara)
Saudi Arabia today pledged $ 300 million worth of assistance to Sri Lanka, which will be disbursed to various areas in the country for various development programmes.

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Abdul Nazar Al Hardi said during the inauguration of the Badulla-Chenkalldai Road Development project in Padiyatalawa this morning that his government would provide assistance to the tune of US 300 million.

He said the fund would be spent on water supply projects, agriculture sector, education and health facility development.

We are happy to assist Sri Lanka and look forward to strengthen bilateral ties with Sri Lanka, he said. (Yohan Perera)
Seven persons had been arrested by the Police last night in connection with the recent unrest situation at the Galaha hospital where an infant child had died.

Police said the suspects were arrested on charges of causing damage to public property.

A group of angry mob had attacked the hospital in the wake of the death of a one-and-a-half year old child at the hospital on August 28.

The residents claimed that the child, a resident of Delthotawatta, who was brought to the hospital after a sudden illness had died because of the delay in attending to the sick child by hospital authorities.

A doctors car and several windows of the hospital were damaged while a hospital doctor had also been attacked by the mob.
On this day, the 152nd Police Day is celebrated, under the theme, A Dignified Enduring Mission with the objective of making Sri Lanka Police, which closely associated with Sri Lankan community for a period of 152 years, the bosom companion of the public with the help of community policing concept.

ature has endowed the human beings with a higher cognitive capacity, which surpasses that of all other living beings, probably as a means of ensuring the existence of the world.

Thus, we are born into this world and lead our lives as social beings. Concerning our lifespan from womb to tomb, and even further in case of illegitimate conceptions or illegal exhumations, Sri Lanka Police is entrusted with the bounden duty of shouldering the constitutional responsibility and ensuring the safety of the general public of our motherland.

Adopting the Buddhist words of wisdom, Dhammo hawe rakkhathi dhammachari (One who lives with the Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma) as its motto, while wearing the emblem bearing a dauntless tusker in the middle and the dharma chakra (Dharma Wheel) on the head, Sri Lanka Police is dedicated towards maintaining law and order while safeguarding lives and property of all Sri Lankans.



This is considered to be one of the major organizations among the three State institutions, which were initially established in this country and its glorious history and the 152nd anniversary is thus celebrated with great vim and gusto.

Sri Lanka Police also marks the inception of the first security service in Sri Lanka. The history of the security service of this country goes back to the reign of King Pandukabhaya and this service owes its origin to the position named, Nagara Guththika. It has gradually evolved up to the Dutch and Portuguese eras. After occupying the maritime areas of the country in 1796, the British established a Police Service in this country.

The Police Force was further streamlined under the regulations imposed by the Act bearing No. 14 passed under the British Crown in 1806 and at the time the Police Force consisted of 28 Police Force Constables.

"This is considered to be one of the major organizations among the three State institutions, which were initially established in this country and its glorious history and the 152nd anniversary is thus celebrated with great vim and gusto"



Payment of salaries to the Police Force was made with effect from July 9, 1833.

Then, 47 Police Stations were established centred on commercial cities and 585 Police Officers were deployed for city protection duties.

The Maradana Police Station was recorded in history as the First Police Station to be established in this manner.



With the appointment of Mr George William Robinson Campbell as the first Inspector General of Police on September 3, 1966, as per the provisions of the Police Ordinance No. 16 of 1865, the inauguration of the Police Service as an organization in this country took place Constitutionally.

The said date has been declared as the Police Day. Since the appointment of Sir Richard Aluvihare on January 6, 1947, as the first Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police, the occidental aura emanated from the Police Service has begun to be overpowered by the Sri Lankan spirit.

At present, Sri Lanka Police functions under the Ministry of Public Administration and Law & Order and has become a solid Government institution, which consists of 64 Functional Divisions, 42 Territorial Divisions, 491 Police Stations with a strength of more than 90,000 Police Officers.

The term Polis has been derived from the French language and it means, The guardian of the civil administration.



There is no other public institution than Police organization, which faces greater challenges in a country, where the civil administration is in effect due to the absence of internal disputes.

The Sri Lanka Police, which has encountered three internal civil disputes, has faced many daunting challenges subsequent to the war situation prevailed for three decades in North Eastern Provinces.

The duties of a Police organization in other countries are investigation of crimes, crime prevention, maintenance of law and order and traffic management.



However, the professional role of a Sri Lankan Police officer is played in a more complex way.

In addition to the basic police duties such as crime investigation, crime prevention, maintenance of law and order and traffic management, the citizens of the country currently expect the police to perform tasks such as implementing laws on liquor and narcotics, prevention of communicable diseases like dengue, protection of forests, coastal conservation, wildlife conservation, prevention of illegal sand mining and illegal excavation, even though there are separate Government bodies which are functioning to implement such environmental laws.

At present, even the safety of the railway crossings is ensured under Police supervision. Thus, the duty of the police officer has become extremely complex.

On the other hand, it brings us great pleasure to think of the sense of confidence Sri Lanka Police has inspired in the Executive, the Legislature and the general public for choosing us to assign a significant share of all these tasks.



In other countries, usually, the Police officers are not assigned to other duties.

However, the Sri Lankan Police are deployed for the performance of other duties and a different structure has been designed for that purpose. The officers of Sri Lanka Police are discharging those duties on a daily basis and sometimes even the officers of the Special Task Force, which is the elite paramilitary forces unit of Sri Lanka Police, might assume the role of a valiant soldier, while discharging ordinary Police duties.



Sri Lanka Police that has inherited a proud history of 152 years, is offering many services covering various fields to more than twenty million Sri Lankans.

Protecting lives and property of Sri Lankan citizens, Sri Lanka Police have presently become a bosom friend of the general public and it stands upright like a giant tree above a thick canopy of praise, blame, commendation and criticism while confronting all the difficulties and challenges around the clock in both sun and rain.

The number of Police Stations that was 437 in 2015 have been increased up to 492 to date by the present Inspector General of Police, Mr Pujith Jayasundara, who pays special attention towards improving the basic facilities and service facilities necessary to fulfil the public needs efficiently by bridging the gap between the public and police.

This provided a great relief for the people who had to travel a long way with great difficulty to get services from Police.

New Police Stations have been established by further segmenting some of the larger Police Divisions.



This has further reduced the population density of a respective Police Station and therefore those people have been able to get their services more efficiently.

Furthermore, taking measures to develop human and physical resources in Sri Lanka Police with the intention of ensuring the security of the society in a peaceful country can be perceived as a huge achievement of the citizens of this country.

This becomes evident when analyzing statistical data of 15 years in which the tendency to talk about criminal incidents have increased. Criminal incidents were also reported during the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 when compared to the present.

However, since news articles on war had occupied more space on newspapers, incidents of crimes did not attract much public attention then.

After 2009, headlines related to war had been replaced with headlines about criminal incidents, creating a basis for discussion. That is not a factor which should be construed as an increase in crimes.

"The number of Police Stations that was 437 in 2015 have been increased up to 492 to date by the present Inspector General of Police, Mr Pujith Jayasundara, who pays special attention towards improving the basic facilities and service facilities necessary to fulfil the public needs efficiently by bridging the gap between the public and police"



Through the application of modern technology for investigating crimes, Sri Lanka Police has been able to initiate a significant development in the field of investigation.

A great assistance is being given by Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) who have undergone a proper training, officers and hounds of Police Kennels Division, Fingerprint Officers and Photographers of Police Criminal Records Division to facilitate the investigations and to identify criminals.

At a time when the entire world is shrinking into a small global village, even the criminals in our country have gained access to the modern technology under globalization and show a tendency to employ modern technology and communication methods to commit crimes.

Confronted with the challenge of protecting people from those who commit organized crimes, while being members of crime networks, Criminal Investigations Department is taking measures to shoulder their responsibility and all Police Stations of the Island are also extending a great support in that regard.

May Sri Lanka Police endure through time executing its legendary mission!



The writer is an Attorney-at-law, Police Media Spokesman and the Director and of the Police Media Division.
Two passengers, including a retired soldier, were killed and four others, including two air force personnel, were injured in a head-on collision of a passenger van and an air force truck at Thelulla on the Wellawaya  Thanamalwila Road.

The driver of the van and a woman occupying the front seat of the van died in the incident.

The woman was on her way to Katunayake International Airport to go abroad for employment, when she met with accident.

The injured Airforce personnel were admitted to Wellawaya Base Hospital and transferred for further treatment to Moneragala General Hospital and the other two to the Hambantota General Hospital.(Sumanasiri Gunatilleka and Nayanajeewa Bandara)
Border for Doctors, a four-episode TV documentary on China's medical aid to Africa in the past 55 years made a splash after being broadcast on August 19, the first Medical Workers' Day of China.

The documentary mirrors Chinas achievements of medical aid in Africa in a comprehensive manner, and tells the touching stories of Chinese medical workers in Africa who created numerous miracles risking their lives in front of plagues, dangers, and even disasters.

It also presents Chinas image as a major country that values friendship and dares to take responsibilities.

The series gained the highest ratings among all television features on its debut day, and so far has been watched for over 80 million times.

The production of the documentary took a year of the film crew who traveled over 50,000 kilometers to 14 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as 9 African countries, according to Li Xinyan, director of China Central Televisions international channel.

The documentary was finished upon interviews of more than 100 people, including senior Chinese diplomats, incumbent ambassadors to African countries, medical team members in Africa and their relatives, African leaders, African residents and patients, Li said.

China's medical aid to Africa can be traced back to April 1963, when the first 13 Chinese medical workers were sent to Saida, Algeria. In the following half century, tens of thousands of doctors from China have been consecutively dispatched to other countries, offering medical services for more than 200 million patients.

"Thanks for your hard work. Thank you, China," a Liberian Ebola patient says in the documentary after recovery. A young patient Robert, who has also been cured, is dancing happily with the medical staff on the screen.

The outburst of Ebola in early 2014 led to more than 20,000 infections in West Africa, and over 60 percent of the infected died. Three Ebola patients in the documentary, including Robert, were almost killed by the sorrow of losing the beloved ones, thinking it could never be possible to leave the wards alive.

Fortunately, it was the coming of Chinese medical workers that brought them hope for life, and they finally recovered and left the isolation wards on January 14, 2015.

Over the past 50 some years, a total of 51 medical workers from China have paid for their humanitarian commitment with their lives in the African continent. The stories in Border for Doctors are just an epitome of China's medical assistance to Africa over the past 5 decades.

In Algeria, the local people once took bullets for Chinese doctors in war, while in Ghana, the Chinese medical staffs have trained a batch of local doctors who later formed the best cardiac surgery center in West Africa.

In the island country Comoros in the Indian Ocean, Chinese medical staffs have eliminated malaria for local community after nearly ten years of hard work.

International medical cooperation is a reflection of internationalism and humanitarianism. The Chinese medical workers are explaining the profound relationship between China and Africa through their spirits of fearlessness, dedication, and humanitarian, as well as their boundless love.

What they have done perfectly reflects the kindheartedness in Chinese culture and the ambition of building a community of shared future for mankind.
PHILADELPHIA  Talks will continue over the weekend as the both sides seek to avert a possible strike and delay in the opening of the school year for archdiocesan high schools.

Both the teachers union and representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been at the bargaining table for days and vow to talk through the weekend as they seek agreement on a new deal.

The union represents more than 600 lay Catholic high school teachers, who saw their latest one-year year contract expire at midnight.

School is scheduled to begin for nearly 12,000 students at the 17 archdiocesan high schools Wednesday  if teachers agree to a new deal. The union has indicated they do not want another one-year deal, as has been the case with the last several contracts. Rank-and-file are insisting on a multi-year deal.

The most recent one-year contract between the archdiocese and the Association of Catholic Teachers 1776 (ACT) expires at midnight Aug. 31.

Representatives of ACT 1776 and the Archdiocese of Philadelphias Office of Catholic Education (OCE) met Friday to discuss the latest labor-management agreement to no avail. Talks are slated between the parties on Sunday and Monday with ACT preparing to have its members vote on a contract on Tuesday.

Neither the archdiocese nor ACT 1776 President Ritz Schwartz on Friday would provide specifics on what the bargaining points are, but medical benefits and salary are both on the table.

Schwartz said ACT has been working with one-year contracts for each of the last four years and that teachers are very strong on wanting more than a one-year contract.

I hope we will be able to get this done, said Schwartz in a Friday email.

According to the archdiocese, the office of Catholic education and ACT began talks in April with 15 joint negotiation sessions since then. A letter sent to ACT members on Aug. 27 said proposals were discussed with the OCE for a second time on Aug. 17 and 20.

It had taken time, time we really do not have, to get through the language, read the letter signed by Schwartz. This is due, mainly, to the fact that the system placed everything back on the table that was in its original proposal.

Nothing had been agreed to.

A statement released by Archdiocese Associate Director of Communications Stephanie Brophy on Friday shed some light on those proposals.

The proposals offered to ACT by OCE ensure no teacher will experience a rise in cost for health benefits, read the statement. Salaries for high school teachers in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are consistently ranked among the top in the nation, according to the annual survey completed by the National Association of Catholic School Teachers.

For the 2017-18 contract that expired Friday, it was reported that salary and benefit contributions were not areas of contention for those negotiations, with health plan co-pays not increasing and all teachers receiving a $1,200 raise. That contract also bumped the starting salary for teachers from $38,000 to $39,000. Top of scale teachers make $80,505. A teacher with 20 years experience makes $54,480 a year.

Teachers were given more professional development days as part of that contract and the teacher work day will be extended by 15 minutes for the 2018-19 school year.

ACT and the OCE are scheduled to meet for another 14 hours before teachers will gather on Tuesday morning for a vote.

The last strike by archdiocesan teachers took place in 2011, when teachers hit the bricks and disrupted the first two weeks of school.

Contract negotiations affect full-time teachers in the 17 archdiocesan high schools including Cardinal OHara, Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast, Bishop Shanahan, Father Judge and Lansdale Catholic. Elementary and regional school teachers are not unionized.
A Delaware County corrections officer is facing felony contraband charges for allegedly smuggling a synthetic cannabinoid known as K2 into the county prison in Concord Thursday.

Bramiir Shareif Cannon, 25, of the 3000 block of Kent Road in Folcroft, was arrested at the prison after being confronted by his shift commander and producing three bundles of a green leafy substance along with 40 cigarettes, according to a release from Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland.

Just recently, 25 state prisons across the state were placed on lockdown due to visitors smuggling drugs into our state prisons  a very dangerous felony crime that puts the safety of corrections officers, staff, inmates and community members at risk, said Copeland in the release. In the case of the defendant, he is held to a higher standard of conduct, and instead of doing his job of ensuring the safety of the prison, Mr. Cannon breached the trust of his colleagues, and put their safety at risk by bringing this substance into his workplace.

Cannon was three hours late for his shift Thursday and was ordered to report to the shift commander upon arriving, according to the release. Cannon was allegedly walking with a limp and had a large bulge in the groin area of his pants, the release says.

When asked about the bulge, Cannon allegedly said he was tired of being harassed and left the room. The shift commander immediately had the sally port secured and called backup correctional officers to the scene.

When confronted by additional officers, Cannon admitted he was in possession of contraband and removed the items from his pants, according to the release.

County Detective Edward Kazlo and Sergeant Kenneth Bellis were called to the prison and interviewed Cannon, who allegedly admitted that he intended to deliver the contraband to an inmate. Detective Ed Pisani also assisted in the investigation.

Cannon told the detectives he needed money to repair an unreliable vehicle that often broke down. After confiding with an inmate about his money problems, Cannon said he was offered between $200 and $250 to sneak the contraband into the prison, the release says.

Cannon told the investigators the green leafy substance was K-2, the same synthetic cannabinoid suspected of causing sickness among guards and inmates at state prisons in recent weeks, causing a system-wide lockdown Wednesday. A field test confirmed that the substance recovered from Cannon was synthetic marijuana, according to the release.

This is the third report of contraband drugs being smuggled into the prison this month. Heather Stamm, 35, of Upper Darby, allegedly brought Suboxone into the prison to deliver to her boyfriend during an Aug. 6 visit and Rebecca Anne MacBryghde, 40, of Cumberland, Maryland, was arrested earlier this week for allegedly attempting to pass the same prescription drug to her fiance during an Aug. 16 visit.

Cannon was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Walter A. Strohl, who set bail at $100,000 cash. Cannon was unable to post bail and he was remanded to the county prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13 before Magisterial District Judge Wendy B. Roberts.
MIDDLETOWN  Delaware County Emergency Management will have Individual Assistance Centers open today in Darby, Radnor and Upper Darby to assist residents impacted by flooding earlier this month file for financial compensation through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

We all want that definitive answer: Am I going to be reimbursed, am I going to be made whole? said Delco Emergency Services Director Tim Boyce Friday. The process goes that we have to identify and report to reach a threshold, and then we go back and confirm the losses. So it is a process just to go forward, but if you dont let us know you have a problem and we do find relief for you, were not going to be able to come in later.

Statewide, that threshold is $18 million in losses and $2 million for Delaware County, said Boyce, though he indicated infrastructure damage in the county is likely already at that mark.

Boyce said impacted municipalities have already done a lot of legwork in identifying those who suffered flood damage, but the county wants to make sure that every resident has an opportunity to put in a claim ahead of PEMA and FEMA assessment teams hitting the streets next week.

The Darby center will be open from 9 a.m. to noon today at borough hall, 1020 Ridge Ave. The Radnor center will be open 9 .m. to 1 p.m. at the Commissioners Meeting Room, 301 Iven Ave., and the Upper Darby center will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 7000 Walnut St.

Though the centers are located in those municipalities, Boyce said they are not site-specific  any resident throughout the county who thinks they might have a claim is welcome at any location. Those who know someone with access issues or who is out of town for the holiday weekend that might have a claim should also let Emergency Services know and they will follow up, said Boyce.

The process of accepting those reports from residents began Friday afternoon. Municipal employees in affected areas and volunteers were receiving training and tips on how to take information from residents and business owners Friday morning at the 911 center in Middletown.

Boyce thinks the real sleeper issue from the storms could be mold, which might not be readily apparent. He is urging institutions like schools that already had a mold assessment done over the summer to do another one just to be safe.

Boyce commended Gov. Tom Wolf for hearing from county officials during a tour of flood damage that the loss of a car, home contents or a laptop could very well qualify as a disaster for many residents.

If youre without these simple things, then transportation, child care and sustaining your job could be put at risk, he said. So were at both ends of the extremes  were trying to get some bridges fixed and some facilities and infrastructure fixed, but we just want you to know  that if youre renting a room in a basement place and you lost everything, let us know and see if we can help.

Boyce said government assistance should be thought of as a last resort and that those with insurance should go through that channel first. But he said the process of filling out the paperwork with the county is never adversarial and staff at the centers will also try to connect residents with local faith-based or fraternal organizations that have already been pitching in with cleanup efforts and might be able to offer additional help to individuals.

We try from a government standpoint to do what we can, but also we try to connect them with other organizations that can really help those in need, he said. Many of these people are resilient. They accept the damage and they move on, maybe not knowing there is relief available.
CONCORD  A preliminary hearing for a Maryland woman charged with smuggling Suboxone into the county prison in Concord has been continued to Sept. 20, according to online court records.

Rebecca Anne MacBryghde, 40, of Cumberland, is charged with contraband, a felony of the second degree, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, an ungraded felony, for allegedly attempting to pass the prescription drug to her fiance during an Aug. 16 visit. She is also charged with two misdemeanor possession counts.

MacBryghde entered the George W. Correctional Facility at about 7:33 p.m. and underwent a mandatory visitor search, according to a release from Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland. A strip of Suboxone, a Schedule III drug used to treat opioid addiction, fell from her bra during the search, according to the release.

Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant Jack Kelly and Detective Brian Patterson responded to the prison and searched MacBryghdes 2018 Silver Kia Soul that she had driven there. Several drug-related items were removed from the vehicle, including a black cylinder containing marijuana, two pipes, a marijuana grinder, numerous empty zip-lock plastic bags, several used needles and a metal spoon, according to the release.

Bringing drugs into a correctional facility is extremely dangerous and puts the safety of corrections officers, staff, inmates and community members at risk, said Copeland in the release. Those who attempt to sneak drugs into prison will be arrested and prosecuted for this felony offense.

This is the third report of Suboxone smuggling at the prison since February 2017 and the second this month. Janette Ortiz, 53, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to three years in prison last week for passing Suboxone to her son in 2017, and Heather Stamm, 35, of Upper Darby, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next month for allegedly sneaking Suboxone to her boyfriend Aug. 6.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections also instituted a lockdown of all state correctional institutions this week after receiving reports of multiple staff members sickened by unknown substances, which State Corrections Secretary John Wetzel later said was likely a synthetic cannabinoid.

All DOC mailrooms were closed to non-legal mail and personal protective equipment was mandated for all employees as part of the lockdown. All visiting privileges were also suspended and staff was advised to use extra caution when receiving parole violators and new commitments into the prison system.

