Kaufman County Jail(DALLAS) -- The arrest warrant affidavit for a Dallas police officer who shot a man after she says she mistakenly entered his apartment has prompted more questions than answers for the victim's family, whose lawyers called the officer's scenario "highly implausible."



The narrative that Officer Amber Guyger gave to investigators has been contradicted by at least two independent witnesses and flies in the face of facts they've gathered of the Thursday night killing at the South Side Flats apartment complex in Dallas, attorneys for the family of Botham Jean say, as they push for a murder charge.



"Independent witnesses have already come forward to say that they heard this officer pounding on the door and demanding to be let in," Lee Merritt, one of the attorneys representing the Jean family, told ABC News. "The contradictions begin to build from there."



But Guyger's police union president said the Texas Rangers division has interviewed at least one of the witnesses mentioned by attorneys for the Jean family and still concluded after an independent investigation that the evidence amounted to a manslaughter charge, not murder.



"Don't get me wrong. She's going to have to answer in a court of law," Sgt. Mike Mata, president of the Dallas Police Association, said Tuesday. "But it needs to be fair and unbiased and right not it's not unbiased. It's beginning to turn into a political hunt."



From his reading of the arrest warrant affidavit, Mata said, "you can understand how a mistake can be made."



Guyger, 30, a four-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, was arrested and charged with manslaughter three days after killing Jean, 26.



A grand jury will ultimately decide what charges Guyger will face and did not rule out a murder indictment, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson said Monday.



Guyger said she arrived home from work about 10 p.m. and parked her car on the fourth floor of the building instead of the third floor, which corresponded to her apartment, according to the arrest warrant affidavit by investigators from the Texas Rangers, a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.



Guyger's apartment is directly beneath Jean's fourth-floor unit.



"Guyger entered the building and walked down the fourth-floor hallway to what she thought was her apartment," according to the arrest warrant made public Monday afternoon. "She inserted a unique door key, with an electronic chip, into the door keyhole. The door, which was slightly ajar prior to Guyger's arrival, fully opened under the force of the key insertion."



When the door opened, she saw a "large silhouette" in the nearly completely dark apartment and believed it was a burglar, according to the warrant.



Guyger, while still in uniform, no longer had her bodycam, which had been left at the station, per police protocol, according to the district attorney.



"Guyger drew her firearm, gave verbal commands that were ignored by ... Jean, according to the warrant. Guyger fired her handgun two times striking [Jean] in the torso. Guyger entered the apartment, immediately called 911, requesting police and EMS, and provided first aid to ... Jean.



"Due to the interior darkness of the apartment, Guyger turned on the interior lights while on the phone with 911. Upon being asked where she was located by emergency dispatchers, Guyger returned to the front door to observe the address and discovered she was at the wrong apartment," according to the arrest warrant.



Jean was taken by ambulance to Baylor Hospital, where he died.



"That just seems highly implausible," lawyer Merritt said of Guyger's narrative.



It would have been "uncharacteristic" for Jean to leave his door ajar, Merritt added.



"Hes a very meticulous young man, Merritt said. He paid attention to detail and his security was something that was always forefront on his mind. So when he went into a room he closed the door behind him. He locked the door; he put his keys in a specific place.



Benjamin Crump, another attorney for the Jean family, said it was also "troubling" that Guyger says she fired into the apartment after seeing a "large silhouette" inside and believing it was a burglar.



"She gives verbal commands and then she shoots into the dark apartment. Not knowing anything about who this individual is or anything, she shoots into a dark apartment," Crump told ABC News.



"So it's going to have to be determined is this the actions of a prudent well-trained police officer who at this time now has assumed that she is investigating a burglary and that she then must comply with her training, her experience, her education that she got from DPD [the Dallas Police Department]. It seems to be contradictory of a well-trained police officer."



Attorney Daryl Washington, who is also representing the Jean family, said Guyger's purported actions after shooting Jean was suspect and full of "inconsistencies."



"From the fact that when you look at an affidavit and I'm thinking that I'm at my house and I call 911 because someone was just shot, he said. Well, the very first thing that I'm going to do is I'm not going to go outside and look at my address? I'm going to give them my address right there on the phone. Im going to say I'm on the phone. My address is this. Why did she have to go outside to verify the address? It makes no sense whatsoever."



The independent witnesses who heard the officer banging on Jean's door prior to the shooting also say they heard a male voice cry out from the apartment after the gunfire, Crump said.



He said the witnesses "hear a male voice say, 'Oh, my God, why did you do this?' We believe that is the last words from Botham Jean alive."



Merritt said he is "optimistic that at the end of the day" if prosecutors conduct the thorough investigation that District Attorney Johnson promised Monday, they will reject Guyger's narrative and pursue a murder charge.



"We believe that the appropriate charges would be the charges of murder," Merritt said.



Guyger has been released on $300,000 bail. A court date for her yet to be set.



Attempts by ABC News to reach Guyger were unsuccessful.



Matta, the police union president, told ABC News that the Texas Rangers conducted a thorough investigation independent of the Dallas Police Department and that lawyers for the Jean family, who had initially applauded such a probe, "don't like what's in the affidavit because it's the facts."



"They're framing it as something different," he said.



On the day of the shooting, Matta said, Officer Guyger had completed a 15-hour shift as part of a team that arrested several individuals wanted for 30-plus armed robbery and robberies in the Dallas area.



"I've met her on several occasions," Mata said of Guyger. "She has an impeccable reputation. She is a hard-charging, go-getting officer, who has put a lot of bad people in jail."



It was "very dishearting" to hear Johnson say during the news conference Monday her office will consider pursuing a murder charge against Guyger, Mata said.



"You could tell by her language, her attitude that she doesn't accept the impartial investigation by the Texas Rangers," Matta said of Johnson. "But don't get up there and say you're looking to up a charge and you haven't even done anything, you haven't even down your own investigation yet.



"I'm going be honest with you, Mr. Jean was what all us parents hope our kids turn out to be," he said of the church-going native of Saint Lucia, who worked at the prestigious accounting and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dallas.



"He was an amazing individual, who had an amazing life ahead of him, who had done great things in his life. His loss is a loss to the city. But hanging out this officer, that's not the right thing to do."

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Hende Csaba (Source: VNA)



The two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for the two legislatures to exchange high-level delegations, as well as enhance exchanges between parliamentary agencies and friendship parliamentarians groups to share experience in law-making, supervision, personnel training.

They vowed to step up collaboration between the two countries localities and offer all possible support to their friendship parliamentarians groups to effectively tap their role in developing ties between the two legislatures.

Stressing the importance of economic, trade and investment cooperation in boosting bilateral relations, host and guest agreed to step up the cooperation to match with fine political and cultural ties.

Csaba affirmed that the Hungarian National Assembly backs Vietnams comprehensive cooperation with the European Union. He vowed to boost the NAs soon ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement after it is signed so as to create a driving force for economic collaboration between Vietnam and Hungary and other EU countries./.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries Huh Chang-Soo. (Photo: VNA)



Hosting reception in Hanoi on September 10th for Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries Huh Chang-Soo, who led a RoK business delegation, PM Phuc lauded Korean investors for continuing their investment in large-scale projects in Vietnam, hoping that they will carry on pouring more capital into high-tech sectors, heavy industry, and infrastructure development.

PM Phuc voiced his hope that RoK companies will bring state-of-the-art technologies to Vietnam, work to protect the environment, create jobs for local people, and contribute to Vietnam-RoK relations.

He wished for stronger cooperation between enterprises of both nations and suggested the RoK side import more from Vietnam in order to balance trade.

Furthermore, the Government leader asked businesses to channel more efforts into realising the set target of USD100 billion in bilateral trade by 2020.

Vietnam and the RoK are enjoying a fruitful strategic cooperative partnership, he said, adding that nearly 160,000 Vietnamese and RoK nationals are living in each nation, serving as a bridge to connect the two peoples and contribute to their future.

Huh Chang-Soo, for his part, highlighted Vietnams strong economic growth and sound relations between the two nations, saying that the two factors will open up various cooperative opportunities for Vietnamese and RoK enterprises.

He said that bilateral relations have not only been thriving in economy, but also in other sectors such as culture, tourism, cuisine, and sport.

Representatives of RoK corporations informed the Vietnamese leader of their activities in Vietnam and hoped to receive further support from the Vietnamese Government and relevant authorities./.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Adam Sitkoff (Source: VNA)



The PM welcomed the US delegation, who will be attending the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 and the Vietnam-US Business Summit 2018.

He said Vietnam appreciates its ties with the US, which have been growing over the past years. US exports to Vietnam have also grown in recent times, he added.

The host affirmed that the Vietnamese Government has always and will continue to offer support for US firms doing business in Vietnam, considering it an important factor of bilateral ties.

Sitkoff, for his part, thanked the PM for hosting the delegation, which he said reflected on his strong commitment to promoting bilateral economic and trade links.

He informed the host that the delegation had discussed digital economy development with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Vietnam-US Business Summit earlier in the morning.

US firms highly value the Vietnamese PM and Governments efforts in improving administrative reform and business climate, as well as attracting foreign tourist arrivals, he said, adding that they are very interested in the Vietnamese market.

Representatives from US firms expressed their determination to expand business operations in Vietnam and wished that the Vietnamese Government and PM would create more favourable conditions for them to do business in the country, especially in the fields of digital economy and connectivity, smart city development, pharmaceuticals, energy, and high-quality human resources training./.
At the talks (Source: VNA)



The CPV chief said Vietnam considers Hungary a leading partner in central Eastern Europe and congratulated Hungary on scoring a number of important socio-economic achievements, catapulting the country into the position of one of the leading economies in the European Union with political stability and social unity.

Orban, for his part, said Hungary considers Vietnam its most important partner in Southeast Asia, affirming that the visit will create a new milestone and driving force for the bilateral traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular visits and exchanges between high-ranking leaders, strengthen political consultations and strategic dialogues via Party, Government, and National Assembly channels, as well as between ministries, agencies, and localities.

They expressed their determination to foster effective collaboration in diverse areas, especially in economy, trade, investment, national defence, education-training, science-technology, environment, healthcare, culture, sports, and tourism, as well as share experiences in maintaining and upholding traditional cultural identities during the process of development.

Host and guest pledged to strengthen consultation on regional and global issues of shared concern and effective cooperation at multilateral organisations and forums, particularly at the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube Cooperation Initiative.

The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam supports Hungary in extending coordination with ASEAN member states and stands ready to serve as a bridge for the country to expand economic ties with the bloc.

Expressing commitment to promoting the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership, the Hungarian PM vowed to push forward the early signing, ratification, and full implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, contributing to reinforcing EU market connectivity, including that between Hungary, Vietnam, and the ASEAN.

As there remains room for bilateral partnership, the two sides asserted to increase activities of the Vietnam-Hungary Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation; create favourable conditions for the two countries business communities to meet and seek new opportunities; as well as expand cooperation in healthcare, water management, information technology, pharmaceuticals, food safety, environment protection, and renewable energy.

The Vietnamese leader hailed Hungary for considering Vietnam a priority partner in its official development assistance policy. He suggested working closely together in fields that suit Hungarys capacity and meet Vietnams demand.

He thanked the Hungarian government for committing to continuing the supply of the 200 scholarships it awards to Vietnamese students each year.

The two sides welcomed the signing of several cooperation documents in national defence-security, justice, healthcare, education-training, and the organisation of the second Hungary-Vietnam conference of universities rectors in Budapest.

They promised to expand ties across culture, sports, and tourism in order to raise mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, as well as to step up the plans marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2020.

The host said the Hungarian government will continue to provide all possible support for Vietnamese nationals in Hungary so they may lead stable lives and serve as a bridge connecting the two nations.

Following the talks, the two leaders held a press conference, issued a joint statement on the establishment of the Vietnam-Hungary comprehensive partnership, and witnessed the signing of several important cooperation documents./.
Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the program, Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Luan Thuy Duong reviewed the development of bilateral relations, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and General Aung San, that have been fostered by generations of leaders and peoples of the two countries.

She emphasized that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to Myanmar in August 2017 marked a historic turning point in relations between the two countries and the leaders of the two countries have signed the Joint Statement on upgrading ties to the level of comprehensive partnership. During a visit to Vietnam in April 2018, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi affirmed that Vietnam and Myanmar are close friends who place trust in each other.

According to the ambassador, the two countries have seen developments in their ties, including in the fields of trade and investment, national defence-security, agro-forestry-fisheries, energy, telecommunications, tourism, justice, education, culture, people-to-people exchange and global integration.

At the event, Minister of International Cooperation of Myanmar Kyaw Tin believed that the bilateral relations would continue to develop aggressively in the future and wished to boost ties in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

The minister said that the two-way trade reached USD830 million last year, up 50% from 2016, and Vietnam has become the 7th largest investor of Myanmar.

At the program, the delegates enjoyed a music program performed by artists from the two countries, and traditional dishes of Vietnam.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar, the Vietnam-Myanmar Friendship Association and the Myanmar-Vietnam Friendship Association, and the business communities of the two countries organized the cultural event themed Vietnam-Myanmar: Beautiful Countries in Nay Pyi Taw, which was part of the ongoing Vietnam-Myanmar cultural cooperation exchange program for 2017-2020, signed by the two countries to strengthen cultural and tourism cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchange between the two nations./.
Visitors watching photos about Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Dang Xuan Dung highly appreciated the support and coordination of Buenos Aires city and Argentinas relevant agencies in organizing the Vietnam Day for the first time.

He emphasized that the event helped Argentine people have more opportunity to learn about Vietnams culture and people, thus further promoting the traditional bilateral relations, as well as strengthening mutual understanding between the two peoples.

During the event, various activities were organized such as introducing and promoting cultural, tourism, consumer and handicraft products, and organizing photo exhibition about the land, people, traditional cuisine and art of Vietnam.

In addition, a delegation of Vietnamese businesses also introduced high-quality products made from bamboo and rattan, wooden furniture, electrical equipment, and dried food; tourism products; and consumer goods as well./.
Photo for illustration

At the ceremony, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh hailed the efforts of the carrier in establishing an important air bridge, opening cooperative opportunities and connection in economics, science, education, culture and tourism between the two countries.

With strategic investment, Vietnam Airlines is expected to contribute to realizing the target of bringing Vietnam-Russia bilateral trade turnover to USD10 billion by 2020, a three-fold increase compared to the current figure.

The airlines launched the first flight to Russia on July 7th, 1993 with stops at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Dubai (UAE) or Berlin (Germany).

As scheduled, by the end 2018, the carriers will have carried about 1.6 million passengers between Vietnam and Russia since beginning operation in the market.

Russia now ranks among the Top 10 markets sending the most tourists to Vietnam, with a high and sustainable growth of 30% a year.

On this occasion, Russia national flag carrier Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the very first code-sharing on domestic routes in Russia and Vietnam and expand their cooperation across several areas of the business.

The MoU takes our cooperation further in the direction of a solid and mutually beneficial partnership, offering customers a wider choice of travel options and world-class quality of two leading 4-Star airlines, said Trinh Ngoc Thanh, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines.

Vietnam Airlines offers three direct flights per week between Hanoi and Moscow, operated on Boeing 787-9 aircraft, while Aeroflot operates nine flights per week with a daily flight to Hanoi and a twice weekly service to Ho Chi Minh city, utilizing Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft./.
ABC(NEW YORK) -- George Papadopoulos, the one-time foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign caught up in the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, said he floated the idea of a meeting between the candidate and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2016 as an opportunity to get photos of Trump in a statesman-like role.



"I thought it would be a nice photo op," Papadopoulos said on ABC's "The View" Tuesday of the prospect of a Trump-Putin meeting.



"Obviously, Trump was very vocal [during the campaign] about wanting to work with Putin at some level, like at the geopolitical level," Papadopoulos said. Having Trump meet Putin "would be great for him to look like a statesman" as he ran for president.



Papadopoulos also said on "The View" that he is an energy specialist who, when he began working on the Trump campaign, had contacts in the Middle East, but not with Russia.



He said that shortly before he started with the campaign he took a business trip to Rome arranged by his then-employer. In Rome, he said he met Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese professor who is believed to be an operative for the Russian government.



Mifsud told him he had a contact in Russia who could potentially host a summit between Trump and Putin, Papadopoulos said. He said he presented that possibility to the campaign at a national security meeting in March 2016. No meeting of Trump and Putin occurred during the 2016 campaign.



Papadopoulos was sentenced in federal court Friday to 14 days incarceration, one year of supervised release, 200 hours of community service and a $9,500 fine. He pleaded guilty in October to making false statements to FBI agents about his interactions with a Russian national and with Mifsud.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks at a national education conference in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 10, 2018, which marks the 34th Teachers' Day in China. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended congratulations and greetings to teachers and educators nationwide. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has stressed following the path of socialist education with Chinese characteristics to nurture generations of capable young people well-prepared to join the socialist cause.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said young people should have an all-round moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetic grounding with a hard-working spirit.

Xi made the statement at a national education conference Monday, which marks the 34th Teachers' Day in China. He extended congratulations and greetings to teachers and other education workers nationwide on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

It's imperative to uphold Marxism as a guiding ideology and stick to the path of socialist education with Chinese characteristics, Xi stressed, adding that schools should adhere to the socialist direction.

Xi called on the CPC and society to promote the social norms of respecting teachers and valuing education.

He stressed enhancing the political, social, and professional status of teachers so that they can enjoy their due social prestige and make greater contributions to the cause of the Party and the people by imparting knowledge and educating people.

Xi spoke of the decisive significance of education in achieving national rejuvenation.

Xi said a series of new philosophies, thoughts, and viewpoints have been raised in the reform and development of education, including upholding overall Party leadership over education.

Xi spoke of the need to give priority to developing education in the new era faced with new circumstances as a gambit to advance the endeavors of the Party and the state in all areas.

Because China is a CPC-led socialist country, the fundamental task of education must be nurturing capable young people well-prepared to join the socialist cause, Xi said.

Capable people should be nurtured generation after generation to uphold the Party leadership and the socialist system and commit themselves to strive for socialism with Chinese characteristics for life, Xi said.

Better education and guidance are needed to build the noble ideal of Communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics among the students, Xi said.

Efforts should be made to firm up the patriotic spirit in the students' hearts, he said, adding that the students should also be guided to love and support the CPC.

Xi said the students should be encouraged to treasure their time in school and concentrate on seeking knowledge in an undistracted manner.

He also urged efforts to educate and guide the students to foster their sense of responsibility, striving spirit, comprehensive capability, creative thinking, love for sports, aesthetic taste and hard-working spirit.

Xi stressed building an education system which comprehensively fosters the students' all-round moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic grounding with a hard-working spirit, in a bid to bring the country's personnel fostering system to a higher level.

He also pledged continuous improvements in the treatment of teachers.

Xi urged deepening of reforms of the education system, calling for efforts to move faster to build Chinese universities into world-class universities and develop world-class disciplines.

Xi said that efforts to strengthen the overall Party leadership over education work are the fundamental guarantee for the developments in education, adding that families, schools, the government, and society should all do their share and perform their responsibilities in education.

In his speech, Premier Li Keqiang called for efforts to earnestly study, understand and implement the spirit of the important speech by Xi and to give priority to developing education.

Other Chinese leaders including Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng also attended the conference.

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir (1st L) is sworn in as Second Vice President of Sudan in Khartoum, Sudan, on Sept. 10, 2018. Sudan's newly-appointed First Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh, Second Vice President Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir and Prime Minister Mutaz Mussa were sworn in on Monday before Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)

KHARTOUM, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's newly-appointed First Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh, Second Vice President Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir and Prime Minister Mutaz Mussa were sworn in on Monday before Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

"These changes came to reaffirm a real will to achieve a positive change in the economy, society and politics," Kibir told reporters following the swearing-in ceremony.

"We are fully aware of the requirements of the current phase which come within the framework of the national economic reform program," he added.

The Leadership Office of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday approved the decision of al-Bashir to dissolve the national unity government and appoint a new prime minister to tackle the country's growing economic crisis.

The decision came after an earlier meeting held by the NCP Leadership Office, chaired by al-Bashir, to discuss changes to the government and the proposed candidates of the new cabinet members.

The meeting appointed Saleh, who had served as both prime minister and first vice president, as the first vice president only, and Mussa, former Minister of Irrigation and Electricity, as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Kibir was appointed as the second vice president to replace Hassabo Mohamed Abdul-Rahman.

Sudan has been suffering from an economic crisis caused by the shortage of liquidity and the devaluation of its national currency.

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
BRASILIA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's left-leaning Workers' Party (PT) on Monday appealed to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) for more time to designate an alternative candidate to compete in the upcoming presidential elections.

The appeal was filed a day before the deadline to name a substitute for former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose candidacy was disqualified on Aug. 31 due to his conviction on corruption charges.

Lula's lawyers had filed a similar appeal to the Superior Electoral Court, but the president of the top election body denied the motion earlier in the day.

Lula's running mate, former mayor of Sao Paulo and ex-minister of education Fernando Haddad, is his likely replacement, though prosecutors recently accused him of campaign finance irregularities.

Lula is serving a 12-year jail sentence, but has been banking on a series of appeals to absolve him so he can run again.

According to polls, the two-time president has consistently led the field of 13 candidates by a wide margin, despite his legal troubles. He has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, alleging the charges were politically motivated to derail his run for reelection.

His lawyers also petitioned the STF to overrule the electoral court's decision to disqualify his candidacy based on Brazil's Clean Record Act, which bars anyone with a criminal conviction from seeking elected office.

The PT wants the deadline extended until Sept. 17, hoping for a breakthrough in Lula's ongoing appeals process.

[ Editor: Xueying ]
HELSINKI, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has launched a campaign warning Finnish customers of the risks in purchasing merchandise from internet stores outside the European Union (EU).

Senior inspector Anja Merenkivi told media on Monday that her agency has no way of helping the customer in the event that the product is defective or dangerous. "The consumer is really alone in that situation. It is nearly impossible to get the internet shop into a legal responsibility."

The agency nevertheless encourages consumers to send to it notifications about faulty non-EU merchandise. The agency maintains a list of faulty products and tries to be in contact with authorities in the home countries of internet shops, with the aim that faulty products would not be sold.

The agency is particularly concerned about toys and other products for children. It made a test order of 32 children's products and only one matched EU security norms.

Merenkivi said the agency is especially concerned about products that swell when in contact with liquid. If a child swallows such a ball, for example, he or she may die as the gadget swells up in the body, she told the evening paper Iltalehti.

Kristiina Vainio, the legal counsel at the Finnish competition and consumer authority, said the problems related to internet shopping from distant countries are likely to grow. She elaborated that if a non-EU internet shop offers services in Finnish and is thus explicitly directed to customers in Finland, it should obey Finnish legislation.

[ Editor: Xueying ]
The inauguration of the border gates on both sides is expected to help intensify the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Lang Son province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in particular, and between Vietnam and China in general.

Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Cong Truong said that the relationship between Lang Son and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been greatly enhanced over the past few years, bringing about benefits to both sides.

He suggested enterprises from both sides take full advantage of this opportunity to step up exchange and cooperation.

Truong also asked relevant offices to intensify coordination in managing and operating the pair of border gates effectively, while creating favourable conditions for import-export, entry-exit, and investment activities in the border areas.

He addressed arising problems in a harmonious and satisfactory manner in order to boost border economic development and thus contribute to the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Sun Dawei, Deputy Communist Party Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, stated that Guangxi and Lang Son have a time-honoured economic and cultural cooperation. Many trade connectivity projects have been built and put into use.

Guangxi will continue working with the Vietnamese province to bring into full play the Ai Dian-Chi Ma border gate pair, he affirmed.
The forum brought together the leaders of agriculture ministries from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), multinational and global corporations, and companies operating in agriculture in the ASEAN region in general and Vietnam in particular.

With 18 sessions, the event focused on agricultural finance, digital innovation in agricultural production, agriculture and the fourth Industrial Revolution, precision technology in agriculture and low-emission agriculture, among others.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said agriculture is a key economic sector for most ASEAN countries, noting that agro-forestry-fishery production not only ensures food security in the region with a combined population of 650 million but also contributes to global food security.

To ensure more intensive and extensive integration, the agricultural sector needs to make stronger changes, with the broader participation of the private sector and the application of cutting-edge technologies of the fourth Industrial Revolution, towards greater modernity, efficiency, inclusion and sustainability, he stressed.

He said agricultural cooperation is one of the most important contents of the ASEAN Economic Community in order to increase the market access capacity of farm produce, develop product chains and promote the participation and benefits of farming households.

The Deputy PM listed an array of measures such as enhancing strategic cooperation in the agriculture of ASEAN through bilateral, multilateral and regional collaboration, establishing potential agricultural links in the region, and intensifying direct investment and strategic partnerships between producers, customers and commercial businesses.

The Grow Asia Forum aims to set up partnerships to support ASEAN countries in fulfilling the WEFs New Vision for Agricultures 2030 targets of increasing food production by 20%, lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and reducing rural poverty by 20%.

The targets will be accomplished by connecting concerned parties like Governments, businesses and farmers, especially through Public Private Partnerships (PPP), he said.

Deputy PM Dung went on to say that Vietnam considers the PPP model an important tool to attract investment in agriculture and develop production, focusing on value chains and in-depth processing.

Under the action plan on agricultural restructuring for 2020, the Vietnamese Government has put agriculture at the centre of sustainable economic development, adaptation to climate change and prosperous rural area building.

Science-technology and the PPP investment model would be factors that help Vietnam realise its goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, he said.

Apart from Governments and farmers, businesses serve as the most dynamic factor in the value chain since they organise the production, processing and consumption of agricultural products, especially as the fourth Industrial Revolution comes to fruition.

The Deputy PM expressed his belief that the participating managers, experts and businesses will work together to seek innovative methods in agriculture, utilising agricultural advantages in the region, improving peoples living standards and contributing to ensuring global food security in the face of climate change.
>>> Chi Ma-Ai Dian border gate pair open to traffic

The Vietnamese senior official made the suggestion during a meeting with Lu Xinshe, the Chinese Party Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in the regions capital city of Nanning on September 11.

Deputy PM Hue, who is a Politburo member, is on a visit to Nanning to attend the 15th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 15th China-ASEAN Business-Investment Summit (CABIS).

He expressed his pleasure at the flourishing cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Guangxi that has brought about important achievements and practical benefits for both sides. He affirmed that Guangxi has maintained its place as Chinas number one locality for economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam, while Vietnam has been the largest trading partner of Guangxi for the past 14 years.

In 2017, two-way trade between Vietnam and Guangxi reached US$24 billion, accounting for 86% of ASEAN's total imports and exports with Guangxi, more than 30% of the total trading turnover between Vietnam and China, and 40% of the total import-export turnover of Guangxi in general.

He suggested that Guangxi continue create more favourable conditions for Vietnams strong products, such as milk and dairy products, fruits, seafood, and pork, to enter the Chinese market, while supporting the transit of goods by rail across Guangxi and other parts of China to other Eurasian nations.

Deputy PM Hue urged the Chinese province to facilitate an easy process of customs clearance for goods in the border areas, including upgrading and opening more border gates and increasing working hours at these gates, even on Saturdays and especially during high season, to reduce cargo congestion.

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets with Chinese Party Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Lu Xinshe in Nanning, China on September 11. (Photo: VGP)



He also asked Guangxi to strengthen cooperation on border management and cross-border crime prevention related to smuggling, child trafficking and illegal entry and exit.

Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regions Party Committee, Lu Xinshe, thanked Deputy PM Hue for his support for the 15th CAEXPO and CABIS. He affirmed the importance of traditional friendship and cooperation between Guangxi and the Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities.

Secretary Lu expressed his wish to cooperate with the concerned localities of Vietnam in fully realising the shared outlook of the two countries' leaders, strengthening the visits of senior leaders, and promoting exchanges on projects in infrastructure, as well as promoting economic cooperation, trade, people-to-people exchange and tourism to the further consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vietnam.

After the meeting, Deputy PM Hue and Secretary Lu witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on establishing friendly cooperation relations between Vietnams Quang Nam province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Apart from Quang Nam, Guangxi now has friendly relations with 12 other Vietnamese provinces.
Question: Can you please brief us on the major trips you have made since 2017?

Painter Vu Duc Hieu: In 2016, a museum expert from Antwerp city, Belgium, paid a one-month visit to our Muong Cultural Space Museum. He then invited me to visit his museum in June 2017. During my one-week stay in the Belgian city, I learnt more about the ethnic affairs, arts, and history of the museum network there.

Following the trip, I took three months from June to August to tour around 50 museums in more than 10 European countries.

Domestically, I visited Tam Ky city in the central coastal province of Quang Nam many times last year, working with the local authorities to provide consultation and make paintings for the Tam Thanh fishing village, which has become popular among tourists thanks to its colourful mural paintings.

At the end of 2017, I went on excursions to the northern province of Son La to make further research on the pottery craft of the Thai ethnic people in Muong Chanh commune, before heading to Phu Tho province to provide suggestions on developing community-based tourism in Hung Lo commune.

My last visit of 2017 was to Quanzhou, China, to introduce the pottery of the Muong people at the Maritime Silk Road International Arts Festival in mid-December.

During the first three months of this year, I went to Chau Doc city, An Giang province, to explore the indigenous culture of the Khmer people. It was followed by two short working trips to Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province, as a consultant for the local authorities to develop community-based tourism.

In mid-April this year, I was invited to reproduce an authentic cultural space of the Muong people at an exhibition held in Ninh Binh province to celebrate the 1050th anniversary of the establishment of Dai Co Viet (Great Viet), the first feudal state of Vietnam.

Did you observe any differences between Vietnamese and foreign museums during these visits?

My talks and working sessions with the museum experts in Belgium and other European countries have widened my observation of the division in two forms of the museum sector, which are traditional museums and contemporary museums.

As traditional museums typically embrace the nations history and pride, they often possess treasured works in their collections, which attract a long line of local residents and international visitors, who come to admire the exhibits.

Meanwhile, contemporary museums have to ultilise support from professional curators and marketing campaigns to attract visitors. When they want to stage a display on a specific topic, such as anthropology, history, or the arts, they will call for curators to reassemble, catalogue, and present the most typical works from around the world which fit the topic the most.

Exhibitions at such museums also have the support of touch screen technology, allowing visitors to gain access to a vast source of knowledge, while developing a direct connection with the exhibits.

The entrance fee is affordable, ranging from EUR8 to EUR20 across Europe.

The situation is not the same in Vietnam as all of the objects are generally displayed quietly inside a glass box at a majority of museums. The application of advanced technologies is rarely seen, in just a few private museums.

What was the most valuable lesson you learnt from your trips?

I think that we should develop a long-term vision on the development of contemporary museums. Such museums should work to bring the vitality of traditional culture in a proper context and vividly introduce it to visitors with state-of-the-art tools.

We need consistent and approved policies on culture to make the task work effectively. We also need proper investment to maintain and promote the vitality of our traditional treasured culture.

Thank you so much for your sharing!
>>> Russian press highlights Party chiefs visit to Russia

Parlamentskaya Gazeta, a weekly edition of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, emphasised that the talks between the Vietnamese Party chief and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in an atmosphere of traditional friendship and mutual understanding. The visit has created a new impulse for the development of Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership, it said.

* DumaTV, the television channel of the State Duma of Russia, quoted the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Gennady Zyuganov, as saying that the leaders of the Russian Communist Party are very proud of the time-honoured friendship with Vietnam. Zyuganov affirmed that the Russian Communist Party will facilitate the successful implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries. The two sides will organise the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam next year, and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation has been actively preparing for such an important friendly event, he stated.

* Rossiskaya Gazeta, a daily publication of the Government of Russia, cited Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, Vyacheslav Volodin, as saying that Vietnam is a close country that has always shown its friendliness and respect towards Russia during the development process of the two countries relations. Volodin highly appreciated the connection between the two sides, affirming that he would create favourable conditions for bilateral ties to thrive unceasingly.

* The Sankt-Peterburg television channel in Saint Petersburg covered the fruitful results of the meeting between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. It said that the two leaders discussed measures intended to continuously develop multifaceted cooperation and tighten the friendship between Vietnam and Russia, in addition to the regional and global issues of the two countries shared interests. The meeting concluded with the issuance of a joint statement from the two sides, which mentioned the cooperation between their companies and organisations.

* The miR-24 television channel analysed the areas in which Vietnam and Russia would accelerate cooperation, with an emphasis on the fields of energy, finance, currency, and regional and world security. Vietnam and Russia express their wish to continue bilateral and multilateral cooperation aiming to combat the increasing risks of using information technology and communication for criminal and terrorist purposes, it said.

* In an article published on the website of FederalPress, an expert from the Russian Academy of Sciences stated that there exist not only friendly relations but also strong business ties between Russia and Vietnam. Vietnam is a long-standing traditional trade partner of Russia, he said, stating that Russia is willing to import Vietnams key products for domestic economic development.
>>> Hungarian PM wishes to enhance multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam

>>> Party chief meets Deputy Speaker of Hungarian National Assembly

>>> Vietnam, Hungary agree to lift relations to comprehensive partnership

The Hungarian President made the statement during his meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in Budapest on September 10.

President Ader affirmed Vietnamese Party General Secretary Trongs visit is an important event, opening up a new stage in bilateral relations in all areas.

He expressed his pleasure with achievements in bilateral relations, especially Hungary's preferential credit for, and water and environment projects in Vietnam.

He underlined the importance of protecting water resources and the water environment, suggesting enhanced cooperation in training, including those working in the water sector.

The President said Hungary is willing to provide Vietnam with water retention technology for drought days, while wishing Vietnam to create favourable conditions for the development of Hungarian pharmaceuticals in the Vietnamese market.

General Secretary Trong highly valued the positive development of the relations between the two countries in recent times, stressing that Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening and developing friendship and cooperation with traditional friends in Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary  a leading important partner.

He informed President Ader of the important results of his talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and main orientations for promoting traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary.

The two leaders were pleased with the two countries' decision to upgrade their relations to the level of "comprehensive partnership", saying that it marks a historic milestone, creating a new framework to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation.

They agreed to work together to effectively implement measures to promote cooperation in politics - diplomacy, security - defense, economy - trade, education - training, health, environment, culture, sports, and tourism.

Stressing the importance of economic cooperation in bilateral relations, General Secretary Trong briefed President Ader on Hungarys projects in Vietnam, including water projects. They agreed to direct the implementation of the agreements signed by the two governments, particularly those of socio-economic importance.

The General Secretary welcomed the Hungarian Presidents proposals on personnel training, as well as cooperation in agriculture and medicines.

Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong invited Hungarian President Janos Ader to visit Vietnam at his convenience. President Ader accepted the invitation with pleasure.
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The world is changing rapidly, driven by the shifts in globalisation and the tremendous leaps of science, technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Against such backdrops, the ASEAN countries are making every effort to overcome challenges and harness opportunities for development in order to realize the 2025 ASEAN Community Vision, for the establishment of a strong ASEAN Community that shall further uphold its central role in regional mechanisms.

As the host country for the 2018 World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN Summit (2018 WEF-ASEAN), it is Vietnam's crucial responsibility to work together with WEF and ASEAN members to discuss issues pertinent to their national development in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Such discourse shall help realise the 2025 ASEAN Vision, in the interest and for the development of the entire region at large and each country individually, thus contributing to the common prosperity of the region and the world.

Along with other major multilateral forums and conferences held in Vietnam in the 2016-2020 period, the hosting of the present 2018 WEF-ASEAN is yet another step towards realising the foreign policy orientation set by the 12th Congress of the Party, the Resolution of the Party Central Committee and the Directive of the Secretariat on uplifting multilateral diplomacy to a new height: to improve the quality and effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy, actively contribute to the building and shaping of multilateral institutions.



To join hands in building the ASEAN Community

ASEAN is faced with enormous opportunities for economic development and integration thanks to ever more extensive and intensive globalisation and the rapid spread of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly digital technology, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and Big Data. Against this backdrop, Vietnam has actively worked with WEF and ASEAN countries in identifying the theme for the 2018 WEF-ASEAN: ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This theme is not only in line with the development trend of the world, but is also integral to and complements the ASEAN theme for 2018: towards a resilient and innovative ASEAN Community, satisfying the common interest and benefits of countries in ASEAN and the region at large.

In the spirit of constructiveness and mutually-beneficial cooperation, we shall  along with countries in ASEAN and the region, the Forum's and the world's leading multinational corporations, and Vietnamese enterprises  discuss and suggest ideas, visions and orientations for the development and integration of ASEAN countries in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Namely:

First, to seek and create new dynamism associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to foster more sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth by promoting reforms, stimulating the potential for innovation within businesses and the people, and developing such high-quality human resource and other prerequisites that is adaptive to the new technological environment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and meet the needs of development and ever broader and deeper integration.

Second, to advance integration and connectivity within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and the region and the world, through promoting digital connectivity, digital commerce, financial technology (fintech), value chain connectivity, quality and cohesive infrastructure, high-tech agriculture and a variety of other areas, so as to maintain the dynamic growth of ASEAN economies.

Third, to reinforce ASEAN centrality within the region, enhance resilience and adaptability in the face of global and regional volatility, promote innovation and raise the effectiveness of cooperation, thereby bringing about more practical benefits to people and businesses.

The 2018 WEF-ASEAN is not only an expression of Vietnam's responsible role and contribution to ASEAN, but also an affirmation of Vietnam's strategic vision in foreign policy and development. It is a strategic vision by the Party and State, to build an action-oriented, development-enabling government of integrity in service of the people and businesses, to place the people and businesses at the center of development, and to vigorously encourage entrepreneurship, creativity and the dynamism of the people and businesses.



To further strengthen and raise the status of the nation

The 2018 WEF-ASEAN in Vietnam has been able to gather a large number of high-level leaders of ASEAN countries and its partners, as well as some 1,000 representatives from multinational corporations and ASEAN and global businesses, and around 800 Vietnamese companies. This is a solid testimony to the ever-growing role, credibility and status that Vietnam enjoys within ASEAN, the region and the world, building upon the successes of the 2017 APEC Year and the 6th Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit (GMS-6) in March this year. It is also proof of Vietnam's attractiveness and the trust that the global business community and international investors vest in the development prospects of Vietnam. It is also a manifestation of Vietnam's new status and power after 30 years of reform, exhibiting Vietnam's pro-activity and stature in international integration as well as in constructing and shaping the regional and global economy.

Under the leadership of the Founding Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab, WEF has been the cradle for many new and innovative development ideas of global strategic relevance. As a focal point that has garnered special attention throughout the region, the 2018 WEF-ASEAN is an opportunity for us to convey a message to the international business community about the policy and resolve of the Vietnamese Party and State of comprehensive national reforms and active international integration. We shall also broadcast an image of a peace-loving Vietnamese nation that enjoys political and social stability, a Vietnamese economy that is dynamic, open and rapidly growing, and a trustworthy, sincere and responsible partner for the region and the world.

The 2018 WEF-ASEAN shall also be a chance for us to deepen relations with a wide range of countries and partners, including neighboring countries and strategic and key partners. This is a channel to strengthen the network of open, multilateralised and diversified foreign relations, thus benefiting our national security and development interests, and promoting our national credibility and prestige in the international arena.

To bring about real benefits to businesses and people

Exploring the theme of ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution through 60 sessions, the Forum shall focus on the discourse and recommendation of ideas, orientations and policies to invigorate the potential, creativity and dynamism of businesses and people, towards building a people-centered, dynamic, strong and prosperous ASEAN Community. In particular, a wide range of practical topics shall be covered in great depth: innovation, startup, new business models, the development of the digital economy, digital know-how and literacy, training and addressing employment challenges, narrowing the development gap and sustainable poverty reduction.

Of the nearly 1,000 international businesses participating, many are among the top 500 corporations in the world, who possess vast financial, technological and managerial capacity. By seeing for themselves in Vietnam, the growth of our country, the determination and effort to build our enabling Government and improve the investment climate, the business atmosphere full of vitality here in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese people, who are friendly, hospitable, open, dynamic, creative and endowed with an unbreakable aspiration and will to rise, we shall encourage them to step up networking and cooperation with and investment into Vietnam through a diverse variety of plans and projects, that shall better harness the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Cooperation with these multinational corporations shall be an opportunity and driver for Vietnamese businesses, daring them to think big and do big to raise competitiveness, quality and efficiency, and aim for the open seas.

The 2018 WEF-ASEAN shall include a wide range of events, including the Open Forum on Innovative Startup, the Vietnam Business Summit, the Vietnam Cultural Soiree, national and provincial exhibitions, the latter organised by a number of provinces: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Quang Ninh to name a few. These events are an opportunity for our agencies, sectors, localities and businesses to promote exchange, cooperation and networking with major corporations and regional and international enterprises, with an aim to expanding markets and enhancing the quality of investment, technology and tourism attraction, and harnessing external resources for development.

Given the new status and power of the country after more than 30 years of reform, the support from friends and partners, as well as the joint efforts from all levels, sectors, the business community and people, the 2018 WEF-ASEAN Summit shall undoubtedly be a success. This shall bring about real benefits to all involved, in the interest of cooperation, development and prosperity in ASEAN, the region and the world.

The success of the 2018 WEF-ASEAN shall continue to breathe new life and create new drivers for international integration, thus contributing to the affirmation of Vietnam's role, status and active contributions in ASEAN and the region. It shall stir national pride and exhort the spirit of self-reliance and the aspiration to rise to the challenge, to build a socialist Vietnam whose people are well off, whose nation is mighty, who shall enjoy democracy, equality and modernity.
The statement noted that during his visit, the CPV leader had talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, met President Janos Ader, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hende Csaba, attended the conference of rectors of Vietnam and Hungarys universities, and visited Szentendre city.

At the talks, the CPV leader and PM Viktor Orban briefed each other of the political and socio-economic situation in each country and discussed regional and international issues of shared concern.

They expressed delighted at the strong growth of bilateral relations over the past 68 years, stressing the significance of maintaining the existing mechanism of political consultations, and welcomed the regular exchanges of delegations between the two sides.

They underscored that Vietnam and Hungary are key partners for each other in their respective regions, showing their hope to further bolster bilateral ties through the establishment of a comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

The leaders affirmed that economic and financial cooperation continues to be a priority in bilateral collaboration. They highlighted the need for closer coordination and effective implementation of preferential loans that Hungary provided Vietnam in 2017.

They agreed to share experience and strengthen cooperation in issues related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, agriculture, food industry, finance and tax, water resources management, science-technology, labour, and natural resources and environmental protection.

The two sides affirmed the important role of the Vietnam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation in creating new cooperation opportunities in fields, while agreeing to create favourable conditions for goods of the two sides to access each others market, including the promotion of the signing and ratification of the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EU.

The leaders expressed the shared interest in bolstering cooperation in health care following specific contents included in the memorandum of understanding between Hungarys Ministry of Innovation and Technology and Vietnams Ministry of Health.

They also welcomed the launching of the project to build a tumor hospital in Can Tho city using Hungarys preferential credit.

Both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between the two Defence Ministries.

They stressed the importance of collaboration between the two judicial offices, and welcomed the signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil matters between Vietnam and Hungary.

Party chief Trong thanked the Hungarian Government for the recently increased number of scholarships offered to Vietnamese students. The two sides acknowledged the importance of cooperation in language education, and lauded the signing of a 2019-2021 educational cooperation programme between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities.

They agreed to intensify cultural, sport and tourism exchanges to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples towards celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2020.

The leaders praised strong development in relationship between the two peoples, including partnership between entrepreneurs, encouraging the implementation of cooperative agreements between the two countries localities.

They emphasised the necessity of stepping up consultations and effective collaboration at multilateral forums and organisations, especially the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum which includes Mekong-Danube Cooperation.

Both affirmed the central role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security and promoting sustainable development and prosperity, while stressing the principle of addressing disputes by peaceful means, without using or threatening to use violence and on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

The Vietnamese Party chief thanked the Hungarian Government for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study, work and do business in Hungary. PM Orban, in turn, appreciated the communitys contributions to boosting the two countries friendship.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of Party leader Trongs official visit to Hungary, considering it an important political event in the history of the bilateral relations which creates a new driving force for the ties in all fields.

General Secretary Trong showed his gratitude for the Hungarian sides warm welcome and invited the Hungarian PM to visit Vietnam. The latter accepted the invitation.
Hosting a reception for Chairman Botz Laszlo and members of the association in Budapest on September 10 as part of his official visit to Hungary, the Party chief underlined that both nations have long-lasting relations which have been increasingly fortified over the years, and they are celebrating 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

A line-up of activities has been carried out to boost all-round cooperation, he said, adding that Hungary has backed Vietnam during its national development, especially in education and training.

The Vietnamese Party leader said that during talks and meetings, Hungarian leaders expressed their wish to foster sound friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, and agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership.

He took the occasion to thank the friendship association for its efforts in promoting the friendship and collaboration between the two nations.

Being upbeat about the prospects of the Vietnam-Hungary relations, Party General Secretary Trong voiced his hope that the association will continue effective and practical activities to further develop the bilateral ties.

We are always good friends and comrades of each other. Chairman of the association is always a close friend of Vietnam, he stressed.

Botz Laszlo, for his part, briefed the Vietnamese leader on the associations development, saying it has paid due attention to supporting and connecting small and medium enterprises of Hungary with Vietnamese partners, along with accelerating friendship and cooperation between localities of both sides.

The Hungary-Vietnam Friendship Association has good relations with the Vietnamese community in Hungary and the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Associations chapters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The WEF was founded in 1971 under the idea of founder and chairman Klaus Schwab. Over the past 47 years, the WEF has affirmed its position as one of the most prestigious forums in the world, discussing economic and development issues as well as major trends affecting countries, regions and the globe. The WEF attracts the attention and participation of the business circle and international State leaders, organisations, social activists, and others. The WEF's most important forum is the annual forum held in late January, in Davos, Switzerland. Regional WEF conferences such as the WEF ASEAN and WEF Tianjin in China are also highly regarded.

Vietnam, a vibrant and dynamic economy in Southeast Asia, is an important partner of the WEF in ASEAN. As a bridge for Vietnam to promote its economic relations with developed countries in the context of trade embargoes, the WEF has so far become an important forum for dialogue between the Vietnamese Government and the world's leading corporations, helping to open up investment and development opportunities.

The WEF is looking forward to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, a country playing an active role in the economic development of ASEAN. The cooperation agreement between Vietnam and the WEF on "Developing self-reliant Vietnamese economy" is being actively implemented by the two sides.

Since the establishment of the partnership in 1989, Vietnam has always responsibly and effectively participated in WEF initiatives, including "New Vision for Agriculture", "Asian Growth", and "The Green Growth Action Alliance" in order to convey the message of a country actively contributing to addressing global problems and promoting deeper international integration.

President of the WEF, Borge Brende, has also paid a number of visits to and held working sessions in Vietnam. Vietnamese senior leaders also regularly attend the WEF in Davos and the WEF on East Asia (the predecessor of WEF ASEAN). At these forums, the Vietnamese delegation always conveyed the message about the prospects of the Vietnamese economy, Vietnamese determination for comprehensive reform of the country and Vietnam's active integration into the world.

The WEF ASEAN 2018 takes place in Hanoi from September 11  13 and will be an important forum for leaders of Governments and large enterprises of ASEAN countries to discuss and share their visions, ideas and policy orientations on significant issues of the region.

The theme of this year's forum is said to be substantive, meeting the common interests of ASEAN countries and their partners which is also associated with the ASEAN theme in 2018 of Resilient and Innovative ASEAN.

The forum will have about 60 sessions, focusing on critical issues related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as identifying new visions for ASEAN in regional integration; developing smart infrastructure, start-ups, and innovations in the context of the Industry 4.0; and others, thereby utilising the potential and nerve of ASEAN in the new era.

Vietnam's hosting of the WEF ASEAN 2018 not only creates opportunities for Vietnam to promote its images to the region and the world, but also affirms the Party and State policy of active international integration while showing Vietnam's proactive and responsible contributions to common issues in the region. The forum is also an opportunity to boost cooperation between Vietnamese enterprises and leading corporations in the world while deepening the relationship between Vietnam and the WEF. Through the WEF ASEAN 2018, Vietnam will continue to create a good impression on international friends about a peaceful, stable and dynamic country.

Given the ever increasing status and power of the country and the trust of international friends, the WEF ASEAN 2018 hosted by Vietnam shall be a success, contributing to raising the status of Vietnam in the international arena and demonstrating Vietnam's determination to contribute to building a peaceful, stable, sustainable and deeply international integrated ASEAN in the Industry 4.0 era.
At the reception, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed Regional Vice President Kwakwa to the WEF ASEAN, saying that the WBs participation would significantly contribute to the success of the event.

The PM emphasised that Vietnam appreciates WB support for Vietnam, not only through the provision of long-term loans but also in its policy advice to help the government improve macroeconomic management. The Government of Vietnam supports the WBs policy to increase capital to support long-term financial resources for its members, he noted.

PM Phuc expressed his gratitude to the WB and to Kwakwa personally for calling assistance for Vietnam and urged the WB to continue its assistance to Vietnam in energy and transport development, and to help Vietnam build a roadmap for increasing the private sectors investment in these areas, thus reducing the leadership role of the Government.

The Government leader also proposed that the WB continue its non-refundable aid for Vietnam in institutional reform, legal framework improvement and economic restructuring.

For her part, Kwakwa congratulated Vietnam on its recent socio-economic achievements, and said that Vietnams macro indicators have achieved positive results, such as growth, exports, foreign direct investment attraction and foreign exchange reserves.

Vietnams external position in the region and the world has been improved, she said, adding that Vietnam is likely to reach a growth rate of 6.8% in 2018, expressing her belief that Vietnams economic development will be stronger in the time to come. She also recommended that the Vietnamese Government roll out clear policies to help improve investor confidence and promote the stability of the countrys macro-economy.
The affirmation was made when the Party leader attended and delivered a speech at the opening of the second Vietnam  Hungary rectors conference in Budapest..

Describing the conference as an important and very practical cooperation mechanism among universities of the two countries, Party leader Trong also spoke highly of the collaboration between the two countries relevant ministries in organizing the event with an aim of further developing relations between the universities, helping implement cooperation documents signed between the two sides.

Speaking at the event, Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Mihaly Varga expressed admiration at Vietnams achievements in various fields, especially education and training, stressing that Vietnam is an important gateway for Hungary to advance to Southeast Asia. Hungary is enjoying high development prospects to become a motive of economic growth of Europe, and this will create good chances for Vietnamese firms, the official added.

At the conference, participants focused their discussion on the prospects of bilateral cooperation in training and scientific research, with the core contents being strengthening joint education programmes between the universities of the two countries, boosting the exchange of students and lecturers, and forming joint research groups, among others.

Vietnam  Hungary cooperation in education and training is a prominent point in the bilateral relations. Over the past nearly 70 years, Hungary has helped trained over 3,000 Vietnamese students, many of them have held and are holding important positions in the State management apparatus, science, culture, art and business in Vietnam.

Recently, the number of annual scholarships granted by the Hungarian government to Vietnamese cities has seen a sharp increase, to 200 now from only five in 2012 and 100 in 2016. Currently there are nearly 500 Vietnamese students studying in Hungary while a large number of Hungarian students are studying in Vietnam.

The first conference of the rectors was held in Hanoi in November 2014 with the participation of representatives from 50 Vietnamese and 15 Hungarian universities, on the occasion of the Vietnam visit by President Janos Ader.

The conference this time was held on the occasion of the official Hungary visit by Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, drawing the participation of representatives of over 30 Vietnamese and 20 Hungarian universities.

The signing of up to 15 agreement documents at this years conference is described as evidence of attention from universities to the utilization of cooperation potential and chances in the field of education and training between the two countries.
The Vietnamese President welcomed the first Vietnam visit by Widodo and expressed belief that the visit will make important contributions to further promoting the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Discussing bilateral ties, the two Presidents stressed the need to further deepen the bilateral strategic partnership in a more practical and effective way for the benefit of the two countries people, and for peace, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world, in the context of deep changes in the Asia-Pacific region in general and ASEAN in particular.

Both sides agreed to increase all-level visits via the State, government, National Assembly channels and people-to-people exchange; make effective use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and share views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

They spoke highly of the signing of an action programme on realising the bilateral strategic partnership for the 2019-2023 period, towards celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership by 2023.

The Indonesian President took note of Vietnams proposal on removing regulations on the rate of local content in Vietnams key export items such as mobile phones, television, agro-forestry-fisheries, steel, construction material and, electrical equipment, making it easier for those products to enter the Indonesian market.

The two sides spoke highly of the outcomes of national defence-security collaboration over the past years, especially the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation between defence officials and related activities signed in 2010 and the Declaration on Joint Vision on Defence Cooperation for the 2017-2022 period. They agreed to enhance cooperation between their navies and air forces, and partnership in defence industry and crime prevention.

Host and guest consented to assign the technical task force meeting to accelerate negotiations on demarcation of the two countries exclusive economic zones in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

They affirmed that the issue of arrested fishermen and fishing vessels should be handled in a humanitarian spirit and in accordance with the two countries friendship and international law.

On the occasion, they welcomed joint work to address illegal fishing, including the signing of a joint communique on voluntarily joining international cooperation in preventing illegal, unreported and undocumented fishing, and agreed to make efforts to soon reach a Code of Conduct at sea and sign a memorandum of understanding on marine and fishing cooperation.

The two leaders discussed measures to intensify links in the fields of energy, agriculture, culture, tourism, and in marine-based economy, marine sciences and environment, as well as build a consultation mechanism on marine issues.

They committed to effectively carry out the agreement in farm produce and consider establishing joint ventures in aquaculture, wood processing and wooden furniture export, expanding tourism cooperation, especially sea and island tourism and soon launching the Hanoi  Jakarta direct flights.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, the two Presidents said both sides need to maintain consultation on issues regarding regional security and strategy, coordinate to build a united ASEAN, successfully realise the ASEAN Vision 2025, and enhance ASEANs central role in the regional architecture and in dealing with strategic issues in the region.

The two sides pledged to work closely together at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC and ASEM.

The two sides affirmed their consistent stances on the East Sea issue, including supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS; refraining from the use of force or threat to use force; fully respecting diplomatic and legal processes. They highlighted the importance of non-militarisation, refraining from activities that could cause or escalate tension, abiding by principles of international law and widely-recognised standards.

The two leaders reaffirmed their support of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and acceleration of negotiations on a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe said despite positive progress, bilateral cooperation across the fields has yet to match the two countries potential. They reached a consensus that the second meeting of the joint trade sub-committee should be held as early as possible in Vietnam to seek ways to bolster trade.

The two government leaders also shared the view that the joint committee should hold the fourth meeting in 2019 and the two countries should sign a MoU on fishery cooperation for the next three years.

They agreed to facilitate the expansion of partnership in fields of potential for cooperation such as education-training, telecommunications, information and digital technology, oil and gas, aviation, maritime, processing of agricultural and aquatic products, cultural and art exchange, Buddhism, sports, and youth exchange.

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is in Vietnam to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018, praised the accomplishments that Vietnam has made in socio-economic development in the past years and the countrys increasing role in the region and the world, saying that Vietnam is a model of socio-economic development for other countries.

He expressed the wish to set up ties between the ruling party in Sri Lanka and the Communist Party of Vietnam, while affirming the intention to continue working closely with Vietnam at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations and the Non-aligned Movement.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed that the two countries should pay attention to aviation connection, which he said is the most effective way to develop trade and tourism.

He asked Sri Lanka to play an active role in ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and advocating the adherence to international law and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means.
The 11th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour will be held on 29-30 October 2018 in Singapore. It will be hosted by the Government of Singapore, as the current chair of ASEAN, and the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW).

In line with Singapores 2018 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of Resilience and Innovation, the 11th AFML will focus on Digitalisation to Promote Decent Work for Migrant Workers in ASEAN.

According to the delegates at the meeting, digital technology continues to expand and integrate into the world in new and innovative ways. It can also play a significant role in advancing decent work and the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers. Used properly, technology can enhance migrant workers agencies to make more informed decisions and better understand their rights.

While technology can provide many advantages, there are also risks and limitations. Digital technology brings challenges in terms of confidentiality, privacy, and data protection.

Leveraging digitalisation to protect the rights of migrant workers and promote decent work requires an improved understanding of digital technology, as well as an improved understanding of the rapidly changing world of work and the future of work.

With seven working sessions, the delegates focused on reviewing national activities in the implementation of recommendations by the previous AFML, as well as discussing the topic and proposing recommendations to be made by Vietnam at the upcoming forum.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration announced the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s office in Washington on Monday and threatened sanctions against the International Criminal Court if it pursues investigations against the United States, Israel, or other allies.

Despite Palestinian objection, the U.S. State Department unveiled the decision to the Palestinian diplomatic mission in a statement released Monday noon, citing the lack of "steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel."

The decision was also linked with U.S. concerns with Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to the statement.

Shortly after the State Department announcement, John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, followed up in his speech at a conservative think tank in Washington.

"The Trump administration will not keep the office open when the Palestinians refuses to take steps to start direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel," he said.

Bolton also threatened to impose sanctions against judges and prosecutors of the ICC if it pursues investigation against the United States, Israel or other U.S. allies.

In his harshly-worded remarks, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations called the Hague-based international body "ineffective, unaccountable" and "outright dangerous," threatening to block the ICC personnel from entering the United States and even prosecute them if it charges U.S. military members serving in Afghanistan over war crimes.

"We will do the same for any company or state that assists an ICC investigation of Americans," Bolton added.

In his speech, which has been earmarked as his first major public address after taking the post, Bolton also reaffirmed the U.S. full support for Israel, a stance which has been widely seen as seriously undermining Washington's credibility as a mediator for the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace talk.

Senior Palestinian officials, who have been informed earlier by the Trump administration about the decision to the office, have strongly condemned the U.S. latest move, calling it "reckless" and "bullying."

"We don't think this is just about bullying ... we believe this is about the implementing of Israel's grocery list," said Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian representative to Washington, in an interview.

Zomlot also described ties between the United States and the Palestinians at a "historical low."

U.S. media reported on Saturday that the Trump administration "will be redirecting approximately 25 million U.S. dollars originally planned for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network. Those funds will go to high-priority projects elsewhere."

In response, the Palestinian side denounced the move as "an act of political blackmail," saying it would cause "serious instability and grave harm" to thousands of patients and their families across the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The upcoming U.S. decision will be the latest in a trove of U.S. funding cuts against the Palestinians.

In August, the U.S. State Department announced a decision to "redirect" economic aid to the Palestinians that are worthy of more than 200 million dollars.

Later, it announced it would not provide assistance funding any more for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Palestinian officials have said that the U.S. move comes in line with Trump's attempt to ignore the final issues of the Palestinian-Israel peace process and remove the issues of Jerusalem and refugees "off the table."

The United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December last year, sparking global outcry.
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Florence spins up into Category 4 hurricane as southeastern U.S. states prepare for impact

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Florence, which is approaching the southeastern coast of the United States, has become a Category 4 hurricane, the second-strongest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Monday.

The center of Florence was located about 1,950 kilometers east-southeast of Cape Fear, state of North Carolina, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 km per hour (kph), moving west at 20 kph, according to an update published by the weather forecaster.

The NHC said in an earlier advisory that the center of the system will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday before approaching the coast of South Caroline or North Caroline on Thursday, bring heavy rain that could cause severe flooding through the region.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a press conference Monday that the state is in the "bull's eye" of the rapidly intensifying storm.

"This storm is strong and it's getting stronger," said Cooper. The state has issued mandatory evacuations.

According to local reports, officials ordered residents and visitors to begin evacuating the Outer Banks, a 320-kilometer-long string of barrier islands and spits off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.

Cooper, who already declared a state of emergency, said he asked President Donald Trump for a federal disaster declaration so that resources will be ready when the storm arrives.

States of South Carolina and Virginia are also preparing for the impact of Florence.

South Carolina emergency management officials said they were "preparing for the possibility of a large-scale disaster." About 750 National Guard members were expected on duty in the state.

About 1 million people have been ordered to flee the South Carolina coast beginning Tuesday.

The U.S. Navy is sending about 30 of its Virginia-based ships out to sea as Florence barrels toward the Atlantic Coast.

A Navy spokeswoman said the ships will disembark Monday from naval bases and will head to portions of the Atlantic to avoid damage.

The United States was hit by a series of catastrophic hurricanes last year, including Hurricane Maria, which killed some 3,000 people in Puerto Rico, and Hurricane Harvey, which killed about 68 people and caused an estimated damage of 1.25 billion U.S. dollars.

A Trump campaign official announced Monday that the president, whose administration faced severe criticism for a slow response in Puerto Rico to Maria, has canceled a rally originally planned for Friday in Jackson, state of Mississippi, because of safety concerns due to the approach of Florence.

Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential in causing a significant loss of life and damage.

Florence, the first major hurricane of the Atlantic season, was once a Category 4 hurricane last week, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kph, before weakening gradually to a tropical storm, which regained hurricane strength Sunday morning.

Officials said the largest threat to life from hurricanes is not the high winds, noting that flooding is the deadliest result of these storms.

Florence is one of three hurricanes churning in the Atlantic Ocean, along with Helene and Isaac.

While Category 2 Helene is forecast to slide out to sea away from land, Category 1 Isaac is a threat the Caribbean later this week, according to the NHC.

Dangerous storms are also threatening parts of the United States in the Pacific Ocean.

Most of the state of Hawaii was under either a tropical storm warning or watch on Monday morning, as Hurricane Olivia is approaching it with maximum sustained winds of 136 kph.

Olivia could weaken into a strong tropical storm within 48 hours, according to forecasters.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Monday that it has received a letter from Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), about requesting another meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Describing the letter as "warm" and "positive," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters in a briefing Monday afternoon that the primary purpose of the letter was to look to schedule a second meeting between the two leaders.

The White House was "open to" the meeting and is already "in the process of coordinating that," Sanders added.

The U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said earlier in the day that the possibility of another meeting between the leaders of Washington and Pyongyang "obviously exists."

At the conclusion of the historic Trump-Kim summit in June in Singapore, the two sides issued a joint statement, in which they agreed to improve bilateral relations and work together to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the peninsula.

However, the current DPRK-U.S. talks have been stuck in an impasse due to their differences in the scale of denuclearization, U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration.

Kim told South Korea's envoy on Wednesday that he firmly supports and will be devoted to completely removing the danger of armed conflicts and the horrors of war from the Korean Peninsula and turning it into a cradle of peace without nuclear weapons and free from any nuclear threat.
Russias largest military drills in over three decades, also attended by the Chinese military forces, kicked off at the Tsugol training range in Russias Trans-Baikal region on Tuesday.

Codenamed Vostok-2018, the drills are said to be the largest military exercises since the Zapad-1981, which was held in 1981 by the Soviet Union and involved about 100,000 to 150,000 troops.

About 3,200 troops, along with over 1,000 pieces of weaponry and 30 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters from the People's Liberation Army (PLA)s Northern Theater Command, are scheduled to conduct combat training together with the Russian troops from Tuesday to Thursday.

All Chinese troops participating in the drills were moved to the region by railway and highway before the end of August and immediately started prepairing in the field.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier that the drills involve nearly 300,000 Russian troops, about 36,000 military vehicles, more than 1,000 aircraft and around 80 ships.

Shoigu said the drills will be unprecedented in terms of geographic scope and the strength of command and control centers and forces due to participate.

In the strategic drills, the PLA and Russian armed forces have formed a joint operational commanding system, under which military forces from the two countries will hold joint exercises including mechanized defensefire strike and counter-attack training.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 105 inmates escaped from a maximum-security prison in northeast Brazil on Monday after assailants blasted their way through the front gates, officials reported.

According to the regional Secretary of Social Defense (SEDS), some 20 armed assailants arrived at the Romeu Goncalves Abrantes Prison in Joao Pessoa, capital of Paraiba state, aboard four vehicles, and began shooting at the guard towers.

While breaking down the five-meter-high gates with explosives, another contingent blocked the access road to the prison, the SEDS said.

Police suspect the operation aimed to rescue four inmates who were arrested last month, and who specialize in assaults against vehicles, safes and ATMs.

One police officer was shot in the head, sustaining serious injury, the SEDS said.

At least 33 of the escapees were later captured, but the rest remain at large, prompting local authorities to cancel classes at nearby schools and universities, as well as health clinics "to guarantee the security of the healthworkers and patients."

The 660-capacity prison currently houses 680 inmates.
(Photo by Jiang Jie/People's Daily Online)

Its time to test Chinas flourishing drone manufacturers and their promotion lines. How reliable are they? Can they really stand strong wind and avoid obstacles?

The fierce market competition among Chinese drone makers has turned into a war of sorts, as more and more Chinese police start to adopt the technology.

Police-use drones have witnessed huge growth in recent years. In 2015, the number of police-use drones was a mere 500, whereas the number exceeded 5,000 two years later, announced Sun Yongsheng, director of China Low-Altitude Security Research Center, at a forum during the 8th China UAS Conference & Exhibition in Beijing on Friday.

The number may appear small when compared to the 3 million drones sold in China, where hundreds of companies are churning out the flying machines and some 50,000 people are licensed to operate them.

Jin Wei, deputy secretary general of China UAS Industry Innovation Alliance, also revealed at the forum that Chinas drone industry has reached an output value of 23 billion yuan in 2017 and achieved a growth rate of 67%.

This rapid growth provides a sound foundation for police-use drones that can make full use of the nations advantage in those hovering cameras, Sun noted.

For example, Chinese drone maker Zerotech, a supplier of police-use drones, presented at the forum its hybrid drones with both fixed wings and multiple rotors, which are faster and more reliable and can fly longer. The hybrid design also guarantees that the drones will not crash in case of power loss, because the fixed-wing design allows them to safely glide.

The most appropriate height for police-use drones is between 120-300 meters, which makes pure rotor drones inadequate. Given their stealthy way of action up in the air, they could replace police in key patrol areas or for reconnaissance missions in dangerous situations. They could also help with lengthy stakeouts or tracking, Yang Jianjun, founder and CEO of Chinese drone maker Zerotech, introduced.

With zoom cameras, drones for stakeouts or tracking could also be used to capture the appearance of the target while reducing the risk of compromising the police presence.

Currently, China Low-Altitude Security Research Center has inked a cooperation agreement with the publishing house of Peoples Public Security University of China on applied drone courses. It is also coopering with the Ministry of Public Security in offering drone flying training programs, according to Sun.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration on Monday announced its decision to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s office in Washington, a move to further press the Palestinians into peace talks with Israel while invoking strong objections.

The U.S. State Department unveiled the decision in a statement released Monday, citing the Palestinians' lack of "steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel."

"PLO leadership has condemned a U.S. peace plan they have not yet seen and refused to engage with the U.S. government with respect to peace efforts and otherwise," said U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert in the statement.

The Palestinian officials denounced the U.S. decision as "reckless" and "bullying."

"We don't think this is just about bullying ... we believe this is about the implementing of Israel's grocery list," said Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian representative to Washington, told reporters on Monday. Senior Palestinian officials have been informed earlier by the Trump administration about the closure of the mission.

Zomlot also described ties between the United States and the Palestinians as at a "historical low."

Meanwhile, the Trump administration still voiced optimism about the long stalled Middle East peace process. "We are very much committed to the process, and we're still hopeful we can get there," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in a daily briefing Monday.

The U.S. government gives a waiver to the Palestinian mission in Washington every six months to keep it function normally.

Heather also noted in the statement that the decision was linked with U.S. concerns with Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation into Israel by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Palestinians have requested the ICC to investigate Israel on various issues including disputed settlement buildings in the occupied West Bank, the civilian casualties in the 2014 Gaza war and others.

Despite having opened a preliminary probe in 2015, the court has yet to move to the next stage.

The Palestinian officials have pledged to push forward their efforts at the ICC unwaveringly.

Shortly after the State Department announcement, John Bolton, the U.S. national security advisor, followed up in his speech at a think tank in Washington.

"The Trump administration will not keep the office open when the Palestinians refuses to take steps to start direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel," he said.

Bolton also threatened to impose sanctions against judges and prosecutors of the ICC if it pursues investigation against the United States, Israel or other U.S. allies.

Bolton said the Trump administration will "fight back" if the ICC proceeds with opening an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. military members and intelligence personnel in Afghanistan.

"The ICC prosecutor has requested to investigate these Americans for alleged detainee abuse, and perhaps more," said Bolton, describing it as an "utterly unfounded, unjustifiable investigation."

"We will not cooperate with the ICC. We will provide no assistance to the ICC. We will not join the ICC. We will let the ICC die on its own," said Bolton in his harshly-worded remarks.

The ICC's aim is to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

"Their (the ICC) announcement that they would consider opening an investigation into -- among other parties -- U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan is a threat to American sovereignty," said Sanders.

"If they proceed with that, then the United States would consider those options that Ambassador Bolton laid out today," the White House spokeswoman added.

"What Trump is doing is nothing really different than Bush," Ford O'Connell, a Republican and news commentator who frequently shows up on TV, told Xinhua.

The United States did not ratify the Rome treaty that established the ICC in 2002, as then U.S. president George W. Bush voiced objection to the court.

"Overusing tools like sanctions runs the risk of other nations finding and bolstering alternative financial arrangements that would then reduce the leverage that the United States has as the global financial leader," Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua.
A high-tech robot delivers food in an office building in Shanghai. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

A high-tech robot that can pass through the office's access control system, take the lift, and avoid obstacles recently took on the role of delivery man in an office building in Shanghai, becoming a hit among white-collar workers, Chinanews.com reported.

The waist-high, cabinet-style intelligent robot has a screen on top. Delivery personnel can use a smartphone to scan the QR code on the screen, input relevant consignee information such as floor number and phone number, and then place the items into the storage unit. The robot takes care of the rest.

A man scans the QR code to input floor number and phone number of the consignee. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

The robot moves at a designated, safe speed, can pass through the access control system, and avoids obstacles automatically. Its high-tech sensors allow it to move forward after confirming that there is nothing in its way. It can also say Hello, the robot is entering the lift, please keep away, thank you!

After arriving at its designated floor, the robot will automatically call and send a real-time text message to the phone number in the order, and then wait for the consignee at the pre-set location.

It used to take me time to go downstairs to pick up my take-out food, but now I can wait for my lunch in the office. It saves me a lot of time, said a worker in Shanghais Hongkou District, adding that the robot was a great idea.

The robot heads towards the lift. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

The robot was also applauded by delivery drivers, who used to have to wait up to 10 minutes for consignees to pick up their food, but now they can just hand it over to the robot.

The robot has been in the office building for trial operation for over a month, and can handle an average of more than 20 lunch orders every day.
In a written statement on September 7, Heather Nauert, a spokesperson for the US Department of State, announced that the State Department has called back the US ambassadors to the Dominican Republic and to El Salvador and the US Charge d'Affaires in Panama "for consultations related to recent decisions to no longer recognize Taiwan."

Nauert added that the diplomats would meet with leaders in Washington "to discuss ways in which the United States can support strong, independent, democratic institutions and economies throughout Central America and the Caribbean."

At a regular press conference on Monday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the issue by saying that the one-China principle is a universal consensus in the international community.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang pointed out that, on the basis of this principle, China has established diplomatic relations with countries, adding that it conforms to international law and the norms governing international relations and serves the interests of the Chinese people and the countries concerned.

Geng also pointed out that it is the general trend. "The choice of a sovereign country to develop diplomatic relations is its sovereign right and should be respected. Other countries have no right to make irresponsible remarks," Geng said.

Without mentioning the United States by name, he said to not forget the fact that the United States established diplomatic ties with the government of the People's Republic of China decades ago on the basis of acknowledging the one-China principle, adding that it needs to properly handle Taiwan-related issues and stop being irresponsible.

The 1979 US-PRC Joint Communique switched US diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. In the Joint Communiquewhich serves as the foundation of US-China relations, the government of the United States recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as "the sole legal government of China," acknowledging that "there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China."

Nearly the whole world recognizes this fact, and the few countries that do not are quickly changing course. There is simply no excuse to throw a temper tantrum over a sovereign country's decision to correct its diplomatic relations with China. As hinted at above, the US should accept the general trend, and stop playing power politics.

The three countries, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador, established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on June 13, 2017, May 1, 2018, and August 21, 2018, respectively.
PYONGYANG, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un on Monday met China's top legislator Li Zhanshu again and hosted a special arts performance and a grand reception for Li and the Chinese delegation led by Li.

On the very important festive occasion when the DPRK is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding, the arrival of the Chinese delegation led by Li as special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping fully shows the profound feeling of China's party, government, and people towards him as well as the party, government and people of the DPRK, said Kim.

The DPRK will regard the visit as an important opportunity to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and contribute to the benefits of the peoples of the two countries as well as regional peace and prosperity, Kim said.

Li said that he, as special representative of President Xi, felt the grand hospitality and sincerity of the party and people of the DPRK immediately once he arrived in the country as well as the warmth of the China-DPRK friendship.

Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, met him and the Chinese delegation twice and held a special arts performance and a welcome reception, which show the sincere feelings of Kim himself as well as the party, government and people of the DPRK towards Xi as well as the party, government and people of China, Li said.

Promoted personally by Xi and Kim, the strong friendship between China and the DPRK has been revitalized and reached a new stage, Li said.

China is willing to join the DPRK in implementing the important consensus reached between the leaders of both countries and parties, learn more from each other where governance experiences are concerned and reinforce exchanges and cooperation in various fields, to jointly advance the socialist causes of the two countries, he said.

After the meeting, Li watched a special arts performance with Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju. The performance included classical Chinese and Korean folk songs and ended with the song "The Everlasting DPRK-China Friendship," showing the DPRK people's sincere will to continue the traditional friendship between the two sides.

Li, together with Kim and his wife, attended the welcome reception after the performance.

Choe Ryong Hae, vice chairman of the WPK Central Committee, gave welcome remarks at the reception.

The DPRK is willing to work together with China's comrades to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' top leaders during this year's three meetings and continue to promote the traditional friendship, he said.

When Li left Pyongyang after the visit, the DPRK's senior officials and thousands of people in traditional dress saw him off at the airport.

From Saturday to Monday, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, visited the DPRK as the special representative of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China's top legislator on Sunday presented a signed letter from Xi to Kim.
Hello? Is this the police station? I want to report a case of sexual assault.

This is the last thing any parent would want to see their children do but in the age of the internet. What is equally threatening is the online grooming that targets children, which has been brought under close monitoring by both authorities and social efforts in China.

file pic

In the internet era, children are consistently exposed to a virtual world that is full of unfiltered pornographic information. Chances are high that they would risk their privacy to online groomers who particularly target children. Moreover, accesses to the internet via various digital devices heighten the risk of exposing children to sexual assault circumstances, experts warned at a seminar on children protection in Beijing in May.

Online grooming is a grey area that is likely to be the hotbed for e vicious online predators that parents cannot easily identify. Their invisibility makes them even more dangerous.

The unscrupulous online groomers covet distraction, which means neither parents nor the society should ease online supervision, and we must not neglect the multiple accessible channels, said Sun Liying, director of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at The Childrens Hospital, Zhejiang University.

Online groomers in any form are a serious concern as online grooming is an evolving problem that lurks in the shadows of the virtual world and seemingly comes out of nowhere, according to experts at a seminar hosted by Girls Protecting Foundation, a Beijing-based NGO aiming to protect Chinese children from sexual assault.

Since the enactment of Chinas first Cybersecurity Law in 2017, awareness of protecting children, especially girls, from sexual assault has reached a high level thanks to social and organizational efforts to keep children safe.

Law is the bottom line to protect children from all kinds of criminal attacks. This law especially seeks to bring the subject of online grooming out of the shadows and protect children from violence, exploitation, and abuse, said Shi Weizhong, a deputy director of the juvenile affairs of the nations Supreme Peoples Procuratorate.

Mere self-regulation or government supervision is not enough, as demonstrated by the fact that no matter how we try to catch online groomers, their disappearance is only temporary and they will come back whenever possible, Shi said.

Sexual assaults are sometimes intentionally hidden by a childs guardians, to whom in China, saving face and reputation can trump a desire for justice, especially for older, more conservative care-givers in rural areas where migrant workers left-over children often get sexually assaulted by neighbors and acquaintances, according to Sun Xuemei, founder of Girls Protecting Foundation.

Unfortunately, calling the police is the last thing that some Chinese parents want to do when they find out that their children were sexually assaulted, especially in Chinese rural areas, said Sun.

China saw some 387 cases of children sexual assault in 2017, a slight decline compared to 2016 numbers. Still, there were more than 600 children reported sexually assaulted, but which also better took into account the number of boys, according to the statistics from Girls Protecting.

Online grooming and sexual assault will both leave inerasable shadows on a childs life. Children are vulnerable, but were not. All of society should shield childrens mental and physical health, as we choose to be their natural guardians in the first place, Sun noted.
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If anyone had suggested a connected watch, they would have been packed off to the gulag! Walter von Kanel, Longines combative CEO, who celebrates thirty years in post this year (he started in 1988) always conveys his messages in the same way: with a smile, an engaging turn of phrase, and a complete lack of ambiguity. On 9 September in Rome, in front of 200 guests, the Colonel (his rank in the Swiss Army) stuck to his guns: there is not and shall never be a Longines connected watch (at least not while he has anything to do with it). In private, he doesnt hesitate to name it Public enemy number one. Well, at least we know where he stands.

Morse code in lights

And yet, the new Conquest V.H.P. does indeed communicate with a smartphone. However, communications are transmitted without any form of waves: no Bluetooth, WiFi or radio. So whats the secret? Flashes of light. The principle is very simple: when the wearer arrives at their destination, they select their new time zone in the dedicated Longines app. Once the location is selected, the phone is placed next to the watch, and thats it. Between the former and the latter steps, what passes is a brief series of flashes lasting 50 milliseconds, which are captured by an optical cell hidden on the dial.

The app by Longines  Longines

Its more or less the same principle as Morse code: the phone sends its binary light beams to the watch, which translates them into a command to set itself to a specific time. The messages are received by a minuscule optical cell, which is barely visible inside the 1 of the number 12 at the top of the dial. And if you dont have a smartphone to hand, its entirely possible to set the second time zone just by using the crown.