A DOC release announcing the lockdown Wednesday indicated 20 corrections officers and inmates at an Ohio prison had also experienced possible opioid overdose symptoms.

MacBryghde was preliminarily arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Diane M. Holefelder Aug. 7, who set bail at ten percent of $75,000. MacBrughde was unable to post bail at that time, but Magisterial District Judge Wendy B. Roberts changed bail to $200,000 unsecured Thursday. It was unknown if she had an attorney.
China and Angola established diplomatic ties in 1983. Nineteen years later, Angolas civil war was formally brought to an end, and the country was in urgent need of reconstruction.

Given the broken promises of western countries, it was Chinas timely assistance and financing cooperation that did a favor to Angola, marking the start of the rapid development of bilateral ties.

In the past decade or so, China has renovated and constructed a total of 2,800 kilometers of railways, 20,000 kilometers of roads, over 100,000 social residences, as well as more than 100 schools and 50 hospitals for Angola. In addition, China has offered business, agriculture, health, media and police affair courses to over 2,500 Angolans.

At present, China is Angolas largest trading partner and source of financing, and Angola is Chinas second largest trading partner in Africa and an important market of engineering contracting.

Chinese enterprises have made huge contribution to Angolas economic and social progress, gaining high reputation from the latters government and society.

Angola is a country highly dependent on petroleum, and the huge impacts caused by the sharp downfall of international petroleum price in 2014 made its government realize the importance of economic diversification and industrialization. In this regard, it is in need of both Chinas assistance and experiences of reform and opening up.

Since the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China has been actively working with Angola to implement the results of the meeting by adhering to the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and upholding the values of friendship, justice and shared interests, which serves as Chinas African policy.

So far, the China-aided demonstration center for agricultural technologies and the international relations institute project have been completed and are going through handling-over procedures.

Chinese enterprises have extended their cooperation in Angola to multiple fronts, including a series of major infrastructure projects such as the phase II project of Kilamba New City, the Caculo Cabaca Hydropower Project, the Soyo Combined Cycle Power Plant, and the New International Airport of Luanda.

In addition, emerging sectors have also yielded fruitful results of cooperation, including agriculture, husbandry, fishing, processing, and manufacturing.

These practical cooperation results substantially promoted Angolas economic development and improved peoples livelihood. They will help enhance Angolas capability of independent development, and lay a solid foundation for its future industrialization and modernization.

It has been reiterated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco that China is Angolas priority partner of cooperation since he assumed office last September. The Angolan President places high importance on the 2018 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, and he is one of the first African leaders that confirmed attendance to the meeting.

Angola is very interested in the China-Africa cooperation measures under the framework of FOCAC and the Belt and Road construction. I believe that leaders of the two countries will map out a brighter future of China-Angola relations through in-depth discussion on bilateral ties and the integration of China-Africa cooperation, China-Angola cooperation, and the Belt and Road construction at the summit.

(Cui Aimin is Chinese Ambassador to Angola)
Africa, as one of the major overseas business cooperation zones of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), has yielded fruitful results from China-Africa oil cooperation.

Starting oil collaboration with Africa in 1995, the CNPC, Chinas largest oil and gas producer, has won high reputation from local governments and society thanks to the huge contribution it made to local economy, society and peoples livelihood.

It has established advanced petroleum industrial systems featuring the integration of upstream and downstream links and complete supporting facilities.

Chads first oil refining and chemical engineering project NDjamena Refinery, which was contracted by the CNPC, officially started operation on June 29, 2011.

Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno gave high recognition of the project at the inauguration ceremony, saying that today is of historic significance for Chadians as we have realized energy independence.

The refinery is seen as the symbol of Chads energy independence by the locals, as its operation has made Chadians accessible to locally refined oil products, and offered the country a path to industrialization. Before the operation of the refinery, the country had to import petroleum products from other countries at high prices.

Besides, the company has built in three years a production base with an annual capacity of a million tons of crude oil, a 462-kilometer oil pipeline and a modern oil refinery in Saharan Desert of Niger.

In November 2011, the Agadem integrated upstream-downstream project in Niger was officially completed, marking the country as a petroleum producer.

China-Africa petroleum cooperation creates a great deal of jobs for local community and trains a great number of local professionals, assisting African countries to achieve their goals of poverty reduction.

For instance, CNPC is running an apprenticeship mechanism in Nigerien refineries which allocates one Chinese technician for one local employee on skill training. It has greatly improved the capability of the African workers.

CNPCs branches in Niger, according to statistics, have directly created over 7,000 jobs, and sent nearly 200 local employees and officials of Nigers Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to China and other countries for professional training.

In addition, CNPC is also actively fulfilling its social responsibilities and improving peoples livelihood in Niger by building schools and clinics, as well as drilling wells for local community.

To help local people overcome severe desertification and water shortage in the Zinder, CNPCs branch in Niger has launched a long-term forestation program in the region since 2011. So far, the branch has planted over 100,000 trees, and 80 percent of them have survived.

These stories are just the tip of an iceberg of the pragmatic oil cooperation between China and Africa. It is believed that the upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will further vitalize the two sides collaboration in energy and resources.
Its easy to forget how well Republicans have rigged the House

Imagine this.

Its almost midnight on November 6, 2018. California will still be counting ballots through December but the big result is already clear: Republican candidates won fewer votes than their Democratic opponents, but the GOP will keep control of the House of Representatives for two more years.

Donald Trump stays up tweeting until dawn. The American people have vindicated me! hell insist. Mueller must go! Investigations into Hillary Clintons collusion must begin now!

The GOP will agree. Much of the media will buy then sell the story. Losing the popular vote repeatedly yet holding unchecked power over all three branches of government is the new normal.

So how many fewer votes did GOP candidates receive?

Maybe its like 2012. Thats when the GOP kept its 33-seat majority in the House, though its candidates took in 1.5 million fewer votes. Or maybe its like 2016, when Trump lost the popular vote by 2.1 percent and became the biggest popular vote loser elected in 140 years. Or maybe their edge is two, three times or even five times Trumps losing popular vote margin of 2.1 percentage points. A report from the Brennan Center for Justice released in March of 2018 projected the GOP could lose the popular vote by 10 percenta far bigger deficit it lost by in 2006 when Democrats retook the House for the first time in twelve yearsand keep the majority. Retirements and a new Congressional map in Pennsylvania have made the situation for Democrats a little better. Data scientist G. Elliott Morris noted on August 30th that his model finds that to take the House Democratic candidates need to win the popular vote by a mere 5.5 to 6 percentage points to have a chance to take the majority  or at least 4.6 times of their margin in 2012, which would be their largest popular vote victory since the massive wave election of 2008.

But we shouldnt have needed any stinking reports or models to hear the alarms blaring.

In November of 2017, the first regular swing state election of the Trump era took place in Virginia. Republicans showed up, as usual. Trumps party delivered the strong off-year election turnout conservatives have come to expect. But Democrats rolled to the ballot box in a blue wave, smashing pollsters projections and shocking the cynics, who argued that Donna Brazilles book and an internet ad about a racist truck would somehow save the GOP. Ralph Northam was elected governor by the largest margin any Democrat had won by in 32 years while his party gained 15 seats in the House of Delegates.

Yet somehow, amidst this flurry of good news for the left, a crucial data point got barely any attention: Democratic candidates won the popular vote by 9.4 percent but that was not enough win control of Virginias House due to unbridled gerrymandering. They were denied the majority by one seat, the 94th District around Newport News. A recount found the Democratic and Republican nominee exactly tied. A judicial panel decided that the election should be decided by a drawing. Democrats, who took in more than 53 percent of all votes cast, were denied control of the state house by a goddamned raffle.

This abomination grabbed some headlines. But few pointed out that the electoral maps were so fixed that Democrats to have clinched control the Virginias lower state house theyd have had to win the popular vote by 9.5 percentessentially 10 percent.

Even fewer noticed six months later when a Washington Post report about the 94th District found that more than two dozen voters  enough to swing the outcome of that race  cast ballots in the wrong district, because of errors by local elections officials. Those voters just happened to live in a predominantly African American precinct that heavily favored Democrats in the fall.

Who could have ever guessedbesides anyone whos been paying any attention?

The chances that Democrats win the popular vote and dont take the House are about 25 percent, about Trumps chances of winning in 2016. And as G. Elliott also noted:

Events which you wouldnt round a 25% probability down to 0: Your house burning down

Getting into a car wreck

Being fired from your job

Losing a $10,000 bet

Your airplane crashing into the pacific So  dont  do  it  with  election  forecasts   G. Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris) August 18, 2018

What should you do? You could pick a candidate in a toss-up district and do everything you can.

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Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o...




Increasing milk production through artificial insemination in Kenya

Kenya is aiming to increase its milk production through artificial insemination (AI), thanks to the help of non-government organisation One Acre Fund.

OAF has partnered with the county government of Kakamega to provide more than 16,000 dairy farmers AI services at a subsidised rate, Standard Digital reports.

At the launch of the programme in Kochwa, Navakholo constituency, OAF Manager Evans Libeya said the programme aimed to support the county government's One Cow Initiative.

"Farmers were being exploited by private veterinary officers who have been charging them between Sh700 and Sh3,500 to serve their dairy cows," Libeya said, adding that the NGO would also give the farmers dairy meal and ultra-mix, as well as de-worm their livestock at subsided prices.

Kakamega Gov. Wycliffe Oparanya has distributed 600 pedigree dairy cows in the second phase of One Cow Initiative, the report said.

Dairy cows have been given for free to more than 1,200 households so far, it added.

Under One Cow Initiative, selected farmers are given dairy cows and they are to pass any heifers to others after calving.




By Town Hall , Aug. 30, 2018





Soon in California, all universities may be required to provide abortion medication to students.





Just yesterday, Senate Bill 320 was approved by the California Assembly.





If the bill becomes law, it would make California the first state to enact such legislation. Right now, none of the 34 University of California or California State campuses provide abortion services.

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Egypt said it is deeply concerned after the US decision to end its decades-long funding for the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees.

The US State Department said on Friday it is halting funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), saying its business model and fiscal practices are "irredeemably flawed operation."

Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid expressed Egypt's "deep concern about the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian refugees, which is becoming more difficult day after day, especially with the increasing restrictions on UNRWA and not enabling it to fulfill its important role to care about vital and necessary refugee affairs."

"The recent US decision came at a critical time, in which concerted international efforts are made to maintain the pace of the Agency's humanitarian work," the spokesman added in a statement on Saturday.

He added that Cairo will communicate with all international parties in the coming period to support UNRWA and to take whatever necessary measures to maintain the Agency's humanitarian work.

UNRWA expressed late on Friday deep regret and disappointment" at the decision and said it rejects in the strongest possible terms the Trump administrations criticism of the agency.

The United States released $60 million in funds to UNRWA in January, but withheld another $65 million, from a promised $365 million for the year.

The 68-year-old agency says it today provides services to around 5 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank.

The latest announcement comes a week after the State Department said it would slash $200 million in aid to economic programs in the West Bank and Gaza.



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By Fox News , Aug. 30, 2018





An obscure federal case being heard in Washington next month could determine whether Special Counsel Robert Muellers pending full report on Russian interference in the 2016 election gathers dust in a secret file  or sees the light of day.





The case involves one man's quest for records related to the 1956 disappearance of Columbia University professor Jesus de Galindez  and has nothing to do with President Trump, Russian collusion or Mueller.

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THE State government has called on the Federal government to provide a financial assistance package of at least $10 million for the WA sheep industry in the wake of the independent regulators cancellation of Emanuel Exports licence.

The State Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan welcomed the news of Emanuel Exports licence cancellation last week, although she said it was a cowardly act for the independent regulator to put out its notification of the licence cancellation at 8:30pm (WST) last Tuesday, when you knew this was going to have major consequences for the farmers in this State.

They put it out when the big news is all about the turmoil (with) leadership challenges within the Federal government, she said.

So pretty poor form  and it comes on the refusal by the minister to be talking to the industry over the last month.

Ms MacTiernan held a doorstop press meeting outside Dumas House last week where she reaffirmed the State governments position that the live sheep trade should have been paused until the end of the northern summer, when less risk was involved in transporting sheep out of a WA winter into the Middle Eastern heat.

She acknowledged however that the decision has left WA sheep producers in a difficult situation despite high sheep meat and wool prices.

Ms MacTiernan said the Federal government needed to come to the party with financial assistance to counter the effect of market disruption and uncertainty caused to WA farmers, but also to support farmers and processors through this adjustment.

She said there was an expectation that any Federal adjustment package would take all aspects of the supply chain into consideration.

We do note that any funding package that helps to boost meat processing  whether through sheep R&D or support for processors  would also help the transport sector, Ms MacTiernan said.

The sheep still need to be transported to the abattoirs and feedlots.

Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of WA president Andy Jacob said he commended Ms MacTiernans call for compensation and said any financial assistance should go to those in the supply chain that are hurting the most.

He said while there may be some farmers financially affected by the lack of sheep being exported over the past 10 weeks, most transport companies would sit front and centre in the need for assistance because many operators had been without work for months.

Due to the changes in requirements during the July-September period, only 1482 sheep were exported in July, and these were air freighted out of Sydney.

This was a decrease of 98 per cent from the same time last year and the lowest monthly export figure since 1989.

So far this year 801,764 sheep have been exported from Australia.

Ms MacTiernan said the consequences of the Federal governments actions and changes to the live export industry was going to see a major reduction in the amount of live exports from the State and there needed to be a plan to help farmers make that adjustment to this new industry.

She called on the Agriculture Minister David Littleproud to come out of hiding and not pass the buck on this issue.

His government is to blame for this situation, and he has a responsibility to support WA farmers as they adjust to a new reality where they simply cannot rely on live exports, she said.

Ms MacTiernan said since June she has repeatedly tried to communicate with the minister but it has not been reciprocated.

We have had industry leaders come to us saying they are perplexed because they cant get in to talk to the federal minister, she said.

This is a challenging issue  it has got to be fixed  we need the Federal government to be engaged.

Ms MacTiernan said the $10 million could go towards some low-interest loans to the processors, which would be on top of the $5 million that she has already announced from State funds for a further expansion of WAMMCO.

She said the funds could help really ramp up the chilled meat exports, and make sure that we have adequate infrastructure to do that.

Other funds could go toward the research and development of a breeding program to better suit future needs of the industry, as well as towards helping some farmers that might need some direct financial assistance.

Mr Littleproud reached out to WAFarmers president Tony York a few weeks ago during a whirlwind visit to WA to discuss live export issues with him, following which he announced changes to the time period that an injunction could be lodged with the department.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA president Tony Seabrook was also able to meet Mr Littleproud at the airport prior to departure where he put forward his case for greater support to the producers and exporters to continue the trade.

Mr Seabrook said the ministers response was that the trade was open for business but if exporters breached the regulations he would see them swing.
Homes in seven areas in the Egyptian capital Cairo and other governorates will be supplied with natural gas this month, the Petroleum Ministry announced on Sunday.

These areas are located in Giza, Cairo, Kafr El-Sheikh, Gharbiya, Beni Suef and the Tenth of Ramadan City, the ministry said in a statement after a meeting chaired by Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla.

The move comes as part of the ministry's initiative to replace cooking gas cylinders with natural gas across the nation to improve services offered to citizens and ease financial burdens on the state.

In the new petroleum contracts, citizens will pay EGP 30 a month over six years interest free, along with the standard monthly bill of their natural gas consumption.

The Egyptian government announced in July it was raising the price of natural gas for household and commercial use by up to 75 percent, effective August 1. The price for consuming up to 30 cubic metres of gas had been set at 1.75 Egyptian pounds ($0.0979) per cubic metre, up from 1.00 pounds.

The price for consuming between 30 and 60 cubic metres was raised to EGP 2.50, up from EGP 1.75, while consumption of more than 60 cubic metres was set at EGP 3.00, up from EGP 2.25.

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CNN has pulled episodes of the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdains show Parts Unknown that feature now-disgraced actress Asia Argento.

Argento, who was dating Bourdain at the time of his death, was featured in two episodes of the show. Both are no longer available on CNN Go, the companys streaming platform. The episodes will reportedly also not be shown in syndication.

It recently came to light that Argento allowed Bourdain to pay $380,000 to actor Jimmy Bennett. The actor had sought legal action against the actress for an alleged sexual encounter that took place when he was 17 and she was 37.

In light of the recent news reports about Asia Argento, CNN will discontinue airing past episodes of Parts Unknown that included her, until further notice, a spokesperson for the network told Fox News.

The episodes that feature Argento include Bourdains trip to Rome in Season 8 as well as Hong Kong in Season 11, the latter of which she actually directed. As Deadline notes, Bourdain previously called the Rome episode their most beautiful show and Hong Kong a professional highlight.

Representatives for CNN did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment.

As previously reported, Argento, a prominent voice in the #MeToo movement that helped bring down disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, was revealed in a New York Times article to have paid off Bennett. The sexual incident allegedly occurred in a hotel room years ago where Bennett, who played Argentos son in a film when he was 4 years old, claims Argento gave him alcohol, performed oral sex and then had sex with him.

Argento denied the allegations, but confirmed that Bourdain offered to pay off Bennett so that the accusations wouldnt be an issue for her publicly at a time when she was getting a lot of attention for her allegations against Weinstein.

My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself. 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, Bennett said in a statement.

In addition to having her episodes of Parts Unknown pulled, Argento was axed as a judge for the back half of X Factor Italy this season.
A Burger King manager chased down a woman and held her for police Thursday after she tried to carjack an 80-year-old woman in the Florida fast food parking lot.

The elderly woman said to WFTV that she had gotten out of her car to go into the restaurant and purchase a breakfast sandwich at the Sanford fast food restaurant. When she did, a woman approached her.

BURGER KING REFUSES TO SERVE UNIFORMED OFFICERS, LOUISIANA POLICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS

"I noticed this lady walking up towards me pretty fast. I thought it was just a panhandler and she just kept coming right up to me, and she said, Give me your keys or I'll shoot you, she said to WFTV.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, said the attacker, Michelle Shockley, tried to grab her keys.

"She kept grabbing me and kept trying to get my keys and I refused to give her my keys, and then finally she tripped me and knocked me over," the victim told WFTV.

The victim said she did not see a gun and so she defended herself until Shockley pushed her to the ground.

POLICE OFFICER STILL THINKS BURGER KING TAMPERED WITH BURGER, DESPITE WATCHING SECURITY FOOTAGE

Fortunately patrons inside the restaurant saw the altercation and came out to help.

Shockley ran across the street, police said to WFTV, and the Burger King manager followed her and was able to restrain her until police came.

[The manager] is the one who deserves the medal of honor here, believe me, the victim said. "She told me later that she ran across the street after the lady and tackled her and held her there until the police got there."

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The victim was not injured. Shockley was arrested and is being held on a $28,000 bond.
Save our Golden Larches!

Because this McDonalds is a real haute spot.

French residents of Marseille are vowing never to surrender in their fight to save the towns fast-food joint, an unlikely cultural hub in a nation of artisanal-cheese-chomping snobs, The Telegraph reports.

Theres nothing left in areas like this, and McDonalds is a center of community life, a place where families can sit down and relax with their kids, said Salim Grabsi, a member of a residents association battling to stop the chain from shutting its restaurant.

My neighbors bring their grandchildren every week, said Annick Villanueva, a retired teacher.

Frances foodie snoots are known to snipe over malbouffe (junk food), but Marseilles conservative mayor, Jean-Claude Gaudin, and a Socialist senator, Samia Ghali, have joined the cause celebre.

Theyre cooking up opposition to McDonalds throughout Marseille if the company goes ahead with plans to abandon its branch in Saint-Barthelemy, a north Marseille neighborhood plagued by gang violence, drug trafficking and high unemployment.

With a staff of 77, this Mickey Ds is the second-biggest private-sector employer in Saint-Barthelemy, which has an unemployment rate of 30 percent, more than triple the national average. Supporters say McDonalds has won locals hearts and minds by hiring school dropouts and young people desperate for work after serving prison terms. Many now fear losing their jobs.

The areas bakery, butchers shop and hairdresser have already closed.

The franchise-holder, Jean-Pierre Brochiero, says the restaurant operates at a loss. Staff obtained a court order last week suspending its sale on the grounds that he had failed to comply with a legal obligation to consult employees. The court is to rule Monday.

France has long raged against McDonalds.

Jose Bove, a radical French farmer, made international headlines two decades ago when he bulldozed a McDonalds in a protest against US taxes on Roquefort cheese and other French dairy products.

But since then, the American fast-food chain has become a huge success story in France, which is now one of Mickey Ds most profitable markets.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said during a visit to the Chinese Communist Party Academy in Beijing that Cairo highly commends China for its successes in construction and development, and called for continued cooperation between the nations, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement.

"Cairo would benefit from Beijings economic, cultural, touristic, and technological expertise to advance growth and development in Egypt. We are looking forward to maintaining and developing our relationship, as Egypt enjoys a significant geo-strategic position," El-Sisi said in a speech on Sunday as he addressed students and administrators during a visit to the communist party's academy, which is one of Chinas premiere educational institutions.

These relations are the forefront of security and development at both an African and international scale," he added, highlighting Egypt's efforts over the past four years to strengthen the state and the economy by adopting an active strategy to restore the country's stance in the region and regaining regional stability and security.

El-Sisi expalined that a void created after the revolutions of the Arab Spring was filled by certain religious political sects that opportunistically pounced into power, while ignoring patriotic duties.

The Egyptian people wisely chose the road to recovery to protect Egypt from fall or collapse, El-Sisi added.

El-Sisi discussed Egypts current economic reform programme and the mega projects Cairo has implemented to create an atmosphere of welcoming international investment.

The president also discussed upcoming economic legislation and infrastructure projects including roads, electric power plants, and new cities and harbors.

El-Sisi also said the signing of the January 2016 memorandum on mutual understanding to enhance cooperation between Cairo and Beijing boosted the infrastructure sector in the country and helped in the implementation of mega projects, specifically the Suez Canal economic zone and the New Administrative Capital.

El-Sisi also discussed with the heads of the academy the role of their institution in guiding and training Chinese youth for positions in leadership.

El-Sisi expressed his deep admiration for the contributions the academy made in leading China towards progress and development, Radi added.

As China's cultural and historical partner in the Belt and Road initiative of reviving the Silk Road, Egypt asserts full support for China's initiative and stresses the importance of mutual projects in Suez Canal zone within the framework of signed memorandum, Radi concluded.

President El-Sisi arrived in Beijing on Saturday heading an Egyptian delegation on an official three day visit to China.

On Saturday evening, President El-Sisi met with the head representatives of Chinese companies to discuss further bilateral cooperation and additional investment opportunities in Egypt.

El-Sisi was then officially hosted in The Great Hall of the People by Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting between the two leaders.

On Monday, the Egyptian president will be attending the Chinese-African summit in Beijing.

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A restaurant in Texas has apologized to a family after an employee allegedly taunted two men in a relationship by calling them a homophobic slur in Spanish.

Sandra Clement was at the Agave Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in Corpus Christi with her son and his boyfriend last week, Dallas New reports. While the three were at the Mexican eatery, Clement said her son hugged his boyfriend, prompting a male employee to point at the couple and yell a derogatory slur in Spanish.

RESTAURANT CHANGES 'MISO LUCKY BOWL' NAME AFTER TWITTER BACKLASH, ACCUSATIONS OF 'CASUAL RACISM'

The employee allegedly continued to sing the word repeatedly while he walked back into the kitchen.

The high school principal wrote about the incident on her personal Facebook page, which has since been deleted, noting other employees were laughing as the male employee continued to use the slur.

Since Clement shared the incident, Agave Jalisco released a statement apologizing to the family for what happened, and confirmed that the employee has been fired.

NYC RESTAURANT FIRES EMPLOYEE WHO WROTE 'CHING CHONG' ON ASIAN CUSTOMER'S RECEIPT

"We  know the seriousness of this issue, and want to state that we do not condone or accept this type of homophobic behavior," the statement read, Dallas News reports. "We are family owned, we have taught our family and children to go out into the world and treat everyone the same way that they would want to be treated."

The restaurant is also requiring its staff to take sensitivity training.

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Clement shared on Facebook that she appreciated the swift action and asked others in the community to support the Mexican restaurant.

Our son, his boyfriend, and our family applaud Agave Jalisco for taking swift action in addressing the unfortunate incident. Although they cannot control every employee, they have stepped up to ensure they are held accountable. Much appreciated! We encourage all community members to join us in supporting Agave Jalisco as they have shown true character and compassion. I will delete all social media posts I made on the incident so we can move forward as a community. I cant put into words how thankful we are for all the love and support our son and his boyfriend have received. Above all else, lets be kind, Clement wrote on Facebook.
One Kentucky high school student was arrested and jailed following an altercation with her schools resource officer over a dispute sparked by her so-called dress code protest T-shirt.

On August 23, Isabella Messer wore an oversized turquoise T-shirt to Hopkinsville High School with the message Do my shoulders turn you on? printed across the front, the Lexington Herald Leader reports.

On the back, the shirt read, If so, return to the 1920s.

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS 'PERMISSIVE' DRESS CODE WELCOMING TUBE TOPS, RIPPED JEANS AND PAJAMAS SPARKS DEBATE

Messers mother, Theresa Rucks, told the outlet that parents were not informed of changes to the dress code for the 2018-2019 school year prior to the start of classes. Rucks alleges that the new rules ban exposed shoulders and see-through white clothes.

According to WBKO, Messer had previously been stopped for a dress code violation for showing her shoulders. Rucks then had the T-shirt made for her daughter to boycott the new policy. According to the Herald Leader, the controversial T-shirt was a large size and covered the teen from neck to elbows and to her bottom.

Sporting the protest T-shirt to school last Thursday, Messer was soon stopped by the principal and became uncooperative and loud in the lobby, according to the police report, as per the Herald Leader.

Resisting arrest by the school resource officer, she was eventually handcuffed. Taken to in-school suspension, Messer then tried to use her cell phone to call her mom, but was not allowed, the report states. When school resource officer Ronald Ingram tried to take the cell phone, Messer kicked him in the right shin.

According to Rucks, Messer is a red belt in taekwondo.

Subsequently charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, Messer went in front of a local judge later that day and was transported to McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center. She stayed at the center until August 28 and has since been released on house arrest.

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Moving forward, Rucks told the Herald Leader she may find a private attorney and potentially sue the school for what transpired.

She shouldnt have been in any kind of trouble. Now it turned out to be where shes in McCracken because the assistant principal did not like what her shirt had read, Rucks told the Herald Leader. They got her with resisting arrest for a shirt that was peaceful protesting, she said.

I feel like the school has gone overboard. Shes such a good kid, Rucks added.
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What are you doing this Labor Day? Enjoying a few final dips in the neighborhood pool? Grilling out with friends? Similar to Memorial Day, many folks have associations with the holiday that are lovely, but may or may not resemble the holidays initial intended purpose.

Memorial Day has become the unofficial kickoff for summer, but was created to honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in our armed forces. Labor Day honors American workers and their contributions to the U.S. economy. It dates back to the late 19th century and was initially celebrated with a parade in New York City involving the first unions.

Since Labor Day marks the end of summer in the U.S., I cant help but think about my favorite summer memory, hosting the Fox News 2018 Proud American programming. I spent the week leading up to Independence Day asking folks what makes them proud to be an American. It was part of my assignment while gathering taped stories to air during our broadcast.

I chatted with veterans, active duty military members, and civilians alike. I spoke with parents, children, shop owners, and even our very own Fox News crew. Their answers varied greatly but Ill bet several will resonate with you as much as they do with my own life experiences. Many of the answers had to do with the American Dream, working hard and getting ahead.

Our first broadcast location was Doumars, a Norfolk, Virginia restaurant that was once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It is the home of the worlds first ice cream cone. The owner told me about how his great uncle came up with the dessert concept while at the Worlds Fair in 1904.

The ice cream vendor had run out of cups and there was a waffle vendor next door. Mr. Doumar got creative  combined the two  and badda-bing-badda-boom: Look what we have now! Americans (and the rest of the world) are eating ice cream cones like its going out of style!

While conversing over ice cream cones and coffee (yes the two go together when youre on morning TV) I spoke with two young sisters excited about their July 4th festivities, which would include a pool party and watching the fireworks with family. One of the girls was about to start her first job teaching swim lessons. She said she was proud to be an American because she was proud to be able to work and help others.

Our conversation reminded me of my first jobs at age 14 and 15  ironically, scooping ice cream and teaching swim lessons. I thought about the work ethic my parents instilled in me from a young age.

You work hard, you get ahead, my parents told me. I still try to live by those words and it sounds like that young girl will too.

Fox News producers arranged for about 10 classic cars to be on location at the drive-in for our live shots. Most of the cars were owned by veterans. I spoke with male and female vets of all ages from the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. I enjoyed hearing them share their tough war stories while also reminiscing over fond memories made with their comrades.

When asking them what made them proud to be an American, one female classic car owner said simply, the right to drive. She went on to say that in some countries women are treated as second- or third-class citizens. Not here.

That womans answer may sound basic to some. Almost not even worth mentioning. But can you imagine what life would be like in countries, for example, that denied women are basic rights? We are blessed to be Americans.

The next day our crew was broadcasting live from Colonial Williamsburg. Our crew brushed up on our Founding Fathers history while I learned to shoot a musket, made a kitchen utensil with the local blacksmith, got fitted for an 18th century dress, and whipped up some colonial culinary delights.

One of the most memorable moments was when a man portraying Thomas Jefferson read the entire Declaration of Independence during a Facebook Live segment. In light of some current events, I brought up the ugliness we sometimes see from charged up individuals on both the left and right.

What would our Founding Fathers think about the way we live today? The actor portraying Thomas Jefferson reminded us of his tension-filled relationship with Alexander Hamilton. I think today we can look at history and remember that debate is healthy. But we shouldnt let the level of discourse get so vicious and spiteful.

Particularly on patriotic holidays like Independence Day, my hope is that we can all be proud of our history  and proud of what our country aspires to achieve.

The big day of our Proud American coverage, July 4th, was so memorable. The majority of our live shots were from the USS Monterey, an active duty missile cruiser. Its the ship that launched tomahawk missiles into Syria back in April, after dictator Bashar Assad used chemical weapons on his own people.

I spoke with some of the USS Montereys 350 sailors about what made them proud to be Americans. They told me they were proud to be part of world history and proud to be part of the fight for human rights around the world.

Another takeaway from my chats onboard the USS Monterey was that many of the young sailors in particular expressed how much it meant to them that their parents were pleased with their career choice to serve in the Navy. They also told me they felt like their service is something they will be proud to tell their kids about. I loved meeting so many sailors that day was sure to thank each and every one of them.

During one of our Facebook Live segments I was able to interview my parents (while holding my 5-month-old son) about what made them Proud Americans. My dad talked a bit about how privileged we are to have been born in America and its no wonder people spend their lives trying to get here. Its the land of opportunity.

My mom talked a lot about the beauty and culture the U.S. has to offer. She and my dad recently retired and have been taking a lot of road trips. She said lyrics from America the Beautiful like amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties are descriptions that ring very true.

Finally, I spoke with a few of our crew members about working on Independence Day. It can be tough on anyone to work holidays while family and friends are kicking it at the beach. But I heard the same sentiment from those crew members that I was feeling myself. We were enjoying our time so much that in many ways, it didnt even feel like work.

Fox News does patriotic holidays right. I have a feeling you know exactly what I mean. We always find ways to tip our hats to military members, remember our nations history, and look toward a bright American future.

This Labor Day, I hope you are spending time with family and friends, relishing the summer memories youve made over the last few months, and are also taking a moment to think about how lucky we are as Americans. If we are willing to work hard, we can get ahead.
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The Americans, British and Arab states can debate whatever Mideast peace plan they want. But nothing can change this pre-eminent fact: Israel is entitled to the land it has, and has been for over 3,000 years. It says so in the most historically accurate document in history: the Bible.

The land of Israel was given by God to the descendants of Abraham. In the Book of Genesis, God appeared to Abraham and said: I will assign this land to your offspring (Genesis 15:18-21). In this passage, God made a covenant  an agreement or contract  with Abraham. He repeats this covenant is eternal and unconditional throughout the Bible.

The medieval scholar and Bible commentator Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) asked: Why, if the Torah is a book of laws for the Jewish people, does it begin with the history of creation and the lives of our Jewish forefathers?

Rashis answer was that there will be a time when nations will claim the Jews stole the Land of Israel, and that the land belongs to others and not them.

Rashi explains that the Bible begins with the story of creation first to establish that all the world belongs to God, and only He has the right to apportion it. And according to the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses, God promised the land of Israel to the nation of Israel.

God in the Bible makes clear that the land of Israel would not be given to the descendants of Abrahams son Ishmael, but rather Isaac. In Genesis 17:19, God tells Abraham: Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac; and I will maintain My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring to come.

In 17:20-21 God promises to bless Ishmael, the ancestor of the Muslims, and use him to create a great nation, but His covenant to Abraham, which again prominently included the specific promise of land, was to be accomplished through Isaac, not Ishmael, removing any ambiguity.

When people of faith read the Bible, they understand the intrinsic connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. In fact, as we note in The Israel Bible, there are over 1,000 verses in the Hebrew Bible connecting the Jewish people with the land of Israel.

But those who question God might also question the historical veracity of the Bible or might incorrectly assume that in a proverbial game of telephone, it could have been altered over the years.

Extensive techniques have been used by Jewish scribes for centuries to make sure the Bible we hold in our hands today is the most historically accurate document from the ancient world. Copying scriptures has always been considered a sacred task and therefore literally thousands of quality-control methods were put into place to ensure reliability.

For instance, the Torah must be written by hand by a scribe, one letter at a time. This process means writing a Torah can take more than three years. And, upon completion, the document is once again checked for accuracy before it can be used.

Further, massive amounts of archeological evidence support the notion that Israel has been in its land for as long as the Bible recounts and that the words of scripture are historically true.

Nearly every archaeological dig in Israel supports the understanding that Jews have had a presence in Israel for thousands of years. Jewish and non-Jewish archaeologists have found coins, pottery and literally full cities that reveal that the Jewish presence in Israel predates any claims that other people in the region may have.

We know that Jews had a presence in the land of Israel until the Romans conquered it. However, the Jews were ultimately driven from the land in two dispersions, in the years 70 and 135.

The Ottoman Turks had control until World War I when they fought against the British on Germanys side. The British sent troops against the Turks in the Holy Land under the leadership of Bible-believing Christian Gen. Edmund Allenby.

In 1917, Allenby captured Beersheba from the Ottoman Empire and saw himself within striking distance of Jerusalem, hoping to deliver the city as a Christmas present for the British people. The night before the attack against Jerusalem, Allenby prayed that God would allow him to capture the city without damaging its holy places.

That day, Allenby had sent World War I biplanes over Jerusalem on a reconnaissance mission. The Turks had never seen an airplane and when they looked into the sky and saw these planes they did not know what they were and were terrified.

Further, they were told they were going to be opposed by a man named Allenby, whose name in their language means prophet from God. The Turks dared not fight against a prophet from God. So the next morning, when Allenby went to take Jerusalem, he captured it without firing a shot.

Not taking the religious significance of his role lightly, when Allenby entered Jaffa Gate on Dec. 11, he dismounted as a sign of respect for the holy city, believing only the Messiah could enter Jerusalem riding on an animal.

It was in those short weeks  40 days to be precise  between the Battle of Beersheba and the capture of Jerusalem  that the Balfour Declaration was issued by the British government. The declaration was a short letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour sent to prominent British Jew Baron Lionel Walter Rothschild and expressed the British governments support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

The Balfour Declaration considered the local inhabitants of Palestine. But most of all, it was addressed to the Christians of England.

England more than anything needed a moral case in advance of Allenbys taking Jerusalem, not for the Jewish conscience but for the Christian one, wrote Barbara Tuchman in her classic book, Bible and Sword: England and Palestine from the Bronze Age to Balfour.

That case came from the Bible, because the Bible says Israel belongs to the Jews.
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Could we stop worshipping rich men who are jerks?

On Tuesday Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla, took to Twitter once again with bizarre comments, saying how strange it is that the cave diver who rescued the Thai boys didnt sue him after he called him a pedophile. The notion that the diver might not want to get into a legal battle with a mean-tempered billionaire seemingly hadnt occurred to him. (Though the divers lawyer is now reportedly preparing a libel suit.)

This comes after what was largely seen as Musks melodramatic New York Times interview, in which he complained, among other things, about having to work on his birthday (I first worked on my birthday when I was 8 quipped former child star Mara Wilson on Twitter in response. Elon Musk is 47.)

Meanwhile, Steve Jobs daughter Lisa Brennan-Jobs has painted a depressing picture of her father in her memoir Small Fry due out Sept. 4. In it, she reveals how he denied her financial support and told her she smelt like a toilet. The fact that shes not horrified by his behavior is more a testament to her than him.

Despite tremendous financial security, success and personal comfort, these men gained a reputation for being petty and ungenerous whenever possible. They dont exemplify very many personality traits we associate with a good person.

My grandmother would have said they dont seem like very happy people. Im more inclined to worry about how unhappy they seemed to make everyone around them.

Now, its possible to be both brilliant and cruel, innovative and un-self-aware, successful and miserly. People can create things we enjoy and still be bad people. But you wouldnt know that from their fan bases. Its not that theyre grappling with the idea of their heroes being complex individuals, its that they see these men as wholly aspirational.

Their fans think that they are perfect and are willing to go to war with anyone who thinks otherwise.

Tech Web site Mashable has stated that people who arent Musk fans meet the immutable wrath of Musks fans online, which comes typically via some nonsensical defense of a billionaires right to do whatever he wants and variations of the word bitch.  Science journalist Erin Biba writes that MuskBros, as we call them, make it their mission to descend on women who criticize Musk and tear them to pieces. And back in 2015, Salon wrote that Jobs, who died in 2011, was a messiah to jerks.

If thats true, there are a lot of them. The website Cultofmac showcases fans who have gotten Jobs name or face tattooed on their bodies. A dress like Steve Jobs day was held in San Diego in 2011 to encourage people to dress like the late Apple founder.

They didnt need the encouragement. So many devotees have copied his style throughout the years that it became a joke on the show Silicon Valley with one character saying Are you dressed like Steve Jobs? And the other replying, Oh, am I? Well, I suppose Steve and I always have shared a similar aesthetic.

In 2016, pop culture website The Ringer wrote of Elon Musk that, not since Steve Jobs has a tech entrepreneur ignited such unabashed fandom. The Elon Musk Quote & News page on Facebook, which sells T-shirts with captions like Take Me To Mars Elon, has 313,000 members. That hardly compares to his 22.4 million Twitter followers. One fan, @_ill_ink tweeted that it physically hurts to see people attack [Elon.]

And yet, Musk runs a company where, according to a 2017 report in The Guardian, employees in Tesla factories are passing out face-down from exhaustion and other workers are being told to work around the bodies.

If you believe your children or spouse are practically perfect, well, so be it. Love makes us a bit irrational. But its incredibly irrational to extend this level of hero worship to someone you havent even met.

True, Jobs made a device I use every day. I also use my toaster pretty much every day. I do not hang out on Twitter talking about how the inventor of the toaster is an amazing genius who should have been allowed to treat anyone else however he wanted.

Tech founders more deserving of acclaim seem to pass utterly under the radar. Microsoft founder Bill Gates has devoted his money to curing malaria, and, now, combatting Alzheimers. He and his wife of 25 years, Melinda, seem happily invested in their charity work. Hes on Twitter, something that surprised me because hes seemingly never sent out a controversial, newsworthy tweet. His bio reads Sharing things Im learning through my foundation work and other interests. Most of his tweets appear to focus on doing good around the world and teachers he admires. His most fiery tweet might be I hate mosquitos (he goes on to explain it is because they spread malaria, perhaps to show hes not the kind of guy who would just go around hating a universally despised bug for no good reason).

When fans worship people like Elon Musk and Steve Jobs and aspire to be like them, theyre not saying that theyd like to make a device that the world uses. Theyre not even saying that theyd like to be very wealthy. Theyre saying that theyd like to achieve a level of wealth and power where no one can judge them and they can behave as horribly as they like  just as Jobs and Musk have done. They dont want to do good in the world, like Bill Gates, they just want to be able to say any horrible thing they want on Twitter.
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Democrats, Planned Parenthood and others on the left are trying to generate pseudo-hysteria by falsely demonizing Judge Brett Kavanaugh as being anti-woman in the days leading up to the Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday on his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

While trying to portray themselves as champions of womankind, those fighting the nomination of Kavanaugh are instead insulting the intelligence of women and men with their absurd attacks.

The Kavanaugh opponents are trying to stir up uncontrolled and extreme emotions relating to the Roe v. Wade  the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationwide  in their campaign to keep Kavanaugh off the nations highest court.

No one can credibly claim that Kavanaugh is not qualified to sit on the Supreme Court. Hes been a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia since 2006. He has a sterling record since graduating from Yale Law School in 1990, including serving as a Supreme Court clerk, a lawyer in the White House Counsels Office, and White House staff secretary for President George W. Bush.

Judge Kavanaugh has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that has an intentional, extraordinary record of helping women.

So instead of examining his qualifications or judicial record, those opposed to Kavanaugh are working overtime to smear his reputation with false charges.

And in addition to trying to derail the judges nomination, those opposing him are engaged in a cynical propaganda campaign of political fundraising. They are urging donors to give money to Democrats to defeat Republicans in the November midterm elections in order to block the confirmation of future judicial nominees advanced by President Trump.