Optical cell view  WorldTempus / Olivier Muller

Exclusive technology

In fact, the technology is not new. A few years ago, it would have been possible to see it in action on clocks in the Netherlands. Years back, ETA was inspired by it, developed it further, patented it... and then shelved it. The reason was that none of the Swatch Group brands showed any interest. Rado developed a functional prototype for Baselworld last year, but it was very low-key, and we havent seen it since. Walter von Kanel decided Longines wanted a piece of the action, but he requested some modifications.

Set of the second time zone  Longines

First, the technology had to be miniaturised: a watch is not the same as a clock! Also, the Longines CEO wanted the light sensor on the dial side (ETAs initial proposal was apparently to put it on the back). And finally, Longines demanded that it must not jeopardise the 2017 V.H.P.s autonomy of 5 years.

Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting  Longines

Behind the scenes, ETA admits that this was one of the main challenges. The power consumption of its Flash Setting movement had to be drastically optimised so that it, too, could boast a 5-year power reserve. Beyond that period, the information recorded by the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting (perpetual calendar, local time and home time) is retained in memory for a further six months, before the battery dies completely.

Perfect: the enemy of good?

The idea of flashing your watch is pretty unusual. But Longines has made the operation very simple. Everything happens on the crown. The app is simplicity itself. And whats more, one press on the crown swaps local time with home time, which is very useful once youre back home!

 WorldTempus / Olivier Muller

In terms of possible improvements, it would be nice if the app could remember a selection of favourite destinations  many travellers, particularly business travellers, regularly visit the same places. Also, the pusher-crown cannot by definition be screwed down, which means that the watch is guaranteed water resistant to only 50 metres. Thats a little disappointing for a travel watch that it should be possible to wear anywhere in the world, and its certainly something Longines and ETA should look into very soon. Apart from that, the brand notes that the specifications of the next-generation V.H.P. have already been defined. We also know that forthcoming models will be available with a ceramic bezel.

Version in stainless steel with black PVD coating  Longines

The Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting will arrive in the shops between September and October, with the first batch delivered to Italy, the launch country. Variations will be available in steel, PVD, 41 mm or 43 mm diameters, and a choice of straps. For the time being, Longines has exclusive use of the Flash Setting technology. Prices start at CHF 1,250 including VAT (CHF 1,550 for the PVD version).
The stickers from hotels and travel companies were originally glued to travellers trunks. They symbolised the art of travel and made each piece of luggage unique.

 Louis Vuitton

Today they can be found on the dial and strap of this brand-new Tambour model. Driven by a quartz movement, this steel timepiece is available in four diameters, 28, 34, 39.5 and 41.5 mm. The dials of the Tambour World Tour models were developed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and feature an exact reproduction of two of the brands iconic canvases, the Monogram canvas and the Damier Graphite motif. These four models have interchangeable straps fitted with Louis Vuittons patented system that does not require the use of tools.

 Louis Vuitton

You can also discover the World Tour concept on a miniature steel clock with a Damier Cobalt dial and stickers, protected by a sapphire crystal sphere. In a further tribute to the theme of travel, it is fitted with a GMT function for a second time zone, displayed with a rocket-shaped hand.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met on Monday with UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl during his current visit to Cairo, expressing Cairo's support to the agency's pivotal role to support and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, Egypt's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement.

Shoukry presented the financial challenges facing the agency that undermine the UNRWA's capabilities of fulfilling its humanitarian commitment toward nearly 5.4 million Palestinian refugees.

The Commissioner-General of UNRWA thanked Egypt for its support during its chairmanship of UNRWA's Advisory Committee last year and the extensive contacts by the Egyptian diplomacy with international donors to help bridge the funding gap of UNRWA.

Foreign Minister Shoukry voiced Cairo's concern over the challenges facing the work of the UNRWA, while emphasizing that the organization is one of the most important tools that facilitate the living condition of the Palestinian people.

Shoukry praised the UNRWA's decision to commit to the start of the current school year by receiving hundred of thousands of Palestinian students in UNRWA schools despite the financial difficulties.

Krahenbuhl expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian efforts exerted to reach a truce in Gaza and to achieve Palestinian reconciliation, pledging to continue coordination and consultation with Cairo to overcome the funding challenges facing the agency.

Last week, Egypt said it was deeply concerned after the US decision to end its decades-long funding for the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees.

Ahmed Abu Zeid expressed Egypt's "deep concern about the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian refugees, which is becoming more difficult by the day, especially with the increasing restrictions on UNRWA, rendering it unable to fulfill its important role to care about vital and necessary refugee affairs."

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US Army General Joseph Votel, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) inspected on Monday forces taking part in the joint US-Egyptian military drills Bright Star 2018, which are being held at the Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Egypt's North Coast, as part of his multi-day official visit to the country.

Exercise Bright Star 2018 between the militaries of both countries started on Saturday at Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Hammam City in Marsa Matrouh govenorate and will run until 20 September.

Land, naval and air forces from Egypt, the US, Greece, Jordan, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy and France were due to take part in the drills.

General Votel, who was accompanied by the commander of Egypt's Northern Military Zone, inspected the command and control center at the base and the areas anf fields of training.

The Egyptian army spokesperson published a one-minute video showing footage of the visit on his official Facebook page.

The army said that the commander "praised the high combat efficiency of all the elements involved in the training, as well as the training and administrative capabilities available at the military base, which Egypt opened last year.

Votel described the Bright Star drills as one on of the most important joint drills undertaken by the US, praising the depth of the military partnership between the US and Egypt.

He thanked the Egyptian Armed Forces for its efforts in hosting and preparing well for the Bright Star drills.

The Egyptian army had earlier said the excercise is aimed at promoting the exchange of expertise and interoperability among participant forces, and developing operational and training methods in counter-terrorism and irregular warfare scenarios.

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The Tahya Misr (Long Live Egypt) Fund said on Monday that free treatment doses will be provided to 60,000 patients with the hepatitis C virus who have been diagnosed by state medical convoys across Egypt.

The move is part of a joint campaign, known as the Extensive Campaign to Eradicate Virus C 2020, launched by the Tahya Misr Fund and the health ministry in February of this year to bolster a national initiative to eradicate the virus.

Tahya Misr was established by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in 2014 for social and economic development purposes.

The medical doses will be distributed via 65 centres in governmental hospitals, as well as in clinics that are a part of the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis, said Tamer Abdel-Fattah, the financial and administrative director of the fund, in a statement on Monday.

The campaign aims to test and treat 15 million people every year in an effort to completely eliminate the blood-bourne virus from the country by 2020. It will also provide examinations for other diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

Tahya Misr aims to enter into deals with universities to open outpatient clinics to test students and provide free-of-charge medications.

Egypt has the highest prevalence of the hepatitis C in the world, according to the World Health Organization.

The highly infectious virus kills an estimated 40,000 Egyptians per year and at least 1 in 10 members of the population aged 15 to 59 are infected.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called for developing a "sustainable" strategy to prevent a recurring shortfall in funds at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) during an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday to drum up support for the agency following a recent financial crisis caused by a US aid cutoff.

Shoukry cautioned that undermining the agency would "fuel extremism and instability in the region," according to state news agency MENA. He applauded the efforts by Arab countries to support the agency, but said "a short-term and long-term action plan to maintain [UNRWA's] role" is needed.

Last month, Washington said it was cutting all US funding to the UNRWA, saying its business model and fiscal practices showed an "irredeemably flawed operation." The decision came a week after the State Department said it would slash $200 million in aid to economic programs in the West Bank and Gaza and redirect the funds elsewhere.

The 68-year-old agency said it currently provides services to around five million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank.

A foreign ministry statement on Tuesday said Shoukry expressed "serious concerns over the recent developments and the subsequent risks related to the situation of Palestinian refugees as a result of their severe human and financial suffering."

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have already pledged $50 million each to the UNRWA to help cover the shortage, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said on Monday.

He added that the agency would seek additional contributions from other Gulf countries and European partners to overcome this year's $200 million shortfall.

During Tuesday's meeting, called on by Jordan, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki described US President Donald Trumps decision to stop funding to the agency as an "attack [on] the rights of the Palestinian people and international law.

Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said at the Arab League that his country would hold a meeting "in cooperation with Sweden, Germany, Japan, the European Union and Turkey" on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly later this month "in an effort to get more aid".

Shoukry also held bilateral talks with his Jordanian and Iraqi counterparts on the sidelines of the Arab League meeting on Tuesday, where the officials discussed mutual cooperation and regional issues.

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The Egyptian state committee tasked with confiscating and managing the funds and assets of members of the Muslim Brotherhood group will transfer them to the state treasury in accordance with a new law, it said on Tuesday.

According to Article 11 of law no. 22 of this year, whenever a court verdict is final and rules on the management of assets, the committee has the right to transfer the ownership of the seized funds to the state treasury, if the committee requests permission from the relevant court.

The committee's Tuesday resolution to transfer funds applies to 1,589 individual Brotherhood members and supporters, 118 companies, 1,133 NGOs, 104 schools, 69 hospitals and 33 websites and satellite channels that are under the control of the committee, a statement read.

The Muslim Brotherhood was designated a terrorist group in December 2013.

The committee was formed in 2013 and it comprise representatives from the ministries of justice, interior, finance, social solidarity and local development, and of the Central Bank of Egypt and the National Security Apparatus.

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An Egyptian medical convoy has wrapped up a week-long visit to western Kenya, where it carried out 107 ophthalmology operations.

The convoy from the Higher Education Ministry consisted of doctors and professors from the Faculty of Medicine at Alexandria University, said the Egyptian embassy in Nairobi on Monday.

The visit comes within the framework of Egypt's interest in promoting cooperation with African countries in various domains, the embassy added.

The Egyptian medical team worked on exchanging experiences with local doctors, according to the statement.

During the visit, a cooperation protocol was signed by the faculty and the Kenyan government.

According to a report in the Kenyan Daily Nation in 2016, an estimated 224,000 Kenyans are blind, while another 750,000 are visually impaired, out of an estimated population of 48 million.

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The United Nations agency dealing with Palestinian refugees said on Thursday it would open its schools in the Middle East as scheduled this month despite a deficit caused by a US funding cut.

In a statement, UNRWA said half a million students will return to the 711 schools on time "because it is crucial to protect the fundamental right to education for Palestinian refugee girls and boys".

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Pierre Krahenbuhl, the commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), said in a briefing in Cairo on Monday that continuing to operate the organisation's programmes was the "best response", despite the recent US decision to cut funding.

"I couldn't imagine going back to our students and telling them we don't have the money," said Krahenbuhl.

In August, UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Jordan, and Syria opened on time despite a huge budget deficit caused by the decision of US President Donald Trump to cut its funding for the agency, which is worth $300 million.

UNRWA also continues to offer health and social safety programmes for roughly 5.3 million Palestinian refugees in the same areas, but, according to Krahenbuhl, are "at risk" due to the decision of the US, the historically largest donor to the UN body.

Krahenbuhl said that the UNRWA, so far, has managed to collect only half of the total amount, causing considerable "stress and pressure" to find a suitable means for ending the agency's financial crisis amid a $200 million budget deficit.

Krahenbuhl is in Cairo for a two-day visit where he met with the Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit earlier on Monday, and will be attending the 150th ordinary session of the Arab League Ministerial Council on Tuesday.

He described these meetings as "important at this critical moment" to deal with the "unprecedented financial crisis."

Krahenbuhl noted that the UNRWA has previously faced other crises, including the ones caused by the Lebanese civil war, but that the financial implications of this current one has never been experienced before.

The UN official said that "we [UNRWA] want to reach out" to members of the Arab League during Tuesday's session, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who have already pledged $50 million each to help cover the UNRWA's shortfall, and Kuwait and Qatar.

Calling on other states to start considering similar moves, Krahenbuhl added that nations such as India, China and Japan, in addition to some "generous funding" by the European Union, have also stepped up and increased their funding to the agency, though he did not provide actual figures.

He noted that "this is why the Arab League is so important for us" as it helps in mobilizing support for UNRWA, referring to the League's role, as an example, in winning the support of China.

In July, Mohanad Al-Aklok, a senior diplomat in the Palestinian delegation in the Arab League, told Ahram Online that Chinese President Xi Jinping informed Palestinians that Beijing will also increase its financial support to UNRWA, without specifying the amount to be pledged, while the Arab states, Japan, and Russia also showed willingness to support the organisation.

These developments happened during the recent China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), which was established in 2004 by the former Chinese President Hu Jintao with the 22-member states of the Arab League, during the Chinese leader's visit to its Cairo headquarters.

Krahenbuhl praised the Arab countries that are backing the UNRWA, specifically referring to the efforts of Egyptian Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and Jordan's Prime Minister Ayman Safadi.

During a meeting with Krahenbuhl on 30 August, Safadi said that Amman will lead a fundraising campaign for the UNRWA.

"The continuation of the UNRWA's mission means continued commitment by the international community to working towards a just solution for the refugees that guarantees the right of return and compensation," Safadi said.

Krahenbuhl said that a UN meeting, which Jordan and Sweden called for, will soon take place to discuss solving the crisis.

He called on the international community "to protect humanitarian funding from politicization", arguing that "political reasons" were behind the US decision to cut funding.

"We always deal with politics as a humanitarian organization," stated Krahenbuhl.

For example, he unveiled the presence of a debate at the "negotiating table" about the definition of a Palestinian refugee, stating that some parties to the crisis, without giving further details as to whom, question whether the sons and daughters of "Palestinian refugees" deserve to have the same status.

"I have worked in conflict zones for 27 years. I've never met a refugee who wants to be a refugee. I haven't also met a refugee who wants to continue as a refugee," said Krahenbuhl.

Krahenbuhl also stated that he believes that no state has the right to object to these matters, for the decisions of the UN General Assembly historically led to the establishment of the UNRWA and defined the term "Palestinian refugee".

By virtue of the UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 that was issued after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the UNRWA was created to "carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestinian refugees."

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A U.N. agency that supports Palestinian refugees will target additional funding from Gulf states and European partners as it seeks to make up a $200 million shortfall caused by a U.S. aid cutoff, the agency's head said on Monday.

"We face an unprecedented financial crisis," said Pierre Krahenbuhl, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), in Cairo to try to drum up support at an Arab League meeting on Tuesday.

"We have decided that it is essential for us to close the historic shortfall that we faced of $446 million, by reaching out to many other countries and among them member states of the League of Arab States."

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have already announced $50 million each for UNRWA, said Krahenbuhl, adding that Japan, India and China had also provided new or increased support.

UNRWA provides services to about 5 million Palestinian refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank and Gaza. Most are descendants of some 700,000 Palestinians who were driven out of their homes or fled fighting in the 1948 war that led to Israel's creation.

The growing refugee count was cited by Washington, UNRWA's biggest donor, in its decision late last month to withhold funding.

The U.S. decision threatened UNRWA's provision of healthcare and emergency aid as well as education for 526,000 Palestinian refugee children -- though schools did recently open for the new year.

"We are very determined to keep the schools open because you can't go through an education process by opening one day and closing three weeks later," said Krahenbuhl.

"I can't imagine going back to our students and saying we've failed."

Krahenbuhl said he was hoping that other Gulf states would offer further contributions and back efforts to find new donors in other regions. The agency will seek to mobilise European partners in the coming weeks as well as campaigning for private donations.

"We still need approximately $200 million to close this year's shortfall ... We will knock on every door to make sure we get the necessary support."

The U.N. General Assembly had given UNRWA its mandate and approved the definition of Palestinian refugees, he noted.

"It is not for an individual member state to define a change. This is a question that rests with the General Assembly and with nobody else."

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Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit on Tuesday slammed the US administration's decision to shut down the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s office in Washington.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abul Gheit said that the current US administration's acknowledgement of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December and its relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem in May demonstrated the US bias in favour of the Israeli agenda.

Recent measures, above all the cutting of aid funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), aim at pressuring the Palestinian administration, which reflects the wrong reading of the Palestinian struggle and of history, and a misunderstanding of the roots of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Abul Gheit said.

Accusations that the Palestinians have rejected proposed solutions and initiatives are baseless, Abul Gheit said, making it clear that the Palestinian side had not received any proposals or plans to settle the decades-long conflict.

Abul Gheit's spokesman Ambassador Mahmoud Afifi said that the Arab Leagues Council ministerial level meeting on Tuesday will discuss a host of important issues, topped by the Palestinian cause and the US decision to shutter the PLO's office.

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The cancer-stricken wife of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has died in London, her brother-in-law said on Tuesday.

Kulsoom Nawaz Sharif died after months of being in a coma. Her husband and daughter left her bedside to return to Pakistan and be arrested on corruption-related charges just ahead of the July 25 elections, which their party lost.

"The wife of Mian Nawaz Sharif is no more among us. May God rest her in peace," Shehbaz Sharif, the former prime minister's brother, said on Twitter.

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EU governments are failing to comply with air quality limits that are already weaker than the World Health Organization's recommendations, the bloc's auditors said on Tuesday.

The findings by European Union's watchdog come as Brussels is taking half a dozen member states to court over their failure to enforce the bloc's air quality laws.

Respiratory illness caused by pollution result in some 400,000 premature deaths a year, costing governments heavily in health care expenses, the European Court of Auditors found.

"There are still considerable impacts on public health," said Janusz Wojciechowski, one of the report's authors.

As many as 23 out of the bloc 28-nations are failing to comply with the existing limits on harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, according to EU data.

Responding to the report, the EU executive said it was stepping up action to reduce pollution and defended its policy record, pointing to improvements in some areas.

"The Commission is fully aware that there is still an urgent need to further improve air quality in Europe," a European Commission spokesman said.

The Commission said in May it would sue Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Romania at the bloc's highest court for breaching rules on air pollutants.

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Egypt's Minister of Investment Sahar Nasr affirmed during a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation representing 40 US companies investing in Egypt that the government is actively working on encouraging investments of the private sector.

The meeting was attended by the Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Cairo Thomas Goldberger, the Egyptian ministers of electricity, finance and agriculture.

During the meeting, Nasr referred to the private sector's role in achieving economic growth, creating job opportunities and reducing poverty in Egypt, pointing out to the economic achievements over the past period, including economic and legislative reforms, as well as Egypt's new investment law.

Egypt 's Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker called on the US firms to invest in the renewable energy sector in the country, in line with the government's plans to depend more on renewable energy.

"By 2035, 42 percent of Egypt's energy will be generated from renewable energy', the minister stated.

Minister of Finance Mohamed Moeet said that more than 85 percent of the economic reform program is accomplished.

The Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Cairo Thomas Goldberge hailed the Egyptian government's efforts to facilitate the investors' work according to international standards, pointing out that the US companies are interested in expanding their activities in Egypt within the coming period.

The US diplomat praised the Egyptian government economic reforms, saying they created a suitable atmosphere for luring more US investments in Egypt, which amounted to $21.6 billion.

'The US firms pumped investments worth $1 billion into the Egyptian market during the fiscal year 2017/2018' , he added.

Meanwhile, the US delegation expressed interest in starting new business in the Egyptian market within the coming period, affirming that an investment delegation including major US companies is scheduled to visit Egypt in October.



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The centre on AUC's downtown campus will host live music, film screenings, exhibitions and other cultural events

The American University in Cairo (AUC) signed on Monday an agreement with Egyptian business tycoon Naguib Sawiris to support the establishment of the universitys Tahrir Cultural Center on its downtown campus.

The Tahrir Cultural Center will be a cultural centre run by the university that hosts a broad variety of events, including live music, art exhibitions, conferences, dance performances, book clubs, plays and movie screenings.

The agreement with Sawiris entails the renovation of the buildings and spaces that will host the centre.

The grand opening of the centre is set to take place in February 2019.

The signing ceremony was held at Oriental Hall on AUCs Tahrir campus, and was attended by Sawiris, AUC President Francis Ricciardone and members of the universitys community.

The TCC will enable us to realise our shared vision of revitalising AUCs traditional role as the fountainhead of cultural activity in Cairos Khedivial-era downtown, said Ricciardone.

I can visualise a Downtown that is beautified by this wonderful building that will serve as an oasis of creativity and intellect to Egyptians, commented Sawiris.

He wrote on Twitter that he was very happy and proud to support the culture scene in Cairo with AUC and the new Tahrir Cultural Center.

The Center will serve as an addition to Tahrir campus, without affecting the current and continuous operations of the Universitys programmes, lectures and activities, said Ali Mourad, TCC director.

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HAVANA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- A group of retired Cuban fighter pilots on Sunday marked the 57th anniversary of their training and studies in China.

The elderly pilots gathered at the Wushu School in Havana's Chinatown for a ceremony that was also attended by China's ambassador to Cuba Chen Xi.

China helped Cuba despite the fact that it was "undergoing a difficult period" at the time, noted retired colonel Henry Perez, who serves as coordinator of the group, which originally numbered 223 students.

"China's help was decisive for the future of the fledgling Cuban revolution," said Perez.

Defense attache at the Chinese Embassy to Cuba, First Col. Huangfu Qunxing, spotlighted the close ties between the two countries and the role the fighter pilots played in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

After training in the cities of Linfen and Shenyang for two years, from 1961 to 1963, the 117 Cuban pilots and 106 ground technicians went on to form the core of Cuba's Air Force.

Today, only 87 of the air force veterans survive.
TEHRAN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian military official said on Monday that his country has successfully tested the home-made missile defense system of Bavar-373, Tasnim news agency reported.

Bavar-373, the Iranian version of the Russian S-300 defense missile system, has passed its tests of intercepting ballistic missiles, said Mahmoud Ebrahiminejad, deputy commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base.

Ebrahiminejad described the Bavar-373 as "more powerful and more reliable" than the S-300 missile system.

Every part of the defense missile will be produced inside Iran, he noted.

Western countries, especially the United States, have repeatedly expressed their concerns over Iran's ballistic missile developments, and urged the Islamic republic to halt such research.

Tehran, however, has dismissed the Western concerns, saying its missile capabilities are non-negotiable as they serve the deterrence purpose only.
From left: Fiji Navy Commander Captain Humphrey Tawake, Mid-Shipment Samuela Logavatu, Mid-Shipment Esita Batiniqila and Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo after the scholarship announcement today. Picture: JESSICA SAVIKE

Source: The Fiji Times

TWO navy officers have received a four year scholarship this morning from the Chinese Government to study in China.

Mid-Shipment Esita Batiniqila and Mid-Shipment Samuela Logavatu will leave for China on Monday, September 17 to study Junior Course in Naval Ship Service Command and Naval Military Science.

Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo highlighted that the military corporation is an integral part of Fiji and Chinas bilateral relationship.

Mr Bo said the two officers after studying in China will be able to see the great changes taking place in being able to serve the country.

He added that the Chinese Government would continue to support Fiji in the years to come.

Fiji Navy Commander Captain Humphrey Tawake said they were focused on how one developed professionally not only in the military forces but with what the environment provides.

Mr Tawake said the two officers were fortunate to be given the opportunity to study in China in engineering and command navigation which would be an added value to the Navy.
Vostok 2018, or East 2018 as some call them, Russia's biggest strategic military drills in nearly four decades, kicked off on Tuesday.

With nearly 300,000 Russian troops, 36,000 military vehicles, and more than 1,000 aircraft, the drills are the largest ever for the Russian military since 1981.

The drills also include about 3,200 Chinese soldiers, over 1,000 pieces of military equipment and 30 planes and helicopters, making it the Chinese army's largest ever overseas military exercise.

The Chinese troops are currently co-training with Russian forces at Tsugol Training Range, Russia's Trans-Baikal region. The commanding headquarter of the Chinese army in the drills told CGTN that the Chinese troops have already fired over ten thousand rounds of various shells and ammunition during the training.



Photo by Yang Zaixin

In the drill playbook, an enemy force is invading into Russia, and the Chinese forces are cooperating with their Russian counterparts to counter-attack the invasion.

In the first two days, the two armies will focus mainly on tactical plans and coordinating military activities. The final drills will take place on Thursday.

According to Wu Keli, vice-chief of staff of the PLA 78th Army Corps, Vostok 2018 is designed as a complete military campaign, including three stages, mobile defense, fire strikes and counter-attacks. "It's a good exercise for our troops and commanding power at all levels," Wu added.

In the past, most China-Russia joint military drills focused on anti-terrorism. However, in this drill, the two armies are simulating a classical warfare, striking traditional threats.



Photo by Yang Zaixin

"It symbolizes the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and how cooperation between the two armies has upgraded into a new level," said senior colonel Li Shuyin, military researcher from PLA Academy of Military Sciences.

Though with so many equipment and forces, unlike the many China-Russia military drills before, this one is not a joint military drill.

Li Shuyin told CGTN that "In a joint military drill, the two sides together will set up the strategies and tactics. But this time, the Chinese army is 'embedded,' so to speak, into Russia's domestic drills."

According to the commanding headquarter of the Chinese army in the drills, the exercise is not aimed at any third party.
Russia's military hasn't hosted a series of drills this large since 1981 during the Soviet era.

The Vostok-2018 strategic military drills are getting underway on Tuesday, with nearly 3,200 Chinese troops in position, ready for action.

The Chinese troops with over 1,000 pieces of military equipment and 30 fixed-wing planes and helicopters have all arrived to their designated locations in Russia, from China, by rail.

The participating Chinese land and air forces are from China's North Theater Command, which borders Russia.



An armored infantry vehicle is being loaded onto a train. /Photo by Yang Zaixin

On August 16, the first train carrying soldiers and equipment left the station for East Russia.

The Chinese army used 28 trains to complete the transportation of their land forces as they journeyed to their destination, the Tsugol Training Range, the main drill site of Vostok-2018.

"I've never experienced an overseas deployment of this scale. Previously, we usually project small-scale forces between our domestic training camps," said Captain Zhang Lei, a company commander in a synthetic armored battalion.

Since most of the soldiers have never been abroad, it's a test of their mental endurance, as well as that of the equipment.



Military equipment are being loaded onto a train at a station. /Photo by Yang Zaixin

Zhang told CGTN that his company received the new armored infantry vehicles less than a year ago. "We haven't fully mastered their capabilities, so such a long distance deployment and mobilization is a great test for the equipment."

There are also six JH-7 fighter-bombers from the Chinese Air Force.

Captain Gao Puyu will fly one of them to attend the China-Russia military parade at Tsugol. "We flew from our base in China, and stopped at another Chinese airport for a while, then we were guided to cross the border to reach this Russian military airport."

Before August 29, the Chinese army finished transporting its necessary land and air forces. Experts say the army will benefit a lot from this experience.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday said now is the time for him to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He was speaking to South Korean National Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon, who was in Tokyo to brief Abe on his latest trip to Pyongyang.

Abe's national security adviser Shotaro Yachi, who keeps in close contact with White House National Security Adviser John Bolton, was also on hand at their meeting.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said in a press release, "In a 40-minute meeting with Suh, Abe showed interest in ways to implement Pyongyang's promises for denuclearization, which Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed, and prospects for the upcoming Moon-Kim summit."

"Abe expressed willingness to meet Kim Jong-un to resolve issues at a time when the leaders of the two Koreas and of the U.S. and the North are communicating with each other," he added.


Morbid ditties about suicide and self-harm are all the rage among schoolkids in Korea.

One mother of a primary school student was shocked recently when she heard her child sing a song that sounded like a children's song but featured the word "suicide" more than a dozen times.

It was apparently part of a series of morbid songs that became popular on social media after being posted on YouTube last year, where it has been watched 1.5 million times.

School officials believe the songs are being shared by older schoolkids in elementary schools. Other lyrics make reference to self-harm, which is becoming something of an epidemic in some countries.

The Korea Suicide Prevention Center screened websites for two weeks in July of this year to search for harmful content and found 8,039 cases, a 38-fold increase from last year. Early this year, one high school rapper began talking about his experience harming himself, which led to other teenagers posting photos on social media showing off the knife scars on their wrists.

Earlier this month, Minjoo Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo tabled a bill adding materials which glamorize suicide to a list of content that is harmful to teenagers.
Officials at the last minute prevented U.S. President Donald Trump sending out a tweet to say he was pulling the dependents of American troops out of South Korea, which could have been read as a threat of war with North Korea, a prominent reporter said Monday.

The incident adds to the many that illustrate the chaos that reins in the White House since Trump took office in an explosive new book by Watergate journalist Bob Woodward titled "Fear: Trump in the White House."

"He drafts a tweet saying 'We are going to pull out dependents from South Korea... Family members of the 28,000 people there,'" Woodward told CBS. It was "the most dangerous moment of the standoff" with North Korea.

But the tweet was never sent "because of a back channel message from North Korea that it would regard a pullout of dependents as a sign the U.S. was preparing to attack," he added. "At that moment there was a sense of profound alarm in the Pentagon leadership."

The episode predated Trump's newfound romance with the North Korean dictator after their Singapore summit in June.


One British woman who flew on the same airplane as the 61-year-old MERS patient tested negative twice and was released from quarantine on Monday, while two more are waiting for the results of another round of tests.

All six people who came into contact with Korea's first fresh patient with Middle East respiratory syndrome have tested negative for the deadly infection in a preliminary test on Monday.

The chances of catching MERS from proximity alone are low since the disease is transferred via body fluids.

The confirmed MERS patient suffered from stomach pain and diarrhea two weeks ago and visited a hospital in Kuwait last Tuesday and Thursday before returning to Korea.

None of the 408 passengers who were on the same flight with the MERS patient seem to have been infected, but health authorities are unable to trace some 50 of 115 foreigners who were on the list for "non-direct" contact with the patient.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said around 170 people in Korea have been tested so far this year after showing similar symptoms but only one tested positive. It continues to monitor 20 people who worked with the MERS patient in Kuwait.
Fonterra sets up green farming program

From:ChinaDaily | 2018-09-10 17:26

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, a global dairy exporter and manufacturer from New Zealand, has developed a green program to strengthen sustainable farming in the Chinese animal husbandry industry.

The company launched the strategic cooperation between the two countries on Aug 29 at the Sino-New Zealand Animal Husbandry Green Development Forum held in Beijing.

"We plan on carrying out a number of activities to promote exchanges between government and industry experts and companies in China and New Zealand, and contribute to the revitalization of China's dairy industry," said Hans Berghorst, vice-president of China farms and manufacturing at Fonterra.

"The Eco-Win program is an important step for us to implement and practice sustainable dairy farming in China."

The program will introduce the comprehensive utilization of effluent, practice a circular economy model with farming and cropping, and build a sustainable ecosystem.

The company said it plans to promote extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation among all parties, explore sustainable development models for large-scale dairy farming, and drive structural reform, transformation and development of the agricultural supply side.

"It is a key priority for Fonterra to contribute to the development of the Chinese dairy industry, and we believe there is a lot to be gained by both New Zealand and China through the sharing of knowledge, research and dairy expertise," Berghorst said.

The purpose of the forum was to discuss the utilization of livestock and poultry manure, and how to find sustainable solutions for the utilization of farming byproducts.

It was jointly organized by Fonterra and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' National Animal Husbandry Station, China Feed Industry Association and National Livestock and Poultry Breeding Waste Resource Utilization Technology Innovation Alliance of China.

Berghorst said Fonterra is committed to integrating into the Chinese dairy industry, and providing safe and quality dairy products for Chinese customers and consumers.

Fonterra cares about the communities they work in and alongside, he said.

"We attach tremendous importance to establishing strong links with local businesses and communities, and doing our best to support local communities," said the vice-president.

"We want to help create a better future for the families, communities and industries we work with. We applaud the great efforts by the Chinese government to promote the use of livestock and poultry manure as resources," he said. Fourteen years ago, Fonterra and the National Dairy Industry Technology System of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs jointly established the Sino-New Zealand Dairy Exchange Center, to support the sustainable development of the dairy industry in both countries.

The New-Zealand company has implemented experimental programs in Ying County of Shanxi province and Yutian County in Hebei province.

The company expects to utilize 100 percent of livestock and poultry manure by 2020 in all of its farms in China.
Real estate agents go from bad to worse

From:Shanghai Daily | 2018-09-11 02:29

COMPLAINTS about furnished apartments rented out by real estate agents have nearly tripled this year, the citys consumer council warned yesterday.

The Shanghai Consumer Council received nearly 1,400 complaints about rental apartments, 150 regarding safety issues.

Tenants have complained that apartments provided by Ziru Property Management had a strong odor, leading to symptoms like sore throats, watering eyes, headaches and fatigue.

Tests found high levels of formaldehyde and benzene in the apartments.

It is the responsibility of agencies to provide safe and healthy places for people to live, but some use poor quality decoration materials and unskilled workers to save time and money, said Tang Jiansheng, deputy secretary-general of the council.

More than half the complaints were about deposit disputes. Regulations state that agencies should return the deposit to renters once the lease ends, but some agencies dont bother.

Yujian Property Management drew the ire of about 300 former tenants who complained that the company had failed to return their deposit within 15 working days as promised, according to the council. The company delayed the refund by three months on average.

In addition, some agencies encouraged tenants to take out loans from third-party financial institutions which they have interests in, leading to credit risks. There have been about 330 complaints in this regard.

Xinyu Real Estate Rental was unable to pay property owners due to a broken financial chain. As a result, tenants were thrown out of their homes and faced personal credit risks because of bonded loans, leading to 160 complaints.
The appointment of Om Prakash Mishra as the Chief Justice of Nepals Supreme Court after the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee endorsed his name has been the most highlighted issue on the front pages of major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Tuesday. Likewise, the announcement of resignation by a member of the committee formed to probe the murder of Nirmala Pant in Kanchanpur has also received significant attention.

Other political, sociocultural and financial issues have also been featured on the broadsheet covers.

Important

Joshi welcomes Mishra as Chief Justice

Following the appointment of new Chief Justice Om Prakash Mishra, seniormost Justice Deepak Raj Joshee has returned to work and welcomed Mishra to the Court, according to media reports. Joshee was rejected by the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee for the top position, and he was on a leave since then.

Republica claims the ruling Nepal Communist Party has warned of forwarding an impeachment motion against Joshee if he continues his job.

Govt calls disgruntled group for talks

Gorkhapatra and Nepal Samacharpatra report that a talks team formed by the government has called various disgruntled political groups to come to the negotiation table assuring the government will address genuine demands.

The team headed by ruling Nepal Communist Partys lawmaker Som Prasad Pandey organised a press conference yesterday to make the announcement. According to him, the team has already begun talks with four groups informally.

Ignored

Oli, Dahal preparing for Cabinet reshuffle

As two chairpersons of Nepal Communist Party, KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, held a meeting yesterday, they also discussed recalling some ministers from the Cabinet so as to enhance the governments performance, according to Nepal Samacharpatra.

Citing an anonymous source, the report claims Rabindra Adhikari, Raghubir Mahaseth, Lalbabu Pandit, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Matrika Yadav are likely to be replaced by a new set of leaders.

Budha resists party order to quit for Bamdev Gautam

Ruling Nepal Communist Partys lawmaker Dhan Bahadur Budha has resistered the partys directive to resign from the House of Representatives so as to let the partys senior leader Bamdev Gautam contest for the position, Naya Patrika reports in a brief story.

The lawmaker elected from Dolpa district of Karnali province did not agree to quit as per suggestions from his cadres, according to the report.

Therefore, the party is now searching for a new place for Gautam to contest the elections.

Irregularities suspected in Sajha Prakashan

Nagarik reports in a snippet that the Ministry of Education formed an investigation team to probe into suspected irregularities in Sajha Prakashan, a government-owned book printing house.

Sajha had received paper worth Rs 10 million to print 60,000 school textbooks from Janak Education Material Centre, but it is yet to submit how the paper was used, according to the report.

Modi delays receiving EPG report

Republica reports in a two column story that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delayed receiving the report prepared by Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations, a joint group of experts formed to recommend measures to improve bilateral ties. The delay in submission of the report has raised serious doubts in Kathmandu about New Delhis commitment to implementing the recommendations, according to the report.

2.45 million trees to be chopped down for second international airport

Around 2.45 million trees are going to be chopped down to construct the second international airport in Nijgadh of Bara district, according to a report in The Himalayan Times.

The Ministry of Forests and Environment is all set to forward a proposal to the Cabinet to approve its plan, the report informs, adding the number was decided by Environment Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari today.

Interesting

Open competition to select contractor for West Seti

After Chinas Three Gorges International withdrew, the government is preparing to select the new contractor for ambitious West Seti Hydropower Project through an open competition, Karobar reports in a three column story.

The Insurance Board of Nepal is preparing to make a decision in this regard from the next meeting to be held within few weeks.
Home  Just In  Jhapa trader murders own partner

Kathmandu, September 11

A textile trader has been found murdered in Barhadashi, Gaurigaj Rural Municipality-6 of Jhapa district on Tuesday.

Police have suspected that Khem Raj Paudel (38) was murdered by his own business partner Shradam Hussein. They say Hussein resorted to a knife attack over a financial dispute.

Paudel was missing since last night. He had reportedly left home to meet Hussein. Hussein had owed Paudel some money.

Police have arrested the suspect and further investigation is underway, according to the Chief of District Police Office, Bhim Prasad Dhakal.

Police also recovered a knife, a motorbike (Me 7 Pa 1904) and a mobile phone from the crime scene.
Kathmandu, September 11

A low-cost carrier from Oman, Salam Air, has started its flights to Nepal after the government gave it a permission to fly. The first Muscat-Kathmandu flight landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu this morning.

The IME Group will be the companys General Sales Agent in Kathmandu. Total four flights will be conducted every week.

Speaking at a press conference held at the airport on the occasion, Chairman of IME Group, Chandra Prasad Dhakal said that Salam Air would play an important role to make the governments Visit Nepal 2020 programme a success.

Dhakal, who is the former Vice President of FNCCI, also highlighted that the airline would also help Nepalis travel to many Middle-East countries at a cheaper rate along with bringing tourists to Nepal.
#KBO Bats come alive as Twins even KBO postseason series vs. Bears Wielding suddenly hot bats, the LG Twins beat the Doosan Bears 9-3 to even their South Korean baseball postseason series at one game apiece on Friday. Third baseman Kim Min-sung...
In a plot-twist that'll please just about everyone - from the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar right on down to shopowners in Dublin - Donald Trump has reportedly cancelled his visit to Ireland.

Details are sketchy at the moment, however the Irish Independent has said that the November trip has now been cancelled and will not go ahead at a later date. According to their source, his entire European trip is currently under review, but that the Irish leg of the journey has now been cancelled effective immediately.

Meanwhile, other sources - include Virgin Media News - are claiming that his trip has been postponed, not cancelled, meaning that the "standing invitation" is still in effect. Several protests were planned for Trump's visit to Ireland, with the infamous 'Trump Baby' balloon being brought in especially for some protest marches.

Officials have been discussing only a November visit, so any difficulty raised on the US side about his visit is specific to November timing. Visit might well merely be postponed, not cancelled - and 'standing invite' would remain in effect @VirginMediaNews  Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) September 11, 2018

Undoubtedly, the cancellation of Trump's visit to Ireland is a relief to just about everyone, so let's all just take a break, relax and know that none of us no longer have to deal with any of that crap in the future.
It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those...
The organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix have a mind of their own when it comes to grid girls, and and have every intention on circumventing Formula 1's ban on the practice next Sunday.

After Austria and Russia, Singapore will retain a female presence on the event's grid with the race's sponsor, Singapore Airlines, showcasing a delegation of "iconic cabin crew grid girls", according to Yahoo Lifestyle.

"Our cabin crew are brand ambassadors for Singapore Airlines and will continue to play an integral role in the upcoming Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix," the company said in a statement.

Local public relations specialist Dean Shams, the founder of KinetigBuzz, admits that Singapore Airlines and Liberty Media just aren't on the same page when it comes to judging the gird girl conundrum.

"Liberty Media sees the grid girl as a form of sexism since they typically exude a sexual persona with their scantily clad outfits," said Shams.

"Singapore Airlines and Singapore, on the other hand, see Singapore girls as a local icon. In that respect, they seem like a good fit to represent Singapore's brand of uniqueness and hospitality," he added.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
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English Chinese (Traditional)

HONG KONG, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds , a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, announced the findings of its IT Pro Day 2018: A World Powered by Tech Pros survey today. The results explore a world where technology professionals have the opportunity to be Tech PROactive; in other words, what they would do if they had the time, resources, and ability to use their technology prowess to do anythingfrom improving IT environments, to global societal challenges, and even their personal lives. The survey supports IT Professionals Day , which is observed on the third Tuesday of every September (September 18, 2018), and intends to emphasize appreciation for IT professionals, the critical role they play in end users lives, and in operating a successful, modern business.



Todays technology professionals face a tremendous amount of responsibility at work, from one-off user requests and help desk tickets to the expectation of continuous technology implementation, said Joseph Kim, executive vice president and chief technology officer, SolarWinds. As a result, they have very little time to dedicate to being Tech PROactive. In honor of all the work they do, we want to celebrate the fourth annual IT Professionals Day by giving tech pros the freedom to explore all the ways they would use their technology aptitude to take their worlds forwardfrom IT optimization to helping solve societal challenges like environmental sustainability.

Regardless of the time of day, environment, or their physical location, technology professionals are often the unsung, solutions-based heroes. In honor of all the work they take on to help us, we want to celebrate the fourth annual IT Professionals Day, by sharing insight into what inspires and interests themincluding outside the office.

Key Findings

The SolarWinds IT Pro Day 2018 Survey: A World Powered by Tech Pros, explores a world where technology professionals have the time, resources, and ability to use their technology prowess to do anythingfrom improving their IT environments, to global societal challenges, and even their personal lives. In support of IT Professionals Day, global technology professionals were polled through a series of studies to provide unique insight into what a world powered by tech pros looks like.

In a world powered by technology professionals:

End users are the top priority.

o Over half (55%) of tech pros surveyed respond to one-off user requests on a daily basis, and over one-third (34%) of tech pros respond to help desk tickets on a daily basis.

o Even when they have time to be proactive at work, researching new technologies that will benefit the end user is still the number one priority (by weighted rank).





Over half (55%) of tech pros surveyed respond to one-off user requests on a daily basis, and over one-third (34%) of tech pros respond to on a daily basis. Even when they have time to be proactive at work, researching new technologies that will benefit the end user is still the number one priority (by weighted rank). Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, deep learning, and cloud computing would not only transform IT environments, but the greater good, according to respondents.

o The top three new technology advancements that tech pros would use to solve challenges within their IT environment if they had more time would be:

1. Cloud

2. AI/machine learning/deep learning

3. Automation (by weighted rank, respectively)

o Technology professionals say they would use these technologies to:

1. Uncover more actionable insights for business leadership

2. Make repeatable tasks quicker and more accurate

3. Scale easily and cost effectively by using the public cloud

o The top three technology advancements that tech pros would use to solve broader societal issues if they had more time to do so would be:

1. AI/machine learning/deep learning

2. Big data analysis

3. Cloud (by weighted rank, respectively)

o Technology professionals say they would use these technologies to pursue two main societal challenges:

1. Affordable education, housing, and healthcare for all

2. Environmental and sustainability initiatives





The top three new technology advancements that tech pros would use to solve challenges within their IT environment if they had more time would be: 1. 2. AI/machine learning/deep learning 3. Automation (by weighted rank, respectively) Technology professionals say they would use these technologies to: 1. Uncover more actionable insights for business leadership 2. Make repeatable tasks quicker and more accurate 3. Scale easily and cost effectively by using the public cloud The top three technology advancements that tech pros would use to solve broader societal issues if they had more time to do so would be: 1. AI/machine learning/deep learning 2. Big data analysis 3. (by weighted rank, respectively) Technology professionals say they would use these technologies to pursue two main societal challenges: 1. Affordable education, housing, and healthcare for all 2. Environmental and sustainability initiatives Personal development is top of mind but requires a time commitment outside the traditional workday.

o The top three work-related activities that tech pros would spend their time on if they had one extra hour in the workday:

 Developing a skillset (30%)

 Planning/strategizing future technology innovation in your IT environment (30%)

 Researching new technologies (21%)





The top three work-related activities that tech pros would spend their time on if they had one extra hour in the workday:  Developing a skillset (30%)  Planning/strategizing future technology innovation in your IT environment (30%)  Researching new technologies (21%) Their IT prowess would also power their personal lives.

o The top three areas outside of work that tech pros would use technology to enhance (by weighted rank):

1. Managing finances

o By using machine learning (ML) to grow investments and diversify their portfolio

2. Vacation planning

o Such as utilizing cloud-based services to store and link travel data, and using IoT-based devices to generate real-time insights while on-the-go

3. Home DIY projects

o Such as using virtual reality (VR) to visualize a kitchen remodel before implementing changes

In 2017, we revealed that technology professionals are the backbone of our businesses, Kim added. This year, weve seen this trend continue, with tech pros going above and beyond their responsibilities to explore new technologies and educate themselves further. Thirty percent of technology professionals shared that theyd continue developing their skillset if they had one more hour in the work day, and thirty percent shared that theyd focus on planning and strategizing future technology innovation in their IT environment. Were excited to celebrate this fourth annual IT Professionals Day by highlighting their interestsat work and at homeand their dedication to their field.

Fielded in July 2018, the first of the two surveys was conducted by SolarWinds and yielded responses from 199 technology professionals from across the globe. The second survey was fielded by C White Consulting on behalf of SolarWinds and yielded responses from 67 IT practitioners, managers, and directors in Hong Kong from public- and private-sector small, mid-size, and enterprise companies. Full survey results are available here .

IT Professionals Day

IT Professionals Day is designed to annually celebrate all IT professionals regardless of discipline. Whereas holidays such as System Administrator Appreciation Day achieve at recognizing one category of the profession, IT Professionals Day honors not only system administrators, but network engineers, database administrators, information security professionals, developers, IT support technicians, and all other professionals serving in IT-related roles. Please visit ITProDay.org to learn more.

Additional Resources

Connect with SolarWinds

About SolarWinds

SolarWinds is a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT infrastructure management software. Our products give organizations worldwide, regardless of type, size or IT infrastructure complexity, the power to monitor and manage the performance of their IT environments, whether on-premise, in the cloud, or in hybrid models. We continuously engage with all types of technology professionalsIT operations professionals, DevOps professionals, and managed service providers (MSPs)to understand the challenges they face maintaining high-performing and highly available IT infrastructures. The insights we gain from engaging with them, in places like our THWACK online community, allow us to build products that solve well-understood IT management challenges in ways that technology professionals want them solved. This focus on the user and commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT performance management has established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in network management software and MSP solutions. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com.

The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies.

 2018 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.
WATERLOO, Ontario, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axonify , the worlds leading corporate microlearning platform, today announced that Grab Inc. (Grab), the leading online-to-offline (O2O) platform in Southeast Asia, has implemented the Axonify Microlearning Platform to provide comprehensive driver-partner onboarding and continuous learning for millions of driver-partners across the region.



Grab selected Axonify based on its scalable solution and dynamic, interactive and gamified approach to training and to support its Better 365 driver-partner welfare campaign. Through Axonify, Grab will be able to seamlessly incorporate new driver training and assessment into the online driver acquisition process.

Additionally, Grab driver-partners have access to an on-demand content hub where Grab will be able to deliver training modules and learning reinforcement activities based on the specific drivers needs and profile.

As we continue to grow rapidly, Axonify helps us to deliver onboarding training to new driver-partners as well as refresher training to current driver-partners in a more scalable and consistent way. It enables us to focus on continuously improving driver efficiency and satisfaction, as well as safety and service levels to passengers, said Russell Cohen, Head of Regional Operations for Grab. We want to provide driver-partners with continuous learning and upskilling opportunities. Axonifys bite-sized, engaging training modules does just that by helping our driver-partners to easily consume the training sessions at their convenience.

Reducing significant training costs, interactive training videos and short assessments can be completed on mobile devices instead of at an on-site location and Grab driver-partners will be alerted by Axonify when new training content is available.

We are pleased to team up with a transformative tech leader like Grab to support their driver-partners across Southeast Asia, said Christine Tutssel, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for Axonify. Onboarding and continuous training on topics such as English and financial literacy will help create an educated and skilled team of drivers. Improving overall driver satisfaction at scale is mission critical for Grab and we look forward to helping ease that process.

Grab currently operates in Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Used by more than 6 million people daily, Grab provides Southeast Asia consumers with safe and affordable transport, food and package delivery, mobile payments and financial services.

For more information, visit Axonify.com .

About Axonify



Axonify is the only microlearning platform trusted by global business leaders to drive performance. With a proven approach thats based in brain science, and uses adaptive microlearning and gamification to make employee learning effective and engaging, our platform ingrains knowledge deep enough to change employee behavior at work. With more than 150 Fortune 5000 customers in 95 countries around the world, including Walmart, Bloomingdales, and John Hancock, Axonify makes learning personal to the individual, and impactful for the business. Founded in 2011, Axonify is headquartered in Waterloo, ON Canada. For more information, please visit www.axonify.com

Media Contact:

Jennifer Mirabile

Young & Associates

724-772-2038

jenniferlm@yapr.com


TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE) (FSE: PNX) (Pasinex or the Company) is pleased to present assay results as a follow up to its news release dated August 8th on its exploration drilling program at the Spur Zinc Project in White Pine County, Nevada. The new discovery of black-shale hosted zinc sulphides radically changes the exploration potential for the project.



Diamond drill hole SRDD-2018-004 intersected black-shale-hosted zinc sulphide 50 metres south and down-plunge of drill hole SRDD-2018-001: 9 feet (2.74 metres) averaging 8.1% zinc from 289 feet (88.1 metres) and 11 feet (3.35 metres) averaging 5.7% zinc from 304 feet (92.6 metres).



The Spur Zinc zinc oxide mineralisation was previously interpreted as the shallow enriched supergene zone of a carbonate replacement deposit (CRD). The exploration focus has now switched and is now focused primarily on the black shale and the potential for a major shale-hosted-massive-sulphide (SHMS) mineralizing system on the property



Diamond drill hole SRDD-2018-001 drilled through the core of RH Main Zone: 144 feet (43.9 metres) averaging 14.2% of oxide zinc from 142 feet (43.3 metres) - including 45 feet (13.7 metres) averaging 26.1% zinc and 242 grams per tonne 1 silver (5.6 ozs) from 160 feet (48.8 metres).



silver (5.6 ozs) from 160 feet (48.8 metres). The black-shale hosted zinc sulphides intersected in SRDD-2018-004 was not expected and completely transforms the exploration model which is now focused on assessing the potential.



High-grade zinc oxide mineralization intersected in this initial drill-phase is shallow and still a priority target along the known three to four-kilometre mineralised trend.

Oriented drill-core has greatly improved understanding of the geology, structure, and mineralization.

The project location is in northeastern Nevada where infrastructure and mining services are excellent and where mining is a major part of the State economy.

Last month Pasinex announced completion of an initial drilling program of four inclined diamond drill holes at the Spur Zinc Project for a total of 2,291 feet (698 metres). The results of which are included in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary Highlights of Drill Assay Results

Drill Hole # Core Length



Interval Metres Zn Grade % From (metres) Mineralization SRDD-2018-001



Including 43.89



13.72 14.2



26.1 43.28



48.77 Oxide in Limestone



Oxide in Limestone SRDD-2018-002 0.61 10.8 60.96 oxide in limestone SRDD-2018-003 NS NS NS n/a SRDD-2018-004



SRDD-2018-004



SRDD-2018-004 1.5



2.74



3.35 4.3



8.1



5.7 85.65.



88.1



92.6 Oxides in fault zone



Sulphide in black-shale



Sulphide in black-shale

Notes:

All holes and sampling intervals are recorded in feet and converted to metres.

All holes Inclined to east for the first time  azimuth 090 and inclination at between 55 or and 60.

True widths estimated at 75% - 80% of drilled-length - assume mineralization conformable with steeply dipping host rocks.

Core recovery was consistently greater than 90%.

All drilling was recorded in feet and core sampling intervals were on either two or three foot intervals.

A figure accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9af6ffbf-053e-4e65-b0a0-3428197299d8

Pasinex CEO Mr. Steve Williams said This is a very encouraging start to our drilling at the Spur Zinc Project. It was very unexpected and a big bonus to intersect zinc sulphides in black shales so close to surface. High grade zinc was discovered on the Spur Zinc Project almost 30 years ago. This new discovery of zinc sulphides in black shales completely opens up new exploration possibilities for a much larger zinc mineralizing system. This first small drilling program was very carefully planned and now we have a much better understanding of the geology, structure and nature of the mineralization for drilling going forward.

Table 2: Drill hole collar locations

(UTM Z11 NAD83)

Hole Name Zone Easting Northing Elevation

(metres)

Azimuth Dip Drilled Length

(metres) Drilled Length

(feet) SPDD-2018-001 RH Main 606697.5 14414367 1992 090 -60 139.3 457 SPDD-2018-002 RH Main 606672.1 14414345 1996 090 -60 201.2 660 SPDD-2018-003 RH Main 606626.9 14414314 1995 090 -50 216.1 709 SPDD-2018-004 RH Main 606687.9 14414326 1986 090 -60 141.7 465

This is the first time at the Spur Zinc Project that significant zinc sulphide mineralization in black-shales has been identified. These mineralized intersections are at potential economic thicknesses and grades. The shale-hosted mineralization was unexpected and presents new and exciting potential for a Shale-Hosted-Massive-Sulphide (SHMS or Sedex) deposit.

A black-shale was intersected from 459 feet to 604 feet in drill hole SRDD-2018-003 but no visible sulphide mineralization was observed. Pasinex will now review the old RC drill logs (completed by Cyprus Development Corp.) and re-log the drill holes to search for the black-shale which may not have been identified; and then re-assay if necessary. The next phase of drilling will target the black-shale for SHMS potential. The extent of the black-shale can either provide the room for a major deposit or constrain potential size. The extent of the black-shale will depend on the size and depth of the basin in which it was deposited. Pasinex has begun to re-evaluate the potential for the Spur Zinc Project based on the discovery of black-shale-hosted sulphide mineralization. Even at this early exploration stage a possible good mineral deposit exploration analogue for Spur of a zinc-rich Sedex deposit to keep in mind ,which is currently in the news, is Fireweed Zincs (TSX-V) Macmillan Pass Project in the Yukon.

The objectives of this completed diamond drill program were stated in a Company news release on May 14th, 2018, namely (i) to drill fully through the footwall contact of the Pennsylvanian-age Ely Formation limestone host into the pediment and verify oxidised high-grade zinc mineralization in the heart of the RH Main Zone (ii) to test a target down-plunge from the known mineralized zone, and (iii) for the first time to measure the orientation of structures controlling mineralization from oriented drill-core. It was also clear that drilling inclined to the east was an much better option to effectively test mineralization in host-limestones which dipped steeply to the west.

The first diamond drill hole SRDD-2018-001 targeted the RH Main Zone and specifically a historic high-grade intersection in GM-26 drilled vertically by Cypress Development Corp. (Cypress) (TSX.V: CYP) in 2014 which cut 175 feet (53.3 metres) averaging 15.7% zinc and 149 grams per tonne silver from 50 feet depth. This drill program by Pasinex was the first time oriented drill-core confirmed the high-grade zinc occurrence and enabled better understanding of the structures controlling the mineralization. High-grade oxide zinc mineralization cut in SRDD-2018-001 occurs in breccia, karstic veins, small-scale irregular veins and along fractures in variably oxidised host rock (Plate 1  Right Image).

Drill hole SRDD-2018-004 drilled about 50 metres down-plunge at the southern end of the known RH Main mineralized zone and intersected oxidized zinc mineralization in a fault zone above a deeper zone of extensive zinc-sulphide mineralization in a black carbonaceous mudstone and siltstone member of the Ely Formation (see Figures 1 and 3 below). The fine-grained pale sphalerite occurs disseminated in black carbonaceous weakly-dolomitic silty mudstone (Plate 1 Left Image) and in irregular breccia zones, notably in the absence of any other metal sulphides. This black-shale-hosted sphalerite is below secondary zinc oxide mineralization within a fault zone (Figures 2 and 3 below).

A figure accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c5fb9a5-93b0-4d22-8e24-03aef39c20ef

Brief Exploration History

In 1990, Western Mining, while RC drilling for gold, stumbled over what became the RH Main Zone, at what was then called the Gunman Project. Pasinex optioned this high-grade zinc-oxide property from Cypress in 2017 because of its similarities to the Pinargozu high-grade zinc carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) which it is mining in southern Turkey. Pasinexs expectation was that if zinc deposits are discovered in Nevada they could potentially be CRDs. The intersection of zinc sulphides in black-shales beneath high-grade zinc oxides at RH Main Zone was unexpected and is highly significant from an exploration perspective. The high-grade, but relatively small RH Main Zone, about 100 metres north-south by 50 metres east-west, (Figure 4) has been the main focus for previous drilling campaigns. Previous drilling was predominantly RC drilling. This historic drilling naturally focused on RH Main but really at the expense of effective exploration of the overall known mineralised trend. RH Main is only one of at least four known prospects where mineralization occurs at surface along a three to four kilometre trend between Big Canyon and Horse Canyon on the east flank of the Diamond Range.

Previous explorers tried to delineate zinc oxide mineralization almost exclusively by vertical Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling and for this reason the controls on mineralization were very poorly understood and the potential for shale hosted mineralization unrecognized. Later shallow diamond drilling by Cypress was only around the margins of the mineralizing systems footprint at RH Main. Pasinexs recent oriented diamond drilling has provided much better understanding of the geology, mineralisation and structural controls and the larger depth and the down-plunge potential in both the limestones and black shales remains untested.

A figure accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec93f0ec-1df9-4195-8b22-5cdd969297e9

Detailed mapping by Pasinex indicated that host rocks were dipping steeply to the west. All four drill-holes were consequently inclined to the east for the first time to get a better estimate of the true-width of the mineralized zone. The true width of the mineralized zones is uncertain after analysis of oriented core but is estimated at between 75% and 80% of drilled width if we assume that the mineralisation is conformable with the steeply dip of the host rocks.

The Spur Zinc Project is about a 90 minute drive south of Elko in eastern Nevada. Pasinex can earn up to an 80 per cent interest in the project from Cypress Development Corp. (TSX.V: CYP) and Caliber Minerals Inc. The total consideration of US$675,000 in cash and the issuance of 4.8 million Pasinex Common Shares to be paid over a four-year period. In addition, the Company must incur minimum exploration expenditures totaling US$2,950,000 also to be spent over four years commencing from the start of the agreement, December 5, 2017.

Pasinex started diamond drilling at the Akkaya Zinc Property in Turkey in the last few days.

Pasinex, through its joint venture interest in Horzum AS, started diamond drill-testing at the Akkaya Zinc Property in early September. Three holes will be drilled from each of three drill-pads for a total of 2,000 metres. Compelling drill targets have been generated over the last few months through a combination of detailed re-mapping in the rugged hill country between 500 metres and one kilometre north of the Companys Pinargozu zinc mine. Generation of high priority prospect zones involved expert analysis of satellite image interpretation (Sentinel) to identify favourable structural settings coincident with the White Marble host-rock. Much greater resolution on specific drill targets within selected prospective zones came from lithogechemical sampling of outcropping marble combined with ionic leach surveys.

About Pasinex

Pasinex Resources Limited is a Toronto-based mining company which owns 50% of the producing Pinargozu high grade zinc mine and, under a Direct Shipping Program, sells to zinc smelters / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Company also holds an option to acquire 80% of the Spur high-grade zinc exploration project in Nevada. Pasinex has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration and mining project development. The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc company based on its mining and exploration projects in Turkey and Nevada.

Qualified Person

John P. Barry, EurGeol, P.Geo is John Barry, is a professional member in good standing of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland. He a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 with 30 years experience international experience in various types of zinc-rich deposits from Irish-type/MVT, Sedex, CRDs to VHMS. He is responsible for the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this news release. Mr. Barry is VP Exploration for Pasinex and is a director of the Company.

Quality Assurance/ Quality Control

Pasinex Resources complies with a firm Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) program in relation to drill core handling, security, photography, sampling, transportation of samples and laboratory analyses. Drill core samples from the Spur Zinc Project in Nevada were securely transported to the ALS Global core and preparation facility in Reno, Nevada where the core was logged, photographed, sampled and prepped. Samples selected for assay were shipped to ALS Canada Ltd.s laboratories in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Pasinex included blank samples, certified low and high zinc standards samples and quarter core duplicates at a frequency of one in 20 into the sample stream. All samples were analyzed by four acid digestion followed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS for ultra-trace level detection for a multi-element suite with an upper detection limit of 1% for base metals. Samples reporting over 1% for Zn were analyzed by assay grade four-acid digestion and ICP-AES analysis with an upper detection limit of 30% and 20% respectively. Five samples from drill hole SRDD-2018-001 reporting concentrations above 30% Zn were analyzed by traditional titration.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

PASINEX RESOURCES LTD.

Steve Williams Evan White President/CEO Manager of Corporate Communications Phone: +1 416 861 9659 Phone: +1 416.906.3498 Email: info@pasinex.com Email: evan.white@pasinex.com

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.



This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although Pasinex Resources Ltd. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: all exploration drilling results, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

1 Note that although silver above a certain concentration is payable by smelters in a zinc sulphide concentrate there is no payment basis for silver in a non-sulphide zinc concentrate.




NASSAU, The Bahamas, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Island Pay, an electronic money mobile payment provider, will roll out the Contactless Companion Platform (CCP)  a digital cash service allowing consumers to load money onto cards, fobs and a range of wearable items. The new service will allow Bahamians and visitors alike to make contactless payments between themselves or with Island Pay merchants across the whole of the island archipelago. CCP is running on secure chip technology from Samsung Semiconductor, the software application platform is provided by Smartlink, a Swiss fintech specializing in mobile and alternative payment solutions.



Frank Svatousek, Island Pay CEO said, By adding Smartlink to the Island Pay platform we bring immediate, critical benefits to our Bahamian customers including easy bill payment, mobile top-up and merchant solutions. The launch of the Island Pay cashless payment system, licensed by the Central Bank of The Bahamas, comes at a time when bricks and mortar banks are reducing their footprint allowing us to serve the under-banked as well as the un-banked.

The Smartlink CCP solution brings contactless digital cash to everyone in all levels of society, says Eric La Marca, CEO and founder of Smartlink. With CCP in place, you can make contactless payments via any enabled device of your choice, whether its a dedicated smart card, wristband, key fob, or even your smart watch or ring. As long as its able to accommodate the secure chip technology from Samsung, theres hardly any shape or size limit.

Among the benefits of Island Pay Mr. Svatousek explained that, Its a tokenized service, making it as secure as existing mobile payments services. It gives parents the ability to safely transfer money to their children and ensure they can only spend it on what the parents want and with its Web-based or smartphone app interface, available for iOS and Android, it allows users to manage the service and deactivate the chip in the card, fob or wearable item if it is lost. We are thrilled to be working with Samsung and Smartlink as it brings together a powerful combination of security, control and utility for our consumers throughout The Bahamas.

About Island Pay

Island Pay was founded in 2016. The company recognizes the strong business case for mobile electronic money providers seeking to re-do the way consumers interact with payments, authentication and identity, especially in underserved areas of the globe. Before Island Pay, management co-founded Carta Worldwide and Mint Technology. More information can be found on the Island Pay website .

About Smartlink SA

Smartlink SA, a fintech company based in Switzerland, is a pioneer in the payment industry. Smartlink offers an award-winning platform to banks and card issuers seeking a first-class mobile wallet application. Its innovation team has recently developed the disruptive Contactless Companion Platform which will be deployed worldwide, to facilitate cashless societies using Digital Cash. For more information, please visit www.smartlink.ch

For further Information contact:

Frank Svatousek, CEO

Island Pay

media@islandpay.com
PHOENIX, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hilltop Cybersecurity, Inc. (OTC:CYBXF) (the Company) CEO Corby Marshall is making his first appearance on Uptick Newswires Stock Day podcast with Everett Jolly.



The Georgia-based cyber security company focuses on cryptocurrency security for small and medium-sized businesses. Marshall tells Jolly that what sets Hilltop apart from other cyber security firms is that many really are focused on deliver security services, while Hilltop focuses on developing and deploying security products.

In the podcast, Marshall and Jolly discuss security in the wake of the theft of more than a half billion in bitcoin in a Japanese hack earlier this year. Marshall said Hilltop has created a defense that can detect threats even if they have not specifically been seen before. He tells Jolly most cyber security firms can only tackle problems that have been seen before, not the so-called Zero-day threat.

Jolly also asks Marshall about the recent creation of the Hilltop Cyber Marketplace. Marshall said theres a worldwide shortage in cyber analysts and cyber security resources in general. The company is hoping to bridge that gap with the new marketplace.

To listen to the full podcast, click on the following link: https://upticknewswire.com/featured-interview-ceo-corby-marshall-of-hilltop-cybersecurity-inc-otcqb-cybxf/

About Hilltop Cybersecurity

Hilltop Cybersecurity (CSE: CYBX) (OTC: CYBXF) is a cybersecurity and cryptocurrency security specialist. The Company has developed a unique, patented, cybersecurity platform, designed to protect businesses from external and internal cyber attack, and has also patented its biometric security solution for crypto-currencies.

http://www.hilltopcybersecurity.com

For further information, please contact

Hilltop Cybersecurity

info@hilltopcybersecurity.com

+1-778-484-8028

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management or the negative thereof or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

Statements about the execution of a definitive agreement, closing of the proposed transaction, expected terms of the transaction, and the parties' ability to satisfy any and all other closing conditions, are all forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contributes to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates, including that: general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; and financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants and fees charged by service providers. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will occur or that, if the transaction does occur, it will be completed on the terms described above. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

About Uptick Newswire and the Stock Day Podcast

Founded in 2013, Uptick Newswire is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Uptick provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. Uptick is the sole producer of its Stock Day podcast, which is the number one radio show of its kind in America. The Uptick Newswire Stock Day podcast is an extension of Uptick Newswire, which recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of Stock Day, and Uptick Newswire encourages listeners to visit the companys message board at https://investorshangout.com/

SOURCE:

Uptick Newswire

https://upticknewswire.com/
TIMMINS, Ontario, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melkior Resources Inc. (Melkior) would like to release the initial soil chemistry maps for the first 750 soil samples from the Maseres Project. Melkiors news release of August 27 identified one soil sample that assayed 1,100 ppb Au, the highest gold in soil assay from the remainder of the batch was 385 ppb Au. These two highly anomalous samples are situated in close proximity to each other and overlie the priority EM anomaly trend, these samples are also elevated in silver and copper.



The following links present colour contoured maps for those elementals with the highest correlation to the principal commodities being sought, overlying a base map of EM anomalies and bedrock conductivity.

Gold in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Au.pdf

Silver in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Ag.pdf

Copper in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Cu.pdf

Lead in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Pb.pdf

Zinc in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Zn.pdf

Barium in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Ba.pdf

Bismuth in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Bi.pdf

Cadmium in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Cd.pdf

Cobalt in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Co.pdf

Cesium in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Cs.pdf



Gallium in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Ga.pdf

Mercury in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Hg.pdf

Phosphorus in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_P.pdf

Scandium in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soil_Sc.pdf

Strontium in A-Horizon - Maseres Core Area  Preliminary Results

http://www.melkior.com/2018_09_07_Soils_Sr.pdf

The soil samples being presented were collected at the southwestern end of the soil grid, about eight kilometers from where soil sampling was conducted by Melkior last year. This program consists of about 5,000 A-Horizon soil samples being collected on a 50m x 50m grid spacing. Over one thousand additional soil samples are currently pending in the lab. The soil sampling program is ongoing and sample collection is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

Melkior has established that volcanic terrain extends through the Maseres Project. Reconnaissance mapping has identified the spatial association of the priority EM anomaly trends to mafic units and locally to chert. This association establishes that a subaqueous volcanic environment was historically present. Melkior is of the opinion that the extensive EM anomaly trend is related to a volcano-sedimentary stratigraphic sequence and that this sequence has a potential to host gold rich Bousquet Type VMS deposits. If Melkiors hypothesis is valid, and that the sampling method is sufficiently effective, it is expected that anomalous zones of gold, silver, copper, lead and or zinc would be defined overlying, or in proximity, to the target stratigraphy along its length. Updates to these maps will be presented as the data becomes available.

Jim Deluce, CEO of Melkior remarks, Melkior is working hard towards generating high quality drill targets on our Maseres Project.

Wade Kornik, P.Geo., has approved the information contained in this release. Mr. Kornik is the Exploration Manager of the Company and is Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Keith James Deluce, CEO

For more information, please contact:

Melkior Resources Inc.

E-mail: info@melkior.com

Tel: 705-267-4000

The reader is invited to visit Melkior's web site www.melkior.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the

TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




Dr. Tyson Cobb of Orthopaedic Specialists, PC is bringing a team of medical professionals to care for underserved patients in Ecuador, providing pro bono treatment of upper extremity conditions and diseases.



DAVENPORT, Iowa, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to provide medical treatment to Ecuadorians in need, Dr. Tyson Cobb and team headed to Milagros in August 2018 to perform surgical care on underserved patients as part of Medical Ministry Internationals (MMI) global missions. The Quad Cities orthopaedic surgeon and his team contributed their expertise in hand, wrist, and upper extremity procedures to individuals of all ages.

From August 3  8, Dr. Cobb and team had the opportunity to assist children, teens, and adults in Milagros who would otherwise have limited or no access to the procedures they need to lead full, productive lives. The mission included four scheduled days of surgery using equipment, medication, and supplies donated through MMIs philanthropic efforts. The cost of transportation, food, and lodging was raised through generous gifts from those supporting the trip; the amount raised was then matched by Orthopaedic Specialists.

This will be Dr. Cobbs second medical mission to Ecuador, and he has also traveled to Trinidad as part of a mission to teach local physicians advanced techniques in hand and upper extremity surgery . Dr. Cobb and his team have been recognized for their commitment to patient care both locally and internationally.

Dr. Cobbs team is proud to donate their time and training to such an important and worthy cause, and they are grateful to the medical team members who volunteered to assist in Ecuador. Dr. Cobb looks forward to the next opportunity to take part in a mission to assist the less fortunate while reducing pain and dysfunction around the world. To see pictures and read stories about the medical mission trip to Milagros, Ecuador, please visit Cobbs Helping Hands on Facebook. If you wish to donate to Cobbs Helping Hands Medical Ministries for future medical mission trips, please visit Cobbs Helping Hands Fundly page.

About Tyson Cobb, MD

Dr. Tyson Cobb is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in upper extremity surgery. He is the Director of the Hand and Upper Extremity Center at Orthopaedic Specialists, PC, located in Davenport and Clinton, Iowa. He is also the president of the European Wrist Arthroscopy Society. Dr. Cobb is considered a pioneer in minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery, and he holds the patents on several surgical devices. He earned his medical degree at Texas Tech School of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at Mayo Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Cobb also completed a Fellowship in Hand and Microvascular Surgery at the University of Texas. He is available for interview upon request.

For more information about Dr. Cobb and his practice, please visit osquadcities.com and facebook.com/osquadcities .

To view the original source of this press release, click here: https://www.osquadcities.com/practice-news/quad-cities-orthopaedic-surgeon-leads-ecuador-medical-mission/

Orthopaedic Specialists, PC

Davenport Office:

3385 Dexter Ct.

Davenport, IA 52807

(563) 344-9292

Bettendorf Office:

4480 Utica Ridge Rd., Ste. 2240

Bettendorf, IA 52722

(563) 344-9292

Clinton Office:

2635 US 30

Clinton, IA 52732

(563) 243-4170

Rosemont Media

(858) 200-0044

www.rosemontmedia.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e64043e1-454b-4252-83c6-87544bdda3c7
SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predictive Technology Group, Inc. (OTC/PINK: PRED), a life-sciences technology company, announces its subsidiary Predictive Biotech has completed phase one of its new laboratory facility. The new lab, located in Research Park on the University of Utah campus, features an ISO clean room and meets Good Tissue Practices (GTP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements for the companys human cell and tissue products (HCT/Ps). The lab, which opened today, houses more than 30 employees.



We are very pleased with the new facility, said Eric Olson, Predictive Biotechs CEO. Phase one of two effectively triples our manufacturing capabilities. The expanded tissue processing capacity of the lab allows Predictive to meet rapidly growing consumer demand.

Phase two of the facility is expected to be open in early 2019 and will double again the total laboratory production capabilities.

About Predictive Biotech, Inc.

Predictive Biotech, a Salt Lake City, UT life sciences Company formed in 2015, is a leader in human cell and tissue products. A growing national network of clinics, health systems, researchers and physicians leverage Predictives four main placental and Whartons Jelly umbilical cord-derived products. Predictive Biotech current products are regulated by the FDA under 21 CFR part 1271 section 361 as minimally manipulated allografts intended for homologous use. Additional information is at www.predictivebiotech.com

About Predictive Technology Group, Inc.

Predictive Technology Group aims to revolutionize patient care through predictive data analytics, novel gene-based diagnostics and companion therapeutics through its wholly owned subsidiaries Predictive Therapeutics and Predictive Biotech. These subsidiaries are focused on endometriosis, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and human cell and tissue products. The subsidiaries use genetic and other information as cornerstones in the development of new diagnostics that assess a persons risk of illness and therapeutic products designed to identify, prevent and treat diseases more effectively. Additional information is at www.predictivetechnologygroup.com, www.predrx.com and www.predbiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent any statements made in this release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, acceptance and demand for human cell and tissue products and other pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development and launch, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, availability of additional intellectual property rights, availability of future financing sources, the regulatory environment, and other risks the Company may identify from time to time in the future.

Contacts:

At the company

Michael Herbert

mherbert@predictivebiotech.com
Townsville, Queensland, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This month, Microdrones expanded its global footprint, with dedicated resources to support Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The team currently consists of a sales and customer service presence and the groundwork for rapid expansion.

This comes as part of an overall global growth initiative after Microdrones added a new facility in Siegen, Germany and opened a new office in Toulouse, France, last month. Microdrones President Vivien Heriard-Dubreuil explains, We are focusing on our commitment to develop the commercial drone business here. This region has long been a pioneer in the commercial drone industry in terms of regulatory foresight, as well as technology adoption.

Professionals down under have been deploying Microdrones solutions for geomatics, construction, mining and inspection for more than a decade. Heriard-Dubreuil adds, Our fully integrated systems have been a welcome fit in these markets, so were expanding our people and footprint here to become the market leader.

As Sales Manager for Microdrones in this region, Darren Wilkinson is very enthusiastic about the future. When we say that Microdrones systems are fully-integrated, thats not a buzzword, explains Wilkinson, adding the UAV, the sensors, software, hardware, workflow, training and support are all part of the package. Projects are planned and flown quickly. Data is collected and efficiently processed for visualization in popular geomatics software.

Microdrones Global Sales Director Mike Hogan adds, Australian Customers rely on this technology daily. Were committing people, infrastructure and time to support marketing, training, and technical support. Recently adding Customer Support Engineer David Hobby as a dedicated resource for the region will help provide users with quick knowledge and field support. Hogan added, This is only the beginning of an aggressive plan to earn the business of this growing market of more than 1300 professional users.

About Microdrones

Founded in Germany in 2005, Microdrones developed the world's first commercial quadcopter and the company continues to lead the industry with their professional UAV solutions.

By pairing robust drones with cutting-edge sensors, Microdrones offers advanced turn-key solutions that make it easy for businesses to start using UAVs for surveying, mapping, construction, inspection, precision agriculture, mining, and other commercial applications. A heritage of quality German engineering, extra-long flight times, resistance to environmental challenges, and technology like direct georeferencing make Microdrones solutions exceptionally safe, efficient, and cost-effective choices for commercial users.

Microdrones serves markets around the globe. To learn more about Microdrones, visit www.microdrones.com. To talk with a sales professional about your application, please contact us!

# # #
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday September 6, 2018, a $500,000 judgment was entered in favor of Dr. Kaede Ota and against the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in the case she filed for pregnancy discrimination and retaliation. Dr. Otas complaint sets forth detailed facts involving her treatment by her supervisor, Dr. Robert W. Doms, after she initially advised him of her pregnancy and later, after she repeatedly raised concerns about pregnancy discrimination at his hands. Judgment was accepted in federal court in Philadelphia.



Dr. Ota was represented by Stephen G. Console, Laura C. Mattiacci and Katherine C. Oeltjen all of Console Mattiacci Law in Philadelphia. Stephen Console stated the following, Dr. Ota is to be praised for her courage and conviction in bringing this lawsuit and in not being willing to accept anything short of a complete victory and a publicly filed judgment. Any other female employee of CHOP who feels discriminated against because of her sex or pregnancy now knows that she is not alone and that victims of abuse of power can prevail in demanding that their civil rights be upheld.

This judgment stands in stark contrast to situations where companies pay settlements that require strict confidentiality agreements and allow discrimination to be swept under the rug. By demanding a publicly filed judgment, victims of discrimination can expose those who have abused their power and, hopefully, help prevent the next employee from being victimized.

Dr. Ota stated, This is an important win for all physician moms who have experienced discrimination in the workplace or have faced backlash when they raised concerns. I came forward with my story because I believe that we, the healthcare community, need to determine how to ensure that women who bear children are treated equally, and with respect. My hope is that this win will mobilize our community toward this end.

About Console Mattiacci Law, LLC

Console Mattiacci Law, LLC is an employment rights law firm with offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Moorestown, New Jersey. Since its inception in 1990, the firm has focused its practice on the representation of current, former and potential employees concerning workrelated matters. The lawyers at Console Mattiacci Law, LLC counsel whistleblower-employees who have been retaliated against and individuals who have been victimized by illegal employment discrimination and retaliation, including sex, race, religion, disability and age discrimination and sexual harassment at work. They also represent employees concerning medical leaves, disability benefits, wage and hour claims, employment contracts, severance agreements, stock option plans, and class action lawsuits. For more information visit: www.consolelaw.com or call Console Mattiacci Law, LLC at 215-545-7676.
Houston, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In September 2017, the Texas Workforce Commission reported that the Texas economy had reduced the unemployment rate to 4.5 percent, however, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) area scored the highest on the unemployment rate for the month of August in the entire state. The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) saw an opportunity to build college programs based on RGV employer needs and the skills gap of RGV unemployed aspiring professionals from disadvantaged communities. A new white paper shares the exciting results of this initiative: http://bit.ly/CHCPMcGrawHillMcAllen

Through a collaboration with McGraw-Hill Education, CHCP successfully increased graduation rates from 74 percent to 80 percent compared to CHCPs traditional residential education model. The outcomes were the result of an innovative, blended education program delivered two days a week on campus, with the rest of the delivery online for the students convenience. The blended education program creates community, provides access to student-centered wrap-around services, and leverages McGraw-Hill digital products and The College of Health Care Professions proprietary OmniEngage technology platform to deliver high-quality education and training.

For 30 years CHCP has been committed to building programs to accommodate the lives of students who must work while attending school in order to maintain their family commitments, said Joe Cortez CHCP McAllen President. We achieve this by offering students a blended delivery of coursework, a modular structure, support in areas like childcare, transportation, and mentorship, and externships that hone critical skills needed in their first jobs.

With the assistance of an academic advisory board of health care experts, CHCP identified specific programs best suited to meet both local employment and the health care needs of RGV. Two of the programs included the Medical Assistant (MA) certificate program and the Medical Coding and Billing (MCB) certificate program.

Following the implementation of the new curriculum design, technology, and student-centered wrap-around services, CHCP has seen outstanding results. The white paper published by McGraw-Hill details the success of CHCPs efforts to deliver high-quality education and training to achieve successful job placements. According to the report, CHCP saw significate increases in student satisfaction, retention, graduation, and employment.

In 201617, the accreditor reported retention rate for students on the CHCP McAllen campus was 85 percent. The graduation and job placement rate for the same timeframe was 80 percent with graduates averaging nine months to graduation, including externship and certification testing. Even more impressive was certification pass rates of 98 percent for MA and 99 percent for MCB. Contributing to the high retention, graduation and placement rates has been an overall 98 percent student satisfaction score for both their courses and their instructors, as documented by aggregate scores on student satisfaction surveys from each program. This successful blended form of learning now expands to all eight CHCP campuses across Texas.

The outcomes of the CHCP MA and MCB programs are impressive and reflect the potential for digital solutions to transform the student learning experience, said Bill Okun, president of McGraw-Hills Higher Education division. McGraw-Hills adaptive learning technology is a natural fit for innovative schools like CHCP and was built to support all students  no matter their skill levels. Its inspiring to see so many of CHCPs students successfully graduating and quickly getting jobs.

Implementing Blended Learning with New Technologies

McGraw-Hills digital adaptive learning materials have been a critical component in the success of the blended delivery teaching method at CHCP. With blended delivery employed, students can connect to learning materials online via the McGraw-Hill Connecta digital solution. The combined online and face-to-face learning environment ensures students have adaptable schedules and personalized learning paths to lead to a better rate of success.

Connect is a homework and learning management platform that delivers interactive and adaptive tools for learning. The Connect management platform provides instructor reports that analyze student performance and allow faculty to address potential student issues. These features allow students to be proactive towards their success during the course rather than at the end. Students may also use SmartBook, which provides an adaptive reading experience and allows students to access the content of the book on a laptop or tablet.

Weve reimagined education utilizing our blended OmniEdge platform. We are firm believers in using and developing technology to help facilitate learning, but not replace the critical human element that our faculty and staff provide our aspiring professional students. The ability to integrate data from McGraw-Hills products with the rest of the students data in the CHCP platform has helped our drive for more successful student outcomes and ultimately higher quality patient care for our healthcare employer partners, said Eric Bing, CEO of CHCP.

Confirming the need for these professions

Employment for medical assistants is projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow nationally by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026. The occupations within the MCB program are expected to grow nationally by 13 percent from 2016 to 2026. CHCP focuses on ensuring students from all backgrounds and communities are given access to effective training that fits their complicated lives and gives them the opportunity to graduate and obtain professional employment. The McAllen CHCP campus is 97% Hispanic, 81% women and 51% are 25 years of age or older.

About CHCP and its Eight Campuses

CHCP is the largest Texas-based statewide provider of allied health graduates and supports thousands of healthcare employers across Texas. CHCP has eight physical campuses, and the McAllen campus in South Texas was the first to implement the blended OmniEngage platform. CHCP was founded 30 years ago when a group of physicians from MacGregor Medical Association in the Texas Medical Center recognized the need to provide quality medical training to employees, enabling their skills to be utilized by MacGregors expanding physician practices. The College of Health Care Professions has continued to grow and expand throughout the years in order to meet the growing and changing needs of qualified health care professionals. Campuses are located in Austin, Houston Southwest, Houston Northwest, South San Antonio, Northwest San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth and McAllen as well as a flourishing online program.

To learn more about CHCP visit www.chcp.edu.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education is a learning science company that delivers personalized learning experiences that help students, parents, educators and professionals drive results. McGraw-Hill Education has offices across North America, India, China, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and makes its learning solutions available in more than 60 languages. Visit us at mheducation.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



VANCOUVER, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GT Gold Corp. (GT Gold or the Company) (TSX.V: GTT) is pleased to announce that the best efforts private placement financing previously announced on September 10, 2018 (the Offering) is now oversubscribed and as a result the Company has upsized the Offering. The Offering will now consist of 2,985,000 common shares (the Shares), up to 3,894,000 flow-through common shares (the FT Shares) and up to 1,051,000 charity flow-through common shares (the Charity FT Shares) of the Company to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately C$6.0 million.

Each of the Shares, FT Shares and Charity FT Shares will be offered by way of a best efforts private placement at a price of C$0.67 per Share, C$0.77 per FT Share and C$0.95 per Charity FT Share, respectively.

Net proceeds from the financing will be used to fund advancement of the Companys Saddle South and Saddle North discoveries in B.C.s Golden Triangle. The closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or around October 2, 2018 (the Closing Date) and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada expiring four months and one day from the Closing Date.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About GT Gold

GT Gold Corp. is focused on exploring for gold in the geologically fertile terrain of British Columbias renowned Golden Triangle. The Companys flagship asset is the wholly-owned, 44,206-hectare Tatogga property, located near Iskut, BC, close to roads and grid power. The Company achieved, in 2017, a major new gold-silver discovery at its Saddle prospect, located up a gentle valley only 10 kilometres off highway 37. The Saddle discovery comprises two parts: a high-grade, near surface, epithermal gold-silver vein system at Saddle South and, close by at Saddle North, a largely covered, porphyry copper-gold-silver mineralized system. Geophysical surveying suggests that both may be large in scale, and current 2018 drill results indicate that Saddle North bears strong similarities to the nearby Red Chris deposit. The Saddle South discovery was internationally recognized for its significance in November 2017 with the Mines and Money Exploration Discovery Award. The Company has the backing of major institutions and key Canadian investors and is fully funded for the 18,000-metre program of expansion drilling now underway on this exciting new discovery.

For more information please contact:

GT Gold Corp. GT Gold Corp. GT Gold Corp. Steve Burleton Charles J. Greig, P.Geo Amandip Singh President and Chief Executive Officer Vice President, Exploration Director, Corporate Development Tel: (647) 256-6752 Tel: (250) 492-2331 Tel: (647) 256-6754 Website: www.gtgoldcorp.ca

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading Risk Factors and elsewhere in the Companys filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
DENVER, Colo. and VANCOUVER, B.C., Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandspring Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SSP, OTCQX: SSPXF) (the Company) is pleased to provide a corporate update on its current and future activities.



2017  2018 Exploration Program: The Company completed the 2017  2018 Exploration Program in April of 2018. The focus of the program was to obtain further information on the Sona Hill and Wynamu Hill prospects. Initial drilling results were reported in January of 2018. See Press Release dated January 26, 2018. The remainder of the drilling program focused on infill drilling at Sona Hill and a final resource estimate for Sona Hill and the Toroparu Project are in progress.

Toroparu Project Re-scoping:

As previously reported, the Company has been working with its consultant, SRK Consulting (USA) (SRK) on evaluating the best way to integrate the Sona Hill deposit into the operating plan for development of Toroparu.1 While positive drill intercepts from the 2015, 2016 and spring 2017 drilling at Sona Hill and Wynamu Hill indicated the potential for an expansion of the saprolite start-up modeled in the 2013 PFS for Toroparu,2 the final analysis did not support this alternative.

However, the addition of the higher-grade gold mineralization contained in both saprolite and hard rock at Sona Hill into a revised production schedule does provide the basis for a smaller scale project start-up followed by an expansion phase later in the mine life. Sandspring and its Technical Team are evaluating this alternative through re-scoping the project development plan for Toroparu to focus on an initial phase of gold only production at a rate of less than one half that defined in the 2013 PFS. Higher grade gold-only mineralization from near surface mineralization at Sona Hill, the gold-only mineralization from the SE Zone satellite deposit and select areas of gold-only mineralization in the shallow portions of the Toroparu main pit area provide the basis for the smaller scale gold-only start up with a potentially lower initial capital cost. It must be noted that the technical feasibility and economic validity of the smaller scale project start-up are not supported at this time by a Preliminary Econonic Assessment, a Prefeasibility Study or a Feasibility study.

Technical Team Expanded:

As the Company has previously announced, Gran Colombia Gold Corp., has become its single largest shareholder.3 Certain members of Gran Colombias management and technical team designed, built and operated the Choco Mine owned by Bolivar Gold in Venezuela before its sale to Gold Fields Ltd. in 2006. Gran Colombia personnel have been made available to assist the Company and have joined SRK in the analysis of the requirements and associated capital cost reductions for the re-scoping of the project.

Progress Summary:

Rich Munson, CEO stated: The higher grade Sona Hill saprolite and fresh rock mineralized material has opened up a new pathway that may allow a startup of the project in the current gold market that can focus on a smaller production profile offering reasonably attractive economics while still preserving the opportunity to move the Project back to its large scale development potential. While we have not completed a Preliminary Econonic Assessment, a Prefeasibility Study or a Feasibility study at this point the expansion of the Technical Team brings significant additional experience and expertise to this evaluation effort and will greatly facilitate its implementation.

Kurupung Hydroelectric Project

Sandspring is also pleased to announce that the Government of Guyana has completed its review of the Companys work to date on the Kurupung River Hydroelectric Project located at Kumurau Falls, approximately 50 km southwest of the Toroparu Gold Project. Following the review, the Company and Government signed on August 6 2018 an Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding granting the Company exclusive rights for the development of the hydroelectric through December 31, 2021.

The run-of-river hydroelectric project at Kumurau Falls is an exciting add-on for the large-scale phase of the development of the Toroparu project, said Rich Munson.

Chicharron Gold/Silver Project, Colombia

The 386-hectare Chicharron Project lies within Gran Colombia Golds Segovia mining title in the Segovia-Remedios Mining District of Colombia. The initial focus of work on the Chicharron Project is the GuiaAntiqua Mine area which is located approximately 4.4 km east of Gran Colombias Segovia operations near the town of Segovia. The Chicharron Project was acquired from Gran Colombia Gold in July 2018 with details press released on July 26, 2018 (available on www.sandspringresources.com and www.sedar.com). A technical report, dated May 24, 2018, and entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Chicharron Gold-Silver Project, Segovia, Department of Antioquia, Colombia by Dr. Stewart D. Redwood has been posted to the Companys documents on www.sedar.com.

The Guia Antigua Mine produced historically from a NS oriented high-grade vein, with a strike of N100E and ~350W dip. High grade silver and gold mineralization was mined primarily along the contact between a dark aphanitic dyke hanging wall and highly weathered foliated metamorphic footwall. The vein is formed primarily of quartz with some carbonate with varying dip. The vein is over 1-meter-wide in areas and is shallowly dipping. At the northern end of the deposit, the vein changes to 0450E strike and 350NW dip and is truncated by a 3m wide shear zone running parallel to the aphantic dyke (45-500E strike & 30-350NW dip). Deformation of the vein near the shear zone suggests dextral strike-slip movement on the fault. Historical mining conducted over approximately 150m was conducted by artisanal mining methods primarily on a single level. Initial development of a second deeper level along the contact with the shear zone was not completed.

The Guia Antigua vein can be followed for 300-400 meters to the south with the same strike and dip but not north of the faulted shear zone. Several artisanal mines within the Chicharron Project area, including Chicharron 1 and 2, Laguna Azul, Rafa, Chenge, YY and NN, have exploited the vein south of the Guia Antigua historical mine.

The Guia Antigua vein has been mined for many years by artisanal miners. Production by the last group to mine the deposit, Sociedad Guias Gold, from Nov. 2014 to Oct. 2016, was reported to be 157,117 oz silver and 2,347 oz gold from 12,069 tonnes and an average grade of 404.9 g/t silver and 6.05 g/t gold.

In April 2018, the Gran Colombia exploration team carried out systematic check channel sampling of the Guia Antigua mine, collecting 155 samples in 32 representative vertical channels. The results are shown below:

Column # Assays Min

(g/t) Max

(g/t) Mean

(g/t) Median

(g/t) AG 85 0.15 10,381.0 140.9 37.8 AU 115 0.01 133.73 5.46 2.55

SRK has worked extensively on Gran Colombias Segovia Mining District operations including completing the NI 43-101 Technical Prefeasibility Study, dated May 10, 2018, for Gran Colombias Segovia Project. Sandspring has been working with the SRK team in the Companys initial evaluation of the Chicharron Project and engaged them to conduct a geologic study of the Guia Antigua vein after closing the acquisition of the Chicharron Project. SRKs initial recommendations include a 10-20 hole diamond drilling program to an average depth of approximately 100m from surface in areas extending the strike length to the northeast and southwest of the historical underground workings and across the faulted zone to the north. A portion of the net proceeds from the recently completed private placement will be used to complete this drilling program.

The purpose of this drilling campaign is to explore for extensions and/or offsets of the Guia Antigua or adjacent veins, to better understand the geological and structural controls of mineralization, and to provide initial data for development of a mineral inventory and potential small-scale mining operations.4

Rich Munson, CEO, commented: As we noted in our earlier announcement, Chicharron is a very unique opportunity for Sandspring to diversify its project portfolio. The historically mined high-grade mineralization at Guia Antigua, existing operating license under Gran Colombias mining title, and Gran Colombias vested interest as Sandsprings largest shareholder, all combine to make the Chicharron Project a unique opportunity for development for Sandspring.

Toroparu and SE Zone 2018 Mineral Resource Estimate Update  SRK Comments

The Toroparu and SE Zone Mineral Resource was independently estimated by SRK and reported in the NI 43-101 Technical Report Prefeasibility Study Toroparu Gold Project Upper Puruni River Area, Guyana Effective Date: May 8, 2013 Report Date: May 24, 2013.

During 2018, SRK reviewed various aspects of the 2011-2013 resource model construction for the Toroparu Project and subsequently developed refinements for grade modeling and confidence classification. Modeling refinements consist of the utilization of a longer composite length for gold and copper (1.5 m) and a lower estimated nugget (kriging parameter for grade assignment) for gold. Confidence classification refinements consists of smoothing the classifications based on block estimation attributes with broader geological and data considerations within the Northwest portion of the Main zone and modifications to the SE Zone. For gold, the majority of the Main Zone remains as assessed in 2012 and reported in 2013. Gold assays were capped at 15 and 8 g/t for fresh and saprolite rock respectively. For copper, in 2018, a separate model was developed in Leapfrog Geo 3D modeling software utilizing geologic information providing an independent control for grade estimation. The silver resource was estimated as an associated value as in 2015, utilizing all drilling noted in 2013, augmented with 15,314 silver assays with an average length of 2.3 m. Silver assays were capped at 25 g/t and 8 g/t for the Main and SE Zones, respectively, and composited into 2.5 m intervals. Rock type classification and bulk densities, 2.75 and 1.88 for fresh and oxidized saprolite respectively, are unchanged from 2013. The 2018 model, incorporating all refinements and was evaluated against a newly constructed optimized pit shell, provides an incremental 2% increase in contained measured and indicated Au ounces at a 0.3 Au (g/t) cut-off. The 2018 revised model, while similar in aggregate to that constructed in 2012, better represents the local variation of gold for mine planning purposes and is in general a better representation of the copper distribution.

Sona Hill 2018 Mineral Resource Estimate  SRK Comments

The Sona Hill Mineral Resource Estimate and the deposit geology were initially presented by Sandspring in a February 23, 2017 Press Release. Additional targeted in-fill drilling was completed in late 2017 and early 2018, with 75 holes for an additional 9,377 m of drilling, and a 71% increase in the assay database. The Sona Hill drill geologic model was developed in Leapfrog Geo 3D modeling software utilizing geologic information from the 184 drillholes. The 2018 MRE is based on data from 21,963 m of diamond drill core recovered from the 184 deposit specific boreholes drilled to date.

The Sona Hill Mineral Resource Estimate was independently estimated by SRK as a potentially open-pit satellite deposit to Toroparu. The geologic and assay data were used to model a mineralized shell in Leapfrog Geo software. The mineralized shape is based on continuity established with 6 m composites, and incorporated anisotropy from a generalized average trend of mineralized quartz veins as well as local down-hole point-data structural orientations of veins.

The drill core assay average length was 1.5 m and the gold assays were composited to 1.5 m intervals within the mineralized wireframes subsequent to capping at 35 g/t Au. A block model was constructed in Datamine Studio3 mining software package (Datamine), using a 10 m x 10 m x 5 m standard block size and sub-blocking with a variable z value at the fresh rock-saprolite surface.

Variogram analyses on 1.5 m composites was undertaken with reasonable continuity results. An anisotropy model was constructed using the point data of structural vein orientations. The average interpolated orientation is azimuth 248o with a dip of 41oNW. Gold grades were assigned using ordinary kriging constrained within the mineralized shape utilizing the interpolated orientations. Average Bulk Density values based on measurements of Sona Hill core are 1.65 for oxidized saprolite and 2.84 for fresh rock. Validation of model accuracy was based on comparing results from kriging with inverse distance and nearest neighbor grade estimates, which shows very similar results, and visual review on sections.

Confidence classification is based on a minimum of three composites, with a maximum of two composites from any one hole for Measured and Indicated; with search distances of 8 m x 12 m x 6 m for Measured, and 24 m x 36 m x 18 m for Indicated. Inferred classification used a minimum of one composite with a search distance of 80 m x 120 m x 60 m. The classification was post processed so that blocks within 10 m of a sample (essentially intersected) estimated with the second and third search volumes are considered measured and indicated respectively. The confidence classifications were examined, and modifications were made to minimize the existence of spots of, for example, blocks classified mathematically as Inferred that are encompassed by those classified as Indicated, within areas with reasonable geological continuity and sufficient sampling.

The quality, density and distribution of the sample data, subsequent to the targeted in-fill drilling, along with the representative structural vein orientation data has provided a satisfactory basis for resource modeling and mine planning purposes at the feasibility level.

The statistical analysis, geologic modelling and resource estimation were prepared by Frank Daviess, RM SME and Allan Moran, AIPG CPG, SRK Associates, who are Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Sandspring Resources Ltd.

Richard A. Munson

Director and Chief Executive Officer

About Sandspring Resources Ltd.

Sandspring Resources Ltd. is a Canadian junior mining company currently moving toward a feasibility study for the multi-million-ounce Toroparu Project in Guyana, South America. A prefeasibility study completed in May 2013 (NI 43-101 Technical Report, Prefeasibility Study, Toroparu Gold Project, Upper Puruni River Area, Guyana, dated May 24, 2013 completed by SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) outlined the design of an open-pit mine producing more than 200,000 ounces of gold annually over an initial 16-year mine life. Sandspring and Wheaton Precious Metals (formerly known as Silver Wheaton) entered into a gold and silver purchase agreement for the Toroparu Project in 2013. Sandspring also holds a 100% interest in the Chicharron Gold Project located near Segovia, Antioquia Department, Colombia. Additional information is available at www.sandspringresources.com or by email at info@sandspringresources.com.

Contact Sandspring Resources Ltd.

Richard A. Munson

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +1 (303) 991-5683 or via email at sandspringinfo@sandspringresources.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words potential, suggesting, indicating, will, plans and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information and/or statements. Forward-looking statements and/or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations and/or assumptions that Sandspring has used to develop such statements and/or information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Sandspring believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Sandspring can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such information and/or statements, including the assumptions made in respect thereof, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and/or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information and/or statements including, without limitation: the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates; results from drilling and exploration activities; the ability of Sandspring to complete the Transaction; Sandsprings future plans; the availability of financing and/or cash flow to fund current and future plans and expenditures; the impact of increasing competition; fluctuating commodity prices; the general stability of applicable economic and political environments; the general continuance of current industry conditions; uncertainty regarding the market price for gold, silver and copper; uncertainty of conducting operations under a foreign regime; uncertainty of obtaining all applicable regulatory approvals and related timing matters; Sandsprings dependence on management personnel; and/or certain other risks detailed from time-to-time in Sandsprings public disclosure documents. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligations to publicly update and/or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

______________________________________

1 See Press Release dated September 17, 2017

2 Id.

3 See Press Release dated July 26, 2018

4 No exploration drilling has been conducted in the Chicharron project area nor are there any mineral resource estimates that comply with Canadian Institute of Mining standards required under Canadian NI 43-101 Standards for Disclosure of Mining Projects. See the Technical Report dated May 14, 2018, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Chicharron Gold-Silver Project, Segovia, Department of Antioquia, Colombia by Dr. Stewart D. Redwood.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unisync Corp. (TSX-V:UNI) ("Unisync" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced bought deal private placement financing (the Offering"). A total of 2,921,100 subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") were issued at a price of $3.80 per Subscription Receipt for gross proceeds of $11,100,180, which included the exercise in full of the underwriters option.



Acumen Capital Finance Partners Limited (Acumen or the Sole Underwriter) acted as Sole Underwriter in the Offering.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to pay a portion of the $24 million purchase price (subject to customary adjustments) for the acquisition announced August 22, 2018 (the "Acquisition") of Utility Garments Inc. (Utility) by Unisync from BDG & Partners and two minority shareholders (the Vendors).

The gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts will be held by an escrow agent pending the fulfillment or waiver of all outstanding conditions precedent to closing of the Acquisition (other than the payment of the consideration for the Acquisition). Upon the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions precedent to the closing of the Acquisition (other than the payment of the consideration for the Acquisition): (a) one common share of the Company (each an "Underlying Share") will be automatically issued for each Subscription Receipt (subject to customary anti-dilution protection) outstanding, without payment of additional consideration or further action by the holder thereof; and (b) the net proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts (less 50% of the Underwriters commission and any applicable expenses) will be released from escrow to the Company for the purposes of completing the Acquisition. If: (i) the Acquisition is not completed on or before December 1, 2018; (ii) the purchase and sale agreement in respect of the Acquisition is terminated in accordance with its terms at any earlier time; or (iii) the Company has advised Acumen or announced to the public that it does not intend to proceed with the Acquisition (the time and date of occurrence of any such event being the "Termination Time"), an amount per Subscription Receipt equal to the subscription price of a Subscription Receipt plus the pro rata entitlement to the interest earned or income generated, if any, on such amount less applicable withholding tax will be paid to holders of the Subscription Receipts and the Subscription Receipts will be cancelled.

Unisync currently expects to complete the Acquisition by October 1, 2018. The Subscription Receipts, and the Underlying Shares, issued under the Offering shall be subject to a four month hold period.

The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "1933 Act") and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. persons" (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act), except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons.

ABOUT UNISYNC

Unisync Corp. operates through two business units: Unisync Group of Mississauga, Ontario, and Peerless Garments LP (Peerless) of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Unisync Group is a leading customer-focused provider of corporate apparel, serving a list of Canadian iconic brands through operations in Vancouver, Calgary, Mississauga, Guelph, Carleton (Ottawa Region), Montreal and the Maritimes. Peerless specializes in the production and distribution of highly technical protective garments, military operational clothing, and accessories for a broad spectrum of Federal, Provincial and Municipal government departments and agencies. Unisync Corp. is a vertically integrated Canadian enterprise with exceptional capabilities in garment design, domestic manufacturing, and off-shore outsourcing, including state-of-the-art web based B2B ordering, distribution, and program management.

For more information on our capabilities, products and services please visit our website at www.unisyncgroup.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Douglas F. Good, CEO

Investor relations contact:

Douglas F Good at 778-370-1725

Email: dgood@unisyncgroup.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




DALLAS, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clare Market Investments, LLC, a Dallas-based Registered Investment Advisor, today announced that Alan Haworth of University Park, TX has joined the firm as a Director and Investment Advisor Representative (IAR). Alan brings his team of Robin Lott, also joining as an IAR, and operations and client service assistant Priya Intwala. Alan and team are committed to helping clients with wealth management and capital preservation.



With 21 years of cumulative experience investing for high net worth individuals, their focus is on risk-adjusted returns and mitigation of risk, especially during times of market volatility. Alan and Robin are active members of the Park Cities and Greater Dallas communities.

There were several reasons that we chose to join Clare Market Investments, said Haworth. The firms commitment to employing the latest and best technology was a major influence, but the quality of the personnel, their depth of character, and the firms commitment to being a proper fiduciary, providing a transparent, client-centric experience was also a significant factor.

We understand the immense amount of due diligence an advisor must make in order to change firms, said Keith Rhodus, founder and managing member of Clare Market Investments. We are flattered that Alan and his team chose to continue building their successful practice with us. Alan and Robin are bright advisors that bring unique and valuable skills sets to our firm.

About Clare Market Investments, LLC

Clare Market Investments, LLC is a registered investment advisor and financial planning firm that provides innovative investment management and planning solutions to select clientele. Clare Market Investments manages assets for affluent families and provides investment management, financial planning, and multi-generational trust and philanthropic planning services.

Media Contact:
CALGARY, Alberta and TULSA, Okla., Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SemCAMS ULC (SemCAMS), a subsidiary of SemGroup Corporation (NYSE:SEMG) is scheduled to attend AltaCorp Capitals Montney and Duvernay Conferences in New York City on Tuesday, September 18 and in Dallas on Wednesday, September 19.



SemCAMS Vice President and General Manager Dave Gosse and SemCAMS Vice President Business Development Chris Dutcher will participate in one-on-one meetings with members of the investment community. The presentation materials will be accessible the day of the event in the investor relations section of the SemGroup website at www.semgroupcorp.com .

About SemCAMS

SemCAMS ULC, a subsidiary of SemGroup Corporation (NYSE:SEMG), is a gathering and processing business which provides midstream solutions for natural gas producers in Western Canada. SemCAMS is one of Albertas largest licensed sour gas processors with Duvernay and Montney facilities located near Whitecourt and Fox Creek, and a plant under construction in the Wapiti area south of Grand Prairie. The company also operates sweet gas processing facilities in this region. SemCAMS is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

About SemGroup

SemGroup Corporation (NYSE:SEMG) moves energy across North America through a network of pipelines, processing plants, refinery-connected storage facilities and deep-water marine terminals with import and export capabilities. SemGroup serves as a versatile connection between upstream oil and gas producers and downstream refiners and end users. Key areas of operation and growth include western Canada, the Mid-Continent and the Gulf Coast. SemGroup is committed to safe, environmentally sound operations. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., the company has additional offices in Calgary, Alberta; Platteville, Colo.; and Houston, Texas.

SemGroup uses its Investor Relations website and social media outlets as channels of distribution of material company information. Such information is routinely posted and accessible on our Investor Relations website at www.semgroupcorp.com , our Twitter account and LinkedIn account.

Investor Relations:

Alisa Perkins

918-524-8081

investor.relations@semgroupcorp.com
EASTLAKE, Ohio, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intellitronix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Lighting Group (OTC: USLG), today announced that it will be developing a robotics curriculum for the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools for their W-E School of Innovation.



Under the STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) program, learning is collaborative and project-based; kids work closely together in a hands-on way to solve real-world problems.

By supporting our Schools Innovation program through a robotics curriculum, Intellitronix will be giving our children a hands-on, real-life experience in innovative technology. said Intellitronix CEO, Paul Spivak. As our curriculum at Willoughby-Eastlake is being developed we look to offer the robotics program to more schools throughout Ohio and beyond.

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines  science, technology, engineering and mathematics  in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. This also addresses the inadequate number of teachers skilled to educate in these subjects.

Through Intellitronix CEO Paul Spivak and Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Superintendent Steve Thompson, Intellitronix also agreed to develop a camera-based weapons detection system for the entire district.

About Intellitronix

Intellitronix is a manufacturer of LED lighting, LED gauges and panels, which are energy-saving devices of high-quality automotive after-market products that are also available to consumers through vendors such as Home Depot. The Company also manufactures an array of LED energy-saving light bulbs. All of the Companys products are 'Made in the USA' at its own manufacturing facility located near Cleveland, Ohio. Intellitronix is also the exclusive distributor for Promobot, an autonomous service robot which has been engineered by the Company to fulfill security and weapons detection demand.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified by the words: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, and similar expressions or which by their nature refer to future events. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these statements.

For further information, contact Intellitronix: (440) 359-7200, or sales@intellitronix.com




WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kane Biotech Inc. (TSX-V:KNE, OTCQB:KNBIF), (the Corporation or Kane Biotech) today announced that Mark Ahrens-Townsend has departed from the Company as Chief Executive Officer as of September 10, 2018. Mark will remain close to the Company and continue to work as an advisor.

Marc Edwards, Director of Kane Biotech, is appointed as Interim CEO in addition to his current position on the Board of Directors. Mr. Edwards is a pharmaceutical industry veteran with wide-ranging experience in Canada and international business markets.

Through Marks dedication and leadership, we have built a strong foundation for future growth. Kane Biotech has a number of strategic initiatives in the works that employ its intellectual property patents to prevent and remove microbial biofilms, spanning a broad range of applications. It is important that Kane Biotech increasingly shift its focus to cementing commercial contracts with higher-value applications of the IP, such as human health. We wish Mark well on his departure and future endeavours, commented Mr. Edwards.

The Board is thankful for Mark Ahrens-Townsends years of service and leadership to Kane Biotech.

About Kane Biotech Inc.

Kane Biotech is a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies and products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms.

The Corporation has a portfolio of biotechnologies, intellectual property (75 patents and patents pending, trade secrets and trademarks) and products developed by the Corporations own biofilm research expertise and acquired from leading research institutions. StrixNB, DispersinB, Aledex, bluestem, AloSera, coactiv+ and Kane are trademarks of Kane Biotech Inc. The Corporation is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KNE" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol KNBIF.

For more information, please visit www.kanebiotech.com or contact:

Ray Dupuis

Chief Financial Officer

Kane Biotech Inc.

+1 (204) 298-2200 ir@kanebiotech.com

Tirth Patel

Vice President - Investor Relations

Edison Advisors

+1 (646) 653-7035 tpatel@edisongroup.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain statements regarding Kane Biotech Inc. that constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements relating to the services to be provided by VLP to the Corporation and the terms and conditions of the written agreement to be entered into between the parties. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including the risk that the services to be provided by VLP will differ from those set out in the agreement to be entered into between the parties and the risk that the parties may not enter into a written agreement. The Corporation cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Corporation cannot provide assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Paris, France , Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DELSEY Paris, the iconic luggage brand with over 70 years of innovation, timeless quality and audacious design, is adding to their signature CHATELET HARDSIDE collection. Luxury, style and durability define these four new options that offer convenience for carry-on or weekend travel.

The four new softside carry-on options allow travelers to coordinate and complete their look while meeting the latest air travel regulations.

Vintage-chic DELSEY CHATELET embodies everything the brand is known for. The durable, lightweight bags are made of designer chevron-pattern fabric and vegan-leather trim to add a sophisticated French touch to any ensemble. The deluxe soft-touch interior is lined with rich Bordeaux fabric and features a removable organizational pouch. Each bag includes a hidden, zipped front pocket, making it easy to access documents and other items during travel. And a smart band at the back of each bag slides over the telescopic handle of a wheeled suitcase to make transport easy.

DELSEY CHATELET SOFT AIR includes the following pieces:

Shoulder Bag  easily carried over the shoulder, this tote is the perfect go-to for any escapade. It can also be used for business purposes or as an everyday bag. The interior comes equipped with 2 pockets as well as 2 padded sleeves for a laptop and a tablet, and a removable pouch for small accessories.

Backpack  the large, dual compartment makes it easy to transport anything, from books to electronics, to overnighter essentials! Adjustable shoulder straps ensure comfort during travel and a hidden zipped compartment on the back is the perfect secret spot to store valuables. For added security, both tablet and laptop sleeves can be accessed from the back of the backpack, located under the should straps.

Weekender Duffel  the large zippered opening creates a spacious interior equipped with a zippered pocket, a removable pouch for small accessories and a toiletry bag. A large zippered front pocket and two side pockets further accommodate last minute items. A removable and adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry when on the move. This duffel is perfect for any week-end getaway!

Two-Wheel Underseater  the newest travel trend, these bags are specifically designed to fit under the seat of most airplanes! The underseater has a roomy main compartment can fit a couple of outfits for a weekend get-away or a quick change upon arrival. Shoe pockets, a large zippered pocket and elastic straps in the interior make organizing and packing easy. The two-wheel trolley system is an excellent option when dashing through airports en route.

Perfect for back to school gifts, these four new bags are available in champagne or chocolate. Travelers can purchase them starting at a sale price of $139.99 directly at shop.delsey.com.

ABOUT DELSEY: An iconic brand, DELSEY is a French company and a creator of baggage since 1946. For more than 70 years DELSEY has offered consumers cases which bring together quality and audacious design. DELSEY creates ingenious baggage designed to accompany travellers wherever they go and to adapt to all types of journey, both professional and personal. Its strength grounded in its expertise, the brand is behind numerous innovations recognised by important prizes in the design world. DELSEY brings together style and functionality to create products that reflects the personality of each consumer. Today DELSEY is present on five continents and in more than 110 countries. A DELSEY bag is sold every 10 seconds.

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NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Pretium Resources, Inc. ("Pretium" or the "Company") (NYSE: PVG or TSX: PVG) on behalf of shareholders who suffered losses on shares purchased between July 21, 2016 and September 6, 2018, inclusive (Class Period).

Investors who have incurred losses in the shares of Pretium Resources, Inc. on either the New York Stock Exchange or the Toronto Stock Exchange are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action on our website, www.whafh.com.

If you have incurred losses in the shares of Pretium Resources, Inc. you may, no later than November 6, 2018, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights as an investor in Pretium Resources, Inc.

The filed complaint alleges Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects; specifically:

that the Brucejack Project is not a high-grade, high-output mine; and



that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On September 6, 2018, Viceroy Research published a report alleging, among other things, that the Company's "reported grades and reserves are significantly inflated, a much greater amount of waste is being dumped into local lakes, and more explosives are being utilized." The report also alleged that "management is scrambling to find consistent, high-grade ore to maintain the charade that its debt and equity are viable."

On this news, shares of Pretium Resources fell $0.77 USD per share, or nearly 10%, to close at $6.94 USD on September 6, 2018.

Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation.

If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com.

Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook.

Contact:

Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

Kevin Cooper, Esq.

Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis

Email: gstone@whafh.com , kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com

Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.
KEMP, Texas, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Larson Electronics LLC, leader in industrial lighting and power distribution equipment, has released a new single-phase buck and boost step down transformer. This NEMA 3R rated transformer provides increased reliability, higher efficiency, protection against critical equipment failures and an isolated power source. This unit is suitable for both indoor and outdoor non-hazardous applications such as air conditioners, lighting systems, heating elements, motor applications and any other operations that require the ability to power loads that differ from the available line voltage.



The MT-BBT-272V-240V-35.42A from Larson Electronics is a single-phase buck and boost step-down transformer with an 8.5 KVA rating. The step-down buck/boost unit has a primary voltage of 272V AC, using a maximum of 31.25 amps on the primary side, and a secondary voltage of 240V providing up to 35.42 amps on the secondary side. Buck/boost transformers direct most of the load voltage directly through the transformer, which only transforms a small percentage. This equates to a smaller and quieter step-up transformer that provides users with significant energy savings and environmental benefits.

The MT-BBT-272V-240V-35.42A provides reliability, efficiency, critical equipment failure protection, and additional protection by isolating the power source from the connected device. The housing is constructed of painted steel with winding formed from high quality precision cut copper for improved performance. Closed tolerances eliminate burrs to further enhance performance, and each core in this transformer is special coating to help resist the ingress of moisture. The MT-BBT-272V-240V-35.42A is encapsulated in silica sand and resin and cased in a NEMA 3R steel enclosure.

Buck and boost step down transformers are extremely efficient and cost saving, said Rob Bresnahan, CEO of Larson Electronics LLC. Since they direct most of the load voltage right through the transformer, only a small portion is transformed which makes this unit very quiet with great environmental benefits.

About Larson Electronics LLC: Larson Electronics LLC is a manufacturer of industrial lighting equipment and accessories. The company offers an extensive catalog of industry-grade lighting and power distribution products for the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, food processing, oil and gas, military, marine and automobile. Customers can benefit from the companys hands-on, customized approach to lighting solutions. Larson Electronics provides expedited service for quotes, customer support and shipments.

For further information, please contact:

Rob Bresnahan, President and CEO

Toll-free: 1-800-369-6671

Phone: 214-616-6180

Fax: 903-498-3364

E-mail: sales@larsonelectronics.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c90250f0-2dca-4567-8717-2fe58c73b886

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f5c18df-2101-4d88-8286-a31e8b685eb4

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c2ee98c-8f91-4cb5-97ca-7447e7be13d5
MARKHAM, Ontario, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Extendicare Inc. (Extendicare or the Company) (TSX: EXE) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has completed its search for a new President and Chief Executive Officer with the appointment of Dr. Michael R. Guerriere effective October 22, 2018. Dr. Guerriere, will be succeeding Tim Lukenda who, as previously announced, is departing the Company.



Dr. Guerriere, a current member of Extendicares Board of Directors, has a diverse background with over 25 years of experience in medicine, healthcare and technology. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of TELUS Health, where he oversees the strategy for the companys eHealth business which serves clinical professionals, hospitals, government agencies, health authorities, pharmacies and consumers across Canada. Prior to joining TELUS Health in 2011, Dr. Guerriere was a founding partner of Courtyard Group, an international healthcare consultancy that TELUS Health acquired. Before starting Courtyard in 2002, he served ten years as an executive in university teaching hospitals, including as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the University Health Network. He holds a degree in Medicine and specialty training in Internal Medicine from the University of Toronto, an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and an honorary doctorate from Ryerson University.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Alan Torrie, the Chairman of Extendicare, stated: We are very pleased with the selection of Dr. Guerriere as the Companys new President and CEO. We are confident that his background, skills and experience make him ideally suited to lead the Company through its next chapter of growth and continuing success.

Dr. Guerriere commented, Im grateful to the Board for this opportunity. I believe strongly in Extendicares growth potential and strategy and look forward to joining the Companys dedicated team members and caregivers in shaping its future as a leading senior care provider.

About Extendicare

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors throughout Canada. Through our network of 120 operated senior care and living centres (67 owned/53 managed), as well as our home health care operations, we are committed to delivering care throughout the health care continuum to meet the needs of a growing seniors population in Canada. Our qualified and highly trained workforce of 23,700 individuals is dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service and a passion for what we do.

Forward-looking Statements

Information provided by Extendicare from time to time, including this release, contains or may contain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated financial events, results, circumstances, economic performance or expectations with respect to Extendicare and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, statements regarding its business operations, business strategy, and financial condition. Forward-looking statements can be identified because they generally contain the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, objective, plan, project, will or other similar expressions or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements reflect managements beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available, and Extendicare assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Extendicare to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Extendicares forward-looking statements. Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Extendicare with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com and on Extendicares website at www.extendicare.com.

For further information, contact:

Jillian E. Fountain

Vice President, Investor Relations

Phone: (905) 470-5534; Fax: (905) 470-4003

Email: jfountain@extendicare.com

www.extendicare.com
Sacramento, CA, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, federal Judge Troy Nunley ruled that a California law banning licensed gun dealers from displaying handgun-related signs or advertising is unconstitutional and violates their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit, Tracy Rifle and Pistol v. Becerra, is supported by Second Amendment civil rights groups The Calguns Foundation (CGF) and Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) as well as industry association California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees (CAL-FFL).

California Penal Code section 26820, first enacted in 1923, banned gun stores from putting up signs advertising the sale of handguns  but not shotguns or rifles. But, the court held today, quoting from the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias landmark Second Amendment 2008 opinion in D.C. v. Heller, the enshrinement of constitutional rights necessarily takes certain policy choices off the table.

While the law completely banned handgun-related signs, the Plaintiffs could display a large neon sign reading GUNS GUNS GUNS or a 15-foot depiction of a modern sporting rifle, and this would be permissible, Judge Nunley explained in his order, highlighting how unreasonable and under-inclusive the law was. And even after four years of litigation, the Government has not demonstrated that  26820 would have any effect on handgun suicide or violence.

The government defended the law on the theory that it inhibits people with impulsive personality traits from purchasing a handgun, but Judge Nunley held that this cannot justify restricting free speech rights: [T]he Supreme Court has rejected this highly paternalistic approach to limiting speech, holding that the Government may not achieve its policy objectives through the indirect means of restraining certain speech by certain speakers. California may not accomplish its goals by violating the First Amendment. . . .  26820 is unconstitutional on its face, Judge Nunley concluded.

This is an important victory for our clients and for the First Amendment, said lead counsel Brad Benbrook. Judge Nunley decided that the State could not justify its censorship of our clients, and we are delighted with the opinion. As the Court explained today, the government cannot censor commercial speech in a paternalistic effort to keep citizens from making unpopular choices  or choices the government doesnt approve  if they are told the truth.

Under the First Amendment, the government may not restrict speech on the theory that it will supposedly lead a few listeners to do bad things, or even to commit crimes, explained Eugene Volokh, a UCLA law professor who has written and taught extensively about the First and Second Amendments. The Supreme Court has held this in the past, and has indeed often struck down restrictions on supposedly dangerous commercial advertisingincluding advertising for products that some people abuse, such as alcohol. Its good to see the district court recognizing that the First Amendment has no gun advertising exception.

Today, the Court correctly ruled that the First Amendment protects truthful, non-misleading speech about handguns protected under the Second Amendment, commented CGF Executive Director Brandon Combs. People have a fundamental, individual right to buy handguns and licensed dealers have a right to tell people where they can lawfully acquire those handguns. Todays ruling means that the government cannot prevent people, or gun dealers, from talking about constitutionally protected instruments and conduct.

This decision will serve as a reminder that firearms dealers have First Amendment rights as well as Second Amendment rights, even in California, SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb said. The bottom line is that a state cannot legislate political correctness at the expense of a fundamental, constitutionally-enumerated right. We are delighted to offer financial support of this case.

The plaintiffs are represented by Benbrook and Stephen Duvernay of the Sacramento-based Benbrook Law Group as well as Professor Volokh. They expect that todays order in the long-running lawsuit, which was filed in 2014, will be appealed by Attorney General Becerra to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

A copy of the order can be viewed at https://www.calgunsfoundation.org/tracy-rifle-v-becerra.

The Calguns Foundation (www.calgunsfoundation.org) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves its members, supporters, and the public through educational, cultural, and judicial efforts to advance Second Amendment and related civil rights.

Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nations oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

California Association of Federal Firearm Licensees (www.calffl.org) is Californias advocacy group for Second Amendment and related economic rights. CAL-FFL members include firearm dealers, training professionals, shooting ranges, collectors, gun owners, and others who participate in the firearms ecosystem.

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Chicago, IL, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago, IL - More than 200 high-net-worth investors from around the world will gather at The Westin Michigan Avenue hotel for a two-day forum on Monday, September 17th and Tuesday, September 18th, hosted for members of The Arcview Investor Network. High-net-worth accredited investors will be reviewing pitches from companies who competed fiercely for a slot out of a field of hundreds of applicants. Arcviews members have placed more than $200 million into 190+ Arcview-curated companies, making them the top source of capital for the cannabis industry.

Adam Bierman, CEO of MedMen Enterprises, will keynote the first day of the Forum. Hear first hand how MedMen conquered the most cutthroat market in cannabis, expanded to multiple states and grew to a $1bn+ valuation. Adam will discuss MedMens plan for licensing deals.

On the heels of Constellation's $4 billion investment into Canopy Growth, Managing Director of Cowen, Vivien Azer, will explain everything you need to know about the emerging cannabis beverage market. Don't miss her keynote, followed by a panel shell moderate with infused beverage companies Two Roots, Province Brands, and Kombuchade.

The $4 billion investment from Constellation into Canopy Growth is the shot heard round the world. Everything is different now in the cannabis sector. Thats why the key investors, researchers, and entrepreneurs are gathering in a small curated environment to figure out what moves to make next, said Troy Dayton, CEO and co-Founder of The Arcview Group.

Learn more about the growth of the cannabis industry via this short video. To get a sense of what to expect at Arcview, see this short video.

Who: Members of The Arcview Investor Network plus cannabis-related companies chosen to present.

What: Select media representatives will be invited to witness presentations from companies that have been successful at raising capital from this group and those who are hoping to attract investors at this meeting. Throughout the day, select reporters will be able to interview high-net-worth investors who have recently invested in the sector or are considering it, companies that have recently been funded, and elected officials that support legalization.

When: Monday, September 17th between 9:00AM  4:00PM and Tuesday, September 18th between 10:00AM  4:00PM.

Where: The Westin Michigan Ave, 909 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611.

How: Members of the media must apply for press credentials by emailing amandafish@arcviewgroup.com.



About The Arcview Group

Founded in 2010, The Arcview Group is responsible for a number of groundbreaking ventures in the cannabis industry. The Arcview Investor Network has helped more than 1200 investors place $200 million+ behind 190 companies. Arcview Market Research has published over 20 reports analyzing and forecasting the rapidly evolving cannabis space. Arcviews flagship annual report, The State of Legal Marijuana Markets has become the industry standard for market analysis and data in the sector. In 2015 Arcview became a partner in Canopy, the first seed-stage mentor-driven business accelerator. Arcview is also co-founder of Cannasure Insurance Services, the leading provider of business insurance to the cannabis industry. Forbes Magazine recently named Arcview among the top 5 financial firms in the cannabis sector. Learn more at arcviewgroup.com.



Some of the people expected to attend and available for interviews include:

Adam Bierman, CEO of MedMen Enterprises, a multi-state cannabis retail and cultivation operator. MedMen is the first U.S. based cannabis company to receive a billion dollar valuation.

Vivien Azer, Managing Director and senior research analyst of Cowen specializing in the beverage, tobacco, and cannabis sectors. As the first senior Wall Street analyst to cover the emerging cannabis sector, Vivien has been featured in The Economist, Barrons, and Forbes.

Steve DeAngelo, Chairman Emeritus of Flrish Inc, a leading vertically integrated cannabis company in California, author of the book The Cannabis Manifesto, co-Founder and President of The Arcview Group, and co-Founder of the first cannabis testing lab, Steep Hill.

Troy Dayton, co-Founder and CEO of The Arcview Group, Chair of the Marijuana Policy Project and founding board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, and co-Founder of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Named by Fortune Magazine, International Business Times, and Details Magazine in their lists of most influential people in the cannabis industry.

Steve Hawkins, Executive Director of Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is a very accomplished public policy advocate having held top executive roles at Amnesty International, National Coalition to End the Death Penalty, and the NAACP. Steve was recently chosen the MPP board to become the new leader of the top policy organization that changes cannabis laws.

AC Braddock, CEO of Eden Labs, innovative extraction technology company. AC is a career entrepreneur and enjoys educating the industry and those it serves on safe, healthful methods of producing concentrates.

Tom Adams, Editor-In-Chief of Arcview Market Research and lead researcher for the recently released 6th edition of The State of Legal Marijuana Markets co-produced with BDS Analytics. Tom has projected the growth curves for a number of business booms over the last few decades.

Michael Hayford, CEO of Lighthouse Strategies, a portfolio of "Seed to Sale" cannabis companies and strategically aligned traditional companies. Michael is a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of sales, business development, and management experience.

John Kagia, EVP of Industry Analytics of New Frontier Data. John is interested in identifying and building sustainable competitive positions and passionate about issues such as disruptive innovation and new market opportunities bringing him to focus on identifying strategic business opportunities in the fast-evolving marijuana industry.

Victor Jerez, former alcohol executive at Absolut Vodka maker, Pernot Ricard and Glendfiddich maker William Grant and Sons

Charles Bachtell, CEO and Co-Founder of Cresco Labs, LLC, a medical cannabis operator with operations in six states. Charlie brings with him deep legal expertise in both corporate governance and complex regulatory compliance, which helps to ensure that Cresco is an industry leader, setting new standards for a progressive, transparent and reputable medical cannabis community.

Dooma Wendschuh, CEO of Province, a company offering psychoactive products, including alternatives to alcohol. Dooma is an advocate for top quality cannabinoid-derived products that serve as a safer and healthier alternative to alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and prescribed and illegal psychoactives.

Jeanne Sullivan, General Partner of The Arcview Group, co-Founder of StarVest Partners, an NYC venture capital firm, and long time tech investor. Prior to StarVest, Jeanne served in operating roles at AT&T and Bell Labs. Cited by Forbes as one of the women venture capitalists changing the world - grooming the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

Brian Sheng, General Partner of The Arcview Group and co-founder of Fresh VC, a leading early stage venture capital fund focused on investments in water, marketplaces, and frontier technologies. Brian led investments in several multi-hundred million dollar companies, including FND, FiscalNote, Eaze. He also served on the Board of Directors of Eaze and FND.

Patrick Rea, Managing Director of Canopy, a seed-stage, mentor-driven business accelerator partnered with Arcview, and serving the cannabis industry since 2014.

Sturges Karban, CEO of MJIC, a California infrastructure network to move cannabis state-wide, legally.

Aaron Smith, co-founder and executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, a trade association representing legal cannabis businesses in the U.S and working to advance the industry on a national level.

Event sponsors include: CanopyBoulder, BDS Analytics, New Frontier Data, MJIC, Electrum Partners, Eden Labs, PowerPlant Park, Ganiyan, Province Brands, Ascend, Kannatopia, Austin Legal Group, Waterstone, Cresco Labs, 4042North, Two Roots, Grassroots, Cannabis World Congress, Kombuchade, Marijuana Policy Project, and National Cannabis Industry Association





Contact:

Amanda Fish, Media Relations

amandafish@arcviewgroup.com

510-706-7921
TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Currency Exchange International, Corp. (the Company) (TSX:CXI; OTCBB:CURN), is pleased to announce its financial results and present management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the three and nine month periods ended July 31, 2018 (all figures are in U.S. dollars except where otherwise indicated). The complete financial statements and MD&A can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com .

Financial Highlights for the Three Month Period Ended July 31, 2018 compared to the Three Month Period Ended July 31, 2017:

During the three month period ended July 31, 2018, transactional activity between the Company and its customers increased 14% to 343,000 transactions from 300,000 for the three month period ended July 31, 2017;



Revenues increased 16% or $1.6 million to $11.5 million for the three month period ended July 31, 2018 from $9.9 million for the three month period ended July 31, 2017;



Net operating income decreased $64,000 to $3.5 million for the three month period ended July 31, 2018 from $3.6 million for the three month period ended July 31, 2017;



Net income increased 24% or $463,000 to $2.4 million for the three month period ended July 31, 2018 from $1.9 million for the three month period ended July 31, 2017; and



The increase in profitability is attributable to increased contributions from payments, increased margins from changes in currency mix and organic growth from wholesale and retail business lines.

Financial Highlights for the Nine Month Period Ended July 31, 2018 compared to the Nine Month Period Ended July 31, 2017:

During the nine month period ended July 31, 2018, transactional activity between the Company and its customers increased 15% to 798,000 transactions from 696,000 for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017. Since July 31, 2017, the Company has added 37 new wholesale banknote relationships representing 2,324 new transacting locations and 49 new payment relationships as well as three new CXI branch locations;



Revenues increased 25% or $5.7 million to $28.8 million for the nine month period ended July 31, 2018 from $23.1 million for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017;



Net operating income increased 21% or $1.1 million to $6.4 million for the nine month period ended July 31, 2018 from $5.3 million for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017;



Net income increased 30% or $748,000 to $3.2 million for the nine month period ended July 31, 2018 from $2.5 million for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017; and



The increase in profitability for the nine month period is attributable to increased contributions from payments, increased margins from changes in currency mix and organic growth from wholesale and retail business lines.

Selected Financial Data

Three-months ending Revenue Net operating income Net income (loss) Total assets Total equity Earnings per share (diluted) $ $ $ $ $ $ 7/31/2018 11,537,280 3,533,642 2,407,522 86,860,274 61,629,104 0.37 4/30/2018 8,887,772 1,115,289 507,606 84,714,970 57,789,679 0.08 1/31/2018 8,402,855 1,764,296 316,148 79,794,495 57,809,076 0.05 10/31/2017 9,355,315 2,609,517 1,337,947 63,968,227 56,492,618 0.21 7/31/2017 9,862,335 3,597,678 1,944,247 71,348,901 55,545,083 0.31 4/30/2017 7,172,429 1,424,291 625,052 66,875,712 52,111,070 0.09 1/31/2017 6,087,142 290,024 (85,776) 60,399,965 51,438,703 (0.01) 10/31/2016* 7,692,144 2,219,101 1,379,937 62,196,008 50,752,352 0.22

* Restatement made in Fiscal Year 2015 to correct the presentation of a gain on foreign exchange along with its corresponding income tax impact which was required to be presented under IFRS as other income. The foreign exchange gain was previously disclosed under comprehensive income with no corresponding tax provision. The restatement does not impact the Companys revenues, operating expenses, or net operating income.

Seasonality is reflected in the timing of when foreign currencies are in greater or lower demand. In a normal operating year there is seasonality to the Company's operations with higher revenues generated from March until September and lower revenues from October to February. This coincides with peak tourism seasons in North America when there are generally more travelers entering and leaving the United States and Canada.

On July 9, 2018 the Company announced its wholly-owned subsidiary EBC has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of a business operating 22 years primarily in the province of Quebec from the private family owners who were advised by Laurentian Bank Securities. These assets include a total of approximately 400 corporate customers that are engaged in international payments. It is expected that approximately 10 employees will be retained and employed in EBCs new Montreal Office. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and will not close until all approvals have been obtained.

Conference Call

The Company plans to host a conference call on September 12, 2018 at 8:30 AM (EST). To participate in or listen to the call, please dial the appropriate number:

Toll Free: 1 (855) 336-7594

Conference ID number: 6349666

About Currency Exchange International, Corp.

The Company is in the business of providing a range of foreign exchange technology and proccessing services in North America, including the Hawaiian Islands. Primary products and services include the exchange of foreign currencies, wire transfer payments, purchase and sale of foreign bank drafts and international travelers cheques, and foreign cheque clearing. Related services include the licensing of proprietary FX software applications delivered on its web-based interface, www.ceifx.com (CEIFX), and licensing retail foreign currency operations to select companies in agreed locations.

The Companys wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, Exchange Bank of Canada, based in Toronto, Canada, provides foreign exchange and international payment services to financial institutions and select corporate clients in Canada through the use of its proprietary software  www.ebcfx.com .

Contact Information

For further information please contact:

Bill Mitoulas

Investor Relations

(416) 479-9547

Email: bill.mitoulas@ceifx.com

Website: www.ceifx.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates, forecasts and statements as to managements expectations with respect to, among other things, demand and market outlook for wholesale and retail foreign currency exchange products and services, proposed entry into the Canadian financial services industry, future growth, the timing and scale of future business plans, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as anticipate, believe, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, predict, preliminary, project, will, would, and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date such information is provided, and on information available to management at such time. Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in such forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking information due to a number of factors including, without limitation, the competitive nature of the foreign exchange industry, currency exchange risks, the need for the Company to manage its planned growth, the effects of product development and the need for continued technological change, protection of the Companys proprietary rights, the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry in which it operates, network security risks, the ability of the Company to maintain properly working systems, theft and risk of physical harm to personnel, reliance on key management personnel, global economic deterioration negatively impacting tourism, volatile securities markets impacting security pricing in a manner unrelated to operating performance and impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital as well as the factors identified throughout this press release and in the section entitled Risks and Uncertainties of the Companys Managements Discussion and Analysis for Year Ended October 31, 2016. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents managements expectations as of the date hereof (or as of the date such information is otherwise stated to be presented), and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this press release.
The European Commission believes this is cause for celebration. Its official press release salutes the strength and determination of the Greek people while insisting that Europe will continue to stand by Greeces side. Greek leaders have a more sober view of the milestone. Tsipras plans to address the Greek people on Tuesday  but there will be no public celebrations in Athens, nor announcement of new relief measures for Greek pensioners whose monthly payments will decline as much as 18 percent starting on Jan. 1, or to the roughly 900,000 Greeks currently without jobs. The European Commission says Greece will now be treated like any other Europe area country. But Greeks will remember all too well the years in which they werent.

And so a tough question must be asked: Was it all really worth it? Maybe this is the wrong question, since neither side had much of a choice. Its easy to demonize Germany, the power behind the power in Brussels, for forcing austerity on Greece, but its hard to think any government in a similar situation would have behaved differently. No German government could have taken a more altruistic stand toward Athens debts and survived; German taxpayers did not want to foot Greeces bill even if some of it was incurred by greasing Germanys export machine. Likewise, its easy to demonize Tsipras for going against the will of his people, but Tsipras was torn between betraying his own principles, doing what was best for his people, and obeying the demands of Greeces creditors. (As an aside, its ironic that Greek voters felt far more strongly about rejecting a bailout in 2015 than British citizens did in their own referendum on EU membership.)

But if its the right question, it is tempting to answer in the affirmative. The Greek economy began to grow again in 2017 by 1.4 percent. Greek pensioners will receive less money than they once did, but they will at least receive something. Greek unemployment, while still high at 20 percent, has been slowly dropping from its peak of nearly 30 percent in 2013. For the hundreds of millions who either believe in or appreciate the benefits of the European project, Greeces rescue is a rare moment of vindication. The eurozone was brought to the brink, but it went no further. Perhaps its even the high-water mark of euroskepticism, one that could set a precedent for other highly leveraged European economies to follow.

Maybe this optimism will be proved right in the long run, though it is hard to see how. Greece was not just rescued by Brussels. It was forced into submission by Brussels. The eurozone could not afford to lose Greece, but neither could it afford to treat Greece like a full member of a real European union. If it had, then taxpayers in Germany, Italy and Spain would have been on the hook for Greeces debts too. Thus is the inherent contradiction of the eurozone, and, more broadly, of the European Union. Brussels demands unity, but when tough decisions are made, its not the citizens of the eurozone who lose their pensions. In this case, it was the citizens of Greece. Greeces crisis was not considered a European crisis  it was treated as a Greek problem that had to be quarantined.

The European Unions stated purpose is to share a peaceful future based on common values. It is an exceedingly noble and fragile purpose  noble because peace is a virtuous end, and fragile because modern European history has been defined not by peace, but by centuries of internecine, genocidal and destructive conflicts. It is a purpose that some might argue is worth fighting and even sacrificing for. But when I second-guess my own pessimism about the long-term viability of the EU as a political project, I ask myself the question, What would Europeans sacrifice to preserve the EU? Today, it seems to me, the answer is that Europe sacrificed Greece. That is not a cause for celebration. It is the heroic delusion laid uncomfortably bare.


Why Is Anti-Semitism Returning to Germany?



Mark Leonard







BERLIN  Though the British Labour Partys anti-Semitism scandal has dominated headlines of late, there is a more profound debate with the same theme taking place in Germany. Most worryingly, the fundamental tenets of vergangenheitsbewaltigung  the collective project of coming to terms with the countrys World War II past  are shifting.



This historical reckoning was hard won. During the early post-war era, Germany went through various stages of denial about the horrors committed during the Nazi regime. But in 1968, an intergenerational culture war exploded, as the children of Nazism faced up to the responsibilities of their parents  culminating in the violent excesses of the Red Army Faction. As historical scholarship documenting the crimes of the Nazi regime continued to pile up in the 1980s and 1990s, the German political establishment reached a consensus that the countrys historic guilt and responsibility must be a central part of its national story.



But since 2015, when Chancellor Angela Merkel announced her policy of Willkommenskultur (welcoming culture) and opened Germanys doors to refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria, unease about resurgent anti-Semitism has been growing in the German establishment, and particularly in the Jewish community.



After all, just in the past year, a stone was hurled through a synagogue window in Gelsenkirchen, Israeli flags have been burned at demonstrations, and a Berliner wearing a yarmulke was assaulted in the street. Worse still, these attacks  sometimes by immigrants  have coincided with the rise of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland. The AfD is now using its position as the main opposition party in the Bundestag to question the culture of responsibility, even as it promises to protect German Jews from Islamist-inspired anti-Semitism.



Attacks on Jews have sparked outrage from the many Germans who thought such scenes had vanished forever from their countrys streets. But, in addition to the more visible abuses, German Jews have also begun to talk about more subtle changes in their everyday lives as major German cities like Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin grow more multicultural.



Four parallel trends are now challenging Germanys vergangenheitsbewaltigung. First, the Holocaust is passing from memory into history. As the last survivors and perpetrators die, younger Germans feel less of a real connection to the past. Having a parent who may have been complicit in Nazi crimes is not the same thing as having a great-grandparent who was. It is not surprising that younger Germans feel less historically responsable.



Second, immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries now constitute a growing share of the population. Members of this cohort have no personal links to past German crimes, and they have often been subjected to anti-Zionist indoctrination by regimes seeking legitimacy through solidarity with the Palestinians.



Third, most Germans have never, and will never, meet a Jew, for the simple reason that Jews constitute a vanishingly small share of the population. Frankfurt, home to the countrys second-largest Jewish community (behind Berlin), has only 7,000 Jews, out of a metropolitan-area population of 5.7 million.



Finally, the Israeli governments increasingly radical and nationalistic embrace of Jewish identity above all else is changing the dynamics of anti-Semitism globally, as anti-Israeli sentiment becomes blurred with hostility toward Jews.



Many who have been observing these trends from a distance  or even from within Germany  are listening for echoes of the 1930s. But, as someone of Jewish heritage who is currently reclaiming his German citizenship, I would argue that the re-emergence of anti-Semitism in Germany has more to do with the countrys global future than with its murderous past. Between the growing talk of Heimat (homeland) and the excommunication of Germanys star soccer player over his photo with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it is clear that Germany is trying to figure out how to adapt its national story to a global age.



I recently met with the directors of a Jewish museum in one of Germanys major cities, and I was struck by the thoughtfulness with which they are approaching the anti-Semitism problem. For starters, their aim is to de-Israelify the Jewish question, to show that Jewish history is German history, as evidenced by countless studies of Jews historical contributions to German culture.



Germanys Jewish community also understands the need to move from a focus on Germanys special responsibility to talk about coexistence, multiculturalism, and interfaith dialogue. The goal is to get more young Germans to meet and engage with Jews.



Most powerfully, the Jewish community is pursuing outreach specifically geared toward new (Muslim) immigrants, who must be made to understand that Jews have historically been the victim, not the oppressor. This effort entails drawing parallels between the discrimination met by immigrants today and that suffered by Jews historically. The hope is to build interfaith bridges within a common culture of the oppressed.



As Germany confronts ever more complex debates about its identity, the countrys elites will need to adopt this philosophy, and do more to encourage dialogue within an increasingly diverse population. The problem that is emerging from todays identity politics is not just anti-Semitism, but racism in general. And that is just as true in Germany as it is in the UK and other Western countries.





Mark Leonard is Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
The New York City Housing Authority is notorious for allowing public housing units around the city to fall into dangerous states of disrepair, with lead poisoning, rodent infestations and the wild overgrowth of toxic mold among the many horrors NYCHA residents must endure. As such, news that some of the city's housing complexes earned extremely failing grades in a recent federal inspection likely won't shock anyone. 25 points out of a possible 100 for three Upper East Side buildings? Not surprising. But just across town, an Upper West Side complex scored a remarkable 97 percent. Puzzled? According to the NY Post, so are many residents.

"This past winter was bad. My apartment was only warm, I never got any heat. I froze. I slept with my hat on," Sandra, a former NYCHA employee and a resident of the building in question154 W 84th Streettold the Post. "So a 97 is a lie."

Another resident, Richard Welch, told the tabloid that finicky, dilapidated elevatorsa not uncommon fixture in NYCHA buildingshave stranded him in his apartment for up to five days, and for hours in the lobby.

The frequency with which the Department of Housing and Urban Development inspects public housing sites depends on how well buildings do in their previous inspections. These determine whether or not NYCHA succeeds in providing low-income New Yorkers with "decent, safe, sanitary housing in good repair."

According to the Post, the management team running the Upper East Side Isaacs Houses, Holmes Tower, and Robbins Plaza charted the most dismal scores any of their NYCHA colleagues have received since January 2015. These three buildings ranked 13th worst of the over 3,800 scores handed out in 2017.

Other residents complained of leaks left unpatched, asthma developed from bathroom mold doused in bleach, and general neglect. That tracks with what federal investigators who've looked into NYCHA's managerial tactics have found: That officials deliberately falsified reports to HUD on problem sites, hiding extremely unsafe conditions and ignoring repair requests. Indeed, the city now owes NYCHA $2 billion to cover the cost of crucial updates. Unfortunately, the actual tab would likely top $30 billion.

The Post does not suggest a reason for the suspiciously high 97 percent achieved on the UWS, but considering previous incidents involving NYCHA managers' reporting habits, we can take a guess. We have asked NYCHA for comment and will update if we hear back.

UPDATE: NYCHA spokesperson Chester Soria said in a statement: "Despite decades of federal disinvestment from public housing that has resulted in issues with our aging infrastructure, our residents still deserve safe, clean homes. Low PHAS scores demonstrate the work ahead for our new leadership team, and our new General Manager is already addressing staffing and operations issues portfolio-wide."
Cynthia Nixon will not be bagel-shamed. Two days out from the Democratic primary, and heavily trailing in the polls, the gubernatorial candidate is now doubling down on her stomach-and-take-churning Zabar's orderwhich, in case you somehow forgot, is lox, capers, red onion, tomato, and cream cheese on a CINNAMON RAISIN BAGEL.

We asked whyGod, whyand she answered: "That's my go-to brunch, breakfast, whether I'm out or I'm home," she told a swarm of reporters at Grand Central on Monday afternoon. "I mean, it's not uncooked oatmeal. But it's pretty delicious. And I say, don't yuck my yum. Don't knock it until you've tried it." (We tried it, and will continue to knock it, thank you very much.)

Further propelling the bagel discourse into day two, the candidate then went ahead and started fundraising off the order, offering supporters "a chance to have YOUR favorite bagel with Cynthia." According to the campaign, the contest has at least 170 entrants, and raised around $2,000 overnight.

Yes, I like to eat a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with... lox, capers, red onions, cream cheese, and tomatoes.



Give a few bucks to help support our campaign in the last days before the primary and enter for a chance to have YOUR favorite bagel with me: https://t.co/Q9Whsj4T6j. pic.twitter.com/pkfjRLNZuT  Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) September 11, 2018

(After a sustained period of staring, I've now come to believe that this astounding visual simulation of a sandwich is the work of a rogue Nixon staffer quietly rebelling against his or her boss's bagel preferences. The caper mound, the dill imbalance, the red onion haphazardly plunged into the bread like a lit cigarthere's simply no other explanation. If this is not the work of a saboteur, it seems fair to assume that whoever's responsible for the candidate's graphic design has never seen a bagel before.)

Okay: What else did we learn from yesterday's smoked fish fiasco?

For one thing, the spectrum of bagel opinions is a land of vast contrast, seeded with screeching takes that boil down to geographic connoisseurship and gastronomic one-upmanship. But while most of the internet was horrified by the order, and some folks were indifferent, it turns out that a handful of people routinely enjoy what we're now calling The Nixon, and its variations.

ive done this. its risky but the combination of sweet and salty is great on occasion. this type of daring shows leadership potential and im voting for her. https://t.co/tdPuompHmh  el-p (@therealelp) September 10, 2018

Lot of bullshit coming at @CynthiaNixon but I will NOT be silent while the food police say lox and cream cheese on cinnamon raisin is bad when it is A DELICIOUS CLASSIC NEW YORK COMBO.  Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) September 10, 2018

let me fuck up all of your days: one of my go to bagel orders is cinnamon raisin + salami + tomato + scallion cream cheese



im sorry im like this  Polly Mosendz (@polly) September 10, 2018

Perhaps most interestingfor this Manhattan-born Jew, at leastwe learned that this seemingly strange bagel combination shares a flavor resemblance to dishes found in North Africa, Sweden, and the Philippines.

Actually cinnamon, raisans, capers, with fish are common flavor profiles in North Africa.  Tweettstr (@Tweettstr) September 10, 2018

It's very "Swedish". My Dad used to eat Verta Limpa, a sweet molasses rye bread with raisins & candied citrus peel, with lox or herring. Not my cup o' tea , but normal for Swedes...  Wendy Marcinkiewicz (@WendyMarcinkie1) September 10, 2018

Going to use my one (1) allotted "white people" joke per year to say that sweet + savory is a pretty elemental taste combination in many cultures and I'd eat this in a second https://t.co/YsH9Sj89Sz  Jeremy Gordon (@jeremypgordon) September 10, 2018

We may have even landed on a useful answer to the age-old question of what the hell constitutes upstate.

Finally, I've figured it out. If you're revolted by the bagel, you're downstate. If you're indifferent, you're upstate.#WhereIsUpstate  Jon Campbell (@JonCampbellGAN) September 10, 2018

And, of course, we were reminded that most other parts of the country, while perhaps less insufferable, remain woefully lacking in decent bagel options.

disappointed that bagel twitter hasn't resulted in a single suggestion for where to get good bagels in DC  Anna Massoglia (@annalecta) September 10, 2018

LA in five words https://t.co/6lXgZKBm1c  Max J. Rosenthal (@maxjrosenthal) September 10, 2018

All in all, a very fun and informative day of yelling at each other online, don't you think? The one question that still remains: What kind of bagel does our sausage-loving, Kwanza-cake munching governor prefer? We've reached out to Andrew Cuomo's people, and we'll update if we hear back.

Cuomo frantically googling Jewiest bagel order  Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) September 10, 2018

And as we reported yesterday before breaking #Bagelgate, Cuomo has yet to apologize for a widely-condemned campaign mailer falsely accusing Nixon, of being "silent on the rise of anti-Semitism."

Happy New Year, everyone.
Thousands of people came to the "I am Iraqi  I read" festival, attracted by plays, singing and cultural events. The citys liberation from the Islamic State was like a "second rebirth". Fears remain about a possible IS comeback. For this reason, "you hardly see anything relating to the occupation in the arts now," a resident said.

Mosul (AsiaNews) A book festival was held recently in Mosul park, where the Islamic State (IS) group used to train child soldiers. Once an IS stronghold, the city is putting on shows that attract thousands of people interested in books, many of them donated to the city, as well as plays and concerts.

Arts and culture are back in Iraqs second largest city, and the "I am Iraqi  I read" festival is just one of many cultural events currently underway. The slogan refers to the traditional Arab saying that "Egypt writes, Lebanon publishes, and Iraq reads".

"We don't value things until we lose them," said Ali al-Baroodi, an English teacher at Mosul University, speaking to Deutsche Welle (DW).

As the city's unofficial chronicler, Mr Baroodi cycled around his liberated hometown taking pictures of the damage and the rebuilding process.

"Last year's liberation of eastern Mosul from Daesh was like a second birthday for me, he said. Daesh is the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

After years of IS violence and terror, life is back to normal in the citys eastern sector, and moving around its western districts is much easier.

The big citys renaissance requires the revival of school, work and the opening of businesses once unthinkable under the "Caliphate". One of them is a book cafe.

Conditions however are far from ideal in Mosul at present. Difficulties and dangers still stalk the city, like poor sanitation, limited water and power supplies, broken down buildings, not to mention mines and boobytraps that still litter the city, threatening lives and limbs.

Under IS rule, people but also their artistic expressions were threatened. Statues of poets and writers were torn down, works of arts and musical instruments destroyed, and the university library burnt along with many valuable books.

Non-religious books were banned, and musicians and artists killed. The fate of a 15-year-old boy beheaded because he had listened to western music is still present in the collective memory.

This all began long before the establishment of the "Caliphate" in the summer of 2014, as far back as the early days of the US occupation in 2003.

"IS like a ghost  you don't see it, but it's there, secretly collecting data on us for when they return," al-Baroodi told DW. "They ruled in the shadows from 2005.

Marwan Tariq, who teaches Mosul Universitys Arts Institute, is more optimistic. "After Daesh, the situation is already better than before they arrived."

However, fears remain about those IS fighters who might have gone underground. "That's why you hardly see anything relating to the occupation in the arts now," Tariq explained.

For now at least, books, music, concerts and street art are back. For example, an oud player gave a concert at an art exhibition and a bass player performing at damaged heritage sites, like the Nouri Mosque.
Just two days before the Democratic primary, the latest poll shows Cynthia Nixon trailing Governor Andrew Cuomo by 41 percentage points. But Congressman Joe Crowley had a 36-point lead over Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez two weeks before his defeat, and Cuomo is taking no chancesaccording to Politico, the governor is on track to spend $20 million more on this campaign than he did in 2014.

The governor's kitchen sink approach has also led to some mistakesor outright misconductsince that final poll was conducted. Last week Cuomo held a potentially life-endangering photo-op on top of the new bridge that's named after his father, and the state Democratic party sent out a mailer designed to frighten Orthodox voters into voting for him that included false statements about Nixon's record on yeshivas and her support for the boycott, divest, and sanctions movement. Cuomo denied any knowledge of the mailer, and compared criticism of the bridge event to the flat-earth movement.

"What we've seen, both in the debate and with this recent mailer spreading lies and fear-mongering, is that neither the New York State Democratic Party nor Governor Cuomowho called me a corporate democratthey don't seem to have any compunction about lying," Nixon told Gothamist on Tuesday morning. "They will do or say anything to win in a way that I will not."

Gothamist was able to snag six and a half minutes with the candidate after her appearance on The Brian Lerher Show this morning to ask her some of our questions. (We have also asked the Governor's campaign for at least six minutes of his time.)

The executive office spends billions of dollars on economic development all over the state. Your plan calls for more oversight, you want a database of projects so that the public can look at thembut how exactly would you spend that $3 billion of economic development, that the governor has spent on the Buffalo Billion or the

So yes, I want a database of deals so that the public has an ability to go and peruse those deals, but I think more important than that, I want to restore power to the comptroller to sign off on deals over $1 million. Look, the way we have done economic development is top-down, it's gone into the pockets of his biggest donors. What I would do is invest in infrastructure. I would invest in transportation. I would invest in roads and sewers.

I would also invest in human service jobs and in increasing subsidies to childcare, and making living wages for home health aides. If you look at human service jobspeople who deal with humans, who run after school programs and senior citizens and rape crisis centers. These are jobs that are overwhelmingly held by women and people of color and immigrants. We have to understand this is who our new working class is, and we have to prioritize their jobs as much as we have to prioritize building factories.

But also, we need better goals that we actually adhere to in terms of investing in minority- and women-owned businesses. The governor has goals, he doesn't meet them, and he has enormous carve-outs for those companies that are his biggest donors. Not only do we need to invest in minority and women-owned businesses, we need to invest in those communities, but they're much better at job creation then handing over hundreds of millions of dollars to a developer and having him build a building in which maybe something good happens, maybe not.

You've repeatedly cited your background as an education activist as a reason for running, but your wide-ranging education platform makes no mention of yeshivas. Do`you believe that ultra-Orthodox schools should be required to offer students more secular instruction than they're providing? Do you support additional oversight for the schools?

I think that every student graduating from New Yorkwhether you go to a private institution, a religious institution, a public institutionshould have basic knowledge in math and in science and in social studies and in English and history. Yes, I think there need to be standards for what any New York young person graduating from school should know.

You'd handle the investigation into yeshivas differently than Governor Cuomo has?

I think there need to be standards for what young people who are graduating from high school and beyond know, yeah.

Other than the money, what do you think is the most challenging aspect of running against an incumbent like Andrew Cuomo?

I think the money that he has [laughs]. I think the endorsements that he has, but most especially, what we've seen, look: I've attacked Governor Cuomo on a lot of things that I think are perfectly legitimate and perfectly true. I have never attacked him on anything that was factually incorrect. What we've seen, both in the debate and with this recent mailer spreading lies and fear-mongering, is that neither the New York State Democratic Party nor Governor Cuomowho called me a corporate Democratthey don't seem to have any compunction about lying. Which is something that I have not done. So that's one of the challenges as well: they will do or say anything to win in a way that I will not.

Speaking of the governor essentially controlling the State Democratic Committee, is that type of control something you would maintain as governor? How would you run the committee?

The way Andrew Cuomo runs the State Democratic Party now is fully in service of him. I think it's reprehensible. And I think that it is a time when we need to be spending our dollars in New York ensuring that every Democrat who is running has a chance of winning through funding from these very deep coffers. Whether you're talking about people running for Congress, whether you're talking about people for state Senate or any Democratic candidate.

He has a really poor record of thishe's never fought for Democrats. He has always allowed Republicans to use his image in their literature. He's never funded Democratic campaigns, much less campaigned personally for them. And even running on the Independence line as he has, he's siphoning off votes because the Independence Party line has a lot of Republicans running on it. People who are voting for Andrew Cuomo on that line are probably just going to run down that line, so he's stealing votes from other Democrats, sometimes in tight races that we need for Congress.

What's the most substantive difference between your plan to fix the subways and the governor's plan?

That I will fight for it and I have a plan to fund it, rather than keeping it at arm's distance and saying, "Yes, this is important, we really must do this one of these days."

The primary is Thursday, September 13th; find out where you can vote at the WNYC-Gothamist midterms hub.
Five New York State Senators and former members of the disbanded Independent Democratic Conference have received a late fundraising boost from a campaign committee that was reprimanded by the state for improperly raising money for them, according to recent filings.