The campaign to keep Kavanaugh off the Supreme Court has taken some strange and frankly disgusting turns. For example, a lame Planned Parenthood video, made with the help of the groups friends at Funny or Die, tries to inject humor into the deadly serious topic of abortion. Excuse me for not laughing.

It used to be that abortion was discussed in a sober manner, even by those on the left. Remember when they claimed they actually wanted abortion to be safe, legal, and rare? Sadly, those days are long gone.

Now the pro-abortion forces are trivializing the pain and struggle of women confronted with the terrible choice of whether to have an abortion or instead grant their unborn child the right to live a full life.

In the Planned Parenthood video, which is designed to mobilize opposition to Kavanaughs nomination, an actor who is playing the part of a dumb and clueless conservative addresses women and says: Basically, Im here to explain to you, as a man, that youre wrong about Brett Kavanaugh.

Ha! See what they did there? Because only men support Kavanaugh, you see. So clever. The joke continues for what seems like an eternity, and the faux-conservative actor points out that Kavanaugh will be good for women because he has a female wife, female mother, and female mother-in-law.

The actor even says ladies, let me talk to you like a lady and switches to a falsetto voice. Thankfully, he doesnt put on a wig and a dress for added comedic effect.

They make millions with these jokes. They kill at the Oscars.

But millions of women recognize this nonsense as phony, not funny. They reject the assumption that those of us who support the right to life for the unborn are anti-woman, and that pro-life women are traitors to the cause of womens rights.

Instead of engaging conservative women in a respectful way and debating the record of Judge Kavanaugh, opponents of his nomination prefer to mock the pain of millions of women as one big joke. For example, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon has partnered with an ice cream shop to sell abortion-themed ice cream. The oh-so clever flavor is called Rocky Roe v. Wade.

Why? Because the pro-abortion groups want women to celebrate abortions and promote them to girls.

Concerned Women for America (CWA), the organization I lead, has thousands of members around the country who support Judge Kavanaugh because he is a man of integrity who will uphold the Constitution as written, instead of bending it and giving it new meaning to promote his personal preferences.

I have written about Kavanaughs substantive record and why we can trust him. Our Women for Kavanaugh bus tour visited seven key states (Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, Missouri, North Dakota, Alabama, and Florida) to win the support of senators for Kavanaugh. We have felt overwhelming support for the judge from women in those states and elsewhere once they look at his record.

But the Hollywood elites and others on the left will not engage conservative women in a meaningful way. So many of them live in a bubble where everyone thinks alike and everyone who doesnt is dismissed outright. Their idea of engaging conservative women is comedian Michelle Wolfs shameful treatment of Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the White House Correspondents Dinner in April, to the cheers of the liberal media.

With this myopic view of women, Kavanaughs opponents can say ridiculous things  like claiming that anyone who supports Judge Kavanaugh is complicit in evil. They can talk about back-alley abortions and make absurd claims that Kavanaugh has a long history of not caring for women. They know it is all lies, but they are hoping they will galvanize liberal support.

American women are not stupid. Millions are seeing clearly that we are being told lies about President Trumps Supreme Court nominee. We realize that anyone nominated by this president to the Supreme Court  no matter how qualified  would face a torrent of opposition.

Judge Kavanaugh has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that has an intentional, extraordinary record of helping women. In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, all the women who served Kavanaugh as law clerks (unless prevented because of current or pending employment) wrote that he has been one of the strongest advocates in the federal judiciary for women lawyers.

Even many on the left are not buying what the radical left is doing with the nomination of such a well-qualified nominee.

Liberal feminist lawyer Lisa Blatt, who has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any other woman, wrote for Politico: Sometimes a superstar is just a superstar. That is the case with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who had long been considered the most qualified nominee for the Supreme Court if Republicans secured the White House. The Senate should confirm him.

Blatt has personal experience in her law career working with Kavanaugh that gives her a good perspective on the type of justice he will be.

Blatt had to admit, though, that my friends on the left will criticize me for speaking up for Kavanaugh. Yes. She is not toeing the liberal line, and there are real consequences for this.

Heres the bottom line: Donald Trump is the duly elected president of the United States, even though that continues to drive his opponents crazy. He has carried out his duty to nominate an eminently qualified judge to serve on the Supreme Court.

The Senate should do its job and confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh because he will clearly be an outstanding member of the United States Supreme Court.
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Of all the polarizing issues dividing our country today, guns remain among the most contentious.

No one has perfect answers for how to lessen gun violence in the United States, while preserving the rights granted in the Second Amendment to the Constitution. But its clear that the status quo is untenable.

In the past several years, we have seen far too many people killed and wounded in shootings in schools, churches, concerts, nightclubs and many other places across the nation.

Yet Americans havent been able to agree on what to do next and on how far new gun measures should go. Still, no one wants to accept the current level of gun violence as a given anywhere in todays America  whether in Chicago or Parkland, Florida.

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, who was shot in the head and suffered permanent injuries in 2011, heads an anti-gun violence group called Giffords, along with her husband, retired astronaut Captain Mark Kelly.

The group gave Fox News an early look at a new TV ad designed to bridge cultural and political divides on the issue of gun safety.

The organization is launching an ad campaign to highlight an important constituency that is becoming increasingly vocal in the gun debate: prominent U.S. military leaders and veterans.

The new ad features retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who experienced war firsthand during his over 37 years in Army.

In the first scene, Hertling opens a box on his desk containing 253 cards with the names and photos of soldiers under his command who were killed in combat. He ties the pain he felt on their deaths to the pain parents must feel losing a child to gun violence.

It is immediately clear then that this is a new kind of gun safety advocate.

This ad is one in a series of five narrated by retired military leaders. The Giffords group is planning veterans events around the country to foster discussion on the gun issue.

So why are these retired members of the military getting involved in such a contentious debate now, and why so publicly?

Weve all seen the tragedy associated with gun violence up close and personal and weve all used weapons, we all own weapons, and we all believe in the Second Amendment, Hertling told me in an interview. He will also join Benson & Harf on Fox News Radio this Tuesday between 6 and 8 p.m. EDT.

But we also understand, Hertling continued, that we are plagued by this disease of gun violence, and we really need to do something about it.

This new ad campaign is worth paying attention to, especially for gun owners who might otherwise be hesitant to consider the message. It could be significant for the gun debate moving forward, because the ads rely on the words of nonpartisan military leaders who cant be dismissed as liberals who just dont understand gun culture.

Hertling, for example, has never identified as a member of any political party. Thats an important fact that could help overcome the caricatures each side has about the other in the gun debate and bridge some of the often nasty divide that leads many people to simply retreat to their corners.

Were all guys who know how to solve problems and know that even the toughest problems you cant just take sides on, you have to build consensus and find solutions, Hertling told me. This is a problem in America, and the data proves it. To just put up a wall and say: Were not going to listen to anybody that we might assume is attempting to adjust our Second Amendment rights is not understanding what the problem is.

Interestingly, some previous skeptics have begun trending towards more openness to possible gun reforms, after mass shootings have continued to fill the news.

This appears in part to be a reaction against the increasingly partisan and strident tone of some gun organizations like the National Rifle Association, which used to operate on a more bipartisan basis.

Military veterans like those in the Giffords campaign exemplify a subtle but important shift: members of a group that often resisted talking about the gun issue publicly now believe something different has to be done. They are willing to speak out in the hopes of prompting a better national conversation.

We all want to live without fear and we want our liberties and freedoms protected  all of them. We are a nation that always believes we can improve and do better. That idea is infused in our Constitution and in our DNA. Americans dont throw in the towel and decide there are problems too big to be tackled  thats not who we are.

So as we struggle through how to make our nation safer for our citizens and protect people from gun violence, the voices of those who have served our country in uniform should play an important role in that debate. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to listen to what these veterans have to say.
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Anti-Trump news organizations continued to attack the president this past week on many fronts, including for what CNN Senior Political Analyst John Avlon called a real culture of corruption. In reality, Avlon should have been describing the state of journalism.

CNN, that stalwart of James Earl Jones voiceovers, has no room to point fingers. It got caught believing another phony story about President Trump and is too stubborn and woke to admit it. (Sort of like when three CNN investigative journalists had to resign in 2017, except then the network admitted they were wrong.)

Meanwhile, NBC is facing allegations from a former top producer that executives actively interfered in reporting on allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. And The New York Times has become increasingly obvious about the word play it injects into news stories, so its left-wing agenda remains intact.

There are far too many failure points in the media to fit easily into one column  journalists ignoring Texas Democratic Senate candidate Beto ORourkes past DUI arrest; hypocritical outlets that claim to love Republicans only after they pass away; and repeated defenses of Antifa.

If Avlon wanted to find his culture of corruption, he might start at NBC. The peacock network used to employ Ronan Farrow, who was digging into the Weinstein story. Only, as he got close, the bosses shut him down. He was forced to publish his investigative report and won a Pulitzer Prize .

Turns out it was deliberate. Both The New York Times and Daily Beast had scoops out this week showing how NBC executives tried to silence the Weinstein story. (Just dont call this media bias!)

Former NBC investigative producer Rich McHugh told The Times that the networks handling of the matter a massive breach of journalistic integrity. McHugh said he and Farrow were ordered to stand down three days before interviewing a woman with a credible rape allegation against Harvey Weinstein.

The Daily Beast piled on, writing: Sources: NBC Threatened Ronan Farrow if He Kept Reporting on Harvey Weinstein. The Beast explained: According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, NBC News General Counsel Susan Weiner made a series of phone calls to Farrow, threatening to smear him if he continued to report on Weinstein.

Farrow said he suspected NBC News President Noah Oppenheim who moonlighted as a Hollywood screenwriter  was potentially communicating with Weinstein directly about the story, according to the sources.

NBC went on to have its own internal #MeToo problem with Today anchor Matt Lauer, who was forced out in a huge sexual misconduct scandal.

NBC is still playing games on air  in the very same Today show. Friday, it spent just one minute and eight seconds on a report and 43 seconds of that time defending NBC.

Meet The Press Daily host Chuck Todd on MSNBC blundered into this fiasco by leveraging another story to pretend media bias doesnt exist.

Todd said: One of the mistakes we in the mainstream media made during when these false allegations against us for being biased for 40 years happened is we started believing, Oh, maybe we are biased. Oh, wait, we cant look biased. So, then, we created a lot of false equivalency issues.

Sure, Chuck. Sure.

2. Speaking of Blunders: Most journalists know that a too-good-to-be-true scoop seldom is. But they keep falling for them to aid the Resistance.

That hasnt stopped CNN, as the network refuses to admit it ran another bogus story about President Trump. Heres APs David Bauder describing the problem: Despite a key source backing off his assertion, CNN is sticking by a story casting doubt on President Donald Trumps claim that he did not have prior knowledge of a June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer to get damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Broadcast networks went bonkers after the original report, devoting more than 39 minutes to it during morning and evening newscasts in the last week of July.

The key source is Lanny Davis, the lawyer for Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen. Davis now says he was wrong when he gave CNN the information. CNNs reporting team, including former Washington Post Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein, said on the July 26 broadcast of Cuomo Prime Time that Cohen would rat out Trump. He was supposed to tell investigators Mr. Trump knew in advance about a now infamous June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in which Russians were expected to offer damaging information on Hillary Clinton, the New York Times reported.

Davis first denied on air at CNN that he was the source for this story. Then he fessed up, firing a torpedo at the networks scoop. Yet it took the broadcast networks about a week to carefully distance themselves from this disaster. But CNN has held on for dear life.

The Washington Post published a long article dissecting CNNs weird sourcing of the story, where Davis provided information on background but was then cited as declining to comment. The Post made it clear that critics say the practice is murky at best and ethically dubious at worst.

The result is even fellow liberal outlets have distanced themselves from CNN. Newsweek wrote: CNN REFUSES TO BACK DOWN FROM COHEN, TRUMP TOWER STORY DESPITE LANNY DAVIS SAYING INFO MAY BE WRONG. And Politico gutted CNNs source as well, Lanny Davis burns reporters. Should they still give him a megaphone? (Hint: No!)

Trump has accused CNN of a major lie and called it FAKE NEWS, of course. CNN hasnt given up  yet. The Daily Caller described its defense as CNN QUADRUPLES DOWN ON DUBIOUS TRUMP STORY. Next headline is quintuples.

3. Weaponizing Journalism: It wasnt enough for The New York Times to claim conservatives had Weaponized the First Amendment. How dare those right-wingers expect equal treatment under the law? Now theyre accused of using the Catholic Churchs sex scandal in a similar manner.

The ridiculously biased piece was headlined: Vatican Power Struggle Bursts Into Open as Conservatives Pounce. (Note how conservatives pounce!) Poor Pope Francis is faced with a crisis because an ideologically motivated opposition has weaponized the churchs sex abuse crisis to threaten not only Francis agenda but his entire papacy.

This was a common theme in media as major outlets like The Times and Washington Post targeted conservative Catholic media to defend the popes liberal social agenda.

The Times weaponization of journalism doesnt just stick to social issues. It has even warned how the Internal Revenue Service could be weaponized for political purposes. Thats apparently only a problem when Republicans do it, not Democrats.

4. Graphic Objection: Sometimes media bias is so bad, it takes a lawyer to object. Kudos to the lawyer in question, Ted Frank, director of litigation for the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Frank spotted a horribly screwed-up New York Times graphic about the number of appellate judges confirmed during a presidents first congressional session.

The chart ranged from 15 (Obama) to 24 (Trump), yet Trumps gavel was, well, huge. Today, the New York Times taught me that 24 is over ten times larger than 15, wrote Frank. He was right. It was the kind of graphic you could only make if you are trying to make Trumps 60-percent increase appear like a judicial apocalypse.
The Senates final verdict on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh  whose high-stakes, high-wire confirmation hearing begins Tuesday  will hinge on the views of just a handful of lawmakers.

As it stands, Republicans hold a razor-thin, 50-49 majority with one vacancy. Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey will soon appoint a successor to the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., but even then the GOP majority can suffer few defections.

These are the senators to watch:

Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska

These senators can be mavericks in their own right. Further, they fret about how health care issues and access to reproductive assistance are challenging in their sprawling, rural states. Both Collins and Murkowski are moderates. A defection by either or both of these senators could spell problems for the confirmation of Kavanaugh.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Paul, too, sometimes bucks his party and can be unpredictable on how he will cast his ballot. But the Kentucky Republican announced he will support Kavanaugh. In the past, Paul has flashed his libertarian streak, especially voicing concern over privacy and the use of government surveillance. If Kavanaugh can avoid setting off those Paul alarm bells in the hearing, he is likely to preserve that key support.

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. Heller is likely the most-endangered Republican this cycle, representing a battleground state where Democrats performed well in 2016. That said, he has signaled likely support for President Trumps pick.

His legal career combined with his educational credentials make him an exceptionally qualified nominee to fill the upcoming vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. At this point, I have no reservations in confidently supporting Judge Kavanaughs confirmation, Heller said.

Then, there is the unknown senator. Its believed Ducey will appoint someone to fill McCains seat soon. However, he may not. Appointment battles for coveted Senate seats sometimes spill off the rails, take longer than anticipated or stumble into previously unanticipated political potholes. (See Blagojevich, Rod and Burris, Roland.)

Moreover, the political disposition of that new senator is unknown. Arizona law does require Ducey to appoint a Republican since McCain was a Republican. Its possible the appointees view on Kavanaugh could serve as a litmus test.

Things are fuzzier on the Democratic side of the aisle. Its believed three to five Democrats could ultimately vote to confirm Kavanaugh. The reason? There are lots of conservative Democrats up in GOP or swing states:

Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. These are the big three to watch on the Democratic side. That trio voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch in April 2017. Those Democratic defections could be enough to confirm Kavanaugh even if Republicans lose a vote or two. All three also face stiff competition in the November midterm elections and are eager to prove their independent streak  but also mindful of the views of their own partys voters.

Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla. Likewise, the three senators in the next tier are in tough re-election battles. None have committed to vote one way or the other.

Something to keep in mind: its not as though a yea vote on Kavanaugh necessarily helps these Democrats win election. Republicans will not call off the dogs, simply because they voted to confirm Anthony Kennedys successor. Going along with Kavanaugh simply inoculates these vulnerable Democratic senators from criticism that they opposed Trumps Supreme Court pick.

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala. Jones is the wild card  because his disposition is an unknown quantity. Jones won a special election to succeed Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Senate in December. Thus, Jones never cast a ballot on Gorsuch. Kavanaugh is his first rodeo. Jones is a conservative Democrat in a major red state. And, unlike the other Democratic senators listed above, Jones isnt up for re-election this fall.

Im prepared to vote for a conservative justice, Jones said in an interview with Fox News. The question is whether Im prepared to vote for this justice.
Sen. John McCain was laid to rest Sunday  on a grassy hill at the U.S. Naval Academy within view of the Severn River and earshot of midshipmen present and future, and alongside a lifelong friend.

McCain picked the historic site, not Arlington National Cemetery, where his father and grandfather, both admirals, were buried.

Years ago, Chuck Larson, an admiral himself and an ally throughout McCains life, reserved four plots at the cemetery  two for McCain and himself, and two for their wives, now widows. Larson died in 2014, and McCain wrote in a recent memoir that he wanted to be buried next to his friend, near where it began.

A horse-drawn caisson carrying the senators casket led a procession of mourners from the academys chapel to its cemetery following a private service. The senators widow, Cindy, and his children were among those who walked behind the caisson. Joining them were family and friends as well as members of McCains Class of 1958, military leaders and academy midshipmen.

Around 4 p.m., a flyover of military aircraft honored the Navy pilot who was shot down over Vietnam, and held more than five years as a prisoner of war. The burial was private as per the wishes of McCain, the Arizona Republican and 2008 presidential nominee who died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81.

Vehicles that had carried mourners began leaving the area between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

One scheduled speaker at the service, Sen. Lindsey Graham, said before the service that he would tell the audience that nobody loved a soldier more than John McCain, that I bear witness to his commitment to have their back, travel where they go, never let them be forgotten.

Other scheduled speakers included David Petraeus, the retired general and former CIA director, and McCains son Jack.

As the hearse carrying McCain passed through a gate and into the academy, loud applause rang out from the several hundred people lining the street outside on the hot and muggy summer day. Many held their hands over their hearts and waved American flags. Some shouted, God bless you.

People in the crowd held signs that read: Senator John McCain Thanks For Serving! Godspeed and Rest In Peace Maverick.

Among the pallbearers on a list provided by McCains office were Frank Gamboa, his academy roommate; Defense Secretary Jim Mattis; and two men who were POWs with McCain in Vietnam, John Fer and Everett Alvarez Jr.

Tributes to McCain began Wednesday in Arizona and continued for the remainder of the week.

On Saturday, speeches by his daughter Meghan and two former presidents  Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama  remembered McCain as a patriot who could bridge painful rivalries. While their remarks made clear their admiration for him, they also represented a repudiation of President Trumps brand of tough-talking, divisive politics. Trump and McCain were at odds during the 2016 campaign, and for much of Trumps presidency.

Theres a lesson to be learned this week about John McCain, said Graham, R-S.C.

No. 1, Americans appreciate military service. ... If you work hard and do your homework and know what youre talking about, people will listen to you. That if you pick big causes bigger than yourself, youll be remembered, he told Fox News Sunday.

He tried to drain the swamp before it was cool, that you can fight hard and still be respected. If you forgive, people appreciate it, and if you admit to mistakes, you look good as a stronger man. Thats the formula, John McCain. This was a civics lesson for anybody who wanted to listen. Why do we remember this man? Because of the way he conducted his public life.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Egypt's Al-Azhar condemned a terrorist attack that targeted a military base in the northeastern Nigerian village of Zari on Friday evening, killing 30 soldiers and wounded others.

Al-Azhar, the highest Islamic learning institution in Egypt and in the Sunni Muslim world, called on the international community to exert more efforts to halt bloodshed and to eliminate terrorist groups.

The statement also offered Al-Azhars condolences to the Nigerian president, government, people, and the families of the victims.

The attack was carried out by the Boko Haram terrorist organization.

Boko Haram has intensified attacks on military targets in recent months. The terrorist organization's insurgency, which is entering its ninth year, has left more than 20,000 people dead and displaced nearly 2.6 million Nigerians.
The lawyer for President Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohen said he was blaming himself, not CNN, after the network ran a story about Cohen knowing the president had advance knowledge of that Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Hillary Clinton.

In an interview with Howard Kurtz on Fox News MediaBuzz, attorney Lanny Davis said he thought he was asking CNN to investigate a hunch he had that Trump knew about the meeting with the Russian lawyer, but that he did not make his uncertainty clear enough.

I can understand that they interpreted what I said as a confirmation, and have not blamed CNN, Davis said. I have blamed myself for not being more clear that, in my mind, I did not know the details about that meeting, and I should not have encouraged any reporter.