The Senate Independence Campaign Committee (SICC) has transferred $345,000 total into the campaigns of former IDC members Jeff Klein, Marisol Alcantara, Jesse Hamilton, Jose Peralta and Tony Avella, according to the last filing before the Democratic primary on September 13th. The bulk of the funds included $125,000 to Alcantaras campaign and $100,000 to Kleins, both facing tough challenges in their districts.

In June, a state judge ruled that around $1.4 million of the SICCs donations to IDC candidates were illegal because when the contributions were made, the SICC was led by Senator Klein, who was also the leader of the IDC. The IDC was technically not a political party, and the state supreme court argued it should not receive the benefits of one, ordering that the committee comply with the Election Law.

The State Board of Elections (BOE) enforcement counsel, Risa Sugarman, took that vague ruling to mean that the former IDC members should return the $1.4 million in improperly raised money, and she demanded that the candidates give back the cash. Last month, Lawrence Mandelker, a lawyer representing the Independence Party and members of the dissolved IDC, argued that the BOE should censure Sugarman for abusing the offices authority.

In the end, the state BOE voted to curtail Sugermans subpoena power, over the objections of good government groups and Governor Andrew Cuomo. None of the former IDC members have returned the contributions that were deemed illegal.

The most recent $345,000 in contributions were made after Klein kicked back control of the committee to the Independence Party in April, when the IDC disbanded.

"Election Laws are too often violated without consequence in New York State," said Alex Camarda, Senior Policy Advisor for good government group Reinvent Albany. "IDC candidates are not above the law. They should return the contributions as required by the Enforcement Counsel resulting from the court's determination."

Camarda said Sugarman could bring the complaints against the former IDC members back to the Board of Elections to decide which penalties, if any, to assess.

Mandelker, the IDCs lawyer, and Sugarman both declined to comment for this story.

Many of the former IDC lawmakers face narrow re-election bids. The Independent Democratic Conference, formed in 2011, was once touted as a vehicle for local bipartisanship and action. Now the eight Democratic state senators who previously belonged to the group are being accused of empowering Republicans in the legislature and of being complicit in blocking progressive legislation over the years.

Alessandra Biaggi, a former Cuomo staffer running to unseat Jeff Klein in the Bronx, has used Kleins IDC credentials as a weapon against him.

Klein depends on huge amounts of special interest cash, and the Senate Independence Campaign Committee is just another way for him to grab even more to fuel his outrageous and desperate spending, said David Neustadt, press secretary for Biaggis campaign, in a statement.

If he wins, the people of the District will suffer as he pays off all this debts to the landlords, healthcare industry and other special interests, as he has before," Neustadt said.

Klein spent $836,000 in the last filing period but still has $958,000 in cash on hand. The Klein campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Former IDC member and State Senator Marisol Alcantara received $295,750 from the SICC in 2018. She is facing former City Councilman Robert Jackson in Manhattans District 31, who is running as part of the anti-IDC wave of candidates in the state.

"Senator Alcantara has fully complied with state election laws throughout her campaign, and will continue to comply with them for the duration of her campaign, said Michael Oliva, a spokesperson for the Alcantara campaign. Oliva then accused Jackson of being beholden to donors outside of the state rather than to the voters in the district.

The SICCs latest filing also included fundraising; they recently received $50,000 from the Real Estate Board of New York. The committee still has about $328,000 in the bank.

Former IDC Senator Tony Avella has received $42,000 from the SICC. Former New York City Comptroller John Liu is challenging him in District 11 in Queens. Additionally, the SICC gave $39,000 to Senator Jesse Hamilton, who is facing Brooklyn attorney Zellnor Myrie in District 20. Senator Jose Peralta is squaring off against Jessica Ramos, a former aide to Mayor de Blasio, in District 10 in Queens. Peraltas boost from the SICC amounted to $39,000. All three did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

The Democratic primary is this Thursday, September 13th.

Jake Shore is a journalist in New York City. He previously worked as a reporter and podcast host at WFUV, NPR-affiliate in the Bronx. He's also written for FAQ NYC.
Attorney General candidate Zephyr Teachout connects the future of New York with that of her first child in a campaign ad that features her getting an ultrasound. "What does his or her future look like? Do we save our Democracy? Do we flip congress? Does Robert Mueller indict Trump? I don't want to wait and see," Teachout says as the camera pans back from the ultrasound towards her.

"It's why I sued President Trump the week he was inaugurated... wrote the book on corruption and took on the Albany machine... and rallied against pharmaceutical and insurance companies for putting profits over people," she says. "I'm Zephyr Teachout and youve never seen an attorney general like me... and neither have they."

Being a parent and being in power shouldnt be in conflict for a woman any more than they are for a man. pic.twitter.com/8hq8M80uDW  Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) September 10, 2018

Teachout, who is due in October, ran against Governor Andrew Cuomo in the 2014 gubernatorial primary. While Cuomo won, with 62% of the vote to her 34%, the margin was actually smaller than expected.

Now she's running against NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, and former Cuomo aide Leecia Eve in the Democratic AG primaryand last week, her opponents ganged up on her, as she's been getting high-profile endorsements (NY Times, Daily News) and support (Congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez). Maloney called her "unhinged," drawing boos; Teachout sued Maloney, accusing him of illegally funneling $1.4 million from his congressional campaign to his AG one.

A Siena poll released on Monday says that Maloney is leading the race with 25% of the vote, with James trailing at 24%, Teachout at 18%, and Eve at 3%. However, pollster Steve Greenberg said, "With nearly one-third of likely Democratic primary voters still undecided just days before they go to the polls, the race for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General is going down to the wire with Maloney, James and Teachout all within striking distance of each other." Also of note, of the 509 respondents polled, 66% are over age 55.

Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Teachout on Monday. She thanked him, saying, "Bernie Sanders has changed whats possible in our politics by rejecting the cynicism of the status quo and insisting on a progressive agenda that puts people first."
I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission.

A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it.

Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Womens Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy.
News

Sharjah Police arrest motorist who ran over a woman and fled the scene

In detail, a report was received to the Central Operations Room of the General Command of Sharjah Police, stating that a run-down accident occurred on Al Taawun Street, and as a result, the relevant traffic patrols moved to the location of the accident to verify and take the necessary measures.
Young performers at the Bougainville literacy week celebrations. Schools from across the region sent troupes to perform cultural songs and dances.

GENEVIEVE ITTA* | Bougainville Copper Ltd

ARAWA - Written information is all around us and those with the ability to read, write and understand it have a distinct advantage over those who cannot.

Its an unfortunate reality that many of our young people cannot read and write and, sadly, the same applies to many adults.

Learning to read and write, regardless of age, are empowering, as literacy helps us to take advantage of opportunity and to live better and more rewarding lives.

It also provides self-confidence and opens all sorts of doors to further learning, vocational training and employment opportunities.

Literacy is a powerful enabler. It helps us to make informed decisions and choices. For example, the ability to understand information about the upcoming referendum on independence undoubtedly makes it easier for literate people to participate in this process.
Knowing that the island and its corrupt and despotic ruler Baron Waqa were wholly owned subsidiaries of Australia, Peters went straight to Payne, who equally promptly said no.

During the Pacific Islands Forum at Nauru, the New Zealand deputy prime minister, Winston Peters, repeated his countrys long-standing offer to take 150 refugees from Nauru.

This policy has always been arbitrary, and arguably against international law  it is clearly against international standards of human rights. But last week Payne took it to a new level of cruelty.

CANBERRA - Our new foreign minister, Marise Payne, assures us that the Pacific Solution is still in place and the men, women and children held as asylum seekers in overseas detention can stay there until they rot.

Mungo Maccallum - "The suffering, trauma, dementia and death no longer have any real point: we do it just because we can"

But Peters tried again: Australias refusal to release its victims to a haven across the ditch was, ostensibly, based on the fear that they might somehow make their way back to Australia, thus undoing John Howards unbreakable prohibition and unleashing untold armadas of people smugglers on our vulnerable shores.

This never made much sense; apart from the obvious fact that refugees made welcome in New Zealand would be unlikely to want to go to an Australia which was happy to see them die rather than admit them, Payne remains eager to send a few to the United States, where the same risks  if risks they are  apply.

And in any case Peters said cheerfully that the problem was easily fixed: New Zealand would legislate to prevent it happening, so why not get on with it?

Because  well, because we said we wont, and we will decide, et cetera. At which point the brutal slogans lapsed into sadism.

The suffering, trauma, dementia and death no longer have any real point: we do it just because we can.

At which point our new prime minister insists he never bullies anyone and has no time for it, and asks his acolytes if they love Australia and all Australians  but not, presumably, those nasty foreigners.
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The office of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan issued a statement today following the release of a secretly taped phone conversation of the heads of the countrys National Security Service (NSS) and the Special Investigative Service (SIS) during which the two are heard talking about various ongoing court cases, including an investigation into the events of March 1, 2008.

The statement charges Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of launching a political vendetta against Kocharyan under the guise of the investigation, arguing that the phone conversation clearly reveals NSS Chief Artur Vanetsyan and SIS Chief Sasun Khachatryan discussing ways to keep Kocharyan in detention.

During a press conference held earlier today, Sasun Khachatryan said he and Vanetsyan were merely discussing, in theory, the legal justifications on which Kocharyan could be detained.

(On August 13, Armenias Court of Appeals ruled that Kocharyan cannot be prosecuted for the March 1, 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan during which ten were killed.)

The statement says that the Court of First Instance, which originally ruled to detain Kocharyan, was instructed by Pashinyans government to do so.

Pashinyan, in a Facebook post today, said there was nothing in the recording that could be construed as an abuse of power, describing the publication of the conversation as an attempt by former officials to derail the judicial proceedings against them.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC Motor reported a slight year-on-year growth of 0.3% in August sales with 528,438 vehicles delivered. For the first eight months, the automaker delivered 4,532,032 vehicles in total, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%.

The top 3 subsidiaries by August sales were SAIC-GM, SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC-GM-Wuling. Although the sales of both SAIC-GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling presented year-on-year drop in August sales, they achieved positive growth in terms of Jan-Aug sales thanks to the good performances made in previous months.

SAIC-CP was the fast-growing subsidiary in light of year-to-date sales growth, followed by SAIC Hongyan and SAIC Motor PV.

SAIC Motor PV saw its August sales jump 23% over the year-ago period to 50,006 units. Besides, the company boasted a year-on-year surge of 46.8% in Jan-Aug sales with 457,123 vehicles sold despite of somewhat fluctuant performances so far this year. The sales of the Roewe RX Series, the MG 6 and the Roewe ERX5 continued the upward momentum last month. The total NEV sales of the Roewe and the MG brands skyrocketed 260% year on year to 11,326 in August, exceeding 10,000 units for four consecutive months.

As to JV performances, SAIC Volkswagens sales edged up 2.7% from a year ago to 156,000 units in August and climbed 6% to 1,328,649 units for the first eight months. The hottest-selling sedan model should be the Lavida, whose cumulative sales have already topped 240,000 units for the first half of the year. The Jan-June sales of the Tiguan reached 147,941 units, the champion by the JV-made SUV sales.

SAIC-GMs August sales slid 3.8% over the previous year to 158,616 units, showing up year-on-year downturn for three consecutive months. However, as to the cumulative sales growth, the joint venture still did a better job than SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC-GM-Wuling.

Affected by the overall economic climate and the competition from the internal products, SAIC-GM-Wuling suffered a year-on-year decline of 5.8% with its August sales totaling 145,515 units, trailing SAIC Volkswagen with a relatively small sales gap.


Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BYD's new power battery program with an annual capacity of 30GWh formally settled in Xi'an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone on September 9. Meanwhile, BYD's monorail demonstration line program officially started construction in this city.

According to local media, the automaker's Xi'an power battery program involves a total investment of RMB 12 billion, and has the potential to be a super factory in Chinese power battery industry.

Aside from the Xian base, BYD has previously initiated or completed several power battery programs this year. On August 23, BYD and local government of Chongqing Bishan District signed an investment cooperation agreement, planning to invest RMB 10 billion in building a power battery program with an annual capacity of 20GWh, which is designed to manufacture such core products as power battery cell, module and develop other supporting industries.

The automaker and Changan Automobile reached an agreement on July 5 to establish a joint venture specializing in the manufacturing and marketing of new-energy vehicle (NEV) batteries. The new JV's planned 10GWh production capacity will be divided into two phases. Besides, the first phase of BYD Qinghai Nanchuan battery plant put the 10GWh power battery manufacturing project into production on June 27.

By far, the total planned and existing battery capacity for BYD has already exceeded 100 GWh on an annual basis, which is far beyond the national annual deliveries of 36.4GWh in 2017.
Cloth trader murdered in Jhapa

A readymade cloth retailer has been murdered in Jhapa.
Consumer forum urges SC to annul ministry deal with NMA

A consumers right body on Monday filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court seeking annulment of the agreement signed by the Health Ministry with the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) on September 3 because it violates consumers rights.
Dialogue panel calls disgruntled political groups for crucial talks

A high-level political dialogue team has called on all agitating and disgruntled groups, including the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, for talks.
Doctors put on hold nationwide strike

The Nepal Medical Association has decided to halt protest programmes at hospitals that it had planned to start on Tuesday.
Foreign jobs data system and phone app launched

The government on Monday launched Foreign Employment Information Management System (FEIMS) that would enable the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) to keep records of migrant workers returning home for the first time.
Gandaki CM Gurung for issuing ID cards to sex workers in Pokhara

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that identity cards should be issued to sex workers in order to manage the sex industry.
Govt investigating resignation of probe panel member

Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has said the government has been investigating the resignation by a member of the high-level probe panel formed to look into the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta in Kanchanpur.
Shakya is the founder CEO of beed, an international management consulting and advisory firm. He is the author of Unleashing Nepal and Unleashing The Vajra.
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Hitch delays launch of online trading system

The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) has suffered a delay in its plan to implement a full-fledged online trading system with stockbrokers facing problems upgrading the template necessary to run the new system.
Joint steering committee to discuss energy cooperation

The first ever meeting of the Nepal-China joint steering committee (JSC) is slated to be held later this month in Kathmandu to explore areas where the two countries can work together for the development of the energy sector.
Kanchanpur rape, murder case: Police release main accused Bista and Bam sisters

The Kanchanpur District Court on Tuesday ordered the police administration to release Dilip Singh Bista, Roshani Bam and Babita Bam who were detained to investigate into the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta.
Local goat-farming investments surge

Sindhupalchok district is witnessing a new wave of investments in goat farming, as locals are keenly capitalising on the growing demand for goat meat, which reaps excellent returns. The districts locals have been switching to investing in goat farming disregarding jobs in other sectors, such as farming and foreign employment.
Mishra appointed chief justice

Senior most Justice Om Prakash Mishra has been appointed the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Nepali Peacekeeping mission gets UN award

The United Nations has awarded Nepali peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for its life-saving assistance demonstrated in the war-torn country for around a year.
Seized 10kg gold was smuggled from Tibet

The three men caught with 10kg gold in Gorkha district on Saturday have told police that they were hired as carriers by a Chinese trader in Jong, Tibet, to deliver the consignment to Kathmandu.
Thamel fire leaves 7 injured, Property worth Rs 50m destroyed

Seven persons were injured when a fire destroyed a house in Jyatha ward-27 of Thamel on Tuesday.
Tours and travels

Politicians should follow the rules when they go abroad
Two go missing in Sunkoshi River

Two adolescent boys went missing in the Sunkoshi River in Kavrepalanchok on Monday.
Birthday wishes

Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday Wishes
By Ruth Anderah.

Eddie Ssebuufu alias Eddy Mutwe the alleged body guard to Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has been charged with treason in relation to stoning the presidential motor vehicle during the final rally to fill the vacant Arua Municipality MP seat.

Eddy Mutwe has been jointly charged with a one Musa Senyange a driver and machine operator before Gulu magistrates grade one magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana.

Mutwe is the 35 suspects to join the charge sheet which already includes his boss Bobi Wine and 4 other Mps.

The two have been remanded to Gulu Central prison until October 1st 2018 when they will re-appear with other co-accused persons to know the stage of investigations into the matter.

Yesterday High court ordered Detective Senior Commissioner of Police Elly Womanya or any other Police Officer in whose custody Eddie Mutwe is being illegally detained, to release him unconditionally and immediately.

Justice Musa Ssekaana made the order following the submission of the applicants Lawyer EronKiiza, informing court that since 4th of this month when the Attorney Generals representative Peter Tusuubira informed court that they were charging Bobi Wines Body Guard with Treason before Gulu Magistrate court; up to today this has not been done.
By Moses Kyeyune.

The government has retracted previous disagreements on the 0.5% tax measure agreed on a common position to support the bill.

This has been announced by the minister of state for planning David Bahati while appearing before the committee of Finance this afternoon.

In its early days, the bill for a new tax measure on mobile money witnessed a number of contradictions with different government agencies including the bank of Uganda castigating it as a bad law.

However, in todays meeting the minister said that the small mishaps have been solved and that all the government bodies have agreed with the 0.5 percentage.
By Moses Kyeyune.

Government has expressed commitment to restore the use of airtime scratch cards, to ease access in the countryside.

The move comes after a consultative meeting between members of parliament, telecom companies and officials from the Uganda Communications Commission held last month.

According to the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, the minister of information Frank Tumwebaze has put the government commitment in writing to Parliament.
By Ritah Kemigisa.

The Kenyan Human Rights commission has condemned the government of Uganda for sabotaging the works of opposition parties in Uganda.

According to the commissions executive director George Kegoro, such acts of intolerance by government and security agencies stifle efforts of having a united East African community.

Kegoro meanwhile says the current alleged torture among legislators and civilians in the just concluded Arua by election is criminal and violates the rights of Ugandans.

He adds that there is need for urgent change if the dream of an integrated community is to happen.
By Ruth Anderah.

A woman who is alleged to be late Felix Kaweesis girl friend has petitioned the High Court in Kampala challenging her house arrest.

Christine Mbabazi, through her lawyers of Rwakafuzi and Co Advocates claims that she has been in detention at her house at Kosovo LC1 Lungujja in Rubaga division since September 15th 2017.

Mbabazi in her petition before court says she is not allowed to move out of her house, she is denied access to visitors, and not permitted to communicate outside her house via phone calls and internet.

She claims that she is incarcerated with her children under the orders of the Director General of ISO col Kaka Bagyenda who claims that she is a potential witness in the murder of the late AIP Andrew Felix Kaweesi who was shot dead on March 17th last year.

Mbabazi contends that her children can no longer go to school and it is hard for her to access both food and medicine.

According to the documents before court, Mbabazi lawyers state that her continued detention has no basis in law since she is neither on remand nor accused.

They now want Court orders compelling Col Kaka Bagyenda and the Attorney General who are listed as respondents in the case to produce Mbabazi before Court.
By Moses Kyeyune.

Members of Parliament have expressed mixed reactions on the president Musevenis address to the nation.

In his address last evening Museveni hinted on the restoration of Local Defence Units to combat insecurity.

He also took a swipe on the civil society which he accused of destabilizing the country through sponsoring demon rations.

Now some MPs inducing those from the ruling party such as Dokolo Souths OkotOgong and Lwemiyaga Countys Theodore Sekikubo say the president was only being escapist.

Meanwhile Isingiro Norths Stephen Kangwagye says that the president was spot-on.
Kiesingar Gunn is seen with his wife and children in Facebook photo

Police will offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers of Kiesingar Gunn, 26, of Toronto, on September 11, 2016, at 4:04 a.m. outside a club in Liberty Village. They think Mr. Gunn was hit by a stray bullet not intended for him. Police are asking anyone who may have been at the scene or who may have cell phone video or photos to contact police. They as anyone who has a business or residence in that area with security video that may have captured video of the event is also asked to contact TPS Homicide.

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In a short film from StoryCorps, sanitation workers Angelo Bruno and Eddie Nieves reflect on their time spent sharing a garbage route in Manhattans West Village.

Their story offers a striking portrait of the dignity, meaning, and transcendent value of work done in the service of neighbors.

Although modern society tends to elevate certain jobs or careers above othersgarbage collection is typically not high on the listBruno and Nieves retain a self-awareness and clear confidence about the immense value theyre providing to their community.

Bruno recounts the moment he first realized the broader significance of his work:

When I first came on the job, there was one old timerGordie Flow, his name was. One day, he stopped the truck. He tells me, Angelo, look down this block first. See all the sidewalks are all crowded up with garbage? I didnt think nothing of it. My father always told me to respect my elders. I get to the end of the block and he stops me again. Get out of the truck, [he says]. Look Back. Nice and clean, right? People can walk on the sidewalk. Guys can make deliveries. Be proud of yourself.

But it goes beyond simple acts of service and meeting specific needs. Bruno and Nieves also recognize that work is relational and communalthat we neednt be limited by job descriptions and various material outputs, and the value we bring isnt just physical and temporal.

Our work is also an opportunity for us to manifest our social natures and human persons, creating and co-creating alongside and along with God and neighbor.

For Bruno and Nieves, its not just about collecting garbage. Its about their genuine friendship and creative partnership as co-workers. Its about their relationships with their neighbors and a commitment to the community at large. Its an opportunity to show love and generosity in spontaneous and surprising wayswhether by pausing to say, good morning, or offering to hold someones baby as they carry their groceries to their apartment.

In all of our work, there is meaningful, transcendent activity taking place, whether we recognize it or not. Lest we forget, this is the sort of simple and steady work and service that provides the very foundations of civilization and culture.

As Lester DeKoster explains in Work: The Meaning of Your Life, the quietest workers in the most mundane occupations often serve the most central needs of society, beginning with the fulfillment of basic physical needs, but stretching into much, much more:

We know, as soon as reminded, that work spins the wheels of the world. No work? Then nothing else either. Culture and civilization dont just happen. They are made to happen and to keep happeningby God the Holy Spirit, through our work. Imagine that everyone quits working, right now! What happens? Civilized life quickly melts away. Food vanishes from the store shelves, gas pumps dry up, streets are no longer patrolled and fires burn themselves out. Communication and transportation services end and utilities go dead. Those who survive at all are soon huddled around campfires, sleeping in tents, and clothed in rags. Civilized living is so closely knit that when any pieces drop out the whole fabric begins to crumple. Let city sanitation workers go out this week, and by next week streets are smothered in garbage. Give homemaking mothers leave, and many of us suddenly go hungry and see our kids running wild. Civilization is so fragile that we either all hang together or, as Ben Franklin warned during the American Revolution, we shall all hang separately. The mosaic of culture, like all mosaics, derives its beauty from the contribution of each tiny bit.

In such a way, garbage collectors like Bruno and Nieves thread the fabric of civilization, serving their community, contributing to the common good, and glorifying God, in turn.

In our everyday encounters and exchanges with everyday workers, wed do well to recognize that basic significance, engaging in these relationships with love, grace, and gratitude. In learning to reimagine something as seemingly simple as garbage collection and city sanitation, we can more fully honor the contributions of others, making that civilizational fabric all the more strong and sturdy.

So next time the garbage truck rolls aroundas we listen to its rattle and rumblelets not take it for granted. Instead, lets respond with gratitude and thanksgiving, for the workers themselves, and for the contributions they bring to the rest of civilization.

Image: Trash / Street Sweeper, netkids (CC0)
The agreement provides an opportunity to potential and current projects of the EDB and Kazyna Capital Management to get additional funding in the capital, including in the national currency, which will significantly improve the conditions for the implementation of projects," said Ardak Kassymbek, referring to the successful experience of implementing a number of projects within the existing co-investment agreements with other major investors, such as Mubadala (UAE) in particular.





Kazyna Capital Management and EDB noted that cooperation implies not only the financing of individual investment projects but also the sharing of experience and knowledge, through participation in educational, information and other events organized by the parties.





Kazyna Capital Management (KCM) is a private equity fund established in 2007 to promote sustainable development of the national economy. Funds of the KCM family provide capital to companies in various sectors of the economy with a view to further growth and increase of competitiveness. Kazyna Capital Management jointly with international institutional investors effectively manages 13 private equity funds with a total capitalization of $2.4 billion. Kazyna Capital Management is part of the structure of JSC National Holding Company Baiterek.





The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is an international financial organization established by Russia and Kazakhstan in January 2006 to promote the development of the market economy of the participating countries, their sustainable economic growth and the expansion of mutual trade and economic relations. The authorized capital of the EDB is $7 billion. The Member States of the Bank is the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan.








Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The Nevada Supreme Court has ordered a six-month and a day suspension for, to put it mildly, deposition misconduct.

He was representing himself as the defendant in a defamation lawsuit.

The misconduct involves Pengilly's behavior during a noticed plaintiffs deposition at his office. When questioning the deponent, Pengilly used vulgarities, called the deponent derogatory names, aggressively interrupted the deponent and opposing counsel, answered questions for the deponent, and repeatedly made inappropriate statements on the record. Pengilly went on to ask the deponent if he was "ready for it" while positioning his hand near his hip. The deponent briefly left the room, but when he returned Pengilly displayed a firearm he had holstered on his hip to the deponent and opposing counsel. As a result, the deposition was terminated and the underlying defamation litigation was put on hold pursuant to an order by the discovery commissioner. The discovery commissioner also sanctioned Pengilly for his conduct...

Having reviewed the record on appeal, we conclude that there is substantial evidence to support the panel's findings that Pengilly violated RPC 8.4(d) (prohibiting an attorney from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice). Indeed, the deposition transcript, coupled with the testimony at the formal hearing, demonstrates that Pengilly displayed appalling behavior toward the deponent. Additionally, the record is clear, and Pengilly admits, that he displayed a firearm. Accordingly, we agree with the hearing panel that Pengilly committed the violation set forth above.

The harm

Pengilly argues that his conduct should be viewed under a negligence standard, but we agree with the panel that he acted knowingly as he was consciously aware of his conduct and knew his behavior was inappropriate. His conduct caused actual injury to the proceeding as the deposition concluded early and the discovery commissioner had to issue a protective order, causing the case to be delayed. Both the deponent and his attorney testified they were afraid Pengilly was going to shoot them, and their fears were documented: they immediately called the police, filed police reports the next day, filed for a TPO, and filed bar grievances. Further, there was the potential for serious injury to every one presentthe deponent, his attorney, the court reporter, Pengilly's office staff, and even Pengilly himself--because a deadly weapon was involved.

The case is Discipline of James Pengilly, decided September 7.

13Action News reported on the conduct.

Pengilly is accused of pulling a gun on Mark Stuhmer during a deposition. Stuhmer and his brother Chris -- who's the founder and CEO of Christopher Homes -- are suing Pengilly for defamation in a case involving their C2 Lofts community homeowners association.



Depositions in that case are suspended until the criminal matter is resolved. When they resume, it'll be in the courthouse with a marshal present.

(Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2018/09/the-nevada-supreme-court-has-ordeered-a-six-month-suspension-the-misconduct-involves-pengillys-behavior-during-a-noticed-pla.html
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Trump officials discussed secret coup plans with Venezuelan army officers LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 443824

09-11-2018 12:09 AM











Post: #1 Trump officials discussed secret coup plans with Venezuelan army officers

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According to The Times, the meetings were sparked by a comment made by President Trump in August of 2017, that he did not rule out a military option to restore calm in Venezuela. That comment reportedly prompted at least three groups of Venezuelan military officers opposed to the rule of President Maduro to reach out to the White House. One of these groups, said The Times, had one of its representatives contact American diplomats in an unnamed European country. That outreach led to a series of covert meetings abroad, according to The Times, the first of which took place in the fall of 2017. The meetings continued until recently, and were held with a number of Venezuelan military officers who claimed to represent the views of several hundred members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces. The rebellious officers allegedly told the US governments representative that they planned to launch a military coup aimed at deposing President Maduro and installing a transitional government that would guarantee peaceful elections. They reportedly asked the White House representative to supply them with secure communications equipment, which they could use to coordinate their operations.



However, the White House eventually decided that backing a military coup in Venezuela would be too risky due to the potential for spiraling bloodshed. It thus distanced itself from the plan. Additionally, some US government officials were alarmed by the composition of the rebel officers: at least one of them was a serious violator of human rights who had previously been accused by the US of involvement of participating in drugs smuggling and having close links with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which is on Washingtons official list of foreign terrorist organizations. Eventually the plotters canceled their plans for a coup, having assessed it would be met by fierce resistance by pro-Maduro forces.



The Times reached out to the White House, which rejected the papers report, saying it was important to dialogue with all Venezuelans who demonstrate a desire for democracy. But it refused to respond to specific questions about the allegations of a possible coup in Venezueal with Washingtons backing. President Maduro has already blamed the US for two attempts to assassinate him in the past 18 months, with the most recent one involving the use of an exploding drone. In 2002, Maduros predecessor, the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was briefly deposed by a military putsch. Chavez was able to beat back the rebels with the help of his civilian and military supporters, and then accused Washington of having had direct involvement with the attempt to remove him from power. The US has strongly denied Chavezs charges.







http://www.qooglenews.com/2018/09/trump-...-coup.html United States President Donald Trump authorized American officials to attend secret meetings held by Venezuelan military officers who conspired to launch a military coup against President Nicolas Maduro. The claim was made on Saturday by The New York Times, which cited interviews with 11 current and former American officials and information from an unnamed Venezuelan former military commander. The former commander claims to have attended the secret talks, which allegedly were held over several meetings during the past year.According to The Times, the meetings were sparked by a comment made by President Trump in August of 2017, that he did not rule out a military option to restore calm in Venezuela. That comment reportedly prompted at least three groups of Venezuelan military officers opposed to the rule of President Maduro to reach out to the White House. One of these groups, said The Times, had one of its representatives contact American diplomats in an unnamed European country. That outreach led to a series of covert meetings abroad, according to The Times, the first of which took place in the fall of 2017. The meetings continued until recently, and were held with a number of Venezuelan military officers who claimed to represent the views of several hundred members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces. The rebellious officers allegedly told the US governments representative that they planned to launch a military coup aimed at deposing President Maduro and installing a transitional government that would guarantee peaceful elections. They reportedly asked the White House representative to supply them with secure communications equipment, which they could use to coordinate their operations.However, the White House eventually decided that backing a military coup in Venezuela would be too risky due to the potential for spiraling bloodshed. It thus distanced itself from the plan. Additionally, some US government officials were alarmed by the composition of the rebel officers: at least one of them was a serious violator of human rights who had previously been accused by the US of involvement of participating in drugs smuggling and having close links with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which is on Washingtons official list of foreign terrorist organizations. Eventually the plotters canceled their plans for a coup, having assessed it would be met by fierce resistance by pro-Maduro forces.The Times reached out to the White House, which rejected the papers report, saying it was important to dialogue with all Venezuelans who demonstrate a desire for democracy. But it refused to respond to specific questions about the allegations of a possible coup in Venezueal with Washingtons backing. President Maduro has already blamed the US for two attempts to assassinate him in the past 18 months, with the most recent one involving the use of an exploding drone. In 2002, Maduros predecessor, the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was briefly deposed by a military putsch. Chavez was able to beat back the rebels with the help of his civilian and military supporters, and then accused Washington of having had direct involvement with the attempt to remove him from power. The US has strongly denied Chavezs charges. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 461483

09-11-2018 12:57 AM











Post: #2 RE: Trump officials discussed secret coup plans with Venezuelan army officers

So it's OK for trump to coup others as long as he's not getting couped ....LOL



Double standard dumbass strikes again LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 450676

09-11-2018 01:17 AM











Post: #3 RE: Trump officials discussed secret coup plans with Venezuelan army officers

More Fake News BS!



All you freaks have are unconfirmed words.



You are all going to hang! I hope Trump gets you all!
















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Netherlands ends support for Terrorists in Syria Roddy's Creed

Registered User

User ID: 450888

09-11-2018 07:24 PM



Posts: 5,455









Post: #1 Netherlands ends support for Terrorists in Syria

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The opportunity to quickly change the situation [in Syria] is extremely small, reads the letter the lower house of the parliament by Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok and Minister for Foreign Trade Sigrid Kaag, announcing the end of support programs for the militants in Syria.



The program to support moderate anti-government groups in Syria was established in close cooperation with like-minded donors who pursued the same goals as the Netherlands and cost the country over $80 million (some 69 million) over the years, according to the document. It failed to bring the expected results, however, and is to be closed since the Syrian troops will soon win the war against militant groups.



Over the years, the Netherlands allocated $29 million (25 million) to the so-called non-lethal assistance (NLA) program, $14.5 million (12.5 million) were donated to the so-called White Helmets and $17.1 million (14,8 million) went to the Access to Justice and Community Service (AJACS) program. The AJACS was supposedly designed to support community police work in Syria, specifically the so-called Free Syrian Police (FSP) group.



The support for militants is set to end immediately, yet the White Helmets will be funded until December, according to the document. Since the White Helmets now operate only in the Idlib province, which is believed to be the destination of the looming offensive by the Syrian Army and its allies, their future is quite doubtful, the document states.



https://www.rt.com/news/438117-netherlan...s-funding/ I do not label myself. What I stand for is based on my own convictions, and I don't care which box - the left one or the right one - they happen to belong. The Netherlands will end its support for Syrian militants, since the program did not yield the expected results. Earlier, journalists found one of the groups had been labeled terrorist by the Dutch justice department.The opportunity to quickly change the situation [in Syria] is extremely small, reads the letter the lower house of the parliament by Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok and Minister for Foreign Trade Sigrid Kaag, announcing the end of support programs for the militants in Syria.The program to support moderate anti-government groups in Syria was established in close cooperation with like-minded donors who pursued the same goals as the Netherlands and cost the country over $80 million (some 69 million) over the years, according to the document. It failed to bring the expected results, however, and is to be closed since the Syrian troops will soon win the war against militant groups.Over the years, the Netherlands allocated $29 million (25 million) to the so-called non-lethal assistance (NLA) program, $14.5 million (12.5 million) were donated to the so-called White Helmets and $17.1 million (14,8 million) went to the Access to Justice and Community Service (AJACS) program. The AJACS was supposedly designed to support community police work in Syria, specifically the so-called Free Syrian Police (FSP) group.The support for militants is set to end immediately, yet the White Helmets will be funded until December, according to the document. Since the White Helmets now operate only in the Idlib province, which is believed to be the destination of the looming offensive by the Syrian Army and its allies, their future is quite doubtful, the document states. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 446450

09-11-2018 07:35 PM











Post: #2 RE: Netherlands ends support for Terrorists in Syria

Apparently someone there has a functioning brain and conscience.



Nice to see. TheKeyling

lop guest

User ID: 444579

09-11-2018 07:42 PM











Post: #3 RE: Netherlands ends support for Terrorists in Syria

New Zealand government still funding them Roddy's Creed

Registered User

User ID: 450888

09-11-2018 07:50 PM



Posts: 5,455









Post: #4 RE: Netherlands ends support for Terrorists in Syria

Kudos to Ds Government I do not label myself. What I stand for is based on my own convictions, and I don't care which box - the left one or the right one - they happen to belong.
















By Ronald Bailey (SMDC/ARSTRAT)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - A Redstone Arsenal Soldier, combat veteran and Wounded Warrior with U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, reenlisted 30 feet underwater at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama, Aug. 31.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Brown, currently serving as the aide to USASMDC/ARSTRAT command sergeant major, was introduced to scuba diving as a part of adaptive rehabilitation following the loss of his left leg in 2007 during combat operations in Iraq. He chose the underwater venue of the Space & Rocket Center's Underwater Astronaut Trainer as a fitting location to marry his two passions, the Army and scuba diving.

"Scuba diving provides a pain-free environment for me to explore the wonders of the ocean, uninhibited by the burdens I feel on the surface from my disability," Brown said. "This ceremony is where I will dedicate the rest of my career to the needs of the Army."

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Brown inspects his scuba gear following his underwater reenlistment at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama, Aug. 31. Brown, a U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Soldier, combat veteran and Wounded Warrior was introduced to scuba diving as a part of adaptive rehabilitation following the loss of his left leg in 2007 during combat operations in Iraq.

Brown lost his leg in 2007 while deployed to Mosul, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Just 33 days into that deployment, he lost his left leg after being hit by an RKG-3 anti-tank grenade. Following the incident, he was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Hospital where he was taught to use a specially designed prosthetic leg to scuba dive. Since that time, Brown took advantage of his many Army assignments and personal leave to dive in places such as Puerto Rico, Greece, France and Italy.

Brown's ceremony was attended by members of Brown's family, SMDC Soldiers, coworkers, friends and members of the media. The officiating officer, Lt. Col. Gary Blount, read Brown the oath of enlistment using specialized full-face scuba masks with built-in communication. Following the underwater ceremony, Brown spoke to the gathered crowd and media on what scuba diving gave him after his injuries.

"It taught me to think outside the box, what my new normal could be. How many amputees do you know that go skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing and mountain biking?" said Brown. "I had to readjust my idea of the word disabled, and I could not have done that without the support of my family and my friends."
Davao CityMayor Sara Duterte on Monday visited Kauai County in Hawaii to sign a Friendship Certificate with the American city and show her commitment to the partnership. This visit is an affirmation of the City Government of Davao of our mutual cooperation on matters of tourism and culture, agriculture, and trade and commerce, Duterte said in her address. The mayor also underlined the deepening sisterhood relationship with Kauai because of shared similarities that transcends boundaries, diversity of the population and stand on development vis-a-vis the preservation of the gifts of nature. Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., meanwhile, declared Davao and Kauais sisterhood agreement is strong and powerful with common denominators on sense of family, dedication to build the youth and connection to their respective culture and heritage, and dedication to agriculture, tourism and other business and economic ventures.Carvalho came to Davao early in 2017 to establish a sister-city relationship. A year later, Carvalho returned and signed the agreement with Duterte, with an invitation for her to reciprocate the visit to Kauai, Hawaii. According to US Census, Hawaii has an estimated population of 1.4 million this year. It has eight major islands and Kauai ranks fourth in terms of population. In an earlier census, Filipinos and Hawaiians of Filipino descent are found to be the second largest racial group in Hawaii.
Villar said onion was selling at P120 per kilo in some markets.

Senator Cynthia Villar, chairman of the Senate agriculture committee, on Monday asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) to impose a price ceiling on onion in areas where prices are unusually high.In a hearing attended by Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol, Villar said a price ceiling is different from price control. Under price control, you have to declare a state of calamity while in price ceiling you dont have to, she said. According to the Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, if the prevailing price of any basic necessity is excessive or unreasonable, the implementing agency may recommend to the President the imposition of a price ceiling other than the prevailing price. Villar said onion was selling at P120 per kilo in some markets.Pinol said he presented the idea to the economic managers, but they did not agree. They rejected the idea. They said it will not work, he said, noting that similar measures in the past did not help address rising prices. Instead, Pinol ordered the importation of additional supplies to bring down commodity prices.
The government will scrutinize other applications for amnesty under the Aquino administration after the President revoked the amnesty granted to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a Palace official said Monday. Every one of them will have to go through with [the review], said Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, adding that any impropriety in their applications would be made public. Panelo said Trillanes amnesty was void for two reasons: The noncompliance of the mandatory requirements and the usurpation of authority by then-Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. Though it was not directly mentioned in the President Rodrigo Dutertes Proclamation No. 57, Panelo said, Gazmin had represented President Benigno Aquino III in granting amnesty to Trillanes, thereby usurping the Presidents exclusive power to grant amnesties and pardons. You cannot delegate that power to any alter ego. So, that makes the grant of amnesty void from the very beginning, said Panelo. This, he added, meant that all amnesties granted by the previous administration were theoretically void. Unless they can show me that then-President [Aquino], signed a grant of amnesty to all those enumerated in the letter submitted to him by Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, said Gazmin. Asked about the effect of Gazmins representation of Aquino, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said, Similarly situated individuals will have similar amnesties which could be declared as being null and void ab initio. But right now, the only one being invoked as being null and void ab initio is that of Senator Trillanes, Roque said. Roque did not rule out the possibility of prosecuting the former Defense secretary. Well, thats possible. The point of the President is not only the lack of requirement to grant Senator Trillanes an amnesty, but also the non-authority of the person who gave him the amnesty, said Roque in a radio interview with radio dzRH. The Palace official, however, later clarified in his press briefing that he was unaware whether the government will take actions against Gazmin. Roque said Trillanes should stop the gibberish and just present to the public his receiving copy of the sign amnesty application form. The Palace position is that document is very important... We are talking about three counts of coup detat here. They should have hidden it somewhere, he said. The administration on Monday failed to obtain an arrest warrant against Trillanes from the Makati regional trial court Branch 150. Instead, the court scheduled a hearing on the Department of Justices motion that it issue the arrest warrant for the senator. A similar request in Branch 148 is also pending. Judges Elmo Alameda of Branch 150 and Andres Soriano of Branch 148 refused to immediately issue a warrant of arrest against Trillanes, despite the DoJs argument that a hearing on its motion was unnecessary. The court is not persuaded with the argument of the prosecution that its omnibus motion should not be set for hearing and should be acted by this court ex-parte, Alameda said.While the motion has been denominated as ex-parte, the court after thoroughly considering the grounds and arguments raised therein, is of the view that acting on the motion without setting it for hearing would definitely prejudice the right of the accused to due process, he added. Alamedas sala handled the rebellion case against Trillanes and others over the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege. He dismissed the case in 2011 on the ground of the amnesty granted to the former Navy officer. Judge Ma. Rita Bascos Sarabia, formerly of Branch 148, dismissed the coup detat case against Trillanes over the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny on the same ground. However, the DoJ insisted that the voiding of Trillanes amnesty over an alleged failure to comply with minimum requirements effectively removes the basis for their dismissal of the cases. Last week, Trillanes petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the presidential proclamation that nullified his amnesty. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the President had not consulted him before revoking Trillanes amnesty. But in a press briefing, he said he recalled that Solicitor General Jose Calida called him up once asking for the amnesty documents of Trillanes and his coup companions. He said there were more than a hundred documents, and some of the pages were signed by Gazmin. Trillanes, who has been holed up in the Senate after receiving reports of his impending arrest, said he did not trust Dutertes order to the military not to arrest him without a warrant. The problem with his statement, he has deniability so we validate with the operating units and there is still [the order for my arrest]. Probably, he is just trying to trick me into that trap but I wont fall for that. Remember Duterte is notorious for lying to public, he said. It seems he has been getting away with lie after lie after lie so this is just another lie, Trillanes said. At the same time, Trillanes denied Dutertes accusation that he was conspiring with the opposition Liberal Party and the communists to oust him. Alright. I dont expect them to take my word for it. They can validate it but thats really the truth, said Trillanes, who led the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula sage to overthrow the Arroyo government. Also on Monday, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines warned that moves by the Palace to revoke Trillanes amnesty would undermine the judicial process and could be considered an attack on the independence of the judiciary. The IBP, the countrys mandatory organization for lawyers, made the warning even as it called on the courts to remain steadfast against what it called a creeping incursions on their independence by the Duterte administration. An independent and impartial judiciary remains the most powerful bastion that protects our cherished constitutional rights against the excesses of political power. As the sentinel of the rule of law, the IBP stands ready to come to the defense of the independence and impartiality of our judiciary, the IBP through its president, Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo, said.
A Saudi Princess has been victim of heist at Ritz hotel in Paris after she lost her jewels worth $935,000 in her hotel suite.

The royal, who has not been named, told the prosecutor that the robbery took place Friday. The jewels were in her room but in the safe.

Police investigation has not revealed any evidence of intrusion in the hotel room.

A spokesman for the Ritz declined to comment, Reuters reports.

The hotel located in affluent Paris neighborhood known for expensive boutiques and jewelry shops, is venue to world celebrities and posh families and clients.

In January, axe-bearing thieves burst into the lobby and stole millions of dollars worth of necklaces and other jewelry from display cases, Reuters reports.

In October 2016, American TV reality star, Kim Kardashian lost jewelry worth millions of dollars, 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Paris authorities stepped up security in the vicinity but the new measures have not deterred robbers from targeting the famous hotel.
Qatars top army commander attended Monday the Gulf Cooperation Council Supreme Military Committee (GCC-SMC) held in Kuwait, amid ongoing diplomatic crisis opposing the gas-rich country to Saudi Arabia and its allies namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt.

Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim took part in the meeting designed for top commanders of the region countries. He was in the attendance alongside Saudi, Emirati, Bahraini and Egyptian Chiefs of staff. It is the first time a top Qatari army leader is taking part in such a meeting since the diplomatic brow broke out in June 2017.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt had then severed ties with Qatar over its alleged support for terrorism and close ties with Iran.

The Saudi-led axis also imposed a sea, air and ground blockade on Qatar. Qatar pulled out from the Saudi-led international coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Monday get-together addressed topics pertaining to the implementation of joint military action and means of integrating the armed forces of the GCC member states, Turkish news agency Anadolu reports.

The host commander, Kuwaiti Chief-of-Staff Mohammed al-Khoder, called for closed bonds between the various armies as the diplomatic crisis drags on.

The region is going through accelerating challenges. It is imperative that we preserve Gulf bonds and join forces to preserve this organization and move away from anything that disturbs Gulf unity, Khoder said, according to The New Arabs Arabic-language service.

Last week, Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah told President Donald Trump in Washington that he hoped for an early end of the diplomatic spat.

Kuwait has been playing mediation role in the crisis, which nearly escalated into an armed conflict.
Tanzanias President John Magufuli has urged women in the East African nation to stop taking birth control pills, saying the country needs more people.

President Magufuli, who is an advocate for large families and huge populations, told citizens attending a recent rally, to keep reproducing as the government was increasing investment in the health sector.

I see no reason to control births in Tanzania, Magufuli said in a speech, according to The Citizen daily newspaper.

Magufuli, who was speaking in the presence of the health minister and the United Nations Populations Fund representative in Tanzania, urged Tanzanians to ignore bad advice.

Women can now give up contraceptive methods, Magufuli said.

Tanzania has a population of around 53 million people, with 49% of them living on less than $2 (1.50) a day. The UN predicts Africas population will double to around 2.5 billion by 2050.

In 2016, soon after the implementation of free education policy for primary and secondary schools, Magufuli, who has two children, said Tanzanians can give birth to as many children as possible because education was no longer expensive.

On average, a woman in Tanzania has more than five children, among the highest rates in the world, according to the BBC.
The remains of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Ghana from Switzerland. The body of the late Secretary General is being accompanied by his wife, Nane Maria, children and some UN officials.

The government of the West African nation and the family of the late Diplomat are ready to elaborate funeral rites that will precede the burial on Thursday.

Kofi Annan, the soft-spoken diplomat from Ghana who became the seventh secretary general of the United Nations, projecting himself and his organization as the worlds conscience and moral arbiter, died on August 18, 2018, in Bern, Switzerland.

The Nobel Laureate was reported to have fallen sick on his return trip from South Africa after he had attended the centenary celebration of the birth anniversary of the South African icon, Nelson Mandela. He was 80.

According to local media, Kofi Annan will be accorded a state burial and his body interred at the new Military Cemetery of Ghana on September 13, 2018, after burial service at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

Dignitaries, including chiefs, Members of Parliament, cabinet members and members of the diplomatic corps would file past the body on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

As a reminder, Kofi Annan was the first black African to head the United Nations, doing so for two successive five-year terms beginning in 1997. Kofi Annan was credited with revitalizing the United Nations institutions, shaping what he called a new norm of humanitarian intervention, particularly in places where there was no peace.
Govt Announces New Customs Code Next Week

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze

The government of Georgia will present the draft of the countrys new customs code, which will offer all customs services electronically, next week, Georgian PM Mamuka Bakhtadze stated on Thursday. He said that the current customs code failed to respond to challenges and there was a need of having the European-standard customs code.The draft for the code was elaborated with European experts, Bakhtadze said.He stated that the code would mainly benefit the private sector, saving their time and money.The new customs code will play as a big stimulus for attracting of European investments and will support the integration process of Georgian businesses on the European market, Bakhtadze said.During the same press briefing, Bakhtadze called upon the Georgian businesses to benefit from the government-initiated project merely returning VAT.He said that the government has already returned 280 million GEL as VAT and intended to return almost half-billion this year.When Bakhtadze served as a finance minister, in January 2018 a system was activated through which entrepreneurs became able to receive VAT returns in 5-7 business days by filling out an electronic application.PM said that many businesspeople were skeptical about the new system due to the bad experience suffered under the United National Movement leadership.He claimed that the Georgian Dream ruling team project is absolutely business-friendly.The United National Movement opposition says that the Georgian Dream leadership is unable to settle the countrys economic problems and accuse them of making the country population extremely poor.
European MPs-What Should Georgia Consider for Elections?

By Vladimer Napetvaridze

In October 2018, the last Presidential elections will be held in Georgia. A few days ago, European Parliament Member Rebecca Harms called on Georgia to ensure transparency of funding of political parties and media pluralism for the presidential elections: "As a member of the European Parliament and the Chairman of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, I call on Georgia and ask them to ensure transparency of funding of parties. I hope that media pluralism will be ensured, which is also crucial for democratic elections. The European Parliament will send observers for the election, and they will monitor the process,"- stated MEP in her interview with Rustavi 2 TV.One more MEP- Ana Gomes, also expressed her opinion about the presidential elections, stated that the upcoming elections must be competitive, and the candidates should enjoy equal resources and opportunities: "I hope that the presidential elections in Georgia will be competitive and the candidates will enjoy equal resources and opportunities, including in the media. All this is very important. I hope that the last direct election of a president will attract the attention of the Georgian people, Ana Gomes stated in her interview with Rustavi 2.It can be predicted that at the October presidential election, the voter turnout will be very low, which is due to the rise of indifference in the population. There are several reasons for this: For the last several years the importance of the president institute has decreased. In 2004 - After the Rose Revolution in 2003, the Parliament of Georgia adopted a new edition of the constitution, which equipped the President with more power, and President dominated all other branches of power and institutions. It was a super-presidential model; In 2010 - According to the new edition of the constitution, an institute of Prime-minister became the most powerful political position. A president has been deprived of all the executive rights; In 2013. The new government of Georgia restricted the rights of the Prime Minister. This model is closer to the parliamentary model; according to the latest edition of the constitution adopted in 2017 which determined the country's parliamentary model; 2018 will be the last year when the Georgian population elects the president. According to the new edition of the constitution, from 2023 candidate for this position will be nominated by the government.In addition to that, we can see the growth of skeptical attitudes of the population towards the elections. For example, if in the presidential election in 2004 participated over 2 million voters, in the next elections in 2008, this number has reduced by 140,000. After the five years, in 2013, only 46% of the registered voters participated in the presidential election, which is equal to 1630 875 citizens. The tendency of voter participation decrease is observed regarding the parliamentary elections too. In 2012 - Voter turnout was: 2,185,913 = 60% registered voted; but in 2016- Voter turnout decreased to 1,753,522 = 50% registered voters.In addition to all the above mentioned, the ruling party has not yet clearly nominated its position in future presidential elections. At this stage, we can name three main candidates for upcoming elections: - Grigol Vashadze, a member of the United National Movement, which is a candidate of a coalition - "Strength in Unity", Davit Bakradze - a candidate for European Georgia and an independent candidate Salome Zourabichvili, who might get support of the Georgian Dream.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- A woman who died in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center on Monday has been identified.

According to Sheriff Mike Ezell, 38-year old Cindy Arnold of Moss Point was the inmate who was found unresponsive Monday morning in the ADC.

Ezell says an autopsy will be performed on Arnold in Jackson to determine the exact cause of death.

On Monday, Ezell's requested the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation conducts an independent examination into Arnold's death.

Per the sheriff's department, more information will be released as it becomes available.
via @scontorno

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is excited about the energy that Andrew Gillum brings to the Democratic ticket as the party's nominee for governor.

He is less enthusiastic about some of the ideas Gillum ran on to win his primary.

Take Gillum's call to abolish the agency known as ICE, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, "in its current form." Nelson isn't on board.

"I don't want to abolish ICE. I want to abolish Trump," Nelson said in a sit-down Monday with the Tampa Bay Times editorial board. "ICE is merely the administrative agency. It's the policies in that agency that is problem."

What about Gillum's support for universal healthcare, often called Medicare for all? "I've got enough trouble just trying to save Obamacare," Nelson said. "I'm into results."

A $15 minimum wage?

"I have supported a $12 minimum wage," Nelson said, "but I am certainly open to suggesting anything that will improve the lot of the average working man."

Nelson has staked his political career  and, perhaps, the Democratic Party's chances at winning the U.S. Senate  on the assumption that a purple state prefers a moderate politician with a penchant for crossing the aisle. "One of America's most independent senators," a recent ad touted.

But his party received a jolt last month when Democratic voters picked Gillum in the gubernatorial primary over a more moderate choice, Gwen Graham, and three others. Suddenly, Nelson, 75, is sharing the spotlight with a 39-year-old, African American mayor backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders who ran and won on an unapologetically progressive agenda.

After his stunning victory, Gillum declared a "political revolution" was afoot.

The coming months will determine: Is Nelson out of step with this movement?

"He's bringing a lot of new energy to the table and I think it's going to produce more African Americans, I think it's going to produce more young people," Nelson said. "And hopefully I might have some value that I bring to the ballot as well."

Gillum has advocated for many of the liberal policies en vogue among new age Democrats  some of which Nelson has tried to disassociate himself from as he battles for Florida's middle.

Gillum contends he has given Democratic voters a reason to show up on election day.

"Some of the people in this race for governor believe we've got to run as Republican flight in order to win Florida," Gillum said at an August rally with Sanders. "Our voters are going to stay home if they have choose between someone pretending to be a Republican and someone who is a real Republican."

Nelson's opponent, Gov. Rick Scott, has already tried to lump the two together. Scott, like Gillum opponent Ron DeSantis, has thrown around the word "socialist" around a lot to describe the Democratic ticket.

"This election offers Floridians a clear choice: continue the success of the last 8 years, or embrace the job-killing socialist policies of Senator Nelson and Andrew Gillum," Scott tweeted last week.

Independent fact-checking website PolitiFact deemed it False to call Gillum's agenda socialist.

For his part, Nelson has certainly embraced Gillum while maintaining his distance on contentious issues. Marijuana is one of them. Gillum wants to legalize marijuana, still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Nelson backs medical marijuana, including in smokable form. This week he unveiled a bill that allows the Department of Veteran Affairs to prescribe marijuana for its patients. But he doesn't support full legalization.

Gillum has also advocated for Trump's impeachment. Nelson won't go that far.

Nelson rightfully points out that nearly all these topics are federal in nature, meaning likely outside of the next governor's purview. When it comes to areas Gillum could affect, Nelson said he thinks they are more closely aligned.

"Look at the things that we agree on and look at the things that he has jurisdiction on that we agree," Nelson said. "Take for example, health care. Andrew certainly agrees that we ought to expand Medicaid for the 800,000 (would-be eligible Floridians)."

Though Nelson won't get behind some of Gillum's proposals, he has already shown a willingness to cede where the future of the party may be headed. At last month's post-election unity rally in Orlando, the elder statesman offered to speak first, leaving the headlining slot for the fresh face of the Democratic Party.

"I'm entirely comfortable with Andrew," Nelson said Monday. "And he with me."
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 []
Bongowood sweetheart Elizabeth Lulu Michael has finally broken her silence after her release from prison earlier this year.

The popular Tanzanian actress was last November convicted for the manslaughter of former Bongo Movie Star Steven Kanumba and sentenced to two years in the pen.

After serving six months behind bars, Lulu was released on a presidential pardon in May and her two-year sentence commuted to community service.

Since then, the actress and model has been keeping a low profile, at least until Sunday when she made a social media comeback to celebrate her fiancee Majey aka Majizzo.

Lulu had not posted anything on her Instagram account that boasts over 2.6 million followers since October 2o17. She, however, reserved her highly anticipated comeback to pen a special message to Majizzo on his birthday.

Lover, Best Friend, Business Partner, Ride Or Die And A Shoulder To Always Cry On!! Asante Kwa Kunionyesha Maana Halisi Ya Upendo Wa Agape(KIUNGU)Baraka Zikufuate Siku Zote Za Maisha Yako..Happy Birthday Baba GI Love You???, wrote Elizabeth Michael.

Word on the street has it that the two lovebirds are set to get married later this year.

Majizzo is a media owner in Tanzania who owns Bongo radio station EFM and TV-E. He is also Hamisa Mobettos baby daddy.
Anyone linked with the gruesome murder of Sharon Otieno will not be spared, Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has vowed.

DPP Haji said any suspect, including Migori governor Okoth Obado, will be arrested and charged if investigations link him to the murder of the 26-year-old woman.

Investigations are going on, and at the right time when we feel the governor needs to be arrested, that will definitely be done, said Haji.

He noted they will only do so when they have watertight evidence against governor Obado.

No one is above the law, not even the governor. And no one mentioned will be spared, Haji added.

The DPP further urged Kenyans to exercise patience as investigations in such cases take time. He said there is a process to follow including taking DNA samples for testing.

Haji said there are many theories that have come up and the police are piecing together a solid case to ensure that they charge the right culprits.

There is no sacred cow, no one linked to this heinous act will be left untouched. We will go for each one of them, he said.

Haji also told Kenyans to stop speculating over the issue and allow the detectives to carry out their work. He also cautioned politicians against interfering.

Shut up and let the police focus on getting the culprits, Haji said.

The DPP was speaking Sunday after a meeting with Haki-Kenya in Mombasa.
Kenyans online are singing the praise of a Kenya Bus Services (KBS) driver and his conductor after they came to the rescue of a woman who fell ill in their bus.

In a viral Facebook post, a user by the name Iswellah Karuiru narrated how the crew of bus fleet No. 231, plying the Utawala route, went out of their way to rush the woman to the Kenyatta National Hospital on Monday.

She wrote: KBS Minibus fleet No. 231 Utawala route, salute to Driver and Conductor with Golden hearts.

We always mention matatus to complain but am here to complimentToday morning a middle-aged mom and her little son like 6yrs boarded only for mom to get real sick. Conductor could run and ask police to give them right of way. and getting to the city, the driver made sure he brought us all at kencom then proceeded to take the mom and son to KNH where she was going to seek medical attention. God bless you two great heroes

The driver of the bus, identified as Stephen Kariuki, has also opened up about the Monday morning incident.

When we were approaching Bellevue, passengers raised alarm that there was a sick woman on-board. She looked very sick and she was with her young son. Its like she was going for a doctors appointment, Stephen was quoted.

When the womans condition worsened and traffic got worse, Stephen and his conductor took drastic measures to save her life.

The conductor walked towards the traffic police officers at the Nyayo round-about to request right of way. At first, the traffic police were reluctant but the conductor persisted and they gave in, added Stephen.

The driver of the bus, KBR 855B, said the womans condition took a turn for the worse while they were at Bunyala roundabout but the other passengers kept her awake and took care of her.

At first I was traumatized to see a very sick person being taken to hospital by a small boy. They were seated in front of me so I saw everything. The woman was losing her consciousness. She couldnt talk and she couldnt wake up, Iswellah Karuiru told SDE.

We searched her and found a piece of paper that had three phone numbers. We tried to call but no one answered, she continued.

When they ran out of options, the driver and the conductor decided to drop passengers at the Kencom stage and rush the woman to Kenyatta Hospital.

We had to go all the way to Kenyatta and make sure that the woman was in the hands of the nurses. Luckily, there was another lady in the bus who saw our struggles and decided to accompany us to the hospital. We left the woman and her son at the hospital and hope that she gets well, the driver said.
Who will stop this man Nyakundi?

Just days after getting it on with television personality Pierra Makena over her body count, the infamous blogger has now fired shots at his next female targets, including the recovering Jahmby Koikai.

It all started from the latest viral video by the equally notorious misogynist Andrew Kibe. In the video that has ruffled many a feather, the NRG radio presenter opines that it is mans world and that successful women need to humble themselves

This is a mans [expletive] world. Whether you like it or not, this is a mans world. There is nothing as disgusting as a woman whos not humble, says Kibe in part.

Typical of Kibe, he went off on a tangent and made some sexist and vulgar remarks, including about anal sex and periods.

Seeing as Nyakundi and Andrew Kibe are of the same ilk, the blogger took to his social media to share Kibes video and endorse his message.

He wrote: Guru Andrew Kibe ashasema. Madame wa Kenya mumetubore kabisa. Sijui kujiita boss lady, madam boss, boss chic, queen bosette, who gives a sh*t? Only men of low self-esteem like Otile Brown and Nelly Oaks can survive that kind of emasculation.

At the same time, Andrew Kibe was called out by a number of Kenyas prominent female personalities, including Jahmby Koikai, PR guru Anyiko Owoko, and outspoken feminist  Lupita Nyongo elder sister, Zawadi Nyongo.

However, Nyakundi was quick to jump to Kibes defence and attacked the trio. He called on Kenyan men to boycott and block them.

In fact, Nyakundi wants Kenyan men to stop donating towards Koikais medical fund as she continues to battle endometriosis.

However, Koikai was gracious in her clap back and wrote:

Ive just seen someone asking people or rather men not to donate to my medical fund. Thats ok. We cant support abuse and degradation of women. This is hurting women .This hurt me. Considering the amount of pain Ive been in and other women suffering in silence. You can call me all sorts of names but that doesnt change who I am.
There was drama at a funeral meeting for slain student Sharon Otieno on Sunday when her uncle was forcefully ejected after suggesting that she should be buried at her ex-husbands home.

Joshua Okongo had to be whisked away from irate mourners who heckled him for opening a can of worms about Sharon Otienos marital status.

Last Friday, Okongo addressed journalists as the family spokesman, saying Sharon was married before separating from her husband earlier this year.

I want everybody to know that Sharon was married and she separated with her husband in January I know her because she stayed with me most of the time during her childhood, said Okongo.

The crowd booed him but he insisted with his speech, saying: The husband has never appeared in this home. We need him because Sharon will not be buried here due to our cultural beliefs.

His remarks angered Sharons father Douglas Otieno, who snatched the microphone from Okongo.

Kanyabala Chief Simeon Onano and some family members rushed to the dais to intervene. They escorted Okongo to his car, with mourners hurling insults at him as he entered his car and eventually left the compound.

The meeting in Magare village, Homa Bay was attended by four woman representatives: Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Pamela Odhiambo (Migori), Rosa Buyu (Kisumu) and Janet Ongera (Kisii).
Noted columnist and commentator E.J. Dionne, Jr. (left) will present a public lecture Sept. 27 on American religion, inequality and populism, the culmination of a day of events honoring Candler emeritus professor Jon P. Gunnemann (right).

Noted columnist and commentator E.J. Dionne, Jr. will give a public lecture titled, Can We Do Justice and Love Mercy in Politics? American Religion, Inequality, and Populism, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 at Glenn Memorial Auditorium on the Emory campus.

Dionnes lecture is the culmination of a day of events honoring Jon P. Gunnemann , Professor Emeritus of Social Ethics at Candler School of Theology. The events will reflect Gunnemanns research interests with a focus on religious perspectives on economic inequality.

Prior to the lecture, a panel discussion on Spirit and Capital in an Age of Inequality will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Room 360 of Candler.

Panelists will include Elizabeth M. Bounds, associate professor of Christian ethics; Timothy P. Jackson, professor of Christian ethics; Ted A. Smith, associate professor of preaching and ethics; Douglas A. Hicks, dean of Oxford College of Emory University and William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Religion; Julie Meadows 08G, developmental editor of The Generous Reader; and Robert P. Jones 02G, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). Laney Professor of Moral Leadership Robert M. Franklin Jr. will serve as facilitator.

Gunnemann will offer remarks at the end of the panel. The panel shares the name of a recent Festschrift in honor of Gunnemann, Spirit and Capital in an Age of Inequality, co-edited by Ted Smith and Robert Jones, with Dionne, Bounds, Jackson and Meadows all serving as contributors. No registration is required to attend the panel.

Dionne, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, is a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post and university professor in the Foundations of Democracy and Culture at Georgetown University.

A nationally known political commentator, he appears weekly on National Public Radio and regularly on MSNBC. He has authored or co-edited more than 10 books, including his most recent, Why the Right Went Wrong: ConservatismFrom Goldwater to Trump and Beyond. Dionne has received numerous awards, including the American Political Science Associations Carey McWilliams Award to honor a major journalistic contribution to the understanding of politics.

Gunnemann taught at Candler from 1981 until his retirement in 2008, focusing on theology, ethics and the economy, and on contemporary theories of justice. He served as director of Emorys Graduate Division of Religion from 1992 until 1998. He has written extensively on issues of economic ethics and on Christian ethics and social theory.

The events are sponsored by Candler, the Laney Graduate School and Graduate Division of Religion, and the Center for the Study of Law and Religion.

Candler is located on the campus of Emory University, at 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322.

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church is located on the campus of Emory University, at 1660 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307.
00:16

The Congress will construct 'Ram Path' (a mythical route taken by Lord Ram during his 14-year exile) stretching up to the borders of Madhya Pradesh if voted to power, senior party leader Digvijay Singh said on Tuesday.





He said the Congress would also construct the 'Narmada Parikrama Path'.





Assembly elections are due in Madhya Pradesh later this year. The Congress has been out of power in the central state since 2003.





"The ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) had announced to develop the 'Ram Path' but never kept its promise. But, we are thinking to construct the 'Ram Path' up to the borders of the state. The 'Narmada Parikrama Path' would also be constructed," Singh told a press conference in Bhopal.





Narmada parikrama is a walk along the banks of the river Narmada which covers a distance of 3,300 km.





Responding to a query whether the Congress is adopting 'soft Hindutva', the former chief minister said there was nothing like soft or hard Hindutva.





"Hindutva has nothing to do with the religion," he said.





When asked if the Congress was emulating the BJP by promising development of the 'Ram Path' and setting up cow shelters in the state, Singh replied in negative.





The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government had announced on on October 1, 2007 that it would track the 'Ram Gaman Path' or the route that Lord Ram had taken in the 11 out of 14 years of his exile he had spent in the forests of state through the districts of Satna, Panna, Shahdol, Jabalpur and Vidisha.





Singh said the so-called worshippers of the cow are only interested in collecting funds.





"During the ersthile rule of the Congress, 'Gaushalas' were constructed in MP. Nobody should have objections if the Congress talks about setting up Gaushalas in every Panchayat (to avoid the problems of stray cattle)," he said.





Singh said he never harboured animosity against the BJP or even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.





"There may be political rivalry, but no acrimony," he said.





The Congress leader dared Chouhan to prove a single instance of corruption during his 10-year rule as the chief minister from 1993-2003.





"The BJP has failed to prove even a single corruption charge in the last 15 years. Why to talk about proving, they even could not level a charge against me. But, I am saying that the family of Shivraj Singh Chouhan is involved in Vyapam scam and illegal sand mining," he alleged.





Sing accused the BJP of raising issues that may create social tension.





Replying to a query, Singh said, "Neither Hindus nor Sanatan Dharma is in danger. Mughals had ruled this country for 500 years and Christians for 150 years, but Sanatan Dharma continued to exist. Some people are misleading common people to serve their political interests."





Singh said he would soon serve a legal notice to chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.





"Shivraj had termed me anti-national, but no case has been registered against me so far. Now, they (BJP) are saying that I have relations with Naxals. This allegation against me shows their mental status," he said. -- PTI


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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin have concluded their meeting in Russia's Far East. They agreed to draw up a schedule of joint economic projects on the islands known as the Northern Territories.

Abe said, "We agreed on the details and how to implement the projects. They cover five areas --aquaculture, greenhouse agriculture, developing tours, wind power, and waste reduction."

Abe said the path to future cooperation on the islands is growing clearer. Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them.

Abe said that Japan will dispatch business missions to the islands.

Putin said, "I'm satisfied that we were able to form a roadmap. We also agreed to hold the third business mission by the end of the year."

Abe pledged that Japan will work closely with Russia to address North Korean issues.

He told Putin that Japan hasn't ruled out the possibility of economic cooperation with the North if the issues are settled comprehensively and diplomatic ties are normalized.

The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two. - NHK

Emergency services attend the scene of a cargo plane crash which killed all four Russian crew members in the capital Khartoum, Sudan Monday, June 30, 2008.

The Aviation Herald said a written manifest listed 17 adults and three children as passengers.

The plane was carrying 22 people when it crashed in South Sudan.

One of the survivors, an Italian doctor working with a charity, was in stable condition and flown to Juba having undergone surgery in Yirol, the minister said.

Three people survived and two are missing, with 17 confirmed dead.

The causes of the accident are for the moment unknown.

Abel also confirmed that Simon Adut, the Anglican Bishop of Yirol, was among the dead.

The chartered aircraft was ferrying close to 20 passengers from Juba International Airport to the city of Yirol in Eastern Lakes State when the disaster struck on Sunday.

"The whole town is in shock, the shops are closed, some people have taken their relatives for burial", Abel told the AFP news agency.

"When the plane was landing the weather was foggy and this was not a good situation for plane landing".

Reports said the left main landing gear hit a fire truck besides the runway and the aircraft burst into flames.

Several crashes have occurred in war-torn South Sudan in recent years. Tens of thousands have died in the fighting and millions have been displaced.
"It would not be profitable to build the Focus Active in the USA given an expected annual sales volume of fewer than 50,000 units and its competitive segment", the company said.

It makes many of its products for the USA market in China, and it also sells gadgets including the iPhone in China, making them a potential target for Chinese retaliation against the Trump tariffs.

Apple is anxious that a new round of Trump's tariffs against China, on a further $267 billion of goods this time, will result in a price hike of its products.

Ford Motor Company is not planning to build its Focus Active vehicles in the U.S.

Trump's increasing aggression toward China and his strong desires for increases in tariffs have many companies anxious.

But the President offered Apple an "easy solution" to its potential price headache: just make it in the US.

The US President said he would levy additional taxes on $267bn (206.28bn) of goods over and above planned tariffs on $200bn (154.52bn) of Chinese products. Start building new plants now.

The automaker has already said it has no plans to restart production elsewhere.

Furthermore, as the Huffington Post reported, citing federal statistics, us trade deficit with China, and the European Union has jumped to a five-month high, in spite of the tariffs. Make your products in the United States instead of China.

Other products that will see a price hike include Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Apple Pencil, Apple adapters, chargers, cables and cords, Apple main logic boards with microprocessing units, memory modules, video graphic/audio cards and PCBAs, Apple computer parts (e.g., housings and internal components) and printed circuit boards, among others.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for a comment on Trump's latest broadside.

With the cancelation of the Focus Active, a Ford spokesman confirms, the Mustang will eventually be the only Ford vehicle model sold in the U.S.

According to industry analyst Ed Kim from AutoPacific, there was a strong chance the Focus Active would have been sold in the United States if it wasn't for the tariffs.

In China, labour costs for motor vehicle and parts manufacturing are about $8 per hour including benefits, but it's more than $52 per hour in the US, according to Dziczek.

The tariffs, ranging from 5 percent to 25 percent, would apply to 5,207 products, and USA actions will determine whether China adopts the additional duties, Beijing said at the time.

The world's two biggest economies are clashing over United States allegations that China deploys predatory tactics - including outright cybertheft - to acquire technology from USA companies and challenge American technological dominance.
Just under two weeks after it was confirmed that Donald Trump would be visiting Ireland, it now appears that the trip is off.

Mr Trump was originally invited to Ireland by former taoiseach Enda Kenny on his final St Patrick's Day visit to the White House past year.

Meanwhile, Russian media reported Tuesday that Trump may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the same European trip that had included the planned Ireland visit.

Confusing matters, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders claimed in a statement shortly afterward that the administration was still "finalizing" whether Ireland will be a stop on a previously announced trip to Europe.

"Donald Trump's administration champions policies that are destroying our planet, destabilising worldwide order, and reaching new political depths by appealing to racism, misogyny, xenophobia and hatred", Irish Green Party leader Eamon Ryan wrote in a statement urging people to reject Trump's visit.

He said it is still possible that President Trump will take up Mr Varadkar's invitation at a future date but November will not be happening.

A meeting has taken place today at Government buildings, between officials of both governments, and the visit has now been cancelled due to "scheduling reasons", according to a government spokesperson.

The Irish Government had been heavily criticised for the planned visit.

Mr Coveney said: "It will be controversial because everything Donald Trump does these days is controversial".

Brendan Howlin, the leader of the Labour Party in the Republic of Ireland, said that Mr Trump was "no friend of democracy or human rights".

Mr Varadkar said there is a standing invitation for any USA president to come to Ireland and many have in the past.

The trip to Ireland would be Trump's first to the country as President.
On Saturday, after the sentences were handed out Amnesty International condemned the court's trial "disgraceful", for imprisoning peaceful protestors and journalists.

Of the 75 defendants facing the death penalty, 44 were in the dock while the rest were tried in absentia.

Moreover; it handed down a 10-year imprisonment against the son of former MB president Mohamed Morsi, Osama.

"This can only be described as a parody of justice; it casts a dark shadow over the integrity of Egypt's entire system of justice, and makes a mockery of due process", Najia Bounaim, director of campaign in North Africa at Amnesty International, said in June.

It concluded the mass trial of almost 700 people accused of various offences - including murder and inciting violence - during a pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest on Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo on August 14, 2013.

Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, was awarded a UN World Press Freedom Prize this year.

Prominent members and politicians in the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood organisation were among those sentenced to life, including its Supreme Guide, Mohammed Badie.

Procedures will now start for releasing Shawkan, 30, because he has already served more than five years in pre-trial detention, judicial sources said.

The rights watchdog called for a retrial in front of an "impartial court".

About 700 people were killed within hours at Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda Square where another sit-in was being held.

The army, directed by current Egyptian President Abdel al-Fattah al-Sisi, subsequently launched a major crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, arresting thousands of its proponents who have since been jailed on charges ranging from organizing illegal protests to murder.

Egypt's courts have sentenced hundreds of them to death or lengthy jail terms after other speedy mass trials, including Morsi and several leaders of his Brotherhood movement.

The Egyptian government says many protesters were armed and that eight members of the security forces were killed in the 2013 incident.

It said the verdicts were "a mockery of justice", since "not a single police officer has been brought to account". He became Egypt's first freely elected president in 2012 but was ousted in July 2013 by the military following days of street protests calling on him to step down. He won re-election in March with 97 per cent of the vote against a single opponent widely seen as a token challenger.
"Police are brutally crushing the protesters, even teenagers and elders, about a hundred arrested", Echo Moskvy reported on the rally in St. Petersburg.

Navalny didn't take part in the protests, as he's now serving a 30-day sentence for violating public demonstration laws. Navalny said the move was created to derail the protests which took place in 80 towns and cities, including Moscow and St Petersburg.

The proposed pension changes, which are now going through parliament, have shaved around 15 percentage points off Putin's popularity rating and are the most unpopular government measure since a 2005 move to scrap Soviet-era benefits.

Navalny, barred from state TV and prevented from running against Putin for president earlier this year, hopes to tap into public anger over the reform.

OVD-Info, a rights organisation that monitors detentions, said 291 Navalny supporters had been detained by police on Sunday in 19 towns and cities, including some of Mr. Navalny's closest aides.

Illegal protest marches, a parliamentary opposition leader punching an agitator in the face and a few unexpected results.

Police officers detain an elderly man during a rally against planned increases to the nationwide pension age in St. Petersburg, Russia September 9, 2018.

On Monday, several activists tried to launch another protest in a tree-lined boulevard in central Moscow but they were quickly rounded up by police.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the leader of United Russia and a Putin ally, told party activists on Sunday night he deemed the results "worthy" given the election campaign had taken place in what he called hard conditions.

A Reuters reporter saw at least three people being detained.

Protesters say the planned reform places a strain on families trying to plan for the future. "I want a better life for myself and my children".

The proposed reforms would gradually raise the retirement age for women to 60 and men to 65.

The World Health Organization says in 2016, the life expectancy of a Russian man was 66.

On a single day of voting on September 9, mass riots of the supporters of Navalny took place throughout Russian Federation.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's United Russia party and its candidates won in most of the 22 elections for governors, 16 elections for regional legislatures and 12 elections for city legislatures.

Putin promised in 2005 never to raise the age for Russians to receive a pension, but Russia is facing a crisis, and President Putin seems not to have other alternatives.

Mr. Navalny has likened Mr. Putin to an autocratic tsar who has clung to power for too long.
"The top 30 stations in terms of murder include the Western Cape with 10 stations followed by Gauteng with 9, then KwaZulu-Natal with 6 and the Eastern Cape with 5".

Police minister Bheki Cele told MPs that the crime statistics were "nothing to write home about".

This translates to an average of 57 people murdered every day, up from an average of 52 people in 2016-2017.

Murders of women spiked by 11% with 2930 murders reported in 2017-2018 compared with 2639 in the previous period.

The rise in murder rate was partly down to gang violence and lethal turf wars over the control of lucrative taxi mini-bus routes that transport many poorer South Africans to work.

"The figures that always scare me are murder figures", he said.

The minister of police expressed shock, saying that "never again" should such a high crime rate be recorded and noted the fear and stress that South Africans live under.

Cash-in-transit heists, a common occurrence now, have unsurprisingly increased from 137 cases in the 2015/2016 period to 238 in the past year. Assault and common robbery have lessened over the period.

The number for the previous financial year was 19 016.

The Western Cape and Free State also reported an increase to 3 729 murders (up from 3 311), and 1 054 murders (up from 950) respectively.

Sekhukhune also noted that police killings contributed to the murder statistics.

In 2017/2018, Sekhukhune said there were 33 incidents of robbery, six incidents of attempted murder, two incidents of rape, two incidents of stock-theft and one incident of robbery with a firearm, carjacking and kidnapping on farms and small holdings.

Major-General Norman Sekhukhune, head of police crime research and statistics, on Tuesday released the 2017/18 crime statistics to the Portfolio Committee on Police in Parliament.

According to Beukman, "a clear and strategic response" is needed.




CBI Member, Exxon Mobil has announced plans to build a chemical plant and LNG terminal in Chinas Guangdong Province. Exxon Mobil will invest several billion dollars into the complex to tap into rising Asian demand and to ease Chinese concerns as the US-China trade war hits the countrys LNG supplies hard Exxon Mobil CEO, Darren Woods met with top provincial officials last Wednesday to sign a framework agreement with the province.

The agreement sets out how Exxon Mobil plans to build a plant to produce petrochemicals in the city of Huizhou and a LGN in a yet undisclosed location. Exxon Mobil aims to invest $20 billion in chemicals by 2025, looking to reduce reliance on oil products and boost the profitability of production facilities.

Exxon Mobil is contributing to Beijings efforts to fight air pollution by switching the citys energy supply from coal to LNG. China currently has about 20 terminals with a capacity totalling roughly 65 million tons. Beijing hopes to raise that to 100 million tons by 2025.
Bolton said the timing for the announcement also relates to the court's suspected intentions to launch a formal investigation into the 17 years the United States has been fighting terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan that would put American warriors at risk for prosecution by the ICC.

The administration had told the Palestinians past year that closure was a distinct possibility unless they agreed to sit to down with the Israelis.

They also described the planned PLO mission closure as the latest pressure tactic by the White House, which has slashed funding to a United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees and to hospitals in East Jerusalem.

"The PLO has not taken steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel", the statement said.

The Palestine Liberation Organization quickly denounced the decision, calling it "the use of cheap blackmail as a political tool".

"Lowering the flag of Palestine in Washington DC means much more than a new slap by the Trump administration against peace and justice", Erekat said.

"I don't think that the actions we have taken are at all inconsistent with our objective of peace between Israel and the Palestinians", he said.

They cut off contact with the United States administration after Trump recognized the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December.

Bolton's comments reinforced an earlier statement by the US Department of State which announced the closure of the office of the General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in Washington. Over the weekend, it announced it would cut $25 million in assistance for hospitals in east Jerusalem that provide critical care to Palestinian patients.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas agreeing to talk with the Israelis would be "a fine step forward", he added.

Palestinian officials on Monday condemned the Trump administration's decision to shutter the Washington, D.C. office of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)-part of a broader effort to block International Criminal Court (ICC) probes into US or Israeli war crimes-as "crude and vicious blackmail", and vowed to continue calling for ICC investigations.

But the Palestinians have cut all contacts with Washington, citing a series of decisions made by Mr Trump that they say favour Israel, most importantly the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem announced in December that gave USA recognition to the contested city as Israel's united capital.

It added: "This decision is also consistent with administration and congressional concerns with Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the global criminal court". We will sanction their funds. we will prosecute them.

Bolton said the United States remained committed to negotiating a peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel, like the United States, is not a signatory to the ICC and said the body lacked jurisdiction. We will not join the ICC.

The draft speech says the Trump administration "will fight back" if the ICC proceeds with opening an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. service members and intelligence professionals during the war in Afghanistan. We will let the ICC die on its own. "After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us", says Bolton's draft text. "Palestinian are disappointed. They have been let down by their occupation, the global community, and their own leaders".

"No committee of foreign nations will tell us how to govern ourselves and defend our freedom", he said.

That hope has never been fulfilled, notably since the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat began the second intifada after walking away from the historic and generous Israeli peace offer brokered by Bill Clinton in 2000.

When George W. Bush took office in 2001, Bolton sought and received permission to travel to NY to ceremonially "unsign" the document at the United Nations.
Venezuela and one of its allies accused the United States on Saturday of plotting against its president, Nicolas Maduro, who has presided over a near collapse of the country. According to an ex-military commander in Venezuela, the United States dallied while coup plotters waited: "We were frustrated", he said. But the United States never granted the request, and after multiple meetings, the Venezuelans became frustrated.

However, the U.S. has said it prefers an orderly and peaceful return to democracy.

Venezuela's foreign minister accused the United States of seeking an intervention and supporting military conspiracies, following a report US officials had met with Venezuelan military officers to discuss a coup plot.

However, the message was heard loud and clear by disaffected military officers in Venezuela, who according to reports soon set up a series of clandestine meetings with a Trump official to discuss overthrowing President Maduro.

Denunciamos ante el mundo los planes de intervencion y apoyo a conspiraciones militares del gobierno de los Estados Unidos contra Venezuela.

Last month Maduro escaped unharmed in an attack by explosive-laden drones that wounded officers and sent soldiers scurrying during a military parade in Caracas.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton insisted there was "no US government involvement" in the incident.

Around the same time, he said publicly that he would not rule out a "military option" to end the chaos there.

The White House responded to the report Times by admitting that it engages in "dialogue with all Venezuelans who demonstrate a desire for democracy [to] bring positive change to a country that has suffered so much under Maduro".

U.S. officials met secretly with Venezuelan military officers who were plotting a coup against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, both a current and a former United States official confirmed to CNN.

The current and former U.S. officials confirmed to CNN that report is accurate. The repeated meetings, however, showed a serious United States interest in the idea, and openness to toppling the Venezuelan government.

The White House has not commented on the meetings.

Shannon O'Neil, a vice president at the Council on Foreign Relations, said she would have a wait-and-see approach on shifts in US policy toward Venezuela, despite the growing chaos there.

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"Vostok-2018 is far from NATOs area of responsibility and does not affect the security of its member states", the Russian foreign ministrys spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Beijing is sending about 3,200 troops, 900 combat vehicles and 30 aircraft to join the drills at a firing range.

Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, said that more troops were taking part in Vostok-2018 than in the Soviet Union's largest ever military drills, which were held in 1981 at the height of the Cold War.

Analysts say Moscow had to invite the Chinese and Mongolian militaries given the proximity of the war games to their borders and because the scale meant the neighbouring countries would probably have seen them as a threat had they been excluded.

The defence ministry released video footage of military vehicles, planes, helicopters and ships getting into position for the initial stage of the drills.

"Imagine 36,000 military vehicles moving at the same time: tanks, armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles - and all of this, of course, in conditions as close to a combat situation as possible", Shoigu said.

"The Vostok 2018 troop exercises have begun in Russia's Far East", the ministry said.

In the strategic drills, the PLA and Russian armed forces have formed a joint operational commanding system, under which military forces from the two countries will hold joint exercises including mechanized defensefire strike and counter-attack training.

The show of military power includes Russia's Iskander missiles, which can carry nuclear warheads, as well as its Su-34 and Su-35 fighter planes.

"The fact that the drill is vastly greater in size than previous exercises in the same location is also part of the natural progression of Russia's practice for war", Giles said.

At sea, the Russian fleet will deploy several frigates equipped with Kalibr missiles that have been used in Syria. Ukraine and the Baltic states said the true number was far bigger.

"With its Vostok 2018 exercise Russia sends a message that it regards the U.S.as a potential enemy and China as a potential ally", wrote Dmitri Trenin, a former Russian army colonel and director of the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank.

"It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time - a more assertive Russian Federation, significantly increasing its defence budget and its military presence", the alliance's spokesman Dylan White said late August.

Moscow has increased the number of its large-scale military exercises in the Caucasus, the Baltic and the Arctic in recent years.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued the exercises were "justified" in "the current worldwide situation" given "aggressive and unfriendly" attitudes towards Russian Federation.

The Kremlin has also accused North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of expanding westwards and threatening Russian national security.
Twenty-eight years ago, on this very day, I went into labor with my first child, my son. He was as stubborn then as he is now, so about twenty-six hours later, I had him by c-section on the fourth instead of the third, which had been his actual due date.
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Two staff members of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) were killed Monday after masked men allegedly associated to the Islamic State group (ISIS) attacked the Tripoli-based headquarters of the critical institution still ensuring revenues to the country.

Several men reportedly stormed the glass-fronted building of the institution managing the countrys oil industry. Gunfire and explosions rang out in the building. Two people identified as members of the staff lost their lives. Ten other people were wounded.

People inside the structure jumped out of windows to save their lives as Deterrence forces; a militia aligned with UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), confronted the armed men.

Two of the assailants were also killed, the Interior Ministry said.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the ministry blamed ISIS for staging what the UN called a terrorist attack.

The Monday attack is unprecedented as it was directed to the Libyan oil corporation, which is among the few national institutions that have not been targets of rivalries between warring factions.

NOCs chairman Mustafa Sanallah was evacuated from the building, safe and sound.

The latest attack in capital, Tripoli, took place less than a week after the UN announced a cease fire between rival factions, which had been fighting for over two weeks in and around the capital.

Sunday the UN also in a statement said the feuding sides agreed to freeze their forces movements, a monitoring & verification mechanism to consolidate the ceasefire + development of a plan to withdraw armed groups from sovereign locations and critical infrastructure in #Tripoli.

ISIS has been almost crushed out in the North African country but still stages rare attacks against security forces and state institutions. Early May, ISIS operatives stormed the headquarters of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC). Ten security forces died and seven sustained injuries.
Egypts Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned the comments issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, regarding the latest death verdicts in the North African nation.

An Egyptian court has sentenced 75 prominent members and affiliates of the Muslim Brotherhood to death, as part of a mass trial that included 739 people charged after the violent dispersal of a protest camp in support of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

The verdict was announced on Saturday in Cairos heavily fortified Tora prison courthouse, after a trial Amnesty International has condemned as a grotesque parody of justice.

On Sunday, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressed her extreme concern over the decision, which, if carried out, she said, would amount to a gross and irreversible miscarriage of justice.

The Foreign Ministry said it, considers this an unfortunate start for the new high commissioner in carrying out her duties, as the statement deviates from the standards of objectivity and professionalism.

The Egyptian government rejected claims that impinge, directly or indirectly, upon the integrity of the Egyptian judiciary, as well as the statements subscription to the lies and fabrications of the terrorist Brotherhood group, the ministry said.

Last weekend verdict ended a prolonged period of pre-trial detention, long past the two-year legal limit in Egypt, amid a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood group.
The current administration in Washington is fond of saying how well the economy is doing. But is it really? Tax cuts that were supposed to put more money in the pockets of average citizens have instead increased the riches of the wealthiest Americans. The rest of us have seen overall price increases in food, gas, housing, and other daily expenses. The federal minimum wage has not seen an increase since 2009, almost 10 years ago. People in minimum-wage jobs have to work two, even three or more, jobs just to provide basic necessities for their families. Affordable housing is difficult to come by, particularly here in the Chattanooga area. Its no wonder Tennessee ranks first in the country in bankruptcy filings.

But we can help change this by putting the right person in office. Dr. Danielle Mitchell, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Tennessees 3rd Congressional District, is a small business owner herself. She comes from a background of poverty and knows the value of hard work. She believes in paying a fair, livable wage that helps raise people up instead of keeping them held down. She supports quality education to help improve the chances of getting and keeping good-paying jobs. She is a strong advocate for local businesses rather than big corporations, and wants to bring the message of breaking the cycle of financial hardship that puts the burden of growing the economy on the working class so the wealthiest reap the benefits. The most vulnerable among us  children, the disabled, the elderly  are the ones who stand to suffer most, and Republicans in power seem to be okay with this kind of policy. Your current Congressman, Chuck Fleischmann, has been silent on these issues, showing his support for the administrations policy with his silence.

We deserve better than this. We deserve someone who will listen to our concerns and fight for us in Washington. We are hard-working citizens of the 3rd District; lets put Dr. Danielle Mitchell in office to be that voice for us. After years of silence, we need to be heard.

Kathy Lutes Ebel
King Mohammed VI has called for working together to achieve a new world order for peace while stressing the need for coexistence and acceptance of diversity and difference.

In a message to the participants in the second edition of the International Conference on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue, held in Fez, the King underscored the unwavering commitment to the values underpinning inter-cultural, inter-religious dialogue.

By hosting this conference, my country is sending a strong signal, reflecting its determination to set off a new dynamic  one that would enable us to pave the way, together, for innovative pathways to ensure respect for cultural and religious diversity as well as a common commitment to the virtues of dialogue and to respect for others, said the Monarch in the message read out by Human Rights Minister Mustapha Ramid.

In this message, the king shed light on Moroccos unique model in the region in terms of its constitution, culture or long history. Indeed, our history attests to a long-established tradition of coexistence on Moroccan soil  particularly between Muslims and Jews  and to openness to other religions.

Moroccos distinctiveness is underpinned by the Commandership of the Faithful and the Maliki rite, said the Monarch, highlighting that such an institution aims to shield the Moroccan society against the demons of ideological manipulation and subversive forces, using, to this end, enlightened religious training based on moderation and tolerance.

The promotion of tolerance in Morocco has also included the 2008 Ulema Charter, the local religious supervision plan, the rehabilitation of schools for religious education, the training of Imams and female religious guides and the review of the religious education curriculum in school, said the King in the message.

In Morocco, there is no difference between a Muslim and a Jewish citizen, said the King, who has launched projects to restore Jewish cemeteries, renovate Mellahs and refurbish synagogues and Jewish religious sites in general.

As for Christian residents and temporary visitors, they have always practiced their faith freely in churches, he said, recalling that among his ancestors, there was a Sultan who donated land for the construction of a church, which is still open to worshippers to this day.

The King went on to stress that cultural coexistence in Morocco is a reflection of the countrys unity. The latter is shaped by the convergence of the Arab, Amazigh, and Saharan-Hassani components of our identity, which is as much African as it is Andalusian, Jewish and Mediterranean.

King Mohammed VI also called for a review of the global approach to migration, recalling that Morocco has  welcomed people coming from sister nations to this African land, with their different religions, cultures, traditions, family habits and lifestyles.

Morocco organized two campaigns for migrants to regularize their status and launched several programs aimed, among other things, at ensuring the integration of migrants, asylum-seekers and their families, recalled the King.

Morocco commits to a humanitarian approach that takes into account the global and local contexts and respects the rights and dignity of migrants, he said.

Morocco, he said, will continue to work along those lines with the same commitment and dedication, especially in preparation for some upcoming events, particularly the 11th Summit of the World Forum on Migration and Development, to be held from 5 to 7 December 2018, and the Intergovernmental Conference, which will adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, due to be held on the 10th and 11th of the same month.
A student rally outside CUNY Hunter College. Photo: Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

On June 1, an announcement was posted to the City University of New Yorks Earth and Environmental Sciences listserv advertising Fulbright grants to study in Israel. The next day, Rafael Mutis, a sixth-year Ph.D. student in that department, responded, Thanks for passing this on, but this is some sick zionist propaganda. Is this a Trump initiative? Maybe there are post docs in Palestine? Free Free Palestine!

The post provoked exactly the sort of responses one would expect on a listserv full of graduate students with strong opinions on a hot-button subject. Some responses argued Mutiss email was unwarranted, and that he was overreaching in his use of zionist, which sparked a discussion over how far the term should be extended, whether it was fair to use it in that manner, given left-wing Zionist groups that advocate for Palestinian rights, and so on. Much of the listserv thread simply reads like students arguing in the same way they do everywhere else. Parts of it are a bit of a slog.

But naturally, because this is 2018, some of the posts also claimed that Mutiss use of the term was not only overly broad or inaccurate or offensive, but triggering to Jewish people because of the Z-words long association, when used negatively or conspiratorially, with genuine anti-Semites like Henry Ford. The concept of microaggressions came up. (Mutis didnt criticize Jewish people qua Jewish people in the original post, nor in his follow-up responses, and in the course of defending himself, he mentioned that he has Jewish friends whose views on the Israeli-Palestinian mirror his own.)

Things grew increasingly heated. In the words of social scientists, this is extremely triggering to folks whos family was SLAUGHTERED in the holocaust. [sic]  So on behalf of this Jew, FUCK YOU, went one post from an author who noted that she had just returned from touring concentration camps. Another student summed up the thread nicely: Thanks for the full dramatic reenactment of my family dynamic, colleagues. Really makes me feel at home when Im away. -[his name] (anti-Zionist, anti-Nazi, pro-BDS, pro-Jewish solidarity).

Under normal circumstances, once the thread wound down, that would have been that: Some people would have thought Mutis was dancing a bit too close to anti-Semitic tropes by using the term Zionist in the way he did, others would have viewed that charge as overblown and an attempt to tamp down criticism of Israel  and just about everyone would have gone about their day a bit more exasperated. That wasnt what happened, though.

Instead, on June 6, the student who signed off her email with FUCK YOU sent an email to Edith Rivera, the chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at CUNYs Graduate Center, to attempt to get Mutis in trouble. After laying out the basics, the complainant wrote, Rafael and others have equated Fullbright [sic] Israel as being Sick Zionist Propaganda. It was explained to them why this is hate speech and that it is offensive and triggering both nicely (by others) and not nicely (by me) and they wont stop. At the end of the email, the student explained why, in her view, what happened on the listserv was an act of discrimination: I cant find an IT policy that provides guidance for what is appropriate for a list serv. I understand free speech. They were asked to stop using triggering language and continued to do so. But making me feel intimidated and harassed because of my ethnicity/religion intimidating [sic] doesnt give Jewish students an equal opportunity to receive GC information as the only way to avoid the hate speech is unsubscribe from the list serve that provides critical information in the pursuit of my degree.

The next day, Rivera responded to the complainant, explaining that she was forwarding her email on to another administrator and providing a link to CUNYs Charge of Discrimination Form. The complainant subsequently filled it out, alleging that Mutis had committed an act of discrimination based on  as per a checklist  Race or Color, National or Ethnic Origin, and Religion/Creed. (Neither Rivera nor Mutis responded to emails I sent them.)

One thing that has generated complaints from many individuals subjected to Title IX investigations, students and faculty members alike, is the opaqueness of the process. Those accused under the system often arent given timely, comprehensive information about the nature of the accusation against them. In Mutiss case, he was being investigated for possible violations under Title VI, not Title IX, because he was accused, in essence, of contributing to a discriminatory atmosphere against members of a religious or national group (Jews and presumably Israelis) rather than a protected sex class. But Title VI or Title IX, after the complaint was filed, the same now-familiar Kafkaesque story line started to unfold.

According to a letter sent to CUNY by Palestine Legal, the organization representing Mutis (which also provided Intelligencer with all the emails, listserv posts, and other documentation referenced in this story), on June 19 Mutis was asked, via email, to come in for a meeting with Matthew Schoengood, vice-president for student affairs at the Graduate Center. This prompted a back-and-forth over email in which Mutis asked why he was being asked to come in and, after being told it was about the listserv, asked if he had broken any rules. It wasnt until June 27 that CUNY provided some clarity and acknowledged that yes, Mutis was being investigated. Well, sort of: I am investigating a complaint and it is important that you meet with me as required by CUNYs Student Conduct Code, wrote Schoengood. There are no pending charges against you, but failure to meet with me may result in such. (According to Palestine Legal, this was a false claim  the university has no policy stating students can get in trouble simply for refusing to meet with an administrator in response to a complaint.)

On July 10, Mutis finally went in for a meeting with CUNY administrators, accompanied by his attorney, Radhika Sainath of Palestine Legal. Sainaths account of that meeting, contained in an email she wrote to Stacie Tiongson, one of the CUNY administrators present, is surreal and worth reading:

At the start of the meeting, you mentioned the complaint filed against Mutis and asked Mutis to state his response. I explained that the complaint contained no allegations and asked CUNY to inform Mutis of the allegations against him so that he could respond. You stated that CUNY was not alleging any wrongdoing. You again asked for a response from Mutis. I stated that without any factual allegations, there was nothing to respond to. You then stated that the complainant told you that that Mutis initial response to the Fulbright posting was triggering and made her feel unsafe. You did not say what language the complainant was alleging discriminated against her race, color, religion, national origin or creed. You did not state the complainants race, color, religion, national origin or creed.

I asked what CUNY rule or policy Mutis email was alleged to violate. You could not cite any rule or policy. I asked if Mutis was being investigated for policies governing listserves. Schoengood said that Mutis was not. I asked what penalties were on the table. You said that no penalties were on the table.

The stance of CUNY administrators toward Mutis, then, can be accurately summed up as: Were not investigating you, but during this meeting we demanded you attend, do you have a response to the charge, which we havent laid out specifically and for which we arent weighing punishment, that you harmed a fellow student, in ways we cant specifically describe, by writing and publishing a brief listserv post? Given this lunacy, its worth asking what would have happened if Mutis had attended the meeting without an attorney willing to push back on his behalf. What would he have said that could have caused him further trouble? What would he have agreed to to make this threatening situation go away?

In the end, after a nearly three-month investigation that stretched through the summer, Mutis got an email from CUNY clearing him of the  scare quotes seem appropriate here  charges against him:

The rose-colored view here is that this system worked, in a certain sense. But on the other hand, anyone with even the faintest understanding of the First Amendment could have taken a swift look at the listserv exchange and said, No, CUNY cant investigate him for that. CUNY is a public university, and public universities must abide by the First Amendment when it comes to these sorts of disciplinary systems. Terms like hate speech and triggers and microaggressions mean nothing to the First Amendment. Mutis has an absolute First Amendment right to refer to a Fulbright advertisement for its Israel offerings as sick zionist propaganda. Personally, I think that was a needlessly provocative response. But that doesnt matter. Free speech rights are free speech rights. (On public university campuses, this protection technically extends even to racial slurs and the like, as the former ACLU staffers quoted in this story about a University of Alabama hate-speech suspension note. Whether a student would actually legally challenge a suspension in such an extreme case is another matter.)

Its worth noting how claims of harm got weaponized here. In the real world, of course, if Im offended by your use or interpretation of the word Zionist, I cant call the police to have you investigated. That would be ridiculous  thats what happens in authoritarian countries. But the Title VI/IX system, as many universities interpret and administer it, really does give students mad or offended about a political disagreement a hotline with which to narc on their neighbors, as it were.

Its astounding, and worrying, to think about the time and money a public university spent on what should have been a two-sentence response to the complainant: Im sorry to hear you were hurt by the tenor the conversation on the listserv. Unfortunately, CUNY is bound by law to respect the First Amendment, and with a few extremely narrowly defined exceptions, that includes statements others find offensive or hurtful.
Gamblerss Row. Photo: Drew Angerer

Yes, they are frantic to find something to talk about other than their president and his various issues, and of course, they think talking about tax cuts appeals to voters wallets while staking a claim to credit for the good economy. But still, this apparent decision is a risky one.

House Republican lawmakers introduced legislation Monday that would make the 2017 tax cuts for individuals permanent in a bid to highlight their signature economic policy achievement ahead of the November elections.

The legislation  released as Republicans are at risk of losing their majority in the House  is seen as a last-ditch effort by GOP lawmakers to convince voters of the benefits of their new tax code. Polls consistently show less than half of Americans approve of the tax cut.

The bill, to be clear, is not going to be enacted; without the protection of a budget reconciliation vehicle like the one used to pass the first big Trump tax cut last December, it has zero chance in the Senate. So this is an election year messaging bill designed to tell voters: Hey, heres some more money weve wrenched from the swamp. Dont forget to say thank you on November 6.

Theres a problem, though: the original tax bill was very unpopular among higher-income voters in high-income, high-tax states because of its provisions reducing the deductibility of state and local income and property taxes (SALT)  notably California, New Jersey, and New York. Indeed, some Republicans were undoubtedly proud at their success in screwing over these states as havens of godless immigrant-coddling tree-hugging baby-killing liberals. Reminding them of this screwing-over shortly before the midterms has its perils.

Using the Cook Political Reports ratings, there are 13 highly competitive (Lean D, Lean R, or Tossup) races in Republican-controlled districts in those three states where the SALT provisions are generally hated. There are another six in the Likely Republican category that could become competitive between now and November 6. Democrats need just a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House.

To be sure, 11 House Republicans from California, New Jersey, and New York voted against the tax bill, mostly because of the SALT provisions. But its not going to help them very much if their constituents are reminded their party screwed them over, and if their own protestations grow too loud, base voters who love the tax cuts could be annoyed, undermining GOP turnout. As David Dayen put it:

Brilliant work by the House GOP, forcing suburban Republicans to once again vote to either defy their party or raise taxes on their constituents.

This could partially be a matter of the many lobbyists for industries and interests benefiting from the original tax cuts wanting to get Republicans locked into making them permanent while the bill is still viewed as a net plus. But if it helps lose them the House, that will be a pyrrhic victory of the highest order.
Papadopoulos and his wife Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos arrive at U.S. District Court for his sentencing in Washington, D.C., on September 7, 2018. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Before she and George Papadopoulos got married, Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos seemed to have high hopes for her fiances cooperation with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In December, she told ABC News that her soon-to-be spouse would be remembered as the first domino to fall in the Russia investigation  the first person associated with the Trump campaign to plead guilty to a crime arising out of Muellers investigation of the Kremlins interference with the 2016 election.

Expectations, including my own, were just as high for Papadopoulos. His guilty plea in federal court for lying to the FBI  made public on the same day Paul Manafort and Rick Gates were indicted for far more serious crimes  kicked off with great fanfare the public phase of Muellers sprawling inquiry, following months of speculation about what exactly the special counsel might have up his sleeve.

The public had good reason to be hopeful. What prosecutors filed in court that day was a bombshell in the truest sense. With stunning detail, Papadopouloss statement of the offense made plain that Trumps onetime foreign-policy adviser had lied to investigators about the extent, timing, and nature of his contacts with an enigmatic professor that he understood to have substantial connections to Russian government officials, and who had volunteered that the Russians had dirt in the form of thousands of emails belonging to Hillary Clinton. At least on paper, Papadopouloss knowledge appeared to hold the key to a number of mysteries in the Russia investigation  including whether high-ranking Trump campaign officials unlawfully conspired with Moscow to tip the election.

But Mueller and his team knew better, and from the very beginning, they left us breadcrumbs signaling that Papadopoulos wasnt all he was cracked up to be. In his same guilty plea, which he agreed to in secret several weeks before it became public in late October, something was missing: an explicit provision setting out a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors. Or a promise that prosecutors would, in return, push for sentencing leniency if Papadopoulos were to provide substantial assistance to the governments investigation  a common feature of cooperation agreements that was a part of the plea negotiations for other targets of the Mueller investigation, such as Gates and Michael Flynn, who to this day are actively cooperating.

Papadopoulos didnt get any of those assurances, and if anything, theres little in the public record indicating that Papadopoulos was of much help to Mueller at all. In a revealing sentencing memorandum filed in federal court last month, lawyers for the special counsels office offered a wealth of insights as to the timeline of the Papadopoulos case, and all the steps he took to make it harder for prosecutors to do their job. Most notably, Muellers team accuses the so-called coffee boy of hindering their capture of Joseph Mifsud, the elusive professor who had told Papadopoulos about the damaging Clinton emails the Russians had. The defendants lies undermined investigators ability to challenge the Professor or potentially detain or arrest him while he was still in the United States, the prosecutors conceded, all but acknowledging that Mifsud got away and hasnt been found since.

Muellers office theorized that Papadopouloss rampant lies were motivated by self-interest and an attempt to secure a job in the Trump administration. One week into the new administration and just hours after his first interview with the FBI, for example, investigators discovered that he had sent his bio and a description of his campaign work to the Energy Department (he was a self-described energy consultant before he joined Trumps foreign-policy team). Ultimately, after repeated attempts at getting him to be truthful, prosecutors concluded that Papadopoulos undermined his own case and wasnt of much help. The defendant did not provide substantial assistance, they wrote in their sentencing recommendation, and much of the information provided by the defendant came only after the government confronted him with his own emails, text messages, internet search history, and other information it had obtained via search warrants and subpoenas well after the defendants FBI interview as the government continued its investigation.

It certainly didnt help that Mangiante Papadopoulos, his wife, started railing against the Mueller investigation in media interviews and on Twitter as he awaited sentencing  going as far as to suggest that the special counsel wasnt giving her husband enough credit for cooperating, that he may need new lawyers, and that Trump should consider pardoning him. Just last month, she told the Daily Caller, a conservative news site, that her husband should consider tearing up his plea deal. Muellers office appears to have had it with the publicity tour: In court papers, lawyers for the special counsel refuted point by point several of Mangiante Papadopouloss claims in the court of public opinion, and on one occasion they abruptly canceled a prearranged meeting with Papadopoulos himself once prosecutors learned that the defendant had participated in a media interview with a national publication concerning his case. A little-noticed protective order agreed to by Papadopouloss lawyers ahead of sentencing  and signed by the judge  is a strong indicator that lawyers on both sides of the case didnt want anyone directly or tangentially associated with it to leak details about the investigation or what exactly Papadopoulos relayed to investigators.

Which brings us to Papadopouloss day of reckoning last Friday. U.S. District Judge Randy Moss sentenced him to 14 days in federal detention, one year of supervised release, 200 hours of community service, and a $9,500 fine. That may sound like a walk in the park, but it wont be: Federal probation is no fun, and the felony conviction will follow Papadopoulos the rest of his life. In arguing for a light sentence, his lawyer, Thomas Breen, told the judge that Trump did more to put obstacles in Muellers path than his client did. The president of the United States hindered this investigation more than George Papadopoulos ever could, he said in open court, according to Politico. At no point did Breen suggest that Muellers office behaved improperly or engaged in misconduct in the course of the prosecution, a common complaint of Trumps allies.

So concludes the anticlimactic saga of the first domino of the Mueller probe, which continues apace later this month with the second trial, this time in Washington, of Paul Manafort, as well as the ongoing grand-jury investigation of Roger Stone, which has seen strange twists and turns. In an interview with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, one of several he has given in recent days, Papadopoulos said that following the completion of his sentence he intends to write a book and head to Hollywood  presumably to turn his life into a movie. Those who paid close attention to his words may have noticed something funny: He praised Trump and distanced himself from his lawyers opinions about him, including the notion that hes an obstructor-in-chief. I wish him all the luck in the world and I hope he continues to do good things for this country, Papadopoulos said, as if deep down he really wishes he had never been responsible for lighting the spark of a counterintelligence investigation that has haunted the Trump presidency and maybe even the course of American history.
Trump slumps despite economic bump. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The last time American consumers were this confident, September 11 was just a random date on the calendar. And it isnt hard to see U.S. workers are feeling upbeat. In July, there were 659,000 more job openings than Americans looking for jobs. In August, the U.S. saw its best month of nominal wage growth in nine years. The percentage of Americans involuntarily stuck in part-time employment is smaller than its been for a decade. Unemployment is hovering near mid-century lows.

By all appearances, the Gods of the Macroeconomy are doing all they can to save the GOPs congressional majorities. And theyre failing, miserably.

In recent weeks, as the Trump economy was reaching new heights, Donald Trumps approval rating dipped below 40 percent in FiveThirtyEights poll of polls for the first time since late February. Eight of the last eight live-interview surveys have found the presidents approval rating to be in decline. Meanwhile, Democrats have opened up a near-double-digit lead in the generic congressional ballot.

To be sure, the decline in Trumps standing has been small. And theres little reason to believe that the presidents latest polling slump will prove more durable than his previous ones. Overall, the American peoples assessment of their president has been remarkably steady throughout the Trump era. Odds are that the recent decline is a fleeting reaction to John McCains funeral, or ephemeral headlines about White House dysfunction, or else, just a bit of statistical noise.

But that still wouldnt be good news for Trump or his party. The fact that the presidents approval rating has held steady (which is to say, has held steadily low)  amid improving economic conditions  suggests that the economy wont save the GOP this November, no matter how good the good times get.

The White House clearly hopes otherwise. This week, the chair of Trumps Council of Economic Advisers, Kevin Hassett, treated the press corps to a formal, chart-laden argument for why the current president deserves credit for the (relative) prosperity hes presided over. Predictably, Hassetts presentation was full of dubious premises, and misleading graphs. Nevertheless, as Matt Yglesias notes, Trump does deserve a modicum of credit for the economys present state: By increasing spending while cutting taxes, the president enacted a fiscal stimulus, which likely boosted short-term growth and tightened labor markets.

Of course, theres no reason why this stimulus had to take the form of massive tax cuts for the wealthy and big increases in military spending. In fact, a couple trillion dollars in wage subsidies for the working class would have almost certainly produced bigger macroeconomic returns, as ordinary Americans spend far more of their disposable income than Robert Mercer does. Just because Trumps policies have produced improvements in short-term economic performance does not mean that they were good policies.

And many voters appreciate this distinction. A CNN/SSRS poll released Monday found that 69 percent of American voters think the economy is good  but only 49 percent approve of the way Trump is managing the economy. And even voters who believe the economy is doing well  and credit Trump for that fact  dont necessarily support the president or his party. Only 36 percent of the polls respondents approved of Trumps overall job performance, down from 42 percent in August. A seperate Washington Post-ABC News poll documents the same phenomenon: While most voters told that survey that the economy was doing well, nearly half of those who were upbeat about the economy still voiced opposition to the president. And when asked whether theyd rather have a Democratic Congress as a check on Trump  or a Republican one that would support Trumps agenda  60 percent of voters opted for the former.

None of this means that Trump isnt benefiting from the strength of todays economy. Considering that the president has always derived a portion of his support from voters who do not like him, personally, its all but certain that his approval rating would be much lower if unemployment were rising, and wages plunging. But current polling does suggest that there are firm limits on how much support the GOP can derive from improving material conditions. American voters simply hate Donald Trump more than they like the tightening labor market. Its not the economy, stupid.
Trump and Netanyahu shake hands at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, on May 23, 2017. Photo: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

This Thursday, September 13, marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the first Oslo accord, which established the Palestinian National Authority and marked the start of an Israeli-Palestinian peace process based on the principle of two states for two peoples.

To anyone paying attention, the failure of the Oslo process has been blindingly obvious for years. Indeed, it was barely alive three years before Benjamin Netanyahu began his first term as prime minister of Israel in 1996 and began working to undermine it. Two decades later, in his fourth premiership and having long since killed and buried Oslo, Netanyahu has finally found the perfect American president to partner with him in his ambition of crushing the Palestinian national movement for good and all.

Barely a week after the Trump administration announced it was cutting off $290 million in funding to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA, the agency that supports Palestinian refugees) and just two days after cutting another $25 million in aid for hospitals in East Jerusalem, the State Department announced on Monday that it was closing down the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Washington, saying the PLO has not taken steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.

By that logic, the Israeli embassy should also be shuttered, as the only steps Netanyahus government has taken on negotiations with the Palestinians have been backward. Netanyahus oft-repeated claim that he is always ready to launch negotiations without preconditions simply means he will not countenance any expectation that Israel be held to any agreements it has made in the past. In other words, he is happy to negotiate, but not over the things that need negotiating: namely, the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and some form of recompense for Palestinian refugees  notions past Israeli governments had accepted in principle, albeit not in practice.

As it turns out, Netanyahu comes with preconditions of his own, demanding that the Palestinians abandon their core ambitions at the outset. Knowing that it is impossible for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate under such bad-faith conditions, Netanyahu is actively blocking the Palestinian leadership from taking steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.

So if being an intransigent negotiating partner in the peace process is grounds for expulsion from Washington, it stands to reason that Israel should have no presence there, either. But of course, the real motivation for Mondays move has nothing to do with Palestinian intransigence and everything to do with the Trump administrations ideological campaign to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by declaring Israel the winner and forcing the Palestinians to settle for whatever scraps Netanyahu deigns to throw them.

The Trump administrations contempt for the Palestinians has been a throughgoing motif of its Middle East policy since day one: from putting Trumps son-in-law, Netanyahu family friend, and West Bank settlement financier Jared Kushner, in charge of the portfolio; to moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a sop to religious extremists both here and in Israel; to taking its cues directly from Netanyahu in putting the screws to the Palestinians and making them offers they cant accept. The only surprising thing about Trump defunding UNRWA and locking out the PLO is that it took him this long.

Incidentally, Netanyahus single-minded obsession with destroying Palestinian national aspirations by cutting off its institutions, which Trump has adopted as his own, is not shared by the entirety of the Israeli Establishment. Israeli security officials recognize that a $200 million deficit at UNRWA will lead inexorably to a massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in turn sparking unrest and likely another war between Israel and Hamas. The agency is now scrambling to make up the shortfall with funds from European and Gulf Arab countries.

Palestinian leaders have been quick to decry these actions by the Trump administration as collective punishment. That indeed they are: The stated rationale for these moves is to punish UNRWA for including too many Palestinians in its definition of refugees, and the PLO for refusing to negotiate with Israel on Israels terms. But cutting funding to schools and hospitals doesnt punish anyone so much as their students and patients  not to mention their employees, as UNRWA is also a major provider of jobs in the areas where it operates.

However one apportions blame for the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and elsewhere; whichever party is more in the wrong for denying the national ambitions of the other; and whoever is or is not a refugee is all immaterial to the fact that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the 1948 and 1967 wars, plus millions of their descendants, are still suffering and stateless. Even those Palestinians who do enjoy citizenship somewhere still lack a national home.

These millions are continuously deprived of things that, at least in theory, are considered fundamental human rights in international law  but of course, the Trump administration doesnt believe in such a thing as international law. National Security Adviser John Boltons speech at the Federalist Society on Monday, in which he declared the International Criminal Court illegitimate and dead to us, came partly in response to attempts by the Palestinians to get the I.C.C. to investigate Israel, in the latest of a series of increasingly pathetic attempts to leverage the U.N. and international law to their advantage.

That international law doesnt really apply to the U.S. has been a matter of bipartisan consensus for decades, admitting differences only of degree, but not until the Trump administration has this American contempt for supranational institutions of justice been laid out quite so plainly.

The question that remains is what Trump and Netanyahu see as their endgame. The Trump administration has floated a series of fantastically unworkable solutions to the question of borders, mostly identical to right-wing Israeli designs. That includes most recently the pipe dream that wont die: a confederation between Jordan and the West Bank, which even if the Palestinians accepted, Jordan never would.

In the meantime, Trump has systematically slaughtered all of the Palestinians sacred cows: a return to the 1967 borders, a capital in Jerusalem, and the right of return. From the vantage point of right-wing American Jews like Kushner and Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, these are long-overdue reality checks. To the neutered Palestinian leadership, they are giant middle fingers, confirming that they will only be allowed to negotiate when there is nothing left to negotiate for. With Bolton, Kushner, and Netanyahu in his ear, Trump is convinced that the Palestinians can be forced into acquiescence. Of course, if it were that easy, it would have happened already.

This attempt to erase the Palestinians from the book of nations will fail. A lasting peace cannot be attained through humiliation and starvation. The more likely outcome is a renewal of violent Palestinian resistance  perhaps even a third intifada  which Israel appears content to periodically crush.

The next chapter of this drama may be disastrous for the Palestinians, but they wont disappear. As long as Israel refuses to acknowledge their humanity and the legitimacy of their national aspirations, extremism will continue to fester on both sides of the fence and the conflict will simply never end. In the long run, Trumps attempt to strong-arm his way to a solution might do Israel more harm than good.
The Democratic gubernatorial ticket in Florida, Gillum and King: doubled-down or balanced? Photo: Andrew Gillum for Governor

As in 17 other states, Floridas candidates for governor choose a running-mate (for lieutenant governor) after they win their party primaries. In competitive elections, that typically means that they, like presidential candidates, choose a future second-in-command based on strategic considerations such as party unity, campaign financing needs, and geographical, ideological, racial/ethnic or gender balance.

In what is expected to be a very close general election, Floridas gubernatorial nominees went in different directions. Republican congressman Ron DeSantis chose veteran state legislator Jeanette Nunez of Miami, achieving gender, ethnic (Nunez is Cuban-American) and geographical (DeSantis is from North Florida) balance. Democrat Andrew Gillum, who is mayor of Tallahassee, went with a relatively obscure fifth-place finisher in his own partys primary, Orlando businessman Chris King.

It is not, however, so easy to discern Gillums strategic calculation in choosing King. His hometown paper, the Tallahassee Democrat, suggests a doubling down strategy, like Bill Clintons famous decision to go with fellow southern moderate baby-boomer Al Gore in 1992:

Gillums selection of Chris King was almost as startling as the mayors victory in the primary. King, a total political newcomer, ran for governor himself  finishing fifth in the primary with just under 2.5 percent of the vote. He has no record in public office to recommend him, or for the Republicans to attack, but some of the things King advocates  like abolishing capital punishment and slapping a tax on bullets  made him the only candidate in the race farther left than Gillum.

But hes young, 39, and will appeal to the millennials, liberals and youthful idealists Gillum needs, to become Floridas first black governor. And King fits well with the new and different image Gillum cultivates. Like insurgent newcomers Ayanna Pressley in Boston and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, who ousted Democratic congressional members in their primaries, Gillum is not trying to appeal to the safe center. Hes counting on a new breed of voters who believe making college tuition-free, providing Medicare for all, and imposing gun control are not so scary.

But at The New Republic, Mark Pinsky and Loraine OConnell, two writers based in Kings hometown, argue that the key to his selection is his Christian progressive self-identification, which could help Gillum win over a small but crucial share of white Evangelical voters:

King is also a lifelong, evangelical Christian: In high school, he belonged to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; at Harvard, he was affiliated with Campus Crusade for Christ. Now, he is an elder at the nondenominational, evangelical church where the family worships in Orlando. His mother-in-law is a religious broadcaster with Good Life Broadcastings WTGL-TV Channel 45 in Lake Mary.

As Gillum and King look to draw out contrasts with their opponent, religion could help them campaign for a more compassionate government that helps the poor, the disenfranchised, immigrants, people with disabilities, and the unemployed. Kings unusual combination of religion and progressivism could make him more palatable to some voters, said Donald Davison, a political scientist at Rollins College in Winter Park.

This notion reflects the age-old longing in some circles for the resurrection of a Christian Left to do battle with the Christian Right, along with the belief that monolithic conservative Evangelical support for the Republican Party is largely attributable to the refusal of Democrats to speak in the language of faith. But conservative Evangelical opinion-leaders have so intertwined political and religious values and goals that the very idea of a Christian progressive is treated as an oxymoronic abomination. King unequivocally supports abortion rights and fully funding Planned Parenthood. That position alone would make him a fake Christian  much like the churchgoing Hillary Clinton  in the eyes of many conservative Evangelicals, or at least their leadership.

To be fair, there has always been a small but hearty share of white Evangelicals who reject the capture of their churches by the conservative movement and the GOP, and there are also less-observant folk who self-identify as Evangelicals but dont follow the political instructions of clergy or televangelists. If enough of them hear King and decide Democrats are not after all living in a different moral and metaphysical universe from them after all, it might make a difference in a very close election.

But in any event, the Florida gubernatorial contest is now a fascinating political experiment on multiple levels. With his upset primary win, Andrew Gillum is already halfway home (along with Stacey Abrams of Georgia and Beto ORourke of Texas) to shattering many old assumptions about how a Democrat can win statewide office in the more diverse corners of the former Confederacy. If he wins with a Christian progressive running mate and boosts Democratic performance among white Evangelicals, that will be a lesson worth pondering as well. But first we will have to figure out whether it was the Christian or the progressive dimension of Kings identity that made the difference.
Teachout has predicted that pregnant candidates will soon be more common. Photo: Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

The 2018 midterms have already produced many campaign ad firsts, showing candidates breastfeeding, getting tattoos, and firing a gun at Obamacare repeal. Zephyr Teachout, whos running for attorney general of New York, offered her own innovation on Monday, releasing an ad featuring her getting an ultrasound.

What does his or her future look like? she asks, as we see images of baby Teachout, whos due in October. Do we save our democracy? Do we flip Congress? Does Robert Mueller indict Trump? I dont want to wait and see.

As the camera pulls back, revealing Teachout lying on an exam table, she notes that shes already sued President Trump and literally wrote the book on corruption. Im Zephyr Teachout, and youve never seen an attorney general like me, she says.

Teachout, who mounted an unsuccessful primary challenge against Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2014, had planned to continue working as a law professor at Fordham University until the birth of her first child, but then former attorney general Eric Schneiderman resigned in May amid allegations of physical abuse from several women.

Teachout told Time magazine that being pregnant does not change her qualifications for the job, and noted that many women work in more physically demanding jobs while pregnant. Women are working in McDonalds pregnant, she said. Fast food workers who dont have contracts, who dont get a lot of time off.

Pregnant candidates are a rarity (Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women in Politics, could think of only two others who ran for statewide office in the 90s), but Teachout predicted it will soon be more common. Were on the verge of a big change here. If women are going to be running in their 30s and 40s, theyre going to be running pregnant, she said. You cant change that.

A Siena College poll released Monday showed a tight race among three of the four Democratic candidates for attorney general. Though Teachout has been endorsed by the New York Times and was treated like the frontrunner during a recent debate, she came in third with 18 percent of the vote. The poll found 25 percent of likely Democratic voters preferred Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, and 24 percent would pick Letitia James, New York Citys public advocate.

There are a large number of undecided voters, and candidates have to contend with an unusual primary date; Election Day was moved to Thursday, September 13 due to Rosh Hashanah and the anniversary of 9/11. Steven Greenberg, a pollster at Siena College, said the race is going down to the wire with Maloney, James, and Teachout all within striking distance of each other.
Photo-Illustration: Konstantin Sergeyev/SelectAll

Years ago, the world witnessed the creation of the first major cyberweapon. Secretly loaded onto an unknown Iranian workers USB flash drive, an American-Israeli line of malicious code now known as Stuxnet entered Iranian computer networks and spread like a cancer. The self-replicating computer worm burrowed itself in 15 Iranian industrial networks, eventually infecting its primary target: Irans nuclear facility at Natanz. Workers watched helplessly as centrifuges spun out of control, tricked by the worm to spin faster and faster until its eventual mechanical suicide. By the attacks end, over 900 centrifuges were left in ruin. Strands of the worm, which found its way into the wild, still infect computers to this day.

Stuxnet, which went through years of development between its initial creation and eventual deployment, required rigorous levels of approval and government oversight before its launch. The weapon was treated as significantly different from conventional weapons and featured an approval process similar to those reserved for nuclear weapons. President Obama himself had to personally authorize the attack. That approval process is changing.

This past month, buried beneath an ant mound of political scandal and news cacophony, President Trump set in motion a plan to gut Presidential Policy Directive 20, an Obama-era policy limiting the use of destructive offensive cyberweapons like Stuxnet. What exactly will replace PPD-20 remains clouded in uncertainty, but one thing seems clear: The militarys gloves are off. Without PPD-20, the U.S. military can now use hacking weapons with far less oversight from the State Department, Commerce Department, and intelligence agencies. A paper released earlier this year by U.S. Cyber Command, the hacking arm of the U.S. military, outlines a proposed policy of increased military intervention, and paints a landscape of nations under constant cyberassault. Its not a stretch to say the removal of PPD-20 may fundamentally restructure the way America conducts war in cyberspace. Whether or not that is a good thing depends on whom you ask.

What this is all about is streamlining the process and giving the military permission to use cyberweapons under certain circumstances without having to go through a cumbersome process of coordination with all the different agencies, former Navy Captain Gail Harris says. In conversation, Harris, who was involved in cyberdefense for the Department of Defense, echoed the arguments laid forth by Cyber Command in its paper. In that document, Cyber Command describes cyberspace as an active and contested operational space in which superiority is always at risk. Whether you like it or not, Cyber Command argues, we are currently engaged in a persistent war of code with adversaries continuously attacking and entrenching themselves deep in American networks. The brisk nine-page document details a world under constant subversion. These persistent threats, Cyber Command argues, require swift and aggressive military responses in kind. Be they Russian and Iranian state hackers, terrorists, or hacktivists, the document blames bureaucratic red tape and political hand-holding for much of Americas recent cyber woes.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

We cede our freedom of action with lengthy approval processes that delay US responses or set a very high threshold for responding to malicious cyber activity, the vision statement reads.

If Cyber Command has its way, it will also be able to transition its fundamental role from defense to potentially more offensive campaigns. Cyber Command says it wants to expand the military options available to national leaders, and defend forward as close as possible to the origin of adversary activity. The move follows a recent trend by officials geared toward strengthening Cyber Command and granting it far more offensive capability.

While anyone losing hair over election hacking, foreign manipulation, and electrical grid vulnerabilities may take some solace in sharpening the militarys cyber teeth, the prospect of a perpetual online war could come with serious, sometimes unforeseen, consequences.

The Plunge Into Perpetual War

Weve slipped into permanent warfare, Columbia research scholar and cybersecurity expert Jason Healey told Select All. There is no winning this war, it is happening online. Healey, who wrote the first history of cyberconflict and previously worked on network defense for the Pentagon, said he worried traditional military solutions may simply not work to address cyberconflict. The military is asking politicians to give them this authority and then get out of the way forever. Once we have done this, we are not going to be able to go back to the way it was before.

Though agreeing that changes to PPD-20 were needed, Healey said the friction between the military and the government over approval processes act as a force for good.

I like friction, he said. Friction is how you avoid bombing Afghan weddings. This interagency process is in place to ensure civilian control over the military, limit potential escalation, and ensure other agencies that might be affected by cyberoperations have a say in the decision.

In addition to the issues of oversight, another problem arises through the complex nature of just how these digital weapons work. Cyberweapons and hacking tools on the state level differ widely from the air strikes, tanks, and fighter jets of conventional war. Unlike roaring battlegrounds, networks transcend the geographical bounds of nation states. Militaries can, and do, launch attacks from other countries, purposefully muddying attribution attempts. Distinguishing between a hostile enemy and a civilian on their computer bemuses traditional military logic even further. What may begin as a targeted military strike in cyberspace can quickly amplify into a tsunami of code crushing anything in its path.

At the end of the day, there just might not be a military solution, Healey said. Fighting fire with fire sounds great, except we are all standing in dry glass covered in gasoline.

This is not just theory; we have proof.

Last June, Europe witnessed what happens when a cyberweapon loses control. As a recent Wired story describes in detail how NotPetya, a cyberattack that was intended as a show of political force against Ukraine by the Russian government, quickly hopped borders and dealt over $10 billion in damages around the world. Over 300 Ukrainian companies were hit in what one Ukrainian man described to Wired as a bombing of all our systems. Nearly 5,000 miles to the west, Maersk shipping containers were left stranded in New Jersey. The code cared little for international borders.

Others in support of less restrictions, like Richard Harknett argue in favor of the U.S. attacking enemies before they ever reach American networks in the first place. Previous U.S. approaches ultimately left the U.S. playing clean up on aisle nine, Harknett wrote.

In a similar vein, Harris said a U.S. posture of strength could deter adversaries from challenging with attacks in the first place. I think if people know that we are going to respond under certain circumstances, then I think that will lead to less attacks, she said. Right now there are no red lines for our cyberopponents.

Maybe. Its certainly true that, at least on the public level, where and when the U.S. will take on enemies with code remains shrouded in secrecy. It also may be true that a show of cyber teeth by the U.S. military could intimidate enemies and send would-be attackers meekly cowering over the prospect of finding themselves on the receiving end of a cyber equivalent to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But another less palatable possibility may exist. A ramping up of aggressive U.S. attacks could, according to Healey, have just the opposite effect, and encourage others to step up and match that escalation with even greater force. Several rounds of this back and forth, and the not long specter of a Cold War era arms race runs the risk of resurrection, this time through lines of code and paid trolls.

In its vision statement, Cyber Command attempted to jump ahead of criticism, and denied claims that it is militarizing cyberspace.

Even if its not, top members of the U.S. government have signaled they are.

At a national cybersecurity conference in July, Vice-President Mike Pence made clear the governments focus on offensive attacks.

Resilience, Pence said, isnt enough. We must be prepared to respond.

We inherited a cyber-crisis. The previous administration all but neglected cyber-security, even though the digital threats were growing more numerous and more dangerous by the day. #DHSCyberSummit pic.twitter.com/N0XEe8cXou  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) July 31, 2018

Pence explained the governments own vision further, saying, Our administration has taken action to elevate the United States Cyber Command to a combatant command, putting it on the same level as the commands that oversee our military operations around the world. Gone are the days when America allows our adversaries to cyberattack us with impunity.

Most security experts agree with some of the major points issued by Cyber Command and by government officials like Pence. Attempts at interference and disruption online have changed, and the need for updated rules and procedures to deal with these issues need to evolve as well. Allowing the military a clearer, faster protocol for dealing with attacks sounds wise, but just where the limits are remain unclear. The Cyber Command vision statement is just that  a vision. Academics critical of the PPD-20 rescinding, like Stanford cybersecurity experts Herb Lin and Max Smeets, are calling for greater clarity.

The vision doesnt address what that [gaining strategic advantage] actually means and how much it will cost, they wrote. As it stands, the language used both by Cyber Command and Pence suggests an emphasis not on stability, but on victory. But as Lin and Smeets note, winning cyberbattles may keep the United States on top, but does little to end that larger issue of persistent online war. A United States that is more powerful in cyberspace does not necessarily mean that it is more secure.

In terms of actual policy decision and accountable legal frameworks, the Trump administration and the military remain relatively silent  at least publicly. However unlikely the thought of the U.S. launching a successor to NotPetya may be, without clear language specifically limiting these types of weapons, its difficult to predict what safeguards are in place to prevent that situation.

The rescinding of PPD-20, regardless of what may replace it, signals a watershed moment for how the United States engages in cyberwarfare, who it is willing to target, and what methods it is willing to use.

I wrote the first history book on this, Healey said, reflecting on the weight of this moment in context. I suspect that when I write the second or third version, 2018 is going to be one of the turning points for when things get better or worse. The U.S. has said, The gloves are off.
After the Interpol issued a red-corner notice (RCN) against a close aide of diamantaire fugitive Nirav Modi, Mihir Bhansali, it has issued another notice against Purvi Modi, who is a Belgian national and the sister of Nirav Modi.

The RCN has been issued on the request of the Enforcement Directorate to the Interpol, as the ED seeks to interrogate her on the alleged charges of 'money laundering'.

The red corner notice is an international warrant, which is issued for the arrest of a suspect. After the issuance of an RCN, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to find out the person and arrest him/her for further processes like extradition or deportation. The RCN says Purvi Modi speaks three languages, including English, Gujarati and Hindi, and is a Belgium resident.

The investigating agency filed its first chargesheet under the PMLA Act in the PNB fraud case in May, in which the names of a total of 24 accused were mentioned, including Purvi Modi. Other names mentioned in the list were Nirav Modi's father, brother Neeshal Modi, brother-in-law Mayank Mehta and his firms -- Solar Exports, Stellar Diamonds and Diamonds RUs.

Nirav Modi's key man Mihir Bhansali is also wanted by the Interpol. Interestingly, it was Mihir, the Director of Firestar Diamond, who filed an appeal before the US court for bankruptcy in February, just days after the PNB scam was detected. An examiner appointed by the US court in its report also said that Firestar International and A Jaffe Chief Executive Officer Mihir Bhansali were involved in assisting the fraud.

According to the US examiner, Mihir Bhansali went to the office of Firestar Diamond in Dubai a few days after filing bankruptcy in the US. In Dubai, Bhansali asked his Indian associates that no one should go to India and his name should not be mentioned by anyone. Later, Bhansali took hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and 50 kilograms of gold and left the city.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the Punjab National Bank scam, has also started extradition process of Nirav Modi's brother Neeshal Modi from Belgium. Neeshal Modi allegedly set up shell companies for Nirav Modi to route the money taken from the Punjab National Bank. The Interpol has issued a red corner notice against the duo.
Stephen Still, a banker and longtime Chattanooga resident, has joined FirstBank Hamilton Place as a relationship manager. In his new role, Mr. Still will work with existing business customers and help develop new relationships in the Chattanooga business community.



With 34 years of banking experience in the Hamilton County market, Stephen embodies FirstBanks commitment to providing our customers with bankers who have strong ties to the community, said Jim McKenzie, Chattanooga city president. His comprehensive banking background will be a great asset to our team as we continue to grow in the Chattanooga area.



Prior to joining FirstBank, Mr. Still was a senior commercial lender, where he developed new commercial relationships while managing the special assets division. He previously served as a commercial lender and business banker at community banks in the area.



Mr. Still is a graduate of the University of Virginia, Monroe Graduate School of Banking. He has completed Tennessee Bankers Association programs for commercial lending and credit analysis. Mr. Still is an active member and deacon of Brainerd Baptist Church, where he also serves on the personnel, budget and finance committees. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 30 years and their two children.






Internet major Google has agreed to follow Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) mandate on local data storage for payment services but has sought for more time till December to comply with the norms. A government source told reporters that during Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's visit to the company's headquarters in California, Google conveyed to the minister that they are ready to comply with the RBI rules but want two more months to see through the data storage rule.

Google that runs digital payment service, Google Pay, claimed that 22 million people use the platform every month. It also added that 750 million transactions have been made on that platform with $30 billion in annual run rate of transaction value.

The RBI had earlier directed all payment services companies to store data in India by mid-October.

A Google spokesperson said that cross-border data flow is ubiquitous and is essential for global economic activity and universal access to information. "Soaring data flows generate more economic value and hence the socio-economic impact of restricting data flows must be thoroughly considered while framing any policy. There is a need to find practical and contemporary solutions to policy issues in line with global best practices. We have nothing to add at this point of time," the spokesperson said.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai had also written to IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad batting for free flow of data across borders. He also said that such a step will not only encourage global companies to contribute to India's digital economy, it will also benefit Indian start-ups and help their global expansion.

RBI's rule came amid rising concern around data security. The banking institution asked payment services firms to provide an update on action taken by them to store transaction data in the country. This RBI directive has met with some resistance from foreign firms.

The banking regulator had further said that at present "only certain" payment system operators and their outsourcing partners store the payment system data either partly or completely in the country.

The order was issued at the time social media major Facebook faced a global backlash over breach of user data.

Google operates cloud region in India - which comprises three data centers and offers services like big data, storage and networking. Google competes with the likes of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft in this space. However, the company has not explicitly stated if payment related data of Indian consumers are stored in these data centers.

(With PTI inputs; edited by Anwesha Madhukalya)
Considering that petrol prices in Maharashtra have hit Rs 90, the unimaginable Rs 100-mark does not seem very far away. While petrol prices have seen dramatic increase in Delhi and Mumbai, it is in the city of Parbhani that the fuel price is at the highest-level in India. Nowhere in the country are the fuel prices as exorbitant as in this Maharashtrian city. Located in the eastern part of the state, 200 km from Aurangabad, Parbhani has breached the Rs 90 mark, with petrol prices at Rs 90.05 per litre. Diesel is being sold here at Rs 77.92 per litre.

Petrol prices in Parbhani touched Rs 80 on January 8 this year. From thereon, there has been some fluctuation, with both hike and cut in prices up till today, when it touched Rs 90.05. So, it's taken about 9 months for petrol price to increase from Rs 80 to Rs 90 in Parbhani. If the rate of increase in petrol prices doesn't slow down and continues at the same pace, fuel prices could touch Rs 100 in the first half of 2019. The people of Parbhani will be praying the state government steps in and announces a tax cut, even if the Centre refuses to budge.

In fact, top officials in the Finance Ministry have ruled out any cut in levies in the near future claiming "no scope for a cut in excise duty by the Centre and VAT charged by the states."

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced a cut of Rs 2 in petrol and diesel prices. Similarly, Rajasthan also reduced taxes on both petrol and diesel by 4% leading to a cut of Rs 2.50 per litre.

Monday's Bharat Bandh, a protest against rising fuel prices yielded a cold response from the ruling party. BJP's official handles, however, released a faulty graph on social media. Meanwhile, fuel prices continue to increase. A litre of petrol in the national capital now costs Rs 80.87, while it is Rs 88.26 in Mumbai. Diesel, too, is not far behind. A litre of diesel will cost Delhi residents Rs 72.97 and Rs 77.47 to Mumbai residents.

The BJP government faced stiff criticism from the Opposition. Even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh criticised the BJP government for failing to keep its promise. "Time has come to change this government," said Singh.

BJP responded to Congress' criticism and said that it is out of their hands. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Diesel, petrol price rise is out of our hands because oil-producing countries have limited production."

(Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya)
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The name of the lawyer who implicated Donald Trump in the commission of federal crimes is Cohen. The name of the publisher who has agreed to tell investigators how he turned his newspaper into a clearinghouse for Cohens payments to women is Pecker. And the name of the accountant who has been granted immunity in order to testify about the role played by the Trump Organization in Cohens endeavors is Weisselberg.

The common denominators of Cohen, Pecker and Weisselberg, beside their willingness to do whatever it takes for Trump in the past and their apparent willingness to inform on him now, is that all three are indisputably and recognizably Jewish.



If you wonder why no one in America was courageous enough to write about Trump being betrayed by his closest Jewish aids, Shalevs answer is anyone who does so risks being accused of generalizing, if not actively encouraging anti-Semitism. But this is just the first stage in this saga according to Haaretzs correspondent.

Somewhere down the line. The racist, supremacist and neo-Nazi element of Trumps base is already drooling at the impending opportunity of enlisting disgruntled rank and file Trump fans in a battle against the Jewish conspiracy aimed at their idol.



Shalev realises that Trumps days are numbered. And he believes the actions of Cohen, Pecker and Wiesselberg make Trumps political survival unlikely.

Cohens admissions in a New York courtroom last week that his payments to porns Stormy Daniels and Playboys Karen MacDougal were made in accordance with Trumps instructions have cast the President as a criminal who violated campaign finance laws.

Peckers testimony could reportedly make clear that the two payments were part of a nefarious system . And Weisselbergs account , though currently limited to Cohens payments, could pave the way to exposure of the long line of alleged misdeeds carried out by Trump as real estate mogul, franchising czar, reality star, presidential candidate and commander in chief.



When Trump was elected some saw him as the First Jewish President, At the moment it looks as if it his Trumps closest Jewish aides who may provide the final nails in his presidential coffin. Enacting astute Jewish pre traumatic instinct, Shalev notes that,

Trump repeatedly and profusely praises Paul Manafort, who isnt Jewish, for remaining loyal despite the past and future convictions awaiting him. Cohen, Pecker and Weisselberg, who sound like a stand-ups Jewish law firm, are, by implication, part of the vast conspiracy that seeks to bring the President down and to undermine the voters verdict.



Shalev uses the clearest possible language.

If Trump emerges unscathed, a scenario that seems increasingly unlikely, fears of anti-Semitic backlash could recede. If Trump is impeached, or forced to resign, or impaired in any other way, shape or form, the outrage against his incriminators and their common heritage could turn into a clear and present danger for American Jews.



You ask, what about Israel? Shalev doesnt shy away from the question.

The American rights adoration of Israel wont be an obstacle: Many of Trumps constituents, like Netanyahus, can easily ignore the common bonds between Israel and its greatest Diaspora. Israel is the country of proud and nationalistic Jew-heroes that man the Wests forward outpost against radical Islam and who play a critical role in advancing the End of Days.



Maybe the above explains the Trump administrations indication yesterday that it is set to announce it rejects Palestinian right of return. If Shalev is correct then the message here could be interpreted as follows -- we are still supporting Israel, Zionism, we are totally anti Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims but we dont trust Jews either. This is, in fact, a common Zionist anti Semitic position. i.e., We like and support Jews as long as they are somewhere else, preferably Zion.



According to Shalev,

from the moment Cohen turned his back on Trump, and more so since Pecker and Weisselberg apparently joined him, the neo-Nazi network is busy preparing the flip side of the coin, the analogy that could impress Trumps followers, if he falters: The three are portrayed as successors to Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to authorities.



I guess that you have noticed that while Shalev seems to be comfortable pointing at the ethnicity of Cohen, Pecker and Weisselberg he seems to refer to Goyim who do the same as neo-Nazis and supremacists.



Shalev writes that before Trumps elections, American Jewish organizations were quick to call out Trump for the suspected anti-Semitic messages in his statements and campaign. But their voices receded with the prodding of Netanyahu and the vouching of Sheldon Adelson Trumps disturbing words were swept under the carpet of his decidedly pro-Israeli polices. Trumps allegedly Jew-hating supporters were somehow ignored by the American media.



However, this may change very soon.

The Jewishness of the three former Trump aides who have now decided to testify against him could mar the artificial tranquillity and, in a worst-case scenario, spark a dangerous wave of anti-Semitism.

American Jewish leaders would do well to prepare for such a stormy day, as would Netanyahu, who has placed all of his prestige on Trump and the American right.



Shalev sarcastically suggests that,

if Netanyahu is forced to choose between the administrations pro-settler, anti-Palestinian policies and his duty to fight anti-Semitism and stand up for beleaguered American Jews, they (America Jews) would do well to start seeking their salvation elsewhere.

Havoc ahead, sums it up.

To grasp the post political condition, the role of
CPEC is a mutually beneficial project for Pakistan-China

ISLAMABAD: Both Pakistan and China on Monday rubbished all negative propaganda against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and reiterated the pledge to implement the project, emphasizing that the initiative is a win-win cooperation opportunity for both the countries.



It is a firm consensus between China and Pakistan that the CPEC is a mutually beneficial project and both the governments will carry it forward according to the needs of Pakistan and for the development of Pakistan, a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said. The embassy rubbished a report carried by the Financial Times that Pakistan was mulling over a review of the CPEC.



Such ill-intentioned reports based on distorted and misquoted information only demonstrate that the writer is total ignorant of the CPEC or China-Pakistan traditional partnership, the statement added.



The Financial Times report quoting Prime Ministers Advisor on Commerce, Textiles, Industries and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood had claimed that Islamabad was planning to halt all the CPEC-related projects for at least a year because the deals that were giving illegal benefits to the Chinese companies needed to be revisited and made anew.



However, Abdul Razak Dawood dismissed the report, stating that his comments were taken out of context. The article published in Financial Times titled Pakistan rethinks its role in Chinas Belt and Road Plan is based on comments taken out of context, a clarification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Textiles said. Pakistan-China relations are impregnable and the governments commitment to CPEC is unwavering. Pakistan has reassured the Chinese government that CPEC is a national priority for the government and the Chinese side has also underscored the significance of the initiative for both the countries. There is a complete unanimity between the two governments on the future direction of CPEC, the statement said.



Referring to the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Islamabad, the statement said, During the recent visit of Wang Yi, both countries decided to take their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership forward. Both governments also reaffirmed their commitment to CPEC.



Back in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said both the countries have agreed to accelerate the CPEC plan. He said Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to Pakistan was mainly aimed at renewing the traditional friendship, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and further boosting the bilateral all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.



Geng said that Wang Yi reached an important consensus with the Pakistani side on accelerating the implementation of CPEC, adding that the achievements made by both sides in executing the plan are obvious to all. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. The relationship between the two sides is above and beyond the political parties and the regime changes, he said. The relationship between China and Pakistan is not directed at third parties and will not be affected by developments in their respective relations with other countries, he added.



China is willing to work with the new elected government in Pakistan to make bilateral relations a model of good neighbourhood and friendship, a pillar of regional peace and stability, and a benchmark for building the Belt and Road Initiative, the spokesperson said. China will boost its aid to Pakistan in the areas of agriculture, education, healthcare, drinking water and other areas of peoples livelihood so that more people can receive tangible benefits, he said.
FC captured arms in Zhob district

QUETTA: Frontier Corps countered a terrorist bid and captured arms in Zhob district of Balochistan on Tuesday.



According to a press release, Frontier Corps foiled a terrorist bid in Zhob district of Balochistan, and recovered 21 explosive devices of 235 kilogram from Qamar Din Karaiz town.



Law enforcement agencies decided to boost security efforts on the arrival of Muharram. The security forces are conducting operations to prevent any mishaps during the month.
NAB appointed Mohammad Akram Qureshi as special prosecutor for Nawaz Sharif and Family

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has appointed Mohammad Akram Qureshi as special prosecutor to oppose appeals against the conviction of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law retired Capt Mohammad Safdar.



Mr Akram Qureshi is a former additional judge of the Lahore High Court and was among those judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order after the 2007 emergency proclaimed by former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.



As the Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb was formulating a strategy for expeditious disposal of the pending petitions seeking suspension of sentence against Mr Sharif, Ms Maryam and Capt Safdar, advocate Qureshi tried to drag the case to the next week.



At the outset, Khawaja Haris Ahmed, counsel for Nawaz Sharif, requested the court to decide the pending petitions first before taking up the appeals against the conviction.



He was of the view that since the Supreme Court has ordered that the pending trial against Mr Sharif in Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment references be concluded in six weeks, it was not possible for him to argue in the accountability court and the high court simultaneously.



He pointed out that since the evidence in all three references  Avenfield properties, Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment  was the same any observation of the IHC regarding it during the course of hearing of the appeals would affect the trial.



Advocate Qureshi argued that NAB wanted to produce the relevant orders of the Supreme Court regarding the similar evidence and said that the apex court had rejected the appeals of the Sharif family seeking clubbing of the three references on this ground.



Justice Minallah remarked: We dont want to delay this; Khawaja Haris sahib will argue his case till Wednesday and then NAB will start its arguments, in the meanwhile they [NAB] may file the relevant record.



The prosecutor on the other hand expressed inability to present the record before Monday and suggested that the proceedings might be adjourned till next week since the bureau would obtain the certified copies of relevant court orders from the Supreme Court.



You know this statement badly affects the reputation of your organisation, pointed out Justice Aurangzeb as the prosecutor apparently tried to drag the court proceedings.



But Justice Minallah resolved the issue by allowing NAB to file the required documents by next Monday. The judge, however, advised Khawaja Haris to confine his arguments to the facts other than included in the evidence.



It had been heard at length. There are some other questions for the defence counsel, since the scope of Section 426 of the Criminal Procedure Code is limited. It is not a case of bail. We cannot discuss evidence, reminded Justice Minallah.



Khawaja Haris replied that he would try to establish the case without touching the evidence. I will start my arguments from tomorrow, he said.



The court directed both the prosecutor and the defence counsel to submit synopsis of their arguments by Wednesday and adjourned proceedings till Tuesday.



The court also warned NAB that in case it failed to submit the documents by Monday, the court would decide the case without any further delay.



President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Shahbaz Sharif, Ayaz Sadiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb and other party leaders witnessed the IHC hearing.



Meanwhile, defence counsel Khawaja Haris continued cross-examination of star prosecution witness Wajid Zia in the accountability court on Monday.



During the cross-examination, Mr Zia who headed the JIT in the Panama Papers case testified that except an unattested source document, there was nothing on record which mentioned the Hill Metal Establishment (HME) as a corporate entity.



Referring to another document regarding registration of the HME, the witness informed the court that document showed that it was the sole proprietorship owned by Hussain Nawaz and was established in 2005.



He said the HMEs registration certificate was received after a request for mutual legal assistance was sent to Saudi Arabia.
While attending last weeks event for National Parks Partners, I spent a few minutes gazing down at Moccasin Bend - that iconic view from Point Park. I couldnt help but pause and reflect on the history of Chattanooga and the long, hard struggle to incorporate this significant historic natural resource - this unique land mass - into the fabric of the communitys renaissance. Its time.

The Bend came very close to being added to the National Park in the 1950s but last minute politics thwarted that move.

From time to time over the years, other proposed uses for the Bend would arise.A move in the early 1980s to use the site for industrial development led to creation of the Moccasin Bend Task Force by city and county leaders. Weeks ago I posted records on social media from a 1984 meeting of that group describing efforts way back then regarding proposals to move the police firing range so that visionary plans for development of the bend as a park could proceed.

During my last term as mayor, I called together leadership of local law enforcement and told them that the issue of moving the firing range had been hanging around for far, far too long and while it is well known that those who use the present location enjoy the natural setting it was now time to move. I told them that I was determined to resolve this issue before leaving office. After making suggestions about possible alternatives, I pledged my support for whatever plans they might determine were best for their purposes. Just tell us what you need, I said. So, another city-county task force was quickly formed specifically for the firing range issue, Staff was was assigned to take notes and keep things moving, and the group proceeded to meet frequently and openly to address the matter.

To my surprise, the task force soon came back with a proposal rejecting my suggestions and informing me that they had selected a site on 12th Street behind the Onion Bottom Police Station in the old Farmers Market site. I responded that while I would have preferred another city/county property on 23rd Street and really had other plans for the Farmers Market property to add to services for the homeless, if that location was their choice then I would help move things forward with all due diligence. Recognizing that outdoor ranges are now a major NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) land use, members of the law enforcement task force had toured indoor ranges in Atlanta and Orlando. They reasoned that the 12th Street location already had available parking, security and other facilities, plus an indoor range would enable them to have a facility available for training 24/7 regardless of weather.

Our then Congressman Zach Wamp secured $1.1 million in federal funds to aid the eventual construction. Design teams were selected, plans were drawn and potential suppliers for specialized equipment such and bullet traps and air handling equipment were identified. A dilapidated warehouse was cleared from the selected site. All was in readiness for putting the project out for bid.

My term in office ended in April of 2013, but I was satisfied that the process was well underway to complete the long-sought goal of moving the firing range. We were so certain of success that a memorandum of agreement was signed to transfer of the site to the National Park by a date certain. I left office happy that this issue was finally resolved.

But the change in administration brought new personalities with new points of view into the process. A new police chief was installed and progress was halted while plans were reconsidered. Everyone said that it was only temporary.

Without going into all the sad details, it was ultimately announced that the plans so recently prepared by the local law enforcement task force were now deemed inadequate for anticipated needs and that second task force would reconsider the matter and propose a new plan.

That new task force has met sporadically and secretly for five and a half years. Whenever asked how things are going, we are told that something will be announced very soon. Meanwhile, the agreement to transfer the property was ignored, the federal grant has been lost, construction costs for a new range have escalated and development around Moccasin Bend is proceeding rapidly. Zoning cases are being held up and complaints from new residents of the apartments and townhomes across the river are increasing.

There have been significant changes over the years in both the City Council and County Commission. A new county government has just taken office.

Even though I was once satisfied that the longstanding problem of moving the firing range had been solved, I stand ready to help solve it once again. I can think of several alternate sites that should work very well. All it takes is a willingness to move forward. My offer to representatives of local government - and particularly local law enforcement - is the same as before:

Just tell us what you need.

How long must we wait? Its time.

Ron Littlefield
For Immediate Release

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has received reports that three hospitals, two Syrian Civil Defense Centers, and an ambulance system were attacked and put out of service in the Idlib governorate, in the northwest part of Syria on September 6 and 7. In the last few weeks, government forces have been gathering south of Idlib and the Syrian government and its Russian ally resumed intensive airstrikes on the governorate and the northern countryside of neighboring Hama.

As the last remaining opposition and rebel stronghold, Idlib is now facing an increase in ongoing attacks by Syrian and Russian military airstrikes and shelling. These air raids and shelling further escalated after Russia, Iran, and Turkey failed to reach an agreement during the Tehran summit on Friday, September 7, 2018. The media has reported that this latest attack killing at least six civilians is likely the initial phase of a series of broader, and more deadly, repeated military operations on Idlib.

More than thirty thousand people have fled their homes in and around Idlib over the past few days. With this assault, the Syrian government and its allies have once again demonstrated their disregard for civilian life. It is unconscionable for the Syrian government to continue to carry out such attacks, said Homer Venters, MD, PHR director of programs.

The use of chemical weapons is also a concern. Since the beginning of the conflict the Syrian government has already unleashed at least 85 confirmed such attacks on its own citizens, and the people of Idlib could well be their next target. Each of these attacks are war crimes and taken together, they constitute crimes against humanity.

Control over Idlib would allow Bashar al-Assad to regain full control of Syria. These and any further attacks on Idlib would have devastating consequences for the roughly three million people who live there, 1.2 million of whom were already displaced from other provinces in Syria. The UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock has warned that an offensive on Idlib would result in the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the 21st century.

More than seven years into this conflict, the Syrian government has failed to heed near-constant warnings from humanitarian and human rights groups against attacks on civilians and health infrastructure. With Russias rejection of Turkeys ceasefire proposal, the situation in Idlib headed toward further escalation.

The international community must apply pressure on Syria and Russia to prioritize civilian safety and protection  avoiding unnecessary loss of life and refraining from using banned weapons such as chemical weapons, said Venters. The international community has a responsibility to protect the people of Idlib. They must act before it is too late.

Physicians for Human Rights maintains a comprehensive map of attacks against health facilities in Syria, available here.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.
For Immediate Release

White House National Security Advisor, John Bolton, today called the International Criminal Court (ICC) fundamentally illegitimate and threatened to ban its judges and prosecutors from the United States. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) strongly condemns this rhetoric and again encourages the United States to sign and ratify the Rome Statute and to support victims of serious crimes.

Homer Venters, MD, PHR director of programs said Boltons comments are a serious attack on international justice and accountability.

At a time when there are ongoing investigations into mass atrocities in several countries, such an attack on the International Criminal Court sends a dangerous message that undermines one of the most important institutions attempting to bring justice to victims around the world. The ICC has been instrumental in delivering accountability in cases like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic, and their ongoing work in Libya, Myanmar, and elsewhere is critical to bringing accountability for crimes against humanity and preventing future atrocities. Boltons statement sends a message that some countries should enjoy immunity from accountability, which only emboldens those committing mass atrocities today.

Unfortunately, this is not the first such attack on the ICC. Bolton was behind the campaign of former President George W. Bush to undercut the ICC, including threatening aid for states who are party to the ICC that refused to conclude immunity agreements with the United States, thereby violating their ICC obligations. He also led the Bush administration to withdraw their signature from the Rome Statute  which was an unprecedented move. In addition, during his role as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Bolton was behind United Nations Security Council Resolution 1422 declaring the ICC a threat to international peace and security and granting a one-year deferral of potential prosecutions for peacekeeping personnel from non-ICC state parties.

PHR reiterates its call on the U.S. government to sign and ratify the Rome Statute, to cease its attacks on the ICC, and to support and cooperate with the Court in delivering justice to victims of serious crimes.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.
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
The Chattanooga State Community College Humanities and Fine Arts Division kicks off its fall 2018 events for community enjoyment featuring arts, music and theatre. All events are free and held in the Theatre of the C.C. Bond Humanities Building, 4501 Amnicola Hwy., unless otherwise noted.

Through December, several galleries located around the ChattState campus, will display Student Art Exhibitions that include drawings, paintings, and photographs. These exhibitions are located in the Center for Advanced Technology, Center for Engineering, Technology, Arts & Sciences and the Donald F. Andrews Reading and Writing Center. See https://pointsmap.com/chattstatecampus/ and click on the building name to view the gallery location.

In addition, a selection of recent work from Chattanooga State Fine Arts faculty that includes paintings, drawings, collage and transfer, handmade paper, stone carving, gelatin silver, and archival pigment prints is on display in the C.C. Bond Humanities Fine Arts Gallery.

Musical offerings highlight the month of September as Chattanooga Symphony upright bass player Taylor Brown presents a recital on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. that includes music specifically written for the bass, accompanied by pianist Alan Nichols. On Saturday, Sept. 22, visiting guitarists, Dusty Woodruff and Matthew Anderson, the Athens Guitar Duo, will perform a concert featuring chamber works for guitar duo at 7:30 p.m. Rounding out the month on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m., will be a recital of solo and chamber vocal music by internationally acclaimed soprano, Dr. Mel Zhong, assisted by Hyery Huang on piano. Performing extensively in the United States and abroad, Dr. Zhong is a visiting guest artist from the Ball State University School of Music in Indiana.