Davis added: I do think, for everybody who deals with the media in my position, this is a lesson, maybe a teaching moment. Don't even float stories on background, which is our expression for anonymously, unless you have a certainty of the facts, and you're asking reporters to go look to confirm those facts.

Despite Davis backing off the story, CNN is sticking by its reporting with reporter Jim Sciutto and Watergate legend Carl Bernstein saying they had more than one source for the story.

CNN's story, written in late July, said Cohen was willing to say that he heard Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., tell his father about the Russians' offer to share material about Clinton, his Democratic rival for the presidency. It also said that Trump gave the go-ahead to take the meeting at Trump Tower. If true, that would contradict what Trump and representatives have long said, that he didn't know about the meeting until long after it happened.

The network's original story cited sources with knowledge telling the network about Cohen's claim. The network noted in a follow-up story last Tuesday that Davis had admitted to being one of the sources for its original report. CNN technically didn't confirm that in the Tuesday story  networks hate to be in a position of revealing confidential sources, as analysts have noted  but the Tuesday report did indicate that Davis said he was a source.

One big apparent problem for CNN: The July story said, contacted by CNN, one of Cohen's attorneys, Lanny Davis, declined to comment.

The controversy over the story has given Trump more ammunition in his battle against so-called fake news, in which CNN is a frequent target. CNN is being torn apart from within based on their being caught in a major lie and refusing to admit the mistake.

He also launched a personal attack against Bernstein, accusing him of making up story after story.

CNN responded with a tweet saying it stands by our reporting and our reporters.

Bernstein also tweeted, saying: I have spent my life as a journalist bringing the truth to light, through administrations of both parties. No taunt will diminish my commitment to that mission.

Despite CNN standing by the reporting, in his interview on MediaBuzz Davis downplayed CNNs role and tried to put the blame squarely on his lack of clarity when speaking to the network.

I disclosed myself as a source, seeking reporters to confirm something that I wasn't sure about and I was very unclear in that, he said. I thought it was important not to blame CNN, not to blame anyone other than myself.

Fox News' Howard Kurtz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wants to rename the Russell Senate Office Building after the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Yet, in a strange twist of irony, many progressive ideals which serve as touchstones of todays Democratic Party and the progressive movement may not exist were it not for the buildings namesake, Sen. Richard Russell, D-Ga.

Three Senate office buildings sit across the street from the U.S. Capitol, linked by an underground network of tunnels. The newest is the Hart Senate Office Building, named after Sen. Phil Hart, D-Mich. -- the conscience of the Senate. Then theres the Dirksen Senate Office Building, the namesake of longtime Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, R-Ill. Closest to the Capitol is the Russell Senate Office Building. Russell is the oldest of the trio, opened in 1909.

Thirty-five senators and six committees maintain offices in Russell. The structure holds the suite used by McCain and the Armed Services Committee, which he chaired.

Richard Russell served for 38 years in the Senate. A staunch anti-communist, Russell also led the Armed Services Committee. Russell never served as a Senate majority or minority leader. But theres a reason for that: Russell didnt need to. He committed to memory all of the Senates rules. He could convince fellow senators to vote for bills they otherwise opposed. The idea of a majority or minority leader was a new concept in the Senate in the early 20th century. The Senate is a body of equals. Thats why Senate Majority Leaders Alben Barkley, D-Ky., Scott Lucas, D-Ill., and Ernest McFarland, D-Ariz., struggled. They held the title. But none radiated the political wattage of Richard Russell.

During his time on Capitol Hill, no one commanded all of the Senates folkways, methods and procedures quite like Russell.

And heres the bad part: Russell was a racist and segregationist. He filibustered civil rights bills. He fought legislation banning public lynchings.

We believe the system of segregation  is a reason to preserve peace and harmony between the races said Russell, as quoted in Robert Caros book Master of the Senate.

Russells views on race are why Schumer and other Democrats want to rename the building after McCain.

It is only fitting that his name should adorn a physical institution of the Senate, particularly one that housed the Armed Services Committee, said Schumer.

But its just not Democrats who want to change the name.

Having a building named after (McCain) makes a lot of sense to me, said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the lone African American Republican in the Senate.

Im great with that, said Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., when asked about Schumers proposal. I loved John McCain. He was a good friend and a mentor. He took me under his wing.

But not everyones on board, including lawmakers from Georgia.

Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., accused Schumer of playing politics.

McCain just passed away. We need to take a deep breath, said Perdue.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., wants to name something after McCain for time immemorial.

I dont want to establish the precedent that we can un-honor somebody in the future, said Cassidy.

In other words, if they can strip the name Richard Russell off the Russell Senate Office Building, why couldnt that happen to the McCain Senate Office Building in the future?

Id name the Capitol after the old guy if I could, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Graham also suggested naming the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) after the Arizona Republican.

John hated it. He thought it was a waste of money, said Graham, noting with a chuckle that bestowing the CVC with the McCain moniker might be my last way to get at him.

But Graham says a lot of the focus seems misplaced at a time of mourning.

Instead of worrying about what to name for him - which we should name something or a bunch of things -- lets try to be more like him, suggested Graham.

The Russell Senate Office Building wasnt always named after Richard Russell. It was initially just the Senate Office Building  because it was the only one. Some called it the SOB for short.

Perhaps thats a dig at Russell. And, considering the original SOB moniker, one McCain friend told Fox that naming the building after McCain would fit the late senator perfectly.

But heres why Russell was important:

Take a look at the aforementioned Master of the Senate by Robert Caro. The 1,100-page magnum opus details how Lyndon Baines Johnson truly became the master of the Senate as no one had really done before him. Remember those other Senate leaders who lacked the chops? Guess who arrived on the scene who did? Lyndon Johnson. Johnson went on to become one of the most-powerful Senate leaders of all-time. The only others who come close are Sens. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., Bob Dole, R-Kan., Howard Baker, R-Tenn., and Mike Mansfield, D-Mont.

For good or ill, when Johnson became president, he successfully advanced his Great Society programs through Congress. That included passing landmark civil rights legislation, waging a war on poverty. Congress approved legislation creating the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Johnson signed laws on consumer protection and housing. He corralled the votes to create the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and launched public broadcasting.

How did Johnson achieve this? Well, he learned the Senate and developed his bona fides from Richard Russell.

Russell could have moved into a vacant leadership post any time he wanted. But he didnt want to get bogged down in details. In 1951, Johnson became the Senate Democratic Whip. The sole reason? As Caro writes, Johnson had the backing of one man, Richard Russell. Two years later, Johnson became Democratic Leader.

In order to understand Johnson, one must dig deeply into Russell. Caro does so in his tour de force, devoting an entire chapter to the Georgia Democrat: A Russell of the Russells of Georgia. It was Russells own mastery of the Senate which partly helped President Franklin Delano Roosevelt muscle through his own legislative program during the Great Depression: The New Deal.

Russell espoused views on race which are offensive today. But were it not for Richard Russell, and later, his agent Lyndon Johnson, major tenets of the Democratic partys platform would not be law today.

Its unclear if Schumer and others will get their way and rename the Russell building after McCain. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is empaneling a bipartisan gang to determine the proper way to honor McCain.

In addition to getting things done, he also wanted to get them through in the regular order, said Senate Rules Committee Chairman Roy Blunt, R-Mo., of his fallen colleague. Im sure the Senate will find a way to honor him.

One senior Senate source tells Fox they think the Senate should name something new after McCain. That may yet happen.

Democrats will talk a lot of preserving major New Deal and Great Society programs on the campaign trail this fall. Richard Russell doesnt align with contemporary views on race. But the party and the country would look a little different today if it werent for him and his protege Lyndon Johnson.
Sen. Dan Sullivan said on Sunday that it would not be a politically smart move for President Trump to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Speaking on NBCs Meet The Press, Sullivan, R-Alaska, said that despite months of strained relations between the president and the attorney general, and Trump having the legal authority to fire him, the Alaska lawmaker would caution against it.

"I supported Jeff Sessions when he was nominated. I certainly voted for him and I think hes doing a good job," Sullivan said. Would it be politically wise? I dont think so, and I support Jeff Sessions and the job he's doing right now.

Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Sessions on social media over the attorney general's decision last year to recuse himself from the FBI's Russia investigation. Last month, the president tweeted that Sessions "doesn't understand what is happening underneath his command position" and told "Fox & Friends" that his attorney general had "never taken control of his department."

The president also said that the only reason he named Sessions to one of his most important, Cabinet-level positions was the former Alabama senator's early support in the 2016 presidential election.

The comments prompted a pointed response from Sessions, who said in a statement that "While I am Attorney General, the actions of the Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations."

In an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday, Trump said that Sessions will remain in his job at least until the November midterm elections. The president did not elaborate on if he would keep Sessions on as attorney general following the election.

Fox News Legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett echoed the president's words on Sunday during an appearance on "Fox & Friends," in which he said Sessions would be gone after the midterm elections and suggested that Trump appoint Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, to the post.

Ratcliffe, a relative newscomer to Congress after he defeated 17-term incumbent Ralph Hall in a primary run-off in 2014, was ranked as the most conservative Texas legislator in Congress and second most conservative legislator in the country by the policy group Heritage Action.

Samuel Chamberlain contributed reporting to this article.
President Trump on Saturday evening appeared to signal that he may be rethinking a plan he announced last week to cancel a proposed 2.1 percent pay raise for federal workers.

The president retweeted a Twitter message posted earlier Saturday by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Corey Stewart of Virginia, in which Stewart wrote that federal workers had endured "8 years of hell under Obama, with several rounds of pay freezes and benefit cuts."

Trump "can fix this, and I trust that he will," Stewart wrote.

Just one day earlier, Stewart -- typically a staunch Trump supporter -- had emailed a statement criticizing the pay-freeze plan that Trump disclosed Thursday.

"Federal workers endured 8 years of hell under Obama, with several rounds of pay freezes and benefit cuts ... [President Trump] can fix this, and I trust that he will."  Corey Stewart, Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Virginia

I almost never differ with President Trump, but in this case I do, Stewart said in the statement, according to the Washington Post.

Federal employees in Virginia wake up early, face punishing traffic and work hard to serve their nation and support their families, the statement continued. These workers need and deserve a pay raise.

Another Virginia Republican, U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock, also spoke out against Trump's plan.

"We cannot balance the budget on the backs of our federal employees and I will work with my House and Senate colleagues to keep the pay increase in our appropriations measures that we vote on in September, Comstock said last week, according to the Hill.

"We cannot balance the budget on the backs of our federal employees and I will work with my House and Senate colleagues to keep the pay increase in our appropriations measures that we vote on in September.  U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va.

The Democratic National Committee also derided Trumps proposed pay freeze as another slap in the face to American workers.

At a Friday appearance in North Carolina, it appeared that Trump may have given the comments some consideration.

Im going to be doing a little work over the [Labor Day] weekend, Trump said, according to a White House transcript cited by the Hill. Im going to be studying, you know, the federal workers in Washington that youve been reading so much about. People dont want to give them any increase. They havent had one in a long time.

Im going to be doing a little work over the [Labor Day] weekend. Im going to be studying, you know, the federal workers in Washington that youve been reading so much about. People dont want to give them any increase. They havent had one in a long time."  President Trump

"I said, Im going to study that over the weekend. Its a good time to study it -- Labor Day. Lets see how they do next week. But a lot of people were against it. Im going to take a good hard look over the weekend."

In a letter Thursday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate president pro tempore Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Trump had said that current agency budgets could not sustain additional pay for federal employees.

We must maintain efforts to put our Nation on a fiscally sustainable course, Trump wrote, explaining his opposition to raising salaries.

[B]oth across-the-board pay increases and locality pay increases will be set at zero, for 2019, the president wrote. He added that Federal employee pay must be performance-based, and aligned strategically toward recruiting, retaining, and rewarding high-performing Federal employees and those with critical skill sets.

But by Saturday it seemed the president may soon alter the plan he proposed Thursday.

Stewart on Nov. 6 is looking to defeat incumbent U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who was Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 presidential election. But Kaine has a 23-point lead in a Virginia Commonwealth University poll, the Hill reported.

Comstock, meanwhile, is facing a tough challenge from state Sen. Jennifer Wexton, a Loudon County Democrat, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Google has evolved into more than a search site. Gmail started as an invite-only experiment, and now its enrolled more than a billion active users. Today, a Google account will land you seemingly limitless power, storage, and versatility. You can automatically use Drive, Docs, Calendar, YouTube, Google+, and so much more.

But thats just scratching the surface. Google has more freebies youll love to use. Tap or click here for 20 incredibly useful Google products and services you didnt know existed.

Still, most Google users have no idea the full extent of their powers. To fully appreciate the (free) faculties at your fingertips, lets dive into some of this services overlooked abilities. Well focus mostly on Google Docs, but well also look at some fun extras from elsewhere in the Googleverse.

1. Go beyond text documents

Google Docs is more than just a word processor; it's an entire suite of programs that have gotten steadily more powerful over years of development.

The elephant in the room is this: Microsoft Office has long been the standard for a basic desktop workflow. Microsoft Office isn't free, and some would argue that it's overpriced. Google Docs has nearly of these essential features  word processor, spreadsheets, presentation software  for free, and you can access your files from almost any computer, anywhere.

To be clear: Google Docs do not provide a superior desktop experience to Microsoft Office, but this free virtual program is a fierce competitor. Many users prefer its simple, malleable interface. The cloud-based programs are what make Chromebooks so practical and economical. Any place with a WiFi signal can become your office, and you neednt save a single kilobyte to your laptops hard drive.

There are many practical reasons to get yourself a Chromebook. One is to use a dedicated Chromebook to take care of your finances. This way, hackers dont have access to your online accounts. Want to know more? Tap or click here for the best Chromebooks under $200.

2. Dictate to Google Docs

This may sound dramatic, but its true: dictating to your computer is one of the most underrated powers of the modern era. Part of the reason is medical; years of typing can aggravate arthritis. People with visual impairments or missing limbs have difficulty using a keyboard. Voice recognition software has empowered untold numbers of people to compose their thoughts.

Meanwhile, some people articulate best through speaking. Dictation is slow and unnatural, yet you have to dictation works surprisingly well if you take the time to speak clearly and not rush. You can add basic punctuation by saying period, comma, exclamation point, question mark, new line, or new paragraph. If you want to use voice typing a lot, then its wise to brush up on some of its more advanced capabilities with Googles voice-commands guide.

Google Docs will take dictation as long as you have a microphone connected to your computer and youre using the Chrome browser. Go to the Tools menu and select Voice typing to get started. Your browser may ask permission to use your mic.

3. Collaborate with others

Working in Google Docs doesn't mean you have to fly solo. It offers some powerful collaboration options that let you share documents. Look for the "Share" option and you can either invite people directly or get a shareable link to your document. You can specify if collaborators can just read a document, comment on it, or if they can also edit it.

To help keep track of changes, you can go to the File menu and select Version history. From here, you can choose to name the version youre working on or look at the history to see who changed what and when they did it. Collaboration is great for work teams, but you can also use it in your personal life. You could get the whole family together through Google Docs to plan out a birthday party or work up a holiday dinner menu.

4. Translate an entire document

Universal translation has long been the realm of science fiction. Google has shown an intense interest in languages since its inception, and Google Translate is the most powerful mainstream translation technology in use today.

However, even if you've used Google for basic phrases, instantly translating an entire document is still a startling ability. Just head to the Tools menu, select "Translate document," and choose which language you want. Google will generate a translation in a separate document. Just keep in mind that machine translation isn't perfect, and some languages translate more fluently than others.

5. Translate by drawing

Outside of Docs, Google offers a different way to translate a foreign language. Head to Google Translate in your browser or open the Google Translate app on your mobile device. In your browser, look for a drop-down menu at the bottom of the translation box that lets you select handwriting as the input tool. In the app, this looks like a little pen icon. Now you can write out a word or symbol in another language and get a translation.

6. Get to know Google Lens

Lens is one of Google's newer tools. It came to Android first, but just recently rolled out to iOS devices as well. The primary way to access Lens is through the Google Photos app, though you can also find it tied into Google Assistant on some flagship phones.

To use Lens, open your Photos app, choose an image, and select the icon that looks like an incomplete square with a dot in the middle and a smaller dot in the lower right corner. Lens will analyze the picture and offer up related search results.

Lens has some nifty capabilities beyond just the search function. It can recognize breeds of cats and dogs, identify flowers, scan business cards to add to your contacts (for Android phones), tell you more about landmarks, and even help you add events to your calendar when you snap a photo of a flyer.

Bonus: Your Photos

You take many pictures, and they all have to go somewhere, so you store them in Google Photos. You use it as an archive to back your snaps up to the cloud. Maybe you search it from time to time or use it to share a photo with friends. If that's all you're doing with Google Photos, then you're missing some of the service's coolest features.

Get ready to become a next-level Google Photos user when you discover all the amazing things it can do. Tap or click here to discover 20 amazing things you didnt know Google Photos could do.

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call my national radio show and click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to the Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my free podcasts.

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Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
A verbally abusive Frontier Airlines passenger was recorded hurling a series of highly profane insults at flight attendants, and later police officers.

The unidentified passenger became unglued on a Thursday flight from Las Vegas to San Antonio, Texas, fellow passenger Clifton McBee said to News4 San Antonio.

McBee, who recorded the more than two-minute footage of the man yelling inflight, said everyone on the plane could hear the passengers outburst.

FRONTIER AIRLINES PASSENGERS GET INTO SHOVING FIGHT AFTER BUMPING INTO EACH OTHER WHILE DEPLANING

"You don't want to go sleep, cause what's the guy going to do? said McBee to News4. You hope security did their job."

The man was placed in handcuffs and escorted off the plane by police officers.

In the cellphone video taken by McBee, the man continues to scream and yell obscenities in the terminal. At one point the man becomes upset asking about his five-year-old child and the police officer tackles him to the ground to keep him still until more officers arrive.

It seemed like the more people that were around, the angrier he got, said McBee to News4. It seemed like he wanted to put on a show for everybody.

FRONTIER AIRLINES PASSENGER ARRESTED AFTER PEEING ON SEAT IN FRONT OF HIM DURING FLIGHT

The man can be heard screaming at officers about his son. He also repeatedly informed officers that they were hurting his surgery, and claimed that he had bullets in his body that were causing him discomfort.

Sir, Im disabled, Ive got bullets in my f---ing body, and Im f---ing hurt, he said to the officer, before turning his head to yell at bystanders.

It was reported that authorities took care of the child, when the man was taken off the flight.

According to the San Antonio Police Department, the man was taken into custody and later transported to a mental health facility for evaluation, News4 reports.

STRANDED FRONTIER PASSENGERS OFFERED $400 VOUCHERS THAT ALLEGEDLY WON'T ARRIVE FOR 30 DAYS

It is unclear what prompted the mans verbal attack. The FBI is currently investigating the incident.

Frontier Airlines confirmed the incident to Fox News and are cooperating with the investigation.

Safety is the top priority at Frontier Airlines and we have zero tolerance for anything that threatens the security of our customers or crew. A passenger became disruptive during flight 1144 from Las Vegas to San Antonio on August 30. Police arrested the passenger upon landing in San Antonio. The FBI was investigating because part of the incident occurred inflight. Out of respect for the investigation, we defer to the FBI for any further details," Frontier said in a statement to Fox News.

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Clifton McBee did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment.
"Lemonade! Get your fresh, cold lemonade!" Ah, sweet words to hear on a hot summers day in August leading up to Americas national holiday Labor Day. On this particular day, 9-year-old Anne-Murphy Miller and her 8-year-old brother, Nate, ring out those thirst-quenching words from their lemonade stand in their hometown of Beaufort, SC. The mother of the two humanitarian fundraisers, Jodie Miller, holds down the fort and assists in wrangling customers to support a cause that is near and dear to them.

Murphys Pucker Up is a LemonAid cart created by the Millers to raise funds for people living in countries who simply need clean water. The familys first target: South Sudan.

"It made me sad in that I take clean water for granted.  Anne-Murphy Miller

According to UNICEF, 50 percent of South Sudans population obtains clean safe water and only 10 percent has access to basic sanitation. Children are the hardest hit, with a third enduring waterborne diseases like cholera.

Last October, Anne-Murphy and Nate had a special guest speaker come to their class at Holy Trinity Classical Christian School and were enthralled by his stories of hardship endured in his homeland of South Sudan. Rev. John Chol Daau is the headmaster of Holy Trinitys sister school, Good Shepherd Academy (GSA) in Juba, Sudan. He founded the institution in 2015, and it currently houses 375 students, from pre-kindergarten to 4th grade.

In South Carolina, headmaster Rev. Chad Lawrence founded Holy Trinity Classical Christian school in 2012 and met Daau and several other Sudanese Lost Boys while in seminary school. Lawrence told Fox News that he had prayed about a partnership with another school. In short order, the perfect match arrived. I thought it was pretty neat that Rev. Daau and I had both gone to seminary and were now starting schools in different parts of the world to work with children, said Lawrence. He added, We are in very different cultures, but have a common mission and a lot to learn from each other.