As October approaches, enjoy a night of unrehearsed laughter as Comedy Improv is performed at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, and 24. Based on suggestions from the audience, second year students of the Professional Actor Training Program will keep you in stitches with their spontaneous comedy antics, said officials.

Faculty members at Chattanooga State not only teach students, but enjoy performing as well. A faculty recital that includes an evening of vocal and instrumental music is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

As one of several planned CSO Chamber Series Concerts, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Chamber Orchestra will perform Beethovens Symphony No. 4, and will also feature Kenneth Frazelles Laconic Variation and Villa Lobos Circanda das sete notas on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m.

The weekend of Oct. 20-21 will present two musical opportunities. On Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., the Chattanooga State Concert Choir presents an evening of choral and instrumental masterworks. The concert features students, faculty, and members of the Chattanooga Symphony. The next day on Sunday, Oct. 21, a faculty chamber recital will take place 3 p.m. presenting a recital featuring music for voice and varying instruments. Compositions will include works by Bach, Saint-Saens, and Bernstein.

Chattanooga States Symphonic Band, under the direction of Nicholas Hartline, will perform an evening of music from movies and video games. The concert will include music from World of Warcraft, Halo, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, Batman, Schindlers List, Mamma Mia!, and more. The concert will also feature flute soloist Alexus Murfin on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. The ensemble consists of students from Chattanooga State, the STEM School of Chattanooga, and Hamilton County at Chattanooga State Collegiate High.

For more information about Chattanooga States Fine Arts programs, call 697-2460 for musical offerings or 697-3246 about theatre productions.






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Guwahati, Sep 11 : Assam state BJP fired a salvo at Prateek Hajela, the NRC State Coordinator, for his suggestion to the Supreme Court to drop five key documents from the list of claims and objections process.





BJPs Assam unit lashed out at the NRC State Coordinator after his submission before the Supreme Court and suggested to drop five key documents out of 15 documents listed for inclusion the names in the updation process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).





We urged the both Union and State government to look into the matter seriously. The matter was also discussed in our national executive meeting and finally decided that, the Union and State government will file affidavit before the Supreme Court for not dropping the key documents, Assam BJP president Ranjit Kumar Dass said.





We would like to ask Prateek Hajela, who gave him the authority to make such a submission. Whom did he talk with, Ranjit Kumar Dass said.





The Assam BJP unit president further said that, Assam BJP had already discussed the matter with BJP president Amit Shah, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh and the national executive had taken a resolution that, none of genuine Indian citizens shall not be left out from the final roll of NRC.





Assam BJP raised question regarding Prateek Hajelas submission in the Supreme Court to drop five key documents out of the declared 15 documents without discussing with the concerned stakeholders.





The five documents that Hajela sought to be excluded are - the 1951 NRC, voter lists up to March 24, 1971, citizenship certificates, refugee registration certificates and ration cards issued prior to March 24, 1971.





Over 40 lakh people have been left out from the complete draft of NRC published on July 30.





On the other hand, Assam BJP unit president said that, the Union and State government will submit affidavit before the Supreme Court by September 19 next.








Guwahati: While the Congress and other opposition political parties protesting the rising of fuel price and the BJP-led Rajasthan government had announced of a reduction in VAT on fuel prices by 4 per cent, Assam state BJP president and the party MLA, Ranjit Dass on Monday said that Assam will not reduce any state VAT on petrol and diesel.





The Assam state BJP president said that, Assam needs more revenue for infrastructural development in the state.





Rajasthan matter is separate issue. But Assam will not do it, Ranjit Dass said.





Dass further said that, if everyone will leave bike-car driving, then how the country will go ahead.





We have to think about our country. States exchequer will be empty if reducing VAT, Ranjit Dass said.





It is to be mentioned that, the BJP-led Assam government had increased the VAT rates on petrol and diesel on June 14, 2017 by issuing a government notification (no  FTX.25/2008/Pt/111).





According to the government notification issued last year, the state government had increased the VAT rates on diesel from 16.5 paise in the rupee to 23.66 and 27.5 to 32.66 paise in the rupee.





On the other hand, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) criticised the BJP-led both centre and state government for failure to reduce fuel price.





AIUDF MLA Anwar Hussain Laskar said that, Prime Minister Modi always talking big things, but the reality is completely difference.





The price is not as big as last 6-7 months. PM Modi, Finance minister Arun Jaitely always talking big things. First show up to reduce fuel price, the AIUDF MLA said.








Guwahati, Sep 11 : Security forces had recovered huge cache of explosives in Assams Hailakandi district and arrested a person in connection with it.





According to the reports, based on intelligence input, Assam police, BSF and CRPF had jointly launched operation at Sudarshan Pur Part-1 area under Bandukmara police outpost in the Barak valley district on Tuesday and recovered huge cache of explosives from a house.





The security personnel had recovered 48 numbers gelatin stick, 49 detonators along with 3 meters fuse wire, 600 numbers (3 packets of 200 numbers each) of R7 tablets (which is said to be some kind of drugs probably).





Security personnel had arrested a person identified as Amir Uddin Mazumdar in connection with it.





Police investigation is going on.




Kanchanpur, Nepal: Dilip Bista, an accused of the Nirmala rape and murder case, has been released on general date on Tuesday.





Similarly, Roshani Bam and Babita Bam have also been released. Roshani has been released on general date while Babita on Rs 30,000-bail.





Kanchanpur police made the decision to release the prime accused on the basis of the recommendation of the High Level Investigation Committee, formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to investigate the case.





The decision is made just day after the High Level Investigation Committee member Birendra KC had resigned from his post expressing dissatisfaction over the credibility of the committee.




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UTCs Department of History and the Africana Studies program will welcome 2010 Lillian Smith Book Award recipient and Los Angeles Times Book Award finalist Dr. Amy Wood of Illinois State University to deliver the 5th annual Africana Studies Lecture on Monday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. in Derthick Hall 101.

Free and open to the public, Professor Woods talk will present a historical perspective on the 1906 lynching of Ed Johnson. Questions may be directed to event organizer Dr. Susan Eckelmann Berghel at Susan-Eckelmann@utc.edu or 425-5621. Attendees in need of accommodations are invited to contact UTCs Disability Resource Center at 425-4006.

Sponsored by the Project on Slavery, Race, & Reconciliation at the University of the South, the UTC History Department and Africana Studies Program, and the Ed Johnson Project, Dr. Woods UTC campus talk is part of a 3-day lecture series.

All events are free and open to the public and will be livestreamed on the UTC History Department and the Sewanee Project websites.

The Lynching of Ed Johnson in Chattanooga: A Critical Discussion of the History of Racial Violence in the U.S.

Who was Ed Johnson? (Documentary Screening)

When: Sunday at 4 p.m. (Central Time)

Where: Gailor Auditorium, University of the South

The Lynching of Ed Johnson in Historical Perspective (Lecture)

When: Monday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Location: Derthick Hall, Room 101, UT Chattanooga

Livestream: https://livestream.com/accounts/10999497/events/8366292

The Legacy of Lynching in American Life (Lecture)

When: Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 4:30 p.m. (Central Time)

Where: Convocation Hall, University of the South



About Dr. Wood:

Professor Wood specializes in post-Civil War American cultural history and the history of the U.S. South. She is the author of Lynching and Spectacle: Witnessing Racial Violence in America, 1890-1940 (University of North Carolina Press, 2009). which examines visual representations of lynching and the construction of white supremacy in the Jim Crow era. Lynching and Spectacle won the Lillian Smith Book Award and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award in History. She is also the co-guest editor of issue of Mississippi Quarterly on lynching, representation, and memory (2008), the editor of the volume on violence for the New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture (University of North Carolina Press, 2011). Her edited collection, Crime and Punishment in the Jim Crow South, will be published in 2019 by the University of Illinois Press. She is currently working on a book project on cultural ideas about criminality in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.




Wade-Madicke : Les militants du Pds divises

La brouille entre Me Madicke Niang et Abdoulaye Wade divise les liberaux. A Thies, certains militants accusent Macky Sall de vouloir semer zizanie dans leur parti. Alors que pour d'autres, ces liberaux n'ont fait qu'emettre un avis.
 "Digital Expungement" | Main | Kelley Ashby Paul, Senator Rand Paul's spouse, makes the Kentucky case for criminal justice reform 

I noted in posts here and here last month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Senators Orrin Hatch and Tom Cotton are talking up the need for reform to the Armed Career Criminal Act in response to the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling in Johnson v. US. I just now noticed that Andrew Hamm has this lengthy follow-up post at SCOTUSblog under the title "Johnson v. United States: Three years out." I recommend that post in full, and here is a flavor:

After the decision in Johnson, individuals sentenced under ACCAs now-defunct residual clause filed petitions for collateral review, a procedure that allows prisoners, within certain constraints, to ask a court to amend their sentences. Additional follow-on litigation to Johnson has involved questions about other aspects of ACCAs violent felony definition, as in next terms United States v. Stitt, as well as vagueness challenges to definitions of violent felony in other statutes, as in last terms Sessions v. Dimaya.

But even as these and other challenges play out in the courts, Johnsons real-world consequences in the three years since the case was decided raise other questions about recidivism, re-entry and policy. For example, have people sentenced as career offenders and released early after Johnson gone on to commit more crimes? If some have, are certain, less vague sentence enhancements  as Sessions has recommended and as new legislation introduced by two Republican senators would impose  the proper fix to Johnson? This post looks at some of the different factors at play....

Earlier this month, two Republican senators, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, introduced the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act to, as they wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, fix the law that was struck down. In their press releases announcing the proposed legislation, Hatch and Cotton mentioned victims in their states whom Sessions also discussed. According to a one-pager about the legislation, the act would do away with the concepts of violent felony and serious drug offense and replace them with a single category of serious felony. A serious felony would be any crime punishable by 10 years or more.

Brian Colas, Cottons general counsel, and Baron-Evans agree that this new legislation would avoid the vagueness problems of the original ACCA residual clause. They disagree on how broadly the law would sweep. Whereas Colas points to the fact the crimes must be punishable by 10 years or more, which he takes as a proxy for the high seriousness of an offense, Baron-Evans worries about the many people regularly sentenced to less than 10 years but for whom 10 years or more would represent a statutory maximum.

Raghavan suggests that subjecting drug offenders to the same sentencing enhancement as violent offenders may not be warranted based on recidivism rates. In its 2016 report on people sentenced as career offenders, the Sentencing Commission split individuals into three categories: career offenders with only drug-trafficking offenses, those with only violent offenses, and those with mixed offenses. People sentenced as career offenders with only drug-trafficking offenses had a lower recidivism rate than those in the other categories. Among those who did recidivate, those with only drug-trafficking offenses tended to take longer to do so than those in the other categories. Additionally, offenders in the other two pathways who were rearrested were more likely to have been rearrested for another violent offense than offenders with only drug-trafficking offenses.

The next step for the legislation is the Senate Judiciary Committee. Colas estimates that it will take six to eight months for this legislation to get through the committee. He notes that the act will be absorbed into a broader fight for criminal justice reform in Congress.
The signing ceremony that took place in Moscow was witnessed by Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, director of Eurasian Economic Union Sergey Shukhno, Chairman of the board of the Eurasian Business Union Victor Kambolov.



The event was one of the activities during General Secretary of the Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trongs official visit to Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin from September 5-8.

Under the agreement, T&T Group will cooperate with EABU to implement projects and business activities in member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and partner countries of EABU.

T&T Group and EABU plan to build the Food City model in Vietnam. T&T Group will provide fund and payment methods for cooperation activities between Vietnamese businesses and members of EABU via Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB).

Meanwhile T&T Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement on export and import of frozen catfish with Demi-Group.

Accordingly, Demi-Group will purchase 1,000 tons a month of frozen catfish fillets and steaks from T&T Group and support the Vietnamese enterprise to complete procedures for applying import quota for catfish.



Speaking at the signing ceremony, leader of T&T group stressed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the company and Russian partners will open new cooperation and development opportunities of T&T Group in international market and the Eastern Europe region particularly, affirming the role of the enterprise which has become strategic partners of foreign leading companies.



The cooperation also gives a chance to worlds largest groups to invest in Vietnam and call on the investment in the countrys key projects.

In August 2015, T&T group was granted the investment registration certificate in Russia. The company operates in the fields of exports of consumer goods, handicraft products, Agro-aqua-forestry exports and real estate with a total invested capital of US$25 million.



T&T Group is an economic corporation in multi-industry that has credit and large scale both in Vietnam and Asia. The business specializes in trading, manufacturing and investing in multi-elds with the main focus on the following sectors of industry, finance, real estate, trade and ex-import, and sports.

On September 6 in Sochi City, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Russian President Vladimir Putin also witnessed the signing of comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement between Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) and International Investment Bank (IIB), and the master financing agreement between SHB and International Bank for Economic Co-Operation (IBEC)





Chairman cum General Director of T&T Group JSC, Do Quang Hien (R ) and representatives of EABU sign MoU by the witness of Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.

Chairman cum General Director of T&T Group JSC, Do Quang Hien and representatives of Food City sign MoU by the witness of Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and representatives of EABU.



By staff writers  Translated by Kim Khanh
Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the cancelled projects were two oil and gas pipelines that cost more than 1 billion USD each, and a 795 million USD pipeline linking Malacca state to a Petronas refinery and petrochemical plant in Johor state, the Financial Times reported.



Lim added that he had sent a letter to relevant parties in Beijing to terminate the schemes, without disclosing the cancellation fees Malaysia would incur for ending the pipeline contracts.



On August 21, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that the three other Chinese-funded projects would be cancelled until Malaysia can afford them.



They are the 20 billion USD East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project and two natural gas pipeline projects worth 2.3 billion USD in Sabah and Kedah States.



Mahathir explained that if Malaysia continues implementing these projects, it will need to borrow a huge amount of money that the country could not afford.



These projects are not necessary for Malaysia now as the country has to work hard to fix domestic financial deficit, he said.



At present, the Malaysian Government is exerting every effort to reduce the national debt, which has climbed to 250 billion USD, he added.-VNA
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has downplayed past tensions between himself and his Fijian counterpart, Frank Bainimarama.

Hon. Bainimarama and I are professional politicians and good visionary politicians, he said.

We are often misunderstood and quoted out of context deliberately by undernourished and hungry looking business minded journalists out to make a fast buck.

Tuilaepa made the comments in an interview released by his Office following his state visit to Fiji on his way to the Pacific Islands Forum held in Nauru last week.

The visit raised a lot of eyebrows in the region given Tuilaepa and Bainimaramas hostile past where they have been calling each other names.

But Tuilaepa said all that is in the past and those views are no more.

You see I was focusing more on the emergence of a seemingly radical political system which centered on the military and the urgent need to return to normality, he said in response to a question of what he and Bainimarama discussed.

Hon. Bainimarama was defending, as he must do the new system, as a way he saw to transition Fiji to a new order to raise the welfare for all the Fijians."

Fiji had enormous social and economic challenges which we in Samoa did not have. I was also aligning my views with those of the Forum Leaders. Fiji has since returned to democracy and instantly therefore the differing views existed no more.

But even democracies has its faults, Tuilaepa said.

Democracy of course is the best of the political systems yet available though not the most ideal. Democracy also produced some of the worst leaders like Hitler in our modern history, Tuilaepa said.

Fiji has since taken its rightful place in the Forum. And in our meeting with Hon. Bainimarama I congratulated him on his world leadership in COP23 which focused much on climate change sustainable development and resilience. Challenges facing our many island countries today.

According to the Prime Minister, his state visit in Fiji was not planned.

I was invited by U.S.P. to come and address and declare open a very special event which highlights the significance of the research focus for U.S.P. as part of its celebration of 50 years of service producing educated leaders of the Pacific today."

Being the current Chairman of the Pacific Leaders Forum, my speaking role raises the profile of U.S.P which is the most successful example of regional integration. This is what political leaders of the Forum do. When the Chairman is asked by any important Regional Organisation within the Pacific Region to come and help by talking, I just get up and go and deliver a worthwhile message for the audience to digest."

The Government of Fiji had learnt about my visit and I was subsequently requested by the Prime Minister that he and his Government would like to host me as their official guest which I warmly accepted."

I was honoured on my arrival and again on my departure with a guard of honour, and a welcomed traditional Fijian kava ceremony, reception, and dinner. I also paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency the Governor General and met with Bainimaramas Cabinet Ministers, including the Attorney General and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Trade and Minister in charge of Defence."

I also took the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Forum Secretariat, our students at U.S.P, our Samoan community in Fiji and other potential investors for Samoa, quite a full programme.

And with Fiji going to the General Elections later this year, Tuilaepa also shared his views about the process. He called for prayers for Fiji.

In the short time that I was in Fiji I saw many improvements in infrastructure building, and the simple rule that I believe in when it comes to campaigning in the case of Samoa is Actions always speak louder than words in the minds of the voters, he said.

There is also a political gimmick  An Opposition should not win a General Election. The Ruling Government simply loses it.

General Elections outcomes are not easy to predict for us in Samoa. We should pray for a peaceful General Election for the people of Fiji. As Christians we believe that leaders and governments are appointed by God. As St Paul aptly reminded us All Authorities come from God.

We often waste a lot of time speculating about who the next Government will be when the decision is simply not ours to make. And thats what our spiritual leaders have reminded us of.
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.
Miss Brandi Davis, daughter of Matt and Leigh Anne Revelle, has earned the title of 2018 National American Miss Tennessee through her successfully scored portions of competition. She will be attending the National Pageant in Anaheim, Ca. at Disneyland during Thanksgiving week, representing the state of Tennessee, where she will have the opportunity to win her share of over $500,000 in cash and prizes.



"The National American Miss Pageants are for 'Today's Girl' and 'Tomorrow's Leaders.' The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, presentation and offers an "'All American Spirit' of fun for family and friends. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future," officials said.



Ms. Davis is a 19-year-old sophomore at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in business management. She recently received her real estate degree and is excited to see where that takes her in life. Ms. Davis has raised over $10,000 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, as well as completed approximately 2,500 volunteer hours. About a year ago, she created The Tennessee Confidence Project, where she encourages kids and teens to post a picture of themselves with the caption "I am CONFIDENT in who I am! #TNConfidenceProject." She created this project to help spread awareness of what confidence is and why it is so important to have in everyday life, especially in teenagers.



Ms. Davis is looking for events to help out with/volunteer at/make an appearance at in the Chattanooga area. She is also looking for sponsors for Nationals. If you know of any events coming up or if you'd like to sponsor her, you may contact her at brandidavis667@ymail.com.
His parents attempted to send him off to a gay conversion therapy camp in Kenya. Instead, he fled the country  and now has been awarded $10,000.

The money was granted to Mahad Olad by the Colin Higgins Foundations Annual Youth Courage Award, according to LGBTQ Nation.

The publication also reports that Olads family sent him to Kenya in 2007, telling him they were on a family vacation. Instead, his mother eventually confessed it was an intervention and that he would be sent to the camp.

Similar to the practice of gay conversion therapy in the United States, there are those within the Muslim community who utilize abusive tactics as a way of policing what they consider to be deviant behavior, Olad wrote for The Ithacan. Even though my mother asked me to go, I knew that it wasnt really a choice.

His family wished for him to withdraw from college in New York to be guided by sheiks.

Gay conversion therapy camps in Kenya commonly have severe beatings, shackling, food deprivation, and other cruel practices. So when Olad had an opportunity to escape, he took it.

LGBTQ Nation reports he called the Ex-Muslims of North America, who helped him out of the country and back to the United States.

While Im lucky to have close friends who have offered comfort, it does nothing for the hole my family ripped into my heart. I know what they did to me was horrible and wrong, but they are still my family and reconciling with them will take some time.
Woodbine Mohawk Park would like to inform horsepeople that Tuesday mornings qualifiers have been postponed.

The six-race qualifying session will now take place on Thursday morning beginning at 10 a.m.
The annual charity auction to benefit New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Delaware County Fair will be held Wednesday, September 19 in conjunction with the Pre-Jug Party immediately following the Jugette. Over 125 items and services will be offered in a silent auction via mobile bidding followed by a live auction of 10 premier items at 7:30 p.m. People will be able to view the items in advance and bid remotely from their mobile devices beginning at 10:00 a.m. To see the items and register to bid, visit the Silent Auction website. New items will be added daily up to the event.

Featured offerings include a South African Photo Safari, John Deere Lawn Tractor, Spyder race bike of choice, a live Miniature weanling and a set of New Nitro wheels. These items along with vacations, harness racing art and memorabilia, jewelry, tickets to sporting events, home accessories, tack and professional services are all up for grabs at this exciting fundraising event.

Come to the party or just support these two great organizations! Table sponsors are still being sought. FMI contact Dot Morgan (937) 947-4020 [email protected] or Winnie Morgan Nemeth (734) 320-7918 [email protected]

The Beneficiaries

New Vocations is the largest racehorse adoption program in the country. It was founded in 1992 to offer retiring Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds a safe-haven, rehabilitation, and vocational training prior to placement in carefully screened and monitored homes. New Vocations accepts horses from racetracks and farms throughout the eastern United States at locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York. Horses are equipped with new skills and placed with experienced, caring individuals where once again, each can be a star. Over 6,500 retired racehorses have found new homes and careers through the efforts of New Vocations.

The Delaware County Agricultural Society has run its annual fair since 1834. The organization promotes agriculture through the operation of the fairgrounds and the many events held there throughout the year. The Delaware County Agricultural Society is celebrating its 73rd year conducting the greatest pacing race in the sport, The Little Brown Jug. The Fairgrounds is home to a thriving community of harness horses and maintains one of the fastest racetracks in the world. The Delaware County Agricultural Society promotes harness racing and its lore to thousands of fans and strives to maintain the history while promoting the future of our sport.

(New Vocations)
The eighth and final regular season visit of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) to Batavia Downs brings the two-year-old pacing colts and geldings to Genesee County on Wednesday (Sept. 12) to compete in two divisions for a total of $109,000. The Batavia Downs track record for 2-year-old pacing colts is 1:54.2 and that standard is definitely in danger of going down.

The NYSS events are carded in race three and five. Two $15,000 Excelsior A legs will be held in race one and two. Post time for the first race is 5:00 p.m.

The first $54,500 NYSS freshman pace features the top point earner in the series Melodies Major (Art Major-Hilarious) and the red-hot Hickfromfrenchlick (So Surreal-My Girls A Star) in a race that could easily rewrite the local record book.

Melodies Major has raced exclusively in NYSS events this year and has excelled, winning five out of seven of them. And hes been successful over every size track in the state. In his most recent outing he scored a big come-from-behind win at Vernon Downs, taking a new lifetime mark of 1:51.3 in the process. He comes in here sharp as a tack and looking forward to the final.

Melodies Major is 2-1 morning line and leaves from post five with his regular driver Tyler Buter aboard for trainer Mark Ford.

Pushing the issue will be Hickfromfrenchlick who has won four out of his last six outings.

Hickfromfrenchlick has won his last two NYSS races and like Melodies Major, took a new lifetime mark of 1:51.3 at Vernon Downs last week. The start before that he won in 1:53.3 at Yonkers, beating Melodies Major by only a half-length. He hasnt been worse than second all year and he will be a force to deal with here.

Western New York native trainer/driver Ray Schnittker will be aboard from post six as the second choice at 5-2.

The second $54,500 split has Reining Deo (Rock N Roll Heaven-Little Miss) looking to cement his spot in the NYSS final.

Reining Deo is currently eighth in points but could still be knocked out in a worst-case scenario. He has been one-two-three in four NYSS starts and has a mark of 1:54.2 at Saratoga. A win would give him 142 points and a ticket to ride in the final.

Trainer Brett Pelling has Jim Morrill Jr. in the bike and they have been made the 2-1 morning line favourite from post five.

Jojos Place (Roll With Joe-Angel Place) is winless this year but has hit the board in three NYSS races. He has a very outside chance of making the final but only if he could win here. Recently he has been hampered with outside posts for the last five outings and drawing post two will definitely help. Although he finished fifth last week at Vernon, he still paced in 1:52.3 in defeat.

Matt Kakaley will be driving for trainer John Butenschoen and they were made 3-1 by the track handicapper.

Major March (Art Major-March You And Me) has been a bit of a late bloomer. After winning big in an Excel A race at Saratoga in 1:54.1 by seven lengths, he stepped up to the NYSS for the last two starts and acquitted himself well. He seems to fit this field nicely and should not be overlooked given his recent outings.

Hall of Fame trainer Linda Toscano has tabbed Drew Monti to drive and they will start from post six at 7-2.

The 2018 NYSS Consolations races which carry a total purse value of $320,000 will be held at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 21).

(Batavia)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2018 /Standard Newswire / -- Judicial Watch announced today that it has sued the U.S. Department of Justice under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for all emails the FBI found on the laptop of disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner.Judicial Watch filed the suit after the Justice Department did not act on two FOIA requests ( Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No.1:18-cv-02105)).In October 2016 The Washington Post reported that the FBI obtained a warrant to search the emails found on a computer used by Weiner that may contain evidence relevant to the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server.In light of that report, on December 12, 2016, Judicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the FBI, seeking all emails seized pursuant to the search warrant. The FBI denied the request and Judicial Watch appealed. The FBI has not acted on the appeal.
Chinese airlines are expected to buy 7,690 planes worth 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars over the next two decades to meet the burgeoning travel demands, Boeing said on Tuesday.



In its latest outlook from the current year to 2037, the U.S. aviation giant raised its forecast for sales of new planes to China by 6.2 percent, compared with its previous prediction of 7,240 planes until 2036 made last year.

"The growth in China can be attributed to the country's growing middle class, which has more than tripled in the last 10 years and is expected to double again in the next 10," said Randy Tinseth, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' vice president of marketing, in a statement.

A Boeing 737-89L jet plane of Air China [File Photo: IC]

Boeing also predicted that China will account for 18 percent of the global commercial airplane fleet market by 2037- the number is 15 percent currently.

It's also forecasted that China will need commercial services of over 1.5 trillion dollars to support its fleet.

Among the total 7,690 planes, three quarters are likely to be single-aisle aircraft. The number of air freight is also expected to rise thanks to China's booming e-commerce business, it added.

China is the world's fastest growing aviation market. Boeing and its European rival Airbus are both increasing market share by opening assembly plants in the country.




9/11 Attacks Sprang From Words of Muhammad, the Founder of Islam -- See His Words, and the Commands That Muslim Terrorists Obey

See Muhammad in His Own Words at www.RandallTerryFilms.com



Contact: Michael Veritas, 904-826-9989



WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- In the wake of over 3,000 innocent people being murdered on 9/11/2001, media, politicians, and every day Americans asked the question: "Why did they do this?"



The answer lies in the narrative of Muhammad's life; his call to jihad, and the belief that acts of terror will result in mass conversion to Islam. Muslim terrorists read these words, believe them, and obey them.



Here are a few of the examples of Muhammad's words that terrorists believe and obey. Multiple references are provided for those who wish to confirm their validity.

"Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war... When you meet your enemies... invite them to three courses of action. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them... If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the non-Muslim tax (Jizya). If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them." (Sahih Muslim, Book #019, Haddith #4294; see also #4295, #4296)



"One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite." (Sahih Muslim, Book #20, Hadith #4696



"Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know." (Quran 2:216)



"I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah... If they say it, they have saved their blood and possessions from me... " (Muhammad, quoted in Sharia Law, Reliance of the Traveler, o9.1- o9.4, Pg 599 English)



"I have been given superiority over the other prophets... I have been made victorious with terror(cast in the hearts of the enemy)... spoils have been made lawful to me: and the line of prophets is closed with me... and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand." (Bukhari, Book #52, Hadith #2200; Sahih Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #1062,#004, Hadith #1063)



"I have been sent with the sword in my hands so that only Allah may be worshiped, Allah who placed my livelihood under the shadow of my spear and who condemns those who disobey my orders to servility and humiliation." (Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Vol 5, book 3, Hadith #5,409 quote by Osama bin LadinSee Bukhari, see also Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #24; Book#8, Hadith #387; Book#52, Hadith #196; Book#84, Hadith #59; Book#92, Hadith #388; see also Sharia Law, Reliance of the Traveler, o9.0, pg 599 English

Randall Terry states:

"The written record of Muhammad's life is massive; his repeated call to terror and Jihad for the purpose of submission to Islam is confirmed again and again.



"Muhammad in His Own Words simply lays out the truth regarding Muhammad. Namely, that he believed Allah had called him to suppress all other religions by force, and that he was to convert the world to Islam, and use terror when words were not enough."

Mr. Terry has a Masters degree in Diplomacy, with a Concentration in International Terrorism from Norwich University. The bulk of his research was in Islamic terrorism, and the narrative of Muhammad's life that Muslim terrorists mimic.


Millions Cancel Facebook Accounts as Censorship, Data Privacy Violations and Surveillance of Users Continues

Americans Concerned About Ongoing Surveillance and Censorship Leave Facebook in Record Numbers as Stock Plunges 24% in 45 Days



Contact: Deborah Hamilton, Hamilton Strategies, 610-584-1096 ext 102, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com; Jeff Tolson, 610-584-1096 ext 108



PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 11, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- Just how bad is it at Facebook? Consider thisin just 45 days, Facebook lost over $140 billion in market capitalization. The stock dropped from $217 on July 25, 2018 to $162.53 on September 6, 2018. And now, nearly half of millennials along with nearly 10 percent of all Americans have deleted their Facebook accounts.



The question to ask is why Facebook is losing billions of dollars and millions of users. There are multiple reasons for the exodus; here are just a few:

Facebook admitted the data firm Cambridge Analytica gained unauthorized access to up to 87 million users' data, mainly in the United States.



As of July 2018, Facebook was still sharing private information about its users with dozens of app developers and other companies without user consent, despite having said earlier this year that it was cutting off such access.



Unapproved sharing first came to light in June, 2018, when it became clear that Facebook shares data with phone manufacturers. Facebook admitted that some of these partners were Chinese, raising fears of espionage.



Bi-annual Facebook privacy audits reveal that Facebook regularly uses unfair and deceptive practices with private data without user consent.



Facebook CEO Cheryl Sandberg admitted during recent Senate hearings that Facebook is using biased, left-leaning third party "fact-checkers," including Snopes and Politifact as a resource to ban and censor user opinions on Facebook.



Facebook has set up biased, internal "safety and security" employees to monitor and, in many cases, ban Facebook subscribers.



Facebook is internally confirming identities and determining which users have a legitimate right to have a Facebook account.

These and other confirmed cases of data-sharing without user consent, the termination of user accounts using internal and biased assumptions, and the potential exposure of user data to foreign and national entities have driven Facebook users away by the millions.



To interview a cultural expert on this topic, contact Deborah Hamilton, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, 610.584.1096, ext. 102, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.


Belmont Abbey Launches New Honors College

Contact: Rolando N. Rivas, Belmont Abbey College, 704-461-6561, rolandorivas@bac.edu



BELMONT, N.C., Sept. 11, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- Belmont Abbey College has renewed its commitment to educating top students by enhancing its honors program. The college's previous honors curriculum has proven successful at forming thoughtful, well-rounded young people through classroom learning and cultural events. The newly-named, expanded, and redesigned Honors College aims to welcome more students each year by focusing on the Great Books of Western Civilization as foundations for growth in knowledge and wisdom.



"Students of the Honor College will join a unique community of scholars. You will enjoy four years with other intellectually and morally serious young men and women studying works by some of the greatest thinkers and poets who ever lived. A close community of friends who take time to laugh and have fun, will complement the richness of your study," said Dr. Joseph Wysocki, director of the new Honors College. "In this undertaking, students will engage in what is rightly considered the truest form of human friendship: a shared life dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom."



The curriculum of the new Honors College is divided into the Ancient, Christian, and Modern eras. Many of the classes will be conducted in the seminar style, wherein students will converse and engage in textual analysis with their peers, driven by guiding questions that tackle the fundamental ideas of a given day's reading. Featured authors include Homer, Aristotle, Aquinas, Shakespeare, Heisenberg, and Ratzinger. Study at the Honors College requires not just a knowledge of a given conclusion, but also the ability to articulate the argument that supports it. Newly enrolled students have the option of majoring in the Great Books, or taking on a traditional major, such as Biology, while also studying the Great Books as a core foundation for the chosen major.



Beyond the classroom, the Honors College creates a community centered upon shared experiences that nurture friendships and engage the intellect. Students can expect to live together in the dormitories, bond with faculty, and learn through playful camaraderie. In addition, the college sponsors cultural opportunities, such as local plays and concerts. In the summer prior to senior year the students travel abroad to either Ireland or Italy, for a study experiencean enjoyable trip designed to further their understanding of the great Western tradition.



Students interested in the Honors College must complete an additional application. Along with the exceptional learning opportunity, those enrolling will be eligible for the college's most valuable scholarship with an Honors College acceptance. The scholarship covers up to $9,000 of the college's standard $18,500 tuition. For more information visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu/greatbooks or contact Honors College Director, Dr. Joseph Wysocki at josephwysocki@bac.edu.



About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic, baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.


The incidents the officers were involved in were tied to drugs or alcohol, the Hermosa police chief said.
Russia's largest military drills in over three decades, also attended by the Chinese military forces, kicked off at the Tsugol training range in Russia's Trans-Baikal region on Tuesday.

Chinese armed vehicles maneuver at the Tsugol training range in Russia's Trans-Baikal region. About 3,200 Chinese troops attended the "Vostok-2018" strategic drills. [Photo: chinadaily.com.cn/Pan Mengqi]

Codenamed "Vostok-2018", the drills are said to be the largest military exercises since the "Zapad-1981", which was held in 1981 by the Soviet Union and involved about 100,000 to 150,000 troops.

About 3,200 troops, along with over 1,000 pieces of weaponry and 30 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters from the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Northern Theater Command, are scheduled to conduct combat training together with the Russian troops from Tuesday to Thursday.

All Chinese troops participating in the drills were moved to the region by railway and highway before the end of August and immediately started preparing in the field.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier that the drills involve nearly 300,000 Russian troops, about 36,000 military vehicles, more than 1,000 aircraft and around 80 ships.

Shoigu said the drills "will be unprecedented in terms of geographic scope and the strength of command and control centers and forces due to participate".

In the strategic drills, the PLA and Russian armed forces have formed a joint operational commanding system, under which military forces from the two countries will hold joint exercises including mechanized defense,fire strike and counter-attack training.
Marie Beth Jones, a published author and freelance writer based in Angleton, is a member and former chairwoman of the Brazoria County Historical Commission. Contact her at 1mbjones@nwcable.net.
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The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
About 280 of this countrys children will begin the new school year with enhanced abilities.





Those came from their participation in the Children Library Annual Programme (CLAP), put on by the local library services.





Fourteen branches of Library took part in the activity held under the theme: Kid N Tech. Jeon Julien, Group leader of the 8 to 9-year-old recapped the phases of the exercise at the National Library in Kingstown last week Friday.





That day marked the culmination which saw an exhibition of works produced over the programme.

The Kingstown Branch held its activity July 23 to August 10, while those in the Branches ran from July 30.

Students were put into age groups which provided them with opportunities to build on their foundation.

Julien saw the event as seeking to "enhance participants confidence and self-esteem, support their academic success, and promote community engagement.





Branches at Owia, Sandy Bay, South Rivers, Colonarie, Greiggs, Marriaqua, Evesham, Chateaubelair, Barrouallie, Rose Hall, Spring Village, Layou, and Questelles responded to this years call. Topics covered were: Bring it back to life, Vincy way of life, Discover the world through reading, Vincy Pride, and Cottage Industry.





Julien regarded the exercise as necessary in ensuring that children are well-rounded. The Children Library Programme started in 1973. Initially, it was the Children Library Annual Summer Programme.

The S was discarded in 2012.





Donna McLean is the coordinator of the event.

Fridays exhibition featured works from Layla Carter from Chateaubelair who produced a Sunflower bag; Leonique Matthews: Owia with a Crochet bag, Reon Cumberbatch from Barrouallie with a Draw String bag; Kennaya Stapleton: Rose Hall, Craft Flower, and Jamaira Roberts with a Jeans Drawstring bag.

Children learned Garifuna words and produced spheres of craft.

Kortney Andrews had a Wall Hanging on display. Sedica Westfields Green Canvas Vase, and Israel Cumberbatchs String Art attracted attention.





Gabriel Alexis Pillow, Jazique Henrys String Art, and one from Duquoan Parsons showed creativity.

There were writings inspired from works done by Dramatists who read stories to children.

Abigail Cains newspaper Vase was highly acclaimed, as did Vincy Canvas done by Kayla Ambris from the Richland Park Seventh Day Adventist Primary School.





Alfresco Lampkin from Rose Hall and Rihanna King: Greiggs, both with Vincy Craft, and Azizan Robertson from Central Leeward Secondary School with a Canvas Clutch broadened the presentations. (WKA)




Left:Ex-Nelson Bloc mas producer O.E. Browne hangs with, L-R: Parie Williams, Azariah Richards, Kischa Richards, Kay Huggins and Sha Richards. Right:Barrouallie native Esha Melville (L) plays with 1199 SEIU, with her children Kia Melville (2nd from L) and Nisa Melville (3rd from L), and Jamaican Monique Richards (far right).





On an unusually very hot Labor Day, on Monday, Vincentians were among over 3 million spectators and tens of thousands of masqueraders and revelers who converged on and jammed down Brooklyns sprawling Eastern Parkway for the largest carnival parade in North America.





In the stifling, sweltering, humid weather, officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) kept a very watchful eye on masqueraders, revelers and parade-goers, in their attempt to avert any killing or violence that had marred the spectacular parade in previous years.





The artistry, creativity, dexterity and musical talent of the Caribbean were fully on display along the 3 -mile-long parade route that began at Buffalo Avenue and ended at Flatbush Avenue, near Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York.





Along the way, a cornucopia of colors and a potpourri of Caribbean delicacies wafted the air, and gaiety, as masqueraders and revelers gyrated to the hypnotic soca, reggae and zouk music blaring from gigantic speakers and disc jockeys mounted atop huge flatbed trucks.

The spectacle, organized by the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), capped five days of carnival extravaganza that began on Thursday, with "Reggae, Afrobeats and Soca Unda Di Stars at the Brooklyn Museum.





Two weeks before, with the spectacular display of some of the costume productions for this years Labor Day Parade, WIADCA launched the 51st Annual New York Caribbean Carnival Week at the Brooklyn Childrens Museum.





"I grew up in carnival, said Sha Richards, of Edinboro, Kingstown, who observed the festival with Azariah and Kischa Richards. "Ive been playing since 3 years old.





"Mas in we blood, chimed in Kicha, a former Junior and Adult Queen in Vincy Mas. "Its our culture.

O.E. Browne, a former mas producer with Nelson Bloc, commended the costume productions.

"They have better materials now than back in the day, said the Pauls Avenue native.

Esha Melville, of Barrouallie, played mas with her two children  Kia and Nisa Melville, 18 and 21, respectively, with the labor union, 1199 SIEU.





"Ive been doing this for three years, Esha said. "So, its good having fun.

Nearby, Bradley Francis, of Colonaire, held upright the pole to the Vincy flag, while Patrick Gills, of Calliaqua, spread the flag.





"I like it, Francis said. "Nice! Having a lot of fun.

Further up the thoroughfare, Keith Lewis, of Chateaubelair, reveled with Dale Alexander, of Campden Park, and Patrick "Bish-I Cupid and Rickie Johnson, both of Questelles.





"For the rest of the day, I just want to have fun and stay clean, Lewis said.





As a DJ struck up Caribbean vibes in Boom Mas, Shania Leon, 17, who trekked home for Vincy Mas this year, "got down.





"Its fun to do, she shouted, accompanied by Kaya Richards and Paul Melendez, both also 17.

"I feel its a good thing to bring the culture together, added Brooklyn resident Richards, whose mother, Gamila Richards, hails from Chateaubelair. "Im jumping with every band.

Puerto Rican-born Melendez said: "Its fun to do. Am Vincy for the day.





Former Calypso Monarch Errol "De Man Age Rose, brought along his wife, Sabrina.

"[Theres] a bit more people than last year, said the ex-elementary school teacher at home, from Rose Place, Kingstown, "Jumping for Education with the T-shirt Vincy band, Friends of Crown Heights.





Many Vincies, however, were disappointed that they had to rely on other bands music since the generator powering Caribbean vibes, in Friends of Crown Heights, was inoperable.





Nonetheless, Antonia Williams, of Sion Hill, Yvette LaBorde, of Old Montrose, and Cheryl Phillip, of Lodge Village  all in Kingstown  said they were satisfied that a Vincy band was on the parkway.

"This is what I wanted for years  for us to come back on the parkway, said Williams, swaying to Fimbas "Mind Yo Funky Business, emanating from the huge speakers from an adjacent float.





"What I notice is that the young kids come back, and thats a good sign, Williams added.

The carnival parade was preceded by the annual breakfast, at the Lincoln Terrace Park, at the beginning of the parade route.





There, a virtual Whos Who in New York politics addressed the crowd.

Many of the legislators, including New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, sought votes in next week Thursdays New York Democratic Primary.





New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, one of the parades grand marshals, who traces her roots to St. Lucia and Barbados, were also on hand, as well as a plethora of Caribbean-born and Caribbean American elected officials.





The Caribbean legislators included US Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants; New York State Assembly Members Jamaican-born Nick Perry and Michael Blake; Perry and Blakes Assembly colleague Rodneyse Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants; and New York City Council Member Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants and candidate for New York State Lieutenant Governor.





The five-day carnival also featured the annual "Summer Jam: Stay in School Concert and Youth Fest and "Brass Fest on Friday; Junior Carnival and Panorama on Saturday; and Dimanche Gras, on Sunday, highlighting King, Queen and Individuals of the Bands, as well as "Calypso and Cultural Ambassadors Lord Nelson, King David Rudder, Denise Belfon, Explainer and Ras Iley.




Al Salam Bank-Bahrain, one of the pioneering Sharia-compliant banks in the Kingdom, has launched a new, bigger full-service branch in the growing commercial and residential area of Tubli.



An official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new branch was presided over by Khalid Hamad Abdulrahman, executive director of Banking Supervision at the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) along with Anwar Murad, first deputy CEO of Al Salam Bank-Bahrain and senior officials from both CBB and Al Salam Bank-Bahrain.



The new branch is strategically located on Tublis service road and it is reachable through Shaikh Isa bin Salman highway that enjoys close proximity to being conveniently accessible for customers residing in Tubli, Jidali, Zinj, Um Al Hussam, Adhari, AAli, and Sehla.



Murad said:Growing demand for financial products and quality services both in Tubli and its surrounding areas made it a priority for us to launch a larger full-service branch within close proximity to the Shaikh Isa bin Salman highway.



The new and relocated Tubli branch is an ideal location to offer our customers a suite of unique Sharia-compliant banking products and is better-equipped with a 24 hours ATM and iBANK self-service channel allowing customers to apply for their desired banking products electronically that includes applying for opening an account or any of the financing facilities, request to print their account statements, view their accounts or card transactions and balances, make card payments in real-time and, make requests to receive new ATM PIN or cheque book and much more, all under one roof.



We would like to sincerely express our gratitude to the Central Bank of Bahrain and our stakeholders for their constant support and trust in Al Salam Bank, he added.



Abdulrahman said: I would like to congratulate Al Salam Bank on launching their new full-service branch in Tubli. We appreciate Al Salam Banks commitment to further strengthen and develop the banking and financial sector in the Kingdom.



Customers can now visit the new Tubli branch from Sunday to Thursday. In addition, a 24x7 dedicated cash deposit ATM, and iBANK self-service workstation will be available for customers to access our banking products and online banking in a secure environment.  TradeArabia News Service
QInvest, a leading private investment group in Qatar, said that it has been named Best Investment Bank in Qatar at the Euromoney Middle East Awards for Excellence.



Dr Ataf Ahmed, head of Asset Management at QInvest, said: We are delighted to receive this prestigious award from Euromoney. It is a testament to the strength and depth of QInvests team and highlights our efforts over the last year to adapt to market challenges while sourcing new investment opportunities. Qataris undergoing a remarkable transformation to its economy and we are able to take advantage of our unique market position to deliver value for all of our clients and shareholders.



We have successfully launched the series of our QInvest SQN Income Fund, where the first and second version of the fund were oversubscribed and the third version expected to close during the third quarter of this year.



This series offers shareholders and investors a unique opportunity to access income generating assets in developed markets. It aims to pay out a net yield of 7 per cent per annum on a monthly basis and has a targeted IRR of between 8 per cent and 9 per cent, with a tenure of five years. In the second half of 2018, QInvest will unveil new products targeting local investment opportunities in Qatar across sectors including healthcare, industrials, education, and agriculture, he added.



Hussain Abdulla, director in the Investment Banking Department at QInvest, said: The Investment Banking division continues to advising regional and Qatari institutions and private clients aiming to re-adjust business portfolios to take advantage of evolving market conditions. We have developed a healthy pipeline of transactions and we look forward to building on this position of strength over coming months.



QInvest started 2018 with an active investment book and a healthy pipeline of deals. In June, QInvest announced that it had successfully exited a real estate mezzanine murabaha transaction in the US with a realized IRR in excess of 13 per cent, further demonstrating the groups international network and structuring expertise. This transaction brings QInvests track record of completed exits to $858 million across 24 transactions and funds with a weighted realized cash IRR of 15.5 per cent.  TradeArabia News Service
Qatari government has announced plans to invest nearly QR60 billion ($16.1 billion) into the country's infrastructure and real estate sectors over the next four years, said a report citing a senior official.



This is in addition to a QR2 billion in terms of developing food security projects for the period, said Khamis Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Chairman, Private Sector Development and Support, on the sidelines of Qatar-Germany Business and Investment Forum held recently.



There are huge investment opportunities available in logistics, health, education and some key projects related to the industrial sector. There are many other areas as well in which private sector can play a critical role in Qatar, Al Mohannadi told The Peninsula.



Currently, over 300 German companies are directly operating in Qatar. They are mainly into technology, infrastructure and transportation, he stated.



We want more and more German companies to get involved in the opportunities available in Qatars private sector, he added.
The Abu Dhabi Smart Solutions and Services Authority (ADSSSA) said it had recently organised a workshop covering the many uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in partnership with Khalifa University for Science and Technology.



The workshop, which reflects the strong ties between ADSSSA and local and international academic institutions, served as a strategic platform to exchange knowledge and experiences about AI and to discuss newer smart services aimed at facilitating the 'Machine Learning' process, including its eventual application across various fields, said the organisers.



The event was attended by Dr Rauda Al Saadi, Director General, ADSSSA and Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive VP, Khalifa University for Science and Technology and other senior officials.



During the workshop, a team from Khalifa University showcased a presentation about the most significant applications of 'Machine Learning,' a branch of AI concerned with the design and development of technologies that allow computers to gain 'learning' skills and converting software applications to more accurate applications in predicting results, they stated.



The presentation also featured a detailed discussion on latest research initiatives covering AI applications, which contribute to the development of various sectors and fields, they added.



The ADSSSA expressed its support for ongoing national efforts in AI and smart services, especially in the move to create an environment that is conducive to innovation, research and development, the forging of strategic partnerships with national entities from the public and private sectors and international organisations, and the enhancement and improvement of government services.-TradeArabia News Service
The UAE authorities are willing to make decisions that will meet the requirements of the countrys maritime industry and further foster the sector, said Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and the chairman of the Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime.



Speaking at the UAE Maritime Leaders Roundtable Discussion, he said: We have kept our promise and have issued a number of decisions based on the recommendations of the first roundtable and today we are waiting for more recommendations that shall make UAEs ports one of the prominent ports in the world.



The roundtable, with the theme of To what extent do the UAE ports meet the current demands of the shipping industry?, was held under the patronage of the Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime (FTA), Tactics Maritime Media and Marasi News.



The event brought together prominent UAE maritime leaders from private and government sectors who discussed the status of the UAE maritime industry and the main obstacles that are facing ship-owners and marine services companies in dealing with ports in the UAE and what are the issues hindering raising the UAE flag on the vessels owned by Emirati companies and businessmen.



The roundtables participants came up with effective solutions that will be presented to the concerned authorities to take the necessary actions in order to drive the UAEs ports towards innovation and efficiency.



Dr Al Nuaimi said: Today, we are celebrating the achievements of our utmost efforts to maintain our countrys prosperity and progress in the maritime sector. The UAE ports have been ranked as being the largest and pre-eminent ports worldwide. Moreover, we are ranked amongst the worlds top five maritime hubs and we are keen on becoming the core of the maritime sector located at the new Silk Road.



Thats why we have carried on our founding fathers legacy to enhance and develop the UAEs ports infrastructure to become one of the preferred destinations for ships and shipping lines, he said.



Engineer Hessa Al Malek, executive director of Maritime Transport at FTA, said: During the first roundtable, we tackled a number of issues and came up with recommendations that shall satisfy the maritime sector needs in the UAE in order to reinforce UAEs position as a preferable destination for maritime investment.



After that, we have submitted these recommendations to the governments and they have responded immediately by issuing a number of decisions. I would like to take the opportunity and extend deep gratitude and appreciation to our wise leadership for supporting the maritime sector and abolish obstacles facing maritime companies, he added.



The FTA has issued a number of decisions in response to the first Maritime Leaders Roundtable recommendations. These decisions cover a number of aspects, including drafting of a new maritime investment law that is different from the trade law, taking into account the dynamics and specifics of the maritime industry.



In June, the FTA joined the Convention of Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention). This will facilitate all procedures related to maritime investment.



Regarding shipowners requests to abolish the requirements of the navigational licensing certificates that significantly hinder ship owners in the UAE and is an obstacle for foreign vessels wishing to enter the UAE territorial waters for maintenance or other services such as marine classification, a decision was made in July stating that a letter from the port is enough instead of prolonged contracts.



Khamis Buamim, board member, group CEO and managing director of Gulf Navigation Holding, said: The UAEs strategic location makes it an ideal hub for shipping and logistic services and our ports can provide integrated services that shall add value to the national economy as a whole. With the changes in the future of trade and ports, we need to absorb newly established companies through incubator centres that shall open up employment opportunities, promote more sustainable economy, stimulates innovation and attract expertise who will discuss the issues in the sector that will turn into challenges to the business. We need to use the competitive advantages of each port to support the overall marine sector and allow us to take the lead globally.



Engineer Ali Al Suwaidi, general manager of Dubai Maritime City, said: Port management entities should invest in the opportunities offered by the UAE Maritime Cluster, which has an exceptional competitive value by itself, that is not available in any other places. Moreover and by enhancing cooperation and exchange of data between ports, the UAE will become the preferred destination for global shipping lines.



Regarding the development of the UAEs ports infrastructure, Geir Fuglerud, maritime area manager, Middle East and Africa (MEA), said: The UAE ports and marine facilities are known for being advanced which puts the UAE ahead in this field. However, constant development is needed to ensure that UAE keeps its leading position amongst the top countries with advanced ports located on the new Silk Road.



I believe that the UAE should start taking progressive steps to equip its ports and marine facilities with advanced technology needed for several fields; such as conducting and facilitating inspection services by using smart drones in addition to establishing infrastructure for LNG bunkering, he added.



Regarding raising the UAEs Flag of Convenience on the ships owned by Emirati companies and businessmen, Suha Obaid, deputy CEO, Folk Shipping, said: Raising the UAEs Flag of Convenience on the ships owned by Emirati companies and businessmen is considered as a commitment towards raising the UAEs position and enhance its presence globally based on the size of its fleet.



However, this commitment is putting a huge financial and operational burdens. We request revising all these procedures and treat seafarers like the normal employees working in offices and lives at their homes. In addition to establish a new structure to raise the national flag on the UAEs ships, in order to make this flag more attractive to shipowners, so that the UAEs actual fleet is equivalent to the fleet that raises its flag, he added. - TradeArabia News Service
The Middle East Paper Company (Mepco), a leading regional paper manufacturer, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Arab Federation for Paper, Printing and Packaging Industries to move the latter's Gulf regional headquarters to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The MoU was signed during the 10th Middle East International Exhibition for Paper, Board, Tissue, Printing & Packaging Industry (Paper ME), currently under way in Cairo, Egypt.

Commenting on the agreement, Engineer Sami Safran, CEO of Mepco, said: "We believe that the Arab Federation for Paper, Printing and Packaging Industries plays an effective role in this sector. We aim to strengthen the mechanisms of Arab collaboration in our sector, and as a first step the relocation of the federation's regional office in the GCC to Mepco's headquarters in Jeddah will enhance its ability to provide benefits and value-added services to all regional companies operating in the paper and packaging industries.

"Such support will include the provision of statistics, research and reports, cooperating with similar organisations around the world and with the technical and economic Arab bodies to fully integrate the regions paper, printing and packaging industries," he said.

Eng. Safran continued: "We are pleased to participate in the 10th edition of Paper ME in Egypt, which with its leading position in the industry attracts more than 400 paper and packaging exhibitors from across the Middle East, encouraging companies to actively contribute to the development of the federation."

Mepco is the leading vertically-integrated paper manufacturer in the Middle East, offering a diverse range of containerboard and specialty paper products serving the packaging, construction, furniture, and paper core industries around the world. - TradeArabia News Service
Djibouti has decided to nationalise with immediate effect all the shares and corporate rights of Port de Djibouti SA (PDSA) in Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) company following an order of the President of the Republic, a statement said.

It said the move is to protect the fundamental interests of the nation and the legitimate interests of its partners, and to ensure that the situation of the DCT company - which is no longer in charge of the Doraleh container terminal - aligns with reality.

On February 22, 2018, Djibouti terminated the concession for the Doraleh container terminal, granted in 2006 to Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT), a company managed by DP World, the minority shareholder (33.33%).

It then said the implementation of this concession contract was severely prejudicial to the fundamental interests of Djibouti, to the development of the country and to the control of its most strategic infrastructure asset.

Taking into account the early termination of the concession contract, PDSA, which is the majority shareholder in DCT (66.66%), terminated the shareholders' agreement (joint venture) entered into with DP World on July 27, 2018.

DP World has rejected this move as unlawful and said it has commenced an arbitration against the Government of Djibouti before the London Court of International Arbitration

DP World also claimed that its concession agreement for DCT remained in force, warning that the governments illegal seizure of the facility doesnt give the right to any third party to violate the terms of the concession agreement.

In the statement announcing the nationalisation, Djibouti said: "The shareholders' agreement had granted all powers to the minority shareholder and transformed the majority shareholder into a mere observer. The termination was made in the strictest compliance with Djiboutian law, which governs the joint venture and the statutes of DCT."

It added: "DP World stated in a press release on September 5 that the High Court of England and Wales had enforced the shareholders' agreement and prohibited PDSA from dismissing the directors of DCT. This decision was obtained by DP World without PDSA having been warned beforehand of the commencement of this legal procedure and without any adversarial debate taking place. DP World's press release does not emphasise, though, that the decision of the English Court is merely a provisional measure which is neither final nor res judicata and is therefore not conclusive."

"A fair compensation outcome is the only possible option for DP World, in line with the principles of international law," the statement added. - TradeArabia News Service
A high-level delegation from Abu Dhabi Ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) recently visited Nanjing, China, to discuss the attractive investment opportunities available within the UAE capital, said a report.



The move comes following Chinese President Xi Jinpings historic visit to the UAE in July, reported state news agency Wam.



The visiting delegation members took part in the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone Investment Promotion Conference.



Hosted by Jiangsu Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and organised by Jiangsu Overseas Cooperation Investment Company (JOCIC), the event was attended by more than 180 delegates from government entities and 90 companies.



Key speakers at the event included: Li Xiubin, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission; Wang Bin, chairman of Zhongjiang International Group; Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Abu Dhabi Ports CEO; and Hao Sihuan, deputy general manager of Jiangsu Haitou Investment Company.



Bilateral trade between China and the UAE has enjoyed an upward trajectory in recent years, with the two countries signing 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) during President Xi Jinpings visit, said the Wam report.



Abu Dhabi Ports has played an important role in strengthening these ties. JOCIC last year signed agreements with Abu Dhabi Ports to invest over $1 billion in Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone under the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Jiangsu Construction Management Company Limited.



It is currently developing the 2.2-sq-km industrial development zone in Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone with 19 Chinese companies already signed up to date, said the report.



In addition, Abu Dhabi Ports & Chinas Cosco Shipping Ports has signed an agreement last year to develop one of the most modern container terminals in Khalifa Port.



Addressing the Chinese gathering, Abu Dhabi Ports CEO Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi said: "Our value proposition, connectivity and state-of-the-art infrastructure, as well as our strategic Chinese partnerships, have played a big role in cementing our position in the global market and enhancing our competitive advantage."



"Thanks to the direction and guidance of the UAE leadership, we were able to establish a reputation as an attractive investment and trade hub for companies around the world looking to expand in the region," he added.



Kizad CEO Samir Chaturvedi said: "Through its progressive policies and strategic investments in infrastructure, Abu Dhabi has created an investor-friendly environment, which has found great interest among Chinese business."



"At Kizad, we have already seen major investments in oil and gas, both upstream and downstream, in ports and shipping, in industrial development and various other industry sectors," observed Chuturvedi.



"Khalifa Port and Kizad are among the key integrated infrastructure platforms developed by the Abu Dhabi government to boost investment in the UAE. Kizad is the Middle Easts largest industrial zone spread across 400 sq km and has attracted over $17.5 billion in foreign direct investment to date," he added.
Alwaleed Philanthropies, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, delivered the first instalment of the 100 vehicles pledge to Careem as part of efforts to empower Saudi women to work as Captainahs on the ride-share platform.



Alwaleed Philanthropies distributed the cars to the Captainahs at the headquarters of Aljazirah Vehicles Agencies in Riyadh.



Alwaleed Philanthropies and Careem Company acted pursuant to the Royal Order empowering women to work as their custodians within the legal and regulatory disciplines in order to contribute to the economic development of Saudi Arabia.



The project aims to develop and invest in women's talents and to enable them to obtain suitable opportunities to contribute to the development of society and the economy, and to increase their participation in the labor force from 22 per cent to 30 per cent, as well as to contribute to reducing the financial burden on the Saudi family for the recruitment of drivers.



Careems Captainahs started working on the platform on June 24, with more than 2,000 women having registered, wishing to work on the leading platform, especially in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Careem aims to add 20,000 Captainahs to the platform by 2020. The registered Captainahs will be trained intensively on the platform for intensive training in a specialised training centre for them. - TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Aramco has awarded today (September 11) a contract to China Harbour Engineering Arabia for the construction of two drilling islands under the companys Berri Increment Program (BIP).



The objective of the BIP is to produce an additional 250,000 barrels per day of Arabian Light crude oil from the Berri Oil Field to reach 500,000 barrels per day to maintain Saudi Aramcos maximum sustained capacity by early 2023.



A signing ceremony to mark the contract award was held in Dhahran today. Signing on behalf of Saudi Aramco was its vice president of Project Management, Fahad Al-Helal while China Harbour Engineering was represented by Wu Yuansheng, general manager of China Harbour Engineering Arabia.



The Program includes the installation of a new Gas Oil Separation Plant (GOSP) in Abu Ali Island and additional gas processing facilities at the Khursaniyah Gas Plant (KGP) to process 40,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbon condensate associated with the Berri Crude Increment. Related pipelines, water injection facilities, onshore drilling sites, drilling islands and offshore facilities are also included.



Under the contract awarded to China Harbour Engineering, two (2) drilling islands shall be constructed near shore at the north and south sides of the King Fahad Industrial Port (KFIP) causeway in Jubail, to support the Berri field production capacity islands.



The two drill sites referred to as Site A and Site B will have an approximate overall area 616,553 sq m and 263,855 sq m respectively.  TradeArabia News Service
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's All Suites portfolio, has announced the opening of its newest property in Montreal, Canada.



Designed for travellers who want to maintain their normal routine, Hilton Montreal Dorval features 106 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton Montreal Dorval complements the regions booming tourism, where 11.1 million travellers visited in 2017  a 5.1 per cent increase over 2016.



As a convenient and flexible extended-stay lodging option, Home2 Suites by Hilton offers guests a modern experience that provides value-added incentives, spacious suites, unique amenities and access to main attractions in the area, said Adrian Kurre, global head for Home2 Suites by Hilton. Montreals growing tourism sector underscores its strong economy, and were excited to expand our brand footprint into the Canadian market with our all-suite accommodations that will appeal to both business and leisure travellers.



The new six-storey hotel will be managed by Alba Hospitality of Montreal. Home2 Suites by Hilton Montreal Dorval offers all-suite accommodations with fully-equipped kitchens and modular furniture, providing guests the flexibility to customise their suite to their style and preference. The hotel also features complimentary internet, inviting communal spaces, and trademark Home2 Suites amenities such as Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area, Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, and the Inspired Table, a complimentary daily breakfast that includes more than 400 potential combinations. Guests can also enjoy an indoor pool, secure indoor parking, outdoor fire pit and grill area. Home2 Suites by Hilton Montreal Dorval is pet-friendly.



Built to serve the growing extended-stay market in Montreals West-Island suburbs, Home2 Suites by Hilton Montreal Dorval is conveniently located at 1855 Route Transcandienne on Autoroute 40 between Boulevard Des Sources and Boulevard Henri-Bourassa. The property is near MontrealPierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Fairview Pointe-Claire shopping centre and many corporations, such as Bombardier, CAE and ABB.



Home2 Suites by Hilton Montreal Dorval participates in Hiltons award-winning customer loyalty programme, Hilton Honours. Hilton Honours members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free standard wi-fi. - TradeArabia News Service
Dubai International Airport (DXB) retained its position as the worlds number one international airport for the fourth consecutive year in 2017 with annual passenger traffic exceeding 88.2 million.

The airport connects 240 destinations around the world through about 140 airlines and is expected to serve 90.2 million passengers in 2018, said Dubai Airports' CEO Paul Griffiths, providing an update on the first half of 2018.

He said of the two runways of DXB, one needs a total refurbishment and during a 45-day period starting in April 2019, the runway will be closed for a full redevelopment programme.

"We are working with our airline partners to manage the frequency reductions that will

be necessary, because we will be operating on one runway at DXB during the period. We will work closely with them to reduce the number of flights, and also transfer some of those flights to Dubai World Central (DWC) airport," said Griffiths.

He said the Dubai Airports is working with its partners to introduce new ways of speeding through the airport, making sure customers can have a more relaxing journey.

"One of the most important things we have done this year is to open our new operations control centre. This is a state-of-the-art facility and gives us an opportunity to work closely with everyone across the entire airport community using 90 different data systems to make timely,

effective and speedy decisions to support our customer service.

"We continue to invest in the sharp end of our business. We announced in July the purchase of 22 state-of-the-art Panther 8 x 8 fire trucks, which are a very impressive addition to our fleet," said Griffiths.

He said DWC is in the final stages of an ambitious expansion programme which will see its capacity boosted to handle 26 million passengers a year.

"The new facilities are very impressive. There are 24 new boarding gates, seven new baggage reclaim carousels, and check-in desk numbers will be increased to 104."

One of the most exciting developments for the aviation sector is the new partnership between flyDubai and Emirates, which will see passengers able to transit smoothly between flights operated by both airlines.

"We have a lot to do and there are many challenges ahead. But I am more confident than ever that we have the right people, the right processes and the right technology to maintain and continue our successful journey," he said. - TradeArabia News Service
By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

With Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan set for assembly elections later this year, all political parties are gearing up for elections and campaigns. While the fight is likely to be between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, one Adivasi youth organisation is trying to disrupt their election equation in Madhya Pradesh. Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti or JAYS is an Adivasi youth organisation which has won student body elections in the colleges of districts like Dhar and Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh. A familiar face among Adivasi voters and youngsters, on September 1 JAYS announced that it will contest elections on 80 assembly seats of Madhya Pradesh out of a total 231 seats. Out of these 231 seats, the election commission has reserved 47 seats for Schedule Tribe category. Moreover, there are around 40 seats in the state on which Adivasi voters will hold the key to deciding the outcome.

Since July 29 this year, JAYS has also launched Adivasi Pride Rallies across Madhya Pradeshs several districts, claiming to continuously grow its support base among Adivasi youth. Dr Hiralal Alawa, the convener at JAYS and assistant professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, told TwoCircles.net, We are getting the support of young people among the Adivasi groups. They want to see us fight and win because we are putting Adivasi pride before everything.

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In the student body elections held last year across Madhya Pradesh, JAYS bagged key seats in various colleges of Madhya Pradesh defeating candidates of NSUI, the student wing of Indian National Congress, and ABVP, the student wing of BJP by huge margins.

We noticed that we are getting the support of people, mostly young ones, and they want us to win, said Alawa. The reason is simple. People have not seen Adivasi leadership in a state where Adivasis are still the deciding factor in electing a government.

According to the functionaries of JAYS, Madhya Pradeshs authority should be given back to the Adivasis because mainstream politics and parties have not been able to address the issues of Adivasis of the state. The administration at Madhya Pradesh has also been accused of doing consolation practices with Adivasislike Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan giving slippers to the Adivasis which were infected with carcinogenic chemicalswhich is nothing more than a mockery of social injustice.

After the conclusion of statewide Adivasi Pride Rallies, JAYS convener Hiralal Alawa announced that the outfit will fight assembly election on 80 constituencies. According to the several projections, JAYS may bag 20-30 seats in the areas where Adivasi populations are deciding factor. However, Alawa said that JAYS will easily get 40 seats in upcoming elections.

He said, We are certain about our winning and wish to assure the Adivasi brothers and sisters that in the immediate future, we will be deciding factor in deciding the chief minister of the state. He further said, Both Congress and BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh for ages, and that too on the votes of Adivasis, but they never gave the leadership to us. JAYS is all set to stop that.

JAYS, originally a social movement, started in 2011 and is not registered as a political party, but according to partys activists and workers, JAYS is in talks with Bharatiya Tribal Party or Gondwana Republic Party for contesting elections. Alawa said, We will decide that after taking everyone into confidence.

The recent upliftment of JAYS has indeed put Congress and the BJP under stress. According to sources, the party leaders from both the sides have been instructed to camp in Adivasi areas more aggressively. Moreover, BJPs leaders have been busy in talking to the core and leading figures of JAYS to get hold of the strategy and most importantly, break them. On August 9, Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed several Adivasi leaders in the BJP claiming that they were from JAYS, a point neither confirmed nor denied by JAYS. But the heavy crowd which JAYS has been attracting in its rallies is also a point of worry for political rivals.

But BJP leaders claim that they are stress-free when it comes to JAYS. Rajneesh Agrawal, the spokesperson at Bharatiya Janata Party, told us, See, JAYS is nothing but a B-team of Congressthese are not mere accusationsListen to their speeches, it is clear as crystal. When they were more of a social movement, everyone was welcoming for them. But equations changed soon after they announced that they will be fighting elections.

A large chunk of JAYS leaders from Dhar region came into BJP, said Agrawal, adding,  I am sure many more are in the way to join us. BJP does not see any kind of threat to its vote bank from JAYS.

But Congress has opened its gates for a coalition with JAYS in order to welcome like-minded political groups of the state. Pankaj Chaturvedi, the state spokesperson of the Congress, told TwoCircles.net, If the party notices that JAYS could help in defeating BJP in the state, the party will think of an alliance with it.

However, JAYS leadership claimed that the Congress state leadership has failed in coalition talks, so it will directly deal with the Central Committee of Congress if the latter is ready for an alliance. Chaturvedi replied, Any decision on alliance always comes from Central Committee. If talks from both sides stand fruitful, the party will proceed for an alliance.

With slogans such as Abki Baar, Adivasi Sarkaar and The JAYS Express, Hiralal Alawa and other JAYS members and moving around villages of Madhya Pradesh trying to increase their base among the Adivasis. While JAYS may not be able to form a government in the state, experts are sure that it can help create one large coalition against the BJP.
Introduction: In the collective memory of the Indian state, the rape of an eight-year-old has already been relegated to the back pages of newspapers, if at all mentioned anywhere. Her name no longer enrages us, and justice to her family no longer occupies any role in our conversations. But what about the people of Kashmir? A region in turmoil for decades remembers Kathua, just as it remembers Kunan Poshpora, Shopian, and many other events that remain unacknowledged and denied by the occupying forces. In the first of the two-part series, Auqib Javeed revisits Shopian, the sight of one of Kashmirs most gruesome rapes to see how justice was denied at every stage to the family of the victims, and why it may not come as a surprise to any of the same happens in the case of Kathua too.

On May 30, 2009, as a pleasant spring sun heralded a new day, the tranquillity of the small town was shattered as word spread about the rape and murder of the two young women. The lifeless bodies of Asiya, 17, and her sister-in-law Neelofer, 22, were discovered near a shallow Rambi Ara stream.

The two ladies had gone to work on their small orchard across the Rambi Ara the previous day. When they did not return till late, the family sent out frantic search parties before finally reporting to the authorities. The following morning, their bodies were mysteriously found  deeply wounded, their clothes in tatters. The locals allege that they had been ravished and murdered by the hostile Indian armed forces present in the area.

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The road to their family orchard is dotted with the military establishments  the District (J&K) Police Lines, an Indian army outpost and a paramilitary CRPF (Central Reserve Police Forces) camp. Night lights are anchored all over. The Rambi Ara Nallah that runs through is clearly visible to the lookouts in the CRPF camp under the glare of the searchlights. Yet nine years later, the incident remains ignored, the culprits remain scot-free and the administration couldnt be less bothered about what conspired that day.

What justice for a crime that is not even acknowledged?

Shopian, Kashmir: After hours of frantic searches throughout an early spring night in May 2009, Shakeel Ahmad Ahangers eyes fell on a womans dead body. Her clothes had been torn. Her skin on the neck and wrists bore marks of the ropes that she was tied with before being raped. Her right hand was slightly up as if calling for help.

She was Neelofar, Ahangers wife, who had gone missing on May 29, 2009, along with his sister Asiya. A day later, their dead bodies were recovered from a stream in south Kashmirs, Shopian.

Nine years have passed but Ahanger remembers every minute detail of the day when he was madly searching of his wife and sister who were allegedly raped and then murdered by Indian forces during the intervening night of May 29 and 30, 2009.

In the month of May, when Suzane, the 11-year-old son of Shakeel and Neelofar, sees many guests and media personnel arriving at his home, he asks his father a question: Why (always?) in May? What has happened?

Suzain was 18-month-old when his mother was killed. With his age, his questions about what happened in May and about his mother have become frequent, which Ahanger is unable to answer.

Whenever guests arrive on the death anniversary of his mother and aunt and whenever he sees pictures of them on newspapers, he asks many questions, says Ahanger.

As I open the gate of Ahangers house, an uneasy and quiet spell leads me in. I knock at the door for almost 10 minutes but no one answers. The mourning for the two women is fresh, even after almost a decade.

After 30 minutes of waiting, the door was opened.

Its been nine years of distress, tears, anger and grief, Ahanger says. Ahanger, his son and other family members have still not been able to come to terms with the violent death of Asiya and Neelofar. Although the case has been closed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)  Indias premier investigative agency- the family still awaits justice.

Since 2009, Ahanger has attended hundreds of court hearings. I am fed up with these hearings nowI have recorded hundreds of statements before different investigating agencies, whatever I had earned I spent it to plead the case. Nine years have passed even justice is not getting justice.

Ahanger says CBI made a joke out of the investigation Instead of delivering justice they in turn mentally tortured us and booked us in a fabricated case, he says.

None of the investigating agencies from the government were interested to find the culprits, it was obvious that they were shielding them and in turn, a case was filed against us, said Ahanger.

The cover-up, and the true nature of the Indian Investigation

The case was initially handled by a special investigation team (SIT) of Jammu and Kashmir Police when the protests intensified. Then government headed by Omar Abdullah formed a one-man commission headed by Justice (retired) Muzaffar Jan to probe the case.

Justice Jan commission indicated four policemen in destroying the key evidence in the case. On J&K High Courts directions, the cops were suspended and arrested. However, the case was then handed over to the CBI.

We were reluctant to hand over the case to any central investigating agency keeping in mind poor track record of these agencies while dealing with cases in Kashmir, but we were pressured by the J&K Government to cooperate with CBI, said Ahanger.

The Majlis-e-Mushawarat (MMS)  a socio-religious organization that spearheaded the campaign for identification and the arrest of those involved in the rape and murder  finally agreed to hand over the case to CBI saying that they wouldnt give them any chance for the excuse. But after the CBI declared it as the case of drowning, we very shocked, says Ahanger.

The CBI has carried out the investigation into four high profile cases in the past 28 years in Kashmir but there has been zero progress in these four cases.

Interestingly, it was the J&K government in 2009 which seemed interested in handing over the case to CBI but in 2018, the same government headed by Mehbooba Mufti is reluctant to do so.

The Asia Watch group and Physicians for Human Rights in their book Rape In Kashmir released on May 9, 1993, wrote that there are no reliable statistics on the number of rapes committed by Indian troops in Kashmir as many of them occurred in remote villages.

There can be no doubt that the use of rape is common and routinely goes unpunished, it added.

Noted human rights activist and lawyer Parvez Imroz who won the prestigious Norway Rafto Prize 2017 for rights activist said, India is using rape as a weapon of war in Kashmir for decades. He added that apart from killing, torturing and disappearances, Indian forces are using rape to break the will of the people.

Imroz says his organisation (Jammu and Kashmir coalition of civil society) has documented 143 cases of rape since 1990 to 2015.

He says, CBI has a bad record (in Kashmir); it has lost credibility because we see their biased nature when it comes to the investigation in Kashmir. That is why we (Human Rights organisations) are always asking that there should be an independent international investigation in every case related to human rights violation done by Indian forces, he maintains.

Imroze, the founder of JKCCS, adds, The state is unwilling to prosecute their forces; the Army is fighting a war here. The biggest challenge before the state is moral of their soldiers; they will not prosecute their soldiers who committed heinous crimes in Kashmir. (And) they have black laws like AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts) which helps them to cover-up these cases which involve their forces, he informs.

Unfortunately, Imroze exclaims, the judiciary is not assertive, so every human rights violation that was done by armed forces in Kashmir should be investigated by International agencies.

When we talk about Shopian case, the state was part and parcel in covering-up the case because their men were involved, he observed.

According to him, there may be thousands of rape cases by Armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir but the issues is the victim is reluctant to share or file an FIR against them due to social stigma and threats from Armed forces he says.

Particularly in remote areas where armed forces domination is high and where media and human rights defenders have no access, he says. In some cases, police even refused to file an FIR because they did not want to be an annoyance to the army despite detailed affidavits clearly indicting army members on the charges of rape, he added.

An autopsy report had confirmed that the women were raped and the government-appointed commission alleged that four police officers were involved in destroying the key evidence following which they were suspended and arrested. The case was then handed over to the CBI in September.

Mohammad Shafi Khan, former spokesperson of now redundant MMS alleged that the state was directly involved in shielding the culprits. When the autopsy of the duo was done, the lady doctor namely Dr Nighat Shaheen, a woman gynaecologist, from nearby Pulwama district came out from the room and while addressing hundreds of people who were waiting outside the hospital to know the reports, said, I was not asked to conduct the autopsy.

Dr Shaheen was tearful, reportedly stating: Yeh janwaro ka kaam hain. Gang rape hua hai [This is the work of wild animals. Gang rape has been committed].

Following Dr Shaheens statement regarding gang rape, on May 30, 2009, officials of the Special Task Force and CRPF, as well as the then SP visited Ahangers home for undisclosed reasons.

The SP was reportedly irate and threatened family members. He is reported to have stated: Main kissi ko chorunga nahin. Sabko maar dunga [I will not spare anyone. I will kill everyone].

What the gynaecologist said at that time was not accepted by CBI, government hushed-up the case and her statement doesnt have a value now as she has suffered a lot and is very disturbed and I request you please dont disturb her again, said Dr Imtiyaz, husband of the lady doctor.

President Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom, says, It was an unfair and unlawful investigation by CBI to save the culprits; instead of arresting the accused they filed a case against the doctors, lawyers and family members of the women accusing them of fabricating the case.

Justice to the victim is possible only if any international investigating agency would re-investigate the case otherwise it is not possible, he argued.

According to a prominent political analyst and international law academic, Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain, Investigations (by the government in Kashmir) seems to be a mode of pacifying the hurt sentiments of people not to reach near the truth about an incident.

Dr Hussain said that once the investigation is launched with the passage of time the emotions cool down and government also racks-up the case and as a result case is buried and no action is taken so this can be seen in the case of Shopian and other cases.

When we talk about Shopian case it looked a pre-planned game and that is why government as well as investigating agency were not serious in the case as a result people lost faith in them, even the doctors who conducted the autopsy on the deceased women were in turn harassed, he argued.

Destroying evidence to ensure the case remains unsolved

There were contradictions in the investigations carried out by SIT, CBI and the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Muzaffar Jan.

On December 14, 2009, the CBI concluded death of the two women due to drowning, which was in contradiction to the one-man Judicial Commission headed by Justice Jan.

The Commission said it was impossible for someone to drown in ankle-deep water in Rambi Ara Nallah, from the banks of which the bodies were recovered. It also said that the duo had been raped and murdered.

Later the Jan Commission submitted a 400-page report to the J&K government in which it called for more investigation into the role of government forces in the incident.

The High Court Bar association (HCBA) had filed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2009 seeking an independent investigation into the case and had withdrawn the proceedings after the case was transferred to CBI for the probe.

CBI took over the case on May 9, 2009, and it filed charge sheet against six doctors, five lawyers and two civilians for fabricating evidence to demonstrate the two women had been raped before being killed. Instead, the CBI stated that the death of these two women happened due to drowning.

The local populace contested the CBI claims saying the water level was ankle deep in the stream and the ladies were well aware of the area.

The family and the MMS rejected the CBI report calling it a tactic to hush up the matter. It led to anger and massive protests.

The CBI gave a clean chit to five police officials who had earlier been indicted by the SIT that had probed the case earlier.

The CBI attributed the cause of Asiyas death to asphyxia as a result of ante-mortem drowning in a stream and said the injuries on her head were simple in nature, not sufficient to cause death.

In the case of Neelofar, the charge sheet said there were no antemortem injuries and death was a result of drowning by asphyxia.

After few months, a Delhi-based Independent Womens Initiative for Justice (IWIJ), which had sent its team to the valley on a fact-finding mission, in its report alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir government was involved in a major hush-up of the case.

The IWIJ report argues that as for accidental drowning of the two women in the nallah [stream], where no one in recent or living memory has ever drowned, we would need to be more than merely credulous to believe that.

The IWIJ said that during its teams visit to Shopian in August 2009 it found that the water in the stream was only ankle-deep  not enough for anybody to drown in it. When this reporter visited Shopian nine years after the incident the water level was at the same height.

The cover-up of Shopian double rape and murder is an example of institutional injustice done to victims of sexual violence in Jammu and Kashmir. It was systematic and was designed to provide immunity to the armed forces. Even though the family of the victims, the Majlis (MMS) and the people of Shopian cooperated with CBI in their investigations, the CBI used different tactics which betrayed their true intentions. They leaked information to media in clear disregard to the directions of JK High Court in order to create confusion and they harassed and intimidated the bereaved family members, said Irfan Mehraj, a researcher at the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a group that investigates human rights abuses in the region.

Therefore, all this shows to what length can the state go to hide the crimes committed by its army and shield them from prosecution, he asserted.

According to a detailed report by International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice (IPTK), two persons, alleged eyewitnesses to the events of May 29, had recorded their testimony with the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM).

The depositions were held in-camera, shortly following the Shopian Bar Associations allegation that the SIT had intimidated the two witnesses into altering their statements.

The witnesses were identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone, a local resident, and Abdul Rashid Pampuri, a customer to his shop. They had previously recorded their testimony with the Shopian Bar Association, stating on May 29, 2009, that between 7:30-8:15 p.m., they saw a police van (blue with red line), Tata 407, parked at the end of the bridge on the Rambiara nallah.

The location where the Tata 407 was seen on May 29, was the spot used, until recently, by the SOG to set up a check post for purportedly bureaucratic purposes but used allegedly for intimidating local residents and extortion.

Lone and Pampuri heard more than one womans scream: Mauji Bachao. Bhai Bachao [Save me. Brother save me].

They witnessed two persons in police uniform, faces covered with black cloth, who instructed that they run away, stating: Jo kuch dekha aur suna bhool jayo [Forget whatever you have seen and heard].

Kathua: The incident, the aftermath and the present

In January 2018, an 8-year-old Muslim girl went to feed her domestic horses in pastures of hilly Hindu-dominated Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. She did not return home by late evening prompting family calls for a hectic search. They looked everywhere before reaching out to local police for help.

Police joined the family and their relatives for search but in vain. After seven days on January 17, a dead, broken body of the minor was recovered from the jungle in the area full of wild bushes. She had been raped before being strangled to death, her family says.

The incident created a storm in Kashmir forcing government for an investigative probe which resulted in the arrest of eight accused, including two police officials. The police investigation revealed that the rape and murder plot was designed to create scare among the Muslim community of Gujjar and Bakerwals to push them out of the area. The minor girl belonged to a nomadic family of Gujjars who move to Kashmir Valley during summers to feed their domestic animals.

However, the accused found support from the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members who fielded their supporters to seek a different probe, by CBI, to investigate the case. They held marches rising anti-J&K Police slogans and even raised the Indian tri-colour.

There were no takers of this demand as people recalled the nasty history of CBI in Kashmir.

This is where the Shopian case overlapped Kathuas.

In the second part of the series, we will look at why Kathua victims family may not expect any justice if the case is handled by the CBI.
By TCN News:

Hyderabad: Civil liberties monitoring committee has strongly condemned the verdict of the special court for awarding capital punishment to two youths and life imprisonment to one youth in twin blast cases.

On August 25, 2007 there were two bomb blasts that claimed at least 42 lives. The blasts took place in Lumbini Amusement Park and Gokul Chat Bhandar of Hyderabad. A special court was appointed to deal with this case. After 11 years the verdict was pronounced on 11th September awarding death penalty to two city based youth Anique Syed and Akbar Ismail Choudhary and life imprisonment to Tariq Anjum.

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Civil liberties monitoring committee (CLMC) in its press release has denounced this judgement and termed it as unfair which violated the rules laid down for a free and fair trial. CLMC has also pointed out to the fact that that the trial has taken place in the four walls of prison and counter intelligence used all tactics to influence the court. The courts verdict thus clearly reflects the double standards practised in the lower judicial institutions.

CLMC has also brought to light another bomb blast case of Hyderabad that of the Mecca Masjid in which the court had acquitted all the accused even though they had confessed to their crime whereas these Muslim youth against whom there is no crucial or direct evidence have been found guilty and sent to the gallows.

This could well be a verdict pronounced under political pressure keeping in mind the elections that are round the corner, said the press release. Making Muslims the scape goats, demonising them, branding them as Indian Mujahideen or terrorists, implicating them in false terror cases has become a routine practise in India.

Expressing concern over the sad state of affairs CLMC has demanded that justice be done to both the victims of the blasts and the innocent youth falsely implicated in these blast cases. Death penalty in principal should be abolished which is not a form of punishment but an inhuman act.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  National Teachers' Month or NTM celebrates its 10th anniversary with the theme "Gratitude In10sified." From September 5 to October 5, various stakeholders are encouraged to honor our teachers through the four A's of gratitude-appreciation, admiration, approval and attention.

The NTM movement started in 2008 when former DepEd secretary and current De La Salle Philippines president Br. Armin Luistro alongside Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepena, resolved to heighten public consciousness through a month-long celebration in honor of our teachers. Over time, this initiative became a multi-sectoral movement, specifically engaging sectors that work closely with teachers.

Since its inception, NTM has marked several milestones. In 2011, Presidential Proclamation No. 242 was signed, formally declaring "the period from September 5 to October 5 of every year as National Teachers' Month." Five years later, Republic Act No. 10743 was signed, formally designating "October 5 of every year as National Teachers' Day."

10 Acts of Gratitude

This year, the NTM Coordinating Council, composed of various government agencies, educational institutions, private companies and non-government organizations, has adopted ten major activities called the "10 Acts of Gratitude" that uniquely express their appreciation for our teachers.

The 10 Acts of Gratitude are:

1. Teach For a Day: In partnership with Teach for the Philippines, professionals will spend a day teaching with a Teach for the Philippines Fellow.

2. Teachers Day Out: Teachers will enjoy free admission and tours in various museums around Metro Manila.

3. NTM Lecture Series: One hundred fifty teachers will attend a three-day lecture series on cyber-education facilitated by SEAMEO-INNOTECH, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and World Vision.

4. 39TH Manila International Book Fair: Teachers can visit the 39th Manila International Book Fair for free. They also get a chance to win prizes in the NTM booth by Metrobank Foundation.

5. Alternative National Seminar Conference: Three hundred teachers will be invited to attend a three-day conference entitled "Educator's Life Care Conversation, Artshop and Playshop Conference" hosted by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

6. Teacher Quality Forum: The Philippine Business for Education (PBED) will host a forum to highlight the state of teacher-quality in the Philippines, as well as global innovations and trends in teacher development. The forum will serve as a foundation to craft concrete policy and recommendations for raising teacher-quality in the country.

7. NTM Digital Campaign: A digital campaign will highlight the culture of gratitude for teachers on social media with official hashtags #ThankYouTeacherPH and #2018NTM.

8. "Salamat Po, Teacher" Letter Writing Campaign: The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST) will promote letter-writing to show appreciation for teachers. They will also release an exclusive NTM stamp.

9. 10 Teachers, 10 Years: Rappler.com will feature 10 extraordinary teachers celebrating 10 years in service.

10. Personalities Say "Thank You": Executives, influencers, and key personalities from various companies and organizations will publicly acknowledge their mentors to promote gratitude towards our teachers.

National Teachers' Day

To culminate National Teachers' Month, the Department of Education will host a celebration for 6,000 teachers in Ormoc City, the biggest gathering so far. Themed "Gurong Pilipino: Turo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko," the Department of Education celebrates these teachers as catalysts of empowering learners to realize their potential and achieve their life goals.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 10)  Airfares are set to increase this month after aviation officials allowed local airlines to reimpose fuel surcharges for both domestic and international flights.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Monday issued a resolution granting the appeal of some local airlines to impose a fuel surcharge.

Local airlines, including the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, requested for the reimposition of the additional charges amid the increasing cost of aviation fuel in the global market.

According to the CAB, the price of aviation fuel in the global market rose to $85.16 per barrel in April. This was 25.24 percent higher than $63.66 per barrel in the same period last year.

"As airlines are now a primary mover of trade and transport, a matrix of fuel surcharge shall allow them to thrive and be more competitive in the global market," CAB said in the resolution.

The transportation department also approved a fuel surcharge matrix.

Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo said the fare hike is necessary, as the aviation industry is also affected by the rising oil prices.

The increase, he explained, will depend on the number of miles a passenger travels.

Tamayo said they will closely monitor airfares, and make sure that airlines come up with a "fair" fare structure.
In southern part of Astana, capital city of Kazakhstan, stand a group of grand buildings, which are the highest institution of the country - Nazarbayev University. It is where Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed Silk Road Economic Belt on September 7, 2013 during a speech. The Belt and Road Initiative, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was actively responded and joined by a number of countries in the past five years. People's Daily reports in its article China, Kazakhstan to deepen cooperation on Belt and Road construction that over 100 countries and international organizations have signed cooperative documents with China on the co-construction of the Belt and Road.

Chinas trade volume with Belt and Road countries totaled over $5 trillion, and its direct outbound investment in these countries reached over $60 billion in the past five years, creating more than 200,000 jobs for local communities. The Belt and Road Initiative is making dramatic contribution to the global economic growth.

In addition, the Belt and Road construction is also growing as an open and inclusive cooperation platform and a global public product forged by various countries by integrating different civilizations and regions. Its cooperation model and development ideas are more and more recognized by the international community.

Central Asia is one of the earliest regions to enjoy the benefits of the Belt and Road construction. Over the past 5 years, China and the five countries in the region have enhanced strategic synergy while consolidating mutual trust, and all of the five countries have signed cooperative agreements on the Belt and Road construction with China.

The two sides also have conducted comprehensive cooperation within regional mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

Besides, China has inked cooperative agreement on trade and economy with Eurasian Economic Union. Thanks to the co-construction of the Belt and Road, countries in Central Asia witnessed increasingly closer relationships among each other.

The Belt and Road construction is accelerating the integration of this ancient Silk Road region into the global economic system, and assisting it to regain vitality.

As neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, China and Kazakhstan established comprehensive strategic partnership in as early as 2011. As the place where Xi first laid out the Belt and Road Initiative and a pilot zone of the plan, Kazakhstan is an ideal partner of China to co-construct the Belt and Road.

Under the guidance of leaders of the two countries during the past five years, China and Kazakhstan have aligned the Belt and Road Initiative with the Bright Road new economic plan. China has invested a total of $43 billion in Kazakhstan, and the 51 major capacity cooperation projects of the two countries saw an investment of nearly $28 billion.

China and Kazakhstan have started currency swap and settlement, and established China-Kazakhstan Production Capacity Cooperation Fund as well as an international exchange.

Over 1,800 China-Europe freight trains passed Kazakhstan in 2017, and commodities worth $120 million were transported by the China-Kazakhstan section of China-Asia freight train service.

China-invested farm product processing factory in Kazakhstan has produced 2,300 tons of cooking oil and 4,600 tons of flour.

Besides, five Confucius Institutes and five training center for learners of Kazakh language and culture have been established in Kazakhstan and China respectively. More than 14,000 Kazakh students studied in China.

What China needs to do now is to actively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and comprehensively promote China-Kazakhstan cooperation on the co-construction of the Belt and Road. It is necessary also to build a China-Kazakhstan community with shared future, as a solid progress on the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has invited the opposition to talks aimed at a "cross-bloc cooperation", after his left-wing party failed to gain a majority in Sunday's elections that saw anti-immigrant party making gains. Al Jazeera reports in its article Sweden faces hung parliament as far right makes gains that the ruling Social Democrats remained the biggest party with 40.6 percent of votes, marginally ahead of the centre-right Alliance, which garnered 40.3 percent in the polls, results showed after most votes were counted on Monday.

That gave the centre-left 144 seats in the 349-seat parliament against 142 for the Alliance, suggesting weeks of uncertainty before a workable government can be formed. The nationalist Sweden Democrats (SD) vowed to exert "real influence" as kingmaker after emerging as the third-largest political force in one of Europe's most liberal nations.

The SD, a party with roots in the neo-Nazi movement, won 17.6 percent and 63 seats, up from 12.9 percent and 49 seats in the last election four years ago, the biggest gain by any party in Sweden's parliament, the Riksdag. Turnout in the election was reported at 84.4 percent, up from 83 percent in 2014.

Prime Minister Lofven, who brought the Social Democrats to power in 2014, said he intended to remain in the job.

Sounding sombre and firm, Lofven told his supporters late on Sunday that the election presented "a situation that all responsible parties must deal with," adding that "a party with roots in Nazism" would "never ever offer anything responsible, but hatred". "We have a moral responsibility. We must gather all good forces. We won't mourn, we will organise ourselves," he said.

Final election returns were expected later in the week. The results also fell short of SD leader Jimmie Akesson's predictions of 20 percent of the vote or more. However, he told a party rally it was, nevertheless, the winner of the election. "We have strengthened our role as kingmaker ... We are going to gain real influence over Swedish politics," he told cheering supporters at an election night party.

Mattias Karlsson, SD parliamentary leader, called the poll results "a political earthquake" and "rare to Swedish political history". "The leaders of the two big parties, the Social Democrats and the Moderate party, need to listen to this signal from the Swedish people, need to change the policies that the Swedish people want to see," he said. The SD, which wants Sweden to leave the European Union and freeze immigration, hopes it can play a decisive role in negotiations over forming a government.

The party has called on Ulf Kristersson, the centre-right Alliance's candidate for the premiership, to choose between seeking support from the SD for an Alliance government or to accept another four years of Lofven.

Kristersson called on Lofven to resign, but rebuffed Akesson. "We have been completely clear during the whole election. The Alliance will not govern or discuss how to form a government with the Sweden Democrats," he said. He said he planned to build a government that would "unite our country and take responsibility".

Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull, reporting from the Swedish capital, Stockholm, said it was unlikely that the SD would gain a role in government. "No party at this stage is even willing to talk to them. But they will continue to exert indirect influence on the way ahead, having already succeeded, to the horror of many, in putting nationalism and identity politics on the Swedish agenda," he said.

Sweden has been known for its comparatively open doors to migrants and refugees. Sunday's general election was the first since the country of 10 million took in a record 163,000 refugees in 2015 as mass migration to Europe rose dramatically.
On September 19-21, St. Petersburg will host the Eurasian Women's Forum, which is called the largest international platform for discussing role of women in the modern world. According to member of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-government, Yekaterina Lakhova, this forum, which was initiated by Valentina Matvienko, will be held every three years.

"The first forum, held in 2015in a difficult situation, was attended by representatives of over 80 countries. Many new areas of the forum are associated with national strategy in the inteterests of women, economic well-being of women, issues of employment of women, development of women's entrepreneurship, ways to organize business for women, There will be a lot of open discussions that will concern topics like environment, humanitarian projects, economic projects, governors, city mayors from different countries, and the Women's Union of Russia will host the 'Save Health of Women of All Ages, 50+.' This topic, which is being raised around the world, in Europe, and we called it the 'Golden Age of Silver Age'," Yekaterina Lakhova said.

Deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Food Policy and Nature Management, Irina Gekht, told Vestnik Kavkaza that it's important to talk about global security and the role of women in it. "That's the issue of soft power, work through dialogue, cooperation of parliamentarians, heads of state and representatives of civil society. The main task was to gather great women and re[reventatives of parliamentary groups, civil and international organizations.This forum sees itself as international platform, where constructive solutions are achieved, global issues are discussed in order to show results of 116-120 participating states. I think forum will become a platform that will develop international documents and make adjustments to existing ones, in particular, through the UN, the WHO," Irina Gekht believes.

First deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture, Liliya Gumerova, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that the second forum will differ from the first one by its more global approach. "Around 20 international organizations will be represented here, which means there will be more meetings, contacts, signing of agreements on science, humanitarian cooperation, cooperation in the field of economy. It's a unique opportunity to invite our colleagues to see Russia first hand, to get to know our position on various issues and consolidate our efforts. This task is close and understandable for any woman in any country of the world - peacekeeping, family preservation, creation of opportunities for education and upbringing of children. This is a world that we need on this planet, we must be able to negotiate. Right now there's very difficult situation in the world, and that's when we need soft power," Liliya Gumerova said.
Armenias Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said today he was set to have a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, Arka news agency reported.

"I am trying to be as correct as possible. The date of the upcoming meeting will be announced when we jointly agree on all details of it, but I would like to repeat that we support a negotiated peace. I told this Mammadyarov when we met on July 11 in Brussels," Mnatsakanyan said on Tuesday during a joint press conference with the Secretary-General of the International Organization of Francophonie (MYFF) Mikaelle Jean in Yerevan.

He added that exact date and venue of the meeting will be named after final coordination of all issues.

Earlier, Mammadyarov said that his meeting with Mnatsakanyan should be held in September within the framework of the UN General Assembly on Karabakh.
Bakhyt Sultanov has been named as the new akim (mayor) of Astana city in accordance with the presidential decree, Kazinform reported citing the Akorda's Twitter account.

The former Minister of Finance Sultanov will take up the post after President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed now ex-mayor Asset Issekeshev as the head of the Presidential Administration on Monday (September 10).
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili has summoned the National Security Council Meeting for today, InterPressNews reported.

The session will start at 3:30 pm at Presidential Residence. According to the Security Council, the number of Georgian military forces in 2019 and discussion of the progress in the country's defense reforms are on the agenda of the meeting.

Minister of Defense of Georgia Levan Izoria and Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Major General Vladimir Chachibaia will make reports at the meeting.

All permanent members of the National Security Council are invited to attend the meeting.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) allayed the public's fears of stronger military presence in Metro Manila.

"We wish to categorically state that there were no such sizeable movements of military aircraft or armoured vehicles," AFP Spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

This after a video of a military tank plying EDSA surfaced on social media.

Arevalo said if these were true, they are considered "routine movements that are properly coordinated."

"These transportations may happen any time of the day or night especially in localities where there are military camps. Some are even announced to the public in so far as they will not compromise operational security," he said.

The AFP urged the public to stay calm as there is no cause for alarm, and called for a stop to misinformation.

Talks of military tank sightings came amid President Rodrigo Duterte's plan that he will speak to the nation on Tuesday afternoon. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said Duterte "wants to speak to the nation," without giving any possible topics, prompting speculations on what the President would talk about.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told journalists that he will visit Berlin on September 14.

"Ill go there," he said, TASS reports.

In late August, a diplomatic source told TASS that Lavrovs visit to Germany is scheduled for mid-September. The visit is expected to include negotiations with German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas. The minister will also take part in the closing of the Russia-Germany cross-culture year.
The regular monitoring is planned to be held in the direction of the Aghdam region on the contact line of the troops of Azerbaijan and Armenia on September 12, 2018, in accordance with the mandate of the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Trend reported citing the press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The monitoring will be led from the Azerbaijani side by field assistants of the personal representative Ognjen Jovic and Simon Tiller.

The monitoring in the Azerbaijani territory occupied and controlled by the Armenian armed forces will be carried out by the Personal Representative, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and his field assistant Mikhail Olaru.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that it was vital for peace on the Korean Peninsula that the United States and North Korea normalized their troubled relationship, Reuters reported.

Putin was speaking at a news conference in the port city of Vladivostok after holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The White House said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump had received a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un asking for a second meeting.
Russian geological company Rosgeo will start exploration on Block 15 on the Sudanese shelf in 2019 to help the country to overcome electricity deficit, the company's CEO Roman Panov told Sputnik on Tuesday, UrduPoint reported.

"An agreement has been signed in Sudan on possible exploration and development of Block 15 with potential significant gas resources, and we plan to start seismic exploration there next year," Panov said on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.

Investments in the project at the first stage of geological exploration, which includes seismic exploration and drilling of two exploratory wells, are estimated at about $200 million, which will be provided by the Sudanese government and financial institutions led by the African Development Bank, he noted.

"We are one of the participants in such a consortium, in fact we are the operator of the project ... The subsequent implementation will solve the problems related to the electricity deficit in the Republic of Sudan," Panov said.
Moscow considers the US statements about a tougher response to chemical weapons provocations in Syria a pure manifestation of the policy of threats and blackmail, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday, UrduPoint reported.

On Monday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said that the United States, the United Kingdom and France had agreed that any use of chemical weapons by the government of Syriawould result in a much stronger response than in previous incidents.

"This is a pure manifestation of the policy of threats and blackmail. This is a cynical manipulation of facts and real situation," Ryabkov told reporters at the first UN conference on space law and policy.
The Trump administration is considering sanctions against Chinese senior officials and companies to punish Beijings detention of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Uighurs and other minority Muslims in large internment camps, according to current and former American officials, The New York Times writes.

The economic penalties would be one of the first times the Trump administration has taken action against China because of human rights violations. United States officials are also seeking to limit American sales of surveillance technology that Chinese security agencies and companies are using to monitor Uighurs throughout northwest China.

Discussions to rebuke China for its treatment of its minority Muslims have been underway for months among officials at the White House and the Treasury and State Departments. But they gained urgency two weeks ago, after members of Congress asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to impose sanctions on seven Chinese officials.

Until now, President Trump has largely resisted punishing China for its human rights record, or even accusing it of widespread violations. If approved, the penalties would fuel an already bitter standoff with Beijing over trade and pressure on North Koreas nuclear program, The New York Times added.

As Alexander Lukin, director of the East Asian and the SCO Studies Center of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, the US doesn't care about minorities - they use Muslim theme as an excuse to put more pressure on China.

"The US doesn't like China and its policy, and it wants to change it, and therefore it finds any reason to punish China. In general, they could impose sanctions against Beijing simply because China has the Communist Party, or for some other reason. There's indeed an issue with Uighurs, China takes severe measures against terrorism, some believe that this policy is aimed at assimilating Uighurs, but this has nothing to do with American sanctions - Beijing pursued various policies when it comes to Muslims over the past years, and no sanctions have been imposed against it," he pointed out.
Join Vintage Wings of Canada* for the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa 2018 air show on September 15, 2018 to celebrate a Century of Aviation in Canada and experience an afternoon of exhilarating performances and enjoyable family fun! Hop aboard our time machine as we take you from the skies over France in 1918 with The Great War Flying Museums collection of First World War aircraft to the beaches over Normandy in 1944 with the Michael Potter Collections Spitfire Mk IX to the thundering performance of the RCAF 2018 Demo Hornet in its NORAD 60th anniversary colours.

Everyone will delight to see our Canadian icons the Snowbirds return to the skies over Gatineau One again! Aviation enthusiasts will love seeing vintage aircraft in the air and on display from the Michael Potter Collection of warbirds. These and many more have been invited to be Aero Gatineau-Ottawa 2018.

To keep everyone happy, there will be a wide range of aircraft on static display, numerous interactive exhibits and lots of food and drink to choose from for all ages. Make sure you arrive early and take in all of the sights and sounds that will be sure to thrill you and leave you wanting more!

For the aviation photographers  Photo Pit Passes are available to catch the show from an elevated and unobscured perspective. For those who prefer to enjoy the show in style the Hawk One Chalet (SOLD-OUT) with an outstanding catered lunch and cash bar will be available.

Buy your tickets online today and avoid line-up at the gate.

Aero Gatineau-Ottawa preliminary schedule  September 15, 2018

***Follow this link for preliminary line-up

Gates Open: 9:00 a.m.

Static Display: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pre show: 10 a.m. to noon

Air show: noon until 4 p.m.

Gates Close: 5:00 p.m.

Regular price online or at the Gate September 15 (cash only, taxes included)

Adult $30.00

Youth $15.00 (5 to 12 years old)

Family $65.00 two adults + 2 youth

**Free for children under 5, no tickets required.

Veterans/Military and spouse: $20.00 with ID

All sales are final. Aero Gatineau-Ottawa takes place rain or shine. Most of the performers can adapt to the weather conditions, while the ground activities, the displays, the kiosks and the Aerospace Pavilion are open to the public regardless of the weather.

*Based on Vintage Wings of Canada press release.
The Ghost of Gananoque

by Richard Mallory Allnutt

Gananoque, Ontario is right in the heart of the St.Lawrence Rivers magnificent Thousand Islands region. The small rural town, pronounced properly as Ga-nah-knock-way, teems with visitors during the summer season, many of them waiting to take one of the three hour scenic river tours which stage from the dockside every 30 minutes or so. However, in aviation circles, Gananoque is also famous for being home to a rarely seen WWII-era Canadian Vickers Canso flying boat hidden away for decades in an old hangar at the airport nearby.

Finding the airport is another matter though, as my brother and I discovered. GPS will get you so far, but unless you are paying close attention, you will easily pass by the innocuous gravel road leading through the high corn fields which takes you closer to your goal. And even then, if you miss the poorly placed sign which faces against the direction of travel, you might not think to make that next left turn to your intended destination. There was no sense  at all  that an airfield, or even a hangar, lay beyond it was just a dense wall of corn.

As my brother and I paused at the intersection, our imaginations couldnt help but conjure that famous scene from Alfred Hitchcocks legendary film, North by Northwest, where a crop-duster biplane chases after Cary Grants character, attempting to assassinate him in the Illinois wheat fields. Chuckling at this thought, we made the turn, winding through the crops for a half mile or so until at last we saw what looked like a hangar, although a hangar unlike any I had ever seen before. The weatherbeaten structure was almost entirely clad in wooden shingles of the kind more commonly seen on a traditional Cape Cod dwelling, and its windows were shuttered with chip board sheeting. As externally changed as it was though, this was indeed an original military hangar which the Royal Canadian Air Force built in WWII to serve in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Although crops now obscure much of the view on the ground, Gananoque airport still retains its original BCATP triangular runway layout.

The base served as a relief landing field for the Royal Air Forces No.31 Service Flying Training School at nearby RCAF Kingston between 1940 and 1945. That being said, there are no obvious signs now of any prior military use at Gananoque. It more resembles a faded hippie hangout than anything else. Several cars were parked beside the hangar, and in a clearing beyond, there were a number of disheveled looking RVs, camper vans and tents.

When we arrived, we could see several people by the partially cracked-open hangar doors. They were sitting down to eat at a picnic table. As we approached to ask if we could enter, strains of The Cults She Sells Sanctuary echoed from within the hangar, which seemed more than appropriate for a sky-diving crew! We received a warm greeting, of course, and allowed open access to look around. Adjusting to the darkness inside the hangar took a moment, entering as we had from a searingly bright summers day. The only light penetrating the interior blew through the narrow slit between the main hangar doors and from whatever gaps in the buildings cladding that the jury-rigged patchwork of shingles and chipboard had failed to mask. It felt like stepping into a cave; all I could see initially were the battered hulks of several long-retired general aviation aircraft. Ohhhh we came for nothing, I thought with a tinge of disappointment. I had heard rumors several years earlier that the Canso had moved on to a new home in the USA, so I already half-expected our adventure to end empty-handed. However, as my eyesight settled into the gloom, I finally saw the massive bulk of a flying boat emerging from the shadows at the very back of the hangar. Its here! I couldnt help myself from exclaiming

This flying boat is more properly named a Canadian-Vickers PBV-1A Canso, a Canadian-built version of the more commonly known Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina. She served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as RCAF 11093, being brought on charge on June 16th, 1944. According to Ruud Leeuws excellent propliners website, this Cansos military history can be summed up as follows

Taken on strength by Canadas Eastern Air Command: 16 June 1944 .

Delivered new to stored reserve. Served with No. 162 (BR) Squadron, probably from 05Dec44, used in Iceland, coded D.

To No. 10 Repair Depot in Calgary on 13Aug1945, for conversion to freighter.

To Experimental and Proving Establishment on 21May47, for prototyping of fuel tank modifications.

On 12Sep47 reported as time since new 471:25, fitment standard.

With No. 413 (P) Squadron at Rockcliffe January 1949.

On 06Apr49 airframe time reported as 590:00.

To de Havilland Canada on 17May49 for modifications.

Issued to North West Air Command on 25Oct49.

At Sea Island 1949 to 1951.

To Canadian Pacific Airlines (Repair) Limited on 07Sep51 for repairs, on a fly in basis.

To Aircraft Industries Limited in January 1954 for reconditioning, and on 25 November 1955 for modifications, including installation of an APX6 ignition analyzer an automatic electric bilge pumps.

Assigned to No. 408 (P) Squadron, RCAF Station Rockcliffe on 23Aug55.

To serviceable reserve at Lincoln Park on 10Jul57.

Available for disposal there from 10Aug60.

Last date: 10 April 1961  Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale.

Sold to D.T. Dorosh of Edmonton, Alberta. To civil register as CF-NJL.

David Dorosh registered the Canso as CF-NJL in Edmonton, Alberta in 1962. According to the people I spoke with at the hangar, he had intended to fly it as a water bomber fighting forest fires but, for whatever reason, his partners backed out of the deal after his purchase, so the aircraft never received modifications for this role. Apparently, Dorosh loved his Canso, so much so that he couldnt bring himself to part with it, and it has been holed up in Gananoque for the past half century or so. While the aircraft likely hasnt flown since arriving here, Dorosh still cares for her, taking the old flying boat outside annually for a wash and wax. It is clear that, despite her surroundings, the aircraft is still in good condition, and while she would need a full overhaul to fly again, she has been well-protected from the elements. Other than the paintwork, the Canso appears exactly the way she must have looked at the end of her military service, although whether the unorthodox cargo doors which purportedly replaced the original side blisters during her 1945 conversion are strictly authentic is unknown at present.

Given her condition, desirability and the advanced age of her owner, it seems a strong possibility that the Canso will move on to pastures new before too long, which will likely include a restoration and return to flying condition in military configuration and markings. While I would love to see this aircraft operational again, a part of me feels this would almost be sacrilege, like the looting of an ancient tomb. There is something strangely romantic about still being able to wander across an all-but-forgotten historic aircraft tucked away in an ancient old barn of a hangar amidst a sea of corn fields; a diamond in the rough just awaiting discovery. Whom amongst our regular readers could deny having had such a dream? For the time being, she remains

The author wishes to thank the skydivers who made my brother and me feel so welcome at the Ghosts hangar. and to David Dorosh for preserving this majestic flying boat.
John, a former student of mine who has now lived in Mexico City for years, emailed me about a personal effect of tariffs. In response to Donald Trump's trade war, Mexico imposed tariffs on apples. Mexico's choices of tariffs were specifically aimed at conservative rural America where Trump support was highest.



John noticed how the price of the Washington apples he normally bought had shot up. Turns out, though, that Mexico also has a free trade agreement with Chile. Chilean apples were cheaper, so for the first time ever he bought them.



But the story doesn't quite end there, because some Chilean apples were Del Monte, whereas others were Frusan, a Chilean company. So if you bought red, you were supporting Chilean growers and a U.S. company, and with yellow you were supporting only Chile.



U.S. growers lose in all scenarios, as then of course do the workers. Mexico is the top export destination for U.S. apples, so the 20% tariff hurts a lot. It is not yet clear whether the tentative new agreement fixes that. The only bright side for the industry is that the 2018 pre-tariff exports were higher than normal so they had a cushion. Growers are still concerned:





The apple harvest is just kicking off across America and thats normally a season of enthusiasm, U.S. Apple president and CEO Jim Bair said in the release. But this year the impact of disputes with Mexico, India, Canada and China, our No. 1, 2, 3 and 6 export markets, will be felt deeply across the industry. Our growers want Congress to know the damage being caused in their jurisdictions by these trade disputes.

This is a nice boost for Chile, which to this point barely registered in the Mexican apple market. Chile exports apples all over the world ( India is its largest market ) and I would imagine that a new market is entirely welcome.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said the government has evidence of critics' plot to remove him from office and that this will be made public soon.

Duterte said the Communist Party of the Philippines and its exiled founder Joma Sison, the Magdalo group, and other critics were in "constant communication" to unseat him.

"Sison, Magdalo, pati itong mga ayaw sa akin, ang talagang hindi tumanggap sa akin ever since the election  they have combined. And we have the evidence and we have the conversation provided by a foreign country sympathetic to us," Duterte said in a one-on-one interview with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sal Panelo.

"Any day now, I'll ask that it be declassified," he added. This is the latest of Duterte's public statements that forces are plotting his ouster.

He dared members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conspire with the Magdalo group led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, if they think the solider-turned-lawmaker did something for them.

"I urge you to go to Trillanes. Kung nakita niyong may ginawa si Trillanes para sa inyo, go to them and stage a mutiny or revolution of whatever," he said.

He also dared Magdalo to start moving for his ouster now.

"I am challenging Magdalo to start now. Sigurado ninyo na inyo ang sundalo, fine," he said.

Trillanes earlier denied working with communists and Duterte's critics to oust the President, even saying Duterte was only "paranoid." Duterte also linked the Liberal Party to his ouster plot, a claim that was refuted by Vice President Leni Robredo.

Trillanes earlier said members of the AFP were supporting him in his fight against the voidance of his amnesty, and even gave him documents to support his claim he indeed filed for his amnesty.

Trillanes and Magdalo soldiers who were involved in three mutiny attempts against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - Oakwood mutiny in July 2003, the Marines stand-off in February 2006, and the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007. They were granted amnesty by the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

Duterte, in his Proclamation 572, invalidated Trillanes amnesty, saying it was void from the beginning saying he did not comply with the requirements.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 11, 2018 | 06:34 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY

A woman faces multiple charges after a high-speed chase early Tuesday morning that spanned three western Kentucky counties.

According to police, 20-year-old Jameka Lewis, of Nashville, TN, fled a traffic stop in Fulton County around 1:00 am and led police on a high speed pursuit into Graves County. Police say Lewis was traveling at speeds of over 100 miles per hour at times.

Deputies pursued the vehicle into Marshall County where a tire deflation device was deployed. Lewis was stopped, placed under arrest and lodged in the Graves County Jail.

She's charged with fleeing or evading police, four counts of wanton endangerment of a police officer, speeding, reckless driving, operating on a suspended or revoked license and failure to wear a seat belt.
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday hit back at Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV, saying it was the latter's family member who was involved in business transactions while Trillanes was in government service.

In a televised tete-a-tete (private conversation) with Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Duterte said Trillanes' mother previously engaged in several transactions with the Philippine Navy.

"Ang problema kay (the problem with) Trillanes, he is crucifying (Special Assistant to the President) Bong Go for entering into business with government," Duterte said in the one-on-one interview.

"(But) There was a time in the Navy's history... Ang tatay niya nasa seribisyo pa, siya nasa serbisyo pa, ang transaction ng karamihan ng supplies sa Navy, ang nanay niya."

[Translation: There was a time in the Navy's history... His father was still in service, he was still in service- but majority of the supplies transactions in the Navy were with his mother.]

Trillanes lashed out at the country's chief executive for dragging his parents into their row. He told Duterte to rather stick with their personal issues.

"Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ida-drag ni Mr. Duterte ang aking mga magulang dito sa laban namin," Trillanes told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. "You stick with me, Mr. Duterte."

[Translation: I don't understand why Mr. Duterte has to drag my parents into our fight. You stick with me, Mr. Duterte.]

"Kung meron siyang problema sa akin, stick with me. Dahil kaya ko to. Pero yung ida-drag mo yung nanay ko, personalan yan. Hindi yan gawain ng mga tunay na lalaki," the senator added.

[Translation: If he has a problem with me, then stick with me. Because I can do this. But if you drag my mother, that's too personal. That's not what a true man does.]

Trillanes on Monday called for an investigation of several unfinished projects in the Davao region, which are allegedly linked to the firms of Go's father and half-brother.

READ: Bong Go ready to face probe over family's alleged multibillion-peso projects

The broadcast one-on-one interview, which was earlier announced to be a press conference, saw Duterte addressing some of the pressing national issues today.
The Panfilo de Narvaez Expedition of 1528, written by local retired business executive and historian James MacDougald, was published this month with definitive evidence that the first documented inland exploration of what is now the United States began at Boca Ciega Bay in present-day St. Petersburg, according to a news release.



MacDougald and Attorney Larry Betz also are launching a new nonprofit organization called The History Council to amplify "the knowledge of people, places, and events of historical significance of the Florida Suncoast region, ranging from Fort DeSoto to Tarpon Springs, including the cities of Dunedin, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton and sister municipalities.''



"Our aim is to collaborate with others to redefine Floridas Suncoast as a cultural heritage destination,'' reads the Council's mission statement. "We want to herald important stories rarely told -- and share them with the general public for their enjoyment and education.''



Amy Harriett Miller is the organizations executive director.



The History Council is hosting a Symposium in St. Petersburg on October 27-28 that will feature many experts on Florida as it existed before and during the time of the first contact by Europeans with Native Americans. Keynoting the symposium is Sterling Professor Rolena Adorno of Yale University. Also presenting are Barbara A. Purdy, Ph.D., Albert C. Hine, Ph.D., Ping Wang, Ph.D., Martin A. Favata, Ph.D., J. Michael Francis, Ph.D., Jerald T. Milanich, Ph.D., and Robert J. Austin, Ph.D.



Details and registration information for the October Symposium are available online at HistoryCouncil.org.



Below are some excerpts provided by publicist Jesse Landis at Landis Message & Media on behalf of the author.



Excerpt 1



On December 5, 1526, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who was also Carlos I, King of Spain, appointed Panfilo de Narvaez as Adelantado (Governor) of La Florida, Spains vast and unexplored territory in the New World. La Florida included unexplored lands west of the Delaware Bay and included all of todays Southeastern United States including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and also Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and northern Mexico.

''Narvaez had been instructed by the King to explore inland, found two settlements, and garrison two additional forts. His exploration and settlement force consisted of five ships, 400 men, ten women, and eighty horses. An unknown number were slaves. Only one, Estevanico, a personal manservant to one of the officers, has been identified by name.''The destination of Narvaez, on leaving Cuba with his settlement expedition, had been the Rio de las Palmas, north of Panuco, present-day Tampico, Mexico. His fleet ran aground near the western edge of Cuba, and after 15 days aground he repaired his ships, then set sail again, this time bound for Havana to resupply. Storms and prevailing winds prevented him from reaching Havana, forcing him to go north, and he eventually spotted Florida. During the nearly two-month ordeal since leaving Cuba, thirty-eight of his horses had died.The Narvaez fleet, two days after first spotting land, anchored in Boca Ciega Bay on April 14, 1528. On the following day Narvaez landed to claim the territory for Spain in the name of King Carlos I, and himself as Royal Governor. Their landing is believed to be one of the earliest European encounters with the native Tocobaga Indians. The first contact was wary, but not hostile, as the Spanish met with the natives and traded beads, brass and cloth for fresh venison. The Spanish explored inland, reaching present-day Old Tampa Bay, and north to todays Safety Harbor.Relationships with Tocobaga Indians deteriorated as the Spanish sought gold and food and attempted to impose their rule over the Native Americans. Anger and resentment turned to open hostility as the Spanish attempted to dominate the natives. The Tocobaga fought back and killed or wounded numerous members of the expedition. Cabeza de Vaca later wrote that what we had seen so far was as desolate and poor as any that had ever been found in those regions.The pilots had concluded, perhaps based on their maps or on a calculation of latitude, that a large harbor was not far to the north of their landing site. They were certain that if the ships and the land forces went north, hugging the coast, 'it would be impossible not to come upon it.' Based on the erroneous belief that a large harbor was not far to the north, Narvaez commanded that 300 of his force with their horses, join with him to travel the coast to the north seeking the large harbor. He ordered the one-hundred remaining men and ten women aboard the ships to sail north in search of the same harbor, where the land and seaborne forces would rejoin. He was unaware that the harbor that he sought was todays Tampa Bay, and that he had seen part of it, Old Tampa Bay, on his first inland exploration across todays Pinellas Peninsula. There was no great harbor to the north, and Narvaez never saw his ships again.The Narvaez expedition, and those that followed from the Caribbean islands to Florida, north from Mexico, and between Europe and South America, were a part of what today is known as The Columbian Exchange. These were profound changes that took place as a result of the early entrances by Europeans into the New World. Without the Columbian Exchange, there would be no tomatoes or potatoes in Europe  no chili peppers in Thailand, and no horses, cattle or pigs in the Americas."During the 250 years following the arrival of the Spanish in the early 1500s, millions of pigs would become feral, creating a new food source, the Arkansas Razorback, hunting game, and pests that exist to this day. Millions of cattle and horses would roam Florida and the American West. They would make possible the cattle barons, the cowboy, the cavalry, and the famed Plains Indians and their far-reaching and powerful warriors.''The exchange also brought pestilence and death as the explorers and settlers unknowingly introduced diseases from which the Native Americans had no natural immunity  decimating large portions of native populations. The world changed in a colossal way from the time the first Spaniards arrived in the Americas, and Panfilo de Narvaez and his fellow explorers were among the first of them.''Author's note: In this book I have attempted to bridge the gap, producing a work that will be both respected by scholars and of interest to laymen. I hope that I have succeeded. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, Alonso del Castillo Maldonado, Andres Dorantes de Carranza, and Estevanico, four men who rafted and walked 3,000 miles across America nearly five hundred years ago, deserve to have their story told.


Completes 70% Earn-in of 2.8 Moz Au Misima Project

Sydney, Sep 11, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Kingston Resources Limited ( ASX:KSN ) (Kingston or the Company) is pleased to announce it has completed the expenditure requirements to increase its ownership of the 2.8Moz(see Note below) Misima Gold Project (Misima) from 49% to 70%.Kingston would like to thank its joint venture partner Pan Pacific Copper (PPC) for enabling the rapid recommencement of exploration on the island, which has delivered this significant milestone. PPC is owned by JX Nippon Mining and Metals (67.8%) and Mitsui Mining and Smelting (32.2%), and is a global mining, smelting, refining and international copper and gold producer.Kingston's Managing Director Andrew Corbett commented: "Completing this earn-in is a key milestone for the Company and delivers real value for shareholders. The joint venture is well advanced with the program at the Misima Gold Project and we have every confidence of delivering exploration success to both grow the current 2.8 million ounce gold resource and to identify new regional targets. We look forward to reporting more assay results shortly."Koji Hirai from PPC added: "We are delighted to be working with the Kingston team as they advance exploration and development work at Misima. The asset has a lot of potential upside, and our focus is on increasing the project's value through the delivery of a well-executed and safe exploration program."Note: Misima 2.8Moz JORC Resource, http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/XZUH15AF About Kingston Resources Limited

Kingston (ASX:KSN) is a metals exploration company. Currently the Company's priority is the world-class Misima Gold Project in PNG, which contains a JORC resource of 2.8Moz Au, a production history of over 3.7Moz and outstanding potential for additional resource growth through exploration success. Kingston currently owns 70% of the Misima Gold Project.

In addition, Kingston owns 75% of the Livingstone Gold Project, WA which holds a 50koz resource and is the site of ongoing exploration and a number of high-grade historic intersections.
Police in Sudan have rescued 94 people, mostly children, from criminal human trafficking networks in the country, Interpol has said.

Eighty-five of those rescued were children and are believed to be from Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Niger, Sudan and South Sudan.

Accidents, disasters and safety Africa Child abuse Children Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Crimes against persons Criminal offenses Demographic groups Families and children Family members and relatives Human rights Human rights violations Human trafficking International relations and national security Middle East and North Africa Northern Africa Population and demographics Rescue operations Slavery Society Sudan Government organizations - Intl Interpol Law enforcement

They were rescued in a four-day operation in August, the international police agency said.

The operation called Sawiyan, was coordinated by Interpol's National Central Bureau in Khartoum and some 200 Sudanese local officers.

Some of the victims as young as 10 years, were found working in illegally-operated gold mines east of Khartoum under extreme conditions, where they forced to handle dangerous chemicals, the agency said in a statement.

"The diversity of nationalities amongst those rescued shows how human trafficking and people smuggling is a truly transnational problem which requires a coordinated international response in which police and stakeholders share information and best practices," said Tim Morris, Interpol's Executive Director of Police Services.

Two men and 12 women, suspected to be traffickers were arrested and $20,000 were recovered in the operation carried out in several locations in Khartoum and the city's international airport.

The agency which said it had launched an investigation into the cases, said many of the victims, were held against their will and forced to work in the mining operations where they were rescued.

"One consistent aspect arising from our operations against human trafficking is the abuse of the inherent vulnerability of the victims, and the perilous conditions they are made to work in for profit," Morris said in the statement.

Interpol said Sudan's Ministry of Social Affairs will provide assistance for those rescued.

Thousands of people have been forced into child labor, sex trafficking and child soldiering in Sudan, which remains a viable source, destination and transit point for criminal trafficking networks on the continent.

According to the United States department around 2.9 million people are vulnerable to trafficking rings due to poor economic conditions that prevail in the north African country.
CHICO, Calif. - If you live in the city of Chico or in unincorporated ares of Butte County, a change may be coming regarding the way you receive your electricity.

It's a change that proponents say could ultimately lower your electric bill.

It's called Community Choice Cggregation (CCA). CCA's purchase power on the wholesale energy market. They then offer choices for local users, in order to meet their electricity needs.

The city of Chico and Butte County partnered-up in starting the whole CCA process a couple of years ago when local businesses reached out.

"The reason they asked the county to look into this, frankly because they wanted to have lower energy rates, so ultimately it could result in lower rates for businesses and residents which could be a great economic development tool, or just a tool for businesses to expand their businesses," said Brian Ring, Butte County assistant chief administrator officer.

Erik Gustafson, director of public works operations and maintenance, said they're only in the preliminary stages of researching this program.

"At this point we're really looking at the feasibility and the financial aspects of it, and we're kind of really reaching out to the community to see what the community's thoughts are on it," Gustafson said.

The feasibility study shows that the CCA could provide an initial percent savings to customers.

It would also give customers options on what kind of plan they want to pay for.

"There's also one that's 75 percent clean energy so if a resident wished to pay more for cleaner energy they can do that, but then again they have that choice," Ring said.



A CCA still depends on services from PG&E, unlike Redding's electric utility, which is completely disconnected from the utility giant.

"We still partner and collaborate closely with PG&E, PG&E still maintains the lines, the distribution network, billing," Ring said. "Whereas if you have your own local municipal energy, they do everything."

PG&E will not respond to the news media specifically regarding proposed CCA's.

But in a statement to Action News Now said, in part:

"We respect the energy choices that are available to our customers, and will continue to cooperate with local governments as they consider pursuing a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program."

Community members are invited to attend any of the four upcoming meetings to learn more about a potential CCA, and provide feedback.

For more information, CLICK HERE.
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico State Police Department is investigating a reported rape at a university dorm.

The University Police Department sent a "Timely Warning Bulletin" email to students on Sept. 10 in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Police say the sexual assault happened at Konkow Hall on West Sacramento Avenue at 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7. Police describe the suspect as an african-american male in his early 20s with a muscular build, shoulder-length hair, a light-colored sweatshirt and acid-washed jeans.

University Police also encourages all members of the campus community to report information about crimes to University Police at (530) 898-5555.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  The House Committee on Justice effectively dismissed on Tuesday the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro and six other magistrates.

In a nearly unanimous decision, the committee said the complaint was "insufficient in substance." A total of 23 lawmakers voted against the impeachment complaint. Only one, Siquijor Rep. Ramon Rocamora, moved and voted that there was a recital of facts in the offenses charged.

"The seven consolidated complaints against Chief Justice Teresita de Castro and six members of the Supreme Court are declared by this committee to be insufficient in substance and are hereby dismissed," House Justice Committee Chairman Doy Leachon said.

This recommendation will be submitted to the House plenary which will decide whether or not to uphold the committee report not to proceed with the impeachment proceedings against the justices. On September 4, the panel unanimously found the complaint sufficient in form, saying it was properly signed and verified.

Aside from the newly-appointed Chief Justice, Supreme Court Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Andres Reyes, Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Francis Jardaleza, and Noel Tijam were slapped with impeachment raps on August 23. The complainants are opposition solons Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano, and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat.

The congressmen alleged the respondents committed culpable violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust when they voted to grant the quo warranto petition that unseated Sereno. The complainants maintained that impeachment is the only way to unseat a Chief Justice, and that the seven justices should have inhibited themselves from the case since they showed bias against Sereno in testifying against her during impeachment hearings.

How the solons voted

But Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla said the justices "should not be punished for respecting a co-equal branch of government" when they served as resource persons in the House Committee on Justice's hearings on Sereno's impeachment case.

"As our resource persons, they helped this committee in performing its constitutional mandate," Revilla said.

Lawmakers also said the justices should not be impeached for voting against Sereno, since they only performed their constitutional mandate to decide on the case presented to them.

"We are not in the position to judge and impeach people for deciding what they think is right," ANGKLA Partylist Rep. Jess Manalo said.

But what the justices did wrong, Rocamora said, was showing bias in hearing the petition to oust Sereno.

"To a certain effect, these judges who testified before this committee, have already prejudged the case in the quo warranto case," Rocamora said, noting that a judge "should not only be impartial but should appear to be impartial."

Lagman, one of the complainants, however said all the lawmakers who made their manifestation were prematurely deciding on whether there are grounds for impeachment, when they should only determine if "there is a recital of facts constituting the offense charged and determinative of the jurisdiction of the committee."

He also urged the justice committee "to retake the power of the House over impeachment proceedings which [has] been arrogated by the Supreme Court in the quo warranto petition" against Sereno.

The High Court's landmark ruling on May 11 was highly divisive - with legal experts and the Senate leadership maintaining that Sereno should have gone through impeachment.

The controversy is also the reason for mixed reactions to De Castro's appointment as top judge. Critics believe it was President Rodrigo Duterte's gift for De Castro's role in Sereno's ouster, a claim both the President and De Castro denied.

Duterte said he appointed De Castro since she was the most senior among the applicants, despite that she could only serve the post for less than two months. She is set to retire on October 8 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
CHICO, Calif. - Several community organizations came together Monday to honor the memory of Chico State nursing student, Kristina Chesterman, killed by a drunk driver nearly five years ago.

The event was a collective effort from sponsors including bike shops, law enforcement and campus groups. It was all in an effort to raise awareness about bike safety and the tragedies of drunk driving.

Kristina Chesterman was hit and killed by a drunk driver while riding her bicycle on Nord Avenue.

Each year, her parents along with several community groups honor her memory at the annual bike safety and drunk driving awareness event.

Kristina's parents have a foundation and partnered with staff from Chico State to raise funds to build a clinic in Nigeria in her honor.

"It helps us through the grieving process to get involved and to try to prevent future drunk driving accidents," said Sandra Chesterman, Kristina's mother.

Riley Dean Hoover was sentenced to seven years in state prison for DUI causing great bodily injury or death, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

If you would like to learn more about the Kristina Chesterman memorial foundation, you can do so here.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Dozens of gang members in the San Francisco area are behind bars this morning following a multi-county crime bust.

Law enforcement agencies in the area are calling it a sophisticated case of credit card fraud.

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra and police chiefs from three Northern California cities announced the indictment of 32 alleged members of the "Bully Boys" and the "Coco Boys" street gangs east of San Francisco.

Authorities say members of the gangs worked together to defraud hundreds of victims across 13 counties.

The members executed the scheme by breaking into dozens of medical offices, furniture stores and dental offices to steal credit card terminals.

"The perpetrators used the stolen terminals to process the return, but instead of the value of the return going to the business or perhaps to the customer - that credit was placed on a debit card and pocketed by the perpetrators," Becerra said.
CHICO, Calif. - Action News Now's Linda Watkins-Bennett sat down with Brian Ring, assistant chief administrative officer for Butte County, and Erik Gustafson, director of Chico Public Works, to discuss the Community Choice Aggregation Program (CCA).

The programs allow cities, counties and other qualifiying governmental entities to purchase and generate electricity for residents and businesses.

A feasability study done by CCA programs show that it could save customers an initial 2 percent on electric bills, totalling $4 million in regional savings.

Community members are invited to attend any of the four upcoming meetings to learn more about the potential CCA program and provide feedback.
CORNING, Calif. - The I-5 road closures caused by the Delta Fire left many truckers driving the interstate stuck for days, waiting for the roads to reopen.

Action News Now reporter Stephanie Lin visited a rest stop in Corning, where a lot of the truck drivers have stopped to wait out the road closures.

Many of the drivers were apprehensive about taking the alternative route on 299 east, which is fairly windy and difficult for big-rigs to drive on at night. This closure also caused concern about delivering cargo in a timely, but safe manor.

"We've been getting worried because you don't want to hold everything up," said Steve Wright, a truck driver that has been stranded at the rest stop for five days. "But with half a million dollars worth of freight on there, you don't want to tear it up. Darned if you do, darned if you don't. I'm ready to get up and get unloaded."

Some other drivers still had a long road ahead of them in addition to waiting out the closures as some were headed to Redding and then back to Sacramento or Los Angeles.

Stay with KHSL Channel 12 and actionnewsnow.com for the latest updates as they become available.
Delta Fire Update

The Delta Fire is now 53,311 acres and is 5 percent contained. There are currently 2,380 personnel on scene at the blaze.

Chico State Police Investigating Campus Dorm Rape

The Chico State Police Department is investigating a reported rape at a university dorm. Campus Police sent an email to students Monday night letting them know about the alleged assault. Police say the assault happened this past Friday, Sept. 7, at around 2 a.m. at Konkow Hall on West Sacramento Avenue. There is no word yet on whether an arrest has been made.

United Airlines to Provide Non-Stop Flight from Redding to Los Angeles

Starting next March anyone will be able to catch a direct flight from Redding to Los Angeles. Airport Manager Bryant Garrett says if you add up the cost and time of driving to Sacramento, parking, then walking to your terminal, flying out of Redding makes economic sense. They plan to offer one direct flight per day.

Governor Jerry Brown Signs Clean Energy Bill

Governor Jerry Brown signed an executive order that sets a goal of generating all of California's electricity from clean sources by 2045. The governor said he hopes California can be a model for the rest of the country. Brown also plans to host a summit on climate change later this week.
Note: This is unacceptable. Or should be. The vaccines were from WHO and of the highest quality - insert eye roll. Possibly so - the highest quality vaccine for many of our children was the equivalent of a bullet in the head. And vaccination program will continue. Of course. There's no need to stop a worldwide money maker just because 25 or so children got sick enough to go to the hospital taking a product that is supposed to keep them out of the hospital. Madness. And guess what was blame for the sickness. Not the vaccine. Madness. Literally. Hysteria. The emotion usually reserved for women.

Hailakandi: As many as 25 students of Sahabad ME Madrassa, around 25km from here, under Katlicherra revenue circle in Hailakandi district of south Assam fell sick after being administered measles-rubella vaccine on Saturday.

Hailakandi deputy commissioner Adil Khan has ordered a probe to be headed by joint director of health ser vices Dr Avijit Basu and district immunization officer (DIO) Dr K.Thambalsena. They have been asked to submit a report to the deputy commissioner immediately.

Katlicherra legislator Suzamuddin Laskar, district development commissioner F.R. Laskar, additional deputy commissioner E.L. Fairhiem, circle officer James Aind and other officials visited the school and the block primary health centre (PHC) to take stock of the situation.

Following the vaccination, just after the mid-day meal, several students complained of nausea, fever, stomachache and vomiting and had to be admitted to the nearest Katlicherra Block PHC.

Basu, who rushed to the site, said six students have been hospitalised, while the rest were being kept under observation and would be discharged soon. Read more here.
Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.
An M28 short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft manufactured at PZL Mielec, a facility in Poland owned by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has arrived in Ecuador following a trans-Atlantic flight from Poland. Delivered five months after contract award, the twin-engine turboprop will meet the Ecuadorian Army's need for a proven multi-role transport aircraft that can perform in diverse climates and terrain.

Ecuadorian Army troops greet the Sikorsky-PZL M28 twin engine turboprop aircraft in Shell Mera following a 13,500 km flight from Poland

(Credit: PZL Mielec/Sikorsky)

The Ecuadorian Army contracted for the aircraft in April this year. PZL Mielec conducted training for Army pilots and mechanics, and a Polish crew piloted the aircraft 13,500 km via Iceland and Greenland, across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada, the United States and Central America to Shell Mera in Ecuador, where the aircraft was officially accepted by the Army.



"The M28 aircraft's powerful turbo-prop engines, a large cabin with clamshell rear door, and the airframe's rugged structural characteristics, will give the Ecuadorian Army a highly versatile short takeoff and landing platform with which to perform multiple types of missions in diverse climates," said Adam Schierholz, Sikorsky regional executive for Latin America. "We welcome Ecuador to the M28 family."



A proven, durable and reliable STOL aircraft, the M28 aircraft can operate from runways or airstrips inaccessible by other airplanes, and can fly in extreme environmental conditions and temperatures ranging from +50 C to -50 C.



Currently, over 100 M28 planes are used worldwide, both in commercial and military configurations. Among other missions, they perform passenger transport, parachutist training, border patrol and supervision over fisheries. The Polish Air Force flies the M28 Bryza variant for both maritime and transport operations.



The M28 aircraft weighs 7,500 kg (16,500 pounds) and can be equipped with 19 passenger seats, or transport up to 2,300 kg (5,000 pounds) of cargo, as well as perform parachute missions via the rear cabin door.
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Ano on Tuesday said instead of an arrest, he prefers that Senate President Tito Sotto turn over Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to authorities to avoid commotion at the Senate in case a warrant is issued by a court.

He said, when the lower courts issue an arrest warrant and hold departure order against Trillanes, the senator will be treated like a regular citizen. Trillanes remains holed up in the Senate premises amid his amnesty battle.

"If ever magkaron ng warrant of arrest, it will just be a very simple arrest. Or serving of warrant. In fact, we encourage na kung magkasakali na magkaganon, si Senate President na lang maghatid sa Crame. Ganon lang kasimple. There's nothing special in this actually. And pakinggan natin yung karapatan ni Sen. Trillanes," Ano said.

He added, "'Yung mga kapulisan natin, nagbigay na ako ng advise na you don't have to put a strong presence there." On September 4, the first day Trillanes sought refuge in the Senate, several PNP-CIDG personnel were seen waiting outside the premises.

Ano assured Trillanes will be treated fairly by the arresting authorities.

He added they will await the decision of the Supreme Court before arresting the senator. He shares the same sentiments as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 on Monday also deferred to the Supreme Court before issuing their decision on the Department of Justice's urgent motion to issue an alias warrant and hold departure order following the voiding of his amnesty.

Meanwhile, opposition senators filed a resolution to probe the "fraudulent and erroneous basis" of President Rodrigo Duterte's proclamation that voided the amnesty given by former President Benigno Aquino III to Trillanes in 2011.

It said the resolution aims to prevent and avert the possible abuse of presidential powers in the future.

Duterte on August 31 voided Trillanes' amnesty for alleged failure to comply with the minimum requirements to qualify under the Amnesty Program. It said Trillanes never admitted guilt for the coup attempts and failed to formally apply for amnesty.

CNN Philippines senior correspondent David Santos contributed to this report.
The Community of St Anselm is a youth-oriented new monastic movement based at Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterburys official-residence and office in London. As the next cohort prepare for their commissioning later this month, one of last years members, Katy Hirst, reflects on lessons that local churches can learn from living in community.

At the end of June, myself and the 14 other people I had lived in community with for a year all left Lambeth Palace to go our separate ways  back to homes, families, churches and jobs in different places across the world. At the end of the year both the resident and non-resident community were commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury to go out into the world and share what we have received this year with others.

One of the things we received this year was the gift of community  of sharing every aspect of our lives with a group of diverse people. Whilst there were some challenges to this and it definitely wasnt a utopia, there is something undeniably beautiful and special about community life. It was deep, it was authentic, it was fun, it was messy and it was warts-and-all. We all grew in love for Jesus, each other and ourselves. It was quite literally heaven on earth.

And so, Ive been asking myself how this gift of community can be experienced in the local church. My experience of community in the local church is one of great blessing and also great disappointment. I have lodged with a family from church, been helped to move house (many times) by small group members and have been supported through challenging times.

But Im sure Im not the only person who has felt lonely in the Sunday-morning crowd, or who has looked over at a group of people and felt like I wasnt cool / intelligent / married / male / funny etc enough to go and join in the conversation.

There are lots of factors that contributed to making the St Anselm community such a rich experience, but if I could pick out one that I think could help the local church grow in this area is it the fact that we all committed to a shared rule of life at the beginning of the year, and as part of that, we committed to choose one another.

Each of us committed to choosing every other person in that community equally  even before we met one another. This doesnt mean that natural friendships dont emerge, but it does mean that you can go into a room of 40 other people and without hesitation join in a conversation with any cluster of people without worrying you werent welcome.

This may sound trivial but I dont think I have experienced this anywhere else in life  in or outside the church. This intentional choosing that has no partiality, that transcends personal preferences or similarities and that motivates love in action was a fundamental part of enabling St Anselm to function as a community.

So the question I will be asking myself  and the one that I invite you to ask  is How can this intentional choosing of one another be outworked in my church context? How can our relationships with one another reflect and point people to the beautiful truth that God chooses each one of us?
Posted on: September 10, 2018 8:32 PM

Members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) will discuss global safeguarding guidelines when they meet next year in Hong Kong. The guidelines are being drawn up by an international Anglican Safe Church Commission, which was established by the Council when it last met in 2016, in the Zambian capital Lusaka. The guidelines will be finalised when the Commission next meet in November and will be made available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

The Commissions progress was reported to the Standing Committee of the ACC last week during its annual meeting in London. The guidelines will cover five areas: pastoral support, effective response, the practice of pastoral ministry, suitability for ministry, and a culture of safety.

At the first meeting of the Commission, a number of challenges were identified, not least different understandings of terminology associated with safe church and safeguarding, and the reality that the Provinces of the Anglican Communion are at different stages of response to the need to enhance the safety of all people within Anglican churches, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, the Commissions Chair, senior Australian lawyer Garth Blake, said in a written report to the Standing Committee.

The Anglican Communion is made up of 39 autonomous independent-but-interdependent national and regional Churches. The Anglican Consultative Council cannot dictate policy to the Provinces, but Standing Committee members spoke of the need to ensure that every Province is doing everything it feasibly can in this area.

The guidelines will include a template protocol for disclosure of ministry suitability information between the Churches of the Anglican Communion, to ensure that abusers and alleged abusers are unable to avoid investigation or punishment by moving between Provinces.

Standing Commitee members described the Safe Church Commissions work as a matter of very, very high priority for the Communion.

In addition to guidelines and the suitability for ministry protocol, the Safe Church Commission will also produce theological material to accompany the guidelines, which are being designed to enhance the safety of all persons, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, within the Provinces of the Anglican Communion, Mr Blake said in his report.
Posted on: September 11, 2018 9:47 AM

Work to begin laying the biblical foundations for the next Lambeth Conference will get underway later this year when 35 leading New Testament scholars from different denominations around the world gather for the St Augustine Seminar at Lambeth Palace. Around 800 bishops from around the Anglican Communion will gather at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, in the summer of 2020 for the once in a decade Lambeth Conference. As part of their time together, the bishops will engage in Bible study around the first epistle of Peter (1 Peter) and the St Augustine Seminar will begin the work of preparing materials for the studies.

Some 35 New Testament scholars from Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Egypt, India, Ireland, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, and the US will take part in the St Augustines Seminar. The participants come from different churches of the Anglican Communion and a wide spread of other denominations, including Methodist, Presbyterian, Uniting Churches of Australia, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, and Armenian Orthodox Churches.

The Seminar will be convened by Professor Jennifer Strawbridge, Associate Professor in New Testament Studies at Mansfield College in the University of Oxford. The group will consider the text from 1 Peter and help to draw up critical thinking to help shape the Bible studies and other aspects of the Lambeth Conference. After the initial meeting in November, a smaller group will convene at Lambeth Palace again in May 2019 to draw together resources.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: I am looking forward immensely to the St Augustine Seminar in November. This gathering will play a significant role as we seek Gods wisdom on developing and refining themes for the Lambeth Conference.

The book of 1 Peter is a personal favourite of mine. There is so much in it that is pertinent for the Church, for the world, for the times we are living in and for us as we seek direction for the Anglican Communion in the years ahead.

The expertise and insight of the theologians who gather will be vital in informing the thinking in areas such as the daily Bible expositions, group Bible studies and homilies. I pray it will be a stimulating and exciting time together.

Professor Strawbridge described her participation in the St Augustine Seminar as an absolute honour, adding: I have admired the work of many of those in attendance; and am excited to see what happens when so many incredible, convicted, and faithful hearts and minds are brought together to discuss scripture and the Church.

One of the focuses of Lambeth will be on collegiality and my hope is that this seminar will model precisely that as we use the lens of Scripture to explore what it means to walk together in a connected but not necessarily relational world. Moreover, my hope is that this group will think creatively about different approaches to biblical study, including ways of disagreeing well over the meaning of a text.

The focus of the seminar will be intensive work on 1 Peter set alongside the overarching theme of the Lambeth Conference: Gods Church for Gods World: walking listening and witnessing together. Thus, members of the seminar will think about 1 Peter theologically and in context. But such a focus will be set alongside the wider themes drawn from 1 Peter such as our calling in Christ, our communion with Christ, the proclamation of Christ, and the exhortation in 1 Peter to shepherd the flock with humility.
Credit: Pamela LittkyThe world lost a Hollywood legend last week when Burt Reynolds died at the age of 82. Among the many artists to pay tribute to the late actor was Alice in Chains, who honored the icon with a hilarious reference to what was perhaps Reynolds' most notable off-screen appearance.

During their show in Irving, Texas over the weekend, the grunge rockers displayed a nude image of Reynolds superimposed on the cover of their 1992 album, Dirt.

"Remembering a legend," AiC says of the tribute.

The image was taken from Reynolds' then-infamous 1972 nude photo for Cosmopolitan, the magazine's first-ever male centerfold. The appearance helped make Reynolds a sex symbol.

Reynolds was known for his roles in 1972's Deliverance, 1974's The Longest Yard and 1977's Smokey and the Bandit. His 1997 comeback role in Boogie Nights earned him an Oscar nomination.

Alice in Chains is currently on tour behind the band's new album, Rainier Fog.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Couple harvest dead sons sperm to create grandchild

This will strike some as remarkably disgusting, even perverse. A couple lost their son in a car crash so they harvested his sperm in order to create a grandson for themselves. Certainly wed expect there to be calls that they cant do that  despite the fact that they obviously can. What is meant of course is that they shouldnt be allowed to do that but then perhaps they should. You see, to have grandchildren is to win.

Thus this is a story of someone winning:

A wealthy British couple have created a designer grandson using sperm taken from their dead son, it was claimed yesterday.

Yes, this is indeed winning. For details you could read the work of Charles Darwin and the like but its simple enough. The aim and purpose of life is to have children which go on to have children:

The couple were left devastated after their only child was killed in a motorcycle crash and seemingly ended their chance of becoming grandparents. But the pair, who are in their 50s, were reportedly desperate for an heir decided to harvest the 26-year-olds sperm, which was frozen and exported to the US, bypassing strict laws in the UK. Their grandson is now three and is believed to be living with them in Britain in a case that highlights ethical and legal concerns.

Well, yes, ethical and legal concerns. Thats the voices of those who insist that they shouldnt be allowed to do that. Who wish to, insist upon, imposing their own morality on the lives of others:

Professor Allan Pacey, a former chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: If the son in this case wasnt being treated by a clinic, and had not signed the necessary consent forms for the posthumous retrieval, storage and use of his sperm, then a criminal act has probably taken place. The clinician who extracted the sperm is in breach of the law as is the facility which stored and exported the sample.

Well, yes, except for that winning by the grandparents. That aim and purpose of all life being exactly that, to reproduce in a manner that leads to the next generation doing so and thereby becoming those grandparents. So, despite the difficulties here theyve done that, theyve won that life lottery.

The only pity here being that British law, for some unknown reason, would deny them that ability to produce the life which carries them on into perpetuity.

Tim Worstall

Posted: 11th, September 2018 | In: Key Posts, News, Technology Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Labour: When is it right to vandalize a Holocaust memorial?

When is it right to vandalize a Holocaust memorial? Having debated the meaning of anti-semitism and if calling Jews Nazis is righteous, Labour Party delegates will most likely be debating Jews and the Holocaust when Ewa Jasiewicz, 40, addresses a meeting of pro-Corbyn group Momentum at this years Labour Party conference. Shes earmarked to speak about the future of trade unions at a festival organised alongside Labours AGM.

Jasiewicz is the Times Warsaw ghetto vandal, a British anti-Israel activist who decorated the site where 92,000 Jews were corralled and killed and from where a further 300,000 were sent to death camps. In 2010 Jasiewicz and Yonatan Shapira thought it wise, considerate and fair to daub the words Liberate all ghettos and Free Gaza and Palestine on one of the Warsaw ghettos original walls. They are quoted as having said Israel had co-opted the Holocaust to serve agendas of colonisation and repression. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance centre, said the graffiti was tainted with anti-semitism. More condemnation follows. It is a new low. This is exactly the kind of obsessive anti-Israel hatred and abuse of the Holocaust that is central to Labours problem of anti-semitism, we read. A survivor of the ghetto, tells readers: I too am critical of my government. Gaza is certainly not a likeable place. But to compare it to the Warsaw ghetto is the height of folly. I know .. I was there. No word of support and praise for the graffiti is given. But Momentum clearly has no problem with it.

One day on and the Times has more Ewa Jasiewicz news: In 2002 she called for activists to do the Israeli parliament or a sophisticated politician bump-off rather than targeting Israeli civilians. At the time Ms Jasiewicz was living in Jenin, in the West Bank.

In a 2,700-word dispatch at the height of the second intifada, Ms Jasiewicz wrote that the son of the family she was staying with went and opened fire on some Israeli civilians in a market somewhere a few months ago, adding: I dont get why activists cant go and do the Knesset [Israeli parliament] or something, or do a sophisticated politician bump-off like the PFLP?

Ms Jasiewicz says her remarks were made in a private email which ended up being published on the PalSolidarity website in 2002 as was the case at times with emailed reports on Israeli occupation activity back then. Private emails are private. She calls her remarks flippant. And thats an important thing: if you cant say stupid, ugly things in private, when can you say them? She adds: I do not and never have, advocated the harming of anybody and this was definitely not the intention of the comment in the email. I apologise for any harm or upset this has caused and I ask people to understand it in the context that it was written, both as a flippant comment in a private email and under conditions of a violent occupation.

So how did the other big newspapers cover this story? The Guardian: not a word. Daily Telegraph: zippo. Daily Mail: nada. Is it because Ewa Jasiewicz doesnt matter, her being just another social justice warrior with a media profile? One Times columnist offers a reason:

Where Jeremy Corbyns Labour differs from almost all other major parties is that it now has supporters instead of spokesmen. The latter are diminishing, shrinking, dissolving away The trouble, at least for Labour, is that their rise coincides with the near absolute evaporation of anybody else who might appear in public and make a coherent, Corbyn-friendly case about almost anything.

Which reminds me: anyone seen Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary? What is her view on Israel? Or is she just hoping nobody will have time to ask her if enough cheap to hire, mouthy and monocular pundits who arent standing to election can fill the media with their to-deadline chatter? that question to you, Owen Jonezzzzzzz

Anorak

Posted: 11th, September 2018 | In: News, Politicians Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  As a powerful typhoon moves towards Philippine territory, government forces prepare for the worst.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) assured the public Wednesday that they have made the necessary preparations for the arrival of typhoon "Mangkhut."

Speaking for the NDRRMC, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Spokesman Edgar Posadas said the Social Welfare Department has also prepared a 1.7 billion "standby fund" to cater to the needs of affected citizens if necessary.

Posadas said they will enhance their search, rescue and retrieval operations under the military, police, fire bureau and national coast guard. He added that they have coordinated with telecommunication agencies to ensure that communication will not be cut off in the affected areas.

The NDRRMC has also been put on red alert status since Monday. This means they local disaster councils were advised to revisit their contingency plans and information dissemination methods for the public.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Mangkhut, which will be named "Ompong" upon entering the country, will traverse northern Luzon beginning Saturday.

It added that they may raise tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 over Cagayan as early as Wednesday evening.

READ: Typhoon 'Mangkhut' to bring heavy rains, signal no. 1 expected in Cagayan Wednesday

The military's Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) alerted its forces to remain on standby to perform humanitarian aid and disaster response operations. "NOLCOM is working hand in hand with the RDRRMC, OCD and other stakeholders in preparing measures and contingency plans for the imminent threats of typhoon 'Mangkhut'," it said on a statement.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management council (PDRRMC) of Batanes has also assured that they have sufficient supply of food, especially of rice, for its residents.

"They have 2, 400 sacks (of rice) on standby and sapat pa naman ang kanilang food items and non-food items in place [their supply is enough]," Posadas said.

Meanwhile, the PDRRMC of Cagayan said it has already prepared 900 boxes of relief packs to be delivered to Cagayan towns, Lal-lo and Sanchez-Mira. The Social Welfare Department shall also provide 500 relief boxes.

Barangay aid agencies Task Force Lingkod Cagayan, the Provincial Office for People Empowerment and the Agkaikaisa organization have also been put on red alert status to assist possible affected areas.

Malacanang also advised citizens to make the necessary preparations as the country awaits the coming typhoon.

"Maging laging handa, ayusin na po natin ang ating emergency kit, maghanda ng tubig at de lata. 'Yung mga nakatira malapit sa dagat tignan na po natin saan tayo temporarily lilipat," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Monday.

[Translation: Be alway prepared, ready your emergency kit, prepare water and canned goods. Those who live near the sea check which places you can temporarily move to.]
(ANSA) - Strasbourg, September 11 - Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban on Tuesday praised the Italian government for its tough stance on migrants.

"I am willing to cooperate with any government that wants to defend the frontiers," Orban told the European Parliament ahead of a vote on a motion to start the so-called Article 7 procedure against Hungary over alleged violations of the rule of law. "It is not a factional issue for me.

"I take off my hat to the Italians for the courage they are having, and they have had, for what they have done". Orban added that he was fully behind Italian Interior Minister and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, who has spearheaded Rome's tough stance. "My relationship with Salvini is not of a party-political nature," Orban told a press conference.

"We cooperate at the government level.

"Salvini is the interior minister and he is very decisive and determined to the protect the frontiers.

"I support him 100%".

Salvini said Tuesday that the MEPs of his League party will vote against the Hungarian motion.

"We'll vote in defence of Orban," Salvini said. "The European Parliament cannot put peoples and elected governments on trial".


(ANSA) - Rome, September 11 - Germany's Ambassador to Italy Viktor Elbling has told ANSA that Berlin does not consider Rome to be a risk factor for the European Union.

"The rules are valid for everyone and they are there to be respected by everyone," Elbling said when asked about the Italian government's upcoming budget law and the possibility the EU rules could be breached.

"But when we look towards Italy from Germany, we don't see a country that is a danger for Europe.

"It is clear that a country like Italy needs economic growth".


CAIRO - The Egyptian antiquities ministry said it was opening one of the ''most beautiful'' tombs of Egypt's Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo to the public for the first time since it was discovered in 1940. Prior to the inauguration of the 'Tomb of Mehu', restoration works were carried out, the ministry said last week in showing visitors the tomb dating back to the sixth dynasty, about 4,300 years ago. The tomb is enlivened by ''vivid colors'' and the scenes depicted, such as a ''marriage of crocodiles'' in the presence of a turtle. The ministry said that the most important scenes were those representing the owner of the tomb while he was hunting in the jungle and fishing. There are also scenes of ''harvesting, cooking and acrobatic dance'', the last being a subject that had never before been seen in Saqqara prior to the sixth dynasty, the ministry's Facebook post said. Mehu was a dignitary that lived under King Pepsi with title such as ''Vizier'' and ''Head of the Juries'', as seen in etchings on the walls of the tomb and his sarcophagus. HIs tome - which has a narrow corridor onto which six chambers are attached - also holds relatives such as his son Mery Re Ankh and grandson Hetep Ka II.
MADRID - It was November 19, 1819, when the Prado Museum of Madrid first opened its doors to the public.

The museum, designed by architect Juan de Villanueva, exhibited 311 works by Spanish artists from the Royal Collections.

Two centuries later and following numerous architectonic transformations, extensions built onto the exhibition space and an increase in the collection to a current 29,000 works, the museum is getting ready to commemorate its bicentenary with a special program of over 100 activities.

The celebrations will last an entire year and will illustrate the path taken by the museum down to the present age. ''It is an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of the institution and to bring the largest number of citizens possible closer,'' Spanish culture and sport minister Jose Guirao said at a press conference on Tuesday in which the program was presented. Alongside him were the head of the Real Patronado del Museo del Prado Jose Pedro Perez-Lorca and director Miguel Falomir.

The year of events will kick off on November 19 with the commemorative exhibition entitled 'Museo del Prado 1819-2019. Un Lugar de Memoria' ('A Place of Memory, Ed.), an itinerary through which the history of the museum, from the nationalization of royal collections to the Civil War, with the progressive acquisition of works from public bodies or private donations. ''The exhibition will focus on the importance of the Madrid picture gallery in the development of contemporary art, with the showcasing of works by Manet, Renoir, Sargent, Picasso, Miro, Gris, Saura, and Pollock,'' Prado director Falomir said. In the year in which there are also celebrations for the 150th anniversary of its conversion from a royal museum to a national one there is an exhibition focusing on the paintings of Antonio Gisbert, 'Fusilamiento de Torrijios y Sus Companeros' (from March 23 to June 30, 2019), on painting in Spanish history.

There is also a large exhibition entitled 'Confluencias: Velazquez, Rembrandt, Vermeer y los Siglos de Oro Espanol y Olandes', on Dutch and Spanish painting from the late sixteenth century through the seventeenth century (from June 25 to September 29, 2019)curated by hte head of conservation for Flemish painting and the Northern School of the Prado, Alejando Vergara.