Hardship is the backbone of Daaus life and the crucible of his journey in becoming an Anglican priest; he is one of the infamous Lost Boys of Sudan. His life as a boy pastor was shattered by the Second Civil War in the early 1980s. The conflict sent him spiraling into the violent and uncertain world of a wandering war refugee  described in the book, Gods Refugees: The Story of a Lost Boy Pastor. Today, Daau not only speaks of his past that helped shape his character, principles and stronghold of faith, he also highlights what his students and many Southern Sudanese presently struggle with due, in part, to the two-decade conflict: access to clean water.

Anne-Murphy told Fox, Rev. Daau told us how his students at Good Shepherd have to walk five miles before school to get water that isnt even worthy to drink because its dirty, and it made me sad in that I take clean water for granted.

The long trek by kids in their age group for drinkable water haunted Nate and Anne-Murphy throughout the winter holidays of 2017. During this time, due to a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, a drinking well was being built near the school. The sorely needed gift, which Daau was very appreciative of, still required proper filtration. The challenge now is to promote hygiene. Even though the South Sudan government laboratory declared water from our borehole safe and good for human consumption, we still want filtration as water is life," Daau told Fox News.

You hope there is something contagious about the desire to love our neighbors, whether they be in town or across the world.  Rev. Chad Lawrence, Holy Trinity Classical Christian School

So, Jodie took advantage of her childrens obsession over the plight of their fellow students at GSA to help improve their daily lives. As stated on their website, the Millers mission is "To provide schools in developing nations with water filtration systems that are sustainable, simple, and effective in order to protect the students and staff from waterborne illnesses that threaten to disrupt safe, supportive learning environments."

Anne-Murphys favorite drink, lemonade, was to be the foundation of their fundraising plan, and Nate, having a keen mind for numbers, jumped right in to create the business template. In their pursuit for good, the three musketeers also drew up the logos and bought an old coffee cart that they converted into a lemonade stand. Jodie hunted for a water-filtration company that could accommodate an education foundation with a student body of more than 300, including 14 teachers and a handful of supporting staff.

As Jodie explained it, We researched a filtration system that would equip the kids with something they could use both at school and at home and came across a product that is widely used in America for outdoorsy camping purposes called Lifestraw. We determined that five large community size systems would provide five years of clean water for the entire school.

On June 23, 2018, the Millers launched Murphys Pucker Up at a cancer-survivor benefit followed by four other events. All with lip-smacking success.

But good luck in squeezing out their secret lemony recipe. Perhaps one could wedge it from the owners of Beauforts Breakwater. Chefs Greg Lang and Elizabeth Shaw are family friends of the Millers and were delighted to help alchemize the perfect concoction. In fact, Murphys LemonAid is now a staple on the restaurants menu, with 100 percent of the profits going to this worthy cause.

The Millers hoped to raise enough money for the filtration system so that the students of GSA would have it by the start of their 2019 school year.

On a hot summers weekend just before the Labor Day, Rev. Lawrence announced they reached their goal of raising money for the Good Sheperd Academy's filters. They had actually exceeded it.

When Fox asked how he thought Nate and Anne-Murphys charitable deeds would reverberate among their classmates at Holy Trinity and those of GSA, Lawrence said, Well, you hope there is something contagious about the desire to love our neighbors, whether they be in town or across the world.
Police in Phoenix were searching Saturday for two young boys and their biological father after the boys mother was found fatally shot in the familys home, along with another victim described as the mothers male housemate.

An Amber Alert issued Saturday said that the father, identified as Dimas Coronado, 47, may have taken the boys to Mexico. But Sgt. Armando Carbajal, a police spokesman, said investigators had no firm indication of the whereabouts of Coronado or the boys.

The mother was identified as Oralia Nunez, 24, and the other victim was Omar Gonzalez, 34, FOX 10 of Phoenix reported.

Police say they want to talk to Coronado about the case but he hasn't been charged. Still, police consider him armed and dangerous, the Arizona Republic reported.

The boys were initially identified as 8-year-old Victor Coronado Nunez and 5-year-old Jonathan Coronado Nunez, but the alert later identified them as Victor Nunez-Coronado and Jonathan Nunez-Coronado.

Police say Coronado's 2009 white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was found unoccupied about six blocks from the home where the shooting occurred. There were no signs of him or the boys.

Investigators believe the father may now be driving an aqua green Ford truck with a white camper shell and Mexican license plate ZUD7164, FOX 10 reported.

The mother and Coronado were married but became estranged, and it's not clear whether they remained married, Carbajal said.

Police say a relative of one victim called police early Saturday after finding the two people shot and the boys gone. The relative said the boys were with their mother the previous evening.

The revised names for the boys likely reflected information newly learned by detectives, Carbajal said. The investigation was in its early stages, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
A taxi cab struck eight pedestrians on a sidewalk near Chicago's Navy Pier after crashing with an SUV on Saturday, reports said.

The pedestrians suffered minor injuries, Chicago police said, while fire officials said earlier that the victims were in "serious-to-critical condition," according to the Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire.

Police said the crash was unintentional, the Sun-Times reported.

"We all heard a bang and then we turned around," Jesse "The Waterman" Ramirez told the Chicago Tribune.

He said the wreck occured "right in front of him," where he saw the taxi "barrelling" through the intersection, and then "plowing" into the dark blue SUV, according to the paper.

"We looked up, devastation."  Jesse Ramirez, witness

"We looked up, devastation," Ramirez said. "And we almost died. He almost killed us."

The collision happened at around 4:30 p.m. local time, police said.

The taxi cab driver was also injured, a spokeswoman for Taxi Town Inc. told the Tribune.
Four people, including a teenager, were killed on Interstate 90 in Indiana when a driver, going the wrong way, crashed into another vehicle, police say.

Indiana State Police said motorist Tiara Davis, 25, was killed early Saturday after driving her Toyota SUV west in the eastbound lanes of the interstate, eventually crashing into another car.

The driver of the other vehicle, Octavio Chavez-Renovato, 35, was killed, as were his wife, Eva Gonzales, 34, and their 14-year-old son, Luis.

Police say the couple's three daughters -- Emily, 10; Damaris, 11; and Florali, 7 months -- suffered serious to critical injuries and were airlifted to hospitals in nearby Chicago.

Authorities suspect that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, Chicago's WLS-TV reported. A toxicology report was pending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A funeral was held in Paris on Saturday for the late internationally-acclaimed Egyptian economist and thinker Samir Amin in the presence of a delegation from the Egyptian embassy.

A host of public and political figures from France and other countries were also present. Amin, who passed away last month at the age of 87, was buried in a cemetery in a Parisian suburb.

During the service, Egypt's charge d'affaires, Hisham el-Maqwad, expressed his condolences to the Egyptian government, people, and family of the late economist.

Amin was born in Egypt in 1931 to an Egyptian father and French mother and spent his youth in Port Said.

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This reptile won't be joining the student body anytime soon.

The Facebook page for Pasco County Schools in Pasco County, Florida, on Thursday shared a snap of an alligator being removed from school property.

School resource officers from Seven Springs Middle School and Mitchell High School assist a trapper who removed the gator from the center of the Seven Springs campus this morning, the district captioned the snap. No students came within 100 yards of the gator.

District officials added, Who has the best caption for the photo?

The post has received more than 490 reactions, 210 comments and 500 shares as of Sunday afternoon.

SOUTH CAROLINA FIREFIGHTERS PRAISED FOR RESCUING 'EXHAUSTED' HUMMINGBIRD

Everyone needs to get an education, a Facebook user quipped.

Another person joked, Just when you thought all you had to fear at school was the teachers 

One commenter said, Another angry parent detained!

And someone else asked, See you later alligator?
The archbishop of Philadelphia has asked Pope Francis to cancel a bishops' conference focusing on youth in the wake of the child sex abuse crisis roiling the Catholic Church.

A spokesman for the archdiocese confirmed Saturday that Archbishop Charles Chaput made the request by letter, but he declined further comment, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The Youth Synod, which would include bishops from the around the world, has been planned for two years and its website says it is to be focused on "young people, the faith and vocational discernment." An international panel of young people is expected to join the council of bishops for the event.

"I have written the Holy Father and called on him to cancel the forthcoming synod on young people," Chaput said at a conference Thursday at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, according to LifeSite News, a conservative Catholic website. "Right now, the bishops would have absolutely no credibility in addressing this topic."

Instead, Chaput asked that the synod be refocused on the life of bishops.

A nearly 900-page grand jury report released last month said more than 300 Catholic priests abused at least a thousand children over the past seven decades in six Pennsylvania dioceses, and senior figures in the church hierarchy systematically covered up complaints.

A description of the purpose of the Oct. 3-28 synod at the Vatican begins "Taking care of young people is not an optional task for the Church, but an integral part of her vocation and mission in history."

___

Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com
A bungling burglar in Minnesota was nabbed after his pickup got stuck in a large pile of foul-smelling manure during the getaway, according to reports.

Matthew Bloomquist, 29, of Hawick, Minn., was found standing on the side of the road, smoking a cigarette, covered in manure from his waist to his feet when deputies arrived to investigate Wednesday morning, according to Stearns County Sheriff Don Gudmundson.

He was wearing jean shorts over long underwear and no shoes, which the deputies assumed were somewhere in the manure pile, Gudmundson said Friday in an incident report titled, Something doesnt smell right.

Obviously this encounter was accompanied by a strong smelling odor, he said. Add to that the fair amount of rain we received over the weekend and you have a nice blend.

Deputies said Bloomquist was caught snatching lumber and other items from a farm shed in Maine Prairie Township.

When the farm owner called to report the overnight burglary, he said surprisingly that the pickup involved was still on the property, stuck in the manure, Gudmundson said.

The owner said he saw two men but one managed to run off.

Bloomquist and the other man apparently spent hours trying to free the pickup without success, the sheriff said.

When questioned, Bloomquist told deputies that his friend bought the lumber and that he was helping him, according to the sheriff.

Gudmundson said a deputy hosed off Bloomquist before taking him to the jail where he was booked on burglary and possession of stolen property charges.

Bloomquists rap sheet included a 2012 burlgary conviction and two arrests for possession of burglary tools, the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reported.

The trip to the jail was made with the windows open, Gudmundson said, adding that the deputys patrol vehicle still reeked as of Thursday.
Two recreational boats collided Saturday in the Colorado River along the California-Arizona border, leaving 13 people injured and two missing, authorities said.

Around 8 p.m., San Bernardino County Fire personnel responded to Moabi Regional Park, a recreation area about 290 miles east of Los Angeles, where crowds were gathered to celebrate Labor Day Weekend, Victor Valley News reported.

One boat passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, said Eric Sherwin, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire District.

Six others were taken to local hospitals for less serious injuries, while another six had only minor injuries, he said.

Some passengers were reportedly thrown into the water by the force of the collision, or jumped, and were swept several miles down the river.

"We had victims of this collision that were located 3 to 5 miles downstream from the original point of impact," Sherwin said.

Divers were called off searching for the remaining two people until the effort can be resumed Sunday morning. The rivers depth ranges from shallow to 30 feet deep, Sherwin said.

Sonar of the submerged boat did not appear to show either of the missing persons on board, he said. The other boat was badly damaged by the impact but remained afloat.

Other recreational boats converged on the scene and downstream to help rescue victims, Sherwin said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A teenager in Kentucky is in critical condition after being swept through an underground drainage pipe by floodwaters from thunderstorms on Friday.

The Louisville Metro Police Department told WDRB the 15-year-old was playing in the area of a drainage ditch when he was swept away around 7 p.m. in a neighborhood on the eastern side of the city.

"It's just unbelievable," neighbor Michelle Stack told the television station. "You can't believe something like that is happening. It just happened in the blink of an eye."

The teenager, identified by Trinity High School as sophomore Davey Albright, was carried by floodwaters about a block from where he fell in the water. Neighbors reported hearing Albrights cries for help from the storm drain.

Officials told WDRB that Albright was unconscious and not breathing when he was transported to Norton Children's Hospital in critical condition.

WINTER WILL BE 'TEETH-CHATTERING' COLD, HAVE PLENTY OF SNOW, FARMERS' ALMANAC CLAIMS

Signs and letters of support from neighbors and friends were taped to his front door on Saturday.

"Please keep sophomore Davey Albright in your prayers," Trinity High School said on Twitter. "He was injured last night in a flooding incident. He is hospitalized in critical condition."

Neighbors told WDRB the culvert where the teen was swept away leads to the drain pipe, which has no grate to block the opening.

"It's something that needs to be looked at," Stack said. "Obviously it's an issue, so we need to figure out what ways we can keep something like this from ever happening again."
A lawyer in Southern California drew backlash and reportedly received threats last week after an online post that she titled, "The Asians that took over Orange County."

In the now-deleted post, Christina Ignatius compared the Asians and Asian-Americans she has encountered with those in the hit movie "Crazy Rich Asians." Although the post has been deleted, a copy was captured and posted by the Asian-American news site NextShark, which first reported on it.

"My friend said that there is something coming out called Crazy Rich Asians. It reminds me of all the Asians who flooded into Orange County and then took over our mall at South Coast Plaza," Ignatius wrote.

"My friend said that there is something coming out called Crazy Rich Asians. It reminds me of all the Asians who flooded into Orange County and then took over our mall at South Coast Plaza."  Christina Ignatius, Southern California attorney

She added that she attended the University of California at Irvine with "a lot of rice rockets," claiming Asians "flooded that school."

In other comments, the lawyer referred to the stereotype that Asians are bad drivers.

"They will drive their Mercedes in the carpool lane and then cut across 5 lanes to get over to the mall, as if your car next to them didn't even matter, " she wrote. "That's why we have the term 'driving like an Asian.'"

After being contacted by the Orange County Register about the furor her post caused, Ignatius said she "didn't have any intent of anger and hatred," so wasn't deserving of criticism and threats.

"If you have no malintent, you didn't do anything wrong," she told the paper. She said the post was "meant as a joke" for her Facebook friends, according to the Register.

"If you have no malintent, you didn't do anything wrong."  Christina Ignatius, receiving backlash for online post

They (Asians) poke fun at themselves, she said. I love them. I work with them. I love their culture. Thats why I love The Things Asian Moms Say.

But Susan Kang Schroeder, the Korean-born chief of staff for Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, wrote a Facebook post of her own, denouncing Ignatius' post, according to the Register.

I am saddened by your racist, insensitive and simply unacceptable post, she wrote. Its hard to imagine that an attorney in Orange County would make such an ignorant post in 2018.

Its hard to imagine that an attorney in Orange County would make such an ignorant post in 2018.  Susan Kang Schroeder, chief of staff for Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas

California's population of more than 39 million people is about 15 percent Asian-American, with other Californians claiming to have some Asian heritage, U.S. Census Bureau data show.
Police in New York are mourning the loss of a K9 officer killed in the line of duty on Sunday during a police chase of a driver who reportedly sped away from a DWI checkpoint.

Rocky, the police dog with the Riverhead Police Department on Long Island, died early Sunday morning, WNBC reported.

A dark-colored Audi approached the checkpoint around 2:30 a.m. Officers stopped the vehicle, but the driver ignored their commands to stop and drove away from the checkpoint, allegedly hitting an officer who tried to talk to him, according to the report.

Several police units, including Rocky and the dog's K9 unit officer, then pursued the vehicle. The officer traveling with Rocky reportedly lost control of his vehicle, running off the road and crashing into a utility pole.

Rocky was hurtled from the vehicle and killed. The department then stopped the police pursuit, deeming it too dangerous.

Rocky, a German Shepherd, had worked for the Riverhead Police Department for seven years.

The officer who allegedly was hit by the Audi driver and the K9 unit officer involved in the crash were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the station reported.
A man running from police officers in Florida ran into a retention pond and ended up drowning on Saturday, officials said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office told FOX35 that deputies were speaking with the 49-year-old man around 3 a.m. when they found narcotics contraband on him and he ran from police.

During the chase, the man jumped into a retention pond in Pine Hills, located just outside Orlando.

Authorities said a dive team suited up and tried to rescue the man, but couldn't get to him in time.

"Dive team went down to try to save the guy. You just saw his hands flapping," a witness who asked to not be identified told FOX35. "They went down to try to grab him but water filled his lungs by that time. It was over, he was done."

FATHER, 3 YOUNG CHILDREN DIE IN KAYAKING ACCIDENT ON LAKE SUPERIOR; MOTHER SURVIVES

Orange County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene and pulled the man's body from the pond.

The sheriff's office did not tell FOX35 why deputies were speaking to the man in the first place.
A Michigan grandfather at his grandchilds first birthday party in a park was stabbed to death Saturday after he approached a man and told him to stop doing drugs in front of the children, reports said.

Police were called to Grant Park in Utica after receiving calls about a stabbing, WXYZ reported. The grandfather was at the park for a first birthday celebration when he approached a man sitting on a bench and asked him to stop doing drugs while children were playing in the park. The grandfather, who was not identified, was stabbed at least 15 times.

Police arrived at the scene and pronounced the man dead. The alleged attacker was then arrested, FOX2 reported.

Witnesses told Macomb Daily that an enraged man at the park had attacked the grandfather in front of his family.

"He was enraged, he seemed like he had the strength of the Tasmanian devil," said Amanda Pasho, who lives across the street where the fatal stabbing occurred. "My heart goes out to the family of that poor man. I can't believe this happened in front of them."

TEXAS DAD CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER IN STABBING DEATH OF 16-MONTH-OLD SON

Pasho recalled seeing the attacker hold a machete-like weapon up and plunge it into the grandfathers body.

"(The victim) fell to the ground, he had blood all over him," Pasho said. "He had his arms up to fend off the man from stabbing him. The man put his knee in the guy's abdomen to hold him down and then put his arm across his face and began stabbing him with a knife, like non-stop, just jabbing at him with the knife."

Other residents told the newspaper that the attacker had a box of whippets, canisters with nitrous oxide that could cause hallucinations if inhaled.
An Ohio officer shot his police dog after it attacked him, leaving him with serious bite wounds, the Columbus Police Department said.

Officer Brian Carter underwent surgery at a hospital and K9 Benzi, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was humanely euthanized.

Benzi was more than Officer Carters K9 partner, the Columbus Police Department tweeted Saturday evening. He was a member of the Carter family. They are all in our healing prayers during this difficult time.

K-9 EXPOSED TO HEROIN IN JAIL IS ADMINISTERED NARCAN

Carter was correcting Benzis behavior through verbal commands at the departments K9 office Saturday morning when the dog suddenly turned on him, a Columbus Police spokesperson said in a news release.

Officer Carter received serious bites to his arms, said the spokesperson who was not identified. He then fired upon the K9.

Carter went to the hospital after a tourniquet was used to control the bleeding.

SUSPECT STABBED K-9 DOG UNDER BOTH EYES, POLICE SAY

Benzi was put down by a vet, the officer said.

In March, Benzi was credited with catching an Ohio State campus area burglar in a post on the Columbus Police Departments twitter page.

It was the first time a Columbus officer has had to shoot a K9 partner, according to the spokesperson.
Shoukry is in Beijing as part of a top level Egyptian delegation headed by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who is on a three-day official visit to China

"International cooperation with strategic partners is a top priority, to achieve aspired common goals," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told the seventh preparatory ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing Sunday.

Shoukry said the FOCAC 2018 meeting is being held at a critical time as the world is witnessing growing political challenges negatively affecting international cooperation, pointing out that poverty and poor rates of development continue to be the most salient challenges facing developing nations, especially in the African continent.

Shoukry also said the growing threat from terrorism, extremism and transnational organised crime aggravates these challenges.

Shoukry praised the fruitful outcome of the meetings of senior state officials Saturday, which resulted in a declaration and ambitious work plan for 2019-2021, expressing his well wishes for a successful FOCAC summit that meets the aspirations of the Chinese and African peoples and serves their common benefit.

The Egyptian foreign minister is in Beijing as part of a top level Egyptian delegation headed by Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who is on a three-day official visit to China.

El-Sisi is expected to address the forum on Monday.

Egypt has said it appreciates the role of China as a strategic partner to Africa, highlighting Beijing's continuing support to the continent and respect for the sovereignty of its states.

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The Pentagon says it has suspended $300 milllion in military aid to Pakistan for not doing enough to battle terrorists groups inside its borders.

The announcement comes ahead of an expected trip to Islamabad by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the U.S. militarys top officer, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In January, the Pentagon suspended nearly $1 billion in aid to Pakistan for what Defense Secretary James Mattis and other top officials said at the time was Islamabads failure to take on the Haqqani terrorist network.

That network is believed to be holding western hostages, including Kevin King, a U.S. professor from American University in Kabul who was abducted along with an Australian colleague two years ago. King was last seen in a "proof-of-life" video, released last October.

At the time of the January announcement, the Pentagon said Pakistan could earn back some of the cash from the U.S. if it did more to stop the Haqqani network and other terrorist groups.
Thursday's deadly crash on Interstate 40 in New Mexico happened after a sem-trailer -- which slammed into a Greyhound bus, resulting in eight deaths -- lost the tread on one of its front tires, authorities said Saturday.

An official with the National Transportation Safety Board said earlier Saturday that his agency was intensifying its examination of the semi-trailer's front tires.

The tires will be sent to the NTSB offices in Washington for further examination, said Peter Kotowski, a senior investigator.

The NTSB has also asked for the medical records and toxicology reports about the driver of the semi-trailer owned by Jag Transportation of Fresno, Calif., and the bus, Kotowski said.

The electronic data recorders for the semi-trailer and bus have been recovered, he added.

The agency has talked to survivors of the crash and is seeking an interview with the driver of the semi-trailer, Kotowski said.

Meanwhile, authorities said they have identified five of the eight victims of the crash near Thoreau, N.M.: Sadie Thomas, 50; Charla Bahe, 34; Terry Mason, 45; Veronica Williams, 49; and Greyhound bus driver Luis Alvarez, 50, the Albuquerque Journal reported, citing the state Office of the Medical Investigator.

The office did not provide the victims' hometowns.

My heart goes out to the families of these victims. We are always diligent to try and identify decedents quickly so we can release them back to their families, Dr. Kurt Nolte, chief medical investigator, told the Albuquerque Journal. We know there are other families who are still waiting for word of their loved ones and we are using several identification methods to make those identifications.

Chief Pete Kassetas of the New Mexico state police told the Arizona Republic that it was the worst fatal collision in his experience.

"It will be weeks or months until we get down to the exact causation of this crash," Kassetas said.

Jag Transportation could not be reached for comment Satruday, according to the Journal.
A suspected MS-13 gang member was captured Saturday, days after he broke into the New York City bedroom of a sleeping 11-year-old girl and raped her, police said.

Julio C. Ayala, 18, was arrested Saturday and charged with rape, sexually motivated burglary, criminal sex act, sexual abuse and act in a manner injurious to a child, New York City police said. Police told Fox News that Ayala is believed to be an MS-13 gang member and is from El Salvador.

Authorities have been hunting for the 18-year-old since Wednesday after he allegedly climbed into the girl's bedroom in Brooklyn through the second-floor window about 11:30 p.m. and raped her.

The attacker fled the scene through the window as the girl "cried for her parents' help." The parents called 911.

Authorities looked through nearby surveillance video and spotted Ayala walking near Flatbush and Parkside avenues as he was putting a sweatshirt on over his tank top.

DOZENS OF MS-13 GANG MEMBERS CHARGED FOLLOWING DRUG, MURDER PROBE, U.S. ATTORNEY SAYS

Ayala, who lives near the girl, was found Saturday hiding in an under-construction three-story building by officers from the New York Police Department's Emergency Service Unit, the New York Post reported.

Neighbors cheered as he was being taken into custody.

Police sources told the New York Post that Ayala's only form of identification was a Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card.

Ayala is expected to be arraigned Sunday.
A nurse in Texas accused of causing the deaths of two hospital patients and seriously injuring others was indicted Friday on capital murder.

William George Davis, 34, also faces three additional counts after the June 21 indictment charged him with one murder and two aggravated assault counts.

Davis is accused of intentionally injecting air into catheters inserted into the arteries of at least seven patients at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. Two patients died and two others were left in vegetative states.

In incidents that took place in November and again in January, Davis is accused of taking "unnecessary and/or inappropriate" actions that led two patients to fall into vegetative conditions, according to police. He wasn't assigned to care for either patient.

When questioned by administrators following the January incident, Davis said he "silenced an IV that was beeping," pumped up a pressure bag and took other actions, according to his suspension order.

The 34-year-old was arrested in April, and charged with murder related to the death of Christopher Greenaway, 47, who was recovering last August from a heart procedure at the hospital.

NURSE FIRED, ARRESTED AFTER PATIENT DIES AT TEXAS HOSPITAL

In an affidavit obtained by the Tyler Morning Telegraph, police reviewed security footage and observed Davis entering the room of three patients who suffered episodes within minutes of him leaving the room.

In a statement released Friday, the hospital said is it "working in concert with the Tyler Police Department, we are reviewing patient files since the beginning of Will Daviss employment, according to KLTV.

Smith County jail records obtained by the Associated Press said that Davis remains jailed with bonds totaling $4 million, and his trial is set to begin Dec. 3.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Authorities in Texas released video on Friday showing a woman leading police on a high-speed chase before crashing into another vehicle and attempting to carjack another truck while holding a baby.

The footage released by the Texas Department of Safety shows the chase in Bexar County in June, after the female driver, who had outstanding warrants, fled at a high rate of speed and approached 100 mph at times.

Police used a tire deflation device to disable the front tire of the Mercedes SUV, but the woman continued to flee, crossing into oncoming traffic at times.

Eventually, the woman lost control and slammed into the back of a pickup truck at an intersection.

In the video, the woman can then be seen getting out of the SUV and running from police while holding the baby in a carrier.

OHIO MAN STEALS POLICE CRUISER, LEADS COPS ON WILD CHASE

After nearly dropping the baby, the woman then jumps into the front seat of a passing vehicle, which police said she attempted to carjack.

A trooper then arrived and blocked the other vehicle from escaping, drawing his gun on the woman while a second trooper goes in and safely gets the baby from the car.

Police said the woman, who was not named, was charged with evading arrest, possession of controlled substance and endangering a child.
Two Americans who were stabbed Friday night at a train station in Amsterdam were targeted by an Afghan citizen who had a terrorist motive, officials say.

City authorities said the 19-year-old suspect, identified only as Jawed S., appeared to target the American tourists in a stabbing attack at Central Station just after noon on Friday.

"Based on the suspect's first statements, he had a terrorist motive," the city administration said in a statement on Saturday. They did not elaborate on what the statements were or in what ways they might have shown intent.

Still, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte doubled down on these claims after taking to Twitter to confirm that investigation was zeroing in the role played by extremist ideology.

Initial reports indicated that it did not appear to be a targeted attack, and that the victims did not appear to be chosen for a clear reason.

The victims were identified only as American citizens by the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands; police said they were recovering in a hospital with injuries that were considered serious but not life-threatening.

The suspect, who had a residency permit from Germany, was stopped by Dutch police officers when he was shot and wounded. He is scheduled to be arraigned during a closed-door hearing with an investigating judge on Monday. Officials have not disclosed the charges he could face.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Authorities are investigating the mysterious death of an Australian Instagram model after the 20-year-olds body was discovered Friday aboard a super yacht owned by a Mexican billionaire on a Greek Island.

Sinead McNamara, 20, was found unconscious around 2 a.m. Friday on the back of the Mayan Queen IV in the Greek port of Argostoli in Kefalonia, news.com.au reported. The doctor on the yacht and port authority officials attempted to revive her as a helicopter arrived at the scene to transport her to a hospital.

She died while heading to the hospital, local reports stated. Her cause of death has not been revealed.

The Coast Guard of Kefalonia has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of the 20-year-old Australian national as well as an autopsy-necropsy, local media In Kefalonia reported.

McNamara, who was described as an Instagram model with more than 15,000 followers, had been working on the $140 million yacht for the last four months. The 300-foot yacht is owned by Mexican mining magnate Alberto Bailleres, who is worth an estimated $6.9 billion.

Bailleres was reportedly not in Greece when McNamara died. He had left the yacht on Tuesday and McNamara stayed on the vessel with the crew. Its unclear what occurred in the next few days leading up to her death.

Authorities have ordered the yacht to remain at the port as the investigation continues.

The model was working on yachts while she traveled through Europe. Her mother, Kylie, was heading to Greece when she was told her daughter died, The Australian reported. McNamara was supposed to travel to the Greek town of Pylos before her death.

I have unfortunately received the worst news of my life, (Sinead) has passed away, her brother Jake McNamara told the news outlet.

McNamara was also expected to meet up with her sister Lauren. She wrote about her excitement to see her sister days ago in a birthday post.

Happy birthday to the most amazing big sister I could ever ask for, 5 days till I get to see you!!! Excitement is an understatement, McNamara wrote on Instagram.

McNamara friends and followers have flooded the model's social media pages with their condolences, saying they were shocked by her sudden death.
The Catholic Churchs pushback Sunday against Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, author of the bombshell accusation of a sex abuse cover-up against Pope Francis, has ensnared a key figure in the U.S. culture wars: Kim Davis.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi and his English-language assistant, the Rev. Thomas Rosica, issued a joint statement late Sunday disputing Viganos claims about the encounter he organized with Davis during Pope Francis September 2015 visit to the United States. Davis, of Rowan County, Kentucky, made headlines around the world after she cited her own faith to deny marriage licenses to gay couples.

The Vatican had sought to downplay the encounter after conservatives presented it as a papal stamp of approval for Davis.

However, Vigano, the papal ambassador  or nuncio  to Washington between 2011 and 2016, said in a statement last Thursday that Francis knew well who Davis was, and that the Vatican approved the meeting in advance.

Francis was so enraged that Davis supporters had leaked word of the meeting that the Vatican subsequently insisted he only held one private audience while there: with one of his former students, a gay man and his partner, as Fox News previously reported.

In the joint statement Sunday, Rosica transcribed what he said were handwritten notes from a meeting he and Lombardi had with Vigano after the Davis encounter. In those notes, Rosica quoted Vigano as telling them that the pope had actually chastised him for "deceiving" him with the Davis meeting, and for having withheld the fact that Davis had been married four times.

In his part of the joint statement, Lombardi said Vigano initiated the Davis meeting, should have known about the furor that it would cause, and that even though Vatican officials approved of it, they were not sufficiently informed about the significance such a meeting would take on.

The timing of Viganos accusations has been seen by the progressive popes supporters as a deliberate attempt by more conservative factions to undermine his tenure, which has seen him reach out to homosexuals and divorced parishioners.

In a damning 11-page letter released to ultra-conservative media in Europe last Sunday, during the popes trip to Ireland, Vigano called on the pope to resign, accusing him of being among Church hierarchy who knew  and did little or nothing  about rumored indiscretions by ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

In fact, Vigano asserted, McCarrick was rehabilitated from sanctions imposed by Pope Benedict XVI, promoted and made part of high-profile Vatican events even as rumors about him swirled.

Coupled with the devastating allegations of sex abuse and cover-up in a recent Pennsylvania grand jury report  which found that 300 priests had abused more than 1,000 children over 70 years in six dioceses  the scandal has led to calls for heads to roll and for a full Vatican investigation into who knew what and when about McCarrick.

Francis accepted McCarricks resignation as cardinal last month, after the U.S. church investigation determined that an accusation he had sexually abused a minor was credible.

Since then, another man has come forward to say McCarrick began molesting him starting when he was 11, and several former seminarians have said McCarrick abused and harassed them when they were in seminary. The accusations have created a crisis of confidence in the U.S. and Vatican hierarchy, because it was apparently an open secret that McCarrick regularly invited seminarians to his New Jersey beach house, and into his bed.

Fox News Elizabeth Llorente, Samuel Chamberlain and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A man in Mexico was arrested Friday after stealing a hearse that still had a body inside, according to police.

The Tlaquepaque Police Department said in a Facebook post the 40-year-old man, whose name was only given as Annibal Saul N., took the vehicle after seeing the keys left inside.

The hearse, a Cadillac Escalade, had been readied to take the body of an 80-year-old man from a hospital in neighboring Guadalajara to a funeral home.

It's not yet clear if the man knew the body was inside at the time when he took the vehicle.

MEXICAN CITY TELLS POLICE TO IGNORE MOST SEX IN PUBLIC

Officers later spotted the hearse on a highway and arrested the suspect, who has since been turned over to prosecutors. Police said on Facebook they were able to recover the vehicle and the body inside.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Egyptian President also attended on Sunday the signing of a number of agreements and contracts with a number of Chinese companies to implement projects worth $18.3 billion projects in Egypt.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi had a busy schedule Sunday on his second day of his three-day official visit to China to attend the The Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC 2018).

The Egyptian President met with Chinese officials and business CEOs as well as African leaders, visited with the Communist Party Academy, and witnessed the signing of major economic deals, according to Egyptian Presidency statements.

Earlier in the day, El-Sisi met with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang where they discussed ways to boost the Egyptian-Chinese bilateral relations especially in the economic field.

The Chinese prime minister praised the economic reforms recently adopted by the Egyptian government.

El-Sisi also met with CEOs of leading Chinese companies working in Egypt where they discussed the country's steps to attract foreign direct investments as well as strategic and economic relations between Cairo and Beijing.

Later in the day, the Egyptian president met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at his residence in Beijing where they discussed the Egyptian-Ethiopian relations and recent developments in the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam.

The two sides stressed their determination to reach an agreement regarding the construction of the Ethiopian dam, which safeguards Egypt's rights to the Nile water as well as Ethiopia's right to economic development, without causing any harm to either side, the presidency said.

El-Sisi also met with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed where they discussed recent developments in the African country, and bilateral economic relations. The president stressed Cairo's keenness to support Somalia's state institutions and its war against extremism and terrorism, according to a presidency statement.

The Somali president discussed with El-Sisi Mogadishu's efforts to restore security and stability to his country and overcome various challenges including the threats posed by terrorism.

President El-Sisi met his Sudanese counterpart Omar El-Bashir where they discussed the Egyptian-Sudanese relations as well as various crises in the Middle East and Africa.

The talks between the two leaders included a review of the preparations for the upcoming Joint High Committee of the two countries, the presidency said.

Before meeting the African leaders, El-Sisi attended the signing of a number of agreements and contracts with a number of Chinese companies to implement projects worth $18.3 billion projects in Egypt.

The inked projects include "the construction of the world's biggest power plants in Al-Hamrawein region on Egypt's Red Sea coast, which will be powered by clean coal technology, and with a production capacity of 6000 Megawatts," a presidential statement said.

They also include stage two of central operations in the new Administrative Capital, the construction of a petrochemical refinery plant in the Suez Canal Zone, pumping and storage plant in Ataqa mountain, the construction of Shaodong Roi textile complex, and a Tai Chan plant for gypsum panels.

Earlier in the day, the Egyptian president visited the Chinese Communist Party Academy where he addressed students and administrators.

"Cairo would benefit from Beijings economic, cultural, touristic, and technological expertise to advance growth and development in Egypt. We are looking forward to maintaining and developing our relationship, as Egypt enjoys a significant geo-strategic position," El-Sisi said in a speech at the academy, which is one of Chinas premiere educational institutions.

The Egyptian President's delegation in China includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker and the Chairman of Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish.

El-Sisi is set to attend on Monday The Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation FOCAC 2018.

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A team of scientists has singled out what it claims left U.S. diplomats in Cuba sickened by mysterious ailments and symptoms in recent months, according to a new report.

Douglas H. Smith, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania, told The New York Times that microwaves, which can trick the brain into perceiving what seem to be ordinary sounds  known as the Frey effect, named after American scientist Allan H. Frey  most likely caused the trauma.

The Times reported that scientists have known for decades that the brain can perceive some microwaves as sound.

Everybody was relatively skeptical at first, and everyone now agrees theres something there, Smith told the Times.

The State Department told Fox News that the investigation into the embassy attacks is still ongoing.

Some two dozen American diplomats in Cuba have fallen ill as a result of the episodes  the perception of loud noises, including ringing, buzzing and grinding  which were first made public last year, and have been deemed specific attacks by the U.S. government, as Fox News previously reported.

Strikes with microwaves best explain reports of the painful sounds, ills and traumas, the Times reported, rather than what was initially suspected: sonic attacks, viral infections and contagious anxiety.

The initial symptoms and diagnoses were seen as evidence of stealthy attacks with sonic weapons.

The Cuban incidents resulted in a diplomatic rupture between Havana and Washington, as the Times noted.

The United States has said it doesnt know who is behind it, but has argued Cuba is responsible for protecting all diplomats on its soil.

Fox News Rich Edson, Samuel Chamberlain and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Ukrainian city of Lviv, once a major center of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the annihilation of the city's Jewish population by Nazi Germany and honoring those working today to preserve what they can of that vanished world.

City authorities honored recipients during Sunday's ceremony with 75 sculptured glass keys modeled by an American artist on an old metal synagogue key that she found at a Lviv market. The ceremonies, including a concert amid the ruins of synagogues, come amid a larger attempt to revive the suppressed memories of the Jews who were once an integral part of life in the region.

"God forbid our city once suffered such a misfortune," Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy said at the ceremony. "Today we cannot even imagine for a moment the pain, humiliation and grief that thousands of Lviv's people suffered in the last century."

Iryna Matsevko, deputy director of the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe and one of the organizers, said it was the first time the western Ukrainian city has acknowledged the efforts in such an extensive way.

She said it comes amid a growing consciousness in Ukrainian society of the need to remember the Jews who were annihilated by Nazi forces during their occupation of Eastern Europe, which occurred with the participation of local people in some cases. The new efforts have included Jewish history courses at universities, new research by young Ukrainian scholars and grassroots efforts by local teachers and other volunteers that otherwise get little attention. Volunteers have also worked to recover Jewish gravestones that were used to pave roads and return them to cemeteries.

"This is part of the process of reviving the memory of the Jewish heritage. Of course, this process is slow. I want it to be quicker, but for the last 10 years we have seen how the Jewish heritage is returning to people's consciousness and a lot of activities are taking place," Matsevko said. "It is very important that people are being acknowledged for their work in Jewish heritage."

Before World War II, Lviv and the surrounding area belonged to Poland. Then called Lwow, it was the third largest Jewish community in prewar Poland after Warsaw and Lodz, with most working as merchants, manufacturers or artisans. Before World War I, Lviv and the surrounding area were part of the eastern Galicia region of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the city was called by its German name, Lemberg.

In June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union, its former ally. As soon the German forces entered the city they and their Ukrainian collaborators massacred Jews in the city and countryside. While occupying the area, Germans murdered Jews in the ghetto, the Belzec death camp and a forced labor camp, Janowska, with the final annihilation occurring in 1943, the anniversary that was being marked Sunday.

Of a population of about 150,000 Jews, only an estimated 1 percent survived.

In the postwar years, with Ukraine part of the Soviet Union, the memories of the murdered Jews began to vanish. Historian Omer Bartov has called the area a "land of memory and oblivion, coexistence and erasure, high hopes and dashed illusions."

The remembrance work is taking place as Ukraine finds itself mired in crisis and conflict following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and with a Russia-backed insurgency in the east. With Ukraine under attack, nationalism has been on the rise, with some lauding the Nazi-affiliated irregulars who fought against the Soviet Army in World War II. To what extent this has led to greater anti-Semitism is a matter of dispute, but many of those working in the area of Jewish remembrance feel that anti-Semitism is exaggerated and part of a Russian propaganda effort.

The glass keys are the work of New Mexico-based artist Rachel Stevens, who found a rusted synagogue key at a street market in Lviv in February while seeking remnants of Jewish culture in eastern Galicia as part of a research project.

She reproduced them in glass, which in Jewish tradition "represents the fragility of life," she said, explaining that the "glass synagogue keys became a tangible way for me to express my grief about the past and my hope for the future."

"The idea for this artwork seems almost mystically delivered to me," Stevens said.

___

Gera reported from Warsaw and Herschaft from New York.
Kuwait's ruler will travel to Washington on Monday and hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the state news agency KUNA announced on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear what the leaders would discuss, but Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has led mediation efforts to resolve a year-long dispute between Gulf Arab neighbours after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, trade and transport ties with Qatar.

The four countries accuse Doha of supporting terrorism and cosying up to regional foe Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and Emiratis early on in the crisis but then began pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf unity and maintain a united front against Iran.

Reuters reported in July that the administration was quietly pushing ahead with a bid to create a new security and political alliance with six Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, in part to counter Irans expansion in the region, citing U.S. and Arab officials.

The administrations hope is that the effort, tentatively known as the Middle East Strategic Alliance, might be discussed at a summit provisionally scheduled for Washington on Oct. 12-13, the sources said, though the Qatar rift could present a big obstacle.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Marupe, Latvia, 2018-09-02 19:01 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SIA AgroCredit Latvia publish financial report for 1st half of 2018.

The company grants loans to agriculture clients, mainly offering seasonal financing to grain growers. The credit policy aplied is conservative and it ensures good quality of the loan portfolio and low financial risk level.

No significant changes are planed for the operations of the company in 2nd half of 2018.
Charlie Whiting says Copenhagen could be the next venue on the F1 calendar.

Many potential hosts are regularly eyeing F1 projects, but FIA race director Whiting says plans for a Danish grand prix are serious.

He recently visited Copenhagen, and said Hermann Tilke has been brought onto the project to advise about the street layout.

"They invited me because they are now presenting the project to the municipality and they wanted to make sure there are no problems from the FIA side," Whiting said at Monza.