A special place will be set aside for Goya's drawings, of which the museum has the largest collection in the world, with the show 'Solo la Voluntad Me Sobra. Dibujos de Goya', from November 19, 2019 to February 16, 2020, as one of the 14 temporary exhibitions.

Other temporary exhibitions will be ones on Velazquez, Rembrandt, Goya, Fra Angelico and Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana, two of the most important female artists in Western art. The bicentenary will include travelling shows across the country for the Prado with the program 'De Gira por Espana' and the exhibition of a work by a master from its collections in all the regions and in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. It will also include the initiatives 'El Prado en las Calles' and 'Hoy Toca al Prado', to take artistic heritage and educational programs across the entire country.

Falomir noted that for the bicentenary, the Prado is counting on 12 million euros in funds: 80% from the museum's budget and 20% from sponsors.
BEIRUT - Five high-ranking members of Hezbollah ''were involved in the assassination'' of the Lebanese prime minister at that time, Rafiq Hariri, 13 years ago.

This was the conclusion reiterated on Tuesday by the prosecution during the closing arguments at a trial underway in The Hague at the international Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). Hariri was killed in Beirut in February 2005 in an attack in which 22 others also lost their lives. The tribunal was established to shed light on the crime. Prosecutor Norman Farrell said that Salim Ayyash, Hassan Merhi, Hussein Oneissi and Assaad Sabra, as well as Mustafa Badreddin, who has died since the crime took place, were involved in the planning and carrying out of Hariri's assassination.

The PM was at that time at the head of a political front that was hostile to Syrian and Iranian influence in Lebanon. The four defendants are, and Badreddin was, high-ranking members of Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and armed movement close to Iran and allied with the Syrian regime, which has long been accused of being behind Hariri's murder. The son of the former prime minister, Saad Hariri, who is the outgoing Lebanese prime minister, said that ''sooner or later those who killed my father will pay for it''. Hariri the son is at the head of a government that includes Hezbollah and is forming a government in which the party will play a key role.
Syria: UN, 30,000 displaced in Idlib over past 48 hours Russian, Syrian jets pounding area

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, SEPTEMBER 11 - A reported 30,000 Syrians have been fleeing over the past 48 hours intense Russian and Syrian government raids over an area south of Idlib, said Panos Moumtzis, the UN regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by ANSA.



According to UN data on intensifying violence in Idlib, the last anti-government stronghold in western Syria, from September 9 until today some 30,000 people abandoned their homes and refugee camps in an area south of Idlib and fled to the north.



For days, Syrian and Russian jets have been pounding the area along the frontline between insurgents and loyalists in the regions of Hama and Idlib. The raids are aimed, according to analysts, at preparing a ground offensive which will take place with the participation of Iranian forces that back Damascus.



The UN says there are some three million civilians over the entire area of Idlib and that almost half are displaced people coming from other areas of war-torn Syria. Over six million people are displaced in the country.




Italian FM offers condolences to Libyan PM After latest bloodshed in the country

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, SEPTEMBER 11 - Italian foreign minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi on Tuesday morning called Libyan prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj to offer condolences over the recent bloodshed in the North African country. Moavero reiterated Italy's support for his Government of National Accord (GNA), according to the Facebook page of Sarraj's press office in reference to clashes between militias and a terrorist attack on the National Oil Company (NOC). The statement said that the Libyan president had thanked the Italian foreign minister for his condolences, Italy's support for the GNA and Italian efforts to support ''the establishment of democracy in Libya''. It added that the call had included talk on political developments in Libya, bilateral relations and ways to develop cooperation between the two countries. (ANSAmed).




MADRID - One year after a unilateral declaration of independence, supporters of Catalonia's independence on Tuesday will mobilize hundreds of thousands of people in a demonstration for Catalonia's national day Diada, which commemorates Barcelona's fall in the Spanish war of succession in 1714.



At least 440,000 people are expected to heed the call made by the president of Generalitat, Quim Torra, and the Asemblea Nacional Catalana (Acn), to gather at the Diagonal at 17:14 local time to demand the release of detained officials and organize the separatist referendum of October 1, 2017.



However, forces campaigning for independence are divided at the event, which has become since 2012 an exhibition of force.



The leader of Erc, Oriol Junqueras, in a letter from jail reiterated that ''there are no shortcuts'' for independence, which must go through a referendum agreed with the State. For his part Torra, who replaced former president Carles Puigdemont, who is in Belgium since last October 27, insists in ''making the republic effective'' unilaterally.



''Our government has worked to make the republic effective'', he assured on the eve of the festivity in a speech made on Catalan public television. ''With all the hope and all the courage of the days to come, I wish you a good Diada. Hail Cataluna libre'', he added.



From Madrid, Premier Pedro Sanchez, who as a gesture of political detente offered the separatist front a referendum on a new statute of autonomy - which was rejected - called on Twitter today for a commemoration marked by ''respect, dialogue and agreement''.



All unionist parties, from the Catalan Socialist Party to Ciudadanos and the Partido Popular, will not attend celebrations. The mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, said in radio interviews that ''it will be impossible to go back to normal'' in the region with the ''absence'' of separatist leaders who are in jail while awaiting trial. (ANSAmed)
Israeli PM says it was right to shut PLO offices in DC 'To show Palestinians refusal to talk will not lead to peace'

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, SEPTEMBER 11 - Israeli prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu was quoted by the media on Tuesday as saying that the US decision to close the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) mission in Washington DC was ''right''. He said that Israel supports the US decision to show Palestinians that their ''refusal to negotiate and attempts to attack'' Israel would not lead to peace. (ANSAmed).




Mideast: additional 3.5 mn euros to UNRWA from Italy For programs in Gaza, Lebanon, consulate in Jerusalem

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, SEPTEMBER 11 - Italy has approved further aid worth 3.5 million euros for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNWRA for programs in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, the Italian Consulate General in Jerusalem announced. IT stressed that the decision was taken ''in line with Italy's consolidated support'' for UNWRA and ''in light of the latter's financial difficulties''.



The contribution - explained the Consulate - to the ''financial engagement already allocated by Italy for the Agency, in total (over 14 million dollars in 2017) sets our country in 14th place for contributions to the agency''.



''UNRWA continues to play an indispensable role, providing essential services to over five million Palestinian refugees'', it concluded. ''Its action contributes in a concrete way to regional stability''. (ANSAmed).




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11)  President Rodrigo Duterte did not hold back in discussing the country's issues during a sit-down interview with his chief legal counsel Tuesday.

The tete-a-tete, announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Monday, was initially described as an "address," but Special Assistant Bong Go later called it a "press conference."

It was scheduled at 3 p.m., but was called off less than an hour before it was supposed to start. The interview with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo was broadcast by state-run PTV later in the afternoon.

Protests marked the President's interview, with some student protesters saying they wasted their time by watching the tete-a-tete.

They said there were no solutions given to the country's pressing woes, only attacks against Duterte's critics.

Political analyst Dindo Manhit spoke to CNN Philippines after the President's interview, saying it was an opportunity for Duterte to talk about what he saw as threats and challenges.

"The President wanted to talk about it, not addressing the opposition, not addressing people who were critical of him, but I think the general public," Manhit said.

He said, "What I see here from a political point of view is that the President wanted to talk to the people  his constituency  through broad media reach and explain his stand on issues confronting his government."

Something that may not have happened in a press conference because there would be less opportunity to "control the message... control the narrative if it were the independent press corps."

Zeroing in on Trillanes, ouster plot

The President started off by discussing the case against Trillanes, whose amnesty he invalidated by signing Proclamation No. 572 on September 4.

He said one of the "glaring mistakes" of the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III was granting Trillanes amnesty.

"(Ex-defense chief Voltaire) Gazmin signed the amnesty itself. It is not possible to do that. Why? Because an act of pardon or amnesty is an act of state. It cannot be delegated to anybody but only to the President," he said.

Edwin Lacierda, former presidential spokesperson, in a statement during Duterte's interview, said "government lawyers keep inventing and changing the legal basis for the revocation of Sen. Trillanes' amnesty."

"However, Proclamation No. 572 rests only on one legal basis: the absence of an application for amnesty. By changing the legal basis, the State impliedly admitted that Proclamation 572 is deficient. Without a shadow of a doubt, the government lawyers themselves just voided the president's own proclamation," he said.

The President also said he has proof of critics plotting to oust him.

Duterte said the Communist Party of the Philippines and its exiled founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison, the Magdalo group, and other critics were in "constant communication" to unseat him.

"They have combined. And we have the evidence and we have the conversation provided by a foreign country sympathetic to us," he said.

Duterte said he would ask the evidence to be declassified soon.

He also said soldiers who believed Trillanes did anything good for them should join the senator, and challenged Magdalo to begin working for his removal from office.

The President also said he was not afraid of alleged plans to have him killed.

"Sabi ng ano na, 'yan ang plano nila ngayon. Kung hindi na madala sa paputok-paputok, mag-assassinate. Kaligaya ko na lang mamatay sa kamay ninyo. At least hindi mamatay sa sakit. Ano ba naman 'yang bala? Hindi nga umabot ng isang segundo 'yung tiis mo diyan," he said.

[Translation: I've heard those were their plans now. If they can't make it happen though explosions, an assassination. I will be glad to die by your hand. At lease I won't die from illness. What's a bullet? Your suffering won't last for even a second.]

Duterte also accused the senator's mother of involvement in transactions with the Philippine Navy, where Trillanes also served.

The accusation came after Trillanes said he would file a resolution to call for investigation of the unfinished infrastructure projects, which are allegedly linked to the firms of Special Assistant to President Bong Go's family members.

Rice, NFA woes

The President said he would look into finding a new head of the National Food Authority (NFA) after revealing the current chief, Jason Aquino, expressed desire to leave his post.

"He (Aquino) said he's tired and cannot cope up with the laro dyan sa [dynamics there] inside, which is always ordinary happening in the government because we cannot be in agreement all the time. I will scout for a new one," Duterte said

He also said he would recommend the abolition of the NFA Council, saying the agency served no purpose.

The President said there was no shortage of rice, and "man-made manipulation" was the problem.

Duterte did say, however, he might consider Sabah as a possible source of rice for the country.

Third telco player known by December

The President also addressed the country's need for better telecommunications (telco) services.

"Maybe late, early November, pag wala pa, I'll take over. Ilagay ko iyan sa [I will put it under the] Office of the President," Duterte said.

In August, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) released the criteria for third telco player selection.

In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines' Business Roundup on August 17, DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio, Jr. said several companies were vying to become the country's third telco player.

"I will resolve it by late October, [early] November," Duterte said. "By Christmas, alam na ng mga tao sino ang third player [people will know who's the third player]."

Labor strikes affect investments

The President said strikes and the involvement of leftist groups also factor in business investments in the country.

"Ngayon wala tayo masyado. Nandiyan pa yung KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno)  sige, strike. Strike, strike nila, e di magsara. Sinong magutom? Pilipino," he said.

[Translation: Now, we don't have much. And then the KMU is there and people are carrying out strikes. Businesses are closing down. Who goes hungry? Filipinos.]

"Walang negosyante ngayon na papasok na after three months, mag-strike kayo. Malugi kapital niya, kaya yung mga tao na 'yan, nagsiawatan. Kasi sa China walang strike, wala lahat. Trabaho lang," he added.

[Translation: No businessmen will come here because after three months, there's a strike. They will incur losses, so they will leave. In China, there are no strikes. They just work.]

The KMU released a statement after the President's interview, saying the right to strike "is a universal workers' right guaranteed by international and domestic laws."

The number of strikes was a result of the President's "failure to end contractualization, refusal to address the rising prices of commodities by implementing a significant wage hike and of the government's fascist attacks against trade union and human rights."

In a separate statement, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines also said red tape, graft and corruption, poor infrastructure, and a worsening peace and order situation, particularly in the countryside, are discouraging business investors.

Watch the President's interview with Panelo here.

CNN Philippines' Eimor Santos, Regine Cabato, Robert Vergara, Alyssa Rola, Pia Garcia and Makoi Popioco contributed to this report.
The court noted that the IT department has the power to reopen tax proceedings.

The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected Congress president Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi's plea challenging the Income Tax (IT) notice seeking tax reassessment for the financial year 2011-2012.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected Congress president Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi's plea challenging the Income Tax (IT) notice seeking tax reassessment for the financial year 2011-2012.

The court noted that the IT department has the power to reopen tax proceedings and that the petitioners can approach the department with their grievances.

The Congress president had challenged the IT department's authority to reopen his tax assessment related to the National Herald and Young India transactions.

The IT department told the High Court that the All India Congress Committee had transferred funds to the tune of Rs 99 crore to Associate Journal Ltd, adding that Rahul had willfully chosen to not disclose the fact that he held the director's post at Young India.

However, Rahul's legal counsel asserted that the Congress president did not receive any income from the source, and hence is not liable for any tax.

The National Herald scam is an ongoing case filed in 2012 by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy against Sonia, Rahul, their companies and associates.

In November last year, Rahul and Sonia stated that the application filed by Swamy was not bonafide and that its sole objective was to delay proceedings in a "lifeless case."
Mamata Banerjee also urged the Centre to reduce the cess on fuel prices.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her government will slash the prices of petrol and diesel by one rupee per litre.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her government will slash the prices of petrol and diesel by one rupee per litre.

She also urged the Centre to reduce the cess on fuel prices. "For the time being, we have decided to slash one rupee for each litre of petrol and diesel. We also demand that the central government consider cutting down the cess on diesel and petrol prices," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo alleged that the BJP-led central government hiked excise duty nine times, even when the global crude prices were falling. "Our government has never increased the sales tax or cess during all these years," she said.
Actor Arjun Kapoor is currently shooting for director Raj Kumar Guptas film Indias Most Wanted, in which he plays a dedicated RAW agent.

Actor Arjun Kapoor is currently shooting for director Raj Kumar Guptas film Indias Most Wanted, in which he plays a dedicated RAW agent. And apparently, it was Ajay Devgn who recommended him for the role.

A source in the know reveals, When Raj Kumar Gupta was shooting Raid with Ajay Devgn, he mentioned Indias Most Wanted, and Ajay thought that Arjun would be the best person for the role. Thats why he was brought in.

And the goodwill doesnt end there. It seems Devgn also intends to bring Arjun on board for one of his own productions. Talks are underway, and Kapoor is expected to sign on the dotted line soon.
Over 20 passengers were injured when the bus fell off ghat road of hill into a gorge in Telanganas Jagtial district.

The bus belonging to Jagtial depot had 60 passengers and was proceeding from Shanivarapet village to Jagtial via Kondagattu ghat road and Muthyampet villages when it fell into valley. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Hyderabad: At least 52 people were killed and more than 34 others injured when a state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus fell off a ghat road of a hill into a gorge in Telanganas Jagtial district on Tuesday.

Among those dead, 4 were children, 32 women and 15 men.

The Jagtial depot bus had 60 passengers and was proceeding from Shanivarapet village to Jagtial via Kondagattu ghat road and Muthyampet villages when it fell into the valley resulting in the accident.

More than two dozen passengers died on the spot.

While villagers quickly took up rescue works, Jagtial collector Sharath and superintendent of police Sindhu Sharma rushed to the spot along with police forces.

The injured were shifted to a government-run hospital in Jagtial. Those critically injured were shifted to hospitals in Karimnagar and Hyderabad.

The bodies have been shifted to Jagtial Area Hospital pending postmortem.

"The incident happened between 11.45 am and noon. At least 15 people have died in the mishap...20 others were injured and they have been shifted to different hospitals," Jagtial District Collector A Sharat, who is supervising the relief and rescue work, told PTI over phone.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed shock over the accident and conveyed his condolences. He directed officials to provide immediate medical assistance to those injured.

Chandrashekhar Rao announced Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia to the family members of the deceased in the bus accident.
An internal probe has been ordered to find reasons behind the babys death.

Patna: A two-year-old baby died on her way to the hospital in Bihars Jehanabad on Monday after the vehicle carrying her got stuck in the traffic jam during the nationwide bandh called by Opposition parties against rising fuel prices.

Sources claimed that the baby was referred to Jehanabad for better treatment after being diagnosed with diarrhoea and viral fever. She, however, couldnt reach the hospital in time and died before reaching Jehanabad town.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had earlier blamed the Opposition parties for resorting to violence during the bandh. While referring to the childs death, he said, Everyone has a right to protest, but violence during the bandh is an act of desperation by the Congress party, which is trying to create fear among the masses. Who is going to take responsibility for the child who died in Jehanabad?

Sources from Jehanabad informed this newspaper that an internal probe has been ordered to find reasons behind the babys death.

Reacting bitterly to the allegations, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in a tweet said that the Union Minister before giving statements must consult the District Magistrate and other officials who think that real cause of the childs death was not traffic jam but something else. You can also ask the health minister regarding the cause of death.
Asked about reports that a psychiatrist may look into Prasads condition, Shrivastava said there is no update as of now.

Some media reports have attributed Lalus deteriorating health to corruption cases affecting his family and also reports of political one-upmanship between his two sons. (Photo: File)

Ranchi: Incarcerated RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is suffering from depression, director of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) R K Shrivastava said Monday.

Doctors attending the former Bihar CM at RIMS have mentioned this in their report, Shrivastava told PTI, adding that depression was also mentioned in the medical discharge slip from AIIMS.

Asked about reports that a psychiatrist may look into Prasads condition, Shrivastava said there is no update as of now.

Some media reports have attributed Lalus deteriorating health to corruption cases affecting his family and also reports of political one-upmanship between his two sons.

Prasad has already publicly shown his preference for younger son Tejaswi Yadav as his heir apparent. But elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, a senior minister in the previous grand alliance, has high public standing.

Tej Prataps padyatra (foot march) from Patna to Sitab Diara, the birthplace of socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan, is seen as counter to Tejaswis July bicycle yatra from Bodh Gaya to Patna.

On Wednesday last, Prasad was shifted to the paying ward of the hospital after RIMS accepted his prayer that cited poor hygiene, mosquito menace and bark of dogs as perilous to his health.

Prasad, convicted in the fodder scam, was shifted to the 100-bed paying ward, Shrivastava had said. The RJD supremo will have to pay Rs 1,000 per day at the present ward. Shrivastava said the change was done after permission was obtained from the jail superintendent.

After spending a few months out of jail, the RJD supremo surrendered before a CBI court in Ranchi on August 30, upon the expiry of the provisional bail granted to him by the Jharkhand High Court for medical treatment.

The former Bihar chief minister had recently undergone a fistula operation at a Mumbai hospital. He is a heart patient with kidney ailments as well.
Ram Madhav said no country in the world tolerates illegal immigrants but India has become a 'dharamshala'.

Madhav said the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, after realising the enormity of the problem of illegal immigrants in Assam, had enacted a state-specific law in the 1950s to expel foreigners. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav said on Monday people excluded from the final list of Assam-specific National Register of Citizens would be de-franchised and deported to their country, while Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal suggested that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be implemented across India.

"The NRC will ensure the detection of all illegal immigrants. The next step will be delete - means deletion of names of illegal immigrants from voters list and deprive them from all government benefits. The next stage will be deportation," Madhav said, speaking at an event on the NRC.

He said the citizen's register is being updated as part of the 'Assam Accord' signed in 1985 under which the government had made a commitment to "detect, delete and deport" all illegal immigrants from the state.

Chief Minister Sonowal said genuine citizens of India would get adequate opportunities to prove their citizenship and include their names in the final list of the NRC.

"The NRC should be implemented in all states. This is a document which can protect all Indians. Those who will be excluded from the NRC in Assam can go to other states. So we will have to take strong step," he said at the seminar, organised by think-tank 'Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini'.

The update of the NRC, a Supreme Court-monitored exercise to identify genuine Indian nationals living in Assam, excluded more than 40 lakh people from the draft list published on July 30, triggering a political controversy.

Ram Madhav said no country in the world tolerates illegal immigrants but India has become a "dharamshala" (lodge) for illegal immigrants due to political considerations.

He said the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, after realising the enormity of the problem of illegal immigrants in Assam, had enacted a state-specific law in the 1950s to expel foreigners.

"Nehru's great-grandson should read the history and extend support to detect and deport illegal immigrants from Assam," he said, referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The exercise aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in the state that borders Bangladesh was carried out in Assam following a decision in 2005 after a series of meetings between the central and state governments and the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU).

Assam, which faced influx of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state having an NRC, first prepared in 1951.

The current exercise, started in 2005 under then Congress government, got a major push after the BJP came to power in the state with illegal immigration from Bangladesh as a poll plank.

When the NRC was first prepared in Assam in 1951, the state had 80 lakh citizens then.

As per 2011 census, Assam's total population is over 3.11 crore. The process to identify illegal immigrants in Assam has been widely debated and become a contentious issue in the state's politics.

A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by AASU in 1979.

It culminated with the signing of the 'Assam Accord' on August 15, 1985, in the presence of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
AAP's Arvind Kejriwal advocated for the division of the state and said it has lagged in development because of its size.

On being pointed that other political parties have opposed division of the state, AAP said the BJP has been a supporter of formation of smaller states. (Photo: File)

Lucknow: With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections months away, the issue of division of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, is back in focus as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said Monday it will launch a movement to fulfil the long-standing aspiration of the people.

The state accounts for the highest number of 80 Lok Sabha seats. "Uttar Pradesh is a big state, both from the points of view of area and population. Its population is as much as that of any big country. It has become practically very difficult to govern such a vast state," AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh told PTI.

"The AAP is in favour of smaller states. It supports division of Uttar Pradesh into four parts, and for this, it will go the extent of even launching a movement. The party will finalise its strategy soon," he said.

On being pointed that other political parties have opposed division of the state, Singh said the BJP has been a supporter of formation of smaller states.

"People of Bundelkhand, Poorvanchal and Paschim Kshetra (western UP) have been demanding the creation of smaller states for the last many years. This is a matter of public feeling and political parties must think seriously," the senior AAP said.

The party is of the view that for effective law and order system and conducive conditions for growth, formation of smaller states is necessary, Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, because of poor law and order and absence of development, schools, roads and hospitals are not being built. Sonbhadra district gives the maximum revenue, but see its condition. See the condition of Poorvanchal. If UP is divided into four states, it will be good," he said.

Speaking at an event in Noida on Saturday, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal advocated for the division of the state and said it has lagged in development because of its size.

"Uttar Pradesh should be divided into Awadh, Bundelkhand, Purvanchal and Pashchim Uttar Pradesh -- four states. This is the people's demand. And not only do we support it, we will struggle with the people of the state for the fulfilment of this demand," Kejriwal said.

The demand for splitting Uttar Pradesh into Harit Pradesh (western UP), Poorvanchal (eastern UP), Bundelkhand and Awadh is raked up from time to time and come elections, it gains momentum.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), headed by Mayawati, was once a strong supporter of the demand when the Samajwadi Party was in power, maintaining that smaller states could be governed better.

Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution had recommended the division of Uttar Pradesh in his book 'Bhashayi Rajya'.

As the chief minister, Mayawati had first raised the issue in 2007 and her government had even adopted a resolution in the state Assembly seeking its division into four parts.

Both the BJP and the Congress had supported the resolution brought by Mayawati in the 403-member House. But, as Mayawati lost power in 2012 after winning just 80 seats against 206 seats in 2007, her demand lost steam.

The BJP-led NDA had carved out Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh from UP, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh respectively, giving rise to speculation that it might favour further division of the most populous state.

Besides the RLD, Raja Bundela's Bundelkhand Congress, Kalyan Singh's erstwhile Jan Kranti Party, Amar Singh's now defunct Rashtriya Lok Manch and Ayub Khan's Peace Party too had time to time pitched for division of the state.

In August this year, the issue suddenly bounced back into focus when around 250 people got themselves tonsured in Mahoba district demanding statehood for Bundelkhand region.

Under the banner of Bundeli Samaj, they demanded carving out of a separate Bundelkhand state from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on the lines of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

Convenor of the Bundeli Samaj, a social organisation, Tara Patkar claimed the BJP has forgotten its promise of giving a separate Bundelkhand state to the people.

Bundelkhand is a hilly region spread over Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Seven districts in Uttar Pradesh -- Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Jalaun and Chitrakoot -- and eight districts in Madhya Pradesh fall under this region.
Amit Shah said in the land of Maharana Pratap and Chetak no one can defeat the BJP.

Jaipur: Asking party workers to work hard to ensure victory in the assembly election three months later, BJP president Amit Shah has said that the outcome in Rajasthan will be trailer for the 2019 general elections.

Amit Shah who was in Jaipur to take stock of poll preparation said that the results in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will set the trend for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing party workers in Shakti Kendra Sammelan during his day-long trip, Shah said, The mahagathbandhan', or the grand alliance, that the opposition is talking about will have no impact except a little influence in Uttar Pradesh.

According to him Congress president Rahul Gandhi is having dream of Mungeri Lal. The BJP is very strong in Rajasthan. Party angad ke paav ki tarah jami hai, usko koi ukhad nahi sakta (The party is firm like Angads foot. It is difficult to root it out). He said that in the land of Maharana Pratap and Chetak no one can defeat the BJP.

He instructed party workers to go and ask people what they felt about having Congress president Rahul Gandhi as prime minister, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as external affairs minister and Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav as defence minister.

He also touched the sensitive leadership issue in Rajasthan for the Congress, asking why it has not declared CM candidate.

People also have right to ask about name of your leader. Why dont you declare your leader and clearly say that under whose leadership you are going to fight the election, Shah said adding that the party without leader, policies and programmes doesnt deserve to win.

Picking up from his last visit in August when he came to flag off chief minister Vasundhara Rajes Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra, Amit Shah came down heavily on the Congress over National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise n Assam. We will now allow a single Bangladeshi infiltrator to live in this country but the Congress is worried about its vote bank without caring for countrys people and security. Let them oppose but we will not budge from our resolve, he said.

You speak of human rights but I ask you dont the poor people in the country have human rights? Isnt there a concern about the security of the country? Hundreds of terrorists infiltrate into the country and plan bomb blasts. Several such incidents happened during your regime in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, the BJP president said.

In the same breath, Shah raised issue of urban naxals and criticised Rahul Gandhi for support to social activists arrested by Maharashtra police. Shuld we give liberty to those who plot to kill prime minister of the country, he asked.

Shah was confident that the party would win every election irrespective of hue and cry made over mob lynching. He even evoked Akhlaqs murder in Uttar Pradesh three years ago in this regard.

We won in Uttar Pradesh despite controversy over Akhlaqs murder and award wapsi. These issues are raised whenever election comes up but we will win no matter what.

Mohammed Akhlaq was lynched by a mob in Dadri in 2015, for allegedly storing beef in his house. The BJP had swept the assembly election thereafter in Uttar Pradesh in 2017.

The reference was obviously to several cases of mob lynching and hate crime in Rajasthan in last one year. The BJP government is believed to be facing strong anti incumbency in the state.
The alleged incident occurred last Tuesday in north west Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar.

A senior officer said the case has been transferred to the Crime Branch since it is a "sensitive one". (Representational Image)

New Delhi: The Crime Branch will take over the probe into the alleged sexual assault of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in her school last week, police said Tuesday.

The alleged incident occurred last Tuesday in north west Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar and the next day, a case was registered by the district police under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

The girl's parents also staged a protest outside the school Tuesday demanding an action against the authorities.

A senior officer said the case has been transferred to the Crime Branch since it is a "sensitive one".

Aslam Khan, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest), had said,

"We are investigating the matter from all angles. We are not ruling out the role of the school authority or any family member or neighbour."

The police had claimed that the girl was "touched" inappropriately.
The accused would keep watch on the trailer, intercept it at Palghar and fix it to their horse (in front) to avoid getting tracked by GPS.

Mumbai: The Mumbai crime branch has busted a gang of highway robbers who targeted the consignments of a copper company based in Navi Mumbai and decamped with valuables worth over Rs 2.5 crore in separate incidents.

The accused would keep watch on the trailer, intercept it at Palghar and fix it to their horse (in front) to avoid getting tracked by GPS. They targeted the said company as security was lax.

Those arrested have been identified as drivers - Wasim Bashir Shaikh, 29; Sarfaraz Sattar Khan, 24 and Aftej Khan, 29; and metal trader Mohsin Baloch, 31. The accused would keep watch on the containers that left the Copper India Company in Taloja, Navi Mumbai, and trail them till the highway at Palghar. The gang would then intercept the trailer at an isolated spot, kill the driver, and flee with the goods (copper rods and wires). The metal has high demand in the market and is easy to melt for any desired purpose.

Baloch was the gangs business brain as he was into the metal trade and knew how and whom to sell the stolen copper to. He also had bill books from his old business which were used to fabricate documents of stolen copper in case of hiccups while selling it to companies outside the state.

Dilip Sawant, deputy commissioner of police, crime branch, said, The gang had a well-oiled network and a fixed set of copper buyers in Gujarat. A team conducted a raid in Gujarat after it was found that the copper was sold to a company in the industrial belt at Rajkot. Copper rods were recovered in the form of pieces that were set to be melted.

The accused carried out robberies in the jurisdiction of Waliv police station in Palghar hence they have been handed over to them for further investigation.
So why the invitation to Mr Rajapaksa, the man under whom Sri Lanka first inched closer to China?

A 10-member parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka has begun an official visit to India, but another group under the man it fears the most has quietly checked into a five-star hotel in central Delhi at the same time. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, current leader of the Joint Opposition (JO), and the near-certain winner of Sri Lankas next election in January 2020, is in the Indian capital on a three-day visit.

Mr Rajapaksa is the man widely credited with ending the countrys 30-year-long civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). His newly-formed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has won provincial elections and is on a roll. Mr Rajapaksa is slated to return as PM, an office now endowed with greater powers than the presidency and with a President of his own choice.

But why this sudden interest in a man who has never been the darling of most international capitals, including New Delhi?

Paralysed by its Tamil Nadu partners, the Congress-led UPA coalition was frosty towards the Rajapaksa government, while the West kept up its shrill, predictable and hypocritical refrain of human rights violations by the Sri Lankan Army during the last phase of the bloody civil war.

Then came Narendra Modi and things appeared to change. Mr Rajapaksa attended the PMs inauguration in 2014. Despite rumours that India engineered Mr Rajapaksas defeat by President Maithripala Sirisena in 2015, the former Lankan President met the Indian PM during the latters visits to Sri Lanka. Instead of harping on the Ramayan link or Tamil cousinhood as widely expected in India (and feared in Buddhist majority Sri Lanka), Mr Modi deftly lauded Sri Lankas Buddhist traditions and effectively flummoxed chauvinists in both countries.

Yet, bilateral relations have been on a backburner, ever since cash-strapped Colombo swapped debt for equity and therewith gave its largest investor, China, near complete control over two important ports. More recently, an unamused New Delhi has sampled just what such a strong Chinese debt-trap stranglehold can do to its neighbours: both the Maldives and Nepal have turned cold shoulders towards their longstanding ally, India.

So why the invitation to Mr Rajapaksa, the man under whom Sri Lanka first inched closer to China?

Technically, Mr Rajapaksa has been invited to hold a lecture by an organisation called the Virat Hindustan Sangam (VHS), whose name itself is enough to evoke trepidation among Sinhala Buddhists. After all, its website says in no uncertain terms that the organisation was created topave the way for a Hindu renaissance.

But its founder is the irrepressible Subramanian Swamy, who, despite his unconventional practices and approach to politics, is a respected MP of the BJP. Dr Swamy also happens to be a rare urban Indian  and a Tamilian at that  who has denounced the LTTE in no uncertain terms and lauded Mr Rajapaksa for turning a deaf ear to the absurdity of Western demands that the Sri Lankan Army lay down arms in its final winning stretch in 2009 and offer roses to the internationally-proscribed terror group, the LTTE, instead.

Sections of the Sri Lankan media are calling this an invitation to Mr Rajapaksa by the BJP. But whether the VHS paid for the flights or the BJP did is of little consequence. The fact is that Dr Swamy is one of the very few Indian politicians in faraway northern New Delhi endowed with deep insights into what makes Sri Lankans tick.

Finally, the invitation to Mr Rajapaksa by an organisation founded by Dr Swamy proves yet again that the latter is to the BJP what the equally outspoken, but not as successful, Mani Shankar Aiyar was once to the Congress  a via medium for the party to talk and act divergently and therewith test public mood and sentiment over a given issue.

A source in Mr Rajapaksas delegation in New Delhi told this writer that he is scheduled to meet PM Modi too. It will be at least the third meeting between the two leaders, whose personalities and decisiveness in tackling issues are uncannily similar. Of course, the official description will be a courtesy call during which pleasantries were exchanged. But the PMO will have some hard-hitting questions about how Mr Rajapaksa, should he return to power, intends to loosen Chinas stranglehold over Sri Lanka, the most crucial turnpike of the Indian Ocean Region.

Mr Rajapaksa is an old friend of India but also a committed Sri Lankan nationalist, the source said. He conceded that India too will seek its pound of flesh but pointed out that if there is a political figure in Colombo (currently torn asunder by a squabbling PM and President and a teetering coalition), who can ensure the best relations with both India and China without conceding an inch of Sri Lankas sovereignty to either, it is Mr Rajapaksa.

Readers of this column will ask about the Tamil question. After all, it is the demand of Sri Lankas Tamil minority for autonomy that had deteriorated into one of the worlds bloodiest separatist wars. But there are several important developments, which most Western-influenced analysts with no experience of the bloody war or of how the LTTE terrorised Tamils themselves, steadfastly fail to inform lay readers about, in both countries.

Despite its tail having set up exile groups in Western countries, the LTTE within Sri Lanka itself is dead. Tamil anger, which had kept the LTTE alive, has mellowed due to unprecedented development of their provinces  mostly under Mr Rajapaksa  over the nine years since the end of the war. Despite tall and moderate leaders like R. Sampanthan, Sri Lankas Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is itself fragmented. A strong and justifiable desire for greater autonomy undoubtedly persists among ordinary Tamil citizens. But other than rabble-rousing politicians, no Tamil speaks of Eelam, a separate country, any more. And with no LTTE, no separatist sentiment in Sri Lanka and a radically diminished role in New Delhi, shrillness across the Palk Strait in Tamil Nadu too has dwindled.

Mr Rajapaksa is a deeply religious man. During his Delhi sojourn and in the Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition, he will also visit various Hindu temples and undoubtedly pray for India and Sri Lanka to chart a fresh course on calmer waters. New Delhi too will look forward to the voyage but preferably without Xi Jinping on board.

One cant dance at two weddings at the same time, runs a German proverb. However, and by hosting both an official delegation and a popular past President from Sri Lanka, New Delhi has put on its dancing shoes to do just that.
Paytm, which started in 2010, became a household name in the country after a ban on high-value currency notes.

Paytm competes with Alphabet Google Pay and faces an expected launch by Facebooks Whatsapp in Indias digital payments sector.

Indias top digital payments firm, Paytm, is betting on its local expertise and a deep pool of backers to fuel business growth and fight off global rivals in a rapidly growing market, its chief executive said on September 11.

Paytm, which started in 2010, became a household name in the country after a ban on high-value currency notes in late 2016 led to a cash crunch and spurred the use of digital payments.

The fight is no more about one company, it is about ecosystem players, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytms parent One97 Communications, told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of a private equity and venture capital conference organised by DealStreetAsia.

If you have a standalone payments company, you definitely have an opportunity in the market. But there is a bigger game being played in the ecosystem level - there the revenue gets made or the value gets created, Sharma said on September 11.

Paytm, which counts Alibaba Group and SoftBank Group among its investors, is transforming into a financial services start-up with forays in banking, mutual funds and later insurance. Sharma has also started an e-commerce venture, on which payments are driven by Paytm.

Paytm competes with Alphabet Google Pay and faces an expected launch by Facebooks Whatsapp in Indias digital payments sector.

Credit Suisse estimated the value of transactions industry-wide to grow five-fold to $1 trillion by 2023.

With 95 million monthly active users, Paytm has been growing by 5 per cent to 6 per cent month-on-month. It aims to reach 500 million users by 2022, Sharma said.

Paytm has set a target to increase its offline merchants to 15 million by March 2019, from 9 million now.

Paytm has gone into a network effect right now, said Sharma, 40, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $2.2 billion.

As more customers start using Paytm, more merchants join, spurring further use, he added.

Many Paytm users have bank accounts, but it has simplified its app to reach Indias vast unbanked population, especially in smaller towns and cities. The app is also available in about 11 languages.

The Unified Payment Interface (UPI), a state-backed open platform, allows people to send money to each other and directly into bank accounts by linking mobile numbers.

The platform has reshaped the payments arena and Paytm and other mobile wallet firms are adding services to retain users.

Last month, Berkshire Hathaway joined as an investor in a deal that valued Paytm at more than $10 billion, media said.

Sharma said Paytm had no need to raise more funds.

There is an advantage of being a private company, he said. And we always have capital requirements three years forward in our bank. So for three years, we are sorted.
During the proceeding, the court decided that hearings on the case would take place on a daily basis from October 9.

Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Monday heard high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. A two-member bench headed by Justice Yawar Ali in a special court of Islamabad heard the case.

During the proceeding, the court decided that hearings on the case would take place on a daily basis from October 9. The case has to be taken to logical conclusion soon. The interior ministry should tell in writing how Musharraf can be produced in the court. Can he only be brought back via Interpol? asked Justice Yawar Ali.

Prosecution lawyer Nasserud Din Nayyer appeared before the court. However; the prosecution head Mohammed Akram Sheikh recued himself from fighting the case. The judge asked Mr Nayyer to play the role of prosecution on the case.

The prosecution should guide the court whether Musharrafs statement can be recorded on skype or not. How the case will proceed if neither the suspect appears before the court nor his statement is recorded? resented the judge.

The hearing of the case was adjourned until October 9. The case pertains to the imposition of extra-constitutional emergencyin the country in 2007. The special court indicted Mr Musharraf forhigh treason in March 2014.

The special court declared the accused a proclaimed offender andordered confiscation of his properties which could not be attached dueto the litigation in courts.
Omari, who served as an adviser to Palestinian negotiators in later talks, has no illusions about the current state of the peace process.

Then US President Bill Clinton stands between PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin as they shake hands on September 13, 1993 at the White House after signing the Oslo Accords. (Photo: AFP)

Jerusalem: A handshake on the White House lawn sealing the first of the landmark Oslo accords inspired hope that Israeli-Palestinian peace could finally be achieved, but 25 years later, those dreams have faded.

The September 13 anniversary of the 1993 accord, symbolised by the handshake between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat, will not be celebrated by most Israelis or Palestinians, many of whom see unfulfilled promises or a process that was flawed from the start.

But for those who regard an Israeli and Palestinian state existing side-by-side as the only viable solution, salvaging the peace process and the achievements of the Oslo accords, a second followed in 1995, is more urgent than ever.

It was a defining moment for many of us, said Ghaith al-Omari, a Palestinian student in Jordan at the time and now a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy think-tank.

There was a lot of hope, maybe naive hope, but certainly a lot of hope.

Omari, who served as an adviser to Palestinian negotiators in later talks, has no illusions about the current state of the peace process.

On the long-term, there is no solution except the two-state solution, he said.

In the short-term, there is absolutely no chance that its going to happen.

His view is widely shared, with Omari and others pointing to what they see as Israels drift to the political right, a weakened Palestinian leadership and US President Donald Trumps moves.

Ultimate deal

Trump has pledged to reach the ultimate deal, Israeli-Palestinian peace, but has declined to commit to a two-state solution, for years the focus of international diplomacy.

He has also sided with Israel on core issues in the conflict, such as recognising the disputed city of Jerusalem as its capital, without publicly asking for any concessions in return.

On Monday, Palestinian officials said they had been informed that the White House was closing their mission in Washington over a bid to have Israel prosecuted for war crimes at the International Criminal Court.

Such moves have delighted Israeli right-wing politicians, who oppose a Palestinian state and argue that the Oslo accords only led to another Palestinian intifada and more violence.

But the Palestinians, who have cut off contact with Trumps White House, say Israel failed to abide by the accords, notably by allowing hundreds of thousands more settlers in the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.

The Palestinian leadership, however, remains deeply divided between 83-year-old president Mahmud Abbass Fatah party and the Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and refuses to recognise Israel.

Benny Morris, a renowned Israeli historian whose books include Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001, faults Israels drift to the right, but believes the Palestinians are not prepared to fully accept a two-state solution.

I think something has to happen in the leaderships of the two people, he said.

Israelis have to get rid of this leadership, which is unable to move towards peace, unable to adopt a two-state formula as a basis for peace.

But the Palestinians have to get rid of the Hamas leadership, and the Fatah leadership pretends to want peace, but doesnt actually want it.

Not very optimistic

The Oslo accord of 1993 stated that it is time to put an end to decades of confrontation and conflict and strive to live in peaceful coexistence.

While it did not specifically mention the creation of a Palestinian state, it led to mechanisms for self-governance, including the Palestinian Authority, which has endured.

As part of the agreements, the Palestine Liberation Organisation recognised Israel, while Israel recognised the PLO as the Palestinians legitimate representative.

That in itself was a major achievement at the time, following decades of enmity.

In 1994, then Israeli prime minister Rabin, PLO chairman Arafat and Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres shared the Nobel Peace Prize.

But since, Israelis and Palestinians have been scarred by further tragedy.

Rabin was assassinated by an Israeli right-wing extremist in 1995 and the five-year transitional period under Oslo that was supposed to lead to a permanent settlement expired with no deal in place.

A second Palestinian intifada erupted in 2000, and since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, it has fought three wars with Israel.

Israeli settlement building has multiplied in the West Bank, on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

Some 600,000 Israeli settlers now live there and in annexed east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as their capital.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also now heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israels history.

Key members of his coalition want to see most of the West Bank become part of Israel despite warnings that it would lead to an apartheid arrangement with the Palestinians there.

Morris, who has spent much of his life documenting the conflict, still believes the two-state solution is the only way forward, but admitted he is pessimistic.

I really dont know, he said. I used to think it would be achieved. Now Im not very optimistic about it ever happening.
Activists and exponents of Bangladesh Nationalist Party demanded the release of their leader Khaleda Zia. The woman is serving a sentence of five years in prison for corruption. NGOs report arbitrary arrests to damage political opponents.

Dhaka (AsiaNews / Agencies) - About 200 members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been arrested throughout the country. The police stopped them yesterday while participating in demonstrations demanding the release of Khaleda Zia, the historical charismatic leader of the party, currently in jail to serve a five-year prison sentence on corruption charges.

The news was spread by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party's general secretary, who denounced: "The police arrested leaders [of the party] and activists who were going to our peaceful 'human chains' in front of the National Press Association in Dhaka and in several other districts, including Gazipur, Bagerhat, and Meherpur. "

The secretary reports that the rallies had been authorized by the government, which had granted permission to run human chains in support of the party leader, the first woman elected prime minister of Bangladesh in 1991. Then there was a turnaround of the authorities, who allowed the arrest of members of the BNP "without any provocation, since the demonstrations were peaceful everywhere".

In Bangladesh, a democratic republic with a Muslim majority, politics is mostly dominated by two women: Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League Party, the current premier, and Khaleda Zia, of the BNP. For some time human rights organizations have been denouncing arbitrary arrests and artfully created charges to harm the current political opponent. Last February, when Zia was transferred to prison after reading the corruption sentence, at least 3,000 members of the BNP were imprisoned throughout the territory. Even then, Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir, the party's general secretary, had denounced the attempt by Prime Minister Hasina to "keep the BNP out of politics".
by Bernardo Cervellera

As of yesterday there are "New measures" for the control of online religious activities. Live streaming of religious ceremonies banned, as well as prayers, preaching and burning of incense. Permission required to set up religious websites that must be 'morally healthy and politically reliable'. Conversions banned as well as the dissemination of religious material. But the religious awakening in China is now unstoppable.

Rome (AsiaNews) - From now on, all online evangelization is forbidden. The state administration for religious affairs yesterday issued rules on religious activities via the internet that forbid the streaming of religious ceremonies (live on the internet), including prayer, preaching and even burning incense.

The new rules also prohibit some sensitive content: it is forbidden to post the slightest criticism of the Party's leadership and official religious policy; promote the participation of minors in religious ceremonies, use religion to overthrow the socialist system.

The new rules are published on the Chinese government's legal information website under the heading "Measures for the management of religious information on the Internet". They are still in draft form and await comments from the public, but as is almost always the case, the draft is in practice the final text.

The "Measures ..." are divided into five chapters and contain a total of 35 articles. The five chapters deal with general rules, approval for online religious information services, management, legal responsibilities and some additional provisions.

For example they establish that anyone who wants to open a religious site, must seek permission from the authorities and be judged morally healthy and politically reliable.

Organizations and schools that receive the license can only publish didactic material via the Internet in their internal network, accessible only through a registered name and password. The rules emphasize that such organizations can not try to convert someone, and they cannot distribute religious texts or other material.

The new measures are much more restrictive and analytical than the new regulations on religious activities, implemented last February (but made public in September 2017 in a draft form and in October as the final text).

The New Regulations (see Articles 68 and 45) prohibited content that "undermines" the coexistence of religions and non-religious persons, or that publicize religious extremism, or that do not support the principles of independence and self-government of religions. But they admitted that information and religious material could be distributed to the public, in compliance with the law.

The new "Measures ..." seem to be designed to stop the spread of religious teachings on the internet and nip the growing spiritual interest in Chinese society, where the religious awakening is now unstoppable.

In attempts to halt the tumultuous religious growth in China, President Xi Jinping has launched a "sinicization" campaign to assimilate religions to Chinese culture and above all to subjugate them to the hegemony of the Communist Party, turning them into a political tool.

China is the country with the highest Internet usage, but it is also the place where online information is subject to one of the most efficient and absolute controls.
Mgr Georges views international pressures as scary. A big chunk of the country cannot be left in the hands of terrorists and jihadists. The prelate complains that the media have not reported the death of six Christian children and women, hit by rockets launched by local extremist groups. The UN warns of the worst humanitarian crisis of the century.

Aleppo (AsiaNews)  International tensions around Idlib "are scary". In the country, there is a strong feeling that Western powers, especially the United States and its allies in the region, are looking for a pretext" to strike at Syria, said Mgr Georges Abou Khazen, Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo of the Latins.

Speaking to AsiaNews, he noted that whilst "in all battles there is a real danger to civilians", it is not possible to leave an entire area of the country in the hands of jihadist groups and terrorists.

The prelate points to the rockets and grenades launched from the area against a Christian town, killing scores of people, mostly women and children.

For the vicar of Aleppo, it is necessary to keep the focus on the fate of the civilian population, but, at the same time, "Western governments and the mainstream media exacerbate the situation". In his view, Christian victims are often relegated to the side-lines.

"Four days ago, terrorist groups [close to Turkey] in Latamneh fired rockets at the Christian town of al-Mahardeh, killing ten people," he said, including "six were children and three women. Only the father survived (pictured the family that was hit).

The area from where the rockets came is controlled by al Qaeda and is one of the targets of the offensive announced by the Syrian army, which seeks to regain control of the whole province. "No one spoke of this attack and that is unacceptable," Mgr Abou Khazen said.

Hopefully, "an agreement can be reached that leads true reconciliation" avoiding violence and fighting, he said. However, people "are sceptical. We need to understand Turkeys position and evaluate its actions. Words are one thing, action on the grounds is another". For example, nothing came of last weeks meeting in Tehran between Russia, Turkey and Iran.

The exodus of millions of desperate people, who sought shelter outside the Middle East  in Europe, North America and Australia  is one of the most serious consequences of the conflict that has torn Syria apart for seven years.

The expected offensive against Idlib raises serious concerns about a new humanitarian emergency and its international repercussions with a possible intervention by the US-led Western bloc.

Washington has already threatened to attack Syria in case of use of chemical weapons in the province. For some critics, this is a pretext to move against Assad and its allies: Russia and Iran.

The main UN agencies present in the area are also raising the alarm, noting that more than 30,000 people have already fled the province in the first nine days of September. Some fear that this might become "the worst humanitarian catastrophe" of the century.

For apostolic vicar, this is overly dramatised. The people at risk in the province of Idlib include at least 200 Christian families who never left the area, despite the presence of al Nusra terrorists, the prelate explained.

"In six years, they saw their homes and land seized, had money stolen, and their women were forced to cover their heads. A statue of Our Lady was used for target practice. We hope that these people will be liberated because no one, be they Christian or Muslim, should live in the hands of terrorists.
by Chao Mien

A memorial Mass was held for Fr John Baptist Cheng Kwok-Cheung and Fr Peter Ngai Wan-Fai, who were killed on 7 September 1953 in the parish of Wanchai for denouncing communist persecution of the Church in China. Fr Chengs niece wants to keep their memory alive.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - A memorial Mass in honour of two Chinese priests, martyred 65 years ago, took place last Friday at the Church of Our Lady of Carmel in Wanchai, Hong Kong.

The two priests, Fr John Baptist Cheng Kwok-Cheung and Fr Peter Ngai Wan-Fai, were killed on 7 September 1953 in the parish of Wanchai. At the time, investigators emphasised that nothing had been stolen from the scene of the crime.

"I wanted this mass because I want my generation to remember my uncle, said Cheng Tak-Mei, Fr Chengs niece. The last celebration in memory of the two consecrated persons was held 25 years ago, and today the niece  one of the few relatives left in Hong Kong  is afraid that the memory of the event will be lost.

Although she was born after her uncle was killed, Cheng remembers how her grandmother always talked to her about Fr Chengs devotion to God and the truth.

It is widely believed that the two clergymen were eliminated by the Chinese Communist Party because they had complained about discrimination and persecution against Catholics in the Peoples Republic China in the early 1950s.

Two months before his death, Fr Cheng  director of Kung Kao Po, Hong Kongs Catholic weekly  received a threatening letter telling him to resign.

According to John Ngau, a Kung Kao Po reader, the British government that ruled the territory at the time, did not conduct a thorough investigation into the priests death to avoid problems and keep out of the fight between the Communist-held mainland and Nationalist-ruled Taiwan.

Fr Thomas Law Kwok-Fai, the parish priest at Our Lady of Carmel in Wanchai, and Fr Timothy Wan Kwok-Kwong, a young diocesan priest, concelebrated the Eucharistic service in memory of the two martyrs.

"We commemorated our dead ancestors, said Fr Law. This is not related to with politics. I can only say that the reports from that time are true. The martyrdom of Fr Cheng and Fr Ngai resembles the sufferings of Jesus under Pontius Pilate."

Ian Ng, a young Catholic, praises the two priests. "They are witnesses of Christ and a role model for Hong Kong Christians. They were prophets who spoke out for the truth and criticised injustice. They make me think that we cannot be indifferent in society, especially in today's Hong Kong."

Fr John Baptist Cheng Kwok-Cheung was born in Hong Kong in 1918 and ordained priest in Macao in 1944. He was devoted to the ministry of evangelisation via writing.

Shortly after his ordination, he was appointed director of the Kung Kao Po and head of the Chinese section of the Catholic Truth Society, a diocesan publication.

He also launched a monthly magazine for Chinese students, whilst serving as the spiritual guide of the Association of Chinese Catholic Students. He was very popular among the latter.

Fr Peter Ngai Wan-Fai was born in 1900 in the province of Guangdong, and ordained priest in 1930. During the Japanese occupation of the area (1941-1945) he cared for the rural population in the Hoi Fung area.

After the war he returned to Hong Kong to work in the parish of Wanchai. He worked with Fr Cheng until both were killed.
by Joseph Nguyen Vu

The prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life met the clergy in Xuan Loc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Ha Noi. He expressed gratitude to the 117 martyrs of Vietnam for "the vitality and youthfulness that characterise the local Church". He urged the consecrated to give themselves to Jesus to reach the aim of his love. This is the only reason for the consecrated life.

Ha Noi (AsiaNews)  Card Joao Braz de Aviz (picture 1), prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, made a pastoral visit to Vietnam, centred on evangelisation and the religious ministry.

During the visit (2-7 September), the Brazilian cardinal took part in the Conference of the Association of Asian Convents organised by the Archdiocese of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). At the gathering, he met with bishops, priests and religious from across the country.

When he arrived in the Diocese of Xuan Loc (ong Nai province), hundreds of consecrated persons were present to give Card Braz de Aviz a warm welcome.

The following day, in the Bishops Office in Ho Chi Minh City, he met with Card Gioan Baotixita (Jean-Baptiste) Pham Minh Man, archbishop emeritus, and the clergy of the archdiocese.

In the afternoon, the prelate went to the diocesan pastoral centre and led a memorial service for the martyrs of Vietnam, for whom this year the Church celebrates a special Jubilee.

On the morning of 4 September, the Conference of the Association of Asian Convents opened at the pastoral centre.

Addressing the participants, Card Braz de Aviz said: "You and I have received the gift of a Christian life and mission. We are called together to receive the Holy Spirit and to proclaim the Good News to all. For me, it is very important to visit the places where you live and to bring you the blessings of the Holy Father."

The cardinal later visited the Saint Joseph major seminary and the religious of the Community of the Vietnamese Sisters of Saint Paul. "We cannot be naive and think that 'the journey to follow God is easy'. Here I see so much vitality in the vocation.

"In my life, I have never seen so many young people follow God as sisters, he said during the meeting with the nuns. We follow Gods path, he explained. This is a special journey. Let us give ourselves to Jesus to reach the aim of his love. This is the only reason for the consecrated life."

The next day the cardinal travelled to Hue (Thua Thien-Hue province) where he presided over a working session with representatives of the local archdiocese and nine other dioceses before meeting the Association of Religious and celebrating Mass at Phu Cam cathedral.

In Hue the cardinal said that "the Holy Father Francis always has high regards for consecrated persons. They are the treasure of the Church, always faithful and living in the grace of their order or congregation. You do not stop trying to improve yourselves. The training in religious life is rational and conscious, and therefore awareness will transfer into our hearts."

On 6 September, Card Braz de Aviz met Card Phero (Pierre) Nguyen Van Nhon, archbishop of Ha Noi; hundreds of priests and 500 men and women religious were present.

On this occasion, he expressed gratitude to the 117 martyrs of Vietnam for "the vitality and youthfulness that characterise the local Church."

The next day, on the last stop of the visit, the Vatican delegation met with Vu Chien Thang, head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (picture 2). Welcoming the cardinal, the official stressed that "in last few years, the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Vietnamese government is more and more close."

"We share and talk to find similarities and common denominators to build the Church and society, and to develop the country. The Vietnamese government highly values many religious orders, and many consecrated persons (men and women) have actively contributed to health care, education, as well as social or charitable activities."
A message marked by detente in a moment of great tension between Iran and Israel. On twitter, the head of Tehran diplomacy posted pictures of the festivities in the capital. In two years, the Israeli army has hit more than 200 Iranian targets in Syria.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the great architect of the 2015 nuclear agreement, has sent tweet to the Jewish community in the country and around the world for the New Year (Rosh haShana) . A message marked by detente, in a moment of maximum diplomatic and military tension between the Islamic Republic and Israel.

"As the sun gives way to the moon - writes the head of Iranian diplomacy - I wish all my fellow Jewish citizens and all members of the Jewish community in the world a happy New Year, full of peace and harmony". Happy Rosh Hashanan, concludes Zarif. He also relaunched images of celebrations by the Jewish minority in the capital.

The greetings come in a context of deep tension between Iran and Israel. Last week, the Jewish state officially confirmed that it has launched more than 200 attacks against Iranian targets in Syria in the last two years. The government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not rule out the possibility of targeting suspected Iranian military targets in Iraq.

The Islamic Republic does not recognize Israel and threatens to attack targets of Israel and the United States in the event of an American offensive against Tehran Last May, Washington decided to impose new sanctions on Iran, the toughest sanctions in history , after pulling out (the JCPOA). Hence the significant decline in the Iranian economy after years of marked growth; at the expense of it, it was primarily the weakest and most vulnerable part of the population.

In Iran, the Jewish community is officially recognized - as a religious minority, like the Zoroastrians - and can count on a seat inside the Parliament. Unofficial estimates report that there were at least 25 thousand Jews in the Islamic Republic (before the Islamic Revolution in 1979 there were 85 thousand). After Israel, it is the second largest and most important Jewish community in the Middle East.

There are at least 11 synagogues in the capital, many of which have Jewish schools in them. Added to this are two kosher restaurants, a retirement home and a cemetery, as well as a library with about 20 thousand books inside. Finally, the Jewish community has created the largest hospital in the country (Dr. Sapir), realized thanks to private donations. Although he is Jewish, most of his patients are Muslims.
by Stefano Caprio*

The Moscow Patriarchate has rejected any discussion over the decision-making power in the Church and insists on the untouchability of the principle of "canonical territory" whereby everyone is master in their own home.

Moscow (AsiaNews)  Moscow's resentful reaction to the appointment of two patriarchal exarchs sent by Constantinople to the Ukraine is not just another chapter in a medieval-themed saga. The issue has been building up for months between Constantinople, Moscow and Kyiv. This is a direct and explicit expression of one of the most serious controversies in the history of the Church, that of primacy, or to put it in more secular terms, who gets to decide in the Church.

In the past decade, attempts have been made several times to restart a general reflection on this matter at various international ecumenical meetings. On 13 October 2007, the Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church released a paper on Communion, Conciliarity and Authority, which proposed a triple look at of how authority is exercised in the Church at local, regional, and universal levels. The aim was to avoid focusing the discussion only on the subject of the Roman papacy, which has been a source of schisms and disagreements during the second Christian millennium.

Known as the Ravenna document, the declaration is still in limbo because of the refusal of the Russian delegation to sign it for fear of "extending to the Eastern Church the western principle of papism", as the head of the delegation of Moscow, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), put it. The recent controversy over Ukrainian autocephaly is further evidence that the Russian aversion was not based only on matters of principle but also on very concrete factors.

Restarting the discussion over primacy has proved impossible so far, even at the level of the simple review and study of the testimonies and texts of the first millennium of the united Church that Greek members of the Joint Commission had proposed. The Russian Orthodox Church insisted on the untouchability of the notion of "canonical territory" whereby each Church is master in her own house, and on the need to move ecumenical contacts to charity and culture, avoiding dogmatic and ecclesiological questions.

The Russians have always considered Ukraine as part of their "canonical territory", despite the post-communist split, which gave rise to an independent nation that had never existed before. The areas that are part of today's Ukrainian republic have always been indeterminate and disputed since the times of the Mongol invasion (13th century), fought over by the Kingdom of Lithuania-Poland and Muscovite Russia for almost five centuries (15th-18th centuries). The imperial policies of Peter the Great and Catherine II finally subdued the lands on the two banks of the Dnieper, dismembering the Polish state piecemeal.

The dream of an independent Ukraine was reborn in the mid-19th century, inspired by the words of the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, who was confined in Siberia for this reason, visiting his native land only twice. The very nature of the inhabitants of this land, called by its many masters with different names (Volhynia, Galicia, Little Russia are the best known), has been one of an irrepressible thirst for freedom and independence, like that of the Cossacks, the true fathers of modern Ukraine. In the end though, the famous Ataman Bohdan Khmelnytsky, who in the middle of the 17th century created the first movement for Ukrainian autonomy, ended up delivering the land to the tsar in order to free it from the yoke of the Polish king.

Even at the Church level, tensions go back as far as the ancient kingdom of Kyivan Rus', founded in 988 by Prince Vladimir who was baptised according to Byzantine rite. His son Jaroslav the Wise, thirty years later, was the first to appoint a local metropolitan, without waiting for the office holder to be sent from Constantinople. Several times the Ecumenical Patriarchate, even after it came under the Ottoman yoke, had to re-establish its primacy over Kyiv and Moscow. The last Greek to hold a see was Metropolitan Isidore of Kyiv, who in 1439 signed the bull of union with the Pope of Rome at the Council of Florence. When he returned to Moscow, he was immediately thrown in jail and then expelled by the tsar. Since then, Moscow has rejected any subordination to the Greeks.

The Union of Brest of 1596, which brought Orthodox Ukrainians back into communion with Roman, was a response to the proclamation of the Patriarchate of Moscow in 1589, extorted from Constantinople by quite "unorthodox" methods. Eventually, by the end of the 17th century, the jurisdiction of Kyiv was placed under the control of the Muscovite patriarch, and it is to this precedent that Kirill is appealing today in his opposition to Bartholomew.

The "war of the patriarchs" seems to back the Roman doctrine of the absolute primacy of the only pontiff, as the only way to avoid certain divisions. Yet the current pope, Francis, is trying in various ways to enhance the autonomy of local Churches, considering Roman absolutism a legacy of a past that must be in part forsaken. Perhaps the great struggle for Ukraine will lead to a heart-breaking new schism of the Church in the East, something the Russians dread, or it could become the basis for a renewal in the communion of the whole universal Church.

* Professor of History of Russian Philosophy at the Pontifical Oriental Institute
Australias biggest honey producer, Capilano, has denied it is selling fake honey after an international scientific lab that specialises in honey fraud detection found that almost half the 28 honey samples it tested from various retail brands, including Capilanos Allowrie brand, were adulterated  meaning it has been mixed with something else.

The adulterated samples were all products that blend local and imported honey  Capilano has disputed the validity of the tests.

So what exactly is in your honey? And what does this allegation mean for Australias honey industry?

We asked a number of University of Melbourne experts about the impact of the accusations and what might come next.

1. How is the Australian honey industry regulated and whats the screening process?

Professor Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck, Director of the Centre for Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences

There are several concerns when it comes to the regime testing done on imported honey for adulteration.

First, its worth noting that only a small amount of honey is tested. Secondly, the testing method is typically based on detecting the presence of C4 sugars; these are found in tropical plants like sugar cane and maize or corn, but usually only appear in small amounts in nectar collected by bees.

Some genuine unadulterated honey may sometimes fail the test depending on which flowers the bees have visited. But importantly, other C3 plants  like rice  can also be used for sugar production. So, honey adulterated with rice syrup wont be detected by the C4 test as adulterated.

This means honey exporters supplying Australia have quickly learned how to adulterate the honey and still pass the test; making it not all that surprising that a more sophisticated and less frequently used test, like the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) test, detects adulteration that previously slipped under the radar.

Relying on testing in an environment where large profits can be made by circumventing testing regimes means its sadly likely to entice creative fraudsters into evading common testing methods.

The other key issue is whether honey contains antibiotics. Many countries use antibiotics to control foulbrood  a fatal bacterial disease of honey bee larvae and pupae.

Here in Australia, its legal to use some antibiotics to control European Foulbrood but not American Foulbrood (which is controlled here by destroying infected hives). However, in some countries like the USA, antibiotics are added to the hives on a regular basis to prevent disease. But Australia stopped testing for antibiotics in 2015.

Interestingly, Western Australia is the exception and doesnt, to my knowledge, have European Foulbrood. As a result, no untreated honey can be imported into WA from other parts of Australia or overseas.

What that means is its likely that Western Australians enjoy only locally produced honey.

MORE: Are vegans villains in the fake honey furore?

MORE: Code of conduct calls to protect vital industry

via GIPHY

2. The health impact of when honey ceases to be honey

Associate Professor Sof Andrikopoulos, Head of Islet Biology and Metabolism Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

One of my fondest memories as a child, is when I was sick and coughing, my mother making tea and putting a table-spoon of honey in it to sooth my aching throat.

Which begs the question: other than a cough suppressant, what other health properties does honey have and when does honey cease to carry these benefits?

In addition to sugar, it has been purported that pure honey has anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and may have benefits ranging from wound healing, improving blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol and cardiovascular disease to perhaps even cancer.

Regardless of these claims, because it wasnt readily found, pure honey was treasured by ancient civilisations and hunter-gatherers, including Australian Aboriginal communities. as a natural source of energy and contributed to their survival.

In saying this, pure honey has a very high quantity of sugar and wouldnt be something that people with diabetes should indulge in or be good for your dental health.

If honey has been adulterated by other substances to look and taste like honey, then it is reasonable to assume that it wouldnt have the same claims to health benefits as pure honey.

Its important to know what other substances are in honey if indeed it has been mixed with other substances so the consumer can make an informed decision when buying this product.

3. Honey is sold to us as wholesome and natural  what impact will these allegations have on customer trust?

Professor Simon Bell, The Centre for Workplace Leadership, Faculty of Business and Economics

The provenance of a product is becoming increasingly important for almost every product we buy; especially when it comes to food. And this trend is only increasing.

For example, where it once it might have been more than sufficient for cafes to tell customers the brand and perhaps, at a stretch, species of their coffee  like Arabica versus Robusta; many customers now want to know about the specific coffee variety  Geisha versus Yirgacheffe  and the farm from which it came.

Countering this trend is the inertial pressure on businesses  especially those traded on the stock market  to reduce costs and increase profits. Its a common industry practice to change the formulation of products incrementally over a number of years, keeping changes just below customers perceptual threshold.

For example, nearly 30 years ago, Coca Cola gradually changed the sweetener it used in its flagship beverage to include more high fructose corn syrup, which is less expensive than cane sugar. And customers didnt really notice.

Although Capilano has denied any wrongdoing, the same process may have been going on in the background here  the gradual substitution of small amounts of ingredients.

The key difference here is that Coca Colas recipe is their own and its their choice to reformulate. Honey, on the other hand, is natures own recipe and any attempt to change this will only be met by a customer backlash.

If these tests results are indeed accurate and reliable, Capilano would do well to return to selling pure honey or they will very quickly find themselves marginalised by customers.

Also in Australian Food News

4. Can honey still be called honey on the label if it has other things in it?

Professor Christine Parker, Melbourne Law School

Australian law is absolutely clear that food sold as honey must in fact be honey, as defined under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Selling a product labelled as honey that isnt in fact honey is an offence in the various states and territories. Producers and retailers can be held responsible and fined.

Labels must also say what is in the food  so failing to declare other ingredients have been that have been blended with the honey can also be an offence. If allergens or toxic substances have been added and not declared, this is an even more serious offence.

Nevertheless, food fraud experts point out that honey is one of the most commonly mislabelled foods around the world. Food regulators in Australia dont regularly test foods produced and consumed within Australia to make sure that they comply with prescribed definitions.

The Australian government reportedly does test samples of honey coming into Australia for safety and for correct description. But food fraudsters constantly come up with new ways to cheat tests designed to root out food fraud, and regulators must keep ahead of them.

So even though we have a strict law about what honey should mean, it isnt always well monitored and enforced, and some falsely labelled honey may well end up on our supermarket shelves.

This is where the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has stepped in. Consumer Law prohibits businesses from engaging in conduct that misleads or deceives consumers, or is likely to mislead or deceive. So selling honey that isnt honey is also a breach of consumer protection law.

In 2014 the ACCC took action against a number of businesses that imported and sold fake honey falsely labelled as honey. In one example, a business was fined $30,000 for falsely labelling a product as Victoria honey when it was mainly made up of sugars from plants like corn and sugar cane and imported from Turkey.

5. This problem of adulteration is something weve heard about before  but the focus was Manuka honey?

Professor Peter Lloyd, Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics

The New Zealand government disputes that honey produced in Australia should even be called manuka honey. Picture: Shutterstock

Allegations of adulteration of honeys sold in retail outlets in Australia by the addition of sugar syrups and other honey-like substances are only the latest in a series of problems concerning the identity of honey, particularly floral types of honey.

Some of the most severe problems in the recent past concern manuka honey  which is honey produced from a species of tea tree (leptospermum scoparium) found only in Australia and New Zealand.

This honey sells at a very high premium because of its supposed probiotic health benefits. But theres been a long and great debate concerning the definition of manuka honey.

Its known that the total quantity of manuka honey sold in the UK alone exceeds the annual production of Australia and New Zealand: implying that genuine manuka honey from New Zealand or Australia has been adulterated by the addition of other (much cheaper) floral types.

But serious doubts have been raised by some scientists concerning the advertised health benefits  some claiming that there is no scientific evidence of any health benefits from the ingestion of manuka honey. That said, the anti-bacterial properties of manuka honey applied in hospitals is widely accepted.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries is currently developing product standards for manuka honey, and it also disputes that honey produced in Australia from the leptospermum scoparium tree species should even be called manuka honey.

Even though the Australian honey is of the same floral type, the New Zealand Government wishes to reserve the term for honey produced only in New Zealand.

So, the honey wars have been going for quite some time, and look set to continue for a while more.

This article was first published on Pursuit on 4 September, 2018. Read the original article by Associate Professor Sof Andrikopoulos , Professor Christine Parker, Professor Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck, Professor Peter Lloyd and Professor Simon Bell
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMediaBackstreet Boy Nick Carter has revealed on Twitter that he and his wife have lost the child they were expecting.

"God give us peace during this time. I really was looking forward to meeting her after 3 months," Nick wrote, adding a crying face emoji. "Im heart broken."

In response to a fan's post, he added, "It was a little sister for Odin." Odin is Nick and wife Lauren Kitt's two-year old son. The couple married in April of 2014.

On Monday night, Nick was set to do a solo concert in Lima, Peru, but at first, the grieving star said on Twitter that he didn't think he could take the stage. "I dont think I can perform tonight. Im sorry Lima," he wrote.

But an hour later, Nick tweeted, "This will be hard, but for the love of my fans here in Lima Ill be on the stage tonight."

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.




1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
Image Group LA/ABCDJ Khaled is exercising his political clout by raising money for the re-election campaign of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The Miami artist/producer is performing at a fundraising party for the mayor hosted by Jimmy Kimmelon September 25 at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. Khaled is urging his fans to enter a contest to win a trip to L.A. to attend the event.

"You wanna party with me, Mayor @EricGarcetti, and @JimmyKimmel in LA!?, he tweeted. "Its a NO BRAINER. GET UR FREE TIX."

The Mayor tweeted, So excited to hang out, @DJKhaled!

You can enter to win the free trip to party with DJ Khaled n LA at the Democratic Midterm Victory Fund website.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
ABC RadioJason Aldeans been forced to cancel his Thursday stop on the High Noon Neon Tour due to flooding. The three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year was supposed to play Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati with openers Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina.

The Drowns the Whiskey hitmaker broke the news to his fans on social media: Due to the unprecedented amount of rainfall over the past few days causing the Ohio River to rise above flood stage, the Jason Aldean concert scheduled for this Thursday, September 13 has been cancelled, reads the announcement.

While the concert wont be rescheduled, ticket holders can get a refund at the point of purchase.

Jasons tour continues elsewhere this week, with stops in Clarkston, Michigan and Toronto, Canada on Friday and Saturday.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
"This is a weblog that is truly welcome in blogtopia  a new blog doesn't seem to be frantically trying to score points for any party. That does NOT mean it's afraid to take a stand or be critical....You really can't predict exactly where The Debate Link will come down on all issues. It's not chanting anyone's mantra." -- The Moderate Voice "[A]n emerging genius in legal scholarship and commentary." -- Jim Chen "It's on my 1st cup of coffee rss feed." -- Hanno Kaiser "I heart this blog.... he referenced Wittgenstein, and it was entirely appropriate and non-pretentious." -- kath.A.rine "[F]unny, thoughtful, acclaimed ...." -- The Core
Mexico City, Sep 11 (EFE).- When addressing Latin America's urban planning challenges, it is essential to look at the relationship that pre-Columbian civilizations had with their environment, archaeologist Tomas Barrientos told EFE.

"An insight into the good and bad environmental practices of the past will allow (modern societies) to steer clear of the problems that caused pre-Columbian societies to abandon their cities and go into extinction," the head of the Archaeological Research Center at the University of the Valley of Guatemala (UVG) said in a telephone interview.

The professor added that failure to understand a society's carrying capacity puts it at risk of becoming unsustainable, and said that ancient societies were experts in providing access to water, employing innovative agricultural techniques and efficiently managing natural resources.

Barrientos also said that it is estimated that as many as 10 million Mayans lived in harmony in what today is Mexico, Guatemala and Belize from 300 BC to AD 900.

The Mayan crisis, according to the archaeologist, came when the culture "broke the balance with its ecosystems," which caused a "shortage of natural resources" stemming from the "inefficient use of the existing biodiversity," a situation that he says modern Latin American cities are repeating."

Barrientos noted that excavations show that the water systems in pre-Columbian cities worked adequately until the arrival of the Europeans, whose "pyramidal system of hierarchy" ruined what community decision-making regarding water management had achieved.

The World Bank estimates the population density in Latin American cities at some 2,400 inhabitants per sq. km. (960 per sq. mi.), almost double the global median.

Barrientos also called attention to the more than 150 million of the region's residents living with dangerous levels of air pollution, according to the World Health Organization.
Mourning month of Muharram will begin across Pakistan on September 12 while mourners are preparing to observe the month with religious spirit and respect.



AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Mourning month of Muharram will begin across Pakistan on September 12 while mourners are preparing to observe the month with religious spirit and respect.



Earlier Pakistan moon sighting committee had announced that Muharram will begin from Wednesday, September 12 whereas the Yaum-e-Ashura will be observed on Friday, September 21.



Muharram is the sacred month in which Muslims commemorate the martyrs of Karbala. Mourning congregations and processions are held to pay homage to the Imam Hussain (AS)-led martyrs of Karbala.



Imam Hussain's (AS) uprising in Karbala is regarded as the symbol of resistance against oppressors by Muslims, as the grandson of Islam's Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) with a small troop and his relatives stood up against injustice.



Shias account for 20 percent of the Muslim population in Pakistan and the country is home to the second largest Shia population after Iran. However the Sunni population in Pakistan also observes the month with religious spirit.



Pakistan has been the target of terrorism in the past and the government in the country takes special measures and prepares security plans each year during Muharram to ward off terrorist attacks on mourners and religious gatherings.



Pillion riding has been banned in Islamabad for two months as a security measure for Muharram. In other cities, it will be banned from Muharram 8 to 10.



Earlier Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had directed police and provincial administration to make foolproof security arrangements for Muharram.



There is no chance of any untoward incident during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Harram as the government is taking strict security measures and implementing code of conduct, said the chief minister while presiding over a high-level meeting on law and order.



Similar measures have been taken in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, where surveillance is increased around proscribed religious leaders and those considered a threat to religious or sectarian harmony in Muharram.



With the help of its intelligence wings, including the Special Branch, police are checking the presence of proscribed individuals living in Islamabad.



Moreover, security has also increased around the seminaries in the twin cities where a total of 177 mourning processions and 909 gatherings are expected to be held in the first 10 days of Muharram.



Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from Pakistan will also travel to the holy city of Karbala and Iran, to observer the holy month.



Prime Minister Imran Khan had also directed that a comprehensive action plan should be chalked out in consultation with all the stakeholders for the security of Zaireen (pilgrims) visiting Iran, Iraq and other holy places during the upcoming month of Muharram.



He observed that the security of the Zaireen visiting holy places abroad was the foremost priority and no effort should be spared in providing fool-proof security to them and ensuring their proper facilitation.



The Embassy of Iran in Pakistan has taken extra measures to facilitate more pilgrims going to Iran and Iraq.





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A mosque in northwestern Germany's Lower Saxony state was attacked early Monday by unidentified assailants who defaced the building with racist slogans and left pork products on the property.



AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): A mosque in northwestern Germany's Lower Saxony state was attacked early Monday by unidentified assailants who defaced the building with racist slogans and left pork products on the property.



The attack on Selimiye Mosque took place early Monday morning in the city of Nordenham.



Delmenhorst police, who opened an investigation into the incident, said the attackers used black paint to write racial slurs on the windows and that various foods made from pork were left there.



Idris Aksut, a member of the Selimiye Mosque Association, told journalists that they had locked up the mosque after the night prayer Sunday evening and had not noticed anything unusual.



"The ugly assault happened at 4 a.m. this morning. An unidentified person or people wrote ugly sayings on the newly-cleaned up walls and windows of our mosque and threw pork sausages and minced meat," Aksut said.



He added, however: "Those who want to deter us from our path will not succeed."



Aksut said he hoped police  who were given the mosque's security camera footage  would be able to shed light on the incident as soon as possible.



Dozens of mosques have been attacked in Germany this year, amid rising Islamophobia.







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Senior officials of Iran and New Zealand in a meeting in Tehran on Monday conferred on the 2015 nuclear deal, regional issues and the fight against terrorism.



AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Senior officials of Iran and New Zealand in a meeting in Tehran on Monday conferred on the 2015 nuclear deal, regional issues and the fight against terrorism.



The meeting was held between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and New Zealand's Deputy Foreign Minister Jeff Langley.



During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on different dimensions of bilateral ties and issues related to the sixth round of the joint economic and political commission of the two countries which will start work in Tehran on Tuesday.



Zarif and his New Zealand's counterpart Murray McCully in a meeting in Wellington in 2016 had also underlined the need for the broadening of mutual cooperation.



During the meeting in New Zealand's capital, Zarif and McCully explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating bilateral relations.



The two foreign ministers also discussed regional developments and crises.





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Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari condemned a recent mob attack on the Iranian consulate in the Arab countrys southern city of Basra, saying that Baghdad regards the move as an attack against its own consulate, local reports said.



AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari condemned a recent mob attack on the Iranian consulate in the Arab countrys southern city of Basra, saying that Baghdad regards the move as an attack against its own consulate, local reports said.



Jaafari said such moves (setting fire to the Iranian consulate) is not acceptable by the Iraqi government and people as well as those demonstrators who had legitimate demands.



This attack was not only against Iranians but we regard it against ourselves, he said, adding that those who attacked the consulate do not represent the Iraqi nation.



The top diplomat further made assurances that the Iraqi judiciary will bring the perpetrators to justice and said it will soon become clear that the elements are stooges of some who seek to undermine Iran-Iraq relations.



In the Friday attack, a mob of Iraqi protestors stormed the Iranian Consulate in Basra, destroyed the diplomatic missions properties, took down the flag of Iran and torched the building.



Later in the day, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran in protest at the attack and the Iraqi polices inaction despite the recent threats against the Iranian diplomatic mission.



Eleven people have been reported killed in the violent protests against corruption and lack of basic services in Basra over the past week.



The Iranian consulates building was not the first to be set on fire. The angry demonstrators had earlier set government buildings ablaze as well. The buildings included the headquarters of the local government, the ruling Dawa Party, the Supreme Islamic Council and the Badr Organization.





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