"From our point of view it is entirely possible that we'll be there. It's not yet in place but from our point of view it's 100 per cent realistic. Now it's up the Danes to get all of the necessary permissions," he told BT newspaper.

"It can easily be done by 2020," said Whiting.

(GMM)
Esteban Ocon agrees that introducing three cars per team would solve his problem in F1.

With Lance Stroll set to move up to Force India, Frenchman Ocon could be left without a seat.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has suggested that F1 allowing teams to enter third cars for young drivers would be a solution.

"It would be fantastic," Ocon smiled at Monza.

"I would be very happy if young drivers like myself, Charles Leclerc and George Russell had those opportunities. But I can't see it happening so I don't want to think about it."

He is not yet out of the running at McLaren for 2019, but Ocon admits he might need to think about switching to DTM or Super Formula.

"If there's no place we'll see, but for now I am completely focused on formula one," said Ocon.

As for the McLaren option, he responded: "I'm glad to hear Zak Brown said that, because McLaren is a great team with a great history and I have no doubt that sooner or later they will return to the fight.

"But it's not up to me to answer. I have a contract with Mercedes and if they decide some option is optimal for my future, that's what it will be."

Mercedes' Wolff proposed the third car idea because it is not just Ocon struggling to find a seat, but also Pascal Wehrlein and George Russell.

He rules out the millions it would cost for Mercedes to set up a Toro Rosso-style B team.

"If we do not succeed in being able to find a solution for all three of our (junior) drivers, then I will raise the question of the effectiveness of our development programme," said Wolff.

(GMM)
Paddy Lowe says that if Williams makes a driver change within 2019, it will be Robert Kubica who steps up to the plate.

It is strongly rumoured that either by Singapore or Russia, Lance Stroll will leave Williams to join his father at the newly Lawrence Stroll-owned Force India.

When asked about the Stroll story, Williams boss Lowe said at Monza: "We don't really have to do anything because Robert Kubica is our reserve driver.

"All we can do is wait for events to unfold, but it's not a certainty that anything will unfold. At the moment we are focusing on working with Sergey and Lance," he said.

Lowe also played down rumours that Williams is going to start using the full Mercedes gearbox from 2019.

"We produce our own gearbox and we'll continue to do so," he insisted.

Williams is now the only team in the pitlane that uses an aluminium gearbox, and Lowe would not comment on whether it will switch to titanium for 2019.

As for why he rejected the Mercedes gearbox option, he answered: "We discussed it but decided it wasn't an option for Williams."

(GMM)
Yemen's warring parties will not meet face-to-face at a UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva this week which will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal, government officials said Sunday.

The United Nations has invited Yemen's government and the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to Geneva for talks from Thursday to Sunday.

Envoy Martin Griffiths has said the talks are aimed at charting a path forward to revive UN-backed negotiations which broke down in 2016.

Government officials say the talks will likely focus on a prisoner exchange deal and the fate of embattled Hodeida, the rebel-held port city that is now the frontline of the Yemen war.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani told AFP the meetings "will not be face-to-face and depend on how well the UN envoy manages the two sides".

"The consultations will be indirect, unless there is some progress that can be made directly," said Abdullah al-Olaimi, head of Yemen's presidential office and a member of the Geneva delegation.

Yemen's government has openly said it has low expectations for the talks, blaming the Houthis for refusing to make concessions.

"Our expectations are limited to the possibility of progress in the question of prisoners and detainees," Yamani said.

"I think this is the chance to succeed in securing the release of prisoners, and I believe the other party is also willing and ready."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government source said the delegation would demand the release of 5,000 prisoners.

The rebels aim to secure the release of 3,000 of their fighters, the source said.

Backed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, the government of Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has battled the Houthis for more than three years in what is widely seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran.

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition in June launched a major offensive to capture Hodeida from the Huthi rebels.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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The US Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is awarding nearly $3 million to 13 projects to stimulate the use of high performance supercomputers to advance U.S. manufacturing.

The US DOE national laboratories have some of the most significant high performance computing (HPC) resources available, including some of the fastest supercomputers in the world. There is great potential for the US manufacturing industry to use the power of HPC to solve key challenges, but many manufacturers lack access to supercomputing resources.

Selected projects will be awarded up to $300,000 in federal funding to cover the costs associated with using the supercomputers and technical expertise provided by the laboratory partners. Industry partners will provide a participant contribution of at least 20% of the DOE funding for the project.

Among the projects selected is Arconics effort, in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), to model rolling processes to observe the evolution of porosity.

Because light-weight materials are fuel efficient, aluminum, already well-established in the aerospace industry, is gaining significantly in the automotive industry and other markets. Currently, greater amounts of aluminum must be produced than are needed because of manufacturing waste and scrap inefficiencies that increase energy consumption and lead to higher costs to end consumers.

Arconics projectComputational Modeling of Industrial Rolling Processes Incorporating Microstructure Evolution to Minimize Rework Energy Lossesaddresses rolled plate and sheet recovery issues in aerospace, industrial and automotive products.

Arconic will comprehensively model the commercial rolling process using high fidelity three-dimensional models to virtually observe the evolution of porosity in greater detail, with the ultimate objective of optimizing rolled plate properties. Arconics rolling and research facilities and more than 100 years of rolling experience provide specific knowledge of the process, and facilities for defining and validating processing conditions. DOEs national labs will provide scientific support, computational resources and expertise, and data storage to close the current industrial computation gap.





Depiction of 3D rolling or high-fidelity models.

Also selected for an award is KeraCels projectAll-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteryin partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which will model a new plan to push energy density in Li batteries with lithium oxide garnet with the goal of lowering the required temperature to reduce porosity in sintering.

Most current solid-state battery designs are limited by the difficulty in processing the ceramic electrolyte components, which requires high temperatures that lead to materials incompatibilities and high-energy costs. This proposal engages high-performance computing and simulation expertise to optimize materials processing for more energy-efficient, scalable manufacturing of robust solid-state batteries.

Other projects selected for awards are:

3M - This project will optimize the design of emissive films on building windows for cooling via modeling of glass-bead-filled polymers.

3M - This project will minimize energy consumption of the fiber spinning manufacturing process using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and machine learning.

Alliance for Pulp & Paper Technology - This project will help create a fundamental understanding of alkali reactivity with wood components using molecular modeling.

GE Global Research Center - This project will extend GE Global Research Centers TRUCHAS model to large-scale casting simulation of turbine blades.

Seurat Technologies - This project will use the ALE3D software to optimize Seurats innovative laser energy flux distribution to reduce spatter during laser powder bed fusion.

SFP Works, LLC - This project will use computational effort to understand phase transformations that occur during the flash heat treating process in order to better control parameters to obtain the desired phase distribution and chemistry.

Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium - This project will create a shared database of heat exchange in 140 steel reheat furnaces whose inconsistencies lead to significant energy loss.

The Dow Chemical Company - This project will model methods to reduce the thermal conductivity of Dows insulating foam polyurethane products while using less polymer in products.

Transient Plasma Systems - This project will build a comprehensive numerical model for use in understanding and optimizing key parameters in electrical pulse generation of plasmas for dilute burn combustion.

United Technologies Research Center - This project will develop a novel heat treatment scheme that eliminates deleterious phases from the microstructure additively manufactured aerospace components while reducing the annealing time.

VAST Power Systems, Inc. - This project will optimize gas turbine combustors by developing and validating surrogate models using CFD.

The High Performance Computing for Manufacturing (HPC4Mfg) program, supported by DOEs Advanced Manufacturing Office, unites DOEs supercomputing capabilities and expertise with American manufacturers to optimize production processes and designs, enhance product quality, predict performance and failure, and speed up design and testing cycles while decreasing energy consumption.

Manufacturer-laboratory partnerships leverage expertise in advanced modeling, simulation, and data analysis to accelerate innovation and shorten the time of adoption of new technologies in US manufacturing.

The HPC4Mfg program is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, with support from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and has supported more than 40 projects and provided more than $15 million for these public-private partnerships. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory provide computing cycles to support this program.
Total, together with its partners, has agreed to sell the Joslyn oil sands project in Alberta, Canada, to Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) for an overall consideration of 225 million Canadian dollars. The Joslyn lease is located directly south of CNRLs current Horizon Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading project.

Following the oil price fall in 2014, the Joslyn project partners decided to put its further development on hold. Therefore, activities have since been limited to fulfilling regulatory requirements and ensuring the safety of the site.

Reducing our exposure to Canadas oil sands by selling this asset is in line with our global strategy to focus our oil investments on low breakeven resources and develop a resilient portfolio in the mid- and long-term. It is also consistent with the gradual reduction of our stake in the Fort Hills oil sands project in 2017. Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of Total

The closing of the transaction is subject to authorization by the Canadian Competition Bureau.

The Joslyn project partners are Total (operator, 38.25%), Suncor Energy Joslyn Partnership (36.75%), Joslyn Partnership (15%) and Inpex Canada Ltd (10%).

Total has been present in Canadas upstream since 1999. The Group holds a 24.58% interest in Fort Hills, and a 50% interest in the Surmont project. In 2017, the Groups production in Canada was 59,000 barrels of oil per day.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday war was unlikely but called on Iran's armed forces to boost their defence capacities, according to his official website, as the country faces increased tension with the United States.

On Saturday, Iran announced plans to boost its ballistic and cruise missile capacity and acquire modern fighter planes and submarines to boost its defences following the US pullout from Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers.

"Ayatollah Khamenei emphasised that based on political calculations there is no likelihood of a military war but added that the armed forces must be vigilant ... and raise their personnel and equipment capacities," the website quoted Khamenei as telling commanders of Iran's air defence forces.

"The Supreme Leader said ...the air defence units were a very sensitive part of the armed forces and on the front line of confronting the enemy, and emphasized the need to increase their readiness and capabilities," the website said in its report on the gathering, which was held to mark Iran's Air Defence Day.

Saturday's news of the military development plans came a day after Iran dismissed a French call for negotiations on Tehran's future nuclear plans, its ballistic missile arsenal and its role in wars in Syria and Yemen.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last month the Islamic Republic's military prowess was what deterred Washington from attacking it.

Separately, a senior Iranian diplomat met visiting UK Junior Foreign Minister Alistair Burt and urged swift European action on a planned package of economic measures to offset the US pullout from the accord and the reimpositions of sanctions by Washington, the state news agency IRNA reported.

"The imposition of (US) sanctions and pressures and the lack of rapid action by Europe to fulfill their commitments will have serious consequences," Kamal Kharrazi, a former foreign minister who heads a top foreign policy council, told Burt, IRNA reported.

Iranian officials have said they would decide whether to quit the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after studying the European package of economic measures that could help offset US sanctions.

"European countries have not been able yet to take necessary measures to secure Iran's interests under the nuclear agreement," Kharrazi said.

"(Burt) said Britain's position is different from that of the United States and we are looking for a European mechanism to make the nuclear accord successful," IRNA reported.

Burt, on the first visit by a British minister since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal, earlier met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday the talks with Burt had involved "access to banking resources and the sale of oil".

Iran has been seeking commitment from European signatories of the nuclear deal that it will be able to access the Western banking system and continue to sell oil despite US sanctions.

In a statement before his visit, Burt said: "As long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal, we remain committed to it as we believe it is the best way to ensure a safe, secure future for the region."

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Haiti - News : Zapping...





Back to the Schools : union disturbances

On Monday 3rd September, the day of the start of the school year, a group of teachers' unions including, among others: the National Union of Haitian Normal and Haitian Educators (UNNOEH), the National Confederation of Educators of Haiti (CNEH) and the National League of Haitian Teachers (LINEH) announces a march to denounce the mismanagement and excesses of the Ministry of National Education. The march will leave the Champ de Mars to finish in front of Parliament.



More than 20,000 zombie checks

President Moise said more than 20,000 zombie checks were recovered by his administration and more than 30 people were put in jail See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23881-haiti-politic-the-civil-servants-will-have-to-pick-up-their-pay-check-personally.html



11.9 billion Gde deficit

On July 26, 2018, the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) financed the State with 11.9 billion gourdes against 1.9 billion a year earlier.



Return of nearly 100,000 Haitians in Haiti

Since October 2017, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) had to stop monitoring of the border of Haitians returning from the Dominican Republic deportees and volunteers due to lack of funding. Note that IOM's revised Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP 2017-2018) estimates that 96,000 Haitians may return voluntarily or deported from the Dominican Republic in 2018.



Deputies ratify the amending budget

On August 30 in plenary session, after numerous amendments, the deputies of the Lower House unanimously ratified the draft of the amended Finance Act for the fiscal year 2017-2018.



World Physiotherapy Day

As a prelude to World Physiotherapy Day (8 September), the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities recalls that rehabilitation professionals have a key role to play in the national health system "These professionals not only allow people with disabilities or those with pathologies to be at the peak of their physical or motor skills but also promote the prevention and improvement of quality of life. Together, let's work for a stronger national health system that takes into account more of the rehab professions !"



HL/ HaitiLibre


















France's foreign minister says Syrian President Bashar Assad has won his country's civil war but won't "win the peace" without a political solution brokered by the international community.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also reiterated threats of Western retaliation if Assad cedes to the "temptation" of using chemical weapons in the looming battle for the northern Idlib province, the last major opposition stronghold.

Le Drian said Sunday on France-Inter radio that "Assad won the war, we have to state this. But he hasn't won the peace."

He said that even if Assad's forces retake Idlib, that won't solve the problems that unleashed the war seven years ago.

He said France will press at this month's UN General Assembly for a political solution in Syria, and is holding talks with Russia, Turkey and Iran to push them to use their influence with Assad to ensure political negotiations after the war ends.

Pope Francis is pressing for negotiations to avoid a "humanitarian catastrophe" from a looming battle in Syria.

Francis appealed on Sunday to the international community and "all the actors involved" to use diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations "in respect for international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians."

Addressing faithful in St. Peter's Square, Francis said "the winds of war are still blowing and troubling news reaches us about the risks of a possible humanitarian catastrophe" in Syria's Idlib province.

That's where Syrian opposition forces have dug trenches around their bases, anticipating a ground offensive on their last major stronghold. The battle for Idlib might be the last in seven years of civil war.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians in the Idlib area have nowhere to flee.

A group monitoring the Syrian war says at least two military personnel were killed and 11 wounded in overnight explosions in a military airport on the edge of the capital.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday the blasts that rocked Damascus are believed to have been caused by an Israeli strike.

Syrian pro-government media initially blamed the blasts on Israel. But state media later quoted an unnamed Syrian military official as saying the explosions were caused by an electrical malfunction in a munition depot nearby.

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The successor states of the former Czechoslovakia are marking 50 years since the crushing of the Prague Spring by Warsaw Pact forces, writes David Tresilian in Prague

During the decades of the Cold War between the United States and its allies and the former Soviet Union, perhaps no single event better sums up the situation on the divided European continent than the crushing of the liberalising reforms attempted by Czechoslovakias Communist Party government in 1968s so-called Prague Spring.

Having warily eyed the reforms being introduced in the then Czechoslovak capital Prague by the countrys reformist Communist Party leader Alexander Dubcek, the Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact suddenly invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968 to put an end to what they saw as Czechoslovak attempts to exit the Eastern Bloc and end Communist rule.

On the night of 20-21 August, an estimated 200,000 troops (eventually many more) from the armies of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary entered Czechoslovakia from several sides, leading to the countrys military occupation.

While Czechoslovak forces were confined to barracks and Dubcek called upon people not to resist, there was scattered resistance by ordinary people across the country to the invasion, not least in the streets of Prague.

Grainy black-and-white images of the time show resistance to the Warsaw Pact forces by often young people and students, with street signs being painted over to confuse the entering forces, barricades being set up and anti-Communist and anti-Soviet graffiti daubed on the walls of buildings.

An estimated 72 Czechoslovak nationals were killed in the invasion, and a further 300,000 are thought to have fled the country.

Dubcek himself, accompanied by senior members of the Czechoslovak government, was spirited to Moscow by Soviet forces, leaving Soviet tanks in the streets of Prague and a power vacuum in the country.

In the subsequent Moscow Protocol signed by Dubcek under strong pressure from the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, it was agreed that he would remain in office and some reforms would continue. But in April 1969 Dubcek was replaced as secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist Party and a period of normalisation began.

This involved the reversal of his liberal reforms such as the freedom of the press and freedom of expression together with various economic reforms.

The new Communist Party leader Gustav Husak reinstated the powers of the police, reintegrated Czechoslovakia back into Eastern Bloc norms, and reinstated a centralised economy.

It marked the end of Dubceks attempts at reform  described at the time as an attempt to introduce socialism with a human face  and Czechoslovakia, like the rest of the European Eastern Bloc, entered into the two decades of suspended animation, meaning the political, economic, cultural and spiritual stagnation of the Soviet Bloc in the 1970s and 1980s until the systems final collapse in 1989.

It was only then that Czechoslovakia, like other formerly Communist Eastern European countries, finally shook off Soviet rule. Dubcek himself returned after the collapse of the Communist system in 1989 to head the Czechoslovak parliament under the countrys new leader, the former dissident Vaclav Havel.

Some of the demands made by the anti-Communist demonstrators in 1989 explicitly referenced those made 20 years earlier by supporters of the Prague Spring.

Fifty years on, Czechoslovakia itself has disappeared from the map, with the country dividing in 1992s Velvet Divorce into the successor states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Even more than that, the political and economic reforms that began in 1989 have now transformed the Czech Republic into a broadly successful middle-ranking European state, fully integrated into the European Union since 2004 and NATO since 1999.

According to a CIA overview, the Czech Republic is now a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, its export industries, notably of cars, comprising some 80 per cent of the countrys GDP.

Anyone of a certain age who visits Prague today  old enough, that is, to remember the capital before the transition beginning in 1989  will be struck by the enormous changes that have come about, both here and in much of the rest of Eastern Europe.

Prague in the 1980s, at least to the casual visitor, resembled the world of a vintage postcard, there being none of the amenities one would expect to find in a comparable city in the West.

Because the Communist regime banned private enterprise, there were no shops to speak of, no hotels aside from the grey establishments run by the relevant arm of the government, and few restaurants catering to visitors.

The present writer can still remember the eerie atmosphere of the Eastern European cities before 1989, when for Western visitors crossing the so-called Iron Curtain that marked a boundary line between two competing economic and political regimes it was a journey as much in time as in space.

Some terrible disaster seemed to have afflicted these countries, though the elegant, often belle epoque, architecture of the historic city-centres indicated that things had not always been as they were then, and Prague was almost liveable when compared to the grim dystopia of Bucharest in Romania before 1989.

An exhibition of photographs of the events of August 1968 is currently on display in Pragues Old Town Hall, and this may help to remind some of the thousands of tourists who now descend on Prague each summer how things were just 50 years ago.

The images, taken by Czech photographers, establish much of the familiar iconography of the time  tanks in the streets, student demonstrators, the look of despair on many faces as hopes of change seemed to be dashed, and the matching determination of those who stood up to resist the invading forces, if only in tragically limited ways.

Speaking to Czech visitors at the exhibition  they were far outnumbered by foreigners  Al-Ahram Weekly discovered that few, if any, of those viewing the pictures were old enough to remember the events they depicted.

All agreed that it was important for the public authorities to commemorate the events of 1968, though some also described the Warsaw Pact invasion as belonging to ancient history, being apparently very far removed from the Czech Republic today and the new balance of forces on the European continent.

Writing in the exhibition catalogue, Czech historian Jiri Suk of the Czech Republic Academy of Sciences says that the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Soviet forces on 20-21 August 1968 was a violent act of Soviet Communist imperialism [that can be] attributed to the absurd logic of the 20th century, the age of extremes.

Together with similar clampdowns in Hungary in 1956 and Poland in 1981, it is embedded in the historical memory of Central Europeans as a great, albeit failed, attempt at regaining freedom.

The photographs of the time make up a large mosaic consisting of many smaller pieces that reflect the stories of the people in the town squares of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia who together created a civil society opposed to Communist rule in 1968, he adds.

There was no room for passive observation; almost everyone was drawn into the dramatic events and protests That week in August 1968 saw the sudden development of a fully free and fully democratic public space. And within this space information spread like wildfire.

Of the actions of Dubcek, Brezhnev and the other leading players of the time, Suk says that the tragedy of August 1968 lies in a fatal misunderstanding between the spontaneous democratic will of the people and the elitist mentality of its non-elected leaders. It seemed [for a time] that this grand nationwide resistance could bridge the gap between the now free public and the still authoritarian regime, though tragically of course this was not the case.

For Suk and others like him, that week in August became a thing of myth reincarnated in the overthrow of Communism in Eastern Europe in 1989.

By playing around with two numbers, in an ingenious game presented by the circumstances, the completion of an interrupted revolution was announced: by flipping over the number 68 on the symbolical astronomical clock of fateful events the number 89 emerged, he writes.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 30 August 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Fifty years from the Prague Spring

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